Zhang Hongmei sat by the stove in frustration, watching Li Cuihua carefully wash her hands before going in to find the ingredients.
Am I a pig? Looking back now, my breasts were already swollen and painful two or three months ago; I knew then that my body was developing. Also, I had a dull, aching pain in my abdomen after exams. I've been a woman for forty years in my past life, and yet I still made such a mistake. I'm such an idiot.
Li Cuihua took out her sewing basket, a piece of white cotton cloth, and a piece of cotton, and sat down by the stove, where it was bright.
Zhang Hongmei watched as Li Cuihua skillfully sewed the needle and thread, finishing the piece in no time. She had seen her mother use this in her previous life, so it wasn't entirely unfamiliar to her.
Li Cuihua stuffed cotton into the opening. She handed it to Zhang Hongmei, saying, "Go inside and change quickly. Even though it's cold, you can't get your cotton trousers dirty."
Zhang Hongmei entered the house dejectedly, changed her clothes while trembling, and then left the house.
"The water's hot now, I'll get you some water. Wash your hands, then soak your feet. That will make you feel more comfortable."
"No need, Auntie, I can do it myself in a bit. It's getting dark, you should go home now."
"This kang (heated brick bed) won't heat up easily. Why don't you come sleep at my house?"
"No, I can manage by myself. It'll get hot soon anyway."
"Don't worry, the house was cleaned up for you yesterday, and the kang mat was wiped clean. It's warm now. Why don't you lie down on the kang?"
"Wait until it gets warm before getting on the kang. I'm going to soak my feet first, otherwise I'll have to put on my shoes and lock the door later."
"Okay, then I'll be going."
"Sister-in-law, you're here?"
"Cuihua, what's wrong with Hongmei?"
Li Cuihua whispered a few words in the ear of Liu Jingze's mother, Hu Aifen. Zhang Hongmei felt embarrassed, but then she thought that they were all women, so there was nothing to be ashamed of.
Liu Jingze, who was standing next to him, was extremely anxious, scratching his head and cheeks. Hearing the two of them laughing made him even more anxious.
"Hongmei, this is a noodle soup I made for you. It's tomato-based and has an egg poached in it. Hurry up and eat a few bites while it's hot."
"Okay, just give it to me. I won't keep you any longer, it's getting dark, I'm going to soak my feet too."
"Go ahead, but don't soak for too long," Hu Aifen instructed.
"Okay, then I'll close up shop. I'll visit your great-grandmother again tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll cook you something delicious tomorrow. Go back now, it's cold outside."
Zhang Hongmei locked the door, but Liu Jingze didn't want to leave, wondering what was wrong with Zhang Hongmei.
"Sister-in-law, I'm leaving now."
"How about Jingze gives you a ride?"
"Come on, I could walk home with my eyes closed. I'm leaving now."
"Go on, my daughter and I are going back too."
Hu Aifen walked ahead, and Liu Jingze followed behind, asking in a low voice, "Mom, what's wrong with Hongmei? Why are you and my aunt both smiling?"
"That's a good thing. Hongmei has grown up and become a young lady."
It took Liu Jingze a while to realize what was going on.
Liu Jingze's flushed cheeks were not visible in the darkness.
Zhang Hongmei locked the door and hurried into the space. The first thing she did was drink a large cup of spiritual spring water, and immediately felt that her stomach was not so painful anymore.
He opened the lunchbox that Liu Jingze had brought over, picked up the chopsticks, and started eating. To be honest, he really didn't have much of an appetite, but he still forced himself to eat a few bites and ate the egg. He couldn't eat the rest, so he put it aside to eat tomorrow. He didn't dare to waste food.
Zhang Hongmei went to the room, found her underwear and sanitary napkins, and also found a set of thermal underwear before going into the bathroom.
I decided to splurge this time. I took a hot shower, changed my clothes, and washed away the menstrual pad—I'd leave that outside. I didn't want to use it myself; I had plenty of sanitary napkins stored away in my storage space—enough to last a lifetime.
I lay on the soft, big bed and went to sleep.
After Zhang Hongmei woke up, she washed the clothes she had changed out of before leaving the space. She then added a large piece of wood to the stove and filled the pot with water before entering the space again, as she hadn't been in there for quite some time.
It is particularly comforting to see the lush and precious medicinal herbs in the field.
Because it was her first period, Zhang Hongmei didn't dare to stay in the space for long, not knowing if it would have any impact. In her previous life, it didn't have much of an impact on time, but it was still better to be careful.
Stepping out of the space, I shivered. Resigned, I climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed) and covered myself with the quilt, then lay down in bed. The kang was already warm, so I put on my thermal underwear and crawled into bed, taking it off later when it got warmer. I couldn't take it off now, though; my breath was frost-like.
After thinking for a moment, I made myself another cup of spiritual spring water and drank it. In my past life, although I didn't have menstrual cramps, I was still uncomfortable. Back then, my mother always nagged me that it was because I wasn't careful when I was little and ate too much cold food. This time, I will definitely be careful.
She didn't have a man in her past life and didn't get married. In this life, she wants a few children who are connected to her by blood, so that she can prove that she has lived in this world.
I drifted off to sleep, only to be woken up by the heat. I was sweating and felt sticky and uncomfortable, so I went into my space to take a shower and change my clothes.
Actually, taking such frequent showers isn't good, but I'm a bit of a clean freak, so I just drink more spring water—it's a panacea!
Feeling a bit hungry, I drank a cup of hot milk before leaving the room and lying in bed, lost in thought. I drifted off to sleep again after a while.
Zhang Hongmei woke up when she heard a knock on the door. The bed was so warm and she really didn't want to get up, but she had no choice; it was broad daylight.
He got up, put on warm clothes, a cotton-padded coat and trousers, then an overcoat, and thick cashmere socks before finally getting out of bed and putting on his shoes.
With disheveled hair, he put on a cotton hat and cotton gloves before going out to open the door.
Standing outside the door was Liu Jingze, his face red from the cold. "Jingze-ge, why are you up so early?"
"I'm worried about you, so I'll bring you some noodles and eggs to make you breakfast."
"No need, there's still some noodle soup from last night, I'll just eat that."
"I'll eat the leftovers. If you're not feeling well, you should eat the freshly made food. Hurry inside, it's too cold outside."
Liu Jingze went inside, and Zhang Hongmei had no choice but to follow him.
"Thank goodness you added water last night, otherwise the pot would have burned through." Liu Jingze said as he turned the fire back on, added water, and washed the pot.
"Whether you want tomato or cabbage, I'll bring either."
"I want to eat shredded radish." Zhang Hongmei didn't know what was wrong with her; she just wanted to disagree.
"Then I'll go back and get the radishes, and I'll be back in a bit."
"Brother Jingze, you really don't need to do this. I'm all better now. I don't feel uncomfortable at all. I can manage on my own."
Liu Jingze raised his head and stared straight at Zhang Hongmei, whose complex expression was unreadable to her.
"Really, Brother Jingze, I'm not used to being served like this. It feels really uncomfortable."
"I'm willing, I'm willing, so just wait patiently. Don't be so formal with me, I can't stand your distance."
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