“Jiang Ci…” Su Yue parted her lips, as if wanting to say something more.
“Shut up and sleep.” Jiang Ci’s deep voice cut her off coldly. His arms tightened around her slender waist, pulling her closer into his embrace, as if he could bury her entire being within his own.
Su Yue pursed her lips. She wanted to sleep, truly—but not with him still simmering with quiet anger.
The room fell into silence, yet she couldn’t find sleep. Her body twisted restlessly, a dull ache creeping up from her temples. Perhaps it was the heaviness in the air, or the weight of unspoken emotion that clung between them like a dense fog.
Suddenly, a low voice cut through the silence. “You wriggle like a bug. Can’t sleep?” Jiang Ci asked with irritation, his eyes still closed, but his arm around her waist never loosening.
Su Yue opened her eyes, lifting her gaze to his defined jawline in the soft glow of the bedside light. “You’re angry. I can’t sleep when you’re angry.”
Jiang Ci’s eyes opened slowly. Deep and dark, they reflected no light—bottomless, unreadable, like still water before a storm. “I’m not angry,” he said, thin lips pressed in a tight line.
Su Yue mouthed silently: Liar.
A two-faced liar.
The quiet returned, but Su Yue’s cheek was now pressed to his chest, her face caught in the curve of his arms. The steady, rhythmic beat of his heart echoed in her ear. She listened in silence for a few seconds, then slowly reached out and placed her hand lightly over his heart. Her other arm wrapped gently around his waist.
“You can hug me,” she murmured softly, “but if you want to kiss me… you can’t do it so casually.” Her breath brushed against his chest, and her cheeks turned warm. Her voice was as soft as cotton, coaxing him with sincerity. “Only after you like someone… you can kiss them.”
“So don’t be angry anymore,” she added, tugging lightly at the hem of his shirt as if trying to placate a child.
Jiang Ci let out a cold snort. “I’m not angry. If you don’t want to sleep, then don’t sleep.”
【Angry Value: 0】
Su Yue’s eyes curved into a gentle smile.
—
The next morning, a soft breeze filtered in through the half-open curtains, and the first rays of sunlight peeked into the room. Outside, the chirping of birds and the early golden glow painted a picture of peace and quiet contentment. The weather today was clear and refreshing.
On the dark gray bed, Jiang Ci was awakened by a low, pained murmur.
Something soft nudged against his chin and cheeks—it was her hair, tousled and warm. Su Yue had unknowingly snuggled closer in her sleep.
“Wake up.” Jiang Ci reached out and tapped Su Yue’s cheek. He didn’t bother being gentle, and a faint ‘smack’ echoed as his palm met the softness of her face. The smooth and elastic texture made him pause—his next push was softer, almost reluctant to let go.
Su Yue’s eyes fluttered open, dazed and unfocused. She blinked at him.
“Had a nightmare?” Jiang Ci asked with a rare touch of concern in his otherwise lazy tone.
Su Yue slowly shook her head. Her voice was hoarse, “No, I…” She winced and placed a hand over her abdomen. That’s when she realized something was wrong.
Jiang Ci also seemed to sense something. His expression stiffened, and he looked down, eyes narrowing slightly. His pants… felt damp.
It didn’t take long for Su Yue to realize in horror—her period had arrived.
She must’ve started bleeding in the middle of the night. Worse yet, she’d been wearing a knee-length nightdress. The blood had soaked through the bedsheet in a wide area—and even stained Jiang Ci’s black pajama pants. Although the color made it less visible, the stains were still discernible.
Mortified, Su Yue’s porcelain face flushed to her ears.
“Jiang Ci, I…”
Before she could finish, Jiang Ci’s fingers had already brushed against the fabric of his pants.
Su Yue stared in horror as he touched the damp spot, rubbing it between his fingertips. His frown deepened. Then, with terrifying nonchalance, he brought the tips of his fingers up to his nose and sniffed them.
The blood rushed violently to Su Yue’s face. Her neck burned crimson as if two clouds of rouge had been smeared across her cheeks. She bit her lower lip tightly, ashamed beyond belief.
“Blood?” Jiang Ci asked, brows furrowed in confusion.
Su Yue wished she could bury herself alive.
Covering her aching stomach with both hands, she lowered her head and whispered in a voice barely above a breath, “I… my period came. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it had started… I’ll change the sheets, and your pants… I’ll wash them too.” Her voice trembled as her face grew paler with pain and embarrassment. She couldn’t bear the thought of letting the housekeeper handle this mess.
