You were supposed to have a fake marriage with the diva, so how did you become her father?

Chapter 437 Vomiting

Wang Jianguo was much more efficient than Lu Ran had anticipated.

The day after receiving the script for "Raging Storm," Lu Ran received a call from him.

On the other end of the phone, Wang Jianguo's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. He said the script had been submitted, and the higher-ups had been reading it all night, giving him a reply the next morning.

The original quote was, "This script is good for filming."

Without any unnecessary embellishment, just seven words (a small demonstration of the author's mathematical prowess to the reader).

But when those six words came out of Wang Jianguo's mouth, Lu Ran could feel their weight.

People in positions of authority are usually stingy with their words, so if they can give a seven-word evaluation, it means they really took it to heart.

"Professor Lu, it's been approved," Wang Jianguo said on the other end of the phone, his tone much more relaxed than before. "Now it's just a matter of going through the formalities. If all goes well, the official approval should come through within a week. Then the project can officially start."

Lu Ran leaned back in his office chair, twirling a pen in his hand: "Director Wang, it's good that it's approved. But I have an idea I'd like to discuss with you."

"Please speak."

"I'll keep the title of head screenwriter, but I don't want to get too involved in the specific filming details."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Wang Jianguo clearly hadn't expected Lu Ran to take the initiative to request a retreat.

Lu Ran continued, "Director Wang, I'm not trying to shirk my responsibilities. I've written the script, and you and my father-in-law know better than me how to film it well and capture its essence. Besides, to be honest, I'm too young. Everyone in the crew—actors, cinematographers, lighting technicians, art directors—is more than a decade older than me. If I'm giving orders on set, they might not say it, but they'll be resentful. If word gets out that the screenwriter for 'Raging Storm' is a greenhorn in his early twenties, it won't do the project any good in terms of reputation."

"There's one more thing," Lu Ran paused, lowering his voice slightly, "The theme of this drama is rather unique. The scope of anti-corruption, the appropriateness of the characters, what can be filmed and what cannot—only those at the top know the answers to these questions. The script I wrote is the skeleton, but to fill in the flesh, it still requires experienced and discreet people like you and my father-in-law to handle it. I won't add to the chaos."

Wang Jianguo remained silent for a long time on the other end of the phone.

"Teacher Lu, you're more mature than I thought." He finally said this, his tone tinged with emotion. "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony with you. You'll still be the head screenwriter, and Lao Shen and I will keep an eye on the filming. If we encounter anything we're unsure about, we'll consult you again."

"No problem. Contact me anytime."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Ran leaned back in his chair, stared at the ceiling, and exhaled.

The reasons he just gave were all true, but there was one more reason he didn't say—he didn't want to take the blame.

It's not that I don't trust Wang Jianguo and Shen Zhiwei, it's just that this kind of subject matter is too sensitive.

The original film "Raging Storm" was good, but it was the result of countless cuts, adjustments, and balancing processes.

The censorship environment in this world is different from that of the previous one, and the audience's acceptance level is also different. Simply copying the filming methods of the previous life may not be suitable for this world.

The best approach is to delegate the actual execution to someone else, while they only provide the framework.

If the filming goes well, it's everyone's credit. If there are any problems, you can't find him to blame.

This isn't being cunning; it's self-preservation.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Shen Zhiwei: "Dad, I'm not going to worry about the script anymore. You and Director Wang can keep an eye on it."

Shen Zhiwei replied quickly: "You're not going to care? Aren't you the head screenwriter?"

"Just a name on the sign-and-file. You guys handle the details."

Shen Zhiwei typed an ellipsis and then said, "You're quite adept at being a hands-off boss."

"I learned it from you."

Shen Zhiwei sent another ellipsis and didn't reply.

Lu Ran put down her phone, stood up, and walked to the window.

The June sun in Shanghai was already quite strong, making the glass curtain walls of the office building across the street reflect a blinding white light.

On the street downstairs, several food delivery riders wearing yellow vests squatted under the shade of a tree waiting for orders. The blue light from their phone screens shone on their faces, making them look numb and wary, like sparrows perched on power lines.

He looked at it for a while, then turned and went back to his desk.

For the next two days, Lu Ran had a relatively leisurely time.

The company's operations proceeded smoothly, and the data for the three games showed steady growth without any major disruptions.

Sakura Games' "Sakura Legends" is still in the pre-release phase, and EA's Project X hasn't even been named yet. Both companies are holding back, waiting for the summer season to make their moves.

Lu Ran knew this was the calm before the storm, but he didn't intend to be anxious beforehand.

What's meant to happen will happen; there's no stopping it.

All you can do is establish a firm footing before the opponent makes a move.

On the morning of the third day, Lu Ran was woken up by her alarm clock.

He picked up his phone and glanced at it; it was 7:30 in the morning.

Shen Yuege is going to the studio to record a demo of a new song today. He left early because I told him last night to eat breakfast by himself.

He turned over, intending to take another nap, when he heard a sound coming from the bathroom.

It wasn't the sound of brushing teeth, nor was it the sound of a running tap.

It was the sound of someone gagging on the toilet, the kind of sound where your stomach is churning but you can't vomit anything.

Lu Ran sat up in bed and listened intently.

It sounds like Shen Yuege's voice.

The gagging sound came again, this time even more violently.

He threw off the covers, got out of bed, and walked barefoot quickly to the bathroom door.

The door wasn't closed properly, and through the crack, he saw Shen Yuege squatting in front of the toilet, one hand supporting herself on the edge of the toilet, the other hand clutching her chest, her face a little pale.

"Tsuki-go? What's wrong?"

Shen Yuege raised her head, her eyes a little red, from when she was gagging.

She waved her hand, indicating that she was fine, but before she could say anything, she leaned down and gagged.

