On the day of their spring outing, the sky was exceptionally blue, with clouds drifting like snowflakes. Shen Tingzhou drove, Lin Wanqiu sat in the passenger seat, and Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi sat in the back, chattering excitedly about what fun things they would do at the botanical garden. As the car drove away from the city, the fields along the roadside were filled with golden rapeseed flowers. A gust of wind would create waves of blossoms, like a golden ocean. Shen Nianxi pressed her face against the car window and excitedly exclaimed, "Mom, look! The rapeseed flowers are so beautiful!" Lin Wanqiu smiled and nodded, her heart filled with joy—such moments, peaceful and beautiful, were a happiness she had never dared to dream of in her previous life.
Upon arriving at the botanical garden, Shen Tingzhou helped Lin Wanqiu walk slowly, while Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi ran and skipped ahead like two happy little birds. The peonies in the botanical garden were in full bloom, red, pink, and white, with large blossoms adorning the branches, a sight so beautiful it was hard to look away. Shen Nianxi held Lin Wanqiu's hand, insisting on taking pictures in front of the peony bushes. Shen Tingzhou took out his camera and snapped a photo, capturing the beautiful moment. Shen Nian'an, meanwhile, explained the different varieties of peonies to them, from the flower shape to the colors, speaking eloquently and knowledgeably, prompting nearby tourists to praise, "This child is so knowledgeable; she knows more than us adults."
At noon, they had a picnic on the lawn of the botanical garden. Shen Tingzhou spread out a picnic blanket, and Lin Wanqiu took out the food she had prepared—sandwiches she had made herself, braised dishes, and tea eggs that Grandma Shen had boiled that morning. Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi ate with great relish, while Shen Tingzhou would occasionally hand Lin Wanqiu water and serve her food, his eyes full of doting affection. The sunlight shone on them, warm and cozy, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers; everything was as beautiful as a painting.
"Mom, let's come again next time after my little brother and sister are born, okay?" Shen Nianxi leaned against Lin Wanqiu, her little hand gently touching her belly, her eyes full of anticipation. Lin Wanqiu smiled and nodded, "Okay, then our whole family will come, so my little brother and sister can see such beautiful scenery too." Shen Nian'an also said, "Mom, I'll help you take care of my little brother and sister, teach them math, and play with them." Looking at her two sensible children, Lin Wanqiu was filled with emotion. She knew that this family was more complete and warmer because of them.
Time flies, and summer is here in the blink of an eye. The July sun is particularly scorching, and the cicadas chirp incessantly, as if cheering for the upcoming joy. Lin Wanqiu's due date is drawing near, and Shen Tingzhou has taken a special leave to stay home and take care of her. Grandma Shen is also inseparable from her, preparing nourishing soups for her every day and reminding her to rest. Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi are also on summer vacation, spending every day at home with Lin Wanqiu, telling her stories, and massaging her legs. The whole family is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new life.
On July 16th, Lin Wanqiu suddenly began experiencing abdominal pain, and Shen Tingzhou immediately drove her to the hospital. Along the way, he held Lin Wanqiu's hand tightly, his voice tinged with anxiety: "Wanqiu, don't be afraid, I'm here." Lin Wanqiu leaned on his shoulder, and despite the excruciating pain, she still smiled and said, "I'm not afraid. With you and the children here, I'm not afraid of anything." Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctor examined her and said, "Your cervix is dilated; prepare to go to the delivery room." Shen Tingzhou accompanied her to the delivery room, watching her being helped inside by the nurses, his heart filled with anxiety and anticipation.
Grandma Shen, Shen Nian'an, and Shen Nianxi waited outside the delivery room. Grandma Shen paced back and forth in the corridor, her hands clasped together, murmuring, "May the Bodhisattva protect us, may mother and child be safe." Shen Nian'an held Shen Nianxi's hand tightly; though he tried to appear calm, his slightly trembling fingertips betrayed his nervousness. Shen Nianxi leaned against her brother and whispered, "Brother, will Mother be alright? I'm so worried about her." Shen Nian'an patted her head and said firmly, "No, Mother is so strong, she'll be fine. We'll see our little brother and sister soon."
After an unknown amount of time, a loud cry of a newborn baby echoed from the delivery room, like a warm current instantly filling everyone's hearts. The doctor came out, smiling, and said, "Congratulations, it's a girl! Mother and daughter are safe!" Shen Tingzhou immediately rushed over, his voice choked with emotion, "How is my wife? Is she alright?" The doctor smiled and said, "The mother is fine, just a little tired. She'll be fine after a rest." Upon hearing the words "girl," Grandma Shen was so excited that tears streamed down her face, murmuring, "Good, good, it's a girl, just as beautiful as Nianxi." Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi also jumped up excitedly. Shen Nianxi grabbed Shen Tingzhou's hand and said, "Dad, let's go see Mom and my little sister!"
Entering the ward, Lin Wanqiu lay on the bed, her face somewhat pale, yet still smiling. Beside her, in her crib, lay a tiny baby, eyes closed, lips slightly pouting, like a little angel. Shen Tingzhou walked to the bedside, gently taking Lin Wanqiu's hand, his eyes filled with tenderness and joy: "Wanqiu, you've worked so hard." Lin Wanqiu shook her head, looking at her daughter in the crib, her eyes full of tenderness: "It's not hard at all, look how adorable she is."
Grandma Shen walked to the crib, carefully looking at her granddaughter. She gently touched the baby's tiny hand, the soft touch filling her with joy: "What a beautiful little girl! Her eyes are like yours, her nose like Tingzhou's. She'll definitely grow up to be a great beauty." Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi also came over to look. Shen Nian'an whispered, "My little sister is so tiny. I'll definitely protect her well in the future." Shen Nianxi reached out and gently touched her little sister's cheek, smiling as she said, "Little sister, I'm your older sister. I'll play with you and tell you stories."
When it came time to name their daughter, the whole family gathered around to discuss it. Shen Tingzhou said, "Didn't we agree on Nianyao before? I think this name is very good. I hope she can be as pure and beautiful as jade." Lin Wanqiu nodded, "I also think Nianyao is good. Shen Nianyao sounds very nice." Grandma Shen smiled and said, "Nianyao, a good name. Let's call her Nianyao." Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi also happily said, "Our little sister is named Nianyao, that's wonderful!" From then on, the Shen family had a lovely little princess, and the family's life became even happier and more fulfilling because of her arrival.
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