National Tide 1980.

That night, Keiko Matsumoto returned to her home in Denenchofu, Ota District, and it was already eleven o'clock in the evening.

It was her subordinate, contract agent Akira Okamoto who drove her back in the firm's car.

Different from the bright lights in the busy city, this rich neighborhood is quiet.

As soon as Okamoto Akira drove the car into the road marked by the ginkgo tree, he couldn't help but slowed down.

In order to avoid sudden bumps in road conditions, or unexpected situations such as a cat or a dog running out.

But accidents often come in unexpected ways.

While passing the Central Garden, Matsumoto Keiko accidentally caught a glimpse of a red BMW E30.

This is a very ostentatious German imported car in this era.

The bright colors and the highly recognizable wide-body body and rear wing firmly attracted her attention.

However, when going around the car, Matsumoto Keiko suddenly found that on the other side of the car, there was a young woman in a fur coat, leaning against the side of the car and crying softly.

Especially the woman's face, which happened to be within the lighting range of the street lamp, looked very familiar.

After several glances, Keiko Matsumoto finally recognized that she was actually a junior in the entertainment industry.

It seems to be the girl who won the Dongbao Cinderella beauty pageant last year and just acted in the movie "Criminal Story 3 Poetry of Chao Sao" this year.

what do you say that is?

It seems that the surname is Zeguchi...

However, at this moment another accident happened.

Suddenly.From the darkness behind the woman, another middle-aged man appeared.

When he came over, without saying a word, he hugged the woman brutally, and pressed her against the car and kissed her forcefully.

As for the woman, crying and shaking, she kept beating the rude man with her fists.

Seeing this scene, Matsumoto Keiko couldn't help being shaken, a wave of heat surged through his body, and it was difficult to look away.

But when the car passed by completely, she was still a little bit reluctant to look back.

The man seemed to have noticed something, and suddenly looked up at the car she was riding in.

Matsumoto Keiko was extremely embarrassed by that look of vigilance and guard, glaring.

A little frightened, she quickly turned around and leaned against the car seat, gently stroking her quickening heartbeat.

Finally, Akira Okamoto, who was driving in front, didn't notice this, so it wasn't too embarrassing.

And the next road, there is no abnormal situation.

Going around a flower forest, two streets, and another crossroad, I arrived at a house built by Keiko Matsumoto.

Of course, when Keiko Matsumoto got off the car, she didn't forget to thank this subordinate politely first.

"Okamoto-san, thank you. You have worked hard today, working overtime for me to contact work, and send me back."

Akira Okamoto turned his head and replied respectfully.

"Matsumoto-san, please don't be polite, this is what I should do as a subordinate."

Keiko Matsumoto bowed again to thank.

"I'm not being polite. Today is not working time. If you hadn't been well-informed and arranged to meet tonight in time, maybe this opportunity would have become someone else's. Thanks to you, NHK's variety talk show and the Red and White Song Festival are finally over. It's all confirmed. So this is all I can say to express my gratitude. Mr. Okamoto, please rest assured that our office will be fine next year. Also, the year-end bonus is absolutely fine. It will definitely be done by then. Make you happy, make everyone happy."

"That would be great. Everyone can have a happy New Year. Matsumoto-san takes care of everyone so well. If they hear this good news, everyone will cheer up."

Hearing the praise, he knew that he would get the benefits soon, so Akira Okamoto was of course very happy.

So at the end of the day, he mustered up his courage, and couldn't help but say a few more words in earnest.

"However... Matsumoto-san, with all due respect, Kohaku Uta can only make the audience remember you and maintain your current popularity. But if you want to gain the attention of advertisers again and receive high-paying jobs. You still have to It is necessary to seize another role that deeply touches the audience, and act as the main character in a phenomenal movie."

"There's one more thing I've always wanted to say. Although you are the undisputed top actress of Shochik Films, logically speaking, there should never be a lack of opportunities to act in movies. But now Shochik Films' business situation has been going downhill. The funds available for filming in large shipyards are getting smaller and smaller year after year, but there are more newcomers to recruit. This situation is also worrying.”

"If you don't take the initiative, and you are still obsessed with acting and art studies like in the past, it may be difficult for your career to improve as soon as possible. Therefore, I personally hope that you can try some communication efforts. For example, the forced relationship with Shochiku Films The president of our company and the great directors have strengthened their private contacts. When it’s time to ask for favors, don’t be polite. No matter how hard I run, I don’t have as much face as you. As long as you are willing to come forward to ask for favors in person, you will definitely not be polite. Same……"

It should be said that although Akira Okamoto's words are harsh, they are indeed pragmatic words from the perspective of Keiko Matsumoto's career.

