"This is the second time Dong Hua hugged me." Feng Jiu thought to herself while Dong Hua was hugging on to her tightly. She was tempted to hug him back, but she remembered that she was still upset at Dong Hua.

Although she knew that she had to push Dong Hua away and protect her heart, she couldn't bear to do so. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the hug while slowly 'melting' into his embrace. "Dong Hua smells good. His hug is so warm. I wish time would stop here." Then she reminded herself again, "I need to push Dong Hua away. I'm still upset. He picked Ji Heng over me." Then her tears started dropping.

Dong Hua then felt his shirt getting slightly wet, and he looked down at her. He slowly let go of her from his hug and looked at her face. Feng Jiu quickly bowed her head and pushed Dong Hua away. Then she ran to a corner, and she faced the wall so that Dong Hua wouldn't be able to see her face. Dong Hua looked down on his shirt, and he saw a water stain on it. He instantly knew that she was crying, but he didn't want to expose her since he knows how much he had hurt her.

Feng Jiu stood at the corner and wiped her tears away. Dong Hua then slowly walked over to her and said softly, "Xiao Bai. I know I have apologized to you many times, but I'm really not good with words or expressing myself. I made a mistake back there, and I deeply regretted it. Let me know what I could do to make it up to you. I will do anything."

Feng Jiu thought to herself, "I actually do have something that I really want from Dong Hua." Then she replied coldly, "Anything?"

"Yes. Anything." Dong Hua replied.

Feng Jiu then turned around and replied, "I want to join the upcoming Architecture Design competition."

Dong Hua was shocked that Feng Jiu didn't ask for anything else other than that. "That's all?" He replied shockingly.

Feng Jiu nodded her head and replied, "Yes, I want that. If you want me to stop being mad, then you have to get me into the competition. I don't care."

Dong Hua smiled and replied, "That's easy, Xiao Bai. I could get you into the final round instantly if you wanted it too." Feng Jiu then shook her head and replied, "No! I don't want to cheat. I just want a fair chance, and I'll prove to everyone that I can get into the final round based on my own talents."

Dong Hua patted Feng Jiu's head and replied, "That's the Xiao Bai I know. Deal. I'll get you in, and you can't stay mad at me anymore. I'll even personally guide you on how to do the presentation, so you have a better chance to get into the final round. That's not considered cheating since I'm just your mentor."

Feng Jiu pouted and said, "Hmm... But you're always so busy, so how would you be able to mentor me?" Dong Hua then smiled and replied, "I'll give you all my free time. I'll transfer you from the Design Department's office to my personal office during this time, and you could also come to my place on weekends for extra lessons."

"Hmm......." Feng Jiu was considering his offer.

"Are you worried about what others would say? I would fire them all if they talked bad about you. I mean, if you want me to move down to the Design Department's office, I would gladly do so for you too." Dong Hua said.

Feng Jiu pondered, "No. If Dong Hua moves to our office, it will cause more unnecessary gossips. I mean, it's just a temporary arrangement. I really need to win this competition, and I need that $50k money to pay for Qingti's bills. I guess that's the only way." Then she shook Dong Hua's hand and said, "Fine. I'll move up to your office. You have to keep your promise to get me into the competition."

Dong Hua smiled and nodded his head. "Yes, boss. I'll keep my promise. So you're not mad at me anymore?"

"Well. It's almost Christmas time, and it's the season of giving. So I'm giving you a chance to make it up to me." She pouted.

"Wow. I'm starting to like Christmas now." Dong Hua said sarcastically. Feng Jiu then started to smile a little and replied, "You mean you dislike Christmas?"

Dong Hua gave a half-smile and replied, "Yeah. I feel like I'm the grinch, someone who hates Christmas."

"What?! Why? Everyone loves Christmas!" Feng Jiu exclaimed. Dong Hua then sat down and told her to sit down too. But he placed his coat on the floor so that Feng Jiu wouldn't dirty her dress. Feng Jiu then took the coat up and hugged it. "Don't worry. I don't care if my dress gets dirty, and I even wore pants underneath it!" She giggled.

Then Feng Jiu looked at Dong Hua and asked again, "Tell me why you hate Christmas!" Dong Hua then looked at his feet and replied, "Because I'm always alone during Christmas. This is my first time celebrating Christmas Eve with someone, and it's also the first time I received a Christmas Present."

