Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 528 Happy Mother's Day!
Lu Kuan leaned back in the comfortable rear seat, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles.

My previous ability to remain calm in the face of major events has become utter nonsense; all I felt along the way was that my palms were constantly sweating.

He was holding his phone when Liu Xiaoli and Jing Tian, ​​who was staying at his house, called one after the other.

The one who frantically reported to him that her water had broken was Da Tian Tian, ​​who was staying with him.
Just now, Liu Xiaoli anxiously informed us that she had arrived at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Zhu Lan's team had taken over. The whole process took only about ten minutes.

He felt a little more at ease, but Ah Fei's unusual irritability at the helm made him both amused and exasperated.

You idiot!

"Hem home shovel!"

Sudden stops, incessant honking, roaring engines, and the rambling of Ah Fei, a road rage sufferer who barely speaks a few words a day.

To be honest, Lu Kuan had never seen the cold-faced bodyguard act like this in all his years. It was exactly the same as when he used to fight and curse in the underground boxing arena when he was a child. It only gradually stopped when the car turned onto the Jingcheng Expressway.

The scenery outside the car window blurred as we sped along. The poplar trees along the highway formed a silvery-green barrier, their leaves rustling in the hot wind, like a silent urging.

The man pressed his palm against the car window, but the cool glass could not dispel the heat that was spreading from the bottom of his heart.

He gazed at the undulating outline of the Yanshan Mountains in the distance. The bluish-gray ridges cast distorted shadows under the blazing sun, like a lurking dragon, silent and majestic.

One question is:

When people experience one of the most important moments of their lives, do they usually anticipate it at the time?

Most of them are not, or because they lack a comparative understanding of the length of their lives, their perception of the situation is not clear enough.

Therefore, it is only when looking back on the long road of life that one is surprised to realize the weight of that moment and that day, whether sad or happy, that emotions well up in one's heart.

The difference is that the time traveler, who is about to usher in one of the most important moments in the long river of his life, has always known the significance of today for him.

The fate of time travelers is always accompanied by double the clarity and double the fear.

He was like a bystander standing on the riverbank, coldly watching time flow by;

Like a drowning traveler, battered and bruised by every wave.

But at this moment, he knew better than anyone that today was the dividing line, and the years to come would forever be divided into "the years of being a father."

At this moment, the speeding vehicle is crushing through the cracks of time, and in the rearview mirror, countless past events stand in collapse; while in the maternity ward of Peking Union Medical College Hospital ahead, two new lives are about to pierce the amniotic sac of history.

This sense of fateful reincarnation sent shivers down his spine; the foresight of a time traveler was utterly meaningless at this moment.

For the first time, Lu Kuan truly stood on the same starting line as everyone else, waiting for the most primal miracle of life to arrive.

It's as if two lifetimes have passed, a journey of life and death, across mountains and rivers, all just to reach this day.

Only this day.

We sped along, and thankfully there weren't many cars on the road in the afternoon. The car came to a smooth stop in front of Building 5 of Xiehe Hospital at 2:15 p.m.

Wearing a mask, Da Tiantian, along with a nurse and two bodyguards in black, were waiting downstairs to greet him. There were quite a few onlookers, but there were no disorder issues thanks to the hospital security guards and bodyguards.

"Teacher Lu, over here!"

"Okay!" Lu Kuan, whose lungs were practically on fire from running all the way, only answered with one sentence and didn't ask any other questions.

During this period, he also did a lot of intensive study on women's childbirth and childcare.

Generally speaking, twin pregnancies enter an emergency assessment phase after the amniotic sac ruptures. Zhu Lan should be undergoing fetal heart rate monitoring and ultrasound examination.

She needs to confirm the characteristics of the amniotic fluid, the position of the fetuses, and the condition of the cervix. If both twins are in the head-down position and there are no signs of infection, she will first try vaginal delivery.

The nurse swiped their card and led them to the staff-only elevator, avoiding the crowds and preventing congestion.

Many people have already recognized this person along the way, and it won't be long before a bunch of paparazzi gather in front of the Union Hospital. Uncle in the hat will also arrive soon to maintain order.

