Chapter 157: Twins

Days passed, and Ning Xin waited for more than half a month, but she didn't even catch a glimpse of Ning Tang's biological parents.

She had spent a lot of money, and seeing that her savings were dwindling, she couldn't help but feel anxious.

Just then, she started to feel a dull pain in her lower abdomen.

At first, it was just a slight throbbing pain, but later the pain became more and more severe, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.

Curled up on the hard bed in the hotel, I didn't even have the strength to call for help.

Ning Xin then realized with a start that she might be pregnant.

Counting the days, it was Zhang Yanfei's child.

During her miscarriage, the fetus wasn't completely expelled; a baby stubbornly remained inside her.

This sudden turn of events caught Ning Xin completely off guard.

She looked at her slightly protruding belly, feeling a burning resentment, yet utterly helpless.

She is now penniless and can't even afford an abortion, let alone continue to wait for Ning Tang's biological parents.

With nowhere else to turn, Ningxin had no choice but to find a remote rural area and rent a dilapidated mud-brick house to settle down temporarily.

She barely made ends meet by doing mending and laundry work.

Life was unbearably bitter, but Ning gritted her teeth and endured it.

She planned to sell the child after it was born to raise money, and then settle accounts with Ning Tang and Xu Qiaofeng.

In the blink of an eye, a month has slipped away quietly.

——

On the other side.

When the cries from the delivery room began, Xu Qiaofeng was standing outside the door, his fists clenched, his face pale with tension.

He had just returned from a mission, travel-worn and without even having time to change out of his military uniform, and went straight to the military hospital.

The mission went smoothly, though it was fraught with peril.

He dreamed of Ning Tang's smiling face countless times, and it was this thought that kept him going.

I heard a clear cry coming from the delivery room.

Xu Qiaofeng's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly settled down.

The doctor lifted the curtain and came out, his face beaming with joy. He repeatedly congratulated Xu Qiaofeng, "Congratulations! Congratulations, Comrade Xu! Comrade Ning Tang has given birth! Twins! A boy and a girl, both perfectly healthy!"

"Twins?"

Xu Qiaofeng was stunned for a moment, then a surge of joy welled up in his heart.

He rushed into the delivery room, his eyes shining with an astonishing light.

On the delivery bed, Ning Tang's face was pale, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, but she smiled with her eyes crinkling.

Beside her lay two tiny babies, one delicately beautiful and the other chubby-cheeked.

It was obediently closing its eyes, its little mouth still moving slightly.

Xu Qiaofeng carefully walked to the bedside, afraid of disturbing the person in bed.

He reached out, wanting to touch the children's faces, but was afraid that his rough hands would hurt them.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally just gently took Ning Tang's hand.

His palms were burning hot, and his voice was terribly hoarse: "Tangtang, thank you for your hard work."

Ning Tang shook her head, looking at his travel-worn appearance, her eyes slightly reddening: "It's good that you're back."

Xu Qiaofeng leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his eyes filled with tenderness.

He looked down at Ning Tang's pale face, remembering the suffering she endured while pregnant with these two children.

She was vomiting so badly during her pregnancy that she felt dizzy and disoriented. Later on, her legs and feet swelled up so much that she couldn't even wear shoes. Meanwhile, he was still on a mission, and he had very little time to spend with her.

A wave of bittersweetness washed over me.

Xu Qiaofeng gripped her hand tighter, his voice filled with lingering fear: "It's all my fault, I couldn't protect you."

Ning Tang gently shook her head, looked up at him, her eyes full of smiles: "Your safe return is more important than anything else."

Her gaze fell on the crib next to her.

The two little ones were wrapped in matching blankets, which were made by their colleagues at the hospital.

One was sleeping soundly, while the other was kicking its little legs restlessly, its face scrunched up as if protesting something.

“Look, your brother is quick-tempered, while your sister is quiet,” Ning Tang said softly, her tone full of maternal tenderness.

Xu Qiaofeng followed her gaze, and his heart instantly melted.

He finally mustered up his courage, carefully reached out, and gently touched his son's little face with his fingertips.

It felt soft to the touch, like touching a ball of cotton.

The heat made his fingertips go numb, and he even had to slow his breathing.

"It's so small," Xu Qiaofeng murmured to himself, his eyes filled with wonder and joy.

"Tangtang, look at his nose, it's exactly the same as yours."

Ning Tang was amused by him.

Just then, the nurse came in carrying a cup of warm water and said with a smile, "Comrade Xu, you've just come back and you're already a father, and with twins at that! Everyone's so envious!"

