Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 398 The Joy of the Birth of Twins

Inside the delivery room at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liu Yimin sat on the left side of the hospital bed, while Zhu Lin lay quietly on the bed, her fair left hand tightly holding Liu Yimin's hand, which was slightly plumper than before her pregnancy.

She had a smile on her face, but the touch from the back of her hand made Liu Yimin realize that she was particularly nervous.

The female doctor, accompanied by a nurse, continued to examine Zhu Lin. After the examination, she smiled and said to Zhu Lin, "Linlin, don't be nervous. Everything is normal. Everything will go smoothly."

"Thank you!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Oh my, Yimin, you're too kind. Linlin has grown up under my watchful eye since she was little, so it's only right that I do these things for her," the doctor said with a smile.

Zhu's mother pulled the doctor outside and went to ask him questions carefully. The doctor told Zhu's mother, "We'll have to wait a bit; it's not even three centimeters dilated yet."

"Thank you for your hard work, Lao Li!"

"You're welcome. I'm in the office. Come find me if you need anything."

Yang Xiuyun held Zhu Lin's other hand and said, "Linlin, tell me what you want to eat, and I'll go back and make it now. You need to have some energy right now."

"Mom, I don't want to eat anything, I have no appetite."

"You should eat something, even just some banana bread. Listen to your mother-in-law, how can you have a baby if you don't have the energy!" Zhu's mother interjected as she walked in.

Yang Xiuyun took a banana from the fruit plate next to her, peeled it, and handed it to Zhu Lin, letting her take a couple of bites.

In the evening, Li Yuru, the teacher's wife, and Wan Fang also arrived at the hospital. Wan Fang was carrying a lunchbox and asked with a smile, "Linlin hasn't eaten yet, has she?"

“Linlin has no appetite now. Look, she only ate a few bites of the banana and then stopped,” said Zhu’s mother.

Wan Fang smiled and placed the lunchbox on the bedside table. She took it out of the mesh bag and quickly opened it: "Drink some of this porridge. It's light and nutritious. When I was about to give birth, I didn't want to eat anything, and this porridge was the only thing I ate in the end."

"Master's wife, senior sister, thank you for your hard work," Liu Yimin said.

Li Yuru laughed and said, "It's not like I came to visit you."

Yang Xiuyun held Li Yuru's hand and said thank you. Li Yuru said, "We're all family, no need to say thank you."

Wan Fang fed Zhu Lin a couple of bites, and Liu Yimin took the lunchbox and spoon, feeding Zhu Lin spoonful by spoonful.

"Senior sister, this is really delicious. It's sweet but not cloying, and it has a refreshing aroma," Zhu Lin said happily.

Wan Fang said, "Eat more if it tastes good. You should eat more for the sake of the child. Otherwise, you won't have any energy later, and that will cause problems."

After Zhu Lin finished eating, Wan Fang and Li Yuru chatted with him for a while before leaving. Zhu's mother told Liu Yimin to take Yang Xiuyun back to rest, saying she would take care of her there.

Yang Xiuyun said, "My dear in-law, I'll stay here. You should go back and rest. Judging from Linlin's condition, it will be either tonight or tomorrow morning."

In the end, none of the three left; Zhu's mother found some bedding and made a makeshift bed on the floor to rest.

In early April, the temperature in Yanjing was gradually warming up, but the evenings were still quite chilly. Liu Yimin sat on a stool, dozing off in a military overcoat draped over his shoulders.

In the early hours of the morning, Zhu Lin's movements on the hospital bed woke Liu Yimin. Liu Yimin held Zhu Lin's hand and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Teacher Liu, I disturbed your sleep. It's okay, everyone's like this before giving birth, my stomach is starting to hurt." Zhu Lin had been enduring the pain when she was woken up, but now she really couldn't bear it anymore.

Yang Xiuyun and Zhu's mother were both light sleepers, and immediately turned on the light upon hearing their voices. Zhu's mother accompanied Zhu Lin to the restroom and then called the doctor to examine him again.

"Wait a little longer, it'll be over soon. You can still eat something now, eat some more!" the doctor instructed.

Yang Xiuyun said, "I'll go back and cook something. The courtyard house is close to here."

Liu Yimin took Yang Xiuyun to the courtyard house on his motorcycle, and Yang Xiuyun went to the kitchen to cook a bowl of rice porridge.

In the hospital, Zhu Lin ate a few mouthfuls of rice porridge. It was already two in the morning. Zhu Lin's reaction was getting worse, and the waves of pain in her lower abdomen filled the ward with groans.

Zhu's mother held Zhu Lin's hand tightly, and together with Yang Xiuyun and Liu Yimin, they comforted Zhu Lin.

