"Why are you panicking? What's wrong?"
The young nurse pointed toward the row of cribs on the left side of the inner room, her voice trembling.
"The baby in crib 17 seems unwell. He might be sick."
As she spoke, the two of them hurried to crib 17.
Just as the nurse had said, the baby who had been peacefully sleeping moments ago now had large patches of red rashes on his face, his lips were bluish-purple, and his breathing was noticeably weaker than the other infants.
"Nurse Tan, we need to send him to the pediatric ward immediately, or else—"
"Send him where?"
Tan Mingna reached out and touched the baby’s forehead, then pried open his tiny mouth to take a look.
"He probably choked on milk earlier, or maybe he’s allergic to protein. Just give him some water later, and he’ll be fine. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"
"But—"
"But what?" Tan Mingna snapped, cutting her off. "Now you’re panicking? Where were you when I told you to keep an eye on things?"
The young nurse froze.
This accusation felt completely unfair.
She had just arrived at work that morning when Nurse Tan assigned her the task of washing soiled diapers.
She had barely finished and returned five minutes ago when the baby’s condition worsened.
How was this her fault?
Besides, the baby had been on the same formula for days. If he were allergic, he would have shown symptoms earlier.
But the nurse kept these thoughts to herself.
She wasn’t like Tan Mingna, who had connections. Tan had been promoted to head nurse in less than a year.
Even if she messed up, the hospital director would surely protect her.
Swallowing her frustration, the nurse insisted, "Nurse Tan, we should still send him to pediatrics. If something really happens—"
"Stop with the 'what ifs'!"
Tan Mingna was visibly irritated now. Seeing the nurse still standing there, she barked,
"What are you still doing here? Go wash these bottles and sterilize them!"
The nurse pressed her lips together and said nothing more.
She turned and gathered the bottles into a basin.
Tan Mingna added, "After you’re done, fill out the records. Write that the baby slept soundly today, with normal temperature, breathing, and bowel movements."
The nurse muttered under her breath, "What’s the point? Anyone can see he’s not normal. Besides, crib 17’s baby is supposed to be discharged today."
"What did you say?"
Tan Mingna’s sudden shout startled her.
"I said, the baby in crib 17 is scheduled for discharge today."
"Such an important detail, and you’re only telling me now?"
The nurse was speechless.
She pointed at the crib. "It’s written right here—the date is clearly marked!"
Black and white, unmistakable. What more did she need to say?
Following her finger, Tan Mingna glanced down.
October 4th…
Today.
She looked back at the baby, now lying motionless with his eyes shut, and a wave of panic hit her.
If the family saw their child in this state, they’d raise hell!
No, she couldn’t let them take the baby to pediatrics.
Maybe she could ask her uncle for help?
But the thought vanished as quickly as it came.
Her uncle might assist with other matters, but if he found out about this, she’d be in serious trouble.
Just as her mind raced, Tan Mingna’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
She stared for a moment, then locked eyes with the baby before her.
In an instant, her decision was made.
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Fine, I’ll handle this. You go back to work."
After a pause, she added sternly, "If anyone asks, you know nothing. If word gets out, I might lose my job, but you’ll definitely be fired. Understood?"
The threat was unmistakable.
The nurse forced a stiff nod and left.
Not long after, the family of crib 17 arrived.
"Ma, this is Head Nurse Tan. Without her and the team’s care, I wouldn’t have managed alone."
Auntie Lu beamed. "Comrade Tan, thank you for your hard work. This is some rice cake I brought from home—please take it as a token of appreciation."
She discreetly slipped a red envelope into Tan Mingna’s hand.
Tan Mingna didn’t refuse, offering a few polite words before pocketing it.
"Comrade Tan, which one is my grandson?"
Auntie Lu peered eagerly into the room, itching to cuddle the baby.
"Just a moment, Auntie. Hospital rules don’t allow visitors inside—it’s to prevent germ exposure."
Auntie Lu nodded vigorously. "Of course, of course!"
Mother and son waited patiently outside.
Soon, Tan Mingna emerged with the baby.
She bypassed Captain Lu and handed the child directly to Auntie Lu.
The older woman took him, her face lighting up with joy.
Captain Lu, however, frowned after a quick glance.
"What’s wrong?" Auntie Lu asked.
He couldn’t quite place it but poked the baby’s cheek.
"He looks… chubbier than a few days ago?"
Tan Mingna’s heart leaped into her throat.
Before she could respond, Auntie Lu chuckled.
"Newborns grow like weeds! They change every couple of days."
"You’ve been here nearly a week—of course he’s put on weight."
Tan Mingna chimed in, "Exactly! The hospital provides top-quality formula. Your baby’s thriving!"
Auntie Lu was delighted. Turning to her son, she cooed,
"Look at that little mouth—just like yours!"
Was it?
Captain Lu couldn’t tell. At this stage, all babies looked alike to him.
But if his mother said so, he wouldn’t argue. "Yeah, definitely takes after me."
Tan Mingna exhaled in relief.
"Captain Lu, here’s the baby’s wristband. It lists your wife’s bed number, name, and the child’s gender."
"If everything checks out, please sign here."
"Sure, thank you."
After he signed, Tan Mingna glanced at the peacefully sleeping infant.
"This little one eats and sleeps well. No need to wake him for feeds—just wait till he’s up."
The mother-son duo showered her with thanks again.
Once outside the nursery, Auntie Lu sighed contentedly.
"Military hospitals are so reliable. They’ve raised him so well!"
Captain Lu nodded.
Just as he was about to speak, a nearby door swung open—revealing Huo Tingzhou holding what looked like a bundled-up teddy bear.
Snapping to attention, Captain Lu saluted. "Colonel!"
His eyes flicked to the "teddy bear" in his superior’s arms.
It wasn’t a stuffed animal.
It was Jiang Si.
In October, the temperature on Qiongzhou Island still hovered around twenty degrees Celsius during the day, but today there was a breeze outside.
After Doctor Jiang left, Mother Huo took out the clothes she had prepared in advance and bundled Jiang Si up tightly.
Just as she finished wrapping her, the two little ones opened their tiny mouths again, demanding their "neinei" (milk).
This feeding session ended up delaying things by half an hour.
Then, Captain Lu’s voice rang out once more, "Hello, ma’am."
He quickly introduced them to Auntie Lu, "Mom, this is our regiment’s leader, and this is his wife."
This wasn’t the place for lengthy conversation.
After exchanging brief greetings, they prepared to head downstairs.
