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

The remaining actors arrived one after another.

The actor playing Huang Mao was a young man named Zhang Yu, in his early twenties. He didn't talk much; he nodded as he entered and then found a corner to sit down.

When Wen Muye selected him, he told Lin Mo that this person only said three sentences during the audition, but his eyes were right.

soon.

Once everyone had arrived, Wen Muye stood in front of the long table, cleared his throat, and spoke in a much steadyer voice than half an hour ago: "Dear teachers, my name is Wen Muye, and I am the director of this play. This is Han Jianu, the screenwriter. This is Director Lin Molin, the producer. This is our first meeting today, mainly to get to know each other and chat about the characters; we're not rushing anything."

Xu Zheng leaned back in his chair and took a sip of water, Zhang Yi flipped through the script and occasionally made a mark with his pen, while Wang Chuanjun sat up straight the whole time.

Han Jianu distributed a copy of the script to each person and briefly explained the story's prototype and the original intention behind its creation.

Wen Muye then explained the general filming schedule—filming would begin in Shanghai in mid-May and last for two and a half months.

Lin Mo remained silent throughout. He only added when Wen Muye mentioned the filming schedule: "If we're filming in the summer, be careful to avoid heatstroke; the actors can't afford to be out of shape."

The meeting ended an hour later.

"Come on, let's take a group photo." Han Jianu stood up and called everyone to stand in front of the white wall in front of the conference room.

Xu Zheng stood in the middle, with Wang Chuanjun and Zhang Yu on his left, and Zhang Yi and Yang Xinming on his right.

Han Jianu and Wen Muye stood on either side, and Lin Mo was pulled by Han Jianu to Wen Muye's side.

"Director Lin, you have to stand here, and the producer must also be here," Han Jia said with a smile.

Click.

Colleagues from the publicity department of China Film Group took several photos.

"One more picture," the photographer said. "Director Lin, please relax your expression."

Lin Mo's lips curled up slightly.

Another one.

That evening, China Film Group's official Weibo account posted a group photo.

The caption reads: "The 'Medicine Gods' team is assembled, filming is about to begin. @Xu Zheng @Wang Chuanjun @Zhang Yi @Director Zhang Yu @Screenwriter Wen Muye @Producer Han Jia @Lin Mo."

The comment section exploded within three minutes.

"Xu Zheng playing Cheng Yong? A comedy film portraying realism?! Director Lin, are you serious?!"

"You upstairs haven't seen Xu Zheng act in serious dramas, have you? Xu Zheng acted in realistic dramas on the stage in his early years, so his skills are very solid."

"Wang Chuanjun is collaborating with Director Lin again!"

"Zhang Yi is here too! Playing a policeman again? Is Teacher Zhang Yi Director Lin's go-to policeman? Hahaha."

"How should I put it, this lineup isn't all top-tier talent, but everyone's acting is solid. Producer Lin Mo is indeed reliable."

"With a female screenwriter from South Korea and director Lin Mo, China Film Group is definitely promoting new talent."

"With Lin Mo overseeing things, I'm not afraid of newcomers. When has anyone he's chosen ever let me down?"

"I've already taken a group photo. Director Lin's forced-to-work expression in the corner is hilarious."

Lin Mo: You guys keep filming, I'll just watch from the sidelines and not say anything.

Mid-May, Shanghai.

Filming for "Dying to Survive" officially began at the Shanghai Film and Television Base.

The opening ceremony was conducted according to tradition—incense was offered, the red cloth was unveiled, and firecrackers were set off.

Xu Zheng, wearing Cheng Yong's wrinkled shirt, stood next to Wen Muye, holding the incense stick higher than anyone else.

Lin Mo missed the opening ceremony.

He had a meeting with the propaganda bureau in Beijing that day, and only flew to Shanghai after the meeting.

It was already past four in the afternoon when I arrived at the film set.

Wen Muye is filming the first scene—Cheng Yong is flipping through the account book in a health product store. There are no customers, and the fluorescent light tubes are broken and no one has replaced them, so they are flickering.

"Cut!" Fumino shouted, standing up from behind the monitor and rubbing his eyes.

