People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Miss Swire, it's been a long time."

"Yeah, long time no see."

Looking at Ernst's outstretched hand, Swire smiled slightly, extended his own hand, and grasped Ernst's hand.

You could tell she was very enthusiastic; her handshake was very forceful, extremely forceful, as if she wanted to pour all her enthusiasm into it!

"Ouch!"

Only when Ernst let out a low groan of pain did Swire release his grip with satisfaction, letting out a long sigh of relief, his face showing a look of complete comfort.

Ernst rubbed his fingers, looking aggrieved, his face full of confusion:

"Oh dear, Miss Swire, what are you doing?"

"I haven't seen Mr. Ernst in a while, I was a little excited and didn't pay attention to my strength. Did I hurt you?"

"It's not exactly painful."

Ernst bit his lip and shook his head in denial.

"I thought I had offended you somehow."

"Nonsense, how could Mr. Ernst offend me? You've been making a big splash at the World Summit lately, I'm trying to curry favor with you."

Swire joked.

"I just wonder, how does Mr. Ernst treat his employees and subordinates?"

Ernst glanced at Holheimer, who stood silently to the side, eyes downcast.

"I think I'm alright, right?"

"Then let's calculate my workers' compensation," Shi Huaisiya said. (5) Lu

Ernst was taken aback: "What?"

"Work injury compensation." Swire looked at Ernst, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Have you even seen the films of that famous director you recommended to me?"

Ernst shuddered, shook his head, and was about to say something when Swire interrupted him:

"My God, Mr. Ernst, where did you dig that bastard out of? She's a real gem! She's struck gold!"

"She had no prior work. I thought you'd discovered some incredibly talented newcomer and had her make a short film. And what happened?"

Swire raised her fingers and broke them off one by one, accusing a certain famous director (who claimed to be famous) of numerous crimes:

"Shit-like camerawork, chuunibyou-like dialogue, crazy money-burning but meaningless special effects, costumes and aesthetic standards from hundreds of years ago! And chili peppers that are everywhere in the short film for some reason but whose symbolic meaning is unclear!"

As she spoke, her voice even took on a hint of madness and a sob.

"And what a load of rubbish! What a script! Why did the plot of a mad scientist destroying the world suddenly turn into a romance between a domineering CEO and a yandere heroine?! Were all those expensive explosion effects just for lighting up the heroine's entrance? And why was there a twist at the end? How did the scientist become the heroine's Perot?!"

Ernst: ""

Seeing that Swire was getting more and more agitated and breathless as she spoke, and was even about to smash the table, Ernst quickly stopped her.

"Um, Ms. Swire, is your work from 2010 really that bad?"

Swire abruptly raised his head, his sharp gaze fixed on Ernst: "Why don't you take a look for yourself?"

"Uh"

Ernst looked away.

You've already tasted this, wouldn't it be impolite for me to taste it again?

But no matter what, Nian is still a behemoth, right? Shouldn't a dignified agent of the Year Beast be doing their job properly? Why is it so exaggerated?

Holhaya was obviously also a little puzzled by this. She knew Nian's identity, so she just subconsciously felt a little suspicious. Could it be like when she built the statue for the great god Yeragand? It wasn't that exaggerated. It was just that the perspectives of ordinary people and giant beasts were different.

She then spoke:

"Um, Ms. Shih Huai-ya, calm down. Let me explain from a different angle; maybe it will make you feel better?"

"What do you mean?" Shi Huaiya was stunned.

“Give it a try,” Holhaya insisted. “Just think of it as seeing a therapist. I’m licensed.”

Swire gave Holheimer a suspicious look.

Holhaya remained unfazed; she actually did have a license to be a psychologist.

Swire then said, "The camera movement is like shit."

Holhaya replied, "A highly creative use of camera angles."

Shih Huai-ya was taken aback: "Those are lines that sound like something out of a chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)."

Holhaya: "The lines are full of youthful energy, making people feel excited!"

Shih Huai-ya's facial muscles twitched twice: "Special effects that cost a fortune but have no meaning?"

Holhaya stroked her chin: "The investors have ample funds and are willing to invest heavily in refining every detail!"

Shih Huai-ya, who was practically living in Bengbu, said, "That... seems to be the costumes, props, and aesthetic standards from hundreds of years ago?"

Holhaya smiled and said, "Authentic, with extremely sophisticated costumes, props, and aesthetics."

Swire was speechless: "What about the chili peppers? That damn chili pepper that I don't even know what use it is?"

Holly patted Swire's shoulder and explained softly, "Lu retains the director's personal style, and the iconic items that run throughout the film will bring you an unprecedented audiovisual experience."

Swire laughed: "A script?"

Holhaya pursed her lips. The script was indeed the most difficult part to handle; after all, even she found the plot abstract.

But that's okay. Difficult to handle doesn't mean unmanageable; she has extensive public relations experience.

"A genius screenwriter's debut novel, bringing you a postmodern, abstract, deconstructive satire of reality!"

"If you understand it, applaud. If you don't, it's because you're not good enough to understand. Just hire a couple of paid trolls to write some analysis and post it online, then buy some press releases and repeat it a couple of times. You've heard the story of Sargon and the King of Kings' New Clothes, right? Nobody will admit to being an idiot."

Swire quickly stood up, clasped his hands together, and bowed to Horhaya.

"Please come and sit down."

Of course, that was just a joke.

Schweitzer quickly sat down again, and Holheimer moved a stool next to Ernst to sit down as well.

