He had just married a policewoman when he was diagnosed with criminal genius.

Are you shooting a promotional video?

Was it specifically requested by the provincial department to be filmed?

Ding Jianguo was stunned for several seconds, his mind buzzing.

He never expected that an ordinary community outreach event would eventually attract the attention of provincial leaders, who then commissioned them to film a promotional video.

"So, I'm just letting you know. After you hang up, come to headquarters immediately for a meeting to discuss how to shoot this promotional video." Zheng Gong's tone left no room for argument. "If the promotional video is well-made, it will be no less important than cracking a major case in Jiangbei City. You need to understand how important it is."

He paused, then added, "Besides you, the other branch chiefs will also be coming. Oh, and bring Xiao Jiang and her husband too; they're the main characters in this promotional video, they can't be absent."

"Okay!" Ding Jianguo replied, his mind already racing with plans for the next steps.

I felt both excited and slightly nervous.

After hanging up the phone, he stared at the screen for a few seconds, then muttered to himself, "Well, this is really bad..."

He quickly realized that he had been so focused on listening to the instructions from the provincial department that he had forgotten to report the bust of the underground casino.

But then I thought, I'm going to the municipal bureau soon, so reporting in person is just as good.

The heads of the other branch offices will also be there at that time.

Thinking of this, Ding Jianguo's lips curled up slightly.

He really wanted to see what kind of expressions his old rivals would have when they saw him.

……

Jiangbei Municipal Public Security Bureau, Municipal Bureau.

When Ding Jianguo arrived with Lu Chen and Jiang Xue, the leaders of the other branches had already arrived.

Seeing Ding Jianguo's beaming face and the undisguised smile in his eyes, the expressions of the branch bureau chiefs were not very pleasant.

They were notified at the last minute to attend a meeting at the Municipal Public Security Bureau. They already knew why it was for: the anti-gambling publicity campaign that went viral had made the Yuhua District Branch the talk of the town in the entire system.

And at this moment, the instigator stood right in front of them, his smugness on his face was beyond words.

Ding Jianguo walked into the conference room, glanced around, and took in the humiliated expressions of the people.

Especially Wang Feng, the director of the Longming District Branch, whose face was already dark, was several shades darker than usual at this moment.

Ding Jianguo felt incredibly relieved.

He slowly pulled out a chair and sat down, even straightening his collar and clearing his throat, putting on an air of "I'm in good shape today."

"Come on, Xiao Jiang, Xiao Lu, you two sit down next to me quickly, don't be shy," Ding Jianguo shouted at the top of his lungs, as if he was afraid no one would hear him.

Although Lu Chen had received prior notification from Ding Jianguo that the municipal bureau leaders wanted them to participate in the filming of an anti-gambling propaganda video, he did not expect the scale of the operation to be so large.

It seemed like all the branch office leaders had arrived. He and Jiang Xue exchanged a glance, somewhat speechless, but still obediently sat down.

Jiang Xue sat down close to Lu Chen, her palms slightly sweaty.

Although she was a graduate of the police academy, she had only been on the job for a short time, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous in front of a room full of leaders.

Fortunately, Lu Chen was by her side, which made her feel a little more at ease.

"Hey, everyone's here? You're here pretty early." Ding Jianguo greeted them with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate generosity.

"This incident was quite coincidental. It was just a routine anti-gambling campaign in the community by our branch, but who knew that the public would react so strongly and it would suddenly become a trending topic."

To be honest, I didn't even realize it.

He paused, then added, "The provincial leaders said they wanted to film a promotional video, and I'm truly filled with trepidation."

Lu Chen and Jiang Xue, standing nearby, lowered their heads, trying their best not to laugh.

The bureau chief wasn't showing any fear or trepidation; he was clearly smug and on the verge of losing his head.

Wang Feng from the Longming branch didn't even lift his eyelids, coldly snorting, "Director Ding, you can't be too blunt. You just got lucky this time, you just happened to catch the public's attention. Publicity work is all about perseverance; a one-off deal doesn't count as skill."

"Exactly." Old Zhou, the director of the Chang'an branch, chimed in, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "Old Ding, you've really made a name for yourselves this time, but don't get too cocky."

"Yes, even if it's good, it's just a good publicity campaign. The most important job of us police officers is to solve cases."

"Your branch office probably has the lowest case-solving rate, let alone major cases."

Wang Feng's words were blunt and his tone was laced with undisguised sourness.

Ding Jianguo wasn't annoyed at all; instead, his smile widened.

In the past, if you said their branch hadn't solved any major cases, they wouldn't complain. But now, their branch is a completely different story.

"Director Wang is right. Luck definitely played a big part in this publicity campaign." He deliberately dragged out the word. "But... luck also needs to be backed by ability, right? Look at our video, from planning to execution, that was real skill. Xiao Lu, don't you think?"

He turned and glanced at Lu Chen.

Lu Chen nodded quickly: "Yes, the director is right."

The other bureau chiefs, seeing his self-praising manner, felt a surge of jealousy and anger, but refused to back down.

Just then, Zheng Gong, director of the Jiangbei Municipal Bureau, walked into the conference room.

Behind him was a chubby young man who looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

Upon seeing Zheng Gong enter, everyone present stood up in unison.

"Haha, no need to be so polite, sit down!" Zheng Gong waved his hand with a smile, looking relaxed.

"Come, let me introduce you first—this is Sun Dazhi, a top student majoring in directing at the Yenching Academy of Drama, who has just graduated not long ago."

He paused, then added, "He's also from Jiangbei City. He'll be working with us on the filming of the anti-gambling propaganda video."

All eyes turned to the young man.

Sun Dazhi appears harmless, with a round face and a friendly smile. But upon closer inspection, his eyes reveal a shrewd and capable nature.

"Come, let me introduce you." Zheng Gong led Sun Dazhi to the conference table. "These are the directors of the various branch bureaus under the jurisdiction of Jiangbei City."

"Greetings, bureau chiefs. I am Sun Dazhi. Please take care of me." Sun Dazhi bowed with a smile, his voice not loud but steady.

The bureau chiefs nodded and responded politely.

Zheng Gong continued to lead him forward, until they arrived in front of Lu Chen and Jiang Xue.

"These two..." Zheng Gong had just started to speak when Sun Dazhi's eyes suddenly lit up, and a genuine look of surprise appeared on his face.

"You don't need to introduce these two, Brother Lu and Sister Jiang, right?"

Lu Chen was slightly taken aback, and Jiang Xue was also somewhat surprised.

"Brother Lu, you're even more handsome in real life than on camera!" Sun Dazhi's tone was filled with undisguised admiration. "Sister Jiang is also very beautiful."

He spoke sincerely, without a trace of flattery.

He was a graduate of the Yenching Academy of Drama, and had seen countless beautiful women and handsome men.

But he could confidently guarantee that, with Lu Chen and Jiang Xue's looks, they were definitely among the most beautiful and handsome students in their university.

Moreover, he knew a principle well: some people, even if they are very beautiful, lose some of their charm when they are on camera; while some people are born for the camera.

Sun Dazhi could tell that Lu Chen belonged to the latter category.