All decorations are done, and when I check the time it's already around six.
"…Okay," I mutter. "Two hours. Max."
I grab my phone. A message from Yuyu pops up.
On time. 8 sharp
Good. Very good. Which also means—panic time.
I look up at Jiang, who is still standing in front of the tree like it might walk away if he blinks.
"Alright, alien," I clap my hands once. "Reality check. We have guests."
He snaps out of it immediately. "Understood."
"We need to cook. Fast. And good."
He straightens his shoulders like he's being given a mission. "We will cook real good."
"That confidence scares me a little," I say, already tying my apron.
We move into the kitchen together. I take charge of the stove. He stands beside me, sleeves rolled up, ready.
"Okay," I say. "You handle chicken wings. I'll do the main dish."
He nods seriously. "I have practiced."
"Yeah, I remember. The kitchen survived. Barely."
