Several nurses arrived with a gurney, carefully placing Wei Yumeng onto it and pushing her towards the obstetrics and gynecology department.
Mu Linjing followed the gurney, while Zhan Yichen hurried to support the elder Mr. Zhan. By the time they arrived, Wei Yumeng had already been wheeled into the examination room.
Zhan Mohan was sweating profusely and panting, his heart pounding. Wei Yumeng’s blood was still on his hands. Having read some parenting books, he knew she was likely going into premature labor. At this stage of pregnancy, the baby would only need a few days in an incubator after birth, which wouldn't significantly affect the fetus.
However, bleeding before labor was not a good sign. His greater concern was whether Wei Yumeng's body could withstand the strain.
Outside the examination room, everyone was more nervous than the last. No one had the mood to comfort others. There was nothing they could do but pace back and forth endlessly in the hallway.
The doctor soon emerged from the room. "The patient needs to be moved to the delivery room immediately. If there are complications during labor, we will have to transfer her to the operating room for a C-section. The patient's family needs to be prepared to sign. Don't hesitate when the time comes, or you will be delaying the lives of the mother and child."
Zhan Mohan grabbed the doctor's arm. "I'll go into the delivery room with her. Prepare a sterile gown for me."
This was permissible under the current circumstances. The doctor immediately made the arrangements, and he followed Wei Yumeng into the delivery room.
Wei Yumeng was already drenched in sweat, her stray hairs clinging to her face and neck. Waves of abdominal pain made her cry out involuntarily.
Zhan Mohan held her hand, regretting that he could do nothing but offer her constant reassurance.
"Yumeng, just relax knowing I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you or the baby."
Wei Yumeng could only nod heavily, unable to reply. The intense contractions were making her consciousness blur. All she knew was that she was about to give birth to the child she had carried for so long; beyond that, she knew nothing.
"Doctor, when will it be over? My wife can't bear the pain anymore."
"Her cervix has just dilated to four centimeters. We need to wait until it reaches ten centimeters. It will be a bit tougher for your wife as this is her first child."
This explanation was almost always given to the patient's family during every delivery. However, it offered no comfort to Zhan Mohan, only adding to his mental burden.
Childbirth was so agonizing; he truly feared Wei Yumeng wouldn't be able to endure it.
He held Wei Yumeng's hand, kissing the back of it repeatedly.
Wei Yumeng's contractions weren't constant. The pain would subside for a while. Seeing Zhan Mohan's red-rimmed eyes guarding her side, his face beaded with sweat, she couldn't help but want to laugh. "Why is it that you look more like the one who needs courage?"
He no longer paid attention to Wei Yumeng's teasing. He held her hand tightly like a helpless child, repeatedly saying, "It'll be alright, everything will be alright."
Whether he was trying to comfort himself or her, Wei Yumeng's pain returned, and her cries echoed through the delivery room.
After countless repetitions, Zhan Mohan's mind was a jumble. Then, the doctor's excited voice rang out, "It's dilated! The patient can start pushing! Listen to me. When I tell you to push, you push. This is a matter of life and death for the baby. Pay close attention."
Wei Yumeng held her breath as she listened to the doctor's words. After that, all they could hear were the doctor's instructions.
Inside the delivery room was chaos, and outside was no different.
Jiang Siyu and Jing Yan arrived, providing Mu Linjing with an outlet for her emotions. She directly stepped forward and raised her hand again. Jiang Siyu didn't dodge; instead, she burrowed into Jing Yan's embrace.
Mu Linjing's slap didn't land on her face. Jing Yan intercepted it mid-air. "Miss Mu, I understand your feelings, but Siyu didn't mean it."
As he spoke, he pushed Mu Linjing back, which immediately displeased Zhan Yichen.
He stepped forward, grabbed Jing Yan's collar, and pinned him against the wall. "Do you want me to help you wake up, brother? Can't you see what kind of woman she is? If she messes you up, don't come crying to us."
The only things that could make men at odds with each other were profit and women. They each believed in the person they loved, naturally falling into opposition. However, Jing Yan didn't realize he was loving the wrong person and was even an unwitting accomplice.
"I know you two have a prejudice against Siyu, and she did wrong things to the Zhan family. I've brought her here today to apologize for past actions. Whatever happened before is in the past. She is my girlfriend now, and my protection for her is the same as yours for Miss Mu."
"Don't compare us."
Seeing his stubbornness, Zhan Yichen felt like hitting him. Jing Yan used to be a very rational person. How had he become so dim-witted after being influenced by Jiang Siyu?
He didn't understand Jing Yan's prolonged unrequited love for this woman, and therefore, he couldn't comprehend his obsession.
However, with elder Mr. Zhan present, he naturally wouldn't allow them to resort to fisticuffs in such a place, so he intervened to stop Zhan Yichen.
"Jing Yan, come with me."
He also felt it was a pity that such a good person like Jing Yan would get confused when it came to matters of the heart, so he wanted to offer a reminder if possible.
He took Jing Yan to another corner of the hallway. Jiang Siyu, feeling guilty, wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation, but Zhan Yichen and Mu Linjing both saw her as a thorn in their side, making it impossible for her to get close. She could only force herself to appear calm.
Jing Yan followed elder Mr. Zhan. "Grandpa Zhan, what advice do you have?"
Elder Mr. Zhan, with his extensive experience, saw things clearly. He also had some awareness of the movements of these younger generations. Jiang Siyu, having offended the Zhan family, was naturally on his list of observations, so he had noticed her small actions.
He had witnessed Jing Yan's stubbornness today, so he intended to give him proper advice. "Jing Yan, Grandpa Zhan isn't going to talk about your young people's romances. I'm just telling you not to waste your career for so-called love. Your personal assets, how long has it been since you've managed them?"
Mentioning such a sensitive topic, Jing Yan reacted quickly and immediately understood elder Mr. Zhan's implied meaning.
Jiang Siyu had previously inquired about these matters. Although he hadn't told her everything, with Jiang Siyu's intelligence, it wouldn't be difficult for her to find out.
"As the saying goes, one should always be on guard. Since Grandpa Zhan has reminded you, you should investigate."
Elder Mr. Zhan's words were never without reason, and his reminder today was likely not an impulse. This made Jing Yan's heart tremble.