Jiang Ci wiped his fingertips on his pants without blinking, then asked coolly, “What were you groaning about just now?”
Su Yue’s face, already pale with discomfort, flushed again. She replied weakly, “Stomachache. It hurts a lot during my period.”
She had never experienced such intense pain before. Maybe it was this body—or perhaps Jiang Ci’s strange “golden finger” was responsible. Her stomach felt like it was being twisted from the inside.
Jiang Ci’s frown deepened. “Want me to take you to the hospital?”
“No! No need.” Su Yue shook her head hastily. “It’s not that serious… just some hot water will help.”
She clutched her belly tightly. Her cheeks, once red with shyness, were now white as snow. She tried to get up and head to the bathroom, but the movement pulled on her stomach muscles sharply.
“Ah…” She gasped, the pain catching her off guard.
Jiang Ci, who had been observing her lazily, finally spoke, “It hurts?”
“…Mhm.” Her long lashes trembled, and her lips pursed into a pitiful pout. The pain was unbearable, almost bringing tears to her eyes. She suddenly found it so unfair—why did women have to suffer like this?
“Then beg me,” Jiang Ci said without a hint of urgency, arms folded across his chest, expression coldly amused.
“…What?” Su Yue blinked, confused.
“Beg me, and I’ll help you out of bed.” Jiang Ci lifted his chin, his voice slow and lazy.
Su Yue bit her lip, then hesitantly reached out. Her fingers hooked into the hem of his shirt, tugging lightly. In a soft and fragile voice, she pleaded, “Jiang Ci… can you carry me?”
—
Wrapped in Jiang Ci’s arms, Su Yue clung to his neck, her face burning with embarrassment. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she whispered, “A little to the left…”
Jiang Ci shifted left.
Su Yue quickly opened the wardrobe, grabbed clean clothes, underwear, and a pack of sanitary napkins. “Okay, I’ve got it,” she said, voice still soft.
Without a word, Jiang Ci carried her toward the bathroom. The woman in his arms was light as a feather—nothing like the full and squishy weight she had the first time she sat in his lap. He frowned slightly.
Too skinny. No flesh at all. Not good.
But still, his hold remained steady.Walking into the bathroom, Su Yue quickly wriggled out of Jiang Ci’s arms and turned to face him, her voice tinged with urgency. “Put me down!”
Her gaze swept across him—and sure enough, her blood had stained his pajamas too.
“Go change. Your clothes are dirty,” she mumbled, her cheeks flushed crimson. Today really was too embarrassing.
Jiang Ci didn’t argue. For once, he didn’t tease or make fun of her. He simply gave a quiet “Mm,” turned around, and gently closed the door behind her.
Su Yue stood frozen for a moment, staring down at her once-pristine white skirt now marred by glaring blotches of red. The contrast stung her eyes. She inhaled deeply, shook off her discomfort, and hurriedly changed into clean clothes.
Still cradling her aching belly with one hand, she opened the bathroom door with the other.
She didn’t expect Jiang Ci to be waiting outside.
He had already changed, dressed now in a sleek black suit. He stood tall and unapproachably handsome, like a model who had stepped straight off the cover of a magazine. The tailored cut of his clothes made him appear even taller, every line of his body exuding effortless elegance.
“Come here,” Jiang Ci said lazily, voice low and casual.
Without a word, Su Yue walked over, allowing herself to be gathered into his arms once more…
She didn’t know how much time had passed when she finally found herself sitting on the bed, wrapped in warm blankets, holding a cup of brown sugar and ginger tea in her hands. The servant quietly left the room, carrying the bloodstained bedsheets. Su Yue kept her head down, lips tightly pressed together.
She hadn’t expected Jiang Ci to be so… considerate.
But…
“Jiang Ci, I don’t want to drink this,” she murmured, her delicate brows pinching together as she stared mournfully at the tea. She had always hated ginger. A faint hint in food she could tolerate, but this—this cup reeked of strong, spicy ginger. Just the smell was enough to make her stomach churn.
“Su Yue, how old are you again?” Jiang Ci raised an eyebrow as he leaned lazily against a nearby chair. His tone was mocking, a wicked curl playing at the corners of his lips. “Kids make a fuss when it’s time for medicine. You can’t even handle ginger tea? Honestly, you’re worse than a child.”
Su Yue fumed silently.
She sniffed at the cup again.
Ugh, it was disgusting!