Lu Ran pushed open the door, squatted down, put one hand on her shoulder, and used the other hand to tuck the stray hairs from her forehead behind her ear.

Her forehead was a little cold, and her palms were cold too.

"What did you eat yesterday?" Lu Ran asked.

Shen Yuege took a few breaths, stood up by supporting herself on the toilet, walked to the sink to rinse her mouth, and wiped her lips with a tissue.

Her complexion was a little better than before, but her lips were still pale.

"I didn't eat much. You ate at home last night too, we ate the same thing. Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried vegetables, and pork rib soup, you made them all yourself, didn't you remember?" Her voice was much softer than usual, as if she was holding back.

Lu Ran thought about it and realized that he had indeed cooked the meal last night.

Shen Yuege said she wanted to eat his cooking, so he cooked for her.

The two of them ate the same food. He was fine after eating it, but Shen Yuege vomited.

"Maybe you caught a cold?" Lu Ran said. "It's the change of seasons recently, you need to be more careful."

Shen Yuege shook her head: "It doesn't seem like a cold. A cold would cause dizziness and fever, but I just feel nauseous. It started when I woke up this morning."

She gagged again as she spoke, but this time nothing came out; she just gagged once and then stopped.

Lu Ran helped her back to the bedroom and laid her down on the bed.

Shen Yuege leaned against the pillow, pulling the blanket up to her chest. Her complexion was a little better than before, but something still didn't seem right.

"Should we go to the hospital?" Lu Ran asked.

Shen Yuege thought for a moment, then shook her head: "Let's see. Maybe the ribs from last night weren't very fresh? No, the ribs were fresh, you bought them this morning."

Lu Ran stood by the bed, a thought suddenly flashing through his mind.

The idea came without warning, like a lightning bolt splitting open the mushy mess in his mind.

He recalled scenes he had seen countless times in movies and TV dramas in his past life.

A woman woke up one morning and suddenly vomited. When the people around her asked her what was wrong, she said she felt unwell. When they asked if she should go to the hospital, she said no. Then, a few days later, she found out she was pregnant.

This kind of plot is so clichéd that he wants to fast forward every time he sees it.

But now that this scenario has happened to him, he doesn't find it cliché at all.

He squatted down to be at eye level with Shen Yuege and reached out to touch her forehead.

It's not hot; the temperature is normal.

"Yuege, I have a question for you."

"Um."

When was your last period?

Shen Yuege was stunned for a moment.

She looked into Lu Ran's eyes, and there was no joking in them; they were very serious.

Shen Yuege's pupils dilated slightly; she had clearly realized what Lu Ran was implying.

She turned her head to think for a moment, then frowned.

After thinking for about ten seconds, she turned her head and looked at Lu Ran again, her expression becoming somewhat subtle.

"It seems... my period hasn't come yet this month."

Lu Ran's breath hitched.

"You didn't come last month, and the month before that?"

Shen Yuege thought for a moment and said, "It came the month before last. Last month, I thought it was because I was too busy with work, too much stress, and had a hormonal imbalance, so I didn't pay much attention to it. I used to come late occasionally, but never this late."

Lu Ran squatted there, starting to count the days in his mind.

If she missed her period last month, it means that if she is indeed pregnant, she has been pregnant for at least a month.

They officially got together on New Year's Eve, and it's been over a month now.

If it's true, then it's very likely that one shot will be fatal.

If you didn't have your period last month, then you're more than a month pregnant, but less than two months along.

This timing is reasonable.

Shen Yuege watched his changing expressions, from confusion to calculation to sudden realization, and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up, but she suppressed them halfway up.

She reached out and patted Lu Ran's arm.

"Don't make wild guesses. It might be a hormonal imbalance. I've been quite tired lately, with a lot going on at the studio and preparations for the Golden Melody Awards performance."

Lu Ran stood up, took two steps by the bed, then squatted down and looked at Shen Yuege: "Go to the hospital."

"Now?"

"Now. What are you waiting for? Waiting for you to get the test strip yourself? After testing, you still have to go to the hospital, right? Let's go straight to the hospital for a blood test. The results are accurate, no need to guess."

Shen Yuege was rendered speechless by his logic, and she herself was also panicking.

What if it really is?

What if it's an endocrine disorder?

Regardless of the reason, going to the hospital is always the safest option.

She propped herself up on the edge of the bed and changed her clothes for going out.

Lu Ran went to the kitchen, poured a glass of warm water, and brought it over. Shen Yuege took it and drank a couple of sips, saying that her stomach was still a little uncomfortable, but much better than before.

The two went out; Lu Ran drove, and Shen Yuege sat in the passenger seat.

Instead of taking out her phone to check it as usual, she leaned back in her seat, rested one hand on her stomach, and looked out the window.

Lu Ran noticed her action but didn't say anything.

He gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his mind racing with thoughts.

If I am indeed pregnant, what should I do for the next three months?

What will happen to Shen Yuege's work? What about her performance at the Golden Melody Awards? What about her wedding?

He thought about it a lot, and in the end he even laughed at himself.

Before he even arrived at the hospital or received the results, he had already thought through the next three years of his life.

Shen Yuege heard him chuckle and turned to look at him: "What are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing. I just think I'm pretty interesting. Things are still very uncertain, but I'm already thinking about which kindergarten my child should go to."

Shen Yuege was stunned for a moment, then she was amused by him. But as she laughed, she suddenly became worried again: "Lu Ran, if it's true, I..."

"What?"

"I'm a little scared."

When Shen Yuege said those words, her voice was so soft that it was almost drowned out by the wind noise outside the car.

But Lu Ran heard it.

He reached out and took her hand.

Shen Yuege's hands were a little cold, and there was a thin layer of sweat on her palms.

"What are you afraid of? I'm here."

...