Chapter 113: Not-So-Cute Little Feet

Many people stayed with Bai Xi here, waiting anxiously for news. Seeing this, some quietly blamed Hong Bing’s wife for being so thoughtless.

“She’s heavy with child; just let her rest and obey. It’s the New Year, after all. Isn’t it making everyone uneasy? Look how frightened she’s become.”

Old Lady Zhang noticed Bai Xi’s distracted expression and, fearing she might overthink things, tried to comfort her gently. “Madam, don’t worry too much. Childbirth can start suddenly—no one can predict it. You’ve been tired all day; why don’t you go back inside and rest?”

Chen Daliu nodded in agreement. “Yes, Madam, you’ve been exhausted all day. There’s nothing much going on now. You should get some rest.”

Just as they spoke, Zhuzi and Zhuangzi came running back, breathless. Without catching their breath, they began reporting in rough, hurried voices.

“Madam, the birth has already started.”

“Yes, Madam. We heard the situation is looking good.”

Bai Xi nodded at the news, then the two dashed off again.

Was this to keep her constantly updated? If things weren’t so serious, Bai Xi might have laughed at their earnestness.

Not long after, they returned once more, apparently having rushed to the other side to get news from the women assisting Old Lady Chen, then hurried back immediately.

This time, after they finished speaking, Bai Xi waved her hand, a faint smile audible in her gentle voice. “Go check again!”

Suddenly, she felt as if she were leading an army into battle, with Zhuzi and the others as her vanguard scouts.

Seeing Bai Xi smile, the others breathed a collective sigh of relief, and the tense atmosphere eased considerably.

But the calm didn’t last long.

Soon, Xiao Liu, who had taken over from Zhuzi, came back, his face pale with alarm.

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, he confirmed everyone’s fears.

“It’s bad, Madam... um, a foot... a foot came out first.”

In his panic, and because it was the first time he’d heard such a thing, Xiao Liu was frightened and stumbled over his words. Still, it was enough to convey the gravity of the situation.

“Ah... why would a foot come out first?”

Anyone who’s experienced childbirth knows that a foot presenting first signals a difficult labor. If things go wrong, both mother and child could be lost.

At this, Xiao Shunzi and the others were struck with fear. They remembered the recent commotion but still didn’t fully understand. Now, they realized how perilous childbirth truly was.

Hearing this, Bai Xi immediately rose from her chair, inadvertently stepping on Xiao Hei’s tail.

Xiao Hei yelped in pain but quietly tucked his tail away and rubbed his head against Bai Xi’s leg, softly comforting her as if to say, “Master, it’s okay. This isn’t your concern.”

Just then, Xiao Shitou came panting over. “Madam, um, a leg came out first. What should we do?”

“Shitou, stop talking!” Shitou’s mother tried to interrupt him.

How could they possibly ask Madam about this? No matter how capable she seemed, she was still just a child. She hadn’t given birth herself. This was bad luck—an obstetric emergency—and what could Madam do?

Old Lady Zhang forced a smile and quickly reassured, “Madam, you don’t understand these things. You should go rest. I’ll go check.”

Everyone in the village knew Hong Bing’s wife’s condition was precarious; they had long known she was in poor health. No one expected the child’s foot to come first—this was truly serious trouble.

Bai Xi climbed down from the stone stool, but instead of heading to the treehouse, she briskly walked toward Old Lady Chen’s house.

“You all disperse. I’ll go take a look.”

The others hesitated but soon followed.

Before they even reached Old Lady Chen’s home, a strong metallic smell of blood hit them from afar, causing Bai Xi to frown. How much blood must be flowing?

No one expected Bai Xi to come, but her arrival immediately dispelled the somber mood in Old Lady Chen’s house.

The women helping with boiling water called out toward the delivery room, “Don’t panic! Don’t panic! Madam is here!”

“Yes, Madam is here. Everything will be alright.”

Several of these women were sharply glared at by Chen Daliu; Old Lady Zhang also shot a warning look to silence them. Youth and inexperience made them speak foolishly at such a time. These words only put more pressure on Madam.

Fate is fate. When such a crisis arises, it’s not just a matter of bad luck resigned to destiny. Madam was still so young—how could they let her strain herself? If Madam were to struggle against fate and get hurt, who would take responsibility?

Losing the ancestral matriarch was bad enough; could they also afford to lose Madam?

Though Old Lady Zhang said nothing, her stern gaze silenced the women instantly.

Inside the delivery room, Hong Bing’s wife was still clinging on, refusing to lose consciousness. If she passed out, the baby would suffocate inside.

“Mother, please think of a way. Save Hong Bing’s child.”

“Mother-in-law, please help me. Don’t worry about me—just get the baby out.”

The midwife looked at Hong Bing’s wife’s pale face with pity. She wanted to help, but what was supposed to be a sweet little foot now threatened their lives.

If both feet had come first, they might have been able to hold on and pull the baby out together, saving both mother and child. But now, with only one foot presenting, the risk was far greater—both could die.

“We... we’re all trying to find a way. Don’t lose hope. Hang in there.”

Stubborn Old Lady Chen was now weeping uncontrollably. Were it not for Chen Zhaodi and Zhang Xiu helping in the room, no one would have even changed the hot water.

As they worried in the room, a sudden cry came from outside. Hearing that Madam had arrived, even Hong Bing’s wife’s spirit seemed to lift.

Old Lady Chen grabbed her daughter-in-law’s hand, her voice hoarse. “Xiaotao, Xiaotao, do you hear? Madam is here. Madam is here. She will find a way. Don’t give up.”

“I won’t, Mother. I won’t give up. I haven’t even seen the baby yet. I’m still waiting for Hong Bing…”

“Good, good. Don’t worry. With Madam here, everything will be fine.”

Xiaotao loosened her grip on the milk candy she’d been clutching, her sticky hand turning to firmly grasp her mother-in-law’s wrist. She raised her head and urged, “Mother, I’m fine. The most important thing is the baby—the baby…” God, she had only one wish: for the child’s safety.

Even if she didn’t make it, she knew Hong Bing would take good care of their child.

“I know, I know…” Old Lady Chen, a lifelong strong woman, now wept more tears than she ever had before.

“Mother, if anything happens to me, promise me you’ll save the baby…”

Watching the two women, the others in the delivery room couldn’t help but tear up. But Chen Zhaodi quickly scolded, “What nonsense is this? Now’s no time for such talk. Madam is here. Just focus on giving birth safely.”