Chapter 538: Wade Dong Becomes a Father

A day later, all first-round playoff games had concluded.

There were some surprises.

For instance, the sixth-seeded Spurs defeated the third-seeded Rockets, and the seventh-seeded Heat triumphed over the second-seeded Bulls.

Paul returned to the West after a year but once again missed out on the Western Conference Finals.

Rose had endured two major injuries over the past two years and, this year, could not participate in the playoffs. Li Pei had entered the Bulls' regular rotation, earning several minutes of playtime each game with significant improvements in his averages.

The Mavericks' loss in the first game also sealed their fate for the first round of playoffs.

The Suns were determined to win every game beautifully, believing that Dong Ge was watching over them.

However,

Aside from the first half of the opening playoff game, Wade Dong had not paid attention to any subsequent games.

Li Jiajia had checked into Union Hospital for pre-delivery preparations; she wouldn't return home until after the baby was born. Wade had been by her side at the hospital.

Li Jiajia's hospital room could hardly be described as a simple single room; it was more like a luxurious suite.

Zhang Yang's two daughters had also been born here.

This area was restricted to visitors, but some people were still allowed to come in for visits, such as Wang Xingya, Yu Yan, and Zhuang Fei.

Zhuang Fei had been keeping Wade company in the hospital room during these days. 

Sometimes when Li Jiajia fell asleep, Zhuang Fei would lean against the head of the bed and take a quick nap herself, saying she wanted to be alerted immediately if Li Jiajia felt uncomfortable—a true best friend.

A week later,

The Suns had swept the Mavericks and advanced to the second round of playoffs.

Gentry wanted to share this good news with Wade but still couldn't reach him... Contacting Luo Qingyan yielded only vague responses; she said Dong Ge was still undergoing treatment and urged the Suns to hold on until his return.

Meanwhile, Li Jiajia had reached her due date but still showed no signs of labor.

During this time, Director Han Xiaomei of the obstetrics department personally oversaw Li Jiajia's care, almost keeping vigil day and night by her side.

"Wade Dong, your wife's indicators are all very good."

Since it was past her due date without any signs of labor, Director Han reassured Wade: "It just means this child has a calm temperament; I think we can observe for a few more days."

"Thank you, Director Han."

Wade nodded in gratitude; Han Xiaomei was one of the top obstetricians in the country. She had also personally handled prenatal check-ups for Yu Yan and Wang Xingya previously.

This time around, she was equally attentive to Li Jiajia's pregnancy.

The baby seemed to be taking its time...

Wade estimated that not only was it already past the first round of playoffs, but if the baby delayed any longer, he might miss out on the second round as well. 

Even after the baby was born, he would have to wait until Li Jiajia was discharged before returning to America.

But Wade didn't mind; what did it matter if he missed out on the second round? If it weren't for playoffs, he would prefer to sit with Li Jiajia during her postpartum recovery...

On April 25th, in the evening,

Just hours after Director Han reassured Wade, Zhang Yang arrived with Yu Yan for a visit.

Li Jiajia was chatting with Yu Yan when suddenly she frowned in discomfort.

Yu Yan noticed her expression and asked: "Is your belly hurting?"

"Yes..."

Li Jiajia softly replied as her brow furrowed again.

The pain came in waves about every ten minutes. Although she appeared delicate on the outside, Li Jiajia was quite strong; despite feeling pain, she didn't scream out loud.

"This should be pre-labor contractions."

Yu Yan had some experience and immediately pressed the call button by Li Jiajia's bedside.

Within ten minutes, everyone who had been chatting outside—including Wade—along with Director Han Xiaomei rushed into the room.

"Looks like it's time..."

Director Han examined Li Jiajia and said to Wade: "Mr. Wei, there's no need to worry just yet; lead your wife for a walk."

Pre-labor contractions do not mean it's time to give birth; by enduring this pain and walking around a bit can help make labor easier when it arrives.

"Okay!"

Wade felt flustered; he would follow whatever Director Han suggested.

He and Yu Yan supported Li Jiajia as they walked. Fine beads of sweat began to form on Li Jiajia's forehead... Although she remained silent, Wade understood that she was enduring significant pain.

They walked for about half an hour before Director Han instructed Li Jiajia to rest for a moment before taking her team into delivery rooms.

This time around, even Wade was kept outside of delivery room doors.

"Mr. Wei, you don't need to worry; your wife is doing well; delivery should go smoothly!" 

Director Han reassured him before closing the delivery room door behind them.

How could Wade not worry? Even though he trusted Director Han completely, his heart ached for Li Jiajia as she endured such immense pain.

Wade's parents—Wei Hua and Li Zhen—had both arrived!

Waiting outside the delivery room with Zhang Yang seeing how anxious Wade was, he pulled him up onto the hospital rooftop.

"Have a smoke."

Zhang Yang handed Wade a cigarette.

Having not smoked since his rebirth, Wade took it from Zhang Yang and lit it skillfully... Zhang Yang winked and teased him: "Dong Ge, you look pretty cool when you smoke."

"I used to smoke."

Wade's mind only filled with anxiety; he didn't pay much attention to Zhang Yang's teasing.

After finishing one cigarette, Wade returned once more to pace back and forth outside of delivery room doors...

About three hours passed,

It was now early morning on April 26th when suddenly the delivery room door slowly opened. Li Jiajia was wheeled out on a stretcher while a nurse cradled a baby in her arms. "Congratulations Mr. Wei! Mother and child are safe!"

"This is my child..."

Wade gently took his baby from the nurse's hands and looked down at Li Jiajia. Her lips were pale with strands of hair sticking to her forehead; she appeared weak but happy.

Wade's eyes instantly welled up with tears—he had become a father!

The baby had just cried moments earlier but upon being held by Wade opened its eyes wide with curiosity about this strange new world.

Director Han remarked nearby: "In my years as an obstetrician I've only encountered three women who gave birth without making a sound—and it's even rarer for such beautiful babies to be born."

Giving birth without uttering a word demonstrated immense strength and endurance.

Wade didn't inquire about who those other two women were; his heart now belonged solely to his child and Li Jiajia—at that moment he truly became a father. 

Before waiting for his child's arrival, Wade's mind had been filled with chaos. 

He worried whether Director Han would suddenly appear asking him whether they should prioritize saving mother or child—but thankfully this wasn't some television drama.