CHAPTER 670: CHAPTER 450: THE DOCTOR’S MINDSET

The second watch of the night had arrived.

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When he returned to the room at night, Zhou Mikang was also curious about how the problem had been resolved. Chuxia told him the truth, and after hearing it, Chuxia wasn’t much affected, but Zhou Mikang turned beet red. He really hadn’t expected the truth to be like this.

In later generations, there were some reports that, due to a lack of sexual education, resulted in couples being infertile for many years, suspecting it was a physical problem, yet too embarrassed to seek medical help, and when finally examined, tears and laughter were all it brought. Chuxia had seen it as a joke at the time but hadn’t expected it to come in handy now.

Thinking about it, in her era, where information was so developed, yet some people still made such jokes. So it was even less surprising for such jokes to happen in this current era.

Considering Qin Mei’s age, and the fact that she was so sure of herself, everyone felt she was trying to sling mud on Zhou Shanping. If she had been a bit younger, Old Madam Zhou and Lin Yanqiu should have been able to see something in her demeanor.

Chuxia took Qin Mei to her upstairs bedroom and asked her directly how one could get pregnant.

Qin Mei thought Chuxia was anxious because she hadn’t gotten pregnant since getting married and wanted to learn from her. After pondering for a while, she said that probably it depends on the individual’s body, and she didn’t have any experience to impart.

Chuxia had no choice but to ask her question more bluntly, and Qin Mei looked at her in astonishment and asked, "You’ve been married so long and you still don’t know how to get pregnant?"

This really seemed to be playing the lute to a cow. Chuxia sighed helplessly and indicated that if Qin Mei wanted to enter the Zhou family, she must answer seriously. Otherwise, Chuxia wouldn’t help her.

Qin Mei had seen the importance Zhou Shanping placed on Zhou Mikang, so Chuxia, as Zhou Mikang’s wife, must hold a certain status in the Zhou family. Otherwise, the family wouldn’t have allowed her to take her into a room for a private chat.

In the end, it was just that the Zhou family members didn’t believe the child in her belly was Zhou Shanping’s. Although she felt humiliated, for the sake of the child inside her and her future, she still spilled the details of her intimacy with Zhou Shanping.

One day before Chuxia and Zhou Mikang went shopping, she had gone to Zhou Shanping’s office to report work after getting off work. After the official business was done, she confessed her feelings to Zhou Shanping, and then the two embraced, kissed, and touched each other.

Now she had missed her period for nearly two months, so she must be pregnant.

Having confirmed her suspicions, Chuxia took out a post-marriage guidance manual her mother-in-law had given her and showed it to Qin Mei. Then, she also expressed her doubts. No period for no reason, a growing belly, yet without the necessary conditions for pregnancy implied only one possibility – illness.

She recommended Qin Mei go for a checkup at Clinic 401, hoping to thoroughly understand the situation.

In later ages, she had seen many people’s casual attitudes in this respect. Seeing such a traditional woman, she couldn’t help but feel a fondness for her. Moreover, an unmarried woman in her thirties in this era, if she really showed a swollen belly, could very likely be on a dead-end path.

Before, Chuxia hadn’t realized how serious the problem was. It was after listening to Qin Mei’s story that she understood: if the Department for Chastity caught them, not only would Qin Mei have to go to jail, but her family would be disgraced forever.

Looking at it this way, Qin Mei’s disturbance wasn’t an unforgivable matter.

After calming down, Zhou Mikang sighed and tapped her on the head, "You fool, why didn’t you quietly tell grandma and let her handle this? Uncle will definitely feel awkward after seeing you. How should I even begin to talk to you?"

Chuxia glanced at him, "I am a doctor, what’s there to be secretive about?"

In fact, she had considered telling Old Madam Zhou her suspicions, letting her take the lead. But then, a thought struck her. Given her profession, it was better to be upfront than to be sneaky. So she took Qin Mei into the room. If her guess was right, the matter could be resolved satisfactorily. If wrong, at worst she’d be scolded, and it didn’t matter.

As for the awkwardness of facing Zhou Shanping, she really had overlooked that. Now she was expressing some regret... but she didn’t want to admit it to Zhou Mikang.

