Chapter 793

Arriving at Fuji TV again, Naoki Nagayama walked toward the office of the First Production Bureau as soon as he got out of the car.

On the way, he kept running into acquaintances and greeting them, almost as if he were at the Shu-You studio.

"Daitai-san~" Naoki Nagayama knocked on the office door, "I've come to see you~"

"Naoki-san?" The only acquaintance in the office was Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi, who was full of surprise, "Why did you come over?"

"I wanted to come and ask Daitai-san about something... where are they?"

Because he had come on an impulse, he hadn't notified them in advance, so it was normal for them not to be there.

"Daitai-san and Akimoto-san went together to produce a new dating variety show~" Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi seemed to be tidying up her things, "I'm about to head over there too... does Naoki-san have any questions? Can I answer them?"

"They've actually all gone out?" Naoki Nagayama was helpless, "I came to ask why the crystal apple seems to have suddenly become a hit... *Love Generation* has only aired its first episode."

"Ah, that!" Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi smiled, "Speaking of which, I was staying behind precisely to send a box of crystal apples to the set!"

"Oh? Nishi Rumi-san knows what's going on?"

"Speaking of which, it actually has to do with Akina Mori-san!" Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi slowly explained the reason.

Rewinding two days.

In the Fuji TV studio, Akina Mori was recording *Yoru no Hit Studio*. It's worth noting that this famous Showa-era show was always characterized by the appearance and joint performances of numerous celebrity guests.

So this time, there were also a great many celebrities from the entertainment industry at the spacious recording site.

*Yoru no Hit Studio* was undergoing a revamp. It was said that the broadcast time would be adjusted from Monday to Wednesday, so the show's segments and content had changed significantly.

Although the scene couldn't be called orderly, it was still neat while the cameras were rolling. However, when the cameras weren't filming, the guests chatted and interacted quite frequently~

Akina Mori had originally hidden in the crowd, wanting to be a wallflower; after all, there was no solo performance part for her this time. However, that's how the entertainment industry is—the more famous you are, the more attention you get...

Before long, many idols of the same generation, and even seniors and juniors, came over to chat for a bit.

"Akina-chan, where did you buy your bracelet?"

Yu Hayami saw the crystal apple red-string bracelet on Akina Mori's wrist and was very envious. The bright red braided string was very conspicuous on her fair wrist, and the crystal-clear little crystal apple sparkled under the lights.

"It's so beautiful!"

"Eh?" Hidemi Ishikawa also nodded and joined the topic, "It looks like that... the crystal apple in *Love Generation* yesterday, but much smaller..."

"So it's the same type of crystal accessory! It really looks very nice~ It seems like only the real-sized crystal apples are on the market..."

Akina Mori listened to everyone's discussion and felt very happy inside. She knew that the gifts her boyfriend gave her were all unique, custom-made items, just like the blue angel bell.

"This... is a gift from someone else..." Akina Mori said tactfully, "It seems to be custom-made~"

"Oh~~" "So that's it~" "Naoki Nagayama?"

The female idols nearby let out giggles and teasing noises. As far as things stood, the couple of Akina Mori and Naoki Nagayama was simply a breath of fresh air in the entertainment industry.

"Why would he give a crystal apple?"

In fact, everyone was curious about how Akina Mori had managed to tame a playboy like the fickle Naoki Nagayama, and there hadn't been any news of emotional turmoil to this day.

"The crystal apple symbolizes love... that's what he said~" Akina Mori said, "It is said that if the ancient Greek god of love gives a crystal apple to a pair of lovers, it means that this love is as pure as crystal, and they will also receive the blessing of the god of love..."

The people around them were all listening intently. A group of young girls in their twenties were naturally looking forward to the arrival of love.

Afterward, Akina Mori also popularized the meanings emphasized by crystal apples of different colors, for example, pink represents romance and joy, blue represents sapiosexuality, and so on...

If two women are five hundred ducks, then there were tens of thousands of ducks at the scene... and they were all celebrity idols from the entertainment industry~

The crystal apples Naoki Nagayama gave away himself were actually only given to a few close friends and a few artists... so after the beginning of the year, the crystal apples on the market were just novelties, and their fame wasn't too great...

But after yesterday, it seemed like the entire idol circle knew the meaning of the crystal apple. Many artists chose to be the first to buy crystal apples, further expanding the fame of the crystal apple...

Coupled with the hit broadcast of *Love Generation*, this accessory suddenly became a trendy item in the circle!

This was what led many programs and agencies to stock up on a batch of crystal apples~

After Naoki Nagayama heard this origin story, the first thing that came to his mind was...

"In this way, the workshop where I custom-made the crystal apples is going to make a fortune!"

The fame of the crystal apple exploded too quickly. Before other manufacturers could react, the workshop, having been tipped off by Naoki Nagayama, had long since stored a batch of ready-made stock... now was the time when scarcity made things valuable!

"Naoki-san... would you like to go to the set to take a look together?" Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi invited him after explaining, "If Akimoto-san sees Naoki-san coming to the scene, he will definitely be very happy!"

