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

Over the next few days, Lin Mo had a rare moment of leisure.

The publicity work is on track and doesn't need his constant monitoring anymore.

On Douyin, he had filmed several videos in advance and saved them, enough for Xiao Wang and the others to post for a while.

As for his primary job at the Supreme People's Procuratorate—he was just a junior staff member in the publicity department, and he didn't usually have any urgent matters to attend to.

Old Han knew he was busy, so he didn't assign him any other work.

Zhao Jian treated him like a precious treasure, telling everyone that Xiao Lin was a treasure of our Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Once this got out, Lin Mo's status at work suddenly became special.

When he was eating, the cafeteria lady gave him an extra chicken leg.

When he was in the elevator, other colleagues from different departments, whom he didn't know, took the initiative to greet him.

Even the armed police officer at the gate would greet him with "Hello, Director Lin" when he saw him.

Every time Lin Mo is called Director Lin, the corner of his mouth twitches.

He still prefers to be called Xiao Lin or Brother Lin.

But there's nothing that can be done; once the name is out there, it can't be taken back.

He hasn't been idle these past few days either.

Although the cast has been finalized, things like set design, prop preparation, and shooting schedule still need to be overseen by someone.

Lin Mo couldn't handle everything by himself, nor did he want to.

He thought of Lao Zhao—Zhao Mingyuan, the executive director of "In the Name of the People".

Old Zhao, who is fifty-two years old, has worked on film crews his whole life, and is best at scrutinizing details.

Lin Mo made a phone call to Lao Zhao.

"Brother Zhao, there's a job I've got, are you interested?"

Old Zhao laughed on the other end of the phone: "Director Lin, go ahead. Last time I worked with you, a lot of people asked me who directed this show. I said Director Lin directed it. People asked who Director Lin was. I said you'll see. Now that 'In the Name of the People' is a hit, all my friends are calling me and saying, 'Old Zhao, you're awesome, you've got a great director working for you.'"

Lin Mo, embarrassed by the praise, said, "Brother Zhao, stop joking around, let's get down to business. The Ministry of Public Security wants to make an anti-fraud movie. I'll direct, and you'll execute it. Are you in?"

"The Ministry of Public Security?" Old Zhao was taken aback. "Director Lin, you've moved from the Supreme People's Procuratorate to the Ministry of Public Security?"

"Cross-departmental collaboration." Lin Mo smiled. "So, are you in or not?"

"Let's do it! We absolutely have to!" Old Zhao answered decisively. "When do we join the crew?"

"It'll be done soon. Could you keep an eye on the set setup for me? There's someone at the Ministry of Public Security who'll be helping you. Go find someone named Director Sun tomorrow. I'll send you his phone number."

"Alright!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Mo sent Director Sun's contact information to Lao Zhao.

Old Zhao's greatest strength is that he doesn't require any worry.

Whatever you ask him to do, he'll do it perfectly, without you even having to urge him.

Lin Mo was relieved to leave the scene-related matters to him.

……

Three days later, Director Sun called.

"Director Lin, Director Zhao is keeping an eye on the set design, and the progress is good. When would you like to meet with the actors? After all, it's a major production for the Ministry of Public Security, so it's good for everyone to get to know each other before filming starts."

Lin Mo thought for a moment and said, "How about this weekend? Let's find a restaurant, have a meal, and chat."

"Okay, I'll arrange it."

Director Sun is very efficient; he sent the time and location over the next day.

Saturday evening at six o'clock, Yanjing Hotel, a large private room.

Lin Mo didn't have much to do that afternoon and originally wanted to go early, but Lao Han asked him to talk about some work-related matters, which delayed him by more than half an hour.

By the time he arrived at the Yanjing Hotel, it was almost six o'clock.

Director Sun was waiting at the door. When he saw him arrive, he greeted him with a smile.

"Director Lin, everyone's here, we're just waiting for you."

"Sorry, something came up at work and I was delayed."

"It's alright, come on, let's go inside."

The private room was very large, with a large round table that could seat about twenty people.

When Lin Mo pushed open the door, there were already quite a few people sitting inside.