Feng Jiu frowned and thought to herself, "Always alone...? It must be hard." Then she replied lovingly, "Well, at least I'm here with you this year! I think we would be spending Christmas together this year too."

Dong Hua then smiled and looked at Feng Jiu, "I guess you don't have a choice then since you're stuck with me here. I'm sorry that you had to spend Christmas Eve with me. It must be boring for you."

Feng Jiu shook her head and smiled at Dong Hua, "No, not at all. It's different, but it's somewhat interesting. But I wish we have food here."

Dong Hua then pointed to the bag of takeaway leftovers from Hao Chi BBQ Skewers. "I guess that would count as food? But it's probably cold by now."

Feng Jiu then reached out for the bag and opened it. "Mmm... It's still quite warm. Want to share?"

"No, you can have it all. I don't want you to be hungry, Xiao Bai."

Feng Jiu then took the skewers out from the bag and waved it in front of Dong Hua. "Are you sure you don't want any? It smells so good."

Dong Hua swallowed his saliva after smelling how good it was, and his stomach also started to growl. He didn't eat a lot during dinner since he was worried about Feng Jiu being upset at him. Feng Jiu then heard his stomach growling and quickly stuffed food into his mouth.

"We will share it! Christmas is also the season of sharing. We also have a lot of leftovers." Feng Jiu said.

After they finished everything, Feng Jiu stretched her legs out, and she slowly began to slump to the side. "I'm so full, and I have a food coma." She said.

Dong Hua then told her to lie down if she wants to. "No, it's kinda embarrassing, and I'm also wearing a skirt!" Feng Jiu pouted. Dong Hua instantly lay down and replied, "No, it's not. Come lie beside me, Xiao Bai."

Feng Jiu slowly lay down beside Dong Hua, using her purse as a pillow. Dong Hua then sat up to cover her legs with his coat since she was wearing a skirt. Then he took out the knitted scarf that he was wearing and gave it to her. "See? Your gift is proven useful." Dong Hua said. Feng Jiu then thought to herself, "Some people say that gifting someone a scarf means 'I love you forever. I want to give you the best, warmth, and care'. Hopefully, Dong Hua would feel my warmth and care from this scarf."

Feng Jiu then tried to cover her upper body with the scarf, but she still felt a little cold since there wasn't any heating system in the elevator. Dong Hua noticed her feeling cold, and he pulled her closer to him and hugged her.

"Hold on to me, Xiao Bai. You'll feel less cold if you're close to me." Dong Hua pushed the purse away and put his arm below her head as a cushion.

Feng Jiu froze since she didn't know what to do, but she also liked the warmth. "Are you sure it's okay? I don't want you to feel uncomfortable." She asked shyly.

"I'm just sharing my heat with you since it's the season of sharing. Don't worry about it. We don't have any other choice too. I don't want you to freeze to death." Dong Hua said and he pulled her even closer.

Feng Jiu then curled up towards Dong Hua since it was comfortable, and her head was laying on his chest as well. "Dong Hua is so warm and nice to cuddle with." She thought to herself.

Dong Hua also thought to himself, "I need to control myself and not have any dirty thoughts towards her. She's only hugging me since she doesn't have any other choice, and she's feeling cold."

Feng Jiu then heard Dong Hua's heart beating faster, and she thought to herself again, "Is Dong Hua feeling as nervous as I am? Ahhh, we probably shouldn't be doing this. I mean, I'm a conservative and traditional lady. How could I hug a guy to sleep? But... it's Dong Hua... Maybe I could be selfish for once and have him all to myself? It's Christmas." Then she asked Dong Hua again, "Are you sure this is fine?"

Dong Hua smoothed her hair and replied softly, "It's okay, Xiao Bai. Just for tonight. You won't have to repay me for taking advantage of me. It's Christmas, and I'm giving out free hugs too."

"Okay... just for tonight. I'm feeling cold, so this would help me stay warm too." Feng Jiu then looked up at Dong Hua and smiled.

Dong Hua also smiled at her and replied, "Go to sleep if you want, Xiao Bai. Maybe someone will rescue us tomorrow morning."

Feng Jiu buried her head into his chest and replied, "Tell me a bed-time story, Dong Hua."

