Huayu: I'm reborn, but you still force me to be a scumbag?

Chapter 415 A Perfect Performance

"Hahaha, is this some kind of special treatment for you, Chen Nuosang, from the poster designer?"

Chen Nuo laughed and nodded, "Yes, I'm on good terms with him."

"Haha, Chen Nuojun, what you said sounds very true."

Chen Nuo put on a serious expression, "It's true. Didn't you see how big I am and how small they are in the whole poster? It's all because the designer took my money."

"Hahahahahahaha~"

Anyone who has watched Japanese manzai knows that the kind of jokes Japanese people love most are like Chen Nuo's.

Serious nonsense.

So everyone, whether they were in the audience at the venue or watching on television, burst into laughter.

For Chen Nuo, these few impromptu lines were nothing. After all, he had been to the Oscars, so what was a small, amateurish performance by the Japanese?

He really has no qualms about what he says; it just comes out of the blue. He'd even dare to insult the Emperor. Let alone say something like this.

But Kazuyoshi Morita, Japan's national treasure comedian, was a little out of touch at this point.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret: if he were twenty years younger, he could definitely use his brilliant "boke to tsukkomi" (punchlines and witty remarks) to fight Chen Nuo.

But now, at 66, his thinking and reactions are nowhere near as agile as they were in his youth.

Those two seemingly easy responses were actually the result of his racking his brains and exerting all his strength to the limit.

He had no choice but to reluctantly bring the program back to the scripted flow.

"Alright, Chen Nuosang, please hand the poster to our Miss Sen."

Kazuyoshi Morita smiled and waved, and the female host quickly stepped forward and took the huge poster that had caused a burst of laughter.

Kazuyoshi Morita then took two steps, facing the flower baskets that almost filled a corner of the studio.

This is a tradition in the Japanese entertainment industry: if a particularly important guest appears, the agency, sponsor, or related parties will send a lavish flower basket as a congratulatory gesture and to show their support, symbolizing popularity and industry recognition.

The more flower baskets a guest has, and the more famous the name on the ribbon on the basket, the more prestigious the guest will be.

Kazuyoshi Morita stopped in front of the flower basket, his face showing an exaggerated expression of amazement, and said, "Look everyone, this place is almost bursting at the seams!"

As he spoke, he waved for the camera to follow. Viewers at home then got a clear look – dozens of colorful flower baskets of various shapes filled almost half the space. Each basket had a small tag with the name of the giver.

Kazuyoshi Morita said, "Chen Nuo-san, so many people have sent you their blessings. Director Takeshi Kitano is among them. I wish you great success with your film."

"With director Hirokazu Kore-eda, director Hayao Miyazaki, and chairman Saburo Ohno... I wish you a successful performance."

"With Momoe Yamaguchi and Tomokazu Miura, I wish you great box office success."

"Oh, and Rie Miyazawa too..."

"And Hiroshi Abe..."

"Chen Nuojun, you have a lot of friends."

Indeed, there were quite a few. Every time Kazuyoshi Morita read out a name, it would elicit cheers from the audience.

This also gradually quieted down the lounge where Ayase Haruka was.

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Yes, I have quite a few friends in Japan."

Following the script, Kazuyoshi Morita said, "These people are the pride of Japanese cinema. This is the first time I've ever seen their flower baskets. It's truly a rare sight."

At this point, Chen Nuo was supposed to follow the script and say something like thank you.

However, when the time came, he found that he really couldn't get along with the Japanese. He had a physiological aversion to such a thing as borrowing the Japanese's power and simply couldn't bring himself to do it.

His mind raced, and he deviated from the script, smiling as he said, "They're probably worried I won't know the rules and will mess things up. That's why they sent so many notes to remind me. But I don't think it's helpful, because I'll be sitting here later, and these flower baskets will be behind me; I won't be able to see them."

"Hahahahahaha!"

The audience burst into laughter.

Kazuyoshi Morita shook his head with a helpless smile.

