Chapter 82: Wanting a Child

“Yes, yes, that’s right!” the colleagues chorused, their voices filled with forced cheer and their smiles too bright.

Seeing everyone saying the same thing, Bi Qiao’an didn’t inquire further. 

“You look so much better now. How is it?” Li Yueya took out a tissue from her bag and handed it to Bi Qiao’an.

Bi Qiao’an accepted the tissue without hesitation and wiped the water droplets from her face. “My stomach was feeling uncomfortable earlier, so I went to the restroom to throw up. I felt much better right after vomiting. It might really be because I ate too much at noon and upset my stomach.”

Li Yueya nodded. When Bi Qiao’an wasn’t looking, she mouthed to Yu Shui, “What should we do?” Her eyes were wide with worry, her lips pursed in concern.

Yu Shui shrugged, his expression helpless. “It’s fine, don’t worry!” he mouthed back. 

Li Yueya pouted, looking peeved, her frustration evident in the set of her jaw. She glanced at Bi Qiao’an, then got up and hid in the adjoining office.

Shocked by Li Yueya’s dramatic actions, Yu Shui’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping open in disbelief. His expression caused their colleagues in the office to burst out laughing.

Bi Qiao’an looked at everyone in confusion. What was going on? Unfortunately, no one told her.

It wasn’t until half an hour later, when she saw Shen Yanming appear in front of her, that she realized what everyone had been hiding from her. 

At that moment, she didn’t blame anyone for using her phone. She was moved by the fact that someone truly cared for her. She was satisfied that the man before her had dropped everything to appear by her side the moment he heard she was sick.

Bi Qiao’an was led out of the office, only to find out that Shen Yanming had already requested leave on her behalf.

Once in the car, Bi Qiao’an asked softly, “Who called you?”

Shen Yanming didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at her and asked, “If they hadn’t called me, would you have just endured it?”

“I’m feel much better now. It’s not that serious. I just… I just need to rest for a bit, and I’ll be fine.” Seeing Shen Yanming’s increasingly gloomy expression, she suddenly felt her confidence waver, her voice unconsciously lowering.

Shen Yanming caressed her still slightly pale cheek and said softly, “Don’t you know that I would be worried?” 

Looking at the concern in Shen Yanming’s eyes, Bi Qiao’an felt warmth surge within her. “I… I won’t do it again,” she promised, her voice trembling slightly, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Shen Yanming understood that this wouldn’t have been a big deal for her in their previous lives. But wasn’t it different now?

He looked at her seriously and said, “I hope you can take your health seriously. After all, it doesn’t just belong to you; it belongs to me too.”

Hearing Shen Yanming’s words with a hint of suggestiveness, Bi Qiao’an’s feelings of being moved instantly evaporated. She glared at him, pouting. “And here I thought you were really concerned about me. Turns out your mind is filled with that stuff!” 

Shen Yanming chuckled and ruffled her hair. “So, to protect my interests, I hope Ms. Bi Qiao’an will promptly report even the slightest discomfort to Comrade Shen Yanming in the future.”

Bi Qiao’an rolled her eyes at Shen Yanming but nodded. Then, she started laughing softly too.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital. 

Bi Qiao’an was reluctant to come. She was already feeling much better now, and she believed that she would be fine after getting some more sleep.

However, Shen Yanming didn’t think so. He was afraid that she might have other issues she hadn’t told him about. It would be more reassuring to have her checked.

As they entered the lobby, they were surprised to find it packed with people. 

“I thought they said the patients were discharged?” Bi Qiao’an eyed the crowd in confusion and tugged on Shen Yanming’s sleeve, wanting to go home.

However, Shen Yanming put his arm around Bi Qiao’an, not letting her leave. “Not sure. Let me call Heping and find out.”

They hadn’t been waiting long when Zhang Heping appeared in his white coat.

“What are you two doing here? Feeling unwell? You don’t look like it!” Zhang Heping was still as laid-back as ever, but his concern was evident.

“Qiao’an isn’t feeling well, so I brought her for a check-up.” 

“Where do you feel uncomfortable? I’ll arrange a priority check-up!” Zhang Heping’s anxiety was palpable.

Bi Qiao’an waved her hand quickly. “It’s nothing major. Just dizziness and nausea, probably heat stroke. I’m feeling much better already. I tried telling him, but he wouldn’t listen!”

“Even so, it’s best to get checked out,” Shen Yanming insisted, pulling Bi Qiao’an along as Zhang Heping led the way. 

Zhang Heping relaxed upon hearing the details. “Sounds like a heat stroke. Look at this lobby—ninety percent of these folks are here for the same thing.” He gestured towards the crowd. “The rain stopped, but this humidity is brutal. Qiao’an, your case is mild. I’ll prescribe some medication, and you’ll be good as new with some rest.”

However, Shen Yanming then clarified, “We’re married.”  

“Ah, okay!” Zhang Heping swiftly pivoted, guiding them to an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor for a direct pulse diagnosis. After all, there was no need for machines if there wasn’t a major issue.

After taking Bi Qiao’an’s pulse, the old doctor also concluded that it was a mild case of heat stroke and prescribed a formula for her recovery.

“Doctor, can my wife take this? Is there a chance she might be pregnant?” Shen Yanming asked cautiously, wanting to be sure.

“Your wife is not pregnant. She’s in excellent health—it’s only a matter of time before you two have a child. You’re both young, let things happen naturally. No need to rush!” The doctor, thinking Shen Yanming was eager for children, offered reassurance. 

Shen Yanming breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m not in a hurry for that. I just worry, what if… well, what if we hit the jackpot and the medicine is unsafe? Now, with your words, I feel much better.”

The doctor nodded. “Young man, you’re a good husband. While we’re at it, let me take your pulse too.” 

Shen Yanming sat down and placed his right hand on the pulse pillow.

The old doctor beamed, seeing Shen Yanming’s willingness. “It’s rare to find young people who believe in traditional Chinese medicine. You two honor our culture by coming here today.”

Zhang Heping jumped in, eager to impress. “You’re a pillar of our hospital, sir. Anyone who doubts traditional Chinese medicine is… well…” He struggled for a moment, then blurted out, “Ignorant! Prejudiced! Short-sighted!”

The old doctor chuckled. “You might be a Western medicine man, but you’ve got the right idea. Traditional Chinese medicine has its own power. Look, no fancy machines—with just my hand, I can sense if something’s wrong.” 

Shen Yanming nodded. “Absolutely, sir. Those who dismiss traditional Chinese medicine do so because it’s demanding. It’s hard to study and even harder to master. They can’t find good practitioners, so they write the whole thing off as useless.”

The old doctor smiled and nodded. “Well, your physical condition is excellent. If you wanted to, having a child should be no problem for you two. It seems you must be taking precautions, otherwise you likely wouldn’t be here without a child yet.”

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Author’s Note:

I’m very sorry, there’s no little bun today… I didn’t expect you all to like the little bun so much. When I was writing, I thought, since the apocalypse is so harsh, it’s better not to let the little bun suffer. Now it seems that it’s necessary to make some arrangements! 

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Translator’s Note:

Yes, there will be a bun later. And no, it will not be a surprise package.

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