“Big Aunt?” Luo Kun looked confused. “What does this have to do with an aunt?”
Zhu Yanyi knew that “Big Aunt” was a modern slang term for menstruation. People back then didn’t use it, but she didn’t mind explaining—or rather, making things up a bit. “Actually, it’s a term from my place. An aunt is an elder, and a ‘Big Aunt’ is very important. Saying our ‘Big Aunt’ has arrived means we are becoming adults. That’s why we use it. It’s less embarrassing than saying ‘monthly period’ or ‘menstruation.’ We still feel shy about those words.”
Zhu Yanyi spoke openly, without the shyness typical of girls discussing this topic.
“I don’t see you being shy at all,” Luo Kun muttered.
Zhu Yanyi smiled helplessly. “I haven’t had my ‘Big Aunt’ yet. But a senior TCM doctor checked my pulse and calculated that it should arrive by the end of this year, or maybe mid-next year. So I can’t relax for much longer.”
Most girls started their periods around thirteen or fourteen. However, because Zhu Yanyi’s body functions were adjusted, her body remained in an optimal growth state, which delayed her first period.
Initially, Xie Xinlian had worried about Zhu Yanyi’s health. Fortunately, Zhu Yanyi was a doctor herself, and after Old Man Yao checked her pulse, she provided a diagnosis. Knowing the approximate date for Zhu Yanyi’s period, Xie Xinlian felt relieved. Considering that Zhu Yanyi would soon live alone, Xie Xinlian had taught her in advance what to do when her period arrived. Zhu Yanyi already knew these things, but she listened patiently because it was a mother’s care.
“You say I’m not shy because I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was little. For a doctor, a period is just a normal stage of a girl’s development. It’s a medical term, not something to be shy about. But in daily life, I suggest using ‘Big Aunt’ instead,” Zhu Yanyi said with a smile.
Luo Kun gave Zhu Yanyi a thumbs-up while running. “Zhu Yanyi, you’re amazing.” Then she added, “‘Big Aunt’ is a great substitute word. Let’s use it in our dorm. We’ll tell the others. It can be our dorm’s secret code.”
“That works,” Zhu Yanyi smiled.
After running two laps, Zhu Yanyi practiced a set of Tai Chi, and Luo Kun practiced a set of military boxing. Then they went to the cafeteria to buy breakfast and brought it back to the dorm.
When they returned, it was already six o’clock.
Luo Kun entered and said, “Everyone, get up quickly. We need to assemble at 6:40. Wash your faces and eat breakfast. Yanyi and I have already bought it.”
Ma Yaya yawned, pulled up the mosquito net, and looked at the breakfast on the table. “You two got up so early.”
Zhu Yanyi handed her clothes to Luo Kun. “I’ll go take a shower first.” She went to the side to shower, glad that the dorm had a private bathroom. Otherwise, she would have had to wipe herself down or use the shared shower at the end of the corridor. Zhu Yanyi wasn’t used to being naked in front of many people, even if they were the same gender.
“Okay, you go first. I’ll go after you,” Luo Kun said, not arguing.