The elevator doors slowly closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world. In the enclosed space, the smell of disinfectant mingled with the coldness of metal, and the fluorescent tubes overhead hummed.

The nurse gave a brief overview of the current situation. Zhu Lan and Lang Jinghe, along with a professional team comprised of anesthesiologists, midwives, and neonatologists, were engaged in preliminary work, and everything was going smoothly.

Jing Tian stood beside Lu Kuan, secretly glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

Fine beads of sweat glistened on the man's forehead, his temples were slightly damp, and his usually composed face was now extremely tense.

The girl had never seen him like this before. He was like a bowstring being pulled taut, running all the way after getting off the bus, with not a trace of his usual composed and strategic demeanor.

Da Tian Tian was affected by his emotions and could only silently pray in her heart that the mother and child would be safe.

"Xiao Lu, you've arrived."

As soon as you step out of the elevator, you're greeted by Liu Yifei's uncle Liu Yue and his family. "Qianqian's mother and aunt are inside. Go check on them first. Everything is fine."

"Okay!" Lu Kuan forced a nervous smile, greeted everyone, and hurriedly stepped into the inner room of the corridor.

Zhuang Xu and Su Chang arrived immediately and were standing outside the LDR integrated delivery room, whispering to each other.

This is an integrated ward for labor, delivery, and recovery. It is a modern delivery room prepared by the Peking Union Medical College Hospital's Special Needs Obstetrics Department for high-risk pregnancies and women with special needs.

"My god, you're finally here! Hurry up and go in! I just finished my checkup." Zhuang Xu patted him hard on the shoulder twice.

Su Chang nodded vigorously: "Qianqian kept telling us not to call you, afraid that you would be too anxious and something bad would happen."

Lu Kuan couldn't help but smile when he saw his senior brother's relieved expression. Knowing his personality, he knew that his senior brother was probably just as nervous as he was, and he relaxed a little for a moment.

Sharing anxiety with someone you can trust is a form of empathic relief, which can help distribute the emotional burden.

"I just realized why you came empty-handed? Go buy something if you need to," Boss Lu joked, but no one paid him any attention. He then turned the doorknob and went inside.

The nurses performed a full-body disinfection procedure as usual, changed him into special disinfected slippers, a sterile cap, isolation gown, etc., and then he went through a small air shower.

Inside the room, Zhu Lan pressed her fingertips against the upper edge of Liu Yifei's pubic bone, feeling the pressure of uterine contractions rise and fall like the tide.

“Cervix dilated 3 centimeters, fetal head position -1,” she read to the nurse, her eyes fixed on the fetal heart monitor. “Twin heart rate 138/145, contraction interval 7 minutes, intensity 30 mmHg, wait a little longer.”

Liu Yifei was visibly nervous on the delivery bed; her bangs were soaked with sweat and stuck to her rosy cheeks.

The contractions are sharp, stabbing pains, which turn into dull pains during the intervals, like waves that keep coming.

"Xiao Lu, you're here!" Liu Xiaoli, her face contorted with pain just like her daughter's, stood up. Upon hearing this, Xiao Liu opened her eyes and looked at her lover, her tightly pursed lips trembling slightly as she managed a weak smile.

"Lu Kuan... I'm in so much pain..." Before she could finish her sentence, the next contraction made her clench the sheets tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Seeing his agitated expression, Zhu Lan quickly said, "Father of the baby, don't move! Don't interrupt the mother's breathing!"

"Okay! Okay..." The man dared not rush forward to cause trouble, his muscles taut like a fully drawn bowstring as he stood still.

His Adam's apple bobbed violently, as if an invisible hand was choking his breath, rising and falling in sync with his wife's pained expression.

"I'm here, I'm here. Listen to Director Zhu, don't say anything."

Lu Kuan tried to give her some encouragement: "Think about the breathing method we practice at home. You are Grotowski's successor, you are the Little Dragon Girl of the Ancient Tomb Sect. Remember, switch from abdominal breathing to chest breathing."

