Peaches and Plums Don’t Speak – Chapter 132
by Little PandaThe Family Portrait
The air was thick with the humid, sticky scent of lingering passion. Satin-soft shoulders were half-hidden beneath the rumpled duvet. Anzhi nuzzled her soft, flushed cheek against Yan Xi’s, both of them coated in a thin sheen of sweat.
Anzhi gently kissed Yan Xi’s cheek and whispered, “Let me help you wipe down…”
Yan Xi’s slightly closed eyelashes fluttered under the warm orange lamplight. Opening her eyes, a soft light rippling in her gaze, she whispered back, “No need, I’ll take a shower…”
The duvet rustled. Yan Xi got out of bed, her slender arms loosely crossed over her chest. Her skin was as white and smooth as fine soap, and her elegant, shapely body rose and fell with her breaths. The scattered marks left by Anzhi on her chest made her look all the more captivating.
Meeting Anzhi’s intense gaze, she paused for a moment. Anzhi flushed and quickly looked down.
Yan Xi picked up her white shirt from the floor to cover herself. Biting her red lip, she moved her bare, slender legs and walked toward the bathroom.
Anzhi waited until she went inside before covering her burning face. Groping around, she found her own nightgown, slipped into it, and stood up to change the bedsheets. Then she picked up the rabbit plush and throw pillows that had been squeezed off the bed onto the carpet.
The sound of rushing water soon echoed from the bathroom.
The glass of the shower stall cast a faint silhouette of her form. She would be standing on her graceful tiptoes, running her fingers through her wet hair.
Just imagining it made Anzhi blush, feeling as though she were being terribly lewd. She fidgeted uncomfortably for a moment, then retrieved another nightgown from the wardrobe and walked to the guest bathroom in the living room. As the gentle streams of water washed over her body, it felt like an intimate touch, causing her cheeks to burn even hotter.
After showering, she returned to the bedroom, feeling her way as she climbed back into bed.
The moment Anzhi climbed into bed, Yan Xi’s heart began to race uncontrollably. The young woman’s soft body pressed against hers, filling the blankets with her sweet scent and the faint, milky fragrance of her body wash.
Her heartbeat, which she’d managed to calm in the shower, was thrown into chaos once again.
The lingering images of their passionate embrace flashed through her mind like a movie playing frame by frame.
Anzhi’s lips had kissed her body so gently. Anzhi clearly had no technique at all and knew next to nothing, yet Yan Xi’s body had responded completely of its own accord. Yan Xi kept her eyes shut, still lost in a haze of bashfulness.
Anzhi shifted slightly. Yan Xi’s eyelashes fluttered in response, but she did not open her eyes.
Anzhi seemed to recall something. She looked at her, and apparently thinking she was asleep, slipped out of bed with light, silent steps and left the room.
A wave of confusion washed over Yan Xi, accompanied by a strange, indescribable feeling—as if she’d suddenly been left hollow. She instinctively touched her chest, where the warmth of Anzhi’s lips still seemed to linger…
A short while later, Anzhi returned. She climbed back into bed and cuddled close to her. Yan Xi’s heart instantly swelled with warmth. She asked softly, “What did you do?”
“Mmh… I thought you were asleep,” Anzhi murmured softly. “I just went to start some congee. I set a timer so it’ll be ready when we wake up tomorrow morning.”
Right. Tomorrow, they were going to the old residence to take a family portrait.
With that, Anzhi leaned close to her face, kissed her, and said, “Go to sleep now.”
The young woman’s face looked exceptionally soft and lovely under the dim yellow light. Enveloped in this tender atmosphere, Yan Xi closed her eyes. Warm, tide-like currents seemed to flow through her limbs, and she drifted off to sleep beside the girl.
The next day, when Yan Xi and Anzhi returned to the Yan Family Old Residence, they realized they were the last to arrive.
Yan Yidong had been transferred back to Beicheng for several years now. His political achievements during this time had been stellar, earning him the second-in-command seat. At home, he remained as stern and unsmiling as ever toward his younger brothers and Da Pang and Xiao Pang, but he was much softer toward the female family members. Anzhi hadn’t seen him in a long time, and he called her over to ask how she was doing.
Yan Yidong was ten years older than Yan Xi. He doted on Yan Xi immensely, and he held a very significant place in her heart. Consequently, Anzhi always felt a bit guilty and nervous when facing him.
Yan Yidong was tall and handsome, and his high government position gave him an air of natural authority even when he was not angry. However, he’d been quite good to her since she was a child. Although he wasn’t skilled at communicating, he’d always cared deeply about her.
Anzhi found herself even more hesitant to make eye contact with him.
Xiao Yutong walked in and said, “Alright, alright. Look at that scary face of yours—you’ve terrified Anzhi.”
