Chapter 201

"Stop doing volunteer work in Tanzania, come back quickly, I've found a movie for you to shoot here."

"What movie? I've only been here for ten days, I don't want to go back."

"Did you forget the bet you made with your mom? Do you want to go back and continue having your mom check your phone? What about those little movies you downloaded on your phone?"

"What little movies, what are you talking nonsense about... are you talking about filming a movie, playing the female lead?"

"That's right, absolutely the female lead, four men all revolving around you alone."

"Ah, what movie is it?"

"A Japanese movie."

"......."

After Chen Nuo said everything he could, he finally made Liu Qi Yifei reluctantly believe that the Japanese movie he wanted her to film was that kind of four-men-one-woman Japanese movie, not that kind of four-men-one-woman Japanese movie.

Sigh, this is the drawback of someone traveling abroad for a long time, suspicious of everything, and no longer so easy to trust people.

Forcing Chen Nuo to pat his chest and guarantee that she definitely still had utility value, and it was absolutely impossible to sell her to Japan to do any illegal business.

Liu Qi Yifei finally agreed that she would come to Japan to take a look as soon as possible, to see if the one filming "Hana Yori Dango" was Tokyo Broadcasting or Tokyo Hot, and then make a decision on whether to take it.

After Chen Nuo hung up the phone, he couldn't help but sneer in his heart. What fairy, what heroine, she even knew about Tokyo Hot; well, having stayed in Japan for a year, even a celestial being would have to descend to the mortal world.

That evening, Qi Yuntian, who had been running around all day, came back to report that Nakamura's film company was indeed operating normally as he had said.

However, for a proper film company, the office location was actually in a small building. They rented two cramped and narrow offices, and the staff was only five or six people; saying they were on the verge of bankruptcy was indeed not an exaggeration. It didn't look like they were deliberately crying poverty.

Moreover, Qi Yuntian asked the translator who was with him to ask other tenants in the small building, and they all said that this Oriental Red Co., Ltd. had been here for seven or eight years. President Nakamura was very polite and persistent; even in the most difficult times, he had never delayed employee wages.

After Chen Nuo heard this, he felt relieved. Two days later, he invited the Nakamura father and son over again, and Miyazawa Gongze Huili was still there to translate.

"There is no need to mention things like mortgaging property anymore. I can give the Japanese distribution of 'The Message' to your company for free. You only need to provide your company and cinema chain to get 40% of the Japanese box office share of 'The Message'..."

Before Chen Nuo finished speaking, the Nakamura father and son were already overjoyed, kneeling and bowing their heads.

"Thank you, Chen Jun, we will definitely not let down your trust."

"Chen Jun, we will definitely work to the death."

Perhaps only a translator with a legal background could have such a sharp tongue, quickly translating the words of the father and son.

For Nakamura Hiroki, although the benefits he could get changed from buying the finished film to doing distribution, the risk was also smaller, which belonged to getting something for nothing.

Moreover, the matter of "Human Observation" from a few days ago had been getting hotter and hotter in Japan these two days. Many people already knew not only Joker but also the name of the actor Chen Nuo.

This made Nakamura Hiroki full of desire to participate in the distribution of "The Message."

With Takeshi Kitano and Chen Nuo, when had his Donghong Film ever participated in the operation of a movie with such a cast?

Chen Nuo pressed his hand in the air and said: "Don't be anxious, wait until I finish. I have already negotiated with TBS TV. Before the release, they will give us 15-second commercials during prime time for 20 consecutive days to promote the movie. At that time, we will do this part together as two companies; do you have any problems?"

Another piece of good news beyond imagination stunned the Nakamura father and son, who didn't know what to say.

Nakamura Hiroki's mouth opened wide enough to swallow a duck egg, and he and his son bowed down again with a thud.

For Chen Nuo, the 3 million given by Takeshi Kitano, accounting for 40%, he felt it should be a fair cooperation.

After all, the free advertising from TBS was negotiated by him, and he would have to launch more promotional plans later. In this regard, Nakamura Hiroki and the others could hardly help.

Regarding this, Takeshi Kitano seemed to think the same. He even specifically asked Miyazawa Gongze Huili to bring a message to him, saying he thanked him for his care for the Nakamura father and son.

Chen Nuo felt that after returning to his country, not only did he need to learn Korean, but he also had to learn Japanese. Otherwise, having others relay messages for everything and not being able to have private communication was really too troublesome.