For mammals, childbirth is often the most vulnerable time of their lives.

The once lively and energetic girl lay on the delivery bed, her heart-wrenching groans like an invisible wall, isolating her husband in an abyss of helplessness.

Zhu Lan loudly reminded the mother, "Yes, Yi Fei, keep up with the rhythm we used to practice!"

She placed her left palm on Liu Yifei's upper abdomen, which was tense due to contractions, and gently grasped her sweaty wrist with her right hand, raising it to her chest.

The head of the obstetrics and gynecology department explained the situation to Lu Kuan, who had just come in: "After assessing the cervical condition and monitoring the fetal status, the mother's contractions have not yet reached the threshold for delivery. We are currently helping her familiarize herself with breathing techniques for labor to prepare for the upcoming delivery."

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything."

"Wait a bit."

Xiao Liu started exercising when she was seven months old. Adjusting her breathing was actually easy for her, but the pain at this moment was really unbearable.

"Follow the rise and fall of my hand, inhale... exhale..." Zhu Lan's fingertips pressed against her rib area in rhythm with her breathing, forcing the diaphragm to passively participate in chest breathing.

Seeing that she was in great pain, Zhu Lan asked the nurse to hand the electrolyte solution to Lu Kuan: "Mr. Lu, please sit down here and give Yi Fei the water during the rest period."

"Okay!" The man felt as if he had been granted a pardon and carefully sat down next to his wife. The bottle in his hand had a special spout, like a screaming drink, which could squeeze out a fine jet of water.

Because women in extreme pain are unable to drink water, and straws are not as convenient as bottle openings for feeding water, once the pregnant woman holds the bottle opening in her mouth, she can exert force without choking.

The moment Liu Yifei felt her husband approach, her right hand, which had been gripping the bed railing tightly, suddenly loosened and, like a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood, abruptly grabbed Lu Kuan's wrist.

Her fingernails dug into the latter's skin unconsciously, leaving several distinct crescent-shaped red marks. Her brows, damp with sweat, were furrowed, and her wet pupils looked pitiful.

In the brief moments of calm between contractions, Xiao Liu was finally able to focus her gaze on her lover's face. Her bloodless lips moved but could not make a sound; she could only let out a small animal-like whimper from her throat.

“I’m right next to you. Pinch me if it hurts.” Lu Kuan’s voice was deep and steady, trying not to interrupt her breathing.

During the break, they handed over the bottle opening, and the two of them worked together seamlessly to replenish the electrolyte water.

Liu Yifei's throat bobbed with difficulty, and she finally mustered the strength to speak during a break in the contractions.

Her voice was weak but trembled with a sweet sweetness: "Every time the pain becomes unbearable... I start thinking of you, and your image plays in my mind like a movie..."

“From the first time I saw you on December 21, 2001, when we were filming ‘Golden Powder’ and eating fried cakes at the entrance of Tianwaimen,” her breathing suddenly became rapid, and she had to stop to adjust, her fingers gripping the bed sheet tightly.

"And then there was the first time you took me out for morning practice..." Another sharp pain struck, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she stubbornly continued, "Then there was when you scolded me during the filming of 'Whiplash,' and when we were stargazing halfway up the mountain from Anita Mui's house..."

Tears mingled with sweat as they slid down her pale cheeks, yet a pained smile bloomed on her face: "Thank goodness... my memory is so good, I can still recall so many... sweet memories to ease the pain."

"Ah—!" The sudden, sharp pain made her arch her back, her fingernails digging deep into Lu Kuan's palm.

Once the pain subsided slightly, she blinked weakly, tears still clinging to her eyelashes: "Alright... I've used up my 15-year-old memories, now it's time to use my 16-year-old memories..."

Lu Kuan didn't dare interrupt her as she adjusted her breathing, but gently comforted his wife, tapping out a rhythm on the back of her hand.

Liu Xiaoli stood beside the delivery bed, her eyes red and tears silently rolling down her cheeks.

She gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white, her gaze never leaving her daughter's pained and contorted face.