Xu Qiaofeng grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

His usual cold and stern demeanor from the military vanished instantly, leaving only the gentle warmth of a new father.

He quickly took the water cup from the nurse and carefully fed Ning Tang water, his movements clumsy but extremely earnest.

Ning Tang took two sips and then shook her head.

She felt a warm glow in her heart as she watched Xu Qiaofeng bustling around her, taking care of her needs.

She recalled Ning Xin's attitude when she came to her door a month ago, and the news that Zhang Yanfei had been imprisoned.

Looking back on those unpleasant past events, it feels like a lifetime ago.

Fortunately, those unpleasant people and events are all in the past.

Now that she has Xu Qiaofeng and two adorable children, her future days will surely be sweeter and sweeter.

After feeding the babies water, Xu Qiaofeng went to the crib and stared at the two children for a long time.

He kept muttering to himself, "From now on, brother must protect sister and not bully her. Sister must be good and listen to Mom and Dad."

He looked just like an old father who was already starting to worry about his child growing up.

Ning Tang couldn't help but laugh when she saw him like this.

The laughter startled her son, who was sleeping restlessly.

The little one burst into tears, his voice clear and strong.

Immediately afterwards, her daughter, who was standing next to her, was also awakened and began to sob softly.

The delivery room suddenly became lively.

Xu Qiaofeng panicked instantly, standing there helplessly, looking at this and that, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Tangtang, why are they crying? Are they hungry? Or are they feeling unwell?"

Ning Tang was both amused and exasperated. She beckoned to him, "Bring your little brother over here, gently, supporting his neck."

Xu Qiaofeng quickly agreed, carefully picking up his son. His movements were stiff like a robot, as if he was afraid that he might accidentally hurt the little one in his arms.

The little one was held in someone's arms, feeling the familiar presence, and the crying gradually subsided.

The little head rubbed against his chest, making cooing sounds.

Xu Qiaofeng's heart was instantly filled with a sense of indescribable happiness that almost brought him to tears.

He looked down at the little one in his arms, his voice so gentle it could melt your heart: "You little rascal, you know how to recognize people now."

Just then, the ward door was pushed open, and Grandma Xu walked in carrying a thermos. As soon as she entered, she smiled and said, "Tangtang, Grandma made you some chicken soup to nourish your body."

Seeing Xu Qiaofeng holding the child, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "You child, your way of holding the child is wrong. Come here, Grandma will teach you."

Grandma Xu put down the thermos and stepped forward.

He patiently taught Xu Qiaofeng how to support the child's head and how to hold him comfortably.

Xu Qiaofeng studied diligently and quickly grasped the essentials, becoming much more skilled at holding his son.

Grandma Xu looked at him and nodded in satisfaction. Then she looked at Ning Tang and her eyes reddened: "My Tangtang, you've really suffered."

Ning Tang shook her head and said with a smile, "Grandma, I'm not suffering, I'm very happy."

Xu Qiaofeng carried his son to Ning Tang's bedside.

He looked at his wife and daughter on the bed, then at his son in his arms.

I feel that there has never been a more perfect moment in my life.

He lowered his head and placed a kiss on Ning Tang's forehead, his voice firm yet gentle.

"Tangtang, thank you. For the rest of my life, I will protect you and your children, and ensure your safety and well-being."

Grandma Xu sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the two adorable little ones in their swaddling clothes, her wrinkled face full of smiles.

She gently patted Ning Tang's hand, her eyes crinkling as she said, "Tangtang, these two children are so handsome, we really need to give them some nice names."

Upon hearing this, Ning Tang turned to look at Xu Qiaofeng, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Xu Qiaofeng tightened his grip on his son's arms, pondered for a moment, and already had an idea in mind.

The thing he was most grateful for in his life was that he crawled back from the brink of death.

Being able to stay with Ning Tang and the child, and for the family to live peacefully and safely in the future, is the greatest blessing.

Xu Qiaofeng looked down at his son's bright, dark eyes in his arms and said gently, "Our son will be named Xu An, An as in peace. I don't have any great wishes in this life, I just hope that he can grow up peacefully and become a down-to-earth and honest person."

Ning Tang silently murmured the name Xu An, her smile growing even gentler.

Peace and safety—this is her most sincere wish for her son.

She turned to look at her daughter beside her. The little one had stopped crying and was looking at the world with wide, round eyes.

