Fortune Across the World

Chapter 116: Setting Off West, Warming Your Heart in the Carriage (Part 2)

Hearing Ding Qiyu's question, Yinsuo also looked towards Fu Ruqing, noticing the fatigue and endurance etched in her features. Concerned, she gently called out, "Miss..." Fu Ruqing had lost her mother early in life, learning about womanhood from her nursemaid, with whom she maintained a distant relationship due to her naturally reserved nature. Yinsuo remembered when Fu Ruqing first experienced her menstrual cycle; she had been alone, frightened, handling it poorly without asking for help. Yinsuo had only discovered the situation after noticing bloodstains and daring to inquire. Unfortunately, Yinsuo was young and couldn't provide comprehensive care, leaving Fu Ruqing with lingering health issues that made her periods particularly painful. Despite medical attention, the pain persisted. If her schedule allowed, she would rest at Fumeng Residence; otherwise, she'd soldier on, hiding her discomfort. Only Yinsuo knew the full extent of her suffering.

Fu Ruqing shook her head slightly, taking a moment to speak, "It's nothing." Her voice was weak. How could she explain this situation? Although Ding Qiyu was also a woman, the special place she held made it different; Fu Ruqing couldn't bring herself to discuss such private matters.

Seeing her in such pain and still claiming "it's nothing," Ding Qiyu felt a pang of sorrow, frowning in empathy.

Yinsuo had prepared angelica and red date tea, but it was still too hot to drink. Glancing at Ding Qiyu, she felt uneasy with a "man" present, but seeing Fu Ruqing's pain, she handed her a pre-warmed hand warmer, hoping Mr. Ding wouldn't ask any embarrassing questions.

Fu Ruqing accepted the hand warmer, holding it against her abdomen, hoping its warmth might ease her cramps. The waves of exhaustion and dizziness, coupled with the abdominal pain, made sitting still difficult, despite the carriage's smooth ride. Beads of cold sweat formed on her brow. Fu Ruqing, accustomed to concealing her vulnerabilities, maintained her posture, sitting upright and composed.

This confirmed Ding Qiyu's suspicion: the little girl was suffering from menstrual cramps. Although Ding Qiyu herself hadn't experienced such pain, having never suffered cramps in her "previous life" nor in this world, she had seen other girls incapacitated by them and understood the agony.

Feeling a sense of guilt, Ding Qiyu realized this was the first time she noticed the little girl's pain after two months together. In Fumeng Residence, she'd noticed Fu Ruqing's pallor but had assumed it was due to fatigue. Watching her struggle to maintain composure despite the pain, Ding Qiyu sighed inwardly. When would the little girl fully relax, shedding her facade and embracing her true self? Even if she were to act spoiled or willful, as long as it eased her burden...

Determined, Ding Qiyu set her bag aside and boldly sat beside Fu Ruqing. Before Fu Ruqing could react, she wrapped an arm around her, gently pulling her into an embrace, offering her shoulder as support. "Does leaning like this feel better?" she asked softly.

Caught off guard, Fu Ruqing's heart skipped a beat, unsure whether it was shock or a deeper feeling. Accustomed to keeping others at a distance, she instinctively struggled to leave the embrace.

Sensing her resistance, Ding Qiyu tightened her grip slightly, calming her with gentle words, "Don't move, little girl. Are you feeling weak? Just think of me as a cushion, a soft place to rest, alright?" She sincerely added, "With me here, you don't have to endure it alone."

For years, Fu Ruqing had been strong and aloof, never expecting a shoulder to lean on or arms to hold her warmly. Yet, here was an unexpected comfort. Overwhelmed by a mixture of grievance and gratitude, she closed her eyes, tears threatening to fall. She stopped resisting, instead resting her head closer to Ding Qiyu's neck, enveloped by her comforting scent, letting go of all defenses.