Chapter 69 (Part 1): The Ugly Ger’s Farming Story

However, he still had some doubts about childbirth. “Xie Ama, is it true that the belly line turns red?”

Xie Ama removed the handkerchief from Xu Qing’s stomach, dipped it in hot water, wrung it dry, and placed it back on. “Yes, that’s right. After giving birth to the baby and resting for a few more days, apply some of the belly line powder I asked you to buy. When the red line on the belly disappears, you can get out of bed and walk.”

“Is that so?” Xu Qing contemplated the tradition of postpartum confinement. “Do I really have to stay in bed for a month? Can’t be exposed to wind and can’t eat anything with strong flavors?” In winter, who wants to be exposed to the cold wind? Their house is new and warm, but he can’t help but crave dishes with strong flavors.

When Xie Ama heard this, he was amused by Xu Qing’s words. “Who told you that? You don’t have to worry. As long as you avoid eating overly spicy and greasy food and don’t get out of bed until a few days after the belly line disappears, you’ll be fine.” Xie Ama was still talking when Xu Qing suddenly leaned back on the bed in pain. “It will be worth it. Endure it! Endure it and give birth!”

After speaking, Xie Ama hurriedly started preparing for Xu Qing. Xu Qing felt a metallic taste in his mouth. It was too painful. He bit his lip, and suddenly, a piece of cloth was stuffed into his mouth. Xu Qing quickly bit onto it. Sweat dripped from his disheveled hair, and his eyes reddened from the pain. At that moment, there was only one thought in his mind: it hurts!

Uncle Xie sat in the warm main room with a cigar in his mouth, watching Li Changfeng pacing back and forth. Occasionally, he would go to the door to listen for any sounds. “Uncle Xie, why don’t I hear anything?”

Apart from hearing Xu Qing’s voice earlier, Li Changfeng still couldn’t hear much.

Uncle Xie looked at Li Changfeng’s anxious expression, as if he saw himself waiting outside the door when Xie Ama gave birth to Brother Xie. “Don’t worry, it’s just conserving energy. Sit down and take a rest. Look at you, sweating. I don’t know if it’s you or your wife giving birth.” After saying this, he felt a sense of familiarity with these words. After thinking for a moment, Uncle Xie sighed. Xu Qing’s father had said the same thing to him back then. In the blink of an eye, many years had passed, and his son had finally become a mother.

Both he and Xie Ama were getting older. They had experienced many things in life, but the most important thing that occupied their hearts was Brother Xie. He had been pregnant for a day, and they had been anxious every day.

Li Changfeng waited in confusion, his legs involuntarily moving, his hands trembling. He wanted to call Xu Qing, but he was afraid it would disturb her during childbirth. Not hearing Xu Qing’s voice made him feel very uneasy.

“Wah wah wah!”

After a while, a loud, newborn cry emanated from the room.

The child was born.

Li Changfeng hurriedly opened the door and asked, “Xie Ama, how is my wife?!”

Xie Ama wrapped a chubby bundle with a soft cloth prepared in advance and replied, “He’s fine! I’ve got a big, healthy baby boy for you! Go and fetch some hot water!”

Uncle Xie stood beside Li Changfeng, observing his excited and overwhelmed expression. He gave him a pat on the back. “Congratulations, my boy! You’re a father now too!”

“Thank you, thank you! It’s all thanks to my wife’s hard work!” Li Changfeng was so ecstatic that he couldn’t find the right words. His bond with Xu Qing had already been strong, but now their family had become even more lively. “I’ll go get the hot water!”

Recalling Xie Ama’s instructions, Li Changfeng hurried to the kitchen to fetch the hot water.

Exhausted, Xu Qing lay on the bed and listened to Li Changfeng’s enthusiastic shouts outside the door. He felt a deep sense of happiness.

“Come and see your child.” Xie Ama had already cleaned and wrapped the plump bundle in a soft cloth.

Xu Qing shifted his body slightly and looked at the child in Xie Ama’s arms. Despite being a newborn, the baby had a thick head of hair and his eyes were already open. He squinted slightly and his little nose twitched, as if he could smell something delicious in the air. His tiny red lips kept pursing, and the most surprising thing was how chubby he was. Xu Qing couldn’t help but be amazed. He must have weighed more than eight pounds. How did such a big baby come out of his stomach?

“He’s a big boy,” Xie Ama remarked, surprised to see a child born so healthy and lively, especially during a year plagued by drought.

Xu Qing took a closer look, his face wrinkling with both astonishment and curiosity. Where did the baby resemble him? Despite the surprise, he felt a surge of affection. He made a slight movement, but winced as the wound from the childbirth hadn’t fully healed.

Xie Ama quickly urged Xu Qing to lie back down. “It’s alright if it hurts a little. The wound will heal quickly!”

“Xie Ama, the hot water is here!”

Li Changfeng stood at the door with two buckets of hot water, not knowing where to put them down. Filled with enthusiasm, he felt no fatigue or weariness whatsoever.

Xie Ama opened the door with the little bun in his arms. “Put down the buckets and come hold your child.” Li Changfeng’s heart softened at the sight of the chubby bundle, and he obediently put down the buckets. Following Xie Ama’s guidance, he carefully and clumsily held the little one.

“Why is he so chubby!”

Li Changfeng felt a mix of joy and concern. He was delighted that the child had such a robust physique in a year of scarcity, yet he worried about the pain Xu Qing must have endured while giving birth to this plump bundle.

“Don’t say that. It’s a sign of good health and strength!”

Uncle Xie, who had come closer, scolded Li Changfeng with a displeased expression. He then lowered his head and looked at the baby, who was squirming slightly in Li Changfeng’s arms.

Xie Ama entered the room carrying a bucket and proceeded to cleanse Xu Qing’s body. Next, he applied the specialized postpartum powder to promote the healing of the belly line. Carefully wringing a hot handkerchief, he gently placed it on Xu Qing’s abdomen, alleviating the throbbing pain. Xu Qing refrained from making any sudden movements, fearing that it might strain the wound and impede the healing process.

“Be patient, it will start healing in about fifteen minutes,” Xie Ama assured Xu Qing, who found the healing process quite remarkable. “Is it really that powerful? Why don’t I see people using this for injuries?”

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Thingyan: I have read quite a few novels of gers and this is the first, as far as I know, the author explained how a man/ger could give birth. I am enlightened.