Chapter 518: Anyone with such thoughts is a despicable villain!

After a short period of rest, Tian Tian Zhongyuzi's spirits recovered, though the area around her philtrum was still a bit red.

"Ahem~"

Seeing the sharp, dagger-like gaze from the young lady beside him, Ma Sai coughed twice in embarrassment.

"Uh, Yuzi-san, let's get ready to attend the press conference~"

Tian Tian Zhongyuzi used the small mirror she carried with her to touch up her powder: "Let's go~"

In the lobby outside, the commotion had just passed, and the numerous reporters were still discussing the big news from earlier. To think they had actually caught a famous director being scared to the point of incontinence by a horror movie; this was a rare, interesting story—it might even be discussed by the entertainment industry for an entire year!

As for Director Fukasaku himself, it wouldn't be a big deal to just bow when he comes to hold someone accountable!

Anyway, since it's already been published, we reporters who know the Advertising Law so well will definitely pixelate his face!

Just at this moment, Hayano Riko clapped her hands in front of the *Ring* background wall in the lobby, guest-hosting as the moderator for the media meet-and-greet:

"Minna-san, please look over here. Next, the media meet-and-greet for the *Ring* production team officially begins!"

As Ito Xiu, Tian Tian Zhongyuzi, Ma Sai, as well as Yoshikawa Teruyuki (who played Takayama Ryuji) and Igarashi Karen (who played Sadako) took the stage, all the cameras and microphones were pointed their way.

Hayano Riko introduced their identities and then made a special introduction: "This Igarashi Karen is the actress who played Yamamura Sadako!"

"Ooh~~~" Among the crowd of onlookers, besides reporters, there were also some audience members from earlier, and they all began to jeer.

One could even hear very bold remarks like, "If Sadako looks like this, then please crawl out of my TV every day."

Ma Sai shook his head; young people really are courting death.

Don't look at how fearless you all seem now; the movie *Ring* has another characteristic: it has a lasting impact. Because it is combined with common household appliances like home telephones, televisions, and videotapes, you will recall the movie's plot as soon as you see these things.

When you are alone at night,

If you dare to get up to go to the bathroom by yourselves at night, I will praise you as real men!

On the small meet-and-greet stage, Yin Yin Tangxiu spoke on behalf of the entire production team, saying things like this was the product of everyone's unity and pursuit of excellence, this was only the first installment, and we will work even harder in the future...

It was just polite talk; the reporters waiting to interview below just listened, as they wouldn't write these things into their reports anyway.

The following interview session proceeded one by one from the other side, and Ma Sai happened to be the last one.

First was Igarashi Karen, who played Sadako. A reporter asked directly:

"Miss Igarashi Karen, may I ask what it felt like to play Yamamura Sadako?"

"Ah, that... it was a very interesting feeling, like a child wearing a ghost costume to scare people; it was very fun." Igarashi Karen was not a professional actress; she was a dance teacher, so she didn't answer from an actor's perspective.

"... Hahaha, it was actually fun?" The reporter who asked the question laughed himself. "For such a horror movie, you actually felt it was fun while filming?"

"Yeah, when we were filming, there were a ton of people surrounding us, and it was a little embarrassing to do those strange movements. Fortunately, my face was covered the whole time." Karen Igarashi was a bit of a chatterbox and almost started chatting directly with the reporter about the little interesting tidbits from the shoot.

Fortunately, Hayano Riko interrupted in time and gave the interview opportunity to the next person.

Teruyuki Yoshikawa, who played Ryuji Takayama, is a stage actor. He explained Ryuji Takayama's psychological changes from the perspective of acting, which made the reporter nod repeatedly.

And next was Yin Yin Tangxiu.

"Director Yin Tang, you said earlier that *Ring* has a sequel, is that right?"

Yin Yin Tangxiu nodded: "Yes, actually, we plan to make *Ring* into a series, and the previous *Crows Zero* also has ideas for filming a sequel. We hope to build a 'Ring Universe' and a 'Crows Universe'."

He used the novel terms he had heard while chatting with Ma Sai earlier, which made the reporters on the scene ask follow-up questions, and the meet-and-greet gradually became lively.

At this moment, a reporter started to stir up trouble: "Director Yin Tang, may I ask if you know Director Fukasaku Kinji?"

"Ah, I've only heard his name; I don't know him formally." Yin Yin Tangxiu answered very cautiously.

"Then, have you heard about him being scared to the point of incontinence by the movie *Ring*?" The reporter really did bring it up.

Yin Yin Tangxiu smiled: "Haha, that must be nonsense. Director Fukasaku has seen countless films; how could he be scared by a horror movie! You must have heard wrong."

"But Director Yin Tang, all the reporters present here took pictures!" This reporter still wanted to drag the other reporters on the scene down with him.

