Connie suddenly rembered sothing and tilted her head to look at Yi Luowa, asking, "Sis-in-law, didn’t Second Uncle and Huo Li say they would co? Why aren’t they here yet?"
"My Second Uncle called and said they’d be here soon. He told us not to wait for them." Yi Luowa took out her phone and checked the ti. "But this ’soon’ is way too long!"
The Queen of Haotian said worriedly, "Luowa, give your Second Uncle a call and ask where they are now."
"Oh." Yi Luowa dialed her Second Uncle’s phone number. The ringtone kept playing, but no one answered. Growing anxious, she tried Huo Li’s number.
Huo Li’s phone rang three or four tis before it was answered.
"Pig, where are you and my Second Uncle?"
"Luowa, listen carefully to and don’t say anything," Yi Weiyang’s voice ca through the phone.
"Mm, go ahead."
"Huo Li and I are on the way to the hospital right now..."
"Ah!"
"Stay quiet!" Yi Weiyang said sternly. "Huo Li’s having stomach pains; she might be going into labor."
"Ah!?"
"No need to make a fuss. There are so many people at ho celebrating the child’s birthday; stay there with them. Huo Li, on my side, will be fine, so don’t worry."
"Uncle, it—hurts—" Huo Li’s muffled groan ca through the phone.
Yi Luowa’s heart clenched instantly. "Second Uncle, hang up first."
Yi Luowa hastily ended the call and turned to Jimo Shanshan, "Shanshan, co with ; I need to talk to you."
Seeing her urgency, Jimo Shanshan quickly stood up and followed her to the balcony.
The Queen of Haotian exchanged a look with Tong Yao, then asked, "Could it be that Huo Li’s going into labor? Her due date is around these days."
"It should still be ten days away... but these things are hard to predict, earlier or later by a day." Tong Yao stood up. "Rui’er, get the car ready. If Huo Li is really in labor, we need to head to the hospital right away."
"Okay." Tong Airui responded and pulled out his phone.
Tong Yao grabbed the Queen of Haotian’s arm, and the two headed to the balcony.
At that mont, Jimo Shanshan was on the phone with the hospital, instructing them to prepare for the incoming patient.
When Tong Yao and the Queen of Haotian overheard this, they walked over and said, "Luowa, start packing. We’ll head straight to the hospital."
Yi Luowa hesitated and looked outside. "It took so much for everyone to co back together. If we leave... Mom, let and Tong Airui go later, and you stay here."
"Everyone here is family, including your grandma and Connie. We’re going to support Huo Li." Tong Yao said decisively.
Yi Luowa pressed her lips together and nodded.
After Jimo Shanshan hung up the phone, the family divided into two groups—one stayed ho with the kids and the other headed to the hospital.
Just as they reached the hospital, Huo Li had arrived too. Yi Weiyang looked at the large group of people and shot Yi Luowa a displeased glance.
"Why did you bring so many people?"
"Childbirth is a life-and-death matter for a woman. How could we not co?" Tong Yao walked over and said, "Don’t bla Luowa. How’s Huo Li?"
"She’s being examined now. Thankfully, Shanshan arranged for a hospital room and doctor as soon as we arrived." Yi Weiyang gave Jimo Shanshan a grateful look.
"Wasn’t her due date still a few days away?" Yi Luowa asked nervously.
"Don’t talk nonsense! On the way here, Huo Li joked that if she gave birth today, the child could share a birthday with Zi Yan Sang Yu. Just as she said that, the car hit a bump, and then her pain started."
Yi Luowa asked, "How many centiters dilated? Maybe she really could share a birthday."
"Not sure yet. We’ll only know when the doctor cos out."
Just as Yi Weiyang was speaking, the doctor ca out.
Jimo Shanshan walked up, "Sister Hu, how far along in dilation is the patient?"
"Already three centiters. A few more contractions and she’ll be ready for the delivery bed."
Jimo Shanshan froze for a mont. "That fast?"
