Traditionally, November and December were the busiest months of our company. Not only do we have to deal with IT audits and rush to launch project after project before the end of the year, but we also have to be ready to support any unforeseen year-end issues.
"The year-end Financial Consolidation process cannot go wrong," the department head proclaimed.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmpY47Aodr
"The calculations for the year-end bonus cannot go wrong," the department head stressed.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPFfBYvzCo
"The lottery system for the company's anniversary banquet cannot go wrong," the department head emphasized.
In short, everything must run smoothly and cannot go wrong. No excuses.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuMmx6iPVX
Sigh.
Fortunately, this year we were lucky to have Hana with us. Her outstanding performance allowed me to save time and not have to worry about the projects she was responsible for. Thanks to her, I finally finished all the work before Christmas and can now enjoy the holiday with some rare peace of mind. Earlier, after dinner with Kevin, he sent me a message reminding me to consider taking the opportunity to "meet the parents" during the winter solstice or Christmas.
I sent him a uncertain emoji, indicating that I was undecided.
To be honest, even though after Becky's encouragement, I made up my mind to confess my feelings to Hana and become a couple, deep down in my heart, I still felt that everything was happening too quickly. I needed a little more time before going further.
So, since Hana didn't press me to "meet the parents," I was also happy to let things take their natural course.
Let's put everything aside and enjoy our first Christmas together!
Lolly and Hana both liked to chill and enjoyed a good life, but their definitions of enjoying life were completely different. Lolly liked shopping, dining at famous restaurants, and disliked exercising; while Hana avoids unnecessary expenses, enjoyed eating without caring about the restaurant's reputation, and loved outdoor activities.
In the past, spending money was always an integral part of celebrating Christmas with Lolly.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHfS1tKEnf
But with Hana, I rediscovered the happiness as if I was still in my twenties.
Christmas Eve happened to be on a Saturday, and we had our usual long training session in the morning. Because of the clear weather and relaxed mood, I was feeling great, and I even suggested to Hana that we extend the distance of our training run.
To my surprise, Hana flatly refused.
"We must stick to our training plan and not make random changes! It's pointless otherwise!" she said.
I didn't understand her insistence. Even with the scheduling of IT projects, practical adjustments were often made to accommodate the latest circumstances, right? Why couldn't we adjust our training? But she was firm, so I didn't continue to argue with her, lest it would affect our mood when we went for the Christmas buffet in the afternoon. The place we went on Christmas Eve was packed with people, and the food stations were often crowded. However, she seemed well-adapted at maneuvering through the crowd to get food, and I didn't have to worry about it.
When we eat together, my favorite thing is to see her excitedly eating like a child and to perform the "task" of wiping the food off her face. Of course, today there was more than just rice stuck on her face; there was also pasta, cream, chocolate, and various sauces...
In the evening, we went to the Sha Tin Town Hall to watch a children's play with the plot based on the famous "Monkey Mountain" of Hong Kong.
To surprise her, I didn't tell her about this arrangement in advance.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWm719PeYN
And from her reaction, I knew I had made the right decision.
She was completely absorbed in the play, and the actors performed with great enthusiasm. She laughed heartily, clapping her hands like a child, and sometimes even playfully screamed in an infectious excitement that brought a smile to all around her. At the end of the performance, if I hadn't stopped her, she would have eagerly raised her hand to answer questions and compete with the children for the toys and gifts prepared by the troupe...
However, when we took a group photo with the actors later, I didn't stop her from showing her inner child. She enthusiastically mimicked the Monkey King, competing with the actors in posing and made everyone laugh.
We walked hand in hand along the Shing Mun River on our way home, and she continued to discuss the plot in high spirit.
"I especially liked the wild boar!" She waved her hands and feet. "It valued friendship and had a kind heart. But the Monkey King was also well interpreted, at least he knew how to correct his mistakes!"
I nodded as I listened.
"We should watch more plays!" Hana continued, "Watching movies lacks interaction. I prefer the feeling of real interaction with the actors when watching a play."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPa0RqJKKl
"I'll pay more attention to new productions, okay?" I said.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrQB4O8sAP
"Thank you. I had a very happy day today."
After saying that, she stopped walking and gazed at me.
"No need to thank me, as long as you like it," I responded affectionately. "Because I love you, Hana."
"I love you too, Brother Janny." Hana said softly.
She closed her eyes and waited.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3FBtPlFSE
I also closed my eyes and slowly approached her.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4RvSdWyas
Until I kissed her lips.
On December 24, 2016, under a starry night by the Shing Mun River, we had our first kiss.
