Chapter 86: Finally Giving Birth

Being in the south, the heavy snow would stop after a few days. New Year’s Eve this year came late, not until February, so there was no need to prepare New Year’s goods too early.

However, preparing New Year’s goods was challenging this year due to the family’s tight financial situation. The iron box had only a few tickets left, stacked half a finger high. This scarcity of tickets proved once again that, in the planned economy era, tickets were more important than money.

On the 31st, Wen Jiajia’s stomach still showed no signs of moving.

Wei Dai was constantly tense, jumping up every time Wen Jiajia covered her stomach or took a breath. After staying up for more than ten days, dark circles had formed around his eyes.

As the year turned from 1975 to 1976, a historically significant year, Wen Jiajia had not yet had time to think about it when her stomach finally started to move.

It was now afternoon, and Wen Jiajia was walking back and forth in the living room and yard after finishing lunch.

It had rained coldly the night before, leaving the soil outside the yard wet. She usually enjoyed walking outside, sometimes along the lake for half an hour, but that wasn’t possible today.

Wen Jiajia looked at the warm, white sun in the sky, tightened her collar, and sighed. The sun was so comforting, yet she couldn’t take a walk.

Not long after, Wei Dai returned with two fish and half a rack of pork ribs.

Looking at the meat on the ribs, Wen Jiajia asked, “Which village did you buy these from?” The bones from the meat processing plant wouldn’t have so much meat left on them.

There was a reason people avoided spending money on ribs at this time. The bones from the butcher shop were mostly just bones—though not so bad that you’d slip if you stood on them, the remaining meat was only enough for half a mouthful.

In such cases, few people would buy them. Even Wen Jiajia, who loved to drink soup, rarely bought them. If there was meat available, even if it was lean meat, she would prefer to spend money on that rather than on bones.

But the bones from the village were different. They still had meat on them, similar to what would be sold in supermarkets and vegetable markets decades later. They tasted delicious when stewed into soup. For sweet and sour spare ribs, you’d need to cut some meat off the ribs before cooking.

The half rack of ribs Wei Dai brought today had plenty of meat, enough to make at least three or four plates of stir-fried meat.

He put the meat and fish in the room, washed his hands with hot water, dried them, and then took Wen Jiajia’s hands in his palms. “Why are your hands so cold? Where’s the hand warmer?”

Wen Jiajia replied, “There’s no hot water. I’m fine now. I just finished eating and am not cold.”

As she spoke, the aunt came out of the house.

Listening to the radio, Zhong Huisheng moved it into the house to avoid disturbing Wen Jiajia.

“There are so many spare ribs. How are you planning to cook them? Braise them or stew them in soup?” She went to the kitchen to take a look. “This place is indeed much better than our hometown, especially the food.”

Apart from other things, the frequency of eating meat and fish was much higher here than in her hometown. It wasn’t just Jia Jia and Wei Dai; from her observations, other families in the compound also ate meat more often. No wonder people said this place was a land of fish and rice.

Wen Jiajia smiled and said, “That’s why I asked if you wanted your cousin to come here to work.”

She had asked this question last month. At that time, Lin Yunfei, Sha Yue, and others had mentioned that the hospital would be recruiting a large number of people again in May next year.

The aunt had a job in the county town, working in a printing factory on the front line. Although having a stable job is significant these days, Wen Jiajia felt that even a stable job in a printing factory had its downsides.

Printing uses ink, which is harmful to the liver, kidneys, and respiratory system. Ink often contains benzene-based synthetic substances, and long-term exposure could cause blood system problems.

Why did Wen Jiajia know so much? Because one of her great-uncles in her previous life had worked in a printing factory for half his life and was always sick and in pain. Her grandmother had said that his poor health was due to his working environment.

His co-workers also suffered from occupational diseases. While most were fine, a few had serious symptoms, including leukemia or babies born with deformities.

Thus, Wen Jiajia had persuaded the aunt to convince the cousin to come here, not out of selfishness but out of genuine concern for the cousin’s health. After all, the aunt had helped them a lot since coming to her house.

The cousin was a technical secondary school graduate with work experience, making it possible for her to get a job in the factory.

