Chapter 143: Request for Leave

Xu Ning quickly suppressed her laughter and asked, “What time did you give birth last night? Was it smooth?”

“It was pretty quick, just over an hour. My daughter was considerate and didn’t make me suffer too much,” Yang Xiaomei replied.

She then glanced at Xu Ning’s belly and added, “You should move around more in these months; it’ll help you during labor.”

Wei Lanlan nodded in agreement, saying, “Your belly is getting too big, and it’s inconvenient for you to work. After you eat, make sure to walk around in the yard a bit.”

Xu Ning listened carefully to the experiences shared by the two women who had gone through childbirth.

Later that evening, Mother Xu and Aunt Lu quietly arrived with a bundle, filled with baby clothes and shoes, each item in double quantities. Ever since they learned about Xu Ning’s pregnancy, the two had started preparing.

Looking at the clothes and shoes in the bundle, Xu Ning said, “Mom, you’ve prepared way too much. Babies grow so fast; they might not even get to wear some of these before they’re too small.”

Mother Xu said, “This isn’t too much; there are two babies!”

Aunt Lu added with a smile, “Don’t worry about all this. We’ll handle it. You just focus on taking care of yourself so that you’ll suffer less during delivery.”

As the spring planting wrapped up, Xu Ning’s belly grew even larger, causing some concern among the elders.

Uncle Lu said to Xu An, “Xiao An, write a letter to your brother-in-law and tell him your sister’s due date so he can come back at least half a month early.”

Xu An replied, “Uncle Lu, my brother-in-law already knows. He said he would come back when the time comes.”

Uncle Lu pondered for a moment and said, “Write him another letter, and mention it’s from me. Tell him to avoid any missions during this time and come back early.”

Xu An asked in surprise, “Uncle Lu, is there something wrong with my sister?”

Xu Dad laughed and said, “It’s nothing serious; it’s just that your sister is having twins. He needs to be there to take care of her.”

Xu An nodded and replied, “Okay, I’ll write to him as soon as I get back.”

“Little An, make sure to take your sister to the hospital for a checkup tomorrow,” Uncle Lu reminded him.

“Got it, Uncle Lu. I’ll take care of it,” Xu An responded.

After Xu An left, Father Xu and Mother Xu anxiously asked, “Brother Lu, is Xiao Ning going to be okay?”

Uncle Lu replied, “I looked at Xiao Ning’s belly today, and I’m afraid she might be carrying more than just two.”

Father Xu exclaimed in shock, “What? More than two? How many is she having, then?”

Mother Xu asked nervously, “Isn’t that very dangerous for Xu Ning?”

Aunt Lu gently patted Mother Xu’s hand and said, “If she can deliver naturally, there shouldn’t be any major issues. Let’s not tell her for now; we don’t want to add any psychological burden.”

Uncle Lu added, “The medical facilities in the county aren’t great. When Xiaotang comes back, we should have him take Xu Ning to the hospital in Qishi for delivery. Your older sister and I will find a way to accompany her there.”

Xu Ning was completely unaware of this discussion. She only felt that her belly had grown significantly larger, and her appetite had increased. Just a little while after finishing a meal, she found herself hungry again.

Xu Mo was now preparing five meals a day for her, but he wouldn’t let her eat to her fill. This stubborn boy set strict limits on her portions, allowing her not even a single bite more. He insisted it was what Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu said, advising her to behave and listen to the doctors.

When Xu An returned from work, he told her, “Sister, I took a day off tomorrow to take you to the hospital for a checkup.”

Xu Ning smiled and said, “Xiao An, that’s not necessary. I just went for a checkup recently, and the doctor said everything was fine.”

“Sister, we should still go and check again. I’ve taken the day off, and I picked a lot of wild vegetables yesterday, so I can take them to Grandpa Wang.”

Xu Ning chuckled as she looked at the nearly seventeen-year-old boy in front of her.

She had been in this world for a full six years, and most of that time had been spent alongside this boy. Seeing him grow from someone who would easily cry to a spirited young man filled her with joy.

At the Nanshi Military District, Lu Xiaotang read the letter Xu An had sent and felt a surge of anxiety.

With over a month left until Xu Ning’s due date, his father had urged him to return home two weeks early, indicating that he had already determined there would likely be a premature birth.

Clutching the letter, he made his way to the commanding officer’s office.

“Xiaotang, are you really asking for a two-month leave?” Chen Guanghuai asked incredulously.

“Yes, sir. My wife’s delivery is approaching, and I need to go back next month to take care of her,” he replied.

Chen Guanghuai looked at him in disbelief and said, “Your wife is giving birth; it’s not like you’re the one sitting the month. Why are you going back for two months? What can you really do as a man?”

Lu Xiaotang glanced at him and replied, “Sir, my wife is a sent-down youth over there, and she doesn’t have any relatives or friends nearby. She’s expecting twins this time, and if I don’t go, she won’t have anyone to care for her.”

“Why not let her come to the army? Your position allows you to bring your family with you now. I can arrange for a nice place for you with the logistics department.”

Lu Xiaotang said, “Thank you, sir, but even if she comes to join me, it’ll be later. It’s inconvenient for her to travel far with her big belly, so I hope you’ll approve my trip home.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll let you go, but not for two months—one month at most.”

“Sir, it takes me ten days for the round trip. If I get home and my wife hasn’t given birth yet, I’ll have to rush back again. She’ll surely be upset with me. I should at least be there to take care of her after the month!”

After a lengthy negotiation, they finally settled on a leave of forty days.

Meanwhile, Xu Ning and Xu An arrived at the hospital. The doctor who was supposed to see her wasn’t there that day; instead, they were attended to by a woman in her thirties.

Xu An walked over and asked, “Hello, comrade. Is Dr. Li not here today?”

The woman glanced at him and replied, “He’s taking a day off. Is there something you need?”

Xu Ning approached as well, smiling, “Doctor, I’m here for a check-up.”

The woman looked her over and asked, “With a belly like that, are you about to give birth? Are you planning to deliver here or at home?”

Xu Ning chuckled, “I’m just over seven months along; I’m not due yet.”

The woman was surprised and inquired, “Then why is your belly so big? Have a seat, and let me check.”

She took out a stethoscope and placed it on Xu Ning’s belly. After listening for a few seconds, she said, “Everything seems fine. Just take it easy and come back when it’s time to deliver.”

The two siblings exchanged a glance before stepping outside.

Xu An supported her as they left the hospital and quietly said, “Sister, I just feel like that woman is really unreliable.”

Xu Ning sighed. In recent years, many traditional Chinese medicine doctors had been sent to less favorable positions, and most people in the hospital had gotten in through connections or by being opportunistic. Those with real medical skills had kept a low profile.

She smiled to reassure Xu An, “It’s okay. I’m doing just fine. We can come back when Dr. Li is on duty.”

“Sister, I’ll take you to the Guoyun Restaurant to rest for a bit. You can have something to eat there while I deliver the vegetables to Grandpa Wang.”

Xu Ning handed him some snack vouchers. “Buy some pastries to take over too. Just tell them I’m doing well and that I’ll visit once the baby is born.”

Xu An ordered a bowl of shredded pork noodles for her. Seeing her eyeing a nearby meat bun, he chuckled, “Sister, I’ll go get you a bun, but you can’t eat too much.”

Xu Ning thought to herself that Xiao An was really considerate—much better than Xiao Mo, who wouldn’t even let her have an extra sip of soup.