The besties continued singing in the karaoke resto bar, half full from the stuff they've ordered, although they still have room for the Lees' cooking for dinner. As everyone took their turns in singing solo, now it's time to close it with all of them singing their theme song in unison: Nobody Like U by 4*Town.

As Abby was scanning the song book for their last song, Tyler complimented Mei.

"Your hair's pretty wavy, it looks good on you!" chuckled Tyler, stroking Mei's long hair.

"Ugh, I haven't even brushed it! That's what bunning my hair brings me," laughed Mei. "I'd like to shear it off next week though, all the way to chin-level." she added, hinting to her signature hairstyle in 2002. Her long hair has reached all the way to slightly above her waistline, it would take her ages to dry it after showering, so she decided to cut it off come New Year.

"One way or another, you look pretty, Meilin." winked Tyler softly, stroking the hair above her forehead. Mei kind of liked it and blushed moderately.

"Heheh… Thanks, Ty, I bet you'd look cooler when your hair is sheared off for your military training this coming summer," softly giggled Mei.

Abby, having finished looking through the song book, punched in Nobody Like U into the karaoke machine. They also looked at Mei and Tyler having a small moment together. They cooed.

"Oh my gosh, Baker, YOU SMOOTH!" laughed Priya. It was an occasional moment where she doesn't speak monotonously.

"But you're way smoother, Mei! JUST LIKE YOUR HAIR!" screamed Abby, giggling at the small moment shared by the two.

Tyler and Mei just smiled.

"You're not wrong, Abby!" laughed Tyler.

"That's sweet, but we gotta sing now, let's twist and shout, gals!" exclaimed Miriam, excited at the song that was already showing up on the screen. "Bring out your hidden love for each other through singing, you goofs!", she added chucklingly.

Mei and Tyler just brushed it off although they were blushing and tingling at that thought.

Singing Nobody Like U brought the fivesome into a trip down memory lane like when they were vibing to 4*Town's songs 5 years ago, growing up and embarking on adventures and shenanigans, and learning new things as they aged.

When they finished singing, Miriam then proceeded to call Ronaldo for the bill. Right away, they received their bill and were charged 42. Now, they began to playfully fight over splitting the bill.

"Here's 20!" offered Mei on the table. She was immediately hushed off by Miriam.

"No, I'm fully paying this! Keep your 20, and you too, Priya, keep your share!"

"HERE'S 30!" exclaimed Abby as she laid the money on the table, to be cut off by Mei.

"Dude, I'm paying in full! I reserved this, so it's gonna be on me!" she protested.

"GUYS!" Tyler cleared his throat. "I'm the one with a job here, so I'm paying. It's all on me, peeps!" he added as he brandished his debit card and flagged down Ronaldo once more with the bill booklet on hand. Ron then opened the booklet to reveal Tyler's debit card in it.

"Right this way sir,"

The girls looked at him defeated and sighed, but deep inside, they knew Tyler did them a favour.

Tyler and Ron then marched off into the point of sale machine at the counter then inputted his code, paid 42, and returned with the receipt.

"Thank you for dining and singing with us, have a great day!" smiled Ronaldo.

"Be back again, man. See you! Thanks too," said Tyler.

As Tyler returned to the karaoke room, the girls ran up to him and gave him each of their shares.

"Dude, here's 20, why'd you suddenly pay for us like that?!" protested Abby.

"And another 22, here, keep it!" said Mei.

"Nah, I'm good! It's good to be generous at least once in your lifetime, right?!" chuckled Tyler. Sure, he was that 'stupid evil Tyler' Mei always said last 2002, but after a change of heart, he also revealed his soft side and continues to do so to date.

They then proceeded to leave La Paz Bistro and marched off into their cars. Tyler was alone, then the girls rode Priya's SUV.

"Convoy to the temple?" asked Priya.

"Yep, see you there!" replied Tyler.

As they got into their cars, Mei then proceeded to check on their presents. She returned outside and shifted through her purse for Tyler's gift card. She flagged him down and quickly presented it to him.

"Tyler!" Mei called. He walked up to Mei and she said, "Merry Christmas, Baker", giving him the GameStop gift card.

He was astonished.

"This… For me?!" said Tyler surprised.