The little girl who once nestled in her arms is now enduring the excruciating pain of childbirth alone, each cry of pain like a knife piercing her heart.

After enduring another round of intense contractions every seven or eight minutes, Xiao Liu forced a smile: "I was mentally prepared, so I guess I'll just have to endure this pain..."

"Right now, all I want is for the two little ones to come out as soon as possible, so I don't use up all my memories." Liu Yifei gently stroked the back of her husband's hand, which she had pinched until the skin was broken. "It's all your fault. I only have four or five years left to use, and I can't have any more."

More than two hours after her water broke, Zhu Lan took the opportunity to put on double sterile gloves and assess the degree of cervical dilation.

She could feel the cervix opening like a gradually opening piece of silk, warm and elastic, but the fetal head was still stuck at the -1 level. These professional tactile judgments would determine whether to use oxytocin to accelerate labor.

This is followed by routine ultrasound and amniotic fluid morphology testing.

The head of obstetrics and gynecology turned to the family: "Generally speaking, if the amniotic sac breaks more than 24 hours later and the mother still does not meet the conditions for natural labor, we will use oxytocin to promote cervical dilation and shorten the time of ineffective pain."

"But Yifei is carrying twins and is already two weeks full-term. Based on the data we've been tracking for the past few months, if the conditions aren't met within 7-8 hours, or if other issues arise, we'll have to consider inducing labor early."

There is a saying that the golden 12 hours are after the water breaks. If effective uterine contractions do not start after 12 hours, intravenous antibiotics should be started to prevent chorioamnionitis, and the cervical condition should be assessed to prepare for induction of labor.

The risk of reproductive tract infection increases dramatically after the amniotic sac ruptures for more than 12 hours, which is extremely dangerous.

Lu Kuan looked at his wife, who still looked pained, with great concern. "Do we meet the criteria for pain relief medication now?"

"Preparations are underway. Let's start with epidural anesthesia." Zhu Lan, with her extensive experience, was constantly assessing the level of pain Xiao Liu was enduring.

Although the side effects of pain medication are relatively manageable, obstetricians and gynecologists of her caliber are still quite cautious when prescribing any medication.

Liu Yifei's identity is also very special, and there is no room for negligence.

Concern can cloud judgment, and Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but waver: "Director Zhu, wouldn't a vaginal delivery of twins be more dangerous? Would a C-section reduce the pain?"

Zhu Lan said seriously, "Yifei's physical data has always been excellent. Her pelvic condition, fetal size, and current persistent head-down position are all very suitable for vaginal delivery." "To be honest, there are many cases of twins whose water breaks close to their due date, but not many are like her who meet the conditions for vaginal delivery. Although a cesarean section will reduce the pain, we still recommend vaginal delivery, which is based on the long-term safety and health considerations for both mother and baby."

Vaginal delivery has an irreplaceable natural advantage in obstetrics and gynecology.

During vaginal delivery, the fetus can expel amniotic fluid from its lungs as it passes through the birth canal, significantly reducing the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
At the same time, uterine contractions stimulate the mother to secrete oxytocin, which not only accelerates postpartum uterine involution and reduces the probability of massive bleeding, but also promotes colostrum secretion and establishes an early breastfeeding bond.

Moreover, a cesarean section can be performed at any time during a vaginal delivery, so there is no need to worry about the safety of vaginal delivery of twins.

From a certain perspective, vaginal delivery is a physiological process, while cesarean section is an emergency measure.

Xiao Liu lay exhausted on the bed: "Let's listen to Director Zhu. With the painkiller, I won't suffer too much. I can still handle it."

Lu Kuan sighed and sat down next to his wife. He dipped a piece of sterile gauze from the delivery room in saline solution and wiped her face in one direction, from her hairline to her temples and cheeks.

Liu Yifei turned to look at her husband, remembering the taboos she had read about before, and said worriedly, "Why don't you go out later? I don't want you to see me like that..."

Some men who accompany their partners during childbirth may experience fear due to witnessing tearing, heavy bleeding, or the pregnant woman's painful expressions, which can negatively impact the couple's intimate relationship.

This is another type of PTSD.

