RIRW – Chapter 137

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May 21st, Song Gang came to the Shen family’s house to deliver red eggs in celebration.

“Hahaha, Yiming, look at me — I’ve beaten you to it. I got married before you, and now I’ve had a baby before you too. And let me tell you, my eldest daughter is really beautiful. My mom says she looks just like me!”

Song Gang proudly boasted about his baby girl.

Shen Yiming glanced at Zuo Dan’s belly and said lightly, “Good things are worth the wait.”

But Song Gang didn’t quite get what he meant and chuckled, “Wait for what? When it comes to having kids, the earlier the better. Miss one step, and you’ll be behind forever. Just think, my kid will start school before yours, get married first, and even have children before yours, hahahaha…”

“…” Zuo Dan thought to herself that new fathers must lose all sense of normalcy. He was acting like a complete girl-dad fanatic.

Even though the couple felt slightly uncomfortable, they still followed Song Gang into the house to see the baby.

The child had been born yesterday afternoon. Today, Song Gang brought his wife and baby home, and without wasting any time, he went out to share the good news.

Looking at the big-faced little baby and then at the petite Niu Lili, Zuo Dan couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy. It must’ve been incredibly hard to give birth. She knew that most people still gave birth naturally nowadays, and to think the baby had to come out of there…

She shuddered involuntarily and started worrying that her own baby, Youyou, might grow too big and make the process just as difficult.

After finally calming herself down, Zuo Dan started chatting with Niu Lili, “Why didn’t you stay in the hospital a few more days? You came out so soon.”

Niu Lili looked proud, “The baby’s out already, so what’s the point of staying in the hospital? The hospital is short on beds anyway, and they don’t keep women in for smooth deliveries. As soon as I left, someone else took my bed. And that’s still considered pretty refined — back in our old courtyard, the ones who didn’t care much just got a few older aunties to help deliver. They screamed in pain all night long, but the baby still turned out perfectly fine.”

Zuo Dan asked nervously, “Did it hurt when you gave birth?”

“Of course it hurt! I almost bit through the cloth I had in my mouth. But pain or not, you still have to push through. Luckily, mine was pretty quick — just one wave of pain and the baby came out. I already told Song Gang, once this one’s grown a bit, I’m having another. I must give the Song family a big fat son. I have to say, my in-laws are pretty open-minded. If they were like those other old-fashioned ones who only care about sons, they wouldn’t even give me red eggs, let alone a kind word.”

“Why should it be like that?!” Zuo Dan immediately felt it was unfair. “We women suffer so much to have kids — just having one is already a big deal. And they still complain? If they want sons so bad, let their precious sons give birth themselves. Let’s see what they can produce!”

Niu Lili couldn’t help but laugh and covered her mouth, “Only you dare talk like that. When other women are actually in that situation, they just obediently keep giving birth.”

Zuo Dan’s heart soured a little. She suddenly felt wronged. Giving birth was already so painful — what if the child she gave birth to wasn’t well-liked? That would be too unfair.

A pregnant woman’s mood changes like the weather in June — instantly and unpredictably.

After coming out of the room, no matter how she looked at Shen Yiming, he just rubbed her the wrong way.

Shen Yiming was still listening to Song Gang brag about how pretty his daughter was, but as soon as Zuo Dan came out, she shot him a glare. His eyebrows raised slightly — he could tell she was about to make a fuss.

Once they left the Song family and got into the car, Zuo Dan began to nag, “Shen Yiming, do you want a son? If this baby isn’t a boy, are you going to make me keep having kids? If Youyou turns out to be a girl, will you stop loving her, not buy her pretty clothes, or even refuse to make red eggs?”

Shen Yiming: “…”

“Youyou, don’t be afraid, Mommy will always love you. Even if I have to raise you alone, I’ll make sure you grow up happy and healthy. I’ll earn money for your formula and won’t let you live in a home without love!”

Shen Yiming pulled the car over to the side of the road, turned to look at her, and said helplessly, “Comrade Zuo Dan, could you please not wrongfully accuse me in front of our unborn child? I feel more wronged than Dou E right now.”

Zuo Dan said, “Can you swear you’re not sexist?”

“I swear!” Shen Yiming said seriously.

“I don’t believe you,” Zuo Dan insisted. “Niu Lili told me — those men only want boys. If they don’t get one, they’ll make their wives keep having babies forever.”

“…That’s other people,” Shen Yiming felt like he was being bullied by this mother-and-child duo. He reached out and touched her big belly. “I promise, whether Youyou is a boy or girl, I’ll love them just the same. If it’s a girl, I’ll hold her in the palm of my hand and spoil her. No one will ever be allowed to bully her. If it’s a boy…”

“You won’t spoil him if it’s a boy?” Zuo Dan glared.

Shen Yiming laughed, “If it’s a boy, I’ll teach him how to win over a smart and beautiful girl like his mom.”

Zuo Dan immediately blushed and pouted, “Really? You really won’t care if it’s a boy or girl? Shen Yiming, I’m telling you — if you value boys over girls, or girls over boys, I’ll raise the baby on my own.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? That’s my baby too — where do you think you’re taking them? We’re only a whole family if we’re together. You’re just overthinking things lately. No wonder the doctor told me to take care of your emotions. They said mood swings get worse toward the end. Looks like it’s true. Leader, if you ever feel unhappy, just tell me. Don’t bottle it up.”

