Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 482 Deeply Connected Bloodlines (Thanks to the three big shots, Ice Cream, Monchhichi, and Martial God, for joining the alliance!)

Renhe Hospital Affiliated to Three Gorges University

This is the best comprehensive hospital in Yichang. Its obstetrics and gynecology department is also a key specialty in western Hubei Province, and it has the most advanced HCG blood testing equipment and ultrasound examination instruments.

At 10:00 AM, Dean Zhang Liandong was holding a meeting with his subordinates in his office. He sternly tapped the table and said sternly to the department heads sitting around him:

"Recently, some patients have reported that certain doctors are accepting bribes and treating ordinary patients with indifference! This is a serious violation of medical ethics!"

The head of the medical affairs department added in a low voice, "Director Zhang, the Provincial Health Commission just issued a 'Notice on Strictly Investigating Unethical Practices in the Medical Industry' last week..."

Zhang Liandong sneered: "A notice? I bet some people treat it like a piece of paper! From today onwards, all examinations must be conducted according to the established procedures. Anyone who dares to use the 'favorites-jumping-the-line' tactic to give acquaintances free services and disrupt the medical order—"

Before he could finish speaking, the phone on his desk rang. Zhang Liandong hung up without thinking, seemingly to assert his authority.

Until the vice dean hurriedly knocked on the door and came in: "Dean..."

Before Zhang Liandong could even show his displeasure, the vice president, who knew his temperament well, blurted out, "That was the former president on the phone! It's urgent!"

"Who?" Zhang Liandong, who was enjoying his leadership authority, was a little confused and his mind didn't switch back for a moment. Then he suddenly stood up, startling the heads of the various departments in front of him.

"Dean Kong!"

"Old... Old Dean Kong?"

"Yes! Please call back as soon as possible..."

Ring ring ring!
The phone on his desk rang again. This time, Zhang Liandong was no longer in the mood to put on airs. The moment he answered the phone, even his posture seemed to become more respectful.

A weary yet slightly anxious voice came through the receiver: "Hello? Is this Dean Zhang from Renhe Hospital?"

"Oh! Dean, it's me, Xiao Zhang!" Zhang Liandong's voice instantly rose eight octaves, as if the person on the other end of the phone was not a retired leader, but his immediate superior who could determine his career fate.

In fact, they're not that different.

The sound from the other end of the receiver was a little noisy, as if there was some minor argument.

However, the "old dean" still exchanged a few pleasantries first: "Then I'll take the liberty of calling you Xiao Zhang. There's something I need to ask of you."

"Yes! Dean, please don't say that! I can still remember you lecturing us and conducting cadre training at Jiangcheng Medical College in the 70s..."

"Xiao Zhang! My granddaughter has run into some trouble in Yuanshan County, which is under your jurisdiction. I need to come to your place to check on her in a bit."

"Because of my somewhat special status, I'm shamelessly asking you for a favor."

special?

Zhang Liandong's eyes darted around, and he suddenly thought of the old hospital director's granddaughter, a big star who was incredibly famous, even an old doctor like himself who barely knew how to use a keyboard.

Not to mention anything too far back, the theater even organized a screening of "The Sky of History" at the beginning of the year, at its own expense.

Yuanshan County?
That's right! They must be filming a Zhang Yimou movie. Maybe something happened during filming and they needed help immediately.

"old..."

"Xiao Zhang, listen to me first, there's no need to make a fuss." Even though Grandma Liu kept urging him, Kong Jun's voice remained calm:
"Please have a skilled female colleague from your obstetrics and gynecology department perform an examination on my granddaughter later, while maintaining confidentiality."

"Do a blood HCG quantitative test, and then do an abdominal ultrasound."

"Please wait a moment, Dean!" Zhang Liandong's eyelids twitched halfway through the conversation. With his sharp mind, he immediately covered the microphone.

"Everyone, that's all for today. Li Hui from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, please stay behind."

The group exchanged bewildered glances, then, keeping their eyes down and mouths closed, pushed open the door and left.

At first, everyone was mocking Zhang Liandong for being "two-faced," demanding that his subordinates refuse favors while flattering his old leader.

However, after associating the former dean's identity with "back in Jiangcheng Medical College," he no longer felt much disdain.

This person's background, reputation, and public image are indeed extraordinary.

