Li Qingshen’s throat bobbed up and down before he said, "The higher we go, the colder it gets, the thinner the oxygen becomes. Your body might not be able to handle it..."
Momo detected full-blown concern in his voice, which was usually detached and indifferent.
Momo was momentarily stunned; so this was why he wanted to descend the mountain. She shook her head and replied, "Teacher, it’s alright, it’s not that serious."
"But..." Li Qingshen cleared his throat, his gaze drifting slightly as he spoke the next few words in a stiff tone, "You look like you’re in pain... in discomfort..."
"I’m used to it!" Momo smiled with a bend in her eye, "It always hurts every time it comes, but after getting through the first night, it won’t be as painful anymore! So, it’s not a problem!"
"Is that so?" Qingshen looked at Momo with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Momo nodded and said, "It’s like that!"
As though afraid that Qingshen wouldn’t believe her, Momo nodded vehemently, "It really is like that!"
Li Qingshen watched Momo and didn’t say anything more, but after a while, he still sought affirmation with a touch of unease, "Are you sure you can endure it? If it’s too much, you shouldn’t force yourself..."
Suddenly, Momo thought about how Li Qingshen had not given up even when suffering from altitude sickness on the brink of death, and now they had already climbed halfway up the mountain. Giving up halfway would seem like a loss! And as for her, it wasn’t a big deal, just a menstrual cycle that every woman experiences. How could she give up?
Momo nodded resolutely at Li Qingshen and said, "Teacher, I’m really fine, I can do this!"
As she spoke those words, there was a shining glimmer in her eyes, a stubborn curve on her small lips, as if she were telling Li Qingshen that she would never admit defeat.
"Teacher, this is something completely normal for every girl; it’s really not that big of a deal. So, rest assured, I’ll get used to it gradually, and I’ve already endured the most uncomfortable first night. What’s there to fear about the remaining days?"
Li Qingshen watched Momo and ultimately said nothing more. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel[f]ire.net
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In the following days, Li Qingshen seemed to be deliberately taking care of Momo, slowing down the pace of the climb significantly and pitching the tent for rest very early in the evening.
Whether it was due to exhaustion or a stroke of luck for Momo, her period, which usually lasted six or seven days, ended in only four this time.
Momo knew that the irregularity of her menstrual cycle might be caused by the recent fatigue and that she would need to get medication after descending the mountain. Yet, under these extraordinary circumstances, especially without sanitary pads, only having toilet paper increased the inconvenience; it was, nevertheless, a blessing in disguise.
Once her period was over, Momo felt much more relaxed. Due to the need to travel light while climbing and the inability to bathe or even change clothes, Momo had brought only one pair of underwear. It had become quite dirty during her period.
With only a little toilet paper left, which needed to be used sparingly, Momo felt distressed about the grimy underwear.