With things settled, Tony stopped bringing up taking Miaomiao away. He simply curled a finger and tapped his wrist, where he still wore the Hand Cord Little Girl had braided.
"Then how about coming over to my place for Christmas? It's almost here." Tony extended an invitation to Miaomiao. "Fish Baby, it's just an invitation from a friend. That's okay, right?"
"No, it isn't."
Before Miaomiao could speak, Damian, who sat beside her, set his silver spoon down with a clang. His delicate, handsome little face turned cold as he reached out and pulled the still-bewildered Miaomiao behind him, shielding her completely.
"Christmas is a holiday you spend with your family, of course."
Sheltered behind him, Miaomiao showed only half her bewildered face. She tilted her head, blinked, and tugged at Damian's clothes, asking quietly, "Damian... what is Christmas?"
Damian's brow relaxed slightly, and he patiently explained, "Christmas is the most important holiday in the West. It's a lot like your Spring Festival in the East. Families get together, exchange gifts, and share a meal."
Alfred paused beside them, his tone gentle. "Miss Miaomiao, at Christmas, we decorate a Christmas tree and hang colored lights on it, pile presents beneath it, and sit together as a family to share Christmas dinner and open gifts. It is a day for togetherness and showing how much we care."
Across the long table, Dick propped his chin on his hand, his smile soft and warm, and immediately added, "We put up a huge Christmas tree every year. Alfred makes the best gingerbread men in the whole city, and at night, we can all curl up in front of the fireplace and open presents."
Tim lowered his head and silently closed his laptop, discreetly hiding the "108 contingency plans for Christmas mishaps" on its