Chapter 13: Vaccination

“A vaccination package?” Zhu jia was handed a hospital brochure listing all the vaccines required for a baby from birth to one year old. Glancing at it, she noticed some vaccines were highlighted in red and others in gray, with a large figure of 15,500 yuan printed prominently at the bottom.

“Yes, Mrs. Mo. May I take a moment to explain it to you?” the consultant asked warmly.

“Sure,” Zhu jia agreed. She had already planned to have Xiao Wen vaccinated at this hospital. The system had given her a basic idea of the vaccines required, but seeing the extensive list now left her overwhelmed.

Zhu jia and Mo Yichen sat down, parking Xiao Wen’s stroller nearby. However, Xiao Wen immediately started fussing. He didn’t want to stop moving; he either wanted to be pushed or held. His soft grumbles quickly turned into loud complaints.

Frowning slightly, Zhu jia wanted to focus on learning about the vaccines, but Xiao Wen’s cries were becoming disruptive. She glanced at the tall, imposing man beside her and said naturally, “Mo Yichen, hold him for a bit. He’s too noisy right now.”

Mo Yichen nodded in agreement, though he clearly had no idea how to hold a baby properly. Zhu jia guided him to sit still, then positioned his arms. His stiff arms felt as hard as iron to her touch.

She leaned over to lift Xiao Wen from the stroller and gently placed him in Mo Yichen’s arms, adjusting his posture until it was just right.

Without warning, Mo Yichen found himself holding a warm, soft bundle. It was his first time cradling Xiao Wen. The baby felt like a snug, warm water bottle, and the sensation made Mo Yichen’s whole body heat up.

Xiao Wen lay contentedly in Mo Yichen’s broad arms, feeling relaxed and cozy. Though the “arm bed” was firmer than his usual sleeping spot, it was spacious and sturdy, giving Xiao Wen a sense of security. If he could express himself, he might describe the embrace as “safe.”

With Xiao Wen settled in Mo Yichen’s arms, Zhujia turned back to the consultant. “Alright, we can start now.”

The consultant placed the brochure in front of Zhujia and explained, “These are the vaccines needed for babies aged 0-1 year. Some are mandatory for school admission, while others are optional.

“We recommend completing all the vaccinations on this list. The 15,500-yuan package includes all vaccine costs and five pediatric wellness checkups. You’d only need to visit the hospital ten times in a year to complete all the vaccinations and checkups—a convenient and cost-effective option.”

Zhujia carefully studied the brochure and pointed to the red text. “Why are some vaccines in red and others in gray?”

“Red denotes imported vaccines, while gray indicates domestic ones. We’ve selected each vaccine based on various factors to ensure the best options for your baby,” the consultant explained. “Just follow the timeline on the package, and we’ll schedule your appointments in advance.”

Zhujia nodded. The arrangement sounded appealing. Looking at the complex vaccine names and timelines, she felt overwhelmed. Having everything prearranged would save her a lot of trouble.

“Alright, let’s go with this package. Will Xiao Wen get a shot today?” she confirmed.

“Yes, Mrs. Mo. Today, your baby will receive the second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. The first dose was given at birth.”

Zhu jia agreed and turned to check on Mo Yichen and Xiao Wen. The two were staring at each other—big eyes meeting small ones. Mo Yichen, holding Xiao Wen stiffly, looked as still as a statue, as though moving even slightly might cause a catastrophe.

Zhu jia pursed her lips in exasperation. “Mo Yichen, you can relax. Xiao Wen isn’t that fragile.”

At her prompting, Mo Yichen gradually relaxed his shoulders. Though his arms were still somewhat stiff, he looked less tense than before. “Where are we headed now?” he asked.

“We’re taking Xiao Wen for his vaccine,” Zhu jia replied, lifting Xiao Wen from Mo Yichen’s arms and placing him back in the stroller. Xiao Wen protested, clearly unhappy about being taken from the warm embrace and placed back on the cold stroller. He whimpered in defiance.

“Should I hold him again?” Mo Yichen asked, noticing Xiao Wen’s pouty face and trembling lips.

“Not for now. If he gets used to being held, I’ll be the one exhausted at home,” Zhu jia said, her sharp eyes widening. She recalled how she had spent nights carrying Xiao Wen around the room when he had tummy troubles, leaving her arms sore at the thought.

Despite Xiao Wen’s protests, they reached the vaccination room. The nurse handed Zhu jia the vaccine box for her to verify its expiration date and batch number. Once everything was confirmed, the vaccine was prepared for administration.

