That night, Matsumoto Keiko returned to her home in Denen Chofu, Ota District. It was already eleven o'clock in the evening.
It was her subordinate, the contract agent Okamoto, who drove her back in the office car.
Different from the bright lights of the busy city, this wealthy neighborhood is quiet.
So as soon as Akira Okamoto drove the car into the road marked by the ginkgo tree, he couldn't help but start to slow down.
To avoid unexpected situations such as sudden bumps in the road, or a cat or a dog running out.
But accidents often come in unexpected ways.
While passing by the Central Garden, Keiko Matsumoto accidentally caught a glimpse of a red BMW E30.
This is a very flamboyant German imported car in this era.
The bright colors and the distinctive wide body and rear wing firmly attracted her attention.
However, while going around the car, Matsumoto Keiko suddenly discovered that on the other side of the car, there was a young woman wearing a fur coat, leaning on the side of the car and crying softly.
Especially the woman's face, which happened to be within the illumination range of the streetlight, looked very familiar.
After several glances, Keiko Matsumoto finally recognized that she was actually a junior in the entertainment industry.
She seems to be the girl who won the Toho Cinderella Beauty Contest last year and who just acted in the movie "Criminal Story 3: A Sassy Poem" this year.
what do you say that is?
It seems that the last name is Zeguchi...
However, at this moment another accident happened.
Suddenly, another middle-aged man appeared from the darkness behind this woman.
He came over and without saying a word, he hugged the woman arrogantly, pressed her against the car and kissed her forcefully.
As for the woman, she was crying and shaking, and kept beating the rude man with her fists.
Seeing this scene, Matsumoto Keiko couldn't help but feel shaken. A wave of heat surged through her body, making it difficult to look away.
But just when the car passed by completely, she still couldn't bear to look back.
The man seemed to have noticed something and suddenly raised his head towards the car she was riding in.
That vigilant, defensive, and glaring look made Matsumoto Keiko extremely embarrassed.
A little frightened, she quickly turned around and leaned on the car seat, gently stroking her accelerated heartbeat.
Finally, Akira Okamoto, who was driving in front, didn't notice this, so it wasn't too embarrassing.
And on the rest of the way, we encountered no unusual situations.
After bypassing a forest of flowers, two streets, and an intersection, we arrived at a house owned by Keiko Matsumoto.
Of course, when Keiko Matsumoto got off the bus, she did not forget to politely thank her subordinate.
"Thank you, Okamoto-san. It's really hard on you today. You worked overtime to contact work for me and even sent me back."
Akira Okamoto turned his head respectfully and replied.
"Matsumoto-san, please don't be polite. This is what I should do as a subordinate."
Matsumoto Keiko bowed again to thank.
"You're not polite. Today is not working time. If you hadn't been well-informed and arranged the meeting 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.
Everything has been decided. So to express my gratitude, I can only say this. Mr. Okamoto, please rest assured that our firm will definitely be better next year. Also, there is absolutely no problem with the year-end bonus. It will definitely be there by then.
It will satisfy you and make everyone happy.”
"That would be great. Everyone can have a happy New Year. Matsumoto-san takes care of everyone so much. If you hear this good news, everyone will be cheered up."
Hearing the compliment and knowing that he would get benefits soon, Akira Okamoto was certainly very happy.
So when the time came, he plucked up the courage and couldn't help but say a few more words of sincerity.
"But... Matsumoto-san, with all due respect, the Kohaku Utakai will only make the audience not forget you and maintain your current popularity. But if you want to gain the attention of advertisers again and receive a high-paying job, you still have to do it."
I have to seize another role that deeply touches the audience and star in a phenomenal movie as the protagonist."
"There is one more thing that I have always wanted to say. Although you are currently the undisputed leading actress of Shochiku Pictures. Logically speaking, there should be no shortage of opportunities to participate in movies. But now the business situation of Shochiku Pictures has been going downhill.
The funds that large shipyards can use for filming are getting smaller and smaller year by year. However, there are more and more newcomers to support. This situation is also worrying."
"If you don't take the initiative and are only obsessed with performing and art training in the past, it may be difficult for your career to develop as soon as possible. Therefore, I personally hope that you can try some social efforts. For example, you can have a close relationship with Shochiku Pictures
Our president, as well as all the great directors, have strengthened their private contacts. When it’s time to ask for favors, don’t be polite. No matter how diligent I am, I still don’t have as much face as you. As long as you are willing to come forward to ask for favors in person, it will definitely not matter.
