Chapter 41

On January 1, 1999, New Year's Day, the mainland released "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: Year of the Rabbit." This children's animated film, which no one had taken seriously at first, made a stunning debut during the New Year's holiday, grossing 18 million yuan in its first week. No one had expected that this simple and childish animated film would have a first-week box office that was almost on par with "Not One Less," which had been released a week earlier.

Unlike the screening rooms for "Not One Less," the screening rooms for "Year of the Rabbit" were never quiet. Children would often shout excitedly, especially when the classic line "I will be back!" was spoken by Big Big Wolf, filling the room with a joyful atmosphere. Of course, the screening rooms were not just filled with children; each child was accompanied by at least one parent. After careful investigation by reporters, the secret to the box office success of "Year of the Rabbit" was revealed: on average, each child could generate three ticket sales, and there were even entire families who came to watch the film together.

When a reporter interviewed Director Feng about his thoughts on his box office being caught up, it was well known that Director Feng was quite proud of his commercial success. However, seeing the performance of "Year of the Rabbit," he had to admit, "What money is the easiest to earn in this world? Women's money and children's money. So I think I still need to be more commercial."

Meanwhile, Gainax and Gonzo held a joint press conference in Japan. Anno Hideaki announced at the conference that he would authorize Gonzo to produce a fan animation of "EVA" that would be different from the official version. This contradicted the earlier rumors of a live-action adaptation of "EVA," causing otakus to wonder what had happened. They asked when the new animation, titled "Re-take," would start screening.

The production of the animation had already begun, with storyboards and other preparations already in place. All that was needed was to follow the plan. Zhou Hua, as the assistant director of "Re-take," participated in the production. Chinese people would be the main force in this project, which would be an excellent opportunity to gain experience. Upon hearing this news, Liu Xin, who was in Hong Kong, could no longer stay and hurriedly returned to Gonzo.

"Why did you come back so early?"

"I wanted to see the new animation as soon as possible!"

"Nonsense, it's still early! There was a purpose for sending you and Fukuda Hikari on this trip. You rushed back so quickly, did you go to Hong Kong? Did you visit Pengcheng? Did you talk to Yan Kai? Is the company running smoothly? Do you even know these things?" Shen Zhenghui was angry at Liu Xin's lack of judgment. "You are a boss now, not just an ordinary anime enthusiast. What difference does a day or two make in seeing the sample? What matters is whether it can make money. Now, you spend all your time in Japan doing nothing, and you come back without accomplishing anything. How old are you? Can't you be more responsible?"

Shen Zhenghui's scolding made Liu Xin feel wronged, and she almost cried. "If these things are so important, why don't you do them? Aren't you also a major shareholder?"

Shen Zhenghui was infuriated by Liu Xin's childish behavior. "Why don't you do these things yourself? Why do you hide in Japan like a turtle in its shell?" Then she pouted, "Did you forget you have a sweetheart in Japan, and you can't bear to leave?"

Liu Xin's words made Shen Zhenghui calm down. He sat back down, rubbed his hair, and began to think about the next steps.

Liu Xin felt awkward after saying those words. She regretted them and didn't know how to back down.

Fukuda Hikari pushed the door open and walked in. "I heard a lot of noise," she said.

"Hikari!" Liu Xin couldn't help but throw herself into Fukuda Hikari's arms and sobbed.

"Alright, alright, you really are unreliable. In the future, remember to consult me before doing anything. Otherwise, I'll assign you a secretary to remind you of your daily tasks," Fukuda Hikari patted Liu Xin's back.

"Wah, my dad has never scolded me like that," Liu Xin said in a very wronged tone.

"I don't believe you!" Shen Zhenghui retorted.

"You don't know, that's my dad!" Liu Xin pouted, as if the previous incident was just a playful argument.

"What about your mom?"

"What's it got to do with you?" Liu Xin made a face at Shen Zhenghui.

Shen Zhenghui took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Alright, I'll go back to the mainland anyway."

"Eh?" Even Fukuda Hikari was surprised.

"Well, I can go," Liu Xin finally admitted, like a child finally admitting a mistake. "After all, it's my responsibility..."

