A Peach Wood Comb

A slender hand rested on her shoulder. She turned around, and cold lips had already descended, exhaling cold air over her forehead, eyes, and cheeks, leaving countless cool kisses. Finally, they landed on her lips, fervently intertwining and nipping. Her body went limp in his embrace… She didn’t know why he kissed her, nor why he changed his mind to visit her. Although this kiss was part of a business transaction, devoid of any tender emotion, she didn’t care anymore. At least, his embrace was warm, something she needed, especially after her reunion with Xie Jiayi, to help her through the sleepless, long nights… Chapter 5 In the same beautiful, desolate night, Xie Jiayi parked his car in front of an old apartment building. The red bricks were covered with lush green vines, tangled and intertwined, with a branch of bright red cotton tree extending outside the courtyard wall. He embraced the woman beside him, gently kissing the top of her head. “Goodnight!” he said. “Goodnight!” The woman did not get out of the car; instead, she stared at him with her clear eyes for a long time before hesitantly asking, “You accepted the invitation from the banquet host because she was going, right?” His chin rested on her head, silent for a long time. When she nudged him with her small hand, he finally said, “Is that possible? If it were for her, why would I bring you? Xiao Yu…” He lifted her chin. “She died in my heart years ago. Now, the one living in my heart is you! Do you understand?” “She cried today, hid in the bathroom to cry!” Xiao Yu leaned back against the seat with a look of frustration. “Before I saw her, I thought — this woman is so hateful, materialistic and heartless. I hated how she hurt you back then, and I despised her for selling herself. But after seeing her today, I realized she’s not hateful at all, even… even found her straightforwardness kind of cute, making me want to be friends with her, sigh…” She sighed heavily. “I should hate her, but now I’m jealous of her. You love me now, yet I still consider her a rival. Jiayi, I shouldn’t have met her. That way, I could still hate her and look down on her righteously!” Xie Jiayi chuckled and smoothed her furrowed brows. Such a childish temper, both laughable and adorable, just like Lai Yun seven years ago. No wonder she couldn’t hate her; who could hate another version of themselves? “Alright, stop thinking about her. Why worry over someone who doesn’t matter to us? Go upstairs and rest early!” Xiao Yu pouted and said, “Yeah, you’re right. I won’t think about it anymore; I don’t want to kill my precious brain cells! Goodnight!” She got out of the car, rang the doorbell, and as the beautiful music floated through the night, she waved goodbye to Xie Jiayi, watching his car disappear around the corner before pushing the door open to enter.