Peaches and Plums Don’t Speak – Chapter 49
by Little PandaTaotao, You’ve Grown Up
By the time she carried Anzhi home, Yan Xi was too exhausted to speak. She rested for a while before eating, and Anzhi ate a little with her.
When Yan Xi was tired, her voice became a bit hoarse, but it was still gentle. She seemed to be trying to make light conversation, saying that she must have been slacking on her exercise and should at least pick up her long-distance running habit again. She reminded Anzhi to drink her congee and take her medicine. She said that for a common cold, she wouldn’t have sent her to the hospital, but a fever was different, especially with the High School Entrance Exam1 just two days away. She said a few other things as well.
Anzhi looked at her, thinking that she had never seen Yan Xi flustered or exasperated. She always handled things with a measured pace, remaining incredibly calm when issues arose and always figuring out a solution in the shortest possible time. Anzhi had known this since she was little, from the time Da Pang had his allergic reaction. Yan Xi would get busy, get tired, and lament that she hadn’t done well enough, but she would never complain or blame others.
“Was the bike lost? I can buy you another one.”
She always respected others’ opinions and was considerate of their feelings.
Anzhi shook her head. Perhaps because of the drifting, unstable period of her childhood, Anzhi had a rather strong attachment to things that belonged to her. She was extremely sentimental. For many things, once she had one, she wouldn’t greedily ask for another.
“Alright… let’s not think about this for now. Go to sleep.”
Yan Xi didn’t press her, considerate as always. Then she sent her off to bed.
Lying in bed, Anzhi suddenly recalled that it wasn’t as if Yan Xi never got anxious. The first time she had run away from the old residence, outside the convenience store. She had been young then, constrained by her own emotions. Looking back now, Yan Xi had been anxious then.
And that time in fourth grade, when she skipped class and didn’t come home on time, Yan Xi had been anxious. And yesterday, the strong embrace just before she fainted—Yan Xi’s breathing had definitely been frantic.
As Anzhi replayed and chewed on these memories, she tasted a faint hint of sweetness.
And also…
Lately, Anzhi often thought about the kiss on her forehead when she was just over nine years old. Yan Xi’s physical affection was limited to hugs. She wasn’t like Liu Yiyi, who had lived abroad, or like Auntie Xiao and Grandma Xin, or even Yang Mengmeng, who would throw their arms around someone for a kiss when they were happy.
When they were little, she had seen Da Pang and Xiao Pang ask their aunt for kisses many times, only to be pushed away by her palm. Liu Yiyi sometimes jokingly tried to kiss her, but could only succeed by catching her off guard.
Anzhi remembered that she had been worrying about her height back then, sitting on Yan Xi’s lap. Yan Xi had been consoling her, saying it was okay not to grow up so fast, that she wanted to hold her for a few more years. And then, her forehead had been touched by something very soft.
It was quick, so quick that Anzhi thought it was a hallucination.
It only happened that one time, and never again. After so long, Anzhi even wondered if her memory was faulty, yet she stubbornly held on to the belief that it had happened.
Yan Xi had filled the need for a female figure’s love as she grew up. For others, that role was “Mom,” but Anzhi refused to place those two words on Yan Xi. What made her even happier was that Yan Xi didn’t seem to intend that either.
She had always said, “Just grow up by my side,” “Stay by my side,” and “This is your home.” She never made any demands of Anzhi.
It was as if, wherever Yan Xi was, Anzhi didn’t have to worry about a thing. She would be protected no matter what; Yan Xi would always be there for her.
Anzhi turned over, her fingers tracing the lace edge of the pillowcase. Her bed was against the wall. She faced the wall to sleep, her body curled up slightly. She touched the faintly sweet spot over her heart, her fingers half-curled as if holding something with a tangible shape, and closed her eyes with a sense of peace.
As expected, she slept dreamlessly through the night. It was a deep and sweet sleep.
When she woke up, the sky was already bright, the room filled with a tangerine-colored sunlight.
Anzhi rubbed her eyes and got out of bed, stretching lazily. Her whole body felt much more comfortable; she must have fully recovered. After washing her face, she went out to the living room.
The living room had bookshelves on two walls. One wall was bathed in sunlight, the other was in quiet shadow.
Anzhi walked toward the balcony. The door was half-open. Yan Xi was bent over, watering the flowers.
Her work was demanding, and Anzhi had school, so they had chosen the easiest plants to grow: gardenias and jasmine. In May, the jasmine bloomed first, while the gardenias held their green buds. In June, the two types of fragrant white flowers bloomed together, filling the entire balcony with a clear, warm, jade-like fragrance.
Every summer evening, a cool breeze would sweep into the second-floor living room, carrying the overflowing scent of flowers, a blessing that even the books on the two walls received.
Gardenias were Yan Xi’s mother’s favorite flower. Anzhi knew that Yan Xi had almost no memories of her mother, who had passed away early. That was why she grew gardenias; even her perfumes and home fragrances were all varieties from the gardenia family.
This scent was a private connection between Yan Xi and her mother, and Yan Xi had told her about it when she was very young, not even minding if Anzhi used it too.
Yan Xi looked well-rested. She must have just washed her hair. Her long, dark, slightly curly hair was draped over her back, glossy and bright, still damp.
