Chapter 35: What Kind of Man Is He?

The metal door slammed shut with a clang. Footsteps retreated down the stairs, moving from near to far until they faded into silence.

They were gone, yet my mind remained unsettled. Although the old man and woman hadn't said anything, I knew they were aware I was the one who had hit them. The monk’s talk of the "Goddess of Mercy bestowing children" kept echoing in my head; I felt like I was surrounded by traps, and one wrong step could land me in a pit. I was particularly puzzled by Niu Zhenqing’s situation: How did they find out he had become like that, and how did they manage to get him into the hospital?

My phone showed 11:42 PM. I had school tomorrow, so I had to undress and get to bed. I had long forgotten about my cycle. The blood had soaked through my underwear, stained my outer pants, and even ruined the fresh bedsheets. After cleaning up and lying back down, I searched online for how to use a menstrual cup. It said to pinch the rim with both hands, fold it into a U-shape, and it would unfold once inserted.

Being a woman is such a hassle; things weren't like this before. Especially... I heard it's easy to catch infections. Thinking of this, I secretly longed for my days as a man. However, there is no turning back. My mind wandered, growing hazy, and I drifted off to sleep.

Suddenly, Zhengtai sent a message through my brain: "I can't sleep. Do you know where that man who called you is?"

Disturbed, I asked groggily, "Which man? I've never even met him."

"Could you call him and tell him what's on my mind?"

"Are you lonely? Can't Qu Shilai solve your problems even when he's right there?"

"Don't mention him. Qu Shilai only knows how to sleep; he never cares about my feelings. I heard he's in his forties and has a daughter—how can he not know what a woman wants?"

"You’re putting me in such a difficult position. Did you pay for those squares in the pencil case?"

"No. How would I dare buy such things?"

"Then who bought them for you?"

"The person who called you."

"What’s his name?"

"I don't know! He never tells me!"

"How did you get into this? You don't even know his name, yet you..."

"We met by chance. He's suave and says he's the son of a wealthy family. I have money to spend when I'm with him, so we just got together!"

"Does he give you money?"

"Yes, of course he does. Otherwise, why would I be with him?"

"Listen, I can call him, but if I don't like what I see, I might just give him a beating. You better think this through. I hate people who take advantage of others without even knowing them."

"Then—then don't call! I'll deal with my own loneliness!"

"There's one more thing you should know: who told Niu Zhenqing's family?"

"Need you ask? He called them himself. His grandparents drove for hours to get here, called for an ambulance, and the hospital sent people to pick him up."

"And one more thing I still don't understand: why does the Goddess of Mercy act through a monk, and why does it only work in secret? People say it's superstition, but there are those who actually succeed in having children. How do you explain that?"

"Isn't it simple? Women ignore one issue: they only think the problem is with them, never considering their husband. It’s the husband who lacks fertility, which is why others find an opening."

"Then why don't the women object?"

"It's a win-win situation, so who would be stupid enough to complain? If they can't bear children, they face divorce, and their husbands would just choose to remarry. It’s better to accommodate the one filling the gap—isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

"I see now. No wonder those women like running over there; it turns out there's something to gain." Being pestered by Zhengtai inside me, I truly woke up. My left hand felt heavy. Looking down, I realized it was the heavy green jade bead bracelet; no wonder the Lady wanted me to wear it.

Just then, a flash of light shot from my glabella, flickered against the green jade bracelet, and dove inside. I was stunned into silence. Did I have a third eye in my head? How could it emit light? While I was utterly baffled, the entire bracelet circled with the light, flashing with a brilliant, gorgeous green. It became incredibly clear and icy, beautiful to the extreme. But the spectacle was short-lived; it flashed a few times and returned to its original state.

I took it off my left wrist, examining it from all sides, but couldn't make sense of it. Just as I was about to ask Zhengtai, my alarm went off. I put the bracelet back on, glanced at my phone on the pillow, and scrambled out of bed. I put on my uniform and prepared to wash my face when music began to play... I picked up the call, and before I could speak, Jiang Meili's gentle voice came through: "Darling, are you up yet?"

"What's wrong? Why call so early?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I missed you, I haven't closed my eyes all night! I really want to be with you!"

What could I say? She loved me as if I were a man. According to Zhengtai, we were already lesbians. So, I easily accepted the term "darling."

"I'm out of time, I haven't even washed my face yet. See you later, okay?"

"Okay, did you finish your essay?"

"I did, though I don't know if I went off-topic. Whatever, as long as I can turn something in."

After a moment, her voice returned: "I haven't written mine yet. Can you send me yours?"

"How do I send it?" My mind was still foggy, and I couldn't figure it out.

Jiang Meili had already planned it: "Just take a picture with your phone and send it over, easy, right?"

I knew how to do that. I followed her instructions, sent the photo, and soon got a response: "That's great! Even though the text is reversed, I can still read it. I'll just copy it!"

I didn't think much of it. I hadn't written it well anyway, so let her copy it. I had to wash my face; I couldn't be late!

The call ended. I washed up haphazardly, brushed my teeth, grabbed my backpack, and rushed downstairs to the bus stop. I waited and waited, but the bus was nowhere to be seen.

Pi Tiantian appeared before me, calling out in a crisp, feminine voice: "Hi, Zhengtai, what a coincidence!"

I couldn't help but look. The bump on her head was gone, her face was made up, she wore a short skirt that reached her thighs, black silk stockings, and crystal high-heeled sandals. She had an hourglass figure, practically a devil's physique, and even her voice was that of a woman. Her straight hair, in particular, was drawing the eyes of many men.

I knew a little about her situation—after all, I was the one who had hit her. Being taken advantage of or taking advantage of others is just how it goes, and I didn't hate her much now. Perhaps it had something to do with the temple performing rituals for me.

I asked her what she was doing. She replied she was going to the university to get a feel for things; she would be a college student soon and was very excited. She said once she was settled, she would take me out to play.

I had been scared once; why would I ever be with her again? The memory of that incident was still deep in my mind.

The bus arrived. I took out ten yuan but couldn't use the paper bill. Pi Tiantian took out two one-yuan coins and handed them to me. I had no choice but to take them and squeeze onto the bus.

Pi Tiantian waved vigorously with a smile, but I didn't even glance at her. The bus pulled away, and she soon vanished from my sight. I got off at a stop a short distance from the No. 5 High School.

I remembered Jiang Meili taking me down this road. I had even fought a top student back then. Soon, I passed the security guard and entered the school grounds.

Students in various colored uniforms were still gathered around the bulletin board in front of the ten-story building.

"Hey, Zhengtai! Are you participating in the city-wide women's martial arts performance competition? I heard there's a prize." A boy walked over to greet me.

I looked closely. He had a standard boy's haircut, an oval face with a soft, boyish charm. He was 1.72 meters tall, wearing a blue school uniform with pockets and sneakers, and he smiled at me.

I didn't have this person in my memory, yet I felt a vague sense of familiarity. As I was confused, information flooded my brain: he was the male student I liked in the photo, named Gao Xiongkui. He was a senior, graduating soon.

I found it strange. The person who called me didn't even know her own lover's name, yet she knew a senior boy at school. Could this be the "Peacock Boy"? But looking at his attire, it didn't seem like it. What kind of boy was he, then?

Another message came through: "He is a straight man, an absolute virgin."

"An absolute virgin?" I asked back, a thought immediately forming: "Does she have anything to do with him?"

The information in my brain vanished. I knew Zhengtai inside me didn't want to say. I had to ask: "It's my first time meeting him; I don't know what to say."

"Just say whatever comes to mind."