Directing in the Ark, Success If Not Banned

"Look, I've even seen their promotional video online, but there's no news about them showing it in Lungmen. They're just using this promotional video to deliberately annoy us."

"—Show me the promotional video."

However, Chen couldn't bother with all that. She snatched Swire's phone, expertly unlocked Swire's passcode, and found the video through the viewing history.

This time, Swire didn't rush. She stayed by Chen's side and watched the promotional video again. When the lyrics of "In the Name of the Father" started, she even swayed her body gently to the rhythm, looking incredibly cool.

Six minutes later, Chen finished watching the promotional video in a state of silence and focus. Before Chen could react, Swire, as if hoping others would recognize her idol, asked impatiently:

"How was it? Isn't it great?"

"...To be honest, I find this song a bit strange. It's very different from many songs in Lungmen and Yan."

It took Chen quite a while to snap back to reality. Perhaps she was too focused on every detail in the promotional video, causing her to get lost in it, leaving only a sense of strangeness about the song.

She couldn't say if the song was good or not, it just felt strange, unlike any song she had ever heard...

"Tch, you have no taste. This song is a work of art!"

Seeing that Chen didn't seem to appreciate the song she highly praised, Swire showed a look of disdain. She snatched her phone back and said to Chen:

"Just for this song, I'm willing to believe that 'The Godfather' is definitely a good movie. I don't want to miss this movie in Lungmen, nor do I want to travel all the way to Syracuse for the premiere!"

"...So, what's your plan?" Chen secretly nodded at her words, but quickly realized Swire's intention and asked with a suspicious look:

"If you're hoping to persuade Commander Wei Yanyu through me to show this movie in Lungmen, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

"Commander Wei Yanyu won't allow any movie or TV show that might exacerbate Lungmen's public safety issues to be released at this time. Have you forgotten the trouble 'Young and Dangerous' brought us, which we're still dealing with?"

"Are you stupid? Anyone can pretend to be a thug from 'Young and Dangerous,' but compared to real mafia bosses, they're way out of their league!"

However, when Swire heard Chen equating the characters from "Young and Dangerous" with "The Godfather," she immediately became furious. Even Chen was startled by Swire's reaction.

Although the two often argued, this time Chen genuinely didn't understand why Swire was so angry... It was as if Chen had desecrated something the latter held very dear, leaving Chen bewildered.

"...But aren't they all thugs?"

"That's different. Civilized bandits have far more methods than these street thugs. They don't need to smash and grab things every day; they cloak themselves in legitimacy!"

Swire tried her best to explain the mafia as she understood it to Chen, but she knew these words couldn't be explained clearly in a short time. She said anxiously:

"Anyway, in a place like Lungmen, instead of letting those kids imitate 'Young and Dangerous,' it's better to attract them with the style and status of the mafia. I guarantee that after watching 'The Godfather,' they'll immediately forget about those low-level thug behaviors."

"In the future, you might see those kids who used to have tattoos and smoke suddenly transform into well-dressed gentlemen in suits."

"And once they're captivated by that feeling, the harm caused by these impressionable kids will be greatly reduced—after all, they have no way to get firearms and weapons in Lungmen, so wouldn't that make them much easier to manage?"

With Swire's explanation, Chen vaguely nodded. She felt that what Swire said made sense... If "The Godfather" could truly change the unrest caused by "Young and Dangerous" in Lungmen, then she had to ensure "The Godfather" was also shown in Lungmen.

Moreover... after all, it was a movie painstakingly filmed by Little Ta and Chen Qi. Although it was still a movie about illegal activities, they seemed to have toned it down quite a bit based on the promotional video?

There shouldn't be anything in this movie that warrants a ban, right?

"Really... why do they always make movies that are so difficult to get approved?"

Chen rubbed her head with a headache but finally made up her mind. She immediately got up and said to Swire beside her:

"—Let's go find Wei... No, let's go find Madam Wenyue."

"I'll call Chen Qi first." At this moment, a plan had formed in Chen's mind, and the biggest hurdle for this plan was Chen Qi's movie.

