Chapter 57 Lecture Improper

Section Chief You naturally took over the conversation and slapped the table: "Everyone, be quiet."

She was still very majestic, and everyone quieted down.

Section Chief You said solemnly, "Director Xie's meaning is very clear. We must select a speaker today. I hope to resolve this issue within two hours so as not to delay everyone's work."

"Do you have any recommendations? Everyone is welcome to speak freely."

Another round of chatter.

Xiao Zheng silently raised her hand. She was the author of the popular science article on menstruation, and Section Chief You valued her opinion. He nodded and said, "Go ahead."

Xiao Zheng: "Well, how about this? Let Xiao Jiang be the keynote speaker and give the lecture. I think that's fine."

Everyone was whispering to each other.

"Xiao Jiang?"

"I think so."

"As long as it's not me, it can be anyone."

Section Chief You: "Silence!" He then asked, "Xiao Zheng, why did you recommend Xiao Jiang?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Zheng said, "Because she's brave." He added, "The manuscript Liu Lu submitted for review has been circulated. Everyone knows that Xiao Jiang can single-handedly defeat a whole group of people. Moreover, facing so many members, she's not afraid at all. I think she's the perfect person to be the main speaker."

Section Chief You thought about it and decided that Jiang Xueyi was the best candidate. As for her courage, no one in the entire Women's Federation could compare to her.

She looked at Jiang Xueyi: "Xiao Jiang, do you have any objections?"

Xiao Zheng chimed in, "Xiao Jiang, when you're giving your menstrual knowledge lectures, all you need to do is read from the script. No need to use your brain. Just think of yourself as a makeshift announcer."

Afraid she would refuse.

Being stared at by more than ten pairs of eyes, Jiang Xueyi thought for a moment and replied decisively, "Okay."

Section Chief You made the final decision, "It's settled then." He added, "After the lecture is successfully completed, I will apply to my superiors for a bonus for you."

When Xiao Jin heard about the bonus, his eyes lit up: "Hey, Chief You, why didn't you mention the bonus? If I had known there was a bonus, I would have been able to give a speech on stage."

Jiang Xueyi smiled and said, "It's not too late now. If you want to give a speech, I can give you my seat."

Xiao Jin just said this and curled his lips: "Forget it."

She didn't want to be pointed at when she went out on the street in the future: Hey, this is the woman who talked about menstruation in public.

There are many people who think the same as her. Everyone is jealous of the bonus, but unfortunately, not everyone can accept it.

Jiang Xueyi returned to the office with her notebook. Xu Shanshan rushed in angrily and said dissatisfiedly, "Why are they like this? They push the work they don't want to do onto you."

Jiang Xueyi smiled and said, "It's okay. After all, I've only been here for a short time and am still in the learning and familiarization stage. It's normal for a newcomer to do more work."

Xu Shanshan curled her lips: "Sister You, too, how could she agree so easily?"

Jiang Xueyi: "Don't blame Sister You. She's also giving me a chance to show my abilities. She's even willing to apply for a bonus on my behalf. If I get the bonus, I'll treat you and Sister You to a meal."

As soon as she heard about eating, Xu Shanshan's attention was diverted: "Okay, okay, I love eating mutton hot pot."

When they got home that night, He Chengze asked her, "Is your Women's Federation going to hold a lecture on menstrual knowledge?"

Jiang Xueyi was surprised: "How did you know? I'm the main speaker."

He Chengze: "It's posted on bulletin boards in the streets and alleys. I remember... the date is next Tuesday."

He winked and said, "I'll be off that day, so I'll definitely bring the little one with me to watch Secretary Jiang's speech."

He Chengze: "However, holding this lecture is a big deal. You have only been in the Women's Federation for a short time, how come this task has been assigned to you?"

Jiang Xueyi: "It's because I'm a newcomer that this happened to me."

He Chengze looked at her face and asked, "Unhappy."

Jiang Xueyi sat cross-legged on a bench, flipping through a book. "Not really," she said with a smile. "This is an opportunity, and also a chance to show myself. To be honest, I've never had the experience of giving a speech to such a large group of people before."

She was in a state of panic: "What if something goes wrong?"

