The doctor nodded and, seeing that he didn’t quite understand, added a few more words.
"During the seven days before and eight days after menstruation, most women don’t ovulate."
"So whether or not you used contraception, the chances of your wife getting pregnant are quite low."
However, there’s always an exception, and the doctor didn’t want to speak too definitively.
"But it’s not a hundred percent guarantee—it’s just that the probability of her getting pregnant during this time is relatively small."
"Besides, you also took precautions. If you’re still worried, wait a couple more days."
"If her period is delayed next month, bring her to the hospital for a check-up."
"Oh, by the way, was your wife feeling unwell yesterday?"
Huo Tingzhou hesitated—did her soft moans count?
His pause made the doctor immediately write him a prescription.
"This anti-inflammatory ointment isn’t expensive, just twenty cents a box."
"Take it home and apply a thin layer if there’s any discomfort."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Having clarified everything he needed to know, Huo Tingzhou stood up to leave when the doctor called him back.
In the past, most contraceptives on the market contained talcum powder.
Later, when it was discovered that it wasn’t good for health, they switched to starch.
But after the agricultural decline in 1966, starch supplies became insufficient.
So starting this year, all contraceptives replaced the lubricant with sewing machine oil.
The doctor wasn’t sure whether this was harmful to the body, but the failure rate of oil-soaked contraceptives was definitely higher.
Just in the past few months, the number of military wives coming to their hospital for prenatal check-ups had increased by dozens compared to last year.
Many of them were even older mothers in their forties.
After investigating, they realized most of the issues stemmed from contraceptive failures.
"Right now, I can’t guarantee whether the ones available at the hospital will work properly."
"If you really want to avoid pregnancy, you might want to check the Friendship Store—their contraceptives are of better quality."
"Got it."
Huo Tingzhou took the doctor’s words to heart.
But buying things at the Friendship Store required not just identification but also foreign exchange certificates or special supply coupons.
Luckily, he had plenty of comrades from the Beijing Military District who could help him gather enough.
While Huo Tingzhou was busy collecting supply coupons, Jiang Si had already finished making chicken noodle soup.
While cooking, the calico cat had either tilted its head, staring motionlessly at her, or circled around her legs incessantly.
Seeing this, Jiang Si quickly took a few fresh sea fish from her space, cut them into small pieces, and placed them in front of the cat.
She rubbed its head. "Go ahead, eat."
The cat meowed happily.
After finishing a bowl of noodles, Huo Tingzhou still hadn’t returned.
Bored, Jiang Si moved a chair to the yard to sunbathe, and the calico cat curled up at her feet.
Suddenly, as if hearing something, it darted into the storage room. Soon, rustling sounds came from inside.
Jiang Si didn’t dare go near.
Just then, Huo Tingzhou returned, and she immediately pointed at the storage room.
"The cat just ran in there. Go check—I think it caught a mouse."
She quickly retreated to the living room.
The trauma from last night lingered, and she couldn’t even bear to look at a mouse now.
But before she could finish speaking, the calico cat emerged triumphantly, like a victorious general, with a huge mouse dangling from its mouth.
It glanced around before proudly trotting toward Jiang Si.
It remembered her scent—this beautiful two-legged creature had just fed it delicious fish.
"……"
As it got closer, Jiang Si’s pupils shook in horror.
No, no, no—I gave you fish so you’d catch mice, not so you could shove one in my face!
If she had ever considered keeping a cat before, the thought vanished instantly.
Thankfully, Huo Tingzhou swiftly shut the door, or she might have lost her mind.
Perhaps sensing it had frightened the beautiful two-legged creature, the cat quickly dashed outside with the mouse. When it returned, even its meows were softer.
Seeing its pitiful expression, Jiang Si couldn’t help but laugh.
But the next moment, spotting the noodles in the pot, she sighed.
"What’s wrong?"
Jiang Si tilted her chin. "I thought you’d be back soon, so I made your portion too. Look, now the noodles are all soggy."
"It’s fine. Soggy or not, they’re still good."
Huo Tingzhou wasn’t picky, especially when it came to her cooking.
Even if it turned into mush, he’d just say it was easier to digest.
After burning a lot of energy last night, he was starving.
A large bowl of noodles disappeared in minutes.
Jiang Si was the type to forget pain once the wound healed. Just moments ago, she swore she’d never keep a cat—but now, watching the calico chase its tail in circles, she found it unbearably cute again.
Of course, it would be even better if it didn’t bring mice to her.
After a while, she couldn’t resist teasing it.
"Here, kitty—come here!"
Kitty?
The cat’s drooping ears instantly perked up at the sound.
Realizing the beautiful two-legged creature was calling it, it trotted over eagerly.
Jiang Si didn’t care whether it understood her or not.
"For the next few days, don’t bring mice near me—or any other small animals."
"And don’t jump on my bed or lick my hands without permission."
"Meow—"
Jiang Si grinned and rubbed its head. "Good kitty!"
For some reason, her words seemed to affect Huo Tingzhou. He suddenly remembered her saying something similar last night.
He’s so good—
Yes, she had ruffled his hair too.
Lost in thought, he didn’t even notice Jiang Si casually asking him a question while playing with the cat.
"What did the doctor say?"
After waiting a while without a response, Jiang Si glanced over and saw his ears burning red.
Instinctively, she pressed the back of her hand to his forehead.
Strange, he didn’t feel feverish.
Huo Tingzhou stiffened awkwardly, then took her hand and didn’t let go.
"It’s nothing—just ate too fast and worked up a sweat."
He cleared his throat. "What did you say earlier?"
"I asked what the doctor said. Could I be pregnant?"
"Probably not."
Huo Tingzhou repeated the doctor’s words verbatim, and Jiang Si’s eyes widened in shock.
Who said people in this era were conservative?!
She thought the doctor would just ask a few perfunctory questions.
Good thing she didn’t go—she would’ve wanted to vanish into the ground.
"Si Si?"
Still dazed, Jiang Si responded weakly.
"Hmm? What?"
Remembering her soft whimpers last night, Huo Tingzhou took a deep breath. Before he could ask—
"Are you... still uncomfortable there?"
Jiang Si had already spotted the ointment on the table and spoke first, her tone earnest.
"Is it still bothering you? Do you want me to apply some for you?"
Boom—
Huo Tingzhou felt something explode inside him.
This time, it wasn’t just his ears—his entire body from the neck down flushed crimson.
In the end, under Jiang Si’s mix of threats and coaxing, Huo Tingzhou gritted his teeth and reluctantly released her hand, letting her apply the ointment for him.
He turned his face away, not daring to look at her.
But in the corner where Jiang Si couldn’t see, the tense line of Huo Tingzhou’s lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.
Little did Jiang Si know that her simple act of doting on her man—just kindly helping him with the ointment—would cost her dearly.
The price? Being unable to leave the house for three straight days.
Thankfully, it was winter; otherwise, she’d have no way to face anyone.
Yet what worried her even more was that on the fourth morning, her usually punctual period didn’t arrive—breaking all precedent.
