Chapter Fifty-Five: Menstrual Pain

The handsome young man spoke softly, his pitch-black eyes reflecting only her, gazing at her up close. The innocent girl's cheeks seemed to have been splashed with crimson ink, and she shyly lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes in nervous confusion.

"Senior, I—I want to invite you to dinner..." It was her first time asking a boy out for a meal, and her heart fluttered anxiously.

"Hm?"

Hearing the lazy reply, the girl's anxiety intensified.

"Senior, I—I don't mean anything else, I just wanted to thank you for saving me last time, I..." Her words faded to a whisper, barely audible.

He knew perfectly well what the little girl meant, but he couldn't resist teasing her. Even Cheng Yanran himself couldn't explain why he suddenly felt such mischievous delight; seeing her flustered and helpless somehow eased his heart.

Suppressing the stirring within, he pondered before replying, "I understand, but let's skip the meal."

If he dined with her again, Mu Tian wouldn't know how to deal with her in private. It was better to maintain a bit of distance.

But the girl misunderstood, thinking the senior simply didn't wish to eat with her. She forced a smile, disappointment and hurt flickering in her eyes.

"Alright."

"Working hard is the greatest thanks you could give me. No slacking off." Unable to bear her sadness, Cheng Yanran explained gently.

"Yes, yes, don't worry, Senior! I'll definitely work hard!" Relieved, the girl beamed brilliantly, clenching her tiny fists and pledging her loyalty with spirited conviction.

"I believe you."

How adorable she looked just then!

Cheng Yanran's smile widened, and the pen in his hand spun faster.

****

Though she hadn't managed to dine with Cheng Yanran, the girl's spirits remained high. Yu Qian, determined to celebrate her, dragged her to the snack street outside the school for a feast.

Experiencing flavors she'd never tasted, the girl's eyes sparkled, unable to stop eating. Only when dusk approached did she remember it was Friday and she needed to return home that evening. Reluctantly, she bid Yu Qian farewell and left with the driver.

The reckless eating from the day before left her with a fierce stomachache the next day, and even her period arrived early.

Aunt He was puzzled when the young miss didn't come down for breakfast. No one answered the landline upstairs, and sensing something amiss, she hurried up to check—after all, she could tell the master had unusual feelings for the young miss.

She went upstairs, and upon opening the door, found the girl weakly lying in bed. After asking, she learned her period had come.

After some thought, Aunt He immediately called the master—such a perfect opportunity to foster their relationship could not be missed.

The call connected, and Assistant Xia's puzzled voice came through, "Is something wrong at home?"

"The young miss is ill, she looks very pale, so I..." Her words were abruptly cut off by a piercing voice, thick with concern, "What's wrong with her?"

Hearing that tone, Aunt He knew she'd made the right call. She hurriedly explained, "I noticed the young miss didn't come down for breakfast, so I went upstairs to check. To my surprise, she was lying in bed, ghostly pale, so I called you immediately..."

"Call the family doctor right now. I'm coming home."

After giving his instructions, he hung up. Aunt He rushed about, calling the doctor, then boiling brown sugar water and making chicken soup.

Upstairs in the bedroom.

Her lower abdomen throbbed, as if needles were pricking her. The girl's face was utterly pale, but she gritted her teeth and endured it. Her period never hurt this much before—perhaps it was due to yesterday's unhygienic food.

Suddenly, the system spoke, "Jiujio, dear, are you in a lot of pain?"

After so much time together, they felt as one. Seeing the girl tormented like this, the system also felt a pang of pain.

"I'm fine, it's just my period. It'll pass soon." With a wan smile, the girl replied.

The system wanted to say more, but suddenly detected Mu Tingye's return, and its alert sounded.

"Jiujio, Mu Tingye's back. I'll withdraw now—rest well." And with that, it vanished.

Hmm? Uncle Tingye is back—could it be... Aunt He?

A smile crept onto her lips. What a lovely aunt, going to such lengths to bring her and Mu Tingye together—she couldn't let her good intentions go to waste.

Mu Tingye arrived home just as the family doctor did, and they went upstairs together.

The girl's eyes were tightly shut, brows furrowed, her once rosy lips now pale and bloodless. Hands pressed to her abdomen, she was curled up in a ball, her black hair spread across the white pillow—a striking contrast of black and white.

Mu Tingye was greeted by this sight. His heart clenched—how could the little girl be in such a state?

He strode over and gathered her into his arms, calling softly, "Jiujio, Jiujio."

Seeing who it was, her sense of helpless grievance erupted, and tears burst forth, trickling down her cheeks.

"Tingye... Uncle Tingye, I—it hurts, Jiujio hurts so much..." Her voice was weak and broken, barely able to speak.

Mu Tingye gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, sighing, "Be good, let the doctor take a look."

"Mmm, no, that's not necessary, it's just my period..." Embarrassed to speak of such intimate matters, her cheeks flushed with a touch of crimson, bringing some color back to her pallid face.

The family doctor stared in astonishment at the gentle, delicate Mr. Mu. Having served as the family doctor for years, he rarely saw Mr. Mu's emotions shift—on the few occasions they did, it was always because of this young miss. Truly, even the hardest steel can be softened by her.

Her period? The thing girls endure every month.

Does the little girl suffer this every month?

Mu Tingye frowned, his gaze falling on the dazed family doctor. Though his expression was calm, the doctor broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained, "If the young miss has menstrual pain, she should rest in bed, use a hot water bottle or heating pad, and drink some brown sugar water to help relieve it."

Hot water bottle? What if there isn't one? Mu Tingye's brows furrowed deeper.

Noticing his expression, the doctor realized the answer was inadequate. Summoning unexpected courage, he added, "If there's no hot water bottle, sir can use his hands to gently massage her abdomen."

He quickly lowered his head, unable to withstand the man's gaze.

The atmosphere grew suffocating.

"Alright, you can go now."

Mu Tingye's tone was steady, but the doctor sensed an odd hint of delight. Seeing his impassive face, he doubted his own impression, bowed, and left.

As the door closed, a warm, large hand pressed to the girl's lower abdomen, gently massaging.

Feeling the soothing warmth, the girl unconsciously trembled, her fair hand clutching his, drawing it closer to herself, her lips parting as soft breaths escaped.