165 Friendship or Pity (1/2)
Christmas was not really a holiday in China, not even a national holiday. At most, it was a reason for merchants to start a promotion and a reason for young people to gather and party.
While Yao Zhixing had to return home to deal with the promotions, and Little Brother Ye had his own gathering to attend to, Ye Shuang was naturally not rushing back to San Lin City for them. The main reason was the authentic American, Anthony, was making a big fuss about celebrating Christmas. Therefore, she had to sort out a Christmas event for her foreign talent.
After all, Han Chu had already told Ye Shuang that Anthony's biggest joy in life was partying. If she did not let him party, he would find his own way to party like hacking into the city's electrical grid to cut off the electricity or to control the traffic lights to flash some Christmas music.
”You already had me work on Thanksgiving; you cannot make me do that on Christmas.”
Anthony did not think he was asking for much—if anything, he felt like he was right.
”These two celebrations are crucial for my country; they're as important as Lunar New Year and National Day to yours.”
”If you can, then don't take breaks on Lunar New Year and National Day. I promise to give you a good rest on Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
After returning to San Lin City, three days of male form later, it was December 24th. Ye Shuang was at Anthony's home to help him decorate the Christmas tree, and she commented snidely, ”Our country's official holidays are longer than America's. How come I didn't see you complain during the weeklong holiday for National Day?”
”You can't say that.” Anthony puffed up his cheeks. ”Other than weekend and official holidays, we have paid holidays, and annually that can go up to four weeks, do you have that?”
”F*ck, why am I arguing about this with you?” Ye Shuang felt a headache coming. ”In any case, the traditions are different. If you're so great, go run for president… Come take this ribbon and run around the tree.”
Anthony held the ribbon Ye Shuang passed to him and ran around the Christmas tree several times until he reached the middle of the tree. Then he handed it back to Ye Shuang, who continued to circle it up to the top of the tree. Anthony tilted his head back and nodded in satisfaction. ”There has to be a star at the top of the tree… Hmm, this year, no one will put a present inside my stocking. Will you prepare a present for me?”
”What do you want?”
Anthony scratched his face to think about it, and his eyes lit up. ”A private cruise!”
”…I can give you a private raft, a handmade one at that. You can use it to cruise the local lake, guarantee it won't sink, isn't that meaningful?”
”You want me to go rafting in the middle of winter?” Anthony grumbled.
”You have the face to ask me for a private cruise, so why can't I ask you to go rafting‽” Ye Shuang scoffed. After she fixed the star on the top of the tree, she jumped down. She did not collapse the stepladders but tried to see what other decorations the tree needed. While she was doing that, Anthony went to fix the Christmas wreath decorated with mistletoe to the front door.
Just as they were busy with their work, Han Chu's voice came from the door. ”Who let you fix a nail on my door?”
”Han Chu?” Ye Shuang turned to look out the door. Han Chu was standing outside the door with a dark face; he was obviously dissatisfied with what Anthony was doing.
When he heard Ye Shuang, he turned to nod at her, and his expression softened slightly. Then he turned to berate Anthony. ”Can you use double-sided tape? Later, when the holiday is over, there'll be a large hole on the door. Can I still use the door then‽”
”Hey, you're back!” Anthony ignored Han Chu's stormy attitude. He jumped down the chair and gave Han Chu, who was radiating iciness, a hug and a pat on the shoulder. ”It'll be fine. Look, you can use this nail to hang other things, didn't your country like that Bagua mirror?”
I'm not into Feng Shui; why would I need a Bagua mirror?
Han Chu knew that he could not argue with Anthony, so he glared at him while striding into the house after changing his shoes. He removed his jacket and hung it at the coatrack. He placed his suitcase on the sofa and undid the top two buttons of his dress shirt. He looked around and asked, ”Do you need help?”
Anthony returned after hanging the wreath and grumbled behind Han Chu, ”Han, how come you're so much nicer to Xiao Shuang compared to me? Aren't we good buddies‽”
”I've been regretting having you as a buddy.” Han Chu did not hold back. After he rolled his eyes, he bent down to pick up the decoration on the floor. He nodded at Ye Shuang. ”Leave the living room to me. Did Tony ask for some other weird demands‽”
”You know him so well.” Ye Shuang sighed. She climbed down from the stepladder and said, ”He specified to have a roasted turkey and gingerbread men… Then I'll leave the living room to you.”