"This reporter-san, be careful that Director Fukasaku doesn't sue you for defamation~"

Yin Yin Tangxiu made a joke. It's fine to talk about it privately among friends, but to publish it publicly—do you think his backer, Shochiku, is just sitting around doing nothing?

Next, it naturally fell to Tian Tian Zhongyuzi.

"Ms. Tian Tian Zhongyuzi..." The reporter was just about to ask a question but noticed that Tian Tian Zhongyuzi's philtrum was slightly red. "Ah, may I ask if you are injured on your face?"

"I was just bitten by a mosquito..." Tian Tian Zhongyuzi looked at Ma Sai calmly.

"Are there mosquitoes in winter? This movie theater environment is really good..." The reporter muttered to himself, but immediately asked the formal question. "Ms. Tian Zhong, this is your first time acting in a horror movie, right? May I ask why you chose such a role?"

"Because I hadn't tried it before, so I thought it was very interesting. Plus, Ma Sai-san happened to provide the relevant opportunity..." Tian Tian Zhongyuzi answered flawlessly.

"What score would you give the movie *Ring*?"

"Eh? If I have to give a score, I would definitely give it a perfect score, because it was really too scary. I was also watching it for the first time just now, and I almost fainted from fear." Tian Tian Zhongyuzi said with a smile.

"Really? First time watching?" "Almost fainted from fear?" "Miss Tian Zhong..."

A crowd of reporters kept asking questions.

Although it wasn't Ma Sai's turn yet, he could already feel that the gazes of the reporters on the scene were frequently glancing at him, and one of those gazes was particularly sharp.

It looks like there is going to be a cruel battle today!

"Ma Sai-san!" Matsuzawa Shinnosuke, who had been waiting for a long time, finally grabbed the opportunity. "I haven't seen you lately. Are you busy with something?"

Why is this guy acting so familiar? Ma Sai was slightly puzzled; he didn't recognize who this was.

"Ah, I've been busy with the editing of another movie. Who are you?"

A vein of anger popped out on Matsuzawa Shinnosuke's forehead: "Ma Sai-san really has a short memory; I am Matsuzawa Shinnosuke, who interviewed you before!"

"Ah, it's you!" Ma Sai remembered the face from several movie press conferences. "Why have you become so thin? You must eat well!"

"..." The sudden concern almost disrupted Matsuzawa Shinnosuke's train of thought. Isn't it because I became a freelance writer and have to pay attention to news 24 hours a day!

However, facing someone else's concern, he could only reply, "Arigato, I will."

"Ma Sai-san, what I want to ask is, *Ring* has only just had its preview, and you are already editing *Love Letter*. Were these two movies filmed together?"

As someone who always digs for information, the first question was unexpectedly serious!

"Hai, actually, because the filming of *Love Letter* required a specific season, *Love Letter* was filmed at the same time while filming *Ring*."

Matsuzawa Shinnosuke asked: "One is a horror movie and one is a romance movie; won't the two movies interfere with each other?"

Ma Sai laughed: "No, this movie was mainly handled by Yin Tang-san, and I directed the other one, so it just happened to be separated."

After asking two serious questions, Matsuzawa Shinnosuke began to brew...

"Ma Sai-san, before filming *Ring*, you and Miss Tian Tian Zhongyuzi were rumored to be in a relationship; and while filming *Love Letter*, you were rumored to be in a relationship with Miss Nakamori Akina." Matsuzawa Shinnosuke had a smile on his face. "Some people say that Ma Sai will make a move on the female lead of every movie he participates in. May I ask what you think about this?"

The cameras of all the reporters were instantly aimed at Ma Sai's face, wanting to capture the expression of his face changing.

However, Ma Sai had long since mentally rehearsed similar questions and answered calmly:

"Haha, that's because they are jealous!"

"Hmm???" This answer was unexpected.

Ma Sai looked indignant: "Those guys see me working with many excellent female artists and think that I will develop impure feelings with them. This is imposing their own dirty thoughts onto others; this is completely the way of a villain!"

"Anyone with such thoughts is a despicable villain!"

"... So Ma Sai-san means that anyone who thinks you have a scandal is a despicable villain?"

Ma Sai seemed a bit puzzled: "Shinnosuke-san, you wouldn't think that way too, would you?"

Matsuzawa Shinnosuke's face stiffened. Do you want me to admit that I am a despicable villain? Seeing Ma Sai in front of him, Matsuzawa Shinnosuke only felt that this face was becoming more and more hateful.

"Of course not..." Matsuzawa Shinnosuke quickly recovered. "Ma Sai-san, earlier during the national broadcast, was that remark you made to Miss Nakamori Akina a confession? Are you and Miss Nakamori Akina dating?!"

