Chapter 27

"Your meaning is that he is still very hesitant?" After listening to Maya Ozawa's report, Miki Fukuda was somewhat surprised.

"He doesn't seem very confident. But that's not surprising, after all, acting and business are two different fields! Even Konosuke Matsushita might not be a good actor!" Maya Ozawa shrugged her shoulders.

"You're wrong about that," Miki Fukuda pursed her lips, "He will be a good actor."

"Really?"

"Of course. But I'm even better because I'm an artist who performs with my life." Miki Fukuda stretched her neck.

"Cousin, I really don't understand your thoughts. Why are you doing this? To cultivate that man into a famous movie star?"

"You wouldn't understand my tastes."

"Hey, hey, yes," Maya Ozawa responded irritably, then she asked in a low voice, "Why are you so close to his Chinese girlfriend, even letting her live with you? Aren't you rivals?"

Miki Fukuda gave her a cold look, "Who said we are rivals?"

"Hey, hey, I'll pretend I didn't say anything. I don't understand your world of the 70s."

"That's because you're too young," Miki Fukuda blinked, "Too young, too simple!"

"Are you 70s people really fond of complicated messes?"

"Nonsense." Miki Fukuda glared at her and then spread out the documents in front of her, "Alright, let's choose the second male lead."

"Cousin, why don't you just tell me what you're thinking? I always find you mysterious." Maya Ozawa hugged Miki Fukuda's arm, "Your cousin doesn't have enough life experience and needs your guidance."

"It's very simple," Miki Fukuda put down her pen, "Just spend ten years in a shrine, and you'll understand everything."

"Ah..." Maya Ozawa released Miki Fukuda's arm in disappointment, "Boring."

She seemed to have lost her usual pretense of composure, "By the way, where did the Chinese girl go?"

"GONZO," Miki Fukuda answered while buried in the documents, "She is very interested in animation production. It seems that's her main job, and coming to Japan to find a man is just a side thing."

"Really? It's quite rare for a girl to like GONZO's style." Maya Ozawa tilted her head.

"She's not really into that style, just passionate about animation production. And her current passion hasn't yet focused on a specific type of anime. It's almost the same as me." Miki Fukuda seemed to be answering Maya Ozawa, but also talking to herself.

"What are you talking about, cousin?" Maya Ozawa asked.

"I'm saying," Miki Fukuda rubbed her forehead, "Your school is about to start. Do you still want to stay and play here?"

"Playing is fun." Maya Ozawa sat upright, "Being a white-collar woman is interesting, but it's tiring. Being a secretary to bosses like you, life doesn't belong to oneself anymore."

"When you find your own life," Miki Fukuda looked up, "It will be when you obediently get married and stay home to take care of the kids."

"How can that be?" Maya Ozawa smiled, "I should become a strong woman like you."

"Not getting married?"

"Well..." Maya Ozawa felt caught in a dilemma, but a moment of inspiration struck her, "Wait, sister, could it be that you have this idea, so you hope that Shen..."

Knock, knock, knock. At this moment, a knock came from the door.

"Who is it? Come in!" Maya Ozawa called out, and then Shen Zhenghui pushed the door open.

He held a thick stack of printed paper, seemingly a manuscript, "Oh, Miss Ozawa is here too!"

"As a secretary, I can't be negligent." Maya Ozawa immediately stood up composedly, "What would Mr. Shen like to drink?"

"Water is fine, thank you." Shen Zhenghui sat down opposite Miki Fukuda, "I spent the whole night revising the script. I want to show it to you before giving it to the director. I'm not sure if I've grasped the Japanese mindset."

"This can be handled by a professional agency." Maya Ozawa brought a cup of water, "We can find a professional script reviewer."

Shen Zhenghui bit his lip and said with a slightly regretful tone, "If that's the case, the script won't be entirely my creation."

"I didn't expect you to have such a perfectionist attitude in this area."

"It's just a personal quirk," Shen Zhenghui smacked his lips, "Actually, watching someone read what I've written and accepting their criticism feels like running naked in the street."

