Chapter 1332

"Hua-chan, you've grown again!"

Little Xia Hua was lifted up by a pair of large hands, spun around in mid-air, and then held in the arms of the burly man... Her little face wore an expression of slight disgust but she had to force herself to go along with it...

"Eh? Aren't you happy to see Uncle Feng? Why aren't you smiling?"

"Hehehe..."

The little one had to force a smile to go along with it, and then she wanted to return to her mother's arms.

But this guy, Feng Nagayama, happened to love his daughter very much, and he was exceptionally fond of Xia Hua, his niece who was slightly older than little Yuri, so he stubbornly wouldn't let the little one leave, and even said to Naoki Nagayama:

"Naoki, look, I said Hua-chan recognizes me... and you said she might not be affectionate?"

"..."

Seeing Big Brother Feng's full-faced smile and little Xia Hua's expression of seeking help in his arms, Naoki Nagayama felt helpless,

"Big Brother Feng is joking, Hua-chan definitely remembers you!"

Birthdays, cherry blossom viewing parties, various festivals—Feng Nagayama would always gather with Naoki Nagayama, so the two families were very familiar with each other. Even little Yuri, who couldn't speak yet, had an impression of Naoki Nagayama and Akina Nakamori.

"Hahaha~"

Feng Nagayama laughed very heartily, holding little Xia Hua and refusing to let go,

"Hua-chan, why don't you ride in Uncle Feng's car this time, and be with Yuri-chan on the road..."

Facing such an enthusiastic uncle, little Xia Hua didn't know how to refuse for a moment and could only turn her gaze toward her old father again.

Naoki Nagayama naturally didn't fail the trust and politely declined, saying:

"Big Brother Feng, forget it... the safety seat is still in the car..."

"Ah, that's true..."

Feng Nagayama nodded, and then said to Xia Hua with great regret,

"Then Hua-chan, get closer to Uncle Feng now, alright? We'll go back to the car when it's time to drive..."

It was already the second day of the New Year, and Naoki Nagayama and Feng Nagayama were going back to Shizuoka together; at this moment, Feng Nagayama's car had already arrived at Shanyingyuan... and was making final preparations for departure.

Seeing his cousin holding his daughter and refusing to let go, Naoki Nagayama didn't have a strong reason to take her back for a moment, but seeing his own daughter being held by another "daughter slave," Naoki Nagayama was more or less unhappy~

He turned his head to look at Xinhai Nagayama, who was chatting with Akina, and little Yuri, whom she was holding; a flash of inspiration bloomed in his mind.

"Heh... you hold my daughter? Then I'll go hold your daughter!!"

So Naoki Nagayama walked over to the two mothers:

"Xinhai-chan, you must be tired from holding her for so long... let me hold Yuri-chan for a while!"

"Ah... sure~"

Xinhai Nagayama had no problem with it and handed little Yuri directly to Naoki Nagayama, then stretched quite comfortably... Holding a child all day long is very tiring!

And little Yuri, who was still sucking on a pacifier, had no resistance when she saw the handsome Naoki Nagayama; instead, she raised her head and looked at this uncle with great curiosity... Her eyes were bright and full of appreciation~

Sure enough, even babies know what is good-looking and what is not! They know what is beautiful and what is ugly...

"Haha, sure enough, Yuri-chan remembers me too!"

Naoki Nagayama rubbed little Yuri's head, and the little one giggled, actually happier than she had been in her mother's arms just a moment ago!

Akina watched from the side and sighed to Xinhai Nagayama:

"Naoki-san is indeed very popular with children... My sister's children, Zhaoming and Xiao Ai, also like him very much..."

"Haha, this shows that Naoki is an 'yasashi' (kind) person... children can feel it!"

"That's true~"

And on the other side, Feng Nagayama, who was still trying to please little Xia Hua but hadn't found a way, looked up and saw his own daughter actually being teased by Naoki Nagayama into laughing happily...

