A tense silence hung over the hospital hallway. Passersby couldn’t help but sneak curious glances at the unusual scene—six guards standing like rigid spears on either side of the corridor, while a group of well-dressed men and women surrounded two dignified elderly figures.
“Old Yue, stop scowling like that!” Wan Jiayin nudged her husband, Yue Guohuai, who sat stiffly with a stern expression. “If Zhiqiu sees you like this, you’ll scare the baby!”
She knew his grim face hid deep worry—Shen Zhiqiu’s premature labor had everyone on edge. Giving his hand a reassuring squeeze, she turned to their youngest son, Yue Mingyuan, who stood frozen outside the delivery room like a statue.
“Xiao Yuan,” she reminded him gently, “childbirth takes a toll on a woman’s body. Zhiqiu’s already delicate—she’ll need careful postpartum care, or she’ll suffer later. But for now, just be grateful they’re both safe.”
Yue Mingyuan gave a stiff nod, his handsome face taut with worry. His eyes never left the delivery room doors.
Then—they finally swung open.
Meng Fang stepped out, cradling a tiny bundle. Yue Mingyuan lunged forward. “Ersao! How’s Zhiqiu?”
“She’s fine. The baby’s fine too.” Meng Fang smiled, adjusting the blanket. “Congratulations, Dad. It’s a healthy girl.”
She tilted the bundle toward him, but Yue Mingyuan barely glanced at his daughter before his gaze snapped back to the delivery room.
“Xiao Fang!” Yue Guohuai suddenly shot to his feet, voice trembling. “Did you say… a girl?!”
Before Meng Fang could reply, Wan Jiayin had already swept the baby into her arms. Peeling back the blanket, her eyes widened in delight.
“Lao Yue! It’s true! A girl! Our first granddaughter!”
The announcement sent the entire family into a frenzy.
“Mom, let me see my niece!”
“Grandma, let us see our sister!”
In seconds, everyone crowded around Wan Jiayu, cooing and grinning like fools.
And there she was—Yaya, blinking up at them with big, curious eyes. Seeing her beloved family again, alive and whole, filled her with joy. She giggled, her tiny face scrunching into a smile that melted every heart in the room.
Then—
“ATTENTION! ABOUT FACE! FORWARD—MARCH!”
Yue Guohuai’s thunderous command sent everyone snapping to attention, instinctively pivoting on their heels.
By the time they realized they’d been tricked, Yue Guohuai had already stolen the baby, cradling her victoriously in his arms.
“Dad!”
“Grandpa! You cheat!”
Ignoring the protests, Yue Guohuai sat back down, beaming at the tiny life in his hands. “Hahaha! My precious granddaughter! Grandpa’s little treasure!” His usual gruff voice had softened to a murmur, so sugary it made everyone’s teeth ache.
This… is Grandpa?
Yaya stared, memorizing his face. In her past life, she’d been too sickly to remember him—cursed by that witch’s needle, she’d withered away before her first month. And Grandpa…
Her tiny chest tightened.
The curse had clung to him too, worsening his heart condition. He’d died soon after.
[No! I won’t let Grandpa get sick! I won’t let him leave me!]
[Grandpa’s heart is bad—he needs a doctor!]
Tears welled in her eyes.
“Oh no, why’s my treasure crying?” Wan Jiayin fretted, dabbing Yaya’s cheeks with a silk handkerchief. She shot Yue Guohuai a glare. “Did you hold her wrong? Give her to me!”
“No! I’m keeping her!” Yue Guohuai dodged, then suddenly added, “Jiayin, I’ll go get that checkup you’ve been nagging about.”
Wan Jiayin froze. “You… will?” After years of stubborn refusal?
Yue Guohuai lifted Yaya, meeting her teary gaze. “I’ve got to stay healthy—for my little treasure, right?”
Yaya’s tiny fist waved in agreement, her smile returning through the tears.
“Lao Yue! She understands you!” Wan Jiayin gasped. “This child is extraordinary!”
“Of course she is! She’s my granddaughter!” Yue Guohuai puffed out his chest, prouder than if he’d won a war.
Then—a scoff cut through the warmth.
“Oh please. Newborns don’t understand words—unless she’s some kind of monster.”
Li Yan, the eldest daughter-in-law, stood with crossed arms, her red nails glinting. Her smirk dripped disdain.
Yue Guohuai’s glare could’ve melted steel. Wan Jiayin’s smile vanished. “Mingde,” she said coldly to her eldest son, “you’re all very busy. Why don’t you leave?”
Li Yan inspected her nails. “Oh, we’re not busy. We already took time off—lost wages and all.” Her voice sharpened. “Such a precious baby, needing this much fuss.”
“When I gave birth to Xiaoxin and Xiaohui, you barely blinked. But Zhiqiu? So lucky—”
“Enough!” Yue Mingde yanked her arm, hissing, “Let’s go!”
As he dragged her away, their twin sons—Yue Youxin and Yue Youhui—lingered, eyes locked on Yaya.
“Dad, we want to stay! We wanna see our sister!”
“See what? You’ve got cousins at your grandma’s!” Li Yan snapped, shoving them toward the exit. “Homework! Piano practice! Move!”
The boys cast one last longing look at Yaya before disappearing.
“What was that about?” Meng Fang muttered, frowning.
Yue Guohuai had covered Yaya’s ears, but she’d heard enough. Auntie Li still hates me. Well, I don’t like her either!
“Dad, Mom,” Meng Fang said, “I need to take the baby for her full examination.”
“Then let’s go.” Yue Guohuai stood—still refusing to hand Yaya over.
With Yue Mingyuan staying behind, the rest of the family formed a small parade down the hall.
Then—
“In-laws! We’re here!”
