Chapter 412: The Soul of the Party

"Hahahaha, is this some kind of special treatment from the poster designer for you, Chen Nuo-san?"

Chen Nuo laughed and nodded, saying, "Yes, I have a pretty good friendship with him."

"Haha, Chen Nuo-jun, what you're saying sounds like it's actually true."

Chen Nuo put on a deadpan expression. "It is true. Didn't you notice I'm this big on the whole poster, and they're this small? It's all because the designer took my money."

"Hahahahahaha~"

Anyone who has seen Japanese manzai knows that the kind of jokes Japanese people like best are exactly like Chen Nuo's.

Talking nonsense with a straight face.

So, whether it was the audience on set or all the viewers watching at home, everyone burst into hearty laughter.

For Chen Nuo, these few improvised lines were nothing; after all, he had already been to the Oscars, so a small, amateurish Japanese variety show was nothing to sneeze at.

He truly had no psychological burden and just blurted it out. He would even dare to curse the Emperor, let alone say these things.

But Tamori, this Japanese national treasure of a comedian, was a bit unable to keep up at this moment.

He couldn't help but let out a silent groan in his heart: if he were twenty years younger, he would definitely be able to spar with Chen Nuo using brilliant "boke and tsukkomi" (straight man and funny man) routines.

But now, at 66 years old, his thinking and reactions were simply no longer as agile as they were in his youth.

Those two seemingly relaxed responses just now were actually the limit of him racking his brains and giving it his all.

He had no choice but to painfully pull the program back to the script's flow.

"Alright, Chen Nuo-san, please hand the poster to our Mori-san."

Tamori smiled and waved his hand, and the female host hurriedly stepped forward to take the giant poster that had sparked a wave of laughter.

Tamori then walked two steps, facing the flower baskets that almost filled a corner of the studio.

This is a certain tradition in the Japanese entertainment industry; if a particularly important guest appears, talent agencies, sponsors, or related figures will send luxurious flower baskets to show congratulations and support, symbolizing popularity and industry recognition.

The more flower baskets there are, and the more famous the names on the ribbons of the baskets, the more face the guest participating in the program will have.

Tamori stood still in front of the flower baskets, wearing an exaggerated look of amazement on his face, and said, "Everyone, please look, here, it's almost bursting our studio!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand to signal the camera to follow. Only then did the viewers in front of their TVs truly see clearly—dozens of colorful flower baskets of various shapes had almost piled up half of the studio. On each flower basket hung a small sign with the name of the sender.

Tamori said, "Chen Nuo-san, so many people have sent you their blessings. There's Director Takeshi Kitano, wishing you a big hit with your movie."

"There's Director Hirokazu Kore-eda, Director Hayao Miyazaki, Chairman Saburo Ohno... wishing you a successful performance."

"There's Momoe Yamaguchi, Tomokazu Miura, wishing you high box office returns."

"Oh, and Rie Miyazawa..."

"And Hiroshi Abe..."

"Chen Nuo-jun, you have many friends."

Indeed, there were many; every time Tamori read a name, it would draw a round of cheers from the audience on set.

It also made the lounge where Haruka Ayase was located gradually quiet down.

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Yes, I have quite a few friends in Japan."

Tamori followed the script and said, "These people are the pride of Japanese cinema. This is the first time I've seen their flower baskets; it's truly rare."

At this moment, Chen Nuo should have followed the script and said a bunch of thank-yous.

However, when it came down to it, he found that he really couldn't get on the same page as the Japanese; he felt a physiological rejection of this kind of "fox borrowing the tiger's might" behavior, and he simply couldn't do it.

His mind raced, and he deviated from the script, smiling: "They probably feared I didn't understand the rules and would mess things up. So they sent so many notes to remind me. But I feel this is useless, because when I sit here in a moment, these flower baskets will be behind me, and I won't be able to see them."

"Hahahahahaha!"

The audience on set immediately laughed.

Tamori also helplessly smiled and shook his head.