He's a man who really surprised everyone.

They're not following the script.

But he can't.

He had to read out all the names on the flower basket.

Firstly, these flower baskets were there because they had given the production team a considerable amount of sponsorship money, so he had to read them aloud. Secondly, even if he hadn't received a single penny, he still had to read out the names on the flower baskets.

Although these names may be completely unfamiliar to many viewers.

"This is Mr. Toyoda Hiroshi."

"This is Mr. Yoshinari Shimatani."

"And Mr. Hiroshi Inoue."

"And Mr. Yoshio Okubo!"

……

Each time a name was read out, the audience would burst into polite applause.

However, gasps of surprise would erupt from the Nippon Television conference room where Haruka Ayase was located.

Hiroshi Toyoda, president of Fuji Television.

Yoshinari Shimatani, chairman of TOHO.

Hiroshi Inoue, president of TBS Television.

Needless to say, Yoshio Okubo is the owner of the building they are in, and the director of Nippon Television.

If the movie stars of the past were still people in the entertainment industry, people you see every day, then these later figures, who hold the power of mainstream discourse in Japan and are at the level of television station directors, are people that are rarely seen by anyone.

When these names come together, only those in the know can feel the immense pressure and weight of it all.

Haruka Ayase didn't know if this had ever happened to other Hollywood stars who came to Japan to participate in the program.

But I think there probably isn't one.

Because those people just come and go quickly on SMAP.

They don't speak Japanese, and they didn't arrive in Japan just three days after the Great Kanto Earthquake. Naturally, they don't receive genuine respect from Japan.

"Eh!!!"

After calmly reciting the names of all the truly important figures, Morita Kazuyoshi suddenly exclaimed in surprise at one name: "AKB48 is also here, and Mr. Akimoto Yasushi has also sent flower baskets. Chen Nuojun, do you know AKB48?"

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Yes, we know each other."

"There are lots of pretty girls inside. Is that why you met them?"

"Yes."

"Wow! It seems I've asked something really important! So, who in AKB48 do you actually know? Chen Nuojun, you'd better think carefully before you answer."

“There’s nothing special about it, Morita-san.” Chen Nuo smiled and said, “Beautiful things are always easy to spread. They have many fans in China. Of course, I’ve seen their dances and heard their songs. Of course, I know them.”

"Unlike you, Morita-san... I can only say, nice to meet you."

In a dance studio in Ikebukuro, Chen Nuo's words elicited a burst of laughter.

A dozen or so girls dressed in dance costumes sat on the floor, looking up at the television on the wall. Sitting at the very front, and laughing the loudest, were a pair of twins.

Akimoto Yasushi stood with his arms crossed in the back corner of the classroom, feeling a sense of surprise and delight.

Originally, I just planned to send a flower basket over to see if I could get a chance to benefit from it.

I never expected to be included in the script.

Doesn't this mean that he can use "AKB48, which someone else also likes" as a promotional phrase in the future? If so, how can Morning Musume and E-girls challenge his throne?

It seems I really need to get things done tonight... I don't want to end up like last time, where we almost got caught.

Morita Kazuyoshi said, "Chen Nuo-san, talking about an old man like that makes you seem so heartless."

"I'm sorry, Morita-san. I'll try not to be so direct next time."

"Can you not say it?"

"That's fine, as long as you don't ask me questions that make me unhappy."

"Ah, so you're threatening me?"

“It’s not a threat, I call it negotiation.”

"This doesn't look like a negotiation! You're clearly threatening me. Ah, Chen Nuojun, this seems to be a violation of Japanese law."

"What are the laws in Japan? Is threatening someone a more serious crime, or assaulting a man in his sixties?"

"Um, how about we sit down and talk?"

"It should have been done a long time ago. I thought this stool was just for decoration."

"I'm sorry to have given you that impression, please don't lay a hand on me." "So, assaulting an elderly person is indeed a serious crime?"

