Jia Yu tried to endure the pain, but instead of easing, it grew stronger with every breath she took. Her fingers tightened painfully around Yan Qing's arm as another wave crashed through her body.
Among the women who had gathered to see what was happening, one stepped closer and observed her carefully.
"She is in labor," the woman said. "She won't be able to walk far. Bring her to my place."
With the woman's help, Yan Qing supported Jia Yu as best as he could, carrying most of her weight as they hurried to the nearby house. When they arrived, the woman rushed inside and returned with a small folded blanket.
"This will do for now," she said as she spread it on the floor. "Lie down here."
She helped Jia Yu lower herself slowly. Jia Yu groaned in pain, her whole body trembling. The woman straightened and sighed.
"I just moved into this village, so I don't have much yet. Let me quickly get some oil from the next house."
As she turned to leave, she paused and looked at Jia Yu struggling on the floor.
"Rub her waist," she told Yan Qing. "She is close."
Then she hurried outside.
Yan Qing knelt beside Jia Yu immediately, his hands shaking as he placed them on her lower back. Fear filled his eyes as he watched her face twist in pain.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice breaking.
"Stop asking stupid questions!" she snapped through clenched teeth.
Another contraction hit her suddenly.
"Ah!" she screamed, her body arching.
Yan Qing flinched at her scream, his heart pounding wildly. He felt helpless, terrified.
"I'm here… I'm here…" he kept whispering, even though he didn't know what to do.
"Rub my waist," she said weakly.
He obeyed at once, rubbing her back frantically, desperate to ease her pain. But barely a moment later___
"Stop!" she screamed again, shaking uncontrollably.
Just then, the woman returned with a bottle of oil. She knelt beside Jia Yu and poured some into her hands, rubbing them together before pressing gently but firmly against Jia Yu's back and abdomen.
"Breathe with the pain," the woman instructed calmly. "Don't fight it. When it comes… push."
Jia Yu shook her head in fear, tears spilling from her eyes.
"I can't… I can't do this…"
Yan Qing grabbed her hand tightly.
"You can," he said through tears. "You are strong. Please… I'm right here."
Another contraction hit harder than before.
"Push!" the woman ordered.
Jia Yu screamed, her voice hoarse, her whole body straining as she pushed with every bit of strength she had left. Sweat soaked her face, her breathing ragged, her fingers gripping Yan Qing's hand as if she would never let go.
"I'm tired… I can't anymore…" she cried weakly.
"Yes, you can," Yan Qing sobbed. "For me… for our child… please…"
The pain came again. And again, she pushed.
After what felt like endless suffering, a sharp cry suddenly filled the room. The baby's cry.
For a moment, everyone froze.
Then the woman lifted the child gently, cleaning the tiny body before wrapping the baby in the small blanket.
"It's a girl," she said softly.
Jia Yu burst into tears at once, her chest rising with broken sobs. Yan Qing collapsed beside her, crying openly without shame.
The woman carefully placed the baby into Jia Yu's trembling arms.
The tiny child's fingers curled weakly against Jia Yu's skin.
"My baby…" Jia Yu whispered through tears.
Yan Qing knelt beside them, his hands shaking as he touched the child's head gently.
"Thank you… thank you for surviving…"
Tears streamed freely down his face.
Not long after the baby's cry faded, neighbors began to arrive one after another to congratulate Jia Yu. Their faces were filled with smiles and relief. Some brought small gifts___cloth, food, coins___each offering kind words and blessings for the newborn.
Meanwhile, the woman who had helped with the delivery hurried into her small kitchen and began to prepare a pot of hot soup. The rich scent soon filled the room.
"This will help warm your body and heal your stomach," she said gently as she handed the bowl to Jia Yu.
Jia Yu drank slowly, exhaustion weighing heavily on her, but the warmth eased her trembling body. When she finished, she finally felt a little stronger.
Just then, a young boy of about sixteen stepped into the house. The moment he saw the woman holding a baby, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Ah… have you started delivering babies here too?" he asked innocently.
The woman laughed softly.
"This is my son, Yu Wing."
After the introduction, Jia Yu finally relaxed a little. With the help of Yan Qing and the woman, she slowly stood up. Yu Wing helped gather the small gifts the neighbors had brought for the baby.
Jia Yu held the baby carefully in her arms, while Yan Qing supported her as they began to walk home. Yu Wing followed closely behind, carrying the gifts.
On the way, Yu Wing suddenly stopped. His breath caught in his throat as he stared ahead.
"Jin!" he shouted suddenly.
A young man turned at the sound of his name. Recognition lit up his face.
"Mother," Yu Wing said excitedly, turning back to the woman, "you remember Jin, right?"
"Yes, I do," his mother replied with a smile.
After exchanging a few greetings, she turned to Yan Qing and Jia Yu.
"I should go now. The baby needs rest."
"Our place is three houses from here," Yan Qing replied.
"Good. I'll join you," Yu Wing said cheerfully. Then he ran ahead, laughing and talking with Jin, whom he hadn't seen in years.
---
Grandmother paced restlessly around the compound at home. Her heart was uneasy. She knew very well that Jia Yu was due any moment. Going to the market and returning without seeing them at home filled her with fear.
"Where could she have gone?" she murmured anxiously.
Just then, she heard slow footsteps outside the compound. Her heart skipped violently. She turned around quickly.
The gate opened.
The first thing she saw was Yan Qing, supporting Jia Yu. Then her eyes fell on the tiny bundle in Jia Yu's arms.
For a moment, the old woman couldn't breathe.
"A… baby?" she whispered, her voice shaking.
Jia Yu lifted her tired face weakly, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Grandma… it's a girl…"
The old woman staggered forward, hands trembling. She stared at the baby's tiny face, the soft pink skin, the weak little movements.
Then her knees gave way.
She dropped to the ground and burst into tears.
"My child… my Jia Yu…" she cried, covering her mouth with both hands. "You suffered so much… you really suffered so much…"
Yan Qing quickly helped her up. She stepped closer, gently touching the baby's cheek with one shaking finger.
"So small… so precious…" she sobbed. "Thank the heavens… thank the heavens you both survived…"
Tears streamed freely down her wrinkled face as she looked at both mother and child with overwhelming love and relief.