“You're pregnant, so you're pregnant. Don't doubt it. Go back and take good care of yourself.”
Then he added a bunch of precautions and ushered them out of the consultation room.
Holding the slip of paper, the two walked through the hospital lobby. Jiang Jingyu seemed to finally grasp the reality of the situation.
He excitedly pulled her into his embrace. "An'an, my wife, you're amazing. We're having a baby. I'm going to be a dad. How can you be so incredible?"
Tong An'an also felt she was pretty amazing.
Under such adverse conditions, and having just recovered from a serious illness, she had managed to conceive.
Thinking about her illness, she pushed Jiang Jingyu away in fright.
“Before you found me, I had just spent a few days in the hospital, taking medicine and getting injections. Could that affect the baby?”
Neither of them dared to be careless and rushed back to ask the doctor.
The doctor listened to the details and said, “This happened before pregnancy. The medication was absorbed by the body, so it should be fine. However, we'll know more once the fetus grows a bit bigger and we can do further tests.”
“If there are any effects, it won’t be too late to make a decision then. You both seem to want this very much, so you probably don't want to give up this early, do you?”
Of course, they didn’t want to give up easily, but they were still quite worried.
They didn't dare to tell their families, fearing they might get their hopes up only for them to be dashed later. They suppressed their mixed emotions and returned home.
Jiang Jingyu forbade Tong An'an from going to work, fearing any mishap to her health.
But Tong An'an was used to working. Being cooped up at home all day was incredibly boring, so she asked Jiang Jingyu to arrange a department for her.
Even if it was just doing odd jobs, it was better than being idle at home.
Jiang Jingyu used his position to transfer her to the President’s office.
Tong An'an asked him, “Aren't you tired of seeing this old face every night when you get home, and then seeing it all day at work?”
“Not tired at all. I haven’t properly seen you for half a year. I must make up for this lost time.”
Everyone knew about Tong An'an and Jiang Jingyu’s relationship, and they were also aware of Tong An'an’s glorious achievements abroad. Therefore, they showed her great respect upon her return.
Seeing the couple moving through the company in pairs, they were met with looks of genuine admiration.
Time passed quickly in happy anticipation. In the blink of an eye, Tong An'an was more than three months pregnant.
They attended regular prenatal check-ups, and there were no problems, but they still dared not inform their families.
“Let’s wait until five months. Once it’s confirmed to be fine at five months, then we’ll say something.”
The couple waited with hopeful hearts until the fifth month. They underwent a four-dimensional ultrasound, Down syndrome screening, and all other possible examinations. Once they confirmed the fetus was healthy, they gathered both sets of parents and siblings at a large hotel that evening to announce the happy news.
Everyone was overjoyed.
Ge'er complained, “You two are too good at keeping secrets! You waited five months to tell us!”
“Isn’t this good? It gives you a few months to buffer. By the time you process it and get ready, the baby will be born. It’s better than waiting anxiously for a year.”
Jiang Nan Fang was fine. Having had many children herself, she had been looking after babies continuously over the years.
Moreover, Zhan Jingrui had just become a father a couple of months prior, and she had once again experienced the joy of having a baby in the house. She wasn’t as eager as Tong’s mother.
It had been more than twenty years since there had been a baby in the Tong family, and Tong’s mother was incredibly excited.
“Oh my, I wonder if it's a boy or a girl. We must think of a name quickly! And all the things a baby needs are so numerous and complicated. We need to prepare them in advance too!”
“I’ll buy yarn and knit sweaters and blankets for the baby when I get back. Jingyu, you mustn’t think your mother-in-law is incompetent and her things are unfashionable and cheap.”
“Things sold in stores are expensive and look nice, but their quality isn’t guaranteed. It’s more reassuring to wear things made by oneself.”
With such wonderful news, everyone was genuinely happy, and Jiang Jingyu certainly wouldn’t disdain her efforts.
“Of course not, Mom. I’ve always heard An'an say how beautiful the clothes you made for her were when she was little. I can’t wait to witness your skills.”
“Alright then. It’s settled today. Don’t buy her those miscellaneous things from outside. From childhood to adulthood, I’ll handle the baby’s clothes!”
“Oh, I’m going to be a grandmother too! My daughter is truly amazing! You know, your fate is so good. How did you marry such a wonderful daughter-in-law?”
Tong An’an’s belly grew larger, making work inconvenient, and she was increasingly sleepy. Jiang Jingyu therefore disallowed her from going to the company.
As He Yao was at home taking care of her child, the two naturally became friends.
They spent their days together, doting on their children, chatting about children, and discussing parenting experiences.
Time flew by again.
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year, and Tong An’an’s due date arrived, but there was no sign of labor.
Tong’s mother moved in with them, and Jiang Nan Fang, fearing any accidents, also came to stay with Tong’s mother.
The group spent their days discussing whether Tong An’an would have a natural birth or a cesarean section.
Tong An’an herself insisted on a natural birth, so she wasn’t rushed to the hospital even two days after her due date.
Tong’s mother, however, was very anxious, fearing something might go wrong.
“In-law, what was the situation when you gave birth to your daughter? In our hometown, they say daughters are more patient and tend to give birth later. It was the same when I was pregnant with An'an. Do you think this saying is accurate?”
Jiang Nan Fang felt it wasn’t accurate, possibly because her children were all impatient and were born prematurely.
However, she didn’t want to contradict her, saying, “I’ve heard that saying too.”
“Your family doesn’t discriminate against daughters, do they? If our An'an has a daughter, she won’t be looked down upon, will she?”
“What are you talking about? What era is this? Besides, aren’t you and I both women? Without us, where would they come from?”
“That’s good then. To be honest, a major reason I agreed to let An'an marry Jingyu was because of you. Having a good mother-in-law is more important than having a good husband.”
Four days passed, and still no sign of labor.
A check-up at the hospital indicated that the amniotic fluid was fine. If she insisted on a natural birth, she might have to wait longer.
Seeing Tong’s mother unable to sleep from worry, and fearing it might affect An’an’s mood, Jiang Nan Fang considered whether they should try some unconventional methods to expedite the birth.
That evening, she quietly told Jiang Jingyu to be intimate with An’an.
Jiang Jingyu was taken aback. “What nonsense are you saying!”
Jiang Nan Fang insisted it wasn’t nonsense and that there was scientific evidence.
She found a video of a doctor’s explanation online and showed it to him.
“Your mother-in-law is really anxious, and I’m a bit afraid of any accidents… Can’t you be a bit gentler? If it works, it works. If not, then not. Why are you so rigid?”
Jiang Jingyu was already craving intimacy, and now with her support, he had a valid excuse.
Tong An’an couldn’t resist his persistent pleading. After some coaxing, it actually worked, and she started having labor pains in the middle of the night.
Everyone rushed to the hospital in an orderly fashion. After more than three hours of labor, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl who strongly resembled Tong An’an.
Tong An’an and Jiang Jingyu were overjoyed.
This beautiful love story now had a crystallization of their affection!