Werebeast Gongs CH 090 Berg’s Little Baby
Lei Jin’s head still felt a little heavy, but it didn’t stop him from springing upright from the bed like a startled fish. Xiya broke out in cold sweat watching him and quickly followed him off the bed, grabbing his arm. “The tribe is very safe—nothing bad will happen. It’s probably just that the baby’s coming. Dad and the others must already be there. Get dressed first, and we’ll go together.”
“The baby’s coming?” Lei Jin had thought from Berg’s scream that the man from the sea had come after him.
“Probably. It’s about time.” Xiya brought over their clothes from the bedside table.
Mingya was awake too. The three of them headed out quickly. It was just past midnight. The night outside was thick and silent, making Berg’s increasingly louder moans all the more distinct.
After spending time together, Lei Jin had learned a bit about Berg. He didn’t have many strengths and had plenty of flaws, but no one could deny his resilience. Alone in a strange place and carrying a child, he complained sometimes, but never to an unbearable extent. The fact that he was crying out like this now meant the pain had reached an extreme.
Before they could even enter the room, Roger’s voice came from inside. “Xiya, don’t come in. Go to the kitchen and help your dad boil water.”
Xiya patted Lei Jin’s shoulder, nodded, and strode away.
Since he wasn’t stopped, Lei Jin assumed it was fine and entered with Mingya. The room was dim, lit only by a weak pine-resin lamp on the table.
Roger was pressing down hard on Berg’s arms, but since Berg was a male merfolk, he was immensely strong. Roger couldn’t hold him down. Lei Jin quickly grabbed a long cloth from the side and helped Roger tie Berg’s arms.
Only then did Roger sigh with relief and slump onto the edge of the bed, wiping sweat from his brow. “Berg, hang in there. An Sen’s gone to get Healer Qing Qiao.”
Berg wanted to nod, but the overwhelming pain in his belly had him writhing, moaning nonstop. “It hurts, it hurts so bad… ahhh it hurts!” His long fish tail had trashed everything within reach. He was only grateful he hadn’t lost full control or attacked someone—otherwise, not even Lei Jin and Roger together could have restrained him.
Lei Jin now noticed that Berg’s clothes were completely undone, and several bloody scratches from his own nails marked his swollen belly. The bulges beneath the skin suggested the baby was desperate to come out. Lei Jin had never been so aware that this really was a man giving birth.
“Lan Qi, you bastard… ugh… it hurts…”
“Berg… don’t panic…” Lei Jin stammered, suddenly nervous himself seeing Berg like this.
“Lei Jin, go get some hot water,” Roger instructed, massaging Berg’s belly while giving directions.
“Oh.” Lei Jin found a water jug on the table, tested the temperature—it was still warm—then poured a cup and helped Berg drink most of it.
Berg finally calmed down a little. Lei Jin took off his sweat-soaked clothes and covered him with a blanket.
But soon after, the pain returned, making Berg thrash again.
“Ugh… I’m going to kill you, Lan Qi…!”
Lei Jin wiped his sweat, realizing that Lan Qi must be the name of that man.
Roger reached under the blanket to check Berg’s condition. What he felt was slick. He turned to Mingya. “Go meet your dad and Healer Qing Qiao. Tell them Berg is about to give birth—hurry.”
Mingya dashed out without hesitation.
Though Berg was male, he was about the same age as Xiya and the others, so Roger had no qualms. He inserted his fingers to check—Berg’s water had broken, but he was only dilated about four or five fingers wide. Nowhere near enough. Roger wasn’t sure what exactly Berg would be delivering, but judging by the size of that belly, the baby wouldn’t be small.
The invasive sensation made Berg stiffen, but the relentless waves of pain left him no time to care.
“Push, Berg, the baby’s almost out.”
“It hurts… I can’t do this… it hurts so bad…” Berg screamed hoarsely, his voice fading.
“Berg, don’t sleep—wake up!” Roger slapped his face. If he passed out now, things would be bad.
“Dad… it hurts…”
“Moya… help me…”
“Lan Qi, I’m sorry… please…”
Berg started rambling deliriously.
Roger and Lei Jin exchanged glances, both pained, but this was not the time for mercy.