"Oh? You still need a bed-time story at your age?" Dong Hua chuckled.

"Hmph! It's to distract me from feeling cold and scared. I want a fairytale story with a happy ending." Feng Jiu pouted.

"Fine, fine. I'll try, but I'm not good at it." Dong Hua then started patting her back gently, coaxing her to sleep.

"Once upon a time, there's a cold and cruel prince who wouldn't even shed a tear if he killed an enemy. His world is always about war and fighting. Life was meaningless to him until he met a beautiful princess. Xiao Bai... I'm really not good at this..." Dong Hua said.

"No. You're doing well. Go on." Feng Jiu started yawning.

"The prince loved the princess, but she didn't know about it. One day, a knight came into their lives, and he tried to take the princess away. The prince didn't want to let her go, but he didn't know how to make her stay too." Dong Hua frowned.

"Why did the princess want to leave with the knight?" Feng Jiu asked while rubbing her eyes. It appeared that she was already falling asleep at this point.

"I'm not sure why the princess wants to leave, Xiao Bai. I'm bad at storytelling. Do you still want me to continue?"

"........." There was no response from Feng Jiu. Dong Hua looked down to see her fast asleep. Then he thought to himself, "Would it be okay if I kissed her here? I mean... it's Christmas, right?"

He stared at her beautiful sleeping face and slowly leaned in. "I can't do this to her." Dong Hua stopped himself in time, and he kissed her forehead instead.

Then he whispered, "I want your first real kiss with me to be special, Xiao Bai." Dong Hua slowly slid down until he was entirely lying down, and his back was still hurting from getting hit by the beer bottle as well. He was careful not to wake Feng Jiu up 

"Dong Hua. Dong Hua. Don't leave me." She mumbled under her breath in her sleep.

Dong Hua then patted her back gently, "I'm still here. I won't leave." Feng Jiu then hooked her leg over his and hugged him even tighter.

Dong Hua was a gentleman, and he covered her legs with his coat again so that she wouldn't expose it by accident. He continued patting her back gently and coax her to sleep.

After noticing that she was in a deep sleep, he closed his eyes and hugged her tightly. "I wish I could hug her forever and not let go. Let me be selfish for tonight and have her all to myself." He thought to himself, and then he smiled himself to sleep.

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The next morning, Dong Hua woke up before Feng Jiu. He looked down to see Feng Jiu cuddling him, and he smiled. "Merry Christmas, Xiao Bai." He thought to himself.

Feng Jiu hugged Dong Hua tightly, and she was sleeping comfortably. On the other hand, Dong Hua's arm went numb since she laid on it all night. But he couldn't care less about it as he was busy staring lovingly at her face.

"Xiao Bai looks so beautiful even when she's sleeping." Dong Hua thought to himself. Then he gently traced her nose with his index finger. When he was about to touch her lips, he held back and thought to himself again, "Look away. Don't stare at her lips. Don't think about kissing her. I need to respect her."

At this moment, Feng Jiu woke up, and she slowly opened her eyes. "Hmm... Where am I? Am I dreaming? Wait. It's Dong Hua. Why is he staring at me?" Feng Jiu squinted her eyes and blinked it a few times too.

"Xiao Bai, you're awake." Dong Hua said lovingly. Feng Jiu rubbed her eyes and replied with her cute morning voice, "Dong Hua? I'm dreaming, right?" Then she slowly sat up.

"You're so forgetful, Xiao Bai. We got stuck in the elevator last night." Dong Hua smiled and sat up too. He did some arm circles exercises to help with the numbness on his whole arm.

Feng Jiu giggled, "Oh yeah! I remember now. Oh? Is your arm numb? I'm sorry, it must be my fault since I laid on it the whole night. I'll massage it for you." Feng Jiu then started massaging his upper arm and shoulders gently.

"Is this better?" She asked concernedly. "Yes, I feel better now. By the way, Merry Christmas Xiao Bai." Dong Hua smiled.

"Oh! I forgot that it's Christmas! Merry Christmas, Dong Hua!" Feng Jiu smiled warmly. Then she pouted and furrowed her brows. "I wish we have hot chocolate and a table of good food now. I want roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, Christmas cookies! Not forgetting the Christmas log cake too!" Feng Jiu began rubbing her belly.

