Moreover, no matter how poor her relationship with Qiao Nan was or how much the Zhai family disliked her, Ding Jiayi’s identity as the in-law of the Zhai family was a fact that would never change.

  Which family would be so moronic as to hire the in-law as an auntie to do household chores and pay her?

  Ding Jiayi felt that this was not a big deal but the Zhai family could not afford to lose this face.

  The auntie, who received a sudden scolding for no apparent reason, was so angry that her face turned red. She almost threw the phone in her hand out of the house.

  She had been working for the Zhai family for so many years. As such, she had received numerous phone calls and encountered people of various backgrounds.

  Even the true prominent figures had been polite to a housekeeper like her. Ding Jiayi was a lousy one that she did not even look up to, yet how dare she flare up at her? “Pey! Why are you so shameless? It’s not as if you’re paying me. Even if it’s a waste, it won’t be wasted on you. You’re so shameless to say all these. You’re treating other people’s money as your own money, right?!”

  This auntie of the Zhai family had heard about what kind of person Ding Jiayi was.

  “What exactly is the matter? If there is nothing, I am hanging up.”

  Knowing that Ding Jiayi was a good-for-nothing, the auntie could not be bothered to be angry with her. No matter what Ding Jiayi did, she did not have the capability to personally come to the Zhai family to mess around.

  “You!” Ding Jiayi did not expect that the housekeeper hired and paid by the Zhai family dared to be so hostile to her. It must be that wretched girl. She must have been badmouthing her in front of the Zhai family whenever she could to the point she had to be spat at by this housekeeper now. “I am not looking for you. I am looking for my daughter. Ask her to come over and pass the phone to her. I have something to say to her.”

  The person at the other end of the phone was just a helper. She would not waste energy and devalue herself by arguing with a helper.

  When that wretched girl took the call, she would see how to deal with that wretched girl then.

  That audacious small fly cum housekeeper! She would get the wretched girl to fire her later.

  \r \r \r

  The auntie seemed to have heard an extremely amusing joke. “Hahaha, are you joking with me? Don’t tell me you don’t know what Nan Nan’s current health situation is? Alright. Speak if you have any matter. If not, I am hanging up.”

  The old master and chief had already given her instructions. For any phone calls made by the Qiao family, if the caller was Qiao Dongliang, it would depend on Qiao Nan’s mood whether she wanted to take the call.

  Besides Qiao Dongliang, Qiao Nan would not take any calls, be it from Qiao Zijin or Ding Jiayi. The whole Zhai family was also not willing to take such calls.

  With the backing of the old master and chief, the auntie was fearless in making Ding Jiayi lose face. “Are you going to speak or not? If not, I am hanging up. I am busy right now.” The soup that she was stewing for Qiao Nan was still on the stove. She had to turn down the fire.

  “How dare you!” Ding Jiayi widened her glare. “Do you know who I am?!” She was the wretched girl’s biological mother. The wretched girl had the capability and rights to chase this stinky auntie out of the Zhai family. The Zhai family would not stop her either.

  “Let me remind you. My daughter’s womb is carrying the precious grandchildren of the Zhai family!!”

  The status of the pregnant Qiao Nan must be the highest in the Zhai family.

  The high status of Qiao Nan meant that she was also an important figure that the Zhai family cared about.

  This was just a housekeeper and she dared to be at odds with her. She must be mad!

  “Pfft!” The auntie was both amused and angry. “Really…… I am giving you one last chance. What exactly is the matter? If you’re not telling me, I am going to hang up.” She was so shameless to have said those things. This shameless one also had to treat her with respect now.

  After talking for so long, the other party did not buy it at all. Moreover, her tone was increasingly disdainful. Ding Jiayi was enraged.

  The auntie heard noises of Ding Jiayi grinding her teeth coming from the phone. “Her father had bought gold bracelets for the two children in her womb. He spent 6,700 yuan for that.”

  As for the rest of the matters, Ding Jiayi believed that Qiao Nan would understand even if she did not say it.

  “You want money.” At the very least, the auntie understood her words. “Fine. I know about this now. I will let Nan Nan know. As to what Nan Nan intends to do, wait for Nan Nan’s call.”

  Obviously, she felt that she had spent too much money and wanted her married daughter to subsidize a little.

  In that case, Ding Jiayi and Qiao Dongliang would not suffer any financial loss. At the same time, they had put on a good show as maternal grandparents. What a good plan!

  However, this kind of situation was not uncommon. After witnessing the more ‘top-notch’ stuff that Ding Jiayi had done before, this situation was indeed a child’s play in comparison. There was nothing to be angry about.

  “6,700 yuan?” Zhai Hua raised her eyebrows. “Is it real or fake? If I didn’t remember wrongly, recently, gold price is about three hundred yuan each gram. So as to speak, Uncle Qiao bought twenty grams of gold.” Even if there were two of them, on average, one gold bracelet was just about ten grams.

  Typically, those for kids were not so heavy.

  This weight was enough to make a big bracelet—the slimmer type—for a lady. It was a tad too heavy to buy those for children. “Is it two bracelets or two sets of gold jewelry?” Otherwise, the quantity and amount did not match.

