Xu Mingjuan turned around in surprise. While other military dependents might not know why the army had organized this health check-up, she worked in the logistics department and was quite attuned to military policies.
Being asked to stay behind by the doctor alone, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Since only she had been called, Jiang Si and Hu Meili waited in the hallway for news.
About ten minutes later, Xu Mingjuan emerged.
Her face was blank, her gaze distant, and she clutched the medical report tightly in her hand.
Jiang Si’s heart sank at the sight.
But then she reconsidered—surely it couldn’t be that bad.
Lately, Sister Xu had often visited their home, and every time she was welcomed, Jiang Si would add a bit of spiritual spring water to her tea.
The fruits and vegetables she gifted her were also grown in her special space.
She had already confirmed that the spiritual spring water had remarkable effects in healing hidden physical ailments.
Xu Mingjuan was equally bewildered.
It was Hu Meili’s voice that snapped both of them out of their thoughts. "Well? Everything alright?"
Xu Mingjuan jolted back to reality. "It’s fine."
Glancing at the line of military dependents still waiting for their check-ups in the hallway, she lowered her voice.
"Let’s go outside to talk."
The three found a bench along a nearby tree-lined path and sat down.
Hu Meili pressed, "What exactly did the doctor say?"
Xu Mingjuan gripped the report, her tone disbelieving.
"Doctor Jiang said… my health indicators are all excellent. She even told me to stop taking the medications prescribed before."
"That’s great news!" Jiang Si exhaled slightly in relief.
But Xu Mingjuan’s next words made her heart leap into her throat again.
"I’ve already stopped taking them… for over a year."
At this, Xu Mingjuan looked somewhat embarrassed.
"For the first two years after the incident, I couldn’t move on."
"Then Doctor Jiang told me it wasn’t completely hopeless—if I took care of my health, there was still a chance."
"After that, I drank herbal medicine like it was water. Old Lei tried to talk me out of it, but I wouldn’t listen."
"Deep down, I knew Doctor Jiang was probably just trying to comfort me."
"But back then, I was stubborn. All I wanted was to have a child of my own."
"I kept taking those herbs for two or three years, but nothing changed."
"Then last year, Old Lei got his leg injured in a mission. That’s when I finally let go."
"If we couldn’t have children, so be it. As long as Old Lei and I were together and living well, that was enough."
Yet now, after stopping the medication for over a year, her health had improved instead.
For a moment, Xu Mingjuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Jiang Si tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, mentioning that all medicine had its side effects.
Then she added, "Sister, did Doctor Jiang say anything else besides telling you to stop the medication?"
"She said my chances of getting pregnant now are much higher than before…"
Hu Meili was so overjoyed she could hardly speak.
The journey from "possible" to "much higher" had been grueling. As Xu Mingjuan’s closest friend, she had witnessed every step of the struggle.
After a long pause, Hu Meili finally managed, "Really?"
"Really!" Xu Mingjuan nodded emphatically.
Tears spilled from her eyes the moment she spoke.
"This is good news—no crying now!"
But even as she said this, Hu Meili’s tears fell harder than Xu Mingjuan’s.
Jiang Si was about to comfort them when Hu Meili suddenly dropped a bombshell.
"Listen, you can stop the herbs, but don’t stop that. Just don’t overdo it—every other day is perfect. Quality and quantity both matter."
"And afterward, don’t rush to clean up or shower. Just lie there, maybe prop your hips up with something. The higher, the better."
"Wait, Mingjuan, when’s your period? Let me calculate the best time."
When it came to conceiving, Hu Meili spared no effort in guiding her best friend.
Xu Mingjuan flushed with shyness, but her desire for a child outweighed her embarrassment.
"It just ended two days ago."
Hu Meili’s eyes lit up. "Then now’s the perfect window! Let me teach you a few tricks—try them tonight."
The next two minutes were a masterclass from "Professor Hu."
"…"
Jiang Si was stunned.
She had already experienced "Professor Hu’s" breakneck speed before, but this time, the woman had accidentally shifted into hyperspeed.
No wonder conservative Chinese families had managed to produce a population of 1.4 billion!
By the time Jiang Si snapped out of her daze, Hu Meili had turned to her.
One look at that expression, and Jiang Si knew "Professor Hu" was about to drag her into the lecture.
Sure enough, Hu Meili declared, "Listen, you can’t just leave baby-making to the men. We’ve got to take matters into our own hands—"
Though no one else was around, Jiang Si and Xu Mingjuan both turned scarlet at her ensuing advice.
Watching as "Teacher Hu" sped up to a speed that was inappropriate for children, Jiang Si cleared her throat twice and said, "I think having the right mindset is also very important."
After saying that, she looked at Xu Mingjuan. "Sister - in - law, since Doctor Jiang has said so, don't be too nervous.
Keep a good mood every day and be happy. The baby will come naturally."
"Well, I think so too," Xu Mingjuan showed a sincere smile.
Hu Meili also nodded.
Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Sister Si, have you finished your work?"
Jiang Si had rarely gone out during this period. Except for occasionally going to the fishing village to see Third Uncle Gong, she spent most of her time at home painting.
She calculated the time and said, "It should be finished in about two days."
"That's good," Hu Meili was relieved now.
She said with a smile, "You've been here for so long but haven't really gone beachcombing. There'll be a big spring tide at the end of the month. At that time, several families will go together."
Jiang Si asked, "Beachcombing?"
Hu Meili replied, "Yes. You can wade in the water, dig in the sand, and look for little crabs and shells. With the sea breeze blowing, I guarantee you'll have no stress at all."
Xu Mingjuan also thought this was a great idea and added, "It'd be best to bring a small stove. Then we can catch the seafood and cook it right away. What do you think?"
Jiang Si nodded vigorously. She thought it was excellent!
As soon as she got home, she started making a list of things to bring for beachcombing.
When going to the beach, you definitely need to wear rain boots. Otherwise, if you step on a broken shell, your foot will be in trouble.
A sun - hat also has to be taken. You can tell how strong the ultraviolet rays are at the beach just by looking at Third Uncle Gong.
Before, she had advised Third Uncle Gong and Uncle Zhong, but they didn't listen.
As a result, within less than twenty days on Qiongzhou Island, they had turned as dark as soy sauce.
It doesn't really matter if men get tanned.
But it's different for her.
Although she doesn't tan easily, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Thickened labor - protection gloves should also be taken.
Otherwise, you'll easily get pinched by the crabs when catching them.
Next are the iron buckets and sacks. Since there are so many of them, they'll definitely be able to dig up a whole sack of seafood. If they bring too few containers, there won't be enough space!
Jiang Si hesitated between a small shovel and a small rake, and finally stuffed both into the sack.
They are very useful for digging clams and razor clams.
Speaking of digging razor clams, Jiang Si also took a salt shaker.
Then there are the iron hook and the fire tongs.
Seafood like sea urchins and octopuses like to hide in the deep crevices under the rocks.
Without these two tools, you won't be able to get them out by hand.
Finally, bringing a small knife and a rope should be about enough.
As for whether they can catch seafood during beachcombing, Jiang Si doesn't even think about it.
It doesn't matter if they can't. At that time, she'll "smuggle" some out from her space for everyone to catch, ensuring that everyone has a great time.