Zhang Yixing sat by the window, wearing a black hoodie without a hat, his hair down, looking much younger than he did on stage.

He was chatting with a man next to him when Lin Mo recognized him as his manager.

Jin Chen sat opposite Zhang Yixing, wearing a beige sweater, her hair down, and light makeup. Her eyes crinkled when she smiled.

She was looking down at her phone, scrolling through something.

Wang Chuanjun sat next to the head of the table, wearing a dark jacket and glasses, looking like a refined gentleman.

But Lin Mo knew that this person could make you hate him so much that you'd grind your teeth.

Teacher Yongmei sat next to Wang Chuanjun, wearing a dark red coat, exuding an elegant demeanor, clearly the air of a veteran actress.

Sun Yang sat opposite Yongmei, wearing a black leather jacket, with strong features.

Several other supporting actors also arrived.

As soon as Lin Mo entered the room, everyone's eyes turned to him.

Zhang Yixing was the first to stand up, smiling and extending her hand: "Director Lin, hello, hello! It's so nice to finally meet you!"

Lin Mo shook his hand: "Teacher Yixing, it's an honor to meet you."

"Director Lin, please don't call me teacher, just call me Yixing." Zhang Yixing smiled shyly. "Director Lin, I've watched the whole thing in 'In the Name of the People,' it's amazing!"

Jin Chen stood up, her eyes sparkling: "Hello Director Lin, I'm Jin Chen."

"Hello, Teacher Jin Chen." Lin Mo shook hands with her.

"Director Lin, you're even more handsome than on TV," Jin Chen said with a smile, her tone sincere.

Wang Chuanjun walked over, adjusted his glasses, and extended his hand: "Director Lin, I'm Wang Chuanjun."

"Teacher Chuanjun, I've heard so much about you." Lin Mo shook his hand. "The role of Manager Lu can only be filled by you."

Wang Chuanjun laughed: "Director Lin, now that you say that, I feel a lot more pressure."

"Pressure is what drives motivation." Lin Mo smiled as well.

Sun Yang also stood up and extended his hand: "Director Lin, Sun Yang."

"Hello, Mr. Sun Yang." Lin Mo shook his hand. "The character Ah Cai doesn't have many scenes, but he's very important. You need to portray the feeling of him smiling while stabbing you in the back."

Sun Yang grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "Director Lin, don't worry, I've specifically practiced how to smile in a way that doesn't look like a good person."

The whole audience laughed.

Ms. Yongmei was the last to stand up. She didn't shake hands, but simply nodded slightly: "Director Lin, hello."

"Hello, Teacher Yongmei." Lin Mo bowed slightly, her attitude very respectful.

Yongmei is one of the actors he respects the most. She has been acting for more than 30 years. She is not competitive or vying for attention. She is down-to-earth and portrays every character with depth and life.

Director Sun arranged for everyone to sit down, and the waiters began to serve the dishes.

Before all the dishes were served, everyone had already started chatting.

Zhang Yixing spoke first: "Director Lin, I heard from Director Sun that this movie is based on a true story?"

Lin Mo nodded: "Yes, they all really happened. We reviewed the Ministry of Public Security's files on telecom fraud cases from the past two years, and all those details—being scammed, being beaten, escaping, and ransom—are true."

Zhang Yixing's expression turned serious: "Then my role..."

"The programmer Pan Sheng, whom you play, is the central character of the entire film." Lin Mo looked at him. "He's a recent graduate with excellent technical skills, but he was tricked into going to northern Myanmar while looking for a job. Once there, he realized he was involved in fraud. He tried to escape, but was caught and beaten. He tried to escape again, but was beaten again. Finally, he was rescued by the police."

Lin Mo paused, then added, "This character is based on a real person. The real person is currently undergoing rehabilitation."

There was a moment of silence in the private room.

Jin Chen asked softly, "Director Lin, what about my role?"

"You play Liang Anna, a model who was also tricked into going there," Lin Mo said. "Your character is more complex than Pan Sheng's because you were forced to do many things you didn't want to do in the fraud park. But your underlying nature is kind; you were forced, not acting voluntarily."

