Chapter 207 is a big, fat boy.

The nurse smiled and handed the freshly cleaned and tightly wrapped swaddle to Zhao Wenchang.

Zhao Wenchang had just lifted a 100-pound person with his bare hands, but now, faced with this soft, red little bundle of flesh, he was at a loss.

He was stiff all over, his arms outstretched as if he were holding a bomb, and carefully took the child from him, not daring to breathe too hard, for fear that he might crush the fragile little thing if he used even the slightest force.

The little guy had his eyes closed, his brows furrowed tightly, and his face was smaller than the palm of a hand.

Le Yunyun, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, leaned over and craned her neck to watch the spectacle.

She stretched out her finger and poked the baby's wrinkled cheek with a look of disgust: "Oh dear, this child looks... it's really hard to describe. He's wrinkled like a hairless little monkey. He doesn't have any of Sister Wanqiu's beauty or your heroic spirit, Commander Zhao. He's too ugly."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenchang's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Although he looked down at the little red-skinned rat in his arms and wondered why he looked like this, he was still his own son and had to protect him.

He immediately turned to the side, his broad back blocking Le Yunyun's disdainful gaze, and retorted firmly, "Go away, what do you know! Newborn babies are all like this, they haven't fully grown yet. This is called... this is called not fully developed yet! In a couple of days, once they've fully grown, they'll be towering, handsome men!"

...

After all that, Jiang Wanqiu was transferred to the best-equipped single-patient ward.

When she woke up from her nap, the rain had stopped outside the window, and the sky was just beginning to lighten. She felt much better, and the pain in her abdomen had eased somewhat. The postpartum nanny and housekeeper that Cui's mother had specially arranged were quietly busy in the outer room.

Jiang Wanqiu turned her head and her gaze fell on the bedside table, and she couldn't help but chuckle.

The cabinet was piled high with items—pink baby onesies, lace-trimmed hats, and even two blonde, blue-eyed dolls.

Zhao Wenchang was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a pink floral onesie in his hand, gesturing it over his sleeping son, his expression one of utter heartache.

Seeing that Jiang Wanqiu was awake, Zhao Wenchang threw the pink dress onto the bed and complained with a face full of annoyance, "Wife, you don't know, for the past few months I've been dreaming of a soft and cuddly little girl, who looks exactly like you, with two little braids, so adorable. I even thought of a name for her, 'Zhao Wanwan' or 'Zhao Xiaoqiu,' but instead, a stinky boy has appeared."

He pointed to the pile of pink clothes and sighed heavily: "Look, it's all wasted now. I was thinking of dressing my daughter up nicely, but now look what's happened. If this kid goes out wearing this, he'll be laughed at by the other kids in the compound and won't be able to hold his head up high."

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Jiang Wanqiu couldn't help but burst out laughing, and her originally pale face regained some color.

"You're such a typical case of favoring girls over boys." Jiang Wanqiu reached out and gently grasped Zhao Wenchang's large hand, softly comforting him, "Sons are good too, they're tough and can withstand a lot of hardship. When they grow up, they can be like you, protecting their mother and their yet-to-be-born younger siblings."

She turned to look at the baby who was spitting bubbles, her eyes gentle. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Let's give him a nickname, 'Little Stone.' This birth was so dangerous, he almost... I hope he'll be strong and resilient like a stone, able to withstand storms and live a peaceful life."

Zhao Wenchang's heart stirred upon hearing this. He looked at his son, his words tinged with disdain, but his eyes were filled with undisguised love.

He stretched out his rough fingers and gently touched the child's tiny fist, which was no bigger than a walnut, and nodded: "Okay, let's call him Little Stone. It's a sturdy name, and he'll be easy to raise."

A few days later, Zhao Wenchang was still leisurely helping to take care of the child, but Jiang Wanqiu couldn't sit still anymore.

She noticed that Zhao Wenchang had been staying in the ward for two days and two nights since she gave birth, almost never leaving her side. He would even hang up the phone when it rang at the regimental headquarters, and sometimes he would even unplug the phone line.

“Wenchang,” Jiang Wanqiu looked at him with some concern. Zhao Wenchang was peeling an apple for her, the peel was so thin and long that it didn’t break. “Can you stay here with me and not go to work? You’ve just been transferred to Beijing, it’s a very important time. Won’t this interfere with your work?”

Zhao Wenchang paused for a moment while peeling the apple, then continued to turn the blade as if nothing had happened, peeling off the last bit of skin, cutting off a piece and handing it to Jiang Wanqiu's mouth.

"Don't worry, you can eat. It'll be fine."

Watching Jiang Wanqiu take a bite of her apple, Zhao Wenchang pulled up a chair and sat closer. "This matter isn't so simple. That doctor surnamed Liu is a spineless coward. Before we could even use any methods, he confessed everything. It was that crazy woman from the Yue family, Yilianxin, who instigated it."

Upon hearing this name, a hint of hostility flashed in Zhao Wenchang's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

"The Cui and Yue families have been fighting each other for years, and in the past they only tried to trip each other up. But this time, the Yue family has decided to kill, and they even did it in a place like a military hospital. That's breaking the rules and crossing the line."

Zhao Wenchang took out a tissue and wiped his hands, his tone calm but with a hint of coldness: "It's very chaotic outside right now, and there's a fierce political struggle and purge going on above. Minister Cui specially gave me 'paternity leave,' which means I have to stay here obediently."