Same……"
It should be said that although Akira Okamoto's words are harsh, they are indeed pragmatic words from the perspective of Matsumoto Keiko's career.
After two years of cold treatment, Matsumoto Keiko has long since lost her old arrogance, and her mentality has undergone many changes.
Of course she understood that Okamoto had purely good intentions and knew that he was not trying to shirk his responsibilities.
So after only hesitating for a moment, he agreed to try it.
"I understand, thank you for your suggestion. Mr. Okamoto. I can only say that I will try my best. After all, this is not my ability. In short, let's work hard together."
In this way, Okamoto Akira was relieved.
"Hi, I'm willing to help you. Then Matsumoto-san, please have a good rest. Starting from 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 leave all the general affairs related to the office to me."
Just like that, Matsumoto Keiko got out of the car and walked into the courtyard, while Okamoto Akira drove away with peace of mind.
At this time, Matsumoto Keiko's family no longer had any servants.
Only the door with lights on, a combination lock installed, and a complete set of advanced alarm systems are responsible for the security here.
She entered the password, walked into the home, changed her shoes, turned on the lights, turned on the air conditioner, and went straight to the dressing room on the second floor.
She was silent for a while in front of the mirror, and then slowly began to change her clothes.
She first took off her coat, then her skirt, socks, and underwear...
Her body is like a newly completed Ingres oil painting, floating in a mirror that reflects reality.
But somehow, during this process, there was nothing in her mind, but she always thought of the young man who had dinner with her, and of her bold move to make excuses in the taxi.
She couldn't help but blush, a little scared for her adventure, but more excited.
Especially thinking about the scene she accidentally saw in the Central Garden just now, her heart palpitated even more.
Unknowingly, along with random thoughts, my lower abdomen began to feel tight and my cheeks felt hot.
It seems like everything is different on this day.
All these experiences were like a curse, completely awakening her sleeping body.
And it becomes more sensitive and delicate...
However, at this moment, the phone rang suddenly.
Matsumoto Keiko, who was in a state of emotional confusion, felt as if she had been stabbed by a needle.
A sudden chill and numbness ran down my spine, as if I had done ten thousand regretful things that needed to be kept secret forever.
She was like an oyster peeking into the outside world. As soon as she took a breath, she was frightened by the unusual noise in the water, and immediately closed her shell again.
It took more than a minute after the phone rang for the first time before Matsumoto Keiko hurriedly put on dark silk pajamas and ran out of the dressing room.
When the phone rang steadily for the second time, another half minute had passed.
Matsumoto Keiko finally arrived at the phone on the second floor and picked up the phone.
She didn't speak immediately, but sat down on the small sofa.
After taking a few breaths of relief and being quiet for a few seconds, he spoke carefully.
"Moxi Moxi..."
"Qingzi? The person you miss the most is also missing you now..."
The voice of a man who was familiar with her in the past sounded, and she spoke so boldly that Matsumoto Keiko couldn't help but be surprised again.
"Hey? Director Fukasaku, why is it you?"
"Are you so surprised? Even the names are so different. How heartless. Have you completely disliked me? I'm so sad. Let me hug the street lamp and cry for a while..."
"Are you...drunk?"
Matsumoto Keiko frowned and already heard some clues from the other party's tone.
"Hey, hey, I drank a little. But it's nothing. Can you stop being so serious all the time? It's so boring."
"It's already very late. If you have anything to do, please tell me quickly. If you are drunk, go home and be with your wife. Don't keep Sanae waiting for you so late." Matsumoto Keiko's tone became more and more hard.
But the other party seems to be struggling to the end.
"What are you talking about? Why do you mention that woman? I'm completely fed up with her. Are you... are you jealous? That's great. Qingzi, can you give me a little more time? I will definitely
I will divorce her."
These rude words made Keiko Matsumoto angry and annoyed, and she couldn't help but scold him.
"Stop deceiving yourself. If you don't want your wife, can you also let go of your son? What's more... Sanae is one year younger than me. You can hate her today, but you will hate me tomorrow..."
But drunk men become 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 feelings.
I only have a soft spot for you. I only regret that I started a family too early..."
Matsumoto Keiko now only feels a headache from such entanglement.
She couldn't believe she had ever fallen in love with such a terrible man.
I regret very much. I used to be completely blinded by his talent, concern and sweet words.
No wonder they say women in love have no IQ...
