Back when she was at He Jinxuanâs house, she had experienced her most embarrassing time of the month, making her wish she could find a hole to crawl into.
That day, she was cooking lunch when her stomach started to ache. At first, she didnât think much of it and decided to endure it.
But as soon as she put the noodles in the pot, she felt something was wrong. It wasnât until then that she realized what was happening and remembered that she hadnât prepared anything. She was utterly mortified.
To make matters worse, He Jinxuan came home from work at that moment and noticed her expression: "Whatâs wrong?"
She wanted to go out to find a solution, but as soon as she moved, a warm flow came down, scaring her into immobility.
In her panic, she broke out in a cold sweat and had no idea how to respond.
But that wasnât the most embarrassing part. Just then, little Siyan ran in from outside: "Sister, Iâm hungry."
Originally, she wanted to send him off first and said to the little guy, "You wait outside for a bit, the noodles are almost ready."
Her plan was to get little Siyan out and have He Jinxuan fish the noodles out while she sneaked out to deal with the issue, but little Siyan didnât listen and came straight into the kitchen: "Iâll help Sister get a bowl."
As he came up behind her, she was wearing thin pants. When the little guy turned around with the bowl, he said something shocking: "Sister, why did you wet your pants?"
His unfiltered childlike words made her want to die on the spot, her face turning beet red.
Although He Jinxuan was a grown man, he wasnât oblivious. Heâd heard plenty of offhand comments from married men in the unit and realized the seriousness of the situation: "Your Sister Xinyan is cooking in the kitchen, it got too hot and she sweated. Donât talk nonsense, kid."
Using that as an excuse, he quickly sent the little one away. He was about to say something when she preempted him: "Quickly, take the noodles out of the pot, otherwise, theyâll overcook."
Thinking back, she realized how foolish she was, worrying about noodles at a time like that.
He Jinxuanâs frazzled actions at that moment were still fresh in her mind.
He even went inside, found an old piece of clothing to tie around her waist, went out to buy a pack of sanitary napkins, and brought it back. Even now, she felt so embarrassed thinking about it.
He Jinxuan steadied his steps while walking in the water, interrupting Yu Xinyanâs recollection in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Xinyan."
Yu Xinyan snapped back to reality: "Hmm, what is it?"
He continued from his back: "When we get back, be careful. The waterlogged areas in the family compound arenât shallow. In the deep spots, step on the stones people threw down, donât wade through the water."
Yu Xinyan knew why he said this. In a while, the place will be crowded with parents picking up their kids, and he couldnât carry her back through that.
Indeed, He Jinxuan had thought of thatâitâs best to be cautious with so many people around.
After all, he was someone who worked out every day, and while others were clambering into the truck bed, he set Yu Xinyan in the driverâs cabin: "Stay here, itâll be easier to get off later. I left food at your doorstep, heat it up when youâre back so you donât have to cook."
Yu Xinyan saw him about to close the door and quickly asked, "Arenât you coming back?"
Hearing her question, he seemed in a good mood, a smile playing on his lips: "You go ahead, Iâll wait for them to pull the vehicle out and come back together."
Suddenly, she felt it was nice to have someone to rely on: "Be careful then."
He Jinxuan nodded to her: "Donât worry."
Closing the car door, he went to the back just as the last student was getting in, and he told the leading teacher: "Yu Xinyan is sitting in the driverâs cabin."
The teacher paused for a moment but didnât overthink it. He was aware of Yu Xinyanâs situation, and it was normal for Director He to take care of it.
After everyone boarded, He Jinxuan said to the driver, "Go ahead and return."
The driver nodded to those staying behind: "Iâll be off then, take care."
Luckily, it wasnât stuck deeply, and after a few attempts, the front vehicle quickly pulled Xiao Sunâs car out.
When He Jinxuan returned to the family compound entrance, everyone was gone.
He was going to head straight home, but ultimately, he couldnât rest easy. He detoured to the supply-and-marketing coop to buy a pack of brown sugar, then went to buy ginger nearby before heading to Yu Xinyanâs small yard.
At noon, Yu Xinyan had prepared hot water in the space, ready to use at any moment. When she came back, she quickly washed her hair, cleaned up, and had just changed clothes when she heard noise outside.
With an umbrella, she came out to open the door: "Brother He, youâre back?"
He Jinxuan frowned seeing her with wet hair and handed over the brown sugar and ginger: "Hurry inside and dry your hair. Make some ginger sugar water to drink. The weatherâs been cool with the continuous rainâdonât be careless."