Enforcer Manual
Chapter 120: Acting in Character_1

...

"Cut."

After the masked man’s engrossed performance, Zhuang Chi, the casting director, decisively called a halt, "Your voice is too thin, your tone too exaggerated, you sound not at all like a professional Assassin but like a delusional teenager. Anyway, thanks for participating."

With that, Zhuang Chi turned to Song Lan, who was watching, "Don’t you think so too, Chief...Why are you covering your face?"

"Ah, I’m just a bit tired."

Song Lan’s voice was shaky. He didn’t anticipate that Lyon City’s Mayor would remember what he had idly said, which ultimately resulted in this becoming the standard for evaluating the performers of the "Concerned Citizens." In the spirit of precision, before the auditions began, Zhuang Chi had even specially called Gold Diggers’ Bar to consult with the Mayor of Lyon City.

Mayor Lyon enthusiastically answered Zhuang Chi’s questions.

In his own words, that was the atmosphere only a real professional Assassin could convey. In that moment, he even felt his life nearing its end.

So, all morning, Song Lan sat at his desk listening to auditionees for the role of "Concerned Citizen" perform the lines in various unexpected ways.

Valerian and

Roger found it amusing, but Song Lan was covered in goosebumps, he now felt numb all over.

It felt as if his high school diary full of adolescent fantasies had been discovered by classmates and recited in front of everyone.

How embarrassing!

However, the male colleagues in the law enforcement office only showed great interest. Even the special operations group, despite being busy, managed to make time to come and audition.

Without a doubt, the "Concerned Citizen" is a hero who brings hope to this city. The admiration of law enforcers for him surpasses that of ordinary citizens, everyone does not want to miss out on their short-lived chance to be the "Concerned Citizen."

"We only have two worthy candidates so far."

Valerian rubbed her chin and thoughtfully said, "But even with Roger and Captain Doug, it seems like there is something lacking."

"Yeah, Captain Doug’s voice is so deep, it sounds too virtuous. Although he can portray the honest side of the ’Concerned Citizen,’ he lacks the Assassin’s flair; Roger, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Though he has an Assassin’s feel, he is missing the righteousness."

Facing the whispers of his colleagues, Roger, who was involved, said, "Actually, I’m quite righteous."

True, but he knew he had his issues.

People have said before that his voice sounds gloomy, which is why he was called the ’Death Negotiating Expert’.

"Neither Captain Doug nor I are suitable. Even with background music, we are lacking the essence, the real ’Concerned Citizen’ gave the Mayor, without any embellishment, a feeling of life nearing its end."

Ordinary assassins couldn’t provide such pressure. Just by imagining, they could figure how terrifying the atmosphere must’ve been.

"But all the male colleagues in the department have tried for the role."

Zhuang Chi was troubled by this fact. They all knew that even Roger and Captain Doug were still significantly different from the "Concerned Citizen." Since they had to find an impersonator to interview as the "Concerned Citizen," they needed to find a universally convincing performer.

"We seem to have overlooked someone."

With Valerian’s reminder, an instantaneous realization enlightened them, and their focus simultaneously landed on Song Lan.

As the head of the psychological counseling and publicity section, he had merely observed the lengthy auditions at noon.

Song Lan froze.

Valerian,

you were cuter when you couldn’t talk.

"Now that you mention it, I do recall." Roger, being a veteran staff member, reminisced, "Chief, when you asked us to go investigate the ’Concerned Citizen’s’ image, you were more inspiring than Captain Doug!"

A true inspirational influence can’t be achieved simply with righteousness.

Go find, everything about the "Concerned Citizen" is in every street of this city.

Roger still remembered vividly Song Lan’s tone and demeanor, as if he had heard the tide of the times passing by.

Therefore, he could very well relate to Mayor of Lyon City.

A truly soul-touching tone, imprints forever in people’s hearts.

Roger believed that, whether in ten or several decades, whenever he would think of Song Lan, he would clearly remember the stirring speech."

Of all the people known to him, probably only the ’Rat’ could compare with Song Lan.

In the video from the suburban prison, the accompanying roar of thunder and the shout of "Nothing should stop a man from running towards freedom," even as a law enforcer on the opposing side, he was deeply moved.

Roger mentioned in his book that this is a natural talent.

Some people have a natural charisma that is far beyond the average person’s, which is unattainable through training, and it is this innate charisma that made the ’Rat’ a hero in the eyes of the villains.

"Chief, Chief, give it a try."

Zhuang Chi once again played the cute card to Song Lan, coaxing and deceiving him into taking the trench coat and mask.

"Everything you’re experiencing now is the future I want you to see."

Song Lan emotionlessly repeated the line, didn’t even put on the trench coat, just casually put on the mask, but the reading-style tone naturally could not satisfy the three.

"Chief, it’s for the future of the law enforcement department, please take it seriously once!"

"Chief, I have always believed in you. If anyone can be the ’Concerned Citizen,’ it would be you."

Those under him are really pushing their luck!

He had allowed them to use the image of the ’Concerned Citizen,’ let them hold auditions in the office, and forced him to watch his public execution convention...

So be it,

Since he had already agreed to help them, he might as well see it through.

This was all in an effort to save the law enforcement department’s financial situation, and to allow Lu Xiang to go home without grimacing.

Though she was proficient in combating crime, Lu Xiang was not good at publicity and fundraising.

Under the expectant gaze of the three, Song Lan donned the black trench coat, put on the top hat, and adjusted the skewed mask on his face. He rose, took a step forward to stand before Zhuang Chi, towering over him and staring.

The scene was exactly the same as that day in the basement of the meeting venue.

Back then, he also arrived before Dominas like this, accompanied by the sound of explosions, uttering those words.

"Everything you’re experiencing now is the future I want you to see."

...