We walk down the street, shoulder to shoulder. Shops glow on both sides, strings of lights hanging like tiny stars, stalls crowded with people laughing and bargaining. The air smells like sugar, roasted nuts, and winter.
Jiang leans closer while we walk, so close his breath brushes my ear.
"What do we have to buy first?" he asks, voice low, curious, like this is a mission briefing.
I tilt my head toward him. "Hmm… let's see."
I point ahead with my chin. "Lights and decoration stuff first. The shiny, dramatic ones. Very important."
He nods seriously, memorizing this.
"Then sweets," I continue. "Lots of them. The kind that make you forget calories exist."
Another nod. Very focused alien.
"And when we're about to leave," I add, glancing up at him, "remind me to buy a Christmas tree."
"A tree?" His eyes widen. "Inside the house?"
"Yes. Inside. We decorate it and then stare at it like we accomplished something great."
