Chapter 128: Jiang Yuan Gives Birth

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After hearing these words, Zhong Xiao’s doubts and suspicions only deepened. It wasn’t just because her sister-in-law had told her this, but also because her own impressions from several encounters with Sun Xiaojing aligned perfectly.

At the wedding banquet, Sun Xiaojing’s subtle provocations and the way she looked at her had left an uneasy feeling in Zhong Xiao’s heart. That gaze wasn’t just challenging—it carried a kind of fear that Zhong Xiao couldn’t quite describe.

These past days, busy with family matters, Zhong Xiao hadn’t dwelled on it much. But now that her sister-in-law had brought it up, she couldn’t help but carefully reconsider Sun Xiaojing’s look.

How to put it—the expression was complex, layered with many emotions. Anger and resentment were obvious enough, but Zhong Xiao sensed there was something else beneath it, something that didn’t quite fit Sun Xiaojing’s age.

This thought made Zhong Xiao freeze abruptly. Not matching Sun Xiaojing’s age? Could it be...?

Recalling her own grim past life and how she had inexplicably been reborn, Zhong Xiao wondered…

If she had been given a second chance, did that mean there were others like her in this world?

Wasn’t the storytellers who frequented restaurants often recounting tales of dreams within dreams, like Zhuangzi’s butterfly dream?

If she could be reborn, could others be reborn as well?

If she could rewrite her fate, did that mean others had regrets from past lives waiting to be fulfilled in this one?

A chill ran down her spine at the thought.

If Sun Xiaojing truly carried such a heavy secret as she did, perhaps she possessed the same kind of space, or even other unknown abilities.

Seeing Zhong Xiao’s expression grow increasingly grave, Hu Xinxin wisely held her tongue.

After all, these were just conjectures; there was no evidence yet linking all this to Sun Xiaojing.

Moreover, the affection visible between Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen was obvious to all. Even if Sun Xiaojing had ill intentions, it wouldn’t be so easy to unravel their relationship.

Having said enough to caution Zhong Xiao about Sun Xiaojing’s presence, there was no need to dwell further.

Hu Xinxin smiled, covering her mouth with her hand. “Look at me, Xiao Xiao. It’s all because I have no filter. Did I scare you with what I said?”

Zhong Xiao quickly replied, “Not at all, sister-in-law. Thank you for telling me. If not for you, who else would share such private thoughts with me?”

Hu Xinxin’s smile was radiant. She truly liked Zhong Xiao—the woman was beautiful, sweet-tongued, and capable.

No wonder the entire Song family praised this new daughter-in-law and sister-in-law with unique words, never repeating themselves.

The two chatted a little more at the fork in the residential area’s road. Seeing the time, they parted ways and returned to their respective homes.

Back home, Zhong Xiao put away the groceries she had bought and began to busy herself in the kitchen.

Going to the market was just a pretense. Most of the dishes she cooked daily came from the food she took out of her space, nurtured by the spiritual spring water.

The groceries she bought were soaked in the spring water for a day. Although not as potent as those grown directly in the water, they still had some effect.

Zhong Xiao could feel her body growing stronger each day, her hands gaining more strength.

She also secretly observed Song Tingshen, sensing that under her care, his strength had increased noticeably in all aspects.

The key was that these past two days, Zhong Xiao had searched her space for new ingredients to help her eldest brother, Song Yanzhou.

From what Jiang Yuan had said, her brother’s leg ailment was not just muscular but mainly related to nerves and spine.

So she not only added crabs but also powdered lingzhi mushrooms and pine cones that flourished wildly in the spring water.

She ground the lingzhi and pine cones into powder and added them to the crab broth, enhancing both flavor and efficacy.

After several meals, Zhong Xiao quietly observed her brother’s leg, adjusting her choices of new beneficial items from her space.

She had a faint feeling that it wouldn’t be long before her brother’s leg condition returned to normal.

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The days passed quietly like flowing water.

Though Song Tingshen was busy with work at the unit, he always came home for lunch and dinner, no matter how busy he was. If necessary, he would return to work afterward.

Whenever Zhong Xiao went out, other military family members and sisters-in-law would tease her with smiles, saying that after the commander’s wedding, he was completely focused on home, turning down all dinners, insisting on coming home no matter what because the meals his beloved wife prepared shouldn’t be wasted.

