Extra: The consequences of going without protection

Let's jump to two weeks later.

In August, Jiangcheng was as hot as a steamer, and the asphalt road surface shimmered with distorted heat waves under the blazing sun. Luo Li had been standing in front of the pharmacy for ten minutes.

His conflicted face was reflected in the glass door—should he go in? Or not? If he went in, what should he buy? How should he bring it up?

It all started with my conversation with Castorice this morning.

"Luo Li."

At nine o'clock in the morning, Luo Li was still lying in bed when her phone vibrated. It was a message from Castorice.

My period is three days late.

Those seven words were enough to make Luo Li jump out of bed instantly, completely banishing any sleepiness.

He stared at the screen for a full minute, his fingers trembling as he typed. "Is it... what I think it means?"

The reply came quickly, "It could be... or it could just be stress-induced dysfunction."

Luo Li's heart pounded in his chest. He took a deep breath and dialed the number immediately.

"Hello?"

Castorice's voice came through the receiver, sounding calm—but Luo Li could detect a subtle hint of tension.

"Are you sure?"

He asked, his voice a little hoarse, "I mean... three days late..."

"Hmm," Castorice said.

My periods are always very regular, with an error margin of no more than one day.

Luo Li felt sweat starting to bead on her forehead. "Then we..."

"Confirmation required."

Castorice's voice remained calm.

"There are two methods: a pregnancy test, or going to the hospital for a checkup. I suggest using a pregnancy test first, and then going to the hospital if it's positive."

She spoke methodically, as if discussing experimental procedures.

Luo Li felt her mind was in complete chaos.

Pregnancy test?

Pregnant?

They... maybe they're having a baby?

"Luo Li?" Castorice's voice came through the phone. "Are you listening?"

"Yes, I'm listening."

Luo Li wiped her face. "I'm going to buy a pregnancy test now. Where are you? I'm coming to find you."

"I'm at home. Ms. Amonet is out today, Polyxena is at a friend's house."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, Luo Li rushed into the bathroom and washed her face with cold water.

The person in the mirror was pale, and there was obvious panic in their eyes.

He recalled that night two weeks ago—in the hotel, under the moonlight, Castorice was beneath him, her purple eyes shimmering with tears.

He remembered that morning when the two of them woke up in each other's arms and talked about the future.

He recalled the days that followed—they met several more times, each time very... intimately.

But the problem is...

They never used any protective measures.

Not even once.

It's not that I don't understand— Luo Li certainly knows she should use a condom.

But the first time was an accident; both of them had been drinking and couldn't remember the details.

The second time, Castorice took the initiative to request "restoration," but both of them were too nervous and forgot about it.

After that, it was simply a matter of forgetting. Teenagers immersed in the throes of new love, their minds clouded by hormones.

Now, the consequences may be brewing.

Luo Li changed her clothes and rushed out of the house.

And so this scene unfolded—standing at the entrance of the pharmacy, loitering like a suspicious individual.

"Young man, what would you like to buy?"

A gentle voice came from behind him. Luo Li was startled and turned around to see a middle-aged female pharmacist in a white coat smiling at him.

"I... I..." His tongue was tied in knots.

"Buy a pregnancy test for your girlfriend?" the pharmacist asked directly, his smile carrying a deeper meaning.

Luo Li's face instantly turned bright red, and she stammered, unable to speak.

"Come with me."

The pharmacist turned and walked into the pharmacy.

"There are several types available, and their accuracy is about the same. I suggest buying two different brands and using them together for better accuracy."

Luo Li followed behind her like a robot, watching her take two boxes off the shelf.

One packaged in pink, and one in blue.

"This," the pharmacist handed him two boxes, "Just go to the cashier to pay."

Luo Li took the box, her fingers trembling.

"Young man."

The pharmacist suddenly lowered his voice, "If you're really pregnant, you'll have to take responsibility."

Luo Li suddenly looked up and met the pharmacist's gentle but serious gaze.

He nodded vigorously. "I will."

Half an hour later, Luo Li stood in front of the small building of the Mourning Funeral Home, holding a plastic bag from the pharmacy in his hand, containing the two small boxes and a bottle of mineral water, which he had bought on the spur of the moment when paying the bill.

It was Castorice who opened the door.

Today she was wearing a simple white T-shirt and light gray shorts, her long silver-purple hair tied in a low ponytail, looking no different from usual—except that her face was a little pale.

"Come in." She stepped aside.

Luo Li walked into the living room and placed the plastic bag on the coffee table.

The two sat facing each other on the sofa, separated by a plastic bag, as if it were some kind of dangerous item.

"So..." Luo Li spoke first, her voice a little dry, "Shall we test now?"

"Hmm." Castorice nodded, took the two boxes out of the plastic bag, and carefully read the instructions.

Her expression was very focused; her purple eyes scanned the text line by line, as if she were studying some important document.

