CHAPTER 365: CHAPTER 355: THE INEVITABLE ARRIVAL_3

"Okay, relax, relax."

Qin Guanglin wolfed down his meal and, with his mouth full, gave a muffled response.

Despite knowing everything was normal, he couldn’t suppress the nameless panic welling up inside him—not the fear of childbirth itself, but a sudden worry that surged the moment he stepped into the hospital.

He Fang wasn’t an ordinary pregnant woman; all of this was the result of their joint efforts.

She had escaped time, tracing back ten years to re-experience everything, in a vain attempt to avert an accident that was years away.

He was just an ordinary person, not sure if there were gods or Buddhas, or even reincarnation—all was unknown. In such a jumbled state of mind, he could no longer stay calm.

Qin Guanglin swallowed the food in his mouth in large gulps, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and fished out the once vibrant but now faded amulet from Zhongnan from his wallet. Clasping it tightly in his hand, he brought it to his lips and touched it lightly.

He didn’t know if there was always a price to pay for every action; if that were the case, he was willing to take on everything for He Fang.

Praying to gods and Buddhas for protection.

It was past eight at night, He Fang was in the pre-labor room waiting for the second stage of labor, and just across the wall, in the hallway, Qin Guanglin prayed into the pitch-black night sky with eyes closed.

...

By four o’clock in the early morning of the next day, after eight hours of agonizing wait, in and out of the pre-labor room and after so many disappointments, an increasingly anxious Qin Guanglin finally received the news that He Fang was moving to the delivery room.

"I have to be with her, it’s been agreed, and the fee is paid!" Qin Guanglin, eager to catch a glimpse of He Fang, was stopped at the door and hurriedly searched his bag for his delivery companion permit, a thin receipt but the thing he needed most at the moment.

"Don’t rush, I know you want to go in with her, but you can’t yet. Wait till she’s dilated to three centimeters," the nurse, accustomed to all sorts of expectant fathers, wasn’t the least bit impatient and explained patiently, "It’s the rule, just wait a bit longer, we will call you."

"Wait again?!"

Qin Guanglin tiptoed in an effort to see inside but could see nothing. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

"How much longer?"

"It varies from person to person, depending on their constitution. Just be patient."

"Thanks."

At four in the morning during winter, it was still pitch-dark outside, with only a few sparse stars in the sky. He’s Daddy was unable to fight off sleep and slumped in his chair, nodded off. Qin’s Mom went to the restroom to wash her face, returned with droplets of water dripping from her chin, her hands clasped tightly together, rubbing, waiting for her grandchild to be born.

It wasn’t too common, nor too rare to see an entire family stay up all night in a hospital, waiting—a scene that unfolds in this little hallway every day with varying circumstances. Only those who have really stood there, each wait measured in hours, can understand the agony.

After more than an hour, Qin Guanglin squatted in the hallway, facing the delivery room door, staring unblinkingly at the gap beneath it. While his mind raced with random thoughts, the door finally stirred. Instinctively, he stood up, his numb legs carrying him forward, only to see a doctor, looking exhausted, holding a form and pen, closing the door behind him and calling out to He Fang’s family.

A surge of bad premonitions suddenly erupted from the bottom of Qin Guanglin’s heart.

"Save the adult!"

That cry startled He’s Daddy awake, causing him to tumble from his seat. Qin’s Mom shook her hands and looked up abruptly, while the few strangers not asleep in the hallway also turned their heads.

In the 21st century, was there still such a thing as choosing to save the mother or the child?

The doctor, puzzled, stood frozen in place, looking down at the form in his hand and contemplated, "Uh... this is for the epidural. You’ve paid beforehand; we just need a signature."

...

...

...

Qin’s Mom went limp and slumped on the bench, gazing at Qin Guanglin’s retreating figure with a complex look in her eyes, as if she wished to imprint a thirty-something shoe size on his face.

He’s Daddy propped himself up from the floor, somewhat bemused, thinking his son-in-law was far from his own capabilities in such situations.

Qin Guanglin realized his blunder, his once stalled heart gradually coming back to life, thumping violently, a layer of cold sweat forming on his back, chilling. He gave the doctor an awkward smile and took the pen to sign his name earnestly.

Before he could ask a question, the kind doctor was already holding the form, gave it a cursory glance to confirm, and while walking away, said, "You’re the one accompanying the birth, right? You can go in now."

"Thank you, Doctor!"

A gleam of surprise shone in Qin Guanglin’s bloodshot eyes. Taking a deep breath and following the doctor’s instructions, he readied himself in sterile attire and went to find his wife, who was lying on the delivery bed and struggling.

He Fang, who had still been strong enough to joke with him when they were separated into the pre-labor room, now lay there, pale-faced, turning her head to look at him, her lips dry and cracked, her hair in disarray sticking to her face, managing to hook her mouth into a small smile.

"You’re here."

Her voice was soft. Qin Guanglin brushed her messy hair aside, gripping her hand tightly with a pang of heartache, "Yes, I’m here."

"That’s good."