Nine months later.
The initial months of Caihong’s pregnancy were filled with tension and anxiousness. Caihong and Chyou had narrowly escaped death at that time and with her second pregnancy, Xiaosi became even more nervous. He was thrilled to have a second child but afraid to face the consequences.
But with Jack’s help and his connections, he found the best doctor to take care of Caihong and his unborn child during the whole phase of pregnancy.
Under strict scrutiny, Caihong’s condition was observed. The more months passed, the only firmer the decision came to be that Caihong would have a normal pregnancy and a normal delivery.
”At that time, Mrs. Zhu was under extreme stress and pressure. She was in depression which made her pregnancy difficult. An expecting mother should always be happy and cheerful or the prolonged depression can cause negative effects on the mother and child. She was physically fit but mentally not in a good state. But over the years, her condition has improved, especially in the last one to one and a half years. That’s why we don’t need to worry this time. Naturally, we will keep monitoring her but her health indicators are all good now.”
When that news broke, it felt as if everybody could finally breathe. A heavy burden was lifted off everybody’s minds.
And now as Xiaosi held his baby boy in his arms, he could only gaze at the sleeping child with immense love. After nine months of patience and waiting, their second child was finally here.
The boy, who they named Zhu Xiang, was peacefully sleeping in his father’s arms, sucking onto his thumb. He had comfortably nestled himself against his chest.
Xinyi quietly peeked at him, her eyes beaming with radiance standing in the hospital ward.
”Hehe, he looks like Xiaosi.”
Zhiyuan touched his chin. “Doesn’t his nose look like Caihong’s?”
Ah Cy whispered, “He is such a cutie pie!” She squealed hard.
Liang frowned. “Well, he still cannot be cuter than my Yuhan!”
They rolled their eyes.
”All babies are cute.”
”My babies are extra cute!”
The newly married couple, Jack and Shuang, were trying to get a glimpse of the baby. Finally, Shuang’s expression turned ugly. “Excuse me, but why are you all guys meeting my nephew first before his Aunt!? Out of my way, peasants!”
Jack supported. “Yeah! Let me see him too! You are all in the way!”
Shuang forcefully made her way and finally got to see Xiang. She poked his cheek and giggled. “Cute.”
Xiaosi proudly grinned. “I know, right?”
Then there were other bunch of people who felt extremely aggrieved at being left out.
Zizi glared at them. “You are all so mean! You can see that I cannot move, and nobody is paying any attention to me!”
Zizi, who was seven months pregnant, was feeling it harder and harder to walk the more her baby bump grew. She crashed into Yunru’s chest and complained. “They are so mean! Does nobody love me anymore? I am also his Aunt!”
Yunru seriously nodded. He narrowed his eyes. “Hey. If you don’t want to get arrested, then move. Hand over the baby to us.”
”…”
Caihong chuckled. “I see Chief Soo misusing his power~”
”Anything for my Princess,” then he solemnly said, “So let her see Xiang too or her mood swings back home are gonna kill me.”
Zizi hit him. “Hey! I don’t have any mood swings!”
He smiled. “Nobody can know that better than Dad and me.”
Her mouth twitched.
After holding Xiang for a few minutes, Xiaosi took his son back from Zizi and placed him near Caihong. She rested on the bed as she patted her sleeping son’s head with a soft smile on her face.
Chyou eagerly came to her side, excited to meet her baby brother. At that point, Xiang slightly opened his eyes and softly smiled as he saw his sister.
”He smiled at me!” She beamed.
Nobody was more thrilled to have another addition in their family as much as Chyou. She followed Caihong everywhere in her pregnancy, many times even during doctor appointments. She took the sole responsibility of decorating the baby room with toys and other stuff and even chose the crib for him. She wanted to be a good elder sister and so she tried her best to learn how a good sister would love and take care of her brother.
Xinyi looked around and asked, “Where Uncle An and Aunt?”
Just at that time, the door opened and the grandparents stepped in.
An Guoting breathlessly said, “We-we are here! Sorry it took us so long.”
Not just them but Xiaosi half-siblings Lei Shing and Lei Shu also accompanied them.
They eagerly walked over to Caihong’s side and asked, “Are you okay, dear? You are not in pain, right?” An Yueqin worriedly asked.
Caihong shook her head. “I am fine, Mom.”
She nodded, satisfied. Then the four of them stared at the adorable baby. An Yueqin and Lei Shu had tears in their eyes.
”Aish my nephew is so cute!”
An Guoting felt emotional as well. He never thought this day would come with how things had happened eight years back. But now, the past felt so distant.
He gently took baby Xiang in his arms and cradled him. With the light sways from left to right and back, he smiled in his sleep.
Everybody’s hearts melted like butter.
Caihong took him back in her arms, and her eyes ached. She was tired until now but seeing her son’s face washed all the pain and discomfort away.
Xinyi smiled. “Let them rest. We should leave.”
Shuang whined. “I didn’t get my full share of cuddling him.”
Zizi nodded. “You all hogged him away from me too!”
Zhiyuan said, “She is right. Let’s give them some privacy. Xiang is not going anywhere,” he chuckled. “You have all the time you want to love him.”
An Yueqin agreed and one by one, everybody left.
Xiaosi sat by her side, his arm hung above her head.
Chyou eagerly asked, “Mama, I want to hold him pleaaaaaaase?”
She showed them her big, watery eyes. Caihong pinched her cheek. “Well, you are a little small to hold him by yourself.”
Xiaosi laughed. “So let’s do this.”
He took Chyou in his lap and Caihong gently placed Xiang in her arms. Xiaosi supported both of them from the back.
”Happy?” He grinned.
Chyou beamed. “Very happy!”