HUN Chapter 85: Christmas

December in Austin, though it wouldn't have heavy snowfall like Alaska, already carried a hint of cool crispness in the air.

The shop windows along the streets were already filled with colored lights, wreaths, and various exquisite Christmas decorations.

The radio played cheerful Christmas songs on repeat, and the entire city was immersed in a festive atmosphere of joy.

They went shopping at the supermarket together, with Aliya, her belly slightly rounded, linking arms with Lin Yu'an as they selected various ingredients and decorations.

They bought a small plastic Christmas tree and placed it in the corner of the living room.

Together, they hung colorful balls, little snowmen, golden bells, and shining stars on the tree.

Aliya was in charge of directing, while Lin Yu'an did the hands-on work. Occasionally, Aliya would stand on her tiptoes to personally hang her favorite decoration, then turn back to give Lin Yu'an a sweet smile.

Finally, Lin Yu'an carefully placed the largest, brightest Star of Bethlehem at the top of the tree.

When they plugged it in and the entire Christmas tree was instantly illuminated by countless warm colored lights, Aliya leaned against his shoulder, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

On Christmas Eve night, Lin Yu'an personally cooked a sumptuous Christmas feast, preparing a fusion dish of "herb rosemary steak."

At the dining table, candlelight flickered, the grilled steak gave off an enticing meaty aroma, accompanied by cheese-baked potatoes, vegetable salad, and a warm, non-alcoholic fruity hot drink specially prepared for Aliya.

"To us."

Lin Yu'an raised his wine glass, looking seriously at Aliya across from him.

"To our past, to our present, and to our hopeful future that's about to come! Merry Christmas, my dear Aliya."

"Merry Christmas, my hero."

Aliya raised her drink glass and gently clinked it with his.

The two enjoyed this delicious dinner under the warm candlelight.

They chatted about everything, from amusing college stories, to imagining their future babies, and then about the upcoming meeting with the producer of "Life Below Zero" after Christmas.

After dinner, they cuddled together on the living room sofa, with the Christmas tree twinkling with starlight behind them.

The atmosphere in the apartment gradually became intimate and heated, catalyzed by alcohol and the holiday spirit.

Lin Yu'an's gaze shifted from the flickering TV screen to the beautiful woman beside him who seemed to have walked out of an oil painting.

Aliya's cheeks glowed with a charming blush under the warm yellow light, and her light green eyes shimmered like rippling water.

He could no longer suppress the emotions in his heart, lowered his head, and gently kissed her lips.

This kiss was filled with holiday tenderness and cherishment for each other.

He could taste the lingering sweetness of the fruity hot drink on her lips.

Aliya melted completely into the soft sofa.

On the wide, soft sofa, primitive instincts gradually bloomed at this moment!

Lin Yu'an could clearly sense the delicate body trembling slightly with excitement.

He could also sense the strong and determined response.

Lin Yu'an finally covered the softness again...

When the aerobic exercise reached its conclusion, Aliya whispered in his ear with a trembling voice tinged with tears.

"Hermann, I love you, darling."

The twelve o'clock chimes began to ring outside the house.

Order had been restored in the living room, with only the soft sofa silently telling its tale.

When Christmas arrived, it was already the next day.

"Good morning~ darling..."

Aliya made a lazy sound like a kitten in his ear.

Lin Yu'an woke up first and, looking at Aliya's peaceful sleeping face in his arms, didn't disturb her but just quietly watched.

After a long while, Aliya's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she slowly opened those charming light green eyes.

"Good morning, darling. Merry Christmas."

Lin Yu'an planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Merry Christmas."

Aliya's voice carried the laziness of just waking up, then as if suddenly remembering something, her eyes immediately sparkled with childlike excitement!

"Presents! Quick! Darling! Our Christmas presents!"

In America, the most important and anticipated ritual upon waking on Christmas morning is going to the Christmas tree to unwrap gifts prepared by family and friends.

Lin Yu'an laughed as she pulled him up from bed. The two put on comfortable loungewear and, hand in hand, came to the Christmas tree in the living room that was decorated with colorful lights and ornaments.

Under the Christmas tree, several gift boxes wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper and ribbons were piled up.

"Alright, you open mine first!"

Aliya picked up the largest box wrapped in red reindeer-patterned paper from under the tree and handed it to Lin Yu'an.

Lin Yu'an took the box, his heart full of anticipation.

He tore open the wrapping paper and opened the box to find a brand new black Arcteryx high-end outdoor shell jacket lying quietly inside.

"Wow! Darling, you actually remembered this!"

Lin Yu'an exclaimed with surprise as he took out the shell jacket, stroking the high-tech Gore-Tex fabric, his face showing undisguised delight.

He directly put on the shell jacket, which fit perfectly and made his figure look even more upright.

"I knew you would like it," Aliya looked at him with happiness all over her face.

A warm current surged through Lin Yu'an's heart. Without saying much more, he stepped forward and hugged Aliya tightly.

"Now, it's your turn."

Lin Yu'an also took out a neatly wrapped square gift from under the tree and handed it to Aliya.

Aliya opened it curiously, and a brilliant, dreamlike light met her eyes, causing her to let out a small gasp of surprise.

On the velvet cushion in the center of the box lay an opal pendant with a simple yet elegant design.

The opal was teardrop-shaped with a base color of warm milky white, but as light moved across it, its interior seemed to contain a miniature nebula, transforming into various colors like green, blue, pink, and orange in a play of colors, like tears of an elf, mysterious and beautiful.

"Oh, darling... it's so beautiful! This is... an opal?"

Aliya covered her mouth in surprise, absolutely loving this gift.

"Yes, white opal from Australia."

Lin Yu'an took the necklace from her hands, moved behind her, and personally put it on for her.

The pendant settled perfectly between her collarbones, complementing her fair skin, while the flowing play of colors within seemed to come alive, flickering gently with her breathing.

He whispered in her ear, "The first time I saw it, it reminded me of your eyes."

"Your eyes are the color of the northern lights, and this opal has the same base color as your eyes, yet contains all the colors of the rainbow."

"You can wear it beautifully because all its colors pale in comparison to the gentle colors in your eyes!"

After unwrapping the gifts, the two cuddled on the sofa, sharing a cup of hot cocoa, looking at the warm winter sun outside the window, enjoying the happiness of this ordinary life.

While the warm Christmas atmosphere hadn't completely faded, in the last few days of December, Lin Yu'an came to a quiet coffee shop in the city center as scheduled.

Today, he was to have a formal meeting with Richard Proast, the producer of "Life Below Zero."

Lin Yu'an arrived ten minutes early. He ordered a black coffee for himself and a warm, caffeine-free milk for Aliya who accompanied him.

Soon, a white man who appeared to be in his fifties, wearing a well-fitted dark gray casual suit with impeccably groomed hair, entered the coffee shop accompanied by a female assistant.

He looked around and quickly focused his attention on the outstanding young couple by the window.

"Lin Yu... an, Aliya, very pleased to meet you."

Richard Proast proactively extended his hand with an enthusiastic and sincere smile on his face.

"Mr. Proast, hello. You can call me by my English name, Hermann."

Lin Yu'an stood up and shook hands with him firmly.

After brief pleasantries, both parties took their seats.

[NEXT CHAPTER]