“Yes, that’s right, he’ll definitely go to jail!” Morita Kazuyoshi shouted.

"Hahahahahaha!"

Laughter echoed throughout the venue time and time again.

On the viewership monitor in the backstage studio, the line representing real-time viewership was slowly but steadily climbing upwards.

In Ikebukuro, in Shinjuku, in Osaka, in Nara, in Hokkaido,

As many Japanese netizens watched Chen Nuo and Morita Kazuyoshi bicker, they shared their thoughts online.

"That's hilarious! Chen Nuosang speaks Japanese so well!"

"This is definitely the best 'Laugh Out Loud' show in the last five years."

"What am I looking at? Are Chen Nuojun and Tamori doing a comedy duo? wwwww"

"Chen Nuosang and Tamori! Who can believe what's happening on TV right now? I think every Japanese person should turn on the TV right now!"

"When I saw Tamori use his sharp tongue, I was moved to tears. Thank you, Mr. Chen. You brought Tamori back to his youth!"

Many people turned on the TV out of curiosity.

20.2%, 20.5%, 21%... Almost every minute, the curve on the viewership display screen in front of Hiroshi Nakajima would rise a little.

When Chen Nuo and Morita Kazuyoshi sat down together, five minutes of the program had passed, and the ratings in front of Nakajima Hiroshi had already reached 23%!

When was the last time it reached 23%?
ten years ago?
“Nakajima-kun, Chen Nuo-san’s eloquence is truly amazing. I apologize for my previous doubts. Although his Japanese has a slight accent, it’s really impressive for a foreigner. No wonder he’s an Oscar-caliber host!” said an assistant director beside him.

Hiromichi Nakajima: "Yes, he truly lives up to his reputation. He was born for the stage."

All right.

After finishing his joke, according to the script, Chen Nuo should get down to business. He's not a comedian; as Allison said, he has no obligation to make the Japanese happy.

Actually, there is an obligation to be unhappy.

He had no choice but to bow down for a pittance.

Now, introducing movies is the real business; making money is what matters.

"...I play a dream architect, someone who can sneak into a target's dream and implant a concept, allowing me to control their behavior and even personality. That's where the movie's title, 'Implantation,' comes from. It sounds like hypnosis, but in reality, it's far more terrifying..."

"Wow~~~ This sounds so interesting! Could you explain in detail how to do it?"

"For example, some people like colorful flowers..."

"Wait a minute! Chen Nuo-san, is the Ayaka you're talking about the one from AKB48?"

"Yes. What's wrong?"

"Hey! Chen Nuo-san, you actually know the members of AKB48!"

"Haha, yes..."

As Akimoto Yasushi read this with his hands in his pockets, he suddenly made up his mind.

Needless to say, Akimoto Yasushi isn't a stingy person. Chen Nuosang mentioned AKB48 several times, I don't know if he was hinting at something, but he couldn't possibly be clueless about manners. Tonight, besides sending over his Ayaka and Ayaka, there absolutely must be a bonus.

who?

Akimoto Yasushi's eyes darted across the faces of the dozens of girls in the dance studio, and he noticed that they were all looking at the younger twin with envy.

Who is obedient, well-behaved, sensible, and keeps their mouth shut?
His gaze eventually settled on the faces of a black-haired girl and a blonde girl.

Let's choose one of them.

……

……

"...In the end, you only need to plant this one thought in your mind to make her like you."

"Wow! That sounds even more powerful than hypnosis."

"In addition, we can also build our own world in our dreams, such as turning Akihabara into a kingdom, capturing all the idol groups, and holding a concert just for you every day. You can put whoever you want in the center position, and change whoever you want. You are the king in it, and you can do whatever you want."

"Note: This applies to everything!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the audience burst into applause and laughter.

Although Chen Nuo didn't say anything, everyone understood.

"Eek, oh my god, this is just too wonderful!!" Morita Kazuyoshi exclaimed, clutching his chest dramatically. "Ah—this place is just too dangerous! I'm sure I'll never come back!!"

