wavenovel Chapter 1253, page 1262, please let me read it first!
Chapter 1253, page 1262, please let me read it first!
Chapter 1253, page 1262, please let me have a look first!
There are no cicadas chirping in the Sakura-in Garden, because as soon as there is any noise in the trees in the garden, Nyantaro, the big orange cat, will climb up and catch and eat the cicadas!
I don't know why this lazy guy is so diligent about this. Is it to get an extra meal? Or is it to avoid being disturbed while taking a nap?
Naoki Nagayama, nicknamed "Nyantaro," scratched the orange cat's soft belly. "Have you gotten fat again?!"
Looks like this is definitely a snack; cicadas are quite nutritious!
"Meow~~ (Go away, go away)"
The orange cat impatiently pushed away the two-legged creature's offensive hand, rolled over, and continued to cool off on its marble-bottomed summer cat bed.
"."
There was nothing Naoki Nagayama could do about this aloof orange tabby dog, so he could only turn around dejectedly and seek emotional support from his enthusiastic dog.
Just then, Akina emerged from around the corner of the stairs. Her once fair and delicate features were now somewhat haggard from reading a novel, and in the shadows, she possessed a cool and aloof air.
However, upon seeing Naoki Nagayama on the veranda, the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing a bright smile!
"Naoki-san, would you like some chilled watermelon?"
Akina, unusually, didn't continue reading her novel. Instead, she walked briskly to the veranda, a furtive smile on her face.
"The flower sauce is asleep, we can eat now!"
"Uh-huh."
Naoki Nagayama responded with a smile, explaining that it wasn't that he wouldn't give any to Natsuka, but that food that was too cold might cause a stomachache for the child, so it was best for adults to enjoy it!
"Okay, I'll cut it in half, and we'll each eat it with a spoon!"
She kissed Naoki Nagayama on the cheek before happily heading to the kitchen.
Some people prefer dog-like companions, others prefer cat-like companions, but Naoki Nagayama likes both perfectly. His own Akina is versatile, both sweet and savory, incredibly adaptable!
The two people sitting on the eaves each held half a watermelon, scooped out the sweetest part from the middle with a spoon, and then fed it to each other.
Even Eitaro seemed to have eaten his fill, turning his head away from the couple.
"Mmm~~ So icy, so sweet! So delicious!"
Akina let out a snort of praise for the deliciousness, then shook her head and sighed.
"Sure enough, summer is all about eating chilled watermelon!"
Last summer, I was pregnant and couldn't even eat anything cold, let alone chilled watermelon, which I could only taste.
"Yeah~"
Naoki Nagayama also sighed, but he still felt a little unsatisfied.
Even though the watermelons at Yamazakura-in are all imported, seedless watermelons didn't exist back then, so he still had to spit out the seeds.
The young couple chatted as they ate watermelon.
"When the weather is nice, I'd like to take Huajiang to the beach. Let her soak up the sun and see the sea."
Akina sighed after speaking.
"But in China, whether it's me or Naoki-san, we might attract attention and there might even be paparazzi taking pictures, which would scare the baby."
That's the downside of being a celebrity—you get too much attention.
"How about we go to Hawaii?"
Naoki Nagayama said,
"Taking the opportunity to go on vacation?"
He had been considering this idea for a long time, since he was currently in a period of relative inactivity.
"But going on vacation to Hawaii would take too long."
Akina wore a bitter expression. A trip from Tokyo to Hawaii takes nearly ten hours, and the round trip takes two or three days. Adding a vacation, a week is definitely not enough.
"I still need to record a new song, practice English songs, and prepare for rehearsals."
"That's it"
Naoki Nagayama was also somewhat helpless; having a child made going out much more troublesome, as little Natsuka absolutely couldn't be separated from her mother for too long.
"How about we find a less crowded beach nearby?"
"It's not safe on a neon-lit beach unless there's absolutely no one around."
Even though Momoe Yamaguchi had completely retired from the entertainment industry, she was still secretly photographed when she took Yutaro to the beach to sunbathe!
They might not be paparazzi; they could be ordinary tourists or other people who have come to the beach.
"Private beach?"
Naoki Nagayama suddenly had an idea: Jurassic Island in the Seto Inland Sea!
Because the beach there was intended to be a tourist destination, it had been transformed into a pure white artificial beach by an engineering team, and all the necessary facilities had been installed. More importantly, Jurassic Island was entirely populated by workers hired by Naoki Nagayama; there were practically no other outsiders!
