Chapter 13: Prenatal Checkup

Ran Jinnian looked at the two eggs in her bowl and picked one up for him. “Eat more. You’ve been sitting for days; you must be exhausted.”

Lu Jinyuan had been sitting almost the entire time on the train.

“I’m not tired. You eat.”

With his wife coming to accompany the army, Lu Jinyuan was full of energy.

He picked up the eggs and placed them all in front of Ran Jinnian. “Wife, you’re not alone now—you have a child in your belly.”

For a grown man like him, skipping an egg was nothing.

After breakfast, Lu Jinyuan washed the dishes and tidied up.

Ran Jinnian opened the bag she had brought, which contained her clothes, as well as clothes, diapers, and other items for the baby.

She glanced at the wardrobe. Lu Jinyuan’s clothes were scarce; his socks had many patches, and his shoes were washed so much that they looked pale.

He was frugal with himself but generous with her.

Ran Jinnian glanced at him busy in the kitchen, her eyes slightly reddening.

Such a good man… in her past life, she had obsessed over that scumbag—how blind she had been.

She finished organizing the clothes. “Husband, are you done?”

“I’m done. Let’s go.”

Lu Jinyuan secured the coal stove under the window; once they returned, it could be opened and ventilated for use.

Ran Jinnian picked up a small army-green shoulder bag, which contained paper, candy, pens, and a thermos.

Being heavily pregnant, she had to prepare these things whenever they went out.

With a natural gesture, Lu Jinyuan took the bag and slung it over himself.

The two stepped outside, Ran Jinnian hooking her arm through his.

Lu Jinyuan stiffened. “Wife, this isn’t appropriate.”

“What’s inappropriate?” Ran Jinnian blinked innocently.

“This is the military zone; we should be mindful of appearances.”

Though he spoke, he didn’t push her away.

Ran Jinnian didn’t care. “We’re husband and wife. Who says anything about it?”

Outside the quarters, many families were already busy.

Groups of two or three knitted sweaters or shoe soles together; some carried clothes to wash in the river; others played with babies a few months old.

Seeing Ran Jinnian and Lu Jinyuan come out, they crowded around to greet them. “Commander Lu, you’re back! And this must be your wife.”

They spoke while scrutinizing Ran Jinnian.

Her long hair was styled in a bun; she wore a fitted, pleated, off-white long dress with a pair of Mary Jane shoes.

Although pregnant, she hadn’t gained much weight, and her skin was fair and delicate.

“Commander Lu’s wife is really beautiful.”

She allowed everyone to admire her without a trace of shyness.

Ran Jinnian also looked them over. Their clothes were simple and uniform; their hair was in two long braids, and their faces radiated sincere, confident, sunny smiles.

One woman spoke openly, “Commander Lu, your wife is so beautiful! She dresses so elegantly.”

“This is Sister Li,” Lu Jinyuan introduced.

Ran Jinnian smiled warmly. “Hello, Sister Li.”

“Commander Lu, how far along is your wife? Her belly looks quite big,” another woman asked.

“That’s Sister Qin,” Lu Jinyuan introduced.

“Nearly seven months,” Ran Jinnian answered.

The conversation flowed back and forth, the atmosphere lively.

“No wonder Commander Lu insisted on bringing his wife here. Anyone would be obsessed with such a beautiful wife,” another commented.

Ran Jinnian’s cheeks flushed slightly at this.

Lu Jinyuan spoke, “Sisters, I’m taking Jinnian to her prenatal checkup. Come by in a few days for dinner.”

As the couple walked away, some women whispered:

“Commander Lu’s wife looks delicate and pampered. She won’t endure hardship long; she’ll be running off soon.”

“That man married her for her looks. Being beautiful is useless; she can’t do anything.”

“They act differently when the lights are on and off.”

“Even in front of the kids, their mouths never shut.”

Ran Jinnian didn’t hear the comments about her being unable to endure hardship, as Lu Jinyuan was introducing the military zone. “That’s the canteen; over there is the training area; that’s the daycare and primary school.”

“Daycare too?” she asked, seeing he didn’t elaborate and didn’t linger.

“Some couples here both work, and if there’s no one to watch the child, they go to daycare.”

Lu Jinyuan led Ran Jinnian to the military hospital.

He had to swipe his card to enter.

“This afternoon, I’ll get you a family card. Later, you can go alone if needed,” he said, registering her.

Ran Jinnian sat in the hallway, watching female medical staff in uniform busy at work.

“Ran Jinnian.”

“Ah,” she responded quickly, getting up to enter.

The doctor checked her information, then looked her over. “You’re Commander Lu Jinyuan’s wife?”

She hadn’t expected this cold-faced commander to marry such a beautiful wife.

“Yes.”

“To have prenatal checkups here, you need your own family card,” the doctor reminded her.

“My husband said we’ll get it this afternoon.”

“How far along are you?” The doctor touched her belly, a bit forcefully, causing Ran Jinnian to flinch.

“Don’t move. I’m just checking the baby.”

“Almost seven months,” she answered.

After examining, the doctor issued a note: “The baby is slightly small. You need further tests.”

Ran Jinnian’s heart sank as she took the note to proceed with the tests.

Seeing her pale, Lu Jinyuan asked, “What’s wrong?”

“The doctor said the baby is small.”

When she had tested at the town clinic, no one mentioned this.

Soon, the doctor frowned at her report. “You have fairly severe anemia. If you don’t take care of your health, delivery will be complicated.”

Ran Jinnian felt chills run through her limbs.

Lu Jinyuan tensed. “Doctor Gao, what should we do about the anemia? Can it be treated?”

“Eat more red dates, pork liver, meat, milk, and vegetables. I’ll also prescribe two bottles of iron tablets. Come back in a month for another checkup,” the doctor instructed.

“Thank you, Doctor Gao.”

Lu Jinyuan took the prescription. When he held Ran Jinnian’s hand, he noticed it was icy cold.

He knew she was scared. “Wife, don’t worry. Just take care of yourself, and everything will be fine.”

Ran Jinnian thought of her past life, feeling a heavy weight in her heart.

Lu Jinyuan took the medicine, and they left the military hospital.

As a military family member, she could claim 90% of expenses.

Today, the prenatal checkup only cost the price of two bottles of iron tablets.

He glanced down at her in silence. “Wife, see if we’re missing anything at home. We’ll go to town later to get what we need.”

Although Ran Jinnian had brought many items from her space, there were still things missing. In the military family compound, with so many eyes watching, they needed to prepare properly.

At this moment, her mind was in turmoil, leaving no space to think about what else to buy.