Volume 1 Chapter 190: Physical Fitness Test

On Monday, her period arrived right on schedule.

Fortunately, she had started drinking warm water a few days in advance and temporarily gave up soda. Compared to last month, the pain was noticeably milder.

However, the slight cramps, hormonal changes, and the discomfort of wearing a sanitary pad—all these factors put her in a low mood throughout the day.

"PE class is next..."

Ning Chu walked out of the public restroom with a deadpan expression and sluggishly trailed behind Wen Yang.

"Want me to help you ask for leave?"

"It's fine... there's a fitness test today."

Until now, PE classes had mostly been free activity sessions, but starting this week, they were beginning the university's physical fitness tests.

The tests were pretty standard—height, weight, running, long jump, and the like.

She had just changed her sanitary pad, but because of the type of underwear she was wearing, it didn't fit snugly against her body. The rough edges of the pad wings rubbed against her skin uncomfortably.

The emotional downturn brought by her period eased slightly in Wen Yang's company. As she walked beside him, she subconsciously drifted closer, their shoulders brushing lightly before she realized and pulled away.

"What are they testing today?"

"Height, weight, and the 50-meter sprint, I think."

"I probably won't pass anyway," Ning Chu muttered.

She had no idea what the school's policy was on failing the fitness test.

Even in her best condition, she couldn't meet the average standards—let alone now, dealing with her period.

After all, she was being measured against the male standard.

Five minutes before class, most of the students had already gathered on the track field, chatting and goofing around.

"Ning Chu!"

The moment she heard that cheerful voice, Ning Chu's face darkened.

Turning around, Yan Xinya was already by her side, sniffing the air around her with a twitching nose. "Your period seems pretty heavy, huh~"

"..."

As expected, she was found out immediately.

Her face flushed, and she turned her head away.

"Remember to change it frequently~"

Ning Chu glanced around nervously, then pulled Yan Xinya to the side, lowering her voice in embarrassment. "Do you have any recommendations for more comfortable pads? This one's rubbing and making me itchy..."

"That's because you're wearing boxer briefs. It's uncomfortable and leaks easily, right?"

"I don't have much choice..."

Technically, asking another girl about such a normal biological issue shouldn't be embarrassing. But for Ning Chu, she wasn't originally "factory-installed" as a girl, so it still felt awkward.

Yan Xinya thought for a moment before recommending, "How about tampons? They'd be perfect for your situation!"

"What are those?"

"You basically use a cotton plug to block it from the inside..."

Ning Chu's face turned even redder, and she quickly cut her off. "Let's not talk about this anymore."

"Hey~ I use tampons, and they're super comfy! No discomfort at all, and you can run and jump without worrying about leaks."

"No way, no way!"

Her refusal became even more firm.

Although she had become somewhat familiar with her new "equipment," it was limited to cleaning while showering or using the restroom. Inserting something inside was still too much for her to handle.

Besides, it just felt... weird.

"Then how about a menstrual cup... hmm, no, that probably wouldn't suit you either," Yan Xinya said, shaking her head, her wolf ears twitching slightly. "Guess you'll just have to endure it. It's only a few days each month, anyway."

"Line up!"

Just then, the class bell rang, and the PE teacher arrived.

The two hurried back to their class lineup, forming a messy four-row formation.

Beside the teacher stood a height and weight measuring machine, while Wen Yang held a record sheet nearby.

"Step up when your name is called for height and weight measurements. Anyone absent will be marked as skipping class."

Standing among the crowd, Ning Chu craned her neck to look at Wen Yang, then turned to Zhang Shaoqing beside her. "Hey, how tall are you?"

"1.8 meters!"

"Wang Jie, what about you?"

"1.75 meters."

Ning Chu pursed her lips in dissatisfaction, then turned to Lily. "Lily, how tall are you?"

"1.6 meters."

Really?

Ning Chu sized Lily up and felt like she might actually be a bit taller than herself.

She glanced around at the girls in class—most were about her height, with a few taller "big sister" types who seemed to be over 1.7 meters, and some petite ones who wereprobably around 1.5 meters.

As the measuring started, the queue quickly dissolved into chaos. Most students gathered around the machine to watch the fun, while others stood on the sidelines playing with their phones.

"Zhang Shaoqing."

"Coming, coming!"

Zhang Shaoqing grinned as he walked up, whispering to Wen Yang as he passed, "Write me down as 1.8 meters."

"...Take off your shoes."

Reluctantly removing his shoes, he stepped onto the machine. After a brief moment, the teacher read out, "1.78 meters..."

"What the heck! I'm totally 1.8 meters!"

"Wang Jie, 1.71 meters..."

Wow, all liars.

Hearing their actual heights, Ning Chu nearly burst out laughing.

Most guys were so concerned about their height, always rounding up... but she was only 1.6 meters.

Her smile faded. Among the guys in class, she was undoubtedly the shortest.

Thankfully, she was a girl now—1.6 meters was about average for girls, so it wasn't embarrassing!

"Ning Chu, 1.59 meters, 94 pounds."

Standing on the machine, Ning Chu tiptoed slightly, looking expectantly at the teacher. "Check again? I should be 1.6 meters!"

"1.59 meters, get down!"

"Impossible!"

As Zhang Shaoqing led the group in laughter, Ning Chu flushed red with frustration and stomped off the machine.

"It's okay, I wrote down 1.6 meters for you," Wen Yang whispered. "Have you lost weight?"

"Not really?"

"You're too skinny," he said firmly.

Having spent so much time together, Ning Chu quickly noticed his fleeting glance at her chest. Rolling her eyes, she walked alone to the grassy area of the track and field, plopping down and resting her chin on her hands as she watched the bustling crowd.

She still had to run the 50-meter dash later...

At this rate, she seriously doubted her period wouldn't leak by the end of the run.

"Ning Chu~"

Yan Xinya and Lily approached. "Want to go to the restroom together?"

She never really understood it, but going to the restroom together was always a bonding activity between close friends, regardless of gender.

"Sure, why not."

At least the stalls in the girls' restroom provided privacy, unlike guys who always compared lengths.

Just as Ning Chu stretched and got up, she suddenly felt something off.

Turning her head, she saw a conspicuous dark stain on the back of her pants.

"!!!"

Crap! It leaked already?! But she just changed!

Yan Xinya quickly positioned herself behind Ning Chu to block anyone's view. "Hurry back to the dorm and change!"

Feeling panicked, Ning Chu glanced around and sighed in relief when she saw that no one seemed to notice.

She recalled how, back in the day, when a girl had an accident like this, she and others had laughed and made fun of her. Now, karma had come full circle.

With Yan Xinya and Lily shielding her, she hurried towards the dorm building.

"I'll just fake an injury for the sprint later—tell them I twisted my ankle."

She quickly texted Wen Yang, asking him to explain to the teacher on her behalf.

"That's just a temporary fix. It'll happen again next time," Yan Xinya said, pushing her tampon agenda again. "Tampons are seriously a game-changer! I'm not lying to you."

Honestly... She was a little tempted.

After a moment of hesitation, she nodded reluctantly. "I'll try it sometime."