It was past three in the afternoon when Luke and the others finished decorating.
Linda poured a pot of black tea, and everyone chatted while sipping.
Luke video-called with relatives on his father's side, though the Chinese community tends to value the Spring Festival more, having a holiday for family gatherings is nice, and many have incorporated local culture, celebrating Christmas.
What amused Luke was that the whole family on the other side of the video call was sitting together making dumplings.
Luke's grandma and uncle were even calling for him to come back home for dumplings.
He would definitely be going back, but not now. Luke planned to return with the little chubby guy for a few days during the Spring Festival. Despite it being hard to get time off, it felt more like celebrating.
In the evening, the family started preparing dinner.
The dinner was lavish, with roast chicken, Mexican pepper cheese dip, gravy green beans, sausages, cornbread vegetables, cranberry sauce, stewed potatoes, and cabbage.
Luke had also spent heavily on a Spanish ham, which was an exquisite snack to accompany drinks.
After the meal, Val and the little chubby guy played games, donning Santa hats.
Luke, Linda, and Robert played cards, with ham slices and red wine on the side.
The TV in the living room was on too, and Luke glanced at it occasionally.
Suddenly, a sound of singing came from outside.
Linda stood up and directed, "The choir is here, I'll prepare refreshments, you go outside to welcome them."
The little chubby guy also faintly heard the Christmas carols, frowning and saying, "Mom, is it necessary to do this every year?"
Linda pointed at the little chubby boy and Luke, "Absolutely necessary, you'll also go 'sing carols' later."
The brothers said in unison.
Linda frowned, displeased, "Why not?
Listen to me now, I'll prepare the snacks, you go open the door."
Just as the atmosphere grew a bit tense, the doorbell rang.
Linda said excitedly, "Is the choir here?"
"Sounds unlikely." Luke could hear the choir; they must still be some distance from their grandfather's house.
Moreover, if it was indeed the choir, they wouldn't need to ring the doorbell.
"I'll go check." The little chubby guy sprang up from the floor, ran to the door, and opened it.
The choir was at the neighbors' next door; there was no one in their yard, but a large cardboard box was placed near the door.
The little chubby guy felt puzzled, "Is there a package outside? Could it be your parcel?"
Val stood up from the floor and walked over, "Don't be silly; there's no way anyone's delivering parcels at this time."
Luke, Linda, and Robert also walked up.
The little chubby guy was at an age full of curiosity, directly walked over to the box, glanced left and right, and reached out his right hand to touch it.
"Don't touch." Luke grabbed his arm and pulled him behind.
In the midst of a festival, delivery workers were off duty too, and a large box suddenly appearing at the door without any sign of someone delivering it obviously seemed odd.
Luke waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to return inside, pulled out the knife his father had given him, and approached the box for a closer look.
Suddenly, the box moved, and it lifted off the ground.
Luke instinctively stepped back a few feet and scanned the area, noticing two legs under the box.
The box was tossed aside onto the lawn, and beneath it appeared a woman, to be precise, a fashionable, sixty-something white elderly lady, wearing a Santa hat.
Everyone was startled.
Val widened his eyes in surprise and a hint of panic, "Mom, how come you're here?"
Linda patted her forehead and sighed lightly.
The little chubby guy rubbed his eyes, "Grandma?"
Luke sheathed the knife.
Robert's face darkened, and he turned around and went back inside.
The white elderly woman spread her arms, "Exactly, it's me, the most beautiful Santa Claus in the world.
nonono, I am not an elderly.
Should be a Christmas beauty.
Dear children, I've missed you so much, Merry Christmas!"