Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

Xie Dajiao's voice came from the bathroom, slightly panting, but sounded steady and calm.

"It's good that you're awake, Xiao Chen. I think I'm about to give birth, but not so soon. My belly is tightening in waves, and I feel like it's going to drop down. My back is also very sore."

"I figured I couldn't wash my hair for a whole month during my postpartum period, and it would be greasy and uncomfortable. So I'm washing it clean now while I can still manage, to avoid suffering and feeling dirty later..."

"Oh my god!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen instantly woke up completely, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on his back. He immediately became anxious and lightly knocked on the door.

"She's almost due and still dares to wash her hair? What if her legs give way and she falls?! Get out of here right now and stop washing! I'll go call them both, pack your things and go to the hospital immediately!"

Without waiting for a response from inside, he turned and ran quickly upstairs, saying anxiously:

"Xiao Mei, Xiao Meng! Get up quickly! Get dressed! Big Foot is about to give birth! We need to get to the hospital right away!"

Xie Xiaomei was fast asleep when she was suddenly awakened by the shout. Her mind was still foggy, and she only heard someone say that Dajiao was about to give birth. She hurriedly got up and put on her clothes. In the midst of their frantic movements, they put on the wrong clothes, which were different sizes, and quickly changed them back.

Seeing each other's messy state, no one had the leisure to joke around, and they quickly tidied themselves up and packed their things.

The family had been waiting for this child for so long, and today was finally the day he would be born. Despite the chaos, both parents knew what was going on and dared not delay for even a minute.

As the two girls stumbled downstairs, Xie Dajiao had just finished drying her hair. Looking at their flustered state, she remained remarkably calm, smiling and reassuring them:

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"Look at you two, all flustered. It's nothing serious. Every woman goes through this when she gives birth. It won't happen that fast. The sky isn't falling. Be calm."

Lin Chen stood at the door carrying two large bags of things he had prepared in advance. He had prepared everything he needed for childbirth. He turned around and looked at the calm Xie Dajiao, feeling both anxious and helpless.

"Oh my god, you're so steady! Hurry up and get in the car, or the contractions will come and you won't be able to move. Don't give birth in the car!"

Xie Dajiao was helped into the car, and she comforted the others as she did so.

"Don't rush, drive slowly. Young people are really impatient."

The four of them hurriedly drove off. He adjusted the seat back so that Xie Dajiao could recline halfway. Wang Xiaomeng was beside him, holding Xie Dajiao's hand tightly with one hand, her palms sweaty.

The car drove steadily out of Xiangyashan and headed towards the county town. As soon as it entered the county town, a system countdown panel popped up in front of Lin Chen's eyes, and the red light made him squint slightly.

[45-day countdown to departure: 42 days, 23 hours, 39 minutes, and 40 seconds]

[Rule Reminder: The total time spent away from Ivory Mountain each year must not exceed 45 days]

Lin Chen glanced at it, his heart unmoved. He had already planned out the 45-day travel allowance.

I usually don't want to use it; it's reserved for when I have big feet and am about to give birth. There's plenty of time to use it, more than enough.

He deliberately disabled the control panel, kept a steady foot on the accelerator, and drove slowly. He slowed down or went around speed bumps and potholes on the road, afraid that the bumps would disturb Xie Dajiao's deep breaths.

Suddenly, Xie Dajiao let out a soft snort from the back seat. She frowned slightly and unconsciously tightened her grip on Wang Xiaomeng's hand.

Xie Xiaomei panicked instantly, leaned over and leaned closer, her voice trembling.

"Auntie, is it hurting a lot? Just bear with it a little longer, we'll be at the hospital soon!"

Xie Dajiao looked relatively well and forced a smile. She patted Xie Xiaomei's hand and then looked at the nervous Wang Xiaomeng beside her.

"It's okay, I can handle it. Don't be scared, you two. Every woman has to get through this. Once this little one comes out, our house will be even more lively."

The two girls were very nervous and had to keep comforting Xie Dajiao.

Not long after, the car stopped in front of the First People's Hospital.

Lin Chen got out of the car first, jogged over to push the wheelchair, and then ran to find the doctor and nurses to complete the formalities. His movements were quick and efficient; he had already rehearsed it in his mind several times.

Xie Xiaomei and Wang Xiaomeng, one on each side, carefully pushed Xie Dajiao slowly inside.

After a brief examination, the nurse said that the cervix was dilated to two centimeters and the patient was in normal condition, so she was immediately moved to the delivery room.

The glass door to the delivery room closed gently with a click, completely separating the inside from the outside.

It was a little past three in the morning, and the empty corridor was very quiet.

Lin Chen and the other two sat on a long bench, no one spoke, and the air was thick with tension.

It was quiet all around, with only the occasional footsteps of nurses and a few faint noises coming from the delivery room in the distance.

Xie Xiaomei couldn't sit still. She moved back and forth several times, peering through the glass door. But the curtains blocked the view, so she couldn't see anything. She was very anxious, and her eyes turned red with worry.

