Chapter 100

Shen Zhenghui himself also participated in the martial arts training before the filming. After receiving professional training from Yuan Xiangren, Shen Zhenghui realized that the training he had done for the previous film was nothing. In Yuan Xiangren's view, people in their twenties like Shen Zhenghui were already old, and even long-term training would only result in a superficial display. To truly practice martial arts, one should start before the age of ten; by the time one is fourteen or fifteen, it is already too late.

Aizawa Tomoaki, Aoi Yū, Kitagawa Keiko, and Erika Sawajiri also participated in this training, as did Yamashita Tomohisa, Takizawa Hideaki, and Jinno Ryō, who came early to join the training. For the actors, even if they could not become highly skilled in martial arts, it was still beneficial for physical exercise. As a result, those who came with this mindset suffered greatly.

Shen Zhenghui, however, fared better. Yuan Xiangren was relatively polite to this boss, while the other young people went through the most painful period of their lives, crawling and rolling around every day, their bodies aching all over. Fortunately, they could fall asleep at night after a massage with medicinal wine. Since Shen Zhenghui and Yuan Xiangren discussed the martial arts effects he required, the actions had to be realistic, and the final compositing required a higher standard of the actors' movements. After two or three months of continuous training, Yuan Xiangren reluctantly acknowledged that the training had achieved its purpose. Shen Zhenghui himself could hardly bear it.

It must be said that the Japanese participants were commendable. Despite the arduous training, everyone persevered. Although the girls had a slightly lower training volume and received special protection, including during special periods, the suffering they endured was no less than that of the boys.

Of course, the results were also very evident. At least during this period, Aizawa Tomoaki did not need to diet to maintain her figure; she had developed excellent mermaid lines. The men and boys who participated in the training also had well-defined abs. These benefits offset their resistance to the difficulties, and more benefits would be discovered over time.

Shen Zhenghui felt that after his business expanded, he was bogged down by trivial matters. Many new enterprises in which he had shares were established in Yuhang, and a lot of things needed direction and refinement. Shen Zhenghui frequently received international calls from Wang Anping, who eventually became annoyed and asked Shen Zhenghui to return to China to handle some matters. There were also many trivial matters from Fukuda Miharu, including the collaboration with Gonzo to set up a new studio and the profit-sharing agreement with Gonzo.

After the screening of "Puhai Fortress," a series of follow-up matters arose. The relevant departments were very interested in the domestically produced animated film that had set a record and wanted to convene the animators for various meetings. As a result, Zhou Hua and Liu Xin had to return to China several times during the production of the first season of "Full Metal Panic." After several meetings, everyone understood what the domestically produced animated film was about, and the relevant departments had mixed feelings. "Puhai Fortress" was a special case, and the relevant departments could not possibly open such a topic to the domestic animation department, nor could they accumulate experience in such a topic and level of animated film. The main work of the animation company in Yuhang was to produce low-age animated films or outsource work for Japanese animated films.

For outsourcing business, neither the Chinese government nor the Yuhang local government opposed it; they even strongly advocated and welcomed it. After all, the market was not well-developed, and as long as money could be made without affecting the market, it was fine. Liu Xin had to return to the mainland to help Shen Zhenghui handle the new company's affairs and continue to recruit people to expand the studio in Japan.

Shen Zhenghui's new film officially began shooting in January 2000. Since it was a simple action film, with experienced Lu Yang and Yuan Xiangren as assistant directors, the shooting progressed quickly. The main challenge was the various martial arts scenes. The effects of the previous training were fully demonstrated during the shooting, but even so, various minor injuries still occurred. The significant role played by Yuan Xiangren's team during the shooting deepened Shen Zhenghui's understanding of the martial arts direction profession, and he resolved to form his own martial arts direction team.

By the end of January, Shen Zhenghui had almost completed his scenes, with only a bit of finishing work left. At this time, he received a call from his father, asking him to return to China.

"I'm still busy here; I haven't finished filming the movie yet!"

"No, you must come back this year," Shen Xingguo said firmly. "This year is your grandmother's 70th birthday. You might not have time to come back for her birthday, but you must come back for the New Year."

This was a solid reason, and Shen Zhenghui had no choice but to agree. His grandfather had passed away in 1996, and now only his grandmother was left in the hometown. His father was the eldest, and most of his siblings were in other places, with only his aunt staying in the hometown to take care of his grandmother. Previously, his parents would return to the hometown to visit his grandmother every year, but now, he realized he had not returned for two years.

After some serious thought, Shen Zhenghui felt he had failed. Although he had earned a lot of money, he had not become the master of money and time and still had to be busy. Therefore, he had to make arrangements to return home.

The shooting would be completed by January 31, and the most time-consuming part was the post-production. Although not entirely confident, Shen Zhenghui assigned the work to Lu Yang and asked Fukuda Miharu to send someone to Hong Kong to participate in the post-production with Lu Yang. He booked a flight for February 3, planning to return to his hometown by February 4. Fukuda Miharu dispelled Shen Zhenghui's worry about making mistakes in the rush.

