The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 938: Chapter 916: Top Student in the 1980s 44

Secretary An actually went to the hospital to inquire, and the doctor said it was difficult to handle. They hadn’t done this kind of surgery before and feared any complications might arise.

Secretary An came back genuinely worried, losing sleep night after night, heartbroken about the suffering Xiangling might endure.

Anning saw this and thought it couldn’t continue, so she talked to Secretary An directly: ”Mom, stop worrying. We can’t be stopped by small setbacks. This situation is dangerous, but let’s think positively. We’ll take care of her meticulously, and when the time comes, we’ll have her move to the hospital, which is definitely safer than being at home. If she feels exhausted, when the babies are over seven months, isn’t a cesarean section possible? There are always more solutions than problems. Moreover, think about it, if my sister successfully gives birth, you’ll have four more grandkids. Other people have only one at a time; my sister’s four in one go will bring so much joy to the family!”

Isn’t that the case?

Secretary An, thinking about holding four grandchildren at once, found it delightful. If Xiangling could give birth safely, it would indeed be wonderful.

With the country’s family planning policy allowing only one child per couple, Secretary An actually thought one child felt quite singular. But Xiangling’s case didn’t violate the policy, and having four at once is simply marvelous.

Thinking this way, Secretary An felt less worried.

Anning also told her, ”Xiao Yuan and I are studying medicine, aren’t we? Don’t you believe in our learning abilities? We might be able to treat ailments after some time.”

Secretary An was now both worried and joyful.

Meanwhile, Anning and Xiao Yuan continued as usual, attending lectures every day at the Medical College.

When the Medical College went on break during the twelfth lunar month, Anning and Xiao Yuan’s reputation spread.

The entire faculty and students of the Medical College knew about these two kids.

Imagine two middle school students skipping their classes to sneak into medical lectures, with even college professors presenting questions specifically targeting them, and they answered better than the medical students, leaving the latter frustrated as they feared being compared.

Xiao Yuan audited many traditional medicine classes, and started reading large medical texts at home. Later, he persuaded a teacher from the Medical College to let him borrow books from their library.

By vacation time, Xiao Yuan had already built good relationships with many Medical College students.

When university had their winter break and high school was nearing the final exams, Anning and Xiao Yuan refocused on their schoolwork.

Even though they spent most of the semester at university, for the finals, both of them still ranked first in the Provincial City’s joint exams.

Seeing the results, Zhang Heping and Secretary An finally sighed in relief.

They were afraid the kids’ learning might have been delayed.

When winter break came, Xiao Yuan practically moved into the Zhang Family’s house, studying medical texts with Anning daily.

They were young, and had much room for growth, so Zhang Heping and Secretary An didn’t overthink. They appreciated the kids’ closeness, allowing them to pursue their interests.

When the New Year approached, Xiao Yuan began making medicinal meals for Xiangling.

Every day, a clay pot simmered on the Zhang Family’s stove, filled with herbs and ingredients, with Xiao Yuan attending carefully. He was very meticulous about when to add which ingredients and how to prepare the herbs.

However, Secretary An wasn’t fully assured of the medicinal meals Xiao Yuan made, so she noted all the herbs and ingredients, consulting with an experienced traditional doctor, who confirmed there was no danger, although the effectiveness was uncertain, it certainly wouldn’t cause harm.

Only then did she go home, letting Xiao Yuan continue his work.

Anning, seeing Secretary An like this, secretly chuckled.

With Xiao Yuan’s intelligence, Secretary An thought she could compete with him?

The herbs Secretary An noted were precisely what Xiao Yuan intended for her to see, while the medicinal meals prepared for Xiangling were definitely different.

After the New Year, when Secretary An saw Xiangling’s improved complexion and energy, even stronger than before pregnancy, she believed Xiao Yuan had indeed learned some medical skills.

Xiao Yuan stayed at the Zhang Family’s house, and when Zhang Heping was free, he chatted with Xiao Yuan.

He also asked Xiao Yuan, ”With all this effort, do you plan to study medicine?”

Xiao Yuan shook his head: ”No, I’ve thought it through. When applying to college, I’ll choose the Chinese department and plan to write some articles in the future.”

Hmm?

Zhang Heping studied Xiao Yuan: ”Isn’t everyone inclined towards sciences now? Why are you choosing humanities?”

Xiao Yuan smiled: ”Humanities are a bit easier. Choosing to write means I could freelance, stay home to write novels or learn foreign languages to help translate some manuscripts, offering more flexibility with time.”

”Being lazy at a young age is not good.”

Zhang Heping gave Xiao Yuan a light tap.

In his heart, Xiao Yuan thought, with Anning keen on scientific research, if he also pursued science or became a doctor, both would be overwhelmingly busy after marriage. Who would manage the household and the children? Someone has to make a compromise and return to the family.

But could he say this to Zhang Heping? If he did, Zhang Heping might be furious with him.

When it came to choosing between sciences and humanities in the second year, Xiao Yuan indeed chose humanities.

Days passed by, Xiangling’s belly grew larger, frightening Secretary An and Hou Jun terribly. When Xiangling was over seven months along, Secretary An used her connections to have Xiangling admitted to the hospital.

Life was really difficult for Xiangling now; her belly was so large, making movement very inconvenient. She needed two people to help her get up from bed, truly having a tough time.

This was even with Xiao Yuan helping to replenish her Qi and tending to her daily — had it been another pregnant woman, who knows what might have happened.

Though Xiangling struggled with movement, her body was well-nourished, and the four babies were also robust. Hospital checks, including ultrasounds, showed the babies were all fine.

Generally speaking, multiple pregnancies easily lead to premature birth, with delivery expected around seven months, but Xiangling carried until eight months, and didn’t give birth until the ninth month, naturally delivering quadruplets.

Her delivery was quite smooth, lasting about two hours, almost three, in the delivery room.

When Xiangling was over eight months, Sister Xu arrived in the Provincial City. Once she entered the delivery room, the entire Zhang Family and Sister Xu waited outside.

Hou Jun nervously squatted and paced, drenched in sweat and almost in tears, hearing Xiangling’s cries of pain from the delivery room.

Zhang Heping was anxious too, though managed to remain composed. Secretary An and Sister Xu supported each other, drawing strength from one another.

When a nurse came out with the four babies, smiling, saying, ”Congratulations, mother and children are all safe,” everyone waiting outside finally felt relief.

Hou Jun, letting go of his breath, dropped to the ground.

Zhang Heping quickly pulled Hou Jun up: ”Hurry, take out the candies to give to the doctors later.”

Hou Jun nodded, waiting for the babies to be carried out and Xiangling to be wheeled out, temporarily ignoring the babies to rush to Xiangling’s side, asking, ”Sweetheart, how do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”