"People are made through practice," He Chengze said. "When I first joined the army, I stood guard for the first time and saluted the commander. My elbow almost hit my eye, and the whole company laughed at me for half a month."

Jiang Xueyi chuckled: "How can that be the same? You're embarrassing yourself, and I'm making things worse. If I say something wrong, people will say the Women's Federation recruited a fool."

He Chengze hugged her and put his chin on her head: "A straw bag is a straw bag, I like straw bags too."

"Go." Jiang Xueyi pushed him away and said angrily, "You are the idiot."

Her eyes sparkled: "I must make this lecture a success."

"Well, I believe you." He Chengze nodded.

Jiang Xueyi squinted at him: "Why do you trust me so much?"

He Chengze counted on his fingers and told her: "You were the one who arranged Hao Fang's divorce, and you also got Liu Lu back the money for the medicine to change her body... These are all your confidence, which is ten times stronger than others."

Jiang Xueyi looked up, the mist in her eyes dissipating a little: "Then...what if I forget the words while I'm speaking?"

Although Xiao Zheng said that he had a script and could just read it, but when giving a speech, reading it word for word is no different from broadcasting, it is difficult to impress people.

"If you forget the words, just look down at the audience." He Chengze said, "You're not just reading from a script, you're genuinely trying to instill knowledge into their minds. With that in mind, how can they forget?"

Jiang Xueyi: "Okay, I understand."

The lecture started at 2 pm on Tuesday. On Monday morning, Jiang Xueyi pulled He Chengze to help her pick out clothes.

Even though He Chengze spoke very logically, he was completely clueless when it came to choosing clothes and couldn't figure out anything at all.

He tutted his words and said, "It doesn't matter what you wear." He then added, thinking he was clever, "Anyway, you look good in anything."

Hehe, he has a sweet mouth, so he will definitely get praise from his wife, maybe even a sweet kiss.

I didn't get a sweet kiss, but I did get a beautiful glance.

Jiang Xueyi squinted at him and said, "Why do you wear the same thing? Clothes have their own rules. As the old saying goes, 'clothes make the man, and gold makes the Buddha.'" She added, "I'm here to give a lecture on menstruation. I have to dress decently and in a way that makes people trust me. Only then will they listen to you."

Jiang Xueyi: "It's like the example I gave you when making fish soup and crayfish. This dress is actually equivalent to the color in 'color, fragrance and taste'." She added, "When faced with delicious food, people will always pick up their chopsticks more. When they see an attractive person talking, they will listen even if they don't want to hear it."

Considering that people are so terrified of talking about "menstruation" in this era, there might not be many people coming to listen to the lecture at all, and in the end, it might just be people from the Women's Federation who show up to show support.

However, since you have done it, you must do it to the best of your ability.

Starting with clothes, she wants to make this lecture a complete success.

He Chengze thought about it for a moment, hey, it really makes sense: "Okay, I'll help you pick out clothes."

The two of them finally picked a light purple suit. The well-cut style made them look confident and capable. The soft color and light texture diluted the sense of professionalism, making them look more friendly and approachable.

Her hair was neatly tied into a bun at the back of her head, and she wore a pair of black leather shoes with wedge heels.

Jiang Xueyi's appearance shocked He Chengze.

He said, "Are you really going to give a lecture like this?"

Jiang Xueyi turned around in front of the mirror and was very satisfied: "Why, is it not okay?"

"Okay, sure." He Chengze said with a hint of jealousy, "I'm just worried that others will be so busy looking at you that they won't even remember what the lecture was about."

Jiang Xueyi stood on tiptoe and pinched his nose. "Vinegar bun, I'm giving a lecture on menstruation knowledge, and most of the people who come to listen are women. Who would be so obsessed with me that they forget to listen to the lecture?"

"That's right." He Chengze chuckled and handed over the kettle, "Here, freshly brewed, hot puffed tamarind."

Jiang Xueyi had to go to the Women's Federation in advance to make preparations and was about to set off.

She picked up the kettle and said, "I'm leaving."

He Chengze said: "You go first, I will take the little bun to attend the lecture later."