"This is actually to protect us," Zhao Wenchang explained. "The Cui family is using this as an excuse to completely remove the spies the Yue family has planted in the military region and the Ministry of Commerce. The scene will likely be very bloody, and many people will be involved. If I were to step in now, even to seek justice for you, I would be criticized for settling personal scores, which would give them ammunition. Moreover, the Yue family is now desperate and will resort to any means necessary. If I were to wander around outside, they might retaliate against me."

As he spoke, he tucked the blanket around Jiang Wanqiu's neck: "So what Minister Cui means is that the Cui family will shield us from the storms outside, while they will handle the knife. I'll just stay home and be a 'victim'."

After listening, Jiang Wanqiu nodded thoughtfully.

She's a smart woman; she understands immediately. This is the Cui family currying favor with Zhao Wenchang, or rather, with the forces behind him. They're both winning people's hearts and demonstrating the Cui family's ruthless power.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and fell on Little Stone's face. The little guy seemed to sense the light and shifted restlessly.

Three days passed in a flash. Jiang Wanqiu was in good health, and all her test results came back normal. The doctor approved her discharge.

Zhao Wenchang, who is usually decisive and efficient, has become indecisive and hesitant at this moment.

Despite it being a sunny day, he insisted on wrapping Jiang Wanqiu in three layers of sheets, scarves, and hats, making her look like a big rice dumpling, with only her clear black and white eyes showing.

Ignoring Jiang Wanqiu's protests, he scooped her up and shoved her into the jeep, as if afraid his wife would catch even a gust of wind.

The jeep came to a smooth stop in front of the small villa. As soon as I got out of the car, the yard was filled with pomegranate blossoms, blooming bright red like clusters of burning flames, a festive sight.

The guard, Xiao Zhang, was waiting at the door early in the morning. As soon as the car came to a stop, he stepped forward, saluted, and reported in a low voice, "Commander, the security level in the area has been raised. Several unfamiliar faces tried to loiter around here these past two days, but they were all questioned and asked to leave. Don't worry, not even a fly can get in."

Zhao Wenchang nodded. Of course, no one could lay a finger on his wife and children.

As night fell, the small villa was brightly lit.

Little Stone had just finished being fed and was sleeping soundly in his soft, not-so-pretty little bed.

The family gathered around the bed, watching the little face gradually relax, their hearts melting completely.

Jiang Wanqiu gently tucked the blanket around her, then suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to Zhao Wenchang: "Wenchang, you've given birth, and it's a son! This is a big deal. We need to hurry and tell our parents back in the countryside the good news. We've been in Beijing for so long, and although we send money back every month, we haven't had any proper contact. They probably don't even know I've given birth yet."

"Ouch!" Zhao Wenchang slapped his forehead in frustration. "Look at my brain! I was so busy being happy and arguing with those bastards that I completely forgot about this. If my parents knew we had a grandson, they would be overjoyed."

He immediately pulled out paper and pen, and lay down on the table to prepare to write the telegram.

Jiang Wanqiu read slowly and deliberately, "First, we need to let everyone know that both mother and child are safe and sound, and the baby weighs 8.8 pounds. Second..." She paused, her eyes filled with a smile, "Wenchang, do you think we should bring your parents over to stay for a while? Our house is spacious, and I've never taken care of a child before. You're so busy with work, so let them come and see their grandson. They can also help out and teach me how to take care of the baby, so I can enjoy some peace and quiet."

Zhao Wenchang nodded: "I'll do as you say! I'll write it right away and have them come quickly!"

...

Thousands of miles away, Liujia Village is surrounded by green mountains.

At noon, everyone was squatting under the big tree at the village entrance, eating and chatting.

Suddenly, the village secretary, waving a piece of paper in his hand, rushed breathlessly to the Zhao family's house, his shoes nearly falling off.

"Old Zhao! Old Zhao! Come out quickly!"

The village secretary, leaning on his knees and panting heavily, shouted in a voice loud enough to be heard half the village: "Your Wenchang... Wenchang sent a telegram! It's wonderful news! He had a baby! A big, healthy boy! He weighed eight pounds and eight ounces! The telegram also said that Wenchang is now a high-ranking official in Beijing, and he wants you to go and enjoy your retirement!"

Zhao Xiaohua was feeding the chickens in the yard when she heard this, and the winnowing basket in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter".

She froze for two seconds, then tears streamed down her face as she covered her mouth, sobbing with joy: "The Zhao family has an heir! May our ancestors bless us!"

Zhao Shan, a normally quiet and unassuming man, stumbled out of the room.

He rubbed the black mud off his clothes with both hands before shakily accepting the thin telegram.

As he looked at the contents, his hands trembled like leaves, his wrinkled face turned red, and in the end he could only chuckle foolishly at the Party Secretary, his eyes reddening as he laughed.

"Tap, tap, tap."

The sound of a cane hitting the ground came from inside the house, and Ma Jinhua came out as well.

She walked up to Zhao Shan, snatched the telegram, rubbed the red stamp on it with her rough thumb, and shouted in a loud voice, "What are you crying for! This is a great joy for our Zhao family! We should be laughing! Eldest son, go and hang up that string of 1,000 firecrackers we saved for the New Year! I want to hear a bang today!"

Not long after, the deafening crackling of firecrackers erupted in front of the Zhao family's house. Red paper scraps fell in abundance, carpeting the ground like a red carpet over the dusty farmhouse.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire village.