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Jiang Yichen was reluctantly dragged to the piano room by Qin Ling.
“Professor Qin, I suddenly remembered I haven’t gotten my sheet music and textbook. Can you let me go back and get them first?”
“Sit down.”
Qin Ling was prepared. She took a textbook from her briefcase and placed it on the music stand.
“……” Jiang Yichen twitched his mouth. *Professor Qin, you’re truly a responsible teacher.*
“Play.”
“Okay!”
Jiang Yichen stretched his wrists.
*Ding…*
“Again.”
“Okay.”
*Ding…*
“Again.”
“Okay.”
*Ding…*
“Stop.” Qin Ling took out her ruler, pointing to a symbol in the practice piece. “Tell me, what does the symbol ‘ff’ mean?”
“……” Jiang Yichen awkwardly turned his head. “ff… fortissimo.”
“Then what were you playing?” Qin Ling asked. “It was weak and limp. Play more decisively.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Yichen nodded and started playing again.
“Stop.” Qin Ling again took out her ruler, lifting Jiang Yichen’s hands from the keys. “The rhythm is off.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Yichen started playing again, this time concentrating on the strength and rhythm.
“Stop.” Qin Ling took out her ruler a third time. “Is this the ‘smooth as flowing water’ you were talking about?”
Jiang Yichen scratched his head sheepishly. “I was just… using a metaphor.”
“You…” Qin Ling was about to speak, but noticing Jiang Yichen’s slightly dejected expression, she patted his shoulder. “Get up, I’ll show you.”
“Okay.” Jiang Yichen stood aside, watching intently. However, instead of focusing entirely on the keys, he paid more attention to Professor Qin’s pale face.
He recalled information about Qin Ling from the novel.
Today is the tenth…
Qin Ling’s period…
Menstrual cramps?
Jiang Yichen instantly understood.
The novel mentioned that Qin Ling had chronic dysmenorrhea due to a congenital deficiency of yang energy. Especially at night, the pain was severe, and she couldn’t sleep.
“Did you see clearly?”
Qin Ling turned her head and saw Jiang Yichen deep in thought.
“Jiang Yichen!” Qin Ling called.
“Yes!” Jiang Yichen quickly snapped out of it.
“What were you doing? Daydreaming in front of me?” Qin Ling said, slightly angry.
“No,” Jiang Yichen explained. “I just noticed that Professor Qin looked pale and unwell…”
Qin Ling’s expression softened. “I’ll show you again. Watch carefully.”
“Okay.”
…
This make-up lesson lasted quite long. It started at 8:30 PM and went on until 10:00 PM. Qin Ling taught seriously, and Jiang Yichen listened attentively. This was probably the only subject where he didn’t zone out and actually paid attention.
When it was time for class to end, Qin Ling maintained her usual cold demeanor. For some reason, her stomach hurt more than usual, but it was still bearable. Sometimes, she genuinely envied those girls who acted as if nothing happened when they were on their periods.
“Professor Qin, are you okay?” Jiang Yichen asked.
“I’m fine.”
Qin Ling did indeed seem fine, only her face looked paler than usual.
After saying that, Qin Ling turned to leave. The Faculty Apartments and the boys’ dormitory were in opposite directions. Jiang Yichen watched her walk away with her usual determined stride.
If he didn’t know her situation, he might have actually believed her.
Jiang Yichen watched her disappear from his sight.
He suddenly remembered Qin Ling’s anxious expression when she rushed into his dorm two days ago… and how forcefully she took him to the hospital…
Jiang Yichen stood there for a moment, then walked in another direction.
Whenever Jiang Suihua had severe menstrual cramps, he would prepare a bowl of brown sugar ginger tea and massage her abdomen.
Jiang Suihua said it was very effective, especially the brown sugar ginger tea, which made her feel warm all over.
He went to a convenience store outside the school and bought some brown sugar and ginger.
Then, he headed towards the Faculty Apartments. He had been there before when he delivered the pillows, so he easily found Qin Ling’s apartment.
…
Qin Ling returned to her apartment and went to her room, taking an ibuprofen with warm water.
It didn’t seem to help.
Clutching her stomach, she curled up in bed.
Her perfectly shaped eyebrows were furrowed in pain.
Her limbs began to feel cold.
She bit her lip tightly.
Soon, she could feel herself breaking into a cold sweat.
She had experienced this pain countless times.
Qin Ling recalled her sixteenth birthday.
The night she was kidnapped and tortured by her stepmother; the current pain was nothing compared to that.
Her eyelashes trembled as she looked at the ceiling light.
It was as if, at that moment of excruciating pain, a young boy had entered her world…
*Knock, knock, knock*
A series of urgent knocks on the door pulled her back to reality.
It must be Lin Yao.
Qin Ling got out of bed, ignoring her disheveled appearance, and opened the door.
“Professor Qin.”
“……” Qin Ling saw who it was, and the pain on her face instantly vanished. She put on a calm expression and asked, “What do you want?”
“I think Professor Qin might be feeling unwell,” Jiang Yichen said. “You must be on your period, right? My sister used to be like this…”
“Go back,” Qin Ling said.
“……” This time, Jiang Yichen didn’t back down when he met her sharp gaze. “I’ll just make you a bowl of brown sugar ginger tea, and then I’ll leave.”
Jiang Yichen squeezed into the room.
Qin Ling frowned and said sternly, “Jiang Yichen, I told you to go back.”
“I already said,” Jiang Yichen waved his hand. “I’ll make you the tea and then leave.”
The Mingxian Faculty Apartments had kitchens in each unit.
Jiang Yichen ignored her and went to the kitchen.
While he had his back turned, Qin Ling gasped in pain, then frowned and followed him into the kitchen.
“Jiang Yichen,” Qin Ling said, “This is the last time. Go home immediately.”
“Why do you keep telling me to leave?” Jiang Yichen didn’t listen and began to chop the ginger.
“Professor Qin showed so much concern for me the other day. As your student, how could I ignore your suffering?”
“What suffering? I’m fine,” Qin Ling said calmly. “Your dormitory will be locked soon if you don’t go back.”
“So what?”
Jiang Yichen shrugged indifferently. If he couldn’t return to the dorm, he could just spend the night at an internet cafe.
“If you really care about me getting back to the dorm, Professor Qin, then don’t interrupt me. I’ll make you the brown sugar ginger tea, and then I’ll leave immediately.”