After swallowing half a piece of brown sugar, the piercing dizziness finally eased a little.
Xu Zhaozhao leaned against the kang bedhead with her eyes closed, ostensibly resting, but in truth her full attention was fixed on the light screen in her mind.
The bullet comments were still lively. Beyond cheers and concern, some genuinely useful information had begun to appear.
【What’s the streamer planning to do next? Ten yuan won’t last long.】
【Top priority is going to the hospital for an exam and getting official proof!】
【Exactly. Otherwise the spit alone could drown her. That stepmother will definitely stir up trouble again.】
【I remember the book saying the original owner went to the town clinic and got screwed over by a bribed doctor.】
【Yes, yes! Streamer, don’t go to the clinic! You have to go to the military district hospital!】
【But the military hospital is far—how can she get there in her condition? And doesn’t she need an introduction letter?】
【Bullet-screen shield, activate! Tell the streamer how to get the letter!】
An introduction letter? The military district hospital? Xu Zhaozhao’s heart stirred. This really was the key.
In the original owner’s memories, Wang Guifen had previously mentioned taking her for a “checkup,” meaning the town clinic—where she had a distant relative.
If she really went there, wouldn’t that be walking straight into a trap?
“Everyone…”
She murmured silently, trying to communicate with the bullet comments.
“I need to go to the military district hospital to get checked and prove the babies’ gestational age—and their relationship to Chen Zheng. Can anyone tell me how to get an introduction letter?”
She wasn’t sure if she could be “heard,” but this was the only outside help she could rely on right now.
The bullet comments instantly exploded!
【She’s talking to us?!】
【Wow! It’s really interactive!】
【Introduction letters are issued by the Family Committee or the unit’s Political Department!】
【Streamer, your mother-in-law definitely won’t help—you’ll have to figure it out yourself.】
【There’s a way! I remember the book mentioned Director Liu from the Family Committee—she’s very upright. Her husband is the Political Department director of Chen Zheng’s regiment!】
【Yes, yes! Director Liu lives in the next building, third floor! Go find her!】
【But how does the streamer go out like this?】
【Say you’re going for a walk to get some air, and “accidentally run into” Director Liu!】
【Streamer, Director Liu usually goes downstairs for a walk around three in the afternoon—this is your chance!】
Information scrolled by rapidly. Xu Zhaozhao quickly extracted the key points:
Director Liu. Next building, third floor. Walks in the afternoon around three. Upright. Husband is the Political Department director.
Heaven is helping me!
She glanced at the dull gray sunlight outside and estimated the time.
It was probably around noon. She still had time to rest and prepare.
Her gaze fell again on the less-than-ten yuan and the scattered ration coupons.
This amount would make both transportation to the military hospital and the examination fees tight. She had to budget carefully.
Forcing herself up, she paced slowly around the room—partly to loosen her stiff limbs, partly to familiarize herself with the surroundings and search for any “wealth” the original owner might have overlooked.
This was a typical northern residence: a main hall with east and west side rooms.
She lived in the slightly larger east room. Wang Guifen lived in the west. When Li Xiuhua and her husband came over occasionally, they squeezed into a small partitioned room off the main hall.
The furniture was simple; the walls were peeling.
When she reached the Eight Immortals table in the main hall, she noticed a thick book propping up one corner of the table.
On a whim, she bent down and pulled it out.
The table remained steady—it clearly didn’t need the book as a prop.
The book was old, its cover damaged. The faint words Barefoot Doctor’s Manual were still visible.
She flipped it open casually. Inside, besides medical knowledge, something was tucked between the pages—
Several national grain coupons. The denominations weren’t large, but together they added up to more than a jin. There was also a slightly yellowed industrial coupon.
Xu Zhaozhao’s heart skipped a beat. This was probably the original owner’s subconsciously hidden “private stash”—something she might even have forgotten herself.
In a corner of her memories, there seemed to be a moment when Chen Zheng had come home on leave and stuffed some cash and coupons into the original owner’s hands, telling her to buy herself something to eat. Wang Guifen had seen it and scolded her, and the timid original owner had secretly hidden them away.
【Wow! Hidden funds!】
【So the original owner wasn’t completely naive after all!】
【Great—now the travel money is a bit more comfortable!】
【Streamer, stash it quickly! Don’t let that old hag find out!】
Xu Zhaozhao swiftly pocketed the grain coupons and industrial coupon, then stuffed the book back where it was.
With this small supplement, she felt much more at ease.
She returned to the east room and lay down again to conserve her strength.
The little ones in her belly seemed to sense their mother’s calmer mood; their movements became much gentler.
She stroked her abdomen again and again, a strange warmth and sense of responsibility welling up in her heart.
These six children were her deepest bond in this unfamiliar time and space.
Around two-thirty in the afternoon, Xu Zhaozhao struggled to her feet.
She changed into the original owner’s most presentable outfit—a faded blue Lenin-style jacket.
It was still loose, but it could barely conceal her pregnant belly. She carefully combed her dry, yellowing hair and tied it into a neat ponytail.
Her complexion was still pale, but the light in her eyes was enough to make people overlook some of her sickly appearance.
She couldn’t look too disheveled, but she also couldn’t appear overly forceful. The most suitable image was that of a wronged yet dignified military wife trying her best to hold herself together.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and went out.