Looking at her calm profile, Luo Li felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her—panic, guilt, and... a strange sense of anticipation?

What if I really am pregnant?

They had just graduated high school and hadn't even started university yet. Castorice had a bright future ahead of him...

"I've finished reading it." Castorice put down the instruction manual. "First morning urine is the most accurate, but testing at any time also has a certain degree of accuracy. I'm going to test now."

She picked up a box and headed towards the bathroom.

Luo Li sat on the sofa, feeling that time was passing unusually slowly.

He could hear noises coming from the bathroom—the sound of packaging being torn, rustling sounds, and then the sound of the faucet being turned on.

A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened.

Castorice came out, holding the pregnancy test in her hand. Her expression was a little... strange.

"How about it?"

Luo Li stood up, her heart pounding in her throat.

Castorice handed him the pregnancy test.

Luo Li looked down—there was only one line.

One line indicates a negative result, meaning you are not pregnant.

He froze for a few seconds, then let out a long sigh and slumped onto the sofa.

But then he remembered something. "Wait, didn't we say we'd buy two? Two tests are more accurate."

"Hmm." Castorice picked up another box.

"We'll test this tomorrow morning. But according to the instructions, the accuracy rate for one line is 99%."

She paused, then added, "And I just looked it up online; stress, changes in sleep patterns, and dietary changes can all cause delayed periods. We... might just be scare freaking out."

Luo Li looked at her and suddenly noticed that her shoulders were trembling slightly.

"Castorice?" he asked softly.

Castorice raised his head, a flicker of emotion he had never seen before flashing in his purple eyes—was it lingering fear? Relief? Or something else entirely?

"Actually..."

She whispered, "I'm a little scared."

Luo Li's heart clenched.

He got up, walked over, and pulled her into his arms.

"Sorry."

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled.

"It's my fault, I should have been more careful..."

"I also bear responsibility."

Castorice hugged him back. "I said I wanted it, but I didn't mention protection."

The two of them just hugged each other, neither of them saying a word.

The living room was quiet, with only the slight sound of the air conditioner running.

After a long silence, Luo Li finally spoke, "We... must use protective measures from now on."

"Mm." Castorice nodded.

"Every time."

"Um."

"And..."

Luo Li hesitated for a moment, "If you really don't want to... you can take birth control pills. I've looked it up, there are short-acting ones with fewer side effects."

Castorice lifted her head from his embrace and looked at him earnestly. "You know quite a lot."

"I spent all night researching last night," Luo Li said with a wry smile.

"I'm so scared I can't sleep."

Castorice's lips curled up slightly. "I checked too."

She paused, her voice even softer. "They also checked... What if it's really true?"

Luo Li's heart skipped a beat. "What did you find out?"

"Many," said Castorice.

"Some say it's okay to give birth, some say it's not okay, some say you can get a marriage certificate, some say you should have an abortion... It's very confusing."

She looked up into Luo Li's eyes. "If it's true, what do you plan to do?"

This is a very serious problem.

Luo Li remained silent for a long time before answering seriously, "If you want it, we'll have it."

I will take responsibility, I will take care of you, and I will work hard to earn money.

If you don't want it... I respect your decision, I'll accompany you to the surgery, and take care of you.

He paused, his voice trembling slightly, "But no matter what, I won't leave you."

Castorice looked at him, her purple eyes gradually welling up with tears.

"Fool," she buried her face in his chest, "We're only nineteen."

"I know," Luo Li hugged her tightly, "But if it's our child... I will love him."

Castorice didn't say anything, she just hugged him tighter.

Luo Li came again the next morning.

This time he brought breakfast—plain congee and steamed buns—as well as a newly bought pregnancy test.

Castorice tested herself a second time with her first morning urine.

The result was the same: a line.

"Now I can relax." Castorice put down the pregnancy test, her expression visibly more relaxed.

Luo Li breathed a sigh of relief, but then thought of something, "But... your period hasn't started yet, right?"

"Mm." Castorice nodded.

"But pregnancy tests are very accurate, so it's probably just a delayed pregnancy."

She paused, then suddenly smiled—a rare, slightly mischievous smile, "But Luo Li, what you said yesterday... I've remembered it."

"What did you say?" Luo Li was taken aback.

"Say that if it were our child, you would love him."

Castorice looked at him tenderly, "Although not now, but... maybe in the future."

Luo Li blushed. "You... you're thinking that far ahead?"

"Can't I think about it?" Castorice tilted her head.

"Anyway, we'll get married someday, right?"

The words were spoken so naturally that Luo Li was stunned for several seconds before she reacted.

"Get... get married?" he stammered.

"Um."

Castorice nodded, her expression serious. "Didn't you say you wanted to be responsible? Getting married is the most responsible thing to do."

Luo Li looked at her serious expression and suddenly smiled.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Okay, let's get married."

