Chapter 216
He didn't even bother to put on his coat before turning and rushing outside. His figure nearly hit the edge of the doorway as he passed it, but Professor Lu Hai, who was following closely behind, stepped aside to let him pass. The old man watched the figure disappear at the end of the corridor, then suddenly raised his hand to wipe his face and sighed softly, "That child... such a huge thing happened at home, and he didn't say a word about it."
Upon hearing this, the researchers who had been immersed in ecstasy fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances, their cheeks burning.
***
The Volga car sped along.
Liu Guangqi sat in the back seat, his palms clenched, the streetlights outside casting dim yellow streaks of light. As soon as the car stopped in front of the hospital, he jumped out and practically ran across the front yard and up to the third floor.
The smell of disinfectant filled the corridor.
Before he could catch his breath, he heard a soft, delicate cry coming from the ward at the far end—
Not one, but two.
Like a kitten whimpering, they overlapped, tender and fresh.
Liu Guangqi suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The huge weight that had been hanging over my heart for so long finally lifted, but then a wave of emptiness washed over me.
In the end, we still missed out.
He stood in the corridor, listening to the faint, soft voice of a nurse coming from inside. After a long while, he slowly raised his hand and wiped his face.
The door hinges turned slightly, and warm, cozy air mixed with laughter wafted in. Liu Guangqi stood at the doorway, composed himself, and quietly suppressed the slight turmoil in his mind.
Zhao Dehou, the father-in-law, was leaning against the wall, holding a swaddled baby steadily in his arms, a smile he couldn't hide on his face. Beside him, sixteen-year-old Zhao Mengsheng watched the child in his father's arms with eager eyes, itching to try. On the other side, his two mothers—his all-powerful mother-in-law and his own mother—were huddled together, carefully feeding Zhao Mengyun, who was lying on the bed, brown sugar water with a small silver spoon.
The most conspicuous of them all was the father, Liu Haizhong. He was carrying a tightly wrapped cotton bundle, and as soon as his son entered, his voice immediately rang out: "Guangqi! You're finally back! Xiaoyun gave birth to twins, big, healthy boys! Each weighing six pounds eight ounces, even stronger than during those bountiful snowfalls and bumper harvests!"
Whether it was a stroke of divine favor or a preordained blessing of twins in Zhao Mengyun's constitution, she gave birth to twins again. Unlike her first pregnancy, which resulted in a boy and a girl, this time they were two proud and healthy boys. Aside from Liu Guangqi's subtle, unspoken disappointment, everyone from Zhao Mengyun to the elders in the room was beaming with joy. In those days, a large family with many male members was a symbol of prosperity and a solid foundation.
Seeing his wife surrounded by a crowd, Liu Guangqi took a child from his father. The tiny bundle, wrapped in swaddling clothes, was warm and soft. Looking at the newborn in his arms, a wave of emotion washed over him. It was said that this was the most productive year for childbirth on this land, and it was certainly true. Before he knew it, he had become a father of four. But looking at these two boys, he felt a pang of regret—where was his beloved little girl? Even just one of them would have been wonderful.
"Still putting on that face?" The faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the delivery room. Zhao Mengyun's voice was slightly hoarse, typical of postpartum women, but her eyes were clear and bright, instantly seeing through her husband's thoughts. In this era where everyone longs for a son, the man she married was an "oddball" who desperately wanted a daughter. She couldn't help but chuckle, a mischievous smile curving her lips: "What, you don't want a daughter? Well, let me make this clear: if you really give me three daughters, when they all grow up and line up to get married, don't be hiding in a corner crying alone!"
Liu Guangqi was taken aback by her words. A sudden image flashed before his eyes: his father-in-law's face, as black as the bottom of a pot, looking at him with disdain for everything. Even when toasting, it seemed as if he wanted to smash a bottle over his head. At that moment, he suddenly had a belated understanding of his father-in-law's state of mind. Anyone who had carefully nurtured their precious daughter for twenty years, only to have her snatched away by some clueless hothead, would feel a complex mix of emotions.
Just as he was lost in thought, the ward door was gently pushed open. Guard Xiao Zhuang led two little heads in.
