Anti-Japanese War Espionage: I Have an Omniscient Perspective

Young Master Li inspected the film studio with his hands behind his back, complaining that it was messy and dirty at times, and then pointing to the posters on the wall and saying that they were low-class and offensive to public morals.

Anyone with eyes can see from his behavior that he didn't come to inspect, but specifically to cause trouble.

After going around in circles, he couldn't find any real flaws, and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

Lin Rui led him into the office and gently pushed a stack of neatly arranged registration documents and permits from the concession police department onto the table:

"Director Li, this is all the documents from the film studio. Please take a look."

Young Master Li glanced at it, not even looking, his fingers slowly rubbing the gemstone on the ring. Suddenly, he looked up, a playful smile curving his lips:

"I heard that the person in charge of the clerks here is Manli's cousin?"

Lin Rui remained calm and replied, "She has been staying with Miss Manli these past few days. With Nanjing fallen, they have lost all contact with their family, so the two sisters are comforting each other by being together."

He deliberately pretended not to know about the affair between Young Master Li and Manli, downplaying the matter.

Young Master Li snorted coldly, his face darkening. He didn't dwell on the matter any longer and abruptly changed the subject:

Where are the master tapes of those anti-Japanese war films that Lianhua Film Studio produced in the past?

The atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.

This is his real knife.

Lianhua Film Studio produced many films on the theme of resistance against Japan starting in 32 when Northeast China fell to the Japanese.

As the studio manager, Lin Rui naturally knew this.

"Joining the Nation in Times of Crisis," "The Great Road," "Lianhua Symphony," and "The History of the 19th Route Army's War of Resistance Against Japan" are all dangerous items under the current circumstances.

If the anti-Japanese war tape were unearthed, a single sentence like "colluding with the enemy to resist Japan and inciting public sentiment" would immediately shut down Lianhua and take the people away.

Lin Rui, who was well-prepared, remained calm and spoke frankly:

"When the main factory relocated, it had already transferred most of the film master tapes. After I took over, I only had one recently released film left, which was clean, had been censored in the concession, and had no problems."

Young Master Li stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly let out a cold laugh:

"Don't play dumb with me. We both know whether Lianhua Film Studio has a clean past or not."

"I really want to shut you down. All I have to do is bring up those old anti-Japanese war films, and you'll never be able to open your doors again."

Lin Rui was not nervous about this. In fact, the fact that the other party said this proved that they did not want to shut down Lianhua Film Studio, but had other intentions.

Sure enough, Young Master Li changed the subject:

"But I don't want to do that, do you know why?"

Lin Rui calmly said, "I would like to hear the details."

Young Master Li leaned back, his smugness evident in his expression:

"I want Lianhua Film Company to use its best resources to help me make a movie."

Lin Rui frowned: "I wonder what kind of movie Young Master Li wants to make?"

"I've already written the script."

Young Master Li pulled a neatly folded roll of paper from his pocket, slammed it on the table, and spoke with undisguised self-satisfaction:

"It tells the love story of a charming young nobleman in Shanghai. Born into a prestigious family, he was dashing and wealthy, with countless socialites and movie stars surrounding him, but in the end, he only fell in love with one person and remained devoted to her—quite a legend."

As soon as he said that, Lin Rui understood perfectly.

He's not some legendary figure at all; it's clearly Young Master Li writing his own biography.

He suppressed his emotions; this was something he could cooperate with, and he could use this bastard as a shield.

He then lowered his tone and replied, "The film studio will cooperate as long as you give the order, young master."

Seeing that he knew what was good for him, Young Master Li's expression softened, and he straightened his clothes with satisfaction.

"You're sensible. I'm leaving."

Lin Rui then escorted the three young masters downstairs.

As he approached the car, Young Master Li suddenly stopped, turned back, and gave a firm, unyielding instruction:

"I'll bring my people over in a couple of days. Prepare all the costumes and props for me. Also, I need that brand-new camera in the storeroom exclusively."

Lin Rui: "Okay, everything will be ready."

Young Master Li snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and got into the carriage.

With a roar, the black sedan drove away from Lianhua Film Studio.

Only after the car completely disappeared from the street corner did the gentle smile on Lin Rui's face gradually fade away.

Zhao Erzhu leaned closer and muttered, "This kid is clearly treating us like his private theater troupe!"

Lin Rui stared at the empty street corner, his eyes turning cold.

"Film it, of course we should film it. This guy filming his own philandering scenes will give us cover, allowing us to do other things."

Chen Shan nodded: "Yes, as long as we cooperate with him in making the movie, Lianhua will have a protective umbrella."

..........

There weren't many pedestrians on Julaida Road in the afternoon.

Especially around the entrance of Tongfuli Alley, there weren't even any street vendors.

You have to go across the street to buy all the food.

Four pickpockets were scattered around the street corner, pretending to chase and play, but their eyes were always glued to the entrance of Tongfuli.

The leader was a boy named Agou, only twelve years old. His eyes were like black grapes, darting around quickly. He was Zhang Lan's most prized apprentice.

He stared at the three figures who had just entered the alley, then quickly tugged at his companion's sleeve and whispered in a low voice that only the two of them could hear: "Look, those three newcomers, the Tongfu Society people are treating them with the utmost respect, like they've seen their ancestors."

His companion followed his gaze and saw three men walking into Tongfu Lane. They were wearing well-fitting dark short jackets with their cuffs buttoned up tightly, unlike the other members of the Tongfu Association who had their shirts open and their tattooed arms exposed.

The man in the middle had a stern face and a cold, unapproachable air about him. The Tongfu Society leader in front of him bowed and scraped, his face plastered with a fawning smile, leading them deeper into the hall. He would occasionally turn back and whisper something in an overly respectful tone.

"Something's not right, something's really not right," another child whispered in agreement. "When did the Tongfu Society members ever act like such cowards? What's wrong with them today?"

Ah Gou remembered that Zhang Lanlian had repeatedly warned him to observe unfamiliar faces carefully, and now, given the current situation, there was most likely something wrong.

"I'll go back and report. You guys keep an eye on them and don't let them find out," Ah Gou instructed in a low voice. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he crouched down and slipped into the narrow alley next to him, making his way through the streets and alleys, heading straight for Beile Street.

When he arrived at Beile Street, he turned into the back alley and headed to Zhang's courtyard.

At this moment, Zhang with the rotten face was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, leisurely drinking tea. The money given by Lin Rui, plus the money given by Huang Dazhu, made him much more financially comfortable.

Seeing Ah Gou run in panting, beads of sweat still on his forehead, he put down the small teapot: "What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen at Tongfu Lane?"

"Master, something terrible has happened!" Ah Gou gasped for breath as he recounted what he had seen. "Three unfamiliar faces have arrived in Tongfu Lane. The Tongfu Society members are fawning over them, and the junior leader is personally leading them deeper into the main hall. Also, they've placed two people guarding the alley entrance; they look like some important figures."