Chapter 468: Going Into Labor

When Xiaoguo heard Jiang Danhe calling her “sweetheart”, she couldn’t help but blush and feel her heart racing. She was already the mother of two children, but he was still calling her “sweetheart”. Although she liked it very much, they were in a public space after all….

Xiaoguo looked around frantically and was relieved to see that there was no one else around.

Fortunately, their plot was situated in a remote corner, otherwise if anyone heard it, she would be so embarrassed that she wouldn’t dare to step out of her house anymore.

Seeing that she was silent, Jiang Danhe felt a little anxious. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no.” Seeing how anxious the other party was, Xiaoguo quickly shook her head. “I’m not feeling unwell. Rather, it’s you.”

“Me?”

Jiang Danhe put down the hoe and touched his face and body. They were as good as new. There was nothing wrong with him.

…..

“I want you to come over and take a break.”

Xiaoguo said with a smile. She didn’t know why Jiang Danhe suddenly looked so cute.

Seeing that he didn’t move, Xiaoguo patted the space beside her and said, “Come here quickly.”

After eating, one had to take a short break, let the food digest before doing any physical activities. Otherwise, gastric problems could develop.

Jiang Danhe sat down with a flushed face. The two of them leaned against the big tree and quietly admired the beautiful scenery.

Peach Blossom Village is a very beautiful place. The air is fresh and it has a good geographical landscape. It is truly a nice place to live in.

Jiang Danhe slowly opened his eyes, turning his head to look at Xiaoguo as he asked softly, “Xiaoguo, would you like to go to the capital with me?”

“The capital?” Xiaoguo opened her eyes and looked at him. “But my stomach…”

“I mean, after our baby arrives.”

Jiang Danhe was being very serious. Xiaoguo avoided his gaze and looked into the distance. “Zhuang Zhuang and Teacher Kong are getting along like a dream. What about him?”

Jiang Danhe choked up, and the light in his eyes dissipated. That was true. How could he have forgotten about this?

“Forget it. Forget that I said anything.”

Jiang Danhe smiled. Actually, he shouldn’t obsess about being together physically. As long as their hearts were together, they wouldn’t feel lonely even if they weren’t by each other’s side.

Xiaoguo nodded gently. She had definitely thought about going to the capital with him, but there were too many considerations. The shop, the animals at home, her friends, her brother…

“Maybe in the future, and I’ll come back once a month.”

Jiang Danhe looked at the distressed Xiaoguo and comforted her. “It’s no big deal. I just have to make a few more trips back and forth.”

“My dear sweetheart, when I’m done with the matters in the capital, our family of four will travel the world.”

Xiaoguo looked at him in surprise. “What gives you the idea of traveling the world?”

“From what Su Changsheng said, the world is huge. I want to bring you out to explore while we’re still young.”

Jiang Danhe had laid out a plan. He was planning to work for a few more years and train a large group of loyal undercover soldiers for Shao Zhan. After that, he will completely retire , regardless of whether Shao Zhan allows him to go or not.

Xiaoguo was tempted by his words. Previously, she had dreamed about exploring the world. This sounded like a great plan.

“Will I look ugly when I’m old?”

Jiang Danhe was taken aback, and he looked at her so closely that it made her blush. He shook his head and said, “No, you will always be the most beautiful person in my heart.”

Xiaoguo was delighted to hear that, but before she could speak, Jiang Danhe asked in return, “Will you despise me when I’m old? By then, my chest muscles, biceps, abs, and thigh muscles will all be flabby, and my butt won’t be perky anymore, will you still love me?”

Jiang Danhe was just short of writing the words “you crave my body” on his face. Xiaoguo looked around shyly. Even though she knew that there was no one around, she was still shocked by his words.

Did Jiang Danhe regard her as someone who only has desire for his body?!

It didn’t seem wrong though… She quite liked it…

She coughed awkwardly a few times before saying, “Of course not. I love you. Even if you lose all your hair and teeth in the future, I will still love you.” Jiang Danhe tried to stop himself from shaking as he looked at her with an intense gaze. “Say that again.”

“I said that I love you for who you are, regardless if you have hair, teeth, or muscles. I will still love you. I will love you forever.”

Before she could finish her sentence, Jiang Danhe leaned over and sealed her mouth.