The main hall was quiet. Wang Guifen’s door was shut tight—no one knew whether she was sulking or scheming.
Li Xiuhua was nowhere to be seen either.
Perfect.
Xu Zhaozhao walked slowly, one hand instinctively protecting her belly, and left the house.
The military family compound in the afternoon carried a plain, tranquil atmosphere.
Rows of neat red-brick single-story houses stood in order, clotheslines strung out front and back, hung with garments of all colors.
A few elderly women sat on small stools outside their doors picking vegetables. When they saw her come out, they paused and looked over with complicated expressions—curiosity, scrutiny, and a faint, barely concealed disdain.
The rumors had long since spread everywhere.
Xu Zhaozhao acted as if she noticed nothing. Following the bullet comments’ guidance, she slowly headed toward the next building, as though simply out for a breath of fresh air.
She walked very slowly, stopping to rest from time to time, as if barely able to bear the burden.
This appearance made some soft-hearted old ladies avert their gazes, shaking their heads inwardly—thinking that she really wasn’t having it easy.
Just as she reached the area beneath the next building, the corner of her eye caught sight of a figure stepping out of the stairwell.
It was a middle-aged woman around fifty, dressed neatly in a gray Zhongshan suit, hair cut neatly to ear length, expression stern, eyes upright and clear.
That’s her—Director Liu!
Xu Zhaozhao’s heart sped up slightly. She adjusted her breathing and continued forward. As the two were about to pass each other—
Her foot seemed to slip, and her body swayed slightly. She instinctively reached out to brace herself against the wall.
“Comrade, are you all right?”
Director Liu stopped, asking with concern. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was steady and firm.
Xu Zhaozhao lifted her head and offered a weak yet grateful smile.
“I—I’m fine. Thank you. Just a little dizzy. An old problem. I’ll be okay after a short rest.”
Director Liu looked at her enormous pregnant belly and pale face, frowning slightly.
“With your condition… how many months are you? That looks like quite a burden. Are you out alone? No one at home to accompany you?”
Xu Zhaozhao lowered her lashes, her voice soft, carrying just the right hint of grievance and resilience.
“Almost four months. At home… my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are busy. I can manage on my own—just came out to get some air.”
She didn’t say anything bad about Wang Guifen or Li Xiuhua, but this kind of half-spoken explanation invited imagination all the same.
Director Liu had worked in the family compound for many years—what underhanded things hadn’t she seen?
Hearing this, and seeing Xu Zhaozhao’s condition and her being alone, she understood a few things at once.
She had heard some rumors about Chen Zheng’s wife before, but had never met her.
Seeing her in person now, she felt the girl didn’t match those ugly rumors at all—on the contrary, there was a stubbornness that made one feel sorry for her.
“Four months?”
Director Liu assessed her belly. Even by experience, it did seem unusually large.
“Have you been examined? What did the doctor say?”
Xu Zhaozhao shook her head. Her eyes reddened slightly, but she quickly held it back.
“No… my mother-in-law said the town clinic would be enough. But I… I heard that with multiple pregnancies, it’s safer to be checked at a better hospital. I wanted to go to the military district hospital, but… I’m not familiar with the procedures.” She revealed her confusion and helplessness at just the right moment.
“Nonsense!”
Director Liu’s expression darkened.
“With your situation, how can a clinic be enough? You must go to the military district hospital for a comprehensive examination! Where’s your introduction letter? Haven’t you gotten one?”
Xu Zhaozhao shook her head and said quietly, “I don’t know how to get one… my mother-in-law said it wasn’t necessary…”
“What do you mean, not necessary!”
Director Liu’s voice carried anger.
“This is about taking responsibility for yourself and the children! Comrade Chen Zheng is out there defending the country—his wife and children must receive the best care!”
Looking at Xu Zhaozhao’s slender figure, a sense of responsibility rose within her.
“Come. Go with me to the Family Committee. I’ll issue the introduction letter for you—right now!”
【Success! Director Liu is awesome!】
【Streamer’s acting is on point—perfectly controlled!】
【Great! With the introduction letter, the first step is solid!】
Xu Zhaozhao was overjoyed inside, but her face still showed gratitude mixed with unease.
“T-That… this is too much trouble for you, Director Liu.”
“It’s no trouble. It’s my job.”
Director Liu spoke decisively, supporting her by the arm.
“Let’s go. Be careful.”
And just like that, with Director Liu’s help, Xu Zhaozhao smoothly arrived at the Family Committee office.
Director Liu worked swiftly, soon issuing the introduction letter for a military hospital examination. She also carefully reminded Xu Zhaozhao of several precautions, even offering to arrange a staff member to accompany her if no one at home could go with her.
Xu Zhaozhao politely declined the offer of accompaniment, thanking Director Liu again and again.
Holding this thin yet immensely weighty introduction letter, she knew she had taken the firmest first step toward dispelling rumors and proving her innocence.
Stepping out of the Family Committee, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the compound in a warm golden hue.
Xu Zhaozhao clenched the introduction letter in her pocket, along with that little bit of “startup capital,” and looked toward the direction of the military district hospital, her gaze resolute.
Tomorrow—she would go to the hospital.