National Tide 1980.

There's nothing in this world that feels better than being in love.

There is nothing more beautiful than a woman in love.

On December 12, after meeting Ning Weimin, Keiko Matsumoto felt that her soul was free again.

In recent days, the rope that has been binding the spirit and torturing the body has been completely broken, and the feeling of being alive has returned.

Her heart can beat again, her blood can circulate again, her palms can sweat again, her body can feel hot again...

Even though she also knew that Ning Weimin was going back to China during the New Year, it might be difficult to meet again in the next few days, which was a bit disappointing.

But having said that, the Hongbai Song Club has entered the final rehearsal stage, and I just need to devote myself wholeheartedly.

What's more, I always have to go home to spend time with my parents during the New Year.

Even though she longed for them to spend more time with each other, it was really difficult for her to find time for herself.

If they can relax after the festival, once Ning Weimin returns to Tokyo, they will have plenty of time together.

This is also an indescribable joy, so why rush it for a while?

She was happy and sweet. When she woke up on December 12, she remembered that tomorrow would be Christmas.

She even had a positive idea of ​​what happened at the Songzhu Films annual meeting a few days ago, and she wanted to make up for it.

She was going to apologize face-to-face to the president of Shochiku Films, and planned to sell the president's face again and accept the filming invitation of "The Man in the Fire House".

In this way, Keiko Matsumoto not only quickly put on makeup and dressed herself up, but also brought a bottle of good wine——Yoichi whiskey worth 30 yen as a gift, and drove to the Ofuna Studio, also located in Ota District, to meet the president up.

Since coming here in the past has always come in and out at will, and the big shipyard is like his own home, so Matsumoto Keiko didn't say hello in advance.

Unprepared, Junichi was a little caught off guard by her childish sudden attack.

Originally, he was in the finance department. He was furious because of the serious deficit in the accounts of the theater industry under the club. He was pursuing the responsibility of the poor management of funds for Kabuki performances with the person in charge of the finance department.

As a result, I learned from the secretary that Matsumoto Keiko had arrived at the studio, and hoped to see him soon.

Having made Keiko Matsumoto popular with his own hands, the somewhat paternal president of the company had no choice but to put his flag down, temporarily giving up the pursuit of the reprimand from the person in charge of the finance department, tidying up his appearance hastily, and then ran back to his office to treat guests.

"President, I'm sorry to bother you. That's it. Today I came here to apologize to you. At the dinner party a few days ago, I really did not behave properly. That's why the media misunderstood and caused bad public opinion. This incident It must have caused you quite a bit of trouble, right?"

Keiko Matsumoto, who was waiting in the office, was very polite. When she saw Junichi Sakumoto, she immediately stood up from the sofa and bowed deeply.

"Don't say that, it's actually not that serious. What's more, I didn't think well at the time. Thinking about it afterwards, it's better to communicate with you first."

Junben Junyi said very kindly, and also bowed slightly, returning a salute.

It's just that it's the exact opposite of Kuanyou's tone, but his expression is slightly nervous.

The reason why this appearance is different is mainly because Junichi Ben thinks that Matsumoto Keiko may really want to resign this time when he comes this time.

Whether it is because the conflict with Fukasaku Kinji is too deep to cooperate, or because he is dissatisfied with the pressure of public opinion at the annual meeting.

As long as Matsumoto Keiko is determined to quit, the lack of this big star's participation will directly affect fans' expectations for the movie "The Man in the Fire House", which will have a negative effect on the box office.

As for this, Matsumoto Keiko saw it in her eyes and was also clear in her heart.

So in order to dispel the president's doubts, he quickly took out a gift.

"President, I'm really sorry. Look, I brought you a Christmas present."

"Oh, such a good whiskey, and it still has a smoky taste. It's rare that you remember my taste. I can't drink whiskey with the taste of Suntory."

Japan's local whiskey brands have always been a pattern of confrontation between two peaks, except for Suntory and Nikko.

