Chapter 100: Meeting the Parents

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains into the bedroom, where Xiang Fei had already stood before his walk-in closet for half an hour selecting his attire. His fingers drifted across a row of bespoke suits, his brows slightly furrowed.

"This navy Tom Ford is too formal... this light gray Brioni isn't solemn enough..." he murmured to himself, loosening his already-tied Hermès tie.

Zhou Zhou Huimin entered carrying coffee; seeing her boyfriend's rare nervousness, she couldn't help but chuckle softly: "What's gotten into our great Director Xiang today? I never saw you this conflicted even at the Palme d'Or ceremony."

Xiang Fei turned to take the coffee, his fingertips slightly cold: "That's different. At an awards ceremony, the most that happens is winning or not winning a prize; today I'm meeting my future father-in-law and mother-in-law." He took a sip of coffee. "Are you sure I don't need to prepare something more grand? I can have my assistant contact a tailor in Italy..."

"Stop!" Zhou Zhou Huimin set down her cup, cupping his face with both hands. "Listen, my parents are just an ordinary middle-class family. If you dress too extravagantly, it will only make them uncomfortable." She took down the dark blue suit. "Just this one; it's formal without being too flashy."

Xiang Fei took her hand: "Do your parents truly not mind my family background?"

Zhou Zhou Huimin adjusted his tie with gentle movements: "They've already watched all your films; they even own the director's cut of Titanic. My mother even said that anyone capable of filming such delicate emotional scenes must have a very tender heart."

Xiang Fei's tense expression finally softened; he leaned down and kissed her forehead: "Thank you."

Xiang Fei steadied his Rolls-Royce Phantom to a stop in the mid-levels villa district where the Zhou family lived, then glanced at the Patek Philippe on his wrist: "Fifteen minutes early for the agreed time; just right."

Zhou Zhou Huimin smiled as she inspected the gifts he had prepared: "Lafite from '82, a natural Burmese jadeite bangle, and my father's favorite Cuban cigars... so thoughtful."

"Only proper." Xiang Fei took a deep breath, lifted the gifts, and stepped out of the car.

Just as he reached the door, it swung open eagerly. Father Zhou stood at the entrance himself, his face bearing a warm smile: "Director Xiang! I've long admired your great name!"

Xiang Fei hurried forward to shake his hand: "Hello, Uncle. Just call me Ah Fei."

Mother Zhou also came out to greet him, her gaze affectionate as she looked Xiang Fei over: "Even more handsome than in the movies. Please, come in."

In the living room, the servants had already prepared tea and snacks. Xiang Fei noticed many performance photos of Zhou Zhou Huimin and family portraits hanging on the walls, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and elegant.

"I heard you enjoy Pu'er tea, so I specially brought some old tree tea from Lao Banzhang." Xiang Fei presented the exquisite tea box with both hands.

Father Zhou's eyes lit up: "This is the finest among teas! Ah Min, quickly go fetch my set of Yixing clay teapots."

Mother Zhou took the jadeite bangle, exclaiming in delight: "The translucency is so rich; you've spent far too much."

"Only proper." Xiang Fei smiled. "Ah Min mentioned you like jadeite; I saw this at a Christie's auction and felt it suited your temperament perfectly."

After three rounds of tea, the atmosphere grew increasingly harmonious. Father Zhou enthusiastically brought out a cherished photo album: "Ah Fei, look; this is a photo of Ah Min's first stage performance. She was only six years old then."

"Dad!" Zhou Zhou Huimin tried to stop him shyly, but Xiang Fei held her back.

"Let me see." Xiang Fei flipped through the album with keen interest, pointing at a photo of a little girl with pigtails and laughing: "So Ah Min was this cute even as a child. We can include this picture in the growth video for our wedding."

Mother Zhou set down her teacup in surprise: "You're already planning the wedding?"

Xiang Fei and Zhou Zhou Huimin exchanged a smile. "Yes, Auntie. In fact, I proposed to Ah Min just yesterday." He gently took Zhou Zhou Huimin's hand. "We plan to hold the wedding next spring."

Father Zhou nodded with satisfaction: "Good, spring is good; it's the season when all things revive."

"We want to hold a simple wedding," Zhou Zhou Huimin added, "inviting only our closest family and friends."

"Ah Fei," Mother Zhou suddenly said with a serious expression, "Ah Min is our only daughter; we've raised her pampered in the palm of our hands since she was small..."

Xiang Fei immediately understood and sat up straight: "Auntie, I promise you, I will definitely make Ah Min happy. My villa in Repulse Bay has already been renovated; it's very close to here, so Ah Min can come back to visit you two anytime."

Father Zhou patted his shoulder: "We don't mean to interfere in your lives. It's just that as parents..."

"I completely understand." Xiang Fei spoke sincerely. "Actually, I've already made arrangements; after the marriage, I will set aside one week every month specifically to accompany Ah Min back here to stay."

Zhou Zhou Huimin looked at him in surprise: "When did you plan this?"

"Last night, after you fell asleep." Xiang Fei winked. "I also contacted that Michelin-starred restaurant you like best; from now on, they will deliver meals to our home every week."

Mother Zhou's eyes reddened slightly: "This child... truly has a thoughtful heart."

At dinner, the Zhou family had specially invited a chef from The Peninsula Hotel to prepare the meal at their home. The table was filled with exquisite dishes, blending Chinese and Western styles.

"This black truffle lobster is Ah Fei's favorite." Zhou Zhou Huimin carefully served the dish to Xiang Fei.

Xiang Fei hurriedly said: "I can serve myself. Uncle, Auntie, please help yourselves as well."

Father Zhou raised his wine glass: "Come, let us toast to our future son-in-law, the great director!"

Xiang Fei immediately stood up: "It should be me toasting you two elders. Thank you for raising such an outstanding daughter as Ah Min." He paused. "And thank you for being willing to entrust her to me."

Zhou Zhou Huimin gently held his hand under the table.

"Ah Fei," Mother Zhou placed a piece of abalone into his bowl, "when do you plan to have children?"

"Mom!" Zhou Zhou Huimin nearly choked on her soup.

Xiang Fei, however, answered calmly: "We've discussed it; we'll wait until after Ah Min gets married and completes her concert tour. After all, high-intensity work isn't suitable during pregnancy."

Father Zhou nodded approvingly: "Very well considered."

After the banquet ended, Xiang Fei politely declined the invitation to stay overnight.

Mother Zhou held his hand reluctantly: "Do come often to eat at home in the future; Auntie will make soup for you."

In the car on the way back, Zhou Zhou Huimin leaned against Xiang Fei's shoulder: "See? I told you my parents would like you."

Xiang Fei kissed the tips of her hair: "That's because they have the best daughter in the world." He gently stroked her long hair.

In the night, the Rolls-Royce drove smoothly toward the brilliantly lit Victoria Harbour; in the back seat, the two held hands with interlocked fingers, their shadows merging on the car window, as if foreshadowing the happy life they were about to begin.