Peaches and Plums Don’t Speak – Chapter 93
by Little PandaGot Sleazy Again
Anzhi’s breath caught. She hadn’t even heard clearly what Yan Xi said, but her cheeks, where Yan Xi had pinched them, quickly grew hot.
Yan Xi was wearing a white low-necked shirt, her hair falling to one side. The living room light rested on her snow-white collarbone, and between the folds of her neckline, a thin gold chain rose and fell with her breathing.
Anzhi averted her gaze, not daring to look.
But Yan Xi wouldn’t let her off. She lay back down, fingers continuing to poke her cheek. “Tell me, who loves you more—me or Second Aunt-in-law?”
“Who are you closer to—me or Second Aunt-in-law?”
“Who’s prettier—me or Second Aunt-in-law?”
Anzhi listened and felt something was off. Was Yan Xi jealous? She wanted to laugh. Even if it wasn’t that other kind of jealousy, it was enough to make her happy.
“You love me more. You’re closer to me.” Anzhi said, her eyes meeting Yan Xi’s. “You’re the prettiest.”
Yan Xi’s smiling eyes were slightly hazy from the wine. Who knew if she’d heard any of it? After listening, the corners of her mouth lifted, and she lay down, leaning against Anzhi’s shoulder. Her breath brushed against her neck, where Anzhi’s carotid artery beat rapidly.
Was she asleep? Or was she still holding back some other question to ask?
This drunk Yan Xi was unfamiliar to Anzhi, yet utterly adorable.
Anzhi inevitably thought of that novel The Edge1 she had read, which had a similar scene. In the book, Shen Qin2 got drunk, then started kissing Chang Shan3, even putting her hand inside her clothes.
Anzhi’s face burned. What was she imagining? Yan Xi would never do that. But right now she was pillowed on her shoulder, her lips near her neck. If Anzhi turned just a little—even a centimeter—Yan Xi could kiss her cheek.
She couldn’t think like this. Anzhi tried to shift her gaze away, moving slightly outward, wanting to slip off the sofa. But as soon as she moved, Yan Xi pulled her close. Anzhi struggled, but Yan Xi was much stronger. She held Anzhi in her arms, murmuring, “Don’t go.”
Her softness pressed against Anzhi’s back, her arm draped across her shoulder. Anzhi’s face flushed red as a tomato. She struggled. “Auntie…”
“Mn? Shh, don’t talk. My head hurts.” Yan Xi’s lips pressed against her neck, the warm breath giving Anzhi goosebumps.
Anzhi slowly slowed her breathing. After a few seconds, she removed Yan Xi’s hand. She tried again to slip off the sofa, but still failed. Yan Xi pressed her down again, this time placing her hand right on her chest.
Anzhi froze. Yan Xi’s hand pressed down again, as if finding the feel pleasant, and even rubbed a little.
“Mmm… can’t…” Anzhi heard her own breathing and hurriedly pushed Yan Xi’s hand away. The sofa wasn’t narrow, with enough space for two, but Anzhi struggled and struggled without escaping her embrace. She could only give up, face red, letting herself be held.
Fortunately, Yan Xi only held her, face buried in the back of her neck, doing nothing else.
As if she really liked her scent, and needed this to fall asleep.
Anzhi’s hand clenched into a fist, her palm sweaty. She had spent the past two months making up her mind. She had decided to stop her foolish fantasies, to truly treat Yan Xi as her family and elder. Everything she had was given by Yan Xi—how could she take for granted all that Yan Xi gave her and still covet her?
The first week was the hardest. She kept wanting to call her. As she toured the sights with her team, she even turned her phone over to the team leader. Then came the second week, the third week. When the summer camp ended, she went straight to New York with Liu Yiyi without even returning home.
All communication between them was mediated through Liu Yiyi.
Anzhi turned to lie flat, looking at Yan Xi. She had fallen into a deep sleep, shifting to sleep on her side with the movement. Anzhi gazed at her for a while, then slowly raised her left hand. After hesitating, she brought it to Yan Xi’s cheek. Her skin was warm and smooth, white and tender like a freshly peeled egg.
So that metaphor really worked. Anzhi thought. Her left hand bore a large pink scar on the back from a burn, making Yan Xi’s skin appear even whiter by contrast.
Anzhi’s fingers hesitated, then traced Yan Xi’s closed eyes. She loved to laugh; there were faint laugh lines at the corners. Apart from that, her bare face looked just as it had when they first met, unchanged. Only her manner had grown more mature and gentle, her eyes more captivating.
Yan Xi. Xiao Wu. Auntie.
Each name slipped from her tongue, each bringing a fierce palpitation.