He looked at little Xia Hua in his arms, who was still a bit disgusted, and then at little Yuri, who was happy in Naoki Nagayama's arms; for a moment, he only had one thought in his head... "My house has been robbed"!

He immediately became anxious and, supporting little Xia Hua, came to Naoki Nagayama's side:

"Ah... Naoki, Hua-chan seems to want you to hold her..."

"Oh?" Naoki Nagayama looked at little Xia Hua and sure enough saw her reaching out to him, "Then what about Yuri-chan?"

"Yuri-chan can naturally be held by me!"

As Feng Nagayama, whose arms were thicker than his legs, handed little Xia Hua over with one hand, he could catch little Yuri with the other.

Naoki Nagayama naturally cooperated; he had already taken little Xia Hua with one hand and was holding her with one arm... but little Yuri on the other side didn't go toward her father; instead, her little hands grabbed Naoki Nagayama's collar and refused to let go...

Thus, Naoki Nagayama ended up holding little Xia Hua with one hand and little Yuri with the other~

"Yuri-chan... it's Daddy!"

Feng Nagayama's face was a bit stiff; he supported little Yuri with both hands and persuaded her softly,

"Come to Daddy quickly..."

However, the little one turned her little face away and actually stopped looking at her own father... In a daze, Naoki Nagayama felt as if he heard the sound of something shattering!!

"Yuri-chan~~~"

Big Brother Feng's tone sounded like he was about to cry~

Just at this moment, Akina and Xinhai finally stopped watching the show and hurriedly walked over, each taking one daughter:

"Naoki, Feng... everything is ready, let's get ready to set off!"

Akina also chimed in:

"If we leave now, we can just make it in time for lunch when we get to Shizuoka..."

"..."

Naoki Nagayama and Feng Nagayama looked at each other and nodded in agreement, and this little storm dissipated just like that~

After a while, as the gate of Shanyingyuan opened, two black Toyota Centuries drove toward Shizuoka together.

Even though it was already the New Year, the entertainment industry didn't take a break.

The Prime Minister designation election before the New Year, the Japan Record Award, the Kohaku Uta Gassen, and other hot topics had earned enough attention from the audience. In the new year, the entertainment industry would naturally welcome brand-new hot news again... the cycle never ends!

And this New Year, the hottest thing was naturally "My Neighbor Totoro," which had been released for just a week, and the newly promoted champion of the second season of "Voice of Japan"... Maki Ohguro!

In the Tree Friend building, several departments were still working, and Otomo Yoshimura had just woken up from a drinking party and was persisting with the employees in the office~

"Eiichiro..."

Otomo Yoshimura rubbed his temples, wanting to drive away the feeling of a hangover,

"Has the first-week box office for 'My Neighbor Totoro' come out?"

"Sumimasen, Otomo-san!"

Eiichiro Watanabe shook his head,

"Because of the New Year holiday, the data aggregation from various theater chains and cinemas across the country is a bit delayed... There is no precise data yet."

"Then, roughly?"

"The first-week box office for 'My Neighbor Totoro' is expected to be around 400 million..."

"400 million, huh..."

Otomo Yoshimura was a bit dissatisfied, because the first-week box office for other Tree Friend movies usually approached 1 billion... Some movies directed by Naoki Nagayama could even reach around 1.5 to 2 billion in the first week.

This result might be pretty good for other film companies, but for Tree Friend, it was just average.

However, he didn't say much; "My Neighbor Totoro" was an animated film aimed at children, and in this era, its audience was relatively small... and it also clashed with "Love Letter"...

"Forget it... just promote it as 500 million!"

Otomo Yoshimura instructed,

"After the 3rd, when the newspapers are back in business, send out this promotional press release. Let Tree Friend have a good start for the new year too!"

"Yes, I understand!"

"Mm, go on, go on... I'm going to my hometown tomorrow too..."

