Chapter 11: Boundaries

Jiang Ya was twenty-six but had been to the hospital only a handful of times.
In memory—four visits total.
First: after fourth-grade cram school, walking home alone, chased by a stray. Fell, scraped her whole slender calf. Blood still seeping when she got home—pain unbearable—Zhou Lin took her to hospital.
Second: not her—accompanying Jiang Sheng.
First year of middle school, rebellious streak. Lied about the library—actually at a best friend’s birthday. Came home late—learned from Zhou Lin that Jiang Sheng had searched inside and outside the library two hours, even nearly called police—excitement spiked his blood pressure, fainted, sent to hospital…
After that long stretch Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin forbade her going out alone. Contacted the school—clear they did not want her seeing that friend again.
Third: senior year, last two months before gaokao.
Not to fail Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin’s hopes—or her own decade of effort—she did not rest even with fever. One cup of cold medicine in the morning, rushed to school. Evening study—headache unbearable—slept one period at her desk. Qi Yu and the teacher woke her, called parents, hospital.
Fourth… this time—the biggest fuss… ambulance called.
On the stretcher—pain low in her belly still fierce—but half conscious she held on, told the medics her situation.
Period was common talk—but when they asked further and she saw Qi Yu’s gaze, she flushed, voice unconsciously lower.
Ambulance to hospital for period pain—probably something she would never speak of in this life…
Fortunately before leaving she had the painkillers Qi Xuan stuffed in her pocket.
At the hospital building Qi Yu borrowed a wheelchair, pushed her to the kiosk for bread, used free hot water from the hospital, took the medicine first.
Past noon but the payment windows on the first floor of this tier-three hospital still had queues.
Qi Yu paid for nearly half an hour. When she returned, Jiang Ya in the wheelchair—medicine working—color better than before.
“Feeling better?” Qi Yu walked over, handed her the receipts, pushed the chair. “I registered you. Up to gynecology—we’ll see. Should be nothing serious.”
“Better now… thank you…” Jiang Ya looked at the amount on the receipt, reached for her pocket—remembered—no phone.
She turned to Qi Yu, apologetic. “I forgot my phone. I can transfer you when I get back.”
Wheelchair stopped before the elevator. A few others waiting. Qi Yu looked down at her. “Money’s not urgent. Exam first.”
Silence a moment. Then: “We’ve known each other so long—you wouldn’t scam me now, right?”
A random joke. Jiang Ya stalled half a second, looked back.
Qi Yu had only meant to lighten the mood. But Jiang Ya’s innocent weak look at her—something made the smile that had fallen rise again.
Jiang Ya more puzzled. “What are you laughing at?”
She asked so seriously Qi Yu wanted to laugh more.
Maybe she did not know exactly why.
Goal achieved anyway.
That small joke broke the heavy air—they could finally chat a little like normal friends.
.
Gynecology on ten. The doctor had just finished surgery—they waited another ten minutes with other patients.
Coincidence—the patient before them also period pain, also wheelchair, state much like Jiang Ya’s.
When Jiang Ya’s turn the doctor asked at the screen: “What is it—you have period pain too?”
Jiang Ya nodded, soft yes.
“Still dizzy… at home I felt like I’d faint, no strength anywhere.”
“Mm.” Doctor typed, looked up. “Did you eat breakfast?”
Jiang Ya: “…Didn’t get to yet.”
Doctor: “Could be low blood sugar plus period—qi and blood insufficient—you’d get dizzy. Eat breakfast on time…”
“Where does it hurt—pull up clothes let me see.”
“Huh?” Sudden request—Jiang Ya dumb. Middle-aged female doctor saw no movement, reminded again.
“Sister, pull shirt up. I need to confirm the pain spot.”
“Okay…”
Emergency on the stretcher—only a tight ivory turtleneck. Should be a quick pull—but her hands were slow.
She tilted her head, stole a glance aside—the person behind seemed to be on her phone.
Only then she lifted the sweater—a strip of tight fair belly.
Born pale—belly never in sun whiter still. She showed too little—doctor had to pull more, cold hand on lower abdomen. Jiang Ya bit her lip looking down.
“Here, right?”
