Chapter 47 The Baby Arrives! (Revised)

Chapter 47: The Baby is Here! (Edits)

When Wu Qiu heard he was really going into labor this time, he felt a mix of anticipation and fear. When Lei Ding came back after telling everyone the news, he found Wu Qiu still sitting on the bed in the same posture, staring blankly at the doorway, his hands tightly clutching the hem of his clothes. Lei Ding hurried over to help him lie down, taking one of his hands in his. He felt that Wu Qiu's hand was icy and sweaty, so he quickly comforted him to help him relax. Wu Qiu leaned into him, lifted Lei Ding's arm to wrap around himself, and only then felt a bit better. He asked, "Are all the necessary things prepared?"

He'd been afraid of making a mess in the room and had wanted Lei Ding to tidy up the empty room in the east courtyard for him to give birth there. But Lei Ding ultimately didn't agree, worried that leaving his familiar surroundings would make Wu Qiu even more anxious. In the end, he coaxed Wu Qiu into staying in their usual bedroom and had all the necessary items moved in.

Lei Ding had checked and rechecked everything many times—from the baby's swaddling clothes to the padding under Wu Qiu, even the red silk tied to the ceiling beam for Wu Qiu to pull on for leverage. Lei Ding had tested it himself, ensuring it was securely fastened before feeling at ease. Now, hearing Wu Qiu ask again, he knew Wu Qiu was still afraid. He patiently held him and reassured him, "Everything is ready, Qiu Er, don't worry. I checked each item carefully; nothing will go wrong. Are you still in pain now?"

Wu Qiu shook his head. "It's better at the moment. The pain comes in waves, but it's bearable, not too severe, just my back aches. I heard from Father that for a first-time bearer, labor can sometimes take a whole day. Then... wouldn't I have to endure this for a long time yet?"

Lei Ding stroked his hair. "It's not necessarily that long for everyone. Each person's body is different; you can't generalize. Don't be afraid, Qiu Er."

Just then, Madam Liu, Yang Shu, and Cui Nanshan arrived together. Cui Nanshan carefully examined Wu Qiu and said it was still early; labor-inducing medicine wasn't needed yet. He instructed Lei Ding to help him get up and walk around to speed things up. Hearing this, Wu Qiu perked up immediately, got up, and had Lei Ding half-support him as they walked back and forth in the room, resting on the bed when tired.

At first, he didn't feel much pain, mostly just a tightening sensation in his belly, and he could still talk to Lei Ding. But after more than two hours, when the pain hit, he couldn't utter a single word. His whole body went rigid; he'd brace his knees or cling to Lei Ding's neck, letting him support his waist. Wu Qiu didn't dare cry out loudly. Cui Nanshan had warned that excessive crying would waste energy needlessly. Afraid of running out of strength later, Wu Qiu obediently swallowed his cries of pain, only letting out a few low moans through gritted teeth when he truly couldn't bear it.

Seeing Wu Qiu's flushed face and hearing his low sobs by his ear, Lei Ding's heart ached terribly. He was afraid to move, so he could only hold him steadily, lowering his head to gently kiss his hair. He counted about twenty numbers in his heart before Wu Qiu looked up, teary-eyed, and let out a breath. Knowing this wave of pain had passed, Lei Ding also relaxed, but before he could voice his concern, Wu Qiu hoarsely asked first, "That last pain was really bad. I meant to be careful, but later I couldn't pay attention. Did I grab your back wound?"

He had his arms hooked around Lei Ding's neck, leaning against his chest. In the height of the pain, he couldn't help but grip tightly. Now realizing it, he was terrified he might have accidentally touched Lei Ding's injuries.

Lei Ding's throat tightened. Not daring to hug him too forcefully, he could only carefully tighten his arms. "Qiu Er, why are you so silly? At a time like this, don't worry about me. Focus on giving birth to our child. It's been a month; those wounds of mine are long healed. Didn't you see last night? They're fine now."

Wu Qiu shook his head. "Some scabs haven't fallen off yet."

Lei Ding could only keep assuring him there was truly no need to worry. Only then did Wu Qiu relax, leaning against Lei Ding and saying softly, "I want to lie down on the bed. My legs feel weak. Let me rest a bit."

Lei Ding quickly helped him back to their room and onto the bed. Cui Nanshan and Yang Shu had been keeping watch. It was already dark outside. Madam Liu had prepared dinner earlier; the rest of the household had eaten and were now waiting in Lei Ding's study in the east courtyard. Cui Nanshan and Yang Shu took turns eating and brought Wu Qiu a bowl of red date porridge with two poached eggs, urging him to eat something to avoid losing strength later.

Wu Qiu, having just endured another wave of pain, was already somewhat exhausted. He listlessly leaned against Lei Ding. Lei Ding scooped a spoonful, tasted it himself to check the temperature, and then fed it to Wu Qiu's lips. "Qiu Er, can you still eat? Try to drink a few sips, or you won't be able to hold on later."

Wu Qiu knew this was for his own good and the baby's, but he really felt he couldn't eat. He pleaded with Lei Ding, "Brother, can I just drink two mouthfuls of the broth?"

He looked utterly pitiful now. His tears weren't dry yet; he had wiped them hastily with his sleeve, leaving his entire eye area damp with tear stains. From tossing and turning in bed, much of his hair had come loose, soaked with sweat and sticking to his face. He wore only a silk inner garment, thoroughly drenched. Lei Ding only had to glance at him before immediately giving in. He stirred the eggs into the porridge with the spoon, scooped some up, and fed him while coaxing, "Alright, just two spoonfuls. Two spoonfuls are enough. If you get hungry later, we'll heat up a fresh bowl."

