“Don’t be nervous. It’s just a simple test and it might be negative.” YuZhi rubbed TangShi’s back lengthways, gently warming her and sounding unusually upbeat. TangShi was perched on the seat in the doctors office, uptight, and stiff, while she fidgeted with her handbag handle and he could sense her apprehension like a thick fog around her. The doctor had left them alone while he took her urine sample to another room for testing and it was a strained atmosphere.

“What if it isn’t? What if it’s positive and….” Her voice trembled and she cut off mid breathy sniff, her fear getting the better of her. TangShi was already a...