Chaos ensued for a moment.
Compared to the others, Cheng You was surprisingly the calmest.
"Don't panic. Yan Yan, go call Qi Chengyan and ask him to drive over and pick me up."
Her stomach was starting to hurt. Although the school infirmary lacked examination equipment, she could at least ask her classmates to take her there to get checked.
Cheng You grasped Fang Yunbao's hand and said fiercely, "You go report it to the police. Don't let Widow Lin get away. If anything happens to my child, I'll make her pay with her life!"
This was the first time Fang Yunbao had seen such intense ferocity in Cheng You's eyes.
Without a second thought, she bolted out like a cannonball.
The doctor at the infirmary was not proficient in obstetrics and gynecology and could only handle minor wounds.
Cheng You was already spotting and needed to be taken to a major hospital.
Her classmates took her to the nearest hospital. By now, Cheng You was pale from the pain.
Fortunately, as they reached the school gate, Qi Chengyan arrived.
He took Cheng You directly to the military hospital.
Here, there were doctors who regularly conducted prenatal check-ups for Cheng You and were more familiar with her condition.
Qi Chengyan carried Cheng You out of the car, as steady as ever, but Cheng You could feel his unusually rapid heartbeat.
"I should have listened to Mom and not continued going to school."
Qi Chengyan said gently, "This was an accident. It's not your fault. Don't be afraid, the baby will be fine."
He quickened his pace, carrying Cheng You inside.
After the doctor's examination, she said, "It seems she's going to deliver prematurely. You've taken good care of her, so even though it's not full-term, there shouldn't be major issues. However, the baby's position is a bit awkward, so a Cesarean section might be necessary."
Cheng You had always wanted a natural birth and didn't want to be cut open.
Now, because of Widow Lin, she would have to undergo surgery after all.
By the time Song Qinglan and her party arrived, Cheng You had already been taken inside.
There was nothing they could do but wait anxiously outside.
Even though she had given birth to two children, Song Qinglan's heart was still in her throat for Cheng You.
After all, it was a premature birth, and there was no telling if there would be complications.
As evening approached, Lin Sao came to bring them food.
Qi Chengyan couldn't eat and leaned against the wall, silent.
Song Qinglan forcefully placed chopsticks into his hand.
"If you don't eat, who will take care of Cheng You later? We are all getting on in years; we can only help out. The main responsibility will still be yours."
Only then did Qi Chengyan reluctantly eat a few bites.
The delivery room door finally opened late at night.
A nurse emerged to deliver the good news: "Mother and daughter are safe. They're being cleaned up and will be out shortly."
A little while later, the baby was carried out first.
Before Qi Chengyan could even react, Song Qinglan was the first to hold the baby.
"Even though it's not full-term, she weighs five jin and six liang. She's very healthy and her cries are strong."
Qi Chengyan stared blankly at the baby in the swaddling clothes. She was so small, as if only the size of his palm.
Her eyes were closed, and she was smacking her little lips.
This was his daughter.
His and Cheng You's child.
Seeing him frozen, Song Qinglan placed the baby in his arms.
"Hold her. Cheng You went through so much to give birth to her for you."
Qi Chengyan was stiff all over, looking like he was facing a great enemy.
She was not only small but also soft.
He held her without daring to use any force, afraid of hurting her.
"Mom, please take her."
The old lady quickly stepped forward. "I'll take her, I'll take her."
She took the baby, leaving the old man and Qi Shengwen to look on enviously.
Soon after, Cheng You was brought out.
Qi Chengyan rushed to her side in an instant.
The anesthesia was gradually wearing off, and Cheng You had just woken up.
Although her face was a little pale, her condition seemed not too bad.
"Where's the baby?"
The old lady brought her over. "Here she is. She looks like you, fair and clean."
Cheng You propped herself up to take a look. Unlike Qi Yangsheng when he was born, she wasn't wrinkled at all.
Her hair was black and thick, and her skin was fair and tender.
She was clearly a beautiful baby girl in the making.
"Alright, let's go to the ward first so You You can rest," said Song Qinglan.
Cheng You had undergone a Cesarean section and could not eat anything for the time being.
Song Qinglan had asked Lin Sao to prepare soup in advance, but it would likely be a while before Cheng You could eat it.
Qi Shengwen held the baby for a while before reluctantly leaving, as Widow Lin's affairs still needed to be dealt with.
Cheng You hadn't produced milk yet, and soon the baby started to fuss.
Fortunately, Song Qinglan had prepared milk formula in advance, so the baby wouldn't go hungry.
As she was preparing the formula, Old Master Song and Zeng Xiuyun arrived.
Upon seeing her prepare formula, Zeng Xiuyun exclaimed exaggeratedly.
"Why isn't she breastfeeding?"
Song Qinglan disliked her but knew that Cheng You and the baby needed rest, and she didn't want to cause a scene.
So, she patiently explained, "Cheng You doesn't have milk yet. Formula is fine."
"Oh dear, she's already given birth, how can she not have milk? Really, of course, breast milk is more nutritious. You're not a qualified mother!"
Cheng You was in pain from her wound and didn't want to argue with her.
Qi Chengyan cast a cold glance at Zeng Xiuyun. "My wife needs to rest. Unrelated personnel, please leave."
Zeng Xiuyun was startled by his intensity and hid behind Old Master Song, muttering, "We came to visit, and now we're in the wrong."
Old Master Song quickly said, "She doesn't speak well. Please don't mind her. Formula is good, it's all good."
Song Qinglan ignored them and slowly fed the baby.
The baby drank quickly, smacking her little lips. After eating her fill, she fell asleep again.
Song Qinglan placed her in the crib and tucked the blanket in securely, making sure she wouldn't get cold.
Cheng You had a Cesarean section and would need to stay in the hospital for a few more days before going home to recover.
Old Master Song looked at the baby and asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?"
Song Qinglan gave him a displeased glance. "A girl."
The old man's disappointment was evident but he quickly rationalized, "It's okay. It's just the first child. After her body recovers, there will be a second and third child."
Qi Chengyan disliked hearing such talk and coldly replied, "We will only have this one child."
Song Qinglan's expression remained unchanged; she had known this for a long time.
One child was fine. They could pour all their love into her and ensure she grew up well.
Zeng Xiuyun became bold again. "You're not having a second child? How can that be? With only one little girl, in the future..."
"What's wrong with a little girl? Aren't you a woman? Didn't you crawl out of a woman's womb? You are a woman, and your child was born from a woman, yet you look down on women. It's truly ridiculous," Song Qinglan retorted with a cold face.
Old Master Song looked a bit embarrassed but still forced himself to say, "It's better to have a son to carry on the family name."
Song Qinglan scoffed. "You had a son, but did you carry on the Song family name? Zeng Xiuyun, you have sons and grandsons too, but how are they doing now? Alright, alright, my daughter-in-law needs to rest. You should leave now."
Zeng Xiuyun pulled Old Master Song along. "Let's go."
Warming up to a cold shoulder twice was enough.