Chapter 88: On the Way Home

Cheng Long, wrapped in a thick coat, rubbed his hands together and said with a laugh to Xiang Fei, "Ah Fei, filming one of your movies nearly cost me my life; don't ask me again next time!"

Hong Hong Jinbao nodded in agreement beside him, saying, "Exactly! I nearly met my end in that ice water; how much ginseng soup will I need to drink to recover?"

Lin Lin Zhengying, a cigarette dangling from his lips, still looked somewhat pale but smiled calmly, "Ah Fei, call me again for your next ghost film, but skip the scenes in the water; that's too life-shortening."

Anita Mui, arm-in-arm with Zhang Zhang Guorong, both bundled in thick scarves, teased, "Leslie, will you come if Ah Fei asks you to film again next time?"

Zhang Zhang Guorong feigned deep thought, then laughed, "I'll come, but we must clarify first—are there any ice-water scenes? If so, double the pay!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Standing on the steps, Xiang Fei pressed his palms together, his face full of apology, "Brothers and sisters, I truly apologize for making you suffer this time."

Cheng Long waved his hand, "Forget it, forget it; since the filming is done anyway, if the movie doesn't sell well, you must treat us to late-night snacks for a year as compensation!"

Hong Hong Jinbao widened his eyes, "A year? At least three years!"

Xiang Fei nodded with a smile, "Fine, fine, fine; never mind three years, even ten years will do!"

One by one, everyone got into their cars and left.

Zhou Zhou Huimin stood beside Xiang Fei, gently taking his arm, "Let's go, home."

Only then did Xiang Fei let out a long sigh, feeling as if a tremendous burden had been lifted; exhausted, he leaned against her shoulder, "Mm, home."

Inside the car, the heater was blasting.

Driving, Zhou Zhou Huimin caught sight of Xiang Fei leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed to rest, dark circles heavy beneath them; she said softly, "Sleep for a while; I'll wake you when we arrive."

Xiang Fei shook his head slightly, his voice hoarse, "I can't sleep; my mind is filled with nothing but the movie."

Zhou Zhou Huimin sighed, "How long has it been since you had a proper rest? If you continue like this, your health will collapse."

After a moment of silence, Xiang Fei finally said in a low voice, "This time... I really pushed too hard."

Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Zhou Zhou Huimin spoke with a tone of heartache, "Do you know how worried I was when I saw the photos from the set? The actors soaking in ice water, you directing in the biting wind; everyone seemed to be risking their lives."

Xiang Fei opened his eyes and looked out the window at the blurring street scenery, "But the results are excellent; it was worth it."

Zhou Zhou Huimin smiled helplessly, "You, always with that same line."

Xiang Fei smiled too, reaching out to take her hand, "You've worked hard, waiting for me all this time."

Zhou Zhou Huimin gently squeezed his hand back, "Next time, don't make me wait so long."

Xiang Fei nodded, "Okay."

As soon as they entered the door, Xiang Fei collapsed directly onto the sofa without even taking off his coat.

Zhou Zhou Huimin squatted down to help him remove his shoes, then draped a blanket over him, "Lie down for a while; I'll go cook some porridge for you."

Xiang Fei mumbled a vague "Mm," his eyelids already too heavy to lift.

Just as Zhou Zhou Huimin turned away, she heard the sound of even breathing from behind—Xiang Fei had already fallen asleep.

She stood there, quietly watching him for a moment, before tiptoeing into the kitchen.

Xiang Fei slept straight through until the morning of the day after tomorrow.

When he opened his eyes, sunlight was already streaming through the curtains, the room so quiet he could hear the ticking of the clock.

He stared blankly for a few seconds before realizing how long he had slept, then sat up abruptly, "Zhou Huimin?"

Zhou Zhou Huimin poked her head out from the kitchen, smiling, "Awake?"

Xiang Fei rubbed his temples, "How long did I sleep?"

Zhou Zhou Huimin walked over and handed him a cup of warm water, "A full thirty-six hours."

Taking the water cup, Xiang Fei looked incredulous, "That long? Why didn't you wake me?"

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Zhou Zhou Huimin laughed, "I tried, but you wouldn't wake up."

After taking a sip of water, the dryness in Xiang Fei's throat eased slightly, "What about the film crew..."

Zhou Zhou Huimin cut him off, "Don't worry; the assistant director has handled everything, and arrangements at the editing room are all set; the only thing you need to do now is rest properly."

Xiang Fei fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "Okay."

Zhou Zhou Huimin reached out to touch his face, saying softly, "Are you hungry? I cooked some porridge."

Only then did Xiang Fei feel the emptiness in his stomach; he smiled, "Starving."

Zhou Zhou Huimin stood up, "Wait here; I'll go serve it."

Watching her retreating figure, a wave of warmth surged in Xiang Fei's heart.

He looked down at his hands, where traces of frostbite remained, yet at this moment, he felt nothing but immense solidity.

Zhou Zhou Huimin brought over a steaming bowl of preserved egg and lean meat porridge, accompanied by several small side dishes.

Xiang Fei picked up his spoon and gulped down a few mouthfuls voraciously, then sighed with satisfaction, "I'm alive again."

Sitting opposite him, Zhou Zhou Huimin rested her chin in her hand as she watched him, "Eat slowly; no one is snatching it from you."

Xiang Fei smiled, slowing his pace, and asked between bites, "Did anyone look for me these past two days?"

Zhou Zhou Huimin nodded, "Yes, Brother Long called to ask if you were awake; he said if you didn't reply to his message soon, he'd bring people over to tear the door down."

Xiang Fei chuckled, "That guy..."

Zhou Zhou Huimin continued, "Anita Mui also called; she said she and Leslie have a dinner planned and asked if you wanted to join."

Xiang Fei shook his head, "Not these few days; I need to finish editing the movie first."

Zhou Zhou Huimin said helplessly, "Can't you take a few days off?"

Putting down his spoon, Xiang Fei said seriously, "Everyone gave their all for this movie; I cannot hold them back."

Looking at his determined eyes, Zhou Zhou Huimin finally stopped persuading him, merely saying softly, "Then at least... finish this bowl of porridge first."

Xiang Fei smiled, "Okay."

After the meal, Xiang Fei stood on the balcony, gazing at the distant sky.

Zhou Zhou Huimin walked over and handed him a cup of hot tea, "What are you thinking about?"

Taking the tea, Xiang Fei said softly, "Thinking about... whether this shoot was worth it."

Zhou Zhou Huimin leaned against his shoulder: "It's worth it."

Xiang Fei turned his head to look at her: "So certain?"

Zhou Zhou Huimin smiled: "Because this is your film; you never disappoint."

Xiang Fei fell silent for a moment before murmuring, "Thank you."

Zhou Zhou Huimin shook her head: "Don't thank me; thank yourself, and those actors who risked their lives alongside you."

Xiang Fei nodded, squeezing her hand tight: "Mm."

Sunlight bathed the two of them, warm and serene.