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

The news that "In the Name of the People" was scheduled for release caused a stir not only within the system.

The news spread throughout the entertainment industry.

Yang Mi had just finished filming a scene and returned to the dressing room to remove her makeup when her phone rang.

It was a video call from Dilraba.

Dilraba is currently applying a face mask in her hotel room, her hair is pinned up with clips, revealing a face covered in blemishes.

"Honey! Did you see it?" Dilraba's voice was filled with excitement.

"What are you looking at?" Yang Mi asked while wiping her face.

"Have you seen the trailer for 'In the Name of the People'? The anti-corruption drama produced by the Supreme People's Procuratorate?"

Yang Mi was taken aback: "When did you start paying attention to anti-corruption dramas?"

"It's not just me who cares, the whole internet is talking about it!" Dilraba put her phone on the bed and took two steps back so Yang Mi could see what was on her screen. "Look, look, it's third on the trending topics! And all positive reviews!"

Yang Mi took a closer look and indeed, the words "In the Name of the People" on Weibo were followed by the word "Explosive".

"Wu Gang, Zhang Zhijian, Zhang Fengyi, Xu Yajun... this lineup is really impressive." Yang Mi nodded. "But who's the director? Lin Mo? Never heard of him."

"I've never heard of him either." Dilraba removed her face mask and leaned closer to the screen. "But I asked a few seniors in the industry, and they said that this Lin Mo is from the Publicity Department of the Supreme People's Procuratorate. He's in his twenties and this is his first time directing a film."

"In your twenties? First time?" Yang Mi raised an eyebrow. "Someone from the Supreme People's Procuratorate is directing a film? That's quite a leap."

"You bet!" Dilraba's eyes sparkled. "But look at the quality of that trailer, it doesn't look like it was made by a newcomer."

Yang Mi laughed: "When did you become so interested in serious dramas? Aren't you the one who loves sweet romance dramas the most?"

"Oh, Sister Honey, isn't this what you taught me? You need to watch more good dramas to improve your acting skills." Dilraba chuckled. "Besides, this drama is full of veteran actors, I want to learn how they act."

"Okay, then study hard." Yang Mi leaned back in her chair. "Tell me about it later, whether it looks good or not."

Aren't you going to watch it?

"I'm not like you, I don't have time to watch TV series."

"Then you'll have to make time to watch it." Dilraba became serious. "I heard from a colleague that if this show becomes a hit, anti-corruption dramas might become a new trend. We actors need to keep an eye on the trends."

Yang Mi glanced at Dilraba and showed a surprised expression.

"Wow, Dilraba, you're even analyzing industry trends now?"

"Of course, after hanging out with Sister Mi for so long, I've learned a bit, haven't I?"

……

Time flies.

December in Yanjing is bitterly cold.

But the popularity of "In the Name of the People" is getting higher and higher every day.

Major media outlets also began to follow up with reports.

The People's Daily published a commentary titled "Is the Spring of Anti-Corruption Dramas Here?"

The article highlighted "In the Name of the People," stating that "this anti-corruption drama produced by the Supreme People's Procuratorate is expected to become a phenomenal work of the year."

CCTV went all out to promote the show, airing a trailer during prime time every day to remind viewers to tune in.

On Weibo, the topic has garnered over one billion views.

Countless netizens left messages under the official Weibo post, counting down the days until the premiere.

"Why isn't it December 20th yet?!"

"The whole family got together to watch the Supreme People's Procuratorate's anti-corruption drama!"

"My mom asked me why I was kneeling and waiting for a TV series."

"To be honest, it's been a long time since I've looked forward to a domestic drama this much."

Finally, December 20th arrived.

……

That night, Lin Mo did not return to his rented room.

Old Han invited him to his home.

"If you go home alone, you'll just be watching TV anyway. Come to my house, your aunt cooks delicious food, and the two of us can eat and watch TV together."

Lin Mo couldn't refuse, so he went.

Old Han's family lives in an old neighborhood near the Third Ring Road in Kyoto. It's not big, but it's very cozy.

Aunt Han, whose surname is Wang, is a retired teacher and a very kind person. Knowing that Lin Mo was coming, she specially prepared a few extra dishes.

Braised pork ribs, steamed sea bass, garlic broccoli, and a chicken soup.

"Xiao Lin, eat more, you're so thin." Aunt Han kept putting food into Lin Mo's bowl.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Old Han picked up his glass and said, "Come on, Xiao Lin, let's have a drink together. Tonight is a big night."

Lin Mo picked up his cup, clinked it against his glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

Time passed by, second by second.

7:55.

Old Han put down his chopsticks, picked up the remote control, and tuned to CCTV-1.

The screen is showing the weather forecast following the evening news broadcast.

"Almost there, almost there." Old Han rubbed his hands together, a rare hint of nervousness showing on his face.

Lin Mo was actually nervous too.

My palms were sweating.

But he maintained a facade, holding his teacup and pretending to be calm.

It's exactly eight o'clock.

The image on the screen changed.

The opening theme song begins.

The four large characters "In the Name of the People" slowly appeared on the screen.

Old Han leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, and looked calm.

He had already seen this movie.

But Sister Han is different.

This was her first time watching it.

The opening sequence was tightly edited, with close-ups of each character flashing by.

Aunt Han's chopsticks froze in mid-air as she stared intently at the television.

"This...this is what you filmed?" Aunt Han turned to look at Old Han.

Old Han nodded and pointed at Lin Mo: "He took the picture."

Aunt Han looked at Lin Mo again, her eyes filled with shock.

The first episode begins.

Hou Liangping received a tip-off call and led a group of people to Zhao Dehan's house overnight.

In the old neighborhood, in the dimly lit stairwell, Zhao Dehan, wearing an old jacket, ate noodles with soybean paste.

"Director Zhao, we are from the Supreme People's Procuratorate. Please cooperate with the investigation."

"Supreme People's Procuratorate? Comrade, are you mistaken? I haven't embezzled a single penny."

Zhao Dehan's honest and innocent appearance was portrayed perfectly.

Aunt Han was so engrossed in watching that she put down her chopsticks completely.

The scene shifts to Zhao Dehan's secret mansion.

The wall that had been converted from a refrigerated display case was opened up.

Stacks of cash, neatly arranged, filled the entire scene.

Mrs. Han gasped, "Wow—how much would this cost?!"

Old Han glanced at her, a smile playing on his lips, but said nothing.

Zhao Dehan's legs went weak, and he was supported by two staff members, crying his heart out.

"I didn't spend a single penny! I didn't dare spend any! I'm terrified of being poor!"

One episode lasts forty-five minutes.

It was only after the time was up that Han's wife came to her senses and turned to look at Lin Mo.

"Kobayashi, did you really take this picture?"

Lin Mo smiled and said, "Auntie, I filmed it, but the actors performed very well."

"Don't be modest," Aunt Han waved her hand. "I've watched so many TV dramas over the years, and I've never seen one this captivating. If the first episode is this intense, what will the rest be like?"

Old Han chuckled beside him, "You're only realizing this now? I told you long ago, Xiao Lin is a genius."

It was almost 10 p.m. when the second episode finished airing.

Old Han turned off the TV and looked back at Lin Mo.

"How are you feeling?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment and then said two words.

"It was worth it."

Aunt Han chimed in from the side, "It's not just worth it, it's way too worth it! Xiao Lin, I'm going to tell all the ladies at the square dance tomorrow that this show is a must-see!"

Old Han laughed heartily: "Don't your girlfriends usually only watch dramas about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships?"

"I'm tired of watching mother-in-law/daughter-in-law dramas! Can't we try something different?"