Chapter 92

Xu Shujuan was quite reserved. Probably seeing that Shen Zhenghui did not seem to be an ordinary lecherous director, her initial nervousness gradually eased. Her music group in Japan had already disbanded, and the honor of performing at the Red and White Song Festival had become a thing of the past. She had already decided to return to Taiwan to develop her career.

Tonight's attendance at the banquet was arranged by the company, mainly to help her build popularity in Taiwan and meet some influential people in the industry. Her agent had a good relationship with Chai Zhiyi and learned from her that Shen Zhenghui was present. Thinking that this guy was from Japan and might be useful for networking, she encouraged Xu Shujuan to get into Chai Zhiyi's car. Although her agent repeatedly reminded her to try to win him over, Xu Shujuan was still too young and inexperienced. Despite the fact that they seemed to have a pleasant conversation about Japan, Chai Zhiyi found it amusing to listen to.

Xu Shujuan had done her homework and knew about Shen Zhenghui's works, including his films and the latest TV series. She discussed her impressions of the films and TV series, and it was clear that she had watched them seriously. Although her comments were somewhat flattering, they were at least substantive. Shen Zhenghui was interested and listened carefully to her evaluation of his works.

Chai Zhiyi was going to drop Shen Zhenghui off at the hotel. When the car arrived, Shen Zhenghui politely said goodbye to the two ladies. Xu Shujuan finally mustered the courage to ask, "Director Shen, since we had such a pleasant conversation, why don't I come up to your room and continue chatting?" She looked at Shen Zhenghui with a shy and expectant gaze, which made his heart flutter.

"Uh, maybe next time," Shen Zhenghui said, trying to be firm. "I just arrived in Taiwan today and have been busy all day. I'm really tired."

A look of disappointment appeared on Xu Shujuan's face, but she still smiled and handed him her business card. "Alright, you can contact me when you have time. I really hope to work with you."

Shen Zhenghui took the card and smiled. "I look forward to it."

Chai Zhiyi's eyes lit up.

Shen Zhenghui returned to his room, where Aizawa Tomochika and Fujii Kaoru had not yet come back. He thought carefully about the day's events, which seemed chaotic. Although he was physically tired, his mind was active. He thought about the famous Taiwanese films and directors, but realized that he had only heard of names like Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-hsien without actually watching their works. Most of the Taiwanese films he had seen were made by Hong Kong directors, and the few Taiwanese films he had watched were directed by Zhu Heping. Thinking about the idol dramas and soap operas produced in Taiwan, Shen Zhenghui felt dizzy. If there was any drama that could surpass Taiwanese dramas, it would be Thai dramas.

Shen Zhenghui thought for a moment and called Fukuda Miki.

First, he wanted to criticize the personnel management of Iwayama Moto, who was filled with the dregs of Japanese culture. Keeping him in the entertainment industry probably wouldn't make it any darker.

"He is an important official in the agency we acquired. I can't just fire everyone, or no one would work for me," Fukuda Miki said, seemingly unconcerned about Shen Zhenghui's criticism of Iwayama Moto. "At the very least, he doesn't force anyone or use company resources to support his activities."

"Is that all you require of your subordinates?"

"Do you think we're in a different industry? You're involved in the entertainment business. Messing around with men and women is nothing. Besides, he doesn't dare to use his power to manipulate the female stars of Queens Agency."

"So, you sent him to Hong Kong and Taiwan? Did he request it?"

"Mr. Shen, sometimes you have to admit that in the entertainment industry, you need someone who acts like a normal person in the industry to help you. Do you think I can rely on you to drink and network with the bosses in Taiwan and Hong Kong? Even if we have money, if we don't follow their rules, they will just treat you as a fool."

"So, with Iwayama, they won't treat us as fools but as brothers who have shared experiences?"

"At least it will be better."

Shen Zhenghui scoffed at this response.

"Did you call me just to criticize the moral standards of my subordinates?" Fukuda Miki said. "Hey, if he were morally upright and free from low tastes, how could I expect to expand the business?"

"Ah, no, my main point is to discuss my impressions of Taiwan. To be honest, I think..."

"You think the place is not worth mentioning, full of shallow and ignorant fools?"

"Although I don't want to say it, your summary is quite accurate. I must admit that I have no interest in Taiwanese idol dramas."

