Chapter 177: Chapter 175: The Little Cub is Born

"My dear in-law, please rest assured. Leave Xinxin to us. We’ll dote on her like our own daughter."

"But words are cheap. Actions speak louder. I toast to you with this cup of wine. You can come see Xinxin anytime you like. If anyone in our Chen Family ever wrongs her, I will get on my knees and beg for your forgiveness."

The atmosphere was set, and the words tumbled out of Mr. Chen.

Chen Zhengnian was their only son, so everything the family owned would one day be his.

Mrs. Wang said no more and simply gave a light nod.

The marriage between Wang Xinxin and Chen Zhengnian was finally settled.

There was no grand ceremony. In the Chen family’s tidy main hall, the two families simply sat together and drank a cup of tea, officially formalizing the union.

The wrinkles on Mr. Chen’s face smoothed out.

Although Mrs. Chen was still pale from her recent recovery, seeing her son’s happiness and watching Wang Xinxin diligently refilling their teacups, the last of her reservations slowly melted away.

After Wang Xinxin’s affairs were settled, everyone’s lives returned to normal.

Mrs. Wang had intended to leave, but Mrs. Lu persuaded her to stay.

After all, Wang Xinxin’s wedding was set for the near future, so she could stay a little longer.

She could leave after attending the wedding.

Meanwhile, Su Xinyao was transferred elsewhere and had no further contact with Su Tang.

Although Su Tang was still worried about Zhou Rui, Lu Xiao told her that the higher-ups were already taking the matter very seriously.

As soon as Zhou Rui returned, he would be immediately put under surveillance.

Professional matters should be left to the professionals, so there was nothing for Su Tang to do.

The days slipped into late autumn, and the Northwest wind now carried a biting chill.

Su Tang’s belly was now high and round, like she was carrying a heavy watermelon, and her movements grew increasingly clumsy.

Lu Xiao’s own heart felt like it was suspended higher and higher each day.

The decisive and efficient commander on the training grounds became a shadow who followed her every step at home.

He followed every step Su Tang took, his eyes never leaving her belly, terrified that something might go wrong.

"Lu Xiao, don’t be so nervous. You’re making me nervous too."

Su Tang couldn’t help but smile, trying to comfort him as she looked at his tense face.

Despite her words, with her due date approaching, she also felt a thread of tension in her heart.

In those days, giving birth was like passing through the gates of hell, especially at a Northwest military hospital with its relatively limited medical facilities.

Lu Xiao would say he wasn’t nervous, but at night, if Su Tang so much as turned over, he would startle awake and instinctively reach out to touch her belly, checking if the baby’s movements were normal.

He had packed the hospital bag long ago.

A few sets of soft undergarments, thick cotton diapers, two small swaddling blankets, and Su Tang’s toiletries were all packed neatly on the bedside table, within easy reach.

All so they could leave at a moment’s notice.

Labor began without warning late one night.

Su Tang was jolted awake by regular contractions, each one stronger than the last. Cold sweat instantly beaded on her forehead.

Biting her lip, she nudged Lu Xiao, who was awake in an instant. "Lu Xiao... I think... it’s time..."

Lu Xiao shot up as if he’d heard an emergency assembly whistle.

In the darkness, he fumbled to put on his clothes, his voice trembling with a tremor he didn’t even notice himself.

"Don’t be scared! Darling, don’t be scared! I’ll go get the car!"

He rushed out the door and woke his parents next door, as well as Wang Xinxin and Mrs. Wang. "Mom! Dad! Quick! Get the car ready! To the hospital! The baby’s coming!"

The silent family courtyard was jolted awake by the sudden commotion.

Mr. and Mrs. Lu rushed out, throwing on their clothes.

Mrs. Lu was experienced. While supporting Su Tang, she rapidly gave orders: "Lu, go get the thermos! Drive steadily! Xiao, hold Tangtang steady! Slowly!"

The jeep sped through the night, and the bumpy dirt road made every contraction even more unbearable.

Su Tang gripped Lu Xiao’s arm so tightly it was almost turning blue and purple.

Lu Xiao held her tightly, repeating endlessly in her ear, "Almost there, almost there. We’re about to arrive. Hold on, darling. I’m here! I’m here!"

He felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest; he was more nervous than he had been on his first trip to the battlefield.

"Lu Xiao, I wasn’t nervous at first, but are you saying that to comfort me, or yourself?"

Once at the hospital, the doctor and nurses on duty quickly wheeled Su Tang into the delivery room. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The green door slammed shut in front of Lu Xiao, separating two worlds.

Outside, time seemed to freeze.

Lu Xiao paced anxiously in the narrow corridor.

He could hear Su Tang’s stifled cries of pain from inside, each one like a knife twisting in his heart.

He wanted to charge in countless times but was sternly blocked by the nurses.

"Why isn’t there any news yet?"

"Is she in a lot of pain?"

"Nurse, how are things inside?"

He grabbed every medical staff member who went in or out of the delivery room to ask, but the answers were always the same: "Soon," "She’s trying," "Family members, please be patient."

Mr. Lu sat on a long bench, his brow deeply furrowed.

Mrs. Lu had her hands clasped together, murmuring prayers for a safe delivery.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wang and Wang Xinxin had gone back to make some congee, in case Su Tang wanted something to drink when she came out.

Every minute, every second, felt impossibly long.

The light in the corridor illuminated Lu Xiao’s face as countless thoughts, good and bad, flashed through his mind.

’I can’t go through this again,’ Lu Xiao thought. ’I’m not letting Su Tang have another baby.’

But no matter what Lu Xiao was thinking, Su Tang, inside, had only one thought: ’This hurts like hell!’

’Why don’t they have epidurals yet!’

After what felt like an eternity, a clear, loud baby’s cry finally rang out.

Lu Xiao rushed to the door, his eyes glued to the crack.

Immediately after, a nurse’s smiling voice followed. "She’s given birth! It’s a big, healthy boy. Mother and son are both safe."

His suspended heart came crashing down.

This tough guy, who shed blood but never tears on the battlefield, felt his eyes instantly redden and a sharp sting in his nose.

He leaned against the wall, gasping for breath, just to keep his weakening body steady.

The door opened, and a smiling nurse walked out, holding a tiny baby wrapped in a military-green swaddling blanket.

"Congratulations, Mr. Lu. It’s a son, weighing a sturdy eight pounds and ten ounces!"

Lu Xiao practically lunged forward, taking the little one with trembling, careful hands.

His face was red, his eyes were still closed, and his little mouth moved slightly, letting out tiny whimpers.

Lu Xiao looked down and felt as if the softest spot in his heart had been struck with incredible force.

A feeling he had never experienced before swept through him.

He held the baby and looked at Su Tang, who had just been wheeled out.

Su Tang’s face was pale, her hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to her temples, and she looked utterly exhausted.

But her eyes were stunningly bright, full of tenderness and contentment.

"Darling..."

Lu Xiao’s voice was choked with emotion. He crouched down, holding the baby with one arm and tightly gripping Su Tang’s cold hand with the other, bringing it to his lips to kiss it again and again.

"You worked so hard... You’ve suffered so much..."

Looking at his son in the swaddling blanket and then at his weak wife, he felt that his life was now complete.

"Look at our son. He’s so perfect, just like you. Let’s call him Lu Cheng’an, okay? ’Cheng’ for receiving heaven’s blessing, and ’An’ for peace and safety. Let’s just wish for him to be safe and sound his whole life!"

"Cheng’an..."

Su Tang repeated weakly, her lips struggling to form a gentle smile. "Yes... Cheng’an... That’s a beautiful name..."

Her fingertips gently touched her son’s little face.