Chapter 146: Preparing to Go to the Hospital

Lu Xiaotang returned home after seven in the evening. He first washed his face outside before entering the house.

Xu An brought over the meal that had been left for him. As he ate, he said to the two of them, “Everything is arranged. We’ll go to the hospital in the next couple of days.”

Xu Ning replied in surprise, “There are still twenty days until the due date. Is it too early to go now?”

“It’s not too early. Yesterday, Mom and Dad said that if the twins don’t reach full term, they might be born sooner. I also asked the doctor today, and they suggested we check in early.”

“Brother-in-law, should I go along too? I could help buy some food and run errands there,” Xu An offered.

Lu Xiaotang thought for a moment and said, “You don’t need to go just yet. Wait until your sister gives birth. If we need you, I’ll send a telegram back.”

After finishing his meal, he hurried to the barn to discuss what the doctor had said today with several elders.

Uncle Lu asked, “What if your mom and I try to find a way to go along too?”

Lu Xiaotang shook his head and said, “There’s no need for that. It’ll take at least half a month, and if you go, it’ll be hard for Grandpa Qi to explain things here.”

“There’s a doctor at the hospital in Qi City who has good medical skills and a great bedside manner.”

“I spoke with her for a long time today. She suggested that Xiao Ning should check in for a few days, and she’ll personally assist with the delivery.”

“Don’t worry, once the baby is born, I’ll send you a telegram.”

Mother Xu said, “Can you manage everything by yourself? Should we let Xiao An go with you?”

Lu Xiaotang smiled to reassure them, “Dad, Mom, don’t worry. If I can’t manage after Xiao Ning gives birth, I’ll send a telegram for Xiao An to come.”

Father Xu asked, “How will you both get there? Xiao Ning has such a big belly; it won’t be convenient for her to travel by bicycle.”

“Dad, I’ve already borrowed a car from a friend. A driver will take us there tomorrow.”

Hearing this, everyone felt somewhat reassured.

When Lu Xiaotang returned to the room, he saw Xu Ning sitting on the kang, packing the items to take to the hospital. He walked over and said, “Xiao Ning, you should rest. I’ll handle this.”

Xu Ning smiled and replied, “It’s fine; it’s not that tiring. I’ve already talked with Dad and Mom about it.”

“You did? They want to go along, but I didn’t agree. It’ll take too long, and it won’t be easy for Grandpa Qi to explain the situation. Even if they go to the hospital, they won’t be able to help much.”

“They could keep things under wraps for a day or two, but if it takes too long, others will start to suspect.”

After a moment, Xu Ning whispered, “Tomorrow, can you make some steamed buns and dumplings, and simmer some soup? I’ll put them in that room, and we can just take them out when we need to eat.”

Lu Xiaotang nodded and said, “But you need to be very careful when you take them outside. It’s best if I’m there to keep an eye on the surroundings.”

“Okay, I understand.”

The next day, as Xu An went off to work, Lu Xiaotang began making steamed buns, dumplings, simmering chicken soup, and cooking a pot of millet porridge, along with boiling some eggs.

Xu Ning sat nearby, putting the finished items into the storage space. Noticing that he hadn’t made many buns and dumplings, she asked, “Why don’t you make more? These won’t last long.”

“You can eat these while I buy food outside. Each time you need something, just take it out, and I’ll go for a walk and say I bought it. With the weather being hot, we don’t have to worry about the food getting cold.”

Xu Ning understood his concerns; he was afraid of being discovered, which could lead to suspicion about her condition.

In the evening, Father Xu and Mother Xu, along with Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu, arrived. Aunt Lu helped Xu Ning check her belly again. “You should go soon! It should be within the next few days.”

Lu Xiaotang nodded and said, “The car has already been arranged. It’ll come to pick us up early tomorrow morning.”

Mother Xu and Aunt Lu helped pack the clothes and daily necessities that needed to be taken along. They reminded the two of them to keep a close watch on the baby, as there were cases of babies being swapped in the hospital.

The two of them nodded in response.

Once everyone had left, Xu Ning asked, “Who did you borrow the car from?”

“It’s my uncle’s wartime comrade, Zhou Tianquan. He’s the head of the county’s armed forces. He’ll have a driver take us there tomorrow. When we come back, I’ll call him to ask for a ride back,” Lu Xiaotang explained.

“Is he the same person you mentioned before?” she inquired.

“Yes, that’s him. His son is under my command and just became a squad leader this year.”

Lu Xiaotang helped her lie down and began to gently massage her legs. “Does your back ache? Turn to your side, and I’ll give you a rub.”

Just as Xu Ning settled down, it felt like a little battle was going on in her belly, as one of the little ones kicked around.

She laughed and placed her hand on her stomach, feeling the little one greet her with kicks against her palm.

Seeing this, Lu Xiaotang also placed his hand on her belly, and the little one kicked even harder.

He asked in surprise, “Is it this lively every night?”

Xu Ning laughed, “It’s not just at night; it’s moving all the time! Just wait, once they’re out, one of them will be quite the little rascal.”

Lu Xiaotang hesitated and asked, “If one is kicking around in there, won’t it accidentally kick the other one?”

Xu Ning placed his hand on her belly and replied, “Can you tell if it’s one or two? It feels like they’re fighting in there.”

Lu Xiaotang touched her belly and grew more worried.

Xu Ning still thought there were two inside, but their parents had mentioned the possibility of three. If two were fighting, what about the other one?

He didn’t dare to tell Xu Ning, not wanting to add to her worries.

The car that came to pick them up arrived early. It was a young man with a cheerful and simple demeanor, whom Lu Xiaotang called Xiao Li.

Xu An brought him a few buns to eat, but he quickly waved his hands and said, “No, no, I already had breakfast before coming.”

Lu Xiaotang smiled and said, “Go ahead and eat. It’s going to be a long drive—several hours.”

Xiao Li shyly accepted the buns and helped carry the things to the car.

Lu Xiaotang helped Xu Ning settle into the back seat before joining her. He turned to Xiao Li and said apologetically, “Xiao Li, sorry, but I need to sit in the back to take care of my wife. I appreciate your help today.”

Xiao Li replied with a smile, “No need to be polite, Brother Lu. Just make yourselves comfortable, and we’ll get going.”

As the car drove past the entrance of the youth commune, a young man and woman came out from inside. Xu Ning didn’t recognize them; they were probably the new educated youths who had just arrived this year.

The young man, named Hu Cheng, was also from Jing City, and the girl with him was his classmate, Pan Mi.

Seeing the car pass by, Hu Cheng said, “Wow, in this poor place, someone can still afford to drive a sedan.”

Pan Mi replied, “It’s probably the educated youth named Xu who lives in the back. I heard she’s about to give birth, so they must be heading to the hospital.”

“Oh, so it’s Xu An’s sister! Then Xu An must be going along too. I was planning to ask him to go fishing with me after work today.”

“You might as well give up on that idea. You’ve only been here for so long and haven’t earned many work points. If you keep thinking about fishing, you won’t have enough food to eat,” she scolded.

“Don’t worry about me. My grandparents will take care of me. How could they let their precious grandson go hungry?”