"Scared me."
Ye Fan walked to his seat and had just put down his bag when he turned to Ning Xi, who was lying on the desk, and said, "I didn't see a single person when I entered the school just now. I thought there were no classes today."
"Everyone… is very eager to see the results, so they came earlier," Ning Xi replied, slightly lifting her pale face. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed as if she was enduring some pain. Forcing a faint smile, she seemed less lively than usual and carried a trace of fatigue.
Ye Fan immediately noticed something unusual. He quickly took her small hand in his, feeling its icy coldness.
"Xiaoxi, are you feeling unwell? Your face looks terrible. Should I take you to the hospital?"
His voice was filled with urgency and concern.
"No… no need."
The warmth of Ye Fan's hand seemed like an electric shock to Ning Xi, who swiftly withdrew her hand. In a barely audible voice, she explained, "I'm fine. No need to… go to the hospital."
"You call this fine?"
Ye Fan frowned, clearly distressed. "Your health is important. You absolutely can't push yourself. Missing a day of school doesn't matter. Be good and listen."
"I… really am fine."
A hint of an unhealthy flush crept onto Ning Xi's cheeks. "It's… that time of the month. My stomach hurts a little, but it's nothing serious."
"That time?"
"Yes, that time!"
"And what time is that?"
"…Period!"
Hearing those words, Ye Fan suddenly realized, a slightly awkward smile appearing on his face.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"…Yes."
"Is it always this bad?"
"You…!"
Talking about such a private topic with a boy made Ning Xi feel completely at a loss for words. She turned her head away and mumbled, "Stop asking about this."
"Don't be embarrassed. I just want to understand the situation."
Ye Fan's expression was serious. "I know some medical skills. I can try to help you. Treat me like a doctor—tell me the symptoms so I can identify the cause and help you."
"But… it's really hard to talk about!"
Ning Xi pouted her red lips and glanced at Ye Fan with a hint of shyness. In a small voice, she said, "How could you possibly know medicine? Don't try to fool me!"
"I'm not lying."
Ye Fan glanced around the classroom, noticing the other students. Leaning closer to Ning Xi, he said, "Come out with me for a bit. And don't ditch me."
With that, he stood up and walked out of the classroom.
"Hey, you…!"
Ning Xi looked at Ye Fan's retreating back, hesitating for a moment. Finally, she reluctantly got up and followed him outside.
The two of them stopped at a staircase corner.
Ye Fan paused. Ning Xi, who had been following with her head down, accidentally bumped into him. Startled, Ye Fan quickly held onto her slender waist.
Once Ning Xi regained her balance, he let go of her, concern evident on his face. "Xiaoxi, can you stop treating me like an outsider?"
"I… don't."
Leaning softly against the wall, Ning Xi whispered, "But talking about this with a boy feels so strange."
"What's strange about it?"
Ye Fan kept an eye on her expression, knowing she was shy. He playfully threatened, "Hurry up and tell me, or I'll get angry!"
"Ugh, so annoying!"
Ning Xi glared at Ye Fan, her gaze helpless. "Whenever I get my period, it always hurts a lot. For the past six months, the pain has been getting worse. My mom has already taken me to the hospital, and I have some medication, but it doesn't seem to help much."
"Let me see your hand."
"What for?"
"To check your pulse."
When Ning Xi didn't cooperate, Ye Fan firmly took her delicate hand, gently rolled up her sleeve, and placed his right hand on her fair wrist. His eyes narrowed slightly in concentration.
Ning Xi's clear eyes flickered with curiosity.
She couldn't understand Ye Fan's actions.
After all, Ye Fan was a high school senior like her. Logically, there was no way he could know medical skills!
But…
Judging by Ye Fan's current actions, he seemed to truly understand medicine.
In that moment, she couldn't help but recall the time Ye Fan mentioned saving Gu Yun. Her curiosity about him only deepened.
This boy in front of her was truly mysterious!
"All done."
After about thirty seconds, Ye Fan pulled down Ning Xi's sleeve. "Head back to the classroom. I have something to take care of. If Teacher Yang asks, help me request leave."
Before she could respond, Ye Fan had already disappeared.
Ning Xi pouted and muttered to herself, "Not even giving me a proper reason. Asking me to cover for you—do I owe you or something?"
After her brief complaint, she clutched her stomach and slowly made her way back to the classroom.
Meanwhile.
After leaving the school, Ye Fan flagged down a cab to head to a nearby traditional Chinese medicine shop.
"Master, please wait for me here. I'll be out in a few minutes."
About ten minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of the medicine shop.
Ye Fan handed the driver 200 yuan, quickly got out, and walked into the shop.
As soon as he entered, the mixed scent of medicinal herbs hit him. The shop had an old-fashioned design, with rows of cabinets lining the walls, each showing the marks of age.
At the counter, a young woman was holding a medicine drawer, picking out herbs.
The girl's appearance wasn't particularly striking, but her gentle temperament added significantly to her charm.
Clean, pure.
Ye Fan strode to the counter and nodded at her. "Hello, I'd like to get some herbs."
Hearing his voice, the young woman paused, briefly startled when she looked up at him. She extended her hand. "Let me see your prescription."
"Uh…"
Ye Fan scratched his head awkwardly. "I came in a hurry and forgot to write one. Could I borrow some paper and a pen?"
"Forgot to write one?"
The girl caught onto the key point in his words, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes. "Prescriptions aren't a joke. Taking the wrong medicine is a serious matter—it could even be fatal. Without a proper doctor's prescription, I can't sell you anything."
"Ah?"
It was Ye Fan's first time buying Chinese medicine. He hadn't expected this kind of situation. He quickly explained, "The herbs I want are very common, just for treating menstrual pain. They're not dangerous. Could you make an exception?"
"For menstrual pain?"
The young woman's expression turned odd as she noticed the school badge on Ye Fan's chest. "Why would a boy like you need herbs for menstrual pain?"
"I…"
Not wanting to waste time, Ye Fan said directly, "My girlfriend has her period, so I want to make her some medicinal soup."
"A high schooler with a girlfriend already?"
The girl smiled faintly, saying, "I've seen boys give flowers or gifts to girls, but this is the first time I've seen one prepare medicinal soup. You really are… unconventional."
"Your main focus should be on studying. Students at Zhenhua High don't usually—"
"Wait, how do you know I go to Zhenhua?"
Before she could finish, Ye Fan interrupted her, surprised.
The girl pointed to the school badge on his chest. "Truth be told, I also graduated from Zhenhua. You should call me senior."
"Senior?"