Otomo Yoshimura waved his hand to let Eiichiro Watanabe leave; as the company's CEO, he was an ordinary person after all, and he also needed to visit relatives during the New Year.

And not long after Eiichiro Watanabe left, Masami Inada knocked on the door and came in:

"Otomo-san... the person is here!"

"The person?"

Otomo Yoshimura was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that he still had one itinerary today: he needed to meet the champion of the second season of "Voice of Japan"... and then, persuade her to sign with Tree Friend!

"Good... let her in!"

"Yes!"

Masami Inada went out and called out at the door,

"Ohguro-san... you can come in now!"

Then Otomo Yoshimura saw a girl with slightly dark skin, who looked very spirited and energetic, walk in; her eyes were full of curiosity as she looked around the office...

"She's a completely different type from Izumi Sakai!"

This was the first thought in Otomo Yoshimura's mind~

When Maki Ohguro saw that there was only a Mediterranean-style old man over fifty in the office, she felt a bit disappointed... She had thought she would see the legendary Naoki Nagayama!

"Maki Ohguro, right?!"

Otomo Yoshimura stood up and introduced himself,

"I am the CEO of Tree Friend Group, Otomo Yoshimura... please treat me well..."

"I am Maki Ohguro!" The girl seemed to have just reacted and immediately bowed, "Nice to meet you, please treat me well!"

"Mm-hmm, we have a long road ahead of us..."

Otomo Yoshimura smiled and invited her to sit down, then sat to the side and started chatting with her.

"Maki Ohguro... that's a rare surname!"

"Yes, it's usually only found in Hokkaido..."

"Mm~" Otomo Yoshimura nodded, "Coming to Tokyo alone from Hokkaido, and then winning the championship of the second season of 'Voice of Japan'... it's been a hard journey!"

"Not at all..."

Maki Ohguro was also a bit moved; she thanked him repeatedly,

"It's thanks to Tree Friend Group's 'Voice of Japan' that I was able to achieve my goal of debuting as a professional singer..."

"Hahaha, Ohguro-san hasn't debuted yet..."

After a few pleasantries, Otomo Yoshimura went straight to the point...

"Masami-kun should have introduced it to you before... If you are willing, you can join the talent agency under Tree Friend..."

"Yes... he did indeed say that!"

"Then what is your intention?"

Otomo Yoshimura laughed,

"I'm not boasting, but the treatment and strength of our Tree Friend are unique in the entertainment industry! Others might not be able to get in even if they want to."

He had learned from Masami Inada that Maki Ohguro seemed to be still hesitating.

"I have heard a little about that..."

Having participated in "Voice of Japan" for so long, Maki Ohguro had inquired about it from all aspects; Tree Friend's treatment was indeed very good, and it had many popular idols, talented singers, and outstanding actors, so the competition would be relatively fierce.

Her mentor, Miyuki Nakajima, who was relatively close to her, had specifically instructed her that for a newcomer without bargaining power, the best place to debut was still Tree Friend, even if there was more competition!

"Then... Ohguro-san, what are your thoughts?"

Otomo Yoshimura asked, then looked at Masami Inada beside him,

"Or do you want to know more?"

"Yes..."

Maki Ohguro nodded, then said with some anticipation and some worry,

"I want to ask, in the previous promotion for 'Voice of Japan,' it was said that the champion would have a song customized by Naoki Nagayama... Is this true?!"

She actually wanted to meet this legendary musician today, but unfortunately, Naoki Nagayama was not in the office.

Hearing this, Otomo Yoshimura laughed dumbly, and then stood up:

"Of course it's true!"

"Actually..."

Otomo Yoshimura took a music score out of the desk drawer and handed it to Maki Ohguro,

"Naoki-san has already finished creating the song!"

"If Ohguro-san chooses Tree Friend, this song will become your debut song..."

"Already finished creating it?!"

Maki Ohguro was surprised; she took the score and saw the name of the song... "Only Gazing at You"...