"Don't be willful, Director Fukasaku. These words are completely meaningless. Anyway, we are over. Under your guidance and care, I can win two Academy Awards. I am very grateful for this, but that's it.
.Please cherish what you already have. Don't always act like a child who won't grow up and want to take everything into your own hands. It's time for you to mature. Also, please don't say these words again in the future.
Otherwise, many people will be hurt. Okay, if there’s nothing else, I’m going to hang up the phone..."
"Wait a minute, I have something serious to say..."
"Then just say it. I'm already very tired."
Matsumoto Keiko tried her best to maintain the last trace of courtesy.
"You are always so strong. This is the least lovable thing about you. A woman with a strong personality will scare away men..."
"I'm sorry, that's it, I'm going to rest."
"Oh, please, don't hang up the phone. Okay, okay, let me tell you, my next film is about to be shot. It is a literary drama film "The Man on Fire" adapted from Kazuo Dandan's autobiographical novel of the same name. The budget is sufficient.
Wu Yiyen has received strong support from President Omoto. Keiko, shall we work together again? You should be my number one heroine. As long as we cooperate, we will definitely win the crown of the king of the film industry in 1986!
I can even give you the same salary as the leading actor. Don’t refuse me. In fact, I already know that your recent situation is not good. How about it? Qingzi, do you want to see me now? Let’s make peace..."
However, before he finished speaking this time, the call was hung up.
Keiko Matsumoto put the phone on her chest, slowly closed her eyes, and fell on the sofa without making a sound.
There is an indescribable contradiction and struggle, and there is a subtle battle between heaven and man in my heart.
There is no doubt that the opportunity she has been eagerly waiting for has arrived.
And as long as she is willing to stretch out her hand, she can easily hold it.
Starring in a film adapted from this kind of literary work is actually the type of work that both she and director Fukasaku Kinji are good at.
It is completely foreseeable that as long as they put aside their past differences and cooperate, they will have a high probability of achieving major success again.
But the problem is that there is no way she can agree to Fukasaku Kinji's conditions.
Because she already has someone else in her heart. A young man she just met today.
She is not afraid of falling in love with a man who is twenty-two years older than herself and has a family.
I'm not afraid of the bad reputation of destroying other people's families, having long-lasting love, or having an unethical relationship.
But the premise is that you must first be worthy of your own feelings.
There is no way she would let this relationship be reduced to a balance of utility!
So give up?
It seems like now is the time.
However, it is inevitable to disappoint Mr. Okamoto again, and there is a high probability that this matter cannot be hidden from him.
Matsumoto Keiko couldn't help but smile when she thought of this.
It's that extremely complicated smile, containing guilt, mixed with sadness, revealing sadness and exuding helpless emotions.
But there is a faint glimmer of hope.
And this faint hope comes from the book "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion" quietly placed on the phone table.
No matter how confused and hesitant you are about your future.
But as soon as she saw this book, Matsumoto Keiko 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 or hurt him.
"Let's forget about this convenience. There are always other movies to make. It's not a big deal if I can't play the leading role. It's not like I haven't played small roles before..."
Keiko Matsumoto stood up while talking to herself.
She hung up the phone and walked back to her bedroom gracefully with only the book in her arms, emitting light like an elf walking late at night.
At the same time, in an apartment building far away in Akasaka, Ning Weimin, who was covered in cold, was returning to his residence carrying a bag of video tapes.
When he was walking back from Roppongi, he stopped by a video rental store, and all he got back were films starring Keiko Matsumoto.
After entering the house to change his shoes and wash his hands, Ning Weimin took out the six video tapes in his handbag and began to study a difficult problem.
They are all played by Keiko Matsumoto, but which one should I watch first?
"Gate of Youth"?
It is an award-winning movie that surpasses Sayuri Yoshinaga's version, and it also depicts Koreans in Japan.
Keiko acted in her true colors.
But it looks a bit like the sad drama in "Axin".
Is she playing a single mother raising her children alone?
"Suspicious Letters"?
It seems that this movie has also been released in China.
Is Keiko playing an infatuated and slutty girl?
Meeting the scumbag and the green tea lady, the plot is still a bit sadistic.
"event"?
She looks so young in this movie.
Taken in 1978?
That must be the age of twenty-five, right?
It was also the film that nominated the leading actress at the Academy Award.
Yes, let’s look at this first…
In this way, he stared at the TV screen and with the help of the video recorder, he successfully met the person he was missing.
And this is the special convenience of interacting with celebrities.