Xu Zheng walked over: "Director Wen, how's this take?"

"The status is correct, but—" Fumino frowned as he looked at the monitor screen. "The flashing rhythm of the lights is wrong, it's too regular. Props! Can the lights flash randomly instead of being so rhythmic?"

Xu Zheng nodded in agreement: "Random flashing makes it even more annoying, okay."

Lin Mo stood outside the crowd and did not step forward.

Old Zhao appeared out of nowhere, carrying two bottles of mineral water: "Director Lin! You've arrived!"

"Old Zhao," Lin Mo said, taking the water, "how's the filming going?"

"Director Wen is quite meticulous." Old Zhao unscrewed his bottle and took a swig. "Today, we did seven takes for the first shot, all because of the light tubes. We had to change three light tubes before we were satisfied."

Lin Mo glanced at Wen Muye on the monitor.

The young director was squatting on the ground, gesturing to the cameraman about the angle, with an unlit cigarette between his fingers, and two shallow wrinkles already appeared on his forehead.

"Let him work on it," Lin Mo said. "What comes out of hard work is a masterpiece; what comes out of haste is a bad film."

He stayed on set for three days, just sitting next to the monitor each day and not saying much.

Wen Muye would occasionally turn around and ask, "Director Lin, what do you think of this scene?" and he would say a word or two. He wouldn't say anything unless asked.

Three days later he flew back to Yanjing.

After that, I would fly to Shanghai every two or three weeks, going on Friday and returning on Sunday.

Each time I went there, I would look at the footage, chat with Wen Muye for a few minutes, and have a meal with Lao Zhao—Lao Zhao was the executive director on set.

One afternoon in mid-June, Lin Mo had just returned from Shanghai and was sitting in his office finishing up some materials.

Director Wang called.

"Kobayashi, come up here."

Lin Mo went upstairs.

The air conditioner in Director Wang's office was broken, the window was open, and a small fan on the windowsill was whirring. Director Wang sat behind his desk with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pile of documents spread out in front of him.

"Have a seat." Director Wang gestured to the sofa. "How's things going in Shanghai?"

"It went quite smoothly. Director Wen is very meticulous in his filming, and the actors were also in good form."

"Alright then." Director Wang took a sip of tea. "I called you here today not to ask about the progress—there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

Lin Mo sat up straight.

"Your temporary assignment expires next month," Director Wang said, putting down his cup. "It's been a year, you know that?"

Lin Mo nodded.

"Old Han called and said the Supreme People's Procuratorate wants you to go back," Director Wang said calmly. "But the ministry doesn't really want to let you go. Sun Jianguo has mentioned it to me several times, saying it would be great if Xiao Lin could stay."

He paused, then looked at Lin Mo: "What are you thinking?"

Lin Mo was silent for a moment: "Director Wang, my official position is with the Supreme People's Procuratorate."

"I know." Director Wang leaned back in his chair. "So I've discussed it with Lao Han—you can go back, but the cooperation between the ministry and the Supreme People's Procuratorate cannot be interrupted. If there's a need here in the future, you'll have to come and help. It's not a temporary assignment, but a secondment, a temporary one."

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything."

Director Wang nodded, then changed the subject: "By the way, when will the movie 'Dying to Survive' be released?"

"Director Wen said the film would be completed before the end of the year, or at the earliest around New Year's Day."

"Okay." Director Wang stood up, walked to the window, his back to Lin Mo, his voice carrying a different kind of somberness than usual, "Xiao Lin, the subject you chose—medicine, medical treatment—is more difficult to film than anti-fraud or anti-gang campaigns. It's not just about good and bad people; it's about the system, about money, and about life."

He turned around and looked at Lin Mo: "But if you dare to make it, I believe you can make it well. When the film comes out, I'll be the first to see it."

Lin Mo stood up: "Director Wang, don't worry."

"Alright, go back now." Director Wang waved his hand and added, "Before your secondment expires, treat your propaganda department staff to a meal. Don't sneak away; leaving without saying goodbye is the most hurtful thing."

"I've got it."