Shen Zhenghui made a gesture to stop her from continuing. "In the end, it's my responsibility too. Running away won't solve anything. When necessary, we should face things head-on." He frowned. "I should have more confidence in myself."

"Do you think you lack confidence?" Fukuda Hikari's face twitched.

"Of course," Shen Zhenghui said, half-serious and half-joking. "The world should be at my feet."

Liu Xin's eyes widened.

"Middle school syndrome," Fukuda Hikari pouted. "Aren't you worried?" she asked. "You might be pressured by greedy people, and they might even create some scandal, or find a woman to get rid of you."

"Eh?" Liu Xin was startled by Fukuda Hikari's calm tone.

"How serious can it be? I'm not an ordinary person!" Shen Zhenghui spread his hands.

"But you are a fourth-class person, right?" Fukuda Hikari blinked.

"You know that joke?" Shen Zhenghui raised his eyebrows. "I know many first and second-class people!"

"So they're preparing a big shot to bury you with." Fukuda Hikari said.

"Eh?"

"That's because they have conflicts with each other, not to help you stand up for justice." Fukuda Hikari's voice was calm, making Liu Xin feel scared.

Liu Xin stared at Shen Zhenghui with a questioning look. "Is that true? It's so dangerous, you shouldn't go back!"

Shen Zhenghui felt that both he and Liu Xin were being manipulated by Fukuda Hikari. "Really, you should have a limit to your nonsense. Look at how scared you made Liu Xin."

Fukuda Hikari pouted. "I'm not scaring you." She said.

"Alright, alright, you could be the lead in a new film by Shimizu Takashi tonight."

Fukuda Hikari turned her face away, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. When she turned back, her expression was less rigid. "Why don't you help Aizawa get a role in Shimizu Takashi's film? Even a supporting role would be good."

"Aizawa?" Shen Zhenghui glanced at Liu Xin, who tried to look calm. "Although she performed well in the last film, the role didn't require much acting. It was more of a decorative part. I think she needs more experience to join Shimizu's film."

"Is that so?" Fukuda Hikari was clearly skeptical. "Is it because you never watch horror films?"

"You can say that if you want," Shen Zhenghui spread his hands. "Oh," he remembered something and walked to his desk, taking out a notebook. "By the way, I wrote a new script. Please have someone check if it fits the Japanese atmosphere and environment, and help me make the details realistic."

"You've already written a script?" Fukuda Hikari took the notebook and flipped through it. Liu Xin also leaned in.

It was almost like a Japanese novel, which was difficult for Liu Xin to read. However, she could recognize the title. "Sister's Man," she made a disgusted face. "Is it that kind of story?"

Shen Zhenghui rolled his eyes. It was a parody from his previous life, inspired by the sitcom "Home with Kids." The idea was to explore what would happen if Liu Xing and Xiao Xue, who were not blood-related, fell in love. His friend had a talent for this, and the novel was very engaging, though it was never completed. Shen Zhenghui thought the setting was very Japanese, and Zhao Baogang used a similar setup in "Home, N Times" in 2010, but Chinese idol dramas lacked the necessary depth to rely solely on the premise.

When Shen Zhenghui was pressured by Fukuda Hikari to write, the first thing that came to mind, besides the Japanese version of "Anti-007," was his friend's unfinished novel.

But an unfinished novel was no problem. Unfinished works could be adapted, and it left room for future seasons. The story started in high school, which could serve as a platform for accumulating acting experience, and the numerous characters in a student drama would provide opportunities for the girls in Queens Entertainment.

Fukuda Hikari quickly read through the story. Although she didn't know how it would look on screen, she found it very engaging.

She nodded at Shen Zhenghui. "Alright, don't worry about the script," she said, putting her arm around Liu Xin. "I and Xin will take care of everything related to the script."

"Can it be released in April?" Shen Zhenghui asked.

"If you want, it can be released in February," Fukuda Hikari said confidently.

"Oh, right, please tell President Murahama that I have a small suggestion for the animation 'Re-take.' Please have him consider it."

...

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