This negligible sense of shame wasn’t entirely useless.
At least, it granted the pitiful Little Zhibai a brief moment of rally.
Dragging her silver hair behind her, Ye Zhibai hopped off the bed and picked up Guang Yu in her little tea cat state. She gently placed her on the bed.
This wasn’t out of sympathy for Guang Yu sleeping on the floor.
No, it was to tuck her into the covers—to warm the bed!
Not to mention, Guang Yu’s fluffy fur and toasty body heat in her cat form were undeniably soothing to the soul.
But a cat’s healing powers had their limits, after all.
Just over ten minutes passed.
And Little Zhibai’s fleeting rally came to an end!
She lay flat on the bed like a dead fish, utterly unable to move.
~~~
Yun’er had mentioned earlier that she was going to fetch something to ease Ye Zhibai’s pain. She was still out there bustling about.
Along the way, Yun’er had swiftly put away that “divine artifact” from last night.
This was at Ye Zhibai’s request.
Because she was already miserable enough—seeing that thing would only double her suffering!
Left alone, Ye Zhibai lay there with a sallow face.
She blinked up at the ceiling and spoke to Guang Yu, nestled with her under the covers.
“Guang Yu… you know, in my previous life—not so far in the past, really—I once had a rather rude thought.”
“What is it… Ye Zhibai? Are you suddenly seeing deathbed visions?”
“No, I know you hate my stories, but you have no choice. Listen. I used to think that when girls were on their period, it wasn’t really that bad. They just used the chance to act spoiled with the people they trusted most, showing their vulnerable side to get some attention and care.”
“So… now you’ve tested that theory?”
“No, I mean… that idea was total nonsense. There’s no acting spoiled about it—whether it hurts is something only you know. It’s like now: you could never understand.”
“……”
That wasn’t fair. After all, she was just a little kitty right now—she shouldn’t have to bear all these accusations.
Well, Ye Zhibai had a point. Guang Yu truly couldn’t comprehend this kind of pain.
The goddess never had relatives drop by each month!
Ha… The Mother Goddess was truly dedicated. When she created Ye Zhibai’s body, she made it utterly human.
Except for that time she got hit by a car and only suffered some superficial wounds.
Ye Zhibai was simply sharing her revelation.
Some things you couldn’t truly grasp without experiencing them firsthand.
Take right now, for instance.
It wasn’t any single kind of discomfort, but a cocktail of headache, stomach cramps, all-over weakness, and dizziness.
That was what made it so infuriatingly awful!
Everyone’s constitution was different, and Ye Zhibai’s body happened to be the sort that suffered terribly during her period.
She wanted to sleep, but the pain kept her awake.
Her already snow-pale cheeks now bore an added pallor of frailty.
If her usual icy expression made her look like someone owed her a million, this one screamed they owed her ten million!
She clutched the thin blanket tight, curling her legs toward her abdomen and balling up.
Only by hugging herself did she feel a bit of warmth.
Oh, wait—no.
Warmth was on its way.
Ye Zhibai had already heard it: hurried footsteps from Yun’er beyond the half-closed door.
They grew nearer and nearer.
With a clatter, the door opened.
Oh… had Yun’er returned with something to ease her pain?
“Sister! Are you still in a lot of pain?”
“It’s… manageable.”
Manageable—meaning she could barely muster the strength to say so.
Ye Zhibai rolled over feebly and turned her head.
Yun’er’s radiant, pretty little face was now etched with worry.
Some people woke from a night’s sleep glowing.
Others woke from the same night utterly spent.
The gap was glaring.
They each knew who they were—no need to spell it out.
“Here… Sister, can you sit up? Some hot water might help.”
Hm?!
Ye Zhibai only then noticed the steaming glass Yun’er held.
This… this was the miracle cure passed down through millennia in her homeland—hot water! So that’s what you’d gone to fetch.
Ye Zhibai suddenly felt saved!
It wasn’t like she was completely immobilized, anyway.
Just like with a cold or fever, her body felt heavy and she had no desire to move.
With Ye Zhiyun’s gentle support, Ye Zhibai propped herself up against the headboard. She leaned toward the cup, savoring the rising steam.
Mmm… not bad. It would surely warm her stomach nicely.
Hot water for pain relief wasn’t just empty talk.
Ye Zhibai cradled the cup and took a sip. The temperature was perfect—surprisingly so.
Comfortably warm going down, stomach-soothing without being scalding.
Only then did Ye Zhiyun relax a fraction, watching her sister gulp it down.
“Whew… good, good. I’ve always kept notes on your preferred water temperature. I checked them earlier—spot on. Want another cup?”
Notes…?!
See, in everyday life, some people’s diligence outshone even the most studious scholars.
How many people doodled stick figures when they should have been taking notes?
Ye Zhibai’s heart warmed at Yun’er’s words. She shook her head.
“No need. This is fine.”
“Mm.”
Yun’er thoughtfully took the glass back.
She squatted by the bed, reached out to feel Ye Zhibai’s forehead, and confirmed there were no other symptoms. That eased her mind considerably.
She set the glass on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed. Her fingers intertwined, mirroring her swirling thoughts—she needed to talk to Ye Zhibai.
Once her sister had slowly settled back onto the bed, Ye Zhiyun tucked the covers around her and finally spoke.
“I’ve noted your cycle dates… Sister, don’t worry. From now on, during these days each month, I absolutely won’t bring up those requests from last night!”
As if!
If you don’t hold back, do you expect us to battle it out through the pain?!
You might as well just finish me off!
Suddenly!
Ye Zhibai tensed up!
A wave of warmth had spread over her abdomen.
Her toes curled in surprise!
Yun’er’s palm had slipped under the covers. It lifted Ye Zhibai’s nightgown skirt, groped lightly, and settled gently on her smooth belly.
What are you doing?!
We just talked about this—you’re already breaking your word?!
Watch out, or I’ll get blood on your hands!
No, Yun’er harbored no naughty intentions.
She just wanted to ease her sister’s pain as quickly as possible.
The back of her hand pressed against the silky nightgown fabric, her palm covering Ye Zhibai’s flat stomach.
Yun’er’s hand began to rub slowly.
With utmost tenderness.
At first, Ye Zhibai was quite startled.
But after a while, her nerves fully unwound.
Her tense, dainty feet stretched out flat beneath the covers.
This… actually felt pretty good.
Yun’er spoke softly, her hands never pausing.
Seeing her sister close her eyes in relaxation, Ye Zhiyun smiled and explained where she’d learned the trick.
“Hee… Actually, Sister, my periods come at the start of the month. Whenever it hurt, I’d sneak to the hospital. The maids never knew—I’d crawl into your bed, hold your hand, and guide it to my belly. It felt so warm, like the pain vanished entirely!”
Eh?!
You’ve been tormenting a vegetable like me like that!
Yun’er winked playfully with one eye, her gaze brimming with satisfaction at the present.
“I thought back then, ‘Maybe if I keep at it, I can wake Sister up?’ Hahaha… I even whispered in your ear a lot during those days! Stuff like ‘Does Sister not want Yun’er anymore?’ or ‘Yun’er hurts so much—can Sister rub my tummy?’ Who knows? Maybe you got fed up with my nagging and woke up out of sheer exasperation!”
“……”
This girl…
You say it so casually.
You’re grinning now.
But who knows if you were crying when you whispered those words back then?
Ye Zhibai made a mental note.
The start of the month, huh?
Come that time, I’ll rub your belly right back!