Keiko Matsumoto, who has experienced cold reception for two years, has long lived up to her old arrogance, and her mentality has changed a lot.

Of course she understood that Okamoto's intentions were purely good, and she knew that he was not trying to shirk his responsibilities.

So after hesitating for a moment, he agreed to try.

"I understand. Thank you for your suggestion. Mr. Okamoto. All I can say is that I will try my best. After all, this is not what I am good at. Anyway, let's work hard together."

In this way, Okamoto Akira was also relieved.

"Hi, I am willing to help you. Matsumoto-san, please rest well. Starting tomorrow, you will be preparing for the show and rehearsing for the performance. I will also keep an eye on Shochiku's filming plan for you .Please feel free to entrust me with all the general affairs related to the office.”

Just like that, Keiko Matsumoto got out of the car and walked into the courtyard, while Akira Okamoto drove away with peace of mind.

At this time, there were no servants in Matsumoto Keiko's house.

Only the lights are on, the door with a combination lock, and a complete set of advanced alarm systems are responsible for the security work here.

She entered the password, walked into the house, changed her shoes, turned on the lights, turned on the air conditioner, and went straight to the dressing room on the second floor.

In front of the mirror, she was silent for a while before slowly changing her clothes.

She took off her coat first, then her skirt, socks, and underwear...

Her body is like a just-finished Ingres oil painting, floating in a mirror that reflects reality.

But for some reason, during this process, she didn't have anything in her mind, but she always thought of the young man who had dinner with her, and her bold act of making excuses in the taxi.

She couldn't help blushing, a little scared for her adventure, but more excited.

Especially when she thought of the scene she accidentally saw in the central garden just now, her heart throbbed even more.

Unknowingly, along with the wild thoughts, the lower abdomen began to tighten, and the cheeks were hot.

It's as if everything is different this day.

What she experienced, like a spell, completely awakened her sleeping body.

And become more sensitive, more delicate...

However, at this moment, the phone rang suddenly.

Keiko Matsumoto, who was emotionally confused, seemed to have been stabbed with a needle.

There was a sudden chill and numbness in the back, as if he had done ten thousand bad things that needed to be kept secret forever.

She was like a fresh oyster peeking out at the outside world, she was startled by the abnormal noise in the water as soon as she took a breath, and immediately closed her shell tightly again.

It took more than a minute for the phone to ring for the first time before Matsumoto Keiko hurriedly changed into dark silk pajamas and ran out of the dressing room.

When the phone rang firmly for the second time, another half a minute passed.

Keiko Matsumoto finally rushed to the phone on the second floor and picked up the phone.

She didn't speak immediately, but sat down on the small sofa.

Lian took a few breaths, remained silent for a few seconds, and then spoke cautiously.

"Mosimoxi..."

"Qingzi? The person you miss the most is also thinking of you now..."

Matsumoto Keiko couldn't help being surprised again when a man's voice he was familiar with in the past rang out, and he spoke boldly.

"Hey? Director Fukasaku, why is it you?"

"Are you so surprised? Even the name is so unique. How heartless. Have you completely disliked me? I'm so sad, let me hug the street lamp and cry for a while..."

"Are...are you drunk?"

Matsumoto Keiko frowned, and had already heard some clues from the other party's tone.

"Hey, I drank a little wine. But it's nothing. Don't be so serious all the time, okay? It's so boring."

"It's very late. If you have anything to say, please tell me quickly? If you are drunk, go home and accompany your wife. Don't keep Sanae waiting for you so late." Matsumoto Keiko's tone became more and more rigid.

But the other party seems to be entangled to the end.

"What are you talking about? Why did you mention that woman? I'm completely tired of her. Are you... are you jealous? That's great. Qingzi, give me a little more time, please, I will definitely will divorce her."

These rude words made Matsumoto Keiko angry and annoyed, and couldn't help scolding.

"Don't deceive yourself anymore. If you don't want your wife, can you also lose your son? Besides... Sanae is one year younger than me. If you hate her today, you will hate me tomorrow..."

But the drunk man became more and more shameless.

"Sanae? Sanae, how can she compare with you? She is not as beautiful as you, and her acting skills are not as good as yours. You know my preference for you, Keiko. You are the woman I am destined to marry, regardless of career or personal relationship. I only have a soft spot for you. I only hate myself for starting a family too early..."

Matsumoto Keiko now only feels a headache for such entanglements.

She couldn't believe she'd ever been in love with such a lousy man.

Very regretful, the former self was completely blinded by his talent, care and sweet words.

