Chef Hua
Chapter 593 - 316: Double Happiness Arrives_2

Chapter 593: Chapter 316: Double Happiness Arrives_2

He naturally knew that his wife wasn’t of a particularly delicate disposition, but childbirth was, after all, a major affair and it was her first time. Even if she was usually strong and resolute, it was inevitable that she would be a bit panicked and scared. He had guessed as much early on and couldn’t help but want to rush over to check on her immediately. Even if he couldn’t enter the room, standing outside the window and offering a few words of comfort would be good.

The door was shut tight, with a thick felt blanket hung outside to prevent drafts. The windows were also covered by curtains, meticulously sealed. There seemed to be voices inside, yet nothing could be seen.

His heart raced, and without holding back, he called out, "Xiaomai." Granny Meng immediately opened the door and stepped out.

Seizing the rare opportunity, as the felt blanket was lifted for just a moment, he hurriedly looked inside.

Hua Xiaomai was leaning on the couch, supported by two thick cotton quilts behind her, holding half a boiled egg in her hand, enjoying it deliciously with her feet propped up. Perhaps having heard his call, she turned her head toward the door, smiled, and waved at him: "You’re back?"

Meng Yuhuai immediately felt a bit of a headache—what... what exactly was going on here?

...

Actually, Hua Xiaomai noticed spotting when she got up in the morning. Fortunately, Granny Meng had made thorough preparations and immediately went out to fetch Midwife Liu Wen.

After eating a bowl of chicken soup wontons at noon, she soon went into labor. While the contractions weren’t yet too frequent, she quickly went to the bathhouse to clean herself and had Granny Meng bring in all the sweets and snacks she had made in the past few days. Then she calmly climbed onto the couch to wait, occasionally getting off to walk around or find something to eat.

Perhaps the ingredients in those desserts were too rich; they made her feel a bit stifled, and she nearly choked trying to swallow them down. Seeing this, Granny Meng couldn’t stand it and went into the kitchen to boil a few eggs and stew a pot of White Fungus Soup, which she hurriedly brought to her side.

Chun Xi’s mother-in-law arrived from her home in no time, followed shortly by Mrs. Feng with her two daughters-in-law. Assuming it would take a while longer, none of them seemed in a hurry. They sat beside the couch, chatting with Hua Xiaomai and telling her interesting stories as a diversion.

With so many people around her, Hua Xiaomai felt incredibly reassured, and she was also grateful that she could endure pain well. At least until then, she didn’t find it too unbearable. She felt spirited and cheerful, as if she was full of energy. Even the contractions that came every so often seemed manageable.

"Has the banquet ended?" Granny Meng quickly closed the door and looked up at Meng Yuhuai. "This is your wife’s first child; it’s naturally harder. Midwife Liu Wen said that in all likelihood, it’ll go on till late into the night. Don’t just stand around here; the kitchen has food. If you’re hungry, heat something up for yourself. I’ve cleaned up the side room, so if you’re tired, you can rest there. Today, I really can’t tend to you." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Meng Yuhuai absentmindedly responded, then heard Hua Xiaomai’s robust voice from inside the room.

"Don’t worry, I’m doing very well. I’ll definitely give birth to a healthy, chubby baby for you!"

"No shouting!"

Mother Meng was furious, she roared at the door, then turned her head and signaled Meng Yuhuai to step back, and she stormed in with a ferocious and threatening air.

"Are you sick, or do you think you’re very strong? If you have any strength, save it for when it’s time to give birth, and then give it your all!" She let loose with a barrage of insults right off the bat.

Hua Xiaomai had been with her for over a year, had grown incredibly thick-skinned from the constant scolding, and these few words now were nothing more than a mild itch, not a blow to her confidence. With a giggle, she considered the matter settled.

However, it wasn’t long before she could no longer laugh.

During the hour of the dog, excruciating pain, as if draining one’s bone marrow, finally arrived.

It was not just the stomach; that kind of pain seemed to be pulled by a string, crawling up the spine to the brain, causing it to go numb and the limbs to stop responding, with no strength to muster and cold sweat quickly breaking out on her forehead.

Midwife Liu Wen kept urging her to breathe and push, but with every effort, her head spun and her vision blurred. Her hand was seized by someone, as if they were trying to help her exert strength, squeezing so much it hurt, and tears burst forth on the spot.

"You can’t cry, all your strength will dissipate if you do!" Mother Meng ordered sternly at her ear, "You’ve eaten so much, when are you planning to use the strength you’ve saved if not now? Giving birth sooner will bring relief sooner; otherwise, you’re only prolonging your own suffering."

Hua Xiaomai knew she was right and had no choice but to endure the pain, grit her teeth, and followed Midwife Liu Wen’s instructions for breathing and pushing, all while cursing Meng Yuhuai in her heart from head to toe a hundred times over.

In the room, there were cries reaching to the heavens; outside, Meng Yuhuai himself was so anxious that he was sweat-soaked and pale, pacing back and forth along the wall, trying to sit for a while, then quickly standing up again. He wanted to check on the situation but couldn’t enter, and could only worry helplessly from the outside.

Chun Xi and La Mei also hurried over after closing up at Daoxiang Garden; one went into the room to help, while the other warmed up the food in the kitchen and somehow convinced Meng Yuhuai to eat a little, and naturally, they tried to comfort him and reassure him.

"Midwife Liu hasn’t called for the doctor, which means Xiaomai is doing well, why are you so scared? Giving birth is like this, you’ll understand next time—what storm haven’t you seen, to be so frightened now?"

Meng Yuhuai felt his hands trembling, and turned to look at her: "It has been several hours since noon, it’s been too long; Xiaomai... she might not hold on..."

As he spoke, they heard the women in the room let out a collective sigh of relief, followed promptly by a resounding, clear cry of a newborn baby.

Midwife Liu wiped off her sweat, caught her breath, and announced loudly, "The baby has arrived!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile phone users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)