"Hey, what you're saying..."

Xu Mingwan wanted to argue with him a bit more, but Zhang Xuemei couldn't hold back any longer and stopped her, saying to the tricycle driver, "Five yuan, go or not? If not, I'll get another driver."

Upon hearing this, the driver immediately stepped forward to help put the things away and replied with a smile, "Let's go, let's go right away."

Normally, a trip to the Women and Children's Hospital costs 1.5 yuan, but this one trip is equivalent to several trips!

Zhang Xuemei was too lazy to argue with him. After getting into the car, she leaned on her sister-in-law's shoulder to rest, and gritted her teeth to endure the contractions.

"Third sister-in-law, are you alright?" Xu Mingwan asked with some concern, looking at the beads of sweat on her sister-in-law's forehead.

"Hey, you can't give birth on my car, hold it in!" Before Zhang Xuemei could answer, the red car driver couldn't help but shout, afraid of getting his car dirty.

"Then why don't you hurry up?" Xu Mingwan couldn't help but retort. All you do is talk, why don't you use some strength to ride faster?

Zhang Xuemei didn't say anything, but just shook her head at her sister-in-law to indicate that she was fine.

"Alright, we've arrived. You all should get off the bus now!"

The driver slammed on the brakes and stopped the car in front of the Women and Children's Hospital, urging Zhang Xuemei and the others to get out quickly.

"Why are you rushing me? You don't need the money anymore." Xu Mingwan couldn't stand it anymore, so she carefully helped her third sister-in-law down, then took out five yuan from her pocket and handed it over.

The driver of the red tricycle took the money and rode off.

"Third Sister-in-law, will the maternal and child health hospital let us give birth there? Will they conduct any tests?"

Xu Mingwan felt a little uneasy. Family planning was being strictly enforced these days, and her third sister-in-law's pregnancy was a cover-up. Would coming to the hospital be like walking into a trap?

Zhang Xuemei leaned against her and whispered, "It's okay. When you go in later, don't say anything. Just tell them this is my first pregnancy. Just give them my ID card. It'll be fine."

Zhang Xuemei knew that there was no internet like in later generations, where you could find anything by searching on a computer.

As long as she insists it's her first child, no one can do anything about it. By the time the family planning office finds out, she'll have already given birth. Can they really help her put the baby back in?

After listening to his third sister-in-law's instructions, Xu Mingwan composed himself and then helped Zhang Xuemei walk into the hospital, calling out as they went, "Doctor, doctor, my sister-in-law is about to give birth."

...

As soon as Xu Minghan and his brother returned home, they found the house quiet and deserted.

"Aren't Third Sister-in-law and Xiao Wan home? Did they go out to play?" Xu Mingjiang wondered if Third Sister-in-law felt too stuffy and went out for some fresh air.

Xu Minghan glanced into the room and noticed that the red bag that had been placed beside the bed was gone, and he knew what was going on.

Turning to Xu Mingjiang, she said, "Your third sister-in-law might be about to give birth. I'm going to the maternal and child health hospital first. You stay home and blanch all the duck parts that need blanching, and wash all the vegetables so I can braise them when I get back."

After Xu Minghan finished speaking, he turned around and ran to the street to flag down a rickshaw and headed to the Women and Children's Hospital, leaving Xu Mingjiang, who was still wondering how his third brother knew that his third sister-in-law had gone to the hospital.

Forget it, I'd better deal with the duck products first!

As soon as Xu Mingjiang arrived at the hospital, he asked around as he walked toward the obstetrics and gynecology department, where he ran into Xu Mingwan, who was out getting water.

"Xiao Wan, how is your third sister-in-law?" Xu Minghan quickly stopped his younger sister and asked.

Xu Mingwan frowned, looked up and saw that it was her third brother, and wanted to laugh but couldn't.

She knew that her third brother and sister-in-law were hoping to have a son, but right now she was still a little girl!

Although she also liked her little niece very much, she was afraid that her third brother and the others might have other ideas.

There are many such examples in the village. After giving birth to a daughter, she would give her away to different people. She felt uncomfortable just thinking about watching her newborn niece being sent away.

"What's wrong? Is your third sister-in-law and the child alright?" Xu Minghan looked at his younger sister's furrowed brow and felt a pang of unease. Had something happened?

Thinking of the news reports on TV about women having accidents during childbirth in his past life, he couldn't stop breaking out in a cold sweat.

"No, no, my third sister-in-law and the baby are both fine. The doctor said the delivery was quick, my third sister-in-law didn't suffer much, and the baby is very healthy."

Seeing that her third brother's face was gradually turning pale and cold sweat was breaking out on his forehead, Xu Mingwan realized that her expression had given him the wrong message, so she quickly explained.

"You scared me to death, I thought something had happened! I'm going to go check on them." With that, she prepared to walk towards the ward.

"Wait, Third Brother, you'd better be prepared." Xu Mingwan stopped Xu Minghan, afraid that he would blame his third sister-in-law for not giving him a son.

Xu Minghan could tell what was going on just by looking at his younger sister's expression. He lowered his voice and said, "Are you trying to say that your third sister-in-law gave birth to a daughter?"

"Third brother, you know?" Xu Mingwan looked at his third brother in surprise. Could it be that he guessed?

Xu Minghan rolled his eyes. "We already knew. Move aside, I need to go in and see your third sister-in-law."

Xu Mingwan chuckled twice and quickly made way for her third brother to go in.

As soon as Xu Minghan entered, he saw his wife holding the baby and breastfeeding. He lowered his voice and asked, "Has your milk come in?"

Zhang Xuemei shook her head, "No! Just let her suck it."

"Are you hungry? I'll go buy you some porridge." Xu Minghan was in a hurry and didn't have any porridge at home, so he had to buy some on the spot.

In my past life, when my daughter gave birth, we hired a postpartum nanny. She said that the first meal after giving birth should be light and not too oily, as it could easily cause blocked milk ducts.

"Okay, the braised dishes haven't been made yet! You can go back later! I'm fine." Zhang Xuemei felt full of energy and didn't feel sleepy at all.

Looking at her soft and fragrant little daughter, she felt very content. She could finally make up for her regrets and watch her grow up healthy and happy. How wonderful!

"Then don't worry about it. I'll make it when I get back. Anyway, we only set up our stall in the evening."

Xu Minghan bought a bowl of porridge for his wife and then a lunch for his younger sister, asking her to stay at the hospital and that he would come and change the food later.

After finishing up here, I rushed home. The duck parts need to soak for several hours after being braised, so I also need to hurry up and finish them.

While making the braised dishes, Xu Minghan also cooked a pot of lean pork porridge, which he planned to take to the hospital for his wife.

"Xiao Jiang, you go to the night market first. Xiao Wan will be there later. You two may have a hard time these next few days, and tomorrow too. I'll be at the hospital with your third sister-in-law and the child tonight."

"Okay, I know, Third Brother, don't worry!" Xu Mingjiang patted his chest and assured him, thinking that he would have to find some time to buy some red envelopes to give to his sister-in-law and niece.

Xu Minghan rushed to the hospital with a thermos. Looking at his sleeping wife and daughter, he felt a soft feeling in his heart and was very content.

"Xiao Wan, go home and cook something for yourself tonight. Go to the night market later to help your brother. He's all alone today and might not be able to handle it. I'll stay with your sister-in-law tonight."