Chapter 63: Mrs. Zhou's Warmth

“There are fewer and fewer passionate young people like you these days.”
Mrs. Zhou greeted Yan Xu warmly, inviting him to sit, pouring him tea, and setting out fruit, all the while sizing him up from head to toe.
“Heh.” Yan Xu felt uncomfortable under her gaze and managed only a slight smile.
“Amin talks about you all the time, says you’re a great director and own two big companies. I just didn’t expect you to be this young—truly accomplished at such an age.” Mrs. Zhou praised him enthusiastically.
“You flatter me, Auntie. The companies are still just getting started. Whatever I’ve achieved is thanks in no small part to Amin’s help.”
“That girl? What help could she possibly give? All she does is sing. If it weren’t for your guidance, who knows where she’d be now.”
Though Mrs. Zhou spoke dismissively, her eyes shone with pride as she looked at her daughter. Her child was so capable—only eighteen, already supporting the family, and had even bought such a big house.
“It’s all thanks to Amin’s hard work as well,” Yan Xu replied with a smile.
“Amin says you built everything from scratch, and you don’t look very old.” Mrs. Zhou peeled a tangerine and placed it in front of him.
“I’ll be twenty-four soon,” Yan Xu answered.
“So you’re only twenty-three. Not much older than Amin. It’s good for young people to have friends they can talk to. You should help her out whenever you can.”
“Do you have any other family?” Mrs. Zhou continued her questioning.
“My mother passed away early. At home, there’s my father, my older brother and his wife, and a little niece who just started school,” Yan Xu replied truthfully.
Mrs. Zhou nodded. “Do they all live with you now?”
Her questions were becoming more and more pointed, clearly showing her intentions.
“No. I just bought them an apartment in Yau Ma Tei—they live there together. I bought myself a place in Mid-Levels, near Old Peak Road, not far from here.”
Although “The Taxi Judge” hadn’t been released elsewhere yet, Yan Xu had already received all his share from its local box office, filling his once-tight pockets. His two companies were now generating income and no longer required constant investment, leaving him with plenty of spare cash. Seizing the opportunity before property prices soared, he bought a seventy to eighty square meter apartment for his father and brother for less than half a million.
“That’s quite close by. You must come visit often and try Auntie’s cooking,” Mrs. Zhou said, her smile growing warmer, her gaze now entirely that of a mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law.
“Yan Xu, do you have a girlfriend?” Her next question left no doubt about her intentions.

“Mom… Go tidy up what you bought today—someone else will be coming soon.”
Before Yan Xu could answer, Zhou Huimin, who had been sitting beside him, caught on to her mother’s meaning. Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she hastily pulled Mrs. Zhou up from the sofa, worried what else her mother might ask if she stayed any longer.
“Alright, alright!” Mrs. Zhou laughed, getting to her feet. “I’ll go tidy up. You young people can talk. Amin, show Yan Xu around, especially your room—let him see how you’ve decorated it.”
Yan Xu was led into a room by Zhou Huimin, still surprised at how obvious Mrs. Zhou had been. Yet, in his heart, he felt a small sense of pride—at least he had made a good impression on her.
He hadn’t expected that a simple good deed would lead him to help Zhou Huimin’s mother, confirming the old saying: good deeds are rewarded.
Zhou Huimin’s room was the master bedroom of the house, nearly twenty square meters, with its own ensuite bathroom.
Before moving in, the room had been completely renovated. Inside, there was no trace that it was a second-hand apartment; the first thing one noticed upon entering was a faint, fresh fragrance—a scent often lingering around Zhou Huimin herself.
The floor was laid with large white tiles, the walls painted a soft duck egg blue, except for the wall behind the bed, which was covered in floral wallpaper. On that wall hung a large, creamy-white picture frame containing an artistic photograph from Zhou Huimin’s album.
The bed was placed against the center of the wall, dressed in pink sheets and curtains, with plush toys arranged on top—clear signs that the room belonged to someone young.
The room was simply furnished: a bed, wardrobe, nightstand, dressing table, and a writing desk by the window. All were in a European style, complementing the floral wallpaper and creating a cottage-like atmosphere.
“Were you surprised by my mother?” Zhou Huimin closed the door, pulled out a chair by the desk, and invited Yan Xu to sit.
“Yes,” Yan Xu nodded.
“A lot of my classmates were shocked too. My mother had me when she was forty-three, so there’s quite an age gap between us.” Zhou Huimin sat on the edge of the bed, facing him.
“I kept calling her Auntie earlier, never expected she was your mother,” Yan Xu answered with a smile.
“My old classmates used to make the same mistake. Even my high school teachers thought she was my grandmother,” Zhou Huimin said, clearly used to it by now.
“Don’t mind what she said just now. Women tend to get chatty as they get older.”
“Not at all,” Yan Xu shook his head. “I actually found a new project for you recently.”
“Oh? What kind of project?”

The promotion for Zhou Huimin’s album had basically wrapped up. She’d just filmed a few ads and done some minor interviews, but otherwise was free. She knew the company would soon arrange a new project for her, and she was looking forward to it.
“It’s a new film by Jackie Chan, called ‘Police Story.’ It’s in pre-production right now. I’m the screenwriter. You’ll be playing Jackie’s girlfriend, the primary supporting female role,” Yan Xu explained.
“A Jackie Chan movie? You’re not going to have me fighting, are you?” Zhou Huimin looked apprehensive. Jackie Chan’s films were all kung fu action— even the women had to throw a few punches. She could dance, but as for fighting, she had absolutely no idea.
“No, your role doesn’t involve any action scenes. All the fight scenes go to the female lead.” Yan Xu shook his head.
“Who’s the lead actress?” Zhou Huimin asked curiously.
“Brigitte Lin,” Yan Xu replied.
“What? Brigitte Lin?” Zhou Huimin jumped off the bed, astonished. “Did I hear you right?”
There wasn’t a girl around who didn’t idolize Brigitte Lin. She was the hottest star of the moment, unmatched by anyone. Even in the film industry, countless celebrities were her fans, captivated by her regal elegance and charm.
“You heard right. She’s already agreed to the role,” Yan Xu confirmed seriously.
“To act alongside her—this is incredible! Thank you, Xu!” Overcome with excitement, Zhou Huimin threw her arms around Yan Xu’s neck.
“Ah!” Yan Xu hadn’t expected this. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her soft figure, her fragrance enveloping him as her hair brushed his nose.
As Zhou Huimin bounced lightly in his embrace, her delicate body pressed tightly against his, especially her soft chest against his own. Holding her gently, breathing in her intoxicating scent, feeling her body against his, Yan Xu—a perfectly normal young man—couldn’t help but react.
“Ah…” Zhou Huimin immediately sensed his response. She might have been inexperienced, but even she understood what was pressing against her.
“Mm…” Hearing her soft exclamation, Yan Xu became even more embarrassed. The more he tried to suppress it, the more obvious it became.
Both of them grew awkward, holding each other lightly, neither wanting to pull away and reveal their embarrassment.
Yet, at the same time, their embrace felt natural, as if it was exactly as it should be. Zhou Huimin even let her head rest gently on Yan Xu’s shoulder.