Half an hour later, Wang Lihong emerged.
“Do you still want the placenta?” the doctor asked as Xiao Hong was being wheeled out.
“What do we need it for?” Guo Xuyang said.
“If you don’t want it, we’ll dispose of it,” the doctor said, reaching to pick it up.
“Yes, yes, why wouldn’t we want it? This is a great tonic.”
Wu Shangqing hurried over upon hearing this.
“In medical terms, this is called Ziheche. It warms the kidneys, supplements essence, nourishes blood, and invigorates Qi, offering significant restorative benefits for postpartum mothers.”
“This thing looks so creepy, how is it used?” Guo Xuyang asked.
“You wouldn’t know about this,” Wu Shangqing said, taking the placenta. “There are people who specialize in collecting these now. It can be made into capsules for consumption.”
“So gross,” Guo Xuyang said, recoiling slightly in disgust.
“Stop being so fussy. You push Xiao Hong to the ward first, and I’ll find someone to handle this. When Yiliena gave birth to Xiao Bao, I didn’t know about this either. I only learned about it from others later. If I had known sooner, I would have kept Yiliena’s too.”
Wu Shangqing walked away as she spoke.
Guo Xuyang, in his haste, hadn't noticed the advertisements at the entrance for placenta capsule services. He wondered if these people actually used the placenta to make capsules. Ziheche, a traditional Chinese medicine, is made by washing a healthy woman’s detached placenta, removing membranes, steaming, drying, and grinding it into powder. The process is complex, but it is indeed a valuable ingredient, with properties that warm the kidneys, supplement essence, nourish blood, and invigorate Qi.
Not long after Guo Xuyang and the others pushed Xiao Hong to the ward, Wu Shangqing returned.
“How is she? Is she awake?” Wu Shangqing asked.
“Still sleeping.”
“Did they give her too much anesthesia?”
“I don’t know,” Guo Xuyang replied, just as the doctor approached. “Doctor, why hasn’t my wife woken up yet?”
“It’s likely due to exhaustion. It’s alright, let her sleep soundly and rest. It’s important for the baby to start nursing early to ensure sufficient milk production. Newborns don’t know how to suckle; your elder child can help.”
The doctor placed Xiao Guo Yi Shun on Xiao Hong’s chest, encouraging him to help stimulate the milk.
“You can also let Xiao Bao nurse. They can both feed together.” The doctor looked at Xiao Bao in Guo Xuyang’s arms.
Xiao Guo Yi Shun, seeing the food, eagerly began to suckle. Xiao Bao also vied for position, latching on tightly.
“See? Even at such a young age, they know how to compete for food,” Wu Shangqing said with a smile.
“Early stimulation leads to early milk production. Give the mother bland food, low in oil and fat, otherwise, it can cause milk blockage,” the doctor advised before leaving.
“Mr. Guo, let me hold him. I’m professional at this,” Li Xiaolu said. “If you hold Xiao Bao like that, you’ll get tired, and so will he.”
“Yes. I always feel this posture is awkward,” Guo Xuyang said. “If you let Xiao Bao lie down, he’ll find the food himself. Holding him like this can constrict his stomach and may cause him to choke on milk.”
“You should do it then. Professional matters should be handled by professionals. I’m just a dabbler, not good enough.” Guo Xuyang handed Xiao Bao over to Li Xiaolu.
By the time the two babies had finished feeding, Xiao Hong had also woken up.
“You’re awake? Have some water first. I’ve asked Liu He to arrange for pigeon soup to be cooked; it will be here soon,” Guo Xuyang said.
“I feel so weak, like I’ve been dreaming.”
“Look at our son, his eyelashes are like yours, quite long.”
“Why is he so ugly? Like a little old man,” Xiao Hong said dismissively.
“He hasn’t opened up yet. He’ll be beautiful once he does,” Wu Shangqing interjected. “Look how handsome Da Bao is now.”
“Yes. Da Bao is much better looking,” Xiao Hong agreed.
“Xiao Bao has been promoted to Da Bao. He’s the older brother now.”
“The football team has hope,” Li Minxi remarked.
“What football team has hope?” Guo Xuyang found Li Minxi’s comment puzzling. How could these two little ones bring hope to a football team?
“I mean, we’re one step closer to forming a football team,” Li Minxi explained.
“That’s not fast enough. If you all had children, we could form a basketball team,” Guo Xuyang said.
“A basketball team implies a football team too. Yiliena has recovered very well. It’s time to get in line,” Li Minxi said with a smile.
“What are you talking about? Can’t you let me rest and catch my breath?” Wu Shangqing objected.
“Mom, I think you really can’t work so hard. .oΓg When we get back, we’ll hire more nannies and cooks. We need to get the kindergarten set up early,” Li Minxi said. “Now that Lulu and Gao Yuan are here, you don’t have to worry about taking care of the postpartum mother. You should start preparing and thinking about how to set up the kindergarten.”
“What Xiao Xi said is right. This really needs to be put on the agenda. Yangzi, hurry and find a courtyard for me. We need to get this kindergarten up and running quickly.” Hearing Li Minxi’s words, Wu Shangqing was swayed.
“How about the west courtyard? When we get back, I’ll move all those raw stones to the King’s Villa and tidy up the west courtyard to be our kindergarten. This way, it’s close to you, making it convenient for you to visit and oversee it,” Guo Xuyang suggested.
“That’s a good idea. Connect the two courtyards. Pave the garden behind the west courtyard into a playground for children to crawl and tumble. Use the east garden’s swimming pool as a children’s amusement park. Whoever’s child it is, they’ll take care of them. From now on, don't let them go out to work. They can stay home and help take care of the children.”
“Mom, I have my company,” Li Minxi protested.
“What company? You barely go there. Listen to me, just leave the company management to them. You should stay home, be a good wife and mother, and spend time with me watching these little ones grow up,” Wu Shangqing said, her eyes narrowing in slight displeasure.
“But the kindergarten hasn’t been established yet. Can’t I still go out for a cup of tea or listen to music with Yang Yang and Zi Xuan?” Li Minxi quickly added.
“Yes, that’s fine. Pregnant women should always maintain a happy mood. This is beneficial for the fetus,” Wu Shangqing conceded.
“Auntie, you know so much,” Li Xiaolu said, buttering her up.
“I haven’t eaten pork, but I’ve seen pigs run, haven’t I? Besides, I’m a mother myself.”
“Mom, what are you saying? Are we all going to be little piglets?” Li Minxi was displeased.
“You’re being so stubborn. If you weren’t pregnant, I’d give you a good scolding.” Wu Shangqing made a move as if to hit her.
Li Minxi, however, hugged her arm. “Aren’t you afraid of hurting your grandson?”
“I see, if you have a son, he’ll be as fierce as you.”
“Don’t you know whose grandson he is?” Li Minxi said cheekily.
“You’re good with words.” Wu Shangqing lightly tapped Li Minxi’s forehead.