“Jiang Che… I think… I think I got my period…”
Jiang Che’s brain froze for two full seconds. Got what?
His gaze followed Su Qinghe’s flustered little face downward, landing on her hands tightly clutching the hem of her dress. Only then did it dawn on him.
She got her period?
Jiang Che had never handled something like this before. His mental CPU practically overheated. He stood there, completely unsure of what he was supposed to do.
He felt like he should at least say something to comfort her, but maybe because he was nervous, his mouth opened and not a single word came out.
Receiving no response from him, Su Qinghe grew even more panicked. Her voice trembled with sobs as she apologized in broken fragments, full of guilt and self-blame.
“I-I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Jiang Che… I stained the new dress you bought for me…”
“I didn’t mean to… I…”
The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt. Tears fell one after another, as if staining the dress were some unforgivable crime.
Her crying finally snapped Jiang Che back to his senses. He quickly stepped behind her and glanced at the back of her dress.
On the light beige fabric, there was a small dark red stain. Against the pale color, it looked especially conspicuous.
Even though Su Qinghe had reacted quickly, she had not been able to avoid it entirely.
Jiang Che’s heart tightened, not out of disgust, but out of concern.
She was already painfully self-conscious. Having something so embarrassing happen in front of him must be crushing for her.
Although from a distance the stain might not even be noticeable, Jiang Che did not hesitate. He chose the safest option.
He swiftly took off his jacket. The next second, the still-warm fabric was securely tied around Su Qinghe’s waist, the hem covering the awkward mark perfectly.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s covered now. No one can see it,” he said while tying the sleeves together, softening his voice as if coaxing a child.
At that moment, the consultation room door opened.
Bai Yuning walked back in after finishing her phone call and immediately saw her cousin standing behind the girl in a rather strange posture, tying his jacket around her waist.
She raised an eyebrow and stepped closer. “What’s going on? Trying some new trick?”
Jiang Che straightened up and looked at her. Though there was still a faint flush on his face, his tone was calm. “Qinghe got her period and accidentally stained her dress.”
He said it directly and openly, his expression natural. Somehow, that straightforwardness made the situation far less awkward.
Bai Yuning paused, then let out a laugh.
She walked over to Su Qinghe and gently patted her tense shoulder. “It’s no big deal. Don’t be scared.”
There was something soothing about the voice of an elegant older sister. The moment she spoke, it carried a calming authority. “It’s okay. I’ll take you to the restroom and help you sort it out. It’ll be done in no time.”
After that, she turned to Jiang Che and briskly arranged things. “As for you, go to the ophthalmology clinic on the fourth floor and look for Director Hu. I already called him just now. He’ll be waiting in his office.”
“We’ll come over as soon as we’re done.”
Jiang Che nodded. He glanced at Su Qinghe, who was still lowering her head and not daring to speak, then said to Bai Yuning, “I’ll leave her to you.”
“Relax.” Bai Yuning waved at him, then gently supported Su Qinghe’s arm and coaxed softly, “Come on, little sister. Let’s go.”
Watching the two of them walk away, Jiang Che felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding creeping up on him.
He could not quite pinpoint what felt wrong, so he simply turned and headed toward the elevator.
…
Inside the restroom.
Bai Yuning took out a pack of wet wipes and a spare sanitary pad from her bag and handed them to Su Qinghe.
“Use the wipes to clean up first, then change into this.”
Her movements and tone were completely natural, without the slightest hint of awkwardness. Combined with her identity as a doctor, it gradually eased Su Qinghe’s overwhelming embarrassment.
“Thank you, Sister Bai…” Su Qinghe said softly, her cheeks flushed.
“Why are you being polite with me?”
Bai Yuning smiled. After watching her enter the stall, she leaned against the sink and waited patiently.
When Su Qinghe carefully stepped out, Bai Yuning pulled her over to the sink, turned on the faucet, and helped her wash her hands.
Warm water flowed over her fingers, and the tension in Su Qinghe’s body slowly loosened.
“Qinghe, what do you feel for our Jiang Che?”
While drying her hands, Bai Yuning asked casually, as if it were just a passing thought.
Su Qinghe had never expected such a question. Her heart began pounding wildly. Instinctively, she tried to deny it.
“N-no… I don’t feel anything… We’re just ordinary friends…”
She claimed they were just friends, yet her cheeks were already bright pink, the blush spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. It was practically written across her forehead that she was shy.
That subtle change did not escape Bai Yuning’s eyes.
She chuckled softly, then pulled out a tissue and carefully dried each of Su Qinghe’s fingers one by one.
“Is that so?”
She lifted her head and met the girl’s guilty, nervous expression in the mirror, smiling gently. “I’ve lived for twenty-seven years. I’m quite good at reading people.”
“In the consultation room just now, I merely mentioned that he had brought another girl before. Your face turned pale instantly. Your tears were already pooling in your eyes.”
Nine years older than Su Qinghe, Bai Yuning could see right through the girl’s little thoughts.
Seeing that Su Qinghe was beginning to panic, she pressed further.
“But when Jiang Che explained that he and that girl were completely over, you came back to life.”
“So, little sister, don’t try to hide it from me.”
She asked slowly and clearly, “Tell me, have you fallen for our pig?”
Su Qinghe was already dizzy from Bai Yuning’s gentle yet piercing interrogation. She almost nodded instinctively, but at the last moment, she bit her lower lip and forced herself to stay conscious.
Head lowered, fingers twisting the corner of her clothes, she neither admitted nor denied it.
Seeing her like this, Bai Yuning knew she had guessed correctly. Amusement and understanding filled her heart.
It was the first time she had seen such a stubbornly conflicted girl.
And for stubborn girls, a little patient guidance was needed, step by step.