Peaches and Plums Don’t Speak – Chapter 7

Bath

The staircase was wooden and carpeted. Anzhi was being carried, but at the turn of the landing, she saw another long flight of steps ahead. She felt embarrassed.

“I’ll get down and walk… I’m… heavy…”

The woman holding her laughed, a crisp, clear sound. “You’re just like a little kitten. Not heavy at all. My two nephews are much heavier than you. Usually, when I’m home, they hang off me and I can’t even shake them off.”

“Nephews?”

“A nephew is my older brother’s son. They’re twins. Four years old, a little younger than you. Ah… they aren’t here today, otherwise, they could play with you.”

Are those the Yan Da Pang and Yan Xiao Pang she mentioned?

Anzhi’s dimples deepened just a little.

“I’m taking you to meet my grandpa and grandma. They live on the second floor. They’re getting old, so they don’t really climb the stairs much. There’s a small elevator over there…”

She kept talking as she carried Anzhi up the stairs. Her breathing was slightly quick. Anzhi’s view rose steadily higher, and so did her heart.

In that big house, she had been afraid to fall asleep. At first, she feared sleeping and waking up in a strange place again. Later, it was because waking up meant facing cold, indifferent faces. Yet just now, she had woken up in a warm, protective embrace.

Anzhi pressed her cheek against the woman’s shoulder, listening quietly.

“My mom and dad passed away when I was very small. I grew up with my grandpa and grandma. They really like children, so don’t be afraid.”

There was always a faint fragrance on her, though Anzhi didn’t know where it was hidden. It was indescribable. The female teachers at kindergarten, the mothers of her classmates—they all had scents, but none smelled as good as her.

Anzhi memorized this scent.

Yan Xi had grown up here. She was the youngest child in the family and the only girl. Her parents had married for love, wedding before they even graduated college, and remained deeply devoted after marriage. Yan Xi had four older brothers. Back then, her parents—and even her grandparents—wanted a little girl. After the first and second births were boys, Mother Yan refused to give up. Holding onto the mindset that she “must have a little cotton-padded jacket¹,” she gave birth to a pair of twins—still males. In total despair, she decided to stop having children. Who knew that three years later, she would unexpectedly have Yan Xi? It was simply a joy beyond expectation.

Yan Xi was born into a world of love. Until she was five, when her parents and her fourth brother took a flight and met with an accident. Unfortunately, none of the three survived. She and her three remaining brothers grew up under the care of their grandparents.

The Yan family was a musical dynasty. Grandpa Yan was a singer who enjoyed a distinguished government allowance. He had joined the Party early on and was a civilian cadre in the PLA. Grandma Yan was a professor at Beicheng Music Academy. The two had been married for fifty years, experiencing the ups and downs of life, yet their love remained like the mythical birds and flounders².

Retired for many years, they lived in this old mansion on the outskirts of the northern city, planting flowers, tending to grass, and looking after their great-grandchildren. The elderly couple was still relatively healthy, though Grandma Yan’s memory wasn’t good.

The second-floor living room was warm and cozy. There was a long bench made of precious, antique yellow rosewood, and quiet, fragrant yellow wax plums sat in a blue-and-white porcelain vase. Under the lamp, shadows appeared in pairs. Crabapple flowers bloomed in another vase on the table.

The two elderly people sat side by side watching TV. More accurately, Grandpa Yan was keeping Grandma Yan company while she watched.

Grandma Yan asked, “This is Ni Dahong³, right?”

“Correct. He’s playing Yan Song⁴,” Grandpa Yan said. “Acting quite well.”

By the time Yan Xi carried Anzhi up, Grandma Yan had already asked that question three times.