"Dad! Mom!"
Ruixue and Fengnian, like two nimble sparrows, darted to the bedside. Unfortunately, they were still short, so they strained to stand on tiptoe, craning their necks to look at their newborn brothers in the cradle. Their little hands reached out again and again, wanting to touch them but too afraid to. Ruixue was more sensible; she carefully took a piece of candy from her little pocket and gently handed it to Zhao Mengyun.
"Mommy, have some candy. If you eat candy, it won't hurt anymore."
Zhao Mengyun took the White Rabbit milk candy, still warm from her daughter's touch, and a gentle smile spread across her eyes. She unwrapped the candy, put the milky white candy in her mouth, and the rich sweetness instantly melted on her tongue, warming her heart.
In an instant, the sweet scent of milk from the baby, the hushed laughter of the adults, and the curious chatter of the children blended together in the small ward, creating a warm, comforting, and lively atmosphere.
Liu Guangqi's gaze slowly swept over everything before him—his wife on the bed, her gentle smile; his parents, beaming with joy beside her; his father-in-law, his stern face masking a smile; and his mother-in-law, her face radiant with happiness. There was also Zhao Mengsheng, a boy struggling awkwardly to take the baby from his father's arms. The bustling, vibrant, even slightly chaotic atmosphere of the room, like an invisible yet firm hand, gently settled his heart, which was pounding with excitement over a major project breakthrough and slightly wistful from missing his wife's delivery.
He recalled the miracle that had just been achieved at the Institute of Computing Technology: a computing power of 300,000 calculations per second, like a newly forged sword that cleaved through layers of technological blockade. It was for the sake of the nation.
The warmth and completeness that fills this room is for the sake of family.
On his career journey, he participated in breaking the ice and winning confidence and dignity for the country.
In the haven of his family, he went from being a solitary intruder to now having two children, adding a sense of fulfillment to the word "good." Along this journey, what he had hoped for seems to have quietly taken shape over the years.
Although I couldn't personally witness the first cry of a new life today, I was fortunate enough to step into this hall filled with joy. Not too early, not too late, everything was just right.
When the elders from both families finally finished playing with the two children, the ward finally quieted down. Liu Guangqi pulled up a chair and sat down by the bed, gently taking Zhao Mengyun's hand—her fingertips were still slightly cool.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you," he said softly.
Zhao Mengyun's eyes curved into a slight smile: "I'm not tired, I'm actually very happy."
Liu Guangqi smiled too. Although there were some minor regrets, such as not being able to be by her side to welcome the arrival of the child, or the long-awaited daughter not arriving, these small regrets made the present happiness seem more real and more reassuring.
It must be said that Zhao Mengyun's physique was indeed outstanding. Ample nutrition and consistent moderate exercise allowed her to get up and move around on the second day after giving birth, and by the third day she was almost fully mobile. However, Liu Guangqi insisted that she stay in the hospital for a few more days to observe her recovery. As a designated facility for the families of high-ranking officials, the 49th Hospital naturally had exceptional facilities in its dedicated ward. Under her mother-in-law's meticulous care, Zhao Mengyun's ward received specially prepared meals every day: millet and red date porridge with boiled eggs in the morning, and warm, nourishing chicken soup in the afternoon, with even the accompanying vegetables being carefully selected for easy digestibility.
Liu Guangqi remained tight-lipped: "The doctor said the first week postpartum is a crucial recovery period, so I'll feel more at ease staying a few more days." Besides handling urgent official business at the Institute of Computing Technology and the Ministry of Machine Building every day, he would stay in the ward after get off work, learning to change the baby's diapers and wipe his wife's hands. His slightly clumsy yet utterly earnest demeanor even made the medical staff laugh, saying, "Comrade Zhao, you really married the right person!"
The ward was always filled with a warm and cozy atmosphere. Under such attentive care, Zhao Mengyun recovered quickly. When she was discharged, her complexion was rosy, and her figure was only slightly fuller, showing no signs of having just given birth. Before her discharge, the head nurse of the Maternal and Child Health Department specially brought her a "Maternity Leave Application Form" and explained with a smile, "Ms. Zhao, you gave birth to twins, which is considered a multiple birth. According to regulations, you are entitled to an additional fourteen days of maternity leave. Adding to the original fifty-six days, you can take a total of seventy days. The maternity allowance will be directly linked to your workplace and paid along with your salary."
