Chapter 386: Chapter 108: Nervous as Home Approaches

Nakama Yukie lay on her back on the large hotel bed, staring at the ceiling with wide eyes. The chandelier, only partially turned on, cast a soft glow that made her white dress seem almost pure. From the bathroom, the sound of running water could be faintly heard; Tokiwa was taking a shower, and the American gentleman she was meant to attend to, was most likely in the hotel bar discussing matters with his friends.

Past images continuously flooded her mind, scattering her thoughts. She remembered almost ten years ago when she had first done voice-overs for animations. By then, she already harbored the idea of becoming an artist, and she had strived tirelessly until, three years ago, she finally began to realize her dream. She was noticed by the producer of the Okinawan TV drama “Blue Summer” and thereby became a signed actress with her current agency.

She had also heard about the things within the entertainment circle. Both the veterans in the agency and her own manager had warned and taught her how to protect herself. She thought she had managed them with these skills until one should be enough, and devoted herself to training. She lost her baby fat, shaped her body to perfection with the help of a stylist, and was even praised by several predecessors as a promising new talent. Originally, she was recommended by her agency to join a certain idol group in Tokyo, but that was when her misfortune began.

She was shocked by their demands, though she tried hard to endure, it showed on her face. She wanted to refuse, but the smiling face that spoke those words carried an irrefutable tone. The implications were clear–if she wasn’t willing, she could forget about making it in this industry. Angered, they treated her as if she were merchandise, being passed around! She would rather give up this readily available opportunity than comply!

She had her resolve, but a senior from the agency helplessly told her that even if she quit the entertainment industry right then, she must fulfill their demands to leave, otherwise…

The senior looked at her sympathetically and with profound meaning but said no more, recalling the various things she had heard before, her heart felt ice cold. She wasn’t particularly conservative; she just wanted her first time to be with someone she loved, despite being ridiculed by many classmates during school. She persisted in her belief, but today…

However, she had no choice, coupled with the ingrained submissiveness of Japanese women, she finally gave in and was delivered, like a meal, to that man’s room. Although she tried to control the humiliation, the pain she felt when he entered her body involuntarily made her sob.

She initially thought this would infuriate him or excite him more, knowing some men liked it that way. But instead, he became unexpectedly gentle, and his loving caresses and kisses not only relaxed her completely but also let her fully appreciate the pleasures of sex. The next day, apart from some difficulty walking, she surprisingly didn’t feel too bad; he indeed was a peculiar man.

“Yukie, would you like to take a shower?” Tokiwa’s voice came at that moment, and Yukie, brought back from her reminiscing, quickly sat up.

“In a little while, senior Tokiwa,” Yukie replied with a polite smile, her features perfectly aligned, her gentle and virtuous smile coupled with the innocence of a young girl making her look very pure.

“Alright,” Tokiwa nodded as she sat on the sofa drying her hair, paused, and then asked, “Do you have… any worries, Yukie?”

“Worries?” Yukie wanted to say no, but looking into Tokiwa’s eyes, she fell silent again.

After being settled, she was also forced to review a lot of information about that American man, aware that he was a very powerful and talented man over in Hollywood, which was why they tried to please him. Initially, she resented this American man, but after accompanying him for two days, she was only left with confusion.

The man was very tender and considerate, although very lecherous. He not only liked having her and Tokiwa together but also enjoyed playing role-playing games; however, he never forced her. The first time he suggested role-playing, she instinctively refused. He simply shrugged, had the hotel open up another suite for her to rest well in.

“You… aren’t angry, Mr. Adrian?” she had asked unexpectedly.

“Why should I be angry?” he laughed heartily, then swept her up and laid her on the bed, kissed her forehead, and tenderly caressed her face, “Women are to be cherished, not played with.”

Perhaps from that moment on, something in her heart was touched, and thereafter, she began trying to accommodate him. And now, he suddenly proposed that he wanted to take her to the United States to advance her career because he liked her and wanted her to be his woman, which had her confused all over again.

“I don’t know what to say…” After a moment, Yukie sighed.

“If you think you can tell me, then say it, if you think you can’t, then don’t,” Tokiwa said with a slight smile.

Yukie sighed again, feeling both surprised and embarrassed upon learning that Tokiwa was also serving Adrian. Last year, when “Say You Love Me” was a hit, she had seen it and liked Tokiwa’s persona very much, but she had not expected to meet in this way. And to see Tokiwa so eager to please Adrian, even advising her during their tryst on how to behave, left her feeling awkward and somewhat disdainful towards her.

“Why resist? Adrian is a very gentle man, and he respects me,” Tokiwa responded to her query with a mild tone, “at least better than some men.”