The caller was Liu Yifei's grandfather, Kong Jun. He and Liu's grandmother, An Yunshu, were both veteran revolutionaries who worked in the Jiangcheng medical system after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In 1960, Kong Jun was transferred to Jiangcheng Medical College, where he and his wife jointly established the college's educational philosophy of "emphasizing both political integrity and professional competence."

They spearheaded the introduction of the Soviet-style medical education model at the time, cultivating a large number of grassroots medical professionals. They were hailed as the "founders of the Central China medical system." Many current leaders of local hospitals throughout Hubei Province were influenced by these two elders back then.

Zhang Liandong first said "Eh!" repeatedly, then hung up the phone and looked at his trusted confidante, Li Hui.

"Director Li, there is an important task assigned by the organization."

"Dean, please don't talk like that, it's scary. What's wrong?"

Although Li Hui was sitting close, she didn't hear any important information because Zhang Liandong had just blocked the microphone at the right moment.

Zhang Liandong breathed a sigh of relief, walked to the door to make sure it was locked, and then whispered a few words to the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department.

Concise yet groundbreaking.

"What! This girl?!"

"Keep it a secret, absolutely a secret!" Zhang Liandong's expression was solemn: "Let's not talk about the old dean's face, you know whose wife that is, right? The richest man!"

"After the Olympics, she was... personally received and commended, and stood in the front row! Do you understand Li Hui?"

The head of the obstetrics and gynecology department said with a wry smile, "How could I not understand, Dean! My daughter is practically smitten with him, but this is all so sudden. Didn't these two just get married..."

A blood HCG test is a test that confirms pregnancy by measuring the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's blood.
Abdominal ultrasound scans the uterus through the abdominal wall to observe whether a gestational sac is present. It is generally difficult to observe in early stages of pregnancy, so both methods are needed.

The only reason the old dean proposed these two testing methods was that his granddaughter, Liu Yifei, might be pregnant.

The immense power and influence of the richest man, coupled with the polite invitation from the former leader, prompted the obstetrics and gynecology department of Renhe Hospital to act swiftly.

Li Hui herself was skilled in the business, so she temporarily closed the ultrasound room, which required blood to be drawn for HCG, and all the equipment was moved to the ultrasound room.

All the preliminary work had been completed. Half an hour later, Zhang Liandong was greeted by Boss Lu and his group, who were dressed in disguise, at the entrance of the obstetrics and gynecology department on the fourth floor.

The rumored young tycoon walked at the front, the only difference from his appearance on television being that he draped a black suit jacket over the girl next to him.

He casually put his arm around his wife's waist, as if protecting a fragile piece of glass. Liu Yifei was almost huddled in his arms, her baseball cap pulled low, and the edge of her mask revealing the reddened corners of her eyes.

It wasn't from crying, it was from gagging the whole way.

Liu Xiaoli also accompanied her, and on the way there she had already given a whole bunch of pregnancy knowledge, including her own interpretation of Liu Yifei's symptoms of elevated body temperature, slight breast and lower abdominal pain.

However, when faced with her daughter's question about "why only one line," this elderly mother, who is not in the medical field, has not yet provided a clear explanation.

In Zhang Liandong's eyes, even though this female celebrity in the Chinese entertainment industry looked unwell, neither her husband nor her elderly mother seemed to show any particular concern.

In particular, this mainland tycoon, who usually appears on television, in movies, and in newspapers, unusually shook hands with some excitement.

"Dean Zhang, right? I think we've already made contact. Thank you for your help."

"No trouble at all! Please come in!"

Zhang Liandong's face crinkled with a wide smile as he pushed open the door and invited the three men into the ultrasound room.

Zhang Mo was sent by her father to keep an eye on things, but judging from the current situation, there doesn't seem to be anything to look after.

On the way there, Liu Xiaoli made several phone calls concerning her daughter's situation. She disregarded the minor disagreements and awkwardness with her former in-laws and quickly arranged everything.

Ah Fei approached the vice dean and asked him to help maintain order, worried that reporters might follow them. The vice dean readily agreed and quickly went to make proper arrangements.

After a long while, only the beeping of the ultrasound machine in the room and the tense breathing of the three people remained.

"Ahem..." Li Hui, the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department, cleared her throat.

"How is it, doctor?" Mr. Lu, who couldn't understand the ultrasound image at all, was the first to ask, his voice low and urgent.

Liu Xiaoli opened her mouth to speak, but her son-in-law interrupted her and stared intently at Li Hui.