Truly an unexpected man.

And he doesn't follow the script again.

But he couldn't help it.

He had to finish reading the names on the flower baskets.

For one thing, these flower baskets were placed here, and they gave the production team quite a bit of sponsorship money, so he had to read them. For another, even if they hadn't paid a penny, he still had to read out those names on the flower baskets.

Although, for many viewers, these names might be unheard of.

"Here is Mr. Chihiro Kameyama."

"This is Mr. Masato Yamazaki."

"And Mr. Takashi Ishihara."

"As well as Mr. Keiichi Sato!"

Every time a name was read, the audience on set would burst into polite applause.

However, the Nippon TV conference room where Haruka Ayase was located would let out bursts of gasps.

Chihiro Kameyama, President of Fuji TV.

Masato Yamazaki, Chairman of Toho.

Takashi Ishihara, President of TBS.

And Keiichi Sato goes without saying; he is the owner of the very building they were in, the President of Nippon TV.

If the previous movie superstars still belonged to the entertainment circle, people who saw each other constantly, then these television station president-level figures who controlled the mainstream discourse of Japan were existences that anyone would find hard to see.

When these names gathered together, only an insider could feel the huge pressure and the heavy weight within it.

Haruka Ayase didn't know if such a thing had happened when previous Hollywood superstars came to Japan to participate in programs.

But she thought there probably hadn't been.

Because those people just came and went in a hurry on SMAP.

They didn't speak Japanese, nor would they come to Japan three days after the Great Kanto Earthquake. Those people, naturally, wouldn't receive true respect from Japan.

"Eh!!!"

After Tamori calmly finished reading the names of those truly big shots, he suddenly exclaimed in front of one name: "There's actually AKB48, and Mr. Yasushi Akimoto also sent a flower basket. Chen Nuo-jun, do you know AKB48?"

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "I do."

"There are many beautiful girls in there. Is that why you know them?"

"Yes."

"Wow! It seems I've asked something incredible! So, who exactly do you know in AKB48? Chen Nuo-jun, you better think carefully before answering."

"There's nothing incredible about it, Tamori-san." Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Beautiful things are always easy to spread. They have many fans in China, and of course, I've watched their dances and listened to their songs, so naturally, I know them."

"Unlike you, Tamori-san... I can only say, nice to meet you for the first time, please take care of me."

In a dance studio in Ikebukuro, this sentence from Chen Nuo sparked a burst of laughter.

More than a dozen girls in dance uniforms sat on the floor, looking up at the TV on the wall. Sitting at the very front, and laughing the happiest, was a pair of twins.

Yasushi Akimoto sat in the corner at the back of the classroom with his arms crossed, feeling somewhat pleasantly surprised in his heart.

Originally, he just intended to send a flower basket to see if there was a chance to rub off some of the spotlight.

He didn't expect to actually be written into the script.

Doesn't this mean that in the future, during promotions, he could use "AKB48, which someone also likes" as a promotional slogan? In that case, how could Morning Musume or E-girls shake his throne?

It seems that tonight... he must help get things done well. Don't be like last time, almost getting discovered by someone.

Tamori said, "Chen Nuo-san, talking about an old man like that makes you seem too heartless."

"Sorry, Tamori-san, I apologize to you. Next time I'll try not to be so direct."

"Can you not say it?"

"I can, as long as you don't ask questions that make me unhappy."

"Ah, so you're threatening me?"

"It's not a threat; I call it a negotiation."

"How is this a negotiation!? You're clearly threatening me. Ah, Chen Nuo-jun, this seems to violate Japanese law."

"What is Japanese law? Is the crime of threatening heavier, or is beating up a 60-something-year-old man heavier?"

"Uh, how about we sit down and talk?"

"Should have done that a long time ago; I thought this stool was just for show."

"I'm very sorry to give you such a misconception, please don't use your hands." "So, if beating an old man is indeed a serious crime?"

"Yes, that's right, you'll definitely go to jail!" Tamori shouted.