"There's no need to rush. You can start editing and post-production after the New Year, after all, Hong Kong also celebrates the Spring Festival," Fukuda Miharu said.

Shen Zhenghui slapped his forehead. "That's true; I almost forgot and thought Hong Kong was like Japan."

"Are you going to take Liu Xin back to your hometown?"

"Why should I take her? She can go back to Pengcheng for the New Year on her own!" Shen Zhenghui widened his eyes and then realized the other meaning behind Fukuda Miharu's mention of Liu Xin, feeling awkward. "Uh, I'll go see my grandmother, and I won't take anyone."

Fukuda Miharu pursed her lips. "Your grandmother probably expects you to bring a girlfriend back, or are you embarrassed to bring a Japanese girl?"

"Please, don't bring that up, okay?" Shen Zhenghui pressed his head.

Fukuda Miharu rolled her eyes and stopped talking about it. "You can discuss our cooperation with your father when you go back," she reminded him. "To enter the Chinese market sooner, we can start preparing now."

Shen Zhenghui rubbed his nose. "I know. Is there anything else you want to say?"

"Come back early," Fukuda Miharu smiled. "There might be a surprise for you!"

The surprise she mentioned had already happened. "Meteor Garden" (Taiwan version) was broadcast on Taiwan's CTV during the winter break, causing an explosive viewing rate. Kishida and Tsujimoto became overnight sensations in Taiwan, not just among teenagers but also among adults. They became the dream girls of thousands of Taiwanese teenagers and the envy of thousands of Taiwanese girls. The high ratings led to the planning of "Meteor Garden 2," and Kishida and Tsujimoto became Japanese female stars who were more popular overseas than in their home country.

However, the surprise Fukuda Miharu mentioned was not limited to Taiwan. Based on the success of "Meteor Garden" in Taiwan, Chai Zhiping was confidently preparing to distribute "Meteor Garden" worldwide, including Japan and the mainland.

Shen Zhenghui made the necessary arrangements and returned to Beijing from Japan, then flew to Chengdu and took a bus back to his hometown, finally arriving on New Year's Eve.

His hometown was a backward county. During the New Year, the shops were closed, and the county had no special decorations, only the continuous sound of firecrackers and fireworks reminding everyone that it was the New Year and not a biohazard crisis.

Thinking about this, Shen Zhenghui found it amusing. Shen Xingguo's house in the hometown was still there. After putting his luggage down, Shen Zhenghui, urged by his father, went to his grandmother's house. Shen Xingguo and Liang Kexiu had already arrived and were busy in the kitchen with Shen Zhenghui's aunts and uncles. Shen Zhenghui's second, third, fourth, and fifth uncles were smoking in the living room, creating a smoky atmosphere. His grandmother, seeing Shen Zhenghui return, smiled with deeper wrinkles on her face.

"Huihui, I heard you're developing in Japan and have become a movie star?" his uncles started to tease.

As the eldest in the third generation, Shen Zhenghui was also the eldest among his cousins, except for his aunt's son. The other uncles and his aunt's son were all born after 1985, with the oldest, Shen Zhengfan, just finishing junior high school, looking rebellious. However, he was very enthusiastic about Shen Zhenghui and asked him about the Japanese entertainment industry and its stars.

During the family dinner, the adults and children sat at separate tables. Shen Zhenghui and his aunt's son, Wang Jun, were called to the adults' table to drink. During the meal, the grandmother and elders nagged about finding girlfriends, a topic Shen Zhenghui did not particularly like, but he enjoyed the warm atmosphere. Shen Xingguo sat at the main table, while Liang Kexiu and the children sat together, all smiling.

Shen Xingguo was interested in discussing his film and television company in China. When he mentioned it, Shen Zhenghui realized that his family had a significant position in the Chinese entertainment industry. In just over a year, Shen Xingguo had produced several popular TV series, firmly establishing himself in the mainland entertainment industry. He was now thinking about when he could produce some films to enhance the company's reputation and status. He looked at Shen Zhenghui, "What have you been up to in Japan these days?"

"Filming a kung fu movie!"

The topic of the kung fu movie attracted the interest of the adults at the table and the children at the other table. Everyone asked Shen Zhenghui for details and requested that he send them the DVD when the movie was released, knowing that it would be impossible to screen it domestically.

Shen Zhengfan asked if he could go to Japan to play and become the lead in a kung fu movie. He was scolded by his father, Shen Zhenghui's third uncle, "You better focus on your studies and get into high school before you talk about playing."

Seeing Shen Zhengfan's discontented face, Shen Zhenghui suddenly found everything amusing.

---

It's the 100th chapter, a small celebration. I think I am easily influenced by comments, but I don't argue with readers to avoid interference. I don't claim to write well, but saying I'm whitewashing the mafia is really frustrating.

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