Young girls tend to feel shy when encountering such things, and Jiaojiao is no exception.
However, compared to how she treats Ruan Jie and others, she is slightly more relaxed, albeit still embarrassed, as she calls out to Zhao Li: "Godmother..."
Zhao Li smiled and handed her the prepared items: "Go inside and change, and also swap out the dirty clothes."
Jiaojiao, blushing, took the items into the bathroom. Once everything was sorted, she looked at the dirty clothes set aside, feeling conflicted. Chen Tingtingâs earlier commotion had mortified her, and there was no way sheâd let anyone touch her dirty clothes now.
But her stomach still hurt, in bouts, and she lacked the energy to wash them, so she balled up the clothes into a corner and covered them with a towel before opening the door.
"All set?" Zhao Li asked outside.
Jiaojiao nodded, her lips still pale, the stomach pain causing her to hunch over and curl up.
Normally, it wouldnât hurt so much. Seeing Jiaojiaoâs face so pallid from the pain, Zhao Li felt a pang of sympathy. After helping her lie down on the bed, she lifted the corner of Jiaojiaoâs shirt and placed her hand inside, her expression turning grave upon touching.
"Why is it so cold?" Itâs still summer, so the human body should feel warm, yet Zhao Li could distinctly feel the chill when she placed her hand on Jiaojiaoâs stomach.
Zhao Li wanted to inquire further, but footsteps came from outside, followed by a knock on the door.
"Mom, how is Jiaojiao?" asked Lu Xianâs voice.
Zhao Li had to cover Jiaojiaoâs clothes, then got up to open the door. The three big boys outside looked somewhat awkward, yet in their concern for their sister, they thickened their skin to inquire about her situation.
Although Ruan Chi and Ruan Jie said nothing, their expressions also conveyed concern.
Jiaojiao thought of the incident in the billiard room and still felt embarrassed, pulling the blanket over her face. Zhao Li saw this and knew the girl felt shy, so she said to Ruan Jie: "Itâs nothing serious, you guys can go downstairs. Iâll handle it here for now."
"Okay. Thank you." Ruan Jie said, glancing worriedly at Jiaojiao on the bed before leaving.
After Ruan Jie and the others left, Zhao Li approached and gently pulled the blanket off Jiaojiaoâs face, noting her flushed cheeks and embarrassment. She said softly: "This is something every girl has to go through, and itâs a good thing, Jiaojiao. No need to be shy."
Jiaojiao pouted a bit, feeling aggrieved: "But not only the brothers know, but many others too."
Jiaojiao, at the mere thought of Chen Tingtingâs shout, wished she could find a hole to hide in.
"Others?" Zhao Li looked at her doubtfully.
Jiaojiao, full of indignation, told her what happened in the billiard room, ending with: "She likes my brother, but Jiaojiao doesnât like her."
Initially, she felt indifferent towards Chen Tingting, but due to this incident, she had developed a dislike for her.
"Alright, then we wonât like her," Zhao Li followed along with Jiaojiaoâs words, and after feeling her belly again and sensing the chill, she coaxed her: "Jiaojiao, take a nap while I find a wintertime warm compress to warm your belly."
Jiaojiao touched her belly herself, feeling the dragging pain hadnât subsided but intensified a bit. She nodded weakly.
As soon as Zhao Li stepped out of the room, Ruanlin came in carrying a drink prepared with ginger and red sugar, coaxing Jiaojiao into getting up to drink: "Be good, get up and drink some red sugar water, youâll feel better."