"Hahahahahaha!"

Laughter echoed in the studio again and again.

On the ratings monitor in the backstage studio, that line representing real-time ratings was also slowly and resolutely climbing upward.

In Ikebukuro, in Shinjuku, in Osaka, in Nara, in Hokkaido,

As many Japanese netizens watched Chen Nuo and Tamori bicker, they posted their feelings online.

"Too funny! Chen Nuo-san's Japanese is really good!"

"This is definitely the best episode of 'Waratte Iitomo!' in the last five years."

"What am I watching? Are Chen Nuo-jun and Tamori doing a manzai duo? lol."

"Chen Nuo-san and Tamori! Who would believe everything happening on TV right now. I think every Japanese person should turn on their TV immediately!"

"Seeing Tamori use his sharp tongue, my eyes filled with tears. Thank you, Chen-jun. You've restored Tamori's youth!"

Many people turned on their TVs out of curiosity.

20.2%, 20.5%, 21%... almost every minute, the curve on the ratings screen in front of Hiroshi Nakajima would move up a little bit.

When Chen Nuo and Tamori sat down together, 5 minutes of the program had passed, and the ratings in front of Hiroshi Nakajima had already reached 23%!

When was the last time it reached 23%?

Ten years ago?

"Nakajima-kun, Chen Nuo-san's eloquence is really too good. I apologize for my previous doubts. Although his Japanese has a little bit of an accent, for a foreigner, it's really great. He's worthy of being an Oscar-level host!" a deputy director next to him said.

Hiroshi Nakajima said: "Yes, he really lives up to his reputation. He is truly born for the stage."

Alright.

The jokes were done, and according to the script, it was about time for Chen Nuo to get down to business. He wasn't a crosstalk comedian, and as Allison said, he had no obligation to make the Japanese happy.

Actually, he did have an obligation to make them unhappy.

It was just that for the sake of three pecks of rice, he had to bow his head.

Now, introducing the movie and making money was the serious business.

"... I play an architect, someone who can sneak into a target's dreams and plant an idea, so I can control their behavior and even their personality. This is also the origin of the movie's title, 'Inception'. It sounds like hypnosis, but in reality, it's even more terrifying than hypnosis..."

"Eh~~~ It feels so interesting. Can you explain specifically how it's done?"

"For example, someone likes Ayaka............"

"Hold on! Chen Nuo-san, is the Ayaka you're talking about the one in AKB48?"

"Yes. What's wrong!"

"Eh! Chen Nuo-san, you really know the members of AKB48!"

"Haha, yes..."

Yasushi Akimoto, watching this with his arms crossed, suddenly made up his mind.

No need to say it, he, Yasushi Akimoto, was not a stingy person. Chen Nuo-san mentioned AKB48 time and again; he didn't know if he was hinting at something, but he couldn't possibly not know how to conduct himself. Tonight, besides sending his Ayaka and Ayaka over, there must be a bonus gift.

Who?

Yasushi Akimoto's eyes darted around the faces of the dozens of girls in the dance studio, only to see them all looking at the younger twin with envy.

Who was obedient, sensible, and tight-lipped?

His gaze finally landed on the faces of a black-haired girl and a blonde girl.

Let's just pick one of them.

"... Finally, you only need to plant such a thought to make her fall in love with you."

"Wow! It sounds even more powerful than hypnosis."

"Besides that, we can also build our own world in the dream, for example, turning Akihabara into a kingdom, grabbing all the idol groups, and having them hold concerts just for you every day. You want whoever you want to be in the center position, and you can change whoever you want. You are the king inside, and you can do anything you want to do."

"Note, it's anything!"

As soon as the words fell, a burst of applause and laughter erupted on set.

Although Chen Nuo didn't say anything, everyone understood.

"Eh eh eh, this, this, this is too happy!!" Tamori exaggeratedly covered his chest: "Ah—this kind of place is simply too dangerous! I will definitely never return if I go!!"

