Free Web NovelChapter 364: Chapter 364: Extra 13
Jiang Cheng strangely liked the smell of gasoline.
But she was rational enough to know it’s not good to smell too much, so she restrained herself to sniff just once.
Shen Que was truly helpless and powerless because he couldn’t compete with tearful Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng cradled her slightly protruding belly, and the moment she pursed her lips, Shen Que surrendered.
Every time Grandma Shen saw this, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes, knowing she couldn’t rely on this foolish guy.
Four months later, Jiang Cheng’s belly began to swell.
She transitioned from liking the smell of gasoline to craving jianbing guozi from a small street stall.
Every morning, Jiang Cheng would get up early to wait at the corner for the small cart selling jianbing guozi.
She not only loved to eat it but also enjoyed watching the process of how it was made.
The smokiness rising from making jianbing made her feel particularly satisfied.
Seeing Jiang Cheng’s fondness, Grandma Shen specially learned how to make them and tried cooking at home for Jiang Cheng, but she couldn’t eat them.
In the end, Shen Que secretly found the street vendor selling jianbing guozi, invested in upgrading his equipment, and prepared the finest materials just to make Jiang Cheng eat safely and healthily.
Since then, the vendor started daily clock-ins, rain or shine, and couldn’t be late.
When Jiang Cheng was five months pregnant, her appetite increased significantly.
She liked almost everything except seafood and became noticeably rounder.
Li Chunxiang brought tofu made by her mom for Jiang Cheng, just because Jiang Cheng mentioned craving Aunt Li’s tofu yesterday.
Li Chunxiang went home and talked about it, Aunt Li got up at two in the morning to make tofu, very diligently.
In Aunt Li’s heart, the Li family’s good days were all thanks to Jiang Cheng’s support.
Plus, Gao Zhonghua was cured, letting Aunt Li put down a burden that she felt relieved about, no longer worrying about her daughter becoming a widow someday, she was vibrant and full of energy.
In the courtyard, Li Chunxiang carried the tofu in, greeted Grandma Shen, and went to find Jiang Cheng.
Li Chunxiang saw Jiang Cheng munching on a big apple while reading a book.
"Common enemy vs. divided enemy, light vs. hidden hostility, attacking a strong united enemy vs. disassembling the enemy piece by piece..."
Jiang Cheng stopped halfway, saw Li Chunxiang, and invited her in to sit.
Li Chunxiang stepped in and chuckled, saying, "You’re having the kid learn the Thirty-Six Stratagems ahead of time?"
"Prenatal education."
"Who does prenatal education like this?"
Jiang Cheng unconvincingly said, "My family! It’s perfectly normal."
Li Chunxiang nodded thoughtfully, "True, with a mother like you."
The two sat down chatting, and during the conversation, Li Chunxiang brought up something.
"We’re having a class reunion, are you going? I think the person who delivered the invitation wanted me to tell you, you’re who they really want to invite."
Jiang Cheng munching on her apple asked, "Which class reunion?"
"University, when did we ever go to school together?"
Jiang Cheng was even more puzzled.
"We weren’t even in the same class during university, how could a class reunion be held together?"
"You don’t get it, their ambition is big, it’s a Beijing University alumni reunion."
Jiang Cheng was a bit stunned.
"Alumni reunion? Ambitious, indeed."
"Absolutely. No one from our graduating class is doing poorly."
Talking about this, Li Chunxiang chattered a bit more, "Alumni reunion feels alright, though. You wouldn’t believe I also received an invitation for an elementary school class reunion."
Jiang Cheng understood immediately, they extended it because they knew Li Chunxiang was doing well.
Li Chunxiang sighed, "It’s either to show off or network."
"Last time someone even asked me for a loan! Such audacity."
Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement.
Connections only count if they mutually benefit each other.
After chatting for quite some time, Li Chunxiang finally asked, "Are you going to the reunion?"
Jiang Cheng shook her head.
"Not going."
She didn’t want to create trouble for herself.
"True, with so many people, it’s safer not to go."
Li Chunxiang chatted with Jiang Cheng for over an hour before leaving.
Jiang Cheng saw her to the door and then returned inside.
In the evening, Shen Que went out for a walk with her, and Xing Er came to check her pulse afterward, everything was fine.
The following days were routine; morning walks, eating, reading books, handling some files, occasionally going to the company, where people like Jian Yueer and others would sometimes visit her at home to chat.
Throughout the pregnancy, Jiang Cheng ate well, drank well, rested well, and wasn’t troubled by any bothersome things.
She smoothly reached the late stage of pregnancy.
Jiang Cheng felt fine, but Shen Que became somewhat neurotic.
Every night, any time Jiang Cheng turned over or did something, Shen Que would immediately wake up, asking if she was about to give birth.
Eventually, it made Jiang Cheng neurotic as well, leading to Shen Que being banished from the bedroom, with Grandma Shen and Shen Yue taking turns accompanying her.
At this time, it was the height of summer, and Jiang Cheng sweated profusely every day.
On July 23rd, Jiang Cheng felt a heaviness in her belly in the evening, and after Xing Er checked her pulse, she said it was time.
The family decided to go to the hospital.
Shen Que drove, Shen Xing and Shen Yue were on summer vacation, each carrying a bag, while Grandma Shen carried thermal lunch boxes, flasks, and other items, and the whole family set off.
At the hospital, Jiang Cheng stayed in a single room.
Everything inside was arranged, and the most experienced obstetrician came to greet Jiang Cheng.
The hospital had been working with Jiang Cheng’s pharmaceutical company for years, relying on many of her medical devices and medicines.
George, who was far away in S City, also arrived.
Upon learning of Jiang Cheng’s pregnancy, he took time to research a folic acid drug.
To George, Jiang Cheng was a benefactor, soul mate, dear friend, and family.
The day after Jiang Cheng checked into the hospital, there was bleeding.
After bleeding, Jiang Cheng immediately asked Shen Que to help her shower and cut her long hair into a short cropped style.
About an hour after bathing, Jiang Cheng’s water broke.
As calmly as possible, she lay down and began experiencing contractions.
Initially manageable, they soon escalated to making her want to curse.
The contractions lasted longer and intervals shorter, indicating her entry into the delivery room was near.
Jiang Cheng didn’t want Shen Que to accompany her; in the end, Xing Er went in with her.
In the delivery room, Jiang Cheng tried not to make any sounds, saving her strength, her fingers gripping the bedsheet, veins bulging.
It hurt like hell!
Outside the delivery room, Shen Que was anxious and pacing, making Grandma Shen headaches.
Time felt excruciatingly slow at this moment.
More than two hours later, a cry pierced the air, and Shen Que trembled excitedly, almost leaning on the door.
With a thud, Xing Er came out, holding the baby, and said to those outside: "Rest assured, mother and son are safe."
"Here’s the baby, six pounds eight ounces, very healthy."
