Chapter 292: Return to Jingcheng

Morning sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains into the bedroom; the moment Xiang Fei opened his eyes, the phone on the nightstand rang.

"Fei-ge, sorry to disturb you." Bai Long's voice came through the other end of the line. "CCTV sent an invitation—they'd like you to appear on this year's Spring Festival Gala."

Xiang Fei rubbed his brow. "Didn't we already turn them down?"

"Yes, but they kept insisting, saying they could arrange a solo segment for you."

Xiang Fei glanced at Zhou Huimin, still fast asleep beside him, and lowered his voice: "Thank them for me, but this year I'm only staying home with my family."

He had just hung up when the phone rang again.

"A-Fei~" Anita Mui's signature voice came through the receiver. "When are you coming to Jingcheng? The concert is right around the corner!"

A smile tugged at the corner of Xiang Fei's mouth. "Mei-jie, I'll have Bai Long book a ticket first thing tomorrow morning."

A stir of commotion came from the other end, then Leslie Cheung's voice cut in: "A-Fei, hurry back! A-Mei and I are waiting for you in Jingcheng. A-Min can't make it, so as her husband you've got to come in her place!"

Xiang Fei laughed helplessly. "Got it, ge. Stop rushing me."

In the afternoon, Xiang Fei drove Zhou Huimin and Yangyang to the old Xiang family residence.

"Great-grandpa, Grandpa, Grandma, I'm here!" Xiang Yang's childish voice drifted in from the doorway.

Xiang Butong, who was trimming a bonsai, looked up at the sound. "Oh, our Yangyang's here!"

Dong Xiaolan poked her head out from the kitchen. "A-Min, you're here! Come in quick—I just stewed some soup."

Zhou Huimin walked over with a smile. "Mom, don't fuss. I just brought Yangyang to see you all."

At the dinner table, Xiang Fei set down his chopsticks. "Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I'm heading to the mainland tomorrow—Mei-jie's concert."

Xiang Yan snorted. "New Year's is right around the corner, and you still can't sit still."

"Dad!" Xiang Fei said helplessly. "We agreed on this long ago."

Wu Li picked up a piece of fish and placed it in Yangyang's bowl. "How many days?"

"Not sure." Xiang Fei glanced at Zhou Huimin. "A-Min can't handle long flights right now, so I won't bring her."

Zhou Huimin gently held his hand. "It's fine. I'll stay home with the family and Yangyang."

At night, the bedroom light was on.

Zhou Huimin leaned into Xiang Fei's arms. "What time's your flight tomorrow?"

"Seven in the morning." Xiang Fei played with her long hair. "Long-ge will pick me up. You sleep a little longer."

Zhou Huimin suddenly let out a soft laugh. "Did Mei-jie ask you to sing 'The Wind Rises' again?"

"How did you know?" Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow.

"Just a guess." Zhou Huimin tilted her head up to look at him. "Last time you sang that song, the whole audience cried."

Xiang Fei's large hand gently covered her swelling belly. "Did it kick you today?"

"Mm, very active." Zhou Huimin grabbed his hand and pressed it against her belly. "Look, it's moving again."

Feeling the faint tremor through his palm, Xiang Fei's gaze softened beyond belief. "Wait for me to come back."

At five the next morning, Xiang Fei got out of bed quietly.

He had just finished dressing when Zhou Huimin opened her eyes. "You're leaving?"

"Did I wake you?" Xiang Fei sat back on the edge of the bed. "Sleep a little more."

Zhou Huimin propped herself up. "Let me cook you a bowl of noodles before you go."

"No need…"

"You have to eat breakfast." Zhou Huimin had already thrown on her robe. "It'll be quick."

In the kitchen, Zhou Huimin cracked eggs with practiced ease. Xiang Fei leaned against the doorframe watching her busy back, then suddenly spoke. "A-Min."

"Mm?"

"After the baby is born, I'll spend more time with you."

Zhou Huimin's hands paused. She turned to look at him. "Really?"

Xiang Fei walked over and hugged her from behind. "Really. These past years I've been too busy—I want to spend more time with you and the child."

At six-thirty, Bai Long's car pulled up at the door right on time.

Zhou Huimin insisted on seeing him off at the airport. At the entrance to the VIP lane, she carefully straightened Xiang Fei's collar. "Call me when you land."

"Okay." Xiang Fei kissed her cheek. "Go back, it's cold outside."

Yangyang, in the nanny's arms, rubbed his eyes. "Daddy, come back soon!"

Xiang Fei pinched his son's little cheek. "Daddy will bring you a gift."

Watching his wife and son's figures disappear past the security checkpoint, Xiang Fei drew a deep breath, turned, and walked toward the boarding gate.

The plane pierced through the clouds. Xiang Fei gazed out at the city shrinking below, his mind already calculating the date of his return.