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

In mid-March, China Film Group's official Weibo account posted a message.

"@China Film Group: Recently, the film 'Dying to Survive,' produced by our company, has officially entered the preparation stage. The film is written by @Han Jia Nu, directed by @Wen Mu Ye, and produced by @Lin Mo. The film focuses on realistic themes and tells a story about life and hope. Please stay tuned for more information."

The accompanying image is a concept poster—on a white background, there is a pill in the center, with the pill's shadow stretched out long, like a person's back.

The comments section exploded.

"It's finally official!!! Director Lam is indeed the producer!!!"

"Who is Wen Muye? Never heard of him. But I'm not afraid of Lin Mo as the producer."

"Is Han Jianu Han Sanping's daughter? This lineup is interesting: the daughter of a big shot writes the script, a new director directs, and Lin Mo oversees the process."

"Wait a minute, Lin Mo is the producer, so he's not filming it himself?"

"Don't rush upstairs, the production and directing can be done simultaneously. Maybe Director Lin is also working on the script himself."

"Looking forward to the cast! Casting is very important for this subject matter!"

"Seriously speaking, no one in China has ever made a good film on this kind of realistic medical subject. With Lin Mo overseeing it, I think it can be successful."

Meanwhile, things are also getting lively in "The Medicine God Xiaoqun".

Han Jia posted a screenshot of the official announcement on Weibo to the group chat: "It's official!!! Director Lin, Director Wen, did you see it!!!"

Wen Muye replied instantly: "I saw it! I'm so excited! My hand slipped while I was eating in the cafeteria and I spilled soup on my pants."

Han Jianu sent a string of laughing emojis.

After a moment of silence, Wen Muye sent another very solemn message: "Director Lin, Ms. Han, I know this is my first commercial feature film, and also my first time working with China Film Group. I'm under so much pressure right now that I go over the script in my head every night before bed, but I also want everyone to know—I will not let this opportunity down. I will not let this story down."

Lin Mo looked at the text and typed a few words.

"High pressure is a good thing. People who are always thinking about nothing can't do their jobs well. We'll start casting next week. Director Wen, during rehearsals, don't just look at the actors' performances, pay more attention to their state of mind. If they're not in the right state of mind, even the best acting skills will be wasted."

Fumino: "Received!"

Han Jianu: "Received!"

Lin Mo: "Alright, get to work."

In early April, willow catkins filled the air in Yanjing (Beijing).

Lin Mo's days continued at a leisurely pace.

I arrive at the office at nine o'clock every morning, read briefings, drink tea, occasionally take a stroll around the publicity bureau's filming studio, eat lunch in the canteen, and continue to stay in the office in the afternoon.

Wen Muye is preparing for "Dying to Survive" and has already cast several actors. The conversation with Xu Zheng went very smoothly. As Lin Mo suggested, Wen Muye didn't mention the possibility of a career change, only saying that a good story needs a good actor.

Xu Zheng returned the call the next day after reading the script.

In short: "I'll act in this play. Money is not an issue."

When Wen Muye called Lin Mo to report, his voice was trembling with excitement. Lin Mo smiled and said that was just Xu Zheng's personality. Wen Muye then asked for the opinions of several supporting actors.

Lin Mo gave him a name—Wang Chuanjun.

Wen Muye was taken aback: "That Manager Lu from 'All or Nothing'?"

"Yes, let him play Lü Shouyi."

Wen Muye didn't ask any more questions and agreed.

Then he gave it another name—Zhang Yiyan played Cao Bin.

Wen Muye paused for a moment: "Cao Bin is a policeman, he doesn't have many scenes."

"Zhang Yi doesn't pick and choose roles, big or small," Lin Mo said. "If you tell him there's a police role, he'll take it."

Wen Muye called Zhang Yi.

After hearing the character description, Zhang Yi remained silent for three seconds before asking a question: "What kind of person is this policeman in the script?"

Wen Muye said he was a person struggling between legal principles and human sentiment.

Zhang Yi said, "I accepted."

Just those two words, not even a period.

......

soon.

News came from China Film Group – the first official meeting of the "Dying to Survive" crew is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in the conference room of the China Film Group building.

When Lin Mo received Han Jianu's call, he was sitting in his office reviewing a briefing.

"Director Lin, all the actors will be here by 2 PM on Wednesday. Director Wen said he would like you to come too."

Lin Mo thought for a moment: "Is Chairman Han coming?"

"My dad said he'll come when he has time, but it's not certain."

"Okay, I'll go."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Mo leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

Xu Zheng, Zhang Yi, Wang Chuanjun... these names circled in his mind.

The cast of "Dying to Survive" in its previous life was already strong enough, so the cast assembled in this world won't be bad either.

He wasn't nervous at all.

As for the producer, they can just sit on the sidelines.

On Wednesday afternoon, Lin Mo arrived half an hour earlier than the agreed time.