"When?" Castorice asked.

"Graduate from university?" Luo Li thought for a moment, "Or wait until I have a stable job..."

"That's too long," Castorice sophomore year."

Luo Li: "... Isn't sophomore year too early?"

"Won't."

Castorice analyzed it carefully.

"I've already adapted to university life in my second year, and so have you. We can get our marriage certificate first, and then have the wedding after graduation."

Furthermore, if you get pregnant, you can take a year off during your sophomore year to have the baby, and then continue your studies in your junior year...

She has already started planning.

Luo Li was both amused and exasperated. "Castorice, are you already planning to have a baby?"

"It's better to be prepared," Castorice seriously. "Besides, didn't you say you would love our child?"

"I can."

Luo Li kissed her forehead.

"But we can enjoy our time as a couple first, and have children when we're ready."

That makes sense.

Castorice nodded, but added.

"But you can wait a maximum of three years. Having your first child before age 25 allows for faster recovery."

Luo Li: "... You even checked this?"

"Hmm." Castorice nodded, "I also looked up the best age for conception, preconception preparation, and prenatal education methods..."

Luo Li covered her face.

His girlfriend is a woman of action.

Three days later, Castorice's period finally arrived.

That morning, she messaged Luo Li: "I'm here."

It was just two words, but Luo Li could sense the relief in her words.

He replied, "Does it hurt? Do you need me to come with you?"

"It hurts a little. But don't come, Ms. Amonet is at home."

Luo Li stared at the screen, thought for a moment, and then went out.

He bought brown sugar, ginger tea, and painkillers, and also a bouquet of flowers—this time not wildflowers, but carefully packaged pink roses from a florist.

When Mourning Funeral Home, it was Ms. Amonet who opened the door.

The stern old woman glanced at him, then at the flowers and bag in his hand, and raised an eyebrow.

"Castorice is upstairs." She stepped aside.

Don't stay too long.

"Yes, yes." Luo Li nodded quickly.

He went upstairs and knocked on Castorice's door.

"Come in."

Luo Li pushed open the door and went in.

Castorice was lying on the bed, her face pale and her forehead covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

Why are you here?

She asked, her voice a little weak.

"I've come to keep you company." Luo Li placed the flowers and bag on the bedside table and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Does it hurt badly?"

"Hmm." Castorice rarely showed weakness.

It hurts more than usual.

Luo Li gently touched her face with a tender expression. "I bought brown sugar ginger tea, would you like some?"

"Good."

Luo Li made her a cup of ginger tea and helped her sit up to drink it.

After drinking the hot tea, Castorice's complexion improved.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Of course."

Luo Li held her hand. "It's my fault for making you worry for so long."

Castorice shook her head and leaned on his shoulder. "Actually... when I found out I wasn't pregnant, I was a little... disappointed."

Luo Li was taken aback. "Disappointed?"

"Mmm," Castorice's voice was very soft.

"Although I'm scared, and although I know it's not the right time, the thought of possibly having our child... brings a touch of anticipation."

She looked up at Luo Li: "Am I strange?"

"Not surprising." Luo Li kissed her forehead. "I'm kind of looking forward to it too."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Outside the window, the August sun was blazing.

The room was cool with air conditioning, had the sweet aroma of brown sugar ginger tea, and the fragrance of roses.

There are also two young people who have just narrowly escaped a "crisis" and are both afraid and hopeful about the future.

"Luo Li," Castorice suddenly said.

"Um?"

"Let's have a child when we're ready."

"Okay," Luo Li agreed, "But before that..."

He took a small box out of his pocket.

It wasn't a ring—he didn't have the money to buy a ring—but a box of condoms.

Castorice blushed when she looked at the box.

"When did you buy it?" she asked softly.

"Yesterday."

Luo Li honestly confessed, "I bought a whole box, all different models. I even looked up how to use them correctly and watched the instructional videos..."

Castorice's face turned even redder. "You... you watch those kinds of videos?"

"For learning!" Luo Li quickly explained, "And they're very professional instructional videos, produced by a medical school!"

The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then burst out laughing at the same time.

Amid laughter, Luo Li put the condom back in her pocket and said earnestly, "I'll use it every time from now on. I promise."

"Mmm." Castorice nodded, leaning back on his shoulder. "I believe you."

Outside the window, there are cicadas chirping, the wind whistling, and the hustle and bustle of the city.

But the room was quiet, with only the sounds of their breathing and heartbeats.

This "crisis" has passed.

But life goes on, and love continues to blossom.

There is still a long road ahead and many things to face.

But at least for this moment, they were together.

That's enough.

"Luo Li."

"What's wrong now?"

"Next time... shall we try a different model?"

"... Castorice!"

"What's wrong? Didn't you say you bought various models? Practice makes perfect."

Luo Li covered her face.

His girlfriend, in some ways, is truly... very inquisitive.