Chapter 300: Preparing to Return to Xiangjiang

When Anita Mui stepped through the stage's side door into the backstage dressing room, her cheeks were still flushed from the performance.

She casually handed her coat to her assistant, her gaze sweeping once around the room.

"Where's Ah Fei?" She took the towel a staff member handed her, gently dabbing the sweat from her neck.

Leslie Cheung was sitting off to one side smoking; hearing her words, he turned his head: "Just left, not ten minutes ago. Said he's flying back to Xiangjiang first thing tomorrow morning."

"In such a rush?" Anita Mui frowned, pulling her phone from her handbag. "I've even booked the celebration banquet — that new place in Chaoyang District..."

"It's New Year, after all." Leslie Cheung's voice — no, Tang Hede walked over carrying two cups of hot tea and handed one to Anita Mui. "A-Man and Yangyang are both in Xiangjiang. It wouldn't look right if he didn't go back."

Anita Mui pouted and dialed Xiang Fei's number. The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up.

"Mei-jie?" Xiang Fei's voice came through the receiver; the sound of a car in motion could be heard in the background.

"Ah Fei, you really have no sense of loyalty!" Anita Mui deliberately raised her voice. "Just up and leave, won't even attend the celebration banquet?"

A low laugh came from the other end: "I'll make it up to you next time. My treat — the most expensive place."

"You said it!" Anita Mui's eyes lit up. "There's a new Cantonese restaurant that just opened in Dongcheng District..."

"Fine, whatever you say, Mei-jie." Xiang Fei's voice carried a note of weariness. "Talk later — I'm home."

After hanging up, Anita Mui sighed and turned to the others: "Forget it, let's go eat on our own. Put it on his tab!"

Xiang Fei's black Mercedes-Benz rolled slowly into the villa's garage. He rubbed his temples, and when he pushed open the car door, Bai Long was already waiting at the entrance.

"Fei-ge, Wen-ge is here. He's waiting for you in the study."

"Mm." Xiang Fei nodded and handed his suit jacket to Bai Long. "Prepare some late-night snacks and bring them up."

In the study, Cai Wen was working on documents at his laptop. Hearing the door open, he jerked his head up: "Ah Fei! You're finally back!"

Xiang Fei sat down on the leather sofa and loosened his tie. "How's things been lately?"

"How do you think?" Cai Wen snapped his laptop shut with a slap and slumped back in his chair. "If you didn't come back soon, I was going to work myself to death!"

Bai Long appeared at just the right moment with steaming-hot wonton noodles and coffee.

The two chatted for a while about the company's situation. Xiang Fei set down his coffee cup: "I'll be back at the company next year."

"Really?" Cai Wen's eyes lit up. "You coming back is perfect — I'll take a vacation for myself."

Xiang Fei gave a light laugh: "Alright, Wen-ge. You've worked hard for a while now."

"What's hard about it!" Cai Wen jumped up excitedly. "I'm heading off first, then!"

After seeing Cai Wen off, Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the Forbidden City. His phone buzzed — a message from Bai Long: "Fei-ge, I'll come pick you up at 4:30 tomorrow morning."

At four in the morning, Xiang Fei was woken by a gentle knock on the door.

"Fei-ge? Time to head out." Bai Long's voice came through the door.

Xiang Fei opened his eyes; outside the window it was still pitch black. He fumbled for his phone on the nightstand — the screen read 04:07. He rubbed his temples and got up to open the door.

Bai Long was already dressed and standing outside the door: "The plane takes off in two hours. We need to hurry."

"Mm." Xiang Fei nodded. "Ten minutes."

In the bathroom, warm water washed over his tired body. With his eyes closed, Xiang Fei's mind flashed through the various matters Cai Wen had reported the night before. Fei Min — the entertainment empire he had built with his own hands — always had endless things to deal with.

Ten minutes later, Xiang Fei walked out of the bedroom in a simple white shirt and black casual trousers. Bai Long had already prepared a simple breakfast: a cup of black coffee and two slices of toast.

"Eat on the way." Bai Long handed over his coat. "The car's ready."

The black Mercedes-Benz sat quietly at the villa's entrance.