After a simple examination, Xu Yinsheng received a handwritten Diagnosis Book:
Symptoms: Menstrual Irregularity, Menstrual Delay.
Prescription: Xiaoyao Pill, Yimucao Capsule, Fuke Qianjin Tablet, Qizhi Xiangfu Pill, Ejiao Blood-replenishing Granule.
Precautions: During menstruation, avoid cold water and drink more brown sugar water.
Doctor’s note: If the symptoms of Menstrual Irregularity become severe, please seek medical attention promptly.
Xu Yinsheng’s hand trembled slightly as she held the Diagnosis Book. The man in white offered comfort: “Don’t worry, it’s just some mild Menstrual Irregularity. I recommend eating more warm fruits. Even though winter is turning to spring, mini skirts and white stockings are still better for summer. For now, keeping warm is best.”
Xu Yinsheng set the Diagnosis Book on the nearby table. She kept her head down and nodded heavily.
Zhao Yicheng remained silent.
At this moment, the man in white also sensed that the atmosphere in the room was tense. As if remembering something, he placed the follow-up Diagnosis Book on the table:
“I’ll leave you two to talk. I suddenly realized I haven’t had lunch yet. There’s a Restaurant outside. I’ll take Qingze out for lunch first.”
“Yanqing, let’s go.”
With that, he scooped up the little boy and walked out of his psychological clinic without a backward glance.
The little Yanqing lay sprawled over the man’s shoulder. He first glanced at the out-of-sorts Xu Yinsheng on the sofa, then turned his head to look at the man holding him, blinking his large, innocent eyes.
“Meow meow, Teacher, didn’t we already eat? Spicy Shredded Potato and Steamed Crab.” “This is an extra meal after lunch,” the man in white said.
“Yay, extra meal, extra meal! I want to eat Wonton!” “Alright, alright, I’ll order you three liang later.”
“Um, Teacher, I have another question. Aren’t you a Psychological Doctor? How come you can also diagnose physical things?” “This is called ‘no skill is wasted on the body’. Your teacher used to be a Grandmaster of Repair for new energy vehicles. But later, the competition got too fierce, dealing with repairs every day, I really couldn’t take it, so I switched careers. Sigh, let’s not talk about it, saying more only brings tears.”
“Then I also want to learn lots of things like Teacher in the future.”
Their voices drifted farther and farther away, fading into silence.
In the end, only Zhao Yicheng and Xu Yinsheng remained in the clinic. Xu Yinsheng leaned back against the sofa, Little Blanket draped over her shoulders. Zhao Yicheng stood in front of the sofa, quietly watching the person seated there.
No one knew how much time passed before the silent man finally spoke: “Xiao Yin, I…”
“I should have guessed it a long time ago. She said it would change gradually—there are still four months until two years. The change has already gone from appearance to the inside. Even if I change back to my original self, there’s no difference between me and a real woman now.”
Xu Yinsheng lifted her head and looked at the man, forcing a self-deprecating smile: “Aren’t you happy for me? Isn’t this what you’ve been hoping for? Now I’ve gone from your good brother to your woman, just as you always wished.”
Her nose reddened, making small sniffles. Xu Yinsheng buried her head in her arms again.
“Unlucky, unlucky, unlucky. Clearly, I’m handsome, rich, and from a good family, but my father doesn’t care and my mother doesn’t love me. The only person I ever trusted—my good brother—just kept lusting after my body.” “Zhao Yicheng, I hate you so much!”
“Even if… even if my Sex Change isn’t your fault, why couldn’t you pull me up when my life was at its Big Downturn? Why couldn’t you treat me well, care for me, but instead, when I was at my lowest, you shoved me deeper into this bottomless pit?”
Tears fell like broken beads, pattering one after another onto the Little Blanket.
“If… If you could’ve pulled me up, I wouldn’t be left with nothing like I am now. If you’d been like a normal person, with a little patience and time, even… even if I hadn’t become like this, I could have accepted you.”
“But… but you just had to choose this way…” By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably, only cries and choked whimpers left.
“I’m sorry.” Zhao Yicheng’s voice was low and hoarse. He apologized quietly, reaching out to wipe the tears from her face, but Xu Yinsheng dodged away.
In the end, Zhao Yicheng gathered her into his arms, gently patting her back, trying to comfort her like this.
But Xu Yinsheng didn’t accept it. She bit down hard on his arm, blood seeping out. The man grunted but didn’t resist, letting her vent.
No one knew how long it took before Xu Yinsheng finally let go, looking up at him.
There was a clear bite mark on his arm, the sleeve of his shirt soaked red with blood—it looked shocking.
“Can I pursue you?” Zhao Yicheng suddenly asked.
“Send me home, and I’ll give you a chance.” Xu Yinsheng bowed her head slightly, her eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, fluttering gently and filled with sorrow.
“Can we change the condition?”
“No.”
“Then neither can I.” Zhao Yicheng sighed silently, wiping the blood from Xu Yinsheng’s lips with a tissue.
“I don’t dare gamble, because I can’t afford to lose.”
“I’m a scoundrel, a villain, just a gambler with no chips.”
“I’m sorry, I know words are powerless, but this is all I can do for now.” Sighing, a silent sigh.
A shared sigh between the two.
After several minutes of sobbing, Xu Yinsheng wiped away her tears. She looked up, her expression calm again, her tone light: “Are you done with your follow-up?”
“It’s done, and they prescribed quite a few medicines.” Zhao Yicheng smiled. “But they’re actually just Sugar Beans—a psychological suggestion.”
He tapped his own head.
“Some nights, this place still hurts. Whenever that happens, I eat a few Sugar Beans, silently telling myself these are special medicines, these are special medicines. After enduring for a while, the pain fades.” He chuckled, with a touch of self-mockery: “Maybe if you lie to yourself long enough, you’ll even believe it’s true.”
“Mm, let me try some when we get home.”
Zhao Yicheng reached out to help Xu Yinsheng up. This time, Xu Yinsheng didn’t resist, just as she didn’t resist the course of her own life anymore, letting him “support” her.
White breath spilled from her lips.
The midday Sun filtered down through the treetops, dappling the two of them. Xu Yinsheng straightened her collar; sure enough, spring had come, but it was still so cold.
The moment she entered the front passenger seat, she glanced up at the Sun.
Zhao Yicheng, my life was ruined by you…