Lei Jin pinched his philtrum while Roger increased pressure on his belly. Berg woke up again from the pain.
“Why aren’t they here yet? If this keeps up, Berg won’t have the strength to deliver,” Roger muttered. Though it hadn’t been long, it felt like ages.
Lei Jin wiped his sweat. “If I’d known, I would’ve let him eat two more meatballs tonight—for strength.”
“You can make them again next time.” Berg seemed to regain some clarity.
“You’re finally awake. You scared me half to death.” Lei Jin let out a long breath of relief.
“Lei Jin.” Berg’s gaze was sharp and lucid.
“What is it? Tell me after you give birth. Save your strength.” Lei Jin whispered, sensing something was wrong.
“If something happens to me, promise me you’ll take care of the child.” Berg’s bound hands gripped Lei Jin’s wrists tightly.
Lei Jin froze, then shook his head firmly. “Berg, you know I’m leaving eventually. I won’t raise your child. You gave birth—so you raise it.”
Berg wanted to say more, but at that moment, Mingya returned with Healer Qing Qiao.
From there, Lei Jin couldn’t help much.
“Why are you standing outside? It’s so cold.” Xiya came out after bringing in water and found Lei Jin silently waiting by the door.
“I just realized… maybe I’m actually lucky.” Lei Jin had thought this more than once. Even in a strange world, he wasn’t alone.
“Of course you are. You even met me. You have no idea how popular I am.” Xiya pouted and wrapped an arm around Lei Jin’s shoulder, pulling him close.
Lei Jin chuckled and punched his chest. “I used to think I was thick-skinned. Then I met you.”
“Wanna go back and sleep? I heard Healer Qing Qiao say first births take a long time.” Hopefully Lei Jin wouldn’t have to suffer like this one day.
Lei Jin sniffled—it was chilly—but said, “Forget it. I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I’ll wait here.” Then he remembered something. “Let Mingya go back to sleep. He has to be at the temple early tomorrow.” He didn’t know exactly what the boy studied there, but if it was for the coming-of-age ceremony, it must be important.
Mingya was sent back to bed by Xiya. Lei Jin and the others waited in the outer room. Only Roger and Healer Qing Qiao remained inside. Berg’s moans ebbed and surged. Lei Jin managed to hold out for a while, but eventually fell asleep in Xiya’s arms. He seemed to dream of a nightmare and woke up with a start.
“What did you dream? You’re sweating.” Xiya wiped his forehead.
“Can’t remember. How long was I asleep?” Lei Jin glanced at the window—dawn was breaking.
“Not long.” Xiya moved his numb arm.
“Did Berg give birth?” It was too quiet.
“Not yet. He’s probably exhausted.” Xiya had listened most of the night and guessed the pattern.
“I’ll check on him.” Lei Jin was uneasy.
An Luo happened to come back with hot water at this time, so Lei Jin took it.
Just as he reached the door, Roger rushed out and collided with him, spilling the basin. Lei Jin instinctively looked down—Roger’s clothes and hands were stained with blood.
“Berg wants to see you.”
Lei Jin took a step back, then forced himself forward and followed Roger in.
“Berg?” Lei Jin sat at the bedside and called.
Berg opened his bloodshot eyes and managed a tired smile. “This time, even if you refuse, you have to agree. I will leave the child with you guys. After I’m gone, cremate me and scatter my ashes at sea. I want to go home. My dad must be worried.”
Lei Jin was about to refuse again, but Berg shook his head faintly. “I can’t hold on anymore, Lei Jin. I tried. I haven’t even seen my child… it hurts…”
“Push, Berg, it’s almost out!” Healer Qing Qiao was sweating too. He’d never delivered a merfolk baby before, and he still couldn’t see the head.
“Lei Jin, Lei Jin, please… promise me…” Berg murmured.
Roger gestured silently. Lei Jin turned away and nodded faintly.
“That’s good…” But the searing pain cut off Berg’s smile before it formed. Not long after, that heavy burden finally slipped from his body.
“It’s out!” Healer Qing Qiao caught it—an egg? A soft, translucent shell faintly showed a curled-up merbaby inside, with golden hair and a fishtail.
“Berg, look! Your child!” Lei Jin nudged him.
But Berg was already cold.