booktalesy Chapter 338 Changes
Chapter 338 Changes
Chapter 338 Changes
After 2001, industry insiders throughout Asia and even Hollywood keenly noticed a change: Kitahara Shin almost never acted in films himself anymore.
This man, who stands at the absolute pinnacle of the global entertainment industry, has completely withdrawn from the frenzied battles under the spotlight, firmly fixing his position on the "Godfather" throne behind the scenes, where he holds the reins of everything.
President's office on the top floor of the Kitahara Productions headquarters building, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
On the large mahogany desk, there were more than a dozen scripts and invitations from the six major Hollywood studios and top European independent production companies.
"President, Warner Bros. has raised their offer again." Sasaki stood in front of his desk, holding a newly faxed contract quote in his hand. His tone carried a hint of instinctive amazement at the numbers. "A base salary of twenty million US dollars, plus 25% of the global box office revenue. If you agree to direct and star in this sci-fi blockbuster, they're even willing to transfer the North American merchandise rights to us."
Such an astronomical salary, which is unprecedented in Hollywood history, would be enough to drive the world's top movie stars mad with envy if word got out.
But Kitahara Shin simply leaned back in his leather swivel chair, showing no interest whatsoever in even opening the contract.
"Rejected it for me. Tell Warner that Kitahara Productions' investment quota for the second half of the year is already full, and I don't have time to be their money-printing machine." Kitahara Shin picked up his black coffee, took a sip, and calmly looked out the window at the bustling Tokyo street scene.
Today, the Kitahara Group owns a vast number of physical cinemas, top-notch special effects industries, and a rapidly expanding global streaming network. The daily cash flow generated by these underlying assets and IP rights alone is an astronomical figure that is difficult to estimate.
For Kitahara Shin, money is truly just a meaningless piece of code in a bank account. He has long since moved beyond the stage where he needs exorbitant fees to prove his worth. Now, he enjoys the sense of control he feels, standing on a pedestal, casually manipulating the pieces, and orchestrating the entire entertainment empire.
"By the way, President, there's a gossip story from Hollywood today about Leonardo DiCaprio." Sasaki put away the Warner Bros. contract, his expression turning somewhat strange, and casually placed a North American entertainment tabloid on the table.
Kitahara Shin glanced at it.
The front page of the newspaper featured a high-resolution paparazzi photo. In the photo, Leonardo DiCaprio, the Oscar-winning actor who once captivated countless young women worldwide with his deep-set eyes and impeccably tailored suit in "Inception," was now shirtless, sporting a noticeable beer belly, and playing with a group of bikini-clad Victoria's Secret supermodels in a water fight on a yacht, wielding a green plastic water gun and running wildly in the sunlight.
That unrestrained, stubble-covered, wild smile showed no trace of the burden of being an Oscar-winning actor.
"This guy's really gone overboard since he won the Oscar," Zosam shook his head. "I heard he's turned down several serious drama scripts lately and's been throwing parties every day. Warner Bros. executives are furious; they think he's squandering the commercial value he built up with Inception. Should we give him a talking-to?"
"There's no need for that." Kitahara Shin looked at the happy "water gun fat man" in the newspaper and couldn't help but chuckle.
He knew Leonardo DiCaprio's personality all too well. In his past life, this guy had been tormented for twenty years, fighting bears in the freezing cold, all for the sake of winning an Oscar. In this life, he had prematurely placed this supreme honor into DiCaprio's hands, so it was only natural that his taut nerves would snap and he would enter the "letting loose" phase ahead of time.
"Our collaboration with him was just a mutually beneficial arrangement, and once is enough." Kitahara Shin casually tossed the newspaper into the trash can. "Kitahara Productions doesn't need a chubby movie star to bolster its reputation. Let him do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't touch those absolutely forbidden contraband items. He can spray whoever he wants with a water gun."
After dealing with the trivial matters in Hollywood, Kitahara Shin's attention returned to the domestic operations.
The Japanese entertainment industry has long since become a playground dominated by Kitahara Productions.
SMAP, the boy band once hailed as Japan's national idol and home to Takuya Kimura, still maintains considerable popularity domestically, but it has long since paled in comparison to giants like Shin Kitahara, who dominate the global scene. Kimura himself has also suffered a significant blow; his initial ambition to expand beyond Asia has been brutally worn down by reality, and he can now only steadily build his career in the Japanese drama scene in Japan.
