Even after waiting for an hour, they were told, "She’s only five centimeters dilated and 80% effaced."

  "She’s in pain. Give her the epidural (injection to reduce the contraction pain) already before her husband murders me." Seeing Yang Ziyi in a cute Onesie, it was really difficult for the female doctor to keep her face straight.

  But she knew how to be professional. "Dr. Yang, she doesn’t want medications. Also, we need to wait until she is 10 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced. I don’t think I need to explain any further to you."

  Yang Ziyi cursed her luck since she heard Jie’s hurried footsteps running towards them with a disheveled look.

  "Where is she? How is she?" Jie didn’t bother paying attention to everyone as he was pointed towards a room, he ran inside without delay. There on the bed, seeing Xu Mey’s contorted face made his heart clench in his chest.

  "Ah-Jie……" Xu Mey’s voice was soft, tired but filled with her happiness. It was like she felt relaxed at just his sight. That was the effect he had on her.

  Jie paced up to her side and held her hand in his own. Suddenly he felt like his hand was clutched in a vice-like grip but who was complaining? He stroked her hair lovingly and said, "Baby, I’m right here with you. I’m not going anywhere. Is it hurting?" Seeing his anxious face, Xu Mey tried to put up a brave front and shook her head. Jie obviously didn’t believe her. "Stop lying."

  She slowly nodded her and managed to say, "It feels like the worst cramps of my life. Attacking me viciously all at once."

  Jie didn’t stop soothing her. "Let’s not have another child."

  "But you wanted a whole football team." She reminded him.

  "Not at the expense of my baby. I’m fine with only one." She seemed like a fragile doll to him at this moment as if she would break at any second. And the idea scared the hell out of him. "Close your eyes and focus on my voice. Okay?"

  "Hmm……" Xu Mey obliged while humming in reply.

  "Do you remember the first day we met?" He asked at the distant memory. She hummed in response again while he continued, "Silly, you don’t remember at all." Xu Mey kept her eyes closed but frowned in confusion. "Or perhaps you didn’t want to acknowledge your Senior Brother." Xu Mey’s eyes shot open. "You only have eyes for that damned Sensei of yours. Why would you remember a side character like me?"

  As his words registered, Xu Mey’s mind reeled back to the memories of her younger self. And as that refreshing and bright young boy’s face resurfaced, Xu Mey was dumbstruck to feel the similarities. The boy who made her realize the value of life and the one whom she trusted with all her heart turned out to be her own husband?

  Her pain was really forgotten while she stared at Jie with happiness bubbling in her eyes in the form of tears.

  "It was you!" This realization alone made her heart to beat vigorously.

  "Took you long enough to recognize me." Jie joked while tapping her nose with his own.

  Their sweet moment was disrupted by the obstetrician who came to administer the epidural but both husband and wife opted for natural birth without the use of any medication. Even though the risks were minimal, Xu Mey didn’t plan on taking any risk at all.

  After four excruciatingly long hours of labor, she was sent to the delivery room. But her grip on Jie’s hand didn’t loosen up at all. In the end, Jie was also led inside on her insistence.

  The pushing was said to be the worst part and Xu Mey honestly couldn’t agree more. She could feel every stretch, pull, and tear. The burning was real and even Jie could feel her pain. It was hard to concentrate on her breathing and she felt like she wouldn’t be able to push anymore. This was it.

  But Jie’s hands stroking her face while humming a soft tune near her ear gave her the courage to keep going.

  "It’s coming out. Just another push." The doctor urged and Xu Mey used all her willpower to keep going. Both Jie and Xu Mey stared in bewilderment at the doctor as she said, "Congratulations, it’s a boy."

  Before they could celebrate, Xu Mey felt another wave of pain residing in her stomach and lower back. "Why is it still hurting?" She screamed at the doctor in pain.

  The female doctor smiled up at both the confused husband and wife saying, "Because there is one more to come."

  "What?"

  Both husband and wife were dumbfounded at her reply. What did she just say? Another one? As in twins?

  At the sudden realization, both of their expression shifted as they looked at each other in shock or more like a pleasant surprise.