"I'll get us all of that once we get out of here, okay? Let's spend Christmas together, Xiao Bai." Dong Hua said. Feng Jiu smiled and nodded her head."You want to know what I do on Christmas for the past few years?" 

"I would love to hear all about it." Dong Hua smiled back.

Feng Jiu sat back and leaned on the wall with her legs stretched out. Dong Hua followed suit and sat beside her, and he also covered her with his scarf.

"Well. I will meet up with my friends at the biggest central plaza to watch the Annual Light Festival. Then we will gather around the massive 30-meter-high Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols. After that, we would collect our reserved log cake and turkey and head to my apartment to have a feast until late into the night. This year, Cheng Yu is on a date with Lian Song. Cha Cha headed back to her hometown to celebrate it with her parents." Feng Jiu smiled sweetly and looked at Dong Hua.

"You still have me, Xiao Bai. If we could get out of here, we would do all of that together. I have never been to those places, and it sounds fun." Dong Hua smiled sweetly.

Feng Jiu's stomach then started growling, "I'm so hungry, Dong Hua." Then she held her stomach and bent over. Dong Hua then reached into his pocket and took out four milk candies from it. "Eat this first." He said.

Feng Jiu excitedly replied, "Wow! My favourite milk candy! Oh, you kept them in your pockets? You must really like them too." Then she quickly opened the sweet wrapper and popped the candy into her mouth.

"Yes. I put them in my pocket because I loved them. It's now my favourite sweet too." Dong Hua also opened one and popped the candy into his mouth.

"Can I have one more, please?" Feng Jiu asked in a sweet voice. Dong Hua then opened the sweet wrapper and fed her the candy. "Mmm... It's so nice!" Feng Jiu couldn't stop smiling.

Dong Hua then handed her the last candy and said, "You can have the last one, Xiao Bai." Feng Jiu then pushed it back to him, "No, you can have it. It's only fair if we have two each."

"It's okay. You can have it, and I don't want you to starve." Dong Hua handed her the candy again. Then they started to push the candy to each other.

Right at this moment, they heard voices coming from outside of the elevator. Feng Jiu immediately got up and started banging on the doors. "Help! Someone help! We are stuck in here!" Feng Jiu continued yelling, and Dong Hua also helped her bang on the doors.

"Is someone in there?" A voice from outside said. "Yes! We are stuck in the elevator! Please help us!" Feng Jiu yelled.

"There's someone in here, and we need to call for help now." The voice said to another person. Then he yelled into the elevator, "Don't worry! We are calling for help now. Don't panic, and just wait for us to rescue you."

"Thank you!" Feng Jiu yelled back. Then she turned over to Dong Hua, "We can get out of here now! I can't wait to eat!"

Dong Hua smiled and shook his head, "All you think about is food, huh? I'll buy you some food when we get out of here. I promised that once we get out of here, we would celebrate Christmas together." Then he looked at his phone and realized that it was already 11 AM.

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After 30 minutes, they were finally rescued. "Thank you so much for helping us. I thought we would be stuck here until Christmas is over." Feng Jiu bowed politely and thanked her rescuers.

"No worries, Miss. Usually, our office is closed for Christmas, but luckily we had to come back for a short meeting. If not, both of you would be stuck here for at least another day. Take care." The man replied.

Dong Hua then handed him his name card and said calmly, "If you ever need help in the future, contact me through this number." Dong Hua's name card didn't have his personal phone number, but it was a work phone handled by Chong Lin. Then they shook hands with each other.

Feng Jiu then dragged Dong Hua away. "Let's go eat some pancakes!" Dong Hua smiled and then told her to slow down in case she tripped and fell.

Most stores were opened half-day due to the Christmas season, and they finally spotted a cafe that was still open. Feng Jiu stood outside the cafe, and she hesitated. "This cafe... It's the one where we had our last date before the car accident... We promised to continue our date after the hospital check-up, but it never happened. I guess fate is really playing with us, and we eventually still ended up back here."

Dong Hua turned back and looked at Feng Jiu. "What's wrong, Xiao Bai? You don't like this cafe? Should we go to another one then?"

"No, no. I actually love the pancakes here. Let's head in." Feng Jiu smiled and walked into the cafe.

