Chapter 54

Yamayama Moto's comment about "too dark" did not affect Lin Jian's mood. As the businessman said, if you don't try, how do you know it's impossible? Lin Jian was clearly waiting for the other party to land and pay up.

Fukuda Mitsumi did not directly start to haggle. She looked into the air as if in a daze and suddenly said, "Mr. Lin, do you know which Hong Kong movie had the best box office in Japan?"

Lin Jian seemed familiar with this and tentatively replied, "Bruce Lee? *Enter the Dragon*?"

Fukuda Mitsumi shook her head, "It's Jackie Chan's *Police Story*, 3.1 billion yen. *Enter the Dragon* was 1 billion less. The highest-grossing Chinese film is *Shaolin Temple* from 1982, 3.6 billion yen."

Lin Jian didn't know why Fukuda Mitsumi was saying this, so he listened quietly.

"But last year's *Titanic* grossed 26.2 billion yen, the highest in history, followed by *Princess Mononoke* from the year before, at 19.4 billion yen," Fukuda Mitsumi continued, "Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are very popular in Japan, but they still can't match Americans and animated films." She spread her hands, "Of course, now we have Jet Li as well. The people with influence are either gone or getting old. Do you think Hong Kong films can still attract Japanese audiences?"

Lin Jian felt this was a tactic to lower the price, but after careful thought, he agreed. However, he couldn't admit defeat, "King Liu has a great influence in Japan too." He defended.

"Of course, if he were more cautious in his film choices, I would believe him," Fukuda Mitsumi said.

"Both *Gambler* films have been market-tested."

"They haven't been tested in the Japanese market," Fukuda Mitsumi said.

Lin Jian felt he was at a disadvantage, "So, President Fukuda, what price do you think is appropriate?"

"*Gambler 1999* is indeed a good film, but its box office in Hong Kong was only over ten million. You want to sell it to me for ten million Hong Kong dollars." Fukuda Mitsumi smiled, "This isn't the attitude for a long-term partnership, Mr. Lin."

"President Fukuda, Japan has over a hundred million people, while Hong Kong has only six million."

"Then if you sold it to a mainland distribution company, wouldn't you price it at a hundred million Hong Kong dollars?"

Lin Jian felt it was better not to take negotiations with women too seriously, so he turned his gaze to Shen Zhenghui.

"Mr. Lin, in Japan, the best-selling films have always been Hollywood and animated films, no doubt about it," Shen Zhenghui said, "So don't expect too much from the Japanese market. Otherwise, we can sign a profit-sharing agreement."

"No, I have... I mean, Yongsheng has already considered it. We'll discuss the buyout price first. If it's not acceptable, we'll talk about the profit-sharing agreement," Lin Jian replied seriously.

"Since we're preparing for a long-term partnership, we're willing to show our sincerity," Fukuda Mitsumi also said, "For both films, a total of 50 million yen."

This cut was more than 75%, and it was already very close to Lin Jian's psychological price. Negotiations are a slow process, so after some back and forth, the price finally rose to 80 million yen.

Both sides agreed that this price was for a long-term partnership.

Fukuda Mitsumi exclusively acquired all the rights to the two films in Japan.

After the negotiations, they naturally entertained themselves. Seeing Lin Jian come alone with just a translator today, it was clear what he was up to. However, Shen Zhenghui was still wary of what happened last night, so he entrusted the task of accompanying Mr. Lin throughout the evening to Yamayama Moto.

Lin Jian was very disappointed that Shen Zhenghui wasn't participating in the evening activities. Yamayama Moto, behind his boss's back, spread gossip about Shen Zhenghui, saying he had several women in the company and a relationship with President Fukuda—when he said this, he deliberately looked around and whispered, and then talked about his fiancée in the mainland and how she was a good friend of President Fukuda, who was currently keeping an eye on him in Japan, so Shen Zhenghui had been very cautious recently. Lin Jian carefully gathered this information and increasingly felt that Shen Zhenghui was a mysterious person in matters of love, with a particularly picky taste—Yamayama Moto's revelation was that he liked girls who looked innocent. This made Lin Jian start to think.

...

After dealing with the Hong Kong tycoon, Shen Zhenghui and Fukuda Mitsumi went to see Kuroishi Ayaka. The queens agency was in a state of chaos, as the young girls heard that they were selecting members for a new group and were working hard with their agents. In the morning, Miss Fujiko had taken Kuroishi Ayaka to see everyone, so these girls were putting extra effort into their afternoon classes.

What was this, a visit to an art school? Shen Zhenghui thought to himself. This single-story dance studio was luxurious—considering Tokyo's land prices, a group of girls from fourteen to eighteen years old were seriously practicing their basic skills under the guidance of their teachers. By the number, there were at least half a platoon.