Chen Qi, I hope your movie will be as well-liked by Madam Wenyue as 'Young and Dangerous' was... Chen thought to herself, picked up her phone, and dialed Chen Qi, who was in Syracuse.

Meanwhile, Chen Qi, who was sound asleep in the hotel, was groggily woken up by the sound of his phone.

"...So noisy." Talulah, sleeping next to Chen Qi, also curled up and mumbled groggily to Chen Qi:

"Turn it off, it's so loud..."

"Shouldn't we see who's calling?" Chen Qi picked up his phone, but the name displayed on the caller ID instantly energized him. He glanced at Talulah, who had turned over and gone back to sleep, and carefully answered the call:

"Hello—Officer Chen? You're calling me?"

"...Chen Qi, didn't I tell you? You don't need to be so formal. Call me by my name, Chen Huijie, or you can call me Xiao Chen. You saved Talulah's life, so you're our benefactor."

"Then I'll call you Chen Huijie. Calling me Xiao Chen makes me think of someone who needs to go top lane to solo kill," Chen Qi mumbled a phrase only he understood, then asked, "So, Miss Chen Huijie, why are you calling so early? If it's about Sister Ta, she's doing very well, no need to worry."

"...It's already one o'clock in the afternoon, but never mind, I do have something to ask you."

"That movie called 'The Godfather,' you guys made it, right? I have a good idea that can get your movie successfully released in Lungmen, but I need your help with something."

"If it's convenient, could you let us see your movie first? I plan to have Madam Wenyue appraise the movie first. As long as she likes it, I believe your movie will definitely be successfully released in Lungmen."

"Oh?"

However, as soon as the matter of the movie being released in Lungmen was mentioned, Chen Qi immediately perked up. He thought he would have to wait until the premiere in Syracuse before there would be any news from Lungmen, but he didn't expect it to come so quickly.

As for letting Madam Wenyue see it... that would be even easier. Chen Qi had absolute confidence in the quality of "The Godfather."

"I'll send you the movie online, but I have a small request."

"A request?" Chen was slightly taken aback, and Chen Qi said:

"I hope not just Madam Wenyue, but also Commander Wei Yanyu, Huijie, Swire, and Hoshiguma—anyone you know and are close to can also watch our movie."

"I really need your feedback, to be the first batch of viewers and tell us how you feel about 'The Godfather'."

"Of course, it's more about helping him gain more reputation points, and if it looks good, I'll help him promote it in Lungmen. Chen Qi didn't say these words out loud, but for Chen Qi, the more influential people who saw his movie, the greater the benefits his movie could bring.

Coincidentally, Chen Huijie is practically a "household name" in Lungmen. She knows most of the influential people in Lungmen, which is perfect for Chen Qi to earn a lot of reputation points.

"Is he really that confident?" At this moment, Chen also read this meaning from Chen Qi's tone. After thinking about Chen Qi's first movie, she finally nodded and said:

"This is easy. I'll make a call right now and tell them to bring everyone they can."

Chapter 22: Elders Appreciate "The Godfather" with a Critical Eye

"I say... Wenyue? I still have a lot of official duties to handle today. Even if you say you want to watch a movie together, I won't object. Can't we wait until tonight?"

"And even if we're watching a movie... why invite so many people?"

In Wei Yanyu's mansion, Wei Yanyu, who had a beast-like face resembling a dragon, was almost dragged by his wife Wenyue, who had a similar appearance but looked like a Kirin that didn't seem strange at all, but rather possessed a certain beauty. They were brought to the main hall.

As the ruler of Lungmen, Wei Yanyu did not object to any of his wife's decisions in life. Therefore, Wei Yanyu readily agreed to Wenyue's suggestion of watching a movie together, a small romantic gesture for a couple.

But the problem was... he thought this was the prelude to a happy marital life at night. However, as soon as he agreed, Wenyue dragged him to the main hall, and when he arrived, he found so many acquaintances already there.

...So, it wasn't a prelude to marital life, it was really just watching a movie?

"Old Lin... it's fine if other youngsters come, but why are you here too?"