  Newborns were tiny and delicate.

  There was a superstition that things like gold jewelry could keep them safe. That was also to express the elder’s blessing and love for the juniors.

  If it was too heavy, it would be pressing on the children and make them feel tired. That would not be nice then.

  Hence, regardless of whether one was wealthy, typically, the gold jewelry that they bought for young children would not be too heavy.

  In particular, given the Qiao family’s situation, they were generous enough to be willing to buy some gold jewelry for her little nephew and niece. However, they bought something that cost almost 6,700 yuan at once. Did Uncle Qiao strike a lottery and become rich?

  The auntie nodded. “That was what Ding Jiayi said.” She was also very shocked that the Qiao family suddenly became so generous. They paid almost 7,000 yuan for something so casually.

  The auntie cast a weak glance at Qiao Nan. It was not because of other reasons. The auntie had heard before that the Qiao family used all their family savings for Qiao Zijin’s studies. The problem was that Qiao Nan probably did not spend anything close to 7,000 yuan in total for the many years that she lived with the Qiao family.

  Facing the auntie’s evasive eyes, Qiao Nan gave a bitter smile. “All of you don’t need to behave like that. I grew up in that family. Can I not know the temperaments of the people in that family? Also, Sister Zhai Hua, don’t believe in the price of 6,700 yuan. Most probably, we have to give a discount to the actual amount. My mom’s words today are already considered very restrained.”

  Qiao Nan really did not wish to bring up this kind of trick anymore.

  In her previous life, Ding Jiayi had always used the tactic of inflating the amount to settle scores with Qiao Nan. She then dug out all of Qiao Nan’s money. If it was not enough, she would force Qiao Nan to find a few more part-time jobs until she could achieve the sum that she ‘reported’.

  “I-it could not possibly be?”

  “.……”

  The auntie was shocked and dumbstruck. Zhai Hua also seemed to have been struck by a rod. “So, they bought these items for the babies on their own accord, yet they want to get it back from us and double their earnings?”


  1167 Going to Deliver the Babies

  Was this still a gift?

  Damn. This was obviously a highway robbery!

  That was too vicious!

  The auntie said, “Everyone knows the current gold price. Although there are geographical differences, the prices will not deviate too much. She told us this figure now, but won’t we find out when we receive the gold jewelry?” Is it meaningful to tell such a lie? It will be exposed too easily, no?

  Qiao Nan gave a wry smile. “My mom will not admit it even if I see through her ploy. At most, she will throw me words and tell me to take it that I am being filial to my parents by giving more money than the actual cost. We can forget about getting back the money after it goes into her pocket. Most likely, my dad doesn’t have anything to do with this 6,700 yuan.”

  Her father would not be able to bring himself to buy something for his maternal grandchildren and then call his daughter to ask for twice the sum of money spent. “If I did not guess it wrong, my mom made this call behind my dad’s back. My dad is not aware of it.”

  In other words, if she really subsidized this 6,700 yuan, it would end up in her mother’s pocket. Her father would not have the chance to touch a single cent of it.

  “To gain something without risking anything of one’s own!” Zhai Hua took her hat off to Ding Jiayi. Earning so much despite not putting in any capital. Since Ding Jiayi was so high and mighty, why was she not in heaven?!

  Zhai Hua, who had been ‘traumatized’, drank some water to calm herself down. “Qiao Nan, how are you going to handle this matter?”

  She could not accept it if they were to really going to pay Ding Jiayi 6,700 yuan.

  Zhai Hua was furious. As the party concerned, Qiao Nan was extremely calm. “There is no hurry in this matter. My dad is the one who paid for these items. Even if I really want to subsidize, I will pay my dad. I didn’t receive a single cent from my dad when I got married. The problem is that my dad still has another lady to marry off.”

  Regardless of how much money her father spent, she had to pay him back.

  Qiao Zijin was going to get married one day and she would demand a lot of dowries. When the time came and her parents could not afford the dowry, she did not want a situation of Qiao Zijin blaming her and saying that she had spent all the family’s money.

  Zhai Hua was breathing more normally now. “I agree. We will do that then.” They should pass the money to Uncle Qiao. No matter how muddleheaded Uncle Qiao was, he was much better than Ding Jiayi.

  \r \r \r

  At the very least, Uncle Qiao was not the type of person who would take other people’s money for granted or liked to ask for the sky.

  After discussing the situation of the Qiao family, Qiao Nan’s expression changed. She placed her hands on her womb and panted continuously.

  “Why? Are you going to give birth soon?” Zhai Hua asked as she held on Qiao Nan nervously.

  Qiao Nan had been pregnant for eight months. The Zhai family, especially Zhai Hua, had simply gone into a state of alertness. Zhai Hua dared not leave Qiao Nan’s side at all.

  “Sister Zhai Hua, don’t be nervous. I don’t think I am giving birth soon. It’s just the Braxton-hicks contraction during pregnancy. I’ll be fine after a while.” This was not the first time that Qiao Nan encountered the situation. Hence, she did not panic.

  She had done so much research. Qiao Nan was aware that unless she was bleeding or the water bag had broken, it was not the symptoms of childbirth.

