A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 54

“Get a pack of gauze.”

Tang Ruoyan stood at the counter, looking down as she paid. The pharmacy clerk placed the pack of gauze on the glass counter: “Ten yuan.”

“Alright.”

The pharmacy was located in a small alley. After paying, Tang Ruoyan and Shu Yubai walked outside into the biting, dry cold wind.

In the winter alley, the cold wind whipped through, and Shu Yubai huddled into her coat, her long hair getting disheveled, standing there shivering slightly.

Tang Ruoyan took her sleeve: “Hurry up, it won’t be cold once we’re inside.”

Shu Yubai followed her, and they crossed the street, re-entering the Traditional Chinese medicine clinic.

Before entering, Tang Ruoyan paused.

She looked back at the winter street, where people hurried along, and saw nothing out of the ordinary.

“I keep feeling like someone is following me.”

Shu Yubai tilted her head: “Really?”

Tang Ruoyan thought it over and dismissed it. There was nothing for anyone to follow, shaking her head: “It must be an illusion.”

Inside, it was warm. Tang Ruoyan’s glasses fogged up, and she took them off to clean them before putting them back on. In the lobby, a few people sat on benches waiting for their turn. Shu Yubai entered the treatment room and, not wanting to waste time, said: “Let’s just do a basic treatment today.”

“Alright.”

Tang Ruoyan nodded: “I’m afraid if I use too many needles, it might be too much for you.”

A young girl at the door pushed a small cart with bottles and jars, placing the gauze and silver needles together.

Shu Yubai glanced at the needles, long and sharp, and her face turned pale.

“Come on, roll up your sleeve.”

Tang Ruoyan looked at her.

Shu Yubai complied, removing her coat to reveal a thin sweater underneath. She wore little, and the sweater’s sleeves were elastic, rolling up easily.

Her arm was pale and slender. Tang Ruoyan held her wrist, examining it carefully, and said: “The sleeve needs to be rolled up further, to the upper arm.”

Shu Yubai nodded, trying to roll it up more.

The sleeve was a bit tight, and Shu Yubai struggled, asking Tang Ruoyan: “Is this okay?”

“Not quite.”

The acupuncture points were closer to the shoulder.

The young girl earnestly suggested: “Why not just take off your clothes? It’s not cold in here.”

After all, what’s there to be shy about when seeing a doctor?

She smiled and continued: “I’ll guard the door so no one comes in. It’ll be easier for Dr. Tang to find the points if you’re not wearing so many layers.”

Take off her clothes?

Shu Yubai looked down, her cheeks slightly flushed and feeling embarrassed. Although such things are normal when seeing a doctor, still...

“It’s alright.”

Tang Ruoyan smiled lightly: “If it’s inconvenient, we can do it another time.”

Shu Yubai sat on the hospital bed, hesitating for a moment, then took off her sweater, leaving only a base shirt. She fumbled with the first button of the shirt, gently unfastening it.