Zhongxi Naotaro below the stage heard this familiar question and immediately pricked up his ears. Ma Sai, this guy is going to say it! He is going to say he won't tell you!

In front of so many reporters, if he still dares to do this, he will definitely be surrounded!

Ma Sai, if you have the ability, just say it!

"Which remark?" Ma Sai still had a smile on his face.

"It's that one: 'In youth, don't meet someone too stunning, otherwise the rest of your life...'" Matsuzawa Shinnosuke repeated it. He had to admit that this sentence was written extremely well; a little girl would definitely be very moved after hearing it!

"Ah, that one..." Ma Sai laughed. "You'll know when you see *Love Letter*."

"?!!!" Trying to avoid it?

Before Matsuzawa Shinnosuke could continue to ask, other reporters asked: "Ma Sai-san, may I ask when *Love Letter* will be released?"

Ma Sai pointed to the sky outside the door and laughed: "It will be released when the first snow falls in Tokyo!"

"!!!" The sound of cameras clicking rang out again.

Matsuzawa Shinnosuke was unwilling to give up and grabbed the microphone from another reporter: "Then Naoki-san, are you and Nakamori Akina really not dating? Or rather, do you have other dating partners?"

Ma Sai's smile remained undiminished: "Shinnosuke-san, you know me so well, what do you think?"

"..." Of course I think you are dating, but you won't say it!

"Hahaha, regarding my emotional life, if I feel that the time has come to officially announce 'dating with the premise of marriage,' I will definitely tell everyone clearly!!"

Ma Sai reassured them.

"Does that mean there really is someone?" "Can you reveal the name?" "Is it Miss Nakamori Akina?"

The reporters on the scene immediately threw numerous questions over again, and one reporter even asked loudly:

"Is it Miss Tian Tian Zhongyuzi?"

This caused Tian Tian Zhongyuzi, who was originally watching the show on the side, to stare at that reporter with a calm gaze, forcing him to apologize: "Sumimasen!"

Sure enough, she already has some of the majesty of the future Empress Dowager Cixi!

With so many reporters on the scene, Ma Sai was directly besieged for more than half an hour, and all kinds of questions were thrown at him, but questions about *Ring* were rare.

The proper *Ring* production team media meet-and-greet almost turned into Ma Sai's personal media meet-and-greet.

It can only be said that Ma Sai has really been a hot topic in the entertainment industry lately.

By the time the meet-and-greet ended, it was already past ten o'clock in the evening.

A reporter sighed that this press conference was really not a wasted trip; there were really a lot of news points!

Zhongxi Naotaro took Tsuji Naoto directly back to Fuji TV and then found the director of the late-night program *All Night Fuji*, Otsuka Kimia, because at this hour, only this late-night live program was on.

*All Night Fuji* is a late-night program that leans towards being "racy," using female college students as program assistants who wear revealing clothes to sing and dance on the show, discuss trends and pros and cons of pop music, and also chat about various other interesting topics and play racy fun games~

In the "Let me see your panties" segment, they really will show you their panties!!!

"Director Otsuka... I have a scoop!!" In the studio, Zhongxi Naotaro said excitedly to Otsuka Kimia. "It's the famous director Fukasaku Kinji. He went to attend the preview of *Ring* today and was scared to the point of peeing his pants!!"

"Tomorrow morning, it will definitely appear in all the newspapers, but we can report it in advance tonight! Let people know that Fuji TV is the best!"

Otsuka Kimia was originally arranging the evening's program, but he became instantly interested when he heard this:

"Honto? Did you take photos?"

Zhongxi Naotaro pulled Tsuji Naoto over: "Not just that, we have filmed everything!! Including the urine stains on Fukasaku Kinji's pants! And his panicked look!"

Tsuji Naoto opened the handheld camera and showed Otsuka Kimia the recorded footage.

"Hahaha, omoshiroi! Hontoni omoshiroi!"

Otsuka Kimia rubbed his hands excitedly and immediately ordered Tsuji Naoto to give the recording to the broadcast director to process the headshots and such, then said to Zhongxi Naotaro,

"Naotaro-san, we have a topic for tonight! I'll go communicate with the program assistants participating right away."

"Naotaro-san, come help too!! Don't you often appear on camera? This time, perform as yourself!"

"Hai!"

A smile appeared on Zhongxi Naotaro's face. Isn't rushing back in such a hurry just to show his face?!

With the ratings of a hit show like *All Night Fuji*, he might be able to go from an unknown reporter to a somewhat famous entertainment reporter!

With fame, won't promotions and salary increases follow?!

All of this is because he was holding a grudge and went to film Ma Sai!

"Naoki-san, thinking about it this way, you're actually a pretty good guy!!!"

The owed update has been made up~

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 519 =====