We asked you to make an anti-corruption film, but you made one in the name of the people!

The Ministry of Public Security began contacting people on the afternoon the list was finalized.

Lin Mo doesn't need to worry about this; Director Sun has a complete set of procedures.

The first call was to Zhang Yixing's studio.

Zhang Yixing is an all-around entertainer who excels in both singing and dancing. He has tens of millions of fans and is greeted with screams wherever he goes.

But that wasn't the reason Director Sun approached him.

The reason is simple—Zhang Yixing has a sunny and clean image, and when he plays a naive young man who has been deceived, the audience believes him.

Zhang Yixing's agent answered the phone.

"Hello, this is the Publicity Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security."

There was a noticeable pause on the other end: "Hello, what can I do for you?"

"We're making a movie about combating telecom fraud and would like to invite Mr. Zhang Yixing to play the male lead."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"The Ministry of Public Security...is making a movie?"

"Yes, it was a joint effort with the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The director is Lin Mo, the one who directed 'In the Name of the People'."

"Lin Mo? Director Lin from 'In the Name of the People'?" The agent's voice suddenly rose eight octaves.

"right."

"Please wait a moment! I'll transfer it to Yestar right away!"

Less than half a minute later, Zhang Yixing's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Hello, I am Zhang Yixing."

Director Sun repeated his purpose for coming.

After hearing this, Zhang Yixing said almost without hesitation, "I'll take this role."

Director Sun was taken aback: "Teacher Zhang, aren't you going to read the script?"

"No need to look at it." Zhang Yixing's voice was very serious. "It's a drama produced by the Ministry of Public Security, and it's about anti-fraud. This is a serious matter, and I have to take it."

After hanging up the phone, Director Sun put a checkmark next to Zhang Yixing's name.

The second call was to Jin Chen's agent.

Jin Chen is a rising star with solid acting skills and a good image.

When the call connected, Jin Chen's agent's tone immediately changed upon hearing that it was the Ministry of Public Security.

"Ministry of Public Security? You said you're from somewhere else?"

"Publicity Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. We would like to invite Ms. Jin Chen to play the female lead in an anti-fraud film."

"What movie?"

"It's an anti-fraud film, directed by Lin Mo, who also directed 'In the Name of the People'."

In less than ten seconds, Jin Chen answered the phone, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Hello, hello! I'm Jin Chen! I'll take the role you mentioned!"

Director Sun was taken aback: "Mr. Jin Chen, shouldn't you discuss this with the company?"

"No need, no need!" Jin Chen's voice was crisp. "It's a film produced by the Ministry of Public Security, and directed by Director Lin. I'd wait forever for an opportunity like this! What's there to discuss?"

Director Sun smiled and said, "Alright, I'll send you the script later."

"Okay! Thank you!"

After hanging up the phone, Director Sun put a checkmark next to Jin Chen's name.

Soon, all the main actors were cast.

From the start of the phone call to the finalization of everything, it took less than an hour.

It's not that he has a lot of influence; it's that the name "Ministry of Public Security" is like a passport to the world.

Which actor would dare to disrespect them?

Which actor wouldn't want to work with Director Lin?

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Lin Mo.

"Director Lin, the cast is all finalized. Zhang Yixing, Jin Chen, and Wang Chuanjun have all agreed to star."

Lin Mo replied in less than ten seconds after the message was sent.

"So fast? Half a day?"

Director Sun replied with a smile, "Half a day? With the Ministry of Public Security's influence, plus Director Lin's reputation, who dares to say no?"

Lin Mo sent a thumbs-up emoji.

Then he sent another message: "Director Sun, you've worked hard. I'll treat you to dinner another day."

Director Sun replied, "Don't change the date, let's do it on the day the machine starts up."

Lin Mo sent a "sold" emoji.

Director Sun put down his phone and glanced at the list again.

Zhang Yixing, Jin Chen, Wang Chuanjun...

This lineup, while not the most top-tier, is definitely the most suitable.

