Chen Yang and his family stayed at the same guesthouse near Qinghe City First Hospital, a convenient location for their check-up the next day. They were familiar with the place, having stayed there several times, and saw no need to find another.
This time, however, Chen Yang was exceptionally cautious. Gone were any thoughts of playful mischief. He even kept their two little ones close, ensuring they wouldn't disturb Shen Xue in their sleep by bumping into her.
"You're being so careful with me all of a sudden, I'm not used to it. You're terrible at looking after kids, sleeping like a log. Just put them in here," Shen Xue said, amused by her husband's newfound attentiveness. "Our daughter and son sleep soundly, they won't kick anyone."
Seeing how tenderly he cared for her, Shen Xue's heart was warmed. Yet, as a mother, she still felt uneasy leaving her children entirely to her husband's care. Most fathers, she reasoned, were rather rough around the edges, and few mothers could truly relax when their children were solely in their charge.
Chen Yang, unable to sway her, brought the two children back and placed them on the inner side of the bed, closer to the wall.
The next morning, when the couple descended with their children, Liu Hong looked at them with a puzzled expression. What had happened? She had braced herself for a night of disruptions, but the previous night had been surprisingly quiet. She strained her ears, but heard nothing.
Chen Yang, oblivious to Liu Hong's thoughts, was focused on Shen Xue. He was taking his wife to the hospital for a check-up. In those days, hospitals weren't as crowded as in later years. Minor ailments were usually endured, with medication sought only when absolutely necessary. Doctors, unlike today, would prescribe medicine rather than IV drips and send patients home if possible, rather than admitting them. It was a stark contrast to the present, where a visit often entailed a cascade of tests: X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, blood work – as if doctors couldn't diagnose without them. Back then, without such technology, doctors still managed to treat patients.
Of course, for complex illnesses and serious conditions, technological advancements were crucial for aiding diagnosis. The problem was, many doctors today would readily order extensive tests, pocketing referral fees. It wasn't entirely their fault, however. Hospitals imposed annual check-up quotas on physicians. The considerable investment in medical equipment had to be recouped, and if not from patients, then the machines would be an idle expense. Over time, this became the norm, with doctors even suggesting tests for minor issues to meet targets. Relying on data for diagnosis, rather than their own medical knowledge, seemed more precise and less prone to misjudgment. Why not?
These unscrupulous few, unfortunately, forced even dedicated physicians into similar practices. When everyone else ordered tests, not doing so could lead to medical disputes if a misdiagnosis occurred, leaving the doctor vulnerable to the patient's family. How many good doctors had suffered from such disputes over the years?
Chen Yang had no firsthand knowledge of these matters. In his previous life, his daily well-being was managed by private doctors who also handled all his check-ups, often at his home. Any necessary medical equipment was accessed through VIP channels at designated institutions, bypassing queues and cost concerns. This was precisely why people yearned for wealth; in a material world, money equated to privilege. One could easily access treatment beyond imagination, unlike ordinary people. Even if wealthy individuals were overweight and unattractive, a mere gesture could attract legions of beautiful young women. Goddesses seemingly unattainable to the average person might be mere playthings, lined up for selection.
Even ordinary lives were intertwined with money. Why did so many long-term couples break up? Was it a lack of love? Could two people who didn't love each other stay together for so long? It was simply that they had endured too many hardships and societal pressures without the means to change their circumstances, unable to support each other's ambitions or establish themselves in society. Falling in love was easy; but marriage? Dowry, cars, houses, raising children, medical and education expenses – none of it was free. This was the root of pre-marital anxiety, a hurdle that tripped up countless individuals. Thus, in later years, people often joked that they fell in love with a person but married money, with the wealthy finding their perfect match, while the poor had to sacrifice their lives for love.
The society of this era was not yet as pragmatic as the future. At least, when Chen Yang brought Shen Xue to the hospital, the obstetrician was exceptionally diligent and responsible. It was only after Chen Yang explained Shen Xue's difficult childbirth experience with their first two children and strongly insisted that the doctor issued some test orders. Of course, this was also partly due to the limited medical technology of the time; even if Chen Yang wanted more tests, the necessary equipment was unavailable. The nation, like its people, was poor. Every scientific research endeavor was a collective national effort. The poorer the country, the more united its people. The less wealth they possessed, the higher their collective happiness.
After a morning of examinations, Shen Xue had several vials of blood drawn. The couple feared a recurrence of the situation they had experienced with Chen Hao. Fortunately, after a series of tests, the doctor assured them that the child was healthy and showed no abnormalities.
Yes, it was confirmed! Shen Xue was pregnant. The doctor consoled Chen Yang, explaining that Shen Xue's morning sickness was normal, though typically, first-time mothers experienced more severe symptoms, with subsequent pregnancies being milder or even symptom-free. Shen Xue, however, found herself experiencing the opposite: no morning sickness with her first pregnancy, but severe vomiting with this one. She had already gagged several times that morning. The doctor could offer no definitive cure, prescribing Vitamin B tablets and advising Chen Yang to ensure Shen Xue ate small, frequent meals to maintain adequate nutrition and to distract her. The test results indicated Shen Xue was seven weeks pregnant, with all her indicators within the normal range.
As they left the hospital, holding the report, Chen Yang hugged his wife tightly and kissed her. It was true, he was going to be a father again. He was overjoyed. In his past life, he hadn't taken good care of Shen Xue during her pregnancy. Now that fate had given him a second chance, he vowed not to be careless.
Watching her husband carefully support her, Shen Xue couldn't help but smile, a mixture of amusement and tenderness on her face. "It's only been a short while, I'm not fragile." She spoke as if she didn't need such constant attention yet, but her hand instinctively drifted to her still-flat abdomen. She wasn't showing yet, but it was her mind playing tricks on her. Ah, women. Always saying one thing and feeling another.