"Induce labor. While your body is still capable of giving birth, take the labor-inducing medicine and deliver early."
"And the baby…?"
"I just checked. This baby is already fully formed—about the size of an eight- or nine-month fetus. There shouldn't be any serious complications. At most, your body might feel a little weaker, but with careful care, the child will be just like one born after a full-term pregnancy."
Zhenniang hesitated for a moment. Suddenly, the door burst open from the outside, and a firm voice said, "Auntie, let's do as you said."
"Husband…"
Zhenniang hadn't finished speaking before she was interrupted.
"Since you call me husband, then I'm in charge of this household. Auntie, we've made our decision. When do you think we should start the induction?"
A trace of admiration entered Auntie's voice.
"You actually take some responsibility. The fetal position needs correcting before we can start. If things go quickly, it'll take two or three days; if slowly, it won't exceed ten days."
"Good, then we'll leave it in your hands, Auntie."
"We're family. There's no need for formalities."
Footsteps gradually receded.
Amid this background noise, Qin Yi grew increasingly drowsy.
"Thankfully, it's not an abortion, just induction…" he thought, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety as he slowly drifted to sleep.
A sudden, uncomfortable pressure woke Qin Yi again. Instinctively, he shifted slightly, then realized what was happening.
"They're adjusting the fetal position."
After a brief hesitation, Qin Yi cooperated with the external pressure and actively began adjusting his position.
"Huh? This baby is surprisingly obedient, not struggling at all. If I keep this pace, the fetal position could be corrected today."
"Hmm, this child truly is good—never makes a fuss. Unlike the first and second, they were quite restless before birth…" Zhenniang suddenly realized something mid-sentence and fell silent.
Auntie, noticing that Zhenniang had realized the child was only seven months along and was thinking of induction, felt a twinge of guilt toward the baby and remained quiet.
Once Qin Yi's head was completely downward, the external pressure finally dissipated.
The head-down position felt slightly awkward, but Qin Yi didn't move anymore, maintaining this posture.
"All right. I'll come back tomorrow. If the fetal position hasn't changed, we can start the induction."
"Auntie, didn't you say it could take two or three days at least, or up to ten? Should we wait a bit longer…"
"I understand your concern. But, Zhenniang, the longer we wait, the riskier it becomes for you."
"Well, the plan was already for a three-to-ten-day correction period. I think my body can handle this… Auntie, please take care of it."
Auntie was silent for a long moment before responding, "I'll give you at most three days."
"Ten days then…"
"If you insist, we'll start tomorrow."
"All right… three days it is."
"Perfect. Use these three days to properly nourish yourself…" Auntie paused, then added, "Your stubbornness about not eating or drinking enough—telling you won't work. I'll speak with Dayong instead."
Soon after came the sound of a door opening, followed by voices outside confirming, "Yes, I'll make sure Zhenniang is properly nourished."
"Three days left… I'm about to be born…" Qin Yi thought, both excited and nervous, as he slowly drifted back to sleep.
Time passed. Qin Yi woke again amid some complaining voices.
"Husband, why did you kill the old hen?"
"It's to nourish your body."
"I only needed an egg a day. You killed the hen—how will I get eggs now? Are you not thinking ahead?"
"Relax. It's not that serious. We still have three hens left."
"You speak lightly…"
Qin Yi shook his head, speechless. This wasn't an argument—it was clearly displaying marital affection.
Even before being born, he had already been force-fed a mouthful of "couple's love."
He ignored the doting parents and focused on the broken game interface.
Once again, Qin Yi noticed a small change.
In the lower-left corner of the screen, the only lit section of the message area had two identical new messages, still brief and fuzzy.
"Through prolonged listening to others' conversations, Language skill LV1 has slightly increased."
During his previous two awakenings, Qin Yi had been preoccupied and didn't notice the interface updates. Seeing two new messages now, he guessed that message updates were related to his number of awakenings.
"I wonder if it updates before sleep or after waking…"
He decided to check this time.
Before succumbing to sleep again, he glanced at the message area. A new message had appeared:
"Through prolonged listening to others' conversations, Language skill LV1 has slightly increased."
Identical to the previous two.
"So it updates before sleep. Looks like a summary for today." With that thought, Qin Yi fell asleep again.
"Take a deep breath. Push hard."
Amid the intense pressure and the noisy commotion, Qin Yi woke again.
"It's starting…"
He restrained the instinct to move randomly and pushed in sync with the pressure.
"All right, the cervix is dilating…"
"Good. Very smooth. Already four fingers…"
"I can feel the head. Zhenniang, push! It's almost out…"
"Phew… it's out."
Auntie quickly took scissors from the basin to cut the umbilical cord. Frowning slightly, she inspected the baby—a head larger than the body, only about one foot long—while praising Zhenniang softly.
"Tsk tsk… another boy. Zhenniang, you're truly a lucky woman—three sons in a row. Dayong is fortunate to have married you." She lifted the baby's legs and gently tapped the tiny bottom.
Qin Yi had finally survived the most dangerous moment. But then came a sharp sting on his bottom. Unable to resist, he instinctively opened his mouth and let out a loud cry.
To Auntie, however, the sound was as tiny as a kitten's mew.
Still, at least he had cried—a sign of health.
"Tsk tsk… what a strong cry. Nothing like a premature baby," Auntie exaggerated, clucking with delight.
Voices outside called anxiously, "Auntie, how's Zhenniang?"
"Don't worry. Both mother and child are safe."
Auntie then washed him in warm water and wrapped him in a prepared swaddle, handing him to Zhenniang.
"See? Apart from being a little small, the baby is perfectly fine. You can rest easy."
"Yes, he's growing well. All thanks to Auntie."
"You're too polite. Close your eyes and rest, restore your energy. I'll show the baby to his father now."
"Thank you, Auntie." Zhenniang's voice faded as she drifted off to sleep.
(End of Chapter)