Every character is perfectly matched.

He picked up the script on the table and turned to the first page.

"put all one's eggs in one basket".

The more he looked at those four words, the more weighty they seemed to him.

……

The news leaked the very night the cast list was finalized.

It's not that the Ministry of Public Security didn't do a good job of keeping things confidential; it's just that this matter involves too many people.

Zhang Yixing's studio posted a Weibo post, which was originally just meant to announce a new endorsement, but the comments section went completely off-topic.

"I heard you're going to be in a new movie for the Ministry of Public Security? Is it true?"

"What movie? I don't know anything about it?"

"I saw this on WeChat Moments. It says it's director Lin Mo's new film, an anti-fraud drama, with a celebrity playing the male lead!"

"Holy crap? Lin Mo + Ministry of Public Security + Zhang Yixing? What kind of incredible combination is this?"

Jin Chen's side was even more direct.

She started a live stream that night, intending to chat with her fans, but the chat was full of questions about her new movie.

"Chenchen, are you going to act in Director Lin's new movie?"

"I heard it's an anti-fraud film, and she's the female lead?"

"Chenchen, say something!"

When asked this question, Jin Chen smiled and said, "Well... let's wait for the official announcement. I can't say anything now."

This statement is tantamount to an admission.

The live chat exploded instantly.

"Aaaaaaah, it's true!"

"Director Lin's new film with Jin Chen as the female lead, I'm definitely watching!"

"Anti-fraud theme? Director Lin is making an anti-fraud film? What kind of film would that be?"

"With 'In the Name of the People' set as the pinnacle of anti-corruption dramas, can't Director Lin take his anti-fraud film to a whole new level?"

The news spread even faster on Douyin (TikTok).

Someone posted a video with the title: #Exclusive Scoop: Director Lin Mo's New Film, Produced by the Ministry of Public Security, Anti-Fraud Theme!#

The video content wasn't very informative; it was just a few screenshots of the cast list accompanied by some music.

But the video garnered over three million likes overnight.

The comments section went crazy.

"Produced by the Ministry of Public Security? Directed by Lin Mo? With this kind of lineup, it would be an injustice if it didn't become a hit."

"Zhang Yixing is playing the male lead? He's playing a young man who gets scammed? His image does match."

"Jin Chen as the female lead? I'm totally in love with her looks!"

"Zhang Yixing has both popularity and talent, which are not contradictory."

"The Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and Lin Mo—this is the national team stepping in!"

"Can't wait! When will it be released? I can't wait!"

Of course, some people have raised questions.

"Lin Mo may be good at making anti-corruption dramas, but he might not be good at making anti-fraud films, right?"

Has Zhang Yixing ever acted in a movie? Hopefully, he won't have a major scandal.

But these dissenting voices were quickly drowned out by even greater expectations.

The next morning, #LinMo'sNewDrama# topped the trending searches.

It was followed by the word "explosion".

The topic garnered over 100 million views in three hours.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate's Douyin account gained another 500,000 followers overnight.

The comments section is full of people asking, "Director Lin, when will your new movie be released?"

When Lin Mo arrived at work in the morning, he found that his phone had been vibrating the whole way.

It's all news.

I received inquiries from friends, colleagues, and several text messages from unfamiliar numbers.

He scrolled through a few messages, didn't reply, put his phone in his pocket, and went into his office.

Xiao Wang was the first to rush forward.

"Brother Lin! Did you know your new movie is trending on social media?"

Lin Mo nodded: "I saw it."

"You kept it a secret for too long! You didn't tell us a single word!" Xiao Wang said, looking aggrieved. "I only found out by scrolling through Douyin!"

Xiao Liu chimed in, "Brother Lin, the Ministry of Public Security is making a movie? You're about to take off!"

Lin Mo smiled and said, "It's just helping to film a video, don't make a fuss."

"Help? The Ministry of Public Security needs your help? Brother Lin, you've got way too much influence now, haven't you?"