12dz Chapter 453 Becoming a father
Chapter 453 Becoming a father
As time went on, the irrigation canal project progressed smoothly.
The subtle atmosphere initially created by the discovery of the ancient tomb was quickly overshadowed by the busyness of the work.
Li Xiangyang works from dawn till dusk every day, sweating profusely alongside the villagers.
More than a month later, amidst the cheers of the villagers, the irrigation canal was finally completed.
"Everyone has worked hard! Tonight, the village will hold a banquet to celebrate together!" Zheng Dehou announced loudly, standing by the newly repaired irrigation canal.
The villagers cheered and high-fived each other in celebration.
Li Xiangyang also breathed a sigh of relief; the project was finally finished.
"Xiangyang, how's your Xiaoyun doing these days?" Wang Ergou walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and asked.
At the mention of his wife, a look of worry immediately appeared on Li Xiangyang's face: "Her belly is getting bigger and bigger, and I'm getting more and more nervous."
"Hey, you're such a spineless father," Wang Ergou teased. "It's just having a baby, what's the big deal!"
Li Xiangyang glared at him: "You talk like you're not nervous? Isn't Hongxia's situation going to be soon too?"
"Haha, it'll be quick indeed. My mother is taking such good care of me, why would I be nervous? Alright, don't go to the banquet tonight, hurry home and see Xiaoyun, I'll handle it for you," Wang Ergou said with a smile.
"Thanks, brother." Li Xiangyang patted Wang Ergou on the shoulder gratefully and hurried home.
Pushing open the door, Li Xiangyang saw Li Xiaoyun sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) sewing baby clothes.
Her belly was already quite large, making it difficult for her to move around.
"You're back?" Li Xiaoyun looked up and saw her husband, smiling gently.
"Yes, the irrigation canal is finally finished today." Li Xiangyang sat down next to his wife, gently stroking her belly. "How are you feeling today? Is the baby fussy?"
"It's alright, he just kicked a few times after lunch," Li Xiaoyun said with a smile. "This child is just like his father, full of energy."
Li Xiangyang touched his wife's belly, feeling the pulse of life within, his heart filled with anticipation and worry: "I just calculated the days, it's almost time for her to give birth, right?"
Li Xiaoyun nodded: "Yes, it should be."
"Then...then let's go to the county hospital tomorrow!" Li Xiangyang suddenly stood up, his tone resolute. "I don't want to take any risks."
Li Xiaoyun was amused by her husband's anxious look: "So anxious? It's not time yet."
“It’s always a good idea to go to the hospital in advance,” Li Xiangyang said earnestly. “In case of any emergencies, it’s easier to handle things at the hospital.”
Seeing her husband's insistence, Li Xiaoyun had no choice but to compromise: "Alright then, we'll go to the county tomorrow."
The next morning, Li Xiangyang borrowed a donkey cart and took his wife to the county town.
Along the way, he drove the donkey cart carefully, afraid that the bumps would hurt his wife and the baby in her womb.
Upon arriving at the county hospital, Li Xiangyang practically helped Li Xiaoyun walk step by step into the obstetrics and gynecology department.
"Doctor, my wife is about to give birth, can we admit her to the hospital now?" Li Xiangyang asked anxiously.
The doctor on duty was a woman in her forties. After listening to Li Xiangyang's words, she looked up at Li Xiaoyun and then flipped through the medical records.
"Your due date is still two weeks away, why are you being admitted now? Isn't this ridiculous?" the doctor said, frowning. "Beds are scarce. Even if you have money, we can't admit you before your due date."
“But…” Li Xiangyang wanted to argue.
The doctor interrupted him: "Don't worry, this is normal for new dads. Go home and rest well, and come back for a check-up at the appointed time. If there are any abnormalities, such as spotting, rupture of membranes, or contractions, come to the hospital immediately."
Li Xiaoyun smiled and nodded, "Okay, doctor."
"Look, even your wife is calmer than you," the doctor laughed. "Alright, let's do a prenatal checkup first and see how things are going."
The examination results showed that Li Xiaoyun and the fetus were in good condition and everything was normal.
The doctor reassured Li Xiangyang, telling him that he could find a place to stay in the city to wait, but there was no need to be hospitalized.
After leaving the hospital, Li Xiangyang took Li Xiaoyun to her home in the city, then drove through the night to return the donkey cart, and then rode his bicycle back.
In the following days, Li Xiangyang stayed by his wife's side without leaving her side, afraid that she might feel unwell.
The first thing he does every morning is ask his wife how she is feeling. He also sleeps very lightly at night, afraid of missing any unusual signs.
"Li Xiangyang, you're making me very uncomfortable," Li Xiaoyun finally complained one day. "You keep staring at me, I'm even afraid to drink too much water."
"I was just worried," Li Xiangyang chuckled. "Just in case anything happens, I want to get you to the hospital right away."
Seeing her son like this, Li's mother couldn't stand it anymore and pulled him aside: "Xiangyang, you can't do this. Xiaoyun needs to relax right now. Your constant tension will only affect her mood."
Li Xiangyang scratched his head: "But Mother, I just can't rest easy."
"If you're really bored, go buy us some things. Go to the market and buy some fresh vegetables, and go to the pharmacy and buy some brown sugar, we'll need it after the baby is born."
Li Xiangyang finally found a use for his skills and quickly agreed, "Okay, I'll go right away. Mother, please spend more time with Xiaoyun."
After Li Xiangyang left, Li Xiaoyun breathed a sigh of relief: "Mom, thank you. He's been keeping a close eye on me these past few days, I could hardly breathe."
Li's mother smiled and said, "Silly child, this means he cares about you."
Li Xiaoyun stroked her belly, a happy smile on her face: "I know he cares about me, but his actions only make me more nervous."
"Men are all like this when they become fathers for the first time," Li's mother patted Li Xiaoyun's hand. "It'll be fine after the baby is born."
……
Time passed day by day, and the due date was fast approaching.
That morning, Li Xiaoyun suddenly felt a stomachache, but it passed quickly.
Li Xiaoyun didn't seem to care much, but Li Xiangyang, who was almost always by her side, didn't dare to be careless and immediately borrowed a car to take her to the hospital.
Upon arriving at the hospital, after the examination, Li Xiaoyun was taken to the delivery room.
Everything happened so fast that Li Xiangyang was extremely nervous and wanted to follow them in, but was stopped by the nurse.
"Family members, please wait outside. We will notify you if there are any issues." After saying this, the nurse quickly closed the delivery room door.
Li Xiangyang paced anxiously outside the delivery room, his heart clenching with each cry of pain he heard from inside.
"Xiangyang, don't worry, childbirth is like this," Li's mother comforted her. "Xiaoyun is healthy, she'll be fine."
Li Xiaohua also chimed in, reassuringly saying, "Yes, brother, the hospital facilities are so good, there won't be any problems."
As time ticked by, Li Xiangyang's heart pounded with anxiety.
Finally, after a long wait, the delivery room door opened and a nurse came out.
"Are your family members here?" The nurse looked around.
Li Xiangyang immediately rushed forward: "It's me! How is my wife? Where are the children?"
The nurse smiled and said, "Congratulations, mother and child are safe and sound. It's a boy, weighing 5.8 pounds, and very healthy."
"Really?" Li Xiangyang could hardly believe his ears. "I...I'm going to be a father?"
"Yes, new dad." The nurse chuckled at Li Xiangyang's shocked expression. "Wait a moment, once the mother is ready, you can meet him."