Chapter 431: After a brief parting, he's grown quite nicely

Another month later.

The day of Yueer's birth is approaching.

That morning.

The house was in a frenzy, preparing to go to the hospital.

Of course, it was all an act.

"Hurry, stuff another blanket into your clothes so it looks like you're about to give birth."

"Want to squeeze some ketchup to pretend your water broke?"

"What are you talking about? Our script is for a smooth delivery, okay?"

The Merick couple had already begun dressing up early that morning.

Mom had specially put on maternity clothes, stuffing a blanket in her belly to pretend she was ten months pregnant, while Dad fumbled around nearby looking for the car keys.

Hermione stood by helping, and for some reason her hands were also filled with various baby items.

"This just feels so weird...... We already have a daughter-in-law, yet it's not her with the big belly, but me, the mother-in-law, who's pregnant......"

Mrs. Merick rubbed the blanket-stuffed fake belly, her expression odd as she complained.

Hermione's face flushed a little.

"Mom, please don't say that......" she muttered softly, the baby bottle in her hand almost slipping.

This scene really is rather strange.

Normally it's the mother-in-law who takes the daughter-in-law to the hospital; there's no case of the mother-in-law herself being big-bellied and having the daughter-in-law support her.

"Alright, alright, stop complaining—this is just to avoid suspicion." Mr. Merick said while slipping the car keys into his pocket.

"Heh, when the neighbors start calling you improper, don't blame me for not warning you."

Mrs. Merick gave him a sideways glance, but still cooperated by puffing out her belly, mimicking a difficult gait.

Soon they arrived at the hospital.

They had already come here months earlier, pretending to be pregnant to arrange the delivery room.

So upon arrival, they went straight into the delivery room.

Only after closing the door did they let out a sigh of relief.

All that remained was to wait for John to bring Yueer back.

Just as they were thinking that—

With a slap—

John's figure appeared directly in the delivery room.

A cocoon of light about half a meter high floated before them.

"Is this, Yueer?"

Looking at the light cocoon, although they'd heard John's description, seeing it in person they couldn't help but ask in amazement.

"That's right."

Through the cocoon they could barely see a whimpering infant curled up inside.

"Come on, Mom and Dad, it's your turn," John said softly.

He gently placed the light cocoon in the mother's arms.

Mrs. Merick carefully took the cocoon, her hands trembling slightly.

Crack—

The moment the cocoon landed in her embrace, its surface showed a fine crack, like thawing spring ice.

The next instant, the cocoon peeled away layer by layer like petals, scattering golden specks of light in the air.

A baby, carved like pink jade, lay curled in the cocoon's center, then slowly slipped into Mrs. Merick's arms.

This baby was nothing like a typical newborn's frailty; instead, it was sturdy, like a one-month-old infant.

The baby's skin still bore a faint sheen, as if it had just awakened from the morning light.

She had her eyes closed, tiny fists clenched tight, lips faintly moving, as if murmuring in a dream.

Mr. Merick also drew near, one arm around his wife's shoulders, the other hand gently touching the baby's tiny hand.

Hermione likewise watched the scene with full joy, her eyes brimming with emotion.

Only John, grinning wide.

Then.

"Doctor! My mom just gave birth!!"

John suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, shoved the door open, and rushed out.

The Merick couple's faces flushed instantly; the line was too bizarre.

They were grown adults with families of their own, yet he shouted not that his wife had given birth, but that his mother had.

No matter how you heard it, it just didn't sound right.

"You little brat!"

Mr. Merick's face reddened; he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Mrs. Merick held Yueer, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, she shot a glance at the doorway, yet couldn't help but lower her gaze to the child in her arms, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.

Yueer seemed to sense his mother's gaze, and slowly opened his eyes.

Those eyes were clear and bright, as if filled with starlight, staring straight at Mrs. Merick.

His gaze shifted from confusion to surprise, then to delight.

"Wah-wah-wah?.... Wah! Wah-wah-wah!!"

Yueer waved his little arms, both aggrieved and excited, uttering indistinct syllables like crying, as if desperately trying to convey something.

The two elders immediately surrounded Yue'er, showering them with affection, kissing and hugging, tears almost falling.

The daughter who had endured so much suffering could finally be born into this world like a normal child.

Another hallway.

Several nurses were startled by John's shout, froze for two seconds before reacting, then hurriedly ran into the delivery room.

Behind them, several doctors rushed in, flustered, seeing Mrs. Merick holding a nearly full-month-old baby in her arms, they all froze.

"This... when was it born?"

"Just now." John said from the side, speaking without any back pain.

The doctor still wanted to say something, but John suddenly waved his hand.

All the doctors and nurses stood there stunned for a moment.

Alright, everyone, this is the Merick family's First-year Student child, healthy, beautiful, with no problems. Please register it truthfully and congratulate the Merick couple, help with discharge procedures.

John said softly, his tone carrying an indisputable magic.

Having said that, John waved his hand again.

All the doctors and nurses blinked as if waking from a dream, as if the earlier stupor had never happened.

Congratulations, Mr. Merick, Mrs. Merick, it's a healthy and beautiful little princess!

The lead doctor walked forward with a beaming smile, carefully examining the baby.

The nurse beside her performed a simple check, recording weight and height, then listened to the heartbeat with a stethoscope, nodding repeatedly: "Very healthy, truly a rare good condition."

"All indicators are fine, congratulations to the Merick couple, you can prepare discharge procedures." The doctor closed the record book, smiling, added.

Mrs. Merick lowered her head to look at Yue'er in her arms, full of affection.

Did you hear that, Yue'er? We can go home now.

Yue'er blinked, making an "ee-ya" sound, as if responding to mother's words.

Then turned head to look at John and Hermione, again making several ee-ya sounds.

Little one, you've grown quite well.

John laughed, poking Yue'er's little cheek, while Hermione angrily slapped his hand away.

Do you describe your own sister like that?

Then Hermione approached Yue'er, smiling and greeting.

Yue'er, long time no see.

Seeing Hermione approach, Yue'er excitedly waved their little hands, making an "ah-ah" happy sound, as if responding to Hermione's greeting.

The little one's memory was unaffected, after experiencing six months of solitary gestation.

She finally returned to this warm world.

Born as a true life.