Xiao Liu really wanted him to stay here with her.

His figure stood there, his unwavering gaze and steady body heat weaving an invisible net that could catch all her fragile moments of falling.

But she worried that if her husband saw the bloody scene, he might develop some psychological trauma and lose interest in her...

Zhu Lan, being experienced, offered words of comfort: "The expectant father can just stand next to the mother and not go behind her. It's alright."

"The husband's familiar voice, figure, and body temperature can reduce the pain and fear of the mother during childbirth and stimulate the secretion of oxytocin, which is very important for Yifei."

Lu Kuan laughed and said, "I never intended to go out. You think I can't handle this little scene?"

He stroked his wife's cold, sweaty hand and said, "Don't worry, we'll be able to unload the cargo soon."

"Ok!"

……

Time passed second by second. Apart from the experienced medical team, it was an ordeal and torture for the pregnant woman, Xiao Liu, and her family, yet they were filled with hope amidst the pain.

It was almost 9 p.m., which was close to the 7-8 hours that Zhu Lan had mentioned, since her water broke around 1 p.m.

If Liu Yifei's contractions do not meet expectations, we will need to prepare to administer oxytocin to intervene.

Everyone in the delivery room waited anxiously, except for Xiao Liu, who was exhausted. She felt like she had run an extremely difficult marathon and had no energy to think about anything else. She just held her husband's hand tightly and wouldn't let go.

Zhu Lan checked the cervix more and more frequently. Around 9:30, she suddenly said in a deep voice, "Xiao Fang, prepare for intravenous glucose and vitamin C injections. The mother's physical condition is not very good."

This is to avoid muscle weakness caused by hypoglycemia. After all, the final battle is not yet over, and we can't afford to be completely powerless by then.

However, because there is a possibility of needing surgery midway through the process, the only option is to administer nutritional fluids intravenously.

The nurses worked very quickly, and Xiao Liu's complexion gradually became rosy after the intravenous infusion.

Liu Xiaoli's heart was in her throat as she looked at Zhu Lan with hopeful eyes: "Director, let me check the time..."

"Ah!" Liu Yifei, lying on the hospital bed, suddenly cried out in pain, startling her elderly mother so much that her heart almost stopped!

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhu Lan put on double-layered sterile gloves and performed a finger examination.

The moment her fingertips touched the edge of the cervix, Liu Yifei let out a short scream that pierced the tense air. Then her whole body arched upwards, like a bowstring stretched to its limit.

The mother's pain did not affect the joy on the face of the head of obstetrics and gynecology, because she knew that this pain would soon be over.

The once thick cervical margins have become as thin as paper, the cervix has dilated to 8 centimeters, and the contraction curves on the fetal heart monitor have suddenly become denser, showing a typical ram wave pattern.

"The cervix has completely shrunk, the baby's head is crowned, prepare for delivery immediately!"

“Family members, stand aside,” Zhu Lan glanced at Liu Xiaoli, whose face had turned ashen. “President Lu, hold Yifei’s hand and assist her by following our breathing rhythm from this afternoon.”

"Okay, no problem." Boss Lu said in a deep voice, taking a deep breath to compose himself.

His pupils dilated slightly, reflecting the glaring overhead light of the delivery room, which condensed into two sharp points of light in his eye sockets.

At this moment, I transform into a warrior about to rush to the battlefield. All my emotions surge in my chest like a silent volcano, only able to erupt with a few scorching marks through my burning breath.

"I've found the direction of the V-shaped seam!" Zhu Lan abruptly withdrew her gloved hand and whispered to the midwife, the lingering sensation on her fingertips indicating that a crucial turning point had arrived.

"Saline solution ready! Methylene blue staining solution prepared!"

The highly experienced head of obstetrics and gynecology accurately placed his palm on Liu Yifei's spasming abdominal wall, feeling the impact of the muscles converging deep into her spine.

The impact caused Liu Yifei unbearable pain, but it was the fetus knocking on the door of life with the top of its head!
The midwife supported the mother's back and lifted her up at a 30-degree angle. Following Zhu Lan's instructions, Lu Kuan reminded her, "Take a deep breath during contractions..."

