Gu Sinian froze as if under a spell, his mouth slightly agape, his eyes filled with joy.
Madam Qin, Madam Yun, and the other Madam Qin all breathed a sigh of relief.
Madam Qin raised her voice, "Is Zhenzhen alright?"
The midwife had already tidied up Gu Sui'an, wrapping her in a prepared swaddle and placing her aside.
"You ladies can rest assured, Madam Gu and the baby are both well," the midwife announced loudly. She was delighted. Although the process had been a bit slow, it had gone smoothly. Madam Gu was not as delicate as she had imagined, and she had been very cooperative throughout, enduring the pain with remarkable resilience. Now that she had delivered safely and was unharmed, the midwife could anticipate a generous red envelope.
The midwife pressed down firmly on Qi Zhenzhen's abdomen a few times, and the placenta slid out.
The blood loss was normal, but the midwife dared not be careless, as many mothers did not experience heavy bleeding immediately after childbirth.
"You two, come and help the madam clean up," the midwife called to Feixu and the others.
Qi Zhenzhen was completely drained. Childbirth was indeed an arduous task. Despite considering herself physically fit, she now lacked the strength to even lift her arm.
The midwife brought Gu Sui'an to Qi Zhenzhen's side. "Madam, take a look first. The ladies outside are all waiting."
Qi Zhenzhen tilted her head slightly and saw Gu Sui'an, who had her eyes open.
Her dark pupils were bright and glistening, as if she could see her. Of course, Qi Zhenzhen knew that newborns couldn't see.
Her little nose was a bit wrinkled, and her small mouth was tightly pursed.
To Qi Zhenzhen's untrained eye, she couldn't discern any resemblance between this little girl and herself or Gu Sinian.
"You can take her out now," Qi Zhenzhen said softly.
The midwife carried Gu Sui'an to the outer room, and everyone immediately crowded around.
Gu Sinian glanced at the baby before quickly entering the inner chamber.
Feixu and Erxi had already helped Qi Zhenzhen clean up, but the room was still filled with the strong scent of blood.
Gu Sinian gently took Qi Zhenzhen's hand and placed it on his chest, his voice thick with emotion. "You've worked hard."
Qi Zhenzhen's voice was weak. "I'm sleepy, I want to sleep."
"You sleep, I'll stay here and watch over you," Gu Sinian said.
"Won't you watch An'an?" Qi Zhenzhen chided playfully.
"I'll bring An'an in. I'll watch over both of you," Gu Sinian replied.
A smile played on Qi Zhenzhen's lips as her eyes slowly closed, her breathing gradually evening out.
Gu Sinian tiptoed to the outer room and brought Gu Sui'an in. Following the midwife's instructions, he laid the little girl close to Zhenzhen.
A small, soft bundle, she was the continuation of his and Zhenzhen's bloodline.
If the Gu Sinian of the past was aloof and distant, then the Gu Sinian of this moment was imbued with the warmth of everyday life. He was still the same person, but he now seemed more approachable.
This warmth, this gentleness, was given to him by Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sui'an.
Qi Zhenzhen slept for a full four hours.
During this time, Gu Sui'an slept and woke, and woke and slept.
When she woke, Gu Sinian, as instructed by the midwife, gave her water. He also changed her diaper four times, averaging once every hour.
Qi Zhenzhen woke up hungry.
Although she had eaten a lot before giving birth, the process of childbirth had been incredibly draining, and after sleeping for so long, she was now ravenous.
"You're awake? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Gu Sinian asked.
"Hungry," Qi Zhenzhen said.
"There's chicken soup simmering on the stove. I'll have someone bring you some chicken soup noodles," Gu Sinian said gently.