Ivy frowned, a mix of concern and frustration in her voice. “Do you really have to schedule so much work for yourself? We’re not short on money. Can’t you take it easy?”

“I wish I could, but when I see these patients who’ve traveled from all over the country just to see me…” He looked at his wife, his expression one of helpless resignation. “How can I turn them away? Besides, a family with a seriously ill member is almost never well-off. By scheduling surgeries as quickly as possible, he could shorten their hospital stays and help them save on expenses.

Ivy mumbled, “When I first met you, I thought you were so cold and heartless. I couldn’t understand how someone with your personality could be a doctor. I even felt sorry for your patients. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have judged you based on my first impression.”

His coldness was just a mask. In reality, he was soft-hearted, kind, and compassionate – a true adversary to death and a savior to his patients.

Jamison carried his wife to the edge of the bed and sat down without letting her go. He smiled at her words. “Actually, I’m still the same way with my patients. They’re always so careful around me, thinking I’m unapproachable.”

Ivy leaned in and kissed him. “That’s how it should be. All your gentleness and patience are reserved for me!”

“Yes, of course.” He smiled, lips pursed. As she pulled back, he leaned forward, chasing her lips for a few more soft pecks.

One kiss led to another, and soon they found themselves tumbling onto the bed.

“Can we tonight? It’s still early, it won’t cut into your sleep…” Jamison was in the mood and naturally wanted to see it through. Ivy had claimed she was too tired and sleepy the last two nights, and out of concern for her, he had restrained himself. But tonight, seeing how proactive she was, he took it as a green light and decided to ask.

Ivy’s mind was still buzzing with work. Seeing his eager expression, she couldn’t help but retort, “Can’t we just have a simple chat before bed?”

“A simple chat? Then why were you flirting with me?”

“You were the one who insisted on carrying me.”

“You were the one who initiated it.”

“I just asked for a piggyback ride…”

“Is there a difference?”

Their back-and-forth was as silly and earnest as a schoolyard squabble.

Ivy suppressed a laugh. They stared at each other for a few seconds before she broke, giggling. “You’re so ridiculous!”

“Am I? Are you tired of me already?” Jamison sat up, kneeling on either side of her and trapping her beneath him. As he questioned her in a low voice, his hands snaked toward her waist.

Before Ivy could react, he started tickling her.

“Ah! That tickles! Stop it…”

“You’re getting bold, aren’t you? Not only are you neglecting your wifely duties, but now you’re finding fault with your husband. Fess up! Are you seeing someone else?”

“No! It really tickles, hahaha! Stop playing around! Who’s seeing someone else? Don’t make things up…”

“If you weren’t, you’d let me touch you…”

“No, that’s not it… It’s… a fertility specialist explained online that if you’re trying to conceive, you can’t be intimate without restraint. It’s best to do it every two or three days for peak potency. You want to do it every single night; they haven’t even matured yet!” Ivy explained, squirming like a shrimp as she tried to escape his tickling.

Jamison’s movements froze, his expression turning serious. “When did you consult a specialist? Did you go to the hospital behind my back?”

Ivy, her face flushed from laughing, lay there looking up at him, her eyes shimmering. “I didn’t need to go to the hospital. The social media algorithm just fed it to me.”

She had probably been talking about trying for a baby so much lately that her phone had been listening. When she opened her short-form video app, the algorithm pushed the content to her. After watching one, it started showing her more and more.

“Which colleague of mine was this? Pull it up and let me see.” Jamison got off her and handed her his phone.

Ivy was speechless. She took the phone and sat up. “What, are you going to go pick a fight with them? I checked. The person has a verified account. They’re the director of reproductive medicine at the Women & Children’s Hospital. They’re definitely an authority.”

Jamison thought to himself, Authority, my foot.

But when his wife found the video and handed him the phone, he fell silent. The expert in reproductive medicine happened to also be a professor at the medical school. Although their work didn’t overlap, they knew of each other.

Ivy was sharp. One look at his face and she understood. “Don’t tell me you know this specialist?” she asked with a grin.

“Nope.” He flopped back onto the bed, snatched the phone from her, and put it away. “Even by your frequency, tonight is perfectly fine.”

“Why do you have to be so precise with the timing? Can’t we just wait one more day…?”

“One more day and we’ll be older. Too old is no good either.”

Ivy rolled her eyes, at a loss for words.

In the end, of course, Dr. Ludwig emerged victorious.

A passionate and tender intimate life was one of the most important spices in a marriage, and it was clear that Dr. Ludwig preferred his with a bit of a kick.