Chapter 38

"Since I'm going to be your full-time secretary, why do I have to come to Taiwan with you?" Liu Xin complained to Fukuda Ayumi, "I'm not even an employee of your company."

"Do you want to be an employee of my company?" Fukuda Ayumi countered.

"Uh, I think I'll pass. I'm more interested in animation," Liu Xin replied.

"You should focus less on that," Fukuda Ayumi glanced at her, "You don't have the talent for it. Did you contribute to the production of the new animation? For the boss, often times, just paying the money is enough. Professional matters should be left to professionals. As a boss, you shouldn't be dealing with these trivial matters."

"Are you lecturing me?"

"Of course, I'm sharing my experience with you."

"Why are you sharing this with me? Shouldn't you be teaching these things to Shen Zhenghui? He's the one who's doing all the trivial things as a boss." Liu Xin picked up the newspaper on the table. This was a high-end restaurant in Taipei, and the newspapers were bought by Fukuda Ayumi's subordinates according to her requirements. They were filled with news about "The Cruel History of North High School." Liu Xin flipped through it casually, suppressing her excitement at seeing the box office figures, and her eyes landed on a piece of gossip.

Hong Kong and Taiwan's newspapers and magazines always prioritize entertainment, with no sense of propriety. The report Liu Xin was reading was no exception. It catered to the public's taste and reported on Aizawa Tomoaki. What made Liu Xin angry wasn't that the report revealed Aizawa Tomoaki's past as a porn actress, which everyone in Japan knew, but that it finally dragged Shen Zhenghui into the story. The report claimed that the lead actor—using the stage name Shen Yu, as they didn't even know his real name—was a second-generation rich kid. The report vaguely mentioned which family he came from but firmly stated that this rich kid had fallen for Aizawa Tomoaki and invested 100 million yen to hire Nakajima Masahiro to co-star, helping Aizawa Tomoaki gain fame.

The report was written in a way that simplified the events, making it seem like these things happened because of a simple whim of the rich kid, which made Liu Xin even more upset.

"Oh, this news." Fukuda Ayumi leaned over, took the newspaper, and read it carefully. "It's well-written," she said, "Maybe we can translate this news into Japanese and send it back to Japan."

"This is all nonsense," Liu Xin said angrily.

"I know!" Fukuda Ayumi responded, "If he was just trying to please Aizawa Tomoaki, I wouldn't have invested in the movie."

"That's not what I meant," Liu Xin continued angrily.

"Calm down, girl," Fukuda Ayumi glanced at her, "We're about to meet a big shot in the Taiwanese entertainment industry. Don't show her that you can be riled up by tabloids; it's not good for our work."

"You're not angry at all?" Liu Xin asked.

"You're wrong. If this report hinders the growth of my company or my artists, I'd be even angrier than you. I'd do everything to make them compensate me. But," she waved the newspaper, "this level of reporting might actually make us money."

"Is that so?"

"Girl, you're too naive. You don't understand the rules of the entertainment industry," Fukuda Ayumi spread her hands.

"Is that so?"

"Rumors and scandals in the entertainment industry are nothing. As long as your nude photos and videos don't leak, you're fine."

"Huh?"

"Sometimes, even if they do leak, it's not a big deal. Japan is sometimes like that."

"Hmm?"

"So those perverted men who want to buy Aizawa Tomoaki's videos and DVDs will find that they can't."

"Uh, what?"

"Do you think I wouldn't care about my female artists' pasts?"

"Hmm, I don't understand."

"You can't buy Aizawa Tomoaki's videos and DVDs in Japan anymore. I've already taken care of it. This makes those perverted people even more anxious, deepening their impression of her."

"Huh?"

"Stars are about influence. The deeper the impression in people's minds, the greater the influence. As long as it's not negative, or even if it is, it's not a big deal. It's easy to turn things around."

"I don't understand what you're saying, but it sounds impressive. But does this have anything to do with what we're doing in Taiwan?"

"Poor girl," Fukuda Ayumi looked at her, "If Mr. Sasaki were here, he would have started teasing me by now."

Liu Xin took a moment to remember that Sasaki was Shen Zhenghui's Japanese name. "Sasaki is such an ugly name," she pouted, "Do you really want Shen Zhenghui here?"

"Talking to him is interesting."

"Then why did you bring me? You should have brought him instead." Liu Xin said in a huff.

"Hey, don't be angry! Talking to you is also interesting!" Fukuda Ayumi took a sip of her drink, "It feels like talking to a child."

"I'm so immature, I'm sorry!" Liu Xin pouted.

At that moment, a neatly dressed, efficient woman hurried over. "I'm very sorry. Are you Miss Fukuda? I'm Chai Zhiyi. I'm late, I'm sorry."

"It's fine, we just arrived," Fukuda Ayumi stood up and shook her hand. Liu Xin also stood up. "This is my partner, Miss Liu Xin."

Liu Xin nodded politely at her. Chai Zhiyi's eyes lit up. "Is Miss Liu from Taiwan?"

"No," Liu Xin felt her facial expression stiffen, "I'm from the mainland."

"Oh," Chai Zhiyi, being very polite, showed no emotion at Liu Xin being from the mainland. Instead, she enthusiastically introduced the tourist attractions in Taiwan and offered to show the two guests around. Liu Xin, who hadn't experienced many such situations and usually had her father or Shen Zhenghui handle them, looked to Fukuda Ayumi for guidance.

