My Years as a Copyist in Taiwan

When he had almost finished eating, Zhao Wen put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a very elegant tissue.

"But Akina, let's get back to the point. It's not like you can't act at all." Zhao Wen took a sip of tea. Since Akina had already decided not to act with that scumbag, Needle Eye, he put away his smile and said to her earnestly.

Cai Cai was clearly taken aback for a moment, then looked up, her clear, moist eyes filled with confusion.

Didn't you just say you didn't want to film idol dramas?

Mr. Wicker Chair was also momentarily stunned and almost spat out his tea—"My lord, you just stated unequivocally that Cai didn't want to film, how come you changed your mind so quickly?"

Zhao Wen certainly remembered what he had just said, but so what? Going back on one's word, isn't that the prerogative of a lord?

"We shouldn't make idol dramas, but we can make good movies."

He looked at Akina Nakamori: "I'm planning to adapt 'Love Letter' into a movie."

The private room was silent for several seconds, then suddenly everyone looked up.

"love letter"!

Mr. Snail's Love Letter!

This wildly popular romance novel—who in all of Japan hasn't read it?! Mr. Wicker Chair's eyes widened in amazement. Even before the book was released, he had asked the great Mr. Snail if it should be made into a movie, and today he finally agreed!

Zhao Wen held his teacup, a smile playing on his lips. He looked around, thinking, "Heh, so what if I went back on my word?"

Idol drama? That doesn't even deserve to be called a movie.

What is "Love Letter"? It is the pinnacle of Japanese pure love films, a masterpiece that has never been seen before or since.

Upon its release in 1995, it immediately swept through the Japanese film industry, with box office numbers skyrocketing and dominating all of Asia. Miho Nakayama's performance in this film catapulted her from an idol singer to a national-level actress, a position she has held for decades.

"How are you? I'm fine."

These six words are etched into the youth of so many people.

For twenty years, it was a hit in mainland China; Fujii Itsuki is a character in the youthful memories of countless people born in the 80s and 90s. No matter how later romance films were made, they were always compared to *Love Letter*...

If Akina were to act in this movie, it wouldn't just be an "idol-turned-actress" transition; it would be a direct leap to the very top!

If we were to rank all pure love films in Japanese cinematic history, the number one spot would always be Akina Nakamori's version of "Love Letter".

Kondo Haruka, that scumbag, does he even deserve to carry my shoes?

Of course, he couldn't say these things. He couldn't very well tell Akina Nakamori, "This movie will become a classic in Japanese film history, and your performance will make it a masterpiece."

Toshio Suzuki is a freelance liaison for Tokuma Shoten, so of course he knows how popular "Love Letter" is! It's still in the top ten of the bestseller list, and it hasn't fallen off even after a year!

With cumulative sales of over two million copies, it's practically a must-have for every young person in Japan!

Hayao Miyazaki also pushed up his glasses, revealing an interested expression. Even a taciturn old man has his youth and regrets.

The Tokyo Three Musketeers were even more thrilled – Mr. Snail himself adapted "Love Letter," it has to be a masterpiece!

Zhao Wen ignored their reactions and continued looking at Akina: "The two leading ladies, Watanabe Hiroko and female Fujii Itsuki, look exactly alike, and each plays two roles."

"Ah!" Akina's heart was pounding.

"After thinking it over and over, in all of Japan, in all of Asia, the only one who can play the female Fujii Itsuki is you."

After Zhao Wen finished speaking, he began to observe everyone's expressions again.

The same thought simultaneously popped into everyone's mind—

Holy crap! This is perfect!

Shuji Fujino was the first to realize, "That's right!"

The image of female Fujii Itsuki—riding a bicycle, her profile as she reads by the library window, her stubborn yet soft-hearted nature...

Isn't that Akina Nakamori?!

It's exactly the same!

Suzuki Toshio also realized, "That's right! Akina-san playing Fujii Itsuki... My God, she's perfect! She's practically stepped right out of the book!"

Saionji Muneaki: "That's right, that's right! When I was reading the novel, the female Fujii Itsuki in my mind looked exactly like Akina! I thought I was just imagining things, but it turns out I wasn't!"

How could it not be suitable? Miho Nakayama became a legend with this role. Akina's looks, temperament, and fragile charm are all inferior to Miho Nakayama's. Not only are they not inferior, they are even stronger, frighteningly stronger!

He could even imagine the spectacle after the movie's release—young people from all over Japan flocking to the theater, long queues forming outside, and everyone coming out with red eyes, girls hugging their boyfriends and crying, while the boys remained silent.

"How are you? I'm fine."

This phrase will spread throughout the streets and alleys, and be etched into the memory of every Japanese person.

Akina will go from being a "popular idol" to a "national sweetheart" with this film.

Zhao Wen remained expressionless, looking at Akina: "So, how about it, dare to act?"

Akina was a little confused. Love Letter... Of course she had read it, not only read it, but read it many times.

As she repeatedly rewatched the video, she even projected herself onto Fujii Itsuki.

At that time, she even thought that it would be great if one day she could play the role of Fujii Itsuki.

But that's Mr. Snail's "Love Letter"! How could she, a newcomer who just debuted, possibly be the female lead?

But now...

Mr. Snail said that in all of Japan, no, in all of Asia, she is the only one who can play Fujii Itsuki.

She looked up, her eyes sparkling with light.

She nodded vigorously, very firmly:

"I dare! I dare!"

Zhao Wen smiled; he had finally managed to smooth things over again...

Fujino Shuji watched from the side, silently giving his master a thumbs up in his heart.

They just said they didn't want to make movies, and then they immediately threw out "Love Letter." This isn't a change of heart; it's like saying, "I can't do idol dramas, but I can write them..."

The atmosphere in the private room was lively. The Tokyo Three Musketeers had a great time today, having dinner with Mr. Snail and witnessing the birth of "Love Letter"!

Suzuki Toshio sat quietly, his mind racing, trying to figure out how to get rid of the rattan chair and let Tokuma and Mr. Snail share this feast.

Tokuma is not an ordinary publishing house at all; it is a media empire.

It owns Daiei Film Company—a long-established Japanese film studio that produced the Godzilla series. From investment and production to distribution and theaters, it has a complete chain that it can handle everything itself without having to find anyone else.

Tokuma Neon Communication – Japan's top record company, offering a complete music production and distribution service, including direct production of movie soundtracks.

There's also Studio Ghibli—although they don't plan to officially open until next year, the foundation laid by "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" has already been laid, and animated films are also a powerful tool for Tokuma.

Tokuma has it all: publishing, film, music, and animation. And all of them are top-notch.

In Japan, there are many publishing houses that can make movies, but only Tokuma can handle everything from investment and production to distribution, theaters and soundtracks.

An IP like "Love Letter" is a money-printing machine if adapted into a movie. Tokuma has to acquire it, and he has to take the lion's share!