The duty director Yin Hong.
A plaque at the entrance of the obstetrics department displayed the photograph and brief introduction of the duty director for the day.
Xia Li stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Please wait a moment," a middle-aged woman's voice came from inside.
She walked out while fastening the buttons of her white coat.
"It's you? What's wrong?" the middle-aged woman asked in surprise.
"Director Yin? What a coincidence. My wife isn't feeling well, and we'd like to get her checked."
"What's wrong with her?" Yin Hong inquired.
"Well, well, we were a bit too active yesterday, and it seems I might have disturbed the pregnancy."
Xia Li glanced at Guo Xuyang as she spoke.
"How long has it been?"
"A little over a month."
"Have you had any check-ups?"
"Not yet," Xia Li replied.
"No check-ups? Would you like to have an ultrasound scan?"
Yin Hong asked while scribbling something on a piece of paper.
"Certainly. You are the expert; we'll do as you say."
"Is this your first pregnancy?"
"Yes."
"How old is she?"
"Twenty-three."
"Get a check-up first. If everything is fine, you won't need any medication.
Just be careful and don't do any heavy lifting.
Also, you need to be restrained with your marital intimacy, as this is your first child."
Yin Hong continued writing as she spoke.
"Take this referral form and get an ultrasound scan."
"Director Yin, we feel terrible that you covered our breakfast. I'll transfer the money to you."
Xia Li said, motioning for Yin Hong to open her mobile payment QR code.
"If it weren't for you, I might not have had breakfast so early.
It didn't cost much, don't worry about it. Isn't our acquaintance a form of fate?"
"That's too embarrassing, Sister. "Guo Xuyang chimed in.
"Just treat me to a meal another day. Hurry up and get the scan; you need to have a full bladder." Yin Hong reminded them.
"Alright then. We'll treat you another day, and you must come." Xia Li said.
"No problem. Go ahead," Yin Hong said, waving her hand. "Next!"
There was no alternative; it would be awkward to haggle when they refused payment, especially with other patients waiting outside.
The two of them went to the ultrasound room.
There were no other patients inside, so they were seen immediately.
"Didn't Director Yin tell you to hold your urine? Did you?"
"I've been holding it. I felt the urge after breakfast and have been holding it until now."
"You're amazing. If there were many patients, you might have wet yourself!"
"I've noticed you're becoming increasingly vulgar," Xia Li retorted.
"Aren't I just showing my concern for you?"
"I don't need your concern. The greatest concern you can show me is to be less troublesome," Xia Li said irritably.
"The fetus is seven and a half weeks old and developing normally..." the doctor in the ultrasound room said as she performed the scan.
"Doctor, can you tell the sex of the fetus now?" Xia Li suddenly asked.
"Boys and girls are all the same. What era are we in? Why are there still such antiquated ideas?" the doctor reprimanded.
"No, I was just asking," Xia Li said with a helpless expression.
"Every child is an angel, and we should all cherish the arrival of this little life.
Many people now suffer from infertility; they are desperate for children.
If they heard you ask that, they would be very upset."
"No, I really don't care if it's a boy or a girl.
Anyway, the birth policy has been relaxed, and I can have more children," Xia Li said.
"Having more children is also beneficial for a woman's body; at the very least, the chance of developing breast hyperplasia will be significantly reduced."
"How many children do you have?" Xia Li asked.
"Two. The elder one is already in primary school," the doctor replied, her hands still moving.
"Alright, you can get up now. The fetus is developing normally, and everything is fine."
"Thank you, Doctor. Do you happen to know if there are any confinement centers around here?
That's a place for pregnant women and new mothers." Xia Li asked again.
"Confinement centers? Our hospital has one.
It's upstairs in the obstetrics department. Aren't you preparing a bit early?"
"My friend is due to give birth in the next couple of days, so she asked me to inquire." Xia Li said.
"You can ask at the obstetrics department; you'll find out. The confinement centers are managed by the obstetrics department."
"That's great. Thank you, goodbye!" Xia Li said, walking out of the ultrasound room.