While Liu Guangqi helped fill out the form, the head nurse added, "When the baby is 56 days old, if it's inconvenient for you and your spouse to go to work, you can bring the baby directly to our maternal and child health department's breastfeeding room. We have shifts for older and younger children, and there are dedicated staff to take care of the baby. The baby can stay until they are 18 months old, after which they can be transferred to a daycare center. It's very convenient."
Liu Guangqi listened, a smile involuntarily spreading across his face. He was already familiar with these procedures and benefits; after all, this wasn't their first child. But experiencing it firsthand still filled him with emotion—in this era, women truly hold up half the sky, and the protections for female employees and cadres are tangible and thoughtful in every aspect. Seventy days of leave would be enough for his wife to have a proper postpartum recovery and fully recuperate, without having to rush back to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Of course, with the addition of a caregiver and a life assistant, the family is now well-staffed and not as chaotic as before. Looking at the words "twins" on the form, Liu Guangqi's last worry quietly subsided.
The car carrying Zhao Mengyun slowly drove into the ministry's residential compound. Even before she got out, many neighbors busy in the courtyard had already drawn their attention. In this compound, there were no secrets. News of Zhao Mengyun's pregnancy had already spread, and her return naturally attracted much attention. And when people discovered that she had given birth to twins, both boys, their envy was impossible to conceal.
Although the ministry compound is inhabited by high-ranking officials who are generally well-mannered, social interactions between family members are inevitable. Therefore, the news of Zhao Mengyun's second pregnancy with twins spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the compound within a day. Many family members of officials couldn't hide their surprise and envy, whispering amongst themselves:
"Have you heard? Director Liu's wife has had twins again!"
"Wasn't the first pregnancy a boy and a girl? And now there's another pair?"
"Absolutely! And this time it's two boys! How come these mothers are so lucky?"
"This is truly a blessing beyond measure; the wife he married brings good fortune to the family, and the children they bore are also outstanding..."
"What an enviable day!"
these days.
The news that Zhao Mengyun had given birth to another pair of twins became the focus of conversation for many people in the family compound.
No wonder people are talking about it.
The first pregnancy resulted in a boy and a girl, and the second pregnancy brought forth another pair of boys.
Such a thing would inevitably amaze anyone who did it.
Especially the elders in the courtyard who are eagerly awaiting their grandchildren, they wish they could also meet such a blessed daughter-in-law.
In conversation.
The barely concealed envy was almost overflowing.
Fortunately, Liu Guangqi is usually very sensible and considerate in his dealings with others, and there is nothing wrong with him.
Therefore, most people were genuinely happy for him.
Not long after.
Even Director Lin heard about this happy news.
He specially asked his wife to prepare some gifts and send them to Liu Guangqi's home.
News always travels faster than footsteps.
When Liu Guangqi returned to work at the Ministry of Machine Building, everyone he met along the way, whether they knew him or not, greeted him with smiles and congratulations.
"Guangqi, double happiness! Congratulations!"
"Engineer Liu, I heard that two more young masters have been born into your household? That's truly remarkable!"
"We should definitely have a few tables set up for the full moon celebration; we're all looking forward to sharing in the joy!"
Liu Guangqi responded with a smile the whole way.
In short.
Whenever I meet someone, the first thing I always say is congratulations.
We arrived at the Institute of Computing Technology.
His colleagues breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that he looked relaxed.
"Guangqi, you look great today."
Professor Lu Hai greeted him with a smile when he saw him return.
"I've been running between the hospital, my workplace, and home these past few days, and I'm completely exhausted."
"Now that everything is finally safe and my wife and children have returned home safely, I can finally put my mind at ease."
Liu Guangqi replied with a smile.
Soon, the entire Institute of Computing Technology knew about it and sent their congratulations.
Liu Guangqi thanked them one by one.
With the baby born safely and someone at home to take care of him, he finally had no more worries.
What I'm pondering now—