This wasn't his first time at the China Film Building; the security guard at the entrance already recognized him and greeted him with a smile.

When they arrived at the sixth-floor conference room, Wen Muye was already inside.

He was standing in front of the long table, placing name tags on each seat, the name tags arranged neatly.

"Director Wen, are you nervous?" Lin Mo walked in.

Wen Muye looked up, his face showing a mixture of excitement and tension: "Director Lin, you're here. I'm a little nervous. This is the first time I've met so many actors, and I'm afraid I won't do a good job."

"What are you afraid of?" Lin Mo pulled up a chair and sat down. "You're the director, they listen to you. If they don't listen to you, then come to me."

Wen Muye smiled, his tension easing a little.

Han Jianu came in at this moment, carrying several cups of coffee. Seeing Lin Mo, she handed him one first: "Director Lin, Americano, no sugar."

"Thank you." Lin Mo took it and took a sip.

Han Jianu was wearing a navy blue shirt today, and her hair was tied up. She looked much more capable than when we last met. She shared a cup of coffee with Wen Muye, kept one for herself, and sat down at the long table.

"Hey, did you bring the script?"

"I brought them." Han Jianu took out several printed scripts from her bag and placed them on the table. "Everyone has a copy."

Lin Mo nodded.

Footsteps sounded at the door.

Xu Zheng was the first to enter.

He was wearing a gray jacket. He glanced around at everyone in the room as he entered, and his eyes lit up when he saw Lin Mo.

"Director Lin!" He strode over and extended his hand. "We've finally met. I've been waiting for today ever since we talked on the phone last time."

Lin Mo stood up and shook hands with him: "Professor Xu Zheng, I've kept you waiting."

"Don't call me teacher." Xu Zheng shook Lin Mo's hand twice before letting go, his smile genuine. "Just call me Xu Zheng. I've watched all three of your films, analyzing them one by one."

Lin Mo listened to this long string of words and smiled: "You've researched it in such detail?"

"Absolutely. I've been acting in comedies for over twenty years and have always been looking for an opportunity to do something different. When Director Man gave me the script, I read it in one go until 3 a.m."

He paused, his tone becoming very serious: "I want to play the role of Cheng Yong, not because he is so great, but because he is real. He started out as someone who wanted to make money, but later became someone who was willing to spend his own money. I think I can portray this transformation well."

Lin Mo looked at him and recalled Xu Zheng's face in the movie "Dying to Survive" from her previous life—when he cried his heart out in front of the camera, the entire movie theater cried along with him.

That wasn't acted out; it was what a comedian revealed after peeling away all his outer shell.

"This role is yours," Lin Mo said. "But there's one thing—the director of this film is Director Wen, not me. You'll have to discuss it with him more."

Xu Zheng turned and glanced at Wen Muye.

"Director Wen, don't worry." Xu Zheng nodded to him. "I'm just an actor. I'll act the way you direct me. I'll tell you my ideas in advance, but I'll listen to you in the end."

Wen Muye took a breath and steadied his voice: "Brother Zheng, I've been thinking about the role of Cheng Yong for almost half a year. I feel half at ease knowing you've taken it."

"Half?" Xu Zheng laughed. "And the other half?"

"The other half consists of the other teachers," Fumino glanced at the door. "They should be here soon."

No sooner had he finished speaking than there was another sound at the door.

Wang Chuanjun came in.

He was wearing a dark blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Compared to when he filmed "All or Nothing," his demeanor had become more somber.

As soon as he entered, he glanced at Lin Mo, said nothing polite, and nodded: "Director Lin."

"Chuanjun," Lin Mo nodded.

The two exchanged no more than three seconds, but Fumino could tell from the side that this unspoken understanding was something only people who had worked together before could achieve.

Wang Chuanjun turned to Wen Muye and extended his hand: "Director Wen, hello, I am Wang Chuanjun."

Next to enter was Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi was wearing a black coat. He entered with light steps, first nodding slightly to everyone in the room, and then his gaze fell on Lin Mo.

"Director Lin."

"Brother Yi".

Lin Mo said.

Zhang Yi smiled.

Wen Muye quickly went to greet him: "Hello, Teacher Zhang Yi, I am Wen Muye."

Zhang Yi shook hands with him: "Director Wen, I've read the script three times. The character Cao Bin—"

He paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words.

"The role of Cao Bin is very difficult," Zhang Yi said slowly. "He is not the main character, but he carries a line between law and human sentiment. He is on the side of law, but his sister is on the side of human sentiment. I have been thinking about how to play him so that the audience will not hate him.

Wen Muye's expression changed from tense to focused, and he nodded repeatedly: "Teacher Zhang Yi, what you said is exactly what I was most worried about. If Cao Bin doesn't handle the situation well, the audience will think he is a cold-blooded person."