I didn't expect it to be so much earlier than planned.
As the eldest sister-in-law, Zhao Zhengying panicked immediately out of concern, exclaiming, "Why is she going into labor now? She's not even due yet!"
Li Guizhi, having been through it all and having given birth herself, knows that due dates aren't always accurate. "Don't worry," she says, "some women give birth early."
Gu Wei was an unmarried man and had no idea about things like having children.
He asked Gu Hongjie rather calmly, "When did this happen?"
Gu Hongjie swallowed hard. "Just before school ended, as soon as I heard about the letter, I rushed back to deliver it to you!"
Gu Wei immediately made arrangements.
He asked Gu Hongjie and Lin Yu to watch the shop.
Gu Jianguo went to Zhao Dajiang's house to deliver the news.
He then accompanied Li Guizhi and Zhao Zhengying to the hospital.
When they arrived at the forest hospital, Yao Shulan had already entered the delivery room.
In the corridor, there were two men and women who looked like teachers.
Upon hearing that Yao Shulan's family members had arrived, both of them visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, I didn't expect the school to notify us so quickly.
"You guys came pretty quickly."
"Thank you so much."
Zhao Zhengying was extremely grateful and kept expressing her thanks.
At the same time, we learned more details from them.
After Yao Shulan transferred from the forest farm to the No. 1 Primary School at the foot of the mountain, she has been a substitute teacher ever since.
Because she was pregnant, the school took good care of her and didn't assign her as much work.
I suddenly felt unwell during class today.
Not long after I got back to the office, it started to flare up.
When his colleagues in the office saw that the situation was not good, they quickly called for help and took him to the hospital.
Since the family members had arrived, the two teachers didn't stay long and left quickly.
Gu Wei was no stranger to hospitals.
But this was the first time I'd ever been seen at the delivery room door.
Seeing that the situation wasn't so urgent, he relaxed and began to observe his surroundings.
The hospital in the 1980s had very outdated facilities.
The green wall is mottled and peeling, with some scratches on it.
Next to the same green wooden bench, other patients' family members were waiting, some squatting and some sitting.
Li Guizhi and Zhao Zhengying sat on the other side.
Zhao Zhengying stared intently at the door of the delivery room.
Cries of pain could be heard from inside from time to time, but it was impossible to tell who was crying out.
Li Guizhi looked at Gu Wei and said, "Gu Wei, why don't you go back first? Giving birth is something a grown man like you..."
Gu Wei was just worried about them; one had a heart condition and the other was pregnant, so he didn't rush to leave after dropping them off.
Now that his grandmother has spoken, he can easily back down.
"Okay, then I'll head back now. When Grandpa and Uncle Zhao arrive, they can come to my house to get anything they need."
Zhao Zhengying quickly stood up. "Brother Gu, I'm so sorry, I've really caused you trouble."
Gu Wei stretched out his finger and pointed at her through the air, "You're really too polite. Alright, just wait here with my little grandma."
As soon as Gu Wei stepped out of the hospital, he came face to face with a group of people riding their bicycles like they were on fire.
"Uncle Zhao, Aunt Zhao."
Zhao Dajiang carried Tang Jiamei on his back.
Zhao Zhengyuan carried Gu Jianguo on his back.
The group hurriedly got off their bicycles.
"Gu Wei, how's the situation?"
"Brother Gu, is my wife alright?"
Gu Wei understood their feelings and quickly said, "It's okay, she's in the delivery room now, you can all go over there."
"Okay, then we'll go first."
At this moment, no one can think about anything else.
Gu Wei asked Gu Jianguo to go along as well.
He walked home.
Gu Hongjie and Lin Yu weren't the only ones in the store; Lin Hang had also come over.
Gu Hongjie asked anxiously, "How is it? Has she given birth?"
Although Lin Yu and her brother did not speak, they asked with their eyes.
Gu Wei patted Gu Hongjie's shoulder, "Giving birth doesn't happen that quickly, it shouldn't be a big problem."
Gu Hongjie breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Wei then said to Lin Yu and the others, "Let's close up shop early today, you should all go home too."
Although Lin Yu really wanted to stay, she knew the timing wasn't right. "Okay. Then, Brother Gu, we're leaving."
Lin Hang shook the cloth bag in his hand and thanked Gu Wei politely.
Gu Wei smiled and waved his hand.
After closing the shop door, the two went to the back room.
Gu Hongjie is still a child at heart.
I turned on the TV, ate some snacks, and became happy again.
Gu Wei glanced at the leftovers in the cupboard; it was enough for them to eat that evening.
So, after lighting the big pot, I took some steamed buns and bean buns that I had made from the large vat in the storeroom and heated them up back in the room.
Gu Jianguo and Li Guizhi returned from the hospital around 7:00 AM.
Gu Wei and Gu Hongjie asked in unison, "Has it been born?"
Gu Jianguo shook his head. "No."
Li Guizhi added, "It's not that fast. When I gave birth to Xiao Jie, it took a whole day and night... I was in excruciating pain."
Gu Wei frowned as he listened.
I truly feel that childbirth is incredibly difficult for women.
Gu Hongjie had heard his mother mention this before.
Perhaps I was too young then to fully understand the hardships and difficulties involved.
Now that he's grown up a bit and is more sensible, he tenderly took Li Guizhi's arm.
"Mom, I promise I'll behave well from now on and won't make you angry."
Li Guizhi patted his hair. "Okay."
Gu Wei noticed that Gu Jianguo's eyes glistened as if he were recalling some past events.
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