NOVPUB
Chapter 202: Chapters 200-204: Useless Man_1
Tan Zhenghong could only compromise. He had Qiao Duo’er sit properly on the chair and instructed her not to move around before he dared to walk away.
After preparing the bathwater, Tan Zhenghong helped Qiao Duo’er to the curtain behind which she would bathe.
"Go out, I’m not drunk, I can bathe myself," Qiao Duo’er said as she shooed Tan Zhenghong out, confident she wouldn’t fall even though she felt slightly unsteady.
Tan Zhenghong didn’t dare to leave and stood in front of the curtain, ready to charge in if anything happened to his wife.
When Sun Erhu entered the courtyard and saw Tan Zhenghong’s sulky face, he couldn’t help but tease, "Brother Hong, who’s got you holding a grudge so early in the morning?"
Tan Zhenghong simply replied, "No one."
Yet, in his heart, he thought, isn’t it because of that nemesis at home!
"Sister-in-law, did you bully my Brother Hong? Look how pitiful he seems," Sun Erhu chided.
Tan Zhenghong felt an even deeper sense of grievance but obediently went to start the fire.
Sun Erhu chuckled twice, not quite understanding the situation, but he felt that there was an indefinable atmosphere between Brother Hong and his sister-in-law; definitely not a bad thing, though.
For a couple, there are bound to be some friction, but as the old saying goes, make up at the end of the bed after a quarrel at the head. Looking at how affectionately they gazed at each other, they’ll surely reconcile by nightfall.
Ah, ever since he realized his feelings for Chao Lian, he seemed to have become more sentimental.
Love is really torturous.
His Brother Hong went from being a tough guy to a whipped husband, and he himself evolved from being carefree to full of worries.
Sun Erhu and the others chatted briefly before getting busy with their own tasks. People with a goal are happy because every morning they wake up with a purpose to strive for, never stopping until death.
Before long, the courtyard of the Tan Family was filled with the aroma of braised meat.
Today Tan Zhenghong wasn’t going up the mountain; he planned to repair the roof of his house after lunch. In the morning, he was at home weaving bamboo baskets.
His crafted goods sold well at the docks, and since it was a business with no capital required, Tan Zhenghong was reluctant to give it up.
According to Qiao Duo’er, a mosquito might be small, but it’s still flesh; it’s better to earn more whenever possible.
"Fourth Boss, go quickly and fetch the Midwife, my wife is about to give birth!"
Tan Zhongzhong ran out from the house in a panic.
His wife had given birth to Third Girl when he was working on a short-term job in town. By the time he got back, Third Girl was already born, so this was a first for him.
Although Tan Zhenghong and his family were annoying, when it came to a life-or-death situation, there was no time to hesitate, so Tan Zhenghong hurried off.
Soon after, cries from Li Clan could be heard from the room, sending a shiver down Qiao Duo’er’s spine.
In those days, with the medical practices being backward, childbirth was like walking a round at the Ghost Gate.
It wasn’t long before Grandma Feng and her daughter-in-law arrived.
Grandma Feng was the only Midwife in Big Willow Village. She had given birth to nine children herself, all of whom survived, and she also knew a little bit of medicine, so she naturally became the Midwife.
She seemed to be in her fifties or sixties and likely intended for her daughter-in-law to inherit her profession.
The old lady went straight into the birthing room, leaving her daughter-in-law behind to prepare the necessities.
Tan Zhongzhong, hearing the noises from inside, had already turned pale and collapsed to the ground, utterly useless.
Ah, how useless can a man be!
Known as Elder Sister Feng, the Midwife’s wife said anxiously, "Hey, get up, will you? Your wife has done this before; do you have to be so scared?"
Having assisted in many births, she knew well that each one was a close call.
There wasn’t a minute to waste, yet that man just wouldn’t move.
Elder Sister Feng couldn’t help but curse under her breath, never before having seen such a useless man!
Displeased by the sight, Hu’s Clan spoke up, "None of you who haven’t given birth before should get close; I’ll go help."
Qiao Duo’er nodded in agreement; she had never witnessed childbirth and wouldn’t be of help if she went.
As time passed, the cries of Li Clan grew louder, making it hard for Qiao Duo’er to concentrate.
Chao Lian, who had seen her stepmother give birth, consoled her, "That’s what it’s like to give birth. My midwife said it hurts like that only when the bones need to spread."
Qiao Duo’er nodded, remembering that childbirth was one of the most severe pains. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Even though she knew this, she was still shocked the first time she witnessed it.
Tan Zhenghong’s hands trembled as he wove the bamboo basket, silently thinking that perhaps he and his wife should avoid having children in the future.
Wang Clan too entered the birthing room; after all, what if Li Clan gave birth to a son?
About two hours later, Li Clan’s energy to cry out had faded, and her voice grew weaker.
Grandma Feng’s daughter-in-law came out of the room and shouted at Tan Zhongzhong, "Don’t just sit there, hurry to Doctor Wu’s House and buy some ginseng, or your wife will be dead!"
"What’s wrong with her?" Tan Zhongzhong asked, shivering.
"It’s a breech birth, hurry and get the ginseng for revival!"
Grandma Feng’s daughter-in-law glared at Tan Zhongzhong, wishing she could slap him and send him flying out.
Hadn’t she just told him the mother was in critical condition? Yet he still sat there asking endless questions!
As if the woman inside wasn’t his wife, the child wasn’t his own!
Spurred on by the scolding, Tan Zhongzhong jumped to his feet and ran out of the house, stumbling as he went.