“Mm.”
“Mm…” Doctor withdrew hand. “Had period pain before? Often?”
Jiang Ya: “Not often, before…”
Still thinking—Qi Yu answered for her: “She has. Once in high school.”
“Not as bad as today. Said no strength, health office hot water, rest—then okay.”
Without thinking—blurted. Finished—saw the person in the wheelchair looking at her.
Qi Yu stalled, eyes slid away to the doctor.
“Been staying up late lately? Stress? Cold drinks—all can worsen period pain.”
“I… can’t sleep lately. Sometimes insomnia. Lots of coffee—is that part of it?”
Hearing that Qi Yu glanced—only a moment, looked away fast.
“Definitely. Period pain has many causes. Fix your schedule—especially if you often can’t sleep, pay attention.”
Doctor handed the chart to Qi Yu. “Take her to second floor for ultrasound. Bring results back. If fine, you can go.”
“Okay. Thank you, doctor.”
Both thanked. Qi Yu pushed Jiang Ya to the corridor.
Silent until the elevator—many waiting this time. Crowd middle—Jiang Ya felt awkward in the chair, insisted on standing.
Tearing pain easing—could stand. No wheelchair between her and Qi Yu. Elevator packed—they were squeezed to the corner.
A broad-backed man in front. Jiang Ya pressed back to avoid touch—back flat against Qi Yu’s body—spine tingled—she went rigid, dared not move.
She had been taller than Qi Yu—now only cotton slippers, same height standing.
Too close—Qi Yu’s breath clear at her ear.
Jiang Ya lowered head, turned face aside, lashes shadowing eyes—hiding a stolen backward glance.
Ten down—people in and out—time stretched—Jiang Ya’s eyes never lifted.
Bodies forced flush together.
Fifth floor—several got off.
Space opened—Qi Yu moved at once, one step to the side, standing shoulder to shoulder.
She watched the numbers fall, silent relief inside.
She did not mind contact with friends. Jiang Ya was different.
Words were clear—she would be friends again. Still Qi Xuan’s homeroom teacher—contact would not end.
But how could they truly be as before?
At best friends in name only—that was what she told herself.
If only in name—boundaries to keep, distance to hold—or both would feel awkward.
Phone vibrated—messages.
Qi Yu looked—Qi Xuan asking Jiang Ya’s condition, whether she was coming home for dinner… taxi money no need to transfer, come back early.
Rare—for once the troublemaker cared about her cousin.
Qi Yu curved her lips, replied.
Focused—did not notice the gaze beside her.
Light faint—on her slightly lifted lip corner—two seconds. When Qi Yu put phone away to look up, eyes already elsewhere.
.
Hours of fuss—false alarm. Results normal period pain. Doctor said diet therapy enough, no worry.
Leaving the hospital building—past two in the afternoon.
Rain stopped—sky still gray. Wind now and then, wet cold, slipping into gaps in clothes.
Low feel temperature. People in thick coats at the doors—only Jiang Ya in the cold without coat, black sleep pants, slippers, ankles bare, heels pink from cold.
Home clothes at the main entrance—out of place.
She ignored stares. Only warm piece was the sweater. Outside in wind she could not stop shivering despite trying.
Qi Yu beside her—hard not to notice the sniffing from cold.
Could not watch. “Want to wait inside? Too cold outside… car not here yet?”
Qi Yu checked phone. “Two minutes. One traffic light left.”
Jiang Ya had no phone. Qi Yu booked the ride for her. She did not get why—driver not here—must wait outside? Rather freeze than go back in? And period pain—must not catch cold.
“Fine, two minutes. If I go in, coming out again takes time.”
“…You in a hurry to get back?”
“Yes.”
One word blocked Qi Yu. Looked at her several times—words rose and went back.
Another gust—even Qi Yu in cotton coat tucked chin into collar.
Turned to Jiang Ya—saving one-two minutes, standing here freezing.
No thick clothes—only fitted sweater—frame thinner. Qi Yu could see the tiny constant tremor.
Qi Yu’s eyes dropped—to her own coat.
Hoodie and fleece underneath—fine at home… only…
Eyes slid to Jiang Ya.
Hesitating.