Naoki Nagayama glanced at Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi and found that her face was full of good intentions.

Could it be that she hadn't noticed that in the later stages of *Yuuyake Nyan Nyan*, Akimoto Yasushi already had an attitude of both love and hate toward Naoki Nagayama?

Even though he was the main writer and scriptwriter, and he was fully responsible for the filming, he still had to listen to Naoki Nagayama's opinions time and time again... although he hid it well, Naoki Nagayama had still discovered the unwillingness in his heart.

In the later *Love Trip*, Naoki Nagayama was purely a guest, and Akimoto Yasushi had the final say on the travel route...

It was just that Naoki Nagayama didn't care about variety shows; otherwise, the relationship between the two might be very awkward now~

And now, Akimoto Yasushi was fully in charge of a new dating show, and he wanted Naoki Nagayama to get involved?

People are just being polite; could you really take it seriously?

"Nishi Rumi-san, I have other things to do~ I won't go this time~" Naoki Nagayama tactfully refused, "You go ahead and get busy... I'll be leaving soon~"

"This..." Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi was still a bit hesitant to leave Naoki Nagayama alone at the TV station.

"Haha, Fuji TV is just like my home, what do you have to worry about~" Naoki Nagayama laughed, "Go ahead and get busy, Akimoto-san is still waiting for the props!"

Hearing this, Nishi Rumi Nishi Rumi Nishi didn't decline anymore:

"Yes, then I'll take my leave first~ Naoki-san, let's get together next time~"

"Mm-hmm~"

Naoki Nagayama, having figured out the reason, didn't stay at Fuji TV for long. After chatting with a few acquaintances for a while, he drove away.

He had originally wanted to return to Shan Ying Yuan, but seeing the hurried workers outside, his thoughts shifted, and the car drove toward Ota Ward.

"At this time... they should be filming~" Naoki Nagayama muttered.

*Love Generation* adopted a format of filming while airing. Currently, the first three episodes had already been edited, and they should be filming the fourth and fifth episodes now.

The Ota Ward filming base happened to have the urban theater scenes needed for *Love Generation*, offices and apartments... these were scenes that could be decorated and reused at any time, and they were naturally standard in film and television bases.

The street in front of Dream Factory was becoming popular again. Many snack stalls had started setting up here... and even the nearby storefronts had many new shops like soba noodle shops, ramen shops, yakitori shops, and so on.

Who says Japanese people are rigid and conservative? No one would miss an opportunity to make money.

Naoki Nagayama drove into the park smoothly. Approaching noon, he found that people were coming and going in the park—some going to eat, some smoking and chatting, some carrying equipment... it was very lively, and he couldn't help but feel curious.

After parking the car and finding the *Love Generation* crew, he sought out Katsuyoshi Ishikawa, who was an assistant... after all, Xu Mudao Xu was filming!

"Ishikawa-kun!"

"Ah, Naoki-san~" Katsuyoshi Ishikawa was a bit nervous when he saw his big boss.

"Why are there so many people at Dream Factory?" Naoki Nagayama asked, pointing at people who were clearly not from his own crew, "It seems like they are filming other movies?"

"Yes, those are people from other crews..." Katsuyoshi Ishikawa said, "Ever since *Crows Zero 2* and *Ring 2* finished filming before the New Year, many small independent film crews have come to borrow the venue. Xiu-yi-san arranged for the park's management staff to manage the scheduling..."

"So that's it... but is it actually this fast?"

Naoki Nagayama wasn't surprised that Dream Factory rented out scenes. From the beginning, Dream Factory's positioning wasn't to be Shu-You's private base, but like a movie city, used to make money.

So of course they could accept rental applications from other crews, but he was surprised that it would be so rapid...

"Because many movie projects started filming after the New Year..." Katsuyoshi Ishikawa said articulately, "And our Dream Factory's scenes are very new, and the space is very open... so many modern dramas want to film here..."

"Also... it's because Dream Factory's prices are very cheap... and the scheduling is fast, so the cost-performance ratio is very high~"

"Uh..."

This point was indeed cheap. Companies like Shochiku, Toei, and Toho all had filming bases, but they were mostly borrowed by directors under their own banners. If other crews wanted to rent them, not only was the rent high, but the scheduling was also very long...

And Shu-You didn't have many directors, the venue was vacant, and since it was a new venue, the rent wasn't high...

"Well... let's just consider it small profits but quick turnover~" Naoki Nagayama mocked himself, "Maybe in the future, it can be as famous as Hollywood!"

"Haha, it definitely can~" Katsuyoshi Ishikawa echoed.

"I say, Ishikawa-kun, you are very familiar with the affairs of this base!" Naoki Nagayama looked at this assistant and praised, "Very impressive~"

"Because I've been following along since Dream Factory was being renovated, and afterward, I also helped with the arrangements for various crews..." Katsuyoshi Ishikawa said quite proudly, "I know the situation of this base the best!"

