Volume One, Chapter Eleven: Delivering a Baby on the Train

“Mom, your foot is really badly swollen, and it’s bleeding again. Please just rest for the next few days. I’ll change your dressing regularly. If you need to go to the bathroom, ask my little sister to help you,” Lin Ranran said with gentle care, reminding Mother Ji. Mother Ji was so touched that her eyes filled with tears. She hastily replied, “Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you, Ranran.”

Ji Junyao chimed in from the side, “Sister-in-law, thank you. If it weren’t for you, who knows how much more Mom’s foot would have suffered.”

Lin Ranran smiled, “Little sister, didn’t you hurt your foot too? Let me take a look.”

Ji Junyao quickly waved her hands, “I’m fine, sister-in-law, don’t trouble yourself.”

Lin Ranran insisted, “Be good, let me put some medicine on it. I promise you’ll recover soon.”

Mother Ji said, “Junyao, listen to your sister-in-law. I think she’s really capable now. I’m sure she can heal your foot.”

Ji Junyao hesitated but finally took off her shoe. Her foot was also badly swollen. Lin Ranran treated her carefully and applied medicine.

“Sister-in-law, you even brought so much medicine with you. How thoughtful!” Ji Junyao couldn’t help but praise her.

Lin Ranran explained, “The countryside isn’t like the city. Medical conditions are lacking, so it’s best to bring some basic medicine just in case.” At that moment, Ji Junxiao arrived at the compartment with Father Ji and several younger brothers.

Nearly two hours of cramped travel had exhausted them; they felt as if their lungs were being squeezed out. The two youngest brothers, who had never suffered like this before, were nearly at their breaking point. Now, stepping into this spacious private compartment, it felt like heaven—they could finally relax.

“Sister-in-law, you’re amazing!”

“Sister-in-law, you’re incredible!”

“Sister-in-law, I want to apologize for the thoughtless things I said before. I’m sorry.”

As soon as they saw Lin Ranran, the brothers crowded around her, showering her with praise and apologizing sincerely for their prior words.

Lin Ranran laughed, “Families should be together. Now, you can read or rest at ease.”

Father Ji looked at Lin Ranran and nodded with satisfaction. “Ranran, I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you. You’re a good child.”

So, each member of the Ji family finally had a berth to sleep in. Compared to standing in the cramped carriage before, this was heaven. Everyone’s face beamed with contentment.

Seeing Lin Ranran like this, Ji Junxiao felt a wave of warmth in his heart. He truly sensed she had changed—more thoughtful, more considerate—and their home was all the warmer for it.

Four hours later, Lin Ranran got up to change the dressings for Mother Ji and Ji Junyao.

Ji Junxiao, seeing her awake, hurried over. “Ranran, let me handle changing the dressings from now on. You should rest and not tire yourself out.”

Lin Ranran looked at him with a blissful smile. “You’re so good to me.”

Hearing this, Mother Ji and Ji Junyao couldn’t help but snicker. These two, without even realizing it, were spreading their affection everywhere. If things could be like this every day, they wouldn’t mind at all.

Lin Ranran went to the next compartment and handed meal tickets to Ji Junyong. “Second brother, go buy us some food from the next carriage. Everyone needs to keep up their strength.”

Ji Junyong accepted the thick stack of meal tickets, stunned. “Sister-in-law, are you sure this is for one meal and not three days?”

Lin Ranran chuckled, “Just for one meal. We won’t be able to buy anything good in the countryside anyway. Let’s eat well these few days so Mom and Dad won’t have to suffer.”

Ji Junyong found her reasoning sound and went off with the tickets.

Soon, he returned with a pile of food: bread, steamed buns, rice, stir-fried dishes, eggs, peanuts, rice wine—filling the entire table.

The Ji family crowded into Carriage 17 to eat together. When they saw the bounty before them, they were dumbfounded. This must have cost a fortune, they thought. Lin Ranran certainly had a reputation for being generous with money! If she kept running the household like this, the money would be gone in six months. But since she was willing to spend money on the family, ensuring everyone was fed and content, they were truly grateful.

