I'm a Master in India

"You invested in a movie, but I'm not the leading lady!"

"Darling, that's just a low-budget film, only invested 3 million rupees. You're meant for blockbusters, aren't you?"

"I don't believe it!" Manisha squinted at him.

"There are some restricted scenes in it, you know."

"Huh?" Manisha was shocked.

"I told you it's a low-budget film. Without a bit of color, who would watch it?" Ron shrugged.

Manisha finally stopped being unreasonable; she was an ambitious Bollywood actress.

If she wanted to star in blockbusters later, it was best to avoid these low-budget films, as they could easily lower her standing.

"Oh, speaking of that movie, do you know Durga?" Ron asked her slyly.

"That goddess of war?" Having lived in India for so long, Manisha also had some understanding of famous mythological figures.

"Exactly, it's her."

"Are you a devotee of Durga?" Manisha asked.

"No, I want you to play her."

"Huh? Wasn't the leading lady for this movie already decided?"

"Oh, you didn't understand what I meant." Ron gave her a look. "The playing I'm talking about isn't in front of the camera, but at home."

"At home?" Manisha paused, then widened her eyes. "Oh! Allah above!"

"No, I'm above!" Ron corrected her.

Cosplay, he wanted to play that too.

And as a Brahmin lord, if he was going to play, he'd play something exciting.

Hmm, he needed to research what other goddesses there were in Hinduism.

It would be best to get some outfits, just like the statues in the temples. As an actress, Manisha would surely get into character quickly.

Ron wouldn't just take advantage of Manisha after making her work so hard.

He used his connections through Old Lal and Chandra to help Manisha secure supporting roles in two films.

Her filming schedule for this year was already full; her earlier complaint was purely him indulging her.

Especially after learning that Ron had started investing in films, Manisha clung to him even more.

Having worked in Bollywood for so long, this "Nepalese princess" clearly understood the power of capital.

Her family background was prominent, but their influence didn't extend far; Ron could become that support.

Alas, the burden on his shoulders had gotten a little heavier, after all, there were two more legs.

After leaving Manisha, Ron went to see Hela again.

This sister was preparing to go on vacation to Goa. Mumbai's monsoon season wasn't suitable for foreigners to stay long; she couldn't stand the humid weather.

"You came at a good time. If there's any passport business, help me delay it for a bit." She was packing things in her studio.

"I'm also here to say goodbye?" Ron shrugged.

"Where are you going? On vacation too?" Hela raised her head.

"Uttar Pradesh. A movie is being filmed there, and I'm visiting family while I'm at it."

"Alright, I'll still go to Goa." Hela instantly lost interest.

As a foreigner who had lived in India for four years, she knew very well what North India meant.

Foreigners, especially foreign women, should absolutely not try to go there, otherwise no one could guarantee what might happen.

"Oh, right, there's something you might need to help with."

"What?" Ron asked.

"A friend. She's run into some trouble. We can talk about it after we get back."

"No problem." Ron nodded in agreement.

"I knew you'd help me." Hela dropped what was in her hand and pulled him towards the studio door.

"What's wrong?" Ron was surprised.

"Hey, come inside with me!" Hela's tone was unquestionable.

The monsoon season is so long, there's always something to savor, right?

It was just tough on Ron; he didn't even have the energy left to go find Kavya.

Forget it, that's enough. Ron decided to be lazy.

Counting on his fingers, it seemed like all the 'grass around the nest' had been plucked clean.

After calling his friends around him, Ron officially set off for Uttar Pradesh.

He and Neha, along with Mary and a few others, flew directly from Mumbai to Varanasi.

Shiva Kumar, on the other hand, took the rest of the crew by train to Uttar Pradesh.

Are you kidding? Plane tickets cost several thousand rupees each; where would the crew get that kind of budget?

Train tickets were much cheaper, only 300 rupees for a sleeper berth, crossing the entire Indian subcontinent.

Shiva and the others had already set off earlier. Ron kept delaying until the first rain of the monsoon season arrived before hastily finalizing arrangements in Mumbai.

There was no other way. Sur Electronics' electric fans had just come off the production line, and he needed to make sure there were no issues before he could leave with peace of mind.

"Baba, should we bring some insect repellent?" Neha, like a happy golden finch, was hopping and skipping around the apartment.

"Varanasi isn't a primitive tribe, Neha. We don't need to prepare so many things." Ron was a little helpless.

"But it's not Mumbai." Neha still ended up stuffing that bottle of insect repellent into her suitcase.

That was also her hometown; she knew very well what things needed to be prepared.

Alright, she's happy today, let her be.

Having come home after more than a year in Mumbai, Neha's heart had already flown north.

At Mumbai airport, Ron looked at the girl next to Mary and the others, blinking in confusion.

"Miss Urmila?" He wasn't quite sure.

