Shen Xinyao wet her lips nervously. Feeling a little embarrassed, she asked, “Do you think this will work?”
“Why won’t it work? Just tell her you’re pregnant. She’ll be so happy that she’ll definitely agree to go to the hospital with you.” Zhuang Jiawen thought the plan was excellent.
Since it was for the sake of her mother-in-law’s health, Shen Xinyao felt that it would be okay to lie to her once. She agreed and said, “Alright, I’ll go right now.”
She turned around and prepared to go downstairs.
Zhuang Jiawen called her suddenly, “Wait, I’ll go tell her. You can wait in the room.”
He felt that it would be less awkward if he went in her place instead.
Shen Xinyao listened to him and sat down on the bed to wait.
Downstairs, Lin Xinyan was just about to leave the house when Zhuang Jiawen hurried over and grabbed her arm. “Mom.”
“Hmm?” Lin Xinyan turned around and looked at her son. “What’s the matter?”
Zhuang Jiawen leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Yao says she feels unwell, and she keeps wanting to throw up. I want her to go with me to the hospital for a checkup, but she keeps refusing. Can you help me to convince her and go with her to the hospital?”
Lin Xinyan wondered if Shen Xinyao was pregnant. “I’ll go have a look.”
She went upstairs to look for her. Zhuang Jiawen followed after.
In the meantime, Zong Jinghao was reading a finance magazine in the living room, he looked up at the ‘show’. His eyes took on a steely glint that disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared. Then, he looked down at his magazine and continued reading.
Upstairs, Lin Xinyan stepped into their bedroom and walked towards Shen Xinyao. “Yao, are you feeling ill?”
“I…” This was the first time Shen Xinyao was lying to someone older than her. Feeling a little lost, she stammered horribly, “I—I…”
“I heard from Jiawen that you feel like throwing up all the time. How long has it been?” Lin Xinyan asked.
Shen Xinyao snuck another look at Zhuang Jiawen. “It’s—it’s been going for a few days.”
“We have to take you to the hospital.” Lin Xinyan turned and looked at her son. “Take her to the hospital, will you?”
“I’ve already told her to go the hospital, but she doesn’t want to. Mom, why don’t you accompany her instead?” Zhuang Jiawen looked very troubled. “Mom, I’m a man. I think it’ll be better if you go with her to the gynecologist instead.”
Lin Xinyan didn’t think much of it. She replied, “Sure. I’ll accompany her.”
Zhuang Jiawen picked up the car keys. “I’ll drive us there.”
“Yao, let’s go.”
Shen Xinyao followed her mother-in-law downstairs.
He jangled the car keys in his hands and turned to look at his father in the living room. “Dad, we’ll be going out for a bit.”
Pretending as though he didn’t know what was going on, Zong Jinghao asked, “Where are you guys going?”
“Yao is feeling a little unwell, so we’re heading to the hospital,” Zhuang Jiawen replied.
Father and son locked eyes with each other and decided not to ask any more questions.
“We’ll get going, then.” He pulled the door open and stepped outside.
Zong Jinghao waved a hand and continued reading his magazine.
Lin Xinyan didn’t even bother to look at him. Instead, she turned and followed her son out without another word.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital.
After waiting for a while, they went into the doctor’s office for consultation. Shen Xinyao was too embarrassed to open her mouth, so Zhuang Jiawen told the doctor on her behalf instead. “She just keeps wanting to throw up.”
“And you are?” The doctor looked up at him.
“I’m her husband,” he replied.
The doctor nodded and conducted an ultrasound and other tests for Shen Xinyao. While they were waiting for the test results, Zhuang Jiawen sat down next to Lin Xinyan and asked, “Mom, when was the last time you got a checkup? Since we’re at the hospital today, why don’t you go for one?”
After all, the main purpose of today’s visit was to get Lin Xinyan to go for a checkup.
She frowned. “I go for one every year. It’s not time for my annual checkup yet.”
“I mean, we’re already here, so you might as well go. Yes?” Zhuang Jiawen tried to coax her into it. “What do you think?”
“Exactly. Mom, I can wait here by myself. You and Jiawen should go for a checkup,” Shen Xinyao added intending to help.
“I’m perfectly fine, and my annual checkup always turn out fine.” Lin Xinyan felt quite reluctant. She was only here to accompany her son and daughter-in-law. Besides, she was perfectly fine. Why did she need to go for a checkup then?
“Mom…” Zhuang Jiawen cajoled. “Your eldest son isn’t married yet. You have to remain healthy until he’s wedded off. Besides, now that Yao and I are married, she might pregnant anytime. You have to be in good health so you can help us take care of your grandkids. Right?”