The little tiger genuinely admired Horhaiya's ability to lie through her teeth. And what's more, her lies always sounded surprisingly plausible.

She couldn't help but glance at Ernst a few more times, as if wondering whether Horhyah was naturally good at these things, or whether Ernst had corrupted Horhyah.

Ernst had no idea what she was thinking; if he had, he would have cried out that he was innocent.

He knew a little about public relations, but he didn't use it often. After all, he hadn't worked in external communications in his previous life, and besides, sometimes no response is the best response.

Swire didn't dwell on the matter too much. Although Holhaya's words were rather abstract, her performance was truly excellent, and being interrupted by her made her feel much better.

She simply shook her head, expressed her sincere gratitude to the renowned director, and wished him "a life filled with dreams, and each person's life shining brightly."

"In short, I can't bring her into the production team. I'm afraid the directors I hired will be furious."

Ernst could only scratch his head awkwardly and chuckle: "Wu..."

"It's up to you, it's up to you. But even if she doesn't become a director, you can still arrange some other work for her."

"Other jobs?" Shi Huaiya asked, puzzled.

Ernst gave an example: "For instance, she's very skilled at making props, both big and small."

He had an agreement with Yan Guo that prevented him from revealing Nian and the others' identities. Shi Huaiya was clearly surprised that Nian possessed such abilities.

If Ernst is telling the truth, that year it did indeed save them a lot of money.

In this way, they will have more funds available in other areas.

Swire used all of his savings to invest in this film. Although it wasn't a small amount, it was better to spend it wisely than to waste it.

This is why she was angry about so many "nonsense" things throughout the year.

Having received Ernst's affirmative reply, Swire also relented: Flow

"Alright then, but you'll have to ask her to come to Blue Card Dock herself."

Lancashire is Columbia's film and television hub, similar to Hollywood in the United States and Hengdian in China. Swire rented a studio there.

"I'm afraid that won't work," Ernst shook his head. "If possible, Miss Swire, why don't you come yourself?"

"Her situation is somewhat special."

Shih Huai-ya frowned slightly, but still nodded: "That's fine too."

She then changed the subject: "But, on another note, Mr. Ernst, didn't you say you were going to recommend a few actors? Have you found any?"

"this"

Ernst sighed.

Have you found them? Yes, we have, but they're not really available to film movies right now.

Abrahman has already revealed her identity as Draco, and things are in chaos in Londinium. The Duke of Wellington's situation is unknown. How could she possibly come here to film a movie?

If Abrahama doesn't come, it's impossible for Rafishini to appear alone; it's too politically sensitive, as it would make the film appear to be openly supporting Abrahama.

Vina doesn't face that risk. She is a legitimate descendant of the royal family and wasn't involved in the Lentinium affair. While making a movie might cause some controversy, the problem isn't too serious.

The problem is, Vina is also a public official in the Sherag government. It's fine for her to make a cameo appearance, but if she plays the lead role directly, how can she continue her work?

Ideally, she would be like Ernst, making a brief appearance, playing one of two minor, insignificant roles, serving as an Easter egg, and that would be sufficient.

Ernst is somewhat helpless about the current situation. It can only be said that plans can't keep up with changes; the sisters, who might have met in the studio, are now out of the question.

That's how war works; with unimaginable violence, it brutally alters the life trajectories of countless people, and often, it can be a complete transformation.

This is also why Ernst was so opposed to war.

It's just too cruel.

After sighing, Ernst could only answer truthfully:

"It's not possible for now. The actors I originally planned to invite to play the main roles are all very busy right now."

Busy with official duties, busy with war, busy being a small stove.

"As for the lead role, Swire, you can choose the actor yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, tell me, and I can help you figure something out."

Swire looked into Ernst's eyes, seemingly sensing the sadness and helplessness within them, and chose not to ask any further questions, simply nodding gently.

"I understand. Then about your cameo appearance with Miss Vina."

"no problem."

Swire nodded and stood up:

"Well then, I'll take my leave now, Mr. Ernst."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Ernst nodded with a wry smile: "Thank you for your kind words."

Chapter 629 The Neighboring Country's President Kaka Who Occasionally Calls Him Father in an Unknown Language

Columbia, Mark Maxwell District.

Today is Ernst's last day in the Mark Maxwell district.

As expected, the president asked to meet with him again.

Ever since his first day in Colombia and that conversation with Mark Max, Ernst has been summoned by Mark Max every day for various reasons.

It could be a diplomatic reception with a meal together, or it could be an incognito visit where everyone could stroll around the special economic zone together. Mark Max even took the initiative to propose many ideas that Ernst considered "bold".

For example, he plans to build a specialized launch tower on the Columbia frontier to take over from Sherag for the next satellite launch mission. Or he might allocate a dedicated area for developing naval warships that are currently considered "undevelopable" in Terra. He even intends to establish a secret base specifically for airships, "strategic weapons," and further research into "Originium."

Ernst didn't know how many of these ideas were just jokes from the Colombian president Mark Max, or how many were things he genuinely wanted to put into practice in the future.

He even felt that perhaps, there was no need for a future.

When Mark Max talked to himself about these grand plans, he may have already started working on them.

Rather than a conspiracy, Ernst felt that Mark Max was testing him. He had included some issues that might have special implications in that series of complicated ideas and dumped them all on Ernst, ostensibly to "let the far-sighted interim secretary-general of the World Summit assess the feasibility in advance." In reality, he wanted to see if Ernst would have any interesting reactions to those special issues.

Ernst really didn't know how he should react.

Today is no exception.