"Buy whatever video game you want, man! You deserve it." winked Mei softly.

The girls were looking from the car and shrieked.

"OH SHIIIIIIIIT, SHE GAVE HIM SOMETHING?!!!" shrieked Miriam.

"Duh, isn't it obvious, German girl?" Priya rolled her eyes, speaking monotonously.

"Not Mei falling all of a sudden for whom she once called 'stupid evil Tyler'!" gasped Abby shrieking.

Tyler then went to his car and grabbed something from the back seat- it was a Bath & Body Works fragrances and shower gels he bought from across the border about 2 weeks ago.

Mei gasped at what Tyler had bought for her.

"OH MY GOSH…. You bought these…. For me?!" shrieked Mei softly, blushing at the package of assorted fragrances and shower gels.

"I know you smell good, but those can make you smell magnificent! Enjoy it" smiled Tyler.

"Where'd you buy these from?! I thought they still don't have the stores yet here in Canada" asked Mei.

"Crossed over to Detroit 2 weeks ago, bought these, and voila!" replied Tyler.

"You're still stupid, evil Tyler though, but thanks, man! I appreciate you." laughed Mei, giving Tyler a playful push to the shoulder.

Mei marched off proudly to Priya's car and she entered the back seat. She then leaned to the back to pick up the Christmas presents she has for her besties. Her friends, however, teased her for her moment with Tyler.

"Yihieeeeee, lover girl gave and got one in return!" cooed Miriam teasingly.

"Is marriage proposal next?!" screamed Abby teasingly. Priya elected not to utter a word, though she felt the urge to tag along with the teasing deep inside.

Mei rolled her eyes, but due to the tingling and blushy sensation she's feeling, she gave in somewhat.

"Huhhhh, fine!" scoffed Mei. "Even though you guys can be assholes, I still have my presents for you!"

She then picked up the first present she saw.

"Here's for you, Abigail!" said Mei, giving her the packed nightgown she bought earlier. "Merry Christmas, Park!"

Abby's eyes widened.

"This is…. For me?!" gasped Abby. "SIIIICK!! Thanks girlfriend!"

Mei smiled and proceeded to pick up the present for Priya.

"Blessed Christmas, my simplistic friend!"

"Oh cool, thanks dearest!" said Priya yet again monotonously. It contained the graphics card she wanted a month ago, and Mei got the hint.

"Y'know I've gotchu covered!" smiled Mei.

She then proceeded to hand Miriam a small envelope containing 150. She gave it to her quietly.

"And this here is for you, Mir. I know you don't celebrate, but still I'd love to give you this small present. Hope it will make you satisfied!" whispered Mei into Miriam's ear, smiling.

Miriam opened the envelope and saw the two folded bills.

"Great, I love this! Thanks a lot, girlfriend!" smiled Miriam.

"Always the best for my bestest Mir," smiled Mei.

The girls then pulled out of the car park with Tyler following from behind and headed to the Temple, where the besties would be eating.

At the Lee residence, the dining table inside the house was set up. During spring, summer, and fall, the Lees would normally set up a table outside within the courtyard when having dinner with guests. However, it's winter and a snowy day, so they had it inside the house instead.

"They sure will love your baozis, Jin sweetie." cooed Ming to Jin, who was setting up the dim sum onto the lazy susan.

"They'll love your Sichuan pork much more, sweetie," returned Jin softly.

The dinner table was set up with dim sum and a hot pot cooker with all the ingredients, composed of some vegetables, pork, beef, and shrimps.

Mei then rang the bell at the front door to be greeted by Ming as she opened the door.

"Hey mother! What's up?" greeted Mei smilingly and gave her mother a tight hug.

"You teens are just in time!" smiled Ming, returning the hug to Mei, and then exchanging cheek kisses with Abby, Miriam, and Priya. Tyler gave a small bow and a handshake.

"Dinner's ready!" called out Jin.

The besties plus the elder Lees positioned themselves. Jin, being the de jure head of the household, allowed the whole table to begin eating.

"C'mon, you guys may start eating! It's yummy." smiled Jin.

Abby, Mei, and Tyler, being Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese, respectively, opted to use chopsticks alongside their soup spoon. Miriam and Priya simply opted to use spoon and fork, although they do know how to use chopsticks.