Since Xiao Wen was strong and squirmy, Zhu jia handed him to Mo Yichen, instructing him to hold the baby steady during the shot. Meanwhile, she readied her phone to record the moment.

The nurse disinfected Xiao Wen’s chubby arm before inserting a fine needle. For the first two seconds, Xiao Wen seemed stunned, unable to react. But as the shot finished, he burst into heart-wrenching cries, his limbs flailing in protest. Mo Yichen held him firmly, keeping his wriggling body under control.

Zhu jia took out her phone and captured the scene. Though it wasn’t the most pleasant moment, she couldn’t help but chuckle. Little Wen’s tiny face was scrunched up entirely, as if he had just encountered the most infuriating event in his life, brimming with both anger and grievance.

After finishing the recording, Zhu jia finally picked up Little Wen and gently comforted him. She patted his back, walked around with him in her arms, and soon, he forgot all about his earlier sadness.

“Mrs. Mo, after the vaccination, it’s best to observe for about half an hour before heading home,” the accompanying consultant advised. “This allows us to monitor for any adverse reactions in the baby.”

Zhu jia nodded. By this time, Little Wen had stopped crying, though his mood still seemed a bit sour. She held him close and sat down on the sofa, waiting for the time to pass.

During the half-hour observation, Mo Yichen was nearby, constantly answering work calls. It was Zhu jia’s first time seeing him in full work mode, and he seemed even colder than usual. She thought to herself, Working for him must be nerve-wracking every day—he doesn’t seem satisfied with anything.

When the observation period ended, Zhu jia and Little Wen got into a sleek black Bentley to return home, while Mo Yichen headed back to the office. Once home, Zhu jia fed Little Wen, who was so exhausted that he fell asleep shortly after finishing his milk.

Zhu jia then opened WeChat to check the “Children’s Room Design Group” that Assistant Lin had added her to earlier. A designer named Tina had shared a few design sketches in the group.

Zhu jia zoomed in to study them. The room was a neat rectangular space with an attached bathroom. Initially, she had planned for it to be a playroom rather than a bedroom.

However, after some thought, she realized that Little Wen would grow up quickly. Since she would leave this house in a year, she decided it was better to plan for the long term and design the room as both a bedroom and a playroom.

If it were to serve as a bedroom, she’d need to consider the placement of the bed and wardrobe carefully.

After mulling it over, Zhu jia decided that the room should be functional until Little Wen started elementary school. By then, his needs would change, and they could renovate again. With this plan in mind, she revisited Tina’s sketches. The designs were simple and clear, making them easy to understand. After reviewing several, she saved one that she particularly liked.

Zhu jia planned to install wooden flooring in the room, placing the bed and wardrobe against the inner wall, while leaving the area near the window as a play zone.

Little Wen’s room faced south, ensuring it would stay warm and sunny all year. Next to the large floor-to-ceiling window, she envisioned an open space with a soft play mat. Once Little Wen was over six months old and could sit and crawl, he could enjoy playing there while soaking up the sunlight.

She also intended to place a low bookshelf near the play mat. By the time Little Wen turned one, he could start looking at picture books. Zhu jia imagined sitting on the mat, pulling out books he liked, and reading stories to him.

Additionally, she wanted to include a small table and a few chairs. Once Little Wen could walk, he could sit there to play with building blocks. Opposite the table was a blank wall, where Zhujia planned to install a chalkboard wall, allowing Little Wen to draw to his heart’s content as he grew.

She decided against overcrowding the room with furniture, opting instead for custom-made pieces with rounded edges to ensure safety when Little Wen started crawling and walking.

The lighting was another priority—she planned to use soft, non-glaring lights to protect his curious little eyes.

After reviewing the design, Zhujia listed these key considerations and shared them in the group.

Next, she looked at the bathroom design. Zhujia wanted to customize a small bathtub for Little Wen. While he was young, it could double as a mini swimming pool, and later, it could be used for regular baths.

“System, can such a young baby swim?” she asked curiously.

“Of course!” the system replied. “With proper safety measures and guidance, swimming is highly beneficial for babies. It can enhance respiratory function, strengthen muscles, and even promote brain development. Did you know you can earn points for taking the baby swimming?”

“Points?” Zhu jia was surprised. She hadn’t realized this before. The system’s point list was so long that she hadn’t noticed the entry at the very bottom: “Take the baby swimming – 700 points.”

It seemed the children’s room renovation needed to be prioritized!