Chapter 36

After a cathartic climax, the film ended on a soothing note.

The elderly father, for his child's future, had to kneel before the parents of the beaten student in the hospital, begging for forgiveness.

Watanabe Kiri attended a cram school, hoping to earn a university degree.

Then, at the cram school, he saw an old classmate, a fat boy who had once helped him. The fat boy told him that Fujimura Tomoko was also attending the cram school.

Watanabe Kiri wanted to see Tomoko, though he had no idea what to say or do when he saw her. After school, he waited at the school gate, watching each girl who came out, but he did not see Tomoko. When he got on the bus to go home, he unexpectedly saw Tomoko on the bus.

It was a scene like a dream. Watanabe Kiri approached with great excitement, but found himself at a loss for words. After a few trivial words, Tomoko was about to get off the bus.

Watanabe Kiri finally did not say anything emotional, just a simple goodbye.

When Tomoko got off the bus, she suddenly turned around, and the two of them looked at each other through the bus window, their complex emotions conveyed in their gazes. Then the bus started moving, and Watanabe Kiri slumped against the pole inside the bus.

Revisiting this scene, Shen Zhenghui suddenly felt a heavy heart. He turned his face, and Aizawa Tomoaki was staring at him with concern, the same look as in the movie.

Shen Zhenghui smiled and refocused his gaze on the screen.

Starting with Bruce Lee and ending with Jackie Chan, the movie screen showed a promotional poster for a Jackie Chan film, and the protagonist was pulled by his friend to go see a Jackie Chan movie. The audience in the cinema became excited at the sight of Jackie Chan, a metaphor that the past will always pass, and new life will replace the old. The film ended with a comical performance, but it was actually a very cruel ending.

The high quality of the Japanese audience made them wait until the credits finished and the lights in the cinema came on before they collectively stood up and clapped. At this point, there was no need to say anything more; the quality of the film and the audience's feelings had already spoken for themselves. Whether it was the older or younger audience members, they all had a sense of empathy to varying degrees.

Shen Zhenghui and Aizawa Tomoaki had already released their sweaty hands. Taking advantage of the applause, Shen Zhenghui whispered in Aizawa Tomoaki's ear, "Come to my place tonight."

Aizawa Tomoaki clapped and nodded slightly, as if in agreement.

What was the reason that Fukuda Miharu and Liu Xin did not attend the premiere? Shen Zhenghui wondered.

...

"What is this?" Liu Xin looked at the video tape in Fukuda Miharu's hand with some confusion. "I have a lot of things to do tomorrow, I don't have time to watch a video tape with you." Her expression was very cautious, as if the video tape was a terrifying thing.

"This is the video tape of 'Cruel Story of Youth'." Fukuda Miharu replied.

"What, the pirated version is already out before it's even released?" Liu Xin was astonished.

Fukuda Miharu put her hand to her forehead. "This is a movie I invested in, is it strange to have a preview tape?"

"Uh, oh," Liu Xin was a bit embarrassed. "Why watch a video tape? Isn't it the premiere today? You can go to the cinema, right? Are you just trying to save money?" Liu Xin was surprised. "To support the box office, I even gave all the Chinese employees premiere tickets. You, as an investor, are watching the video tape at home."

"I'm not watching the video tape for the story," Fukuda Miharu said calmly. "I'm watching it to analyze someone's psychology."

"Huh?" Liu Xin widened her eyes.

"Director Shimizu once told me that Shen Zhenghui's performance in the movie was excellent, as if he wasn't acting but just being himself." She glanced at Liu Xin. "Do you understand? Being himself."

"Uh, so what does that have to do with me?" Liu Xin asked.

"Besides me, you are probably the one who knows him best, so I plan to analyze while getting your opinion."

"I... I'm not that close to him. I know him... well, we didn't go to school together." Liu Xin felt she had found a good excuse. "I mostly hear about him from others, so psychological analysis seems a bit too difficult for me."

"Shut up, sit down, and turn on the machine!" Fukuda Miharu glanced at Liu Xin. "You don't look like Rei Ayanami at all; you should just sit down quietly and watch the movie."

Liu Xin, dressed as Rei Ayanami, looked aggrieved.

...

Shen Zhenghui no longer cared about the evening's box office. After seeing the film, he knew that with the film's quality and Fukuda Miharu's capabilities, it would not fail at the box office unless a Ghibli film or a long version of Doraemon was released soon.

