Xia Xiaolan was still waiting outside while they performed the surgery. “I signed the consent form along with Second Madam,” she said.

Xia Xiaolan found it quite strange. While natural births were common, three women she knew had cesarean sections – Zhou Yi, Wen Manni, and now Sheng Xuan. Though she wasn’t present for the first two, she maintained her vigil outside despite her dislike for Sheng Xuan. Hearing Sheng Xuan’s agonized screams made Xia Xiaolan shudder. No matter how formidable a woman might be, childbirth brought everyone equally close to death’s door.

Fortunately, no one had pressured her and Zhou Cheng about having children yet!

While Xia Xiaolan seemed lost in thought, Second Madam Song felt immensely grateful to her. Despite her clear dislike of Sheng Xuan, which began when the latter wanted to marry Tang Hongen and continued through various conflicts until today, Xia Xiaolan still signed the surgery consent form to save Sheng Xuan’s life. Just as Second Madam Song was about to thank both Xia Xiaolan and Second Madam Du, Xia Xiaolan waved it off:

“Now that you’re here, Second Madam and I will leave. Oh, and please have Mr. Zhu meet with us when he returns.”

Second Madam Du also made a quick exit.

Second Madam Song was stunned by their hasty departure.

Song Minglan, who had returned from her studies in America, was furious upon learning that her cousin’s husband Zhu Suizhou was out of town while his wife was in labor: “What kind of man is he? What sort of husband? Cousin might dislike Xia Xiaolan, but she still needed her help to get to the hospital while he was busy chasing money. It’s just…”

“Enough, save your breath. What’s the point of complaining when he’s not even here? Wait until after your cousin delivers the baby,” Second Madam Song cut in, clearly displeased.

Though Sheng Xuan’s previous scheming had hurt Second Madam Song’s feelings, she couldn’t stay angry at the girl she’d watched grow up. Her current anger stemmed not only from concern for her cousin but from deeper suspicions – was Zhu Suizhou punishing Sheng Xuan because the Song family hadn’t helped him acquire that land? Not only had he failed to return to Shangdu despite knowing his wife was near her due date, but he’d also made no proper arrangements.

If Sheng Xuan had gone into labor elsewhere, would anyone else have had Xia Xiaolan’s decisiveness to sign for emergency surgery?

Second Madam Song ground her back teeth in anger at Zhu Suizhou’s pettiness.

Song Minglan fell silent.

With Sheng Xuan’s sudden labor, they hadn’t brought any necessities from home. The Song mother and daughter had rushed over on the fastest flight available, arriving even before Zhu Suizhou could make it back.

Only when the doctor emerged to announce the successful cesarean delivery of a baby girl did Second Madam Song collapse into her chair.

“Thank goodness both mother and daughter are safe!”

“The surgery was just in time – the baby’s face was slightly bluish when delivered.”

Second Madam Song silently added another note of gratitude toward Xia Xiaolan. She dismissed Second Madam Du’s contribution, knowing she wouldn’t have signed without Xia Xiaolan’s presence.

Her gratitude toward Xia Xiaolan only intensified her hatred for Zhu Suizhou.

After checking on Sheng Xuan and the baby, Second Madam Song finally turned to other matters: “Don’t bother going to your cousin’s house – you won’t know where to find anything. Just go to the department store. I’ll make you a list!”

They needed everything: washbasins, towels, swaddling blankets, and potentially bottles if there were nursing issues.

Though Song Minglan wasn’t familiar with Shangdu, she could ask for directions and headed out with the shopping list.

Two hours later, as the anesthesia wore off, Sheng Xuan hazily regained consciousness to find Second Madam Song by her bedside. Despite being a capable career woman, she was now weak and in pain. She clutched Second Madam Song’s hand and began crying.

“Sister…”

Sheng Xuan wanted to express her grievances, claiming she wouldn’t have gone into early labor if Xia Xiaolan hadn’t upset her.

But Second Madam Song cut her off with a glare: “What nonsense are you talking? However troublesome that girl might be, she got you to the hospital and signed for your surgery. It’s that bastard Zhu Suizhou who’s the real problem – leaving his heavily pregnant wife alone in Shangdu. He’s completely failed as a husband!”

Sheng Xuan instinctively defended her husband, explaining the sudden onset of labor: “I thought I had two more weeks. Suizhou said his mother would come to care for me, but I kept postponing it.”

She hadn’t wanted to spend time alone with her mother-in-law without her husband present.

Second Madam Song’s temple throbbed.

Her cousin’s love for her husband had clouded her judgment.

Second Madam Song was thoroughly disappointed in Zhu Suizhou. A truly loving husband wouldn’t leave his wife alone to chase business in another city. Sheng Xuan had transferred her job to Shangdu for him, yet he was off chasing profits in Qiongdao.

Her pregnant wife had to handle company registration and loan applications for him!

And now, claiming Xia Xiaolan had triggered early labor… Zhu Suizhou should have handled these matters himself. If not for Sheng Xuan’s weakened post-operative state, Second Madam Song would have berated her cousin severely.

Zhu Suizhou didn’t make it back that day.

He arrived the following afternoon when Sheng Xuan was experiencing post-surgical pain as the anesthesia wore off.

“Sister! Thank you for taking care of Xuan and the baby. I really, I really-“

He felt wronged.

How could he have known she would go into early labor?

At over thirty years old, having their first child was naturally exciting, and Zhu Suizhou wasn’t as cold-hearted as Second Madam Song assumed.

But Second Madam Song wouldn’t accept his excuses, responding coldly: “You missed your wife’s delivery, so what’s the point of this act now? Better hurry back to your business matters. I heard from Xuan that Xia Xiaolan and Second Madam Du requested your presence to remove you from your position as Asia’s general manager. Instead of facing them, you sent your heavily pregnant wife to deal with it… Zhu Suizhou, you’re despicable! Do you think because Xuan has no family to stand up for her? Well, I am her family!”

Zhu Suizhou was thoroughly chastised.

Now he had to face Xia Xiaolan and Second Madam Du, who were united in removing him from his position, while also thanking them for getting his wife to the hospital.

Xia Xiaolan congratulated him with a smile: “Congratulations on your daughter, Manager Zhu. This is a joyous occasion. With a new addition to your family, you must be busy. Since you’re occupied with important matters and can’t manage Asia, why don’t I take over as general manager?”

Her attitude was polite.

And resolute.

If even Second Madam Du didn’t want Zhu Suizhou managing Asia, what power did he have as a minor shareholder to oppose both major shareholders?

He hadn’t yet transformed Asia into Yunan’s premier shopping center – he didn’t have that kind of absolute authority!