  “It has been tough on you.” Looking at Qiao Nan’s high and tall womb, Zhai Hua’s heart ached for Qiao Nan.

  The longer a child remained in the mother’s womb, the stronger he would become.

  The babies were so fortunate. It was just that it had been tough on Qiao Nan, this biological mother.

  Qiao Nan had been very careful during her pregnancy. In two lifetimes, she finally had a child. No one placed greater importance than Qiao Nan on the children in her womb.

  However, no matter how careful Qiao Nan was, the situation of having twins was too difficult. When it was the end of September, Qiao Nan, who was reading, suddenly felt wetness below her buttocks. She reached out and touched it.

  The water that she touched felt different. This made Qiao Nan’s heart and liver tremble. “Sister…… Sister Zhai Hua!”

  Qiao Nan’s trembling and off-pitched voice summoned Zhai Hua. “What happened? I have finished cutting the fruits. Try it and see if it tastes good?”

  “Sister Zhai Hua, my…… my water bag broke. I…… I am going to give birth!” No matter how calm she normally was, when this moment really came, Qiao Nan was so scared that her face turned as white as a sheet. She almost cried out. “Sister Zhai Hua, it’s not nine months yet. How come?”

  She had thought that her children would stay in her womb for a longer time!

  “Don’t panic. Don’t be afraid. You are already doing very well. Remember that the doctor said that some pregnant ladies have premature births seven or eight months into their pregnancy despite having only one child in the womb. Many babies were born nine instead of the full ten months into the pregnancy, and these children are all very healthy. You’re doing very well. I will be by your side. Nothing will happen to you. The babies and you will be alright.”

  Zhai Hua was also in a flurry. Her mind seemed to have been entangled.

  In the past, when she carried out missions, Zhai Hua did not even blink when she shot the enemy dead personally. Her sister-in-law was going to give birth soon, and Zhai Hua’s tanned face actually turned whitish. “Auntie, quickly…… quickly call the hospital. Also, get the chauffeur to drive the car out. We are going to the hospital immediately!”

  She should not have allowed Qiao Nan to be so willful. When Qiao Nan was nine months’ pregnant, she should have arranged for Qiao Nan to be hospitalized to prepare for childbirth. Clearly, the doctor had reminded them that Nan Nan was carrying twins and would certainly give birth earlier.

  At this moment, Zhai Hua dared not drive the car at all. She could only get someone else to drive it.

  She was afraid that she would be too worried about Qiao Nan and the children, and if her hands were to tremble, something would happen when she was driving.

  “Zhai Hua, I have already contacted the hospital. Once we arrive at the hospital, Nan Nan can enter the delivery room. Should I help you hold on to Nan Nan as we leave the house?” The auntie was in a much better state than Zhai Hua. However, it was inevitable that she also felt nervous.

  It was really because Qiao Nan and the children in her womb were too precious. They could not afford to have an accident.

  Qiao Nan disliked staying in the hospital. She hated the smell there. As soon as she stepped into the hospital, she would pant and feel suffocated. That was the reason that she insisted to stay at home to care for her pregnancy despite being nine months pregnant.

  However, to play safe, Zhai Hua made Qiao Nan move from the second to the first floor of the house. That would save the trouble and danger of Qiao Nan having to go up and down the stairs. Hence, the auntie dared to volunteer to support Qiao Nan outside with Zhai Hua.

  Zhai Hua shook her head. “No need. I have a lot of strength. I can carry Qiao Nan alone. Help us open the door.”

  This was the first time Zhai Hua carried someone in this way. She had given this ‘hug’ to Qiao Nan and the latter’s babies.

  Seeing that there was really water on Qiao Nan’s seat, Zhai Hua was so scared that her arms’ strength increased.

  Zhai Hua carried Qiao Nan into the car. The auntie was holding Qiao Nan’s belongings. “Alright. Quickly make your way to the hospital. Remember, fast and steady. Understand?”

  “Understood.” The chauffeur looked strict and solemn. He then displayed his driving skills and steadily rushed to the hospital as fast as he could.

  Zhai Hua carried Qiao Nan down the car. The nurses in the hospital were already waiting at the entrance with the hospital bed.

  “How is it?” Besides the nurses and doctor, Tian Dong was also standing by the bedside. Tian Dong received the call of Doctor Wei, his old classmate cum senior, and rushed directly from the company to the hospital.

  1168 I Will Accompany You throughout Your Labor

  Tian Dong had been busy with work recently and did not have much time to accompany Zhai Hua.

  Tian Dong knew that Zhai Hua was very concerned about Qiao Nan, so no matter how busy he was, he would definitely make time to accompany them, especially at times like this. It was as if his wife was going into labor and he was going to become a father.

  It was September now. The National Day was around the corner. Zhai Yaohui must be very busy.

  What was worrying was that even though Miao Jing could not bear to leave Qiao Nan at home, she had to accompany Zhai Yaohui on his work trip and could not take care of Qiao Nan.

  Once Miao Jing left, apart from the auntie, the only person left at home was Zhai Hua. She was still a single lady who knew nothing about childbirth. Miao Jing could not help but worry.