Three days before the opening of the Tokyo Film Festival.

Liu Qi Yifei finally flew over from Africa after a long journey.

And the agent and assistant assigned to her by the company also rushed over from China.

Chen Nuo personally came forward, taking them and Qi Yuntian to TBS to recognize the door.

Actually, it was just going through the motions.

Although they hadn't signed a contract with TBS and hadn't written any agreement, Chen Nuo hadn't signed anything giving up the pursuit of TBS's legal responsibility either.

When they went, not only was Yasuo Doi there, but Yoneda Genzo, who was in charge of TBS advertising, also came, and with a bitter smile on his face.

Apparently, he knew what kind of film "The Message" mentioned by Chen Nuo was.

But he didn't come to hold them accountable, just repeatedly urged Chen Nuo that there must not be any sensitive content in those fifteen seconds of advertising.

Chen Nuo had intended to do so anyway. The pig was meant to be tricked in before being slaughtered, wasn't it?

Yasuo Doi apparently didn't expect that Chen Nuo had actually found him an American woman.

After a face-to-face conversation, he felt completely conquered by Liu Qi Yifei in all aspects.

In the end, he couldn't wait to sign a contract with them on the spot.

Chen Nuo had long known that these little Japanese were all types who would go weak in the knees when they saw an American mommy.

He directly quoted a sky-high price of 100 million yen, which was nearly 5 million RMB.

Yasuo Doi couldn't help but smile bitterly again, saying that among current Japanese actresses, the highest-paid ones, Rie Miyazawa and Takako Matsu, couldn't get that much money.

Chen Nuo was too lazy to talk to him more, directly telling him to search online for who Liu Qi Yifei was, and then talk.

100 million yen, giving you a chance to enter the Chinese market. Who do you think is taking advantage of whom?

Coming out of TBS,

Liu Qi Yifei said: "Chen Nuo, you still like to lie to people so much."

Chen Nuo was stunned and said: "Lie to people? Who did I lie to?"

Liu Qi Yifei said: "That 100 million thing, didn't you lie to him?"

Chen Nuo smiled and said: "100 million is a bit much, but I couldn't have stated the real price from the beginning, could I? My bottom line for this play is 80 million."

"That's also nearly 4 million RMB..." Liu Qi Yifei said in surprise, "Is my salary that high now? And this is still in Japan."

It seems that the failure of releasing records in Japan back then really left a not-so-small shadow on this person.

Chen Nuo comforted her: "Xixi, times are different now. For you now, 4 million is a bit high, but when 'The Message' is broadcast, what's the problem with your salary doubling?"

Liu Qi Yifei didn't care about someone abruptly calling her by her nickname, and said with an unbelieving face: "Then do you think Director Doi and the others will agree?"

Chen Nuo couldn't help but sigh; growing up is really not fun at all.

Miyazawa Gongze Huili couldn't help but interject at this time: "Fei-chan, I think Chen Jun is right. When 'The Message' is broadcast, you will definitely become a big star in Japan."

Liu Qi Yifei smiled and asked: "Really? Why?"

Miyazawa Gongze Huili said very seriously: "Because I believe Chen Jun can definitely do it."

Looking at Miyazawa Gongze Huili's appearance, Liu Qi Yifei felt inexplicably uncomfortable in her heart, turned her head and pointed to a Lawson in front and said: "Oh, are you thirsty? I'll go buy you some water."

When Liu Qi Yifei and her assistant walked into that convenience store, she suddenly remembered that night when she ran out alone to watch "The House of the Zhang Zhang Yaba" at the cinema, and ended up having no small change for the taxi, so she had to go to the convenience store to change it.

Two years had passed.

She no longer needed to sneak out at night.

Moreover, she not only learned how to change small change in supermarkets in various countries, but she also learned how not to be robbed after changing small change. She didn't tell Chen Nuo, nor did she tell her mother, that she had already obtained a gun license in the United States and had fired 2,000 rounds of ammunition at the shooting range.

The coach even praised her for being quite talented with firearms among girls.

"Xixi, shall I buy them mineral water?" Assistant Li Jing asked.

"Okay." Liu Qi Yifei agreed, her gaze flickering over the beer in the freezer.

Although she had only been in Africa for more than 10 days, she had already fallen in love with life there.

Sitting on the wooden chair at the door of the house every evening, looking at the vast and boundless African grassland, listening to the roars of beasts coming from nowhere, drinking cold beer sip by sip was truly extremely comfortable.

