Chapter 157 Xiaoman

The next morning, Nan Zhiyi was awakened by the little guy's whimpering.

She took the baby from Gu Xiao and breastfed him.

This time it seems to have gone much more smoothly.

After feeding the baby, Gu Xiao took the child away and told her to get out of bed to wash up.

Nan Zhiyi had just come out of the bathroom when she heard a noise coming from the door of the ward.

Commander Gu and Gu Yan walked in one after the other, followed by Aunt Wu and Xiao Li carrying insulated containers.

Nan Zhiyi was very surprised, especially when she saw Gu Yan.

"Gu Yan, you're back?"

Gu Yan, travel-worn but with a bright smile on his face, strode in and immediately looked at the swaddled baby in Gu Xiao's arms: "Dad called yesterday to tell me the good news, and I drove back right away! Let me see my nephew!"

He leaned closer, exclaiming in a series of exclamations, "Wow! I was right, you really did have a nephew! Wow! He's all wrinkled and a bit ugly..."

Before he could finish speaking, he received a solid slap on the back of the head from Commander Gu: "You bastard! You were even uglier when you were born!"

After scolding his son, Commander Gu turned to Nan Zhiyi with a much gentler expression. He took out a thick red envelope from his pocket and handed it to her: "Zhiyi, you've worked hard. I didn't dare to come over yesterday because I was afraid of disturbing your rest. This is from your grandfather to his grandson, please accept it."

Gu Yan rubbed the back of his head, grinned, and handed Nan Zhiyi an equally thick red envelope: "And mine! A gift for my nephew! I brought back a lot of things from the South! Milk powder, new-style bottles, baby clothes, and a rocking crib! And some supplements for you, like donkey-hide gelatin and longan..."

Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but chuckle: "Thank you so much, Gu Yan, you've gone to too much trouble."

Gu Xiao patted his younger brother on the shoulder: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Gu Yanhun waved his hand dismissively, then leaned closer to his nephew, staring at him intently: "No need for thanks, we're like brothers. If I end up a bachelor and never get married, I'll be counting on my nephew to take care of me in my old age."

Upon hearing this, Commander Gu's eyes widened, and he tried to raise his hand again, but Gu Yan nimbly dodged it.

Aunt Wu placed the breakfast she brought on the small square table. "Zhiyi, eat it while it's hot. Commander Gu, you should eat too, you've been keeping watch all night."

Gu Xiao nodded and helped Nan Zhiyi eat breakfast at the small square table.

Commander Gu and Gu Yan stood on either side of the small cot, their eyes fixed on the baby.

Gu Yan found it more and more interesting, and reached out to touch the little fist. The soft touch made his heart melt.

He looked up and asked, "Brother, Zhiyi, have you chosen a name for my nephew yet?"

Gu Xiao shook his head: "It's not decided yet. I haven't thought about a formal name or a nickname."

Nan Zhiyi suggested, "Why don't we ask Dad to help us come up with a good name? Dad is knowledgeable and will definitely choose a good name."

She looked at Commander Gu.

Commander Gu straightened his back unconsciously and said with extra seriousness, "Okay, leave this to me. I'll go back and flip through the dictionary to choose a few words with auspicious meanings."

Gu Yan chimed in with a chuckle, "You've troubled Dad with the formal name, but I'll choose the nickname. Hmm, this kid was born in May, which is a good time of year, so how about 'Xiaoman'? Xiaoman, Xiaoman, the wheat grains are gradually filling out, it has a good meaning, and it's easy to pronounce!"

He was quite pleased with his sudden inspiration.

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Xiao exchanged a glance and agreed that the name was both fitting and meaningful.

After sitting for a while, Commander Gu stood up and said, "Alright, Zhiyi needs to rest more after giving birth, so we won't disturb her any longer. I'm going to the ministry, Xiao Liu, you take me there. I'll go home and get a good night's sleep later, so don't make a fuss here."

He instructed Xiao Li to stay and help run errands.

Gu Xiao also said to Gu Yan, "Go back and rest, take a shower and change your clothes. Come see your nephew when you feel better."

Gu Yan was still a little reluctant to leave. He touched his newfound nephew one last time before leaving with Commander Gu, turning back to look at him every few steps.

Not long after, Director Zhang came to make his rounds with doctors and nurses.

She carefully examined Nan Zhiyi.

"The recovery is really good. The lochia and contractions are normal. I can get out of bed and move around on my own, and my breast milk has started to come in. Normally, after a vaginal delivery, you can stay in the hospital for two or three days for observation. If there are no problems, you can be discharged and go home."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiao said, "Director Zhang, can't she stay a few more days? She's still weak, and her child is still young. If something happens to her at home, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."

Director Zhang understood his feelings and explained, "Commander Gu, your wife's recovery is going very well. There are many patients in the hospital, and the environment is noisy. It's not as comfortable and reassuring as resting at home. As long as you pay attention to keeping her clean, eating properly, and maintaining a stable mood, there won't be any problems. Just come to the hospital for a check-up if she has any discomfort."

Nan Zhiyi tugged at Gu Xiao's sleeve: "Let's listen to the doctor. I feel much better and want to go home; it's more convenient than staying here."

Gu Xiao looked at the doctor, then at his wife, and nodded reluctantly: "Then, let's observe for two more days. If the situation is still this good, we'll discharge her."

Director Zhang smiled and agreed, "Alright, then we'll observe for a while longer. Don't worry, we'll make the arrangements."

For the next two days, Nan Zhiyi only needed to focus on feeding the baby and taking care of her personal hygiene.

Every day, Aunt Wu brings different meals. Looking at the weather, she can't help but sigh, "It's truly a blessing from God that I was born in May. It's neither too hot nor too cold, just the most comfortable time. If it were the sweltering heat of July or August, both adults and children would suffer."

It wasn't until Director Zhang examined Nan Zhiyi again and confirmed that she was recovering very well that Gu Xiao agreed to discharge her from the hospital.

On the day of his discharge, Xiao Li was busy with the procedures.

Ignoring Nan Zhiyi's protests, Gu Xiao wrapped her up from head to toe, covering her with a coat, hat, and scarf, as if afraid that even a gust of wind might blow her away.

Gu Yan rushed over to help, his movements stiff as he held the child, his eyes overflowing with affection: "Our Xiaoman is getting cuter and cuter, she's simply the most well-behaved baby in the world! Hehe."

The group of people boarded the jeep and drove home in a large procession.

Aunt Wu was already waiting at the door. She first looked Nan Zhiyi up and down, and seeing that she looked alright, she was completely relieved. She said repeatedly, "It's good that you're back. I'm making angelica and astragalus chicken soup, which is very good for replenishing qi and blood. I'll bring it upstairs in a bit!"

"Thank you, Aunt Wu, you've worked hard."

Gu Xiao carried Nan Zhiyi steadily upstairs and placed her on the bed.

He turned around and closed the window a little smaller, leaving only a crack.

Nan Zhiyi was bundled up tightly, sweating profusely, and couldn't help but glare at him: "Gu Xiao! I'm so hot! There's no breeze outside!"

Gu Xiao looked at her flushed cheeks, his brows furrowing: "Everyone says you can't be exposed to drafts during postpartum confinement, or you'll develop health problems later..."

"That won't suffocate me..."

Gu Xiao couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he had to compromise and open the window a little wider, bring in warm water, and carefully wipe the sweat off her face with a towel.