The hospital had received the news long ago. As Zheng Wei carried Shen Xiaoyan to the door, someone was already pushing a gurney out.
"Xiaoyan, I'll wait for you outside. Don't be scared. You and the baby will be fine." Zheng Wei ran alongside the nurses pushing the gurney. He kept talking to Shen Xiaoyan, even though she couldn't speak, which made him want to say even more, to let her know he was by her side.
Shen Xiaoyan met Zheng Wei's intense gaze, and she nodded at him, enduring the pain with a smile.
When they reached the door of the delivery room and Zheng Wei was stopped, he finally halted. He couldn't sit still and paced back and forth outside the delivery room. Many people were waiting outside, and their curious eyes fell on Zheng Wei when they saw him. However, the chilling aura he exuded was so strong that it made people want to retreat with just a glance.
"What's wrong?" Sima Han, who had just heard the news, also rushed over. He immediately noticed Zheng Wei's anxious figure.
Hearing Sima Han's voice, Zheng Wei looked back. Seeing that it was him, he simply replied, "She was just taken in."
"Before she was taken in, did she show any obvious discomfort?" This was what Sima Han was concerned about.
Zheng Wei's face was grim. He nodded, "She looked like she was in a lot of pain."
This was his first time witnessing a woman give birth up close. The thought that the woman he cherished so dearly was in so much pain made Zheng Wei feel uncomfortable all over.
Sima Han's demeanor and appearance were much calmer than Zheng Wei's. The waiting family members outside dared to approach and speak when they saw Sima Han.
"Is this gentleman's wife experiencing severe labor pains? They were taken in now, but they are only in the waiting stage. They have to wait until the cervix has dilated sufficiently before they can have a natural birth." Seeing Zheng Wei's distress, people instinctively felt that Zheng Wei's wife must be in a serious condition. After all, it was not uncommon for some women to endure labor pains for over ten hours.
When Zheng Wei heard this, his face grew even more somber. He cast a questioning glance at Sima Han, who nodded, "That's true. However, it also depends on individual constitution. Some people give birth very quickly."
"Xiaoyan will definitely be fine!" Zheng Wei paced back and forth, as if speaking to others, or perhaps to himself for reassurance.
Sima Han said nothing more, his gaze also fixed in the direction of the delivery room.
Soon, Old Mr. Zheng and Madam Lu also arrived, their hands full of packages and bags, all things Shen Xiaoyan might need later.
Madam Lu looked up and saw her son's unhappy face. She nudged Old Mr. Zheng and softly said, "Go comfort your son."
Old Mr. Zheng glanced at Zheng Wei and did not go forward to console him. He simply said, "Let him endure it. If he dares to do anything foolish like in the past again, let's see how he will face Xiaoyan then."
Old Mr. Zheng didn't want to go up and comfort him; rather, he hoped that his son would understand something during this waiting period. The woman enduring pain inside was not only his wife, but also the mother of his child, the warm presence that held their family together.
A family without a mother was no longer a home.
"Alas, may heaven bless us, and may Xiaoyan be well," Madam Lu clasped her hands together and said softly.
This family's presence seemed quite imposing, yet everyone's face was tense. Those sitting around couldn't help but whisper, "This clearly belongs to a wealthy family. Yes, it seems the situation inside is not good, otherwise they wouldn't look like this. Even wealthy people don't have everything go smoothly."
"That's right, that's right. Wealth doesn't guarantee smooth sailing."
"Looking at their worried expressions, they might have to wait for over ten hours, maybe even longer. Of course, if it's a Cesarean section, then it's different."
"What do you know? Many people nowadays prefer natural birth. Wealthy families don't lack money; they just believe that natural birth makes children smarter than Cesarean sections!"
Due to the distance and the fact that the Zheng family was in such a state of anxiety, no one could hear their hushed discussions.
But just as their family was preparing to wait for over ten hours, less than half an hour later, a nurse walked out carrying a small bundle. The nurse was very careful, but her voice was loud as she called out, "Shen Xiaoyan's baby is born! Mr. Zheng?"
This was something Principal Duan had personally instructed. Therefore, the nurse dared not make the slightest mistake!
As Zheng Wei and his entourage rushed forward, the people who had been talking about waiting for over ten hours instantly fell silent...
Their constitution was truly exceptional. Why were they so anxious as if there was great danger?
When the nurse called Shen Xiaoyan's name, the Zheng family immediately surged forward. Before the nurse could prepare to announce whether it was a boy or a girl, the Zheng family had already interrupted her, asking, "A little girl? Is our Xiaoyan alright? Is she well?"
"How is my wife?" Zheng Wei merely glanced down at the baby. His primary concern was his wife.