That remark resonated with Yukie, complicating her feelings towards Tokiwa.

“Okay, I… I want to ask senior Tokiwa,” Yukie bit her lip, “if I say if, you had the chance to develop your career in the United States… would you go?”

Yukie was still too naive; her question too obvious, revealing what was on her mind. Yet, in such cases, if the other person has even slight cunning, a casual steer could lead to different outcomes. However, this was Japan, and most female artists maintained friendly relations within the industry, regardless of seniority levels. Unlike strict hierarchies elsewhere, being collectively vulnerable brought them together naturally, so Tokiwa did not manipulate the situation.

“It seems that Mr. Adrian is very fond of you, Yukie,” Tokiwa sighed, not hiding her own envy while Yukie’s face turned inexplicably red.

“Go to the United States, leave this place, and go with him,” Tokiwa then suggested.

“But…” Yukie showed a hesitant expression; she had considered this possibility. Although she did not know Adrian very well, his reputation spoke volumes. She had mustered the courage to move from Okinawa to Tokyo, but Hollywood was abroad, known to her only on paper–could she really adapt? What about her family? And it all depended on Adrian’s promises. What if…

“Mr. Adrian is a good man,” Tokiwa, sensing her hesitation, spoke again, “though I’ve only been with him for half a month, I know he’s a good person. If he promises something, he won’t go back on his word.”

“Really?” Yukie clasped her clothes unconsciously, lost for words.

“Do you know how many people dream of going to Hollywood, Yukie,” Tokiwa sighed again, “as far as I know, every famous actor in the movie circle would love to go there. Even if you are just a secondary actor, you come back with a different worth, not to mention with Mr. Adrian protecting you, you’ll be even more free. Besides… won’t you strive for it on your own?”

Yukie became a bit embarrassed, coughing lightly and muttering Tokiwa’s words twice, then recalling what Adrian had said, suddenly trembling slightly. Yes, with his protection… If someone had asked her to do this now, what about next time? Even Tokiwa senior had no choice but to comply, let alone herself?

Taking a deep breath, Nakama Yukie stood up and bowed deeply to Tokiwa Tokiwa: “Thank you for your guidance, senior Tokiwa.”

——————————————————–

After nearly twenty days in Japan, having gathered the things he wanted and briefly inquired about the information he needed through other channels, Adrian finally left the country… and went to Hong Kong.

In fact, his initial destination was Shanghai, but while booking the flight, he hesitated and finally sighed deeply, changing the destination to Hong Kong. Although he was fully aware of who he was and what he needed to do, even severing a slight attachment immediately when a private detective confirmed with substantial evidence that there was no such person in mainland China, he still couldn’t help feeling a touch of homesickness when it came down to it.

“I thought I was rational and calm enough, but I didn’t expect to still feel this way,” Adrian said somewhat self-deprecatingly as he stood on the peak of Victoria Peak, looking north.

He understood why he felt this way; some things are deeply buried in the soul, and even if only two-thirds resonated, it could still make his heart flutter. He was tempted to visit Luohu Port or stroll around the so-called Chung Ying Street, but after much hesitation, he abandoned the idea.

“After all, I’m doing what needs to be done. There are some lessons you can’t learn just by following others, especially when you can’t be sure of their thoughts,” Adrian muttered as he looked northward.

Hong Kong cinema was experiencing its final moments of glory. Its small scale made it inevitable that it could not compete with Hollywood. If “Terminator 2” and “Jurassic Park” had almost brought down Hong Kong cinema, then the arrival of Titanic completely crushed them. Such magnificent films couldn’t be produced without industrial development. Hong Kong was just a free port; it could initially hold its ground with genre films under technical constraints, but once technology advanced enough to easily transfer imagined scenes to the screen, defeat was only a matter of time.

As for China, it was just starting to make strides and was still under the influence of European directors. They thought winning a few film festival trophies meant they had successfully promoted their culture worldwide. Not seeking market share, no amount of showing off was more than an illusion. It was no wonder the third generation specifically asked to see Titanic to learn from its promotion techniques.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much he could do. Introducing Hollywood films to China was about the most he could manage at the moment. Although there were other tactics and moves he could try, they would have to wait a few years until China understood what commercial cinema and the film market really meant. After all, this was not the era of Bethune. If he were an overseas Chinese or just an ordinary American director, it wouldn’t matter, but he was also the chairman of an emerging media company. If he went to China, both China and the United States would be watching him closely.

Adrian suddenly laughed at himself again, why bother with all that? After all, as long as he did his job and kept a clear conscience, that was enough.

