Chapter 17: The Birth

Wei Lan trembled violently, her eyes filled with despair. With a thud, she dropped to her knees, clasping her hands together as she desperately pleaded in the direction of the emergency room. “Please, I beg you, save my sister! I know I was wrong…”

Liu Jianjun stood there like a soulless shell, his eyes empty as silent tears rolled down his face. It was as if all the strength and spirit had been drained from him in an instant. His lips trembled as he murmured, “Wanwan, you can’t… We promised to watch our child grow up together…”

As he spoke, tears streamed down uncontrollably. His hands hung limply by his sides, and his legs trembled as if he might collapse at any moment.

At this critical juncture, Yang Qingyan suddenly thought of a C-section. Taking a deep breath, she said firmly, “We can try a C-section.”

The military doctor hesitated, his expression troubled. “We’re not obstetricians. We’ve never performed this surgery before.”

Yang Qingyan’s gaze was resolute. Without hesitation, she said, “I’ll do it. Just get the instruments ready.”

The military doctor looked at her in astonishment, his eyes widening in doubt. “Do you even know how? This is a matter of two lives at stake.”

Yang Qingyan nodded firmly. Though she had never performed a C-section before, she was proficient in all kinds of surgeries.

Hearing this, Liu Jianjun clung to her like a drowning man grasping at straws. Staggering forward, he fell to his knees with a heavy thud, clutching her ankles tightly. Tears and snot streamed down his face as he choked out, “Sister-in-law, please, save Wanwan! Save the mother! Just save her! If you can save her, I’d give you my life!” His voice was hoarse with despair, his eyes filled with pleading and hope. The veins on his forehead bulged from his emotional turmoil, and his once-steadfast demeanor was entirely shattered.

Mu Nanhe stepped forward, his expression solemn as he looked at Yang Qingyan. “Qingyan, it’s up to you. I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens.”

Yang Qingyan gave a slight nod, her gaze unwavering. “Don’t worry. I’m confident.”

Seeing her determination, the military doctor hesitated for a moment before turning to prepare the instruments.

Yang Qingyan quickly entered the emergency room and approached Wei Wan’s bedside. She gently held Wei Wan’s hand, placing her other hand on her wrist to check her pulse. Then, she retrieved silver needles from the small pouch she carried with her and skillfully applied acupuncture to ease her pain.

Closing her eyes briefly, Yang Qingyan activated her special abilities, channeling a gentle energy into Wei Wan’s body. Before long, the pain on Wei Wan’s face gradually eased, her tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and her breathing became steadier. The pain subsided significantly, and she calmed down.

Leaning in close, Yang Qingyan spoke softly by Wei Wan’s ear. “Sister-in-law, I’m going to perform surgery on you. Don’t be afraid.”

Wei Wan weakly opened her eyes, gratitude and worry reflected within them. In a feeble voice, she pleaded, “Please… save my child. If anything happens, save the baby, not me.”

A pang of sorrow struck Yang Qingyan’s heart. She replied, “You and your husband truly love each other. Just now, Brother Liu begged me to save you first. Don’t worry—I can save you both.”

Once the military doctor finished preparing the instruments, Yang Qingyan took a deep breath, her eyes filled with resolve. “Two people stay behind to assist me.”

Her voice was steady, yet the tension in the air was palpable, as if time itself had frozen.

She quickly approached the operating table and immersed her hands in the disinfectant solution, scrubbing them thoroughly. Each movement was precise and swift. Droplets of water slid down her arms, but she remained unfazed. The two assisting doctors stood nearby, their expressions a mix of anxiety over the emergency and trust in Yang Qingyan—because at this moment, she was their only hope.

Yang Qingyan stood beside Wei Wan, administering anesthesia. Once it took effect, she gently lifted the thin blanket covering her, her sharp eyes scanning the woman’s swollen belly, which trembled slightly from the pain. In her mind, she carefully calculated the incision point.

Picking up the scalpel, she tightened her grip. Under the bright surgical light, the blade gleamed coldly, exuding a chilling presence. But her hands remained steady as a rock.

“Let’s begin,” she said in a low voice, and with that, she made the first precise incision. The blade sliced through the skin, and blood oozed out slowly. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, yet her eyes remained focused, free of any distractions. Her movements were swift and steady as she carefully followed the planned surgical path.

The assistants worked nervously by her side, handing her hemostatic forceps. Taking them, she skillfully clamped the bleeding points, her actions smooth and efficient, as though she had practiced this operation countless times. Her gaze remained locked onto the surgical site, and although strands of hair stuck to her sweat-dampened face, she had no time to care.

As the surgery progressed, Yang Qingyan meticulously separated tissues, skillfully avoiding major blood vessels. Her hands seemed to move with a life of their own, navigating the delicate and crucial space with absolute precision. Every motion carried her expertise and unwavering focus. Time passed in silent concentration.

No one knew how long had passed when the baby’s head finally emerged. A glimmer of joy flashed in Yang Qingyan’s eyes, and she quickened her movements, carefully guiding the baby out.

At last, the infant was fully delivered. Yang Qingyan swiftly passed the newborn to the military doctor, who took the baby and, with practiced hands, gently patted its tiny bottom. Once, twice…

A loud, clear cry rang through the room.

The surgery was a success.

Only then did Yang Qingyan allow herself to relax slightly. She felt utterly drained. The intensity of the operation, the heightened concentration—she hadn’t even dared to blink too much. Now, her eyes burned with dryness and fatigue. Having stood for so long, an ache spread through her lower back. She furrowed her brows slightly and instinctively rubbed her waist, revealing just how exhausted she was.

The military doctor placed the baby on a scale and, after a brief moment, announced, “It’s a boy. Exactly five jin.