  Thankfully, Tian Dong volunteered to help. He promised that he would look out for Qiao Nan and her babies and he would liaise with the hospital and the doctors. He assured Miao Jing that nothing would go wrong. That was why Miao Jing finally agreed to leave with Zhai Yaohui.

  Tian Dong meant his words. Once he knew that Qiao Nan was going into labor, he put aside all his work and dashed to the hospital to make the necessary arrangements for Qiao Nan.

  Tian Dong wanted to show the Zhai family that Zhai Hua’s relatives were his relatives as well.

  He would treat the people whom Zhai Hua valued and cared for with utmost importance because he cherished and valued Zhai Hua and was sincere to her.

  He loved Zhai Hua. Therefore, he was willing to give his love and time to the people that Zhai Hua cared for and loved.

  It was as simple as that.

  Seconds ago, Zhai Hua was still in a panic, but she calmed down instantly at the sight of Tian Dong. “I have read a lot of books on childbirth. Can we not do a cesarean?” She heard that it would be very painful.

  “Of course.” Tian Dong held onto Zhai Hua’s hands as he gave his definite reply. Her hands were not smooth but rough.

  \r \r \r

  Tian Dong had shaken the hands of many people, both men and women, during his course of work, but no single handshake was able to make his heart flutter and beat faster.

  He merely held her hands and he was so affected by it. Tian Dong had a bitter yet sweet smile on his face. From a young age, it was destined that he would not be able to escape from this little hoyden!

  “I have made arrangements with the doctor. Everything will be alright.”

  Zhai Hua let out a long breath. She shook her hands free from Tian Dong’s hold and leaned against Qiao Nan’s bedside. “Nan Nan, don’t be afraid. I will be by your side.” She was going to accompany her throughout her labor!

  Tian Dong felt hurt that Zhai Hua left his side now that she no longer needed his comfort. He looked sadly at her back. He had no other choice but followed after her. “Are you going into the delivery room with Qiao Nan? I don’t think that is a good idea.” He heard that people who went into the delivery room would have a phobia toward childbirth.

  This usually happened to the fathers of the babies.

  Tian Dong was worried that it would leave a phobia on Zhai Hua and she would not be willing to experience childbirth in the future.

  As a traditional man, Tian Dong loved kids. He did not want Zhai Hua to go through the torture, but he had to realize his parents’ dreams of having a grandchild. His parents were already advanced in years.

  “No, I have to accompany Qiao Nan. Otherwise, I won’t have peace of mind.” Zhai Hua was determined to go into the delivery room with Qiao Nan. She held onto her hands. “Nan Nan has suffered a lot after marrying Zhai Sheng.”

  It was indeed true that military wives would have different married lives as compared to other women.

  But the problem was other military wives would have their mothers-in-law to accompany them into the delivery room. They were experienced and would be able to take care of them. However, Qiao Nan had no one with her except an inexperienced sister-in-law.

  As for the Qiao family, they could not be counted upon to help.

  Qiao Nan had no affinity with her parental family in this life. She only hoped to marry a good man and lead a happy life, receiving the love that she was not able to have in her parental family.

  However, the Zhai family did not really take good care of Qiao Nan.

  Under normal circumstances, if a daughter-in-law was pregnant with twins, she would be waited upon as if she was the queen. But Nan Nan only had her sister-in-law with her when she was due for delivery.

  Tian Dong smiled. In other people’s opinions, the Zhai family was beyond their reach, but once they were related to them, a good life would be awaiting them. However, Zhai Hua had made it sound as if marrying into the Zhai family was a totally different situation.

  Tian Dong did not rebut her.

  He knew that for people who were after the influence and power that the Zhai family held, it was true that being related to them would mean a good life ahead.

  But in Qiao Nan’s case, she was simple and pure, and she only wanted to lead a happy and blissful life. She did not ask for much. In that case, what Zhai Hua said was very true.

  Qiao Nan felt immense and excruciating pain. She feared that she might die from the unbearable pain. Although she had heard that childbirth was a painful process, she had to experience it to know the severity of the pain.

  Qiao Nan, who broke out in a cold sweat, said through clenched teeth, “Sister Zhai Hua, there is no need to accompany me. I-I can do it by myself.”

  Qiao Nan was worried that the childbirth process would frighten Zhai Hua. Since she was unmarried, she would not have the courage to go into the delivery room. “Tian Dong, Sister Zhai Hua is being too reckless. Y-you have to keep a good watch on her. I-I can do it by myself. I am telling the truth. Trust me.”

  Qiao Nan trusted that Tian Dong had made all the necessary arrangements with the hospital and doctors and made sure that she was well taken care of.

  She knew that she did not need to go through the pain that other pregnant ladies had to go through.

  “Alright.” Tian Dong breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad that Qiao Nan was so considerate. He held Zhai Hua by her shoulders. “I will keep a good watch on Zhai Hua.” He made a double-edged remark in reply to Qiao Nan’s words.

  Qiao Nan smiled. “Sister Zhai Hua is not that easy to deal with. I hope that you are serious.” What happened in the previous life was too far away for her to remember. She could not remember what happened to the Zhai family either.

