The sudden cry of the child pulled Pei Jing's mind back. He said, "Sorry for the trouble today, officer Liu. I have to go back to check on my child. I won't be able to send you off."
"It's fine. Let's meet again tomorrow." Liu Jun understandingly nodded.
In the delivery room, Zhi Xia was just sitting there.
Pei Jing pushed the door open and heard her say, "The baby peed and pooped."
With tears that were about to fall in her eyes, her frowning appearance looked rather pitiful. The baby's poop smelled so bad. Since the two of them slept close together, some of it even got onto the clothes around her waist.
The coolness felt a little uncomfortable.
"Let me take care of it. You lie down," Pei Jing hurriedly got some hot water to come over. Since the weather was too cold, he couldn't completely uncover the quilt. He could only change the baby under the quilt.
The little one was sleeping soundly. Other than whimpering twice at the beginning, he looked like he was enjoying it afterward.
Zhi Xia also changed her clothes. Pei Jing pulled over a chair to sit beside her, and the two talked about Wang Caixiang and Shen Hongmei’s matters.
"Also, the police will come over again tomorrow to take statements. We probably won't be able to go back until noon," Pei Jing said, "That Officer Liu seems to be very helpful to us."
Zhi Xia smiled and said to him, "He is my fourth brother's friend. When we weren't married yet, my fourth brother had to go enlist in the military. He was worried about me being alone in Jincheng, so he specifically told Liu Jun to take care of me. It's been a few years unknowingly. I didn't expect that he has become a policeman now."
Only then did Pei Jing understand why Liu Jun was so enthusiastic. Turns out they knew each other.
In the quiet of the night, there was a unique smell of the hospital.
In the second half of the night, the wind suddenly started blowing. The tree branches outside swayed left and right with dark shadows.
Not long after, heavy rain started pouring down with pitter-patter sounds that disturbed dreams.
Early morning next day, An ZhiXian came over with a trace of a refreshing smile hovering over her lips. Her originally cool temperament seemed even more aloof.
"Third Brother, you came so early?"
Zhi Xia was already awake. Pei Jing made her wash up and was making milk powder for the baby.
Anyway, the milk was not enough for three kids. They simply stopped breastfeeding altogether to avoid the pain of weaning later.
"Second Brother was injured yesterday and is getting IV fluids at the hospital. So I didn't go back," An ZhiXian said, "I came to tell you guys something. Shen Hongmei passed away last night after unsuccessful resuscitation."
It was retribution for her evil deeds. But it was a pity for her newborn who had just lost his mother on top of being a premature birth.
However, on second thoughts, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. Even if Shen Hongmei lived, she would have to pay the price for her actions, which was not good for the child either.
Upon hearing about Shen Hongmei’s death, Zhi Xia was neither sad nor happy. But she clearly knew that with the other party's death, the matter about the system has thoroughly ended.
People really shouldn't do too much evil.
Originally, even after losing the system, she could still have a good life since she had accumulated wealth and connections from the system.
Yet now, she has instead met her own destruction through her deeds, which was really hateful yet pitiful.
"How did Second Brother get injured? Hope it's not serious," Zhi Xia asked An ZhiXian.
An ZhiXian rubbed his nose, lying rather awkwardly, "Just some skin punctured on his chest. Can't be considered serious. Wang Caixiang was also injured. Second Brother wants to stay in the hospital for a few more days."
As for the underlying meaning, there was no need to spell it out. Those who understand will understand.
The injury was not critical but couldn't be considered minor either. After all, scissors had been stabbed into his chest even if no organs were harmed.
They chose to conceal it for fear that Zhi Xia would worry if she knew.
Breakfast was brought over by Zhou Nan. It was crystal clear rice porridge, stir fried bean sprouts, and two boiled eggs.
Zhou Nan was hugging the child she had just found back, unable to conceal the smile on her face.
One look was enough to tell how beautiful this child was, truly like one from their family.
Not daring to ask in front of Zhi Xia, Zhou Nan asked Pei Jing in a low voice, "Are you certain this time? Surely she can't be the wrong child again?"
Pei Jing knew she was traumatized by yesterday’s incident so he gave her a definite answer, "This is the one. Definitely not mistaken."
"That's good to know, that's good to know." Zhou Nan hugged the baby for a while before putting her back on the bed.
Her gaze kept shifting to Zhi Xia as she opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something but somehow unable to get it out.
Until her eyes met Zhi Xia’s when she asked, "Mom, is there something you want to tell me?"
"Actually there's nothing much. Just wanted to ask if you guys have decided on names for the children? All of a sudden there are three babies. Can't keep calling them all Baby. There should be names to tell them apart, right?" What Zhou Nan said sounded normal but her expression was rather awkward.
After Zhi Xia finished her porridge and put down her bowl, she smiled and said, "The names have been decided. I'll tell everyone when we get home."
"As long as the names are ready. Nothing else then." Zhou Nan mumbled before keeping silent.
After Zhi Xia finished breakfast, Pei Jing took care of the leftovers.
He didn't let Zhou Nan do anything. Instead, he went to wash the thermal flask and bowls clean.
When he came back in, Zhi Xia was half-reclining on the bed with a vacant look in her eyes, seemingly lost in thoughts. Zhou Nan was looking at the baby, chatting to her now and then despite no response from the sleeping child.
"Pei Jing, when do you plan to go back? Otherwise I’ll come get this child later. It’ll be easier than you having to take care of the mother and child but unable to cope," Zhou Nan tidied up the baby's blankets as she spoke. It was evident how delighted she was with the child. "Don't worry. The other two are being well taken care of. Your dad and sister-in-law are free these days to help out too. Chenye and Wanqing are doing fine as well. They just miss their daddy and mommy these two days. Even insisted on coming along with me this morning. I didn't have free hands so I promised to bring them over if you guys don't come back by noon before they let me go..."
Zhou Nan rambled on slowly about trivial matters concerning the few children.
Pei Jing explained the situation to her and told her not to bother sending lunch over later. If things go as expected, they would be able to go back by noon.
Moreover, he knew Zhi Xia had food here. Taking care of so many children was already tough enough without needing her to run back and forth.
After staying for a while, Zhou Nan left. Second Brother was also hospitalized. Despite claiming his injuries were not serious, he still said he would stay in the hospital for several more days. She came prepared with spare clothes for a few days. As for meals, Third Brother said it was settled without needing her to worry.
These two days have been quite exhausting for her. With Liu Ling looking after Wen Qing and the Chenye siblings, she and An JingZhi were taking care of the two little ones.
In name it may seem so but in reality, it was all on her alone - changing soiled diapers again and again, preparing milk formula to feed... Men were of no help at all. Even a simple task of washing pee-stained diapers was too much to ask of them.
The elderly folks at home were too old to rely on as well. Just that one night was enough to drain her.
After Zhou Nan left, Pei Jing asked Zhi Xia, "You must have sensed what my mom was trying to convey. My mom passed early. Dad is getting on in years too. Sister-in-law Liu will be going back home at night. Bringing two little ones around is no easy feat either. That one night has truly exhausted my mom."
