In an office at the Film Bureau, a man in a suit placed an expensive bottle of baijiu on the coffee table, forcing a smile. "Deputy Director Shen, I apologize for the intrusion."
If Jiang Li and Sparkle were present, they would have recognized the suit-clad man bearing the baijiu as Boss Wang from their former company. His purpose at the Film Bureau was simple:
He had somehow learned that Jiang Li had already completed filming a movie and submitted it for review. Frankly, Boss Wang found it inconceivable that a film could be finished so quickly. At first, he refused to believe it.
But the information proved remarkably solid, prompting him to rush to the Film Bureau the very next day.
Working in the film industry inevitably involved dealing with officials from the Film Bureau, and over time, connections naturally formed.
Deputy Director Shen glanced at the baijiu on the table and pursed his lips. "Alright, get to the point. I have mountains of work to do."
Boss Wang rubbed his hands together nervously. "Well, it's nothing too serious, really. There's this girl named Jiang Li—she used to work for me just fine. But one day, she suddenly snapped, cursed out my son, and even punched me twice in the office."
Yes, Wang Ruodong, the person Jiang Li had fiercely criticized earlier, was actually Boss Wang's son. This explained why, despite Wang Ruodong's utter incompetence, Boss Wang had still entrusted him with the new script.
Boss Wang continued, "After that incident, I naturally fired that crazy girl immediately. But less than two weeks later, she somehow managed to produce a whole new film and finish shooting it? How is that even possible? It has to be a terrible movie, right? Deputy Director Shen, wouldn't it be grossly unfair to directors like us who spend months, even years, meticulously crafting quality films if a rushed, half-baked production like this could pass censorship?"
Clearly, Boss Wang had come specifically to antagonize Jiang Li.
Deputy Director Shen waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright. Whether a film passes censorship isn't my decision alone. It follows established procedures. If the film is truly as awful as you claim, it will naturally be rejected."
Of course, Boss Wang knew that despite Deputy Director Shen's polite words, his objective had already been achieved. After offering a few more words of gratitude, he bid farewell and turned to leave.
Deputy Director Shen didn't have the direct authority to declare a film "disqualified." However, now that he had accepted the gift, he would naturally pay closer attention to the matter, slightly increasing the chances of Jiang Li's film failing the review.
At first glance, this seemed like a clear-cut case of bribery. How could a Deputy Director of the Film Bureau jeopardize a film's approval for a single bottle of wine? It seemed rather strange.
But one must remember that the Dragon Nation is fundamentally a society built on personal connections and favors. Many might imagine that if they held such a position of power, they would be incorruptible paragons of virtue. In reality, such a superior would only be resented by their subordinates.
If a superior refused gifts, subordinates would lose their means of gaining favor. Moreover, a truly inflexible leader would inevitably strain their relationships with both superiors and subordinates, making it nearly impossible for them to rise through the ranks. As for Deputy Director Shen in this situation, was he truly guilty of bribery?
It wasn't really a favor at all, since Deputy Director Shen hadn't actually promised Boss Wang anything. If the film turned out to be a dud, he'd simply let it fail—that was the Film Bureau's job, after all. It was perfectly legitimate, and he'd even gain Boss Wang's gratitude in the process. But if the film was good, he wouldn't interfere at all.
Boss Wang left the Film Bureau beaming, only to encounter a strangely dressed person, completely covered from head to toe, entering as he exited. They brushed past each other, the newcomer heading straight for the reception desk. Boss Wang glanced briefly but paid no further attention.
As for the oddly dressed individual? It was naturally Robin. She removed her sunglasses and hat, and two small wings hidden beneath her hair slowly unfurled. She faced the stunned receptionist, clasped her hands together, tilted her head slightly, and winked cutely. "Please~ I have a small matter I'd like to discuss with the... Director? Could you help me get in touch?"
In theory, without an appointment or a valid reason, an ordinary person meeting the Director of the Film Bureau? It sounded utterly impossible.
After a moment's hesitation, the receptionist said, "Miss Robin, please wait here. I'll contact the Director immediately."
After all, Robin was clearly no ordinary person.
If an ordinary citizen had come, they would have been turned away without a second thought. But what if one of the "White Eagle Eight" showed up? Even without an appointment or a valid reason, their identity alone made refusal impossible.
Using the White Eagle Eight as an example might seem extreme, but Robin's fame and influence were undeniable. Though she was just a singer and a member of the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations with no real authority, her public profile was enormous.
For instance, the current Director of the Film Bureau was one of the two hundred Evolvers rescued during the Longcheng incident—all thanks to Robin's singing.
Of course, he wasn't the only Robin fan in the Film Bureau, just the most fervent.
News of Robin's arrival spread quickly. Deputy Director Shen, whose office was nearby, hurried to the entrance. "Miss Robin," he exclaimed, "don't just stand there! Please come in, come in!"
Robin's demeanor was almost unrecognizable from her earlier conversation with Boss Wang.
"No, no need," she said, shaking her head immediately. Just because someone was being humble didn't mean she would take advantage and act superior. In a soft voice, she explained, "I just wanted to ask about a friend's film that was submitted for review yesterday. How long do you think the review process will take? I personally really enjoyed the film, and I'd love to see it in theaters soon..."
She didn't explicitly ask the Film Bureau for help, but every word hinted at her desire for them to expedite the review.
Deputy Director Shen immediately understood Robin's unspoken request. "Which film is it?" he asked.
"My friend's name is Jiang Li," Robin replied. "I believe this is her first film."
Deputy Director Shen froze momentarily. Hmm? Why does that name sound so familiar?