A midsummer breeze, carrying the fresh scent of wheat fields, swept across the eaves of the Hongqi Production Brigade. The sunflowers in the Shen family courtyard had grown taller than a person, their large flower heads facing the sun, their golden petals shimmering in the sunlight. Lin Wanqiu leaned against a wicker chair on the veranda, gently stroking her swollen belly, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead—her due date had passed by two days, but the baby hadn't shown any signs of life, leaving her both expectant and anxious.
"Late Autumn, have some mung bean soup to cool down." Zhang Lan came over with a bowl of chilled mung bean soup and carefully handed it to her. Since she came to help, Zhang Lan has been making nutritious meals for Lin Wanqiu every day, from millet porridge to crucian carp soup, and now to refreshing mung bean soup, each one is made with care and deliciousness.
Lin Wanqiu took the bowl and sipped the mung bean soup. The sweet coolness slid down her throat, relieving some of the heat. "Thank you, Zhang Lan. You've really worked hard these past few days."
"Sister-in-law, what are you saying?" Zhang Lan waved her hand with a smile. "I'm happy to be of help. Besides, Brother Tingzhou gave me a raise, so I have to work even harder." Her gaze fell on Lin Wanqiu's lower abdomen, and her tone was concerned. "Is the baby still not showing any signs? Should we ask Brother Tingzhou to call a doctor to take a look?"
“No need,” Lin Wanqiu shook her head. “The doctor came to see me yesterday and said everything was normal. He told me to wait a little longer. Maybe there will be some movement today.” Just as she finished speaking, a slight pain suddenly came from her lower abdomen, making her frown involuntarily.
Zhang Lan quickly helped her up: "Sister-in-law, what's wrong? Are you about to give birth? I'll go call Brother Tingzhou!" She then started to run outside.
"Don't panic," Lin Wanqiu pulled her back. "It's just mild contractions, it should be early. Help me back inside to lie down, we can call him when the contractions become more frequent."
Zhang Lan nodded and carefully helped Lin Wanqiu back to the house to lie down, then covered her with a light blanket: "Sister-in-law, you should rest well. I'll go to the kitchen to heat up some chicken soup so you'll have the strength when you give birth."
Lin Wanqiu lay in bed, feeling the waves of pain in her lower abdomen, her heart filled with both nervousness and anticipation. She recalled the scene from her dream last night about Nianxi, the exquisitely beautiful little girl smiling at her, her soft voice calling "Mama," making her unable to help but smile. She gently stroked her lower abdomen and whispered, "Nianxi, Mama is waiting for you to come out, and Daddy and Brother are also looking forward to you."
The contractions became more frequent and intense. Lin Wanqiu gritted her teeth, beads of sweat constantly sliding down her forehead, soaking her pillowcase. Zhang Lan kept wiping her sweat, offering words of encouragement: "Sister-in-law, hang in there! Just a little longer, the baby will be out soon!"
When Shen Tingzhou returned from the workshop, he heard Lin Wanqiu's cries of pain coming from inside the house, and he immediately panicked. He rushed into the house and grabbed Lin Wanqiu's hand: "Wanqiu, how are you? Has the doctor arrived?"
"Not yet..." Lin Wanqiu said weakly, "The contractions are becoming more and more frequent, you should go and get a doctor quickly..."
"Okay, I'll go right now!" Shen Tingzhou said, then turned and ran out. He ran frantically, his heart filled with anxiety, wishing he could get the doctor here immediately.
A short while later, Shen Tingzhou returned with the doctor. The doctor examined Lin Wanqiu and said that her cervix was almost fully dilated, and everyone should prepare for the delivery. Old Mrs. Shen also rushed over upon hearing the news, carrying brown sugar and millet that she had prepared beforehand, her face full of tension and anticipation.
"Wanqiu, don't be afraid, your mother is here." Old Mrs. Shen walked to the bedside, held Lin Wanqiu's other hand, and spoke with unprecedented tenderness, "When I gave birth to Tingzhou and his brothers, it was even harder than for you. Just grit your teeth and get through it."
Lin Wanqiu was deeply moved by the concerned look in Grandma Shen's eyes. She nodded vigorously and began to push under the doctor's guidance. The contractions grew stronger and stronger, almost making her faint, but when she thought of Nianxi who was about to be born, and of the expectant eyes of Shen Tingzhou and Nian'an, she regained her strength.
"Give it your all! The baby's head is almost out!" the doctor shouted.
Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath, mustered all her strength, and with a cry of "Wah!", the baby was finally born. The doctor, holding the baby, smiled and said, "It's a girl, six pounds eight ounces, very healthy!"
Upon hearing the word "girl," Lin Wanqiu's tears instantly streamed down her face. She had finally seen Nianxi, the little girl who had appeared countless times in her dreams, who was now truly by her side.
The doctor cleaned the baby, wrapped her in a small blanket, and handed her to Lin Wanqiu. Lin Wanqiu carefully held the baby, looking at her rosy little face, her heart filled with happiness. The baby's eyes were closed, her little mouth slightly open, occasionally letting out a soft, sweet cry, so adorable it melted everyone's heart.
"What a pretty little girl," Grandma Shen leaned over to look, a pleased smile on her face. "Her eyes are like Tingzhou's, her nose like Wanqiu's. She'll definitely be a beauty when she grows up."
Shen Tingzhou sat on the edge of the bed, holding Lin Wanqiu's hand, his eyes also a little moist: "Wanqiu, you've worked so hard. Look how cute our Nianxi is."
“Yes,” Lin Wanqiu nodded, her face full of a happy smile, “From now on we will have both a son and a daughter.”
Zhang Lan also came over to look at the baby, her tone filled with envy: "Sister-in-law, you're amazing! You gave birth to such a lovely daughter. I'll go get some chicken soup, you should drink some to nourish yourself."
When Shen Nian'an came home from school, he heard a baby crying inside as soon as he entered the house, and his heart immediately filled with excitement. He rushed into the house and saw Lin Wanqiu holding a tiny baby in her arms, her eyes sparkling: "Mommy, is this Xixi, my little sister?"
“Yes,” Lin Wanqiu said with a smile, “Nian’an, come and see your sister.”
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