He Changning was wheeled into the operating room. Shang Yushang insisted on being with him, and although Bai Mo was hesitant, he eventually agreed—on the condition that Shang Yushang undergo full sterilization before entering.
Oldest Brother (Lao Da) personally took command outside the OR, guarding the perimeter in case anyone tried to break in. Xiao Wu and A’Yin held their posts at the villa entrance, while the rest of the Shadow Group spread out across strategic locations. Their vigilance was airtight—no one was getting in or out unnoticed.
Even Madam Shang had been alerted. She had already made it clear in advance—when Changning gave birth, she had to be there in person. So Shang Yushang had someone bring her over himself.
Now, Madam Shang sat outside the operating room, surrounded by a small entourage. Gu Cheng was with her, sitting on the couch with his neck stretched toward the door, glancing anxiously at it every few seconds. Though he didn’t say anything, his nerves were shot—he was fidgeting constantly, hands wringing, completely unable to sit still. Gu Cheng looked like a cat on a hot tin roof.
Madam Shang was no less anxious, but she knew she had to keep her composure. She offered Gu Cheng a few soothing words—though in truth, she was also talking herself down. “Gu Cheng, don’t worry. Changning and the babies will be just fine.”
Gu Cheng’s lips were dry. “I know, Madam… I just… I can’t help being nervous.”
“They’ll be okay. All of them will be fine.” In her heart, Madam Shang prayed hard—willing even to shave off years of her own life, as long as Changning and the babies made it out safe and sound.
Every minute felt like an hour. Everyone—whether inside or outside the operating room—felt time crawling unbearably slow. All they could think was: please, let this be over already. Let them all come out safe and sound.
Inside the OR, He Changning had already been placed under general anesthesia. Typically, a C-section wouldn’t require it, but his case was special. He was carrying twins, and after careful consideration, Bai Mo decided general anesthesia was the safer option. But it had to be precise—down to the microdose. One slip could mean the loss of three lives, and that was a burden Bai Mo absolutely could not bear.
Changning lay quietly on the surgical table, chest rising and falling in calm rhythm. All monitoring equipment—tracking his heartbeat, pulse, vitals—was working flawlessly. The assistant surgeon was observing his condition carefully, recording every data point. A clean incision mark had already been drawn across his bulging stomach. The two little troublemakers inside were still wriggling about, as if eager to burst out and greet the world.
Shang Yushang sat at Changning’s side, gripping his hand tightly. His own palm was drenched in sweat, his forehead beaded with it too. He stared at Changning unblinking, afraid that if he even looked away for a second, something would go wrong. His nervous energy was palpable—so much so that even the doctors started to tense up.
Bai Mo nudged him. “Yushang, you need to chill. If you keep this up, you’ll throw everyone off. If you can’t get a grip, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Shang Yushang took a deep breath. “I know. I’ll try.”
Bai Mo clicked his tongue. “If you were going to be this much of a wreck, why’d you get your wife pregnant in the first place? And don’t think I forgot—you schemed to get her pregnant. Seriously, man, unbelievable. If you ever piss me off, I swear I’ll tell Changning the whole truth—that you only proposed after you found out he was a descendant of the Mu Yi clan. You were never pure of heart to begin with. When he finds out, he’s going to dump your ass and take the kids with him.”
Shang Yushang’s voice was flat, eyes icy. “Try it, and I’ll tell Su Yang you only got close to him so you could get him in bed. Let’s see who gets dumped first.”
Bai Mo ground his teeth. “Damn it, Shang Yushang. You’re ruthless. Don’t get too cocky—Changning’s smart. He’ll find out sooner or later. When he does, you’ll be screwed.”
Shang Yushang snorted, “Relax. I’ll come clean myself. Changning will forgive me—we already have kids together. He’s not walking away from our family. You, on the other hand? Su Yang finds out about your dirty little plans? He’ll kick your ass and disappear before sunrise. Watch.”
The assistant surgeons exchanged looks. Whose people are these? Grown-ass men, trading threats during a delivery? Aren’t they worried they’ll dig each other’s graves while they’re at it?
Bai Mo ignored the banter and did his final checks. All indicators showed Changning was in optimal condition for surgery. With a nod, Bai Mo raised his hand, signaling the start of the operation.
After sparring with Bai Mo, Shang Yushang was slightly more composed. But as the first incision was made, his nerves went taut again.
Bai Mo sternly reminded him: “During surgery, unless I say otherwise, you don’t speak. Don’t move. One distraction could cost us everything.”
Shang Yushang gave a firm nod, and only then did Bai Mo pick up the scalpel. With one steady motion, he followed the pre-drawn line across He Changning’s abdomen, cutting clean and precise. Blood immediately welled up along the incision, but the assistant doctors remained calm, each carrying out their roles without a hitch.
Once the blood was cleared, Bai Mo moved on to the next step.