"Ah!" Before she could finish speaking, Liu Yifei let out a roar like a mother beast, and uncontrollably exerted force downwards, causing amniotic fluid mixed with very faint traces of blood to spurt out.

It's true that she had an epidural, but epidurals selectively block pain signals rather than completely eliminate sensation.

If a woman has no sensation in her muscles, how can she push to deliver the baby as guided?

And it is precisely at this final moment that the intensity of contractions will suddenly change from the previous tidal pattern to a tsunami pattern, which is a pain that the mother cannot avoid.

Unless a cesarean section under general anesthesia is chosen.

"The head is visible!" The midwife's joyful announcement pierced through the shouts, and the red timer in the delivery room jumped to exactly 9:40.

The cries of good news were like a shot of adrenaline piercing the air, but Liu Yifei's screams did not stop; they were the final roars before her body was completely torn apart.

Liu Yifei's finger bones were almost embedded in her husband's flesh. The man's adrenaline surged, and he didn't feel any pain for a moment. He just leaned down and whispered in his wife's ear:

"We've reached the end! The final sprint! We'll see our baby soon!"

Zhu Lan shouted, "Stop blowing so hard! Blow out the candles! Quickly!"

Xiao Liu reflexively started following her husband's commands, "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The so-called "blowing out the candle" action is a short, sharp exhalation. This is because the baby's head has already crowned, and this helps to pause the exertion of the body, distribute abdominal pressure, and avoid tearing.

"Now, push with all your might!" Zhu Lan's voice also became a little louder due to tension and excitement.

Lu Kuan kept repeating and reminding his wife to push: "Qianqian, the baby is coming out soon, push hard! Push hard!"

"Ah!" Liu Yifei's spine arched back like a full moon in excruciating pain, and her joints cracked as if they could no longer bear the weight.

Her body felt as if it had been cleaved in two, every bone screaming and shifting. Her once bright eyes were now unfocused and vacant, and sweat and tears mingled together, washing over her face, which was contorted with pain.

No one in this world is greater than a mother. This pain is not something an ordinary person could bear, yet it was transformed into a silent sacrifice through her clenched teeth.

For the life to be born, they are willing to crush elegance into mud and burn their reserve to ashes, yet they are still like a candle that refuses to be extinguished in a storm, determined to bring the fruit of their love into this world.

Zhu Lan's right hand lifted upwards like a precision hydraulic press, and with Liu Yifei's force—*plop!* The wet fetal head instantly broke through the bloody flesh ring.

The head of obstetrics and gynecology's fingertips had already slid towards the back of the fetus's neck, and her hands twisted downwards as if picking flowers.

The sticky fetal shoulder, covered in amniotic fluid, slid out of the birth canal, and the baby's purplish-red body darted like a fish into the tray lined with cotton towels by the midwife.

"Wow!"

The first cry tore through the frozen air in the delivery room, and everyone's spirits lifted!
Midwife's notes: "First child, female, 10:10!"

Zhu Lan didn't give Liu Yifei, who was struggling to lift her head, time to look at her daughter. She shouted, "Go for it! Second one! Yifei, don't let up!"

Lu Kuan grabbed the electrolyte water bottle and shoved it into his wife's mouth, pressing his forehead against her temple: "Our daughter is here, our little fairy is here, give it your last push, wife, don't let up!"

Liu Yifei nodded painfully, her throat still spasming as she swallowed, her body being torn upwards by a new round of contractions.

"what!"

Zhu Lan pressed her palms against the mother's abdomen clockwise, feeling the rupture of the amniotic sac through her fingertips.

Her face suddenly turned pale with fright, and her voice trembled slightly!

"Hips position! Hips position! Adjust it immediately! Adjust it right now!"

The midwives we brought in today were all seasoned veterans. Upon hearing this, they immediately lifted Liu Yifei's legs. Zhu Lan was extremely nervous, and with trembling hands, she held the baby's buttocks and tried to adjust the position as if turning a safe wheel.

