Lin Shu linked her arm with her sister’s and led her out. They saw her brother-in-law, Qian Lisheng, waiting in the corridor.

Qian Lisheng quickly approached, “Wife, how was it?”

Lin Xia handed him the document, “Take a look.”

Qian Lisheng took it and said, “I can’t understand this. Just tell me.”

Lin Xia briefly explained.

Qian Lisheng looked concerned, “Did the doctor say it’s serious?”

“Should we have surgery or not?”

Lin Xia shook her head and said, “The doctor suggested taking medication first. He also mentioned that if we had started the medication two years earlier, it might have helped sooner.”

Qian Lisheng responded, “That doesn’t make sense. We went to see doctors two years ago, and they didn’t find anything.”

Back then, without B-ultrasound machines, it was indeed hard to detect such issues.

Lin Shu, worried he might overthink things, explained from a more professional perspective and reminded him, “Brother-in-law, make sure not to let Auntie use any folk remedies on my sister. If the doctor has prescribed medication, it’s important to follow their advice and use the prescribed medication. Mixing in other remedies can interfere with the treatment.”

Qian Lisheng replied, “I understand. I won’t let that happen. My mother tends to panic and try random treatments when she’s worried. Now that the doctor has a clear plan, there’s no need for her to worry.”

Lin Shu then asked about his own health.

Qian Lisheng blushed and awkwardly said, “Third sister, why are you asking about men’s issues? I’m fine. The doctor checked me, but the test results will only be available in a few days.”

He was embarrassed to admit that he and Lin Xia were doing well, with intimate relations a few times each night. He was confident there was no problem.

With Lin Shu accompanying the check-up, Lin Xia felt a sense of pride. Her previously timid sister had grown up and was now a strong support for her family.

In the past, the third sister was like a timid rabbit, scared of everything.

Now, she was different and capable, which made Lin Xia feel their bond was deeper and more genuine.

The two elderly women were also pleased to hear the news. They had already fetched food from the cafeteria and urged everyone to eat quickly.

Lin’s mother said, “Son-in-law, don’t be upset that we asked you to get checked. If the results are clear, we’ll all be relieved.”

Qian Lisheng smiled generously and said, “Mother, don’t mention it. As your son-in-law, I’m happy you care about me. If you didn’t care, that would be strange. Besides, after the check-up, I’ll feel more at ease.”

Fang Dihua added, “Early detection and treatment are important. The doctor said if I had come to the hospital two years earlier, I wouldn’t have suffered so much.”

Lin Xia agreed, “Yes, we need to be more attentive in the future.”

She also reminded Lin Shu and the elderly women to take care of themselves.

Everyone reminded Lin Xia to stay calm, rest well, and take her medication properly.

Lin Shu made sure to remind her to clearly communicate with Qian Lisheng about not mixing treatments during the medication period.

They can have intercourse but need to treat the illness first.

If he can’t endure it and after Lin Xia gets better, if it becomes serious again and they still don’t have children, it would be his fault.

Lin Xia wasn’t at all annoyed by her sister’s concern; instead, she was happy that her sister cared about her, “Got it.”

After the couple left, Fang Dihua and Lin’s mother discussed their departure again.

Both elderly women agreed that staying in the hospital, doing nothing, and spending money was not only foolish but almost criminal.

Lin Shu reasoned with them and advised them to relax, “If we go back ourselves and the condition recurs, it will be troublesome to come back. Staying at a guesthouse costs one yuan per bed per night, while hospital bed fees are only two or three cents per bed. Do the math; it’s more economical.”

Fang Dihua said, “In-laws, your daughter is right.”

Seeing them agree, Lin’s mother had no choice but to consent to stay a few more days.

She looked at Fang Dihua in surprise.

She had always thought Fang Dihua was tough and unyielding, not someone easy to deal with.

But after these days, she found Fang Dihua to be the most reasonable elderly woman she had ever met.

When her daughter spoke, she immediately changed her mind and stopped insisting on leaving.

If her daughter-in-law was showing such respect to her, how could she, as a mother, be unreasonable?

Of course, she had to listen to her daughter.

In the afternoon, Lin Shu arranged for their physical exams.

The two elderly women were reluctant, so Lin Shu explained that the money was already spent, and there was no refund, so they might as well complete the tests.

Fang Dihua told Lin’s mother, “In-law, let’s not ask too many questions. Just go with the flow.”

With substantial savings in the bank, Fang Dihua seemed to be more carefree with money, unlike Lin’s mother, who was more frugal.

The three underwent B ultrasound scans, including thyroid, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and breast examinations.

They also had blood drawn for various tests.

After the exams, Lin Shu accompanied Fang Dihua and Lin’s mother back to the ward. Holding Bao’er, running around, left her exhausted.

She placed Bao’er in the crib and gave him a small rattle toy from Auntie Jiang next door to play with.

Lin’s mother pressed her arm, which was still bleeding slightly, and complained, “We had such a large amount of blood drawn. It’s so excessive. I said I didn’t want to…”

Fang Dihua replied, “They need to do tests. Didn’t the doctor say? It can detect many diseases. Some people with liver cirrhosis were diagnosed through these tests.”

Lin’s mother said, “There were no issues before the tests. Now that they’ve checked, they’ve found all sorts of problems. Who knows if it’s worth it?”