Furthermore, the island's parks, recreational facilities, and hotels are almost fully developed, and they've even built a hot spring resort!
"Akina, how about we go on vacation to Jurassic Island in the Seto Inland Sea!"
"Jurassic Island?"
Akina looked over.
"Where do you go on vacation?"
"Yes, it was originally built as a tourist destination. The artificial beach is already finished. The resort hotel is almost done with renovations; we just need to have the beds prepared in advance."
Naoki Nagayama found it increasingly feasible the more he listened.
"Besides, Honma-san has been asking me to inspect the progress of the dinosaur park construction, so this is a good opportunity to go."
"Is this okay?" Akina was slightly tempted.
"Absolutely no problem. A small airport has already been built on the island; you can take a private plane directly there, it takes about two hours."
Naoki Nagayama advised,
"We can also invite some friends. By the way, Hana-chan's first birthday is coming up soon, why don't we stay a little longer and hold it in the Seto Inland Sea?!"
There are still more than 20 days until Xia Hua's birthday, but if we go to the Seto Inland Sea, we need to prepare other things there, so the timing is about the same.
Akina thought about her schedule for a moment and found that there shouldn't be any conflicts:
"Then let's go!"
"Okay, it's settled then!"
Naoki Nagayama raised the bowl made of watermelon rind and clinked it against Akina's before looking at her half-eaten watermelon:
"Huh? Akina, you've only eaten so little?"
Akina was shocked:
"Naoki-san, when did you finish eating?!"
"Looks like the watermelon isn't to your liking. Come on, let me help Akina eat some."
As he spoke, Naoki Nagayama reached into Akina's watermelon with his spoon and scooped out a large piece!
"Naoki Mulberry"
Akina instantly transformed into a possessive puppy, pulling and tugging at Naoki Nagayama.
The atmosphere on the veranda became cheerful and lighthearted.
While Naoki Nagayama was relaxing at home, everyone in the Naoki Friends Building was busy with their own affairs.
The temporary headquarters of the Tokyo Film Industry Association on the fourth floor, in particular, has become even more lively.
"So this is all the president's daily work!"
Asai Nobuo happened to come to Shuichi Itō's door while he was working, saying he wanted to supervise the association's daily operations. Since becoming a member representative, he has become increasingly disliked.
"Can this really protect the interests of our members and guide the development of the film industry?!"
"You idiot, if you have something to say, just say it. If you don't, go home and lie down. Don't get in my way here!"
Shuichi Itō didn't hold back and tried to drive them away immediately.
"No, I'm just concerned about the association's development!" Nobuo Asai said with a smile as he sat down on the sofa. "That's why I came specifically to ask if the voting time and place for the proposal have been finalized yet?"
"It's set for July 23rd, and the location will naturally be the Capitol Building."
Shuichi Itō did not hide anything.
"What, Asai-san, do you still want to go to the venue to cheer them on?!"
"Of course!"
Nobuo Asai acted as if it were perfectly natural.
"As a member of the association, it is only natural that I should observe the voting on the association's important proposals!"
"Then go!"
Shuichi Itō put down the newly received membership application form, looked at Nobuo Asai, and said...
"Asai-san, the chances of this vote passing are very high. Don't even think about doing anything!"
"Haha, how could that be?! Shuichi-san, you've misjudged me!"
Nobuo Asai looked around the Tokyo Film Industry Association's headquarters as if examining some precious treasure.
"My biggest hope is that the association can reach even greater heights!"
He silently added half a sentence in his mind: "Anyway, it'll all be mine in the future!"
"."
Seeing the way Asai Nobuo was scrutinizing him, Shuichi Itō felt extremely annoyed with the guy. Even if he wanted to usurp power, there was no need to make it so obvious!
Besides, is he really so sure that he's the one who will be president next year?!
Can he handle Suo Ikuo, such a formidable enemy?!
Or is there some other plan in the works?!
No, we have to get this guy out of the association quickly! Even Itō Shuichi is starting to have enough!
In the entertainment industry, even the smallest thing that happened to Akina Nakamori would become a hot topic, just like how a popular young male celebrity in later years would trend on social media if he just cut his finger.
What started as a discussion among a small group of people in the industry, along with photos reported by paparazzi and tabloids, has gradually evolved into an important topic among fans and the general public.
"Why did Akina Nakamori cry?" "What role did Naoki Nagayama play in this?" "Is there a marital breakdown?"
As there was no direct response from either side, questions spread wider and wider, and even the statement issued by Ken-On did not quell the discussion. People simply do not trust official channels.
