Ah Yin Goes into Labor

"Brother Hao, I want something sour."

"Sour?" Tang Hao followed her gaze and looked at a small stall around the corner, with a patched oilcloth umbrella set up.

The stall owner was an elderly woman in her fifties. In front of her were several shallow bamboo baskets, lined with dark blue coarse cloth, and piled with pickled plums.

Ah Yin squatted down in front of the stall.

Tang Hao quickly squatted down beside her, supporting her back with one hand to prevent her from losing her balance.

Ah Yin reached out and picked up a sour plum. "How much is this?"

The old woman held up three fingers, "Three copper coins a pound."

Ah Yin turned to look at Tang Hao.

Tang Hao had already taken out his money pouch from his waist, poured out a few copper coins, counted out three, and handed them over.

The old woman took the money, took out some oil paper, neatly wrapped a pound of sour plums, tied it with straw rope, and handed it to Ah Yin.

Ah Yin took it, eagerly untied the straw rope, and took out a seed from inside.

She put the sour plum in her mouth, and the next second, her whole face scrunched up.

It's too sour.

But her eyes were full of satisfaction, as if she were savoring some rare delicacy.

"Is it tasty?"

Seeing her expression, Tang Hao couldn't help but ask.

Ah Yin didn't answer, but instead took out another one from the paper packet and held it to Tang Hao's lips.

"Try it."

Tang Hao opened his mouth and bit down. In that instant, the sour taste felt like a heavy punch to the back of his tongue.

Ah Yin looked at his expression and laughed so hard she clutched her stomach.

"Is it sour?"

Tang Hao forced himself to chew and swallow the sour plum, saying, "It's alright."

"Not bad?" Ah Yin picked up another one. "Want one more?"

"No, no," Tang Hao waved his hands repeatedly, "Whatever you like is fine."

Ah Yin popped the sour plum into her mouth and stood up contentedly.

Tang Hao quickly stood up, his arm loosely wrapped around her waist to prevent her from losing her balance.

The two left the stall and continued walking along the street.

As Ah Yin walked, she ate a sour plum and asked, "Brother Hao."

"Um?"

"The baby is about to be born, have you thought of a name yet?"

"I've thought about it."

"What's your name?"

"Let's call him Tang San."

"Tang San? Why is he called Tang San?"

"Of course, it's to commemorate the friendship between the three of us."

Back then, he and his Tang Xiao were traveling and training together when they met Ah Yin by chance.

Unexpectedly, both Tang Xiao and I liked Ah Yin.

In the end Ah Yin chose herself, Tang Xiao offered his blessings and withdrew from the sect. Afterwards, he returned to the sect to assist the seriously ill Tang Yin in managing the sect.

Now that Ah Yin is about to give birth, he has brought her to Nuoding City.

Ah Yin smiled and said, "Tang San, that's a good name."

"Right? Those years the three of us went through together, looking back now, it's truly a wonderful memory."

Just as Tang Hao finished his remark, Ah Yin pulled his hand up and placed it on her protruding belly.

Tang Hao's palm was pressed against her abdomen, and through the fabric skirt and thin skin, he could feel the tiny life inside.

"Brother Hao, we'll have many more wonderful memories together in the future."

Tang Hao nodded vigorously. "Yes."

Ah Yin smiled, took out another sour plum from the paper package, and put it into Tang Hao's mouth.

Tang Hao grimaced from the sour taste, while Ah Yin laughed and leaned on his shoulder.

"I'm not eating it, it's too sour."

"Okay, then I'll eat with the child."

Ah Yin ate two sour plums and asked, "Brother Hao."

"Um?"

"I'm a little nervous. Will childbirth be very painful?"

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

"Then I'm relieved. Let's go back if we're tired."

The two returned to a mansion in Nuoding City.

Three months ago, Tang Hao brought Ah Yin to rest and recuperate during her pregnancy.

When the Nuoding City learned of this, he immediately arranged for Tang Hao to stay at this noble residence.

That's one of the most prestigious sects in the world. Although they've kept a low profile these past few years, their reputation as the "Number One Weapon Martial Soul in the World" speaks for itself. Who would dare to underestimate them?

Moreover, the one who came was not an ordinary disciple, but Tang Hao, the second young master of the Clear Sky Sect.

The city lord vacated his best residence in the city.

Three days later...

Nuoding City, the City Lord's Mansion's villa.

Tang Hao stood in the courtyard.

He had been standing there for almost two hours.

From the moment Ah Yin was awakened by pain at night, he was kicked out of the bedroom.

At that moment, he was sleeping next to Ah Yin, one hand resting on her pregnant belly, when Ah Yin's fingers suddenly gripped his arm tightly.

He woke up immediately.

Ah Yin lay on her side, her legs curled up, her breathing becoming rapid.

"Brother Hao... it seems... it seems like he's about to give birth."

Tang Hao's mind went blank for a moment, and all his sleepiness vanished instantly.

He jumped up and rushed out barefoot to call for help.

After that, he was kicked out.

When the midwife pushed him away, he instinctively tried to push her away.

He is Soul Douluo, and there aren't many people in this world who can inspire him.

But when the midwife's hands, thin as chicken claws, pressed against his chest, he didn't dare to use force and was forcibly pushed out the door.

With a "bang," the door slammed shut right in front of his nose.

From inside came the midwife's booming voice. "Boil water! Boil several pots! Clean cloths, the more the better!"

Servants carried copper basins and cloths in and out, each one hurrying along, none daring to glance at Tang Hao.

Tang Hao stood at the door for a few seconds, then began pacing in the yard.

He walked from the courtyard gate to the porch, from the porch to the pond, and from the pond back to the courtyard gate.

Ah Yin cries of pain came from inside the house.

Tang Hao suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He clenched his fist, turned around, and took a step toward the door.

Then, it abruptly stopped.

"We can't go in; going in will only cause trouble."

As dawn broke...

Just as Tang Hao was anxiously waiting...

Two middle-aged women in their forties were hurriedly led into the courtyard by servants.

"Stop! Who are they?"

"Second Master Tang," the servant explained respectfully, "They are healing-type Soul Master who reside in Nuoding City. This morning, the city lord learned that Madam Tang had given birth and came here specifically to help."

At this moment, the two Soul Master nodded to Tang Hao, "Shall we go in?"

"Okay, let's go in."

After receiving permission, the two pushed open the door and went inside.

The moment the door opened, Tang Hao saw Ah Yin on the bed through the crack in the door.

Just one glance.

But that scene seems to be etched onto his retina.

Ah Yin's hair was completely wet, with blue hair sticking to her cheeks and forehead, as if she had just been pulled out of the water.

Her face was as pale as paper, and there was a bloody mark on her lips, which she had bitten herself.

Then the door slammed shut.

Tang Hao's breathing became erratic.

He sat by the door, utterly helpless.

"Second Master Tang."

A voice came from the courtyard gate.

Tang Hao turned his head and saw the steward of the City Lord's Mansion standing in front of him with a lunchbox in his hand.

The butler wore a fawning smile. "You've been standing here since before dawn. Have something to eat; the city lord specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare this."

"Need not."

The butler's smile froze on his face. "But..."

"I said no, can't you understand human language?"

The butler swallowed hard, not daring to say anything more, and took the food box and left.

Tang Hao turned his gaze back to the tightly closed door.