Chapter 48 Father and Son Safe!

Chapter 48: Father and Child, Safe and Sound!

Though utterly exhausted, after a moment of dazedness, Wu Qiu wished he could fall asleep immediately, but he desperately wanted to see his child, forcing himself to stay awake. Lei Ding carefully laid him back on the pillow and checked Wu Qiu over carefully from head to toe. The bedding beneath Wu Qiu was soaked with a large, spreading stain of blood. After a careful inspection, Lei Ding confirmed the blood wasn't gushing from deep within Wu Qiu's body, which eased his worry slightly. He also noticed some injuries below and that the afterbirth hadn't been delivered yet. Holding the shortened umbilical cord carefully in one hand, he gently pressed Wu Qiu's abdomen with the other, intending to help clean him up. But Wu Qiu, with effort, grabbed his sleeve. Lei Ding hurriedly asked, "How are you feeling, Qiu Er?"

Wu Qiu's voice was faint, his fingers trembling, yet he held on tightly. "Where's the baby?"

Lei Ding calmly took his hand. "Father carried him out. He's just been born and is still covered in blood; he needs to be cleaned properly. Be good, Qiu Er, use a little more strength. The afterbirth can't stay inside. Listen, I'll help you."

Too drained to ponder his words or notice the flaws in his lie, Wu Qiu followed Lei Ding's guidance and pushed twice more, feeling another large mass being pulled from his body, which brought a sense of lightness. Already barely holding on, he felt himself about to collapse. Lei Ding leaned in, kissing his eyes. "You've suffered so much, Qiu Er. It's all over now. Leave the rest to me. You must be exhausted. Sleep for a while. I'll stay right here and take good care of the baby. Don't worry."

Wu Qiu nuzzled his face against Lei Ding's and finally whispered, "Did you... hear the baby cry?"

His hands were bloody, so Lei Ding couldn't touch Wu Qiu's face. Instead, he pressed close, kissing his lips, nose tip, the corners of his eyes, and his hair. "I heard him. The baby is fine. Rest easy, Qiu Er. You can see him properly when you wake up."

Trusting him completely, Wu Qiu closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep within moments.

Lei Ding had been terrified Wu Qiu would insist on seeing the baby, fearing the agitation might cause a hemorrhage. Now, seeing Wu Qiu finally soothed into sleep, he could finally relax, and the pain in his heart surged forth.

This child was his own flesh and blood too. Like Wu Qiu, he had eagerly anticipated its arrival every single day for months. He had spoken to the baby daily through Wu Qiu's belly, recited poetry, played the qin. Every item for the baby had been thoughtfully chosen and prepared by his own hands. In a cabinet in his study lay an unfinished painting of himself and Wu Qiu. Wu Qiu had said they would add the baby's likeness after the birth...

Now, as a government doctor of Yongning City, he might very well be unable to save his own child.

Lei Xun and the others were waiting outside. Cui Nanshan had taken the baby out. If even together they couldn't save him, then it truly was fate. More importantly, Lei Ding dared not leave Wu Qiu's side for a moment. He knew delivering the baby was only the first step; improper care afterward could still bring danger. So he remained by Wu Qiu. Various medicines had been prepared in the room. He fetched an ointment, intending to apply it to Wu Qiu's injuries below.

Yang Shu, who had stayed to help, suddenly stopped Lei Ding, taking the medicine herself. "Son-in-law, let me apply this."

She was experienced, an elder who had seen countless men grow to resent their wives or male wives after childbirth. She had seen Wu Qiu's injuries—not severe, but with several frightening lacerations. She knew with Lei Ding's upbringing, he wouldn't show any distaste in front of Wu Qiu or herself, but she couldn't guarantee he wouldn't harbor any reservations inwardly. If it caused a rift between him and Wu Qiu—

She didn't dare think further. If their affection faded in the future, leaving only Lei Ding's sense of spousal duty and pity for Wu Qiu, their life together would be unbearable.

Lei Ding was astute and, as a physician, had witnessed all facets of human nature. With Yang Shu's hint, he quickly understood her concern. He had no mind to explain himself to her now. But even with Yang Shu tending to Wu Qiu, he still felt uneasy, accustomed to handling things personally. He said to Yang Shu, "Mother, I should do it. As a physician, I need to attend to it myself to be assured. Besides, I am Qiu Er's husband; there's nothing improper about it. If you're worried, you can assist me..."

Before he could finish, a baby's cry came from the outer room.

At first, it was a faint whimper, then grew louder and stronger.

Cui Nanshan rushed into the inner room holding the baby, his face a mix of sweat and tears, crying and laughing simultaneously. Entering, he saw Yang Shu sitting on a chair, weeping with joy. Then he saw Lei Ding leaning back against a cabinet, one hand holding the medicine, the other raised to cover his face, his chest heaving violently. Though silent, his relief was palpable.

When he lowered his hand, his eyes were red too, a few clear tears tracing down his cheeks.

