The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Xu Zhaozhao woke up.
She carefully hid the introduction letter, money, and coupons close to her body, and changed into the only Lenin-style outfit she had.
Wang Guifen’s door was still tightly shut, clearly determined to give her the cold shoulder, probably not even preparing breakfast.
Xu Zhaozhao didn’t mind. She drank some hot water, nibbled half of the mixed-grain pancake she had secretly saved from last night, and quietly slipped out the door.
She had to reach the military district hospital as early as possible—both to avoid Wang Guifen’s potential obstruction and to secure an appointment with a specialist.
The morning air was cool. Xu Zhaozhao wrapped herself tightly in her thin clothes and, following the directions she had confirmed from the bullet comments last night, headed toward the bus stop leading to the city.
The military compound was in a remote location. It took nearly twenty minutes just to reach the stop, leaving her panting and sweaty at the temples.
【Streamer, hang in there! Almost at the bus stop!】
【Looks so tough—walking so far with such a big belly.】
【No choice, transportation is inconvenient at this hour.】
【Hope everything goes smoothly and shuts down those rumors!】
Finally, a rickety old bus arrived. It was crowded, with a mix of smells in the air.
Someone noticed she was pregnant and offered her a seat.
Grateful, Xu Zhaozhao thanked them, sat down, and rested against the window, conserving her energy.
The military district hospital was in the city—quite a distance away. After nearly an hour of bumpy travel, she finally arrived.
Compared to the town clinic, the military hospital was far more imposing.
It was a three-story Soviet-style building, with guards stationed at the entrance.
After registering with her introduction letter and ID, Xu Zhaozhao was allowed to enter.
The outpatient hall bustled with people, most in military uniforms or as military family members.
The strong smell of disinfectant hit her immediately.
Following the signs, Xu Zhaozhao found the obstetrics and gynecology department.
A line had formed at the registration counter.
When it was her turn, the staff glanced at her introduction letter and pregnant belly, asked no questions, and efficiently registered her.
“Third floor, Room 2. Ask for Director Li.” The window handed her a small registration slip.
Director Li? Sounds like a specialist.
Xu Zhaozhao felt a bit reassured, thanked them, and slowly headed toward the stairs.
By the time she climbed to the third floor, she was covered in sweat.
She found Room 2. Several pregnant women and their family members were already seated along the hallway benches.
Xu Zhaozhao chose a corner, trying to calm her breathing.
The waiting felt long and torturous.
Most of the other pregnant women were accompanied by husbands or family, quietly chatting, while she was alone, feeling somewhat out of place.
Curious eyes occasionally glanced at her prominent belly.
Xu Zhaozhao lowered her gaze and silently consulted the bullet comments for information about Director Li.
The comments indicated that Director Li was an authority in the hospital’s obstetrics department, highly skilled and upright.
Finally, the nurse called her name.
Xu Zhaozhao took a deep breath, stood, and entered the consultation room.
The room was simple. Behind a desk sat an elderly doctor with graying hair, glasses, a kind face, and sharp eyes—Director Li herself, no doubt.
A young female doctor, presumably an intern, stood nearby.
“Xu Zhaozhao?”
Director Li picked up her registration slip and introduction letter, glanced at her face, then her belly. Her brow twitched slightly.
“Sit. Where does it hurt?”
“Hello, Director Li,” Xu Zhaozhao said, sitting down, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m almost four months pregnant and want a full examination.”
“Hm.”
Director Li gestured for her to extend her wrist, checked her pulse, then looked at her tongue and complexion.
“Your color isn’t good. Have you felt dizzy, fatigued, or lost your appetite recently?”
“Yes,” Xu Zhaozhao nodded.
“And your belly… how does it feel? Any noticeable movements?” Director Li asked in a calm tone.
Xu Zhaozhao knew the crucial moment had arrived. She answered truthfully.
“My belly… feels much larger than average, and the movements are frequent. I feel… there’s more than one child moving.”
Director Li nodded without surprise and said to the young doctor beside her:
“Xiao Zhang, take her to the exam bed inside. I’ll do a palpation myself.”
The young doctor, Xiao Zhang, acknowledged and led Xu Zhaozhao into the examination room.
Lying on the cold exam bed, Xu Zhaozhao’s heart raced.
She felt Director Li’s warm but dry hands pressing gently yet firmly on her high belly.