Anzhi thought: her Auntie was the most beautiful, best woman she had ever seen. She deserved the best life, the most beautiful love. Anzhi couldn’t hold her back any longer.
From now on, she would become a mature adult. She would hide all her feelings, expect nothing, never throw tantrums or act spoiled or give her the cold shoulder again. She would fulfill her proper role.
Anzhi closed her stinging eyes, drew a breath, and steadied her emotions. Yan Xi’s head pillowed on her shoulder again, her long legs pressing against hers. Anzhi bit her lip, not daring to move. After a while, she reached over to stroke her hair, the way Yan Xi used to comfort her.
Yan Xi clearly enjoyed it. She gave a soft “Mn” and buried herself deeper into the curve of her neck.
After a long while, Anzhi held the position until her arm grew sore. She drowsily leaned toward Yan Xi and fell asleep too.
The next day, Yan Xi woke up stiff all over, finding herself alone on the sofa. A foul smell of alcohol hung in the air. Disgusted with herself, she struggled up and went back to her room to shower. As warm water rushed down, she regained some awareness. Had Anzhi been home last night?
After showering, washing up, and changing, she went downstairs. Sure enough, the scent of toast and congee wafted from the dining room.
“Auntie, you’re awake?” The girl bustling in the kitchen looked fresh enough to cure a hangover headache.
“Oh, you came back last night…” Yan Xi pressed her head, trying to remember, and pulled out a chair to sit.
Anzhi asked, “Want congee? There’s pickled vegetables4 and youtiao5, or would you prefer coffee, lemon water, toast?”
“Coffee first.” Yan Xi’s head was still swimming. Anzhi glanced at her and poured her a glass of lemon water instead. “Drink this first.”
Yan Xi obediently took a large sip. Her mouth felt much better. She nodded at Anzhi.
Anzhi efficiently fried her a sunny-side-up egg and ham slices, bringing them up with the toasted bread.
Yan Xi sighed with pleasure and began eating. Then she remembered: “What time is it?”
“Almost nine. But I already called your colleague to say you’ll be late. And your car is still at the TV station—I checked. Oh, I also went out and bought some Bufferin6, but you should only take it if your head really hurts.”
Everything had been thought of for her.
Yan Xi set down her fork and looked at the girl still busy at work. After two months apart, Anzhi seemed to have matured a lot. She had always been thoughtful, but this morning felt different.
“I didn’t make a fool of myself last night, did I?” Yan Xi couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this drunk. Her head hurt, and her memories were fragmented, not connecting.
Anzhi paused, her almond eyes looking at her. “Not really.”
Yan Xi was about to say that was a relief, but Anzhi continued: “You just refused to go back to your room, insisted on sleeping on the sofa, wouldn’t even shower. Just slept on the sofa all smelly.”
Yan Xi: “…”
She cleared her throat. “Did I really?”
“Mn. You didn’t see yourself being stubborn. Good thing I didn’t take pictures.” Anzhi’s tone, laden with meaning, made Yan Xi’s face flush. She wasn’t used to a child so much younger showing this side of herself. She looked down.
How mortifying. All her image, gone.
She pretended not to care, finished eating quickly, went back to change and do her makeup, put on sunglasses, and headed out. “I’m going to work.”
Anzhi smiled at her. “Okay.”
Yan Xi walked a few steps, then took out her phone to call a ride.
“Yan Xiao Wu!” Yan Xi froze and turned around.
The girl at the doorway smiled, her eyes curving. “Don’t get drunk tonight, okay.” That smile—playful, cute, but…
Yan Xi stiffened, said nothing, and opened the door to leave.
No respect for her elders. No respect at all.
At the TV station, Yan Xi pressed her temple, pulled the throw pillow tucked behind her lower back and set it on her desk, resting her face on it. After working for a while, she wanted a break.
She closed her eyes. The soft sensation triggered memories from last night. Grabbing the girl and not letting go, pressing her underneath, pinching her cheek… and…
And… Yan Xi sat up abruptly, covering her mouth, nearly crying out. She opened her palm—her long, slender fingers trembled slightly.
Now that she thought carefully, her palm seemed to still hold the memory of some soft, tender sensation. Her ears still held the echo of the girl’s shy murmuring.
Yan Xi didn’t dare think further. She leaned back, covered her face, and groaned.
How… how did she get sleazy again…
Footnotes
- A novel about a wlw relationship that Anzhi reads, which has a profound effect on her.
- A main character in the novel The Edge who gets drunk and initiates intimacy with the protagonist Chang Shan.
- The protagonist of the novel The Edge that Anzhi reads.
- A common breakfast side dish in China.
- Deep-fried dough sticks, a common Chinese breakfast food.
- A common over-the-counter pain medication in China, used for headaches and fevers.
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