Never mind, they were heading to the countryside anyway—what use was so much money? If it ran out, they could always earn more! After all, the Ji family was upright and honest.

Ji Junxiao had expected these days on the train to be full of hardship, but thanks to Lin Ranran’s planning, the family was eating better than they ever did in the military compound. It felt more like a pleasant trip.

“Thank you, Ranran,” Ji Junxiao said, gazing at her with deep gratitude.

Lin Ranran smiled, “I know I was wrong before, but now I want to make it up to everyone. Let’s enjoy ourselves while we can; once we’re in the countryside, there won’t be anywhere to spend money even if we have it. Don’t worry about me spending too much—the food is all budgeted, it won’t cost more than a hundred yuan. So, relax and eat up.”

Father Ji looked at the spread before him, then at his happy family, and said, “It’s a rare occasion, so let’s have a good drink today.”

In the army, discipline was strict and drinking was forbidden, so this chance to relax was precious. The women of the Ji family toasted with tea instead of wine, joining the men in celebration.

Laughter and warmth filled the compartment. The train sped along the rails, and by midnight, most passengers had drifted into slumber.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the night’s peace from Carriage 15.

“Oh! It hurts so much, darling, I can’t stand it!” Wei Wanqin’s face was as pale as paper, her hands clutching the bedding, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead, soaking her hair.

Her husband, Huang Zhenbang, was frantic, supporting her carefully while his voice trembled as he pleaded for help, “Comrades, please, someone get the attendant!”

Two compassionate passengers, startled by the cries, leapt up from their sleep, not even bothering with shoes, and dashed out to find help.

“Honey, hold on. The next stop is two hours away,” Huang Zhenbang said, his voice full of anxiety and helplessness, gently stroking Wei Wanqin’s forehead, trying to comfort her.

“I can’t… I think I’m about to give birth,” Wei Wanqin whispered, each word costing all her strength.

“What do I do? Please, hang in there!” Huang Zhenbang’s eyes turned red with worry.

Soon, the two passengers returned with the train attendant, who was accompanied by a gray-haired doctor and several experienced midwives. The doctor’s steps were urgent but steady, and the midwives carried their birth kits, their expressions grave.

Once the men had left the area, the doctor and midwives quickly surrounded the pregnant woman and began to examine her.

“The baby’s not in the right position—feet first,” the midwives said, frowning after checking her.

The doctor, Zhao Dechang, had seen many cases of breech birth in his years of practice. He knew all too well the dangers—one misstep and it could mean the loss of both mother and child.

With the next station still far away, it was clear that the pregnant woman wouldn’t make it that long.

“The situation doesn’t look good. The mother is showing signs of a difficult labor, and with limited medical equipment on the train, we must reach the next station and get her to a hospital as soon as possible, or—” Dr. Zhao said to Huang Zhenbang, leaving the rest unspoken but the severity was clear.

“But the next station is still so far. Doctor, you must save my wife and child!” Huang Zhenbang’s eyes filled with desperate tears.

The attendant stepped forward to comfort him, “Sir, don’t worry, we’ll do our best. The train is already speeding up, but until we reach the next stop, we must try to stabilize her.”

The commotion naturally drew the attention of Lin Ranran’s family. Since Mother Ji’s foot ached, Lin Ranran didn’t let her get up and went with Ji Junyao to check the situation.

She remembered from the book: this woman was the wife of the county magistrate of Bama County, Guangxi. The couple were traveling for work when the wife went into labor on the train and lost the child. After that, she was never able to have children again. In those days, being childless was a tragedy; her life would be miserable, and her husband, ridiculed, was pressured to divorce her, but he refused and eventually lost his position as magistrate.

If she could save this child, she would be the benefactor of the magistrate and his wife, which would bring many advantages once in the countryside.

Knowing a woman was in labor inside, the men of the Ji family waited anxiously outside, worried, especially since their own family also had a pregnant woman.

“Be careful, Ranran,” Ji Junxiao urged, his eyes full of concern.

Lin Ranran’s expression was calm. “Don’t worry, I’ve seen many births in the village with my grandmother and know a few home remedies. Let me see if I can help.”

“Little sister, take care of your sister-in-law,” Father Ji instructed Ji Junyao solemnly.

