Chapter 138: The Wedding

Jingcheng, St. Andrew's Church. Morning sunlight filtered through the stained glass, and white roses blanketed the interior. The guest seats glittered with stars—big names from Xiangjiang and the mainland entertainment industry filled the hall. Camera flashes popped one after another in the press area, the click of shutters never ceasing.

"Nervous?" In the dressing room, Zhang Guorong helped Xiang Fei adjust his bow tie, asking with a smile.

Xiang Fei tugged at his tight shirt collar: "More nervous than shooting a film."

Mei Yanfang pushed the door open, bouquet in hand: "Groom, it's time."

At the church entrance, Zeng Zhiwei stood at the end of the red carpet, microphone in hand, beaming: "Dear friends and family, welcome to the wedding of Mr. Xiang Fei and Young Lady Zhou Huimin!"

The whole hall erupted in applause. Cheng Long and Hong Jinbao sat in the second row, chatting in low voices; Lin Zhengying and Qian Xiaohao sat side by side, smiling; Cai Shaofen and Li Jiaxin sat in the ladies' section, whispering from time to time.

Xiang Fei took a deep breath, stood at the end of the red carpet, and watched the church doors slowly open. The pipe organ struck up the Wedding March, and all the guests rose.

Zhou Huimin walked in slowly on her father's arm, the train of her wedding gown spreading three meters across the red carpet. Beneath the veil, her makeup was exquisite, and a faint shimmer glittered at the corners of her eyes.

"So beautiful..." Xiang Fei murmured to himself, his Adam's apple bobbing once.

Seated in the front row, Old Master Xiang Butong leaned on his dragon-head cane, quietly dabbing at the corner of his eye. Xiang Yan beside him lowered his voice: "Dad, don't you start crying."

"Nonsense!" the old man's voice rang full and strong, "I'm happy!"

Zhou Mu sat to one side, her eyes slightly red, gripping Dong Xiaolan's hand tightly.

Before the altar, Zeng Zhiwei cleared his throat and beamed at the couple: "Xiang Fei, do you take Young Lady Zhou Huimin to be your wife?"

"I do." Xiang Fei's voice trembled slightly, but was unusually firm.

Zeng Zhiwei turned to Zhou Huimin: "Young Lady Zhou Huimin, do you take..."

"I do!" Before he could finish, Zhou Huimin blurted out her answer, drawing soft laughter from the hall.

Xiang Fei couldn't help laughing out loud, and quietly squeezed her hand.

"Now, please exchange rings."

Zhang Guorong took the ring box from his pocket, and Mei Yanfang helped hold it steady. Xiang Fei carefully lifted out the diamond ring and held up Zhou Huimin's hand.

"This ring..." Zhou Huimin gasped softly.

"It's the one you lingered on for two extra glances in that magazine." Xiang Fei winked smugly.

As the ring slid slowly onto her ring finger, Zhou Huimin's fingertip trembled slightly.

Zhou Huimin turned her back to the unmarried female guests and hurled the bouquet hard behind her—

"Mine!" Mei Yanfang darted forward in one swift stride.

Cai Shaofen and Li Jiaxin refused to be outdone, and the three leapt up almost simultaneously.

"Bam!" The bouquet was knocked apart in midair, petals fluttering down.

Zeng Zhiwei laughed heartily: "Looks like plenty of good news next year!"

At the wedding banquet, employees of Feimin Entertainment sat around several tables. Cai Wen raised his glass and shouted: "Wishing the boss and his lady a hundred years of harmony!"

Sun Li from Yongsheng sat with her team at the next table, smiling and raising a toast.

Han Shanping and the Wang brothers sat near the main table, chatting quietly with Chen Daoming and Zhou Xun.

Xiang Fei went from table to table toasting with champagne, already a little tipsy by the time he reached the main table.

"Grandpa, this toast is for you." He respectfully poured tea for Xiang Butong.

The old man took the teacup and pulled a brocade box from his robe: "This is the jade pendant our Xiang family has passed down for five generations. Today it's yours."

Xiang Fei hurriedly waved his hands: "This is far too precious..."

"Take it!" The old man glared, "Save it for my great-grandson!"

Xiang Tai laughed from the side: "Dad, you're being a bit hasty."

"What's the rush?" the old man harrumphed, "By this time next year I'll be carrying one!"

Zhou Huimin's face instantly flushed red to her ears.

For the newlyweds' speech, Xiang Fei stood at the microphone and surveyed the room: "First, I'd like to thank everyone for coming to our wedding..."

"Get to the point!" Xiang Qiang heckled from the audience.

Wang Jing and Zhou Xingxing chimed in: "Kiss! Kiss!"

Xiang Fei laughed and shook his head: "Alright, I'll get to the point—" He suddenly dropped to one knee, took Zhou Huimin's hand, "Wife, thank you for agreeing to marry me."

Zhou Huimin bent down and kissed his forehead: "Silly, we're already married—why are you still kneeling?"

The whole hall erupted in applause. Liu Furong suddenly shouted: "One more!"

Amid the crowd's heckling, Xiang Fei wrapped his arm around Zhou Huimin's waist and kissed her deeply. Camera flashes instantly linked into a sea of light.

As the wedding drew to a close, "Tired?" Xiang Fei asked softly.

Zhou Huimin leaned on his shoulder and shook her head, her wedding gown glowing softly in the moonlight: "Just my feet hurt a bit."

Without a word of protest, Xiang Fei swept her up into his arms.

"Hey! So many people are watching!" Zhou Huimin cried out.

"What's there to fear," Xiang Fei laughed unrestrainedly, "I'm carrying my own wife—it's only right."

In the distance, the Xiangjiang and mainland entertainers had already mingled into one. Cheng Long was dragging Li Youbin into a drinking contest; Lin Zhengying and Wang Zhiwen were chatting animatedly; Duan Long and Chen Daoming were deep in some discussion, their expressions focused.

Han Shanping and the Wang brothers stood at the edge of the terrace, watching fireworks bloom in the night sky, exchanging smiles.

The old man rose leaning on his cane, looked at the joyful scene filling the hall, and sighed contentedly: "Good, truly good."