Yan Yidong was completely helpless whenever he faced his wife. “…Where am I scary?”
“You just look scary. Anzhi, go upstairs and call Great-grandfather and Great-grandmother down. We are getting ready to take the photo.”
“Okay.” Anzhi quietly let out a sigh of relief. She hurried up to the second floor and headed to Grandfather and Grandmother Yan’s room.
Just as she reached the door, she heard Yan Xi’s voice: “Grandfather, Grandmother, I’ve found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. Please give us your support.”
Anzhi’s heart seemed to stop beating for a brief second.
Grandfather Yan and Grandmother Yan laughed happily, asking her, “Isn’t that wonderful? Who is this person? Are they reliable?”
Yan Xi said, “…They’re a bit younger than me. Very cute.”
“Oh? When will you bring them to meet us?”
“…Actually…”
Yan Xi’s voice paused before she spoke again: “Actually, it’s…”
Anzhi couldn’t stop herself from pushing the door open, calling out first, “Auntie!”
The three people in the room turned their heads to look at her in unison.
Grandfather and Grandmother Yan had warm, smiling eyes.
Yan Xi was momentarily startled, a flicker of bashfulness crossing her eyes before she looked back at her with a helpless yet tender expression.
As they exchanged a soft, affectionate look, Anzhi shook her head slightly.
Grandfather Yan chuckled and asked, “Anzhi, what is it?”
Anzhi came to her senses, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Great-grandfather, Great-grandmother, Eldest Aunt asked me to call you… for the photo.”
Grandfather Yan took Grandmother Yan’s hand and stood up. Both of them looked very spirited today. Grandfather Yan wore a crisp Zhongshan suit1 with his hair neatly combed.
Grandmother Yan wore a dark red qipao2 draped with a shawl, and she had applied a touch of lipstick. The two elders stood straight side-by-side. Though their hair was entirely white, their gentle smiles and decades of shared love had given them a similar look of kind and amiable serenity.
Grandmother Yan reached out to Anzhi, who naturally stepped forward to support her.
Grandfather Yan chuckled. “Let’s take the photo first. We can wait until Xiao Wu is ready to tell us about the person she likes.”
“Indeed, I want to meet this cute person Xiao Wu mentioned as well,” Grandmother Yan added with a smile.
The banter between the two elders left both Yan Xi and Anzhi blushing.
The photo was to be taken in the courtyard downstairs. The weather was lovely today, with the winter sun draping over everyone in a warm, comfortable embrace.
The hired photographer and his assistant were momentarily stunned to see such a large family. The photographer smiled and said to Grandfather Yan, “Elder, you’re truly blessed. Four generations under one roof!”
Grandfather Yan nodded with a smile. If his son and daughter-in-law were still alive, they’d be so happy too.
With the help of the photographer and his assistant, Grandfather Yan and Grandmother Yan were seated in the center chairs, while the younger generations lined up according to their respective families. Standing behind Grandfather Yan was Yan Yidong’s family, and behind Yan Yidong stood Yan Yixi and Liu Yiyi. On Grandmother Yan’s side stood Yan Yinan and Yu Shengnan, each cradling one of the twins. Behind Yan Yinan stood Yan Xi and Anzhi.
“Elder, the children in your family are truly good-looking!” Looking through the lens, the photographer could not help but praise them.
“Alright, we’re going to take it now! Everyone, show me your brightest smiles! One, two, three…”
The moment the shutter clicked, Anzhi secretly hooked her pinky finger with Yan Xi’s, her smile exceptionally sweet.
Since everyone in the Yan family had gathered today, the house was naturally bustling with excitement. In the afternoon, Auntie Xin mobilized the men of the family to prepare dinner, while she and Xiao Yutong directed them. Da Pang and Xiao Pang were assigned to cleaning duty, and Anzhi took Junjun out to play.
After fussing for a short while, the newborn dragon-phoenix twins fell asleep.
Up in the small second-floor parlor, Yan Xi, Liu Yiyi, and Yu Shengnan were enjoying a rare moment of leisure, sipping tea and chatting.
Liu Yiyi looked Yan Xi up and down, wearing a meaningful grin. “Tsk, tsk… It’s only been a few days, but you look completely different.”
Yan Xi took a sip of her flower tea, merely offering a soft smile in response.
Liu Yiyi nudged Yu Shengnan with her elbow. “Hey, have you noticed? She’s practically beaming with happiness. Look at how radiant her skin is—even better than getting skin booster injections! I’m jealous to death!”
Yu Shengnan smiled and said, “That’s the magic of being in love.”
Yan Xi wasn’t sure when Yu Shengnan had found out about her feelings for Anzhi, but she didn’t mind.
She had originally planned to come clean to Grandfather and Grandmother Yan today, but Anzhi had talked her out of it.
