Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 403 The Old Man's Last Wish

After going out for a while, Gu Ming was a little reluctant to go back to Tokyo. He felt like he'd have endless things to do once he returned.

But he will eventually come back.

Gu Ming has already handed over the trailer for Shaolin Temple to Tanaka; he will handle the follow-up matters.

That's what an assistant does. They're equivalent to a mid-level manager in a Japanese company, and they don't just take the 200,000 yen salary for nothing.

Back in Tokyo, after shedding his weariness and taking off his travel coat, Tani Akira lay quietly on the tatami mat, not wanting to do anything.

I'm exhausted, both inside and out.

Listening to the sounds of pots and pans being set up in the kitchen, Gu Ming casually recounted his experiences on this trip: Shaolin Temple, Hanshan Temple, duck blood soup, the Sword Saint, and the bewildered Cheng Long.

Shaqin listened quietly until Gu Ming finished speaking and had nothing more to say, then she finally spoke.

"Furuya-kun, actually, I think you were wrong this time."

"How to say?"

“You’re putting on too low a posture. I know what you’re there to do, and you know what you’re there to do, but even so, you can’t put yourself on such a low posture. If someone like Zong Daochen finds out, what will he think of you?”

Gu Ming was slightly taken aback; he hadn't thought about that question before.

“I think even a true Zhou person wouldn’t have done that back then. Even if the other party had a reputation like a sword saint, they would have gone all out. And if that sword saint truly had the composure of a sword saint, would they have thrown a tantrum just because you went all out? Considering other people’s feelings and lowering your own posture, but Mr. Gugu, forgive me for being blunt, but you won’t earn respect by doing this.”

"Respect is mutual. If you respect others, they will naturally respect you. But if you don't respect yourself, why should others respect you?"

"You went to help, that's true, but you didn't go to give alms to anyone. A great nation like ours doesn't need your charity. You didn't go there to be trampled on either. Great nations have their dignity, and ordinary people have theirs. So, although it's unpleasant to say, I still have to say it: you were really stupid this time."

Gu Ming clicked his tongue.

Actually, on the way back, he had come to some realization that he might have been too timid. But Tanaka didn't dare say it, Koizumi didn't dare say it, and no one around him dared to say it.

After all, having lived two lives, Gu Ming had always deeply admired that sword saint, so he naturally couldn't bring himself to do it.

Now, someone has actually pointed this out without holding back.

Gu Ming pondered for a long time before finally getting up and bowing slightly to the other side.

"I was being inconsiderate. Next time, I'll think it through more carefully."

As Gu Ming said this, he hugged her, rested her against his shoulder, and remained silent for a long time.

Ultimately, he was just a stuntman at first, and he hadn't thought things through that deeply.

Now, I feel much clearer.

Gu Ming only let go of her hand and went to answer the phone when it rang.

"It's me, Furuya. What's wrong?"

In just a few seconds, Gu Ming's expression changed drastically.

After hanging up the phone, Gu Ming hurriedly put on his coat. Noticing the change in Gu Ming's expression, Sha Qin quickly asked, "What's wrong? Is something urgent?"

"It's an emergency, I won't be home for dinner tonight." Gu Ming paused for a moment before finally saying the unbelievable phone call.

"Eiji Mantani, you've stood up."

……

……

It sounds strange that Mangaya Eiji stood up, but considering his condition in recent years, it is not surprising.

Since the filming of "Ultraman Seven" ended, his health has been deteriorating. He spends most of his time resting, not drinking alcohol or eating meat, living like an ascetic.

Even when some people approached him asking him to come out of retirement, he refused them all, delegating the affairs of Wan Gu to Wan Gu Yi and Wan Gu Ao.

During the time when Gu Ming was in charge of directing and filming Gui Man, he rarely even had time to get up, and he no longer went to the set to inspect the filming as before. But just now, Gu Ming received a call from Wan Guyi.

Mango Eiji stood up, his face rosy, his spirits high, and his demeanor full of energy.

But Gu Ming knew this was not a good thing.

Xiaoquan was already waiting downstairs. Gu Ming took him and Wan Gujie with him, and they sped all the way to Wan Gu.

It had been a while since I'd seen Wangu Company, and it was unusually quiet, but Wangu was already waiting outside the door early in the morning.

Upon seeing Gu Ming, Wan Guyi took the initiative to step forward.

"Furutani-kun, you, you really came."

"What are you saying? It makes it sound like I'm an ungrateful person. Take me inside quickly."

"it is good."

After a brief conversation, the group went into the room in the backyard.

Although Gu Ming had heard Wan Guyi talk about it on the phone, seeing him in person still made his heart skip a beat, and he almost felt his heart stop beating.

Eiji Mangaya did indeed stand up, but his face was an unnatural red, and it was clear from any angle that his condition was very abnormal.

"Oh, Furuya-kun, you've arrived."

He looked at Gu Ming and nodded slightly: "Our 'Ultraman' has arrived."

"Yes." Gu Ming bowed slightly and sat down.

There weren't many people in the house. Besides Madam Wan Gu taking care of Wan Gu Ying Er, there were only a few people from the Wan Gu family: Wan Gu Yi, Wan Gu Jie, Wan Gu Ao, and their children.

“We…should make a new film. I have to make a film. I absolutely must make a film.”

Mango Eiji paced back and forth, muttering to himself, his mental state abnormally agitated.

Wan Gu leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Gu Gu-kun, please persuade your father. He needs to rest now."

"Do not."

Gu Ming took a deep breath, but pressed down on Wan Guyi.

"What he needs right now is not rest, can't you see that?"

It is said that elephants can sense their impending death. Dying elephants will leave the herd, walk alone to the elephant graveyard, and die in solitude.

As people get older, they often develop a premonition about what will happen to them.

Gu Ming held Wan Guyi down and said his conjecture slowly and deliberately.

"He just wanted to leave something behind before he passed away. And for a director who has once been brilliant, the best legacy is, of course, a film. Brother, you should understand this better than I do."

Wan Gu Yi hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Yes, of course he understands.

But that doesn't mean he wants to see this situation.

"The script, I need the script. Go find Jin Cheng and Gao Ye and the others. I need to personally direct them, even if it's just one scene... I have to personally direct them."

Wan Gu'ao hesitated to speak, but Gu Ming held Wan Gu'yi down and whispered something in his ear.

“Go and go find him. As the eldest son, you should at least fulfill the old man’s last wish.”

Then Gu Ming looked at Wan Gu'ao.

In any case, we need to get Mango Eiji to sleep first; it's already very late.

(End of this chapter)