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

Just as everyone was having a lively time, the door opened.

Lin Mo walked in.

The private room fell silent for a moment.

He glanced around at everyone present and nodded: "Everyone's here."

It wasn't something like "Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules," nor was it something like "It's an honor to work with you all."

In short, it can be summed up in three words: "They've all arrived."

He sat down in the reserved seat, took a sip of the water the waiter had poured for him, and then looked up at everyone.

"You've read the script, haven't you?"

Everyone nodded.

"Okay." Lin Mo put down his water glass. "Ask me anything you want, whether it's about the character, the script, or the level of explicitness—it's better to ask now than after filming starts."

Lei Jiayin was the first to speak: "Director Lin, I've been thinking about the character Han Ming for several days. He's a grassroots prosecutor with a lot of cases on his hands and a lot of things to do at home. He carries the pressure forward, but he's not the kind of person who's passionate and outspoken—he's the kind of person who keeps things bottled up inside."

He looked at Lin Mo and said seriously, "I want to portray him as an ordinary person, not a hero, just an ordinary person."

After listening, Lin Mo nodded: "Yes, Han Ming is not a hero. His words don't count. He has superiors above him and parties involved below him. He's someone who operates in the cracks. But he has a bottom line—the law cannot yield to illegality. Just remember that."

Lei Jiayin nodded thoughtfully.

Ma Li then asked, "Director Lin, can I improvise a bit more in the scene where I argue with Han Ming?"

"Yes," Lin Mo said, "but there's one requirement—they can argue, but they can't let people think there's something wrong with their relationship. They argue because life is too stressful, not because they don't love each other."

After Lin Mo finished speaking, Ma Li paused for a moment, then slammed her hand on the table: "Director Lin, your summary is brilliant! The fiercer the argument, the tighter the hug—that's exactly how Lei Jiayin and I will act!"

Lei Jiayin chuckled to himself.

Fan Wei picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, looked at Lin Mo, and a smile overflowed from the corner of his eyes: "Director Lin, this is the first time we've worked together, but I've watched every single one of your films."

Lin Mo smiled and said, "Teacher Fan, I feel at ease knowing you can come."

"No, no, no." Fan waved his hand. "How many more years can I act with this old life of mine? It's my blessing to be able to act in your play."

Xu Yajun chimed in, "Teacher Fan, don't be modest. It's been three years since I finished filming 'In the Name of the People,' and people still call me Director Qi wherever I go. Last time I was pulled over by a traffic cop on the highway, I thought, 'Oh no, I'm speeding,' but the cop came over and saluted me—'Director Qi, hello, please drive safely.'"

The whole table burst into laughter.

Aruna laughed the loudest and said, "Teacher Xu, no one else gets this kind of treatment."

Gao Ye wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes and turned to look at Lin Mo: "Director Lin, we started working together on 'Raging Storm'. Back then, I played the eldest sister-in-law, and you told me that this role wasn't just a pretty face, but a pillar of strength. I didn't believe it at the time—how much of a splash could a supporting role make? But since it finished airing, all the scripts I've received are for leading roles."

Lin Mo picked up his water glass: "You managed to hold on by yourself."

"You gave me this opportunity." Gao Ye's tone became serious. "Not every director dares to give an important role to an unknown actor."

Zhang Yi nodded: "She's right."

Aruna stood up, holding her glass, and walked to Lin Mo's side. "Director Lin, I must toast you. Last time, you cast me as Li Hongwei in 'The Storm,' and after I finished filming, people pointed at me and cursed at me on the street. My mom called me while watching the show—'Son, how could you play such a character?' I said, 'Mom, the director trusted me. Most people couldn't play such a villain.' Later, Director Lin told me, 'Aruna, you have to play a villain again next time.' I said, 'Okay, the more villainous the better.'"

Lin Mo clinked glasses with him: "Liu Wenjing is worse than Li Hongwei, so be prepared."

"Ready!" Aruna patted her chest. "My mom's used to it anyway."

Xu Yajun joked from the side, "Does your mom not want you to come home anymore?"

"No, no, my mom is experienced now—she asks me first whether I'm playing a good guy or a bad guy, and if it's a bad guy, she scolds me first before watching."

Everyone laughed again.

An hour later, the dinner party ended.

Fan left first, and his assistant waited at the door. He shook hands with Lin Mo and said, "See you when the machine starts up."

Xu Yajun and Zhang Yi left together, chatting as they walked. Xu Yajun asked Zhang Yi if she had lost weight recently, to which Zhang Yi replied that she hadn't weighed herself.

Ma Li and Lei Jiayin were the last to leave. Lei Jiayin carried Ma Li's bag, and the two were still bickering at the elevator entrance. Ma Li said, "You should do fewer takes this time." Lei Jiayin replied, "Teacher Ma Li, if you speak your lines slowly, I can keep up."

The paparazzi took the first photo at 8:37 p.m.

Fan stood at the restaurant entrance waiting for his car; the lights illuminated his face clearly.

The paparazzi who took the photos was named Ah Hong. He was squatting on the second floor of the coffee shop across the street, with a telephoto lens mounted behind the glass. He was originally watching a popular young actor, but he unexpectedly stumbled upon this one.

"Holy crap, the range?" Ah Hong pressed the shutter twice.

Then Xu Yajun and Zhang Yi came out, and Ah Hong's eyes almost popped out, his fingers daring not to stop.

Then Zhao Liying, Lei Jiayin, Ma Li, Aruna, Gao Ye... one by one they walked out of the door.

Ah Hong's hands were numb from clapping.

Lin Mo was the last to come out. He was wearing a dark blue jacket. He said a few words to Gao Ye and Zhao Liying, and then got into the car.

At 10 p.m. that night, entertainment reporter Ahong posted a Weibo post.

Nine pictures were attached—Fan Wei, Xu Yajun, Zhang Yi, Zhao Liying, Lei Jiayin, Ma Li, Aruna, Gao Ye, and Lin Mo.

The caption reads: "Tonight, outside a restaurant in Beijing, half of the entertainment industry's top stars showed up: Fan Wei, Xu Yajun, Zhang Yi, Zhao Liying, Lei Jiayin, Ma Li, Aruna, Gao Ye—they all left at the same time. The last one to come out, the one in the blue jacket, you can identify him yourselves!"

Within half an hour, it became the number one trending topic: #LinMo'sNewDrama#

The comment section exploded.

"This lineup is suffocating!! Fan Wei + Xu Yajun + Zhang Yi + Zhao Liying + Lei Jiayin + Ma Li!!! What kind of god-like battle is this!!"

Director Lin: I've brought in all the best actors. You can watch and see for yourselves.

"Is this Zhao Liying's first time working with Director Lin? Liying is finally playing a realistic role!!"

"Ray Ka-yin + Ma Li? I'm already laughing."

"Aruna is here again, hahaha. Does Director Lin think he looks perfect for playing a villain?"