Ji Junyao nodded, “I will.”

Lin Ranran explained the situation to the attendant, who, seeing her sincere and knowledgeable, allowed her and Ji Junyao inside.

“It hurts, it hurts so much, I can’t stand it!” The moment they entered, the pregnant woman’s anguished screams filled their ears, making Ji Junyao shudder, her face turning pale.

Dr. Zhao and the midwives were also shaken by the cries.

“Try to save your strength, don’t get too worked up,” one midwife tried to comfort her.

“The baby’s not in the right position, so we’ll massage your belly. You mustn’t push too hard, or the baby may not come out.” Another midwife quickly said, reaching out to massage her belly.

Others chimed in with their own advice, but their words were disorganized and brought little real help.

Dr. Zhao looked on helplessly.

Seeing this, Lin Ranran quickly approached Dr. Zhao and explained she might be able to help. He decided to let her try.

Lin Ranran knelt beside the woman, her voice gentle, “Big sister, my name is Lin Ranran. Don’t be afraid—I’m here to help. Try to relax; being tense will only make the pain worse.”

The woman’s dull eyes flickered with a faint glimmer of hope. She bit her lip until blood appeared, then nodded with difficulty.

“Now, breathe with me—inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…” Lin Ranran patiently demonstrated, her chest rising and falling rhythmically, guiding the woman.

The woman followed her lead. At first her breathing was rapid and erratic, but gradually it slowed, her body relaxing from its stone-like tension, her emotions stabilizing.

“This young lady is amazing.”

“That method is working!”

“She must have learned it from her elders.”

“Looks like the mother and child have hope now.”

The midwives finally relaxed a little.

Seeing her improved state, Lin Ranran continued, “Very good, just like that. When the contractions come, push, like you’re having a bowel movement. When the contraction passes, relax and breathe deeply to conserve energy. Understand?”

The woman nodded again, determination in her eyes.

Another wave of contractions crashed over her, pain contorting her face. Instinctively, she gripped Lin Ranran’s hand tightly, knuckles white, and started to push.

Lin Ranran gently encouraged her, her voice full of strength, “That’s it, keep going, you can do it!”

Dr. Zhao watched closely, listening to the fetal heartbeat with his stethoscope.

When the contraction passed, the woman slumped back, gasping. Sweat streamed down her face. Ji Junyao quickly wiped it away with a handkerchief.

Lin Ranran whispered, “You’re doing great, just a little more.”

Minute by minute, the woman endured contraction after contraction, each one a brush with death. Under Lin Ranran’s patient guidance, she persisted tenaciously.

But after another contraction, Dr. Zhao’s face darkened.

He said to Lin Ranran, “Miss, things are not good. The baby’s heartbeat is weak. We can’t go on like this.”

Lin Ranran’s heart tightened, but she quickly steadied herself.

“Doctor, I’ve heard that massaging certain pressure points can help induce contractions during difficult labor. My grandmother used to do it.”

Dr. Zhao replied, “Medically, massaging certain points can stimulate the uterus, but I’m not an obstetrician and don’t know the exact technique.”

“I know—my grandmother taught me. Doctor, may I try?”

Seeing the situation worsening, Dr. Zhao nodded. “Be careful, and be gentle.”

“Big sister, this may hurt a bit, but bear with me.”

The woman whispered weakly, “I can take it—go ahead.”

Lin Ranran found the right points and began to massage, her movements rhythmic, pressing and kneading.

After a while, the woman exclaimed, “I think my belly’s moving!”

Dr. Zhao listened with his stethoscope and suddenly smiled with delight. “The baby’s heartbeat is back to normal, and the contractions are regular. Your method works!”

“She’s really something.”

“She could be a midwife herself.”

“She doesn’t seem like someone from the countryside. Pregnant women in the city go to hospitals—only us country folk deliver at home.”

Through the next contractions, under Lin Ranran’s guidance, the woman pushed with all her strength.

But just as everyone thought things were improving, Dr. Zhao’s face grew grave again.

“Not good. The baby is still breech and the contractions are severe. This is dangerous for both mother and child!”

