Chapter 72: I Want to Stay with Mother

Shen Meng gasped, realizing Xie Jinghao was still some time away from giving birth. How could this be happening now? She quickly placed the photo on the table and rushed to open the courtyard gate.

She ran out, followed by a string of children.

“Jiasheng, when did you get back?”

“Big, Big Sister-in-law, please go quickly. Jinghao is lying on the kang now, bleeding. She keeps calling for you. I don’t know what to do.”

Shen Meng: “. . .”

I don’t know what to do either, Brother. I’m still a young unmarried woman, after all!

“Don’t worry, don’t rush. Haste makes waste. If she’s bleeding, she can’t give birth at home. I took Jinghao to see a doctor in the county town before. Jiasheng, go find Uncle Guai right away. Tell him to bring the ox cart. This is a life-or-death matter, hurry! Mingyang, go to my kang and pull down the two quilts from the kang cabinet. Once Uncle Guai arrives, have him help spread them. Oh, and Mingliang, go find Aunt Xifeng. She’ll be home. Ask her to watch over you all here.”

“Yes, I’ll go right now.” Lu Jiasheng, also with a lot of unanswered questions, sprinted towards Uncle Guai’s house. He couldn’t understand how the usually quiet two sisters-in-law were getting along so well.

Mingyang and Mingliang also took action, while Mingfang and Lu Mingkai returned to the room. At this time, they couldn’t trouble Mother, so staying inside would be helping her.

Shen Meng took a few steps forward, then returned to the room. She opened the cabinet and, using the cabinet as cover, retrieved a small bottle of ginseng slices, a bottle of energy drink, and a bottle of Red Bull, pouring the Red Bull into a plastic bottle.

The children only noticed their mother hunched over the table, busily doing something. After a while, Shen Meng carried a bag and headed towards the Lu family.

Liu Sanjin sat at the entrance to Xie Jinghao’s room, scolding her.

“You’re just a troublemaker, deliberately trying to embarrass me in front of my son. You’ve already had one child. What do you care about? If I’d known you were like this, I wouldn’t have let you into the house. You dare to even reach for a knife at me! Have you seen this, Old Man? How difficult my life is without you!”

Xie Jinghao cried, “Mmm,” clutching her stomach, sometimes with a cry, and other times with great restraint. Xiao Gang, terrified, froze in the corner of the kang, too afraid to move.

“I haven’t done anything wrong. You’re being too harsh. If you dare to do this, aren’t you afraid of what your brother will say?”

“Shut up! When did our Lu family ever need your input?”

Liu Sanjin wouldn’t stop, as if the suffering woman wasn’t giving birth to her grandchild.

Lu Changzhu sat on a stool at the entrance to the main room, smoking his pipe, his brow furrowed. He glanced at the wailing Liu Sanjin and impatiently said, “Stop arguing! Let’s get Third Sister-in-law’s child out quickly, or there will be problems with the grandchild.”

Everyone could tell the grandfather was worried about Xie Jinghao’s child. If it was a boy, he’d probably take care of Jinghao.

Liu Sanjin’s crying stopped abruptly.

Zhou Jiaojiao, her face covered, looked sadly at Lu Jiaxuan. He patted her back, feeling sorry for her. He wouldn’t forget what happened today, nor would he let Jiaojiao suffer unjustly.

Shen Meng arrived with supplies, completely stunned by the Lu family’s actions. Xie Jinghao was in excruciating pain, with only Xiao Gang, a child who couldn’t speak clearly, by her side. Everyone else stood outside.

“Jinghao, don’t be afraid. I’m here. Big Sister-in-law is here. Everything will be alright!”

◈◈◈

Hearing Shen Meng’s voice, Xie Jinghao’s anxious heart finally calmed slightly. She reached out to hold Xiao Gang’s hand.

“Don’t be afraid, son. Big Sister-in-law is here. She’s here, and Mother will be fine.”

The little boy, though still not fully understanding, felt the motherly connection. After his fear, he finally cried out. He ran to Xie Jinghao, hugging her, his small body careful not to press on her stomach. He gently patted her stomach, trying to soothe his brother or sister.

Seeing Shen Meng arrive, Liu Sanjin immediately stood up. Zhou Jiaojiao also turned away, refusing to look at her. Lu Jiaxuan, seeing his wife’s distress, felt a surge of anger.

“Why are you here? Where’s Third Brother? Shouldn’t he be going to get the midwife?”

Shen Meng ignored her, rushing to Xie Jinghao’s side. She quickly placed a pillow under Xie Jinghao’s bottom and then helped her loosen her clothes.

“Big, Big Sister-in-law, what are you doing? Please don’t…” Xie Jinghao couldn’t finish her sentence, afraid the Lu men outside would hear her. How would she face them again?

“The bleeding isn’t too bad. Jinghao, don’t worry. Conserve your energy. Jiasheng is already on his way to get Uncle Guai. They’ll be here soon. Let’s go to the county hospital. You’ll be able to give birth safely. Don’t be afraid.”

Xiao Gang looked at Shen Meng with wide, fearful eyes. Shen Meng paused, reaching out to touch his head.

“Xiao Gang, don’t be afraid. Mingyang will come and get you soon. Go to Big Sister-in-law’s house and have some candy and melon.”

“I want to stay with Mother, with Mother.”

The little boy, his words still unclear, was in pain. How could he leave his mother now?

“You’re talking back! You’re getting too big for your britches. Jiaxuan won’t even listen to you. Going to the county hospital? Where’s the money? Who gives birth at the hospital when it’s not necessary? Behave yourself! It’s not like you haven’t given birth before. I won’t spend money on this. I’ll see if she dares to go. Wanting to spend money giving birth? Jiasheng is my son. I don’t agree. I’ll see if he dares.”

“I don’t want to argue with you. You’re a woman too. Don’t you know how painful childbirth is? Why does Jinghao need to go to the county hospital? You all know, and the one hiding in the room knows. Wait. Jiasheng will make money outside. When he comes back and finds his wife in labor, without any concern from the family… If he doesn’t support Jinghao, then our family is ruined. What good is such a man to Jinghao?”

Xie Jinghao, her mind slightly clearer in the pain, thought her sister-in-law was right. This was her and Lu Jiasheng’s child. If he didn’t support her, she wouldn’t care for him.

Wu Xianglan lay in bed, unable to move. She hadn’t expected Xie Jinghao to bleed so suddenly. Thinking of the blood on the floor, she trembled. Even though it wasn’t her, it was related to her somehow.

Lu Jiasheng arrived at the door just as he heard his mother and sister-in-law arguing.

“We’re going to the hospital! The ox cart is ready outside. Let’s go now.”

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