“I really don’t want to drink it,” she pleaded, gazing at him pitifully.
Jiang Ci didn’t even look at her. “Suit yourself. If you want to suffer, go ahead. It’s your pain, not mine.”
Just like that, the kind and gentle man from moments ago evaporated—poof—like a bubble.
This was the real Jiang Ci. Arrogant. Unbearable. Infuriating.
Su Yue gave up. She placed the tea cup on the side table, lifted the covers, and lay down. If she could just get through a nap, the worst might pass.
Behind her, Jiang Ci snorted coldly and walked out of the room.
—
Meanwhile, in the pavilion, Lu Chenli arrived in a hurry. His usually neat hairstyle was tousled by the wind, and he looked slightly disheveled.
He dropped into the chair across from Jiang Ci and exhaled. “What’s the emergency? Are your eyes hurting again?”
Jiang Ci lounged back, his expression unreadable, eyes downcast. “No.”
Lu Chenli adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. “Then what is it? You rarely call me unless something’s wrong.”
There was a pause.
Then Jiang Ci’s lashes lifted, revealing his dark eyes. Though they still lacked focus, there was something different about them today. “I think… I saw light.”
Lu Chenli froze.
“What?”
He jumped up and strode to Jiang Ci’s side, examining his eyes carefully. “When did this start?”
“Not long ago. Right before I called you,” Jiang Ci said with his usual indifference, as if this wasn’t a monumental change.
Lu Chenli frowned deeply, peering into his eyes. “There’s no visible change, but if you’re sensing light…” His voice trailed off. This was beyond his understanding. Just a short while ago, Jiang Ci had reported being able to smell Su Yue’s scent. Now, he could perceive light?
This wasn’t something science could explain—at least, not yet.
“Stop taking the meds I prescribed earlier,” Lu Chenli said at last, stepping back and pushing up his glasses. “I’ll monitor you and adjust the treatment based on how your condition progresses.”
“Mm.”
Just as Lu Chenli turned to pack up, Jiang Ci’s voice floated over lazily.
“What’s the best way to relieve menstrual pain?”
“…What?” Lu Chenli looked at him like he’d grown a second head.
“Menstrual cramps. What helps with them?”
Jiang Ci’s face didn’t change. He leaned back in the bamboo chair as if asking about the weather.
Lu Chenli stared at him, eyes narrowing with curiosity. Then, suddenly, he grinned. “Jiang Ci… you’ve changed. When did you start caring about women’s periods?”
—
Back in the bedroom, Su Yue curled into a ball. The pain in her stomach kept her from falling asleep. With her eyes squeezed shut, she shifted restlessly under the covers.
Suddenly, the quilt was lifted, and something warm pressed against her stomach.
“Jiang Ci?” she whispered in surprise.
The man’s face appeared before her, his features bathed in the soft evening light.
“It still hurts?” he asked coolly.
“Mm…” Su Yue nodded, her voice small.
Jiang Ci let out a mocking chuckle. “Serves you right.”
Su Yue pursed her lips, feeling wronged. Just as she was about to speak, she realized something—Jiang Ci’s hand was resting on her belly. It was warm. Comforting. Steady.
She shifted uncomfortably.
“Don’t move,” he barked. “Isn’t it your stomach that hurts?”
His palm stayed there, firm yet gentle.
“If you’d just drunk the brown sugar and ginger tea like I told you to, would I be stuck here like this?” His voice was lazy, but there was a subtle tenderness hidden beneath the sarcasm. “Su Yue, you better be grateful.”
Su Yue: “…”
She wanted to say that brown sugar water—without the ginger—worked just fine too.
But instead, her lips curved slightly, and she murmured, “Thank you, Jiang Ci. You’re really… kind.”
Jiang Ci gave a cold snort, clearly unimpressed.
Su Yue looked at his aloof profile, the arrogance etched in his expression, and couldn’t help the small smile that bloomed in her eyes.
Moments later, Jiang Ci lifted his hand from her stomach.
Su Yue watched curiously as he reached for a hot water bag and gently pressed it against her abdomen. It was only then that she realized—so that’s why his hand had felt so warm.
“You… you can just give me the hot water bag,” she said softly. “There’s no need for you to—”
“I want to,” he cut her off without looking at her.
And just like that, the warm palm returned to her stomach.
Her heart fluttered.
In that moment, Su Yue didn’t care about the pain anymore. All she felt was the comforting heat, and the man beside her, who was cold in words but silently gentle in action.