Lin Ranran bit her lip. “Big sister, I’ll teach you a set of exercises to help the baby turn. Follow me slowly, don’t rush.”

“Alright,” the woman replied, her voice faint but resolute.

“You can do exercises?” someone murmured.

“First I’ve heard of it.”

“I say we should drive out the evil spirits.”

“Right, it must be a haunting that’s causing the breech.”

“In our village, the Zhang family’s daughter-in-law drove out spirits during childbirth and it went fine.”

“Don’t be silly—where would we find a priest on a train? Let’s see what this young lady does. May the gods bless the mother and child.”

“First, kneel on the ground, knees shoulder-width apart,” Lin Ranran demonstrated, hands and knees on the floor, back straight. “Then, lower your chest to the ground, stick your buttocks up, and let your back sink.”

With Ji Junyao’s help, the woman mimicked the pose, each movement wringing a moan of pain from her.

Lin Ranran quickly supported her belly. “I’ll help take some weight for you. Stop if you feel unwell.”

With support, the woman gritted her teeth and endured.

“Hold on, this position uses gravity to help the baby turn. Thirty more seconds.”

“Alright.”

“Now try this,” Lin Ranran continued, “lie on your back, stretch your legs, then slowly bend them toward your abdomen, hug your knees to your chest.”

The woman complied, struggling through the pain to complete the movements. Lin Ranran held her hand, encouraging her gently.

With Lin Ranran’s patient guidance, she completed round after round of the repositioning exercises, despite the agony.

“Will this work?”

“I doubt it.”

“She was good at first, now she’s just making things up.”

“She’s really doing her best—none of us have any ideas.”

The midwives whispered among themselves.

Lin Ranran kept encouraging her, “You’re doing great, just a bit more.”

Dr. Zhao and the others watched intently.

Finally, after a powerful contraction, a loud, healthy baby’s cry rang out.

“The baby’s born!”

The midwives burst into cheers, everyone’s hearts finally at ease.

Outside, the men embraced, weeping with joy.

“My goodness, I’ve been a midwife for decades and never seen a delivery like this!” one exclaimed as she swiftly cut the cord.

“Miss, you’re incredible! This is almost magic!”

“Please, teach us your methods! Next time we have a difficult birth, we’ll know what to do!”

Lin Ranran smiled, “My grandmother taught me. If you think it works, I’ll explain it to you in detail.”

A midwife carefully placed the baby beside its mother, grinning from ear to ear. “Congratulations—it’s a big boy! Listen to him cry—he’s sure to do great things!”

Wei Wanqin looked at her baby, tears welling in her eyes. With her remaining strength, she gripped Lin Ranran’s hand and sobbed, “My name is Wei Wanqin, and my husband is Huang Zhenbang. I don’t know how to thank you—all of you are our saviors!”

Lin Ranran smiled, “It was nothing, as long as you and your son are safe, we’re all happy.”

At that moment, Magistrate Huang stumbled in. Seeing Lin Ranran and the others, his eyes turned red with emotion.

He handed out sweets to everyone. “Thank you for saving my wife and child! I’ll never forget this kindness!”

“Congratulations on becoming a father, Comrade Huang! Go see your wife and son!” They pushed him to his wife and baby, and a midwife showed him how to hold his child.

Clumsily, he cradled the boy and approached Lin Ranran, gratitude shining in his eyes. “Comrade Lin, if not for you, I might never have held my son. Please, give him a name—and be his godmother, would you?”

She had made a family connection with the magistrate—what a fortunate turn.

Lin Ranran didn’t hesitate. “Since he was born on a speeding train, heading toward the future, may his life be like this train—racing ever forward, reaching the clouds. How about calling him Huang Chixiao?”

“Huang Chixiao! What a fine name!” Magistrate Huang was overjoyed. “Miss Lin, from now on, you’re his godmother.”

Lin Ranran was delighted. “Of course! May I hold the little one?”

Magistrate Huang handed her the baby.

“He’s adorable,” Lin Ranran cooed, heart melting. She had finally saved this precious child.

Beside her, Ji Junyao was so excited she cried, “Sister-in-law, I want to hold him too!”