Chapter 76

"Mr. Sasaki, be more serious," Miyamoto said from behind the surveillance mirror. "I need you to act as seriously as **, who is genuinely interested in taking these photos."

"Ugh..." Shen Zhenghui wiped his mouth forcefully. "Alright, let me adjust myself." He turned his face to the side and took a few deep breaths.

This was a scene in a hospital, where Shen Zhenghui played the male lead who grew up to become a doctor, but he was a **. His ** behavior was that after performing surgery and cutting into the patient's body, he and his assistant liked to take photos as souvenirs. Although he knew the scene was made by the prop master, Shen Zhenghui still felt a bit nauseous when he saw the red, bloody objects.

"Alright, then take a ten-minute break." Miyamoto gave the order, and the actors relaxed and walked to the side. Shen Zhenghui pressed his temples, trying hard to bring out the dark side of his character.

"Are you okay?" Aizawa Tomoaki approached Shen Zhenghui.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be? Miss." Shen Zhenghui replied in the tone of the character, "I just didn't eat well this morning, and it's a bit uncomfortable in my stomach. Plus, the smell of these props is really bad, so I couldn't help it for a moment."

"Oh." Aizawa Tomoaki smiled slightly.

"By the way, you don't need to come to the set if you don't have any scenes." Shen Zhenghui continued.

"I just wanted to come and see you!" Aizawa Tomoaki said, pursing her lips. "It's also a way to learn."

At this moment, many of the female actors in other corners were probably cursing Aizawa Tomoaki, the lucky vixen, in their hearts.

"Mr. Sasaki," Miyamoto came over, "your expressions were actually quite good just now, but you suddenly felt sick. Please try to hold it in when we shoot again."

"Alright." Shen Zhenghui nodded.

Miyamoto glanced at Aizawa Tomoaki, who understood and said, "I'll go over there," and walked to the side to chat with another female actor, Kise Mizuki.

"Is there something wrong?" Shen Zhenghui asked. He saw Miyamoto take a call and then come over, knowing something was up.

"Mr. Akinori Shintaro wants to meet us."

"Who is he?" Shen Zhenghui was puzzled. "Why does he want to meet us?"

"Uh, the company that distributes the kind of films we shoot is Mr. Akinori Shintaro's," Miyamoto said awkwardly. "He is very influential in the adult film industry."

"Aren't we just doing this for fun?" Shen Zhenghui was taken aback.

"Well," Miyamoto looked like he was struggling to say it, "maybe we should talk to President Fukuda. It would be very impolite not to meet him."

"Oh?" Shen Zhenghui squinted his eyes. "How impolite?"

"He still holds part of the final payment!" Miyamoto whispered. "And his organization is well-known in Japan."

"Really?" Shen Zhenghui was startled and took out his phone to call Fukuda Hikari. "Who told me that Japan is a peaceful society?"

Miyamoto scratched his head.

Fukuda Hikari's attitude on the phone was very strange. She didn't seem worried about Shen Zhenghui's safety, saying that the yakuza were very rule-bound and wouldn't act recklessly. She suggested that Shen Zhenghui could meet with the person but advised that if they talked about cooperation, it should be strictly formal. To Shen Zhenghui, a rule-bound yakuza was as trustworthy as an honest lawyer. Although he thought that given his status, no one would act recklessly towards him, he wasn't entirely confident. Even millionaires had been beaten to death by city management officers. A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall. So, despite Fukuda Hikari's nonchalant attitude, Shen Zhenghui was still a bit worried.

The next shooting went on, and after a few NGs, Shen Zhenghui put his worries aside. Or rather, this worry stimulated him to express a kind of unrestrained emotion, which made him portray a passionate and restrained ** very vividly. By the time the hospital scenes scheduled for the day were completed, it was only a little past six. Aizawa Tomoaki came over to Shen Zhenghui, wanting to leave with him. Shen Zhenghui pushed her hand away and said, "I have something with Director Miyamoto tonight. You go back first. We'll have dinner outside."

Aizawa Tomoaki's eyes widened, and a puzzled look crossed her face. She asked cautiously, "What is it?"

"We're going to meet an investor," Shen Zhenghui rolled his eyes. "He wants to treat us to dinner."

"Oh." Aizawa Tomoaki bowed politely to Shen Zhenghui and Miyamoto and got into the car from Queens Agency to return to her apartment. Shen Zhenghui got into Miyamoto's car, preparing to leave. Akinori Shintaro had even sent his subordinates to the shooting location to welcome the two directors.

These men in sunglasses and suits, who looked like they were just missing a sign on their faces saying they were yakuza, were very polite, bowing to the two directors like waiters and asking if they needed a driver to take them to the dinner place.

The two directors, who were a bit timid, declined. They still wanted to discuss their strategy for meeting the yakuza boss in the car.

"What do you think Mr. Akinori wants to talk about?" Shen Zhenghui asked Miyamoto as he got into the passenger seat. "I can't really figure it out."

