"Did you all see Dr. Lu today? He is incredibly handsome!"
"He's good-looking, yes, but he's already taken, you know! I heard that Dr. Si, who just returned to the Emergency Department, was previously in a relationship with Dr. Lu."
"Sigh, they truly were a perfect match... with all brains and beauty..."
At the entrance of the Gynecology and Obstetrics clinic in the city hospital, a group of young nurses were passionately engaged in their gossip.
Gu Nian lowered her eyes to her toes, hearing everything crystal clear.
Yes, he's taken, and she was the one he's taken by.
Without much thought, Gu Nian knew that the Dr. Lu they were referring to was her husband, Lu Shiqian, the man whose name was written on her marriage certificate.
Regrettably, less than five people know about their marriage.
Lu Shiqian was a young and talented neurologist at the central hospital. His handsome face surpassed even that of the hottest celebrities, making him a well-known figure in the city's medical system.
No wonder so many people adored him.
Just then, a middle-aged woman with curly hair hurriedly rushed over.
It was Du Yanqiu, Lu Shiqian's mother, who was Gu Nian's mother-in-law in name.
She asked Gu Nian, "They haven't called your number yet?"
Her anxious demeanor made it seem like it was her own daughter who was pregnant.
Gu Nian pulled herself out of her thoughts and glanced at the display screen. There was only one person ahead of her now.
"Soon."
Within two minutes, Gu Nian's name was called through the loudspeaker, indicating she should go to examination room number three. Du Yanqiu, more impatient than Gu Nian, led her towards the room energetically.
The young doctor wore glasses. She motioned for Gu Nian to sit down by moving her chin upward, "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
Gu Nian sat down leisurely, "I don't actually feel ill."
Du Yanqiu took a seat next to her, gave her a discontented glance, and said, "Doctor, she needs a comprehensive gynecological check-up. She's been married for three years without conceiving, we're not certain if the issue is with her ovaries or hormones."
The doctor's gaze circled around Gu Nian's face a couple of times. It seemed she didn't expect such a young-looking woman to already have been married for three years.
"...In this situation, it's recommended that the male partner get examined too."
Before Gu Nian could speak, Du Yanqiu hastily added, "Oh my, my son is very healthy. How could he possibly have any issues?"
Gu Nian curled her lips, but did not speak. Yes, she'd been married for three years, but she and Lu Shiqian had never consummated their marriage. Getting pregnant would be the aberration.
But her silence, in the doctor's eyes, was taken as admission.
Feeling a bit sorry, the doctor said, "So young, there shouldn't be a big problem. Let's do an internal examination first, come with me."
With no other option, Gu Nian glanced at Du Yanqiu, who sat there with a cold expression, and stood up resignedly to follow the doctor.
It was merely a check-up. Once it was done, she could finally relax.
After entering the examination room, Gu Nian saw several pieces of medical equipment next to the examining table.
After much thought, Gu Nian realized the instrument was similar to the one used during her ultrasound when she had stomach pains as a child. She tried to comfort herself that there was nothing to be scared of.
The doctor, disregarding her tension, opened up a pair of gloves and put them on, instructing her, "Take off your pants and lay on the bed."
"..."
Gu Nian couldn’t react in time, she leaned against the bed and asked in a stunned manner, "W-what?"
"Take off your pants."
Gu Nian's heartbeats accelerated uncontrollably at that second.
Seeing the device in the doctor's hand, she finally realized what kind of examination she was going to have.
Swallowing hard, a sense of unknown dread crept in, gradually spreading throughout her body. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Du Yanqiu was just outside, only a curtain away, what could she say?
That both she and Lu Shiqian had no issues, only that they hadn't had sexual intercourse?
Lu Shiqian was a good doctor, but he was certainly not a good husband.
After three years of marriage, he only treated her as a decoration.
Such words were too difficult for Gu Nian to utter.
If Du Yanqiu knew the truth, what would she do...
The thought itself gave Gu Nian a headache.
"Ah, forget it."
Gritting her teeth, Gu Nian decisively undressed before the doctor lost all his patience, lying rigidly on the bed.
It was just a thin layer of skin, nothing much to fuss about. Endure it, and it would be over soon!
"Spread your legs, hug your knees."
As the doctor instructed, she could see him approaching with the instrument while the screen next to her emitted quiet buzzing, giving her goosebumps.
At that moment, Gu Nian felt her exposed legs tightening with anxiety, to the point of cramping. Severe embarrassment combined with uncontrollable fear... she was at the brink of fainting.
Cold sweat dripped from her palms, as she clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms.
"Relax, don't tense up."
The doctor had bent down, and Gu Nian, with her eyes shut, felt a slight chill approaching her legs...
However, the expected uncomfortable sensation never arrived, and the buzzing of the instrument came to an abrupt halt.
Gu Nian peeked with one eye open, hmm, did it break?
The next instant, the doctor walked toward the curtain, a clear voice came from outside-
"Doctor Lu, why are you here?"
In a sudden panic, Gu Nian hastily jumped off the bed to pull up her pants.
Why is Lu Shiqian here?!