However, how could Meng Liang Dong, this taciturn man, take that step forward?
Lin Wei signaled to Liuzi, instructing him to keep a close eye on both individuals. Lin Yuan also very tactfully said a few things, which, to put it plainly, meant that Liuzi could give a push when appropriate.
Liuzi keenly understood and immediately agreed with a cheerful laugh. His confidence was so overwhelming it was as if he was about to thump his chest and assure, "Don’t worry, I, Liuzi, will take care of Mr. Meng’s lifelong matter."
These past few days had been filled with the affairs of Fuman Building, so Lin Yuan would often return home late. Today, finally having some free time, she took the carriage back to Lin family’s home quite early.
Xia Zheng, having been tormented as a taste tester for these days, insisted that Lin Yuan compensate him well and shamelessly hitched a ride on the carriage, refusing to get off.
Lin Yuan, feeling helpless and recalling how he had closely followed her in the kitchen all this time, decided to cook him a delicious meal.
Upon returning home, Lady Liu was leaning on the Kang bed, dozing with eyes half-closed, looking a bit pale. Lin Wei explained that Lady Liu had been feeling unusually heavy and sleepy today, but experienced palpitations whenever she lay down. This had never happened before, but fortunately, there were no other discomforts.
Lin Yuan saw that she was sleeping and thought she might just be exhausted, so she didn’t say much and hurried to the kitchen to prepare something tasty.
The old houses had long been demolished and the new wings were already being built. Now, there was only the Kang bed left to finish. Lin Yuan had hired relatives of Aunt Wang; they made Kang beds that were not only sturdy but also clean, leaving her very satisfied.
Most importantly, they worked efficiently, not dragging their feet or deliberately slowing down. They could finish the Kang beds in one room in just three or four days.
Thinking that Lady Fan would arrive in a few days, she had to hurry up and get her wings in order.
That evening, Lin Yuan prepared small wontons—now that the weather was getting colder, eating some would help warm the body.
However, before the wontons were even served, Lady Liu had encountered trouble: abdominal pain and spotting.
When Lin Wei came crying for Lin Yuan, Lady Liu had already started having intermittent contractions.
"Is—Is she going to give birth?" Lin Yuan had never witnessed childbirth and was immediately dumbfounded.
Upon hearing his wife’s voice, Lin Jiaxin came over with the help of a crutch: "Why so early, so early? Isn’t there still half a month left?"
Lady Liu was in so much pain she couldn’t speak, and Lin Jiaxin, seeing her drenched in sweat, held his wife’s hand while anxiously instructing Lin Yuan, "Quick, go to the neighboring village and fetch the midwife. And go to Aunt Wang’s house and get Aunt Wang."
Lin Yuan nodded blankly and rushed out. Xia Zheng had already taken the lead and sent Lin Yi in the carriage to the neighboring village to fetch the midwife.
This woman was the only midwife in the area, sought after for childbirth by women within miles and had been the one to deliver several of them, including Lin Yuan herself.
"Lin Yi, tell them it’s for the Lin family in Lin family’s hollow at Lin Jiaxin’s house." Fearing that Lin Yi, the black-faced ghost, might alarm the midwife into any misfortune, Lin Yuan didn’t forget to remind him to make the request politely.
Lin Wei also ran out to call for Aunt Wang while Lin Yuan wrung her hands, pacing back and forth in the courtyard, frantic at the heart-wrenching cries coming from Lady Liu inside.
Xia Zheng was nearly scared witless by the sound of Lady Liu’s screams—it was his first time witnessing childbirth. But seeing Lin Yuan in such a frantic state, he tried to reassure her, "Yuanyuan, don’t worry. Your mother has given birth before. She should be fine."