Actors, Take Your Places: Texas Joins the Cast / Everyone's in Place: *The Godfather*, Sponsored by the State of Syracuse

"...Is that so?"

Chen Qi had been thinking that, but after a brief silence, FrostNova showed a relaxed smile. She knew what Chen Qi was thinking, but she did not expose him.

A few days after Chen Qi had given her the Oripathy suppressant, Swire, who had only later learned that FrostNova had suffered an episode, had specifically come by to deliver more suppressant and scolded Chen Qi for not telling her about it.

Patriot had happened to be standing guard at the door at the time, and he was the one who relayed the news to FrostNova.

Though neither FrostNova nor Patriot knew where Chen Qi had gotten the Oripathy suppressant, it was clearly not something one could buy so quickly at a Lungmen hospital...

He must have gone through many difficult things for her, right? That was what FrostNova believed, and Chen Qi's indifferent attitude only strengthened that belief.

Perhaps she should do something to repay Chen Qi? FrostNova had spent this period recuperating, and only after arriving in Syracuse had she regained some of her energy. Because of this, many of her views of Chen Qi had changed as well.

"Chen Qi, can I..."

"—Director Chen Qi."

Before FrostNova could finish, a hoarse yet mountain-steady voice sounded from nearby. Accompanied by a slight tremor in the ground, Patriot, clad in armor and carrying a halberd and shield, arrived at the production crew with several obvious Mafia members.

"Director, they say they want to see you." Patriot brought the group before Chen Qi in his halting manner, completely failing to notice his daughter's slightly gritted-teeth look of annoyance.

"—Madam Sicily has invited you." The Mafia members did not waste words and directly stated their purpose to Chen Qi. "Please come with us to meet Madam Sicily. Also, Madam Sicily will only see you alone."

"No problem." The moment Chen Qi heard that Madam Sicily wanted to see him, he understood that his screenplay must have reached the hands of Syracuse's hidden ruler. She probably wanted to discuss their future collaboration.

After all, if Madam Sicily wanted to harm him, she would not need to go through so much trouble. And in Syracuse, anyone who falsely used Madam Sicily's name would surely die a miserable death.

Thus, Chen Qi did not overthink it and immediately left the production crew with the Mafia members. FrostNova and Patriot exchanged glances, and eventually Patriot said, "I'll find Mephisto and have him protect you in secret."

"Oh." FrostNova's response was unusually cold, leaving Patriot rather confused... Had he upset his child again?

Once Chen Qi got into the car, they deliberately covered his eyes. To avoid revealing Madam Sicily's residence, the Mafia had made such preparations. Only after Chen Qi got out, was led upstairs, and entered a room did he finally see again.

Before Chen Qi sat an elderly Lupo woman with white hair, dressed in a fur coat and seated calmly in her chair.

Interestingly, the old woman was also playing with a cat in her hands. Upon seeing Chen Qi, she smiled slightly and said with a smile, "Chen Qi, Chen Qi."

"If you had come earlier with friendship, seeking protection as a friend, then with your talent and ability, your production crew could have begun making this masterpiece far more efficiently than it does now."

"But you chose to enter Syracuse rashly. A talent like you came to Volcini without even greeting me or seeking my protection."

"To put it plainly, you never wanted my friendship. You were afraid of owing me a favor."

"I know you have a production crew, talent, and many powerful fighters to hold the fort for you. You do not need a friend like me."

"But I do not know what I have done to make you disrespect me so much."

"You were not even willing to call me... 'The Godfather.'"

Yet those final words made the old woman herself smile, and Chen Qi also breathed a sigh of relief, certain that she was merely joking with him.

Because every one of those lines came from his screenplay, The Godfather. And the old woman before him was naturally Syracuse's most powerful figure, the one who had created the order Syracuse now possessed—Madam Sicily.

If Madam Sicily had not been joking, then her final words would undoubtedly not have been "The Godfather"... That was why Chen Qi felt at ease.

"Then it seems Madam Sicily has already read my screenplay?"

"I wonder, Madam, are you satisfied with this humble one's screenplay? And are the other twelve family heads satisfied with it?"

