Volume 0 / Chapter 3: Intersex Condition

"This child should actually be a girl," the doctor remarked in the air-conditioned office, where the chilly atmosphere caused Yù Liáng to break out in goosebumps.

Yù Liáng stared blankly at the doctor across from him as he spoke. But as a university graduate – still somewhat rare in those days – he had received a good education. He didn't interrupt, instead listening patiently and attentively as the doctor continued.

"Mò Xuěyáo suffers from female pseudo hermaphroditism. That means while the external genitalia appear male, the internal organs are fully female. She has complete ovaries and a uterus, possessing normal reproductive function."

"Please continue." Yù Liáng wiped sweat from his forehead and instinctively pulled out a pack of Liqun cigarettes from his shirt pocket. He paused, then put them back.

"Generally, this should have been detected in early childhood. However, comprehensive infant physical examination systems weren't widespread then. Combined with the largely typical appearance of her external organs, it went unnoticed." The doctor pointed to the printed ultrasound images, explaining, "The current situation is this: her male organs aren't entirely non-functional. While incapable of reproduction, they still secrete testosterone. This suppresses the development of her uterus and ovaries to some extent, causing delayed physical development."

Another doctor beside him added, "This hormonal imbalance leads to endocrine disruption. It irritates sensitive nerves, triggering the pain. We strongly recommend corrective surgery as soon as possible. Delay could result in the uterus, ovaries, and other organs failing to develop properly..."

"She's really a girl?" Yù Liáng, unfamiliar with this field, couldn't help but ask.

"Yes. Her chromosomes are XX. She is unquestionably biologically female."

"So... what would the surgery entail?"

"The procedure itself isn't overly complex. It's similar to gender confirmation surgery, but somewhat easier. Once completed, she will be a complete girl, indistinguishable from any other."

Cicadas droned incessantly outside the window, an irritating backdrop. 

Yù Liáng took a deep breath and rubbed his sweaty forehead and broad face. "Can this hospital perform such surgery?"

"We have the necessary equipment. We can bring in specialized experts from other hospitals temporarily."

"And the cost?"

"Since this is a procedure with relatively few domestic cases so far, we can reduce some medical fees. In exchange, we'd request permission to collect the patient's data during hospitalization." The doctor's voice lowered slightly. "But the surgery fees, hospitalization costs, and other expenses combined... it would likely be upwards of fifty thousand yuan."

Fifty thousand yuan. In that era, it was a staggering sum.

Mò Xuěyáo's Mother earned only six hundred yuan a month as a maid. His Father made around eight hundred to a thousand.

Even Yù Liáng, as a section chief, earned less than two thousand yuan a month.

A fifty-square-meter apartment in Hangzhou, a second-tier city, could be bought for as little as a hundred thousand yuan back then.

And fifty thousand was just the starting point for the medical costs. Any complications would make it even more unaffordable.

"Alright, thank you. I'll inform Xuěyáo's parents."

"Please do so quickly. Corrective surgery is most effective the sooner it's done."

"Understood." Yù Liáng nodded and left the overly chilled office.

Nurses and patients streamed through the corridors. Frowning, he walked alone back to the hospital lobby.

"So, Godfather? What did they say?"

"Hmm, nothing serious. They just said watch your diet, stop eating ice-cold stuff, or your stomach will hurt again."

"Huh? Oh... Was it really just too much ice water? But summer's just so hot..." Mò Xuěyáo mumbled.

"How about coming to my place to cool off today? You haven't visited in ages," Yù Liáng suggested with a smile.

"Air conditioning?! I'm in! Hey, Godfather, do you still buy Science Fiction magazines?" Mò Xuěyáo asked excitedly.

"Of course I do."

"Wow! Haven't read any in half a year! I can binge-read now!" Mò Xuěyáo cheered, while Yù Liáng smiled and ruffled his hair.

The truth about the intersex condition remained locked in Yù Liáng's heart, unspoken to Mò Xuěyáo.

Afterwards, they only picked up some painkillers before leaving the hospital.

"Ouch! Hot!" Mò Xuěyáo yelped, jumping the moment his backside touched the Santana's seat, like it was burning him.

"Haha, the AC will kick in soon. Just tough it out for a few minutes!" Yù Liáng chuckled, turning on the car's air conditioner but not driving off yet.

He only rolled down the driver's side window, lit a cigarette, and called Mò Xuěyáo's mom.

"Hello? Xuěyáo?"

"Yù Liáng? How's Xuěyáo?"

"Uh, nothing serious," Yù Liáng forced a casual tone. "Got some painkillers. Turns out it was just too much ice-cold stuff."

"That little rascal! I told him to drink more hot water! Serves him right, maybe he'll remember now!" Mò Xuěyáo's Mother sounded both annoyed and amused.