Liu Yifei lay on the examination bed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. She looked up at her husband's profile—

His jawline was taut, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down with each breath, and even his forehead seemed to be bead with sweat.

That was nerve-wracking.

The girl had never seen him so flustered before, so she quietly reached out and hooked her husband's little finger with hers. Without turning his head, he turned around and wrapped her whole hand in his palm.

Li Hui's carefully chosen answer could be clearly heard in the ultrasound room: "Mr. Lu, Ms. Liu, the abdominal ultrasound did indeed show an anechoic area with a diameter of about 4mm in the uterine cavity, but if the gestational age is too early, the yolk sac structure cannot be clearly seen, so it cannot be completely confirmed."

"Don't worry, the blood drawn just now was personally taken to the lab by the dean. We'll compare the values ​​later..."

A knock sounded on the door, and it was Zhang Mo's voice: "Qianqian, I've come to deliver the test results."

Zhang Liandong was a meticulous person, and he even had this female staff member from the film crew bring it in, assuming she was someone like Liu Yifei's assistant.

"Ah, Sister Mo, wait a minute."

Boss Lu turned to open the door. Zhang Mo looked at the way the people in the room were looking at her, and for no reason, she also became nervous. She quickly handed the test results to Li Hui.

The head of the obstetrics and gynecology department meticulously checked the values. In less than a minute, Mr. and Mrs. Lu and Liu Xiaoli's hearts were practically pounding out of their chests.

Especially Xiao Liu, who was lying in bed, no longer "mocked" her elderly mother as she had yesterday.

The girl unconsciously held her breath, her chest rose and fell slightly, and her throat tightened, as if she were being held by an invisible thread.

Lu Kuan stood by the bed, his palm covering the back of her hand. His palm was slightly damp; it was unclear whose sweat it was.

His thumb gently caressed her knuckles, silently conveying comfort, but Liu Yifei could clearly feel his fingertips trembling slightly.

Knowing the matter was of great importance, Li Hui dared not be careless. She repeatedly confirmed the information before looking up and saying, "The blood HCG level is 25800 mIU/ml, which is typical for a 4-5 week pregnancy."

"Miss Liu, you are indeed pregnant."

The complexities of wealthy families are unknown, so the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department dared not simply say "congratulations." What if this top female star was unwilling to get pregnant so early, or what if the tycoon had ulterior motives?

If I were to speak out of turn, wouldn't I be sitting on a hot potato?

Liu Yifei turned her head to look at Li Hui in surprise, her pupils suddenly dilated, and her lips trembled slightly, as if she did not understand the meaning of those words.

She then subconsciously looked down at her flat stomach, her fingertips lightly touching it, as if an incredible secret was hidden there.

Lu Kuan froze on the spot, even his breathing stopped.

His palm was still on his wife's hand, but he seemed to be frozen in place, even the trembling of his fingertips was frozen. His eyes, which were usually so strategic, were now staring blankly into the void, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, but he could not make a sound.

I have children now.

Mr. Lu suddenly turned around, wanting to hug his wife who was sitting on the bed.

His movements stopped abruptly, and he carefully cupped her face in his hands, their foreheads touching, a warmth and comfort that was beyond words.

Liu Yifei couldn't help but look up into his eyes, which were as complex as the surface of a sea swept by a storm—

Shock, elation, bewilderment, and anticipation intertwined in layers, ultimately transforming into a tenderness bordering on reverence.

After finding their anchor point, the transmigrator truly took root in this world.

They are not drifting duckweed, nor lonely travelers, but truly bound by blood ties on this land.

. . .

Liu Yifei's minor accident on the set of "Under the Hawthorn Tree" unsurprisingly overshadowed the news of the film's start of production.

Zhang Yimou maintained order and reassured the public at the scene, while keeping in constant contact with his daughter Zhang Mo. Zhang Weiping, however, was secretly delighted.

In a different parallel universe, he might have hyped up the bed scene between the female lead, Liu Yifei, in the film, which wouldn't be surprising.

He certainly wouldn't dare to resort to such underhanded tactics now, but unexpectedly, this "worship ceremony" that he himself strongly requested has yielded surprising results.

However, he and Zhang Yimou, who are currently very worried, share the same thought about Xiao Liu's health: please, nothing serious should happen, and it would be best if he were healthy.

The box office performance of this romantic drama was already fragile, and it simply could not afford the consequences of losing Liu Yifei.