  She was not sure if Sister Zhai Hua saw through Wei De’s true colors and whether she was still single when Tian Dong returned to China several years later.

  But in this life, it seemed that Zhai Hua and Tian Dong would have a good start. She hoped that Sister Zhai Hua would find her happiness and would have a happy ending, leading a happy life.

  “Nan Nan, don’t speak nonsense. Don’t frighten me.” Zhai Hua understood the conversation between Qiao Nan and Tian Dong, but this caused her to panic further. She had the impression that Qiao Nan was saying her last words. Before Qiao Nan went into the delivery room, she had to ensure that Zhai Hua would have a happy married life in the future.

  Tian Dong felt touched. He was thankful that Qiao Nan would be thinking of Zhai Hua’s best interests at this critical moment. “Zhai Hua, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. We must trust that Qiao Nan will be strong. Zhai Sheng is not back yet. When he is back next time, he will be able to see his children.”

  While Tian Dong was reassuring Zhai Hua, the nurses opened the door to the delivery room and Qiao Nan was pushed into the room.

  Tian Dong held onto Zhai Hua. She could only watch helplessly as the lonely Qiao Nan laid on the white bedsheets and was pushed by the doctor and nurses into the delivery room.

  1169 The Arrival of the Three Babies

  “When I give birth in the future, my husband must accompany me. He has to face it with me!”

  Qiao Nan must be full of anxiety and worry. She had no wish to go through all these by herself. She was not as strong and as brave as she thought.

  “Don’t worry. I will definitely be by your side. I won’t let you face this by yourself. I am different from Zhai Sheng. I will be able to stay by your side.” He would be by her side from the first day when she was pregnant until the day the baby was delivered. He would help take care of the baby and watch as the child grew up.

  Qiao Nan was due for delivery. Zhai Hua had no idea who she should inform and whether the other party would answer her call. “Why is it so quiet?”

  “Don’t be anxious. This might be good news.” Tian Dong was not experienced either. He had no idea what would happen during childbirth.

  Nevertheless, he had to reassure Zhai Hua. Seconds ago, she was worried that it was so quiet, but seconds later, she heard Qiao Nan’s cry of pain.

  Qiao Nan was behind closed doors. Zhai Hua could barely hear what was going on in the delivery room or what the doctor was telling the nurses. She leaned against the door, trying to figure out what was happening. Qiao Nan’s cry of pain was the only sound that she could hear.

  “Take a seat. I heard that the childbirth process will take some time. Some pregnant ladies took twenty-four hours to give birth to their child. Qiao Nan and the babies will be alright. You will definitely be an auntie. Are you hungry? Shall I buy some food for you?” Tian Dong checked the time. He was worried that Zhai Hua would be hungry. He did not wait for her response. After Zhai Hua took a seat, he bought some food and drinks and returned as soon as possible.

  Tian Dong handed the food to Zhai Hua. Although she held the bread in her hands, Zhai Hua was not in the mood to eat anything. Instead, she drank some mineral water. “I am not hungry. I really have no appetite. Let’s wait until later.”

  Tian Dong was helpless. He could do nothing but wait with her.

  There were some noises in the delivery room three to four hours later. A loud wailing sound made by the baby brought hope and joy to Zhai Hua’s face. She cried in happiness. “I am an auntie. I will be an auntie in the future. Qiao Nan has delivered the baby!”

  \r \r \r

  Zhai Hua was exhilarated. She grabbed Tian Dong’s hands tightly. He did not mind that it hurt. “Yes, you are an auntie and Zhai Sheng is a father. There is one more baby yet to be delivered. Qiao Nan will be out very soon.” Now that the first baby was delivered, the second baby should be delivered very soon as well.

  As expected, the cries of a baby could be heard from the delivery room half an hour later. But the cries sounded somewhat different.

  “She has made it. She has finally made it!” Zhai Hua felt reassured when she heard cries of another baby coming from the delivery room. She relaxed and collapsed, all the tension gone from her body.

  Fortunately, Tian Dong caught her in time. Otherwise, she might have a bad fall. “It has been some time. Why aren’t they out yet? Aren’t they going to show me my nephew and niece?”

  Ever since they knew that Qiao Nan had twins, the most common topic discussed in the Zhai family would be whether they were boys or girls.

  In Zhai Hua’s opinion, it was best to have a boy and a girl.

  “I have no idea. Perhaps they need time to clean up.” Tian Dong frowned. He could feel that something was amiss. The nurses should have brought the babies out to show the family after they were delivered.

  Zhai Hua was waiting anxiously for the nurses to bring the babies to her. She had no idea that it was sheer chaos in the delivery room. “My goodness, the pregnant lady has triplets. There is one more baby in her womb, but the mother is drained of all energy after giving birth to two babies. She is unconscious.”

  The water bag had broken. If they delayed further, once the fluid was drained, the third baby would be in danger.

  It would be detrimental to the mother as well.

  The doctor and nurses knew that Qiao Nan was from the Zhai family. Nothing must happen to Qiao Nan or the babies.

  The problem was nobody knew that Qiao Nan was carrying triplets!

