Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Period

Chapter 17: Period Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios “Ah—!” Xue Ningxiang screamed. However, Gu Jiao spun around and sent him flying with a kick. Xue Ningxiang was dumbfounded. She did not understand how Gu Jiao did it at all! After Gu Jiao finished beating them up, she left with the basket on her back. She did not even look at Xue Ningxiang, giving the impression that she only attacked them because these shameless people were blocking her way. Xue Ningxiang snapped out of her daze and stood up shakily. “You… hold on!” Gu Jiao continued walking. Xue Ningxiang wanted to chase after her, but her clothes had been torn by those men. If she walked out just like that, her body would be exposed; she was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. Gu Jiao stopped in her tracks and rubbed her temples in frustration. She took out her own cotton jacket from the basket and tossed it at Xue Ningxiang. Xue Ningxiang was stunned. She looked at the coat, and then at Gu Jiao. “You… aren’t you cold?” “I’ll take it if you don’t want it.” Gu Jiao reached out. “I’ll wear it! I’ll wear it!” Xue Ningxiang quickly put on the shirt. Gu Jiao’s cotton jacket was a little too small, especially around her chest, which made Xue Ningxiang panicky. Xue Ningxiang bent down and picked up the herbs that had fallen to the ground. She whispered to Gu Jiao, “Thank you… for just now.” She really did not expect to encounter such a thing, nor did she expect Gu Jiao to save her. She felt a little complicated, but regardless, her gratitude came from the bottom of her heart. It was also at this moment that she was really sure that Gu Jiao was different from before. “Are… are you not stupid anymore?” she asked gingerly. Gu Jiao did not answer her. “She must still stupid…” Otherwise, why would she save her? She had bullied her so much in the past. Gu Jiao: “…” Suddenly, Xue Ningxiang saw blood dripping from Gu Jiao’s hand. “You’re hurt!” Gu Jiao answered calmly, “It’s not my blood.” She was not lying—it really was not hers. However, something came to her mind and she wiped away the blood with a handkerchief. Xue Ningxiang turned around and looked at the four thugs lying on the ground. The four of them aren’t bleeding, so where did the blood on that girl’s hand come from? What was she doing just now? The two of them left the alley. Gu Jiao looked at the sky. Xue Ningxiang suddenly grabbed her sleeve and looked at her pitifully. “I… Can I go back to the village with you?” Gu Peiaotuo scowled slightly. She was not going back to the village. Xue Ningxiang felt that it was reasonable for Gu Jiao to refuse. After all, her relationship with Gu Jiao was not good, and it was already a stretch for her to save her simply on account of them being from the same village. There was no reason for her to accompany her back as well. Xue Ningxiang retracted her hand silently. Gu Jiao said calmly, “I’m going to the academy first.” Xue Ningxiang’s eyes lit up as she raised her head. “Then, can I come with you?” Gu Jiao did not reply. She turned around and headed towards the east of the town. Xue Ningxiang followed tentatively. Seeing that Gu Jiao did not chase her away, she was delighted as she followed her. Xue Ningxiang had had her feet bound, and women with bound feet walked slower. Gu Jiao scratched her head in frustration, but she would still stop and wait for her. When the two of them arrived at the academy, class had just ended. Xiao Liulang walked out with his book bag, and was startled when he spotted Gu Jiao at the entrance of the alley opposite. He walked over with a calm expression. “Were you in the area today as well?” “Yes,” Gu Jiao replied vaguely. Xue Ningxiang was shocked. It was at least seven to eight miles between this place and the market. This, this, this… could this even be called ‘in the area’? Xiao Liulang finally noticed Xue Ningxiang beside Gu Jiao. A trace of surprise flashed across Xiao Liulang’s eyes. Even if he racked his brains, he could not figure out why the two of them were together. Moreover, Xue Ningxiang was even wearing Gu Jiao’s clothes. Second Uncle Luo’s ox cart was already waiting in the alley. He had already informed him this morning and asked him to pick him up at five. The three of them got on the ox cart, with Gu Jiao sitting between the two of them. Xue Ningxiang had a good impression of Xiao Liulang, but after what had just transpired she still had a lingering fear of men. She did not even greet Xiao Liulang. Xiao Liulang was not bothered by Xue Ningxiang’s attitude towards him. He simply felt that it was a little strange, but did not inquire further. Gu Jiao’s cotton jacket was on Xue Ningxiang, while she herself only had a thin jacket. She did not feel cold when she was walking, but once she sat down, she felt a little chilly. Xiao Liulang looked down at his academy uniform and hesitated. Their relationship did not seem so good that he could just pass it to her, but she would catch a chill again if he did not. Just as he was hesitating, he saw Xue Ningxiang lean weakly towards Gu Jiao, using her body to warm her up. Xiao Liulang: “…” After the ox cart passed through the alley, they saw Gu Dashun waiting there. Gu Ershun had already been driven home, so Gu Dashun was the only one waiting for the ox cart. Gu Dashun ignored Xue Ningxiang in the ox cart and only looked at the expressionless Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang. Thinking of how calm they had been this morning, he suddenly felt that they had guessed this outcome from the beginning. Yet they didn’t say anything and simply watched as Gu Ershun was chased out and I was suspected of mischief by my teacher. Whose idea was it? Xiao Liulang’s? Or this fool’s? A breeze blew past, and Gu Jiao gently pushed away the hair covering her face, not minding the birthmark on her face at all. Gu Dashun had never seen Gu Jiao like this. No, he had actually seen her like this before—on the morning of the exam, when she yanked him off the ox cart. At that time, she had been equally calm and assured; he simply did not pay attention in his fit of anger. What exactly happened to that fool? Her temperament suddenly changed, she stopped coming to the Gu residence for dinner, and then got together with Xiao Liulang. “Are you thirsty?” Xue Ningxiang untied the water bag from her waist and handed it to Gu Jiao. Even that widow, who had always been at odds with her, became her friend? Gu Dashun knitted his brows deeply. When the ox cart arrived at the village, Gu Dashun jumped off. Gu Jiao did not bicker with him. She just sat on the ox cart and looked at him with a faint smile. “Remember to send Xiaoshun to school tomorrow.” Gu Dashun clenched his fists. — After returning home, Gu Jiao felt exceptionally cold, and her hands and feet were freezing. At night, her period came. People in the rural countryside were not well-nourished, and most of the time the girls’ periods came late. She was already 14 years old, but this was actually her first time having her period. She did not know if it was because she had fallen into the water a few days ago, coupled with the wind today, that caused her body to be too cool. Her stomach hurt terribly. Having been in the organization for many years, she was already used to all kinds of pain; however, it was solely this kind of abdominal pain during her period which she could never tolerate. Xue Ningxiang came to return Gu Jiao’s clothes. As soon as she entered the house, she found Gu Jiao sitting on a chair with a pale face. She immediately asked, “What’s wrong?” “Nothing,” Gu Jiao said mildly. This girl roughhoused four men in the day, yet now she’s so weak she can’t even stand up. How can it be nothing? Xue Ningxiang looked at her clutching her stomach and came to a realization. “Are you having your period?” Gu Jiao did not have the strength to bother with her. When Xiao Liulang heard the commotion in the house, he walked over and asked, “What happened?” Gu Jiao did not say anything; instead, it was Xue Ningxiang who replied, “She’s having her period and it hurts a lot. Do you have brown sugar? Boil some sugar water for her.” Xiao Liulang was frozen on the spot. Xue Ningxiang did not think too much about it. She thought that since the two of them had been married for half a year, they must have consummated their marriage long ago. Surely, there was nothing that should not be said between them.