"Okay." Jiang Xueyi waved her hand. "See you later."

When we arrived at the Women's Federation, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon.

When Xu Shanshan saw Jiang Xueyi, her eyes lit up: "Wow, Xiao Jiang, you look really nice today."

"Right." Jiang Xueyi smiled, "My husband and I picked it together."

"Your lover?"

"Yes, he will bring his little one to attend the lecture later."

Xu Shanshan said expectantly, "I can finally meet him in person. My brother-in-law is a soldier in the army, right? I always hear them say you are a military family member."

Jiang Xueyi smiled and said, "Yes, he's easy to spot. Just look at the crowd and the one standing the straightest, with his head held high and his chest and stomach in, is him."

Xu Shanshan was happy: "Even if I can't recognize my brother-in-law, I can still recognize the little bun."

Jiang Xueyi also laughed: "That's right."

Xu Shanshan: "Even without the little bun as a mark, I can still recognize my brother-in-law. He must be the most handsome one in the crowd."

Jiang Xueyi raised her eyebrows: "Why do you think so?"

Xu Shanshan chuckled and said, "Just looking at the little bun's face, I can tell that you and your wife are definitely not that different in appearance." She added, "Besides, you are such a beauty, you definitely wouldn't look for those ugly ones."

She is a face control, and she can't help but feel happy at the thought of meeting another handsome gay man.

She patted her chest and assured, "Don't worry, leave it to me. I will definitely lead my brother-in-law and the little bun to find a seat."

"Okay." Jiang Xueyi smiled, "Then I'll leave it to you."

She was about to give a few more instructions when Section Chief You came to inform her that the lecture was about to begin.

The lecture was held on the first floor of the Women's Federation office building, in the largest office that could accommodate about one hundred people.

Jiang Xueyi glanced through the window.

I thought the place would be sparsely populated, but it was packed with people.

Jiang Xueyi took a quick look and saw about 80% women and 20% men.

She asked Chief You, "Why are there so many people here?"

Section Chief You smiled and pointed to a piece of paper on the wall. "It says here: Attend the lecture and you can get a free bowl of mung bean soup." He added, "I guess most people come here just for the mung bean soup."

Jiang Xueyi laughed. That's right. In this age when people are afraid to talk about "menstruation", so many people come to listen to the popular science lecture on menstruation. It can only be for other reasons.

Mung beans are not cheap these days. Most people who get them are reluctant to eat them. They will exchange them for more coarse grains or save them for sowing and growing bean sprouts.

Few people are so extravagant as to use mung beans to make mung bean soup. You can imagine how tempting a bowl of free mung bean soup is to them, especially in this hot summer weather.

At this moment, someone was already pulling the Women's Federation people over and yelling, "Didn't they say that if you attend the lecture, you can get a bowl of mung bean soup for free? Where is the mung bean soup?"

The person being pulled back was Xiao Zheng. She said, "There's mung bean soup," pointing to two large buckets not far away. "I'll give it to you after the lecture."

The man rolled his eyes and stared at the big bucket of mung bean soup with ill intent.

Section Chief You sighed, "This little Zheng is still young."

Two more people were assigned to guard the mung bean soup barrel, which isolated many people who wanted to take advantage of the situation and commit petty thefts.

Jiang Xueyi looked at her watch. It was exactly two o'clock in the afternoon.

She pushed open the door, looked around, and actually saw Xue Jun downstairs.

Xue Jun looked at her and raised the corner of his mouth provocatively.

The Women's Federation had posted flyers all over the streets and alleys announcing a lecture on menstrual knowledge. Xue Jun had naturally seen them and learned from other people that the speaker was Jiang Xueyi.

Then she would come and see it even more.

Let’s see how capable Jiang Xueyi is.

100 points for the written test and 100 points for the interview?

Humph, who would believe that!

However, those who came for mung bean soup were either members of the nearby commune or people with little education.

Xue Jun thought himself superior to others, and he felt very uncomfortable sitting in the crowd. It felt as if there were nails under his butt, and he twisted left and right.