"For a talent like Director Chen Qi, I do not wish to beat around the bush. I must say that I and the other eleven family heads specifically discussed this film's screenplay in Grey Hall. Everyone was extremely satisfied."

Madam Sicily revealed a faint smile, but in the next moment, her tone abruptly changed as she stroked the cat in her hands.

"—However, there is one matter we have been unable to settle. I hope Director Chen Qi, who wishes to create what will become the finest Mafia film, can offer us some advice."

"Advice?" Chen Qi was a little bewildered. What matter could the Twelve Families' heads fail to reach a conclusion on after discussing it? He had specifically localized his screenplay for Terra. Was there something wrong with it?

Under Chen Qi's somewhat nervous gaze, Madam Sicily remained silent for a long time. But just when Chen Qi felt his heart was about to leap from his chest, Madam Sicily finally spoke.

"—Regarding the role of the Godfather, 'Vito Corleone,' I have had a small disagreement with Bernardo, the head of the Bellone Family."

"We both like this role very much, and both hope it was written specifically for us. Neither of us is satisfied with anyone else playing the part. We believe we should portray it ourselves."

"So I specifically invited you here this time in the hopes that Director Chen Qi can decide who will play this role... You understand."

As she said this, Madam Sicily gave Chen Qi a meaningful look. Only then did Chen Qi finally understand what she meant.

—Madam Sicily wanted to personally play the Godfather?!

At that moment, a somewhat pleasant female voice from Chen Qi's system suddenly sounded in his mind.

Congratulations! You have triggered a special mission! To better showcase the excellence and quality of your work, you must naturally begin with outstanding actors. Please choose excellent, sufficiently influential actors for your screenplay.

Mission reward: Unknown. This is a long-term mission. The rewards will be determined by the prominence of the actors selected for each new production by the host. The greater the actors' influence and reputation, the greater the settlement reward.

Actors, Take Your Places: Texas Joins the Cast

A few days later, in Penguin Logistics' underground lounge in Lungmen, the four young women of Penguin Logistics were enjoying a break after their busy work. Yet judging from their expressions, they did not seem upset by their earlier workload at all. Instead, they appeared to have enjoyed it.

"Ah, that felt great! This was probably the easiest and fastest logistics job we've ever done, right?"

Exusiai, with red hair and a halo above her head, let out a satisfied cry after taking a sip of an energy drink. Sitting on the table without the slightest concern for her image, she swung her exposed legs as she said, "All we have to do every day is regularly purchase supplies for the production crew, and the supplies get reimbursed. They even cover shipping costs. Boss Chen Qi's commissions are really generous and hassle-free!"

"Yeah. Not only did it fill up our schedule, our performance figures suddenly look much better too. We can turn down those commissions that are both far away and troublesome." At the side, Sora, the idol-level actress Chen Qi had been longing to recruit, also spoke joyfully. "Director Chen Qi even asked us to teach Alina and Miss FrostNova more about purchasing and logistics..."

"Director Chen Qi is training their own production staff. That way, when they make another film next time, they will have experience and know how to purchase supplies properly."

At that moment, Texas, the calmest of the group, answered while biting on a Pocky stick. "Didn't you notice? Director Chen Qi's production crew is almost entirely made up of Infected. And though they call themselves a production crew, all the equipment needed to film was bought through Miss Swire's investment and sponsorship."

"To put it bluntly, they are a temporarily assembled production crew. Many of them did not even know how to use the equipment at first. During Director Chen Qi's time in Lungmen, he has been building up his own team."

"That is why Director Chen Qi specifically had Alina, the assistant director, and FrostNova, the head of production affairs, follow us while purchasing supplies. He is helping them accumulate experience. In the future, they will not need to outsource logistics and procurement work like this to us."

"Huh? Does that mean we basically will not have any opportunities to work with Director Chen Qi and the others in the future?"

Texas's words left the other three women stunned, and all of them revealed deep disappointment.

Exusiai was disappointed because the work Chen Qi had arranged was easy and could quickly make their performance figures look great. In addition, Chen Qi's Young and Dangerous was exactly her kind of movie. She had originally hoped that if Chen Qi made another installment in the series, she could make a cameo appearance.