"What did you bring me here to see?"

"To select people. I believe in your eye."

"I don't even believe in myself. This should be done by professionals," Shen Zhenghui said, then looked at the children in amazement, "Your agency has been around for how long to have such a scale?"

"We've also poached some talent," Fukuda Mitsumi said lightly.

"Didn't you say it was hard to poach talent?"

"Poach the whole wall."

"You mean you acquired other agencies?"

"Yes, I think just training artists isn't enough. We should also have a voice acting agency."

"Uh... ambitious!"

"This way, we don't have to bother other companies for voice acting for gonzo, and the Chinese films I bought will have voice actors."

"You're raising a cow to drink fresh milk."

"That's good. I see a bright future for voice actors. In the future, more and more fans might become fans because of a voice."

"You have a keen eye."

"These are student models who come for training in their spare time. Besides dance, figure, language, music, and foreign language classes, there are many other courses." Fukuda Mitsumi said with a sigh, "Seeing them study so hard is really touching!"

"So you signed them to ten-year contracts?"

"I wouldn't sign lazy or unambitious children. The ten years of training will cost me a lot! They can't even pay it off with nude photo books."

"If the Japanese put this spirit into other things, the economy might have taken off long ago."

"I know you'll tell us to overthrow American rule, right?"

"First, overthrow the rule of the Liberal Democratic Party!"

"Don't say that. Prime Minister Obuchi is a good person, his nickname is 'Uncle Heisei.'"

"Hope this good person stays in power for a long time!" Shen Zhenghui shrugged.

"Of course, he should stay longer," Fukuda Mitsumi said, "You don't know how much effort I put into giving him advice for his visit to China."

"Then what's the benefit..."

Fukuda Mitsumi stared at Shen Zhenghui seriously, "Maybe *Battle Angel Yuki* can be shown in mainland theaters!"

"Can *North High School Cruel History* be shown?"

"Definitely not, live-action films are more sensitive."

"I think it's much better than *Young and Dangerous*."

Fukuda Mitsumi ignored Shen Zhenghui's comment, "Who do you think is better?"

"Just based on appearance?"

"Sure."

"I think we should choose long legs. If the face isn't good, they can get plastic surgery."

"Japanese legs are generally not good." Fukuda Mitsumi sighed, "If we use leg shape as a criterion, we won't need to select at all."

"Don't say that, you're still pretty good." Shen Zhenghui said.

"You!" Fukuda Mitsumi turned her head, looking indignant.

"Or we can look for long-legged girls in Korea or China?"

"No need, don't come here anymore."

"Didn't you want to hear my opinion?"

"Now I think your opinion is completely useless."

"How can you be so fickle?"

The two of them had attracted the attention of all the trainees from the moment they appeared. The newly minted actor Shen Zhenghui drew many gazes, especially his casual conversation with Fukuda Mitsumi, which made people envious. These aspiring young actors were all trying their best to attract the boss's attention for a chance. But these two seemed not to be paying much attention to the girls.

Fukuda Mitsumi led Shen Zhenghui to a young man sitting on a bench, writing something.

"This is Director Miyamoto," Fukuda Mitsumi said, "Your assistant director."

"Mr. Sasaki, hello!" The man bowed first, "I am very honored to be your assistant director."

Shen Zhenghui shook hands with the director of adult films, a sunny and handsome guy who looked nothing like someone who directed such films.

"What are you doing here?" Shen Zhenghui asked.

"I'm preparing for the film *My Sister's Man*," the man flipped open his notebook, which was full of photos, "I'm selecting the male and female leads and the young actors for the supporting roles," he glanced at Fukuda Mitsumi, "President Fukuda said it's best to use company talent."

"You're working hard." Shen Zhenghui also glanced at Fukuda Mitsumi.

"Not at all, it's my duty." The man was clearly very happy, flipping to a page and pointing to a photo, "I went to Johnny's, and I think this child looks a lot like you, Mr. Sasaki, and can play you as a child."

"Uh, really?" Shen Zhenghui took the notebook awkwardly and looked at it carefully.

"Very delicate, but the aura fits the novel very well, like a younger brother who would beat up a senior for his sister, or a doctor who would cut open a patient's abdomen or take a photo of a patient's skull."

"Your description makes it sound completely perverted. Does this child have a perverted aura?" Shen Zhenghui said, looking at the photo of the slightly melancholic handsome boy.

Then he was drawn to the name below the photo: Yamashita Tomohisa.

"Yes, this child's muscles are exactly like yours in *North High School Cruel History*, especially since he's fourteen, just starting middle school, the same age as in the novel."

Middle school second year... huh?

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