Chapter 75
He was so excited he could hardly calm down. Carefully cradling the child, he paced slowly around the room, though his gaze kept drifting back toward the bed. Finally, he saw Mu Miefeng and Xue Yao step away from the bedside and move to the washbasin on the shelf to clean their hands. Realizing the procedure was over, he glanced at Mu Miefeng, who murmured, "The wound has just been sutured. Don't touch him—let him rest for a few days. Keep the windows and doors closed; both the child and the adult are weak right now and can't handle the cold. We should step out for now."
After wiping their hands, Mu Meifeng and Xue Yao left. Ji Chun lifted the bed curtain and gently placed the newborn beside Su Ran. He found the small blanket prepared by the old doctor in the cabinet and draped it over the baby. Then, he settled quietly beside the bed, watching Su Ran sleep soundly.
With the child now born, Su Ran's belly had returned to its usual flatness, his face still pale and bloodless. Yet, his beautiful features held Ji Chun in a daze. In sleep, he looked even gentler, more serene—especially with the tiny baby nestled beside him. This image etched itself into Ji Chun's heart: his lover and his child.
He gazed at them, imagining Su Ran's reaction upon waking. What would he think when he saw the baby? Such an arrogant, untamed man had become a father overnight. The thought warmed Ji Chun's chest, filling him with tender amusement. What will this little one look like when he grows up? Right now, it was impossible to tell whether he'd resemble Ji Chun or Su Ran. Will he be well-behaved? Will he listen to us?
Lost in thought, an hour slipped by unnoticed—until a soft knock sounded at the door. Ji Chun rose carefully, ensuring the baby wouldn't roll off the bed, and opened it to find Xue Yao. "Ji Chun Dashi," Xue Yao said, "the food is ready. Come eat. Sect Leader Su will be fine."
Ji Chun nodded, casting one last glance into the room before reluctantly stepping out.
The three men ate in silence until Mu Miefeng noticed Ji Chun's distraction. "Don't worry about the Sect Leader Su," he reassured. "I've already given him medicine. He needs rest to heal—he can eat when he wakes. But the child is still young. You'll need to find milk for him in the village."
"Understood," Ji Chun replied, hastily swallowing his food. Realizing night had fallen, he stood and bowed. "I'll go to Doctor Liang's house to ask about finding milk. Please, enjoy your meal. You've both worked hard today—I'm deeply grateful."
Mu Miefeng glanced at the darkening sky. "No need for formalities. It's still early—go quickly and return soon."
Ji Chun threw on his coat and hurried out. His first stop was Doctor Liang's home, where he found the elderly physician at dinner.
"Ji Chun?" Doctor Liang blinked in surprise. "What brings you here at this hour?"
"Su Ran has given birth," Ji Chun explained, slightly breathless, unable to suppress his exhilaration. Sharing the news only amplified his joy. "I'm worried the baby might get hungry later. Do you know where we can find milk in the village?"
Doctor Liang's eyebrows shot up. "Already?!" Without hesitation, he took Ji Chun's arm and guided him inside, nearly colliding with Liang Daosan in the doorway.
"Su Gongzi has delivered," Doctor Liang told his wife. "Think of who in the village has milk—we'll take him to buy some."
Liang Dasao's eyes brightened. "Ah! The Wang family's wife just had a baby—she should have plenty. Let me change, and I'll take you there." She bustled off to prepare.
"Su Gongzi alright?" Doctor Liang pressed. "For men, childbirth is even more taxing than for women."
"Doctor Mu said he'll recover after a few days of rest, once the wound heals," Ji Chun replied earnestly, touched by their concern.
"A boy or a girl?"
"A boy." Ji Chun's heart swelled, sweet as honey. The image of that delicate little figure filled him with boundless tenderness.
"Ji Shushu!" A small voice piped up. Xiao Liangzheng had appeared unnoticed, eyes sparkling as he tugged Ji Chun's pant leg. "Is my