Tsk tsk, Chen Nuo also had to admire the older generation of artists; they still had some substance. After all, this was all in the script. The audience below had probably watched it no less than twenty times, and to pretend to hear it for the first time still required acting skills.

The passage he just said mentioned AKB48 three times, seemingly unintentionally,

but it was actually something he had discussed with Allison, Elizabeth, and the others after not sleeping all night last night. It was aimed at the main target audience they valued most for 'Inception'—

the Japanese otaku tribe.

Did they really think he was advertising for Yasushi Akimoto?

Wrong!

It was because those rich and idle otaku who liked AKB48 were the cash cows that 'Inception' needed!

People of this era might not know how much power these otaku had, but he knew clearly.

The comprehensive "otaku-fication" of the Japanese entertainment industry in the future was precisely because this group of people fully proved their consumption power. With their wallets, they unified the entire landscape of the Japanese entertainment industry!

As long as 'Inception' could capture them and attract them into the movie theater, then success in the Japanese market would be in sight!

Finally,

when the program was about to end, the ratings for 'Waratte Iitomo!' in front of Hiroshi Nakajima had already reached 25.1%.

At this moment, he was already satisfied. He was just waiting for the program to end so he could go and present flowers to express his gratitude.

At this time, according to the program's convention, Tamori would make a phone call to chat with the guest for the next episode.

It was originally a very simple matter, but unexpectedly, the phone call Tamori dialed this time was left unanswered for a long time.

"Beep~~~ beep~~~ beep~~~~"

The sound of the phone echoed in the recording studio, and a strange silence suddenly appeared for a few seconds.

In a program like this that was broadcast live across Japan and where every second counted, blank time was an absolute taboo. Although Tamori was experienced, at 66 years old, he could no longer save the situation instantly like in his youth, and he failed to react in time.

"Bastard! What's going on!" Hiroshi Nakajima cursed in the studio, "Wasn't it supposed to be contacted beforehand? Why would such a problem occur."

"Gakki hasn't answered the phone."

"Then what should we do!"

Just as the entire backstage was in a panic, behind the table, the old man wearing sunglasses was stunned like a wooden chicken at this moment, but the young man acted immediately.

Chen Nuo brought his mouth close to the microphone and said to the camera with a straight face: "Minna-san, everyone, I think the next guest has already entered the dream ahead of time."

Everyone laughed.

The originally awkward atmosphere was swept away. They thought some accident had happened. It turned out to be a pre-arranged segment.

Both the audience on set and those in front of the TV thought so.

Chen Nuo showed a solemn expression and said: "Now, I am prepared to go and find this guest and bring her back from the dream. However, this is very risky, because it is very dangerous inside the dream."

"If, I mean in the next episode, you only see Tamori alone, that means I failed."

The audience on set smiled and began to applaud.

"At that time..."

Chen Nuo ignored the noisy atmosphere, still very serious, leaned his body slightly forward, lowered his voice by two octaves, and said: "Please be sure to go to the movie theater, learn the method of entering the dream, and save me back."

After speaking, he slightly raised his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth hooked into a half-smile arc, and his deep eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the screen and look straight into the bottom of every viewer's heart.

Finally, he bowed slightly:

"Please."

At this moment, in front of the TV, countless women looked at the man who seemed to be smiling and pleading with them through the lens, and their hearts felt like they had been hit hard.

Special treatment from a graphic designer?

No, no, no.

At this moment, all the women in front of the TV screens recalled the heartbeat they once felt, dominated by a gentle smile on that sunny, sweltering afternoon four years ago,

that feeling as if their breath had been stolen, which couldn't be calmed down even after turning off the TV.

At this moment, they were back—

even more violent and irresistible than back then.

The program ended, and when Chen Nuo returned backstage, he was instantly surrounded by people from Warner.

Elizabeth was the first to rush up, hugged him hard, and said with incomparable excitement: "Man, woman, it's amazing! Chen, you've completed the other piece of the puzzle! A perfect performance!"

(End of this chapter)