However, the aunt refused. Changing jobs was difficult, and the family was already settled. There was no need to move around.

Just as the cousin had said, “She and her husband are both timid. They can’t manage in their own county town. Usually, my in-laws help them. If they come here… I’m afraid they’d be like mice among cats. Even a small problem would scare them to death.”

It was strange—two timid people felt their lives were good together, yet the elders felt tired just watching them.

Wen Jiajia didn’t say anything more. 

After all, with the upcoming reform and opening up, many opportunities would arise. One could make more money by setting up a street stall than by working in a factory. Even if one didn’t want to, state-owned factory closures would force acceptance.

“I haven’t told you yet, what are you planning to make?” the aunt asked again.

Wei Dai looked at Wen Jiajia, who thought for a moment. “Fish for soup, and spareribs or…hiss!”

She suddenly cried out in pain, grabbing Wei Dai’s arm with one hand and covering her stomach with the other.

“What’s wrong?” Wei Dai asked urgently, supporting her.

Wen Jiajia couldn’t tell whether it was pain from a kick or something else. She thought about it for a moment while sweating profusely and finally said with certainty, “I think I’m about to give birth.”

Her voice was calm, a calmness that came after everything had settled. Wen Jiajia was surprised at how calm she was in this critical moment.

“It’s time to give birth!” Wei Dai’s blood boiled with anxiety, rushing to his head and making him feel dizzy and groggy.

He was at a loss for two or three seconds, but without waiting for Zhong Huisheng to urge him, he said, “Let’s go to the hospital. Aunt, take the packed bag with you.”

The cart had been prepared long ago, with a tarpaulin^[1]often shortened to “tarps,” is a large sheet of strong, flexible, and waterproof material. installed in case of rain or snow. Even with howling winds outside, the cart would remain unaffected.

Zhong Huisheng said “Oh” and went to get the package.

The package had been prepared in advance. It contained clothes and a small quilt for the baby, a bottle and milk powder, as well as some spare clothes for Wen Jiajia and tissues.

Not to mention other items like water cups and brown sugar, everything was packed in the bag, and even the thermos was set aside, ready for use.

Amidst the chaos, another wave of pain surged over Wen Jiajia.

Wei Dai helped her out of the house, and she glanced at the calendar on the wall. It was January 9, 1976.

The cart had a straw mat, and Wei Dai, feeling it wasn’t enough, added a quilt.

Fortunately, the bedding was already old and clumping, so Wen Jiajia didn’t feel too upset.

After helping her into the cart, Wei Dai drove quickly to the hospital, though he was sweating profusely despite not using much effort.

“Is Jia Jia about to give birth?” Teacher Shen, who was on her way to school, asked anxiously.

Wei Dai nodded, not wanting to elaborate, but Wen Jiajia, still inside the oilcloth, managed to shout out, “Yes… If the aunt doesn’t return by evening, please help take care of Chun’er and Xuanxuan, Teacher Shen.”

Teacher Shen responded promptly, “Okay!”

With that, Wei Dai continued on his way.

The weather was nice, and many people were basking in the sun. Seeing Wei Dai pull the cart quickly, they understood Wen Jiajia was about to give birth.

Someone from afar commented, “I thought she was going to give birth at the end of last month, but it’s been delayed until now.”

Another replied, “It’s not too bad. The nearby villages have recently slaughtered pigs. This means the child will be well-nourished, and the mother will have good confinement.”

As the Chinese New Year approached, supplies became more abundant.

While they chatted by the fire, Wei Dai had already arrived at the hospital.

The experienced nurses, aware of the situation, didn’t need to be told.

“Can you walk?” the nurse asked.

Wei Dai inquired, “No stretcher?”

Wen Jiajia quickly responded, “Yes, yes, yes!”

The nurse smiled and said, “It will be better if you walk a little. Comrade, please go and pay the fee. We need to check the situation first.”

Wei Dai could only agree.

Wen Jiajia followed the nurse to the ward, where she was told it was too early for the baby to be born.

“It’s okay, don’t be nervous. Many people experience this. Some even feel pain all day and night,” the nurse comforted her. She then asked Wei Dai to help Wen Jiajia walk more.