It is different from the sweeter and lighter localized whiskey brewed by Suntory.

Rigo only makes the most authentic Scotch-style whiskey, which has a strong smoky and peat flavor.

The Yoichi whiskey sent by Keiko Matsumoto is a representative of Nikko's boutique.

Sure enough, Keiko Matsumoto's thought of doing what he liked was not in vain.

Seeing this bottle of good wine, Junben Junyi's expression suddenly eased greatly.

It's just that the worry still hasn't been completely eliminated, so I simply made my words clear.

"Qingzi, send me such an expensive wine. Do you still have something to say? Is it because you are afraid of disappointing me that you bring such a high-end gift? After all, you still don't plan to cooperate with Director Fukasaku again to star in " The Man in the Fire House?"

"Why does the president think so. If you are worried about my resignation, please don't worry. For your sake, I will agree to participate."

"Ah? Really? Qingzi, you finally agreed?"

This time, Ukumoto Junichi was unexpected and overjoyed, so he hastily reiterated the conditions.

"That's great! Don't worry about the salary, I mean what I say. You can compare it with the highest salary of the leading actor, 5000 million yen. After you finish this movie, you will break the salary record for all Japanese actresses. No matter Takakura Ken, or Atsumi Kiyoshi, that’s the price right now. How about it? Let’s settle this matter? I’ll have someone notify Director Fukasaku right away.”

However, Matsumoto Keiko temporarily stopped the president, with a playful smile and a gesture of embarrassment.

"Look, you're in a hurry again. Before I really settle down, I have a small request."

"Oh, I was shocked again when I heard you say that. I'm a little worried. Qingzi, do you want to make some embarrassing request to shirk?"

"President, you don't need to be trembling. Then let me just say it straight, I don't really care about the salary, as long as it is according to the past standards. But, I will not appear in the revealing scene again..."

"What? What did you say?"

If the self-explosive timidity just now was a strategy to force Ben Chunyi to retreat, then now he is really taken aback.

Because the film "The Man in the Fire House" is based on Tan Yixiong's autobiographical novel of the same name, describing the love life of a middle-aged writer.

The focus of the story is the protagonist's free-spirited love experience.

The male protagonist in the play has a wife and family, and then he meets two women who make him fall in love, and has various entanglements with them.

Although the essence of the film is to depict the struggles and contradictions between people, revealing the heaviness and helplessness of life.

But there are also lingering scenes.

And this is the main reason to attract viewers to pay for tickets.

To put it bluntly, the selling point of this kind of literary and artistic drama is the complex emotional relationship between the male and female characters, as well as the passionate scenes of the male and female protagonists.

What's more, this is the type of film that Keiko Matsumoto is best at, and she became famous in one fell swoop by virtue of this type of film.

The reason why both Junichi Moto and Kinji Fukasaku insisted on letting Keiko participate in the film is because of her unique status in this type of film.

It can be said that Matsumoto Keiko has already formed an excellent reputation among male audiences and has a strong box office appeal.

As long as she acts in this kind of movie, the audience will definitely buy it, and the box office will definitely sell well.

Just like Atsumi Kiyoshi's comedy, Takakura Ken's tough guy has become the most profitable sign in the Japanese film industry.

But now Keiko Matsumoto suddenly said that he would not make passionate scenes, which would undoubtedly greatly reduce the appeal of the film to the audience.

As the president of Shochiku Films, as the producer of this film, Junichi Urumoto, can he not be in a hurry?

"Qingzi, why on earth is this? Why do you suddenly mind this kind of thing...I said, what happened? It made you have such a strange idea?"

"Isn't this a normal thing?" Matsumoto Keiko asked calmly.

"President, this type of film is obviously not suitable for me anymore. Now I have wrinkles on my face and my figure has begun to lose shape. Even if I am willing to shoot, who is willing to watch it? I should find another role Besides, I don't want to destroy my image in the eyes of movie fans..."

