To calm the mother’s thoughts, it’s best if she has a close relative or someone she trusts beside her to offer confidence and make her receptive to guidance. This is also why doctors sometimes encourage family members to accompany the birth.

Old classmate Zhu Huicang is not here. Without hesitation, Cao Yong takes his place, stands at the patient’s bedside, and gently calls, "Xiaobing."

His voice is unlike Li Chengyuan’s, quickly turning Li Xiaobing’s attention toward him.

Doctor Tang sees this and thinks: Calling Cao Yong was the right decision, and it’s fortunate he came.

Don’t underestimate Cao Yong just because he’s a neurosurgeon and seems unrelated to obstetrics; a capable expert can soothe hearts no matter his specialty.

Li Xiaobing trusts Cao Yong very much, knowing that a good doctor with ability will do whatever it takes to treat patients.

"Don’t be afraid, don’t worry," Cao Yong says concisely and forcefully to Li Xiaobing, "I will stay here with you until Hui Cang returns."

Upon hearing this, tears welled up in Li Xiaobing’s eyes.

"Why are you crying? You need to save your strength now. Later Teacher Du will teach you how to push, and that’s when you exert your force. For now, you need to relax," Cao Yong says sternly, his words are commands to the patient.

Pushing too quickly or too hard can exhaust strength prematurely, leaving the mother without energy when it’s time to push for the baby. Many mothers make this mistake. Sometimes harsh words are needed, like pouring cold water over the mother’s head to wake her up. Don’t blame the doctors or accompanying family for their tone; it’s all because they’re anxious and wanting the situation to improve quickly.

Especially in the present situation where transferring to the hospital for a cesarean is impossible, it’s a life-or-death situation. If the patient doesn’t cooperate, the doctors can hardly reverse the situation.

With Cao Yong’s words, Li Xiaobing realized her own errors in the situation, and her mind became much clearer.

"Inhale, exhale," Cao Yong stayed by her side, guiding her breathing rhythm as an obstetric doctor’s assistant would.

Inhale—exhale, inhale—exhale, relax, and relax further. Li Xiaobing’s shoulders gradually loosened, her hands softened, and the trembling in her arms and fingers slowly ceased.

Seizing the opportunity, a nurse inserted a needle into her hand, attaching a bag of glucose saline set to the slowest drip rate to maintain the vein line.

Li Chengyuan cautiously placed the stethoscope on the patient’s chest to listen to the heart rate and sounds, saying nothing to avoid further emotional distress to the mother.

"Alright," Cao Yong loosened the mother’s shoulders and turned to ask the two juniors fetching hot water to prepare for wiping Li Xiaobing’s cold sweat with hot towels.

Li Qi’an and Lin Hao returned to the room, nervously placing the basin on the floor nearby. The four hands submerged towels, rubbed them, and squeezed them out, unable to stop their hearts from racing.

Such an intense situation is rarely seen by medical students, like riding a roller coaster, thrilling and not yet settled, making their hearts pound violently, almost bursting from their chests.

"Done, Senior," Lin Hao hastily handed the wrung towel to Senior Cao.

Cao Yong took the towel from his junior, casting a meaningful glance.

Seen by his senior, Lin Hao flushed with shame, thinking desperately: When can I stop panicking? Unable to be as composed as his senior, but at least like Student Xie?