“What happened? Does it still hurt?” Wei Dai asked, his hand supporting Wen Jiajia and trembling slightly.

Wen Jiajia rolled her eyes and replied, “…Of course it hurts. It’s not unbearable, though.”

She realized she was a bit nervous. If it hurt this much now, she wondered how much worse it would be during childbirth.

Zhong Huisheng arrived after locking the door and was relieved to hear that Wen Jiajia would have to wait a while before giving birth.

“I thought it wouldn’t be that quick. When I gave birth to you… my eldest cousin, it took a full day and night. Later, it took seven or eight hours to give birth to your second cousin and cousin,” she said.

Although Wen Jiajia knew it could take a long time, she still felt anxious.

She paced up and down the stairs, experiencing intermittent abdominal pains. The nurse assured her that it was normal and part of labor pains.

“I think she’s about to give birth. Family members should prepare something for her to eat so she can have strength,” the nurse advised.

After several rounds of pain, the nurse checked again and finally delivered the good news.

Wen Jiajia’s face had turned pale from the pain, but hearing the news, she seemed to regain her energy and spirit.

“I’ve done it!” Wei Dai’s face looked ashen, and the sweat on his forehead had not ceased since the afternoon. Wen Jiajia was even worried that Wei Dai might catch a cold from the stress after she gave birth.

As soon as he finished speaking, his aunt arrived with a lunch box.

“I was afraid I’d be late, so I cooked noodles,” Zhong Huisheng said. “Jia Jia likes hot and sour food, so I made hot and sour pork noodles. Oh, and I also cooked four brown sugar eggs. Which one would you like to eat?”

At that moment, the pain from the previous contraction had just subsided, and Wen Jiajia sat on the bed, replying, “I’ll have the noodles.”

In fact, she really wanted to eat snail noodles at that moment.

The noodles and meat were smooth and tender. Wen Jiajia ate half a portion, followed by two eggs, and felt full.

As seven o’clock approached, she was wheeled into the operating room.

Wei Dai, extremely nervous, paced back and forth in front of the operating room, staring blankly at the door.

His aunt, worried about her two sisters, had just gone home. The only sound in front of the operating room was Wei Dai’s footsteps.

Time ticked away.

Inside the operating room, the lights were bright. Wen Jiajia’s pain was intense, but the doctors and nurses assured her, “The operation is going very smoothly.”

It looked like she was about to give birth.

“The fetus is in the correct position and can be delivered naturally,” the doctor said after an examination. Then, they instructed Wen Jiajia to follow their rhythm for pushing.

“Don’t be afraid. If you can’t deliver naturally, a cesarean section is always an option. Many people from the city come to our hospital for cesareans,” the doctor comforted her.

Wen Jiajia didn’t know what to say. It seemed Sha Yue had once asked her if she could come to the military hospital for a section.

She needed to focus. After a few moments of thought, Wen Jiajia began to follow the doctor’s instructions.

The bright headlights in front of her made her dizzy. Tears or sweat blurred her vision, making the world seem hazy. Even the voices of the doctors and nurses were indistinct.

When the pain reached its peak, she lost track of time, unable to distinguish whether minutes, hours, or even days had passed.

The moment the child was born, Wen Jiajia felt as though there was no greater pain in the world.

The boy and the girl were not immediately visible. She only heard the word “healthy” before finally releasing the breath she had been holding.

“Wow! Exactly 3,000 grams. The fattest baby we delivered in the past two days was a little fat girl,” the doctor laughed.

Wen Jiajia clearly heard “little fat girl.”

Her hair was wet, as if she had just washed it but hadn’t dried it yet, sticking to her face. Though her face was pale, the corners of her mouth were upturned, and her expression suddenly became lively.

This was a new life, a new being she had brought into the world, someone connected to her by blood.

Outside the operating room, it was dark. The corridor windows were black with night, and the mountains, rivers, and buildings were shrouded in darkness. There were no stars in the sky, and even the moon was hidden by dark clouds.

But at that moment, the dark clouds parted briefly, and the bright moonlight shone through.

Wei Dai was stunned and thought he heard the sound of a baby crying.