Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital-Chapter 489 - 394: Does Zhao Heng Want Both a Son and a Daughter?

Chapter 489: Chapter 394: Does Zhao Heng Want Both a Son and a Daughter?

"Let’s talk about it next year or the year after."

Xu Man Ni said.

Technically, at her age, she should be busy sorting out marriage plans, but considering she and Zhao Heng haven’t been together for long, and both of their careers are at crucial growth stages, postponing it a bit is not an issue.

A couple of days ago, her close friend Sun Li did mention the same female doctor, Ruan Liuzheng, who was following Zhao Heng for further studies. However, Xu Man Ni hadn’t had the chance to focus much on Ruan Liuzheng before she transferred to the Obstetrics department.

Besides, marriage is a major event in life, involving a lot of hustle and bustle, inside and outside, up and down, left to right. It requires quite a bit of time to handle.

With the current workload for Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni, where is the time to tackle such affairs?

Only once Xu Man Ni is promoted to head nurse and resolves her teaching duties, can she have more spare time to deal with these matters.

"I thought buying a house meant you were preparing for marriage..."

Xu Hongdou, a bit disappointed upon hearing this, thought once Xu Man Ni was married, she could have a little niece or nephew to keep her company and relieve her boredom.

To be honest, Xu Hongdou really likes kids, but not to mention marriage, she doesn’t even have a boyfriend yet.

For someone like Xu Hongdou, who is knowledgeable and with excellent personal qualities, finding a suitable partner to marry is practically a sky-high difficulty.

"I was even planning to help you take care of your nieces and nephews when you have them."

After a pause, Xu Hongdou added.

"You want to take care of my kids?"

Xu Man Ni sounded as if she had heard something absurd; in her eyes, Xu Hongdou was someone who couldn’t even take care of herself, let alone kids?

This was actually Xu Man Ni’s long-standing impression. After all, in her eyes, Xu Hongdou was always the little girl who seemed timid because her parents were rarely around, and only got better when she grew up and stayed at their home.

In reality, Xu Hongdou is far more mature and exceptional than Xu Man Ni gives her credit for.

"Yep, I’m not planning to get married, not even planning to date. Without marriage or dating, what happens when I get old? I’ll need to rely on you, my sister, to have a few nieces and nephews so I can raise them and they can take care of me in my old age." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Xu Hongdou said seriously.

From the tone of her voice and her serious expression, it’s clear that although what she said sounds like a joke, she might genuinely feel that way.

Much like how many extremely successful women in present times opt not to date or marry; if they want kids, they simply go for IVF.

Raising kids by oneself, without a husband, in-laws, or a whole bunch of relatives and interpersonal problems to juggle, the life is quite straightforward.

"Uh..."

Xu Man Ni was rendered speechless by Xu Hongdou’s words. Even though she had occasionally thought about this, she didn’t expect Xu Hongdou to think the same way.

They really do think alike!

Not everyone in this world is suited for love, marriage, and childbirth.

Minorities need to be acknowledged.

"I think having two nieces and one nephew is enough, anything more than that would be a bit too noisy. Ideally, one boy and girl twins, and then another niece."

Xu Hongdou’s thoughts spiraled, she even planned out how many nieces and nephews she might want.

"Do you think I’m a pig, to have so many?"

Xu Man Ni replied, amused yet exasperated, seeing how far away Xu Hongdou’s imagination had wandered.

"Cough, cough..."

"Actually, I think one son and one daughter would suffice."

Zhao Heng, who had been rather invisible in the conversation, spoke timidly.

The older generation often harbors a desire for having both a son and daughter, and Zhao Heng generally feels the same way.

Having both children is a traditional blessing.

In practical terms, having two sons can lead to inheritance disputes, while having two daughters might pose a lack of support issue; daughters usually won’t be around all the time once married. If anything happens to an elderly person, they might have to travel from afar, and then there are in-laws and other family dynamics to navigate!

However, having both "son and daughter" can symbolically represent "prosperity and happiness."

Seeing others with one son and one daughter, one could say having both children together is ideal.

Seeing others with all sons, it’s said that "sons carry on the legacy," that sons are practical.

Seeing others with all daughters, it’s said that "daughters are little angels, affectionate and caring."

When visiting friends and relatives, good words easily come out and sometimes, like "Happy New Year" and "May you be successful," seem just a formality when you think about it.

"Look, brother-in-law’s opinion aligns with mine."

As soon as Zhao Heng spoke, Xu Hongdou responded promptly.

"Is that what you really think?"

Xu Man Ni couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Heng, questioning.

To her, Zhao Heng, at slightly over twenty-five, is at an age where men mostly express they "want to play a few more years" or "haven’t played enough." So what exactly does "play" mean?

Is it dining and enjoyment?

Or is it having multiple romantic encounters, connecting with several girls?

Probably a bit of both.

Having kids seems almost too distant for a man of this age.

"Back home, it’s like this, sons are for face, and daughters for substance. Having both is a great blessing."

Zhao Heng pondered and then spoke.

Sons can take the brunt, daughters can provide care; having both practically covers all bases.

In the past when conditions were poor and risk resilience low, it’s understandable the older generations thought this way.

Even in modern society, it does contain certain reference value.

Many news stories reveal the first batch of couples styled after Dingke (childless by choice), now in their sixties and seventies, and well, how is it?

They manage to live, but whether wealthy or otherwise, there’s a certain lonely late-life vibe.

Here, the term loneliness refers to emotional state.

"Didn’t expect you to be so traditional."

Xu Man Ni, appearing to rediscover Zhao Heng, remarked with a smile.

"When have I not been traditional?"

Zhao Heng couldn’t help but counter.

"Mostly traditional, but there are times you’re not that traditional..."

Xu Man Ni, recalling Zhao Heng’s "non-traditional" times, said with a slight blush.

"Sis, what’s brother-in-law like when he’s not traditional?"

Xu Hongdou curiously asked.

"Um... you don’t need to know about that..."

Xu Man Ni, a bit hesitant, replied.

"Jeez, not revealing anything here."

Xu Hongdou, a bit discontent, remarked. She’s deeply interested in her sister Xu Man Ni’s life, especially her romantic life, having grown up together.

Soon, the three finished their meal and, leaving the restaurant, wandered into a high-end custom home décor store.

The store employee spotted the handsome trio, smiled warmly, and approached them, leading them to the seating area, offering coffee and snacks, demonstrating keen hospitality.

In the employee’s perspective, Zhao Heng and his companions could be potential big clients.

"Do you have cold water?"

After browsing for a while, Xu Hongdou felt a bit hot, so she asked the store employee.

"Unfortunately, we don’t have cold water, but we do have ice cream."

The store employee replied with a bright smile.

"You wouldn’t happen to have specific clientele for your ice cream, would you?"

Sitting on the sofa, Zhao Heng jokingly inquired.

"Oh, sir, you’re kidding. We are a nationwide premium brand."

The store employee, probably familiar with online trends, quickly understood Zhao Heng’s reference to the "MINI ice cream incident."

"Sir, we offer custom full-home solutions, allowing you to tailor any style you desire. The customizations are often at least 50% cheaper than similar quality furniture."

The store employee introduced.

"50%? That’s quite a lot. Can the quality be guaranteed?"

Zhao Heng, a bit surprised, questioned, 50% seemed too significant a difference.

"Not at all, the custom furniture are directly ordered from the factory without middleman steps. Customers can observe the crafting process and material selection on site."

The store employee patiently explained.