Chapter 223: Sheng Zexi: ""Doctor, save the mother, save the mother—no matter what, you must save the mother!

That's right—the person who arrived was none other than Yao Chunhua.

Originally, she hadn't planned to come so early, but since her train arrived ahead of schedule, she ended up getting there sooner than expected.

For some reason, as soon as she got off the train, her heart started pounding rapidly.

She just wanted to get there as soon as possible.

So, the moment she got off the train, she headed straight for the Northwest Military District. After registering, a young soldier led her inside.

As soon as the soldier heard she was Gu Jianing's mother, his eyes filled with respect.

After all, this was Dr. Gu's mother.

""Auntie Yao, right? Dr. Gu told us earlier that her mother would be coming around this time, and asked us to keep an eye out.""

""Auntie Yao, you brought so many things! Let me get someone to help you carry them in.""

The young soldiers were all very enthusiastic.

Not only did they help Yao Chunhua carry her luggage, both big and small, but they also warmly escorted her to the family quarters and pointed out the door before leaving.

""Am I a bit early?"" Yao Chunhua asked as she walked in, carrying her things.

""No, in fact, it's perfect timing—Ningning is about to give birth,"" her in-law replied.

""What? Ningning is about to give birth?!"" Yao Chunhua was so shocked that she dropped her things on the floor.

She immediately ran toward the master bedroom.

Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing heard the commotion outside, but neither of them had the energy to pay much attention.

Sheng Zexi was helping Gu Jianing walk around the room.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind.

""Daughter, Ningning...""

Gu Jianing froze for a moment, then slowly turned around—and saw the familiar figure standing at the door.

Her pupils dilated slightly, and her eyes instantly reddened.

""Mom...""

""Yes, I'm here."" Yao Chunhua hurried in, her eyes full of concern as she looked at Gu Jianing.

Seeing her daughter's healthy complexion, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. But when she saw her daughter's bulging belly, her heart skipped a beat.

She knew her daughter was carrying twins.

On the one hand, she was happy to be getting two grandchildren at once.

But as a mother, her first concern was always her daughter's safety.

The more babies in the womb, the harder the delivery.

And for a woman, giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell.

How could Yao Chunhua not worry?

Gu Jianing could see her mother's concern at a glance and forced a smile. ""Mom, I'm fine.""

Hearing this, Yao Chunhua almost burst into tears.

She'd given birth herself—she knew exactly what ""fine"" meant.

But right now, Yao Chunhua didn't dare say much more.

When she heard Granny Sang was going to make something for Gu Jianing to eat, she quickly wiped her eyes and turned to leave. ""Let me do it.""

Her daughter hadn't tasted her cooking in so long.

So when Yao Chunhua got to the kitchen and told Granny Sang she wanted to cook for Gu Jianing, Granny Sang immediately agreed.

""These past few days, Ning girl has been talking about your cooking.""

Yao Chunhua was quick and capable, and the kitchen was well-stocked. After Granny Sang lit the stove, she quickly made a bowl of noodle soup.

There were vegetables, meat, and a poached egg on top, and she even added some of her homemade pickled vegetables to the broth.

Pickled vegetable noodle soup was one of Yao Chunhua's specialties.

After the last contraction passed, Gu Jianing finally felt a bit better. With Sheng Zexi's help, she was able to start eating the noodles.

The familiar taste brought tears to her eyes.

Ten minutes later, Gu Jianing had finished the entire bowl.

Just then, the next round of contractions was about to start.

At the same time, the system reminded her that she was about to go into labor.

""Mom, Grandma, Zexi, let's go to the hospital,"" Gu Jianing said.

""Alright.""

Amber, knowing Gu Jianing was about to give birth, wanted to go along too, but Sheng Zexi told her to stay and watch the house. Amber could only stay behind, praying for a smooth delivery and waiting for Gu Jianing and the babies to come home.

Gu Jianing was taken to the hospital. At that hour, everyone was just getting up and busy, so quite a few people found out.

""Dr. Gu is about to give birth?""

""Hope Dr. Gu has a safe and smooth delivery.""

Gu Jianing had a great reputation in the Northwest Military District, so naturally everyone wished her well.

She was taken straight to the obstetrics department.

The doctor in charge of her delivery was Dr. Hao.

""Dr. Hao, I think I'm about to give birth..."" Gu Jianing said as soon as she saw her.

""About to give birth? Alright, let's get you into the delivery room right away."" Normally, Dr. Hao would have done another check-up.

But Gu Jianing was a doctor herself.

And with her medical skills, she knew her own body best.

So Dr. Hao didn't hesitate and sent her straight into the delivery room.

As for Sheng Zexi, Granny Sang, and Yao Chunhua, they waited anxiously outside.

""Ningning, don't be afraid, Mom is right outside waiting for you."" Yao Chunhua held her daughter's hand, gave her some encouragement, and then let go.

They watched as Gu Jianing was wheeled into the delivery room and the doors closed.

They couldn't hear anything from inside.

But their worry didn't lessen one bit.

Especially Sheng Zexi—he clenched his fists, lips pressed tight, eyes never leaving the delivery room door.

Yao Chunhua pressed her hands together, praying nonstop: ""Ancestors of the Gu family, all the gods and buddhas above, please protect Ningning.""

""Please let Ningning and the babies be safe and sound.""

Maybe it was Yao Chunhua's prayers, or maybe they just wanted all the protection they could get, but Granny Sang joined in too, praying to the ancestors of the Sang and Sheng families, and to all the gods and buddhas.

Even though in this era, such words were considered superstitious, in the face of a worried mother or elder, even superstition was worth a try if it meant a glimmer of hope.

They prayed for more blessings to protect Gu Jianing and her unborn children.

It seemed like only half an hour had passed.

Suddenly, the delivery room doors swung open.

Yao Chunhua's face went pale at the sight. ""Oh no...""

It had only been half an hour, and now the doors were opening again—what good could that mean?

She remembered when she gave birth to her eldest son, she was in labor for a whole day.

The second child was even harder—took the longest.

But Ningning had only been inside for half an hour.

To have delivered two babies in half an hour seemed impossible to Yao Chunhua.

So now, could it be that Ningning...

It wasn't just Yao Chunhua thinking this—Granny Sang and Sheng Zexi were too.

Especially Sheng Zexi. Ever since Gu Jianing entered the late stage of pregnancy, he'd been anxious, unable to sleep, sometimes waking from nightmares of Gu Jianing having a difficult labor, or even...

So Sheng Zexi was terrified.

Seeing the delivery room doors open so quickly, his sense of dread only grew.

So when he saw Dr. Hao, he rushed over, grabbed her hand, and said firmly, ""Doctor, save the mother, save the mother—no matter what, you must save the mother!"""