Shen Zhenghui said he had something to do and left first, saying goodbye to **ap and chatting with Shimizu Takashi for a moment. Shimizu Takashi mentioned that his "Ju-on" film had already started production and aimed to be released in 1999. Shen Zhenghui wished him good luck and then went home by car.

Aizawa Tomoaki stayed to accompany others for interviews with journalists. The protagonist's departure indeed made many people unhappy, but his Chinese identity also made many people happy about his departure. The leader of **ap gave an enthusiastic interview, Director Shimizu received praise, and Aizawa Tomoaki, besides being harassed, also received praise. Even a crazy person rushed up to hug her, but fortunately, the security guard stopped the impulsive person.

Aizawa Tomoaki therefore requested to leave early.

...

"So, is this guy also timid and unable to express his love?" Fukuda Miharu, carefully observing the plot development, muttered to herself while writing and drawing in her notebook.

"I think high school students are all like that," Liu Xin said.

Fukuda Miharu looked at her. "No, look at how direct Nakai Masahiro is."

"In Chinese culture, dating in high school is considered early love, something only bad kids do."

"Um, sexual repression."

"This..." Liu Xin felt that the high-sounding psychological analysis seemed a bit trivial in form.

"It seems I need to look into his high school love history," Fukuda Miharu continued to mutter to herself.

"Seems like there isn't one."

"You know? Do you know his classmates?" Fukuda Miharu's gaze was sharp.

"Uh, I heard it," Liu Xin hesitated and replied. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have been admitted to Pingjing University."

"Because he suppressed his feelings for studying? That's even more dangerous!"

"You're making too many assumptions!"

"Look at how he looks at Aizawa Tomoaki. Indeed, the Chinese saying 'it's better to desire than to possess' is a profound truth."

"That saying has nothing to do with teenage love," Liu Xin couldn't stand it.

"Then, do you agree that other people's girlfriends are always better?"

Liu Xin turned her face away with a pout.

"How can you know if he likes you without a thorough analysis?" Fukuda Miharu half-closed her eyes. "Or if he has even a little bit of affection for you." She used her fingers to indicate a very short distance.

"Is your method reliable?" Liu Xin wondered if she was feeling something.

Fukuda Miharu stared at the screen. "I think he looks at Aizawa Tomoaki's face and legs more often. What do you think?"

...

"The film was shot very well, I must thank you sincerely."

"No need to say that, I should be the one thanking you."

"No," Aizawa Tomoaki said seriously, "any Japanese girl could have played my role, but I owe it to you, Mr. Shen, for being able to play this role."

"You're too modest," Shen Zhenghui closed his eyes. "Anyone could play it is a joke; it's also because of your role that it is so captivating."

"Mr. Shen, you seem a bit unhappy. Are you worried about the box office?" Aizawa Tomoaki asked carefully.

"Is it that obvious?" Shen Zhenghui touched his cheek. "No, of course not the box office. I'm just being reminded of some old emotions."

"Mr. Shen," Aizawa Tomoaki sat next to Shen Zhenghui, took his hand, and placed it between her own hands. "Can you tell me about it?"

"Uh, it's not a big deal, just sometimes feeling out of place with the world." Shen Zhenghui smiled. "Middle school syndrome, it never went away. Um, maybe it's May sickness."

Aizawa Tomoaki also smiled, her smile had a warming effect. "Mr. Shen, I am here for you."

"Yes." Shen Zhenghui's eyelids drooped, then he raised his head. "I got too into the role, always feeling like you belong to someone else. And then we just missed each other."

"But it's just acting, isn't it?" Aizawa Tomoaki said gently. "I will always be here."

Shen Zhenghui pursed his lips and said nothing, letting Aizawa Tomoaki hold his hand.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you saying sorry?" Shen Zhenghui asked.

"Because I used to be that kind of actress, didn't I?" Aizawa Tomoaki replied.

Shen Zhenghui squeezed her hand. "It's okay."

"Really?" Genuine light shone in her eyes.

"Ah, I should be the one saying sorry."

"Why do you say that?" Aizawa Tomoaki asked, puzzled.

Shen Zhenghui reached out and cupped her chin. The pure face had countless shadows flickering.

"Just now in the cinema, I had many feelings. Watching this film was like reliving my own youth, um, the same plot as in the movie."

"Hmm?"

"So, I like you."

"Oh..."

"But the real me is different from the one in the movie, not so beautiful, sincere, and idealistic. Reality is gray."

"Um, yes, I know, I understand."

Shen Zhenghui's hand rested on the buttons of Aizawa Tomoaki's clothes. "Because reality is different from the movie, I am not as pure as shown in the film, which is why I like making movies."

...

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