Because the hospital has completely cut off information sources, apart from the parties involved, whether it is reporters, local government officials, or crew members, they can only speculate for the time being.

Rumors from the scene quickly spread online.

Xinlang Entertainment: Liu Yifei's sudden physical discomfort on set has drawn attention. The production team responded that "the sudden drop in temperature and the slightly higher altitude caused her discomfort."

Bigstar: The richest woman vomits and clutches her stomach on set! Liu Yifei is suspected of being pregnant, and Lu Kuan's silly smile becomes the focus.

Hong Kong's *Oriental Daily News*: [Exclusive Report] Liu Yifei experiences morning sickness under a hawthorn tree! Is the successor to the Lu family empire about to arrive? A metaphysical master predicts she will give birth to a noble child!
Yifei Fairy Residence Official Weibo: Formal Statement! The behind-the-scenes video of the "Fairy Sister" has been maliciously edited, and those spreading rumors about her pregnancy are suspected of infringing on her right to defamation. Please stop spreading false information immediately.

These kinds of news basically provide fodder for entertainment tabloids and Hong Kong and Macau gossip media. It's not that they are precocious; it's just that "vomiting = pregnancy" is a formula for sensationalism, and it's a lucky accident.

There have been many comments and discussions among netizens, but these kinds of rumors that usually surface every now and then haven't yet reached the explosive level of a "server crash".

On the way back to Yuanshan County from YC city, the person involved was completely unaware of the rumors circulating outside and was immersed in the joy of their small family.

"Xiao Lu, Xi Xi, what are your plans?" Despite her initial elation, Liu Xiaoli still decided to ask this question.

For other female celebrities, a very real problem is that dating and marriage are fine, but childbirth will inevitably have a significant impact on their careers.

Of course, these effects are limited to the "repurification" of their existing fan base, forcing female celebrities to fully embrace the path of serious actors and losing opportunities in competition for younger product endorsements and roles.

But for Liu Yifei, from a utilitarian perspective, this is something where "the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks".

After becoming pregnant, the family structure becomes more stable, the position of the principal wife becomes unshakeable, and the future successor can be cultivated early on.

However, for this small family, Liu Xiaoli is not the kind of matriarch who can interfere and give orders; the decisions should still be made by the person in charge.

Her ideal son-in-law barely paused for thought, turning back to look at his wife from the passenger seat: "In this family, I own 50% of the shares, and my opinion is to have children of high quality and quantity!"

Liu Yifei, her brows relaxed, angrily slapped him: "Get lost! Guarantee the quantity? Do you think I'm a sow?!"

"Okay! That's settled then. Looks like I need to get used to the role of grandma in advance." Liu Xiaoli slapped the armrest of her chair, her mouth almost stretching to her ears in a wide grin.

The moment the head of obstetrics and gynecology uttered the word "pregnancy," she had already rapidly conjured up images of her daughter and son-in-law in her mind.

How beautiful and handsome this child must be!
"No, what do you mean 'just enough'? I still have 50% left, Mom, why didn't you ask me?"

Liu Xiaoli smiled: "I have 100% ownership of you, and I'm exercising that right on your behalf, that's all!"

"So Empress Dowager Liu is still ruling from behind the curtain?" Consort Liu clutched her stomach and slumped into her chair. "Since I can't resist, I'll just have to accept it reluctantly."

"Then I agree to have the baby. From now on, won't I be the one to call the shots in this family?"

The mother-in-law's stance was firm: "Xiao Lu has the final say on important matters, but I'll take care of the small things in life for you two. You can focus on your pregnancy."

After being reprimanded by the Empress Dowager, Boss Lu added with satisfaction: "If you really want some, the crew has garlic on hand, so feel free to use it."

With such good news, even Afei, who was driving, was grinning from ear to ear, a rare sight. Lu Kuan teased from the passenger seat, "Afei is going to be an uncle. Look how happy he is. From now on, you'll be in charge of taking care of the kids."

“No problem, I’ll teach him boxing and kicking.”

The kind of kick that could break Wang Xiaolei's leg. Boss Lu was overjoyed: "A son is fine, but a daughter is out of the question. Don't let her be as rude as her mother."

"What did you say?" Liu Yifei's eyebrows shot up, but she backed down to avoid confirming her reputation for being rude.

"Hey? Mom, why was the pregnancy test negative yesterday? What did the doctor say when we went out?"

"That thing isn't 100% accurate. There's a possibility that your HCG concentration in your blood isn't high enough, or that it's been diluted, leading to a false negative."

