Peaches and Plums Don’t Speak – Chapter 105
by Little PandaShe Knew
Yan Xi checked the bug bites on her legs. They were still a bit red and swollen, but not quite as itchy.
Her chest rose and fell slightly. With a bewildered expression, she managed to grasp a few disjointed memories, though she didn’t quite dare to confirm them.
She was staring blankly into space.
Anzhi gently pushed the door open and came in. Upon seeing her awake, her small face immediately broke into a smile. “Auntie, time to eat.”
Anzhi had cooked some rice noodle soup. The noodles were fine and white, accompanied by large, appetizing beef meatballs in a clear broth that shimmered with a thin layer of oil, sprinkled with crushed, golden-fried garlic. Anzhi had already finished eating; this bowl was for Yan Xi.
By the time Yan Xi came out to eat, it was the perfect temperatureβneither too hot nor too cold. Only then did she truly feel hungry. She ate a massive bowlful, finally feeling her body relax in comfort.
“You still need to drink a vial of this.” Anzhi took out a small bottle of Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid1.
Yan Xi’s lips curled in distaste. “No need. The taste is too strange.”
Anzhi blinked her innocent almond eyes at her. Defeated, Yan Xi could only take it, downing the liquid before chugging several mouthfuls of water.
Anzhi took the bowl away to wash. Yan Xi glanced at her phone and was surprised to see it was already past nine in the evening. Outside, the howling wind and rain raged on, but the house felt like a small boat amidst the storm.
“Alright, stop bustling about and come sit.” Anzhi had been busy all afternoon, so Yan Xi beckoned her over.
“Mn. I’ve fully charged the power banks, so we don’t have to worry if the power goes out.” Anzhi’s eyes curved into crescents. She came over and sat down, looking like a pet waiting for praise.
“You’ve worked hard.” Yan Xi had originally wanted to pinch her cheek, but she paused and asked, “Did you leave right after applying the ointment for me?”
Her gaze locked onto Anzhi’s face.
Anzhi’s eyes darted away slightly. “Mnβ¦ I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I came out to cook and charge the power banks. Andβ¦ I also bought candles, so we’d be fine if the power goes out.”
“And then I took a shower and washed my hair⦔ Anzhi felt incredibly guilty. She wished she could attach a timestamp to everything she had just done, clearly stating exactly what she had been doing from what minute to what hour.
Yan Xi was wearing a mint-colored slip nightdress. The cotton fabric was loose, but because she had been sleeping on her side, it had gathered into folds that accentuated the curves of her body. And the red bug bites on her fair calves trailed up, disappearing beneath the hem of her skirtβinviting wanton thoughts of exploring further.
Anzhi stared at Yan Xi in a daze, then buried her face in her hands out of sheer embarrassment, cursing herself repeatedly in her mind.
Suddenly, Yan Xi’s brows knitted tightly together. She curled in on herself, seemingly trapped in a distressing nightmare. Her body trembled faintly, making her look incredibly fragile.
Without a second thought, Anzhi began stroking her back, soothing her with steady, rhythmic pats. Yan Xi’s furrowed brow relaxed. Her eyelashes fluttered, and in her deep slumber, she looked like a princess waiting for a kiss.
Anzhi didn’t know how long she stared. Just like in the fairy tale books from her childhood, Yan Xi was the sleeping princess hidden deep within an ancient castle.
Mmm. She was also like a princess who rode horses and fought bad guys.
Not only her princess, but also her goddess.
Anzhi carefully stroked her cheek, her fingers coming to rest on Yan Xi’s lips. Her eyes brimmed with infatuation, longing, and shyness. She didn’t dare do anything more, merely tracing them gently.
She dared not make any rash moves.
Being questioned by Yan Xi right now made her feel very guilty.
“Mn⦔ Fortunately, Yan Xi just nodded thoughtfully and didn’t press the matter.
Outside, the fierce wind and torrential rain battered the doors and windows.
Anzhi leaned closer to Yan Xi, her gaze drifting down to her legs. “You still need to apply some more ointment.”
She got up and brought over a small jar. “I bought this from the village doctor. I think he mixed it himself. It’s very effective.”
Anzhi unscrewed the jar, using her other hand to lift Yan Xi’s leg and rest it across her own lap. She scooped out some of the ointment and meticulously applied it. Yan Xi was too stunned to react and reject the gesture. Those hazy details from her dream surfaced once more. Now, she could clearly smell the scent of mint. Anzhi’s fingers were distinctly slender. They felt slightly cool, yet simultaneously searing hotβ¦
This complex sequence of sensations was utterly foreign to her. Not knowing how to process it, Yan Xi pulled her leg back and said uncomfortably, “Thaβthank you.”
Anzhi offered her a slightly surprised smile. Yan Xi turned her face away. “Hurry up and go wash your hands, so you don’t rub it in your eyes.”
“Mn! Let’s watch a movie afterward.” Anzhi ran off, thump-thump-thump. In the midst of the stormy typhoon night, her bouncy footsteps felt soft and delicate, as if she were stepping directly onto Yan Xi’s heart.
The two of them watched γZootopiaγ together. It wasn’t a new release, but they had never had the time to watch it before.
