OFTLHFRO C190
by berryChapter 190: A Slightly Leaky Little Padded Jacket
After breakfast, Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan packed up some food to bring back for the three children.
As soon as they reached the entrance of their residence, they saw Xiao Lin hurrying out.
Luo Mingchen casually asked,
“Brother Xiao, where are you off to?”
“Hua-niang wants some hu la tang and pickled vegetable buns. I’m going to buy them for her.”
“At this hour? That’s a long trip just for one errand. We happened to buy some already, and it’s been a while since we’ve visited Sister-in-law anyway. Why don’t we take them over?”
The children could always eat Hongxing’s breakfast.
But if a pregnant woman couldn’t satisfy one of her cravings…
It could really affect her mood.
Xiao Lin froze for a moment before smiling.
“Then let’s go.”
Along the way, Xiao Lin told them that Hua-niang’s belly had grown considerably larger.
Both of her legs were swollen, and even turning over at night had become difficult.
After learning a massage technique from Hua Yaoyue, he massaged her every day.
Even so…
She still slept poorly most nights.
Knowing how difficult pregnancy could be, Luo Mingchen turned to Huo Yan.
“Just give Brother Xiao maternity leave already.”
“I mean… paternity leave.”
“In another two months Sister-in-law will give birth anyway, and things aren’t especially busy right now.”
Huo Yan nodded.
“Let Ruan Feng handle whatever work remains.”
“Great!”
Xiao Lin readily agreed.
Since Hua-niang was a woman, Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan waited outside while Xiao Lin carried the food inside and helped settle everything first.
Only after he came back did they enter.
Seeing them, Hua-niang smiled happily.
Even beneath her thick winter clothes, her enormous belly was obvious.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lin was unpacking the still-warm hu la tang.
Luo Mingchen had never experienced pregnancy himself…
But he had certainly seen pregnant women before.
“Sister-in-law…”
“Isn’t your belly a little too big?”
If the baby became too large…
Wouldn’t childbirth become dangerous?
Surely Hua Yaoyue, as a physician, would’ve noticed.
Hua-niang simply smiled.
“Doctor Hua says it’s twins.”
“So it’ll naturally be harder than an ordinary pregnancy.”
“Actually, my belly is still considered rather small.”
“I had terrible morning sickness before and couldn’t eat much.”
Luo Mingchen nodded.
If it was twins…
Then everything made sense.
“Do you spend much time with Sister-in-law Hu?”
Hua-niang shook her head.
“We’ve only met a few times.”
“Why?”
“If you get along well, we could invite her over to keep you company.”
There were mostly men living here.
Neither Ziyuan nor the others had ever given birth.
Having someone with firsthand experience might be genuinely helpful.
Truthfully…
Hua-niang was tempted.
“Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”
She got along well with Sun Li…
But after all…
Sun Li was the wife of another Great General.
“Let’s ask.”
“If she isn’t willing, then it can’t be helped.”
Fortunately…
Sun Li agreed immediately.
On the way over, she asked an unexpected question.
“Have you hired a midwife yet?”
Luo Mingchen blinked.
“…Sister-in-law.”
“We have military physicians.”
Sun Li stared at them in disbelief.
“…Even if you have doctors…”
“You still need a midwife during childbirth!”
“…Really?”
Luo Mingchen looked toward Huo Yan.
Back in his own world…
Male obstetricians delivered babies all the time.
Nothing suggested doctors here couldn’t do the same.
Huo Yan quietly scratched Luo Mingchen’s palm.
Translation: I’ve never had a baby either.
Sun Li was completely speechless.
“Of course you need a midwife…”
She sighed.
“Forget it.”
“A bunch of grown men and unmarried girls wouldn’t know these things.”
“I’ll find two experienced midwives.”
The thoroughly clueless couple could only nod awkwardly.
After arriving…
Sun Li learned that Hua-niang was due in the fourth lunar month.
Yet there wasn’t even a room prepared specifically for childbirth.
None of the necessary supplies had been gathered either.
Her head immediately started aching.
She scolded Xiao Lin several times while writing down everything that needed to be purchased.
Watching this unfold…
Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan quietly slipped away.