When Xiaoguo was pushed to the ground by Jiang Danhe, she was still wondering if there was anyone around.

Time passed quickly. Xiaoguo hardly goes to the shop anymore. With Shu Botong around, she really didn’t have to worry.

Shu Botong was truly a genius. He spent a lot of time researching and developing many new types of desserts, and he always sends them to Xiaoguo for tasting. Once she approved of the item, he would immediately put it on the menu.

Xiaozhu and Yuling made it a point to visit her whenever they had free time. Occasionally, they would bring with them embroidered belly bands or little pants for the unborn child.

Qin Anming also made it a point to come back every few days. On some days, he would buy some fish or old hens for Xiaoguo. He would then brainstorm with Jiang Danhe in the kitchen on how to cook them.

Ruyi would occasionally come over with Qin Anming, and at other times, she would bring Ling Long, Fu’er, Xiaocui and Uncle Xu with her. She always brought seasonal fruits for Xiaoguo and there was a symbolic meaning behind every fruit she brought. For example, eating grapes is good for the baby’s eyesight, and eating apples is nutritious, and so on and so forth.

It was the same for Su Changsheng. Although he was not around, he never forgets to bring back some small snacks and dried fruits every time he came to transport the milk. All these tidbits were meant for Xiaoguo to nibble on in her free time.

During her pregnancy, Shao Zhan became the sole supplier of bird’s nest and lingzhi mushrooms. He gave them out as if they were free. Initially, Xiaoguo felt a little uneasy about receiving all these expensive food stuff, thinking it would be better if he saved them for himself. But Shao Zhan assured her in his letters that there was a plentiful supply of all these delicacies in the national treasury, and that she should feel free to consume them. He also asked her to consider them as gifts from himself and Xiaoyi.

Mrs. Yang also made some soft and comfortable undergarments specially for her during her pregnancy. As the pregnancy progressed, she started to experience various types of discomfort, especially since her belly was growing bigger and heavier. Wearing the clothes that Mrs. Yang made for her would help to support the belly and relieve some of the baby weight.

When Mr. Kong and Madam heard that she was pregnant, they knew that she would feel drowsy all the time. Hence, they sent over a rocking chair that Mr. Kong had personally made for her so that she could take comfortable naps in it.

At this moment, Xiaoguo was lying on the rocking chair. Beside her was a table with a pile of fruits and snacks laid out on it. She was leisurely watching Jiang Danhe milk the cows, snickering to herself occasionally. After receiving a helpless look from the other party, she laughed even harder.

She would never forget the expression on his face when he first milked the cows. It was hard to put down in words. He looked so awkward and cute at that time. She even went up to ask him how he felt after milking the cows, but he ended up teasing her instead.

At first, Jiang Danhe was clumsy and didn’t know how to start. Now, he was able to go through the motions with an expressionless face. Only he would know the inner struggles he had to overcome to get to this stage.

Spring and autumn were two seasons that had the least presence. As soon as the weather turned cold, winter arrived quietly.

It had been nine months since Xiaoguo got pregnant. In the final month, Jiang Danhe did not leave her side. Even when she went to the toilet, he stayed by her side and refused to leave.

He had invited the midwife from the county and she had been staying at their house for quite some time. Shao Zhan had recommended this midwife who used to work in the palace. When she got old, she retired and returned to Yonghai County with her husband.

Having been in the industry for more than 40 years, the children she delivered were all energetic and healthy. The adults under her care also turned out well and alive. Shao Zhan himself was also delivered by her. She had worked in the palace for forty years and had a wealth of experience in dealing with various issues.

Not that he didn’t trust the midwives in the village, but Jiang Danhe didn’t want Xiaoguo to take any risks.

In the following days, Qin Anming and Zhuang Zhuang returned early to watch over Xiaoguo.

There was no empty room at home, so Qin Anming stayed in Mrs Yang’s house and shared a room with Yang Jia. During the day, he would take turns with Jiang Danhe to stay by Xiaoguo’s side.

Xiaoguo felt that the two of them were overreacting. Even Zhuang Zhuang was starting to behave like them. From the minute he got home, his big eyes would keep looking at her.

Just like that, under the patient care of everyone, the time had come for Xiaoguo to give birth..