Wang Xiaomeng's own fingers were cold, but she still gently comforted her:

"Xiaomei, don't be afraid, it's okay. Your aunt has a good constitution. The doctor said before that the delivery will be smooth sailing."

Lin Chen went outside and smoked a cigarette to calm his anxiety. When he came back, he brought two bottles of mineral water.

Seeing the two girls looking tired and nervous, he forced himself to remain calm and began to speak:

"What's the rush? I checked online, first pregnancies are usually slow. You two lean against me and take a nap. I'll call you immediately if there's any movement."

He was trying to comfort others, but he himself was almost losing his composure. He had never been so nervous before. Inside lay Big Foot, his first child, so he couldn't help but panic.

He would ask how it was going every now and then, and then go for a smoke. He paced back and forth in the corridor, his footsteps sounding particularly clear in the empty corridor.

The nurse came out twice during the process and said that the mother's cervix was dilating slowly, but she had good physical strength, a stable mindset, and was in good condition, so the family should not worry.

I just kept enduring it until after six o'clock, when it slowly got light and there were more people coming and going in the corridor.

Suddenly, a loud baby's cry came from inside, the sound growing louder as it approached.

Xie Xiaomei suddenly stood up, staring intently at the door of the delivery room, her voice trembling with excitement.

"She's given birth!"

Wang Xiaomeng also got up, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally settled down.

Within two minutes, the nurse came out carrying the baby, took off her mask, and asked with a smile:

Are Xie Dajiao's family members here?

Lin Chen quickly stepped forward. Having stayed up all night and smoked constantly, his voice was hoarse. He hurriedly said:

"I'm a family member! Are the adults and children alright?"

"Don't worry, mother and child are both safe!"

The nurse said with a beaming smile:

"Natural birth, boy, 6 pounds 8 ounces, all indicators are normal, very healthy."

She gently lifted the blanket a little, revealing the little one's wrinkled, red face. His baby hair was wet and stuck to his forehead. His little mouth was pursed, but he had stopped crying and was sleeping very peacefully.

Lin Chen reached out to hug the child, but then pulled back. The child was too small, and he didn't dare to touch him, afraid that he might be too heavy and accidentally hurt the child. His helpless expression was all the more real.

Xie Xiaomei was the bravest; she carefully took the baby and held it in her arms, even breathing softly, afraid of disturbing the little one.

She looked down at the child and said softly:

"So small... with such a red face, she'll definitely be a fair-skinned child when she grows up."

Wang Xiaomeng leaned closer, her fingertips gently touching the child's soft little fist. Her heart melted, and she chuckled softly as she said:

He'll definitely grow up to be a handsome young man.

While Da Jiao was still in the delivery room for two hours of observation, Lin Chen quickly went to complete the admission procedures and booked the best private room in the maternity ward.

The single rooms in the county hospital in 2006 were not luxurious, but they were very practical, with a private bathroom, a sofa for accompanying patients, a TV, etc. They were clean and quiet, making them the most suitable place for new mothers to recuperate.

He paid the deposit readily, and the nurses found him to be attentive, generous, and, most importantly, handsome. They were also exceptionally considerate and enthusiastic. Lin Chen could chat with women more than he could with wherever he went.

Around 8 a.m., Xie Dajiao was gently wheeled back to her ward. After a whole night of turmoil, her face was slightly pale, but she was in good spirits and her eyes were bright.

Seeing the three of them lingering around the crib, she couldn't help but laugh and joke:

"Look at the three of you, acting like you've never seen a child before. You're so excited about him? Bring him over here so I can see my eldest son."

The nurse followed closely behind and explained the precautions for postpartum care and newborn care one by one, all of which were the most practical parenting knowledge.

"The new mother should lie flat and rest for six hours, and the amount of bleeding should be monitored at all times. She can eat after passing gas. Her first meal should be millet porridge, which is light and easy to digest."

"Try to keep the baby lying on their side and turn them over frequently. This is to prevent choking and to avoid flattening their head. After six hours, give them a small amount of warm water, but don't give too much. Keep their navel dry. Take their temperature frequently. If they develop a rash or fever, call the nurse immediately. Change their diapers frequently. It's too hot now, so don't let them get heat rash..."

Lin Chen took out paper and pen and carefully wrote down each stroke. If he didn't understand something, he would ask the nurse on the spot. He even asked clearly about the techniques for changing diapers and holding the baby.

Xie Xiaomei and Wang Xiaomeng listened attentively, and the way the three of them surrounded the nurse asking questions made the nurse laugh, saying that this family was really thoughtful.

After settling them in, Lin Chen asked the two girls to go eat, but they both shook their heads, saying they weren't hungry and had no appetite at all.

Lin Chen himself had no appetite. He sat on the chair by the hospital bed, glancing at Xie Dajiao, whose complexion was gradually improving, and then at the sleeping child in the small bed. He couldn't help but smile.

He tentatively reached out a finger and gently touched the child's soft little face. He swore he had never touched anything so delicate before, and fearing he might wake the little one, he immediately withdrew his hand.