That’s right—the newcomer was none other than Yao Chunhua.
Originally, she wasn’t supposed to arrive so early, but her train had arrived ahead of schedule, so she made it there sooner than expected. For some reason, the moment she stepped off the train, she felt her heart racing. Anxious, she decided to hurry over right away.
She headed straight for the Northwest Military District. After checking in, she was guided inside by a young soldier. The moment the soldier heard she was Gu Jianing’s mother, his eyes filled with respect.
This was Dr. Gu’s mother, after all.
“You must be Auntie Yao! Dr. Gu mentioned before that her mother would be visiting soon and asked us to keep an eye out.”
“Auntie Yao, you’ve brought so many things! Let me get someone to help you carry them in.”
The soldiers were incredibly warm and welcoming. Not only did they help Yao Chunhua carry her luggage—big and small—but they also eagerly escorted her to the family quarters, pointing out the door before leaving.
“Did I come a bit too early?” Yao Chunhua muttered to herself as she walked in, carrying her things.
“No, dear in-law, you came at just the right time. Ningning is about to give birth.”
“What? Ningning’s in labor?!” Yao Chunhua was so shocked that she dropped her belongings on the spot. Without hesitation, she rushed toward the master bedroom.
Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing had heard the commotion outside, but they were too preoccupied to pay much attention. Gu Jianing, supported by Sheng Zexi, was slowly walking around the room to ease the labor pains.
Then, a familiar voice called out from behind.
“Sweetheart… Ningning…”
Gu Jianing froze for a moment before turning around slowly. When she did, she saw the familiar figure standing at the doorway.
Her pupils dilated slightly, and her eyes reddened.
“Mom…”
“Yes, it’s me.” Yao Chunhua hurried inside, her gaze full of tenderness as she looked at Gu Jianing. Seeing that her daughter’s complexion was still healthy and flushed, she let out a small sigh of relief. But when her eyes landed on Gu Jianing’s heavily swollen belly, her heart clenched.
She knew her daughter was carrying twins.
Logically, having two grandchildren at once should have made her happy.
But as a mother, her first concern was always her daughter’s safety.
More babies meant a more difficult delivery.
And childbirth for women was like crossing the gates of hell—how could Yao Chunhua not worry?
Gu Jianing, however, immediately sensed her mother’s concern and forced a small smile. “Mom, I’m fine.”
Yao Chunhua nearly burst into tears at those words.
She had given birth before—how could she not know whether it was fine or not?
But she didn’t dare say too much now.
When she heard Grandma Sang mention preparing food for Gu Jianing, she quickly wiped her eyes and turned to leave. “I’ll make it.”
It had been so long since her daughter had tasted her cooking.
So, when Yao Chunhua entered the kitchen and told Grandma Sang she wanted to make something for Gu Jianing to eat, Grandma Sang immediately agreed.
“These past few days, Ningning has been talking nonstop about your cooking.”
Yao Chunhua was quick and efficient. With the kitchen fully stocked, and Grandma Sang tending to the fire, she swiftly prepared a bowl of noodle soup.
The bowl was filled with greens, meat, a poached egg, and a broth flavored with some of her homemade pickled vegetables.
Pickled vegetable noodle soup was one of Yao Chunhua’s signature dishes.
After the contractions subsided, Gu Jianing finally felt a little better. With Sheng Zexi’s help, she managed to start eating the noodles.
When the familiar taste touched her lips, Gu Jianing’s eyes welled up with tears.
Ten minutes later, she had finished the entire bowl of noodles.
By then, the next wave of contractions was about to begin.
At the same time, the system also reminded her that labor was imminent.
“Mom, Grandma, Brother Xi, let’s go to the hospital,” Gu Jianing said.
“Alright.”
Amber, upon learning that Gu Jianing was going into labor, wanted to follow, but Sheng Zexi instructed her to stay and watch the house. Left with no choice, Amber could only stay behind, praying for a smooth delivery and waiting for Gu Jianing and the babies to return.
Gu Jianing was quickly transported to the hospital. Since it was the time when most people were waking up and starting their day, many soon learned the news.
“Dr. Gu is going into labor?”
“May Dr. Gu have a safe and smooth delivery!”
Given Gu Jianing’s excellent reputation in the Northwest Military District, everyone naturally wished her well.
She was swiftly taken to the obstetrics department.
The doctor in charge of her delivery was none other than Dr. Hao.
“Dr. Hao, I think the baby is coming soon…” Gu Jianing said as soon as they met.
“So soon? Alright, let’s get you into the delivery room right away.” Under normal circumstances, Dr. Hao would have conducted another examination.
But Gu Jianing was also a doctor.
And given her exceptional medical skills, she undoubtedly knew her own body best.
So without hesitation, Dr. Hao immediately wheeled Gu Jianing into the delivery room.
As for Sheng Zexi, Grandma Sang, and Yao Chunhua, they naturally waited outside.
“Ningning, don’t be afraid. Mom is right here waiting for you,” Yao Chunhua said, gripping her daughter’s hand tightly and offering words of encouragement before finally letting go.
Watching her daughter being taken into the delivery room, watching the door close behind her—the sounds from inside could no longer be heard.
But the worry in their hearts did not lessen in the slightest.
Especially for Sheng Zexi. His fists were clenched, his lips pressed tightly together, and his gaze remained fixed unwaveringly on the delivery room door.
Yao Chunhua clasped her hands together, murmuring prayers under her breath: “Ancestors of the Gu family, all the gods and buddhas in heaven, please protect Ningning.”
“May Ningning and the children be safe and sound.”
Perhaps moved by Yao Chunhua’s actions, or perhaps hoping for extra blessings, Grandma Sang also began praying to the ancestors of the Sang and Sheng families, as well as all deities, for protection.
Though such talk was considered feudal superstition in this era, to a mother worried about her daughter, to elders concerned for their younger generation—even superstitions were worth clinging to if they offered the slightest hope.
They prayed fervently for the safety of Gu Jianing and the babies in her womb.
It felt like only half an hour had passed.
Suddenly, the delivery room door swung open.
Yao Chunhua paled at the sight. “Oh no…”
Only half an hour in, and the door was already opening—this couldn’t be good.
Back when she had given birth to her eldest son, the labor had lasted an entire day.
Her second delivery had been the hardest and the longest.
And now, Ningning had only been inside for half an hour.
Could she really have delivered two babies in just thirty minutes? Yao Chunhua found it hard to believe.
Instead, her mind raced to the worst possibility—what if something had happened to Ningning?
She wasn’t the only one thinking this. Grandma Sang and Sheng Zexi shared the same fear.
Especially Sheng Zexi. Ever since Gu Jianing had entered the late stages of her pregnancy, he had been plagued by anxiety, struggling to sleep. Whenever he did manage to drift off, nightmares of difficult labor—or worse—would haunt him.
So when the delivery room door opened so soon, his sense of dread grew overwhelming.
The moment he saw Dr. Hao, he rushed forward, grabbing her arm and insisting firmly:
“Doctor, save the mother! No matter what, save the mother!”
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