Chapter 3 - An unexpected event

**In the Bathroom**

Judith and Wang Ping escorted Yan Ting to the restroom for a wash-up.

"Kenniji, please stay in the room for now," Judith instructed.

**In the Restroom**

"Wang Ping, is Ting feeling any better?" Wang Ping asked with concern.

"Mum! What's happening to me?! Why am I bleeding?!" Yan Ting cried out.

"I don't know, dear. But don't worry; Doctor Judith is here to help. Just try to stay calm," Wang Ping reassured her.

Judith approached Yan Ting…

"Don't be afraid, sweetie. Take my hands; I need to examine you. I'm a gynecologist," Judith said soothingly, smiling.

Yan Ting clutched his head tightly…

"I don't want this! I don't want anyone here!" he screamed.

Kenniji, hearing the commotion from outside, called out…

"Ting! What's going on?!" he asked anxiously, knocking on the door.

"Everything is fine," Judith replied.

Judith knelt down and gently pulled down Yan Ting's pants…

"Please, no! Don't pull down my pants!" Yan Ting trembled, screaming in fear.

Wang Ping stood in the corner, tears streaming down her face.

"Ting, I need to do this to check your condition. If your bleeding isn't from your period, we may need to rush you to the hospital," Judith stated firmly.

Crying, Yan Ting reluctantly allowed Judith to proceed. Judith examined him and nodded.

"Yes, I see. Ting, you are intersex," Judith informed him gently.

"Intersex?! What does that mean?" Wang Ping asked, shocked.

"It's quite rare, but unfortunately, it means he has a male body along with a female reproductive system. He can menstruate and potentially bear children," Judith explained sympathetically.

"This is absurd!" Wang Ping exclaimed in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Wang. There isn't much we can do," Judith responded.

"What does this mean? My son will be seen as an outcast! A man who menstruates and can give birth?! How will he face the world?!" Wang Ping cried, overwhelmed with anger and sorrow.

"There is a solution. We can dress him as a girl since his appearance aligns more with that of a girl. He is petite and has a fair complexion," Judith suggested.

"That's true," Wang Ping conceded.

Yan Ting sat there, sobbing quietly.

"Ting, can you wash yourself, or do you need your mother and me to assist you? I'll guide you on using pads, and I'm sorry, but you will have to wear women's underwear moving forward," Judith inquired.

"I… I need my mum with me now," Yan Ting replied softly.

"Alright, Aunty, please help him wash up while I prepare the necessary supplies," Judith said.

Judith left the restroom.

Kenniji rushed to Judith.

"How is Ting?!" he asked anxiously.

"Are you very close to him? Can you accept him despite this?" Judith questioned.

"He is my best friend. But what do you mean?" Kenniji replied, confused.

"Ting is intersex, meaning he has both male and female characteristics. This is extremely rare. In the States, such people often face discrimination and are wrongly labeled. I'm unsure if it's the same in Asia. They typically have male bodies but female reproductive systems and tend to aesthetically resemble women more," Judith explained.

Upon hearing this, Kenniji fell to the floor in shock.

"Think carefully. If you can't accept Ting for who he is, please leave. His vulnerability means he might struggle with this," Judith cautioned.

She then exited to gather supplies.

"Yan… Yan Ting is both a man and a woman? That's unbelievable!" Kenniji muttered to himself.

Yan Ting emerged from the restroom…

"Kenniji, what's wrong? Why are you holding your head?" he asked anxiously.

"Ting, what exactly is going on? Tell me the truth!" Kenniji demanded.

"I…I'm half woman. Kenniji, can you accept me as I am? I feel like an alien," Yan Ting confessed softly.

"Half… half woman! That's insane!" Kenniji replied, shocked, shoving Yan Ting away and fleeing.

Kenniji left, leaving Yan Ting alone in the room. Meanwhile, Wang Ping was busy cleaning the restroom. Suddenly, she heard glass shattering coming from the room and rushed in.

"Ting! What happened? Why are you throwing things?! Your foot is bleeding! We need to get you to the hospital!" Wang Ping exclaimed.

"Mum! I don't want to be a lady! Do something! Please! Kenniji doesn't want me anymore! He called me a weirdo!" Yan Ting shouted in despair.

Just then, Judith returned with feminine supplies…

"Aunty, what's wrong with Ting? Why is his foot bleeding?!" Judith asked, concerned.

"Kenniji found out about Ting and couldn't accept it. He ran away. My poor son," Wang Ping sobbed.

That night, Yan Ting refused to eat and fell into a feverish state, mumbling in his sleep. His condition worsened, and he was taken to the hospital.

Wang Ping visited the Takeshita residence.

Kanishita answered the door…

"Sir, is Kenniji here? My son is desperate to see him. Please ask him to come to Boguji Hospital. Yan Ting has been in a fever for two days and is in a coma," Wang Ping pleaded, tears in her eyes.

"Don't worry, Ping. I'll talk to Kenniji. He's been hiding in his room for the last two days," Kanishita assured her.

When Wang Ping returned home, she found Xia Ming searching the rooms for money…

"Where is our son, Ting?! What are these women's underwear doing in his room?! Is he trying to become a geisha?!" Xia Ming shouted.

"Xia Ming! Your son is intersex! He's suffering from a severe fever and has been in a coma for two days! And yet, all you care about is gambling and taking money from him?! Don't you see? You pushed him to become a geisha and sing opera just to profit off him! He is your only son! Why would you do this to him?!" Wang Ping cried, her voice filled with anguish.

She slapped Xia Ming hard across the face. In a fit of rage, Xia Ming pushed Wang Ping to the floor…

"You wretched woman! How dare you slap me! I won't return to this crazy house again!" Xia Ming yelled angrily.

**-End of Chapter-**