Xiao Ranran turned around and saw Qin Nian clutching her stomach in discomfort.
"Nian Nian, what's wrong? Professor, Nian Nian isn't feeling well."
Almost as soon as Xiao Ranran called out her name, everyone's attention shifted to Qin Nian.
"Take her to the hospital!" Dean Hu made the decision without hesitation.
Yang Yufen was waiting at the research institute's entrance, wondering why her daughter-in-law was later than usual today.
Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly saw a group of people rushing out in a panic.
"Nian Nian!"
Yang Yufen immediately spotted Qin Nian being supported in the middle of the crowd.
"Nian Nian has stomach pain. We’re taking her to the hospital," Dean Hu explained.
Before anyone could react, Yang Yufen stepped forward and—picked Qin Nian up! Literally carried her!
"Mom, I can walk on my own," Qin Nian said, embarrassed.
But Yang Yufen wasn’t listening. She placed Qin Nian on a tricycle, and before Dean Hu and the others could even respond, she pedaled off toward Third People’s Hospital.
By the time Dean Hu arrived, Yang Yufen had already checked Qin Nian in.
"Nian Nian’s mother-in-law, how is she?"
"The doctor said it’s likely due to stress and exhaustion. She needs proper rest. They’ll run more tests tomorrow. To be safe, we’ll stay overnight so she can get checked first thing in the morning."
Yang Yufen didn’t complain, but Dean Hu still felt guilty.
"Once the data collection is finished, there’s just a bit of cleanup work left. Let Nian Nian take an early break to recover. We’ll handle everything else after the New Year."
"Understood, Professor," Qin Nian nodded.
Later, Professor Wen arrived. Yang Yufen asked him to stay with Qin Nian while she went home to fetch two extra quilts for the overnight stay.
In the middle of the night, Yang Yufen heard Qin Nian tossing and turning again and sighed.
"What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?"
"Mom, did I wake you? I’m sorry." Qin Nian apologized softly.
The hospital room had no other patients—Dean Hu had specifically arranged it with the doctor.
"Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t take good care of myself..." Qin Nian bit her lip.
"Why are you apologizing to me? Your body is your own. First and foremost, you are yourself. Women hold up half the sky. You’ve worked hard, served your country well, and didn’t abandon me, your mother-in-law, even after your husband went missing. You’ve honored your marriage."
In the darkness, Qin Nian couldn’t see Yang Yufen’s face, but her words echoed in her heart again and again.
"Now sleep. If you don’t rest well, you’ll be letting yourself down."
"Mom... can I hold your hand while I sleep?"
Qin Nian suddenly spoke, and soon, a rough but warm hand grasped hers.
Suppressing a smile, Qin Nian slowly closed her eyes and squeezed the hand back tightly.
The next morning, the doctor came for the examination, frowning repeatedly.
"I recommend an ultrasound to confirm a few things. The mother’s health is stable, so there’s no immediate concern."
Yang Yufen didn’t know what an ultrasound was, but if the doctor said to do it, she immediately went to pay. Qin Nian, however, felt uneasy.
"How many months along are you?"
The doctor’s question made Qin Nian answer truthfully.
"Four months."
The doctor nodded. Cold gel was spread over her abdomen. In the ultrasound room, only the doctor and the patient were allowed—no one else.
"Doctor, is there something wrong with the baby?" Qin Nian whispered.
"Still examining. Don’t worry—it might even be good news."
The doctor smiled, trying to ease her nerves.
Good news? Qin Nian couldn’t imagine what that could be.
She’d been in pain just yesterday, and now the doctor had ordered this test. All she felt was dread.
"It is good news. You’re carrying twins. This is the sixth set of twins I’ve seen in this hospital. In all my years of practice, twins are rare—and these embryos are developing perfectly. There’s nothing to worry about."
When Qin Nian walked out with the report, she was still in a daze. Absently, she handed it to her mother-in-law.
Yang Yufen couldn’t make sense of the grainy black-and-white image, but she could see her daughter-in-law’s stunned expression.
Thinking of the grandchild she’d lost too soon in her past life, Yang Yufen guessed what was going on.
"It’s alright. Once the babies are born, we’ll take extra care. I’ll be here to help."
She had thought that by being here, she could ensure both mother and child would be healthier this time. Yet, complications had still arisen.
Just then, the doctor stepped out to use the restroom and noticed the tense atmosphere between the two women.
Seeing the doctor, Yang Yufen took the initiative since Qin Nian remained silent.
"Doctor, were you the one who examined my daughter-in-law? What does this report say? Is there something wrong with the babies? Will it affect her? What should we do to take better care of her?"
"Madam, there’s nothing wrong. Your daughter-in-law is carrying twins. She’ll have a tougher time, so she’ll need plenty of nutrition and rest. But otherwise, she’s fine—you can go home now."
The doctor spoke quickly and gently, then hurried off toward the restroom.
Yang Yufen was also stunned, staring at the dark slip of paper in her hand—twins? How could that be?
"That no-good scoundrel! When that rotten boy shows up, I’ll give him a good beating—no, three beatings!"
Yang Yufen suddenly gritted her teeth in anger. After cursing, she remembered her daughter-in-law and quickly reached out to support her.
"Nian, twins aren’t scary. We’ll come to the hospital for check-ups every month, and when the time comes, you’ll deliver right here. Mom has the money."
The other pregnant women nearby listened with envy, and some mothers-in-law even tried to come over to share in the good fortune. But Yang Yufen shielded Qin Nian protectively, not letting anyone get close.
Not daring to leave her daughter-in-law alone at the hospital, Yang Yufen first took Qin Nian home before rushing back to gather their things. She then bombarded the doctor with questions before hurrying back home.
By now, Qin Nian had also snapped out of her daze, finding it all hard to believe.
Two little lives.
Passing by the supply and marketing cooperative, Yang Yufen went in and bought another bag of goods.
"Nian, Mom’s back. Have a little something to tide you over. If you’re bored, you can listen to the radio."
Yang Yufen walked in, carrying the newly purchased items in one hand and a radio in the other.
"Mom, I can’t eat this much."
"Just leave it here. Eat whenever you want—the nightstand is perfect for snacks."
"Alright, Mom. You go ahead. I’ll take a nap."
With her heart finally at ease, Qin Nian began to feel drowsy. Maybe it was because home felt safer.
The wide bed, the freshly fluffed, soft, and warm quilt, and the piano music drifting from the radio soon had her eyelids drooping shut.
Yang Yufen tiptoed in to check and, seeing that she was truly asleep, relaxed as well.
Two grandchildren! Yang Yufen felt brimming with energy.
