She turned over, habitually moving close to the man beside her….
As she moved around, she realized that she had returned to her bed in Suzhou.
The past six months felt like a dream.
Jiang Tiao blinked and went on WeChat on her phone. Comrade F sent a good morning text at six o’clock.
–––This message reminded her everything is real. He is safe and reliable.
Jiang Tiao immediately smiled and replied back: You’re on holiday, why are you waking up so early?
His response came very fast: I’m already old. Can’t sleep too long.
Jiang Tiao poked fun at him: How come there are times you can sleep till ten.
Fu Ting Chuan: The amount of exercise the previous night was too exhausting.
Jiang Tiao’s face heated up. She intended to tease him but in the end, it backfired.
……
When she returned home last night, her mother opened the door for her. Her mother looked at her travel-worn state and only gave her a cup of hot tea to warm her stomach before urging her to bed.
As she rolled under the covers, the day’s drowsiness wore away.
Home is the best.
However, this morning is not the same. She must face torture and interrogation from her parents on both sides.
On the dining table are piping hot potstickers and sesame buns.
The main dish, wonton soup, contained parsley and shrimp, her favorite when she was still in school.
Jiang Tiao’s father was reading a newspaper with reading glasses on. When he saw Jiang Tiao have finished washing up, he put the paper down and said, “Tiao Tiao, sit.”
Her mother is still in the kitchen steaming corn and sweet potato.
Jiang Tiao sat down and picked up a spoon, “Dad, if you have something to ask, just ask.”
Father Jiang raised his eyebrows, “Wait until your mom comes over, then we’ll talk.”
Jiang Tiao felt as if she is waiting for a beheading, enduring five excruciating minutes of blade sharpening. Jiang Tiao scooped up a wonton and slowly chewed.
After a long while, Mother Jiang finally came out and sat next to her father. The two elders faced her, ready to interrogate her.
…..It’s just like when she was little, giving them a summary of how she did on an exam.
Only this time, her parents have a pleasant countenance and are worried she isn’t happy.
Mother Jiang first spoke, “I have searched up your superstar boyfriend online….”
Jiang Tiao was a bit speechless. All the information about the future son-in-law could be found on Baidu. She reckoned her parents never thought about searching for it there.
“I have seen many of his works, your dad too. We have been watching his spy drama every day. He is very handsome.”
“Every aspect of him is great.” Father Jiang added.
Jiang Tiao, “......En.”
Mother Jiang started the questioning, “You went to see his parents without telling us. Are you seriously planning on marrying him?”
Without even thinking, Jiang Tiao steadily nodded twice.
Father Jiang fiddled with his glasses and frowned, “In fact, your occupations are good, there is no conflict. I heard from your mom you are his personal makeup artist now?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not bad. You can stay together often.”
Mother Jiang was still somewhat worried, “Tiao Tiao, he is an actor. He will always be in contact with beautiful female stars. What will happen if their acting becomes a reality?”
Before Jiang Tiao could reply, Father Jiang opposed his wife, “Have a little more confidence in your daughter. Hasn’t that surnamed Fu met female stars before? In the end, he still liked Tiao Tiao. He didn’t fall in love with them in the past, he wouldn’t in the future. He only likes our girl, understand––?”
Mother Jiang gave him a cold stare, “I am asking Tiao Tiao, not you.”
Jiang Tiao laughed and said, “Mom, I can’t give you any firm guarantees. But at least for now, all I can say is he is a nice person who gives me enough assurance. Although he is a big star that many people like when he is with me, it’s no different from any ordinary couple. He gives me a sense of security. You know I have liked him since the third year of junior high. Being with him and being liked by him is something I never dared to dream about.
So, I won’t think about these negative scenarios. He is filming with a beautiful actress today, he smiled at a female fan today. This is his profession and I think if he hadn’t become an actor, I wouldn’t have had a chance to see him on TV ten years ago. Since then I have been yearning and longing to get closer to him.
I don’t like to have a solid blueprint for the future ahead or ask for any big promises. As long as he is by my side, I will grasp every day, every minute, every second with him. It’s that simple.”
Jiang Tiao sighed, “So you don’t have to worry about me anymore. My feelings for him are not the kind between ordinary couples. I think there are respect and admiration. This type of feeling isn’t the same as behaving servilely and obsequiously or suffering in silence. I know that you understand.”
……
This remark was like thunder that struck Mother Jiang and Father Jiang who remained silent. They know it is futile to say anything else.
Their daughter….has already been bewitched.
Moreover, the conditions of the other person involved are not bad.
Honestly speaking, they are secretly delighted they can snag a famous son-in-law.
While Mother Jiang is still reveling in her delight, Father Jiang brought up another key point, “You went to see his family, how are they?”
“His dad passed away a few years ago and his mom lives alone.”
“How’s his mother?”
“Very kind. Having raised this kind of son, there definitely isn’t anything lacking with the parents.” Jiang Tiao smiled and added, “Your daughter finding such a fin son-in-law, you must be very happy.”
The two elders laughed at her words, “Your mouth is so sweet now. Who taught you how to speak like this?”
“My boyfriend.” Jiang Tiao proudly responded.
“Oh….” Father Jiang realized something, “It seems he usually flatters you?”
“Uh, that’s right…..” Jiang Tiao doesn’t want to be questioned for more details and dug into her wonton, “Enough I still have breakfast to eat. If you continue asking, the soup will turn cold and then it won’t taste good anymore.”
“Okay, continue eating!” Even though she urged her to eat, Mother Jiang still asked, “When will he come to meet us? I have never seen an actor in person before.”
“Fine–––I will ask him.”
“When the time comes, call your relatives over so we can assess him together.”
“How are you still like this.” Jiang Tiao cried out.
“What are we like? You found a good son-in-law so we must naturally brag about it. You don’t know when the news of you dating a celebrity got out, your third aunt and that cousin in Shanghai, the one called Xiao Yue, call me a bunch of times requesting Fu Ting Chuan’s signature. My head was about to explode.”
Father Jiang couldn’t bear for his daughter who had only eaten a few mouthfuls continue to be pestered, “Enough, let Tiao Tiao eat.”
……
Jiang Tiao buried her head in the bowl and don’t know whether to laugh or cry. And she thought her parents made a turn for the better.
In the end….
They still care about their reputation….
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