Chapter 145: Everyone's Here?

Zhou Huimin was leaning on the sofa, flipping through her prenatal checkup report, while the sounds of Aunt Liu stir-frying in the kitchen and the scent of rice filled the air. Xiang Fei pushed the door open and brushed the snow from his clothes.

"Back?" Zhou Huimin looked up. "How did things go with Uncle Han?"

"Very well," Xiang Fei said, taking off his coat and hanging it up. "Uncle Han said he wants to be the godfather when the child is born."

Zhou Huimin smiled: "That's wonderful." She picked up the report. "The doctor said the baby is developing very well, but told me to rest more and not overexert myself."

Xiang Fei sat beside her and gently touched her belly: "Did you hear that? Mommy needs to rest well."

Just as they were speaking, the doorbell rang.

"Who could it be at this hour?" Xiang Fei stood up to open the door.

Standing outside were Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei, both holding gift boxes with beaming smiles.

"Brother Xiang! Happy New Year!" Wang Zhongjun called out loudly.

"President Wang?" Xiang Fei was somewhat surprised. "Please, come in!"

Wang Zhonglei handed over the gift box: "A small token, for your wife to nourish her body."

"Too polite," Xiang Fei took the gift. "Huimin, President Wang from Huayi is here."

Zhou Huimin was about to stand up, but Wang Zhongjun hurriedly waved his hand: "Sister-in-law, stay seated! We just came to pay a New Year's call."

Xiang Fei gestured: "Shall we talk in the study?"

Xiang Fei poured tea for the two: "What brings you two here today?"

"It is the New Year, after all," Wang Zhongjun said, taking a sip of tea. "We also wanted to ask about your plans for this year."

Wang Zhonglei took over the conversation: "'Tang Renjie' was a huge success. We at Huayi would like to collaborate. We were wondering, Brother Xiang, do you have any new projects?"

Just as Xiang Fei was about to speak, a light knock came at the door.

"Mr. Xiang," Aunt Liu said from outside, "Zhang Zong Weiping has arrived."

The atmosphere in the study subtly froze.

"Please ask President Zhang to wait a moment," Xiang Fei stood up. "I will be right out."

Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei exchanged a glance. Wang Zhonglei whispered: "Perhaps we should first..."

"No need," Xiang Fei smiled. "We are all friends; let us chat together."

Zhang Weiping was standing in the entryway. Seeing Xiang Fei come out, he immediately clasped his hands: "President Xiang, Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year, President Zhang!" Xiang Fei shook his hand warmly. "Come, come, please enter."

Zhang Weiping looked up, saw the Wang brothers coming out of the study, and his expression clearly stiffened for a moment, but he quickly resumed his smile: "Oh, Presidents Wang are here too! Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year, President Zhang!" the Wang brothers also responded with smiles.

The atmosphere among the three was somewhat subtle. Xiang Fei broke the silence at the right moment: "President Zhang, shall we talk in the study?"

"Good, good." Zhang Weiping nodded.

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

Aunt Liu hurried to open the door: "Oh, Factory Director Han!"

Everyone in the living room turned their heads. They saw Han Shanping standing at the door holding two bottles of Moutai: "Ah Fei, I'm here to mooch a meal again!"

The Wang brothers and Zhang Weiping immediately went to greet him: "Happy New Year, Factory Director Han!"

Seeing the commotion in the room, Han Shanping raised an eyebrow: "Yo, so lively?"

Zhou Huimin smiled and stood up: "Uncle Han, please come in. We can eat together."

Aunt Liu skillfully set out the bowls and chopsticks, and steaming hot dishes were brought to the table one by one.

Xiang Fei invited everyone to sit: "Today we truly have distinguished guests. Let us eat and chat."

Han Shanping opened a bottle of Moutai: "Come, let us finish a cup first. Happy New Year!"

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them: "Happy New Year!"

After several rounds of wine, the conversation naturally turned to work.

"Ah Fei," Han Shanping picked up a piece of fish meat. "What were you all just discussing?"

Wang Zhongjun spoke first: "We were asking Brother Xiang about his filming plans for this year."

"Yes," Zhang Weiping also joined in. "New Picture is very much looking forward to collaborating with Fei Min again."

Han Shanping looked at Xiang Fei meaningfully: "With so many people watching, Ah Fei, the pressure must be great."

Xiang Fei smiled: "Actually, my plan for this year is very simple. After the child is born, I plan to shoot an art film."

"An art film?" Wang Zhonglei was somewhat surprised. "Not a commercial film?"

"I will shoot commercial films too," Xiang Fei explained. "This year, I want to try for Venice."

Seeing this, Zhou Huimin interjected at the right moment: "Everyone, don't just talk about work. Taste the braised pork Aunt Liu made."

Xiang Fei understood, raised his glass: "Yes, yes, yes. Today is the New Year; we can discuss work another day. Come, let us finish another cup!"

After seeing the guests off, Xiang Fei let out a long sigh and slumped onto the sofa: "This wasn't a New Year's call; it was practically a business negotiation."

Zhou Huimin poured him a cup of tea: "Who told you to be so in demand now."

"All I want to do now is stay with you during your pregnancy," Xiang Fei held her hand. "Everything else can wait."

Zhou Huimin leaned on his shoulder: "Actually, you don't need to be like this. Work is important."

"You and the child are more important." Xiang Fei kissed her forehead.

Outside the window, New Year's fireworks bloomed in the night sky, illuminating the two embracing figures.