2
580words
Every year,my father-in-law's workplace organizes routine physical exams.
One day,he came home triumphantly after the physical examination.
I was coming out of the bathroom and was about to go back to my room.He was sitting on the sofa,wearing glasses and looking at the report.
Out of politeness,I walked up to him."Dad,are the results good?Everything okay?"
He waved the report in front of me."The doctor said I'm in great health.At the age of sixty,my body is like that of a thirty-year-old."
I smiled faintly.That seemed like quite an exaggeration.Over the years,he'd done little to take care of himself,leaving most of the household responsibilities to my mother-in-law.
Although my mother-in-law was a bit stingy and thrifty,she had indeed done her best for this family.
I casually took the physical examination report and flipped through a few pages.To my surprise,I found that the last page was from the department of andrology.
A regular physical examination shouldn't include the department of andrology,right?Why had my father-in-law undergone such an exam?
Noticing my interest,he snatched the report back immediately."There's nothing to see here.My good health is the greatest blessing for you two."
I nodded and didn't think much of it.Just as I was about to turn around,he suddenly called out to me.
"By the way,how much does it cost for you and Eric to have one IVF?"
I was startled by the sudden question.
"About thirty to a hundred thousand dollars each time,depending on the specific situation,like which generation of IVF it is,"I said.
"Oh,a hundred thousand dollars."he repeated thoughtfully.Then,looking at me seriously,he said,"You two haven't saved much since you just started working.I know you've spent almost all your money on the previous three attempts.IVF still needs to be done.Our family needs an heir.This is also for your own good,both you and Eric.I'll pay for this IVF."
Hearing what he said,I was a bit touched.The old man was truly considerate.
Though each IVF attempt had been grueling,whenever I thought about having a child and making my parents proud,I found the strength to persevere.
"Amanda,have you gone to the hospital for ovulation induction again?"my father-in-law suddenly asked.
I was a bit surprised.
He seemed really eager about this matter.He called Eric and urged him to come back from his business trip.
On the weekend,Eric and I were about to go to the hospital,and my father-in-law was also packing up to go with us.
"Dad,are you going too?"I was a bit puzzled.After all,he hadn't gone with us the previous times.This time,he seemed really concerned.
Caught off guard, he laughed awkwardly."Well,I have to go with you to pay the money,right?I was in a hurry yesterday and didn't have time to transfer the money from the bank.Besides,it's better to have one more person around in case anything happens."
My mother-in-law also came out of the kitchen.She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and then said,"Why don't I go too?After all,it's already the third time.If it doesn't work out each time,all that money will be wasted."
As expected,her words stung.
But my father-in-law quickly grew flustered."What are you going for?Stay home and cook."
At the hospital,my father-in-law busied himself handling payments,filling out forms,and registering us.
Midway through,he disappeared for a while.
When he came back,there was a bit of sweat on his forehead.
"Dad,where did you go just now?"Eric asked casually.
My father-in-law looked momentarily nervous,but there was a faint smile on his face that was hard to notice."Oh,nothing.I juststepped out for some fresh air.It's so stuffy in this hospital."