Leaving poor Xiao Lin behind to receive the full lecture.
The moment they stepped outside…
They heard Liu Changlian happily shouting,
“General! Lord Luo!”
“The Lord of Wolf King Fortress has arrived with his people!”
Before Luo Mingchen could respond…
A sweet little voice drifted down from the rooftop.
“Big Brother is here!”
All three looked upward.
Standing on the roof was Huo Xinyue.
She held a small wooden bird in her hand.
Beside her stood Zhuqing and Xiao Chen, watching over her.
The instant they noticed Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan…
Xiao Chen gave an embarrassed smile before quickly carrying Huo Xinyue back down.
Jumping from such a height didn’t frighten the little girl in the slightest.
She simply giggled happily.
The moment she landed…
She threw herself into Luo Mingchen’s arms.
“Daddy!”
Laughing helplessly, Luo Mingchen picked her up.
“Why did you ask your uncles to take you onto the roof?”
Huo Xinyue proudly showed off the wooden bird.
“Little Flower flew up there!”
“I went to get Little Flower!”
“It’s fun being so high!”
Huo Yan examined the toy.
Every joint could move.
Needless to say…
Zhuqing must have carved it for her.
“Alright.”
“But you have to be careful.”
“And you must always listen to your uncles and aunties.”
“Understand?”
Huo Xinyue obediently nodded.
Luo Mingchen knew his daughter loved thrilling activities.
The five bodyguards doted on her endlessly and often carried her onto rooftops or up trees.
Usually he turned a blind eye.
After all…
There wasn’t much entertainment for a small child.
Huo Yuhui could happily spend entire days learning new skills—
Making medicine…
Reading books…
Practicing martial arts…
Huo Xiang could train all day as well while squeezing in reading and calligraphy.
But Huo Xinyue…
She was still too young.
Even if she memorized many things…
She wouldn’t truly understand them.
More importantly…
She simply loved running around.
Since Hu Jing had become busy learning embroidery and saber practice…
She rarely had time to play with Huo Xinyue anymore.
In the end…
There just weren’t enough children her age.
Xiao Chen smiled.
“Master Luo…”
“Miss is actually very obedient.”
“I know.”
“But try not to take her onto high places too often.”
“Yes, sir!”
Only after hearing Luo Mingchen’s reminder did Huo Xinyue wrap her arms around his neck and begin acting spoiled.
“Daddy…”
“Let’s go play with Big Brother!”
Luo Mingchen sighed dramatically.
“We don’t even know whether your Big Brother has arrived yet.”
“He definitely has!”
“He promised me last time!”
Seeing how excited she looked…
Luo Mingchen exchanged a helpless glance with Huo Yan.
“Alright.”
“Let’s go take a look.”
Liu Changlian quickly added,
“Lord Luo…”
“The Young Master came as well.”
The instant she heard those words…
Huo Xinyue became even happier.
She stretched both arms toward Huo Yan.
“Little Daddy!”
“Hug!”
Huo Yan silently accepted his fate and lifted her from Luo Mingchen’s arms.
“Little Daddy, hurry!”
Poor Huo Yan…
Reduced to transportation.
There wasn’t much he could do.
After all…
This was his precious daughter.
He simply carried her toward the front gate.
Luo Mingchen, who’d been feeling slightly jealous moments ago, almost burst out laughing.
Walking behind them, he teased,
“Sweetheart…”
“Daddy really didn’t spoil you for nothing.”
Huo Xinyue smiled brightly.
“Little Daddy has long legs.”
“He walks faster.”
Luo Mingchen’s smile immediately faded.
“But…”
“I beat him in our running race this morning.”
Huo Xinyue answered matter-of-factly,
“But Yueyue has gotten heavier.”
“Daddy gets tired if he carries me too long.”
Hearing that…
Luo Mingchen felt somewhat comforted.
What a thoughtful little padded jacket…
Even if she leaked a little wind.
Fortunately…
She didn’t leak that much toward him.
With a few stitches here and there…
She could still keep him warm.
Hu La Tang (胡辣湯) — A famous spicy pepper soup from northern China, commonly eaten as breakfast.