After thinking for a while, Zhou Mikang actually agreed with her reasoning, "Indeed, as a doctor, if you worry too much you won’t become a qualified doctor."

"Yes, that’s what I thought." Hesitating for a moment, Chuxia still told the truth, "Next time I encounter such a situation, I will think it over before acting. I really overlooked Uncle’s feelings. Zhou Mikang, please have a heart-to-heart talk with Uncle."

"I didn’t think too much about it at the time; I just didn’t want things to get out of hand. If Qin Mei had brought her parents into it, even if the actual situation was clarified in the end, it wouldn’t have looked good for us, right?"

"You did the right thing. It was actually me who was being overly cautious. In front of a doctor, there is no distinction between men and women. There’s nothing awkward about such a minor issue..." Zhou Mikang said affectionately as he ruffled her hair, "Don’t think too much about it; I’ll go explain to Third Uncle right now."

"Wait," Chuxia grabbed him, "Never mind, don’t explain. I’ll do it myself later."

"Okay," Zhou Mikang didn’t ask further and agreed.

"Aren’t you curious about how I’ll explain it?" Chuxia asked, puzzled.

"Curious, but I don’t want to interfere," Zhou Mikang said with a smile as he hugged her, "Join me in the bath, and let’s research how to get pregnant while we’re at it. That’s a big issue that needs serious attention."

"Stop it!" Chuxia slapped his chest, "You’re making fun of me!"

"I’m not making fun of you. I’m jealous. Why would you discuss this with someone else and not with me? No, we need to do some research together..." The section leader, Tongzi, said as he forcefully carried the still struggling little white rabbit into the bathroom...

A rabbit dragged into the wolf’s den has no escape...

The next morning at breakfast, Chuxia quietly observed Zhou Shanping’s expression. Sure enough, he kept his head down the whole time, too embarrassed to look at anyone.

She felt some regret in her heart. She really didn’t understand the people of this era well enough. What wasn’t a big deal to her could be a serious matter to others.

The others spoke less than usual as well. Clearly, everyone was feeling awkward.

After everyone had put down their chopsticks, Chuxia stood up: "Grandpa, Grandma, may I say a few words, please?"

"Of course," Old Madam Zhou quickly said, "Chuxia, just speak your mind. We’re family; there’s no need for those complicated formalities."

"I know, thank you, Grandma." Chuxia thanked the old lady and then looked towards Zhou Shanping, "Third Uncle, I’m sorry."

"No, no, no..." Zhou Shanping waved his hands hastily, "It is I who should thank you, how can you be the one to apologize?"

"Third Uncle, it was me who wasn’t thoughtful enough. At that time, I just wanted to resolve the issue. Besides, I had just learned about some pseudo-diseases, I was eager to confirm my knowledge and forgot to be considerate..." Chuxia looked apologetically at Zhou Shanping, "I know that because of my oversight, I made you feel uncomfortable. I’m really sorry."

"I was the one who made a big fuss..." Zhou Shanping’s expression noticeably eased, "Chuxia, you’re going to be a doctor. If you’re going to be so particular, how can you ever become a good doctor?"

Zhou Huakang nodded, "Right, when patients are on the operating table, you can’t just treat women and not men, can you?"

"That’s the logic," Old Madam Zhou agreed, "Actually, there’s nothing taboo about this issue. We all believe that Qin Mei should understand these matters given her age. Why could Chuxia think of it? Because she considered it from a doctor’s perspective.

In light of this incident, our Chuxia truly has the potential to become a good doctor—attentive, calm, unconcerned with trifles, and not petty.

I originally supported Chuxia’s wish to become a doctor, because I thought that since she likes having a job, we should help her achieve that, to show the respect of her husband’s family for her. But now, I support her because I hope that one day, she can indeed become a doctor who makes the Zhou family proud." The old lady looked at Chuxia, "Chuxia, does my saying this put pressure on you?"

"Not at all..." Chuxia shook her head, "I will do my best. If I don’t become a well-known doctor, it will just mean that’s my limit; there’s nothing to be upset about."

"That’s a good attitude," Lin Yanqiu nodded in approval, "Don’t wear yourself out too much. It’s easier to succeed if you’re interested. If it becomes a duty, it turns into a burden instead." (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote and monthly vote on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)