"Haha, alright, alright. I'm off today, taking Xuěyáo to my place. When you and Ā lī finish work, come over for dinner."

[Ā lī : Mò Xuěyáo's Father name]

"Okay. And we really need to thank you properly."

"Don't mention it, it's nothing." Godfather smiled, hung up, finished his cigarette in one long drag, and closed the window.

Yù Liáng's home was in what was then considered the relatively suburban part of Hangzhou.

Not too far, though – just a ten-minute drive.

After all, Hangzhou itself wasn't that big back then.

The little car bumped along the road. Mò Xuěyáo gazed out through the dark-tinted window, then wrinkled his nose at a familiar smell.

"Godfather, smoking again?"

"Hah... force of habit."

"Mom says it's bad for you," Mò Xuěyáo stated seriously.

"Eh, been smoking this long already, what difference will it make now?" Yù Liáng laughed loudly.

"Ahem!" Mò Xuěyáo made a face and rolled down his window.

He'd rather feel the hot wind than breathe in the smoke.

Yù Liáng tapped ash off his cigarette and stubbed the unfinished one out in the car's ashtray.

He twisted the knob, filling the car with sound from the car radio.

Classical music was playing – it sounded like Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

The car soon reached its destination. Roads without traffic jams made driving smooth.

The only downside was the poor road surface, making the ride constantly bumpy.

But once you got used to it, the rocking motion almost felt fun.

"Godfather, what's it like driving?"

"Just alright, I suppose," Yù Liáng replied.

"When I grow up, I'm gonna buy a car too! Hmm— I want a Santana too!"

"Haha, when you're old enough to learn, I can lend you mine to practice."

"Eh... forget it, that's ages away. Who knows if this car will even be running by then?"

"Retire that soon? It could easily last another ten years!" Yù Liáng patted the car's dashboard.

"Will you still be driving it then?" Mò Xuěyáo asked, eyelids drooping. Realizing how that sounded, he quickly added, "By then you'll be promoted, driving a much better car!"

"Haha, you're such a sweet talker, aren't you? Do you want to eat something sweet?"

"Godfather, do you have ice cream?" Mò Xuěyáo's eyes widened.

"Always thinking about cold stuff! Not today."

"Okay..." Mò Xuěyáo slumped his arms, looking like he was melting under the sun. "Hey, Godfather, when are you actually going to buy your own car? Didn't you say last time you had enough saved?"

"Still looking! I'm not even worried, why are you so impatient? Alright, let's go in."

With that, the two pushed open the door and walked inside.

Godfather's home was far more spacious than Mò Xuěyáo's.

It had two floors. The first floor was the living room, featuring a large U-shaped sofa. Besides a big color TV, there was also a VCR for playing the latest popular video tapes.

When you wanted to watch, you'd lower the projector screen – a whole home theater setup.

The entire house was probably around two hundred square meters, something Mò Xuěyáo's parents always envied deeply.

Every time they worked hard to save money, they'd say – someday, we'll live in a place as big as Yù Liáng's.

"Oh, Xueyao's here?" Yù Liáng's wife walked out smiling, bringing him tea, water, and snacks. She kept asking what he wanted to eat or play, her enthusiastic hospitality always making Mò Xuěyáo feel a bit awkward.

Yù Liáng's daughter was much younger than Mò Xuěyáo and wasn't home; she was at her piano teacher's house for a lesson.

"The discs are over there, you know where. Watch whatever you want. The magazine bookshelf is on the other side, help yourself. Want any snacks? Godfather will go buy them for you."

"N-no, it's okay, Godfather... ahem..." Mò Xuěyáo quickly replied. "There are already so many snacks here, plenty to eat."

"Hmm, anyway, at Godfather's place, don't stand on ceremony."

"Of course!" Mò Xuěyáo smiled.

Even though he said that, his nature was such that he disliked taking advantage of others, even his godfather.

The "no need for ceremony" could be applied in other ways.

Like helping himself to snacks, pouring his own water, or putting on a movie using the VCR himself.

Godfather's house had central air conditioning; everywhere was cool. Every time he came, he felt like staying forever and never going home.

It was just too comfortable.

Plus, Godfather had all sorts of game consoles.

These were leagues beyond the little Xiao Bawang game console at Mò Xuěyáo's house.

Take this expensive 'Playstation' for instance – it could play all kinds of games with stunning graphics.

In 1999, this was the dream life for any boy.

This was the source of Mò Xuěyáo's motivation to study.

He dreamed that when he grew up, he'd be like Godfather, buying all the game consoles and games he wanted, plus movie discs – buying them to own, not rent.

Subscribing to several different magazines he liked every month...

How wonderful would that life be?

And so, the day slipped quietly through their fingers.