Chapter 639

The burly farmer now regarded Dr. Evelyn Carter with immense respect. He quickly handed the newborn to a relative and followed her into the hallway.

Evelyn stood by the window, sunlight filtering through the glass to cast dappled patterns across her white coat.

"I heard your wife's family won't arrive until tomorrow," she said gently. "The delivery took a heavy toll on her body. She'll need extra care during postpartum recovery."

The farmer nodded vigorously, rough fingers unconsciously twisting his shirt hem. "Don't worry, Doctor. My wife's our family's hero. I'll make sure she gets everything she needs."

His tone was sincere, though the day's chaos and his simple nature had kept him from immediately checking on his wife.

Evelyn gave a slight nod, glancing toward the ward. "A new life is cause for celebration. It's natural for everyone to focus on the baby. But your wife just went through a life-threatening ordeal. Right now, she needs her husband's attention most."

The man froze, dark complexion flushing with shame. Memories surfaced of his pregnant wife toiling in the fields despite her swollen belly. His eyes reddened instantly.

"You're right, Doctor." His voice cracked. "My wife's suffered too much for this family. I'll go to her right now."

Evelyn watched him hurry back to the ward.

The farmer went straight to the hospital bed and seized his wife's pale hand.

"Sweetheart, I was wrong." His hands trembled. "You've endured so much. From now on, I'll handle all the chores and night feedings. You just focus on recovering."

The exhausted mother's dull eyes gradually moistened.

"You'll name the baby." Awkwardly wiping her tears, he added, "You're the boss of this family now."

Those words shattered her composure. She clung to her husband and sobbed uncontrollably.

The grandmother rushed over with the swaddled infant. "What's wrong? Is it the incision pain? Oh heavens, I nearly forgot the chicken soup!"

Relatives rummaged through cloth bags, producing thermal containers. When opened, the rich aroma of broth filled the ward.

As the farmer blew on a spoonful to cool it, his wife shook her head. "Did you thank the doctor? If not for Dr. Carter, our baby and I would've—"

Evelyn quickly intervened. "Please, it was the entire medical team's effort."

"I heard everything in the delivery room," the new mother insisted. "You risked using a special technique to save us."

Only then understanding the danger they'd faced, the farmer turned to kneel before Evelyn. "Doctor, you're our family's savior—"

Evelyn recoiled in alarm. "No! Please get up!"

Seeing this, the grandmother pulled a crumpled red envelope from her pocket, trying to stuff it into Evelyn's coat.

"I can't accept this!" Evelyn firmly pushed it away. "You've already paid the medical fees."

An older doctor appeared just then, rescuing her. "Dr. Carter's been working all night. Let her rest."

The simple country family finally made way, watching as Evelyn left.

Her dormitory was a modest single-story house with peeling plaster walls. Too exhausted to even wash up, Evelyn collapsed onto her bed in the dark.

When morning light filtered through the curtains, three young nurses were tidying their quarters nearby.

"How's the patient?" Evelyn asked, rubbing her temples as she sat up.

"Recovering well," answered a ponytailed nurse. "But she needs a few more days of observation."

"Her family?"

"The grandmother took relatives home to prepare the house. Only the husband stayed."

Just as Evelyn sighed in relief, a knock sounded at the door.