"Nonsense!" Hearing what she said, Ji Benchun couldn't help but get angry.

"If it's someone else, it might be reasonable to say that. But for you, this is nonsense that should be thrown into the sea. You are the most well-deserved number one beauty in Japan, and you are also a witch who never grows old. Take a good look Look at yourself, now is the golden age of a woman's best appearance and figure. It is unreasonable for you not to dedicate your best self to the big screen..."

However, Matsumoto Keiko, who was praised, was not happy, but added fuel to the fire.

"The president is really good at lying. If that's the case, the role assigned to me will not be Ye Zi. It should be the first heroine-the writer's wife, right?"

"Sure enough, it's because of this!"

Junichi couldn't hide his excitement, thinking that this was the truth of Keiko Matsumoto's dissatisfaction.

"Are you still dissatisfied with the role? Is it because of this that you resent Director Fukasaku and refuse to cooperate? Then I can tell you that this matter has nothing to do with him. It is completely determined by me. It is because I think Ayumi Ishida is the most An actor who is suitable for a writer's wife, the role of a good wife and loving mother is almost a copy of her image, as long as she speaks in her true colors. It is also because of her joining that you can make your role more attractive."

"There is one more thing you don't know. Ishida's salary is only 200 million yen. It's not even a third of yours. Although she took the initiative to make some concessions in order to get this role. But in comparison, It is enough to show how much Shochiku Films values ​​you. You are always our most important number one star. None of the actresses under the entire club can compare with your value. You are the box office of this movie , is the guarantee for the success of this film. You don’t have to believe Fukasaku, but do you also doubt my words?”

"Qingzi, I know that you are an actor with aspirations and hard work. You always want to break through yourself, broaden your acting skills, and gain more recognition for your acting skills. But now the audience's taste is difficult to grasp. It is becoming more and more colorful. The TV programs of the TV station have diverted more and more viewers from theaters. In fact, not only have your films not sold well in recent years, but the box office of the word-of-mouth films produced by the company has also begun to decline significantly. So whether it is you or the company, We all have to cater to the preferences of the audience and attract everyone into the cinema before we can talk about other things..."

The president of the press was moved emotionally while talking, and his fat face wearing glasses leaned back a little, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

After that, he couldn't help but take out the pipe and light it to calm down his emotions.

In fact, this is also an opportunity for him to vent the pain and pressure that has been hidden in his heart for a long time.

Keiko Matsumoto fell silent, and she was not indifferent to the outspoken words of the president who praised her.

So I thought about my words, and told Junichi Okumoto the truth.

"President, no matter whether my impressions with Director Fukasaku are good or bad, I have always been grateful to you. Although it was the old president who signed me from Daying to Shochiku Film Club at the beginning. But later, if there is no support from you With patient guidance and tireless cultivation, I will not become a real star. It can be said that at Shochiku Films, you are like my career father. Of course I believe what you said, and I want to apologize to you, just now I am willful."

As Matsumoto Keiko bowed his head and saluted gracefully, Junichi was forced to show joy in his eyes, and he thought that Matsumoto Keiko had changed his mind.

However, what Matsumoto Keiko said next really made him shudder, and he realized that he was in serious trouble.

"...However, this decision of mine cannot be changed. President, I am already 33 years old, and I am no longer a child who knows nothing. Now I am more concerned about my future. I am not limited to my career, but also There is emotional belonging. You know, my father, because of the movies I starred in, has always been dissatisfied with me, almost disowning me. If the family is like this, let alone a lover? Yes, my career has been different in the past two years It's going well, but at least I'm starting to change the image of the screen. My future can't be maintained forever by playing a role in a pattern. I hope you can understand that this is a choice I made carefully. Of course, in order to repay you After many years of care, I will definitely appear in this movie, and I am willing to reduce the salary moderately. As long as you promise me this condition. Can you accept it?"

Listening to Matsumoto Keiko's narration, Junmoto opened his mouth wide and forgot about smoking a pipe.