Now, the entire military district knew that Commander Song was a man firmly under his wife’s influence.

Early autumn arrived swiftly.

Because Taizhou Island lay by the sea, the autumn winds blew fiercely, scattering countless leaves, branches shaking and thudding heavily against the windows of the residential compound, producing a dull sound.

Night had fallen deep. Most lights in the compound were off, except for a few windows still glowing faintly.

That night, Zhong Xiao was knitting a sweater.

She had recently learned to knit from Hu Xinxin, who said it was a good way to pass time and show affection.

Zhong Xiao didn’t need to kill time, but she had once seen Political Commissar Liu wearing a knitted vest—it looked warm, attractive, and flattering to his figure.

She learned it was made by his wife with her own hands.

Zhong Xiao thought if she could master knitting, she could make a unique garment for Song Tingshen, which would be wonderful.

Clever and dexterous, she had almost mastered it within a few days.

That night, just as she was putting away the half-finished sweater for Song Tingshen and preparing to rest, sharing the covers with him, a sudden rapid and frantic knock shattered the quiet.

Accompanied by a woman’s voice, nearly shrill, came the urgent call:

“Commander Song! Commander Song! Comrade Zhong Xiao! Please open the door! Your sister-in-law has gone to the hospital! She’s about to give birth!”

Zhong Xiao’s heart clenched harshly. She didn’t even bother to put on her shoes properly and dashed to open the door.

As soon as it opened, a cold wind mixed with drizzle swept in, making her instantly alert.

Standing there was a woman in nurse’s uniform, her coat loosely fastened, her face wet with either rain or sweat, eyes filled with panic.

Zhong Xiao recognized her instantly: Nurse Wang Xiaojuan from the military district hospital’s obstetrics department. Wang had also attended Song Tingshen’s wedding.

Seeing Wang’s panicked expression, Zhong Xiao forced herself to remain calm. “Comrade Wang, please speak slowly. What’s wrong with sister-in-law?”

“She suddenly had severe abdominal pain just now, her water broke with some bleeding, two whole weeks earlier than expected!” Wang gestured as she spoke. “She’s curled up on the bed, looking terrifyingly pale. Our hospital staff rushed her in immediately. Director Zuo Lan and Commander Song instructed me to notify you to come to the hospital right away!”

Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen exchanged a glance, wordlessly hurrying to change clothes.

Sister-in-law Jiang Yuan was having her first child and was considered an advanced maternal age mother.

A few days ago, when Zhong Xiao dined at the Song household, Director Zuo Lan had stopped by and mentioned that Jiang Yuan’s fetal position was somewhat high—not ideal—and to be especially cautious.

It was unexpected that just two days later, labor had begun suddenly.

Grabbing a thick quilt, Zhong Xiao urged Song Tingshen to quickly put on a coat. She also carried out a heavy cotton comforter and asked Wang, “Has labor already been induced?”

Wang nodded. “She was already two centimeters dilated when she arrived, but due to the abnormal fetal position, the dilation wasn’t progressing smoothly when I came.”

They rushed into the hospital. Even before entering the delivery room, they heard Jiang Yuan’s suppressed cries of pain from inside.

With Director Zuo Lan’s approval, Zhong Xiao quickly stepped into the delivery room.

There, Jiang Yuan was curled on the bed, clutching the sheets tightly, her pale cheeks damp with sweat, lips bitten white.

“Sister-in-law!” Zhong Xiao immediately reached to hold her cold, damp hand.

Jiang Yuan looked at her, tears streaming down despite her efforts to hold them back. “Xiao Xiao, it hurts... it hurts so much... Will the baby be alright?”

“It will be fine, don’t be afraid. Relax and save your strength,” Zhong Xiao assured her firmly.

Though she had never given birth herself and lacked direct experience, Zhong Xiao knew some childbirth knowledge from her space.

She understood Jiang Yuan needed to conserve energy during contractions and only push when necessary. Otherwise, by the time real delivery came, she would be exhausted.

In the delivery room, a mother running out of strength was a terrifying thing.

If the baby got stuck midway, suffocation was a risk, and many brain injuries or seizures were caused by complications during birth.

The obstetrics and gynecology departments’ directors and nurses bustled around busily.

Director Zuo Lan personally oversaw every move in the delivery room.

