Guo Xuyang set off a little after eight. Two hundred kilometers wasn't far, nor was it close. It would take over two hours on the highway.
Although the road was easy to travel, there was an unwritten custom in Xiao Hong's family: visiting a patient after midnight was not allowed.
This was mainly due to the patient's taboo. Although it was childbirth, it still counted as a patient, something Guo Xuyang had to consider.
By the time Guo Xuyang arrived at the hospital, it was already past eleven.
"Uncle, I've reached the entrance of the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. Do you know which ward Auntie is in?"
Guo Xuyang called Wang Xukun from his car.
"Why did you come? It's not necessary," Wang Xukun's voice came from the phone.
"I'm already here and will be up shortly. Just tell me which ward Auntie is in."
"Wait a moment, I'll come down to pick you up."
"No need for that, we can come up directly. Which floor is Auntie on?"
"South Building, seventh floor, bed twenty-six."
"Alright, we'll be right up."
Guo Xuyang hung up the phone and had Xiao Yun pick up the gifts prepared for his younger brother-in-law and mother-in-law. He casually grabbed two packs of cigarettes and got out of the car.
"Mr. Guo, are there any other gifts to send up?" Li Shun quickly asked.
"No. Old Wang will be down later. I'll give them to him then.
It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go empty-handed, so I brought two packs of cigarettes.
You find a place to rest. I'll call you when I come down later."
"Understood, Mr. Guo."
Guo Xuyang and Xiao Yun, carrying their gifts, went to the information desk. After clarifying, they proceeded upstairs.
As they reached the seventh floor, they saw a middle-aged man with graying hair standing at the doorway looking in their direction.
Guo Xuyang's heart stirred, and he felt that this middle-aged man must be Wang Xukun, Wang Lihong's father.
"Are you Uncle Wang? I'm Guo Xuyang," Guo Xuyang said as he stepped forward.
"Why did you come all this way?" Wang Xukun said.
"I'm delighted to hear that Auntie has given birth to another younger brother for Xiao Hong. As her brother-in-law, I must come and see.
This is my assistant, Xiao Yun."
Guo Xuyang introduced Xiao Yun to Wang Xukun.
"Don't stand outside, come in quickly," Wang Xukun beckoned.
"Uncle, please take these two packs of cigarettes. I didn't bring much for you."
"I don't smoke. I quit a long time ago," Wang Xukun refused.
"Uh, Xiao Hong didn't mention that.
I prepared a few bottles of Maotai in the car for you, but they were too heavy to bring up."
"We'll talk about that later. Come in quickly," Wang Xukun said, turning to go inside.
Guo Xuyang glanced at Xiao Yun, who followed him in with the gifts.
"Auntie, are you feeling better?" Xiao Yun asked as she approached.
"Much better. At my age, having another little one. You must laugh at me."
"Auntie, please don't say that. You don't look your age at all.
Besides, now they advocate for having three children. You've only had your second, you can still have another one."
"We didn't plan to have this one. When Xiao Hong went missing, your uncle's hair turned white with worry. We thought she would never return.
One needs something to live for, don't you think? So, we had this one.
Unexpectedly, this little one arrived, and Xiao Hong also returned.
I was so happy.
But when Xiao Hong returned and saw I was pregnant, she wasn't happy and got angry with me every day.
Then she stormed out in anger and never came back.
Alas, children grow up and don't listen to their mothers. Whatever she wants to do, she can do. We can't control her anymore."
"Auntie, please don't think that.
Xiao Hong misses you all very much. She just avoided you because she was afraid you wouldn't let her have this child. I think you misunderstood each other at the time."
"This child has been strange since she returned. We didn't dare to question her too much, for fear that she might do something drastic.
We really didn't realize she was pregnant."
"You all misunderstood back then.
Xiao Hong was afraid you would find out about her pregnancy and stop her from having the baby, while you thought she didn't want you to have a child, which led to the misunderstanding.
Now that it's cleared up, there should be no problem."
As Xiao Yun spoke, she brought out the gifts for the two of them.
"These are from Mr. Guo Xuyang and Xiao Hong, a token of their affection. Please accept them."
"This is too precious, I can't accept it," Wang Lihong's mother, Zhang Jingyi, said after a glance.
"These are all from our own shop. They didn't cost much. Please accept them," Guo Xuyang said from the side.
"I'll accept the longevity lock and the bracelet on behalf of the little one.
I really cannot accept this bracelet and necklace. Your future together, living a good life, is better than any gift for me," Zhang Jingyi said.
"Auntie, your son-in-law is in this business. He has plenty in his shop. Please accept them,"
Xiao Yun said from the side.
"Please extend your hand. Let me help you put it on to see if it looks good?"
Xiao Yun then took a bracelet and placed it on Zhang Jingyi's wrist.
It was made of imperial green jade, and Zhang Jingyi's arm was very fair, making it look beautiful.
"Auntie, look for yourself, isn't it beautiful?" Xiao Yun asked with a smile.
"Beautiful, it really looks good," Zhang Jingyi said, shaking her wrist. "This is too precious."
"Auntie, haven't we told you? This is from Guo Xuyang's own shop. Please accept it with peace of mind.
You can wear this necklace and the other bracelet after you recover."
Xiao Yun then placed the jewelry box under Zhang Jingyi's pillow.
"Then I'll accept them. Thank you so much."
"Auntie, you're welcome. I work for Mr. Guo, and he treats us very well.
Xiao Hong also has a set like this," Xiao Yun said with a smile.
"I don't ask for you to be rich or noble. As long as you live a good life in the future, it's better than anything,"
Zhang Jingyi said, looking at Guo Xuyang.
"Your uncle told me yesterday that this child, Xiao Hong, has also suffered. The baby weighed seven jin eight taels?"
"Yes, Auntie. But fortunately, mother and child are safe."
"This father and son have fate, born on the same day," Zhang Jingyi said, looking at the infant beside her.
"After the full moon, I'll have you stay with me for a while so that father and son can have some bonding time," Guo Xuyang said.
"I won't go. At my age, having another little one is enough for them to laugh at.
When you return, can you bring Xiao Hong and the baby to stay with us for a while?"
"No problem," Guo Xuyang said, taking out a card and placing it in Zhang Jingyi's hand.
"Auntie, it's getting late, and I need to head back.
This card is a small token of my and Xiao Hong's affection. The password is eight eights."
"I can't take this. You didn't prepare anything when you came.
Your expenses over there are much greater, so you don't need to give us money.
Our two salaries are enough."
"This is a small token of my and Xiao Hong's affection, please accept it."
Guo Xuyang said and turned to leave.