Liu Xiaoli got angry just thinking about it, and tapped her eldest daughter's forehead with her finger: "Look at you! If it weren't for your stupidity, you would have had to wait at least another week to find out you were pregnant. What if something had gone wrong?"

"Yesterday you were laughing at me for making a mountain out of a molehill, but you almost handed in a blank paper!"

Boss Lu watched "Third Sister Scolds Her Daughter" from the passenger seat with glee: "She's just destined to be with pig heads. Last time she was so scared she became mute, and this time she was disgusted to the point of vomiting."

Liu Yifei said discontentedly, "No, what are you doing bringing up these past grievances now? Is this mentally abusing a pregnant woman?"

"Is there no law anymore? I'm going to report this to the Women's Federation!"

Liu Xiaoli smiled and pinched her daughter's pretty cheek, then thought of a very important question: "Xiaolu, given her current situation, what about the movie?"

“I’ve been thinking about this on the way here too,” Lu Kuan said thoughtfully. “To be on the safe side, it would be best to withdraw from filming.”

"No way! I've been preparing for this for so long!" Liu Yifei started to rebel in front of the Empress Dowager: "The filming plan is only less than 3 months long, and it's all dialogue scenes. The most dangerous scene is crossing a river by stepping on stones. Can't you find a stunt double?"

"The contract is signed, the advertising is done, and I'm still waiting..."

Xiao Liu looked anxious, too embarrassed to say it in front of so many people, but he was still looking forward to falling in love with the washing machine in the movie.

With her husband and mother silent, Liu Yifei brought up Zhang Yimou again: "Director Zhang and Lu Kuan have such a good relationship, how can I step down from him now? The key is that there is really no danger at all."

"Mom, didn't you always say that you were still dancing when you were more than a month pregnant with me?"

"Lu Kuan, didn't you say that the play is more important than people?"

Liu Xiaolv was furious, acting like a character from the tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai who had been separated: "You can't be so hypocritical, can you?"

Liu Xiaoli couldn't refute it. She had told this story to her daughter many times before. Back then, she was unwilling to have her lead dancer position taken away after she became pregnant, so she insisted on fighting for it, which caused some discord with her parents-in-law.

Most working women continue to work normally during pregnancy. Unless they are engaged in heavy physical activities or are athletes, there are no serious consequences. At most, they may have to temporarily leave their jobs in the late stages of pregnancy.

Boss Lu smiled: "It's true that the play is more important than the person, but you're two people now." He hesitated for two seconds: "Let's go back to the set and take a look. I'll take a closer look at the script and then talk to Zhang Yimou."

Liu Yifei's phone kept vibrating on the way. After replying to a few messages, she looked up and said, "Changchang and Tiantian said that it's all over the internet that I'm pregnant. What should I do?"

"The question that should be asked on Weibo is: 'Let nature take its course.' This is something we can't hide. I just had Chen Zhixi prepare. Even if we continue filming, the commotion won't be small." Lu Kuan laughed.

"what to prepare?"

"A team of medical experts and a team of nutrition experts, an unconventional setup, will conduct regular check-ups and assessments for you until production is safe."

"The main person in charge of the medical team is Lang Jinghe, the director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He is not easy to invite. If all else fails, I will ask Leader Liu for help. Anyway, he can spare one or two days a month."

Liu Xiaoli exclaimed with delight, "Lang Jinghe is very famous; his teacher is Lin Qiaozhi."

Lin Qiaozhi was the first director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. She was revered as the "Mother of Ten Thousand Babies," the founder of obstetrics and gynecology in China, and the only female academician in the first cohort of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

She was the midwife who delivered Yuan Longping, who was born in Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beiping in 1930.

Lu Kuan smiled and said, "For now, I only know of this one master. I'll have Chen Zhixi report the other candidates to me in the next couple of days."

Liu Yifei felt incredibly sweet inside, but she still said one thing but meant another: "You're treating me like a panda. People will say I'm being arrogant."

Boss Lu frowned and said, "What do you mean by 'acting like a big shot'? It's not like you're in a position and you're demanding high pay. That's what we can afford. Besides, we've already asked a senior expert to take one day a month for consultations, so it doesn't take up any public resources."

"From another perspective, the child in your belly is the successor of Wenjie. In the future, Wenjie will be the core strategic vehicle for Chinese films and Chinese culture to go global. Doing this is entirely for the sake of the country and the nation. Who else but me?"