Moreover, in order to cope with the enormous pressure from Kitahara Productions, Johnny & Associates recently launched a new boy group as a second cash cow, directly creating an internal conflict with Kimura's resources.
"President, that new boy group from Johnny's is really gaining momentum lately, snatching endorsements from several of our second-tier artists. Should the PR department step in and intercept them, suppressing their momentum?" The manager in charge of local artists' management respectfully inquired.
"Ignore them." Kitahara Shin tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his tone flat. "Johnny's idol industry has its limits. Let them fight over those peripheral endorsements. Kitahara Productions' resources should be used on those who can truly carry the torch."
He pressed the intercom on the table.
"Have Takeru Satoh come to my office."
Ten minutes later.
The heavy mahogany door to the office was pushed open. Twenty-one-year-old Takeru Satoh, dressed in a simple black hoodie, walked in with a solemn expression. After several years of honing his skills at Kitahara Productions, the naivety in him had long since faded, replaced by a composure and a sharpness like a blade being drawn from its sheath.
"President, you wanted to see me?" Takeru Satoh walked to the desk and bowed deeply.
He looked at Kitahara Shin sitting there, his eyes still burning with the fanaticism and absolute awe of a die-hard fan.
The outside world only knows that Kitahara Shin is an Oscar-winning director, but in the eyes of employees like Sato Takeru who witnessed the rise of the empire, this man is a god who can change the rules of the world at will.
Without wasting any words, Kitahara Shin took out a thick script with the word "Top Secret" printed on the cover from the drawer and threw it on the table.
"Take it."
Takeru Satoh took the script with both hands, looked down, and saw four large characters on the cover—"Rurouni Kenshin".
"This is a big-budget action film adapted from a manga." Kitahara Shin leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing the young man before him who already possessed the strength to carry a heavy load. "I don't care what method you use, for the next six months, cancel all unnecessary engagements. Go to the top-tier kendo dojo and etch the essence of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style—its agility and decisiveness—into your muscle memory, one-to-one."
"This red hair, and that reverse-blade sword, are the absolute mainstays of Kitahara Productions' foray into Asian cinemas in the second half of this year."
Don't let me down.
Takeru Satoh gripped the heavy script tightly in his hand, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. He knew that this was a stepping stone to the top personally bestowed upon him by the president, a super tough battle that could change the trajectory of his entire acting career.
"Don't worry, President! Even if I practice until my hands break, I will never disgrace this script!" Sato Takeru's voice was loud and clear, resolute.
He looked up at Kitahara Shin's handsome yet cold face, his lips moving slightly. Deep down, he harbored a great longing: he desperately wanted to ask if he would ever have the chance to truly act opposite the president on screen again.
But he swallowed those words back.
Takeru Satoh was well aware of his own limitations. The president's current status was hundreds of times more exaggerated than those so-called Hollywood actors; he was a true rule-maker and a godfather of capital. Satoh's current abilities were far from sufficient to bear the weight of acting alongside the president. The only thing he could do was to completely dominate this "Rurouni Kenshin" series and earn himself the title of "Disciple of Kitahara Shin."
Watching Takeru Satoh walk out of the office with the script in hand, full of fighting spirit, Shin Kitahara nodded in satisfaction.
Besides Takeru Satoh, the good cards he had been holding for many years were also gradually blossoming and bearing fruit.
Shun Oguri was thrown into a project called "Crows Zero," where his inherent roguish charm and ruthlessness were fermenting wildly: After experiencing initial popularity, Ryoko Hirosue and others, under the professional planning of Kitahara Production, successfully completed a smooth transition from teen idols to powerful actresses.
Just then, the head of the brokerage department knocked on the office door again.
Behind the supervisor was a tall girl in a school uniform, carrying a backpack, who looked extremely flustered and nervous.
"President, this is a new talent we scouted in Okinawa, named Yui Aragaki," the manager respectfully reported. "Her appearance is outstanding, especially her smile, which is very captivating. Please take a look and decide on her future development path."
Kitahara Shin looked up at the Okinawan girl in front of him, whose long, straight black hair was twisted between her fingers in nervousness. Her signature "Gakki Smile," which seemed to melt winter snow, still carried an unadorned, natural purity.