Lu Kuan was so frightened that his face turned pale. In that instant, he felt as if the sky was about to fall and the earth was about to split open!

A breech fetus cannot fully fill the pelvic inlet, and after the membranes rupture, the umbilical cord is prone to slipping out of the birth canal and being compressed, leading to acute fetal distress.

If the pressure is not relieved within 5-10 minutes, it may cause permanent brain damage or death.

As Zhu Lan called out "breech presentation," the anesthesia and surgical staff for the cesarean section were already in place. This was based on the plans and experience accumulated from countless deliveries, and they would do everything possible to ensure the safety of the mother.

Liu Yifei's tears, accompanied by her piercing cries, echoed throughout the delivery room. She was the one who told Lu Kuan about the dangers of breech presentation, so how could she not be extremely anxious now?

Zhu Lan rushed to Liu Yifei's ear and calmly instructed her: "Yifei, listen to me! We have enough time. Now, follow the method we practiced before, curl up your body, and find the feeling of exerting force like vomiting a child out of your heart, understand?"

"Ugh... Ah! Save him! Save him!"

A mother's instincts are strong; at this moment, maternal instincts overwhelmed all her fear and pain.

Tears still clung to her cheeks, but a resolute smile curved her lips—a testament to the innate instinct to protect one's children, etched into the genes of women across millennia.

At this moment, Liu Yifei had no identity; she was simply the most primal mother, bearing the weight of creation with her spine and supporting the newborn universe with her pelvis.

"Reset! Consort Yi, prepare to blow out the candles! Listen to my instructions!"

"Five! Four! Three! Two! One!" Zhu Lan gripped the groin with her tiger's mouth and pulled upwards, while Xiao Liu blew hard, pushing the baby out of the birth canal. The baby curved over the pubic arch like a crescent moon and fell into the warm cotton towel with vernix caseosa.

"Second child, baby boy, 10:27!"

A sense of relief and tranquility permeated the delivery room. Zhu Lan continued to professionally handle the aftermath, the smell of disinfectant mingling with the scent of new life.

Lu Kuan's trembling fingertips gently brushed his wife's wet temples, as carefully as if touching fragile glass.

He leaned down and pressed his forehead against Liu Yifei's sweaty brow. Warm tears silently dripped onto her pale cheeks, mingling with her sweat to form a salty stream.

The midwife placed the two swaddled babies on the mother's chest at the right time; their skin still had the sheen of vernix caseosa.

As soon as Liu Yifei's weak fingertips touched the baby's wrinkled little face, tears welled up like a bursting dam. It was a physiological shiver that mixed with the pain of relief and the ultimate happiness.

Lu Kuan stood beside the delivery bed, his tall figure slightly hunched, like a pine tree that had weathered storms yet still protected the seedlings.

His gaze lingered between his wife and children, his eyes brimming with an indescribable shock and tenderness. His Adam's apple bobbed, as if a thousand words were stuck in his chest, unable to be uttered.

The light in the delivery room fell on his sharply defined profile, revealing the tear stains that hadn't yet dried at the corners of his eyes.

Lu Kuan bent down and carefully touched his wife's forehead with the tip of his nose, as if to confirm her presence, or as a silent vow.

"You brought two children into this world, you are a great mother, today is May 10th—"

"Happy Mother's Day, Sisi."

Liu Yifei's weak fingertips were still stroking the baby's wrinkled little face when she suddenly froze upon hearing her husband's words.

Having given birth, she truly understood the greatness of motherhood. Looking at Liu Xiaoli on the other side of the delivery bed, she felt as if 22 years had flowed backward.

Xiao Liu's lips trembled as she regained some color: "Mom, Happy Mother's Day."

Liu Xiaoli, who was gazing at her grandson and granddaughter with a kind smile on her face, suddenly burst into tears.

This is the most primal ritual of life's inheritance:
When a new mother's fingertips are still stained with the blood of childbirth, her first "Mom" is forever dedicated to the person who tore herself apart for her.

This is an eternal bond woven by women with pain, which has now been completed in the most sacred way.

(End of this chapter)