Xiao Liu was amused by her husband's "shamelessness": "You want to retire and enjoy life at 40, but you want my child to take over and work themselves to death? Dream on!"

She had already begun to dream sweetly: "You're not allowed to pressure them. What if he/she wants to be a scientist or an athlete?"

The little road inside my belly: Even a dog wouldn't do that!
Liu Xiaoli found it amusing to watch the young couple bickering and dreaming about the future, but Zhang Yimou, sitting in the makeshift office at the film crew's residence, was not so relaxed.

His daughter, Zhang Mo, didn't send any more messages, only saying that she would be back soon. He was also nearby when Liu Yifei vomited.

As a father of three, Liu Xiaoli was stroking her daughter's belly with a look of surprise. Wasn't that a clear enough hint?

Boom boom boom!
"Dad, we're back. Director Lu and Xixi are here."

Zhang Yimou put down his teacup, trying to appear relaxed, and got up to greet the three of them as they entered. He understood everything just by looking at the young couple's expressions.

"Consort Yi..."

"Yes, Xiao Liu is pregnant, I'm going to be a dad!" Boss Lu happily shared all this with his old classmate.

An ordinary person would probably be making phone calls and bragging about it by now, but he only notified Zhuang Xu and a few others.

Zhang Yimou also came to terms with it. As a father himself, he understood this joy all too well: "Great! Great! Not only is it not a matter of health problems, but it's also a matter of having a successor. That's wonderful!"

"Oh my, this child is so lucky to have been born into your family!"

Liu Yifei said obediently, "Then I'll thank Uncle Zhang on behalf of the child!"

“It’s not easy being Uncle Zhang. He’ll have to give a big red envelope for the baby’s one-month celebration. He’s also been squeezed out of retirement money by the richest man.” Zhang Yimou pretended to be helpless, while Zhang Mo looked at her father and laughed.

Lu Kuan knew exactly what he was thinking, so he took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Director Zhang, the most important thing now is to coordinate and resolve the issue of Xiao Liu's scenes in the movie. I think it's necessary to hire a stunt double for a few scenes."

"What, a body double?" Zhang Yimou was overjoyed: "Little Liu...you guys..."

He had actually prepared to replace the female lead at the last minute.

From a moral standpoint, Zhang Yimou, as a senior and friend, had no reason to force a pregnant teenager to continue acting in movies by using contracts or personal favors;
Logically speaking, given his power and status as a junior at the Beijing Film Academy, if he says he doesn't want to act anymore, no one else has the right to object.

I will not say a word more than necessary. As for Zhang Weiping, I doubt he would dare to do so now.

"Director Zhang, I know the script and Jingqiu's scenes best. For me, the most dangerous scenes right now are the ones where we have to cross the river on the stones, because I'm afraid of slipping and falling into the water."

"The other scene was when I rushed to my third brother's hospital bed and watched him die with tears streaming down my face. There were no other scenes where I even ran or jumped."

Xiao Liu said seriously, "This film is the first role I tried after a year of reflection at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. It's a role that is completely different from the era I lived in and my personality. I think it's very challenging."

"So after discussing it with Lu Kuan, we decided to continue with the original plan."

Zhang Yimou's deeply furrowed face, reminiscent of the Loess Plateau, instantly relaxed, and the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes rose in layers, like terraced fields suddenly touched by a spring breeze, before he suddenly looked at Lu Kuan.

"Xiao Lu, your wife is truly a tough woman!"

Boss Lu joked, "Yes, at such a young age, he's already on the path of a veteran artist."

"Actually, we considered this on the way. Staying at home while pregnant might not be the right way to nurture a pregnancy."

"Qinglong Village and Bailihuang are both pollution-free outdoor environments. During the day, we can control Xiao Liu's filming time, letting him sit for a while, walk for a while, and act for a while, which can be considered a break."

Zhang Yimou nodded: "I will arrange for the crew to coordinate the filming schedule tonight, and bring forward all your scenes so that we can finish filming in one to one and a half months."

Filming for the previous film, "Under the Hawthorn Tree," started on April 16th and wrapped up in mid-June, a very short time.

Firstly, the plot is simple, revolving entirely around two pure love stories, without too many subplots, suspense, or plot twists;
Secondly, the filming locations are in places like Qinglong Village and Bailihuang, centered around Yuanshan County, which eliminates the need for long journeys and saves a lot of time in terms of location scouting.

