"Mom? It's me, Li Shu. Yes, I'm about to give birth, but don't worry, it'll likely be tomorrow at the earliest. The hospital is really close to home... Mm, you and my elder sister-in-law can book your tickets for tomorrow."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Li Shu suddenly felt a faint, pulling pain in her abdomen. She knew then that labor was truly beginning.
However, the pain was still within a bearable range, so she didn't say anything. She returned to the hospital with Gu Xing Dong, and her brow gradually furrowed.
Gu Xing Dong sensed her discomfort and tightly grasped her hand. Chen Li Shu only felt her palm becoming damp, unsure if it was his sweat or her own.
As time passed, the frequency of the pain increased, as if her intestines were tying themselves into knots. Sweat began to bead on Chen Li Shu's forehead.
"Xing Dong," she couldn't help but cry out.
"I'm here," Gu Xing Dong said, looking at her pained face, his own forehead creasing with worry. If he could have taken this suffering for her, Gu Xing Dong would have done so without hesitation.
Li Xiu Lan glanced at the time and suddenly spoke, "Xing Dong, judging by the situation, there's still some time before the birth. You should eat something to replenish your strength. I'll stay with Li Shu here; you drive back and get the soup."
"I'll be back soon," Gu Xing Dong said, giving Chen Li Shu a concerned look. Seeing her nod, he quickly headed downstairs.
Because of the pain, time felt incredibly long. By the time she finished the soup Gu Xing Dong had brought back in a thermal container, it was just past ten o'clock that night.
After drinking the soup, Gu Xing Dong helped Chen Li Shu walk for a while longer in the hallway. When the doctor announced she could move to the delivery room, Chen Li Shu knew the real challenge had just begun.
Family members were not allowed into the delivery room during childbirth, so Gu Xing Dong and Li Xiu Lan could only wait outside.
As the pain intensified to a certain degree, she began to feel somewhat disoriented. Chen Li Shu looked at the dim yellow light overhead, suddenly feeling as though it were all a bit unreal.
"Push, the head is already visible."
The voice seemed to come from a distant place, yet it felt as if it were right beside her. She numbly followed the instructions to regulate her breathing and then to push. With a cry, she felt something slide out of her body, and her body relaxed.
"A boy, weighing four catties and two taels."
Accompanied by the baby's loud cries, Chen Li Shu felt as if heavenly music was filling her ears. A drop of sweat trickled from her brow and into her eye, but it didn't sting. She only felt that all her efforts had finally paid off, and her heart melted completely.
"There's another one in there, don't relax yet."
The doctor's words jolted her back to reality. Finally, after expending all her strength, she heard the doctor say, "A girl, weighing four catties and six taels."
"Twins! How rare," a nurse said skillfully, taking the baby and giving its bottom a gentle pat. "Hmm, why isn't this one crying?" As she spoke, she increased the pressure slightly. The crisp sound made Chen Li Shu feel a pang of concern, but the baby still remained silent. The doctor also seemed a bit flustered; a newborn not crying could indicate a serious issue. She quickly took the baby to examine it. Chen Li Shu's heart leaped into her throat, and all sorts of terrible thoughts flooded her mind. She asked in a trembling voice, "Doctor?"
No sooner had she spoken than a loud cry echoed. However, unlike the constant wailing of the brother nearby, this one only cried a couple of times before falling silent again.
"It's alright," the doctor said, noticing her worry and smiling, "She just doesn't cry much. This child will probably have a very good temperament in the future." Hearing this, Chen Li Shu's lips curved upwards, and she finally relaxed.
Gu Xing Dong and Li Xiu Lan had been waiting anxiously. Suddenly, the delivery room door opened. Before anyone could call them, they hurried forward, asking anxiously, "Nurse, I'm Chen Li Shu's family. How is my wife?"
The nurse handed the baby she was holding to Gu Xing Dong. "Congratulations, you've had twins. Both mother and babies are doing well. The mother is in the back, just a bit weak. Hasn't anyone else from your family come yet? She might need someone to help her." Unlike a C-section, after the immediate postpartum care, most women can get out of bed.
Upon hearing they were twins, Li Xiu Lan's face lit up with joy. She quickly took the other baby from another nurse. "Thank you, you've all worked hard." The nurse smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing, it's what we should do."
"Could you hold this for me?" Gu Xing Dong handed the baby he was holding back to the nurse and walked into the delivery room.
Chen Li Shu was in decent spirits, though her hair was messy and her face pale from the exertion of childbirth. Seeing him enter, she weakly asked, "Did you see the babies?"
"Yes, I saw them," Gu Xing Dong nodded, stepping forward to embrace her. He looked at her intently and said, "You've worked hard, thank you." Nothing was more comforting than knowing your efforts were recognized. Chen Li Shu accepted it without hesitation and said with a hint of grievance, "You have no idea how much it hurt. If you ever treat me badly in the future, I won't give you any of our children. I risked my life for them."
Gu Xing Dong nodded. "Okay."
When they returned to the ward, Li Xiu Lan had already settled the two babies in the cribs. "Twins! Li Shu, you're amazing, you've completed the family perfectly." Li Xiu Lan looked at the two little ones lying side-by-side, her affection growing with every glance.
"Are you thirsty? I'll get you some water," Gu Xing Dong said, noticing her slightly chapped lips. He got up to pour a cup of water, then gently blew on it with a spoon. Once he felt it was the right temperature, he fed it to her.
"You've been through so much during childbirth, you need to replenish your strength. Xing Dong, you stay here, Mom will go home and make something to bring over for you." Li Xiu Lan said, already heading for the door.
Gu Xing Dong stood up. "Mom, my car is faster, I'll go back. Besides, you've been up all night. I'll pick up Zhao Qiu Yue and have her come over to take my place so you can rest."
"I'm fine, it's not far. I'll buy some groceries on my way back to help Li Shu recover." Li Xiu Lan waved her hand and walked out of the room.
"Xing Dong, I want to see the children." She hadn't really seen the little ones since they were born. Gu Xing Dong nodded, got up, and brought the cribs right up to the bedside. The babies were so small, their red faces still a bit puffy, making it impossible to tell who they resembled. However, their closed eyes had long, narrow eyelids, and their tiny mouths were no bigger than a fingernail, suggesting they would be quite good-looking in the future.
"Have you thought about names for the children?" Chen Li Shu asked, turning her head. Gu Xing Dong sat beside her, put his arm around her shoulders, and gazed at the two babies, his eyes filled with an unfathomable tenderness. "Brother Gu Yi Cheng, and sister Gu Xiao Bai. What do you think?"
To choose a city to grow old in, to meet one person and grow old together? Chen Li Shu pursed her lips, rested her head on his shoulder, and said softly, "I really like these names."