Minutes passed.
Director Li’s expression remained focused, sometimes concentrating, sometimes slightly nodding.
After a while, she withdrew her hands.
“Get up,” she said, then instructed Xiao Zhang, “Arrange an immediate ultrasound.”
Ultrasound? In this era? Xu Zhaozhao was surprised, but more thrilled.
Ultrasound would provide the most direct proof!
【Ultrasound! Amazing! Now who dares to slander her!】
【At this time, big hospitals may have it, but it must be scarce.】
【Director Li must have felt something was off and went straight to confirm with ultrasound.】
【Perfect! Science slaps rumors the hardest!】
Xiao Zhang seemed a bit surprised too but asked no questions and immediately arranged it.
Since it was Director Li’s personal instruction, the ultrasound was scheduled quickly.
Lying on the ultrasound table, the cold gel applied to her belly, Xu Zhaozhao watched as the doctor moved the probe across her abdomen.
Staring at the black-and-white screen—advanced for this era—her heart brimmed with anticipation.
The doctor’s expression shifted from calm to astonishment, even tinged with disbelief and excitement.
She adjusted the probe repeatedly, scrutinizing the images.
“Oh my….”
She murmured, then looked at Xu Zhaozhao in awe.
“Comrade, your… You’re not carrying just one or two!”
Xu Zhaozhao’s heart steadied. She whispered: “Doctor, can you tell how many there are?”
The doctor examined carefully for a long moment before confirming:
“At least four! No, wait… There are two more… my goodness. Six! You’re carrying sextuplets!”
Even prepared mentally, hearing the doctor confirm it was still a huge shock and joy.
Sextuplets—an extremely rare miracle even in her original time!
Returning to Director Li’s office with the ultrasound report, Xiao Zhang eagerly shared the news.
Director Li looked at the report. Even with her experience, her eyes revealed astonishment and relief.
Adjusting her glasses, she said to Xu Zhaozhao:
“Congratulations, Xu Zhaozhao! And well done! The ultrasound shows you’re carrying six babies. From what we can see, their development is normal, and the gestational age matches your near-four-month claim.”
Pointing to the report, she spoke seriously:
“Sextuplets cause the uterus to expand faster and larger than a single pregnancy, so your prominent belly and early showing are completely normal! This has nothing to do with any alleged ‘wrong month’! This is medical science!”
“Thank you, Director Li!” Xu Zhaozhao’s voice choked, a mix of relief, grievance, and the joy of vindicating herself and her children.
Director Li looked at her frail figure and said earnestly:
“Sextuplets are a heavy burden, with high risks. You are currently malnourished and show signs of anemia. You must strengthen nutrition immediately, rest well, and attend regular checkups! I’ll prescribe nutritional supplements and issue a detailed diagnosis certificate.”
She carefully wrote in the medical record and on a separate certificate:
Diagnosis: Intrauterine pregnancy, ~16 weeks, sextuplets. Pregnant woman severely malnourished, anemic.
Recommendations:
Increase nutrition—high-protein, high-vitamin diet;
Rest, avoid overexertion;
Regular prenatal checkups, consider early hospitalization for delivery;
Family support and care required.
Finally, she stamped the certificate with the hospital and department seals, and signed it personally.
This thin sheet of paper felt immensely weighty in Xu Zhaozhao’s hands.
It was ironclad scientific proof—the most powerful weapon against all rumors!
【😭😭😭 Tears! Finally vindicated!】
【Director Li is amazing! The diagnosis certificate is crystal clear!】
【Let’s see who dares say the babies aren’t Chen Zheng’s! Sextuplets!】
【Streamer, go back and shut them up! I can’t wait!】
Xu Zhaozhao clutched the certificate and medical record tightly, bowing deeply to Director Li.
“Director Li, thank you so much!”
Director Li waved her hand gently:
“Go home and take care of yourself. If there’s any problem, come straight to the hospital. Remember, you are not alone. You have the organization, and you have the hospital.”
With the nutritional supplements and this crucial diagnosis certificate in hand, Xu Zhaozhao left the hospital.
The sun shone brightly, warming her as she walked.
She glanced back at the solemn gates of the military hospital, feeling empowered.
Evidence in hand, the world was hers.
It was time to return home and settle the household—to make those petty troublemakers finally shut up!