"Not bad, not bad!" Naoki Nagayama patted him on the shoulder, skillfully painting a big picture, "Maybe in the future, you will be the person in charge of this base~"

Katsuyoshi Ishikawa's fighting spirit ignited!

"I will work hard!"

Naoki Nagayama, who was becoming more and more like a mature capitalist, walked to the filming scene...

It was currently the scene where the heroine was sick and resting at home. The set was the heroine's apartment... and in reality, the hero's apartment was right next door...

Momoko Kikuchi was resting on the tatami with a pale face, and the hero, Hideki Saijo, who had come to visit, was visiting somewhat clumsily.

"You bastard, get out!"

"What are you doing? I'm just returning the things you left at my place..." Hideki Saijo dodged a pillow.

"Who told you to run in yourself!" Momoko Kikuchi was a bit panicked.

"I knocked on the door; who told you not to make a sound~"

Momoko Kikuchi pulled the quilt, looking at Hideki Saijo who had suddenly entered, as if looking at some pervert:

"I have a cold now and I'm very weak... if you do strange things to me, I will scream!"

"..."

Naoki Nagayama, who was on the sidelines, heard this line. Even though he had written it himself, he couldn't help but want to reply:

"Go ahead and scream, no one will come to save you even if you scream until your throat breaks..."

Watching the two people inside performing was indeed very funny—one was a "central air conditioner" who was hard-mouthed but soft-hearted, and the other was a quirky, youthful girl.

However, with Hideki Saijo's care, the emotions between the two were heating up step by step...

I believe that after the fourth episode, the romance drama will officially enter the sweet love of a bickering couple~

"Naoki-san?" After shouting "Cut," Xu Mudao Xu finally discovered Naoki Nagayama in the crowd, "Why did you come over?"

"I came to visit the set~" Naoki Nagayama smiled, "And by the way, to tell you the effect of the first episode~"

"Oh?"

Xu Mudao Xu had been immersed in filming for the past two days and hadn't paid attention to this,

"The ratings should be acceptable, right?"

"How could it be just acceptable?" Naoki Nagayama raised his eyebrows, "Kijima-kun, you underestimate yourself too much!"

"*Love Generation* is a huge success! The average rating reached over 22%, with a peak of 30%!" Naoki Nagayama praised his capable subordinate, "And the fame of the TV drama has already spread; *Love Generation* and the crystal apple in it have already become popular in Tokyo!"

"Honto?!" Xu Mudao Xu grinned, "That's really great! I didn't let down Naoki-san's expectations!"

"This is Kijima-kun's ability!" Naoki Nagayama patted Xu Mudao Xu's shoulder, "Keep working hard, *Love Generation* will definitely become a hit TV drama!"

"Yes!"

After finishing talking with the director, Naoki Nagayama chatted with the two leads of the drama.

"Momoko-chan, you aren't really sick, are you? Your face is so pale~"

"No, no~" Momoko Kikuchi laughed, "It's because of the powder~"

"Ah... sure enough, being young is good; the skin doesn't even cake..."

Naoki Nagayama joked a few times, making the young girl's face change from pale to vivid~ Then he looked at the handsome Hideki Saijo in front of him and sighed with emotion:

"Saijo-san, you really have a lot of fans... it is said that hundreds of calls were made to Fuji TV's switchboard that very night!"

"That really troubled the operators~" Hideki Saijo smiled and apologized.

"The enthusiasm of fans..." Naoki Nagayama laughed, "They are all saying that Saijo-san with long hair evokes memories of the past~"

Hideki Saijo also remembered his high spirits during his long-haired period:

"... Haha, I was young then... more individualistic~"

However, Naoki Nagayama didn't continue to praise him:

"But if you want to be an actor, you have to make the audience forget your previous image~ Saijo-san, in the subsequent filming process, you must treat yourself completely as the male lead, Teppei... only then can you contribute a truly brilliant performance!"

Actors from an idol background easily bring their idol identity into their performances.

For example, during the current filming, Hideki Saijo's smile was very sunny, and when he smoked in the kitchen, there was a feeling of posing to look cool, and he would look at the camera from time to time... as if he were trying to break through the dimension...

"Yes! I understand!"

Facing the comments of a well-known director, Hideki Saijo immediately corrected his attitude. It's worth knowing that Naoki Nagayama's achievements as a director were completely worlds apart from the current Xu Mudao Xu...

"Mm-hmm, this is also the audience feedback from when the first episode aired..." Naoki Nagayama nodded and said to Xu Mudao Xu, "After that, every weekend, Kijima-kun should go to Fuji TV to learn more..."

"Filming while airing has this advantage; you can make adjustments at any time based on audience feedback!"

"Yes! I will!"

Xu Mudao Xu naturally agreed earnestly.

Next, he invited Naoki Nagayama to give pointers on subsequent filming...

Speaking of which, Naoki Nagayama was originally the screenwriter of *Love Generation*. In the creative environment of Japanese dramas where the screenwriter is the center, his words carried more than the usual amount of weight~