Especially when a tanned, village-looking woman with skin the color of old tree bark nudged her with her elbow without any hesitation: "Hey, you're here for the mung bean soup too, right?" She licked her lips and said, "That mung bean soup is so delicious. I wonder if I can take it away. I want to take it back for my grandson."

Did you wash your hands? How dare you touch her? Xue Jun almost cursed out loud, but she endured it and said with a sigh, "You did it for the mung bean soup!"

The woman curled her lips and said, "If you're not here for the mung bean soup, then what are you here for?"

Xue Jun rolled his eyes and said, "What's it got to do with you?"

This is just a small episode.

Jiang Xueyi stood on the podium, and the crowd below was noisy, like a vegetable market.

She took a deep breath and said, "Everyone, be quiet. The lecture has begun."

People were still whispering below, and the noise didn't get any quieter, but even louder.

Xue Jun couldn't hide his smug look. He originally thought Jiang Xueyi was quite capable, but he didn't expect that she couldn't even make everyone quiet down.

Xue Jun even considered leaving early, as this lecture would definitely be a failure anyway.

Jiang Xueyi had no idea of her little thoughts.

Seeing the chaotic scene, Jiang Xueyi thought for a moment and said simply, "I know, everyone is here for the mung bean soup."

As soon as everyone received the "green bean soup" signal, they immediately quieted down.

Satisfied with the results, Jiang Xueyi smiled and continued, "In this hot summer, I also want to drink a bowl of mung bean soup to clear away the heat."

Everyone chimed in, "That's right, mung bean soup is so delicious."

"Can I have mung beans instead of the mung bean soup?"

"Can each person only have one bowl?" He then asked, "Can I have two bowls? I eat a lot, and one bowl is not enough."

Jiang Xueyi smiled and said, "Everyone likes mung bean soup, but unfortunately most people don't know that mung beans are cold in nature. People with weak constitutions and menstrual discomfort are advised not to drink it or drink less to avoid harmful effects on the body."

She tried her best to explain it in simple terms, and then she thought that most people nowadays had no idea what "harmful to the body" meant. They all thought that humans were no different from machines, and that when people got older, it was like a machine that had been used for a long time, so it was normal for problems to occur.

Jiang Xueyi simply put it another way: "During my menstrual period, my body is like a sweet potato fresh from the stove—warm inside, but delicate on the outside. Drinking cold mung bean soup at this time is like pouring cold water on a hot sweet potato. Once it's stimulated, the heat inside can't dissipate, and I'm going to get a stomachache. The pain is more excruciating than being tired from work."

Sitting in the audience were young girls of seventeen or eighteen, women in their twenties or thirties, and even old ladies in their seventies or eighties.

Hearing Jiang Xueyi mention "menstruation" directly, the thin-skinned young girls blushed immediately. Even the women lowered their heads and dared not listen. The old women stared at Jiang Xueyi with an incredible look, as if she was talking about something extremely outrageous.

Some of the remaining men looked at Jiang Xueyi with malicious eyes, and some even wanted to rush out.

After a long while, someone whispered, "Indeed, last time I was greedy for coolness, I drank a bowl of mung bean soup when I had my period, and then I rolled around in pain at night."

Jiang Xueyi smiled and nodded. She took out the manuscript written by Xiao Zheng and read it quickly. It was all written in formal language, which was some popular science about menstruation. It made people sleepy just reading it.

If you read this, everyone will probably leave in less than five minutes.

She simply pushed the manuscript aside and continued her speech method of giving examples.

"Let me tell you a true story." Jiang Xueyi took a few steps toward the podium so everyone could see her full body. "A while ago, there was a girl named Xiao Zhou at a textile factory. During her period, her hair got curled up by a machine. She panicked and forgot to turn off the power. It wasn't that she was stupid, it was the sanitary napkin in her trouser pocket that slipped out of place. She was afraid people would see it, so she just stuffed it back into her pants, and that's when she got into trouble."

There were a few low gasps from below.

Jiang Xueyi continued, "A while ago, Doctor Liu from the county hospital came to give a lecture at our Women's Federation. She said she once delivered a woman who contracted a disease because she used dirty cloths to wipe her period. She almost died."