Wu Qiu didn't know how long he had slept. Waking slowly, even before opening his eyes, he felt the strange sensation in his body—his belly no longer weighed him down heavily, nor did it ache as excruciatingly as during labor, but his lower back still ached, his eyes felt uncomfortable, and a sharp, needle-like pain persisted below.

Then he remembered: he had given birth.

The baby... where was the baby? Now fully awake, Wu Qiu recalled the moments before he lost consciousness.

He hadn't seen the baby. He hadn't heard the baby cry. Even now, everything was quiet.

Wu Qiu's eyes flew open. Propping himself up on his elbows, he tried to sit up, his mind consumed by one thought: had something happened to the baby? The sudden movement revealed he had no strength left; worse, it aggravated the pain in his abdomen and waist, forcing tears to his eyes and a groan from his lips.

Ignoring everything else, Wu Qiu grabbed Lei Ding, crying, "Where's the baby? Why can't I see him? I remember now—I didn't hear him cry before either. Is the baby still here? Did something happen? Did I take too long, did something happen to the baby because of that? Tell me the truth! I want to see my baby!"

As he spoke, Lei Ding helped him lie back down, then lay down beside him, propped on his side. First, he cupped Wu Qiu's face to look at him, then pulled him into an embrace, soothing him. "Don't panic. The baby is fine. Everything is alright. He was crying and fussing, and I was afraid it would disturb your rest, so I asked Father to take him. Father and Mother are both watching over him now. It's alright."

He kissed Wu Qiu's forehead. "You did perfectly, Qiu Er. The baby is completely fine. Don't be afraid. Calm your breathing first, lie down properly. I'll go bring the baby, alright?"

Only then did Wu Qiu nod, sobbing. Lei Ding held and comforted him a while longer before settling him back down. He placed a headband on Wu Qiu's forehead to protect him from drafts, then drew the bed curtains before leaving. Wu Qiu had slept for two or three hours; it was now noon. But it was raining outside, the sky still gloomy with some wind, uncharacteristic for May. Feeling weak and chilled, yet anxious about the baby, Wu Qiu curled under the covers, shedding tears.

Lei Ding, worried Wu Qiu lacked the energy for visitors, didn't bring Yang Shu and Cui Nanshan in immediately. He carefully carried the baby to the bedside. Wu Qiu, impatient, had already pushed the bed curtain aside. "Quick, let me see him."

Lei Ding smiled and placed the baby next to Wu Qiu's pillow. Finally seeing the little one he had carried for ten months and labored so hard to bring into the world, Wu Qiu's tears flowed uncontrollably. The baby was still slightly reddish, letting out soft, sleepy whimpers. Wu Qiu reached out to touch his cheek, then gently squeezed his tiny hand. So this was how small he was—his little fist resting in Wu Qiu's palm was just a tiny thing.

He kissed the baby's face, finding it incredibly soft, beyond comparison with anything in the world. His heart melted. He kissed him several more times, overwhelmed with love, then looked up pleadingly at Lei Ding. "Brother, I want to hold him, but I have no strength..."

Lei Ding first moved the baby aside, then helped Wu Qiu sit up slowly, leaning against his own chest. He then brought the baby over. Having learned from Cui Nanshan and Yang Shu how to hold a newborn, he now taught Wu Qiu, guiding his hands. Once Wu Qiu had a secure hold, Lei Ding slipped his hands under Wu Qiu's arms to support them, letting Wu Qiu rest his forearms on Lei Ding's wrists.

Holding the baby, Wu Qiu forgot his tears, simply staring in wonder. The baby, having been disturbed, began to cry softly, but once nestled in Wu Qiu's arms against his father's body, he quickly quieted down.

Lei Ding kissed the side of Wu Qiu's face and his hair. "See? He stops crying as soon as you hold him. This little one already recognizes people."

Outside, the rain grew heavier. But with Lei Ding holding him from behind and a warm baby in his arms, Wu Qiu didn't feel cold at all. He smiled, his eyes curving happily. After gazing at the baby for a long while, he turned and kissed the corner of Lei Ding's mouth. "He looks a lot like you, Brother."

The two of them leaned together, staring at the little one, carefully comparing his tiny features to see whom he resembled more.

Only then did Wu Qiu remember. "We've talked about it for over half a year. Have you decided on a name for him?"

Lei Ding smiled. "We agreed I'd choose his formal name, and you'd give him a milk name. You go first, Qiu Er."

Now, with the baby truly and tangibly in his arms, the feeling was different from when he was just a presence in his belly. Wu Qiu felt it wasn't so hard to think of a name after all. After a moment's thought, he said, "Today is the second day of the fifth month. The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. When I was about to give birth, walking around the room, I could smell the mugwort hanging by our door. How about using the character for mugwort, 'Ai'? We could call him Ai Geer. What do you think, Brother?"

Lei Ding considered it. "That's really quite good. The character 'Ai' also carries the meaning of beauty, which suits our little one perfectly. In that case, it's my turn to think of a formal name for him."

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