The nurse had not anticipated their question. Weren't they supposed to care about the baby first? Or did they dislike it because it was a girl?
"Mrs. Zheng is in good health and will be out soon. As for the baby, there are some procedures to be completed. Could you tell us who will handle them?" the nurse asked, bewildered.
After she had finished saying that the mother was fine, Mr. Zheng immediately turned back to look at the delivery room door. Doctor Sima and the two elders surrounded the baby again.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Sima Han asked, looking at the baby with a gentle gaze.
"Oh, it's a little princess," the nurse replied. She felt her words were accurate; born into such a family, this baby was indeed a true little princess.
"Oh my, Old Zheng, did you hear? It's a granddaughter! Quickly, let me see." Madam Lu almost jumped with excitement upon hearing it was a girl. As for Old Mr. Zheng, his hands were trembling.
"Our Zheng family's first female descendant. Excellent, excellent." Old Mr. Zheng was very excited. The nurse dared not let him hold the baby. Principal Duan had already sent someone to arrange a room. Madam Lu happily followed behind the nurse, while Old Mr. Zheng excitedly went to complete the various procedures for the baby.
Sima Han stood in place, looking at Zheng Wei, who was gazing longingly at the delivery room door, and then at the overjoyed Zheng parents. A hint of melancholy yet also relief flickered at the corner of his lips.
This time, she was finally cherished and treated with utmost care...
He didn't say a word to anyone. With his hands in the pockets of his white coat, he simply walked away from the delivery room door.
Zheng Wei, meanwhile, stood like a statue of a waiting husband. He had heard what the nurse said: it was a daughter! A daughter!
Seeing that Shen Xiaoyan had not yet been brought out, he quickly took out his phone and sent a message in their WeChat group: "I have a daughter."
Lin Xin: "Already born? Didn't you say you just got to the hospital? I'm stuck in traffic?"
Lu Taobao: "Baobao and I have arrived at the parking lot."
Lin Xin: "Hey, Old Lu, don't show off your affection to me right now, okay? 'Baobao, Baobao.'" Lin Xin's message was sent via voice, and his tone clearly conveyed his intense annoyance.
Lu Taobao did not reply, presumably having already gotten out of the car with Naimuzhong.
A few other brothers in the group were sending Zheng Wei congratulations. Lin Xin looked at the congratulatory messages, and his headache worsened.
Indeed, the red light had not yet passed when Yi Zhixie called: "Shen Xiaoyan... she... she gave birth to a baby?"
Lin Xin was so startled by his brother's tone that he nearly fell off his seat. "Second brother, don't tell me your feelings haven't subsided yet."
"I..." Yi Zhixie didn't know what to say to Lin Xin. He actually wanted to come and see, but it seemed they wouldn't allow it.
"Give up that idea. You received your notice from abroad, didn't you? You didn't go last year. I think you should go abroad quickly. Shen Xiaoyan just gave birth to a daughter, and her relationship with Old Zheng is very good now. In short, if you come today, you'll basically be kicked out."
Yi Zhixie: "..."
Lin Xin hung up the phone, thinking of his brother's dejected tone.
Zheng Wei watched them bicker, feeling extremely delighted. His expression was one of sheer joy.
After waiting at the door for about five minutes, Shen Xiaoyan was brought out. As soon as he saw Shen Xiaoyan emerge, he immediately hurried to follow.
...
After they left, someone asked in confusion, "Don't rich people usually give birth in private hospitals?"
"This Tongji Hospital is also very good. Besides, didn't you see the news before? Some paparazzi tried to ambush the birth of a wealthy young master's wife, lurking around the hospital with all sorts of cameras. This is giving birth to a child; who would like to be filmed like this?" Most of the people waiting outside the delivery room were elders or expectant fathers. They never imagined that the powerful figure who had just followed his wife out was the very wealthy young master they were talking about!
...
After Shen Xiaoyan was brought out of the delivery room, she was taken to a high-end ward. The privacy here was excellent, and the space was ample. Apart from a little fatigue, Shen Xiaoyan had no other discomfort and could even keep looking at Zheng Wei.
"You don't need to write anything; just lie down. I know the nurse said it's a baby girl. Xiaoyan, our little princess is born. Do you still doubt that the clothes I bought won't be used?" The corners of Zheng Wei's lips never drooped. His eyes were bright. When he looked down at Shen Xiaoyan, she felt as if she was enveloped by his gentle gaze.
"My wife, you've worked hard." Zheng Wei's large hands enveloped Shen Xiaoyan's. He kept kissing her hands, saying happily, "The baby is safely born. We can treat your voice soon, and you'll be able to speak."