Chapter 488: Awaiting Delivery

Chapter 488: Awaiting Delivery

With meals to her liking, Ye Xiaoxiao's weight steadily increased, but she felt truly happy. Her C-section was finally scheduled for August 25th.

Early in the summer, Xiao Xiao suddenly started getting morning sickness. Fortunately, with her family's companionship and her partner's care, by August, her morning sickness had eased up a lot compared to the initial stage.

As the peak heat of July and August passed, Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t have to go to the sanatorium anymore for the time being.

With Qu Miao and Lin Xining present, previous patients were still undergoing treatment. Rende Pharmacy also stopped admitting new patients to let Xiao Xiao rest up.

"Mr. Song had advised you to rest earlier, yet you insisted on pushing yourself this far along," Qu Miao said, grumbling, but really just worried. He knew Xiao Xiao was carrying twins, which undoubtedly made her pregnancy way tougher than most.

Ever since she got pregnant, Ye Xiaoxiao often soaked in medicinal baths and did helpful exercises.

Though carrying two babies, she didn’t feel excessively swollen and could still get around pretty easily.

However, this was only thanks to her being able to take good care of herself. She couldn’t even imagine how women who worked in the fields while pregnant managed to put up with it.

"Well, I’m resting now, aren’t I?" Ye Xiaoxiao handed her organized case files to Qu Miao. "Thanks for all your and Xining’s hard work."

"There’s not much work here, and there are plenty of other staff members. It’s not like we’re swamped," Qu Miao replied honestly. After all, whenever a big shot showed up, they brought one or two dedicated caregivers, so doctors just handled diagnoses and prescriptions.

Even though it’s a remote island, the conditions here were already quite good.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "If anything urgent pops up, come find me anytime."

"Who’s doing your C-section?" Qu Miao knew she must have made arrangements long ago.

"He’s actually one of our school’s students. I wrote to him, and he’ll be arriving on the island in a few days."

Since the 25th is almost here, it wouldn’t be long now.

Since Ye Xiaoxiao was carrying twins, she didn’t have to go the full ten months. Examinations also confirmed that the fetuses had fully developed and met the conditions for the procedure.

Qu Miao: "As long as you’re prepared, just take it easy these next few days."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. Though she felt fine, she decided not to wander around too much—walking still wore her out, and there wasn’t much she could do anyway.

As usual, Qu Miao escorted her home.

When they reached her doorstep, Qu Miao waited until she went inside before leaving.

Miao Cuifang came out and asked, "Why didn’t you invite Xiao Qu in for a while?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "He has things to attend to. We’ll have him over for dinner some other time."

Having lived on the island for nearly two months, Miao Cuifang was already quite familiar with Qu Miao. Back inside, she kept praising him. "Xiao Qu is such a thoughtful young man."

Seeing her mother’s affectionate expression, Ye Xiaoxiao teased, "You’re not thinking of setting him up with someone, are you?"

After all, older folks often think like this.

Miao Cuifang did have this intention, but after running through her mind, she thought, "I’d love to, but I don’t know anyone good enough for young Qu."

Ye Xiaoxiao advised Miao Cuifang to let it go, "Qu Miao doesn’t seem interested, but you can ask him. If he’s not willing, just let it go."

After some thought, Miao Cuifang decided not to bring it up, "I haven’t even figured out your brothers’ love lives yet, so I shouldn’t butt into others’ business. But I really like Qu Miao—if I meet someone suitable, I’ll definitely consider introducing them to him."

This kind of thinking from Miao Cuifang was normal, a habit she picked up dealing with her sons.

Ye Xiaoxiao chuckled, "Yeah, Third Brother still doesn’t have a girlfriend."

Mentioning this made Miao Cuifang sigh, "You don’t think your third brother’s gone bad, do you?"

Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head, "Why would you think that?"

Miao Cuifang: "There’s a saying—money changes men. He’s so wealthy now, and the family can’t control him much. Isn’t he just getting wilder?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Third Brother isn’t like that. He just hasn’t met the right girl yet."

Miao Cuifang eventually let it go, "Him? If he stays single forever, I’m done worrying about him."

This was clearly just venting. As long as Ye Changning remained unmarried, Miao Cuifang would feel he hadn’t truly grown up and his life wasn’t stable.

This was old-school thinking—hard to shake.

What the Ye parents did well was not pushing their kids into rushed, half-baked marriages out of desperation.

...

On August 21st, Ye Xiaoxiao’s doctor arrived on the island.

When Lu Hanchuan had previously asked about the surgeon, Ye Xiaoxiao was upfront and told him straight.

The surgeon was someone Ye Xiaoxiao had written to Qiao Yunhu about, just asking for a reliable doctor recommendation.

But in his reply, Qiao Yunhu stated that he could perform the surgery himself and even prepared detailed records of his past surgeries to prove his competence.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t suspect Qiao Yunhu of having any ulterior motives, as she’d always known he was a top-notch doctor. Now, he was furthering his studies as a postgraduate while still maintaining clinical experience.

Postgrads were rare back then, so being admitted already spoke to one’s ability.

Ye Xiaoxiao agreed to the arrangement. Besides Qiao Yunhu, there was also a doctor from the sanatorium and an expert handpicked by Ye Changning, ensuring absolute safety for the mother during the surgery.

Now, Qiao Yunhu had arrived first, while Ye Changning’s expert wasn’t coming till the 24th, the day before the scheduled date.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Qu Miao went to the dock to meet him. Qiao Yunhu was clearly taken aback when he saw Ye Xiaoxiao.

"You didn’t have to come yourself!"

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled and extended her hand, "Welcome."

Qiao Yunhu shook her hand, "I could’ve found my way. You really didn’t need to come get me."

Ye Xiaoxiao introduced Qu Miao, "This is Qu Miao, a classmate of mine. He’ll show you to your place to drop off your things and give you a tour of the OR."

Qiao Yunhu’s gaze swept over Xiao Xiao’s face. Despite her pregnancy, she didn’t look overly swollen—barely different from last time.

But looking at her belly, he could unmistakably sense that she was soon to become a mother.

So seeing Xiao Xiao here didn't make him particularly happy—instead, he felt concerned.

"Alright, thanks for handling that."

After looking away, Qiao Yunhu greeted Qu Miao as well.

Ye Xiaoxiao said, "Let’s go to my place for a meal first. We can discuss the rest later."

Dinner was already waiting at home. After washing their hands, Qiao Yunhu and Qu Miao dug right in.

Fortunately, Qiao Yunhu didn’t get seasick, or he wouldn't have an appetite now.