Jin Chen nodded and listened attentively.

Wang Chuanjun spoke up: "Director Lin, how would you like me to portray Manager Lu?"

Lin Mo looked at him and said seriously, "Teacher Chuanjun, the thing the character of Manager Lu is most afraid of is being portrayed as a stereotypical villain."

"What do you mean?"

"It's that kind of acting where they come out looking menacing and like a bad guy," Lin Mo said. "Real fraud bosses aren't like that. They might seem kind or even funny on the surface, but they're ruthless at heart. You have to portray them as normal people, even charismatic normal people, so that the audience will find them terrifying. Because a normal person doing bad things is more chilling than a bad guy."

After listening, Wang Chuanjun remained silent for a while, then nodded.

"Director Lin, I understand."

Sun Yang chimed in from the side, "Director Lin, what about me? How is Ah Cai supposed to act?"

Lin Mo looked at him: "Ah Cai is Manager Lu's most capable henchman, responsible for keeping an eye on the people in the park. He's all smiles on the surface, but he's the most ruthless. You need to portray that smiling tiger vibe—smiling as he talks to you, but the next second he'll break your legs."

Sun Yang grinned after hearing this.

That smile looked quite kind, but paired with his buzz cut and rugged features, it inexplicably sent chills down your spine.

Zhang Yixing shuddered beside him: "Brother Yang, stop laughing, I'm scared."

Sun Yang stopped smiling and patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be afraid, I only smile at bad people."

The whole audience laughed again.

Teacher Yongmei also asked, "Director Lin, the character I play, Zhao Dongran, is an anti-fraud police officer, right?"

"Yes," Lin Mo said. "Teacher Yongmei, this role doesn't have many scenes, but it's very important. She represents justice in the whole movie and is the audience's hope. You don't need to act very hard; just play an ordinary police officer and solve cases conscientiously. The more understated, the more powerful."

Yongmei nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Once all the dishes were served, everyone ate and chatted.

Zhang Yixing didn't eat much, and kept pestering Lin Mo to ask about the details of the role.

"Director Lin, were the scenes where Mr. Poon was beaten real or staged?"

"It'll be fake fighting, but I'll have the action director teach you how to make it look realistic," Lin Mo said. "You won't actually get hit, but the audience will feel like you did."

"That's good, that's good." Zhang Yixing breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, "What about... the escape scene? I heard it had to be a scene in the wild?"

"Yes, the filming took place in the suburbs, and we probably ran for a few hundred meters."

"A few hundred meters? That's alright."

"Running back and forth, all day long."

Zhang Yixing's face looks sagged.

Jin Chen laughed out loud: "Yixing, aren't you a dancer? Your stamina shouldn't be a problem."

"Dancing is dancing, running is running, they're two different things," Zhang Yixing said with a bitter face.

Wang Chuanjun, holding his teacup, said slowly, "Young man, it's good to suffer a little."

Zhang Yixing glanced at him and muttered, "Brother Chuanjun, you're playing a villain, of course it's easy for you."

Wang Chuanjun laughed: "You think playing a villain is easy? I'm playing Manager Lu, and I have to portray that feeling of killing with a smile. You give it a try?"

Zhang Yixing remained silent and did not speak.

A burst of laughter erupted in the private room.

Director Sun sat next to Lin Mo, quietly eating his food and occasionally interjecting with a word or two.

Seeing that everyone had finished chatting, he put down his chopsticks, stood up, and raised his glass.

"Come on, let me say a few words." Director Sun raised his glass. "Today's meal marks the first gathering of our 'All or Nothing' crew. Everyone here is a powerhouse of talent we've invited. I won't say much else, just one thing—this film has the full support of the Ministry of Public Security, and Director Lin is in complete charge. If you have any needs, feel free to contact Director Lin, or even me. Cheers!"

Everyone stood up and clinked glasses.

Lin Mo also stood up, holding his cup, and looked around.

These people are basically all from the lineup of "All or Nothing" in the previous life.

Zhang Yixing, Jin Chen, Wang Chuanjun, Yong Mei, Sun Yang...

The most suitable person was found for each role.