No wonder it is said that women in love have no IQ...

"Don't be self-willed, Director Fukasaku. These words are completely meaningless. Anyway, we are done. I can win two Academy Awards under your guidance and care. I am grateful for that, but that's about it Please cherish what you already have, don't always act like a child who can't grow up, wanting to hold everything in your own hands. You should mature. Also, please don't say these words in the future, Otherwise, many people will be hurt. Well, nothing else, I'm going to hang up..."

"Wait, I still have business to say..."

"Then go ahead. I'm tired."

Keiko Matsumoto tried her best to maintain the last ounce of politeness.

"Always be so strong. You are the least cute at this point. A woman's personality is too strong, but it will scare away men..."

"Sorry, that's it, I'm going to rest."

"Ah, please don't hang up the phone. Well, well, let me tell you, my next film is about to be shot. The literary drama "The Man on Fire" adapted from Kazuo Tan's autobiographical novel of the same name. The budget is full Wu Yiyen, I have received strong support from the president of the company. Keiko, shall we cooperate again? You should be my first heroine. As long as we cooperate, we will definitely win the crown of the king of the film and television industry in 1986! I can even give you the same salary as the leading actor. Don't refuse me, I already know that your situation is not good recently. How is it? Qingzi, do you want to see me a little now? Let's make up..."

But this time, before he could finish speaking, the phone was hung up.

Keiko Matsumoto put the phone on her chest, slowly closed her eyes, and fell down on the sofa without making a sound.

A trace of indescribable contradictions and struggles, a faint war between heaven and man in the heart.

There is no doubt that she is looking forward to it in her heart, and the opportunity she has been waiting for has come.

And as long as she is willing to reach out, she can easily hold it.

Acting in a film adapted from this kind of literary work is actually the type of work that she and the director Kinji Fukasaku are good at.

It is entirely predictable that as long as they put aside their previous suspicions and cooperate, they will have a great probability of achieving major success again.

But the problem is that it is impossible for her to agree to Fukasaku Kinji's conditions.

Because she already has someone else in her heart.A young man whom I just met today.

She wasn't afraid to fall in love with a man 22 years her senior with a family.

I'm not afraid of bearing the notoriety of destroying other people's families, year-end love, and unrequited love.

But the premise is that you must first be worthy of your own feelings.

It is impossible for her to let this relationship become the result of weighing utilitarianism!

So give up?
It seems that now is the time.

However, it is inevitable that Mr. Okamoto will be disappointed again, and there is a high probability that this matter cannot be hidden from him.

Thinking of this, Keiko Matsumoto couldn't help but smile.

It's that kind of extremely complicated smile, which contains guilt, mixed with sadness, reveals sadness, and exudes helpless emotions.

But there is a faint glimmer of hope hidden indistinctly.

And this faint hope comes precisely from the "Golden Pavilion Temple" quietly placed on the telephone table.

Even if you are confused about your future and feel hesitant.

But as soon as she saw this book, Keiko Matsumoto felt an impulse in her heart.

She couldn't help but want to help and protect the young man from China, but she was absolutely unwilling to betray him and hurt him.

"Forget about such a convenience. There are always other movies to make. It's not a big deal if I can't play the main role. It's not that I haven't played small roles..."

Keiko Matsumoto stood up talking to herself.

She hung up the phone, holding only the book in her arms, like an elf walking in the middle of the night, radiating glow, and walked gracefully back to her bedroom.

At the same time, in the apartment building in Akasaka, Ning Weimin, who was covered in cold, was also returning to his residence with a bag of video tapes.

After walking back from Roppongi, he stopped by the video rental store, and all he got back were videos starring Matsumoto Keiko.

After entering the door to change shoes and wash his hands, Ning Weimin took out six video tapes in his handbag and began to study a difficult problem.

They were all performed by Keiko Matsumoto, but which one should I watch first?

"Gate of Youth"?
It surpasses Sayuri Yoshinaga's version of the award-winning film, and it still depicts Koreans in Japan.

Qingzi played in her true colors.

But it looks a bit like a bitter scene in "Oshin".

Is she playing a single mother raising her children alone?
"Letters and Suspicious Clouds"?
This movie seems to have been released in China.

Is Keiko playing an infatuated and slutty girl?

I met a scumbag and a green tea lady, the plot is still a bit cruel.

"event"?
She looks so young in this movie.

Filmed in 1978?
That should be the age of 25, right?
Also an Academy Award-nominated film for a leading actress.

Yes, let's watch this first...

In this way, he stared at the TV screen and with the help of a video recorder, he successfully met the person he missed.

And this is the special convenience of interacting with celebrities.