To Shen Yiming, this was the only “leader” he was ever willing to follow in his life. Even when dealing with his workplace boss, he’d never felt so oppressed.

Zuo Dan sniffled, her nose sour. “I’m just scared… scared of how painful childbirth will be. I’ve already gotten uglier, and it’s still going to hurt so much when I give birth. What if you don’t like our child? That would feel so unfair to me.”

“Who said you’re ugly? You’re not ugly at all. You look beautiful while pregnant. When I look at you, it’s like you’re glowing—it’s really captivating.”

Shen Yiming said seriously, his face full of sincerity.

Zuo Dan pouted, “Really?”

“Of course it’s true.”

“Then give me a kiss.” She pouted again.

Shen Yiming immediately leaned over and kissed her. Zuo Dan then pushed out her belly a bit. “You also have to kiss Youyou.”

Shen Yiming bent down and kissed her belly. Right after the kiss, a little bump rose on her stomach.

Zuo Dan said happily, “See, Youyou knows you kissed her. What a sweet little baby.”

Shen Yiming nodded in agreement. Sweet to her, maybe, but not to him as the dad. If she could torment him a few less times at night, that would be true thoughtfulness.

As the weather got hotter, Zuo Dan truly began to feel how hard pregnancy was. The only thing she could feel was the heat. Her whole body felt heavy. She couldn’t even eat popsicles, and she didn’t dare eat watermelon either. She had no appetite at all. Of course, she knew this wasn’t Youyou’s fault—it was just a natural reaction of the body.

Luckily, her orchard had fruit all year round. When she was bored, she’d go there and munch on fruit, barely making it through the hardest stretch.

Her due date was in late July. Li Hui arrived in mid-July, since Grandma Shen was too old, and both Shen Yiming and Zuo Cong were still young guys—not much help.

With Li Hui around to care for her, Shen Yiming felt much more relaxed. But at night, Li Hui insisted on sleeping with Zuo Dan, which made the couple a bit unhappy.

Even if they didn’t do anything, just waking up every day and seeing each other had become a habit.

So Shen Yiming used the excuse of having to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband and soon-to-be father to politely reject his mother-in-law’s good intentions.

Li Hui secretly told Zuo Dan, “Yiming is very thoughtful—more thoughtful than your dad ever was. Your father was a big silly back then.”

Speaking of the old days, Li Hui smiled, eyes full of nostalgia.

Zuo Dan giggled, “That’s because my dad cared too much about you. Mom, didn’t Dad feel reluctant to let you come over here this time?”

Li Hui blushed. “What’s there to feel reluctant about? He’s busy every day. Big meetings, little meetings, studying in the evenings, and supervising the production in the team. But your dad really has improved a lot. He talks so smoothly now.”

“He’s working so hard because of you, Mom.” Zuo Dan teased.

Li Hui chuckled. “You little rascal, always talking nonsense. Only Yiming would indulge you like this. Once the baby’s born, you’ll have to grow up. No more being spoiled.”

Zuo Dan nodded half-heartedly. “Mm-hmm-hmm.”

At night, Zuo Dan lay on the bed while Shen Yiming massaged her legs.

Leaning against the headboard, she said, “Shen Yiming, I was chatting with Mom today. I think she and Dad really love each other, and their relationship is great. What if that person comes back someday? Would something happen between them?”

“No way. Dad and Mom are solid. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried. That scumbag better stay away. If he dares ruin our family’s happiness, I won’t be polite.”

Then she quickly began educating her child. “Youyou, don’t follow my example. Mom is only like this for special reasons. Your dad and I are so good to you—if you dare be mean to me, I won’t let you off!”

Just as she finished, her belly got kicked a few times.

Zuo Dan instantly got annoyed. “This kid is bullying me already! Shen Yiming, once he’s out, you better teach him a lesson!”

“…,” Shen Yiming pretended not to hear and switched to massaging her other leg.

As the end of July approached, Zuo Dan started struggling to sleep every night, just waiting for the baby to come out.

But the baby became unusually quiet. Normally, she’d get a few kicks; now there was barely any movement except an occasional punch. There were no signs of labor.

Li Hui walked her around the courtyard. “Don’t worry. When the time’s right, the baby will come.”

Zuo Dan looked at her big belly, feeling the sweat pouring down her back. She just wanted to get it over with and complete this major life event.

Two more days passed. She was almost overdue, and still no signs. So she gave up, thinking: Come out whenever you want. I won’t push you anymore. It’s not like I’m giving birth to Nezha or something.

On the last day of her due date, she was lying in bed chatting with Shen Yiming. “I’ve heard of early births, but never late ones.”

Shen Yiming checked the calendar. “Due dates aren’t that exact. Let’s just wait a bit longer.”

Zuo Dan yawned. Not like she had a choice anyway.

That night, she fell asleep and had a dream—she dreamt she gave birth to Nezha, who popped out of a watermelon. The dream startled her awake. When she sat up, she realized her lower body was all wet.

Did I wet the bed? Zuo Dan panicked and sat up quickly, ready to clean up. The movement woke Shen Yiming.

“Why are you getting out of bed?”

Blushing, Zuo Dan said, “I think I wet the sheets…”

Hearing that, Shen Yiming reached over and felt the area she’d been lying on. Instantly, he felt the dampness—and his eyes widened in shock.

“You’re going into labor!!”