Peaches and Plums Don’t Speak – Chapter 89

Guaranteed Admission

After the Awakening of Insects¹, the weather did not warm up. Beicheng remained under a heavy, gloomy sky. Sunlight was rare, the canopy of heaven hung low, and the air felt suffocating.

The new program Yan Xi and her colleagues had planned was rejected again. A colleague said dejectedly, “Even India² can produce that kind of interview program. Why won’t ours pass? When will this creator’s winter end?”

            

“Why work so hard? Learn from others—buy the rights to a format, make some changes, hire a few traffic stars³, pull in some sponsors, get ratings. We could make easy money too!”

“I just can’t accept it! I just can’t accept it!”

The program had been inspired by Aamir Khan’s truth interview show. Years ago, China had programs like this too, but now they had all but vanished, surviving only in documentaries. Yan Xi’s team wanted to create a program that could air on mainstream television, addressing various issues in modern society—gender imbalance, employment equality, genetically modified⁴ foods, domestic violence, education in mountainous regions, juvenile delinquency, child sexual abuse, homosexuality, marriage and dating, and more. They wanted to approach the core of these problems as completely as possible, provoke public reflection, uncover the mysteries behind these difficult issues, and seek solutions.

            

But draft after draft, the listed problems were cut and reduced. The higher-ups still wouldn’t approve it, and no production team below wanted to make it. Even more, there was no investment or sponsorship.

The project could only be shelved for now—perhaps permanently.

When Yan Xi heard the news, she went alone to the rooftop and stood there for a long time. Facing the rolling gray clouds, she felt the urge to smoke for the first time in her life.

            

At thirty years old, she found herself more and more confused. As she grew older, she realized that many things hadn’t become simpler. Instead, they’d grown more difficult and complicated.

In April, Grandfather Yan needed surgery for a blocked cardiovascular vessel. The Yan children divided the work: the older ones went to the hospital, while the younger ones stayed with Auntie Xin. Eldest Sister-in-law Yan and Grandmother Yan remained at home.

Grandfather Yan was already over eighty. Any surgery at his age carried significant risk. Yan Yinan glanced at his worried but composed family members, swallowed hard, and turned to Doctor Yu. “I know I shouldn’t ask this, but tell me honestly—is it really going to be okay?”

            

Doctor Yu’s smile at that moment looked both reliable and beautiful. “You know we can’t make a hundred percent guarantee to the family, right? So I’ll just say that the lead surgeon is the best.” She patted Yan Yinan on the shoulder and whispered, “I’ll be there the whole time. Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

She smiled at the Yan family and walked into the operating room.

It was a close call, but no real danger. Grandfather Yan’s surgery was very successful, and he was moved to a hospital room to rest. The Yan family breathed a collective sigh of relief.

            

Yan Yinan, who had been outside comforting the family and explaining the surgical procedure, grabbed Doctor Yu’s sleeve the moment he saw her. In full view of everyone, he exclaimed, “God, you scared me to death!”

The Yan family, who had finally relaxed, were all disgusted by this display. They scattered one by one, pretending not to know him.

First Brother went to discuss post-operative matters and fees with the doctor. Yan Yixi and Liu Yiyi went to the hospital room to visit Grandfather Yan. Yan Xi smiled awkwardly at Doctor Yu, then blinked in confusion—what was Doctor Yu’s name?

            

“Shengnan. Yu Shengnan.” Yan Yinan stood at over 1.8 meters tall, but Doctor Yu, even in flat shoes, was still a few centimeters shorter than Yan Xi. Yet her presence seemed far more commanding than Yan Yinan’s. Standing beside her, he looked like a small bird clinging to its mate, utterly dependent.

“Xiao Wu, our names go together perfectly! Both ‘nan’—we’re practically a pair.” Yan Yinan looked like he was about to sprout hearts from his eyes.

Even Yan Xi couldn’t take it anymore. She went to see Grandfather Yan, said a few words to her brothers, and then drove to the old residence.

            

At home, Eldest Sister-in-law Yan was watching Junjun while Auntie Xin waited in the living room for news. When they heard the surgery had gone smoothly, they finally relaxed and went to prepare food.

Yan Xi went up to the second floor. At the doorway, she heard Grandmother Yan humming a tune. She listened carefully—it was the melody of Full Moon, Blooming Flowers⁵.

“Xiao Wu, this is a song your grandfather and I both love very much. He sings bel canto mostly, but he can sing this one too. When we were in university, we even performed it together.”

            

“Mn, it sounds nice.” That was Anzhi’s voice.

Yan Xi stopped at the door and curved her lips. Grandma kept mixing up Anzhi with her. Sometimes she could tell them apart, sometimes not.

But in recent years, this happened more and more often. Grandma’s lucid moments were becoming rarer. Yan Xi’s eyes dimmed as she watched the scene inside.

            

Grandmother Yan sat in a lounge chair. The young girl beside her leaned in patiently to talk to her. Anzhi stood up and picked up a blanket to cover Grandmother Yan’s legs. “Grandmother, are you cold?”

Grandmother Yan smiled. “Xiao Anzhi, you’ve grown so tall. You’re almost as tall as your auntie.”

Anzhi scratched her cheek. “Not really, Great-grandmother.”