The wind came from the horizon.

Carrying the smell of dry soil, blowing up her somewhat greasy long hair.

Because in Tanzania, taking a bath is a particularly luxurious thing.

But there were no reporters, no fans, no cameras, and no ubiquitous scrutinizing eyes,

she didn't need to keep clean and tidy at all times, nor did she need to worry about whether someone was secretly taking pictures of her indecent image at any time.

She didn't need to care whether her hair was greasy or how many pimples were on her face, because the ones who accompanied her most often were the lions in the reserve.

And in the eyes of the lions, whether you were wearing a limited edition Chanel worth $20,000 or a second-hand shirt worth 20,000 Tanzanian shillings, whether you were fragrant or stinking, there was no difference at all.

It only took Liu Qi Yifei three days to go from being unaccustomed to falling in love with this feeling.

Moreover, there were volunteers from all over the world in the reserve, and she made many friends of all identities and skin colors.

She also had a lot to do every day.

In addition to taking care of the cubs rescued from the grassland and feeding the various animals in the park, she also had to deal with poachers.

Even last week, she followed the patrol team to the dangerous grassland to rescue a male lion injured by poachers.

It can be said that she lived a fulfilling and free life every day. No matter how many calls Liu Liu Xiaoli made to her telling her to come home, Liu Qi Yifei would always only answer one word: "No."

Whenever she thought of the hustle and bustle and skyscrapers in the city, she wanted to stay in Tanzania forever.

However, she still came.

Coming to one of the most bustling and skyscraper-filled cities in the world.

Just because of that playful phone call.

She could actually have not come at all.

She had just finished filming a movie and actually had countless reasons to refuse, but in the end, she didn't say any of them.

Liu Qi Yifei thought, perhaps this is true friendship.

It could make her abandon the friends she had just met, throw away the life she had dreamed of, and return to this bustling circle of fame and fortune and the big city.

Even in front of him, she unknowingly returned to her 18-year-old self.

That innocent, ignorant, and naive Little Dragon Maiden.

Watching Liu Qi Yifei come out of the supermarket carrying a plastic bag, while the assistant was empty-handed, Chen Nuo couldn't help but find it a bit funny and called out: "Xixi, can you carry it? Do you want me to help you?"

Liu Qi Yifei hummed and said loudly without showing weakness: "Then come quickly, standing and talking doesn't hurt your back, are all you men like this?"

"You don't want me to stand and talk to you, so do you want me to lie down and talk to you? That wouldn't be very appropriate, would it?"

For some reason, in front of Liu Qi Yifei, Chen Nuo always wanted to make some suggestive jokes, and after saying this, even Chen Nuo himself couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

After Liu Qi Yifei glared at him, she suddenly couldn't help but hum a few times herself.

Miyazawa Gongze Huili looked left and right, not knowing what was funny, and even began to doubt her own Chinese proficiency.

October 20, 2007, the 20th Tokyo International Film Festival opened.

It is worth mentioning that this Tokyo Film Festival held a Chinese Film Week starting from the 21st to the 28th, and for this reason, specifically invited two actors from China to come and promote it.

One was Chen Kun, and the other was Fan Fan Fan Binbing.

Chen Nuo had known about this for a long time, because among the 10 Chinese films to be screened in prosperous areas of Tokyo such as Shibuya, Ebisu, and Roppongi by the Tokyo Organizing Committee, three were related to him.

They were "The House of the Zhang Zhang Yaba," "Perhaps Love," and "Crazy Stone."

Although there were other domestic films such as "Call for Love," "The Knot," and "The Warriors," the three major Japanese newspapers seemed to turn a blind eye to them.

Before the opening of the Tokyo Film Festival, they made a fuss and reported it with all sorts of sensational headlines,

forcibly dragging this Chinese Film Week, which was clearly established by the Tokyo Film Festival Organizing Committee for the sake of China-Japan friendship, onto him.

The headline of the Yomiuri Shimbun was: "On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tokyo Film Festival, Ono Saburo established a Chinese Film Week; what is the reason?" The accompanying picture was a photo of Chen Nuo shaking hands with Ono Saburo when he appeared at the Tokyo Film Festival jury before the opening ceremony.

In the photo, Ono Saburo had a bowing motion, while Chen Nuo had his back straight.