"So.. Did you guys have fun?" inquired Ming. "I believe you guys did!"

"It was cool, mother! Abby sang one of your favourites." replied Mei.

"Oh my, was it… My Heart will go On?!" gasped Ming smilingly.

"Yes, Aunt Ming! Your fave!" smiled Abby.

Jin then chimed in and asked Abby,

"Oh by the way, how was your fiasco the other day?"

"It was chaotic, Uncle Jin, not gonna lie." replied Abby. "But now, I've recovered, thankfully. I was able to celebrate Christmas without any problem!"

"Very good! Enjoy the food, glad you're finally well" replied Jin.

"And you, Miriam, how was Germany?" asked Ming.

"It was pretty okay, I guess," replied Miriam. "I was homesick for a week, but my uncle and aunt were a good bunch, so I was able to move on shortly!"

"That's wonderful, hope you had a good stay there and studied well" smiled Ming.

They all had dinner and a good small talk into the night. When it was already 9 pm, the besties then prepared to leave, sans Mei.

"Thanks for the dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Lee, plus Mei!" said Priya.

"It was DELICIOUS! Thanks a lot, Lee family!" exclaimed Abby, slightly rubbing her stuffed belly.

"That was so good, thanks a bunch, Meimei, Mr. Lee, and Mrs. Lee!" said Miriam softly.

"Swell dinner, thank you so much!" smiled Tyler.

"Hope you guys were full and enjoyed the dinner!" smiled Jin.

The besties then waved goodbye to the Lees and went for the front door. Ming realised she had gifts for the rest, so she quickly approached and stopped them on their tracks.

"Hold it right there, guys!" said Ming. She then gave the besties 100 each in small envelopes. "For you, Abigail, Priya, Tyler, and Miriam".

The besties knew it was money and didn't hesitate to receive it, although Miriam was quite hesitant as she had already received 150 from Mei, and Tyler slightly hesitated too, given that he has a job before heading off to the military.

"Oh my, thank you so much Aunt Ming!" softly exclaimed the besties.

"It's a season of generosity, sweeties! Learned that from Mei, thankfully you guys have such a sweet and giving friend, too." cooed Ming.

They then left the house and headed off into their respective homes. Tyler went home straight with his 100 gift card from Mei. Priya first dropped off Miriam, then Abby, and also went home and they all settled for the night.

Mei was arranging her presents from Tyler and Miriam. As she arranged her new shower gels and colognes, Ming entered the room and immediately noticed the Bath & Body Works stuff.

"Hmm, where did those cosmetics come from?" asked Ming inquisitively.

Mei slightly gasped at her mothers presence and turned around to her.

"Oh, hey mom!" said Mei, slightly surprised. "These things?" she verified.

"Yes, those things from what appears to be Bath & Body Works. Are those from Miriam, too?" asked Ming, slightly smiling.

"Uhm, no…" stammered Mei. Before she could say another word, Ming approached to closely inspect her presents and saw a small greeting card indicating it came from Tyler.

"Oh, that guy… Tyler's giving you gifts now, huh?" asked Ming teasingly. Mei then gave her a playful thrust to the arm.

"MOOOOOM!" exclaimed Mei, slightly annoyed but teasingly. "We're simply friends who appreciate each other, nothing wrong with that!"

Ming gave a slight laugh. Mei's tail and panda ears popped.

"But your ears and tail say otherwise, hmmm?" said Ming teasingly. "Come on, your dad also did those stuff to me before, I know how you feel"

Mei laughed and admitted it came from Tyler, who crossed into the United States weeks prior to buy those. The two then again had a small tender moment together and finally retired for the night, with Mei feeling fulfilled.

To be continued

A/N: Woah, I'm not busy?! Lol. So there's chapter 6 for you, please review! Apologies too if it may seem low effort, but it's honest work ;)

Btw it's Canada Day and Hong Kong Handover Day by the time I posted this (01 JUL 2022). Coincidentally, Mei's also Canadian (and possibly Hong Konger, given that her family speaks Cantonese and may also be from HK, though at least in this story she's part HK-er by origin.). Wishing Canada and Hong Kong all the best! 3

Happy reading! And as always, thanks for the unending support, Snackasm! U the best. :D