The weather forecast was unusually accurate. The morning after Chi Shuo returned, a torrential downpour began. The entire city of Yun Cheng instantly seemed renamed Rain City. Vehicles splashed through the water-logged streets, and pedestrians grew scarce. But the sky acted like a mischievous child, alternating between heavy rain and brief pauses, only to unleash another deluge once everything had taken a momentary respite.
This weather persisted for about five or six days, affecting many people’s moods, Chi Shuo included. Coupled with her period, she felt drained, lacking her usual enthusiasm even during meals—normally, she was the most eager eater.
Thursday at noon, Chi Shuo was taking a nap in the office. It had been colder recently, so the air conditioning was off, but Chi Shuo still felt chilly. She had brought a jacket from home, wearing it while working and draping it over herself while napping at her desk.
Her desk wasn’t far from the window. She wore an eye mask, blocking out the dim light, her vision already dark.
Suddenly, an extremely loud clap of thunder echoed. Chi Shuo, asleep, was instantly jolted awake, her eyebrows furrowing beneath the eye mask.
Her colleagues were clearly startled too, murmurs of lingering shock filling the air. But the noise subsided within two minutes as everyone quieted down.
“Shuo Shuo, time for work,” Fang Xiuxiu, sitting beside her, patted Chi Shuo’s shoulder to wake her.
Chi Shuo’s period pain wasn’t severe, but it was still very uncomfortable. Her face was pale, her lips slightly dry. Her fair complexion practically screamed “weak.”
She hummed an “Mm,” removed her eye mask, sat up straight, put on her jacket, gripped her mouse, and stared at the computer screen, starting to check the information for the official website.
She remained in this state for quite some time until the discomfort intensified. Unable to bear it, she finally slumped onto the desk, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.
Seeing this, Fang Xiuxiu quickly moved her chair closer and asked caringly, “Shuo Shuo, let me get you a cup of hot water. Are you okay right now?”
Chi Shuo’s period pain was a chronic issue. She hadn’t paid much attention during puberty, having been caught in the rain, eaten spicy food, and drunk cold beverages during her period. Now, she was facing the “consequences.”
“Thanks,” Chi Shuo managed to force out the word.
Zeng Guai also came over, asking with concern, “Did you bring medicine? Do you need to go to the hospital?” She brushed Chi Shuo’s hair aside. “Why is it so painful this time?”
Chi Shuo tried hard to exhale and replied, “I don’t know… Didn’t bring medicine.”
The torrential rain started again outside. Ordering medicine delivery now would mean a long wait, and going out to buy it was unrealistic. The rain was simply too heavy; even with an umbrella, people’s pants would get soaked halfway up. Plus, in Chi Shuo’s current state, going out might make the pain worse from the cold.
Zeng Guai thought of a solution. She picked up her phone and typed in their large group chat: 【Does anyone have medicine for period pain?】
It was working hours, but that didn’t mean people couldn’t reply. The question immediately received several responses.
— Nope, just happened not to bring any.
— Left it at home.
— Is it really painful?
Fang Xiuxiu brought a cup of hot water and placed it on Chi Shuo’s desk. Chi Shuo thanked her and, while sipping the water, paid some attention to the group chat messages.
But nobody had medicine. Then again, not every girl experienced period pain as badly as she did.
Chi Shuo pressed her lips together, stopped looking at the chat, and focused on drinking the hot water.
But before she had taken more than a few sips, Zeng Guai’s face lit up with excitement. Keeping her voice low so as not to disturb other colleagues, she said, “Shuo Shuo, He Lindi says she has medicine.”
Chi Shuo hadn’t even processed that when she heard Zeng Guai add, “She said she’ll bring it down.”
Chi Shuo froze on the spot, paused for two seconds, then took two more gulps of water. But because of the news, she choked slightly.
Zeng Guai looked like she was enjoying the drama. Chi Shuo rubbed her forehead; inexplicably, she felt a headache coming on again.
Two minutes later, He Lindi appeared at the entrance of Xinyue Company. Perhaps due to the sudden drop in temperature, she was wearing a light summer trench coat today.
A breeze blew, lifting the hem of her coat and strands of her long hair.
He Lindi walked over calmly, placed the medicine on Chi Shuo’s desk without saying a word, then turned and left.
“…” Chi Shuo didn’t know what to say. Her eyes flickered towards He Lindi’s departing figure before focusing on the medicine.
The fact that He Lindi kept this kind of medicine suggested only one thing: she also got period pain.
This was news to Chi Shuo. But thinking about it, she wasn’t familiar with He Lindi at all.
Perhaps only slightly better than strangers. Even though they had shared an umbrella and stayed in the same room, they still weren’t particularly close.
Chi Shuo pushed aside her thoughts. She didn’t dwell on it further; her body came first. She obediently took the medicine with the hot water.
The medicine certainly helped, making her feel considerably better. She managed to hold out until quitting time.
The rain outside was still falling, but it wasn’t as manic as before, having calmed down significantly. Still, it left the crowd of office workers feeling mentally drained.
After Chi Shuo, Xia Zhou, and the others went downstairs, they found the entrance of the office building already packed.
Some people hadn’t brought umbrellas, some were waiting for rides, and another group wanted to wait for the rain to lessen before leaving.
The sound of the rain was louder than the chatter. Wind blew straight into the lobby, making Chi Shuo shiver despite wearing a jacket and long pants.
Xia Zhou rubbed her arms, goosebumps rising from the cold, and lamented at the weather outside, “This rain… why is it still so heavy?”
Zeng Guai glanced at her and sighed, “It’s already much lighter.”
Chi Shuo held an umbrella. She always carried one, especially with the frequent rain these past few days.
“Let’s go,” Chi Shuo tightened her grip on the umbrella and stepped forward.
They had already waited in the office for a while before coming down, but the rain showed no sign of stopping. Waiting any longer, and it would be dark.
Getting pant legs and shoes wet was incredibly uncomfortable. Chi Shuo pressed her lips together, her expression grim, looking like she was heading into battle.
But after taking only two steps, Xia Zhou stopped, her face alight with surprise.
Chi Shuo asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Um…” Xia Zhou quickly composed her expression, feigning hesitation. “He Lindi said she’d drive us back. She asked if we wanted a ride. If we do, we should go wait for her in the B1 parking lot now.”
Chi Shuo didn’t answer immediately, but Zeng Guai grabbed her arm and pulled her along.
“Whoever isn’t willing is a fool, right, Shuo Shuo?”
“…”
