Chapter 1 The Birth Of A Daughter

“Chunhua, could you please talk to Mom and ask if I might have some sugar water? I'm truly out of strength...” On the bed, Zhang Yingyue was drenched in sweat, her face pale, and her lips colorless. Her damp hair clung to her face, and she looked pleadingly at the woman standing by her bedside. Her swollen belly protruded prominently, a clear sign of labor. She had been in labor for an entire day and night, leaving her utterly drained. At this point, even lifting her hand felt impossible. She knew all too well that without nourishment, there was little hope of delivering her child. “Yingyue, you're really putting me in a difficult spot. You know Mom's temperament. If you were giving birth to a son for Zhenyu, she'd be thrilled enough to prepare sugar water for you. Just hang in there and try harder to have the baby soon. If this drags on, it won't be good,” Liu Chunhua replied, her face showing unease. If only our second sister-in-law, Zhao Yuyan hadn't gone back to her family home, I wouldn't be left alone to assist with Zhang Yingyue's labor. A full day and night of labor, and the baby still won't come. It's really bad luck. The little one inside her belly seemed determined to cause trouble. Even before its birth, it had worn Zhang Yingyue down to her last breath. It was August, the season of fall harvest. The entire family was out in the fields, and the matriarch of the Song family, Wei Zhilan, was taking her afternoon nap in the main house. She had made it very clear earlier in the day that she didn't want to be disturbed. Wei Zhilan was a difficult woman, and Liu Chunhua wasn't about to risk angering her. The disdain in Liu Chunhua's gaze was unmistakable, filling Zhang Yingyue with despair. Swallowing against her dry throat, Zhang Yingyue begged, “Chunhua, could you at least bring me a glass of water? Please...” Liu Chunhua rolled her eyes and said impatiently, “Fine, just wait. I'll get it for you after I use the restroom.” She turned and walked out, waving her hand in front of her nose as she muttered under her breath, “It stinks in here.” The door slammed shut behind her, plunging the room back into dimness. With great effort, Zhang Yingyue raised her trembling hand to touch her belly, tears streaming down her face. Liu Chunhua was gone for over half an hour. During that time, Zhang Yingyue endured several waves of intense labor pains, but she lacked the strength to do anything. The movements in her womb began to slow, and her heart sank in despair. Just then, the door creaked open. A flicker of hope lit Zhang Yingyue's eyes as she whispered in a trembling voice, “Chunhua...” “Mom, it's me. Are you okay?” Song Ruying's soft, gentle voice filled the room as she hurried to her mother's bedside, her face etched with worry. Hearing her daughter's voice, Zhang Yingyue felt a wave of sorrow. Liu Chunhua clearly wasn't returning anytime soon. If she wanted to deliver this baby, she would have to rely on herself. “Ruying, fetch me a bowl of water,” Zhang Yingyue said weakly. “Don't worry. I'll be okay.” Song Ruying returned with a bowl of cold water, her small hands trembling as she helped Zhang Yingyue drink. After a few sips, Zhang Yingyue caught her breath. “Ruying, come here. Put your hands on my belly. When I tell you to push, press down hard,” Zhang Yingyue instructed, her voice barely audible. She was devoid of strength, and it was impossible for her to give birth unaided. Liu Chunhua was gone, and the movement of the child in her belly was slowing. Zhang Yingyue knew she had to give birth immediately if there was any hope for the child to survive. At just six years old, Song Ruying was frail and terrified. She placed her small hands on her mother's stomach but immediately recoiled, trembling. “Mom, I'm scared,” she whispered, her voice breaking into sobs. Tears streaked down Zhang Yingyue's face, but she steadied her voice. “Ruying, you have to be brave. You're the only one who can help save me and your little sibling. Push with all your strength when I say so.” As another wave of pain overtook her, Zhang Yingyue's body convulsed, but she bit back her cries, worried about frightening her daughter. Desperation pushed her to plead, “Ruying, if you don't help, I'll die...” “No! I don't want you to die, Mom. I'll help!” Ruying cried, closing her eyes and pressing down on her mother's stomach with all her might. Zhang Yingyue summoned every ounce of her remaining strength, the searing pain forcing a scream from her lips. “Ah!” Finally, she felt a sudden release. Gasping for air, she weakly asked, “Ruying... is it a boy or a girl?” But the little girl froze, too frightened to move. The door burst open, and Liu Chunhua rushed in. “Sorry, Yingyue. I had a stomachache and thought there was still time. I didn't expect the baby to come so quickly,” she said, walking toward the bed. “Let me see,” she said, lifting the blanket. Zhang Yingyue's heart pounded as she waited for the answer. Liu Chunhua glanced at her with a smirk. “Congratulations, Yingyue. You've added another daughter to your family.” The glimmer of hope in Zhang Yingyue's eyes dimmed instantly, tears spilling over as despair consumed her. Liu Chunhua, unfazed, cleaned and wrapped the baby in old cloth before patting the little girl's bottom. “Wah!” The baby's cries filled the room. Liu Chunhua placed her next to Zhang Yingyue with a cheerful smile. “Take a rest, Yingyue. I'll go share the news with Mom.” Without another word, she turned and left. Before long, only Zhang Yingyue and Song Ruying were left in the room. Song Ruying had been standing by the bed the entire time, her wide eyes fixed on her mother's vacant stare. Fear gripped her small body, and her voice trembled as she called out, “Mom...” There was no response. “Mom, I'm scared...” Zhang Yingyue's hollow gaze flickered, coming back to life as silent tears began to stream down her face. “Ruying...” she managed to say, her voice breaking with despair and hopelessness. The weight of reality crushed her. Having another daughter meant her family would face even greater hardship. Among her four children, her eldest was slow-witted, a fever had rendered the second the same fate, and only her two daughters were healthy. But in the eyes of their grandmother, daughters were worthless. “Mom, don't cry,” Song Ruying said softly, her small hands clutching Zhang Yingyue's. “I'll take good care of my baby sister.” Zhang Yingyue turned her head to look at her newborn. The baby had just quieted after a few brief cries. Unexpectedly, she wasn't asleep but wide-eyed, gazing up at her mother with an almost knowing expression. The sharp sting in Zhang Yingyue's nose intensified, and more tears slipped down her cheeks. Having another daughter meant her mother-in-law would be anything but pleased. The baby wouldn't be given proper food or even a chance at breast milk. Deep down, Zhang Yingyue feared this fragile life might not survive. After months of carrying this child, the mere thought of what lay ahead caused her heart to ache unbearably. What sins did I commit in my past life to deserve such punishment now? “Another worthless girl, nothing but a burden! If I were her, I'd be too ashamed to live. How did our family end up marrying someone like her? She's nothing but a disaster magnet!” From the main house, the harsh, grating voice of Wei Zhilan, her mother-in-law, rang out.