American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 86 "Christmas"

In December, Austin doesn't experience the heavy snowfall of Alaska, but the air is already filled with a slightly chilly atmosphere.

The shop windows lining both sides of the street were already filled with colorful lights, wreaths, and all sorts of exquisite Christmas decorations.

Cheerful Christmas songs played on a loop on the radio, and the whole city was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

They went to the supermarket together. Alia, with her slightly rounded belly, linked arms with Lin Yu'an as they selected various ingredients and decorations.

They bought a short plastic Christmas tree and placed it in the corner of the living room.

Together, the two hung colorful balls, snowmen, golden bells, and glittering stars on the tree.

Arya was in charge of directing, while Lin Yu'an was in charge of doing the work. Occasionally, Arya would tiptoe and personally hang up one of her favorite decorations, then turn around and give Lin Yu'an a sweet smile.

Finally, Lin Yu'an carefully placed the largest and brightest Bethlehem Star on the top of the tree.

As the Christmas tree was instantly illuminated by countless warm colored lights after being plugged in, Arya leaned on his shoulder, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

On Christmas Eve.

Lin Yu'an personally cooked a sumptuous Christmas dinner, including a fusion dish of Chinese and Western cuisine: "Rosemary Steak".

On the table, candlelight flickered, the aroma of roasted steak filled the air, and it was accompanied by baked potatoes with cheese, a vegetable salad, and a warm, non-alcoholic fruity drink specially prepared for Arya.

"Respect us."

Lin Yu'an raised his glass and looked intently at Aria across from him.

"To our past, to our present, and to our hopeful future! Merry Christmas, my dear Arya."

Merry Christmas, my hero.

Arya raised her drink glass and gently clinked it against his.

The two enjoyed their delicious dinner in the warm candlelight.

They chatted, from funny stories from their university days to their imaginations about their future babies, and then to their upcoming meeting with the producer of "Life Below Zero" after Christmas.

After dinner, he and Arya snuggled together on the sofa in the living room, with a Christmas tree twinkling behind them.

The atmosphere in the apartment, fueled by alcohol and the holiday spirit, gradually became ambiguous and heated.

Lin Yu'an's gaze shifted from the flickering television screen to the beautiful woman beside him, who looked as if she had stepped out of an oil painting.

Arya's cheeks glowed with a charming rosy hue under the warm yellow light, and her pale green eyes shimmered.

He could no longer suppress his emotions, lowered his head, and gently kissed her lips.

This kiss was filled with festive tenderness and mutual appreciation.

He could taste the lingering sweetness of the hot, fruity drink on her lips.

Arya sank into the soft sofa.

On the large, soft sofa, primal genes gradually blossom at this moment!
Lin Yu'an could clearly sense that delicate body trembling slightly with excitement.

One can also sense the powerful and resolute response.

Lin Yu'an, finally covered with softness again
As the aerobic exercise came to an end, Arya whispered in his ear, her voice trembling and tinged with a hint of sobbing.

"Hermann, I love you, darling."

The clock outside the house began to strike twelve.

The living room has returned to its usual order, with only the soft sofa silently telling its story.

Christmas arrived on the second day.

Good morning, darling...

Arya whispered a lazy, kitten-like sound in his ear.

Lin Yu'an woke up first, looked at Alia's peaceful sleeping face in his arms, and did not disturb her, but just watched quietly.

After a long while, Arya's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her captivating pale green eyes.

Good morning, darling. Merry Christmas.

Lin Yu'an placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Merry Christmas." Arya's voice was still languid from just waking up, then as if she suddenly remembered something, her eyes immediately sparkled with childlike excitement!
"A present! Quick! Darling! Our Christmas present!"

In the United States, the most important and anticipated ritual after waking up on Christmas morning is to go to the Christmas tree and open the Christmas gifts prepared by family and friends.

Lin Yu'an smiled as she was pulled out of bed. The two put on comfortable loungewear, held hands, and went to the Christmas tree in the living room, which was decorated with colorful lights and ornaments.

Under the Christmas tree, several gift boxes were carefully wrapped in pretty wrapping paper and ribbons.

"Alright, you take mine apart first!"

Arya picked up the largest box from under the tree, wrapped in red reindeer-patterned paper, and handed it to Lin Yu'an.

Lin Yu'an took the box, his heart filled with anticipation.

He tore open the packaging paper and opened the box, inside which lay a brand new, black Arc'teryx premium outdoor jacket.

"Wow! Honey, you actually remember this!"

Lin Yu'an excitedly took out the windbreaker, stroking the high-tech Gore-Tex fabric, his face showing undisguised delight.

He simply put on the windbreaker, and it fit him perfectly, making him look even more upright.

“I knew you’d like it.” Arya looked at him with a happy expression.

A warm feeling welled up in Lin Yu'an's heart. He didn't say anything more, but stepped forward and hugged Alia tightly.

"Now it is your turn."

Lin Yu'an also took out a neatly wrapped gift from under the tree and handed it to Ailiya.

Arya opened it with curiosity, and a dazzling, dreamlike light caught her eye, causing her to let out a small gasp.

On the velvet lining in the center of the box lies a simple yet elegant opal pendant.

The opal was teardrop-shaped with a warm, milky white base. However, as the light moved, it seemed to contain a miniature nebula, displaying a variety of colors such as green, blue, pink, and orange, like the tears of an elf, mysterious and beautiful.

"Oh, darling...it's so beautiful! Is this...opal?"

Arya covered her mouth in delight; she loved the gift so much.

"Yes, it's white opal from Australia."

Lin Yu'an took the necklace from her hand, went behind her, and put it on her neck himself.

The pendant hung steadily between her collarbones, complementing her fair skin, while the flowing iridescent colors inside seemed to come alive, shimmering slightly with her breath.

He whispered in her ear, "The first time I saw it, I thought of your eyes."

"Your eyes are the color of the Northern Lights, and this opal has the same base color as your eyes, yet it contains all the colors of the rainbow."

"You can handle it very well, because all its colors are far less than the gentle colors in your eyes!"

After unwrapping the gifts, the two snuggled together on the sofa, sharing a cup of hot cocoa, gazing at the warm winter sun outside the window, and enjoying the happiness of this ordinary life.

The warm atmosphere of Christmas had not yet completely dissipated. In the last few days of December, Lin Yu'an arrived at a quiet coffee shop in the city center as agreed.

Today, he will have a formal meeting with Richard Prost, the producer of "Life Below Zero".

Lin Yu'an arrived ten minutes early. He ordered a black coffee for himself and a cup of decaffeinated warm milk for his companion, Ailiya.

Soon, a white man who looked to be in his fifties, dressed in a well-fitting dark gray casual suit and with his hair neatly combed, entered the coffee shop accompanied by his female assistant.

He looked around and quickly fixed his gaze on the outstanding young couple by the window.

"Lin Yu...Yuan, Aria, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Richard Prost extended his hand, a warm and sincere smile on his face.

“Hello, Mr. Prost. You may call me by my English name, Herman.”

Lin Yu'an stood up and shook hands with him firmly.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, both parties took their seats.

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(End of this chapter)