Ah, and although Exusiai thought the film was excellent, there were barely any gunfight scenes. It was all melee weapons, which was far too unsatisfying. They really should add a few more shootouts!

Sora's thoughts were similar to Exusiai's. She also wanted to work with Chen Qi's crew. She felt the atmosphere within his crew was excellent. As long as it was not a violence-heavy film like Young and Dangerous, she truly hoped to sharpen her acting through Chen Qi's crew.

As for Croissant, the only one who had not joined the conversation... she was probably the most disappointed of them all.

"No! I only just made a little money scalping Young and Dangerous tickets! Where else am I supposed to find such a good movie that sells out every day after release?!"

The moment Croissant heard that they might not get another chance to work with Chen Qi, she nearly burst into tears. She had been counting the money in her little stash, and now she hurriedly wailed, "It has been so long since there was such a good movie that let me make a killing off scalped tickets! Lungmen's movies have gotten worse every year, and it has been ages since there was a movie this packed. I still wanted to follow Director Chen Qi and the others around, making money everywhere!"

"Then you will be disappointed, Croissant. I heard the boss say that Young and Dangerous is being pulled from theaters next month. Chief Wei Yenwu has recently been discussing the harm this film's bloody violence does to young people, and it has received many complaints from parents," Texas replied flatly.

"Don't do this! Don't pull it from theaters! At least wait ten years after I die!"

Texas's words sent Croissant collapsing onto the floor as though tears were pouring down her face. It was as if she could see countless Lungmen dollars turning into phantoms, sprouting wings, and flying out of her pockets.

"But scalping tickets is bad in the first place, isn't it?" Sora carefully pointed out from the side.

"But I only marked them up by twenty percent! And I specifically used different accounts to buy them! The seats I bought were all the best for viewing, or the best for couples. Ordinary people cannot even get them if they try!"

Croissant hurriedly defended herself, but before she could finish, an especially bold voice rang out and scolded them.

"I've been hearing you lot howl and wail since I walked in! You are the loudest bunch in the whole company! Do you not even know when a client has arrived?!"

As the reprimand fell, the figure who had arrived before the group of four was completely unlike the source of that bold voice: a penguin dressed like a nouveau riche, in hip-hop clothes, a thick gold chain, and sunglasses.

This was Penguin Logistics' boss, a mysterious figure known as The Emperor. Few knew The Emperor's true identity, and even the members of Penguin Logistics were unclear on what exactly their boss was. They only knew that under The Emperor's name, almost no fool dared provoke Penguin Logistics.

Thus, even though their boss was an oddball who liked rap and seemed impossible to kill, they never asked questions. They only needed to do as instructed.

This time, they quickly spotted Executioner behind The Emperor. Since the four women were all familiar with the people from Chen Qi's production crew, they naturally recognized Executioner.

"Ah! It's Jun Jun! Why aren't you with Director Chen Qi? Aren't you his chief cinematographer?"

Exusiai, cheerful and lively as always and the person most fond of visiting Chen Qi's crew, was the closest to Executioner among Penguin Logistics. Executioner smiled and answered softly, "Chen Qi asked me to invite everyone to Syracuse. Our new film is being shot there, and Chen Qi believes everyone at Penguin Logistics might be able to make up for our actors' lack of professionalism."

"Huh?! Does that mean—Director Chen Qi wants the few of us to be the leads?!"

As soon as Executioner explained her purpose, the three women of Penguin Logistics all showed intense interest. Only Texas's fingers trembled slightly upon hearing the word Syracuse, and she did not immediately answer.

"Yes." Executioner nodded. Judging from the three women's expressions, she felt she was already halfway to success, so she smiled and said, "Especially Miss Texas. You are the person Chen Qi specifically named as someone he wanted to recruit."

"...Me?" Texas had not expected that she, the person least willing to go to Syracuse, would be the one Chen Qi specifically insisted on bringing. She shook her head coolly. "But I cannot act."

"It is fine, Miss Texas. This role was practically made for you! You do not even need acting skills. You only need to be yourself."

