Chapter 148: Ah Min's Future

The snow outside the window fell again. Inside, the heating was ample. Zhou Huimin leaned against the headboard, knitting a tiny sweater in her hands. Xiang Fei sat by the bed, watching her focused profile, and suddenly spoke:

"Ah Min."

"Mm?" She didn't even look up, her fingers skillfully looping the yarn.

"After the child is born... what do you plan to do?"

Zhou Huimin's movement paused for a moment, then she continued knitting, her voice light: "Stay home and look after the child, of course."

Xiang Fei stared at her, saying nothing.

Zhou Huimin felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, finally looked up, and smiled: "What's wrong?"

"Are you content with this?" Xiang Fei asked.

"Content or not..." She lowered her head, her voice fading, "This situation is fine now."

Xiang Fei reached out and held her wrist; the knitting needles stopped.

"Ah Min," his voice was somewhat hoarse, "I know you want to go back."

Zhou Huimin's eyelashes trembled; she said nothing.

"Back then, to accompany me, you left Xiangjiang, giving up so many performances, albums, and films..." Xiang Fei took a deep breath, "Now the child is about to be born, you should go back."

Zhou Huimin suddenly looked up, her eyes already red: "What do you mean?"

"Return to Xiangjiang," Xiang Fei said word by word, "Take the child back to Xiangjiang and stand on the stage again."

"Impossible!" Zhou Huimin's voice suddenly rose, "If I leave, what will you do?"

"I'll film movies here; when I have time, I'll fly over to see you."

"No!" She shook her head, tears already falling, "People in Xiangjiang won't let you off. If I go back, they will definitely use the child as a weapon!"

Xiang Fei fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a cold laugh: "Do you think the Xiang family fears them?"

Zhou Huimin was stunned.

"I, Xiang Fei, could be blacklisted by them back then; now I can make them shut up!" His voice was low, carrying an undeniable ruthlessness, "The Xiang family, Wing Sang, Brother Long, Brother, Sister Mei, Brother Hung—these connections are enough to let you stand firmly on your feet in Xiangjiang again."

Zhou Huimin's lips trembled: "But..."

"No 'buts'," Xiang Fei interrupted her, his gaze sharp, "You have given up enough for me; now it is my turn to do something for you."

Zhou Huimin's tears fell uncontrollably: "Ah Fei..."

Xiang Fei pulled her into his arms, his voice softening: "Silly girl, you clearly love singing so much. Every time you watch a concert on TV, your eyes are bright."

Zhou Huimin sobbed in his arms: "But I don't want to leave you..."

"It's not a permanent parting," Xiang Fei rubbed her hair, "The plane takes only a short while; when I have time, I'll fly over to accompany you."

Zhou Huimin looked up, her eyes blurred with tears: "Really... is that possible?"

"Of course it is." Xiang Fei cupped her face, his thumb wiping away her tears, "I'll tell the family. As for the media in Xiangjiang, even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare cause trouble."

Zhou Huimin bit her lip, still hesitating.

Xiang Fei suddenly frowned: "Zhou Huimin."

She was startled.

"This is the first and last time I force you." He stared at her, his tone leaving no room for argument, "You must go back."

Zhou Huimin looked at his stern eyes, and finally, through her tears, smiled: "Why so fierce..."

Xiang Fei smiled too, leaning down to kiss her forehead: "Do you promise?"

"Mm." She leaned against him, speaking softly, "But you must come see us often."

"Definitely."

Outside the window, the snow gradually stopped. Zhou Huimin touched her swollen belly and softly hummed a song she hadn't sung in a long time.

Listening, Xiang Fei suddenly felt that this night seemed warmer than any before.