"I'm busy choosing the main actors!" Miki Fukuda stared at Shen Zhenghui, "Aren't you considering the director's suggestions?"

"The director's suggestions?" Shen Zhenghui's gaze shifted to Maya Ozawa's face, and only when she made a face did he realize what Miki Fukuda meant, "Oh, the director's suggestions, yes, right." Shen Zhenghui patted his head, "You recommended an outstanding director to me!"

"Although he is a promising young director with great potential, he hasn't achieved anything significant yet." Miki Fukuda said calmly.

"No, he has an extraordinary eye, destined to be a great master." Shen Zhenghui said with certainty.

"Oh, really?" Miki Fukuda's calm tone couldn't hide her excitement, "How do you know?"

Shen Zhenghui touched his nose, "He saw the hidden talent for acting in me. Although I knew I was excellent and unique, even I didn't realize I had a talent for acting. Maybe I should have realized it earlier."

"Realized you could become a movie star?"

"Being a movie star is just a small reward for me. I didn't realize I could become a qualified politician."

Maya Ozawa showed a disgusted expression, "You want to be a politician? Do you think you're not bad enough already?"

"You Japanese only have politicians. I'm talking about a statesman." Shen Zhenghui narrowed his eyes, "And a qualified one." He didn't say that all qualified statesmen are movie stars.

Miki Fukuda lowered her head, "Alright," she said, looking back at Shen Zhenghui, "So you're prepared to accept Director Shimizu's suggestion and become the male lead?"

"I thought about it. Sometimes a man has to be a bit ruthless to himself." Shen Zhenghui clenched his teeth, "I find the future, which I can't control, full of challenges."

"That's because you always think business is too simple." Miki Fukuda replied irritably, "The future in your hands is an illusion."

"That's different from what you said before."

"Alright, let's decide it! The second male lead will be Masahiro Nakagawa. Maya, contact Johnny's."

"Yes," Maya Ozawa nodded, but then suggested, "Should we communicate with Director Shimizu first?"

"Sure, get his opinion first. If he agrees, contact Johnny's. Also, ask him for a backup plan."

"Okay." Maya Ozawa nodded and turned to make a call.

"So, the lead role is decided to be me?" Shen Zhenghui was a bit incredulous.

"Isn't that what you asked for?" Miki Fukuda countered.

"I was just joking to liven up the atmosphere." Shen Zhenghui's face twitched.

"Huh? I thought everything you said from the moment you entered was sincere?" Miki Fukuda teased.

"Do I look like someone without a sense of shame?"

"I think you do."

Shen Zhenghui was speechless, "By the way, where's Liu Xin? I haven't seen her."

"She went to GONZO early this morning," Miki Fukuda said, "She's a good girl."

"How old are you to speak in that tone?" Shen Zhenghui smiled.

Miki Fukuda glared at Shen Zhenghui, "I admire her passion for the animation industry."

"Shouldn't such passion in Japan be met with disdain?" Shen Zhenghui blinked.

"The times have changed," Miki Fukuda said seriously, "Just like how Hideaki Anno, who discovered a money-making tool, changed everything. Japan is a country that loves pictures. But regarding your point, any excessive obsession will eventually lead to disgust, like being obsessed with mahjong, fame, or politics..."

Shen Zhenghui rubbed his face, "Let's talk about the movie again," he said, "I think..."

Miki Fukuda stopped him, "Everything in the end will be decided by the director."

"Am I not the producer?"

"You are the actor and investor. I am the producer." Miki Fukuda said seriously, "I don't think you have the energy for such a demanding job."

"Uh..."

"By the way, the distribution and release of the film are also my responsibility."

"Alright, fine." Shen Zhenghui sat back down, "Maybe I should talk to Director Shimizu again. I'm not very familiar with these things. Should I go to GONZO again?" He looked at Miki Fukuda for approval.

"I think you should leave the matters at GONZO to Miss Liu Xin," Miki Fukuda said casually, "You should focus on preparing yourself," she added, "The film requires you to have six-pack abs in the end!"

Shen Zhenghui covered his face, "I'm digging my own grave!"