"Have you even gone to the set to see how they shoot?"

"They haven't started shooting yet. I'll go see Jin Shi tomorrow. I think that will complete my task, and then I can come back, right?"

"You really disappoint me," Fukuda Miki sighed. "You just attended a banquet and met a bunch of unknown small stars, and you quickly made a conclusion about the Taiwanese entertainment industry. What happened to your talent for keen observation of the world?"

"Maybe it stayed in the mainland," Shen Zhenghui said with a smirk.

"Alright, I can勉强 understand your special and complex feelings as a mainland Chinese person towards Taiwan."

"I am Chinese."

"Yes, Chinese," Fukuda Miki said, not sounding dismissive. "But it's not right to be unobjective about Taiwan." After a pause, she added, "I notice you also have a poor attitude towards Hong Kong. Remember, the Hong Kong and Taiwan strategy was your idea."

Shen Zhenghui opened his mouth but had no response.

"I'll assume you're in a bad mood because of the paparazzi in Hong Kong. I don't want to hear such unprofessional comments again," Fukuda Miki said. "Do you know any place that is as open to foreign films as Taiwan, where foreign films account for over 90% of the box office? Their film industry is in shambles, and they can't produce many films. Their actors are extremely cheap because they have no films to act in. With so many actors in a small market, they have to rely on external funding to develop. This is such a good market, a perfect place to explore, and you have a bad impression of it. Is there something wrong with your brain?"

Shen Zhenghui stood up and paced around the room.

"Also, although Taiwan's film industry is poor, it has the Golden Horse Awards, which are quite famous. You went to Taiwan and didn't even study their film industry or the aesthetic preferences of the Taiwanese people. You just made a superficial judgment based on your first impression. If you think Taiwan is bad, where do you think is good? Japan? America? Or the mainland?"

Shen Zhenghui was speechless.

"If you were just an ordinary employee, I would have fired you long ago when you called to report on Iwayama Moto!" Fukuda Miki said with a passionate tone. "Now you are just squandering the perfect impression you left on me. I don't want to hear unprofessional criticisms. Hollywood actresses also line up to be chosen by investors, producers, and directors to get a role. I don't do that in Japan, but that doesn't mean I should criticize everyone who does. What I care about is the growth and profitability of my company. Everything else is trivial. You should know this. Haven't I already told you this? I'll repeat it for you. I sent you to Hong Kong and Taiwan not to care about the chastity of the female stars, but to focus on the business. Of course, I don't mind if you care about it privately."

Fukuda Miki hung up the phone.

This was the most severe reprimand Shen Zhenghui had received, except for the time he was held at gunpoint. He felt that as a reborn person, he had an unparalleled advantage, which he had converted into tangible assets—money, status, career, and women. However, recently, he felt a bit restless and lost direction. Although he was pushing his plans step by step, he seemed to have lost some passion and drive.

Fukuda Miki sent him to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and Shen Zhenghui thought it was just a routine task, assuming she chose him because he was Chinese. However, the phone call tonight, with her harsh criticism, like a parent scolding a child, stung his heart.

The achievements he had so far seemed enough to live a life of luxury, but his original sharp intentions had been dulled by daily life. Seeing the results before him, he felt a sense of arrogance and restlessness. Shen Zhenghui knew this was a common problem for reborn and穿越 people. Seeing famous people and knowing their life trajectories gave him a sense of superiority, which made him overly dependent on his memory and led to a numb attitude. A sense of predestination and a lack of motivation.

Shen Zhenghui looked at his hands, clenched them tightly, and thought about how to find the motivation for life.

At that moment, the door opened, and Aizawa Tomochika was surprised to find Shen Zhenghui alone in the room. "Ah, Mr. Shen, you're back already?"

"Yes, the banquet was boring, so I came back. How was your night?"

"The streets of Taiwan are quite interesting," Aizawa Tomochika said excitedly. "Kaoru even got into a fight on the street."

"A fight?"

"Some small hooligans heard our accents and tried to take advantage, but Kaoru beat them up. She's really strong."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, probably because they were beaten by a girl, they were too embarrassed to report it and ran away."

Shen Zhenghui breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, Mr. Shen, I saw that the movie 'Tokyo Fortress' is about to be released. The posters are already up."

"'Tokyo Fortress'?"

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