After taking the photo, Anzhi pulled Yan Xi aside and whispered that today was a happy occasion for the family portrait, and she didn’t want to disrupt the grandparents’ good mood.
“There’s no rush,” Anzhi had said, pulling at her hand, her rosy cheeks slightly lowered as she spoke in a soft, gentle voice.
Yan Xi had gazed at her dotingly. After last night, her resolve had only grown stronger. In her heart, coming out to her family was merely a procedural step; no matter what happened, she would never waver again.
Moreover, today indeed wasn’t the right time. Once Anzhi went back to America, even if there were any blame to be had, it wouldn’t fall upon the girl.
“Look at you, zoning out again… Hey, hey, hey!” Liu Yiyi playfully smacked Yan Xi’s arm in exasperation.
Yan Xi snapped out of her daze, taking another sip of her tea with a lingering smile.
Seeing the sweet smile on Yan Xi’s face made Liu Yiyi’s teeth ache with jealousy. “Looking at you like this makes me want to date a woman too.”
Yu Shengnan and Yan Xi glanced at her at the same time.
Liu Yiyi rested her chin in her hands, lost in thought. “Honestly, it’s not like I couldn’t accept dating a woman. Haven’t there been plenty of studies saying most women are actually bisexual? I think I could accept it… at least mentally.”
Yan Xi was at a loss for words, but she had a strong feeling that Liu Yiyi was about to deliver some shocking conclusion.
Yu Shengnan listened with great interest.
Liu Yiyi sat up straight and said solemnly, “But physically, it’s a bit difficult. Mmh… like, I think I could accept this part…” She gestured toward her upper body, drawing a large circle around her chest, and then pointed below her waist. “But down here… I can’t do it. I’d feel like I was getting a gynecological exam…”
“Sigh, I guess I can only sleep with men…” It was hard to tell if Liu Yiyi’s tone carried more reflection or regret.
Before Yan Xi could even massage her temples, Liu Yiyi’s follow-up question arrived. “Yan Xiao Wu, don’t you have that kind of psychological barrier?”
Yan Xi: “…”
She didn’t want to answer this question.
“Hey, hey, hey, how far have you and Xiao Anzhi gotten?” Liu Yiyi suddenly gossiped.
This time, it was Yan Xi’s turn to roll her eyes. “It’s none of your business.”
“Ah! Why are you like this? If you don’t tell me, I’ll go ask her!” Liu Yiyi threatened.
“You dare?” Yan Xi glared at her.
Liu Yiyi smiled, her eyes narrowing. “Aiya, you’re blushing! Come on, I’m not the only one who wants to know. Right, Third Sister-in-law?”
Yu Shengnan nearly choked with laughter, waving her hands in dismissal.
“You don’t know—Yan Xi and I actually discussed what it’s like between women before. You know, like who takes the lead, or if one of them needs to play the ‘male’ role. Now that she’s turned gay, of course I’m curious.” Liu Yiyi gave a gossipy chuckle and nudged her. “So, have you gained some firsthand insight yet?”
Yan Xi: “…” She covered her face with her long, fair fingers, utterly speechless.
Yu Shengnan caught her breath through her laughter, stepping in to rescue her. “It’s not like that. Intimacy between women is different from intimacy with men, and it definitely isn’t like a ‘gynecological exam’ as you put it. That just proves Second Sister-in-law is only compatible with men, so your conclusion is correct.”
“If you really want to compare, intimacy between women is much better. It’s a true blending of water and milk3. It doesn’t matter who is active and who is passive.” The curl of Yu Shengnan’s lips carried a hint of deeper meaning.
Yan Xi and Liu Yiyi stared at her in stunned confusion.
“Third Sister-in-law, how do you…” Liu Yiyi stared at her curiously, wanting to ask how she was so knowledgeable. Suddenly, the realization hit her. “Don’t tell me you…”
“Mmh, I have,” Yu Shengnan replied with a smile.
The author has something to say:
There’s always been some confusion about how sisters-in-law address each other. In some places, they use these terms instead of ‘dimei’.
I just went with my own preference on this.
The sisters-in-law of the Yan family: Eldest Sister-in-law Xiao Yutong, Second Sister-in-law Liu Yiyi, Third Sister-in-law Yu Shengnan, Fifth Sister-in-law Tao Anzhi.
Footnotes
- A classic style of Chinese male attire featuring a closed collar and four pockets, named after Sun Yat-sen and widely popularized in the twentieth century.
- A qipao, also known as a cheongsam, is a body-hugging traditional Chinese dress with a high collar, distinct side slits, and frog closures, which originated in the Republican era.
- Shuǐ rǔ xiāng róng, a Chinese idiom literally translating to 'water and milk blending together,' metaphorically representing complete harmony, deep mutual understanding, or a seamless union between people.
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