Chapter 16: Mortifying.

"Duoduo, could you please help me ask the PE teacher for leave?" Shi Zhaodi said in a low, embarrassed voice to Qian Duoduo, who was preparing to head to gym class.

"What's wrong?" Qian Duoduo turned back to ask.

"My stomach isn't feeling very well," Shi Zhaodi said, her face heating up.

"Oh, I see. I'll tell the PE teacher. You go ahead and rest," Qian Duoduo replied, walking out of the classroom without giving it a second thought.

Shi Zhaodi had originally hoped that after class, she might be able to ask Qian Duoduo to stop by the school’s small convenience store to pick up some sanitary pads for her, but now that hope was dashed.

The bell rang, leaving Shi Zhaodi alone in the classroom. She hesitated, wondering if she should sneak to the restroom while no one was around to take care of things. She stood up cautiously and glanced around, but just then, she heard the sound of the door opening. Startled, she quickly sat back down.

"Why aren't you at gym class?" Shi Zhaodi stammered to Zou Kai as he pushed the door open and walked in.

"What's the matter? Seen a ghost? You're skipping class yourself, aren't you?" Zou Kai retorted, casting a sidelong glance at her.

"I am not. I asked for leave."

"Has the sun risen in the west?" Zou Kai walked to his desk, looking her over as if he had just encountered an alien.

Shi Zhaodi didn't want to continue the conversation and simply buried her face in her arms on the desk. Her stomach was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, and the color had drained from her face.

"Are you sick?" Seeing her uncharacteristically quiet and noticing her pale complexion, Zou Kai couldn't help but ask.

"None of your business!" Shi Zhaodi turned her face the other way, speaking with the sharpest tone she had ever used toward him.

"If you're sick, just say so. I'll begrudgingly take you to the school infirmary," Zou Kai said, seemingly unfazed by her tone.

"Just leave me alone!" Shi Zhaodi said, her face contorted in discomfort.

Zou Kai reached out to pull her up.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Get up. I'm carrying you to the infirmary."

"I told you it's none of your business, I'm not sick..." Shi Zhaodi struggled.

"You're in this state and you're not sick?" Zou Kai wouldn't let go.

"It's my period, okay!" The words slipped out before she could stop them. In the next second, the atmosphere in the classroom became surreal; it was so quiet she could almost hear her own breathing.

Zou Kai froze for a moment, and then his eyes landed on the damp red stain on her chair. Shi Zhaodi saw it too; she was so mortified she wished the ground would swallow her whole. Her face flushed a deep, burning crimson, and she twisted her hands together.

Zou Kai’s face also turned bright red. He turned around and hurried out of the classroom.

Shi Zhaodi felt utterly dejected. She didn't know how much time had passed when the classroom door opened again. She looked up, startled, to see Zou Kai walking in with a dark expression, carrying two bags.