There were a few more low gasps, and now everyone stopped whispering to each other. Everyone stared at Jiang Xueyi more seriously than the other.

Everyone is afraid of becoming Xiao Zhou or that pregnant woman.

Jiang Xueyi: "Menstruation is not something to be ashamed of; it's a normal physiological phenomenon." She added, "How many young girls are afraid to tell anyone about their menstruation, and don't know what to do? They think they have a terminal illness or some other serious disease, and cry until they can't breathe."

A woman in a red headscarf sitting in the front row suddenly had tears in her eyes. "When I was young, I had my period. I was harvesting wheat in the fields, and the blood flowed down my trouser legs to my ankles. I didn't dare say anything, for fear that my in-laws would call me 'improper.'"

Jiang Xueyi pointed at the old locust tree outside the window. "Look at that tree. It sprouts in spring and sheds its leaves in autumn, exactly the same every year. Women's bodies are like that too. When they reach a certain age, they menstruate, just like trees shed their leaves. It's perfectly normal. You can't say, 'Why is this tree shedding its leaves? Is it immoral?'"

Everyone burst into laughter.

There was a young woman in the back row who had been burying her face in her coarse cloth jacket. Now she finally dared to raise her head: "So... is it normal to have back and leg pain during menstruation?"

"It's like if you cut too much wheat, wouldn't your waist ache?" Jiang Xueyi asked her. "Rest now, don't do heavy work. Just like basking in the sun after cutting wheat, you'll feel better. It's not some 'strange disease' at all."

A girl with pigtails timidly raised her hand: "My mother said that I can't touch crops during my period, otherwise the crops won't grow..."

Someone chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, my dad also said that you can't go to work during that time. It's unlucky. Is that true?"

Jiang Xueyi took two steps toward her, her voice bright enough to pierce the roof: "If this is true, then we women will have to rest every month. Who will do the work in the fields? Who will take care of the children at home?"

Jiang Xueyi: "Let's talk about this menstrual belt."

This was the most embarrassing thing. As soon as she took it out, most of the people lowered their heads, and the men sitting in the back row blushed so red that blood could drip out of their faces.

"Is it embarrassing?" Jiang Xueyi raised it higher, "This thing is just like the gloves and cloth shoes we wear. It's a daily tool. Who would say it's embarrassing to wear gloves or cloth shoes?

"If you don't wash this thing when it's dirty, your skin will rot. If you use it incorrectly, your body will suffer." Jiang Xueyi emphasized, "Think about that pregnant woman."

Everyone raised their heads in unison.

"Some women, to save trouble, stuff their belts with stove ash, making them bulge out. Walking rubs the base of their thighs and makes them red." Jiang Xueyi unpacked the menstrual belt. "I'll teach you a trick. Use the cotton from old cotton-padded jackets, spread it thinly, and then wrap it with fine cloth. It's soft and absorbent. When it gets dirty, just wash it. After drying the cotton thoroughly, you can use it again. It's better than using stove ash, which is dirty and can cause inflammation if it rubs against your skin!"

Mrs. Ma figured out something: "Are there any particular rules when washing it?"

"It's very particular!" Jiang Xueyi said, "You have to wash it with hot water, just like when we wash diapers. Cold water won't soak through blood stains. And after washing, don't hang it in the gutter to dry. Hang it in the sun. The sun kills viruses and bacteria, and it's more effective than any medicine. It's like sheets. They smell better when they've been sun-dried than when they've been shade-dried. And your body recognizes the smell of the sun."

She smiled and said, "Whoever studies well will be rewarded with two feet of fine cotton cloth, according to our Director Xie!"

Director Xie stood outside the window and scolded Section Chief You, "When did I ever agree to this?"

One, two, three... It was as if it was contagious. As long as one person dared to talk about menstruation and how to use a menstrual belt, the others would become bolder and start discussing it.

Although most people refer to it as "that thing", you can occasionally hear the word "menstruation".

Jiang Xueyi couldn't hide the smile on her face.

She let everyone discuss it. It is useless to just output information. People will forget it after listening and it will not be absorbed into their minds at all. The most important purpose of this lecture is to let everyone think about it, discuss it, and truly learn about menstruation.