  As her first natural delivery and first childbirth, it was considered a smooth delivery to give birth to her first baby in four hours.

  But things would be different as she had to give birth to another child right away.

  It was much more strenuous for the mother to give birth to two babies as compared to one baby.

  “Doctor, what do we do now? The mother is still unconscious.” The nurses tried to wake Qiao Nan up, but it was in vain. Qiao Nan’s vital statistics did not look good. The nurses were anxious.

  “Doctor, shall we ask the family members to sign an agreement form to perform a cesarean? Otherwise, the third baby and the mother would be in danger.” This could not drag any further.

  “No.” The doctor shook her head. “It’s too dangerous. Can someone go out to get the family member to come in or to carry the child to the mother? The mother has to wake up to give birth to the third baby. We have to hurry.” It was still possible to deliver the third child. They must hurry!

  Zhai Hua was stunned upon hearing the news. “Is my sister-in-law alright? Is she in grave danger?”

  “Let’s not talk further. What is important now is that the mother wakes up as soon as possible and gives birth to the last baby. Otherwise, the third child may be in danger and it will be detrimental to the mother’s health.” The nurse made Zhai Hua went through the disinfection process and she changed into a proper outfit to enter the delivery room.

  Zhai Hua sucked in her breath, looking pale and serious.

  One of the nurses handed one of the babies to Zhai Hua. The baby was so soft and tiny. He did not seem to have bones and felt like a ball of flesh. Zhai Hua cradled the baby in her arms and walked to stand beside Qiao Nan. She placed the tiny red hands of the baby onto Qiao Nan’s face. “Nan Nan, you must wake up as soon as possible. We are going to have three babies instead of two babies at home. You have one more baby in your womb. If you don’t wake up now, we will not be able to keep the third baby. You must not give up.”

  The baby was wrapped in a white towel. He started crying beside Qiao Nan for no reason.

  Qiao Nan frowned slightly and moved her lips, as if calling out to the baby.

  The doctor and the nurses were relieved. “The mother is awake. Hurry! There is one more child to deliver!”

  Qiao Nan finally gave birth to the third child amid the wailing sounds of the baby. The third child was smaller than the previous two babies and it did not cry as loud as the previous babies.

  The third baby whimpered softly like a tiny kitten.

  “Nan Nan, you have done it. You have given birth to three babies. They are doing fine. You are amazing!”


  1170 Mass Production

  Qiao Nan could hear faint sounds of Zhai Hua’s voice as she spoke to her. She tried her best to use her last ounce of energy to give birth to the last baby. Now that the baby was delivered, she relaxed, curling the corners of her lips. She could finally drift off to sleep with peace of mind.

  It was too exhausting to give birth to three babies!

  “Give me the baby. The baby will feel uncomfortable at the way you are holding them. But there is no hurry. You can take your time to learn the correct way.” Everyone in the delivery room felt relieved. The nurse took the baby from Zhai Hua so that the doctor could examine them.

  Some of the nurses cleaned up Qiao Nan, while some helped take care of the three babies.

  The doctor smiled at Zhai Hua after examining the babies. “Congratulations. They are triplets. The first-born and the second-born are boys while the third-born is a girl.”

  “Three babies! Are there really three of them?!” Zhai Hua felt dizzy when she stared at the three babies who were wrapped nicely in towels and placed on the table side by side. “Didn’t you say that there are only two of them?” Zhai Hua was so overjoyed that she behaved like a child. She lifted three fingers but she was, in fact, talking about two babies.

  “It could be that we did not notice them during the checkup. We usually determine the number of babies based on the fetal heartbeat. There would be instances where the fetal heartbeats are identical.” The machine and technology were not as advanced and accurate. But she believed that it would be more accurate in the future. “Nevertheless, congratulations. We have gotten through a daunting experience without mishap. Congratulations to the arrival of the three babies.”

  They were blessed to have two sons and one daughter.

  Zhai Hua patted her face, feeling pain in her face. It was then that she was certain that she had not been dreaming. It was the truth that she had two nephews and one niece. “Doctor, what about the babies? Is everything alright with them?”

  It was no wonder that she had the feeling that Qiao Nan’s tummy was larger than usual. It was as if her tummy was transparent and was about to burst. As a result, she would often have nightmares and wake up in the middle of the night.

  It turned out that Qiao Nan might be slim, but her tummy was able to contain three babies!

  Previously, she was worried that Qiao Nan’s tummy was too large and the babies might be overnourished. Now, Zhai Hua was worried that the three babies did not have enough nutrition and that they were underdeveloped.

  In normal cases, pregnant ladies would take in food that was sufficient for two people.

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  In Qiao Nan’s case, she had to take in food sufficient for four people!

  It was almost the size of a family.

  The three babies had to depend on Qiao Nan to provide nutrition for them. Zhai Hua felt uneasy at the thought of that.

  “Don’t worry. It is normal for mothers who carried more than one baby to have a premature delivery. The mother exercised and had been well-taken care of. She only went into labor in her ninth month. It was good enough. I have done a check on the three babies. Their hearts and lungs are functioning well and they are well-developed. They are considered to be fairly healthy.”