Wu Qiu truly only drank two mouthfuls before another wave of pain hit. Lei Ding hurriedly called Cui Nanshan over to check. After examining him, Cui Nanshan said it would likely still be several hours. Wu Qiu thought it was already the Hour of the Dog (7-9 PM) and he still had to wait so long, so he felt somewhat discouraged. His earlier tears were from pain, but now they were truly from distress. He clung to Lei Ding and cried, "Why does it still have to be so long?"

He was suddenly struck by the fear that this was a difficult birth, that this child might not be delivered safely. His heart filled with even more fear and anxiety, his hands trembling violently. "Brother, am I... am I not going to be able to give birth?"

Lei Ding grasped his hands and looked into his eyes. "Don't say such things. It's alright. Father just checked; there's no danger. Don't be afraid, Qiu Er. I won't let anything happen to you."

His words always had the power to calm Wu Qiu. Wu Qiu stared at him blankly, then finally nodded, mustering some strength. He asked for the porridge bowl and drank most of it.

The pain in his belly became continuous, with no breaks. Wu Qiu could no longer endure it and let out several cries. Lei Ding was behind him, his arms passing under Wu Qiu's armpits, steadily supporting his whole body. Wu Qiu's head hung down weakly. Worried, Lei Ding freed one hand to cup his chin, lifting his face to check his condition. He saw Wu Qiu's face was pale, his eyes rolling back. For a moment, Lei Ding panicked too and hurriedly called for Cui Nanshan.

Cui Nanshan, who had been squatting on the floor observing, stood up quickly at Lei Ding's call. Seeing Wu Qiu's state, he also frowned. "Xiao Qiu is too exhausted. This won't do; it's the time to exert force now. Alright, let him rest on the bed first. Ting Er, go support him from behind."

So they moved from the floor back to the bed. Lei Ding had Wu Qiu lean entirely against his chest, constantly kissing his face and coaxing him, saying it would be over soon, it was almost done. He knew childbirth was like walking through the gates of hell for bearers and women. Now witnessing it firsthand, he realized this saying was not an exaggeration, and a sense of fear gradually grew in his own heart.

The day he was taken to the government office's torture rack, uncertain of life or death, he hadn't felt this scared. Now, watching Wu Qiu hold his breath, bend his body, and exert force again and again; watching his face flush red when straining and turn deathly pale the moment he relaxed; watching him bite down hard on the cloth in his mouth, the veins at his temples bulging, tears squeezed out drop by drop from the corners of his eyes—Lei Ding's heart felt like it was shattering too. Then came a bone-deep, soul-chilling fear spreading from the depths of his heart.

When Wu Qiu collapsed exhausted next time, panting heavily to rest, Lei Ding signaled Yang Shu to come watch him and slipped away himself. Cui Nanshan was preparing acupuncture supplies at the other end of the room. Lei Ding went over, afraid Wu Qiu might hear, and led Cui Nanshan out of the inner chamber door before speaking softly, "Father, if the worst happens, you must ensure Qiu Er's safety. The child is a matter of fate. If it's meant to be, it will be. If not, we cannot force it."

Cui Nanshan looked at him and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I know. We're not at that point yet. You mustn't lose heart first, or Xiao Qiu will see and become afraid. How can he focus on giving birth then? If you're really too worried, perhaps step outside to compose yourself before going back in."

Lei Ding shook his head. If not for needing to say this, he would never have left Wu Qiu alone at such a time. "How could I possibly abandon him? If I'm not there, that's when he would truly be scared."

Cui Nanshan smiled and handed him a handkerchief. "Alright, wipe your eyes before going back."

Only then did Lei Ding realize with a start that he too had shed tears.

He quickly composed himself and returned to Wu Qiu's side. Wu Qiu grabbed him and cried, "Where did you go? Is the labor taking too long? Did something happen?"

Before Lei Ding could comfort him, Wu Qiu couldn't spare breath for words. Gritting his teeth hard, his hands, in his panic, dug into Lei Ding's arms as he bore down again.

Cui Nanshan called out, saying the baby's head was almost out. Wu Qiu let out a sob. His vision was already swimming with spots, a dark, blurry mess where he could see nothing. He could hear Lei Ding and Yang Shu speaking to him, but couldn't make out their words anymore. He only thought that this grueling battle was finally nearing its end and mustered every last ounce of strength in his body to push. When he went limp and collapsed backward into Lei Ding's arms, he heard Cui Nanshan's joyful cry: "It's out! The baby's out!"

Wu Qiu closed his eyes and smiled. This was his and Lei Ding's child, finally brought into the world. He was utterly exhausted, barely able to make a sound, but still struggled to ask Lei Ding, "What time... is it now? Remember... the child... was born at this time..."

Lei Ding told him it was the beginning of the Hour of the Rabbit (5 AM). Wu Qiu was far too tired, his vision too blurred to notice the tremor in Lei Ding's voice.

The baby made no sound when it was born. Lei Ding saw clearly: the umbilical cord connecting Wu Qiu and the child was wrapped tightly around the baby's neck.

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Author's Note: Wuwu my poor Qiu Qiu suffered so much wuwu, Tingting Zi's heart is already shattered into a million pieces, and so is mine.