After deciding on the tree, Ruediger noted the model before dragging Lariette to the other aisles. He didn't forget to get one of the trolley carts to make it easier when buying items.

The aisles of the home center shimmered with the sparkle of Christmas magic. Golden lights twinkled above, casting a warm glow on the rows of ornaments displayed on the shelves.

The ornaments ranged from classic glass globes to unique colorful donuts and moody-looking elves. Even the designs of the shiny baubles were not limited to classic ones.

"Eddy, look! These glass globes are so cute!"

"Oh~ These garden gnomes are so tiny."

"Should we get these? We can decorate our balcony too."

A grin hung on his lips as he watched her beaming countenance while listening to her chatter. Twinkles glimmered in her sapphire eyes as she happily looked around the place.

She occasionally reached for his arm in excitement before pointing to the things that caught her interest.

Lariette wandered her gleaming eyes to the shelves displaying baubles. She walked closer before inspecting them.

"Eddy, how about silver and blue?"

Without looking at Ruediger, Lariette asked while eyeing a gorgeous display of icy-toned ornaments. She grazed her fingertips on them, her touch gentle.

Ruediger paused beside Lariette, grinning, "Silver and blue? I thought you'd pick silver and pink. Or purple."

Holding a glittery white snowflake, she turned, her cheeks flushed, "Well~ That sounds tempting. They'll match our apartment."

As an avid pink lover, she couldn't deny how attractive his suggestion was. She also recalled seeing the lovely images of a pink-themed Christmas tree on the internet.

Ruediger reached for a set of pink and silver baubles before taking the blue ones, everything was in the pastel shades. He presented both boxes before Lariette.

"They look great," he said, his voice imbued with fondness, "Let's get these. They'll be perfect on the tree."

Her grin widened, "Honey, you suddenly look less annoying."

Flicking her forehead, he scoffed, "You're the silly and annoying one."

Lariette rolled her eyes. Ignoring Ruediger, she rushed to the shelves displaying ribbon. He was busy comparing shades of ribbon when the sneaky man saw something.

Arching his brows, Ruediger read the label on a tall shelf. The cursive font spelled 'Tree Toppers: Not-So-Classic Collection'.

'That one!'

Ruediger spotted what he wanted almost immediately. He glanced at Lariette. Seeing that she was still busy with the ribbons, he quietly drifted to the shelf, ready to grab a box.

Nestled between a porcelain angel with golden curls and a modern copper star was a figurine that perfectly matched his imagination.

It was an angel girl, but not the one with a gentle smile.

This brown-haired angel had her arms crossed, her cheeks puffed out as she pouted. Her expression practically screamed, "I've had enough of your nonsense."

Ruediger's eyes glinted mischievously. He had just told Lariette that he would look for this kind of topper. He sneakily put the box in the car, hiding it beneath the bauble boxes and stacks of garlands.

Lariette, who noticed nothing weird about Ruediger, came back carrying a small box of fairy lights. She said, "I think warm white will look better than cool white. They're softer."

"Perfect," Ruediger nodded firmly, "My sweetheart chose the best."

She narrowed her eyes, her head tilting slightly, "Are you hiding something?"

"Nothing," he said, answering too quickly and grinning far too wide, "Really. I hide nothing."

Lariette frowned, thinking something was strangely suspicious. For some reason, she got a hunch that Ruediger was up to something bad.

"Eddy, what did you do? Why don't you be frank with me now? Else..."

Sensing danger, his survival instinct rose, but so did his desire to tease her. And then, the latter felt more tempting.

Grinning, he pulled the figure box and presented it with pride, "Behold... the best topper ever. A pouty Christmas Lettie."

Lariette gasped, mortified, and then she laughed, "Eddy! How did you find this? She's pouting!"

"She's you."

"No, she's not!"

Ruediger raised one brow, "Puffed cheeks, crossed arms and a perfect judgmental stare. All checked. We won't find any better one."

"You're so dead! Come here!"

Lariette lunged for Ruediger's waist, aiming to pinch him. But the sneaky man was quicker. He even leaned down and stole a kiss, pressing his lips over hers before she could retaliate.

"Sly!" she hissed, flustered and red-faced. She smacked his chest twice.

"Not sly," he murmured, eyes twinkling with mischief, "Just an effective measure to calm you."

She huffed, but smiled in the next second. Taking the pouty angel from his hand, she assessed it and found it cute.

"Fine. She'll be our topper. I'll make sure she knows what you did. She'll report you to Santa. You'll be on his naughty list."

"Well, that's worth it," he mused, "I can't wait to see her glaring at me from our tree."

"You're so silly."

"Only for you."

Lariette stuck out her tongue, ignoring Ruediger again. The man followed her with a foolish smile on his lips, pushing the half-full cart.

The couple continued their shopping. Lariette laughed when Ruediger was distracted by a family of three penguins wearing scarves. He grinned while putting them into the cart.

After several more rounds, Ruediger pushed the cart to the checkout counter. Lariette let him pay for everything, including the Christmas tree.

The home center would deliver the huge tree to their apartment tomorrow. As for the rest, they could bring everything home.

"We'll pack everything in a box," said the sweet-smiling cashier after Ruediger swiped his card.

"Ah, wait," Lariette grinned. She extended a hand, taking the angel topper box, "I'll hold this."

"Sure, ma'am. Please wait for a moment."

Ruediger eyed Lariette. His heart melted into a puddle at the sight of her smiling happily at the cute pouty angel. He nudged her arm gently, "Why? Like it now?"

She chuckled. Tilting her chin up, she said, "Of course~ She'll watch over you when I'm at work. You better behave."

Saying nothing, he simply smirked. If not for their surroundings, he was so tempted to kiss her senselessly.