  Compared to the size of the baby in single child pregnancy, the three babies were indeed smaller in size.

  It did make a difference to share the nutrients among the three babies instead of having all the nutrition to oneself.

  “Normal babies would weigh two and a half to three and a half kilograms. For your family, the elder brother weighs two thousand three hundred and fifty grams, and the younger brother weighs two thousand three hundred grams. The sister is the lightest. She weighs two thousand grams. I have helped deliver many triplets. Most of them are only about one thousand five hundred grams. Therefore, it goes to show that you have taken good care of the mother.”

  Zhai Hua sniffed. “It is Nan Nan who is outstanding. She is fabulous. She is very smart and she does very well in her studies. She is the top humanities student in the college entrance examination and she is one of the top students at Peking University. Therefore, she will do a better job than others when she is pregnant!”

  Upon hearing the doctor’s feedback about the babies, Zhai Hua was especially proud of Qiao Nan.

  If not for Qiao Nan, they might expedite the delivery and the babies would not be so healthy and strong.

  Although her nephews and niece were smaller than other babies, Nan Nan had done a very good job providing them with nutrition during her pregnancy.

  The three babies weighed up to a total of seven kilograms. It was no wonder that nearing her third trimester, Nan Nan would feel backache when she lay down to sleep.

  Anyone who carried something that weighed a few kilograms on their waist would find it tiring and exhausting.

  Mothers were the greatest people in the world!

  “Did she really have triplets?” Tian Dong was surprised when three reddish, wrinkled, and tiny babies were brought out of the delivery room. He thought that Qiao Nan carried twins. Therefore, he only prepared two sets of presents. In that case, he had to prepare another present for the third baby.

  Zhai Hua, who came out with the babies, cried while she smiled. “Yes, Nan Nan is so fantastic. She has brought three babies to the Zhai family. Two of them are boys and one of them is a girl. She is fabulous. I-I am so grateful to her. Not only will I have nephews, but I will have a niece as well. I-I feel very much like crying. I cannot hold back my tears. What should I do?”

  Zhai Hua was crying uncontrollably.

  She had no idea why she would be so emotional and she could not stop crying at the sight of the three reddish and wrinkled babies.

  She only knew that the only thing that she felt like doing right now was to have a good cry.

  She was there by her side when her niece was brought to the world. She was the one who welcomed her to the world.

  The child was so adorable!

  “I carried my nephew in my arms. Do you know he is so tiny and he is nestled in my arms? He is smaller than my arms. He is so soft that I dared not hug him.”

  “I know. Don’t cry, don’t cry.” Tian Dong’s heart ached for Zhai Hua. He pulled her into an embrace and patted her lightly on the back, as if he was consoling a child. He did not mind that her tears had dirtied his expensive shirt. It was most probably ruined and he could not wear it anymore even after he washed it.

  He hugged her for about five minutes before he passed her a bottle of water. He unscrewed the cap for her and she gulped down the water, finishing the entire bottle. “Hua Hua, it is mealtime now. Should you give a call to your parents to tell them the news? Perhaps you should try calling Zhai Sheng as well, telling him that he is a father of triplets.”

  Tian Dong felt envious at the mention of triplets.

  He was two years older than Zhai Sheng. He longed to be a father as well.

  The problem was the person he liked had yet to agree to marry him. He did not know when they would have kids. On the other hand, Zhai Sheng, who was two years younger than him, had become the father of three babies.

  The number of babies was……

  Was this a mass production?

  As a man, Tian Dong was full of envy. Zhai Sheng was indeed capable.

  1171 Prepared In Advance

  Zhai Sheng was capable of having triplets. He would not admit that he was jealous of him!

  “You’re right. I will make a phone call first.” Zhai Hua reached her hand naturally toward Tian Dong, searching for his cell phone in his pants pocket.

  Tian Dong had resigned to fate. He slanted his body so that it would be easier for Zhai Hua to take the cell phone.

  After getting Tian Dong’s cell phone, the person that Zhai Hua called was not her mother or her brother. It was the auntie who sent Nan Nan to the hospital and went back home. “Auntie, yes, it’s me. Nan Nan has given birth to the babies. No, they are not twins, but triplets. Two brothers and one younger sister. Yes, you have to prepare more soup for Nan Nan. She will have a harder time in the future now that the babies are born.”

  Zhai Hua raised her head to gaze at Tian Dong after she ended the call.

  Tian Dong blushed slightly. “Why are you looking at me?” Could it be that after seeing the triplets, she wanted to marry him so that they could have kids?

  The atmosphere was good. Zhai Hua reached her hand into Tian Dong’s pants pocket again. Tian Dong’s heart could not help but flutter and he steered his thoughts in that direction.

  “I am not staring at you. Didn’t you just return from your overseas study in America? You should know some classmates in America. Do you have any knowledge about baby formulas? Which country and which brand of baby formula is the best?”

  Nan Nan had three babies at one go. If the auntie prepared a lot of tonics for Nan Nan, she would still be able to breastfeed them now that they were still young.

  When they grew older and had a larger appetite, unless Nan Nan had a lot of milk, she would not be able to feed all her babies.