The obstetrics director, stethoscope in hand, quickly checked the fetal heartbeat, frowning slightly. “The fetal heart is a bit fast. Jiang Yuan, take deep breaths. Calm yourself first.”

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A nurse placed her hands gently but firmly on Jiang Yuan’s rounded abdomen, pressing here and there, her expression growing more grave.

She then shook her head at the obstetrics director. “The fetal position is breech, transverse, and the cervical dilation is not progressing well. Labor will definitely be slow. Also, the mother’s strength is depleting too quickly—she won’t last until the end.”

The obstetrics director said, “Try manual repositioning.”

The nurse nodded, her hands moving gently but firmly, attempting to adjust the fetus’s position.

Several attempts failed; the fetus remained stubbornly in the wrong position.

Jiang Yuan’s cries grew more desperate, sweat soaking her hair and clothes. The pitiful cries weighed heavily on Zhong Xiao’s heart.

Suddenly, the midwife reported, “Director, head of department, fetal heart rate is dropping!”

The monitor showed a sharp decline in the baby’s heartbeat.

Zuo Lan’s face tightened immediately. This was extremely dangerous; it meant the fetus was likely in distress and suffering from oxygen deprivation.

“Prepare for cesarean section! Immediately!”

Without hesitation, the obstetrics director made the most urgent decision.

Even in the military hospital, a cesarean carried significant risks, especially in emergencies.

Hearing “cesarean,” Jiang Yuan’s face drained of color, fear flashing in her eyes. She grabbed Zuo Lan’s wrist. “Mom, save me, save my baby…”

Zuo Lan’s voice was calm yet resolute. “Don’t worry, child.”

The medical team began preparing the operating room.

Zhong Xiao, as a bystander, wasn’t allowed inside.

Zuo Lan asked her to wait outside.

Zhong Xiao glanced at Jiang Yuan and said, “Mom, I’m going to talk to sister-in-law to help calm her down. No need to be so afraid.”

Zuo Lan nodded.

Seizing the moment while everyone busied themselves preparing for surgery, Zhong Xiao went to Jiang Yuan’s bedside.

She held one of her hands, placing her other hand gently on Jiang Yuan’s abdomen.

At the same time, she concentrated all her mental energy into her space, drawing out a drop of the spiritual liquid distilled from the lingzhi and the essence of the spring water.

Silently and swiftly, it entered Jiang Yuan’s body through Zhong Xiao’s fingertips.

Zhong Xiao had only discovered this spiritual liquid two days ago. It combined all the potency of the lingzhi and spring water and could be adjusted by mental will to produce the desired medicinal effect.

At this moment, Zhong Xiao focused entirely on wishing for Jiang Yuan and her unborn child to be safe and for the delivery to proceed smoothly.

Almost instantly, Jiang Yuan, who was on the verge of fainting from pain, felt an indescribable cool and soothing sensation flowing from Zhong Xiao’s hand, rapidly spreading through her limbs and finally gathering in her abdomen.

The excruciating pain seemed to ease by more than half, replaced by a warm current that enveloped her tense womb.

Whether it was a trick of her mind or not, Jiang Yuan felt a mysterious strength circulating within her, flowing gently around her baby.

Miraculously, instead of discomfort, she felt all her tense nerves suddenly relax.

More astonishingly, the fetal heartbeat monitor, which had been showing a decline, began to climb visibly, quickly returning to a strong and steady rhythm.

The midwife exclaimed in surprise, “Director! The fetal heart rate is normal again!”

Zuo Lan, who had been preparing for emergency surgery, turned sharply to look at the monitor, then quickly checked Jiang Yuan’s condition.

Whether it was her imagination or not, she actually saw the daughter-in-law’s complexion had become much rosier and her breathing steadier.

Most importantly, the cervical dilation was suddenly accelerating!

This was truly… incredible!

The experienced obstetrics director’s eyes flickered with astonishment. This sudden improvement defied all medical knowledge she possessed.

How was this possible?

But there was no time to ponder. The improvement in mother and child was truly encouraging.

“Hold off on the surgery! Labor is progressing!”

The obstetrics director immediately halted the surgical preparations and stepped forward again for examination.

“The cervix is about eight centimeters dilated! Jiang Yuan, follow my instructions and push! The baby is eager to come out!”