She was on the phone.
“No, not at all. Thank you for calling… Yes, I was planning to ask for leave. My child isn’t feeling well…”
“Right, she’s in her third year of junior high… Yes, I mentioned it last time we had dinner.”
“Is that possible?… Mm, thank you. You’ve been a huge help, thank you.”
Anzhi walked over. Yan Xi saw her and smiled.
“You’re awake? Are you still feeling unwell?” Yan Xi put down her phone. Behind her, the flowers swayed gently as she smiled at Anzhi.
Anzhi shook her head.
“Then let’s go have breakfast. We’ll check your temperature again later.”
“Get all your exam materials ready today. Your admission ticket, 2B pencils2, bring a few extra gel pens, and some draft paper…”
“I’ve already prepared everything.”
“Okay, let’s have breakfast first. Let me check it for you later.”
Breakfast was millet and mung bean congee, youtiao, and homemade pickled vegetables, all prepared by Grandma Liu. After making breakfast, Grandma Liu had gone to the market early to get groceries for the next few days.
“I’ve taken a week off. I’ll drive you to and from the exam,” Yan Xi told her.
Anzhi was pleasantly surprised, but asked with some concern, “Is it okay to take so much time off?”
Yan Xi smiled and shook her head. “A friend helped out. I’ll treat him to a meal to thank him.”
After breakfast, they cleaned up. Yan Xi hadn’t intended to let Anzhi do anything, but Anzhi had slept for so long that she wanted to move around. So Yan Xi let her do some simple vacuuming in the living room while she washed the dishes in the kitchen.
A while later, Yan Xi finished the dishes and went to the living room to help. Walking up behind Anzhi, she glanced down unintentionally, froze for a second, and said, “Taotao?…”
“Hm?…”
Yan Xi said, “Come with me.”
Outside the second-floor bathroom, Yan Xi stood outside, leaving the door ajar while Anzhi was inside.
“Do you understand how to use it? There are instructions on the package.”
Yan Xi leaned her ear toward the door, listening.
She had almost forgotten. Anzhi was already thirteen. She had grown up.
Yan Xi recalled her own first period. It was Auntie Xin who had told her what to do, and it had indeed been a bit awkward and embarrassing. Anzhi probably felt the same way.
Fortunately, she had read many books on health and physiology when she was younger, and Yan Xi had also talked to her about it. She should understand that this was a normal physiological phenomenon for girls and wouldn’t panic or be afraid, right?
“Are you done? Do you need Auntie to help…”
“…No, it’s fine… I’m done.” The door opened, and Anzhi walked out with a red face. She had changed into a pair of loose shorts, and she stood there awkwardly on her two slender, fair legs.
“Is your stomach uncomfortable?” Yan Xi asked softly.
Anzhi said in a tiny voice, “No.”
“That’s good. Go sit down. I’ll wash your pants for you.”
Anzhi’s face turned even redder. “No, it’s okay, I’ll wash them myself.”
Yan Xi gave her a gentle push. “You just got over a cold. Don’t touch cold water right now.”
“Auntie…” Anzhi still felt embarrassed.
Yan Xi chuckled softly. “Why are you being so polite with me?”
After Yan Xi finished washing the clothes Anzhi had changed out of, she found Anzhi sitting dazedly on the living room sofa, seemingly still processing everything.
“What’s wrong?” Yan Xi walked over and sat down beside her.
Anzhi’s head was bowed, and even her ears were pink.
A warm smile filled Yan Xi’s eyes. “You’ve grown up. From now on, this will happen every month. Don’t be scared. Just be careful not to eat anything cold during this time, and make sure you get enough rest.”
Then she sighed softly and continued, “It’s also bad timing, with the exam tomorrow. It’s okay, let’s not put too much pressure on ourselves. You can definitely do it.”
Anzhi gave a small “mhm,” the dimples on her cheeks deepening shyly. She suddenly leaned her head against Yan Xi’s shoulder. The gesture was practically an act of coquetry. Yan Xi was a little stunned, and she subconsciously reached out to stroke her head. Anzhi’s hair was as fine and soft as a cloud, and it felt wonderful to the touch.
Yan Xi turned her face to look at her. Her apple cheeks were rosy pink, still retaining a childish air. She had almond eyes and slender eyebrows, and her nose, though not prominent, was round and delicate. When she smiled, it crinkled slightly, which was very cute. She just leaned against her without speaking, but her ears grew redder and redder.
What on earth is she so shy about? Yan Xi chuckled and gave her ear a gentle pinch.
“Alright, I’m going to mop the floor. You stay here and rest. You can play on your phone for a bit,” Yan Xi said as she stood up.
Anzhi had no choice but to sit up straight. After Yan Xi went downstairs, she drew up her legs and buried her still-hot face in her knees.
It felt like something had changed.
The author has something to say:
After much hardship, I’ve finally climbed onto the Quarterly Rankings. Oh yeah!
Footnotes
- The High School Entrance Exam, or ‘zhongkao,’ is a crucial standardized test in China that determines which high school a student can attend, significantly impacting their future academic path.
- 2B pencils are specifically required for standardized tests in China, as their graphite markings are easily read by the optical scanning machines that grade the exams.
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