Moreover, Zhou Dongyu and Dou Xiao were newcomers and semi-newcomers in their previous life, and they had to put in a lot of effort in terms of getting to know each other and training each other.

From all perspectives, Xiao Liu's experience of playing the role of a female educated youth will be a quick and enjoyable process.

On the evening of September 25, 2008, assistant director Zhang Mo personally logged into the official Weibo account of the "Under the Hawthorn Tree" production team to prepare to send a formal statement.

Since the Twilight and Madness film series, which were developed by Askworld in both China and the United States, explored a marketing and interaction path on Weibo, now domestic films basically open official blogs and Weibo accounts from the very beginning of their project initiation.

Even competing films have no choice but to reluctantly embrace the intellectual community.

Compared to whether one can drive traffic to competitors' internet industries, being able to reap the benefits of traffic on this platform is obviously more important.

Dear movie fans:
The production team completed location scouting and set design two weeks ago, and all actors are in place and will be joining the crew one after another, including Mr. Lu Kuan and Ms. Liu Yifei, who recently tied the knot.

During today's opening ceremony, Princess Yi was unwell due to not being used to the local climate, experiencing nausea and dry heaving. She was promptly taken to the hospital for examination and is now fine.

Starting tomorrow, the crew will resume filming as scheduled.

We are aware of the numerous rumors circulating online. Regarding the situation of Consort Yi herself, please follow the official announcements on the Weibo account 【VCG Qian】 and her interviews. Please do not create or spread rumors.

Thank you all so much for your concern and attention to the production team. Please look forward to the Valentine's Day release in 2009!

"Under the Hawthorn Tree," a pure love story film presented by Berlin Golden Bear-winning director Zhang Yimou, Berlin Best Actor Lu Kuan, and Best Actress Liu Yifei.

. . .

Zhang Mo's announcement was naturally issued in accordance with Boss Lu's instructions. She did not deliberately deny the discussions and topics surrounding her pregnancy, nor did she give a definite answer.

This is a private matter, and the parties involved have no obligation to disclose every detail to the public. Let it take its natural course.

However, the online discussions will not stop just because of your announcement. On Weibo, there are already two opposing hashtag groups: #LiuYifeiPregnant# and #LiuYifeiPregnantIsARumor#.

The basis for the view that Xiao Liu is pregnant is a high-definition video clip of the worship ceremony, which was keenly captured by no fewer than twenty reporters present at the time.

However, Liu Yifei's fans also presented the most direct reasons for their doubts:
The production team of "Under the Hawthorn Tree" announced that everything is proceeding as usual. The washing machine is so rich that he is willing to ask his pregnant wife to continue filming.
Laundry detergent and liquid detergent nodded in agreement, and Xiao Liu's fans readily agreed with this statement, but netizens were not so convinced:

Filming even while pregnant—that's the ultimate form of capitalism.

Does marrying into a wealthy family really free her from the fate of being exploited? In the end, she's just a female celebrity; what is she compared to the ruthless power of capital?

There are way too many cases like this!
Murdoch and Wendy Deng married and ensured that their wealth would not flow out of the country by modifying the trust fund;
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, whose net worth is $230 billion, transferred assets through offshore companies, and his wife Irina Shayk received only $3 million in the divorce settlement.

The harmonious relationship between Lu and Liu may have been nothing more than a sentimental drama orchestrated by capital, widely disseminated because it aligned with mainstream values.

The passersby's impression of Boss Lu was: he's a good person, his movies are well-made, and his stance is correct.

But opinions on other aspects vary.

For example, his past private life, or the ruthlessness of capitalists, or his legendary rise to power.

Indeed, a large number of netizens believe that Boss Lu is a typical example of a successful person who embodies the Machiavellian philosophy.

2008 was a period of rapid economic growth in China, with numerous wealth stories emerging in industries such as the stock market, real estate, and the internet, but it also intensified social competition.

Li Zongwu's "Thick Black Theory" has become a hot topic in China, becoming a "success guide" sought after by many professionals, entrepreneurs, and even college students, catering to people's desire for wealth and status.

In recent years, countless experts on Tianya Forum have recounted Boss Lu's rise to power, portraying him as a typical example of Machiavellianism.

Regarding how he started from scratch, moved between the art world and the political and business circles, and eventually became a great artist and business leader with both fame and fortune, it is even stated that he is a typical portrayal of "Thick Black Theory".

