The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 83 - 82: Born

Huang Ying looked Xue Xingzhou over a few times and couldn’t help but nod. "No wonder your mentor is always praising you. You’re not just exceptionally capable, you’re also quite handsome. This young man truly has a limitless future."

Xue Xingzhou quickly replied, "You’re too kind, ma’am."

Zhang Hongjie said with a proud expression, "Your mentor’s wife is right. He really is a talented young man."

Xue Xingzhou couldn’t help but chuckle.

Xue Xingzhou’s gaze inadvertently met Zhang Qian’s again. She had her head tilted, just watching him.

Xue Xingzhou could only nod at her.

Zhang Qian suddenly smiled.

Huang Ying glanced at her daughter. "What are you smiling about? Didn’t you say you had something to do and were in a hurry to leave?"

Zhang Qian paused for two seconds, her eyes darting around. "Um, Pops, our newspaper has been paying close attention to this case. Do you think... you could let me do an interview?"

Zhang Hongjie glanced at Zhang Qian and said, "Not right now. Wait until the Public Security Bureau issues a formal announcement. Then you can interview however you want."

"Oh, come on," Zhang Qian exclaimed. "Dad, news is all about timeliness! I’ll do the interview this afternoon, and when you guys issue the announcement tomorrow, we can publish the story right away. Isn’t that perfect?"

Zhang Hongjie thought for a moment, then met his daughter’s pleading gaze.

"Alright, fine. I’ll give you the details after we eat."

Zhang Qian pursed her lips. "Dad, I won’t trouble you. Isn’t there someone right here who can help?" As she spoke, she darted a glance at Xue Xingzhou.

Both Zhang Hongjie and Huang Ying looked toward Xue Xingzhou. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Xiao Xue, are you free this afternoon?"

Xue Xingzhou paused for a second. "Mentor, I’m free."

Zhang Hongjie nodded. "Alright, then."

Zhang Qian looked at Xue Xingzhou with a playful glint in her eyes, full of interest.

Xue Xingzhou’s eyebrow twitched.

Huang Ying looked at her daughter, then back at Xue Xingzhou, a knowing look in her eyes.

During the meal, she kept putting food onto Xue Xingzhou’s plate.

"Xiao Xue, this is your first time here. Eat up."

Xue Xingzhou was a bit overwhelmed by the attention. "Thank you, ma’am."

"So, Xiao Xue, tell me about your family."

Xue Xingzhou put down his chopsticks. "Ma’am, I have a younger sister who’s married. My mother passed away some years ago, but my father is still alive and well."

Huang Ying nodded slowly. "Keep eating, don’t put down your chopsticks. We’re just having a bit of casual conversation, no need to be so serious."

"So you live with your father, then?"

Xue Xingzhou said, "No, my father remarried. He doesn’t live with me. We’ve separated the households."

This was also the first time Zhang Hongjie had heard Xue Xingzhou talk about his family situation.

Huang Ying was a little surprised that Xue Xingzhou had separated his household before getting married himself, but she seemed to guess the reason. She sympathetically placed another piece of meat on his plate.

Zhang Qian ate while listening intently, not saying a word, but stealing glances from time to time.

After the meal and a cup of tea, Zhang Hongjie and Huang Ying went to rest.

Leaving Zhang Qian and Xue Xingzhou alone.

Xue Xingzhou glanced at Zhang Qian. "Should we start now?"

Zhang Qian nodded, took out a piece of paper, and began to take notes.

Before long, the interview was over, and Xue Xingzhou got up to leave.

"Not staying a little longer?" Zhang Qian asked, looking at Xue Xingzhou eagerly.

Xue Xingzhou looked at her with his deep-set eyes and said nothing.

Zhang Qian suddenly felt a flutter of panic.

"Um, what’s wrong?"

Xue Xingzhou averted his gaze. "I’m leaving. Remember to tell your dad."

Xue Xingzhou then left.

Even after Xue Xingzhou was gone, Zhang Qian could feel her heart pounding.

’I’m so done for,’ she thought. ’This is love at first sight!’

’So handsome. I really want to pursue him.’