“Grandpa, Grandma.” Yan Xi placed Anzhi on a chair, patting her shoulder to encourage her to sit. “This is Anzhi.” She glanced at the big screen. “Ah… Chen Baoguo⁵. You guys are watching this again…”

Grandpa Yan’s hair was gray-white, but his spirit was hale and hearty. He smiled, eyes crinkling. “Watching with your grandma…” He looked like the kind of old man children adored. He didn’t put on airs, skipping right past the polite formalities to speak naturally to Anzhi. “Want to eat an apple?”

At the same time, Yan Xi sat down on the other side and said, “This is my grandpa and grandma.”

Anzhi didn’t even have time to react or figure out how to address them before Grandpa Yan’s offer reached her ears. She stood somewhat awkwardly on the chair, unsure if she should greet them, sit down, or answer the question about the apple. She stood like a stunned little rabbit, completely flustered.

Yan Xi laughed. Grandpa Yan laughed too.

Yan Xi said, “Anzhi, sit down.”

Anzhi sat down properly. Grandpa Yan handed her a slice of apple. She stole a glance at Yan Xi, and seeing her smile and nod, she whispered, “Thank you… Grandpa…”

She had just taken a small bite when Grandma Yan, who had been staring into space nearby, suddenly reacted. She reached out and touched Anzhi’s head and cheek. The old woman also had gray hair and a kind, benevolent face. She carried a pleasant, fragrant scent. “Aiya, it’s a little baby girl.”

Before Anzhi could say anything, apple slice still in her mouth, she was pulled into a hug. The old woman’s cheek rubbed against hers. “Aiyo, what a cute little doll…”

Grandpa Yan laughed from the side. “Shunian, you scared the child.”

Grandma Yan chuckled. “Is this Xiao Wu⁶‘s child? Is Xiao Wu’s child this big already?”

Yan Xi coughed. “Grandma, she’s not my child…”

Grandma Yan ignored her, stroking Anzhi’s head. She smiled. “How old are you?”

Anzhi managed to swallow the apple. Since arriving in this city, she had been passed around several homes, but she had never received such a warm welcome. Her small face slowly flushed a shade of pink. “Grandma, I’m six years old…”

Yan Xi watched her grandparents teasing Anzhi and sighed internally: Grandpa, Grandma, the generational order is messy again…

A while later, Auntie Xin came up. She had been at the Yan old residence for twenty years, practically family. She smilingly told the two elders to go rest, then told Yan Xi she had found a few outfits suitable for Anzhi to wear. She told her to take the child to bathe and change clothes.

Yan Xi looked at her watch. It was already past nine. This was bedtime for children.

But… she was so small. Could she bathe herself? Auntie Xin was, after all, a stranger to her. She probably wouldn’t be willing.

But… Yan Xi felt slightly troubled. She had never bathed a child before…

The Yan mansion had four floors. Auntie Xin and the servants lived on the first floor. Her grandparents, as well as her eldest sister-in-law and the twins, lived on the second. The third floor was territory for her and her other two brothers.

Yan Xi led her into her own room, then went to the bathroom to run the hot water and lay out the clothes. Her room was large. She liked simple, sturdy white furniture. There were small green potted plants and a large bookshelf.

Anzhi looked around with curiosity.

Yan Xi rolled up her sleeves, tying her long hair behind her head. “Are you washing yourself? Or…”

“I can wash myself.”

Yan Xi secretly sighed in relief, watching the little girl walk into the bathroom on her own. After a moment, she patted her head. She still didn’t feel quite assured, so she walked in too.

As soon as she entered, she let out a puchi⁷ of laughter.

Anzhi was wearing a small dress. She had pulled it halfway off but got her head stuck. She was currently pulling at it, making wu wu wu⁸ sounds. Her ears were being squeezed painfully, but she was too embarrassed to call for help.

A soft chuckle came from above. “Don’t move, don’t move. I’ll help you take it off.”

Once they finally got it off, Anzhi’s hair was a messy fluff, and her ears were bright red. She pouted, her small face scrunching up.

Yan Xi suppressed her laughter. She went back to close the bathroom door and tested the water in the bathtub. “Do you need to wash your hair?”