Executioner knew it was time to use her trump card. She immediately took out the box Chen Qi had given her. After opening it before everyone, she revealed the two letters inside.

"Chen Qi said that if everyone is worried about Texas's safety, then all of you can go to Syracuse together. The people from the production crew will ensure your safety, and you can also supervise the filming at any time to make sure it is not dangerous."

"Oh, right. Chen Qi also asked me to give this letter to you, Miss Texas. And there is another song Chen Qi wrote. He asked me to give it to Mr. The Emperor, saying it could convince you to bring everyone to Syracuse."

"What? A song? Your director can write songs too?"

The Emperor had not expected this to involve him as well. He instinctively accepted the paper Executioner handed over, then said carelessly, "That kid Chen Qi must be underestimating me. I am The Emperor. What good song could possibly be worthy of being presented before me? When I was performing classical music in Leithania, that brat had not even been born yet."

"...Fine, I'll take a look. He worked hard to write it, after all. I quite like the movies that kid makes, so I'll give him that much face."

As The Emperor spoke, he turned his gaze toward the song in his hands. What he saw were familiar Yan characters, with several large words spelling out the title—In the Name of the Father.

The Emperor studied the song's melody and notes, trying to pronounce the words one by one. Meanwhile, Texas was reading the letter Chen Qi had given her. After a stretch of silence, she spoke to Executioner.

"...If it is only filming, and I will not be dragged into Syracuse's Mafia conflicts again, then I have no objections."

"That is wonderful." Executioner breathed a sigh of relief. Though she did not know what Chen Qi had written in the letter, seeing Texas finally agree meant she had successfully completed her task.

But at that moment, before anyone else could react, The Emperor suddenly let out an indescribable penguin scream that gave everyone present a huge fright.

In the next moment, The Emperor flailed and slapped his flippers about as though he were so excited he might fly away, shouting, "A genius! No, a monstrous genius! That kid is absolutely a monstrous genius! He must be a transmigrator! Otherwise, how could he be this talented?!"

The incoherent Emperor looked as though he wanted to fly straight to Syracuse, but he quickly calmed down. Looking at his still-dazed employees, he shouted furiously, "What are you waiting for?! Pack your luggage! Bring everything we need! We are going to Syracuse right now!"

"If I don't get there early enough, what if that kid lets someone else sing this song?! Pack your luggage, now! We have to reach Syracuse tomorrow!"

This time, even if those old wolves of Syracuse came crawling out, The Emperor would beat every last one of them back home. No one could interfere with him singing this song!

The Emperor had to sing this song himself. No one could take it from him! He would use this song as the promotional track for the film! This time, he would personally back Chen Qi!

All Hands in Place: Syracuse's State-Sponsored The Godfather

"Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"I am a member of the Integrated Cultural Troupe's public relations department." Mephisto calmly answered the question. "On Director Chen Qi's orders, I have come to invite Family Head Alberto to play an important role in our film, The Godfather."

"Oh? You are from that production crew?" The silver-haired Lupo man's expression changed upon hearing this. He waved his hand, ordering everyone to lower their weapons. Soon, at his signal, an underling brought Mephisto a stool so he could sit properly.

Alberto Saluzzo had never imagined that one day he would face the risk of assassination, especially within the heavily guarded territory of his own family. This youth named Mephisto had silently appeared here, in the heart of the family's domain.

If the other party had wanted to kill him, then as the head of the Saluzzo Family, he might have died without even knowing how. He had no choice but to take the youth before him seriously.

But just a few minutes earlier, he had learned that the other party had not come to kill him. He was from the crew preparing to shoot The Godfather, and he had come to invite him to play a role. Alberto relaxed, but he also felt somewhat insulted.

"Although I know of your production crew, and I know Madam Sicily supports you, do not think that gives you the right to invite me to act in your film. You are underestimating the Saluzzo Family."

"I am the head of a family, after all. I will not lower myself to play a role in a movie."

"—But Madam Sicily has already decided to participate." Mephisto replied calmly. At those words, Alberto's expression froze, and he revealed a rare look of disbelief.