As he spoke, Wei Yanyu's gaze fell upon the only other elder of his generation present besides Wenyue – an elder with a rat-like appearance, known as "Rat King," the guardian deity of Lungmen's slums.

"Don't misunderstand, old man. I have no intention of disturbing your marital life with Madam Wenyue. I was just pestered by my daughter to come."

Rat King could sense the disdain in Wei Yanyu's eyes. Of course, if Wei Yanyu had come to disturb Rat King when he was being affectionate with his wife, Rat King would have definitely given him the same look. That was certain.

"This time, the younger generation is inviting us to watch a movie together. They seem to be planning a surprise for us."

At this moment, Wenyue also came to Wei Yanyu's side, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her tone seemed gentle, but with a slight relaxation of her fingers, Wei Yanyu's stiff shoulders immediately softened.

"Since the children are in such a good mood, how about we accompany them this time?"

"...Since you say so, Wenyue, I definitely won't disappoint everyone."

Wei Yanyu was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Chen Huijie, Hoshiguma, Swire, and Rat King's daughter, Lin Yuxia, who were already seated in their respective positions. The gathering of these outstanding Lungmen juniors was indeed rare, and it wasn't for any major event, but just for a movie.

Although Wei Yanyu vaguely guessed whose movie it was that could garner such attention from these four juniors, even agreeing to gather together, it could only be that kid Chen Qi who could make so many juniors place so much hope on his movie.

After all, although "Young and Dangerous" brought a lot of trouble, it received unanimous praise from these juniors. Even though Wei Yanyu slightly disliked Chen Qi due to the matter with Talulah, he had to admit that Chen Qi's movie and screenwriting abilities were indeed impressive.

"Fine, let's watch it then." At most, it would be an hour or two, and Wei Yanyu still had time to watch it.

"Although I'm not very interested in that kid's movie, it's hard for me to leave since my daughter is here. I'll watch it." Rat King also blew his beard and reluctantly took his seat.

"Then, I'll project the movie onto the big screen." Seeing that the elders were all seated, Chen immediately started operating her phone. As she clicked send, she felt a bit nervous herself.

She had already shown the trailer for "The Godfather" to Lin Yuxia and Hoshiguma. Both of them were particularly interested in the mafia elements in the movie. Lin Yuxia had even called her father, asking him to learn about the gang knowledge of other countries.

But... Chen knew that Lin Yuxia actually hoped that if Rat King liked Chen Qi's movie, he would help promote the screening of "The Godfather" in Lungmen.

Lin Yuxia was very supportive of Chen Qi's genuine emotions during the filming process and his "rebellious" actions that challenged the censorship line. After the great success of "Young and Dangerous," Chen had heard Lin Yuxia mention more than once that when Chen Qi's crew returned to Lungmen, she would find him to play a role or something.

But similarly, Rat King himself didn't like Chen Qi much. Chen always felt that this was because he was unhappy that his daughter was "fooling around" with a stranger from an Infected film crew during the filming.

So, even though Rat King had to admit that Chen Qi's filming was good, he didn't post a review himself. Instead, Lin Yuxia did it on his behalf, and even gave it a grudging four-star rating.

"Can your movie conquer so many Lungmen elders... Chen Qi, don't disappoint me."

Chen felt uneasy and had to force herself to look at the screen. As the logo of the Integrated Cultural Troupe appeared on the big screen, the movie finally began.

"I believe in Columbia, Columbia made me rich..."

Soon, with a Syrian accent, the first scene of the movie opened. As soon as the movie started, Rat King, who knew whose movie he was watching, frowned slightly and said:

"This lighting... isn't it too dark? Can't Chen Qi's crew get better light bulbs?"

"Dad, don't be so nitpicky, okay?" Before anyone else could speak, Rat King's daughter, Lin Yuxia, as Chen Qi's number one fan, immediately retorted:

"The tone of this movie is like this, so dim lighting is normal—besides, isn't it also dark where we live? This is more realistic."

"...I'm old, my eyesight isn't very good. It's too dark for me to see clearly."

However, Rat King, who was rebuked by his own daughter, could only retort slightly and continue to watch the movie with a critical eye.

