章 15: The Water Broke
The Three-month Club's latest meeting was cut short due to the arrival of a sudden member, Xiu Ling's baby boy.
Yes, that was right. While Xiu Ling and Joann were happily chatting in the Lin manor's living room, Xiu Ling expressing concern about Joann's nude scenes in the upcoming Ye Fei Ye movie; Joann brushing her off, telling her in turn not to live her life being constantly cautious about other people's opinion, Xiu Ling's water suddenly broke.
The first to react was Joann who screamed, "Xiu Ling, your water just broke! Someone call the ambulance or something!"
Xiu Ling the prospective mother was too flustered by this to realize what was really happening. In a flurry of motions, she was carried off the sofa and shuttled into a waiting ambulance, that to her had appeared out of thin air, and was sent off to the hospital.
She did not realize it was Joann who called the ambulance after she calmed down; it was Auntie Sun who packed the hospital care bag for her and she missed the disgusted frown on Mrs. Lin's face when she found out Xiu Ling's water had broken on and thus dirtied her precious, expensive antique sofa.
When asked who would accompany Xiu Ling to the hospital, Mrs. Lin was hesitant to say yes even though she was technically the only one who had familial ties to Xiu Ling. She looked prudently away while all the eyes were turned expectantly on her.
After an uncomfortable silence, Joann stepped up to the plate and volunteered to go with Xiu Ling.
It was not until then that Mrs. Lin stepped forth to thank the paramedics for coming so quickly to answer her daughter-in-law's distress call. She added that she would go the hospital later with Auntie Sun in their own car lest they crowded Xiu Ling in the ambulance, making her uncomfortable.
It was said with such a sweet and understanding smile that even the paramedics would have believed her if not for the break in her façade earlier.
They shared a look among themselves and soon left Lin manor with Xiu Ling and Joann in tow. They could not help but pity Xiu Ling. They did not know the full story but from that little interaction, they knew the mother and daughter-in-law did not share an amiable relationship. In the dynamic of this relationship, it did not require a rocket scientist to figure out which among the two had the upper hand.
…
On the way to the hospital, Joann tried to reach Xiu Ling's husband because which father would not want to be there to witness the miracle that was the birth of his son?
The answer? Lin Kang.
There was no one to answer Lin Kang's personal number. Joann tried for a few more times before she gave up and turned to call his office number instead.
She had a much better luck this time because it was picked up in less than a few rings.
The person who answered was Lin Kang's latest secretary and after congratulating her boss' wife on her birth, she told Joann that Lin Kang was not in because he had business obligation overseas.
Joann hung up the phone in frustration and cursed the man internally, 'Who the f*ck schedules a business trip overseas around the time of his wife's due date? Is he that dense or is he doing this on purpose?'
Joann turned to look at her best friend's face which was screwed up in a grimace from the labour pains and her heart went out to Xiu Ling.
Joann reached out to grab Xiu Ling's hand and squeezed it once to let her know that at least she was going to be there for her.
Xiu Ling felt her squeeze and she turned her head to look at Joann and she smiled in appreciation of her moral support.
…
On the other end of the phone, in the sparsely lit and locked CEO's office, the young woman in a white lace pair of bra and panties placed the phone down and turned to smile at the wickedly handsome man who lounged lazily in the real leather chair.
In comparison to the woman in her undergarments, the man was well-dressed in white dress shirt and black slacks, his suit jacket hanging over the back of the chair.
The young woman began in a seductive drawl, "CEO Lin, that was your wife calling. Her water just broke, aren't you going to the hospital to accompany her?"
Lin Kang frowned imperceptibly before replying with a salacious comment, "Honey, if I want to hear a woman scream and moan, there is all the more reason for me to stay. So, how about it? Come here and let me make you squeal."
The young woman giggled coquettishly and said, "Boss, how you can say such a dirty thing…" She paused as if ashamed before continuing, "But I like it when you talk dirty to me."
As the woman got down to "business", Lin Kang thought to himself, 'It is perhaps time to go in search for a fresh one, this one has gotten way too comfortable with her position…'
…
The ambulance soon reached the hospital. When Xiu Ling was pushed through the doors of the maternity ward, the doctor who was assigned to her decided that her cervix had dilated enough. It was time to welcome the baby into the world.
Xiu Ling was thus hustled to the surgery room, Joann accompanying her along the way. Xiu Ling was deeply appreciate of her best friend's care, for staying at her side even though she did not have to.
Although this also made Xiu Ling reflect on the fact that other than Joann, she was practically alone in this big city. It made her feel understandably alone and isolated. If not for Joann, she really did not know how she would survive on her own.
Before reaching the surgical room, Xiu Ling saw a familiar figure standing by the doors and her heart was gripped with disbelief. Before she could stop herself, Xiu Ling called out hesitatingly, "Mom?!"
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