Time ticked by slowly, each second stretched thin with tension. Shang Yushang never let go of He Changning’s hand, eyes glued to Bai Mo’s every move. The sight was bloody, but he didn’t blink once. The doctors glanced at him—expressionless and unshaken—but said nothing, maintaining their focused, efficient rhythm.
Forty minutes later, the first baby was successfully delivered. Bai Mo quickly clamped and cut the umbilical cord, handing the newborn to one of the assistants. The doctor promptly cleared the baby’s mouth of mucus, gently rinsed the infant with warm water, then gave the little feet a tap before swatting his tiny bottom with a grin.
“Come on, little one, let’s show your dad how strong those lungs are. Let’s hear a good, healthy cry!”
A crisp, loud cry rang out instantly, echoing through the operating room—and slipping through the door seams to those waiting anxiously outside.
Madam Shang grabbed Gu Cheng’s hand with excitement, repeating over and over, “Good, good, good! The baby’s here! Wonderful!” Tears streamed down her face, unstoppable.
Gu Cheng was just as overwhelmed, speechless with emotion. All he could do was clutch Madam Shang’s hand, trembling nonstop.
Lao Ba and Nine, as well as Xiao Wu and A’Yin by the villa entrance, leapt up with joy, completely forgetting about appearances. They bumped shoulders in celebration, eyes shining with barely contained excitement. For ten months, they had guarded and waited for this moment. Their young master was finally here. To men who lived every day dancing on the edge of darkness, witnessing this new life firsthand was exhilarating—a surreal, fresh experience they’d never forget.
Just then, the gloomy sky outside split open with a blinding flash of light. Golden clouds suddenly lit up the heavens, and faintly visible between them was a totem in the shape of a Qilin—dancing, twisting, soaring through the air.
Everyone stationed outside the villa saw the spectacle. Lao Da stared wide-eyed at the clouds, stunned speechless by the celestial vision.
Inside the operating room, the blackout curtains blocked out the view, so no one inside noticed. The doctors continued their work with heads down, focused and calm. But in the living room, everyone had seen it. Madam Shang was frozen with awe as she watched the divine phenomenon. In her heart, she knew—these two children of the Shang family were no ordinary beings.
Back in the operating room, the surgery continued—urgent, precise, and calm. Ten minutes later, the second baby was delivered smoothly. Bai Mo cut the cord and passed the newborn to another assistant. The same steps followed—cleaning, suctioning, and finally, the now-traditional slap.
“Let’s go, little guy. Your big brother already gave us a cry, you better not fall behind.” And with that, he gave the newborn’s butt a good smack.
The baby let out a loud wail, just as strong—if not stronger—than his brother’s.
In the living room, people were hugging, shaking hands, overjoyed. Madam Shang burst into tears again—her great-grandchildren had arrived safe and sound.
The golden clouds overhead didn’t fade. In fact, just as the Qilin was galloping across the sky, a massive silver dragon totem appeared among the clouds. It twisted and danced, twining around the Qilin in a dazzling, majestic display.
Da Zhou, who had just rushed in, stood frozen with his mouth open and eyes bulging.
“Wha…what the hell is this?! Am I hallucinating?!”
Lao Da swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the sky. “The new generation of our Shadow Group’s masters… they’re here. And it’s not just one—it’s two. Two sons of destiny.”
Da Zhou couldn’t even reply. He was too stunned by the divine sight—something he never thought he’d see in his lifetime.
The celestial vision lingered for about twenty minutes before it finally faded from the sky.
Inside the operating room, however, things had taken a sudden, dangerous turn.
Although He Changning had successfully delivered both babies, just as Bai Mo was about to close the incision, a severe postpartum hemorrhage began.
Blood poured out uncontrollably, soaking through layers of white surgical gauze, dyeing them deep red. Clamp after clamp was inserted into his abdomen, trying to stop the bleeding. Blood bags—already prepared in advance—were being hung one after another, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop.
The sharp, shrill alarm from the monitors pierced through the tense atmosphere. Assistant doctors shouted out urgent data from the equipment while chaos reigned in the operating room—sweat pouring, hands flying—but not a single complaint was uttered. Gone was Bai Mo’s usual careless, joking demeanor. Now, he was entirely focused on saving He Changning’s life.
Adrenaline was injected into He Changning’s body, but the monitor’s blaring alarm continued to scream.
Shang Yushang clutched He Changning’s gradually cooling hand tightly, his eyes never leaving the man’s face. His heart ached unbearably, as if someone had seized it in a crushing grip, making it hard for him to even breathe.
The joy of welcoming their child had long been replaced by a single, overwhelming focus—this man, the one he swore to protect for the rest of his life.
He knew He Changning was teetering on the edge of life and death. Tears fell uncontrollably, landing by the corner of He Changning’s lips. Shang Yushang slowly knelt, one knee to the floor, his trembling lips pressed to He Changning’s cheek. His voice was filled with terror, heartbreak, and desperation.
