Outside the door, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense as time passed. None of his children dared to stand near him, taking a step back now and then. Hearing Zhulan’s first cry, Zhou Shuren wanted to rush in, but thankfully he restrained himself, afraid of disturbing the midwife.

Now, finally hearing the baby’s cry, Zhou Shuren’s palms were sweaty. Seeing Song Momo come out, he didn’t even glance at the baby and was about to enter the delivery room.

Song Momo stopped him. “Master, the midwife is preparing the mistress. Opening the door will expose her to the cold air. It’s not too late to go in later.”

Zhou Shuren withdrew his outstretched hand, only then noticing the baby. The child was quite obedient, at least not keeping him waiting too long.

Zhou Shuren withdrew his gaze and asked, “Is Madam alright?”

Song Momo replied, “I checked her. The mistress is fine, just exhausted and asleep.”

A smile finally appeared on Zhou Shuren’s face. Zhulan was giving birth in the delivery room, and he had imagined all sorts of possibilities in his mind. He didn’t want to think about them, but he couldn’t control himself, scaring himself quite a bit.

Seeing that the master’s gaze had returned to the child, Song Momo took him in her arms. “It’s a little master, weighing almost six pounds.”

Zhou Shuren smiled. Having a son was good; in ancient times, he could be more free. He reached out and took the child. He hadn’t told Zhulan that he had secretly practiced holding a baby, albeit a pillow.

Zhou Shuren’s movements were a little stiff, but with Song Momo’s guidance, he quickly became more adept.

Zhou Shuren looked down at the little guy. The child was good-looking, combining the best features of both him and Zhulan, but unfortunately, he still inherited the original owner’s genes.

Zhou Shuren’s gaze softened. The little guy seemed like an obedient child; even when uncomfortable, he only frowned. “He’s sleeping so soundly.”

Zhou’s eldest sons were incredibly envious. The eldest son didn’t know if his father had ever held him after he was born, nor did he know his second brother, but as far back as he could remember, he knew his father had never held his third or fourth brothers, or even his sister.

Now, his father was not only holding his little brother, but the smile on his face was one he had never seen before. It was the first time he had ever seen his father smile so gently, as if his heart and eyes were filled with his little brother.

Second Master Zhou pursed his lips. He knew from his father’s attitude after his mother became pregnant that his father was eagerly anticipating the child. Now, seeing it with his own eyes was heartbreaking. Given how much his parents loved his younger brother, the family business would probably all belong to him in the future.

Second Master Zhou calculated his money; he still needed to buy some shops.

Chang Lian truly envied his younger brother, who received his father’s love right after birth. He also envied his father becoming a father again. He wasn’t young anymore; he married early but consummated his marriage late. Many of his peers were already fathers, and he wanted to be a father too.

Chang Lian couldn’t help but think that if he became a father, he certainly wouldn’t treat his sons like his father treated them, making his son feel like he had a stepfather.

Chang Zhi wasn’t home; even if he saw it, he wouldn’t care. His younger brother was less appealing than a book.

Xuehan was overjoyed. Her mother was alright, and she had a little brother; she wasn’t the youngest anymore. “Dad, I’ll definitely help Mom take good care of my brother.”

Zhou Shuren looked at his little daughter and smiled, “Okay.”

Li Shi didn’t feel much about the birth of her little brother. She knew her mother-in-law was alright, and she grinned happily. As long as her mother-in-law was safe, that was all that mattered.

Dong Shi couldn’t help but glance at her little brother a few more times. What a good child! Her mother-in-law was not young, and it was rare for her to have such a smooth delivery. Dong Shi blushed slightly; the third branch of the family also lacked children!

Soon the midwife came out, and Zhou Shuren said to Xuehan, “I’m leaving him to you.”

As she spoke, she carried the child into the house.

Xuehan handed the prepared red envelope to the midwife and instructed Steward Ding to inform the servants that they would receive three months’ worth of rewards for this joyous occasion—all of which she and her mother had agreed upon.

Zhou Shuren carefully placed the child down, held Zhulan’s hand, and, smelling the blood in the room, tightened his grip. He didn’t know how long it would take to replenish the blood lost today. “I’ll wait for you to wake up,” he said.

Zhulan had a beautiful dream in which she saw her child grow from the time he could roll over to adulthood and was about to watch her son get married when she woke up to the sound of her child crying.

Zhulan woke up. More than three hours had passed since she gave birth. Her throat hurt; she had screamed too hard during labor. After drinking the water Zhou Shuren gave her, her throat felt a little better. Only then did Zhulan ask, “Where’s the baby?”

Song Momo brought the baby over, and Zhou Shuren took him. “Here. It’s a boy, almost six pounds.”

Zhulan, a first-time mother, had long forgotten the pain of childbirth when she saw her child. Her eyes widened as she looked at him. She felt that life was truly miraculous. She carefully reached out and touched the baby’s face, smiling foolishly, “Son, I’m your mother.”

She was a mother now. She really was a mother.

Zhou Shuren happily followed, “Son, I’m your father.”

Zhulan chuckled, “Look at you, silly.”

Zhou Shuren retorted, “You’re not much better.”

Zhou Shuren was genuinely excited. He had no parents, no relatives, and besides Zhulan, this child was his only concern. This feeling swelled in his heart, as if a surge of pride wanted to be shouted out.

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand, and together they gently placed their hands on the baby. Zhou Shuren smiled foolishly again, a picture of the three of them as a family.

Zhulan’s eyes crinkled with laughter, but her stomach rumbled; she was hungry.

Song Momo had prepared the food, and Zhulan ate noodles, which made her feel much better. After eating, Zhulan estimated the time. “It’s so late; you don’t need to stay with us anymore. go and rest.”

Zhulan had specially prepared the delivery room for her postpartum confinement, so she couldn’t stay with Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren, however, didn’t want to leave. “I’ll stay with you and the baby.”

Zhulan was speechless.

No, she didn’t want to. Really, she knew her body would smell terrible in a few days. Zhou Shuren didn’t mind, but she disliked herself.

Zhou Shuren didn’t give Zhulan a chance to object and went straight to bed, gesturing for Song Momo to take the baby out.

Zhulan watched Zhou Shuren squinting and acting spoiled, speechless. She didn’t have the energy to argue with him; she was full, and her eyelids were drooping. Zhulan had complete confidence in the child; Song Momo could even take good care of a little maid, let alone a healthy baby.

(End of Chapter)

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