The living room bench was made of mahoganyβhard and uncomfortable. Taking advantage of the situation, Anzhi leaned against Yan Xi. She really liked the movie and kept giggling.
Yan Xi was distracted. Anzhi’s back naturally rested against her, and when Yan Xi lowered her gaze, all she saw was the girl’s soft, dark hair and slender, pale shoulders.
“Auntie, do you not like it?” Anzhi tilted her head back to look at her.
Yan Xi managed a small smile. “It’s good.”
Anzhi turned back around. “Who do you think the mastermind is? I can’t tellβ¦ Hmm?” she muttered to herself, almost biting her fingernails.
Yan Xi chuckled softly. Perhaps she was just overthinking things.
After finishing the movie, they went to sleep as usual. Tomorrow, they would be leaving.
“If it’s still raining tomorrow, let’s stay a few more days.”
The candles they bought hadn’t been needed, but Yan Xi lit an aromatherapy candle. It smelled like a garden after the rainβa fresh, botanical scent grounded in earthy notes. The only thing missing was a floral fragrance, which the floral fragrance of their bodies perfectly supplemented.
“Mn, we should be able to leave. You’re not quite used to this place, so we’d better head back early.” Anzhi let out a small yawn, falling asleep the moment the words left her mouth.
Yan Xi gazed at her sleeping face, once again hoping she was just overthinking things.
Weighed down by her thoughts and having already slept in the afternoon, she didn’t sleep very soundly that night. Half-asleep and half-awake, a familiar scent drifted closer to her.
Anzhi’s eyelashes fluttered as she gazed at Yan Xi’s sleeping face once more. She had actually really enjoyed their time together over the past two days. She liked taking care of Yan Xi. Away from Beicheng, the massive metropolis where they lived, this small village stripped away the obvious familial ties between them. The distance between them was so closeβso close they could practically hear each other’s heartbeats, so close Anzhi could press her fingertips against the center of Yan Xi’s lips.
Anzhi didn’t dare make any large movements, only daring to stroke her delicately. Her heart was pounding wildly. Feeling the warmth of Yan Xi’s lips on her fingertips, Anzhi pulled her hand back and pressed those same fingers against her own lips.
The gesture filled her heart with absolute sweetness.
She liked Yan Xi’s face. She liked her lips. She liked her scent. She liked everything about her.
Ever since the night Yan Xi appeared at her school, drenched to the bone, their time together had given her a tiny sliver of hopeβa secret, hidden hope.
Maybe there was a small possibility that Yan Xi could accept her. That they could be together.
She felt that Yan Xi wasn’t averse to this kind of dynamic either.
It even felt different from how they used to interact before she started university, carrying a trace of ambiguity and dependence.
Heavens, maybe it wasn’t her imagination. Please let it not be her imagination.
Unable to resist, Anzhi placed her finger on Yan Xi’s lips once more. Then, she leaned in, her own lips covering the finger she had pressed against the center of Yan Xi’s.
This was already greedy enough.
Anzhi steadied her racing heartbeat and carefully retreated. Fervent, thrilling emotions rolled through her chest like a surging tide. She closed her eyes, and only after a long while did she slowly drift off to sleep.
But what she didn’t realize was that, after she fell asleep, Yan Xi opened her eyes. An indescribable emotion clogged her chest with a sour ache. After a long moment, her heartbeat began to race. The howling wind and torrential rain outside seemed to rage directly within her heart. She couldn’t moveβtrapped in a dilemma, unable to advance, unable to retreat.
Upon returning to Beicheng, Anzhi went back to her part-time job at the tutoring center, while Yan Xi departed for a neighboring city for further study.
Anzhi was entering her third year of university2 in the new semester. Her coursework would only become more demanding and intense, leaving her little time to work, so she had to seize what was left of the summer vacation.
Amidst her busy schedule, she didn’t forget to contact Yan Xi, sending her voice messages.
To her surprise, Yan Xi rarely replied.
Anzhi didn’t think much of it, assuming she was just busy and that things would return to normal once she was back in Beicheng. Who knew Yan Xi’s studies would take so long? By the time she returned to Beicheng, the seasons had changed, and the footsteps of winter had quietly slipped into the city.
Often, time slipped away swiftly when you weren’t paying attention. By the time you snapped back to reality, you’d find it hadn’t left a single trace behind.
By the time Anzhi realized something was amiss, Beicheng’s first snow3 of the year was already gently drifting down.
Belatedly, Anzhi opened WeChat on her phone and noticed that something was wrong.
Although she would still send messages like, “Be good,” or “Great job, little rabbit.”
“Goodnight.”
They were just text. There were no emojis.
In the past, Anzhi had once teased her for being old-fashioned, and ever since then, she had made a point to include emojis when they chatted. But in all their conversations since returning from Anzhi’s hometown, there had been none.
She hadn’t initiated any WeChat messages.
She hadn’t initiated any phone calls.
And during the few calls they did have, Anzhi could only remember herself talking and acting spoiled. Yan Xi would laugh on the other end and occasionally tease her.
Thinking back on it now, Yan Xi had said far too little.
Anzhi’s ears burned red, and her heart skipped a beat. Like a panicked fledgling thrown off a cliff before it was ready to fly, she was terrifiedβ¦
Yan Xi knewβ¦
0 Comments