1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Chapter 148 The Hospital Ward on Lunar New Year's Eve

Every family has its cupboard.

Although it's unclear what each family is thinking, Dong Jianguo isn't having an easy time at the hospital either.

As a first-time mother, Xiuyun experiences contractions every so often.

Fortunately, even though it was Lunar New Year's Eve, there were still doctors on duty who would come to the ward every now and then to check on the pregnant women.

During the initial check-up, Dong Jianguo went out to get hot water for Xiuyun, and just missed it.

He did manage to catch the check-up at 8 p.m.

The female doctor approached the edge of the bed, her gloved hand reaching directly inside, her movements swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

"How are you feeling now? Is the pain still bearable?"

Dong Jianguo gasped, "Doctor, how can this not hurt?"

The female doctor glanced at her in surprise: "Isn't this how all the examinations are done?! What's the big deal?"

Xiuyun looked at Dong Jianguo somewhat embarrassedly and answered the doctor's question in a low voice: "It still comes in waves—"

Xiuyun's voice was very soft, clearly indicating that she didn't have much strength.

The female doctor withdrew her hand, turned to look at the dumbfounded Dong Jianguo, and frowned slightly: "The woman is only two centimeters dilated, and there's still a long way to go. She's a first-time mother, and judging from the looks of it, she'll be in labor for at least a night, and won't give birth until tomorrow morning at the earliest."

"During this period, you should eat small, frequent meals. You can add an extra meal now, preferably something rich in high-quality protein such as eggs, chicken, fish, or beef, to quickly provide energy to maintain your strength."

"Before she goes into the delivery room tomorrow, her family should prepare some chocolates, bananas, or something similar, understand?"

Looking at the unidentified liquid on the female doctor's hands, and then at his wife's pained and contorted face, Dong Jianguo couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

He had never helped Xiuyun give birth in his previous life; this was his first time doing so in this life.

Seeing this inspection method, I couldn't help but feel a little confused.

The female doctor frowned at his expression: "What are you all standing there for?! Hurry up and get ready!"

"Ah, I packed dinner for my wife—"

As Dong Jianguo spoke, he took three boxed meals from the radiator in the ward and opened them in front of Xiuyun.

This was dinner he made fresh when he got home in the afternoon, and he kept it warm on the radiator to keep it from getting cold.

As soon as the lunchbox was opened, a puff of steam rose out.

The room was filled with the aroma of food in an instant.

Dong Jianguo not only cooked chicken and fish, but also stewed a lunchbox of sea cucumber and millet porridge for Xiuyun.

The protein content is definitely sufficient.

Seeing that he was well-prepared, the doctor stopped arguing, nodded to Xiuyun, and turned to leave.

The rich aroma drew envious glances from the other mothers in the delivery room.

"Oh, Xiuyun, your man is so caring! Unlike mine, he left me all alone in the hospital room during the New Year, insisting on going home to drink with his brothers—"

"Exactly! I think your husband has been watching over you for almost a whole day. He only went home this afternoon to cook a meal, and then rushed over again. Tsk tsk tsk, Xiuyun, you're so lucky!"

There are four beds in the hospital, and three people are already living there, including Xiuyun.

The other two are older than Xiuyun. One is experiencing some spotting during her second trimester and is therefore at the hospital for pregnancy preservation treatment. The other, like Xiuyun, will be going into the delivery room tomorrow to give birth.

In the afternoon, both of them were accompanied by family members.

But when it came time for the New Year's Eve dinner, all the family members went home, leaving only the two of them alone.

At this moment, only Dong Jianguo, a family member, was still with the patient in the ward.

Hearing the two men talk about her husband like that, Xiuyun felt happy despite her physical pain.

Even during the brief moments between contractions, her gaze towards Dong Jianguo was full of tenderness.

After Dong Jianguo and Xiuyun finished their porridge, they put the lunchbox aside.

The First People's Hospital of Hecheng, as the best hospital in the city, still had very limited conditions in 95.

Apart from a few beds, there were no facilities for entertainment in the ward.

Fortunately, Dong Jianguo was thoughtful enough to bring a small radio when he returned home in the afternoon.

Although at that time the broadcasting rights for the Spring Festival Gala belonged only to the television station, radio stations could not broadcast it simultaneously.

However, radio channels at that time still prepared their own radio programs for listeners.

Even the local radio station in Hecheng broadcasts song request programs and audio clips of past Spring Festival Gala skits.

That sounds quite interesting.

In any case, some form of entertainment is better than letting the three pregnant women lie around doing nothing.

There was a girl in the village named Xiaofang. She was beautiful and kind, with a pair of big, beautiful eyes and thick, long braids. On the night before we returned to the city, you and I came to the riverbank. Tears I had never shed before flowed with the river. Thank you for the love you gave me. I will never forget it in this life. Thank you for the gentleness you gave me, which accompanied me through that era. How many times have I looked back on the road I have traveled? I sincerely wish you well, kind girl. How many times have I looked back on the road I have traveled? You stood by the village. The song "Xiaofang" played on the radio was a song from 93, but it became a huge hit in 94.

Hearing this song on the Spring Festival Gala in 95 had a truly unique feeling.

It has to be said that some old songs are just particularly enjoyable to listen to and sing.

Although he hadn't heard this song for many years, Dong Jianguo couldn't help but hum along with the radio broadcast.

Seeing Xiuyun, whom he had lost and found, right beside him, he couldn't help but hum a tune as he tightened his grip on Xiuyun's hand.

To be honest, Xiuyun really was the woman who accompanied him through this era.

This is one of a kind, irreplaceable.

"Jianguo, it's been so long since I've heard you sing—"

When the song ended and she heard Dong Jianguo's singing, Xiuyun felt that she was in less pain, and even the little one in her belly became much calmer.

"Wow, girl, your boyfriend is not only handsome, but he sings so well too!"

"Say less and let them sing a few more songs, I love to hear them!"

Hearing the requests from the other two pregnant women, Xiuyun tugged at Dong Jianguo's hand: "Why don't you sing me a few more songs? I love listening to them too."

What song would you like to hear?

Looking at the somewhat weak Xiuyun, Dong Jianguo's eyes showed a tenderness he had never seen before.

"New Mandarin Duck and Butterfly Dream" — This song is quite nice.

Dong Jianguo nodded and hummed softly: "Yesterday, like the flowing water of the East, has gone far away from me and cannot be retained; today, it troubles my heart with many worries—"

A magnetic voice, filled with love, filled the ward.

Dong Jianguo spent the night revisiting every classic old song he could think of until Xiuyun fell into a deep sleep.

Looking at his sleeping wife, Dong Jianguo kissed her forehead and casually tucked the blanket around her.

Although Xiuyun could feel waves of pain even in her sleep, with her husband by her side, she felt a sense of peace and security she had never experienced before.

No matter how much it hurts—I'm not afraid!