Chapter 31: A Somewhat Unusual "Difficult Birth"

"It's time!"

Nicole Kidman suddenly opened the door and shouted to Chen Siyuan. Chen Siyuan could no longer sit still. He stood up and "whooshed" his way into the delivery room. This was his home, not a hospital, but he couldn't care about that now. At this moment, Chen Siyuan only wanted to be by Liu Xiaoli's side.

Although You Qingqing had insisted that everything was fine and that Liu Xiaoli would deliver safely, now that the moment had arrived, Chen Siyuan was incredibly nervous. After all, Liu Xiaoli was an older mother, nearing forty. In their daily life, and even during their more intimate moments, one could easily overlook her age, but when it came to childbirth, it was impossible to ignore. As a lawyer, Chen Siyuan had seen plenty of related cases.

After Chen Siyuan entered the delivery room, the old man outside, who had been so dignified just a moment ago, lost his composed demeanor. He began pacing back and forth, restless and uneasy, just like any ordinary grandfather-to-be. Worry clouds judgment.

Inside the makeshift delivery room, You Qingqing was guiding Liu Xiaoli through the birth with professional precision. "Push, that's it, follow my instructions and push. It’s going to be fine." You Qingqing’s voice carried an inexplicable rhythm. Liu Xiaoli, who had been tense and in agonizing pain, calmed down instantly and began to push according to You Qingqing’s guidance. You Qingqing really knew her stuff; she looked incredibly professional. Chen Siyuan scratched his head. Compared to You Qingqing’s composure, Nicole Kidman looked like a servant girl in a wealthy ancient household, standing nervously by You Qingqing’s side, afraid to even breathe too deeply, terrified of interfering with the delivery. She had never seen a child being born outside of a hospital before.

Chen Siyuan rushed to the bedside and took Liu Xiaoli’s hand. Liu Xiaoli turned to look at him and smiled weakly, though the sweat on her forehead and her matted hair betrayed the immense pain she was enduring. Chen Siyuan quickly wrung out a hot towel and gently wiped the cold sweat from her hairline.

"Good, push again, it's starting to emerge," came You Qingqing’s slightly excited voice.

Chen Siyuan glanced over and saw, to his shock, a pair of tiny, reddish, wrinkled feet! Good grief! No wonder Liu Xiaoli was in so much pain! The brat was coming out feet-first! It was no wonder You Qingqing had said a regular doctor might not be able to handle it. In Western medical terms, this was a breech birth, and nine times out of ten, it would have resulted in a C-section.

"Auntie..." Chen Siyuan looked at You Qingqing with concern.

"Don't worry, I anticipated this. It's fine." As You Qingqing spoke, she reached out and began massaging Liu Xiaoli’s body along the line of the baby’s feet. A look of surprise crossed Liu Xiaoli’s face.

"What is it?"

"It’s not as painful anymore... it even feels a bit comfortable..." A hint of color returned to Liu Xiaoli’s pale face. Chen Siyuan blinked, looking at You Qingqing with pure admiration. So, she had this trick up her sleeve, too. Her massage technique was remarkable, though she didn’t seem like the type to pass it on to him. *Sigh, what a pity, she can’t bless the world with this skill!*

"Alright, start pushing now!" After a moment, You Qingqing stopped and instructed Liu Xiaoli to exert force again. Liu Xiaoli gripped Chen Siyuan’s hand and pushed. The brief rest had helped her recover some strength.

"Very good! The little guy’s bottom is out! Give it one final push!" Encouraged by You Qingqing, Liu Xiaoli summoned all her strength. Following that effort, through some maneuver by You Qingqing—a gentle guidance forward and a support from behind—the little one emerged from the womb!

"Waaah!!!" A thunderous cry announced the birth of a new life. You Qingqing nodded in satisfaction, picked up the scissors, and cut the umbilical cord. Then, she began to clean the little one up with movements so fluid and practiced that it was clear she had delivered many babies before.

Chen Siyuan took one look at the brat in You Qingqing’s arms before shifting all his attention back to Liu Xiaoli. After the release of tension, Liu Xiaoli was completely exhausted, as if she had used up every ounce of her energy.

"Xiaoli, you’ve worked so hard!" Chen Siyuan held her hand tightly, looking at her with deep affection.

Liu Xiaoli smiled with difficulty. "Aren't you going to hold your son? Haven't you been looking forward to this?"

"That brat has put you through so much pain. If you ask me to hold him now, I’m afraid I might not be able to stop myself from giving him a spanking!"

Liu Xiaoli rolled her eyes at him and turned to You Qingqing. "Auntie, let me see my son." You Qingqing had already cleaned and wrapped the baby, and with a smile, she placed him into Liu Xiaoli’s arms. After his initial earth-shattering cry, the little one had quieted down.

"The little guy has picked all the best features from both of you!"

Chen Siyuan peeked, then expressed his disdain. "Auntie, this brat is all wrinkled and looks like E.T. How can you tell he picked our best features? Do you have some misunderstanding about what our best features are?"

Liu Xiaoli tapped him lightly. "They’re all like this when they’re just born. He’ll look better once he grows into his features."

Chen Siyuan pulled back the cloth wrapping and took a look inside. "Well, the little brat is well-endowed in that department, that much he definitely got from me!"

Liu Xiaoli scolded him softly, "What nonsense are you spouting! Get out of here!"

Chen Siyuan leaned down and kissed her. "Rest well." He turned to You Qingqing. "Thank you so much, Auntie." After thanking her, he stepped out of the delivery room.

He immediately saw the old man, who was brimming with joy, though he quickly tried to compose his face when he saw Chen Siyuan. "Is he born?" the old man asked, feigning indifference.

"He’s born. Your 'precious grandson' actually came out feet-first. Thankfully, Auntie was capable! Otherwise, I would have wanted to spank him!" Chen Siyuan grumbled, still bothered by the feet-first arrival.

"Qingqing is indeed capable." The old man nodded, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

Chen Siyuan held out his hand. "You old swindler, your precious grandson has arrived safely. Where is that gift you promised him?" Chen Siyuan was relieved and finally in the mood to banter with the old man.

"The gift for my grandson is for my grandson. What does it have to do with you?" The old man glared at him.

Chen Siyuan nodded. "Fine, just you wait!" He turned and went back into the delivery room, returning shortly with the tightly wrapped little one. "You old swindler, your precious grandson is here. Hand over the gift!"

"Give the grandson to me!" The old man reached out, and Chen Siyuan handed his son over without a second thought.