Upon hearing that both mother and child were safe, everyone waiting outside the delivery room finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Moments later, Nina Shaw was wheeled out of the maternity ward.
Xavier Quinn hurried to her side, his heart twisting sharply at the sight of her pale face. “A-Ning, are you alright?”
His voice was hoarse, eyes rimmed with red, filled with nothing but concern as he looked at Nina Shaw.
Before Nina Shaw could respond, the baby suddenly burst into wails, as if eager not to be forgotten.
“Oh my, my precious little one! Come here, let Grandma hold you.” Nina Shaw’s mother gathered the baby into her arms, her face radiant with maternal affection.
Knowing that Xavier Quinn’s mother had passed away early, Nina Shaw’s mother had rushed over almost as soon as she learned Nina Shaw was going into labor.
Xavier Quinn kept close by Nina Shaw’s side, while her parents doted on the child. Even with others present to help, Nina Shaw’s mother could barely leave the baby's side for a moment.
When the baby slept, Nina Shaw’s father and mother would debate who the child resembled more.
“Those eyes look like Xavi Quinn’s, but the nose is all our Ning Ning’s. He’s bound to be a handsome fellow, just you wait.”
...
During Nina Shaw’s postpartum month, Xavier Quinn rarely went to the company—he spent nearly every day at her side.
As for Xiao Xiufang and her son, they’d lost all face and couldn’t stay at the Qiao house any longer. It was rumored that Qiao Linyue had quietly sent them abroad; where exactly, no one bothered to ask.
Without Xiao Xiufang, the Qiao family felt different somehow.
After her month of confinement, Nina Shaw brought the child back for a visit to the Qiao house. Coincidentally, today was Qiao Jing’s birthday. There was no grand banquet, just a normal family gathering like any other day.
With the baby cradled in his arms, Xavier Quinn walked through the door and was immediately greeted by an enthusiastic Qiao Jing. He eagerly took the baby from Xavi Quinn’s arms.
Old Master Qiao sat nearby, quietly watching. Just watching the child seemed to fill both men with contentment.
Nina Shaw gently patted Xavier Quinn’s shoulder and shot him a meaningful look. She’d spoken with him at length on the way over, hoping he’d remember.
Xavier Quinn pressed his lips together, clearly still feeling awkward.
Nina Shaw took the gift from his hand and presented it to Qiao Jing with a smile. “Dad, Xavi Quinn picked this for you. Happy birthday!”
She nudged Xavier Quinn with her elbow.
He followed up, a bit stiffly, “Happy birthday.”
Nina Shaw shot him another look, and he tried again, “Dad, happy birthday.”
Qiao Jing suddenly stiffened, caught off guard. It wasn’t until Old Master Qiao nudged him, “The boy’s calling you, why don’t you answer?” that Qiao Jing’s eyes watered. Overcome with emotion, he replied, a little choked up, “Thank you.”
At last, the tension between father and son began to melt. Watching them, Old Master Qiao smiled with relief—this was what a real family should be like.
The relationship between Nina Shaw and Xavier Quinn had blossomed, too. From polite strangers, they’d become genuinely affectionate—a loving couple in every sense.
Nina Shaw never imagined she and Xavier Quinn could reach such harmony. She used to envy Lauren Shaw, but now her marriage was filled with happiness. Perhaps, she thought, this was the real meaning of being married.
----
Lauren Shaw frowned at the sight of her own increasingly full figure.
Yancy Shaw, on the other hand, was clearly delighted—every night he was utterly smitten with her. Still, there was one small issue: he seemed just a little too desperate.
Madam Chen would come by Lanyue Residence every few days, saying it was too boring at the Shen mansion and asking if she could take Lauren Shaw to stay with her for a while.
But Yancy Shaw would never agree to let her go.
As Lauren Shaw’s due date approached, both their nerves grew taut.
Knowing what childbirth meant for a woman, Yancy Shaw couldn't bear for anything to happen to her.
On the day Lauren Shaw went into labor, Yancy Shaw was a bundle of nerves.
He was a doctor himself, yet in front of Lauren Shaw, all his usual composure evaporated.
Nerves and worry left him restless until the sound of a newborn’s cries finally broke the tension for those waiting outside the delivery room.
“Congratulations, Dr. Shen—a beautiful little girl! Both mother and daughter are healthy.” Dr. Luo from obstetrics fixed her gaze on Yancy Shaw, a faint smile in her eyes as she saw his emotion. She’d never seen him this flustered before.
A wave of relief washed over Yancy Shaw, the tension leaving his shoulders at last. He turned to Dr. Luo and said gratefully, “Thank you, Dr. Luo.”
She smiled. “You're very welcome.”
Inside, Lauren Shaw was weak and utterly drained, but when she caught sight of the baby, she could only smile.
“Honey, look, that's our daughter.”
Yancy Shaw looked at the tiny baby in the nurse’s arms, his eyes tender. “Yes, that’s our daughter. She looks just like you—so beautiful.”
He held Lauren Shaw's hand tightly. She managed a tired smile, and with Yancy Shaw by her side, soon drifted off to sleep.
The baby’s name was chosen by Shen Wenting—Shen Mu’an.
By the end of her first month, Shen Mu’an had become round and rosy-cheeked, an utterly adorable little thing.
Madam Chen did everything but move into Lanyue Residence permanently, just so she could see her darling granddaughter every day.
For Shen Mu’an’s hundred-day celebration, the Shen family threw a grand party.
Madam Chen paraded the baby around proudly for the guests, her face beaming with satisfaction.
In her room changing, Lauren Shaw was struggling with her dress. As she was still nursing, her figure was fuller than usual, and the dress wouldn’t fit. She sighed in frustration.
Yancy Shaw came in and saw her irritated expression. “Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked.
She pointed at her chest in exasperation. “My dress won’t fit.”
The smile on Yancy Shaw’s lips grew. He knelt in front of her. “Don’t worry. Let your husband help you.”
Twenty minutes later… well, it seemed the dress could finally go on.
Outside, Madam Chen brought Shen Mu’an upstairs and found the bedroom door locked. She knocked. “Shengsheng, are you in there? Mu’an is hungry.”
A moment later, the door opened. Lauren Shaw, cheeks tinged with pink, accepted Shen Mu’an from Madam Chen and shot a fierce glare at Yancy Shaw.
Madam Chen didn’t notice anything amiss. “I’ll go entertain the guests downstairs. Bring Mu’an down for dinner later, alright?” she reminded.
After she left, Lauren Shaw punched Yancy Shaw in mock anger. “You bad man!”
The smile in Yancy Shaw’s eyes only deepened as he leaned close and whispered, “Baby, tonight let Mom take care of Mu’an, okay? This evening, you need to focus on me.”
The implication was perfectly clear. Lauren Shaw juggled the baby in her arms. “Shouldn’t you be downstairs hosting the guests?”
“Nope. I want to spend time with you and our daughter.”
His eyes held nothing but the reflections of his wife and child, his expression soft and deeply affectionate...