Chapter 398: Mascot

Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Mascot

He Hanshi and Yan Huoshui had originally planned to undergo sterilization to fulfill their previous promise.

But after Shi Lan experienced the joy of raising their children, she wouldn’t hear of them getting sterilized.

’People change their minds. Maybe she’d want more kids in the future. Besides, their family had more than enough resources, and the children were so easy to raise, not a bother at all.’

In the end, the two opted for a ten-year contraceptive.

In the interstellar era, although both males and females had difficulty conceiving, some contraceptive components were also used in susceptibility period inhibitors. As a result, contraceptive research was quite advanced from early on. Furthermore, with the average interstellar lifespan being 200 years, a female’s body could no longer handle the risks of pregnancy after the age of 100. At that point, males naturally required long-term contraception.

There were many types of interstellar contraceptives. And because males had stronger bodies, the risks were minimal for them, making contraceptives a commonly used medication.

With the cooperation of her several Beast Husbands, Shi Lan quickly became pregnant.

She was overjoyed, but a prenatal checkup at the hospital revealed she was having twins. Just like that, her plan for a third child was dashed.

’Still, having twins was wonderful enough.’

Her several Beast Husbands once again entered a tense period of doting on her. He Hanshi had long since returned to the Border Defense Star for work, but whenever he had free time, he would make small, appetizing snacks suitable for pregnant women and mail them to Shi Lan. This pregnancy, Shi Lan didn’t even experience morning sickness and had a smooth ride to the five-month mark. In comparison, her Beast Husbands were having a tougher time than she was.

Every night, they kept watch by Shi Lan’s bedside. The children were in the nursery, but the men still had to run and check on them several times throughout the night, barely getting any proper sleep.

Fortunately, the three kids were very well-behaved. Yi Yi was a ball of energy; after playing wildly all day, he slept soundly at night. Before Er Er and San San came along, he primarily wore out his father. Now that he had playmates, Yan Huoshui’s life was much easier.

Er Er had always been a quiet, well-behaved child. He had hardly ever cried or fussed since he was born. When he got hungry at night, he wouldn’t cry; he would just press the little bell beside his crib.

But the child was deeply attached. His worst crying spells were always on the days He Hanshi had to return to the Border Defense Star. For a few days afterward, Shi Lan would have to hold him as he slept to soothe his longing for his father.

As for San San, after a full day of playing and learning with her two older brothers, the night was her rare period of calm. The only tricky part was getting her to sleep.

Ye Ming was strict with her lessons during the day, but far more indulgent at night. Though young, she was sharp enough to notice the change in her father and would insist he tell her a few bedtime stories before she would obediently go to sleep.

All in all, though, the three children were very easy to care for.

Perhaps because the fathers were the ones primarily raising the children, Shi Lan, as the mother, didn’t have it quite so hard. But she was very considerate of her Beast Husbands. She would let them get more rest during the day and look after the children herself. Sometimes, if her Beast Husbands were still asleep, she would just take the kids to work with her at the hospital.

The three children quickly got to know everyone at Zhenxin Hospital. The director was now semi-retired with little to do, so he was more than happy to help look after the kids each day. The same went for Mr. Lu Sr., who became a regular at the hospital just to see them.

Other females rarely got to see so many children at once. They would always look at Shi Lan with envy and admiration, patting her kids for good luck while asking if she had any secrets to getting pregnant.

Perhaps because Shi Lan had children so quickly and frequently, Zhenxin Hospital began attracting many females who came specifically for her, in addition to its usual work of treating males.

They didn’t do much; they just looked at Shi Lan as if she were a good luck charm, touched her hand, and muttered, "I wish I can get pregnant soon, too."

But just as things science can’t explain are left to mysticism—or perhaps it was simply a matter of a large enough sample size—four or five of the females who touched her hand actually did get pregnant shortly after.

As a result, Zhenxin Hospital became even more famous, at one point becoming the number one hospital in the entire interstellar region.

Shi Lan hadn’t expected things to turn out this way, but thankfully, everyone’s intentions were good, so she let them be.

Shi Lan’s medical skills were now excellent. Setting aside her incredibly fast healing ability as a 3S Female, the director had personally taught her all the knowledge expected of a regular doctor.

Perhaps due to her strong spiritual power, her comprehension and memory were better than ever. She quickly mastered the material and soon rose to the rank of Vice Director of Zhenxin Hospital, earning the wholehearted respect of her colleagues.

The director had always been grooming Shi Lan as his successor and had mentioned it to her. In the past, Shi Lan might have been daunted by the prospect of such a high position, knowing that with great height comes great responsibility.

But after coming to this world, supported by so many loving Beast Husbands and possessing powerful abilities of her own, she calmly accepted the director’s expectations for her.

Besides, she had previously planned to go to the Border Defense Star to be a Military Doctor, but now, with so many children and attachments, it wouldn’t be right for her to stay there permanently.

If she became the director of Zhenxin Hospital, she could organize annual medical missions to the Border Defense Star. This would be a win-win: she could absorb Insect Clan toxins to enhance her spiritual power, her doctors would gain practical experience, and staff with family on the Border Defense Star could visit their loved ones.

She also had no intention of canceling the director’s previous initiative of organizing interstellar medical tours.

There were, after all, many underdeveloped and impoverished places that truly needed their help.

...

After ten months, Shi Lan’s twins were born without a hitch. It was finally the turn of Mu Tangfeng and Jiang Xia, who had been waiting with bated breath.

Both children were male. Mu Tangfeng’s was born first. He was the fairest and cleanest of all the babies at birth, with big, dark eyes like grapes. His gaze was dewy, and when he looked at you, it made you want to give him the world.

However, the little one was a handful. He started crying the moment he was born and wouldn’t stop. Each of the Beast Husbands took a turn holding him, but his wails never ceased.

Mu Tangfeng’s paternal love was nearly exhausted by the incessant crying. His brow twitched. ’In all the experience I’ve gained from the other kids,’ he thought, ’none of them were this hard to soothe. Why is my son such a crybaby?’

What’s more, Jiang Xia’s son—his twin, born a little later—was much quieter. He came out sucking his thumb, his brilliant golden eyes like a tiny, shining sun. He exuded an air of pure, docile sweetness, a little angel who looked perfectly content.

Mu Tangfeng wearily patted his son’s back. "Kiddo, can you please stop crying?"

At the sound of his voice, the baby cried even louder, even flailing a tiny hand and smacking Mu Tangfeng on the mouth. Beside him, Jiang Xia, holding his own son, was laughing so hard his belly shook.

"Hahahahaha! See? My son is the good one."

Mu Tangfeng shot Shi Lan a desperate look. Guessing the baby was probably hungry, she quickly took him to nurse.

Sure enough, the little one quieted down as he nursed. Shimmering teardrops still clung to his thick eyelashes, looking like tiny diamonds. It was an incredibly beautiful sight.

Holding her baby, Shi Lan felt her maternal love swell to its peak.