He stayed in Hong Kong for only three days before leaving. He had planned to visit Lan Kwai Fong, perhaps even indulge in some flirtations, but after reflecting on Victoria Peak, he lost interest. Besides, his favorite picks were already taken, and he wasn’t interested in the rest. It really wasn’t very appealing. Moreover, although Hong Kong still maintained its prosperity on the surface, 1997 was just around the corner, and everyone had an inevitable sense of anxiety, especially since the waters around Taiwan were not calm in 1996. It was better to leave early.

After traveling halfway around the world, Adrian arrived in Italy, where Monica had been waiting for him for several days. Since he was back in Europe, the Oscar nomination list was still being closely watched, so he couldn’t be as flamboyant as before. Although he might not encounter paparazzi, it’s always good to be prepared; besides, staying at home wouldn’t necessarily be boring.

A scream came from the kitchen, followed by laughter and several slaps, then silence. This silence lasted for a few minutes, then screams, laughter, and cracking sounds emerged again, repeating as if they would never stop.

“Okay, okay, I give up,” Adrian shouted, raising his hands. His face was completely messed up, covered with cream, cake, cheese, and various other ingredients. His white shirt was the same, dotted with many traces, looking as if he had just emerged from a cake.

“You’re trying to trick me, aren’t you?! Don’t think you can fool me!” Monica looked even worse than him, her cheeks almost entirely covered, and her apron and clothes were full of condiments, even her brown hair that was normally pinned back wasn’t spared. She held a freshly baked golden cake in her hand, screaming with an intimidating air, losing all her usual sexiness.

“Hey, I’ve already raised my hands; I have nothing left, doesn’t it prove anything?” Adrian swung his raised hands impatiently.

Monica eyed him suspiciously, knowing she had been duped too many times. But indeed, Adrian had nothing in his hands; he probably wasn’t deceiving her.

“Have you really given up?” she asked, although she still lowered the cake in her hand.

“Isn’t this enough to show my sincerity?” Adrian responded, walking toward her with raised hands, lifting his brows laden with cake crumbs.

“Alright then, since it’s like this, I might consider a truce, but as the loser, you must…” Monica finally relaxed, lifting her head and puffing out her chest as she was about to demand some compensation sternly, when suddenly the cake she had just put down was smashed solidly onto her face, accompanied by Adrian’s roaring laughter: “Did you really think I would give up? You’re too naive!”

“Adrian!” Monica screamed furiously, and the kitchen once again erupted into chaos.

If the ruckus continued for nearly half an hour more, the two finally sat down together on the floor, panting. If the kitchen was initially a mess, it was now completely destroyed. The refrigerator was left wide open, all its contents had participated in the war, most shattered like the pots and pans, covering them both with not just cake and cream, but also ketchup, peanut butter, and whatnot. No familiar person at this moment could recognize them, one being Hollywood’s Miracle Director and the other an Italian sex goddess.

After they caught their breath, Monica suddenly burst into giggles. Adrian was about to say something, but after seeing Monica’s messy face, he guessed he must not look much better and couldn’t help but burst into laughter himself. After a long, joyful laugh, they finally calmed down.

“This time it’s a draw.”

“No, I won.”

“Draw!”

“I won!”

“Draw!”

“I won!”

“Do you want to go again, Mr. Adrian?”

“I’d be delighted, Miss Monica.”

Just when they were verbally sparring, looking as though they might start another world war, the doorbell rang.

“Can I help you?” Both came out and asked as they opened the door.

The two people outside who rang the bell were instantly startled, especially since Monica’s face was smeared with cream, cake, cheese, and soy sauce, but Adrian, with his tomato sauce-covered head, at first glance looked quite like a zombie out for a stroll, one of the apartment security officers even grabbed a stick immediately.

“Can I help you?” Monica asked, slightly displeased.

“Um… sorry, ma’am, your neighbor Allen heard some noise from your apartment and was worried something might happen, so he sent me to check.”

“Nothing’s wrong, as you can see… This ‘zombie’ tried to attack me, and I took care of him,” Monica shrugged and said seriously.

“Monica!” Adrian rolled his eyes, even though his Italian was still quite poor, understanding was not a problem.

“Sorry to disturb you.” The security guard had completely understood the situation by now, and immediately started laughing, “You two really get along well, but please don’t disturb others, okay?”

As he spoke, he pointed to an old man named Allen standing beside him, who was mumbling something.

“No problem, it won’t happen again,” Monica said as she closed the door. Both of them pressed their ears against it for a while, making sure the people outside had left before bursting into laughter again. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit wuxiaworld.site to vote and support us. Your support is my greatest motivation.)