Chapter 73

Ji Chun was slightly surprised upon hearing this, but he quickly accepted it. He had always known Su Ran was a man who understood right from wrong—just a little irritable at times.

"According to the date, the baby will be born soon. There's something I need to tell you. A few days ago, Doctor Mu called me in to discuss the details of the birth. They said your situation is… special. To ensure both your safety and the baby's, you'll need a Caesarean."

When Ji Chun first heard the term "Caesarean" he had firmly refused. If something went wrong during the procedure, how could Su Ran's life be saved? Worse yet, he couldn't bear the thought of Su Ran enduring the agony of being cut open. Fortunately, Doctor Mu had carefully explained the risks: if Su Ran delivered naturally, death was certain, but this method at least offered a chance at survival. After days of deliberation, Ji Chun had relented. He hadn't told Su Ran at first, but with the delivery date approaching, Su Ran had the right to know the truth.

"Caesarean?" Su Ran grabbed Ji Chun's hand where it rested on his shoulder, frowning as he turned to stare at him. His voice was low, tense.

Ji Chun knew Su Ran only understood the surface meaning of the term. Gently patting his shoulder to ease his nerves, he explained the grim reality: a natural birth would kill him. He also reassured him that Mu Miefeng, after returning to the valley and consulting medical texts, had proposed the Caesarean as the safest option.

Su Ran exhaled deeply, leaning back into the recliner and closing his eyes. His hands drifted to his swollen belly, fingers absently tracing the curve as exhaustion etched deeper into his brow. He had suffered for so long—and now, they had to cut him open to end it. At this moment, anger felt irrelevant. All that remained was weariness.

Whatever it takes, he thought. As long as I survive, as long as this thing is out of me—I'd endure a thousand cuts.

A sound from outside signaled Mu Miefeng's return. Ji Chun moved to help Su Ran up, but Su Ran waved him off—only to suddenly double over, clutching his stomach with a sharp gasp. His breath came in ragged hitches, sweat beading on his pale face.

Ji Chun's heart lurched into his throat. "Doctor Mu! Xue Shenyi! Hurry—Su Ran—!" His voice cracked with panic. He hovered helplessly, afraid to touch him, afraid to make it worse. His vision blurred with unshed tears, throat tight as he murmured, "It's okay… it's okay…"

Su Ran saw his distress and wanted to speak, but the pain stole his voice. Somewhere in the haze, he knew: the child was coming. Fear, thick and suffocating, coiled in his chest. He had faced death before, but never like this—never so utterly powerless.

If I die… what happens to Ji Chun?

The thought sharpened the pain, whether from his body or his mind, he couldn't tell. A hot tear escaped. Will I even survive this?

The door burst open. Mu Miefeng rushed in, took one look at Su Ran's crumpled form and Ji Chun's stricken face, and barked, "Ji Chun—carry him to the bed, now!" Together, they lifted him just as Xue Yao sprinted in with a medicine box.

"Boil water—lots of it!" Xue Yao ordered. "And clean cloths! No one enters until this is over!"

Ji Chun hesitated, desperate to stay, but he knew he'd only be in the way. Clenching Su Ran's hand, he swallowed hard. The sight of his lover's tear-streaked face was a knife to his chest.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered, voice rough. "I will followed you through life and death. I love you. Don't be afraid."

Su Ran's fingers weakly squeezed back. A barely-there nod.