But heaven is my witness, Chen Nuo clearly bowed as well, but he got up a few seconds earlier than Ono Saburo, and was captured by a Yomiuri reporter, not only published in the newspaper, but also marked with a big question mark on the photo,

accompanied by a sentence: "Shameless Ono, do you know that Chen Jun's age is the same as your grandson's?"

The article concluded: "In summary, Ono Saburo's purpose in establishing the Chinese Film Week is not for the sake of film, but merely to curry favor with Chen Jun. Because it is precisely due to Chen Jun's participation that the number of participating films in this Tokyo Film Festival has reached a new high in history."

The Asahi Shimbun was even more sensational, believing this to be a prelude to Chinese culture invading Japan: "Joker's charm seems unstoppable; appearing accidentally on a TBS variety show, it created a new 2007 viewership high for that incredibly boring prank show."

"However, Joker's actor Chen Jun seems unsatisfied with conquering Japan personally in commercial films and viewership ratings. He led Chinese films across the ocean, attempting to set off a Chinese trend in Japan; as for the effect, let us wait and see."

The Mainichi Shimbun focused on the films participating in the Chinese Week and commented sharply: "Out of 10 films, Chen Jun starred in three. If 'The House of the Zhang Zhang Yaba,' Chen Jun's breakout work from two years ago, can be considered to have a reason for being selected across years, and if 'Perhaps Love' featuring Takeshi Kaneshiro and the famous Chinese actress Zhou Xun can also be considered to allow it to occupy a place in Tokyo cinemas,"

"then there is no other reason for 'Crazy Stone,' a crudely made commercial film with an investment of only 40 million yen, to enter Ono Saburo's field of vision, other than the fact that Chen Nuo Jun's name is written in the producer column."

"This Tokyo Film Festival is being held under the shadow of Chen Jun; this is a fact known to all of Japan, yet Ono Saburo and other organizing committee members still try to argue for it."

"The author demands that Ono Saburo immediately apologize to the entire nation for his weakness and flattery, and resign from his post."

The newspapers scolded Ono Saburo fiercely. However, the views of the major TV stations in Tokyo, Japan, were completely different from the newspapers. They all reported on this grand occasion in their news programs with a positive tone.

NHK's "Bridge of Friendship Between Japanese and Chinese Films" and Fuji TV's "Grand Event of Japan-China Cultural Exchange" were considered standard, while TV Tokyo's focus on "Over 50% of Tokyo citizens indicated in interviews that they are willing to go to the cinema to watch Chen Jun's other films" was an even more pragmatic report.

TBS was considered the most radical one; after reporting on the Chinese Film Week in detail, it also indicated, "It is reported that 9 Japan-China co-productions are currently under negotiation," and attributed all of this to the gentle demon king from the mainland: "Facts prove that the entire 200 million people of Japan are infatuated with the charm of Joker's actor, Chen Jun."

The three major newspapers began to mock the TV stations in unison the next day, saying that this was all because of the explosion of "Human Observation," which made these high-and-mighty TV media succumb to viewership ratings, wanting to please Chen Nuo and invite him to their shows.

Especially TBS, which was rumored to have reached some kind of agreement with Chen Nuo, selling out Japan's interests, and so on.

In short, before the opening of the film festival, the entire Japanese media was divided into two camps and began a great war, while the ordinary Japanese people were in high spirits.

After all, in a society like Japan, such a media war filled with gunpowder is rare.

Unknowingly, the momentum of the entire Tokyo Film Festival was built up so much that even people from Okinawa Island came to Tokyo specifically to witness the grand occasion, and media from Asian countries and even the world reported on it one after another.

Regarding this, Chen Nuo only wanted to say that Ono Saburo, in order to promote such a piece of trash as the Tokyo Film Festival, didn't even care about his reputation, specifically instructing those media to open fire on him, scolding him as a Japanese traitor willing to be a lackey under Chen Nuo's gate,

then what reason did he have to put on a high-and-mighty attitude and not work hard to promote his own film?

Regarding this, Liu Qi Yifei took a sip of her drink and asked curiously: "So, have you decided what to do?"

Chen Nuo touched his nose, glanced at Fan Fan Fan Binbing next to Liu Qi Yifei with some embarrassment, and didn't say anything for a moment.

Fan Fan Fan Binbing suddenly laughed, the light in the restaurant reflecting in her bright eyes, and she said with a smile: "Qi Yifei, what do you think? Doesn't our President Chen only have that one way of hyping things up?"

Liu Qi Yifei reacted extremely quickly and said in surprise: "Another scandal?"

(End of chapter)