Chen Li Shu was startled, "Pregnant?"
Zhang Qin nodded, "Yes, you smelled that fragrance before and vomited, and your period is late. Plus, you haven't been looking well these past few days. I was just like this when I was pregnant with Xiao Song, my nose was as sharp as a dog's, unable to tolerate any other smells."
She had seen Chen Li Shu's struggles and considered herself lucky to have such a good sister-in-law. If she was indeed pregnant, Zhang Qin would be the first to celebrate.
Listening to her words, Chen Li Shu felt her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest, but reason forced her to suppress that thought.
After so many years with no news, how could she suddenly be pregnant? The thought was immediately extinguished.
It was impossible. She had only recently stopped taking medication; this must be a side effect of stopping.
Looking at Zhang Qin's expectant eyes, Chen Li Shu managed a smile, "Sister-in-law, it's probably a side effect from stopping the medication. Besides, I only vomited once, and I don't feel anything now."
Zhang Qin knew how much she must have longed for this over the years, and perhaps that's why she was afraid to hope too much.
Feeling a pang of sympathy for her, she reached out and held her hand, saying softly, "I know what you're thinking. Why don't I accompany you to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up? If you are pregnant, we'll take precautions. If not, we'll keep trying. I believe good people will be rewarded."
After a long pause, Chen Li Shu gently nodded.
Before Zhang Qin mentioned it, Chen Li Shu hadn't thought about it in that way, but after hearing her words, she couldn't help but unconsciously pay attention to changes in herself.
She felt that nothing smelled right anymore, and nothing tasted delicious.
"You didn't eat much tonight, only one bowl of rice. Are you feeling unwell?"
Chen Li Shu shook her head, "I don't always eat just one bowl. I haven't been eating less."
Gu Xing Dong placed the steaming basin of water by her feet and teased, "You've been eating two bowls lately."
Chen Li Shu rolled up her trouser legs, revealing her fair feet. As they touched the steaming water, she shivered involuntarily. Once her feet were fully submerged, she sighed comfortably.
"What, you think I eat too much?"
"Nonsense. You're the only wife, I can afford to feed you three bowls. Any more than that, though, and it might be too much."
"Why? Are you afraid I'll get fat and you won't find me attractive?"
"I'm afraid I won't be able to carry you if you get too fat."
Chen Li Shu couldn't help but glare at him. They say one's beauty increases when viewed under lamplight. Chen Li Shu was already beautiful, and now, with her head slightly bowed, a strand of hair brushed her cheek as she casually tucked it behind her ear, her posture alluring and captivating.
Chen Li Shu looked up, her eyes meeting his dark pupils, like stars in a deep, cold pool. Blushing, she dried her feet and said, "I'm done washing."
"Alright." Gu Xing Dong bent down, picked up the water basin, and left the room.
With the hospital visit on her mind the next day, Chen Li Shu snuggled into bed and closed her eyes early.
Knowing she wasn't feeling well, Gu Xing Dong didn't bother her. He turned off the light and then lay down beside her.
After breakfast the next day, they informed the family that they were going to town to buy New Year's goods and to pick up Gu Xing Ping and Chen Li Fei. Chen Li Shu and Zhang Qin then left to catch the bus.
Upon arriving in town, they went directly to the county hospital.
"What is it?" the doctor asked Chen Li Shu, "Where are you feeling unwell?"
Chen Li Shu shook her head, "My period is late this month."
The doctor inquired about the specific timing and then called over a young nurse, "Take her for a urine test first."
Chen Li Shu got up as instructed and followed the nurse out, while Zhang Qin waited for her on a long bench outside the consultation room.
"Alright, wait outside for the results. Listen carefully, they'll call your name."
"Thank you."
After saying goodbye to the nurse, Chen Li Shu went out and sat with Zhang Qin on the bench, waiting for news.
The waiting period for the results felt long and agonizing for Chen Li Shu, a mixture of anticipation and fear of disappointment, a conflict of emotions.
"Chen Li Shu!"
After an unknown amount of time, someone called her name. Chen Li Shu quickly went to the window to collect the lab report.
"Congratulations, you're pregnant. You're six weeks along."
Pregnant...
Six weeks!
Zhang Qin walked over, seeing her standing there in a daze, holding the report, and asked anxiously, "Third sister-in-law, how is it?"
Chen Li Shu looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, and after a moment, said, "Sister-in-law, it says here I'm pregnant, six weeks along."
"Really?" Zhang Qin let out a sigh of relief, "This is wonderful! Mom, Dad, and third brother will be overjoyed to hear this good news."
Chen Li Shu couldn't help but smile along. As she smiled, a sudden worry surfaced, and she quickly grabbed the report and pulled Zhang Qin back into the consultation room.
"Doctor, I only stopped medication two months ago. Is it possible that being pregnant so soon could be harmful to the fetus?"
The doctor frowned upon hearing her words.
The most frightening thing for a patient was to see a doctor frown. Chen Li Shu's heart immediately leaped into her throat.
"The interval is indeed a bit short. However, based on what you've said, the medication was mostly for nourishing the body, so it should be fine. But our medical conditions here are limited. If possible, when you're a bit further along, you could go to the provincial capital for an ultrasound to get a more detailed look. That would give you more peace of mind."
Hearing the doctor's words, Chen Li Shu felt slightly relieved. After thanking the doctor, the sisters-in-law left the hospital and headed towards the small courtyard.
Gu Xing Ping and Chen Li Fei were gathered around the stove, eating sunflower seeds and listening to the radio. They were quite happy to see Chen Li Shu and Zhang Qin arrive. When they heard that Cheng Xi Fen and her daughter had been driven away, Xing Ping was overjoyed.
"Let's go home quickly. The New Year is just a few days away, and I need to wash and disinfect my bedding properly."
The four of them locked the courtyard gate and then went to the supply store to buy many things. When Chen Li Shu reached out to help carry the items, Zhang Qin nervously stopped her, "You're pregnant now, you mustn't move around carelessly. Let me do it."
"Third sister-in-law / Eldest sister, you're pregnant?!"
Gu Xing Ping and Chen Li Fei exclaimed in unison, drawing the attention of people around them.
Chen Li Shu blushed a little and nodded, "I just found out today."
Gu Xing Ping: "I'm going to be an aunt?"
Chen Li Fei: "I'm going to be an aunt?!"
Seeing them sing in unison like a duet, Chen Li Shu and Zhang Qin exchanged glances and couldn't help but laugh.
After finishing their shopping, the four of them took the bus home together.
At that time, Gu Xing Dong had just returned from borrowing a small stone mill from the village. The night before, Chen Li Shu had suddenly mentioned wanting to drink soy milk, and since it was convenient in the village, he had also bought some soybeans.
They had barely entered the house when they saw Gu Xing Ping and Chen Li Shu return.