Chapter 19: Menstruation

After Sang Fuying returned home with Yuan Feiye, a call request from Sang Yao came through.

"Wait for me at Yuan Feiye’s place. I’m coming to pick you up now," he said, his tone overbearing and brooking no dissent.

Yuan Feiye leaned in and answered for Sang Fuying: "Are you finished with your work? Do you even know the state of your own health? It’s far more dangerous for her to go back with you right now. Don’t bother coming, because if you do, I won’t open the door for you."

With that, he hung up the phone for her.

He explained earnestly to Sang Fuying, "Yingying, listen to me. I’m not trying to keep you from your uncle, but you’ve seen what happened yesterday. Until he is matched with a female spouse, it’s dangerous for you to be by his side. When a male’s mental energy collapses and spirals out of control, their actions are completely unconscious and beyond their own restraint."

Especially since they didn’t even know if she was a "defective" female. If she were a normal female, or an advanced one distinct from the rest, wouldn't she just be a little snack waiting to be devoured by that hypocritical beast, Sang Yao?

Sang Fuying looked at Yuan Feiye and asked cautiously, "What about you? Have you been matched with a female spouse?"

She had a lingering doubt: if these males had other females living in their homes, wouldn't their female spouses mind? Or did females here have so many husbands that they couldn't keep track? Whether she was staying at her uncle’s house or currently borrowing space at Yuan Feiye’s, both men seemed to be in the process of seeking a match.

Yuan Feiye, mistaking her concern for something else, smiled gently. "Don't worry, I haven't reached the age of losing control. You are perfectly safe with me."

"That’s not what I meant. I’m asking, aren't you also going on blind dates? Would your date mind me living in your house?" Based on the female she had seen killed when she first arrived, she was certain that females here would definitely mind.

"Oh, that. Those are just blind dates. Nothing will come of them; I only went that day to give my father face. I only gave that family one chance, and since I didn't see her then, I won't go for a second."

Sang Fuying was about to reply that he would likely continue to match and date other females, but before she could speak, a sharp, familiar pain struck her lower abdomen, followed by a warm sensation.

She was wearing a white dress. Although the era was open-minded and women didn't have to hide the issue of menstruation, it was still embarrassing to be seen in such a state in front of men.

"I have something... I need to take care of." Sang Fuying rose hurriedly from the sofa and climbed the stairs with a sense of urgency, almost as if she were fleeing.

Yuan Feiye’s suspicious gaze followed the girl’s petite figure until she disappeared around the corner of the stairs. Why was she so flustered? Had she remembered something urgent, or had he said something that upset her?

***

Upstairs, Sang Fuying searched the room, but there were no sanitary pads; she had forgotten to bring any when she came.

Downstairs, Sang Yao had arrived. He entered and went straight to the point: "Where is Yingying?"

Yuan Feiye lounged on the sofa, his posture relaxed, and raised an eyebrow at Sang Yao. "How do you know my door code?"

"Just because you know mine doesn't mean I can't know yours? Give Yingying back to me now; I’m taking her home." Sang Yao looked down at Yuan Feiye with an air of dominance, making it clear that if Yuan Feiye didn't hand her over, he would resort to force.

Yuan Feiye shook his head, looking unbothered. "You let her come back with me yesterday, and today you’re rushing to drag her back. It’s hard not to suspect you have ulterior motives."

Facing that ambiguously beautiful face, Sang Yao’s fists tightened involuntarily. "Aren't you the one with the ulterior motives? Do you really think you're some kind-hearted saint? Just because you were once a student of my eldest brother, you're playing the hero in front of Yingying? How many times have you even seen her?"

"I may not have seen her many times, but the first time, she fell from your attic, and I caught her. The second time, she was almost abducted at the Lesterlin family estate, and I saved her. The third time, she was being forcibly kissed by you in your bathroom, and I rescued her. So, General Sang, between you and me, who is the 'good guy' for your Yingying?"

Yuan Feiye didn't even bother to lift his eyelids as he spoke, his lips curled in a display of supreme arrogance.

Sang Yao’s expression shifted, a flicker of shame crossing his face.

The time Yuan Feiye caught her at his home, it was because he had discovered Yingying was meeting a duke in his thirties. He had forbidden her from going, they had argued, and he had locked her in the house. She had tried to climb down from the balcony and accidentally fallen. As for the other two times, he was at fault; he had no rebuttal.

"Uncle, why are you here?"

The girl’s soft, sweet voice drifted from behind them.

Sang Yao turned to face her, meeting those doe-like eyes that felt both familiar and subconsciously strange. He looked away, his gaze shifting guiltily. "I... I finished my work and came to see you." He didn't finish the sentence: *I’ve come to take you home.*

Seeing Sang Fuying, Yuan Feiye’s seductive fox-like eyes curved. He asked in a coaxing tone, "Yingying, what was the urgent matter you had to handle? Is it taken care of?"

"Not yet. I need to go out for a moment; I forgot to buy something."

Sang Fuying’s hands seemed restless, occasionally tugging at the hem of her skirt. Her eyes darted away, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks; she looked quite self-conscious.

"What is it? I’ll go buy it for you," Sang Yao said without a second thought.

Sang Fuying thought about how this was her uncle. She had lived with him since she was a child, and the first time she had her period, it was her uncle who had taken care of her. Even though he didn't understand much about girls' needs, he had carefully chosen pads at the supermarket and cooked her brown sugar eggs.

Considering Yuan Feiye was still there, she grabbed Sang Yao’s sleeve and led him to the foyer with an air of mystery.

Sang Yao followed her obediently.

Yuan Feiye sat up, even more suspicious. What was this? Were they treating him like an outsider?

Just as Sang Fuying turned, he caught a glimpse of something he couldn't ignore: a bright red stain on the back of her light-colored dress.

His first reaction was: *She was injured somewhere other than her forehead?*

Then, his pupils constricted.

Sang Fuying stood on her tiptoes in front of Sang Yao, but she still couldn't reach his ear. She whispered, "Uncle, lower your head."

Sang Yao stiffened and leaned in toward her.

The distance was so close that the delicate, lingering scent of the young girl washed over him in waves.