By the time Jinhai pulled into a roadside pharmacy, Lily's cramps had started to ease up—barely. She was still curled up in his jacket, glaring at the world for being unfair.
Jinhai parked neatly and reached for his mask, tugging it up over his face before rummaging around for something in the glove compartment.
"What are you doing?" she asked, squinting at him suspiciously.
"Looking for my sunglasses, princess," he said matter-of-factly. "People tend to recognize me. They'll start asking for autographs, pictures… and next thing you know, they'll steal me from you."
He threw her a wink over his shoulder.
Lily groaned. "You're insufferable."
"Flattered," he said smoothly, already adjusting his hood.
"Wait, why are you going?" she asked. "I'm the one who needs—"
He spun around so fast she almost flinched. "You're not moving one inch, Lily Liang."
That look—half stern, half heart-melting—was unfair. Completely illegal.
"I'm fine now," she protested, sitting up straighter. "See? Totally alive. I can walk, breathe, talk—"
"Barely," he said flatly. Then, leaning closer, his voice dropped to that dangerous mix of soft and commanding. "Remember, you owe me. So do me a favor—sit still, and let me handle it."
She gaped at him. "You're not seriously going in there, are you?"
"I am."
"No, you're not."
"Princess—"
"No! What if someone sees you? Imagine some fan of yours catching you buying pads at a store for a woman—do you want to trend online?"
He blinked once. Then, with complete composure, said, "Then I guess I'll just have to buy the right kind of pads so they know I'm a considerate man."
"Jinhai!"
"What?" His eyes sparkled with mischief behind the mask. "You want the one with wings or the heavy-flow kind or—"
She smacked his arm so hard the car shook.
"OW! Violence is not the answer!" he said, laughing as he rubbed his arm.
"You're impossible!"
"You're adorable when you're flustered," he teased, his grin wide and shameless.
"Jinhai Su, I swear—"
But he'd already slipped out of the car, laughing, waving her off like she was a fuming kitten.
"The one with wings it is!" he called over his shoulder. "Better safe than sorry!"
Lily buried her face in her hands, groaning loud enough for him to hear through the glass. "This guy will be the death of me."
Still, as she watched him jog toward the store, hood up, mask on, pretending to blend in but somehow drawing every eye in a hundred-meter radius…
she couldn't help the tiny, traitorous smile tugging at her lips.
___________________
Jinhai's POV
The store aisle for pads had a disappointing selection.
Jinhai scanned the shelves with the same seriousness he'd reserve for reading a film script.
Day use, night use, heavy flow, ultra-thin, wings, no wings.
He'd learned it all long ago thanks to Meilin—his sister and self-proclaimed "menstrual education ambassador."
He crouched down, fingers brushing over the bright packages until he spotted the one he wanted. "Ultra-comfort, with wings," he muttered with a satisfied nod. "Can't go wrong with that."
He was just about to grab the pack when a small voice piped up from behind.
"Wait… is that Jinhai Su?"
The other voice hissed. "No way! Why would he be in a pharmacy?"
Jinhai froze mid-motion. He didn't even have to turn around to know what came next.
Two girls crept closer, their phones clutched like sacred relics. One peeked around the corner of the shelf, eyes going wide.
"It's him! Oh my god, it's really him!"
He sighed inwardly, then turned with a polite, practiced smile hidden beneath his mask.
"Hi," he said warmly, dipping his head in greeting. "How are you both?"
That was all it took. The quiet store suddenly came alive.
The girls squealed, one of them already trembling as she held out her phone. "Can we please take a picture?"
"Of course," he replied easily, switching the pack of pads to his other hand. "Come here, one at a time—careful, no pushing."
The moment he leaned down for the selfie, the cashier noticed.
Her shriek nearly broke glass. "OH MY GOD—IT'S REALLY HIM—IT'S JINHAI SU!"
The chaos spread like wildfire.
Within minutes, every aisle was bursting. People abandoned their baskets, makeup displays, and grocery carts. The sound of footsteps, squeals, and camera shutters filled the air.
The once-quiet pharmacy had turned into an impromptu fan meet.
And in the middle of it—standing by the sanitary pads shelf—was Jinhai Su, unbothered and charming as ever.
He signed napkins, notebooks, even a stray candy wrapper. He posed with fans, laughing softly when someone's hand shook too much to hold the camera steady.
"Careful," he said with that gentle tone that made people's hearts melt, "I don't want anyone getting hurt just for a photo."
Every fan that reached him got a smile, a thank-you, and his full attention. There was no impatience in his eyes—only that easy warmth he carried everywhere he went.
The crowd kept thickening, spilling toward the entrance. More fans entered as soon as they realized what was happening. Some were already livestreaming, screaming excitedly into their phones.
"Can you please say hi to my followers?" one girl asked breathlessly, pointing her camera at him.
He chuckled. "Of course. Hi everyone—thank you for always supporting me. You all make my day, really."
Screams followed. The cashier was now trying to get her own picture while balancing a pile of receipts. Someone actually knocked over a display stand.
Then one brave fan pointed to the pack of pads still in his hand and asked curiously, "Who's that for, oppa?"
Jinhai looked down at the package, then back up, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
"For a colleague," he said smoothly, tone calm and fond. "She wasn't feeling well, so I offered to help."
The reaction was instant.
The crowd swooned as if he'd just confessed to a love story on live television.
The air filled with whispers—
"He's so kind."
"He actually buys pads?"
"He's perfect. Literally perfect."
And through all of it, Jinhai didn't waver. He smiled, thanked them, and continued posing as if the world outside didn't exist.
But between flashes of light and laughter, his gaze flickered toward the front glass.
Through the chaotic reflection, he caught sight of the car parked a short distance away—Lily's car.
She was just a faint outline behind the tinted window, head resting against the seat. Still. Quiet. Waiting.
Something in his chest softened.
She was probably checking her phone by now, wondering what was taking him so long. Maybe even worrying.
He exhaled, adjusting his mask as another fan tugged lightly at his sleeve for a picture.
"Last one," he said gently, smiling for the camera.
But even as the flash went off and the crowd swelled tighter around him, his eyes lingered on that car outside.
Hang on, princess, he thought quietly. I'm coming back soon.
The crowd kept cheering, the lights kept flashing—
—but Jinhai's gaze stayed fixed on that one still moment beyond the glass.