When he finally came to his senses, he found that the pipe had been extinguished.

He also forgot about smoking, threw his pipe on the table, and only cared about asking questions.

"What? Are you in a relationship? Are you dating a man?"

"Well, I won't hide it from you, it's like this."

"How old is the other party? What does he do?"

"The other party is a few years younger than me, and he... runs a restaurant."

Originally, it was not an easy question to answer, but now Keiko Matsumoto felt that it was nothing.

After all, the person in charge of the restaurant is much more respectable than a real estate agency.

It's just that before he had time to be happy for Ning Weimin's "real career", to the surprise of Keiko Matsumoto, Junichi forced him to oppose it with a firm attitude.

"Are you serious? No! You have to cut ties with this young man who runs the restaurant."

"Why?" Matsumoto Keiko asked puzzled. "Do you despise his profession?"

Ukumoto Junichi said flatly, "It has nothing to do with career. As long as you date young men, nothing good will happen. You should find an older man who can give you a good life or career help. .”

"This is like the answer of a life mentor."

Although Keiko Matsumoto was dissatisfied, she still tried her best to politely refuse.

"Thank you, I will seriously consider it. But for now, I hope you can understand my difficulties."

However, Junichi Uzumoto is like a full-time father, with anxiety and impatience.

He didn't pay attention to methods at all, and didn't care whether Keiko Matsumoto was willing to listen, but just insisted on his own opinion, and continued in a lecture tone.

"Listen to me, Qingzi, young men have nothing. But you are different. You have fame, status, and money. On the other hand, young men have nothing and are alone. This is his strength again. Because he has nothing. What you are afraid of, you can act recklessly. And your loss is obvious. This kind of victory or defeat has been clear from the beginning..."

"Our relationship is not so utilitarian, and the relationship between a man and a woman is not a war..." Keiko Matsumoto really couldn't listen anymore.

"Childish thinking. You still say you are not a child. How many times have you been in a relationship? You spend all your time acting. You can't be in "Dotonbori River" because you are still immersed in that drama In the plot right? That's a story, it's fake. You're ruining yourself by doing this. I ask you, does your father know who your relationship is? I don't believe he would support you if he knew choose!"

And these words completely detonated Keiko Matsumoto's anger.

Because the discord with his father stemmed from his choice of career, every sentence of Junichi Akimoto penetrated into Keiko Matsumoto's heart firmly.

"President, you seem to have forgotten the advice you gave me when my father objected to me making exposure scenes. Now if it's good for me, I support it, and if it's bad for me, I oppose it. Wouldn't that be hypocritical?"

Keiko Matsumoto's low-browed and obedient attitude was really hard to maintain, and she rolled her eyes upwards, staring at Junichi Ukimoto's face.

"President, I respect you very much. But whether it is my family or my relationship, it is my private matter. You seem to have no right to interfere. I don't want you to think that I can only be a person surrounded by old people. Beside a man, a vase that adds luster to him. Could it be that you hope that I will never find my own happiness? Are you only worthy of associating with someone like Director Fukasaku? Or do you think of me as someone who can accompany others and be a side room Are you a geisha? Such words are too cruel and should not have come out of your mouth..."

Having said that, Keiko Matsumoto could no longer remain strong and stern.

The woman's weakness followed, causing her eyes to turn red, she lowered her head, covered her mouth and sobbed, and left quickly from Ben's office.

Not even a polite word of farewell.

And Junichi Ukumoto in the room was also stunned by these words of accountability.

It took a while to react, and finally realized that I seemed to have said some excessive words.

But don't know how to fix it.

Next, should I chase Matsumoto Keiko back in person, or should I call and apologize later.

After thinking about it, I finally called Fukasaku Kinji first.

When the phone was connected, he frowned and said, "Xin Er, Keiko's situation is very troublesome. I'm afraid the filming plan for "The Man in the Fire House" will have to be adjusted..."