            

Yan Xi gave a soft laugh. Anzhi had learned to switch what she called her depending on Grandma’s memory.

“Great-grandmother, listen to how I sing this. ‘Clouds scatter, the bright moon shines on those who come…'”

Yan Xi had seen Anzhi care patiently for both the elderly and children, but she’d never heard her sing. She watched them gently.

            

Anzhi hummed softly. Her voice was gentle and soothing. Grandmother Yan smiled and kept time for her. Before falling asleep, she tugged at Anzhi and whispered, “I hid that peony pot you broke.”

Anzhi looked confused for a moment, then realized she was talking about Yan Xi. She pressed her lips together in a smile and turned her head to see Yan Xi standing there.

Anzhi walked out. “Is Great-grandfather okay?”

            

“He’s fine. The surgery went smoothly.” Yan Xi glanced at the sleeping Grandmother Yan. “Thank you for keeping Grandma company.”

“Mn, don’t say that. I worry about Great-grandfather and Great-grandmother too.” Anzhi’s voice was soft. She looked up and studied Yan Xi.

Yan Xi’s brow and eyes showed exhaustion. She wasn’t even wearing makeup, and her face was a bit pale. Yet the corners of her mouth still held a gentle smile. “You did well. You’re such a good girl.”

            

Then they fell silent.

Ever since that awkwardness before the New Year, they hadn’t been able to return to how things were before.

Every time Anzhi faced her, her thoughts started drifting and tangling. She couldn’t face her. And Yan Xi couldn’t figure out what she was thinking, so she could only give her the cold treatment.

            

“Auntie, please don’t worry too much.” Anzhi’s clear, dark eyes held worry as she looked at her.

Yan Xi pressed her lips together and made a sound of agreement. Weariness spread through her limbs and bones as she slowly sat down on the sofa. Watching her elders age and fall ill while she could do nothing—there was nothing more painful than that.

Anzhi bit her lip. Not giving herself time to hesitate or overthink, she quickly leaned down. The young girl’s arms swiftly wrapped around Yan Xi’s shoulders. In her nervousness, her neck bumped gently against Yan Xi’s shoulder.

            

In that moment, Anzhi held her breath. Yan Xi’s shoulder was slender. Her hair brushed against Anzhi’s face, and all Anzhi could smell was her fragrance.

She just didn’t want to see her looking so pained.

She had no choice. She could only hold her.

            

One second. Two seconds.

The thought arose: don’t be greedy.

One more second would be enough.

            

Anzhi thought.

But Yan Xi leaned forward and accepted her embrace. Her hand patted Anzhi’s back, and she even rested her head on Anzhi’s shoulder.

As if she, too, liked her scent.

            

Anzhi’s heart raced. Her bent legs began to tremble. She couldn’t help but lean into Yan Xi.

And in the next second—perhaps instinctively—Yan Xi gathered her waist and pulled her into her arms.

Anzhi’s eyes went wide. It took her a full two seconds to react. She realized she was held firmly in Yan Xi’s embrace, her arms hooked around Yan Xi’s neck, sitting sideways on her lap.

            

The atmosphere around them solidified.

Anzhi didn’t dare move. Her head rested on Yan Xi’s shoulder, and she didn’t dare look at Yan Xi’s expression. Her chest was pressed right against Yan Xi’s.

It wasn’t as if she’d never been held like this before. But never like this…

            

Anzhi blinked. Her heart didn’t feel like her own. What if she found out…

But in the next moment, Yan Xi patted her, signaling her to get up. “Good girl. Sit properly.”

Anzhi’s heart trembled. She stood up and sat down beside her, lowering her flushed face. She didn’t see Yan Xi turn her head away at an unnatural angle, letting out a breath that was almost imperceptible.

            

After several more seconds of silence, Anzhi seized on a legitimate topic: “Auntie, something happened. The school’s guaranteed admission list came down, and I’m on it. For chemistry at Beicheng University of Science and Technology.”

Yan Xi said with delight, “That’s exactly the school and major you wanted! That’s wonderful!”

“Ah, wonderful. No need to suffer through two more months. You’re amazing, Taotao!” Yan Xi was clearly happy. She pulled Anzhi over and ruffled her hair.

            

Anzhi’s face, which had just started to cool down, slowly flushed pink again. “Our homeroom teacher said she needs you to give her a call. There are some things she needs to confirm with a parent.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll call right now.” Yan Xi took out her phone.

“Ah, Auntie, today’s the weekend. The teacher is resting.” Actually, that wasn’t the point. The point was that Yan Xi hadn’t rested properly since before the New Year, and now Grandfather Yan was sick too.

            

“Mn, alright.” Yan Xi’s exhaustion vanished. Her smile was brilliant. Anzhi didn’t dare look too closely. The dimples in her cheeks deepened—sweetness she couldn’t control.

“Finally, some good news.” Yan Xi smiled. “No, I should still bother the teacher. I’ll call now.” Yan Xi stood up, dialing with one hand while touching Anzhi’s cheek with the other, then walked outside.

Her smile was like an early summer evening breeze, lightly brushing past Anzhi’s heart. Little flowers bloomed, and she even shook her head a little.

            

Just for this moment, it seemed all the bitterness had been worth it.

She wanted to treasure her smile.

---