Around 6:30 a.m., Zhu Lin went to the toilet again. After the doctor came to check on her, he said with a serious expression, "You're almost fully dilated. You need to go to the delivery room."

Several nurses rushed into the ward and, after a flurry of activity, wheeled Zhu Lin into the delivery room. Once inside, Zhu Lin's emotions calmed down. She waved to Liu Yimin, forcing a smile onto her pale face: "Teacher Liu, wait for me outside."

"I'm waiting for you, I'm right outside!" Liu Yimin nodded hurriedly. The corridor was chilly, but sweat was streaming down Liu Yimin's face.

The delivery room door slammed shut, and immediately heart-wrenching screams erupted from inside. Yang Xiuyun gripped Liu Yimin's shoulders anxiously, comforting him, "It's always like this, always like this."

Zhu's mother paced back and forth in the corridor. After a while, Zhu's father also came over. Zhu's father, who never smoked, ran into the corridor and smoked one cigarette after another.

Doctors and nurses came and went, and every time the delivery room door opened, the four of them felt their hearts clench.

In the delivery room, under the guidance of the doctors and nurses, Zhu Lin gritted her teeth and wiped the sweat from her face repeatedly.

Time passed slowly, the sun rose in the east, and the morning light shone through the glass of the corridor onto the floor and walls at the end of the corridor.

Liu Yimin raised his hand to check the time: "They've been inside for so long already."

“Sometimes it takes a long time to get in, don’t worry. Aunt Li is a veteran in obstetrics, she’ll definitely be fine. If anything happened, she would have come out and told us already. Pshaw, pshaw, pshaw, she’ll definitely be fine.” Zhu’s mother said, spitting and patting the wooden chair.

Zhu's father walked to the window, looked at the sun outside, and couldn't help but take out a cigarette from his pocket.

Just as they were about to light the fire, the door to the delivery room was pushed open with a bang, and the sound of wailing came from inside.

"It's born! It's born! The baby's been born!" the nurse shouted.

The four of them rushed into the delivery room, and the nurse wrapped the cleaned baby in a small cotton blanket and handed it to Liu Yimin.

Zhu's mother, Zhu's father, and Yang Xiuyun eagerly grabbed at the quilt, their faces beaming with joy.

Because the smell of Zhu's father's cigarette was too strong, Zhu's mother pushed him away.

Liu Yimin carried the child to Zhu Lin's side and asked her to hold him. Zhu Lin placed the baby beside her arm and looked at Dr. Li next to her, saying, "Aunt Li!"

Another burst of rapid baby cries came from elsewhere. Dr. Li smiled and said, "Yi Min, Lao Fang, Lao Zhu, Yang Xiuyun, congratulations! Linlin has given birth to twins."

At 4:3 a.m. on April 12, 1984, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin officially became parents. The eldest child was a boy, and the second child was a girl, with a three-minute interval between them.

Yang Xiuyun was the first to react, excitedly slapping her thigh and saying, "I knew it! They look like twins! They really are twins! Thank goodness!"

Zhu's mother and father excitedly stepped forward to hug the baby, but they bumped into each other and pushed each other away. Liu Yimin took the baby from Dr. Li's arms. The baby had a pouty mouth, a lazy expression, and sleepy eyes.

Amidst laughter, Zhu Lin was wheeled back to the ward. Looking at the two children, a few traces of color returned to her pale face.

The first to arrive to celebrate was Chu Hong, who worked at the nearby National Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chu Hong had originally planned to visit Zhu Lin, but she hadn't expected that Zhu Lin had already given birth.

Chu Hong gently teased the two children with her hands and said to Zhu Lin, "That's wonderful, Linlin. Your eyes and brows reflect the spirit of both of you. Have you thought of any names yet?"

"I've thought it through. Teacher Liu has already decided. The daughter will be named Liu Yu, and the son will be named Liu Lin." Zhu Lin smiled as she looked at Liu Yimin, who was standing next to the hospital bed.

After muttering a couple of sentences, Chu Hong's eyes lit up, and she said sourly, "No wonder she's a writer, even the names she comes up with are romantic!"

"What Tick?" Yang Xiuyun asked, puzzled.

Chu Hong smiled and said, "Auntie, it means romantic. Liu Yu, Liu Lin, Yu and Lin together make up the 'Lin' in Linlin's name—Liu Lin!"

Yang Xiuyun patted her forehead: "Oh dear, what a great name! The second son truly lives up to his intellectual reputation; he really knows how to choose a good name. What do you think, in-laws?"

"Good, good, well done, better than this professor's," Zhu's mother teased.

