Third Comb

Fu Ting Shuan slightly paused and asked, “Are you doing an interview?”

“.....I was only curious. The roles you played before are not like this.”

Fu Ting Chuan asked, “What roles did I play before?”

Jiang Tiao replied, ”They are all either powerful, intelligent, strong or more profound male characters….” She paused, seeming to be thinking. Then, her eyes brightened, “Compared to them, Xue Shao is lackluster.”

Fu Ting Chuan raised a brow, “You don’t think Xue Shao is good?”

Jiang Tiao shook her head and wrinkled her nose. “It’s not that he is not good. On the contrary, he is a good man, a good father, and a good husband. He is calm, peaceful, and self-sufficient and only loves Taiping his entire life. But to Taiping, Xue Shao could be counted as….her past, a beautiful time in her teenage years. He taught her love and is the source of her happiness in her earlier years.”

Jiang Tiao’s tone changed, “But during the most brilliant time in her life, Xue Shao was not there to accompany her. You know, I really thought that you wouldn’t take the role of Xue Shao because in this drama, he is loving and his affection for his wife is mutual. The only thing weighing it down is that his death became a turning point in Taiping’s life.”

She summed up her thoughts, “Xue Shao is really mediocre compared to the other characters you have played.”

Fu Ting Chuan patiently listened to her and laid out a question, “Taiping’s beautiful girlhood, her first love, her source of happiness, and the best years of her life were all given to him. Isn’t that enough?”

Jiang Tiao doesn’t know how to respond, “If you put it that way….”

Fu Ting Chuan understands that fans like Jiang Tiao are worried that the roles he plays will affect his reputation. He smiled and said, “Because of the reasons you stated, I am very satisfied with this role.”

The light from the street lamp entered her eyes, brightening her pupils. “You’re satisfied this easily? A lot of your fans take you as their Xue Shao.”

After walking a few steps in silence, he asked her, “Do they include you?”

Jiang Tiao reflexively replied, “Of course, I have been your fan since I was fifteen.”

That evening during her third year in middle school, he suddenly appeared before her eyes. His handsome face hit her heart, like a germ that couldn’t be prevented.

Fu Ting Chuan’s lips lifted into a comfortable arc, “You were a fan of mine back then?”

Jiang Tiao doesn’t deny it, “Of course.” Those years of complex and affectionate feelings could never be forgotten.

Fu Ting Chuan indifferently asked, “How about now?”

Jiang Tiao pause for a second and sincerely replied, “Still am, hehe.”

She laughed at herself, laughed at how she is like a young fan. She felt that her strong attachment to this person will last forever.

Fu Ting Chuan did not inquire about her anymore and stayed quiet.

They quickly arrived at the intersection, staring at the lights in the distance like a river of stars on the horizon.

–––I don’t know if you’ll understand. I want to answer your questions, now and in the future. Always.

**

Xu Che quickly arrives with the car. Jiang Tiao got into the car and sat next to the window.

Fu Ting Chuan sat next to her.

The back seats and the trunk are filled with miscellaneous boxes and luggage. There is no more space in the car to seat anyone else.

Xu Che shifts gear and drove out of the street.

Jiang Tiao turned and stare outside the window. The orange lights and the neon signs flash past her.

Xu Che incessantly chatted with her. He was very funny, making Jiang Tiao laugh.

Fu Ting Chuan glanced at them and closed his eyes as if he has no interest in their conversation.

Jiang Tiao’s gaze fell on him. Seeing his “I’m tired, don’t bother me” look, she immediately shushes Xu Che and reminded him that his boss is sleeping.

Xu Che glanced at the rearview mirror. Heh, scheming old boy.

Bored, Jiang Tiao took out her phone and browse Weibo.

Once she opened it, the white screen lit up the dim environment.

Afraid that it would disturb Fu Ting Chuan’s sleep, she immediately turned it off.

So, she can only sit there. Slowly, the alcohol rush to her head, making her feel drowsy.

Jiang Tiao’s head slowly nodded off unable to resist the fatigue. In her disorientated state, she still remembers that Fu Ting Chuan is sitting on her right and the dark window is to her left.

Oh, window…..

She leaned to the left, her forehead resting against the window.

In the dark, Fu Ting Chuan slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.

He couldn’t help but smile at her foolish and cute expression.

Suddenly, the car passed a deep pit.

Dong, Jiang Tiao’s head slammed against the window.

Aiyo….she raised her hand and rub her sore forehead. However, the pain was not enough to drive her sleep away. Her eyelids grew heavy and her hand fell down.

She fell asleep again.

Fu Ting Chuan’s eyes fell on her small hand. White and bright, like a shining pearl.

Just like this, his heart turned to dough just by looking at her hand.

After a long time, he let out a sigh. He raised his left arm and place it on the side of her head, slowly moving her away from the window.

She slept soundly. Her slender neck followed his movement and naturally leaned on his shoulder.

Fu Ting Chuan gently and cautiously moved her, worried that she would suddenly wake up.

Fortunately, she is still sleeping like a log. Her breathing is even showing no intention of waking up.

With her head pressed against his shoulder, her hair scratched against his chin making him feel itchy.

But his heart feels peaceful on the way back to the hotel.

Fu Ting Chuan glanced down at Jiang Tiao’s small face and held her hand. He leaned back on the seat and closed his eyes.

The atmosphere is too peaceful. Xu Che who was concentrated on the road looked through the rearview mirror.

He slowly turned off the light music.

The car gradually quiets down. Only the neon lights outside flash through the window.

In this life, there are many instances of waking up early, rushing about in life, and sleeping late. How many times are there that you can stay still with loved ones like now?