Chapter 702: Mother and Child Safe

The weather outside quickly turned dark, and Fang Hong stayed by Liu Tianxian's side, chatting with her to distract her.

Xu Liyun and Liu Xiaoli also sat nearby, chatting about everyday matters.

There wasn't much to talk about—just random chatter about distant places, ancient and modern, East and West.

For example: "What do you think of the situation in Syria?"

Liu Tianxian occasionally frowned slightly; clearly, the pain came in waves—this process was painful and prolonged.

As for why no epidural was used, it's because epidurals require anesthesia injected into the spine, which would harm Liu Tianxian—her lower back was already weak, having suffered a strain.

So that option was rejected from the start.

Although it could be used for anesthesia, it was best avoided if possible; epidurals are also extremely painful, not at all easy, and must be turned off during delivery.

Because the mother needs to feel the pain of contractions to push properly; if she can't feel it, she won't know when to push or when to relax.

Nurses remained on duty throughout the night, and there was a dedicated room for family members to stay.

Fang Hong slept only a few hours that night, his mind in a state of constant excitement, making it impossible for him to fall asleep no matter how he turned.

Early the next morning, Xu Liyun brought a bowl of soup and sat by the bed, feeding Liu Tianxian with a spoon.

A cloth was placed over Liu Tianxian's upper chest, mainly to catch any spilled food.

On the other side of the bed, Liu Xiaoli touched her daughter's forehead and, finding it not feverish, asked: "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just my back aches a bit," Liu Tianxian replied softly, sipping the soup—lying still too long made her back sore.

Fang Hong stood at the head of the bed, watching.

After Liu Tianxian finished eating, she regained enough strength to chat again; as for the pain, she could endure it—after a while, it dulled.

Around afternoon, the doctor came over and checked: "You can start pushing now…"

"Husband! Husband!" Liu Tianxian reached out and called.

Fang Hong had been about to leave, but hearing her call, he returned and took her hand: "What is it?"

"Ah!" Liu Tianxian cried out in pain, then hurriedly said: "When I give birth, you can't watch—I need you to stay far away."

"Fine! I'll stay far away! I absolutely won't look!" Fang Hong said firmly.

He feared seeing something unpleasant—childbirth wasn't a beautiful sight.

"But don't go too far—wait by the door for me. When I'm done, come see me right away," Liu Tianxian said, her face drenched in sweat, her words disjointed.

"Okay, okay, I promise—I won't go far, and I won't look," Fang Hong agreed to everything now.

"I'm scared of the pain!" Liu Tianxian suddenly burst into tears.

"Just bear with it—it'll pass soon, it'll be over quickly," Fang Hong could only offer such comfort.

Those around them didn't interrupt; this was a time of extreme anxiety, when she needed security most—letting them talk was good.

"You must protect me, protect our baby," Liu Tianxian continued crying.

"I will, I absolutely will," Fang Hong wiped the tears from her face.

He pressed his cheek against hers—her skin was hot, likely from the pain.

When Liu Tianxian had vented enough, the family stepped out; they could have stayed, but it was better not to watch.

Both mothers stood at the door, faces tense and serious; Fang Hong sat down somewhere, hands resting on his knees, head bowed.

He had heard the screams from inside—each one tugged at the heart, deeply unsettling.

Even with excellent soundproofing, the sounds were clear.

This process was agonizing—not just for Liu Tianxian, but for the two mothers and Fang Hong outside too.

Xu Liyun paced back and forth, visibly anxious; Liu Xiaoli's face was etched with worry—though she knew her daughter wouldn't be in danger, she still ached for her.

After what felt like an eternity, a cry of "Ah ah!" rang out—a baby's first wail.

"Mother and child are safe. Baby weighs 6.5 jin, very healthy. Born at 3:14 p. m. Labor lasted 35 minutes!" The doctors and nurses emerged to report the news.

Fang Hong stood up, looking utterly relieved, his heart finally settling.

"Thank you, doctor!"

Liu Xiaoli thanked them, then added: "Xiao Fang, give the doctors and nurses red envelopes!"

"Oh right!" Fang Hong nearly forgot—he pulled a stack of red envelopes from his pocket and handed them out.

"No, Mr. Fang, we have rules—we don't accept red envelopes," the doctor said, holding up both hands to refuse.

"It's fine, just for good luck," Fang Hong insisted, handing one to each person—there wasn't much money inside, just a token gesture.

The doctors and nurses couldn't refuse further, so they accepted; they weren't short on money anyway.

After handing out the envelopes, Fang Hong and the others entered the ward immediately—the same suite, unchanged.

Liu Tianxian lay weakly on the bed, gazing tenderly at the tiny bundle beside her, eyes closed, thick hair on his head, already dressed.

The nurses had already taken care of everything.

A healthy newborn doesn't need an incubator—only premature babies do.

"Wow! You're amazing—you did it in half an hour!" Fang Hong knelt beside Liu Tianxian and praised her.

On the other side, Liu Xiaoli and Xu Liyun gazed at the baby with pure happiness; Xu Liyun touched the infant's chin, her smile unmistakable.

Liu Xiaoli pulled back the baby's diaper to check.

"Giving birth nearly took half my life. Luckily it's a boy—he can carry on the family line. I'm utterly exhausted—never again, I swear." Liu Tianxian turned slightly, half-complaining.

"Alright, no more, no more. You've worked so hard," Fang Hong let her say it.

Hearing it was a boy, Xu Liyun felt great joy: "Don't say it so absolutely—thoughts change from moment to moment."

Liu Tianxian fell silent—she was just venting, but her husband's actions still warmed her heart.

Only now did Fang Hong turn to look at his son—the little one was sound asleep, sucking his lips softly.

All attention was fixed on the baby; everyone's gazes were gentle, and no one could pretend they weren't stirred—every heart was deeply moved.

Liu Tianxian turned again, her face soft with tenderness as she looked at her baby.

"By the way, take a photo of us!" Liu Tianxian wanted to keep a memento.

"Alright!" Fang Hong pulled out his phone, walked to the head of the bed, and aimed it at them.

Liu Tianxian tilted her head, pressed closer to the baby, and smiled warmly—the scene froze.

"Mom, you two come closer too—I'll take a picture of you." Fang Hong said.

So Liu Xiaoli and Xu Liyun stood by the bed, leaning their bodies toward the baby, smiling.

Fang Hong framed them all in the phone's view.

"Xiao Fang, come join us—let's take a family photo," Liu Xiaoli waved her hand.

Fang Hong walked to the other side of the bed, moved close to Liu Tianxian, raised the phone high, and took a photo from above.

The photo wasn't very professional, but it captured them all—that was enough.

It's just a memento; it doesn't need to be perfect!

From now on, Liu Tianxian could only lie in bed and couldn't get up—her mother would wipe her body, since a mother was more convenient and closer.

The baby would undergo checks—for the heart, lungs, abdomen, and also hearing, height, weight, head circumference, and more.

There were many tests; though the baby looked healthy at birth, screening for congenital diseases was still necessary.

This process took only three days; further checks wouldn't come until over a month later.

So after three days, Liu Tianxian went home to recuperate—she disliked staying in unfamiliar places and felt unsafe there.

The news that Liu Tianxian had given birth to a boy spread among relatives and friends, but only among them—no one outside was told.

Only those especially close knew the news, and they all understood—they wouldn't leak it.

Liu Tianxian's phone also received many messages of congratulations, all asking to see the baby.

Everyone wanted to see what their son looked like!

(End of Chapter)