However, one of the responses in this discussion was answered on a certain program. During a promotional event for "Departures", someone actually questioned Naoki Nagayama directly!
"I want to ask Naoki Nagayama, that scumbag."
When the audio from the program finally came on, viewers were incredulous. Was it really broadcast like that? Wasn't it edited or muted?!
Then Naoki Nagayama continued to answer generously, which improved his public image considerably; at least he was an honest man!
"what?"
"You're telling me that Akina Nakamori was crying so hard because she read a novel?!"
"You're kidding me?!" "Did Naoki Nagayama write it himself?!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
"."
"Dingling bell~"
That evening, Yamaoin's phone rang.
Under the curious gazes of Akina and Natsuka, Naoki Nagayama reached out and picked up the microphone.
"Moshi moshi, this is Yama-oka-in."
"Moshi Moshi, Naoki-san?" A familiar voice from Morikawa Kuniharu came through the receiver. "It's me!"
"Ah, Bangzhi-san, why are you calling me all of a sudden?!"
Naoki Nagayama was slightly surprised. Generally speaking, apart from the period when a new book is released, Kunio Morikawa would only call once every six months.
However, the voice on the phone sounded somewhat urgent this time:
"Naoki-san, I heard you've finished writing another novel?!"
"Uh," Naoki Nagayama said, slightly annoyed, "How did you know, Kuniji-san?"
"I saw it on TV!"
Kuniharu Morikawa said somewhat sadly,
"Naoki-san, I'm your editor! How could you not let me be the first to know about your new book?!"
"Cough cough."
Naoki Nagayama then realized that he had accidentally leaked information about "I'm Sorry, I Love You" during a recording of a TV program.
But it seems like it just started airing, how come Kunio Morikawa caught up with it so quickly?!
"That novel was just a first draft; it wasn't finished yet, and I hadn't shown it to anyone."
"That's not what you said on the show!"
Kuniharu Morikawa's tone became even more resentful.
"Hasn't it already been shown to Mrs. Nagayama?"
"Ahaha, Akina, Akina isn't just anyone."
"So, does that mean I'm someone else as the editor?!" Kuniharu Morikawa protested. "Naoki-san, after all these years of friendship, I never thought I'd still be an outsider!"
"."
Hearing the old man's resentful voice on the other end of the line, Naoki Nagayama felt his hair stand on end.
Sigh. Naoki Nagayama is quite good at charming women, but when it comes to charming men, he's truly never learned, and doesn't want to!
"Stop it, stop it!"
Naoki Nagayama sat up straight.
"Bangzhi-san, don't be so mushy!"
"Actually, I didn't intend to let anyone see that novel so soon. It was an accident that Akina saw it."
Naoki Nagayama glanced at Akina, who rolled her eyes, and continued...
"I was thinking of taking it out next year!"
"But now, it seems that many people want to watch it."
Kuniharu Morikawa spoke slowly into the microphone,
"I've received many calls from fans and people in the industry, saying they want to see what kind of novel could make Akina Nakamori cry like that."
The way he said it was a bit awkward, but Naoki Nagayama understood.
His novel seemed to have gained some fame even before it was published, thanks to Akina Nakamori.
"Haha, then we'll have to wait."
Naoki Nagayama shook his head.
"I plan to start publishing it next year, one book a year."
"Naoki-san, don't be so old-fashioned. The readers' curiosity about this novel has already been aroused."
Kuniharu Morikawa directly advised,
Even if it's not published, we can print a few trial copies first and show them to critics and industry veterans.
"This way, the novel's popularity can be maintained, and when it's published next year, sales will be even better. Perhaps its influence will also be greater!"
Just like the pre-release promotion of a movie, the hype is maintained from the casting stage until the release. This is something that novels have never done before, because other authors usually only have one book title.
As for Naoki Nagayama, he's already finished the first draft!
"Well"
Naoki Nagayama pondered for a moment, then seemed to be deep in thought.
"Bangzhi-san, you couldn't hold back anymore and wanted to take a look first, right?!"
"."
There was a long silence on the other end of the microphone.
"Hey Naoki-san, please let me see it for myself!!"
Hearing Naoki Nagayama's soft chuckle and a woman's laughter coming from the other end of the line, Kuniharu Morikawa was certain it was Akina Nakamori, but at this point he didn't care anymore.
As a senior editor at Shogakukan, what's wrong with him wanting to see novels by his top author?!
"Naoki-san, please!"
"Haha, okay, okay, I'll bring it over after Akina finishes reading it."
(End of this chapter)