Doctor Hu smiled and said, "It varies from person to person, and Western mothers are sowhat different from us. This baby should co quickly."
Jimo Shanshan smiled and clasped Doctor Hu’s hand tightly. "That’s great! Sister Hu, we’re leaving the mother and baby in your hands."
"Don’t worry. Family mbers can co in to chat with the mom, but not too many people."
Yi Luowa glanced at her Second Uncle, then supported him with her hand. "Second Uncle, I’ll go in with you."
Yi Weiyang smiled and nodded.
Huo Li was in pain. When she saw her husband and friend enter, tears imdiately welled up and stread down her face. "Honey, Piggy, am I going to die from the pain?"
Yi Luowa pursed her lips. "If I could, I’d take the pain for you."
Yi Weiyang walked over and grabbed a tissue to wipe the sweat off Huo Li’s forehead. "Good, now you know how painful it is. You won’t keep yelling about having kids in the future."
"Can you stop talking like that?" Huo Li slapped his hand away, angrily turning her face.
Yi Luowa teased, "My Second Uncle has always been bad at talking. He didn’t hide it from you. You’re the one who insisted on marrying him, don’t forget that."
Huo Li finished a wave of pain and pointed at the pair, shouting, "Both of you, get out! I don’t want to see either of you!"
Standing at the door, Tong Yao and the Queen of Haotian smiled helplessly. Tong Yao spoke first, "It seems like you two can’t take care of patients."
The Queen of Haotian laughed. "Exactly! Don’t bully her anymore. You two, step out; we’ll go in."
Huo Li stared blankly at Tong Yao and the Queen of Haotian. "You two are here too! Go back ho, please. With you both here, I’m so nervous I can’t give birth."
"Why can’t you give birth because we’re here?"
"Your status makes feel pressured." Huo Li grabbed Yi Luowa’s hand, pleading, "Quick, send your two moms away."
"Haha..." Tong Yao laughed. "Dear, we’ve eaten together and stayed together, and now you’re talking about status? Say no more—save your energy—we’re all rooting for you!"
An intense contraction swept over Huo Li, making her head break out in sweat. She grabbed Yi Weiyang’s hand tightly.
"She’s contracting frequently. The baby should co soon!" The Queen of Haotian looked at Huo Li, recalling her own labor pains, and her eyes reddened as she moved aside.
After several rounds of struggles, Huo Li finally moved to the delivery bed. Yi Weiyang followed her in while everyone else anxiously waited outside.
Yi Luowa paced uncomfortably in the corridor. "Mom, didn’t they say Huo Li should deliver quickly? But it’s been so long since she went in—this feels longer than Ai Ni’s labor."
"Don’t worry. She’ll give birth soon." Tong Yao pulled her down to sit.
"Bang—" The delivery room door swung open, and a nurse dashed out.
Yi Luowa froze for a mont and quickly stood up. "What’s going on?!"
The nurse ran straight to Jimo Shanshan. "Dr. Jimo, the baby’s umbilical cord was wrapped twice around the neck. We barely managed to deliver the baby, but now the mother is hemorrhaging uncontrollably. Dr. Hu said to imdiately call Dr. Hong..."
Before the nurse could finish, Jimo Shanshan grabbed her phone. "I’m calling right now. Go back in and tell Dr. Hu not to let anything happen to the mother!"
Hearing their conversation, Yi Luowa’s vision darkened, and her body swayed violently. If Tong Airui hadn’t grabbed her in ti, she would’ve fallen.
"It’s okay, it’s okay," Tong Airui reassured her, patting her back. He turned to the nurse and asked, "What about the baby? Why haven’t we heard the baby cry?"
"The baby had oxygen deprivation and is being resuscitated," the nurse said, then ran back inside.
Yi Luowa’s tears stread uncontrollably. "Honey, think of sothing! We can’t let anything happen to Huo Li or the baby!"
The Fourth Master’s mouth twitched slightly. What could a man possibly do during childbirth?
"Waaa—" Just as everyone crowded anxiously near the delivery room door, a loud baby’s cry rang out.
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