The year passed, and time seemed to accelerate. It was already early April, and the days had begun to heat up. The valley remained dry, with no rain, and the land was parched.
Chen Lan's belly was nearly seven months along, swollen to an almost unbelievable size, making it seem as though she could deliver at any moment. Her mother-in-law and mother dared not let her out of their sight, and her mother had given up her job at the kindergarten, watching over Chen Lan constantly, fearful of any mishap.
Her two brothers, both studying medicine, along with her son, took turns examining her pulse daily. After each examination, the three of them would reiterate the precautions, emphasizing that if she felt unwell, she must seek out their master.
One evening, as the family sat down for dinner, Uncle De sighed as he picked up his bowl and spoke, "Xiao Lan, the land is so dry. Although the three hundred and eighty mu of wheat we planted a few days ago are a drought-resistant variety, if this dryness continues, I worry even the wheat seeds won't sprout."
Hearing Uncle De's words, Chen Lan replied, "Uncle De, even if it doesn't rain, since we've already sown the seeds, we should use the water from the artificial lake for irrigation to combat the drought. Uncle De, this season's grain is incredibly important. Harvests are failing everywhere. The grain we're planting now truly is lifegiving. We must ensure a bountiful wheat harvest this year, no matter what."
At this, Uncle Fu interjected, "Xiao Lan, are we still planting potatoes and sweet potatoes this year?"
Chen Lan lowered her head, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Uncle Fu, let's just plant potatoes uniformly. We'll use three hundred mu of fertile land for potatoes, keeping it contiguous to facilitate unified irrigation and management. By the way, Uncle De and Uncle Fu, have you two checked the artificial lake recently? Is the water level nearing the bottom?"
Uncle Fu replied, "Why wouldn't we check? Your Uncle De and I go every few days. More than half the water in the lake is gone. However, both your Uncle De and I have seen quite a few animals coming to our artificial lake to drink."
Chen Lan asked with a hint of surprise, "Uncle Fu, is that true? That puts my mind at ease! I was worried that if the drought continued, the animals in the mountains might go extinct."
Her mother-in-law quickly interrupted, "Xiao Lan, don't say such things. These animals are born and live by nature; how could they go extinct?"
Chen Lan and Uncle Fu both smiled, not pursuing the topic further.
Uncle De then asked, "Xiao Lan, are we using the potato seeds we saved from last year?"
Chen Lan thought for a moment and replied, "No need, Uncle De. We've eaten most of the potato seeds saved from last year. With the drought, we can't grow much vegetables, so let the main kitchen use them as dishes for everyone. I'll find a way to get this year's potato seeds from your father. By the way, Uncle De, when do you plan to start planting the potatoes?"
Uncle De pondered and said, "If the seeds can be obtained in time, the sooner the better. I'm worried the weather is getting hotter, and the sun might evaporate what little water is left in the artificial lake."
The potatoes were planted, but the drought persisted as usual. The efforts to combat the drought in the valley were in full swing. It could be said that all productive activities in the valley that year revolved around drought relief.
Time seemed to fly by for another two months. Chen Lan's belly grew increasingly large. She was barely able to manage on her own, appearing as though she could deliver at any moment. The entire family was on high alert. Her mother-in-law, mother, and Mother Liu were all as jumpy as startled birds, making everyone tense and anxious, as if Chen Lan might go into labor at any time.
In the past few days, Chen Lan found it difficult to sit or stand, feeling utterly uncomfortable. Her swollen belly prevented her from sleeping soundly.
Doctor Guo and midwife Granny Qian were called. Doctor Guo examined her pulse and said, "The babies are doing well. Their heartbeats are strong and they are healthy. It should be within these two days, and labor could begin at any moment. The family should be prepared; I will return to make preparations."
Granny Qian entered the room and felt Chen Lan's belly. "The babies have descended. Labor should begin within these two days. Xiao Lan must not be left alone. Preparations for childbirth should be made in advance, and the family must be ready at all times. I also need to go back and prepare."
The sun shone brightly in the sky. Early that morning, everyone in the house, except for the mother-in-law, mother, Mother Liu, and Mother Cui, went to the fields to water the crops in the fight against the drought.
Chen Lan's mother and Aunt San helped Chen Lan walk circles in the living room. Suddenly, Chen Lan felt the urge to use the toilet. Aunt San asked in surprise, "Xiao Lan, didn't you just go?"
Her mother immediately became flustered and said, "Auntie Lan, Xiao Lan is likely going into labor. You stay with Xiao Lan, and I'll go find Granny Qian."
With that, she was about to rush out frantically when her mother-in-law, Mother Cui, and Mother Liu emerged from the kitchen one after another. Seeing Chen Lan frowning and her mother's panicked expression, Mother Liu rushed forward in two quick steps and said, "Young Madam, you stay here and watch Xiao Lan. I'm quick on my feet; I'll go find Granny Qian and Doctor Guo."
Without waiting for her mother to react, she bolted out the door.
Once Granny Qian, her daughter-in-law, and Doctor Guo were brought over, everyone began to work in an orderly fashion. Doctor Guo first examined Chen Lan's pulse and declared everything normal.
Chen Lan was then taken to the delivery room. Perhaps it was due to Chen Lan's robust constitution, or as Granny Qian had said, the babies sympathized with their mother, but Chen Lan's labor pains lasted only about an hour. With the help of Granny Qian and her daughter-in-law, Song Dafeng, the first baby was born quickly. Granny Qian exclaimed with great joy, "She's given birth! She's given birth! It's a big healthy boy! Oh! He's quite heavy, too! A good child, knowing to spare his mother."
After saying this, she efficiently cleaned and swaddled the baby with Song Dafeng and handed him to the mother-in-law, who was assisting, congratulating her, "Congratulations, Xiao Lan has given you another grandson."
The mother-in-law's eyes twinkled with joy as she took her new grandson, showering Granny Qian with praise, "Thank you for your hard work, Granny Qian. You have such skilled hands!"
Meanwhile, Chen Lan's belly began to ache subtly again. Her mother held her hand, wiping the sweat from her brow, looking equally anxious and sweaty.
Seeing Chen Lan's severe labor pains, her mother, while wiping the sweat from Chen Lan's forehead with a towel, anxiously called out, "Granny Qian, Dafeng, come quickly! Is Xiao Lan going into labor again?"