Chu Hong asked with a smile, "What name did Uncle give you?"

Mr. Zhu said embarrassedly, "I just came up with these names by chance, Zhao Jin and Zhao Yu."

"Zhao" means "to occur," "Jin" represents beautiful jade or virtue, and "Yu" generally means "to nurture." Together, "Zhao Yu" represents profound learning and extensive knowledge. From the meaning of each individual name, it is clear that Mr. Zhu's intention was more comprehensive and meaningful.

Chu Hong asked Zhu Lin which one she thought was better, but Zhu Lin, not wanting to fall into Chu Hong's trap, said they were both good: "However, I still prefer Liu Yu and Liu Lin, they're simple and easy to write. If they were in the Yu Hong class, the other children would already be able to write their names, but Zhao Jin and Zhao Yu wouldn't learn to write until elementary school."

During the exam, everyone else had already answered several questions, but Zhao Jin and Zhao Yu hadn't even finished writing their names!

"Hahaha!" Everyone in the delivery room laughed. Zhu's father agreed, but still said reluctantly, "It can be used as a courtesy name in the future."

After 11 a.m., the ward became lively as people kept coming to visit Zhu Lin, bringing fruit, brown sugar, and even soy milk powder.

Most of the visitors were directors and actors from the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Ouyang Shanzun, Su Min, Lan Tianye, Yu Shizhi, and others came to visit and told Zhu Lin to get some rest.

Ouyang Shanzun patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Twins, you're really lucky, kid. Treat my student well."

"Director Shanzun, what luck! This is skill!" Liu Yimin laughed.

At noon, professors and teachers from Yenching University, Wang Meng, Cui Daoyi, and Ge Luo from People's Literature, Zhou Yanru and Zhang Dening from Yenching Literature, and Zou Huofan from Poetry Journal, along with Lao Ma, all came.

Old Ma brought something unusual; he tied up a large rooster for Liu Yimin: "Is what Master Ma brought tough?"

"As hard as your body!" Liu Yimin said with a smile, introducing Lao Ma to the others.

Old Ma said to Yang Xiuyun, "You've raised a sensible and good son, and you also have a good daughter-in-law!"

Looking at the bustling ward, Wang Zengqi, standing at the door, exclaimed, "So many people! Even a literary conference wouldn't have this many people here!"

"Comrade Wang Zengqi, how come you've heard about him too?" Zhou Yanru said with a smile.

"Comrade Li Yuru, Yimin's teacher's wife, is now a playwright in a Peking Opera troupe, so of course I can get the news."

After Li Yuru completed her work "The Sorrow of Green Silk," she sent it to the Peking Opera troupe, where it is currently being rehearsed.

The ward was filled with all sorts of things. Liu Yimin said to Yan Jiayan in a low voice, "Professor Yan, please go back and tell the teachers in the department that they really don't need to come, and they don't need to bring anything if they do come."

"Is this something I can stop with just a word?" Yan Jiayan patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder, then turned and walked to the bedside, gently lifting a corner of the blanket to look at Xiao Liuyu.

Besides these people from the literary world, Zhu's parents' colleagues also came to visit them at the hospital. The constant flow of people in the corridors was already disrupting the hospital's order.

There were fewer people in the evening. Cao Yu, Li Yuru, and Wan Fang arrived, carrying gifts and food.

"That's wonderful, twins in one pregnancy, Yimin, you're so lucky!" Li Yuru held little Liu Lin and kept teasing him.

Cao Yu pointed to the fruit and nutritional supplements on the table and laughed, "We could open a supply and marketing cooperative in the future! I'll have the driver take you back whenever Xiao Lin is discharged from the hospital."

Zhu's mother glanced at Liu Yimin, then said to Yang Xiuyun, "I think we should observe for one more night and then leave. There are too many people coming and going, which will affect the hospital and Linlin's rest."

Yang Xiuyun said, "Then let's go back tomorrow. Linlin didn't sleep much today."

Cao Yu said, "Then I'll have the driver come on time tomorrow. With the huge success of 'Beloved' and 'The Best Restaurant Under Heaven,' Yimin welcomed twins. It seems good things always come in pairs!"

Around nine o'clock, Cao Yu and the others left, telling Zhu Lin to rest well in the ward. Liu Yimin also told Zhu's parents to go home, and he sat by the bedside to keep Zhu Lin company.

Yang Xiuyun and he took turns sleeping together. The two little ones were very well-behaved on the first night, and neither of them made a fuss until they started crying loudly in the morning.

Watching Zhu Lin feed the children, Yang Xiuyun couldn't help but worry, "Two children, it must be too hard for Linlin to breastfeed."