"Table for two?" The waitress asked. Feng Jiu nodded her head, and the waitress led them to their seats.

"What?! Same seats too?!" Feng Jiu thought to herself.

Dong Hua then sat down and said cheerfully, "Oh. I love the atmosphere. It's unique, but somehow I feel like I have been here before." They were at a 1950s Retro American Diner Themed Cafe, and it was pretty empty due to the holiday season.

"Well... I actually brought you here once when you lost your memory." Feng Jiu replied softly. Dong Hua replied, "Oh, we did? You must have taken great care of me back then." Feng Jiu then smiled and replied proudly, "Of course! Let's order some food now! I'm hungry."

Feng Jiu ordered Pancakes with butter, maple syrup and bacon slices. She also ordered Orange Juice to go along with her breakfast. Dong Hua ordered French Toast with eggs and bacon slices. He also ordered a cup of coffee as usual.

After their food arrived, Feng Jiu immediately started eating. Dong Hua smiled and said to Feng Jiu, "Eat more, Xiao Bai. If you want some of my food, just let me know."

Feng Jiu looked up at Dong Hua with her mouth full of food. Then she swallowed it before answering, "Okay! You can have some of my pancakes too. We can share!"

Within 10 minutes, Feng Jiu finished eating, and she started sipping on her orange juice. Dong Hua then looked around and said casually, "I think I remembered this place. It was like as if we were here on a date."

Upon hearing that, Feng Jiu choked on some orange juice and coughed it out. She also spilled some on her dress. Dong Hua immediately stood up, took the napkin, and started wiping her shirt.

"Where are you touching?!" Feng Jiu exclaimed when she realized Dong Hua was wiping her chest area. Dong Hua immediately dropped the napkin and said nervously, "I'm sorry, Xiao Bai! I'm not a pervert, I swear." Then he thought to himself, "Actually I am a pervert for you only but... Wait! No. I'm a gentleman. Stop having dirty thoughts. It's just chest. I have a chest too."

Feng Jiu blushed and took the napkin and started wiping her dress. Dong Hua also blushed and sat back down. "I'm sorry, Xiao Bai. I didn't mean to do that."

"It's okay, Dong Hua. I know you didn't mean it. But now my dress is dirty..." Feng Jiu frowned.

"Let's go to the central plaza after this, and I'll buy you a new dress. Then we can view the Christmas Lights show and the Christmas tree after that." Dong Hua replied.

Feng Jiu wiped the frown off her face and replied cheerfully, "I guess that would work out then! Since you're buying me a dress, I'll pay for this meal!"

Dong Hua then remembered he had another gift for her, and he took out the digital gift card from his wallet. "Here you go, Xiao Bai. It's another gift from your Secret Santa."

"What's this? Oh, a digital gift card!" Feng Jiu took out her phone to enter the code into her digital wallet. "What?! 2888 RMB (Approx 400 USD)?! It's too much! I can't take this, Dong Hua." Feng Jiu exclaimed.

"Yes, you can. I promised you free meals, so I'm paying for it first. You can use this to pay for this meal since it's your money now." Dong Hua smiled.

"But... It's still too much..." Feng Jiu hesitated. Dong Hua then tried to convince her to keep it, "Well. Maybe you can treat me to dinner next time using this too."

"Hmm... I guess that would work then. But don't pick a 5-stars restaurant! If not, my gift card would be gone instantly." Feng Jiu chuckled.

"I would rather eat your home-cooked food, Xiao Bai." Dong Hua smiled sweetly. Feng Jiu then sat up straight and replied confidently, "Oh yeah! I can also cook for you! Now that you're mentoring me for the competition, I would need to head to your place often too."

Then Feng Jiu paid for the food and they headed towards the central plaza.

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"We have plenty of time to shop around since the light show starts at 7 PM." Feng Jiu said to Dong Hua when they arrived at the central plaza. Dong Hua followed after Feng Jiu while she looks around the plaza. Dong Hua then thought to himself, "I have only been here once, and I didn't even get a chance to shop back then."

Feng Jiu then looked at Dong Hua, "Let me know if you're tired. You can grab a drink at the cafes, and I can shop on my own."

"No, Xiao Bai. I want to shop with you, and I want to buy you a nice dress." Dong Hua smiled.