  If so, they would have to feed the babies with baby formula.

  “This……” Tian Dong was a man. He could not possibly know anything about baby formulas.

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  However, now that the topic was brought up, Tian Dong felt that there was a need to know more about it.

  Zhai Hua had been spending half her time in the army and half her time at the Zhai family’s residence in the past half a year. In particular, since August, she would spend all her time at home.

  Tian Dong knew that Zhai Hua did that to take care of the heavily pregnant Qiao Nan.

  After Qiao Nan gave birth to babies, Zhai Hua would return to the army that she loved sooner or later.

  Tian Dong knew Zhai Hua well, and he had no wish to stop her from doing what she wanted.

  In other words, when they had their own child, Zhai Hua might return to the army as soon as she completed her confinement. By then, Zhai Hua would not be able to feed the baby and their child would have to take baby formula.

  If he did the research now to determine which brand of baby formula had the most nutrients and was suitable for babies, he would not have a headache when he had a child with Zhai Hua.

  “Give me some time. You are not in a hurry. I will take some time to do research. I will seek advice and recommendations from the experts, and I will ask my friends overseas to buy them for me. I know of several friends who studied overseas in America, Australia, and other countries. We will buy whichever baby formula that is the best.”

  Tian Dong had made up his mind to look up information on baby formulas. He could start from Doctor Wei, who just returned from his overseas study.

  Even though he was not from the gynecology department, he would know more about this topic than him.

  “This will do.” Zhai Hua nodded. “Leave the cell phone with me. I still have to make a few phone calls. You can go ahead to do your research. Now that we have three babies at one go, it is better to decide on a baby formula as soon as possible.”

  After coming to a decision, they parted ways to do what they had agreed on. One of them went to search for the best baby formula, while the other went to notify her family that Qiao Nan had triplets.

  Miao Jing was tired to the bones after attending events with Zhai Yaohui the entire day. She slumped on the bed as soon as she reached the hotel room.

  She wished that she could lie on the bed and there was no need for her to get up to have dinner. She longed for a good night’s sleep to recharge herself.

  Just then, the cell phone in her bag rang. Miao Jing knitted her eyebrows. She might be tired, but she was worried that the phone call might be from her family.

  Miao Jing was constantly reminded of the fact that there was a pregnant lady at home and she might go into labor anytime.

  “I’ll answer it.” Zhai Yaohui knew that Miao Jing was tired. He came out from the restroom and took the cell phone out of the bag. He pressed the answer button. “Is this Dongzi or Zhai Hua?”

  Now that Qiao Nan was pregnant, Zhai Hua no longer carried her cell phone with her. If needed, she would use other people’s cell phones. Zhai Yaohui had been used to the fact that Tian Dong and his daughter would share Tian Dong’s line.

  “Dad, it’s me!”

  Zhai Yaohui could hear the excited voice of his daughter from the other end of the phone. She was so loud that he felt a piercing pain in his ears. “I know……”

  “Is that Hua Hua?!” Miao Jing sat up right away. She ran to Zhai Yaohui and snatched the phone from him. “Hua Hua, why did you call me at this time of the day? You should be at home to keep Nan Nan company at this time. Why are you using Dongzi’s phone?”

  “Mom, Nan Nan has given birth. I am at the hospital. The auntie will bring soup to the hospital in a while.”

  “Given birth?!” Miao Jing straightened her back, shouting at the top of her voice. Her shouts were more deafening than Zhai Hua’s screams. “Has she really given birth? It is only September now. Twins? How many boys are there? Are there any girls?” There were many possibilities as Qiao Nan had twins.

  Even if she did not have any grandsons, Miao Jing would be equally happy to have two granddaughters. She would treat them like little princesses.

  “Mom, Nan Nan has given you two grandsons and one granddaughter!”

  “Ah, two grandsons, one grand…… Wait a minute. I didn’t hear clearly. Can you repeat yourself?” Miao Jing counted with her fingers and she stiffened. Did Hua Hua make a mistake? Shouldn’t it be one grandson and one granddaughter? Or could it be that she was too excited that she had heard wrongly? It should be one grandson and one granddaughter instead of two grandsons and one granddaughter.

  “Mom, triplets. It’s triplets. We have an addition of three babies to our family today!” Zhai Hua knew that her mother must be feeling bewildered and confused. She felt the same way when she heard two babies crying and the nurse came out telling that there was another baby in the womb. “Mom, I have two nephews and one niece. They are beautiful. They are so soft, and they look especially well!!”

  There was a loud noise on the other end of the phone. It was as if Miao Jing was too excited and the cell phone had dropped onto the floor.

  Fortunately, their room had a carpeted floor and hence the cell phone did not smash to pieces. Zhai Hua could faintly hear her mother shouting in joy. “I have two grandsons and one granddaughter. I have three grandchildren. I want to go home to take a good look at my grandsons and granddaughter. I don’t want to stay with you. I am going back to carry my grandsons and granddaughter!”

  Now that she had grandsons and granddaughter who smelled nice and were soft and tender, she could not be bothered with Zhai Yaohui, the old man!