When Yuxin opened her eyes again, darkness still clung to the world beyond the dorm window.

She’d been woken by noise.

Groggy, she caught Peng Xiaoxiao’s sharp cry: “Why’d you bring him in here?! Do you think this is your house?!”

“What’s it to you? None of your business!” came another girl’s voice—Cheng Xiaonan, if Yuxin remembered right.

Rubbing her eyes, Yuxin checked her phone, pulled back her curtain, and peeked out.

11:30 PM. Dorm curfew time. Su Ya had already returned, hunched at her desk clutching a thick book, lips pressed tight, eyes wide with nervousness.

In the center of the room stood a man beside Peng Xiaoxiao and Cheng Xiaonan.

Neatly dressed, quietly handsome, he lingered behind Cheng Xiaonan, watching the clash without a word.

Yuxin frowned slightly.

This was a girls’ dorm.

Peng Xiaoxiao’s face flushed crimson. “None of my business?! Bed One’s the default dorm leader, okay?! And this is a damn girls’ dorm! What’re you thinking, bringing a guy in?!”

Stung and speechless, Cheng Xiaonan shot her a defiant glare, yanked the man to her bed. “Crazy…”

“You’re the sick one!” Peng Xiaoxiao snapped. Seeing no reply, she flung the door open and stormed out. “I’m getting the dorm aunt!”

Cheng Xiaonan ignored her, climbed onto her bed, and beckoned. “Get up here.”

The man hesitated, glancing at Su Ya—curled in her chair like a startled rabbit—then at Yuxin peeking from her curtain.

Their eyes met for a heartbeat. He lifted a hand. “Hi…”

“What’re you waiting for? Come on!” Cheng Xiaonan called down, irritation flashing.

He nodded, looked away, climbed up. The pink curtain swished shut.

Yuxin stared at it a moment, then ducked back with a puzzled frown.

*Bringing a guy straight into the dorm? Can’t even afford a hotel room? Doesn’t she worry he might sneak into someone else’s bed later?*

Peng Xiaoxiao returned quickly—wasted trip. The dorm aunt was gone.

She shot Cheng Xiaonan’s bed a dark look, muttered under her breath, packed her things, and climbed the shared ladder. After a glance at her own bed, she crawled straight into Yuxin’s.

Before Yuxin could react, Xiaoxiao flopped onto her. Startled, Yuxin relaxed only when she recognized her. “What’re you doing?”

Soft warmth pressed against her. The faint scent of shower gel filled the air. Yuxin’s pulse quickened—this was the closest she’d ever been to another girl.

Xiaoxiao let out a soft laugh, rolled beside her, and whispered, “Yuxin… sleep together tonight?”

“W-why?”

“I’m scared,” Xiaoxiao murmured, a flicker of disgust crossing her face. “That bitch Cheng Xiaonan… what if that guy tries something later?”

Yuxin shifted toward the edge. “I don’t mind.” *A little cramped, though.*

“Thanks,” Xiaoxiao smiled.

After a pause, Yuxin sat up, scooted to the foot of the bed, and tied the curtain zipper shut with a thin string looped to the rail. She settled back beside Xiaoxiao. “Don’t worry. If anyone tries getting in, I’ll know.”

Xiaoxiao’s lips curved—then her head bumped something hard. Blinking, she pulled a black canister from under the pillow.

“Pepper spray?” she asked, surprised.

“Mm,” Yuxin nodded. “A friend got it for me. If he tries anything… we spray him.”

Xiaoxiao stared at her for two seconds, laughed softly, tossed the can aside, and snuggled into Yuxin’s arms.

Holding that warm, soft presence, Yuxin felt like she’d reached life’s peak.

Too bad…

“Yuxin.”

“Mm?”

“Your chest is so comfy to bury my face in.”

“…Oh.”

Yuxin didn’t know when she finally fell asleep. Only that she stayed awake long after Xiaoxiao drifted off—buzzing with confused excitement. Several times, she almost reached out… but stopped, afraid to wake her.

*I’m such a wimp. We’re both girls. What’s to fear? Back when I was a guy, I’ve seen buddies naked plenty.*

Morning came fast.

Sunlight streamed in. 11 AM. Xiaoxiao was gone. Yuxin was alone.

Yawning, she rolled over, ready to sleep more—weekends were for that.

But a cool dampness between her legs made her freeze.

She bolted upright, yanked the blanket aside. Dark red stained the sheet, the blanket, her inner thighs.

*Violated.*

Then—wait. No strange scent. No pain.

Confused, she peeked out. Only Xiaoxiao remained, legs propped on the desk, controller in hand, face relaxed.

“Xiaoxiao… anything happen last night?”

Xiaoxiao tilted her head, grinning. “Nah. Slept great~!”

Yuxin nodded slowly, withdrew with a complicated look.

She finally got it.

Damn. It was just her period.