Chapter 123: Born? Born?!

"Ranran, sit down and rest for a while; if you keep pacing, my eyes will get dizzy."

Grandma Jiang sat on the bench; although she was also worried, she had seen so much and could still keep her composure.

"Women giving birth are always like this; it's a matter of skill, you can't rush it."

Li Huijuan also advised, "Yes, Ranran, RuanRuan's constitution is strong, she'll be fine. Don't let yourself lose composure first."

Jiang Jianguo patted his son's shoulder, silently passing on his strength.

But Jiang Ran couldn't sit still.

He paced back and forth in the hallway outside the delivery room, his leather shoes clacking irritably on the cement floor.

Various terrifying thoughts flashed through his mind uncontrollably, especially the harrowing scene when Lin Wei attacked earlier, which deepened his fear.

He regretted—regretted going to Guangzhou, regretted not discovering Lin Wei's malice sooner, regretted making Su Ruan endure such pain.

All these emotions tangled together, nearly overwhelming him.

Time passed second by second, from daytime until the lights first glowed.

Just as Jiang Ran felt he was about to be driven mad by the waiting, a loud, powerful baby cry suddenly rang out from the delivery room!

"It's born! It's born!"

Jiang Ran sprang to his feet, nearly lunging forward, but Jiang Jianguo grabbed him.

Before they could react, another equally loud, yet more urgent cry followed immediately!

"This… this is…"

Li Huijuan's eyes widened in surprise, and she exchanged a glance with Grandma Jiang; disbelief and joy lit both faces.

The delivery room door "Creak—" opened, the nurse emerged holding two swaddled infants, her face brimming with uncontainable joy.

"Congratulations! It's a pair of Dragon-Phoenix Twins! The boy came out first, the girl two minutes later, mother and three of them are safe!"

Dragon-Phoenix Twins!

Mother and three are safe!

Jiang Ran felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head, a massive joy like a tsunami overwhelming all anxiety and fear.

He staggered forward, staring at the two newborns in the nurse's arms, tightly swaddled so only their flushed little faces were visible, and for a moment he couldn't decide which to look at first.

"This… this is…"

His voice trembled uncontrollably; his hand reached out halfway then recoiled, fearing to damage this double surprise that fell from the heavens.

Li Huijuan and Grandma Jiang, already weeping with joy, hurried forward, each taking one child.

Jiang Jianguo, rarely, broke into a radiant smile and gave his son a hearty pat on the back.

"I… I'm a father now… two of them…"

Jiang Ran looked at the two similar yet distinct little faces in his mother's and grandmother's arms, feeling his heart melt.

They're so tiny, so soft.

The boy's brows were slightly furrowed, like a little old man.

The girl's mouth was slightly pouty, as if dreaming a sweet dream.

"Daughter‑in‑law… how's my daughter‑in‑law?"

After the euphoria, Jiang Ran suddenly recalled the most important thing.

"The mother is fine, just exhausted and needs rest," the nurse replied with a smile.

At that moment, Su Ruan was also pushed out.

Her complexion was as pale as paper, hair damp with sweat clinging to her temples; she looked as if pulled from water, utterly exhausted.

Yet her gaze was unusually bright and gentle, as if filled with the stars of the whole world.

She strained to turn her head, looking at the children in her mother‑in‑law's and grandmother's arms, a weak yet immensely satisfied smile lifting her lips.

Jiang Ran hurried to the stroller, wanting to touch her but hesitating, his voice choked, "Daughter‑in‑law, you've suffered… you're so great—woo— it's Dragon-Phoenix Twins, we now have a son and a daughter!"

Su Ruan watched the big man sobbing wildly, wanted to laugh but lacked strength, merely blinked gently, soothing him with her gaze, then, exhausted, closed her eyes again as the nurse slowly pushed her toward the ward.

Jiang Ran, wiping his tears, kept pace with the stroller, his gaze glued to Su Ruan's pallid face, while he kept glancing back at the two tiny treasures cradled carefully by his mother and grandmother, fearing they'd vanish in a blink.

Jiang Jianguo, watching his son's reaction, felt both amused and moved, silently trailing behind, helping carry things.

The family clustered around the mother and children; just after returning to the assigned single room and preparing to settle gently, the door burst open with a "Bang—", accompanied by rapid high‑heel clicks and Jiang Jiaojiao's trademark booming voice.

"RuanRuan! How's RuanRuan? Has she given birth? Boy or girl? Oh dear, I was so anxious; the factory meeting got delayed until now…"

Behind her, Yan Shen hurried in as well, carrying numerous large and small bags filled with items.

Brand‑new baby supplies, elegantly packaged nutrition, and a thermos, clearly prepared with care.

He wore a neatly pressed shirt and trousers, a fine sheen of sweat at his temples, breathing slightly panting, yet remained composed, his eyes attentively fixed toward the hospital bed.

Jiang Jiaojiao instantly spotted Su Ruan lying on the bed, eyes closed, pale complexion, and, heart aching, rushed forward: "RuanRuan! You've suffered…"

Shh—!

Jiang Ran lunged forward in a single stride, extending his long arm to precisely block his own restless sister, lowering his voice with unmistakable resolve.

"Sis! Keep your voice down! RuanRuan just gave birth and fell asleep from exhaustion; don't disturb her!"

Jiang Jiaojiao staggered from his block, finally noticing Su Ruan's weary sleeping face.

She instantly covered her mouth, eyes wide, asking in a breathy tone, "Born, born? Really born? So fast? Mother and child safe?"

Li Huijuan, holding sister An'an, laughed softly, "It's more than just safety; it's a monumental joy! RuanRuan gave our Jiang Family a pair of Dragon-Phoenix Twins!"

"Dragon—Dragon-Phoenix Twins?!"

Jiang Jiaojiao was so startled her voice nearly escaped control; she quickly covered her mouth, eyes suddenly bulging like copper bells.

She looked at Jiang Ran in disbelief, then at the other child cradled in Grandma's arms.

Yan Shen, hearing this, showed a sincere and surprised smile on his steady face.

He gently set the bags on the cabinet by the wall, politely nodding toward Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan.

"Uncle Jiang, Aunt Li, congratulations, congratulations! This truly is a tremendous piece of good news."

"Yes, yes, Jiang Jiaojiao, Yan Shen, come quickly to see!"

Jiang Nainai laughed with her mouth unable to close, and cautiously adjusted her posture, allowing Jiang Jiaojiao and Yan Shen to see clearly the little face of brother Jinjin in her arms.

"This is brother Huai Jin; look at his tiny furrowed eyebrows, just like his father's when he was young!"

Li Huijuan also came over, showing the pinkish little sister Nian An in her arms: "This is sister Nian An; look how delicate she is, just like RuanRuan."

Jiang Jiaojiao stared at the two red, wrinkled yet incredibly vibrant little lives in the swaddling cloths; her eyes reddened with excitement, she wanted to reach out and touch them but dared not, standing helplessly in place, babbling incoherently.

"My heavens… it's really two… so amazing… RuanRuan is incredible! Our old Jiang family truly has accumulated virtue from our ancestors!"