Tsk tsk, Chen Nuo had to admire the older generation of artists; they really had something. After all, it was all scripted. The audience had probably seen it at least twenty times; to pretend it was the first time required acting skills.

He mentioned AKB48 three times in what he just said, seemingly unintentionally.
Actually, it was something he came up with with Allison and Elizabeth after staying up all night. It was specifically aimed at their key target audience for Inception—

Japanese otaku.

Do you really think he's advertising for Yasushi Akimoto?
wrong!
It's because those wealthy and idle otaku who like AKB48 are the cash cow that "Inception" needs!

People of this era may not know how powerful these otaku are, but he certainly does.

The subsequent complete otaku culture in the Japanese entertainment industry was precisely because this group of people fully demonstrated their spending power. They used their wallets to dominate the entire Japanese entertainment industry!
If Inception can capture their attention and draw them into the cinema, then success in the Japanese market is within reach!
……

At last,
As the show was nearing its end, Hiroshi Nakamura saw that the viewership rating for "Laugh Out Loud" had reached 25.1%.

At this point, he was already completely satisfied. He was just waiting for the program to end so he could present flowers to express his gratitude.

At this point, as is customary on the show, Kazuyoshi Morita will make a phone call to chat with the guest of the next episode.

It was supposed to be a very simple matter, but unexpectedly, the call that Morita Kazuyoshi made went unanswered for a long time.

"Beep~~~Beep~~~Beep~~~~"

The phone rang in the recording studio, and a strange silence fell for a few seconds.

In a program broadcast live across Japan where every second counts, blank time is a major taboo. Although Kazuyoshi Morita is very experienced, at 66 years old, he can no longer save the day instantly like he did when he was younger, and he was caught off guard.

"Damn it! What happened!" Hiroshi Nakamura yelled in the studio. "Shouldn't we have arranged everything beforehand? Why did this happen?"

"Gakki did not answer the phone."

"What should we do!"

Just as the entire backstage area was in chaos, the old man wearing sunglasses behind the table froze, but the young man immediately sprang into action.

Chen Nuo brought her mouth close to the microphone and said to the camera in a serious tone, "Everyone, I think the next guest has already entered the dream world."

Everyone laughed.

The awkward atmosphere vanished instantly. Everyone thought something unexpected had happened. Turns out, it was all part of a pre-arranged scene.

This is what everyone, whether at the venue or watching on television, thought.

Chen Nuo's expression turned serious as he said, "Now, I'm going to find this guest and bring her back from the dream. However, this is very risky, because the dream world is extremely dangerous."

"If, and I mean, in the next episode, you only see Tamori, then it means I have failed."

The audience laughed and began to applaud.

"By the time……"

Ignoring the noisy atmosphere, Chen Nuo remained serious, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, saying, "Please be sure to go to the movie theater to learn how to enter a dream and save me."

After speaking, he raised his eyebrows slightly, a half-smile curving his lips, his deep eyes seeming to pierce through the screen and look straight into the hearts of every viewer.

Finally, he bowed slightly.

"please."

At that moment, countless women in front of their televisions watched the man who seemed to be smiling and pleading with them through the camera lens, and their hearts felt as if they had been violently struck.

Special treatment for graphic designers?

No, no.

At this moment, all the women in front of their television screens recalled the flutter in their hearts that had once been captivated by a gentle smile on that scorching hot afternoon four years ago.

That feeling, as if my breath had been stolen, couldn't be calmed even after turning off the TV.

Now, they've returned—

Even more intense and irresistible than before.

……

……

After the show ended, when Chen Nuo returned backstage, he was immediately surrounded by Warner Music staff.

Elizabeth was the first to rush up and give him a big hug, exclaiming excitedly, "Man, woman, that was amazing! Chen, you've completed the other piece of the puzzle! A perfect performance!"

(End of this chapter)