Chapter 98

Xiang Fei nervously pushed open the door to the private club suite, already packed with people. He wiped sweat from his forehead and pulled out a deep blue velvet box from inside his suit jacket.

"Uncles, brothers..." his voice trembled, "I want to propose to Ah Min."

Click, the ring box opened, revealing a three-carat pear-shaped diamond that sparkled brilliantly under the lights.

The suite fell utterly silent, the kind of silence where you could hear a pin drop.

Xiang Tai suddenly slammed her fist on the table and stood up: "Ah Fei! You've finally grown up!" She rushed over and hugged him tightly, eyes reddening, "Your mother's spirit can rest in peace now..."

"Hey hey hey!" Xiang Qiang interrupted, cigar in mouth, "Three carats? Is that all the grandeur we're bringing to marry a bride into the Xiang family? I've got a ten-carat pink diamond sitting in my safe..."

Zhang Min smiled to defuse the tension: "Brother, it's the sentiment that matters. Ah Min doesn't care about this stuff."

Cheng Long suddenly jumped up: "If we're doing this, let's do it big! I know a helicopter company—let's fly banners over Victoria Harbour!"

"Outdated!" Hong Jinbao downed a gulp of beer, "Better yet, let me choreograph a martial arts sequence—end with a triple axel spin and a single-knee proposal!"

Anita Mui elegantly swirled her wineglass: "Why not hold a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum? When I sing 'Intimate Lover'..."

"No no no!" Leslie Cheung hastily waved his hands, "Ah Min's shy—she'd be terrified in front of a crowd."

Lin Zhengying interjected coldly: "Should I dress as a zombie and jump out of a coffin for entertainment? Guaranteed she'll never forget it..."

"Ying Ge!" everyone shouted in unison to stop him.

Wang Jing rubbed his triple chin with a sly grin: "Listen to me! First, get twenty bikini models to circle Ah Fei—wait till Ah Min gets jealous..."

Zhang Li grabbed her husband's ear: "You fat bastard! Do you want Ah Fei to get dumped?!"

Zhou Xingxing suddenly raised his hand; everyone fell instantly silent. He spoke slowly and deliberately: "What if we pretend it's a film shoot? Make Ah Min the lead actress—then when we reach the proposal scene..."

"Brilliant!" Liu Fuerong slammed his palm on the table, "Isn't Ah Min always complaining about how much she's been filming lately?"

Xiang Fei, dizzy from the noise, suddenly shouted: "Stop!" He pulled out a notebook, "Guys, could you please take turns speaking?"

Xiang Tai snatched the notebook and slammed it on the table: "What's the point of writing it down?! What matters is the feeling!" She lowered her voice suddenly, "Are you sure Ah Min will say yes? Last time, the paparazzi caught her arguing with you..."

Xiang Fei's ears turned bright red: "That was a misunderstanding... she said I spend too much time at social events..."

"Serves you right!" Xiang Tai poked his forehead, "She's waited this long for you..."

Cheng Long suddenly pulled out his phone: "I'm calling to book the helicopter right now!"

"Wait!" Leslie Cheung stopped him, "First confirm Ah Min's schedule. Ah Fei, what's her plan for tomorrow?"

Xiang Fei scratched his head: "She's going to the recording studio in the afternoon to record a new song, and tonight... wait, you're planning to act tomorrow?"

Hong Jinbao already pulled out a notebook and began sketching storyboards: "The martial arts sequence needs rehearsal in advance..."

Anita Mui dialed a number: "Hello? Is the Coliseum available..."

The suite erupted into chaos again. Xiang Fei stared at this "planning team" averaging fifty years old, then suddenly laughed. He pulled out his phone—the wallpaper showed Zhou Huimin at eighteen, competing in a singing contest.

"Three years already..." he whispered.

Amid the noise, no one noticed Xiang Sheng quietly wiping his eyes.

The next afternoon, outside the recording studio

When Zhou Huimin stepped out of the building, she found Xiang Fei standing beside a sports car, impeccably dressed in a suit.

"When did you get back? Why so formal today?" she smiled as she approached, then suddenly noticed Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui sitting inside the car: "Leslie? Anita? You two..."

"Get in quick!" Anita Mui winked mysteriously, "Wang Pangzi's new movie needs a female lead—and he specifically requested you!"

Zhou Huimin gasped, covering her mouth: "Really? But I haven't acted in ages..."

Leslie Cheung handed her a script: "Don't worry—it's just a few shots."

As the car drove toward Victoria Peak, Zhou Huimin felt something was off. She glanced secretly at Xiang Fei and noticed his hands gripping the steering wheel trembling slightly.

"Are you hot?" she reached to adjust the air conditioning, but Xiang Fei seized her wrist.

"Ah Min..." his voice was hoarse, "If... I mean, if..."

"Cut! Save it till we get there!" Anita Mui interrupted urgently.

The mountaintop restaurant had been turned into a film set. Zhou Huimin was ushered into the dressing room. When she stepped out wearing a white wedding gown, she realized the "crew" were all familiar faces.

"Action!" Wang Jing barked from behind the monitor.

According to the script, Zhou Huimin was to walk to the balcony railing and deliver her line. When she turned around, she froze—

Above Victoria Harbour, five helicopters trailed banners reading "Zhou Huimin, Marry Me"; Cheng Long and the Hung Ga team performed southern fist forms on the lawn, then all knelt on one knee in unison; Anita Mui's voice drifted from the speakers; and Xiang Fei, holding a bouquet of roses, walked slowly toward her.

"This... this..." her voice trembled.

Xiang Fei stood dumbfounded until Lin Zhengying kicked him hard in the leg. He took a deep breath and pulled out the diamond ring:

"Ah Min, I..."

"Cut!" Wang Jing suddenly shouted, "The lead actress's expression is wrong! Do it again!"

Everyone burst into laughter. Zhou Huimin's tears finally fell; she rushed forward and hugged Xiang Fei:

"I do! I've always done!"

Amid the rose petals falling from the helicopters, Xiang Qiang muttered to Xiang Tai: "Should've used the ten-carat one from the start..."

Xiang Tai stomped hard on his foot.