"And what about your daughter?" Ning Tang asked softly, her eyes full of smiles.

Xu Qiaofeng carefully placed his son back in the crib, then bent down and picked up his daughter. The little one nestled against him, her soft body behaving incredibly well.

He lowered his head and gently kissed his daughter's delicate cheek, his eyes filled with doting affection.

"Our daughter will be named Xu Nian, Nian being the character for 'longing' or 'missing'."

Xu Qiaofeng's voice was slightly hoarse, yet exceptionally affectionate.

“During the days I was on missions, I thought of you every single day. This name is meant to remind her that the longing between family members is the most precious thing.”

Ning Tang's eyes instantly reddened.

She looked at Xu Qiaofeng, then at her daughter in her arms, and her heart was filled with warmth.

May you be safe and well, and may my thoughts of you remain unchanged.

These two names contain Xu Qiaofeng's deepest love for his family.

Grandma Xu listened from the side, nodding repeatedly and beaming from ear to ear: "What a wonderful name! What a wonderful name! Xu An, Xu Nian, Nian An, Ping An, what a beautiful meaning! Our Xu family has finally gained two more good babies!"

The nurses also came over to watch the fun, and joked with a smile, "Comrade Xu, you chose such a good name. It sounds nice and has a good meaning. These two children will definitely be blessed in the future."

Xu Qiaofeng grinned, tightening his grip on his daughter. He turned to Ning Tang, his eyes filled with love: "Tangtang, what do you think?"

Ning Tang nodded vigorously, her smile exceptionally bright: "I like them, I like both of these names."

"You've already given me my formal name, so let Tangtang have my nickname," Grandma Xu joked from the side.

Anyway, she's easygoing.

The child's biological parents are here, and she, as the great-grandmother, has no say in naming the child, whether it's a big name or a small name.

It's better to just stay here and hold the baby.

“A nickname…” Ning Tang pondered for a moment, her fingertips gently tracing her daughter’s soft cheek, a sly glint in her eyes.

"Let's name our little sister Tangtang, the name of which means sweet. From now on, our family's life will be as sweet as sugar."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qiaofeng looked down at his daughter in his arms and couldn't help but smile.

He gently rubbed his nose against his daughter's soft little face, his voice so tender it could melt your heart: "Tangtang, what a lovely name. Our little Tangtang will definitely grow up to be a sweet and cuddly little girl."

Grandma Xu nodded in agreement, beaming from ear to ear: "Tangtang, what a nice name! It sounds so festive! And what about the boy? What's his name?"

Ning Tang turned to look at Xu An in the crib.

The little one, perhaps hearing its own name, was staring at the ceiling with its big, bright eyes, occasionally smacking its lips.

"Let's name our little brother Stone," Ning Tang said with a smile. "He'll be as sturdy and resilient as a stone, easy to raise, and no matter what difficulties he encounters, he'll be as steady and reliable as a small stone."

"Stone!" Xu Qiaofeng's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but clap and cheer.

"What a great name! Our little stone will definitely grow up to be a strong and upright man, protecting his sister and our family!"

As he spoke, he carefully handed his daughter to Grandma Xu, then turned and walked to the crib, bending down to pick up his son.

The little guy, held in Xu Qiaofeng's arms, didn't fuss at all. Instead, he reached out his little hand and tightly grasped Xu Qiaofeng's fingers, rubbing his little head against his chest.

The formal name and the nickname have been decided.

The three of them got together again to discuss the banquet to be held after they were discharged from the hospital.

Ning Tang wasn't thinking about that; she had just given birth to two children and had already exhausted all her energy in the operating room.

With the child now in the care of Xu Qiaofeng and Grandma Xu, she felt at ease and safe, and immediately fell asleep leaning against the headboard.

Before we knew it.

It got dark quickly outside.

My older brother and sister-in-law also heard the good news and rushed over after get off work.

On the way, they also went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought a lot of good things, especially brown sugar. They took out all their money and gave it all to Ning Tang to make tea.

In a few more months.

My sister-in-law is about to give birth.

Grandma Xu and Grandpa Xu were overjoyed. Before anything else had even happened, they had already given out this year's red envelopes.

"From now on, the pomegranate tree in our Xu family courtyard will finally blossom and bear fruit!"

"Second brother, you're the only one without a girlfriend or kids right now. With two months left until Chinese New Year, hurry up and bring someone home!"

Xu Qiaoyan: "..."

Seeing his lifeless expression, everyone in the ward exchanged smiles.

(End of article)