The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

89. Big

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"You're tethered to another and worried all the time."

~Brandi Carlile~

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89. Big

It's a big decision, and as much as Shang wants to say yes, he really doesn't think they're in the right place to start a family.

'Just think about it before my ovaries become geriatric,' Mulan tells him.

'I think about it all the time,' he admits. 'I've been thinking about it for a long time.'

Neither of them thinks getting pregnant during this virus situation is a good idea, but the virus has also attached itself to the world like a giant parasite determined to suck all the good out until there's nothing left.

'It doesn't have to be this year,' says Mulan. But then the post-its start appearing on the bedroom wall.

Some are blue and some are pink, and some are yellow.

Shang likes the names Guozhi and Lihua best, but he's also partial to Enlai and Liang.