Although Fang Dihua had said similar things before, her attitude had changed.

This worldly-wise old lady was indeed different from before.

“The doctor said that every illness has a latent period. Early detection and treatment can help, but late detection means it’s in the advanced stage, and there’s nothing much that can be done except wait.”

This reminded her of her old man who had passed away.

If he had been diagnosed and treated earlier, he might have lived a few more years, but it was discovered too late, and he was gone in just two months.

She thought it might be a good idea for her old man to get checked too.

Lin’s mother was concerned about the cost but didn’t think the check-ups were unnecessary.

While the two elderly women were discussing the doctor’s words, Lin Shu heard someone yelling outside, “Third sister-in-law!”

The loud voice sounded like it belonged to Sister Lu Da.

In the countryside, without communication tools, calling people usually involved shouting, especially calling mischievous children home for meals.

The voice could travel for miles.

Lin Shu went to the window and saw that it was indeed Sister Lu Da driving a tractor with Wei Ling.

Lin Shu told the two elderly women to hurry downstairs.

The tractor stopped at the hospital entrance, attracting a lot of attention.

“Look, it’s the tractor from yesterday afternoon! Sister Lu Da is back.”

“That Sister Lu Da drives the tractor even better than the men!”

“Clearly, she’s a top performer in the city!”

Wei Ling had just finished an interview with a military wife and was now rushing to interview women from various professions to highlight the theme of military-civilian unity.

She heard that the tractor factory was holding tractor repair training and knew there would be female trainees, so she went for an interview.

The leader suggested a couple of candidates, and the teacher recommended Sister Lu Da and another person.

Wei Ling learned that Sister Lu Da was from Lu Family Village and asked Lin Shu about her.

Sister Lu Da praised her sister-in-law for being excellent, saying she drove the tractor better than anyone, and it was Lin Shu who had brought the mother-in-law and relatives to the hospital.

Wei Ling was both surprised and impressed, so she asked Sister Lu Da to drive her to the hospital to find Lin Shu.

She wanted to interview them together and take photos on the Dongfanghong tractor.

Hearing this, Lin Shu felt a bit embarrassed. “Wei Ling, you’ve already interviewed me.”

Wei Ling replied, “Lin Shu, you’re so outstanding that I’ve found more to cover!”

Lin Shu didn’t refuse and accepted the interview gracefully.

She reminded herself to maintain a slightly sad expression to reflect her status as a widowed woman while showing strength and resilience in her eyes.

For someone skilled at acting, this was not too difficult.

She was the kind of woman who could practice her killing gaze in front of the mirror.

The interview went smoothly, and in the end, Wei Ling helped them take some photos.

“I’ll develop the photos when I get back to the office and try to get them to you by tomorrow, including the last set,” she said, showing a considerate attitude towards Lin Shu and Sister Lu Da, with whom she got along well.

Ordinary people would want their photos ready immediately, and Wei Ling knew this.

After the photoshoot, Lin Shu noticed it was still daylight and wanted to invite Wei Ling to dinner.

Having the opportunity to chat with an educated woman from this era, she felt she could learn a lot and gain valuable information.

Information was indeed precious.

Wei Ling smiled, “How can I let you pay? It’s my treat. Let’s go, I know a state-run teahouse nearby.”

Lin Shu went back to inform the two elderly women, who told her to go ahead.

At the teahouse, Lin Shu and Wei Ling chatted. Lin Shu mainly wanted to inquire about current policies, market conditions, and where to buy books.

Both she and her father-in-law were eager to advance, and they were interested in purchasing medical books, magazines, literature, and more.

Wei Ling felt an immediate connection with Lin Shu.

From the moment Lin Shu offered to treat her, Wei Ling felt like they had become friends.

She spoke more casually, “If you can’t find the books you want in the bookstore, I can bring you some.”

She had a lot of novels, both ancient and modern, from all over the world, carefully collected and well-preserved.

These books weren’t necessarily banned, as many people in her circle read them.

Lin Shu thanked her.

The two parted ways after a while.

Wei Ling didn’t return to the office but went straight home.

Her home was in the family quarters of the municipal committee, a small white three-story building.

Her family had prepared a darkroom in the basement, stocked with chemicals and equipment, so she could develop photos at home.

When she was retrieving the photos from the chemicals and hanging them up to dry, her brother pushed open the door.

Wei Ling scolded, “Wei Lan, I told you not to disturb me while I’m working!”

Wei Lan replied, “I’m a bit troubled. Can you talk to me?”

Wei Ling retorted, “You’re just bored. I think you should quit your job at the municipal committee and work in the workshop. That way, you’d be so exhausted you wouldn’t have time to be troubled.”

Wei Lan gave her a look of betrayal, as if accusing her of being cold-hearted and unsympathetic, even to her own brother.

In the red glow of the darkroom, he suddenly saw a photo!

He jumped up and rushed over to the photo, staring intently, “Sis, do you know this person?”

It was none other than the person he had been dreaming of.

Wei Ling glanced over and replied, “Yes, that’s my interview subject, Comrade Lin Shu, the military wife from Lu Family Village.”

Wei Lan’s burning hope was instantly crushed by a block of ice.

A military wife?

Then he… had no chance.