"Can you please tell Mother to let me drink a bowl of Tomato soup?" "I don't think I have the strength to give birth anymore..."
Florence was sweating profusely on the bed.
Her lips were white and her face was pale.
Her damp hair clung to her face as she begged the woman standing tall and mighty by her bed.
Florence's stomach expanded as she gave delivery.
She had, however, been attempting to give birth for a day and a night, and her strength had long been depleted.
She didn't even have the strength to raise her hand at this point.
She was well aware that if she did not consume something, she would be unable to give birth to this child.
"Aren't you making things difficult for me, sister-in-law?" It's not like you're unfamiliar with our mother's personality. Would Mother refuse to give you soup if you could give birth to a daughter for Third Brother? Simply said, you should work harder and give birth as quickly as feasible. Otherwise, if this continues, it will be disastrous." In an uneasy tone, Lily said to Florence.
If her second sister-in-law, Florence, had not returned to her maiden house, the duty of delivering her kid would not have fallen solely on her.
She was unable to give delivery despite trying all day and night. How unfortunate.
The child in her stomach must be bothering her. Florence was being tortured to death before she was even gave birth.
The entire family had gone to the fields in August, during the autumn harvest season.
Madam River, her mother-in-law, was dozing off in the main room.
She had previously stated that she would not be disturbed before the birth of the child.
Madam River was a difficult lady to get along with, therefore Lily avoided seeing her mother-in-law.
Lily's dismissive stare made Florence despondent.
"Sister-in-law, could you please pour me a bowl of water?" Florence asked. "Please."
"Fine, wait a minute," Lily muttered angrily, rolling her eyes. "When I go to the bathroom, I'll pour it for you."
Lily turned around and walked away. She even fanned her nose with her hand as she walked and said, "It stinks."
Lily slammed the door behind her, causing the previously bright house to abruptly return to darkness.
Florence struggled to lift her hand and touch her stomach, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Lily did not return for another half hour.
Florence had many bouts of contractions during this time, but she was completely exhausted.
Her heart got cold as the movement in her stomach became weaker and weaker.
The door was suddenly shoved open.
Florence's eyes shone brightly once more. "Sister-in-law..." she called out tremblingly.
"This is me, Mother. How are you doing?"
Sunny's voice was gentle as he walked to the bed and stared worriedly at Florence.
Florence was saddened when she heard her son's voice.
She was aware that Lily would not arrive for at least an hour or two.
She could only rely on herself if she wanted to give birth.
"Sunny, get me a bowl of water and don't be scared. Mother will be just fine."
Florence spoke softly. She couldn't give up. What would happen to her children if she did?
Sunny's eyes were filled with dread and terror, yet he obeyed and ran away.
He carefully filled a bowl of cold water for Florence and assisted her in drinking it.
Florence gathered herself after sipping some water and said, "Sunny, come, press on my stomach." When I tell you to use force, push down..."
She was completely exhausted.
It was difficult for her to have the baby on her own.
Lily, who was meant to assist in the delivery of the kid, did not return, and the child in her womb was moving less and less.
She knew she had to give birth right away if the child was to survive.
Sunny was just six years old at the time.
He lacked strength since he was tiny and frail.
His small hand trembled and retracted as he pushed his hand to Florence's stomach. "Mother," he moaned, "I dare not."
"Sunny, you can do it," Florence stated firmly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Only you have the ability to save my life. Come on, use all of your strength to press down."
Florence's body shivered in pain as the contraction arrived.
She was frightened that Sunny would not dare to push her, so she suffered the anguish and mumbled, "Sunny, if you don't dare, I will die..."
"No, I do not want Mother to perish." I want my mother to live..."
Sunny closed his eyes and pressed his hand against Florence's stomach.
Florence summoned her strength as well. Her intense anguish caused her to scream, "Ah—"
Florence's strength vanished as her lower body lightened. "Sunny...," she panted with effort. "Let's see if it's a boy... or a girl..."
Sunny was so terrified that he stood motionless for a long time.
Lily hurried in as the door was pulled open.
"I'm sorry, third sister-in-law. My stomach was hurting a little right now. I assumed you wouldn't be able to give birth for some time. I didn't think you'd give birth so soon."
"Let me see what it is."
Lily stepped to the bed and lifted the blanket as she spoke.
Florence's heart was in her mouth.
She couldn't bring herself to blame Lily right now.
She merely wanted to know the child's gender.
Lily turned to face her, a smile on her face. "Congratulations on your third, sister-in-law. You have another son."
Florence's eager expression faded as tears welled up in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Lily delighted in picking up the youngster.
She washed up the baby and severed the umbilical cord nonchalantly.
She covered him in ancient garments and slapped the baby boy on the buttocks.
"Wah—"
The infant began to wail.
Lily placed the kid next to Florence and smiled, "Third Sister-in-law, have a good rest. I'll go ahead and tell Mother the wonderful news."
Lily turned around and walked away, not looking back at Florence.
Only Florence and Sunny remained in the room.
Sunny was standing next to the bed. With horror in his eyes, he gazed at Florence. "Mother..." he shouted out.
Florence remained silent.
Sunny sighed, "Mother, I'm scared..."
Florence's lifeless eyes regained their brightness only then. Tears flowed silently.
"Oh, Sunny…"
Florence was overcome with despair.
Her entire family will struggle to make ends meet now that she has given birth to a son.
The eldest of her four children was intellectually challenged, and the second eldest daughter became retarded after contracting a fever.
Her two boys were healthy, but in the perspective of her mother-in-law, sons were useless.
"Don't cry, Mother. Sunny will look after his brother."
Sunny knelt in front of the bed and kissed Florence on the cheek.
Florence shifted her gaze to her newborn son.
Her youngest son had stopped weeping after a while.
He wasn't sleeping. Instead, he appeared to be staring at her with his eyes wide open.
Florence's nostrils pricked and silent tears spilled.
Her mother-in-law would absolutely despise her having a son and would refuse to feed her.
She might not be able to make any milk at all. Her son would almost certainly perish.
Her heart ached after ten months of pregnancy.
She must have been a dreadful sinner in her former existence for the heavens to punish her in this way!
"She had yet another loser." What a waste of time. If I were her, I'd be so embarrassed that I'd smash my head against the wall and die..."
"Why did the Shining Family marry such a jinx who only gives us useless things!"
The curses of Madam River emanated from the main room. It was as bad as it could get.