“Mhm…” Anzhi had stripped down to just her little panties. Her limbs were like naked pink lotus roots, and her two small feet rubbed against each other shyly.

Yan Xi was worried she would catch a cold washing alone. She called her over and took down the showerhead, explaining, “Look, there are two colors here. Toward the blue side is cold water, toward the red side is hot water…” She twisted it open, and water rushed out. “Test it with your hand. Just make sure the temperature is right.”

Yan Xi sat on the edge of the bathtub. “I’ll wash your hair for you.”

Anzhi squatted down and extended her head. The warm water flowed over her scalp. Flexible fingers gently massaged her hair, and a clean, fresh scent drifted to the tip of her nose.

“Is it too hot?”

Anzhi thought this scent was somewhat like the one on Yan Xi’s body. She squinted her eyes, feeling that the rubbing was very comfortable. “Not hot.” Just as she finished speaking, foam got into her eye. She let out an “Ah,” and Yan Xi cried out an “Ai!”

“Don’t move, don’t move. Don’t open your eyes.”

Yan Xi carefully rinsed away the foam and wiped Anzhi’s eyes with a towel.

Anzhi’s face scrunched into a ball. She stood up straight, water droplets dripping down from her hair that hadn’t been wiped dry. It was getting a bit cold. She let out a wu sound and shrank her body. Now water had gotten into her ears. Yan Xi was practically frantic, supporting her head to let the water drain out.

“Sorry, sorry…” Yan Xi said hurriedly. “Is that better?”

Anzhi was just about to say she was much better when a clump of unrinsed foam slid down from the top of her head…

Yan Xi: ……

Anzhi: ……

Puchi. Two sounds rang out. They both started laughing.

Yan Xi rinsed her hair clean and wrapped it in a towel. “Is that more comfortable?”

Anzhi’s face was mostly hidden, leaving only a tiny bit showing. She looked elfin and cute. She gave an “Mhm.”

“Okay, get in… Oh, wait, the water’s cold…”

Yan Xi refilled the tub. She turned her head and saw Anzhi standing there, looking a bit bashful.

“Hm? Take off your panties…”

Anzhi looked at her, face red.

Yan Xi understood. She pressed her lips together in a smile. “Alright, I won’t look at you. Take them off yourself.”

Anzhi watched her close her eyes. Her eyelashes were long and curled, and even the lashes seemed to hold a smile. Anzhi quickly stripped them off and stepped in.

Yan Xi smiled. “Can I open my eyes now?”

Anzhi laughed shyly. “You can.”

The bathroom was filled with warm, moist steam. Anzhi stared at the white foam in the bathtub, delicate as clouds, and poked it with her finger. Poke, poke, poke.

Yan Xi tidied up the discarded clothes. She looked at the outfit Auntie Xin had brought. She felt it wouldn’t be very comfortable to sleep in.

“I’m going to find something for you to sleep in. Call me when you’re done washing.”

The dimple on Anzhi’s cheek jumped at her like a little comma. Yan Xi blinked at her and walked out the door. Anzhi patted the surface of the water with her small hand, her heart feeling like she had just eaten candy.

A moment later, Yan Xi came in to rinse off the foam for her. She wrapped her in a large pure cotton towel and picked her straight up.

The front of Yan Xi’s shirt was soaked wet in one patch. As she lifted the girl, a lock of hair fell loose.

Anzhi looked at her and reached out to tuck that lock of hair behind her ear. Yan Xi paused slightly, then gave a barely visible smile. She carried her to the bed and set her down, grabbing one of her own large T-shirts to put on her.

Her big T-shirt, when worn by Anzhi, could serve as a long dress. It was especially cute.

“I’m going to take a shower. Can you dry your hair yourself? Hmm?”

Anzhi nodded obediently, watching the woman walk into the bathroom.

She spaced out for a moment. Aside from her grandfather, no one had ever walked back and forth just for her, busy the entire evening.

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