Miyamoto fastened his seatbelt, checked the rearview mirror, and then, after hearing Shen Zhenghui, he looked at the mirror and turned around, asking in a puzzled tone, "Why are you in my car?"

Shen Zhenghui quickly turned around to see Kise Mizuki sitting awkwardly in the back seat, greeting the two directors, "Hello," she bowed her head, "Director, didn't you say I could come to you tonight?"

Shen Zhenghui looked at Miyamoto—had he started to take advantage of his position as a director so soon?

Miyamoto was also a bit awkward and coughed, "Mr. Sasaki and I have something tonight."

"Seems like a big event. Can I come along?" Kise Mizuki said quickly. "Maybe you need a female companion to make the atmosphere better."

Shen Zhenghui looked at Miyamoto, who swallowed hard.

At this moment, a subordinate from the Mercedes got out and came to Miyamoto's car window, gently knocking. When Miyamoto opened the window, the man bowed and asked, "Director Miyamoto, is there a problem?"

"Oh, nothing," Miyamoto paused and then asked, "Can we bring a female companion to Mr. Akinori's dinner?"

The subordinate looked at Kise Mizuki through the window and said, "You are Mr. Akinori's honored guests, please do as you wish." He bowed and got back into the Mercedes.

Miyamoto breathed a sigh of relief and started the car, following the Mercedes.

Kise Mizuki played the nurse who liked Shen Zhenghui's character in the drama, while also being secretly admired by his assistant. This love triangle was the foundation of the romantic drama.

Shen Zhenghui admired the courage of this model-turned-actress and joked, "I didn't know you were so brave."

Kise Mizuki immediately lowered her head, looking shy, and said in a low voice, "I'm already twenty-four."

Shen Zhenghui glanced at Miyamoto, understanding Kise Mizuki's meaning. At twenty-four, without making a name in the entertainment industry, a model's career in Japan was not promising. Even models with some fame would try to break into the film and television industry. Even though she was signed by Queens, to make a name for herself, she had to rely on herself. It had been two years since she last had a minor role in a TV drama. Although this time she had a more substantial supporting role, what about the future? Would she always play minor roles in TV dramas and movies?

This low, "I'm already twenty-four," carried a heavy and profound personal sentiment. Shen Zhenghui pursed his lips. Although he knew what the entertainment industry was like, seeing it firsthand was different. Moreover, Kise Mizuki was a very attractive girl, and it was hard not to feel sorry for her.

Miyamoto, who was not experienced in taking advantage of his position, remained awkwardly silent throughout the ride. The Mercedes and Toyota stopped in front of a quiet bar by the sea. The yakuza members got out and lined up at the door, welcoming Shen Zhenghui and Miyamoto as if they were being inspected.

"Please!" Two men of higher status led the way, and Shen Zhenghui and Miyamoto walked forward, feeling a bit nervous. At this moment, Kise Mizuki came up, holding Shen Zhenghui and Miyamoto's arms, smiling seductively, and said, "Let's go in!"

Shen Zhenghui's heart immediately calmed down. The nervousness he felt from the yakuza's performance was gone, and his unease was replaced by confidence. He patted Kise Mizuki's hand and smiled confidently at Miyamoto, "Let's go in."

Miyamoto's expression also returned to normal, and he gestured to the two leaders who were watching them. The group walked steadily into the seaside barbecue restaurant.

The restaurant looked small, but inside, the tables and chairs were neatly arranged. A tall figure with a ponytail sat at the grill, which served as the kitchen, flipping the food with a spatula. The two men who brought Shen Zhenghui in quickly walked up to the tall figure, bowing beside him, and one of them whispered in his ear, reporting that Shen Zhenghui and the others had arrived.

The figure turned around, revealing a face that looked older than it was, wearing brown glasses and a formal suit, smoking a thick cigar. Seeing him, Shen Zhenghui was reminded of the character played by Nick Cheung in "Shaolin Soccer."

"Director Miyamoto, Mr. Sasaki, welcome." The man walked over, laughing and extending his hand. His gaze flicked to Kise Mizuki, showing a hint of surprise. "Welcome, I am Akinori Shintaro."

"This is..." After shaking hands with Miyamoto and Sasaki, Akinori Shintaro's gaze fell on Kise Mizuki, and he extended his hand again.

Kise Mizuki let go of Shen Zhenghui and shook Akinori Shintaro's hand. "I am Kise Mizuki."

"She is one of the actresses in the film," Miyamoto added.

Akinori Shintaro's gaze swept over Shen Zhenghui. "Why isn't Miss Aizawa here?"

Shen Zhenghui squinted his eyes. "Miss Aizawa was too tired from filming and went back. Besides, Mr. Akinori didn't specifically invite her."

Akinori laughed heartily. "My oversight," he said. "I thought she would come with Mr. Sasaki."

Shen Zhenghui squinted his eyes again. This dinner didn't seem to be going well.

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End of the page.