If you don't believe me, ask Zhang Tianshuo, the former prefect who was dismissed, the Zhou family, and the Taro family. Is he corrupt or not?

This is not a denigration, but rather a compliment. In the current era of deepening market-oriented reforms, success stories are the most talked-about survival strategies.

However, whether it's creating or destroying a god, or being labeled as a success story under different values ​​such as Machiavellianism, inspiration, or metaphysics, the person involved has never had, and will never have, bothered with, these pointless public opinions.

After issuing the announcement, Zhang Mo, following her father's instructions, also gave an internal notification to the Tencent work group and the heads of various departments:

Smoking is prohibited within a 50-meter radius of the filming location. The same rule applies to rest areas, dressing rooms, and the crew's hotel. Violators will be immediately dismissed.

Playing or horseplay is not allowed on set. Everything must be done according to the established plan to complete the filming task quickly, efficiently, and economically. Drinking alcohol or making noise at night is not allowed and may disturb the rest of other crew members.

The announcement sparked a flurry of discussion among internal staff.

Of course, since this notice has been issued, the person involved doesn't need to care about what others say; doing their best to avoid any accidents is the right thing to do.

The night was deep, and the curtains of the Yuanshan Hotel were half-drawn, letting in a sliver of cool moonlight. Only a dim bedside lamp was lit in the room, its soft light enveloping the two people on the bed.

A few abrupt bird calls came from outside the window. Lu Kuan was completely melted by the joy brought by the child and was unusually gentle today: "I'm sorry to have to make you suffer. This is the kind of hotel in the county. Fortunately, it's clean."

Xiao Liu said gently, "I'm not being that dramatic. Besides, I'm already perfectly fine."

In the afternoon, the film crew rearranged the hotel rooms, coordinating all the rooms on the fourth floor.

Currently, only Lu Kuan and his wife, Liu Xiaoli, Afei, Zhang Mo, Gao Ye, and Liu Yifei's bodyguard Mia and assistant team are staying on the fourth floor.

Firstly, it's to ensure that any unexpected events can be handled promptly, and secondly, it's to guarantee the pregnant woman's quiet sleep and create a reassuring resting environment.

Despite the limited resources, Zhang Yimou took care of everything meticulously, just waiting for the filming of this great show to begin.

Liu Yifei lay on her side, her fingers unconsciously stroking the corner of the blanket. Lu Kuan embraced his wife from behind, one hand gently resting on her lower abdomen, his palm warm.

The two have been in this position for a long time.

Xiao Liu finally lost her patience and laughed as she pushed her husband's hand away: "Aren't you tired? Even the ultrasound can't show the gestational sac clearly now, what are you doing touching it?"

“It’s different, really different. I had a strong premonition yesterday afternoon; it’s the call of my bloodline,” Boss Lu muttered to himself.

Liu Yifei chuckled: "It really feels surreal. I'm only 22 next year, and I'm already going to be a mother."

"Young mothers give birth to healthy babies and recover well themselves. The earlier they give birth, the longer we can be with them."

Lu Kuan carefully embraced his wife: "Just like the Empress Dowager said—"

"This is a blessing, and when good fortune comes, it cannot be stopped."

Xiao Liu asked gently, "Are you really looking forward to it?"

"Yes, I'll have another family member now."

Lu Kuan's warm breath tickled the back of her neck, and from his calm yet reserved tone, the girl also caught a glimpse of a deep-seated loneliness and longing.

She suddenly turned around, wrapped her slender arms around the man's neck, and buried her face deeply in his shoulder.

Thinking of his past, Liu Yifei didn't know what to say.

This embrace carried an almost reverent strength, as if it were meant to warm the lonely, cold nights of both past and present lives.

Objectively speaking, Mr. Lu's background makes him a typical example of "early emotional deprivation".

The lack of primal security resulting from growing up as an orphan, coupled with the defensive self-esteem built through career achievements in adulthood, can never dispel the subconscious longing for blood ties based on love.

As a dual carrier of biological and social genes, the child, following Liu Yifei, once again completely melted the heart of the lonely time traveler.

As night deepened, whether it was psychological or hormonal, Liu Yifei felt sleepy earlier than usual.

She reached out and turned off the desk lamp, murmuring something in the darkness.

"The road is wide; let's find some time to go and see Niushou Mountain."

"Ah."

The following day, the crew of "Under the Hawthorn Tree" began their intensive filming process.

(End of this chapter)