On the other hand, she was also worried that she wouldn't have enough breast milk for her two children.

Early in the morning, Mr. and Mrs. Zhu arrived with breakfast. After everyone finished eating, they began packing up to go home.

They didn't take all the fruit home, but instead gave it to the doctors and nurses in the hospital's obstetrics department.

After examining Zhu Lin, Dr. Li said, "You can be discharged now, there are no problems. However, you should be careful during your postpartum period. It's the transition from winter to spring now, and the temperature fluctuates. Be sure to keep warm, and don't let the windows blow directly on people."

Mother Zhu said, "Old Li, I understand. You've worked hard these past two days too!"

Around 11 o'clock, Liu Yimin and Zhu's mother helped Zhu Lin back to the Overseas Chinese Apartment, while Yang Xiuyun and Zhu's father each carried a child.

After taking Zhu Lin back to her bedroom, Zhu's mother opened a crack in the balcony window to let the air in the room circulate.

Liu Yimin took out his camera and took a picture of Zhu Lin. In the picture, Zhu Lin was holding a little one in each of her left and right arms, and she looked happy and natural when she smiled.

Let's take a picture together!

Liu Yimin adjusted the camera, placed it on the table, and quickly ran back to Zhu Lin's side. With a "click," time stood still.

The days when the whole family revolved around the two little ones began. Zhu's mother and father went to work during the day, and Zhu's father would come to visit after get off work at noon. Zhu's mother stayed here at night.

Yang Xiuyun and Zhu Lin usually stay at home to take care of the child. Liu Yimin also stays at home when he doesn't have classes and occasionally helps wash diapers.

Yang Xiuyun, holding the child, walked to Liu Yimin's side, teasing the little one while asking, "Yimin, are you sending rice and flour from Yanjing?"

"Mom, forget it. We're not back in our hometown, don't go through all that trouble. Besides, we've already received gifts from quite a few people."

Yang Xiuyun nodded and said, "That's true. What about the full moon celebration?"

"Let me discuss it with Linlin."

When asked, Zhu Lin told Liu Yimin, "Teacher Liu, I'll listen to you!"

"Let's have a small meal together. If we make a big fuss, a lot of people will come," Liu Yimin said.

"Row!"

A knock sounded at the door. Yang Xiuyun opened the door but didn't recognize the people who came in. However, the two people greeted her very warmly.

Liu Yimin recognized Li Jun and Wei Lian from their voices: "Director Li, Director Wei, come in quickly. Mom, these are directors from the August First Film Studio. The TV series and movies you watch were all made by them."

"That's quite an achievement! Come in quickly, come in quickly," Yang Xiuyun said enthusiastically.

The two of them flashed by, and behind them appeared two old-fashioned wooden baby carriages.

The entire frame was made of hardwood and was coated with tung oil, making it very smooth. Its overall shape was similar to that of a baby carriage in later times. The seat was a hollow semi-circle, which made it convenient for the baby to urinate and defecate.

It has four wheels, so you can also push it.

Yang Xiuyun exclaimed with delight, "Oh my, oh my, I was thinking of having Yimin's dad make two of these back in our hometown and send them to Yanjing!"

The gift touched Yang Xiuyun's heart for the first time. If her child weren't so young, she would have been eager to put the child on it and try it out.

"This was made by the prop master of the crew. It was originally going to be delivered as soon as the baby was born, but I didn't expect Yimin to be so capable. She gave birth to twins, so we rushed to make another one."

"Director Li, Director Wei, thank you for your trouble!" Liu Yimin quickly helped carry the old woman inside, and Zhu Lin came out of the bedroom to greet the two of them.

Li Jun quickly said, "Comrade Zhu Lin, you should go back and rest. You don't need to come out."

"Director Li, Director Wei, thank you so much!"

"It's nothing. Yimin is so supportive of my work, it's just a small matter. Besides, it was made by the carpenter from the props team, we're just using his work to give back to him."

Li Jun and Wei Lian held the two little ones and praised them, saying, "They look just like you two. They'll definitely be good-looking when they grow up. They can come and work as artists at our August First Film Studio."

"Director Li, perhaps both of you are writers," Wei Lian praised.

After playing with the child for a while, Yang Xiuyun took the child out. Li Jun and Wei Lian went to the study and told Liu Yimin that the TV series "The Legendary Shopkeeper" had been filmed and edited and would be broadcast on CCTV at the end of the month. After CCTV broadcast it, several local TV stations also purchased the rights.

"The TV series 'The Legendary Shopkeeper' only cost 380,000 yuan to film, which can at least earn the factory two 380,000 yuan. Factory Manager Liu couldn't stop smiling."

(End of this chapter)