"But, Naoki-san and I don't know each other? When did he create a song for me?!"

"Hahaha..."

Otomo Yoshimura said with a smile,

"Naoki-san created this song when you first went on stage..."

"The first time I went on stage?"

"Yes!"

Otomo Yoshimura sighed with emotion,

"From that moment, Naoki-san determined that you would become the champion!"

"!!!"

Hearing this, a huge wave of emotion surged in Maki Ohguro's heart; it was surprise, joy, and also being moved...

"Naoki-san actually has so much confidence in me?! I don't even know him!"

"Hahaha... the characteristic of 'Voice of Japan'... only listening to the singing voice!"

Otomo Yoshimura said,

"When Naoki-san planned this program, he made this point clear..."

"Maki Ohguro, your voice is unparalleled!!"

"Join Tree Friend, believe that we will give you the most suitable stage!!!"

At this moment, Maki Ohguro was a bit bewildered, but her eyes drifted to the name of the score... Only Gazing at You... For a moment, she felt as if ever since she came to Tokyo, there had been a pair of eyes constantly watching her!

After thinking for a while, Maki Ohguro nodded slowly:

"Yes... please treat me well from now on!"

"Hahaha, we are family from now on!"

Otomo Yoshimura was very happy; his company would have another capable general! And he had also fulfilled Naoki-san's previous entrustment!

"Ohguro-san... follow Masami Inada for the signing later!"

"As for the subsequent training plan, exclusive agent, and arrangements for the debut song, let's consider them after we return to work in the New Year!"

"Now... you can go back to your home in Hokkaido and share this good news with your family!"

"..."

Maki Ohguro walked out of the office, still holding the score for "Only Gazing at You."

Masami Inada saw it and hurriedly reminded her:

"Ohguro-san, you must take good care of the original manuscript in your hand... This is a music score written by Naoki-san himself, and it has great commemorative significance!"

"Eh?"

Maki Ohguro subconsciously looked at the score and smiled,

"Is someone going to snatch it?"

"Yes!"

Masami Inada nodded seriously,

"Collecting Naoki-san's original creative manuscripts is an important wish for Tree Friend employees! Otomo-san is even a heavy enthusiast among them!"

"If it weren't for Naoki-san's instruction that the debut song for a newcomer must be the original manuscript, he would definitely have copied a version and kept this one for his collection!"

"Ah?! There's such a thing?!"

"Naoki-san's original creative manuscripts are all works born from bursts of inspiration."

Masami Inada said with great emotion,

"When he creates a song, it only takes him a few minutes... and then he will write a work with perfect lyrics and music!"

"I was fortunate enough to see it once, that scene... it was simply like an apocalypse! It was full of legend, and even a bit sacred... so everyone thinks the original creative manuscript has a special meaning!"

"In Tree Friend Group, Riko Hayano from the General Affairs Division is the luckiest person; at that time, Naoki-san didn't have manuscript paper on hand, so he borrowed her notebook... and wrote two songs directly!!!"

"Otomo-san asked for that notebook several times, and the red envelope he offered was very large, but he didn't succeed!"

Maki Ohguro felt like she had heard an urban legend!

Tree Friend's employees seemed to have a kind of worship for Naoki Nagayama that exceeded the ordinary, and it was already like a religion!

Yabai, could Tree Friend Group be a cult?!

"But everyone won't snatch the original manuscript; that would be disrespectful!"

Masami Inada said while walking,

"So Ohguro-san, you don't have to worry about others snatching this original manuscript... But if you want to sell it, consider me first! I'll offer at least 500,000!"

"..."

Maki Ohguro didn't know how to react for the time being and could only use a delaying tactic,

"Okay, if I sell it, I will consider Inada-san first!"

"Hahaha, it's a deal then!"

Masami Inada himself had worked very hard to get an original manuscript!

Maki Ohguro, who walked out of the Tree Friend building, became more and more curious about Naoki Nagayama, whom she had only heard of but never met!