Zhang Qian had always been a woman of quick and decisive action. After gathering her notes, she headed out the door as well.

「In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year, and Chinese New Year was just around the corner.」

Many of the Educated Youth had taken leave to go home, including Wang Shumin.

Gu Yuwei still hadn’t received a reply, so she also took leave and left.

He Lang and Xue Xingzhou were both off from work.

This year, Xue Yue didn’t go shopping for New Year’s goods; He Lang and Xue Xingzhou went instead.

Xue Xingzhou planned to spend the New Year with Xue Yue and her family, so he was temporarily staying with them.

Xue Yue’s belly was already huge, and her due date was just over a month away.

So she had been extra careful lately. Mrs. He was even more worried, coming over every other day to help them cook and do laundry.

On New Year’s Eve, they didn’t go over to eat together like last year. The three of them celebrated by themselves.

In ’72, just after the Lantern Festival, Xue Yue went into labor.

She was quickly rushed to the hospital.

The family had prepared well in advance; they had everything they needed.

But even so, He Lang was so nervous his legs felt like jelly.

He paced back and forth endlessly in front of the delivery room, making Mrs. He dizzy just watching him.

"He Lang, sit down for a bit, will you? Stop pacing."

He Lang didn’t say a word. He walked over to the wall and leaned against it, his eyes fixed on the delivery room door.

Seeing this, Xue Xingzhou gave He Lang’s shoulder a squeeze and also looked toward the delivery room door.

Xue Yue’s pelvis wasn’t very wide, so the birth was not going quickly.

「Three hours later, the delivery room door finally opened.」

"Who is Xue Yue’s family?"

The few people at the door quickly gathered around.

"Nurse, we are."

"Xue Yue has given birth. It’s a girl, seven pounds, eight ounces. She’ll be brought out with the mother shortly."

"Is the mother alright?" He Lang asked.

"She’s fine. Both of them are doing well."

"Okay, thank you!"

"Oh, she’s finally here! A girl is good, a girl is good," Mrs. He said, clasping her hands together.

Xue Xingzhou also breathed a sigh of relief.

About half an hour later, Xue Yue and the baby were brought out and wheeled by a nurse to the ward.

Xue Yue was asleep.

The baby was placed in a bassinet, her little face red as she slept with her eyes closed.

Mrs. He looked at the baby and said with a smile, "So beautiful. She looks just like Yue’er."

He Lang looked down at the tiny little person. ’This is my daughter?’

A wave of tenderness washed over his heart.

Xue Xingzhou said softly, "I’ll go buy something to eat. I’m afraid Yue’er will be hungry when she wakes up."

He Lang nodded.

After Xue Xingzhou left, He Lang sat by the bed, watching Xue Yue, and gently took her hand.

Xue Yue had gained quite a bit of weight during her pregnancy. Her skin had also become fairer, her face pale, soft, and smooth.

A sudden cry made Xue Yue open her eyes.

Mrs. He had already picked up the baby.

"Oh, there there. Let Grandma see if you’re wet, hmm?"

Seeing Xue Yue was awake, He Lang asked, "How are you feeling?"

Xue Yue’s gaze was fixed on the baby. "I’m fine. What’s wrong with the baby? Is she hungry?"

Mrs. He brought the baby over to her. "She’s not wet. She’s probably hungry. You should try feeding her."

Xue Yue had He Lang help her sit up against the headboard, then reached out and gently took the baby into her arms.

She looked down at the tiny, soft bundle in her arms, her heart melting. ’This little thing came from my own body.’

The moment she was in Xue Yue’s arms, the baby stopped crying. Her eyes rolled around as she looked up at her mother, though it was unclear if she could see anything clearly. Her tiny hand rested on Xue Yue’s chest.

Mrs. He leaned in and said to Xue Yue, "Let her latch on for a bit first, see if your milk will come in."

Xue Yue looked at He Lang, a little embarrassed.

"I’ll step out. Let Mom teach you."

He Lang got up and walked out.

Having lost her own mother at a young age, there were some things no one had ever taught Xue Yue, and she didn’t quite understand them.