Chapter 98: The Proposal

When Xiang Fei stealthily pushed open the door to the private club's private room, it was already packed with people. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he pulled a deep blue velvet box from the inner pocket of his suit.

"Uncles, elders, and brothers..." His voice trembled slightly. "I want to propose to Ah Min."

With a soft click, the ring box opened, and a three-carat pear-shaped diamond ring refracted brilliant light under the lamps.

The private room suddenly fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

Lady Xiang suddenly slammed the table and stood up. "Ah Fei! You've finally grown up!" She rushed over and hugged Xiang Fei tightly, her eyes red. "Your mother's spirit in heaven can finally rest easy..."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Xiang Xiang Huaqiang interrupted, a cigar dangling from his mouth. "Three carats? Is this the level of grandeur for the Xiang family taking a daughter-in-law? I still have a ten-carat pink diamond in my safe..."

Zhang Min smiled to smooth things over. "Brother, the sentiment is what matters most. Ah Min doesn't care about these things."

Cheng Long suddenly jumped up. "If we're doing this, let's go big! I know a helicopter company; let's tow a banner across the sky above Weiduoliyagang!"

"So old-fashioned!" Hong Hong Jinbao gulped down some beer. "Better yet, I'll design a martial arts sequence, ending with a mid-air triple-and-a-half twist into a one-knee kneel..."

Anita Mui elegantly swirled her wine glass. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to hold a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum? Right when we sing 'Dear Lover'..."

"No, no!" Leslie Cheung waved his hands hurriedly. "Ah Min has thin skin; she'd be terrified if we did this in public."

Lin Lin Zhengying interjected with a ghostly chill. "Should I dress up as a zombie and leap out of a coffin to add to the festivities? I guarantee she'll never forget it..."

"Brother Ying!" everyone shouted in unison to stop him.

Wang Jing rubbed his triple chin with a mischievous grin. "Listen to me! First, get twenty bikini beauties to surround Ah Fei, and when Ah Min gets jealous..."

Maggie Cheung immediately yanked her husband's ear. "You dead fatso! Do you want to get Ah Fei dumped?"

Stephen Chow suddenly raised his hand, and everyone immediately fell silent. He spoke slowly and deliberately. "How about we pretend we're filming? Let Ah Min play the female lead, and when we reach the proposal scene..."

"Brilliant!" Andy Lau slammed the table in approval. "Didn't Ah Min just keep saying she wanted to act recently?"

Overwhelmed by the noise, Xiang Fei suddenly shouted, "Stop!" He pulled out a notebook. "Big shots, could you please speak one at a time?"

Lady Xiang snatched the notebook and threw it onto the table. "What is there to record? The sentiment is what matters!" She suddenly lowered her voice. "Are you sure Ah Min will say yes? The paparazzi still photographed you two arguing last time..."

Xiang Fei's ears turned crimson. "That was a misunderstanding... She complained I had too many social engagements..."

"Serves you right!" Lady Xiang poked his forehead. "She's waited for you this long..."

Cheng Long suddenly pulled out his phone. "I'm calling to book the helicopter right now!"

"Wait!" Leslie Cheung stopped him. "Let's confirm Ah Min's schedule first. Ah Fei, what are her plans for tomorrow?"

Xiang Fei scratched his head. "She's going to the recording studio to record a new song this afternoon, and tonight... Wait, you guys want to execute this tomorrow?"

Hong Hong Jinbao had already pulled out a notepad and started sketching storyboards. "The martial arts scene needs rehearsal in advance..."

Anita Mui dialed a number. "Hello? Regarding the Hong Kong Coliseum schedule..."

The private room erupted into chaos once again. Watching this "planning team" with an average age of fifty, Xiang Fei suddenly burst out laughing. He took out his phone; the lock screen was a photo of Zhou Zhou Huimin at eighteen, participating in a singing competition.

"It's been three years..." he whispered.

Amidst the clamor, no one noticed Xiang Sheng secretly wiping the corner of his eye.

The next afternoon, outside the recording studio.

When Zhou Zhou Huimin walked out of the building, she found Xiang Fei standing beside a sports car, dressed sharply in a suit.

"When did you get back? Why so formal today?" She smiled as she approached, then suddenly noticed Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui sitting inside the car. "Leslie? Anita? You guys..."

"Get in the car quickly!" Anita Mui winked mysteriously. "Wang Pangzi's new movie is missing a female lead, and he specifically named you!"

Zhou Zhou Huimin covered her mouth in surprise. "Really? But I haven't acted in a long time..."

Leslie Cheung handed her a script. "Don't worry, it's just a few shots."

As the car drove toward the peak of Mount Tai Ping, Zhou Zhou Huimin felt something was off. She secretly observed Xiang Fei and noticed his hands gripping the steering wheel were trembling slightly.

"Are you hot?" She reached out to adjust the air conditioning, but Xiang Fei suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Ah Min..." His voice was hoarse. "If... I mean, if..."

"Cut! Save the acting for when we arrive!" Anita Mui hurriedly interrupted.

The mountaintop restaurant had been arranged to look like a film set, and Zhou Zhou Huimin was ushered into the makeup room. When she emerged wearing a white gown, she discovered that all the "crew members" were familiar faces.

"Action!" Wang Jing shouted from behind the monitor.

According to the script, Zhou Zhou Huimin needed to walk to the terrace railing to deliver her lines. When she turned around, she froze completely—

Above Weigang, five helicopters towed a banner reading "Zhou Zhou Huimin, Marry Me"; Cheng Long and the Hung Ga Ban performed Southern Fist on the lawn before dropping to one knee in unison; Anita Mui's singing drifted from the speakers; and Xiang Fei was slowly approaching, holding a bouquet of roses.

"This... this is..." Her voice trembled.

Xiang Fei stood there foolishly until Lin Lin Zhengying kicked him in the leg from behind. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out the diamond ring.

"Ah Min, I..."

"Cut!" Wang Jing suddenly shouted. "The female lead's expression is wrong! Do it again!"

The entire crowd burst into laughter. Tears finally streamed down Zhou Zhou Huimin's face as she rushed forward and hugged Xiang Fei.

"I do! I've been willing for a long time!"

Amidst the rose petals showered down by the helicopters, Xiang Xiang Huaqiang muttered to Lady Xiang, "I told you we should have used the ten-carat one..."

Lady Xiang stepped hard on his foot.