“Changning, Changning, you promised me—we’d be together for life. You can’t go back on that. I’m your man, your one and only. How can you just leave me like this? What am I supposed to do without you? Changning, please, hang on. You haven’t even seen our children yet. Don’t you want to hear them call you ‘Daddy’? Baby, please wake up. I love you—don’t leave me. Wake up, please, we still have a lifetime to live together. Don’t leave me alone. Please open your eyes and look at me. I’ll do anything you ask, anything—just don’t leave me, Changning, Changning…”
Shang Yushang clutched He Changning’s head tightly, tears falling into his lover’s mouth, pleading like a broken man. This man—once proud, once untouchable—was now begging the one he’d staked his whole life on not to abandon him. If he lost him, his world would lose all color and descend into endless darkness.
A trembling voice came from the assistant physician. “Blood pressure at twenty. Heart rate twenty-five… fifteen… the heart’s stopped.” He turned around, eyes wide, lips trembling. “Dr. Bai, the pregnant father has stopped breathing. There’s no heartbeat.”
Bai Mo froze, his hands suspended in midair. The adrenaline had already been administered. He had nothing else left to try.
Shang Yushang’s head snapped up, panic in his eyes as he stared at He Changning’s deathly pale face. His hand trembled as he stroked his cheek—then yanked it back like he’d been burned. But the next second, he reached out again, gently touching him, shaking his head, tears pouring down.
“Changning, don’t leave me. I love you. Don’t leave me. Please, Changning, Changning…”
“AHHHHH!!!”
A soul-shattering cry tore through the room, raw with grief, desperation, and heartache. Everyone who heard it felt their hearts plummet into an abyss.
The Shadow Team and all the brothers lowered their heads. Tears streamed down Xiao Wu’s usually stoic face. Yin held him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder, silently crying.
Madam Shang trembled as she clutched the back of the sofa, her teeth biting her lip. “Child… please, grandma’s begging you… don’t go…”
Gu Cheng collapsed onto the sofa, eyes vacant, muttering incoherently. “Son… son… Daddy was wrong. I’m sorry. Please…”
Despair engulfed everyone.
Suddenly, Shang Yushang shot up, his gaze terrifying, bloodshot eyes filled with fury and madness. His voice rumbled like thunder held back only by sheer force of will.
“Bai Mo—save him.”
The shout jolted Bai Mo back to clarity. No, he couldn’t give up. He absolutely couldn’t. That beautiful, radiant man still deserved to shine. He had a lover waiting for him. Children waiting to be held. People who loved him and needed him. He had to live—not just for them, but for himself.
Bai Mo steeled himself, becoming as cold and precise as a machine. It was the only way to stay in control, to not fall apart.
“Prepare the defibrillator.”
The medical team moved like lightning. Within seconds, the equipment was ready.
“One hundred fifty joules,” Bai Mo instructed calmly.
The assistant adjusted the machine. “One-fifty joules. Ready.”
Bai Mo gripped the defibrillator paddles tightly and said without looking up, “Yushang—let go.”
Shang Yushang let go of He Changning’s hand, his eyes fixed on Changning’s pale face.
“Changning, you have to pull through. The kids and I—we’re all waiting for you.”
Bai Mo didn’t hesitate. A jolt of 150 joules surged through He Changning’s body, making him jerk violently before falling back onto the operating table.
The attending physician stared at the monitor. “No response.”
“Again,” Bai Mo ordered. “Set to 200 joules.”
The defibrillator was adjusted to 200 joules. Bai Mo pressed the paddles again. This time, Changning’s body arched even higher before slamming back down.
The doctor kept his eyes glued to the monitor. A slight change flickered on the ECG. “We’ve got something. There’s a response.”
“Again,” Bai Mo instructed firmly.
After the third shock, the doctor raised his voice. “It’s working! His heartbeat’s getting stronger. Blood pressure’s rising. Heart rate at twenty… thirty-five… it’s coming back up.”
Bai Mo gave another quick order, “Administer another dose of epinephrine. Now!”
Two hours later, the doors to the operating room finally opened. Everyone in the living room turned toward them at once, their hearts pounding with anxiety.
Two assistant doctors walked out, each carrying a small bundle. Then a hospital bed was wheeled out, with Shang Yushang and Bai Mo following closely on either side.
On the bed lay He Changning, pale as a sheet, but his chest was rising and falling—proof that he was still alive.
Old Madam Shang didn’t even glance at the babies. She rushed to He Changning’s bedside in just a few steps, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. Her trembling fingers gently stroked his face, then she leaned in and placed a kiss on his forehead.
“Child… thank you. Thank you so much, Grandma thanks you.”
Gu Cheng hurried over to the other side of the bed. His eyes were red, but he said nothing—he just stared at his son, unable to look away.
Shang Yushang’s voice was hoarse. “Grandma… Father-in-law… Changning’s safe now. Let him rest.”
Old Madam Shang wiped her tears. “Yes… let him sleep. He’s been through too much.”