Fukuda Ayumi responded appropriately to her enthusiasm.

"President Chai, let's start our formal discussion," Chai Zhiyi quickly shifted from a热情的台湾导游 to a company president.

"President Fukuda, I've personally seen the film 'The Cruel History of North High School' produced by Haruhi Pictures, and it is indeed a good movie."

"Thank you."

"However, Haruhi Pictures is a new company in Japan. While we value Japanese entertainment resources, we are based in Taiwan. Therefore, I think we should adopt a cooperative approach. As for your proposal to take a stake in our company, I must decline."

"President Chai, please don't answer so quickly. Although Haruhi Pictures is a new company, you may not be fully aware of our resources in Japan. We have been strategically laying out in the entertainment industry for a long time and have a strategic partnership with Kadokawa."

Chai Zhiyi smiled slightly. "I have no immediate plans to enter the Japanese market."

Fukuda Ayumi nodded. "I heard that President Chai is in talks with Shueisha to purchase the TV rights to a manga?"

Chai Zhiyi finally showed some interest. "Do you have any advice, President Fukuda?"

"I've also been in talks with Shueisha and purchased the TV rights to a manga called 'Boys Over Flowers'," she paused, "The TV adaptation rights for all of Asia."

Chai Zhiyi licked her lips and subconsciously picked up the water in front of her.

"Sorry, I didn't know what President Chai likes to drink, so I only ordered water. You can order a drink if you like." Fukuda Ayumi signaled a nearby waiter.

Chai Zhiyi composed herself and, while the waiter was there, ordered a fruit drink.

"The rights were sold in 1995, so the rights in Japan are not exclusive. The rights outside Japan are exclusive," she paused, "But there is a time constraint. If President Chai is willing to wait five years..."

Chai Zhiyi rubbed her temples hard.

"President Chai, Haruhi Pictures does not want to make your company a part of Haruhi. Our layout in Taiwan is part of our overall strategy in Asia. We need a solid partner in Taiwan, and I see great potential in you. Establishing a completely independent strategic point in Taiwan would be a waste of time and resources for Haruhi, although it is not impossible. From a strategic perspective, we prefer to cooperate with local forces."

Chai Zhiyi looked at Liu Xin, then back at Fukuda Ayumi, clearly asking for more information.

Fukuda Ayumi handed the newspaper to Chai Zhiyi. "We also have a partner on the mainland."

Chai Zhiyi looked at the report and asked in surprise, "Is this lead actor also from the mainland?"

"He is an important partner of Haruhi. I hope President Chai will also become a partner of Haruhi," Fukuda Ayumi said seriously.

Chai Zhiyi tapped her fingers on the table and said after a long pause, "Miss Fukuda, I know 'The Cruel History of North High School' has performed well in Taiwan, breaking 100 million NT dollars in box office, almost a miracle. What about the box office in Japan?"

Fukuda Ayumi looked at Liu Xin before continuing, "Before I left Japan, the box office was about 500 million yen. Now, it has probably exceeded 700 million." Liu Xin's eyes widened.

"President Fukuda, I need to consider what you've said. How long will you be staying in Taiwan?" Chai Zhiyi asked sincerely.

"I'll be in Taiwan for about a week, then I'll go to Hong Kong," Fukuda Ayumi answered simply.

"Alright, I'll give you an answer within a week." Chai Zhiyi stood up, and at that moment, the waiter brought the fruit juice.

"Would you like to sit down and finish your juice before leaving?" Fukuda Ayumi suggested.

Chai Zhiyi naturally accepted the suggestion. The three women chatted about everyday life, such as clothing brands and cosmetics, which relaxed the tense atmosphere.

"President Fukuda, I have a question," Chai Zhiyi said, and after Fukuda Ayumi nodded, continued, "If 'Boys Over Flowers' is filmed in Taiwan, do you have any requirements for the four male leads? Or do you want to use Japanese actors?"

"No, I think if it's a Taiwanese version, using Taiwanese actors would be better. I don't have any male actors under my management," Fukuda Ayumi spread her hands, "Of course, my partner is an exception, but that's a personal interest."

Chai Zhiyi nodded slightly.

"However, I hope to recommend one of my female artists for the lead role."

This answer did not exceed Chai Zhiyi's bottom line, but she still wanted to probe, "If we don't use a Taiwanese female actor, it might not be appropriate, given that it's a Taiwanese drama. Can I know who you plan to use?"

Fukuda Ayumi answered calmly, "The only female artist I currently have is Aizawa Tomoaki, the lead actress in 'The Cruel History of North High School.' Of course, if President Chai is willing to wait, there will be more options."

Chai Zhiyi smiled, "Aizawa is very good, but I'm a bit concerned about her past and whether it fits the character's background." She tapped the newspaper on the table.

Fukuda Ayumi pursed her lips, "That's why I said there will be more options if you wait. But for now, I think Aizawa is the best choice because her Chinese is fluent, and she can communicate with Taiwanese actors without language barriers. Plus, she already has some recognition in Taiwan."

Chai Zhiyi wisely did not continue this topic, finished her drink, and took her leave.