Chapter 212

The family waited anxiously outside the delivery room, watching the time pass slowly. By six o’clock, there was still no news.

Everyone was worried, but no one voiced their concerns. At this moment, no one had any thoughts about dinner.

Around seven o’clock, the door to the delivery room finally opened from the inside.

A nurse came out holding a small white bundle.

The three of them jumped to their feet simultaneously.

“Are you the family of Shi Tingyu? The mother has given birth and is in good condition,” the nurse said, presenting the baby for them to see. “Look, it’s a baby boy weighing six pounds and eight ounces.”

As she spoke, the nurse uncovered the bottom of the bundle to show the baby’s private parts.

Lu Weiguo finally found his voice. “Nurse, when can my wife come out? Is she okay?”

If the nurse hadn’t already been next to him when the dilation process began, she might have been intimidated by his intense expression, which made it seem like a wrong answer might lead to dire consequences.

The nurse firmly held the baby and replied, “Rest assured, the mother is fine. She’ll be out as soon as they finish cleaning up inside.”

Then she added, “The mother just gave birth and is very tired. You should prepare some light, digestible food for her, like rice porridge or noodle soup.”

Having relayed all necessary information and shown the baby to the family, the nurse returned to the delivery room with the bundle.

The three stared at the now-closed door, feeling a sense of relief.

Shi’s mother turned to Shi’s father and said, “Old Shi, go buy some food for our daughter.”

Lu Weiguo quickly interjected, “I’ll go. I can move faster.”

Although he wanted to stay and watch over his wife, he felt uneasy letting Shi’s father go out alone at this late hour.

Even though there were people from the military assigned to protect him, it was best to minimize unnecessary outings.

If anything happened to Shi’s father, it would not only devastate his wife but also be a significant loss to the military.

Shi’s mother thought for a moment and agreed, “Xiao Lu, don’t rush. Xiaoyu will still be in there for a while.”

Lu Weiguo nodded and quickly left.

He soon returned with some noodle soup, having just made it before the state-run restaurant closed. He also bought some buns and rice porridge for Shi’s parents and the four soldiers tasked with their protection.

Everyone had a quick dinner.

As he returned, Shi Tingyu was being wheeled out.

Lu Weiguo handed the takeout food to one of the soldiers and rushed to the bedside.

Shi Tingyu looked extremely weak, her face pale, and her hair sticking to her cheeks in sweaty strands. Beside her, the baby was sleeping soundly in the bundle.

“Wife,” Lu Weiguo called softly, holding her hand.

His nearly six-foot-two frame bent awkwardly over the bed as he walked beside it, looking somewhat constrained. Shi Tingyu felt tired just watching him.

The worry in his eyes was so evident that even the nurse, who had been a bit afraid of his stern face, now found him “kind.”

Shi Tingyu managed a faint smile, her voice soft and weak, clearly exhausted, “Weiguo, I’m fine.”

During labor, she had considered using some spiritual spring water, but with the doctor and nurse watching her closely and the pain being intense, she feared making a mistake that might reveal her secret. She decided to wait until she was discharged to use it.

She knew that recovering too quickly in the hospital might arouse suspicion.

Once in the ward, everyone busied themselves.

Shi’s mother, with her experience, took on the task of caring for the baby.

Lu Weiguo carefully fed Shi Tingyu small sips of noodle soup.

Shi’s father acted as a versatile support, helping out wherever needed. Meanwhile, the four soldiers responsible for the safety of Shi’s parents stood guard outside the room.

Shi Tingyu didn’t have much of an appetite, but she forced herself to eat for her health. After finishing half a bowl of soup, her gaze fell on the baby beside her, who hadn’t yet opened his eyes, and her face softened with a gentle smile.

“This little guy was always calm in my belly. I thought he’d be a sweet, gentle girl.”

Lu Weiguo glanced at their newborn. The baby was red and tiny, with closed eyes. His nose and mouth resembled his wife’s. Despite his eyes being closed, the large eyelids suggested he’d have big eyes like his mother.

Seeing this, Lu Weiguo couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

As the due date approached, his anxiety had grown. He worried about the baby being a girl who might look like him, fearing she’d face the same hardships he did because of his appearance. He had endured many slights due to his looks, and while he’d gradually come to terms with it, some memories lingered painfully. He didn’t want his child to suffer similarly.

Fortunately, they had a son who took after his mother.

At this point, Shi’s mother spoke up, “Boys and girls are both wonderful. You better not have any bias against my grandson.”

Shi Tingyu couldn’t help but laugh at this, but the laughter caused a sudden gush of fluid below, making her freeze.

Shi’s mother, being experienced, handed her some paper to clean up.

The sight of the dark red fluid startled Lu Weiguo.

While Shi’s mother dealt with it, Lu Weiguo approached the bedside and asked in a trembling voice, “Why is she still bleeding?”

In those days, information wasn’t as easily accessible as it is now. Men knew very little about women’s postpartum conditions.

Like Lu Weiguo, he only remembered hearing about postpartum hemorrhage from an incident in his village when a woman died after giving birth due to severe bleeding.

Seeing his pale face and sweaty hands, Shi Tingyu explained what lochia was.

Learning that this was a normal postpartum occurrence, he finally relaxed.

Shi Tingyu, noticing that her parents and husband hadn’t eaten, urged them to have dinner.

With the baby safely born and both mother and child in good health, they finally felt ready to eat.

That night, none of them left the hospital. They stayed with Shi Tingyu and the baby.

Fortunately, it was summer, so there was no concern about getting cold without proper sleeping arrangements.

The next day, Shi Tingyu felt some fullness in her chest, suggesting she was starting to produce milk.

Seeing this, Shi’s mother used a warm towel to help, then brought the baby over to nurse.

To their surprise, the baby latched on vigorously, his little fists clenched, and he sucked with all his might, truly embodying the phrase “using every ounce of strength.”

Lu Weiguo felt somewhat awkward watching, especially with his mother-in-law nearby, unsure of where to place his hands and feet.

Shi’s father had already been sent out by Shi’s mother to buy food.