"Don't be so nervous." Kitahara Shin looked at her, his tone softening.
He casually picked up a pen, scribbled a line on a new employee training plan, and handed it to his supervisor.
"There's no need to arrange those forced, attention-grabbing comedy variety shows for her, nor should we change her image to cater to the market." Kitahara Shin gave the most precise direction: "Let her maintain this transparent and healing image. Find the best physical instructor to train her, and after a year or two of honing her skills, directly arrange for her to take on the role of a pure and innocent national actress."
Kitahara Shin knew that for a top talent like her, who was born with a strong audience appeal, even without any harsh intervention, as long as she was given a safe, free, and well-resourced platform, she would naturally walk down her own dazzling path. Kitahara Productions' job was simply to shield her from the dirty tricks and backstabbing in the industry.
As Yui Aragaki listened to the direction this man, who held the reins of all of Asia in his hands, set for her, although she couldn't fully grasp its weight, a huge weight lifted from her heart. She bowed deeply to Shin Kitahara, revealing her signature, relieved and radiant smile.
After handling all the company's project coordination, Kitahara Shin left work on time at 4 PM.
No social engagements can stop him from going home. Now, the most comfortable and worthwhile thing for him is to stay at home with the women who are willing to bear his children.
Back at the private villa in Daikanyama.
As soon as Kitahara Shin stepped into the sunroom, he heard a burst of cheerful laughter. Nakamori Akina was sitting on the carpet, holding a small ball, playing with little Kitahara Kei, who had already learned to crawl all over the place.
The little guy, wearing a soft onesie, dropped the ball he was holding as soon as he saw Kitahara Shin walk in. He crawled quickly toward his father, making indistinct "ya ya" sounds.
Kitahara Shin scooped his son up from the ground and lifted him high, causing the little guy to burst into a series of giggles—
sound.
"You must be tired from work today?" Akina stood up and gently took off his suit jacket.
"I'm not tired. The people below have taken care of everything. I just need to sign a few documents." Kitahara Shin carried his son and sat down on the sofa.
Just then, Izumi Sakai came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of sliced fruit.
Today she was wearing a loose-fitting knitted maxi dress, her signature shoulder-length short hair casually tied back. As she walked, she habitually touched her slightly protruding belly with her hand.
"Shin-kun, have some fruit." Izumi placed the fruit plate on the coffee table and sat down next to Kitahara Shin.
Kitahara Shin placed his son on the carpet to play with the ball, then turned his head and looked at the spring with exceptional tenderness, gently stroking her swollen belly.
"How are you feeling today? Is there anything bothering you?"
"Everything is fine." Izumi shook her head, her clear eyes filled with serene happiness. "The doctor just came and did a routine check-up, and the baby's heartbeat is very strong. Also, Akina-nee shares her experience with me every day, so I don't feel nervous at all."
Having accumulated perfect experience in handling Akina's pregnancy, the Kitahara Group's legal and public relations teams were much more composed this time.
Izumi's identity was also completely protected by Kitahara Shinshin's legal and compliant "common-law marriage" registration document.
This means that her child with Kitahara Shin has undisputed inheritance rights and household registration status under the law.
As for making it public? Kitahara Shin had no intention of doing so at all, and Izumi herself felt it was completely unnecessary.
In this circle, once such a high-profile relationship is made public, it inevitably leads to endless media harassment, paparazzi photos, and all sorts of malicious speculation. Quanshui has always been a quiet person who values her privacy highly; she has no intention of letting her family and unborn child become the subject of public gossip.
For them, the so-called titles and honors bestowed by the outside world are nothing compared to the reality of sitting in the sunroom right now, watching their beloved men beside them, and their children crawling on the carpet.
Once the door is closed, in this manor protected by heavy security and enormous capital, they are the happiest and most secure women in the world.
"Once you're a bit heavier, I'll move the office back to the manor completely." Kitahara Shin held Izumi's hand, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness. "You can leave the company affairs to Sasaki and the others. For the next few months, I'll stay home with you."
Hearing these words, Izumi gently leaned on Kitahara Shin's shoulder, and Akina also sat down beside her with a smile.
Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the villa's courtyard, casting long shadows of the trees.