"Hello, Dr. Sur." Urmila shook his hand generously.

"You can't possibly make a nineteen-year-old girl squeeze onto a train." Mary, wearing sunglasses, smiled warmly.

"Of course, this is our leading actress." Ron fully agreed, then politely shook hands with Urmila's father.

Her family also came to the airport to see her off today. Her mother looked very worried, but her father quietly comforted her.

"Dr. Sur is a good person. Urmila is safe now."

When he first agreed to let his daughter star in this movie, it was because he heard Ron's name.

Seeing him today, as a father, he was greatly relieved.

Although Ron was surprised that Urmila would be traveling with them, he still warmly greeted her family.

After chatting for a bit, they said goodbye. Four girls, each with her own charm, followed Ron directly to the boarding gate.

This attracted the gaze of most men around them. Nothing else, the girls were simply too beautiful.

Ron was surrounded by the troubles of happiness; he enjoyed this feast for the eyes.

Oh dear, his Indian genes were stirring again.

It was just a shame about the 20,000 rupee first-class plane ticket; he spent the money but didn't get anything.

Flying from Mumbai to Varanasi takes only 3 hours, arriving much faster than Shiva and the others.

The city of Varanasi is very special, largely due to the Ganges River flowing through the city from south to north.

Legend has it that this river was formed by drops of water from Lord Shiva's hair falling at his feet and converging. The river water is connected to Lord Shiva's soul, and prayers here are particularly effective.

It became the holy river in the eyes of Hindus, and Varanasi also became a holy city.

Most devotees have this wish: they must visit Varanasi before they die, or die on the way to pilgrimage.

On special holy days, a million devotees will bathe and pray in the Ganges. Even on ordinary days, five thousand people will be worshipping on the banks of the Ganges.

Those devotees located in South India often set off more than a month in advance. If they don't have money for a train, they climb onto the roof or cling to the windows.

For this reason, the railway bureau even installed grilles on the train windows, but this didn't have much effect.

Although Varanasi is not the capital of Uttar Pradesh, it is more famous than Lucknow.

At least Mary and the others had heard of the holy city but didn't know the city of Lucknow.

"Why is the city built only on the left side of the Ganges, and there's nothing on the right?" Leena was very curious.

This is also a major characteristic of Varanasi. The Ganges flows through from south to north. On the left is Varanasi, and on the right is barren land.

Yes, there is nothing on the right side, completely and utterly barren land.

"Because everyone believes the other side of the river is an impure place, not even slums will be built there," Ron explained.

"That's too strange. And what are those large stone platforms in the river?"

"They are bathing ghats, and also cremation grounds."

"What!" Leena widened her eyes.

"On special holy days, people perform bathing rituals on them. Sometimes they are also used for cremating bodies. Look over there—"

Following the direction Ron pointed, Leena and the others saw thick smoke rising from a set of steps on the riverbank.

A body wrapped in a sari, carried on green bamboo poles, was placed into the flames. The surrounding family members continuously chanted scriptures, their expressions solemn.

"Oh, God!" Leena couldn't stand this scene.

"There are garlands on the sari, and the firewood is sandalwood. This is a rich family," Ron commented.

"A rich family?" they asked subconsciously.

"The poor are over there." Ron pointed, and a body floated past in the river water below their feet.

"Oh my god!" This time, even Mary couldn't hold back.

"Hindus believe that the Ganges is the place closest to the afterlife. Being reborn here is equivalent to getting a passport to the next life."

The greatest wish of many Hindus throughout their lives is to scatter their ashes on the waters of the Ganges.

People bathing, ashes, rotting body parts, feces, straw, decaying buffaloes, and various industrial waste acids.

This is the Ganges water, very rich in nutrients. Ron even drank a cup.

The old servant Abhi had someone fetch holy water from here back then; it was significantly effective.

Mary and the others stared at the Ganges without blinking. Neither of them had ever seen such a scene; it was completely different scenery from Mumbai.

The only thing that was the same was that there were also a few foreign backpackers here, constantly taking photos with their cameras from the tourist boats on the river.

"Alright, I'll take you around the city another day. For now, let's go find a place to stay."

Varanasi is also a tourist city. There are many hotels here, including high-class ones.

For safety considerations, Ron arranged for the group to stay at the best hotel in the city and left two bodyguards for them to use.

He needed to go back to his rural hometown first. Before things were sorted out there, how could he dare to take Mary and the others deep into the countryside?

The Sur family home was in the suburbs of Varanasi, less than ten kilometers from here. Ron had already notified his family in advance.

His parents had both passed away, but there were still family members, quite a few.

While in Mumbai, Ron hadn't contacted his hometown much, only making a call before returning.

When he arrived with Neha at the agreed-upon meeting place, he couldn't help but freeze the moment he got there.