When Rat King first heard from Lin Yuxia that the movie they were going to watch was filmed by that kid Chen Qi, and that it was about gangs and the Syrian mafia, Rat King had already expressed a slight disdain.

In Lungmen, who didn't know that Rat King was the controller of Lungmen's underworld? When it came to the realm of gangs, Rat King didn't believe that Chen Qi understood it better than him. Therefore, from the very beginning, Rat King intended to find fault with the movie "The Godfather."

A gang boss reaching Rat King's level was already the peak. Yet Lin Yuxia said he should come and learn "advanced knowledge" of the Syrian mafia?

Putting aside whether the Syrian mafia was considered advanced or not, he, the great Rat King, the controller of Lungmen's underworld, was going to learn about the image of the mafia in a movie filmed by a kid? And he was looked down upon by his own daughter?

If he didn't point out something unrealistic, would he still have any authority in front of his daughter?

Thinking this, Rat King stared intently at the big screen. However, as the plot developed, just one scene at the beginning gradually immersed Rat King into the movie...

The scene where Bonacera sought help from the Godfather because his daughter was being bullied felt particularly familiar to Rat King... Although Rat King didn't have the same customs as Syrians, as a mafia boss, he had indeed received several Infected people who sought his help.

Rat King protected everyone in his territory and maintained order in the slums. This was because everyone in Rat King's territory, as long as they could find any way to approach Rat King, he would receive them and listen to their intentions.

Among them, there were naturally those like in the movie who were bullied because of their children or relatives, begging Rat King to avenge them. In such cases, Rat King would usually have people investigate the whole story. If everything was true, Rat King would have the assailant tied up and let the victim deal with them personally.

This way, Rat King gained another subject who was loyal to him and would not betray him. And Rat King's methods were so similar to those of the Godfather in the movie?

It's just... why did the Godfather in the movie, while doing the same things as him, somehow feel so ritualistic?

"Is it because of the clothes?" The Rat King subconsciously glanced at the coat he was wearing. It was a birthday gift from Lin Yuxia, and he had been wearing it ever since, reluctant to change it.

"I think it's your way of speaking, Dad."

Lin Yuxia, sitting beside the Rat King, couldn't help but retort when she heard this:

"Your speaking skills are far from that of The Godfather in the movie. You're too down-to-earth. Sometimes I really doubt if you're actually a mafia boss..."

"..."

However, another critical blow from his own daughter left the Rat King speechless. But the Rat King quickly retorted calmly:

"I've met those mafia from Syracuse too. Movies definitely beautify their image to some extent. The real Syracuse mafia, even their bosses, aren't that civilized."

What the Rat King said was true. Back in the slums of Lungmen, some mafia from Syracuse had caused trouble, but the Rat King had quickly suppressed them with his schemes. Therefore, the Rat King was no stranger to the ways of the Syracuse mafia.

The Rat King didn't feel that, in terms of methods and abilities, he was inferior to The Godfather in the movie... But perhaps it was because of Lin Yuxia's words, that the Rat King subtly paid attention to his own way of speaking at that moment, his tone becoming a little more subdued.

...Putting aside everything else, the aura of The Godfather in the movie is indeed quite outstanding. He speaks with reason and authority. Perhaps I should listen to Yuxia? Learn from the methods in the movie and have my subordinates pay a little attention to their speech and demeanor?

The Rat King had such thoughts, only to realize that he had become interested in the movie at some point... He felt the perfect "perfect" image achieved by the clever combination of beautification and reality within it.

"This kid's movie... might actually have some merit."

Chapter Twenty-Three: The True Philosophy Conveyed by "The Godfather": Family

Outside Wei's residence, several members of a secret guard, known as "Black Cape," responsible for secretly protecting Wei Yanyu, met in the shadows. However, their conversation was not about security matters. On the contrary, their tone was somewhat troubled.

"...How long has it been?"

"About two hours? It should be over by now."

"Should we go in and report? Otherwise, Lord Wei might have to work late tonight."

The members of Black Cape discussed it among themselves. However, after looking at the group inside the hall who were still engrossed in watching the movie on screen, several of whom were individuals of distinguished status, they hesitated.