The brother who had just been named moved slightly. He opened his mouth and began to nibble at the corner of the quilt, only to find it wasn't food. Immediately, he furrowed his small brows and grunted.
Soon, his small face turned red, and his grunting turned into a wail.
Gu Xingdong chuckled upon hearing the sound, "As expected of my son, his cries are so loud."
"Stop boasting. The baby might be hungry. Go quickly and prepare some formula."
Since she had only recently given birth, Chen Lishu didn't have any milk yet. She had prepared a bag of formula in advance.
As Gu Xingdong got up, he poked his son's flushed cheek with his finger, "You little one, be patient. It's no use getting anxious, understand?"
The sister next to him, catching the contagion from her brother, pouted her lips and started crying too.
Gu Xingdong didn't dare to delay and sped up his actions. However, as it was his first time doing this, he was inevitably clumsy.
"Drip some of the milk onto the back of your hand. Give it to the babies only when it's not too hot."
"Got it."
Before long, Gu Xingdong had prepared both bottles. He only breathed a sigh of relief when both children were sucking on the nipples and had quieted down.
"This feels more tiring than going to war."
Chen Lishu poured cold water, "This is just the first time. It'll likely be even tougher tonight."
While they were in her womb, she had longed for them to be born. But now that they were, she felt it would have been easier if they had stayed inside.
"Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law."
The door was pushed open, and Gu Xingping excitedly entered, followed by Zhao Qiuyue, who was carrying a thermal food container.
When they saw the two little ones feeding in the crib, they were immediately smitten.
"Third Sister-in-law, you're amazing."
Gu Xingdong asked, "No classes?"
"No classes today. I had planned to visit Third Sister-in-law anyway. As soon as I got home, I heard that my Third Sister-in-law had given birth, so I came with Sister Xiaoyue. Mom can also rest at home."
"Lishu, I made you some congee, boiled eggs, and fish soup. I heard this helps with milk production, so drink it while it's hot."
Zhao Qiuyue then handed another food container to Gu Xingdong, "Brother-in-law, you must be hungry too. This is for you."
Not long after Chen Lishu finished eating, she couldn't help but yawn.
"Tired? The babies are being watched, you should get some sleep too." Seeing this, Gu Xingdong quickly got up, lowered the pillow behind her, and helped her lie down.
Chen Lishu was indeed tired and sleepy after tossing and turning all night. She fell asleep not long after lying down.
She slept quite soundly. When she woke up again, it was already dark outside.
The fluorescent light in the room was on. A heavily pregnant woman was now in the next bed, accompanied by her husband and an elder, seemingly preparing to give birth.
At the crib, Zhao Qiuyue was no longer there. Li Xiulan and Gu Xingping were now watching the babies. Chen Liyuan was also present.
"Awake?" Gu Xingdong was resting by Chen Lishu's bed, his hand on hers. So, when Chen Lishu moved, Gu Xingdong woke up alertly.
"I need to go to the restroom," Chen Lishu said softly.
Hearing her words, Gu Xingdong helped her up, carefully put an outer garment on her, and then supported her as she got out of bed.
It was the peak of summer in August, and the hospital was already stuffy. Gu Xingdong then wrapped her in another piece of clothing, making Chen Lishu uncomfortable and wanting to take it off.
"Mom said you're in a special period and shouldn't catch a chill. We'll endure the heat."
"Yes, yes, the confinement period is the most crucial time. We must not be careless, or you'll be prone to illness when you're older."
"Mom, I know." Chen Lishu smiled and followed Gu Xingdong out of the ward.
As soon as they left, she raised her hand and pinched Gu Xingdong.
"Ouch, that hurt," Gu Xingdong exclaimed dramatically. His mother had specifically told him that women in confinement were most prone to irritability, and if she lost her temper, he should be patient with Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu gave him a sidelong glance, "I didn't even use that much strength. What are you acting for?"
"I didn't say my arm hurt. I meant my heart. Your wife went through so much to give me two adorable little ones. If she's unhappy, how can I feel good?"
Chen Lishu had been trying hard to keep a straight face, but she couldn't help it. After giving him a chiding look, she let him escort her to the restroom.
Gu Xingdong stayed to accompany her for the night. The next morning, when the doctor came for rounds, they examined Chen Lishu and the two babies again. Everything was normal, so they were discharged.
"Mom!" Ruirui was very happy to see Chen Lishu return. Especially when he saw the two small bundles in Li Xiulan and Zhao Qiuyue's arms, he eagerly went closer, tiptoeing and trying hard to get a clear look at his brother and sister.
"Ruirui, there's a breeze outside. Wait until Grandma and Aunt Xiaoyue put them down on the bed before you take a good look," Li Xiulan said quickly, seeing his impatience. The faces of both babies were covered by thin quilts.
Soon, the family went upstairs together. The crib had been prepared long ago. As soon as the two babies were placed inside, Ruirui leaned over the railing, craning his neck to look inside. When he saw their appearance, his eyes widened in surprise.
They were so small!
Their tiny faces were only about the size of his palm.
From now on, he would be an older brother.
"Wow—" Little Chengzi started crying again. The sister beside him, who had been sleeping soundly, woke up at the sound. She pouted and made a motion as if to cry, but soon gave up. She moved her little head and went back to sleep.
"Mom, little brother is crying," Ruirui exclaimed, startled, and quickly turned back to call for someone.
"As soon as I hear crying, I know it's that brat without even thinking," Li Xiulan said, quickly walking over. She picked up Little Chengzi, patted him twice to comfort him, and handed him to Chen Lishu.
"Try letting the baby suck. You'll gradually have milk."
As soon as the baby was in Chen Lishu's arms, his little head automatically turned, and his small mouth made eager sucking motions. Chen Lishu didn't hesitate and quickly unbuttoned her top.
"I don't know who this child takes after," Gu Xingdong sighed, seeing this. He was a boy, yet he was impatient and prone to crying.
Li Xiulan chimed in, "Who else? You were just like this when you were little. Of your five siblings, you were the most difficult to raise. You'd cry at the slightest inconvenience, giving me a headache."
Gu Xingdong: "..." This was clearly taking advantage of his memory lapse from when he was a child.
"Our Xiaobai is so lovable. She must have taken after Lishu when she was little." Li Xiulan doted on this granddaughter more and more. She was delicate and wouldn't fuss at all after being fed.
Chen Lishu secretly raised her eyebrows at Gu Xingdong, her expression full of pride.
"Little brother is still young. He'll surely be well-behaved when he's older," Ruirui said earnestly, afraid everyone would dislike Little Chengzi and quickly tried to explain for him.
The adults present couldn't help but burst into laughter.