Feng Jiu then ran into a clothing store with her favourite brand. "Here! I always shop here!" She exclaimed excitedly. Dong Hua then walked into the store after her.

They started looking around the store, and Feng Jiu asked Dong Hua, "Hmm... Should I get a red dress since it's Christmas?" Dong Hua smiled and replied lovingly, "You look good in anything, Xiao Bai. Try this red dress." Then he passed her a red modest high-necked dress.

"Oh! I like it! Wait for me here, and I'll be quick." Feng Jiu grabbed the dress and ran towards the fitting rooms. Dong Hua then grabbed her arm gently and replied, "Xiao Bai. Pass me your bag and coat. I'll hold them and wait here for you."

"Are you sure you want to hold a woman purse? You're the President of Tai Chen Group." Feng Jiu asked sarcastically. Dong Hua then replied sarcastically, "Oh? Maybe I would love using a woman purse after holding yours. Then I'll bring a woman purse to work instead of my usual work briefcase."

Feng Jiu laughed out loud and replied, "I hope not! If I see that, I would literally roll on the floor laughing." Dong Hua chuckled and replied, "Pass me your stuff and go try on the dress quickly." Then he grabbed her belongings and gently pushed her towards the fitting rooms.

After 5 minutes, Feng Jiu peeped out of the changing rooms and called for Dong Hua. "Psst Psst. Dong Hua, can you help me?"

Dong Hua stood up and walked over to Feng Jiu. "With what?" Feng Jiu then giggled and replied, "I can't reach my zipper! I know it's a huge favour, but I really like this dress."

Dong Hua immediately hung her purse and coat up on the hooks in the fitting rooms. Then he told Feng Jiu to turn around and said, "Come. Let me help you with it. From the front, you already look beautiful in this dress. If the dress fits you well, I'll just buy it for you."

Feng Jiu smiled brightly and turned around shyly to expose her bare back to Dong Hua. He immediately thought to himself, "I feel like my nose is going to bleed soon. Control myself. Self-control is important. It's just skin. I have skin too." Then he gently swept Feng Jiu's hair to the side and zipped it up for her. Then they both stared at the mirror in front and smiled.

"It's beautiful." Both of them said at the same time. Dong Hua then grabbed her old dress and walked towards the cashier counter. Before leaving to make payment for the dress, he said to Feng Jiu, "I'm buying this dress for you."

Feng Jiu then quickly pulled the tag from the back and tried to see how much it was. "I hope it's not too expensive. I don't want Dong Hua to spend so much on me." Before she could even see the price, Dong Hua walked back to the fitting rooms. Then he pulled the tag off from her dress and crumbled it in his hand.

"Let's go, Xiao Bai. Should we go buy a log cake for tonight?" Dong Hua asked.

"Yes! I want a log cake! Can we get roasted turkey too? Hmm... It could be hard to get it now, but I don't mind roasted chicken too." Feng Jiu exclaimed excitedly.

"What's so hard about it?" Dong Hua smiled. Then he took out his phone and called Chong Lin.

Dong Hua: Get me a roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, Christmas cookies, and anything related to Christmas dinner. Then get them to send it to my apartment directly at 8.30 PM.

Chong Lin: Yes, Sir. I'll do it immediately.

Feng Jiu then said to Dong Hua on the side, "Hey. Don't bother Chong Lin. He might be busy dating with his girlfriend. It's Christmas after all. Let's just buy them on our own. If we can't find turkey, we could settle with chicken."

"Are you sure about that, Xiao Bai?" Dong Hua put aside his phone and said to Feng Jiu. Then she nodded her head to confirm it.

Dong Hua: Enjoy your Christmas date with your girlfriend, and I can get those on my own. Oh, buy a nice gift for your girlfriend, and I'll pay for it as well.

Chong Lin: You're too kind, Sir. I appreciate the offer. Have a Merry Christmas.

Dong Hua then hung up the phone. Chong Lin smiled and thought to himself, "I guess Feng Jiu is really changing our President. I hope they are enjoying their Christmas too."

Feng Jiu smiled brightly at Dong Hua and gave him a thumbs-up. Dong Hua then smiled back and said, "Let's go, Xiao Bai. We still have so much to do today."

"This is my best Christmas ever!"
- Feng Jiu & Dong Hua.