I really just want to grind for entries related to crossover anime/manga.

The first day of filming lasted until about 9 p.m. After the day was wrapped up, the assistant director announced some new information to everyone.

A launch party will be held tonight, and the venue has been booked.

According to the explanation from assistant director Takikawa, this seems to be an old habit of director Asano.

He didn't like holding a party before filming officially started; instead, he preferred that the crew work together on set all day first, and then hold the opening party in the evening, saying that this would better foster relationships among the crew members.

Yuan Chuanyou naturally had no objection to this. He glanced at the system screen and saw that hard work pays off; the [Writing] entry was finally completed.

He put the remaining "Inspirations" into the "Entry Production Platform," and the production sequence was updated synchronously.

[Production Sequence 1: A Spark of Inspiration]

Experience points: 0/100

"Attending a cocktail party... I guess that counts as gathering material."

The young man stroked his chin and boarded the mobile bus with his fellow crew members.

Inside a long-established ryotei restaurant in Ginza, the wooden sliding door to the large private room was half-open, and the faint sound of waiters' footsteps in wooden clogs could be heard in the corridor.

The long table was filled with lacquerware food boxes. The ice in the sashimi platter was gradually melting, and a thin layer of water vapor accumulated at the bottom of the celadon dish. Director Nagahiro Asano sat in the main seat, his cheeks slightly flushed, and the wine glass in his hand shimmered under the light.

"Genkawa-kun, come here for a moment."

The director smiled and waved to Genkawa Yu, his voice gentle, "Let me introduce you to some senior colleagues."

As someone who appreciates talent, Director Asano was very satisfied with Genkawa Yu's performance today. Although he was only playing a supporting role, he believed that the young man would definitely become an excellent actor in the future, so he made an exception and called him from the table of supporting actors to the main table.

"Ok."

After walking over, Genkawa Yu immediately saw Sakurajima Mai's pretty face with a smile. As the lead actress, the girl was sitting in the second seat to the left of the director, next to an older female actress.

As for the first person to the director's right, it is of course the male lead in the drama, Yamada Hide, a newcomer heavily promoted by Johnny & Associates. Although his acting skills are terrible, as a core member of the investors, many people have toasted him.

"This is Moriyama-san. His acting skills are superb, and he has even won a young actor award."

After Yu Genkawa walked in, the director began to slowly introduce him.

"And this is Mr. Furuta, who often appears in NHK Taiga dramas. Mr. Furuta not only acts in TV dramas, but also in many stage plays. He appreciates young people with good acting skills. You two will definitely have something to talk about."

Both senior actors smiled at Genkawa Yu, and at the director's instruction, he greeted each of them in turn.

“I was watching Genkawa-kun’s performance from the sidelines. You acted very well. Keep up the good work and maybe you can become a lead actor.”

The middle-aged man named Furuta Tetsu had regular features and a gentle demeanor, making him appear approachable.

"Yes, Genkawa-kun, remember to exchange contact information with me after the party. We might have opportunities to work together in the future."

Moriyama also had a smile on his face. He knew that Director Asano had good connections, and if the other party was willing to help Genkawa Yu, the young man's future would be limitless. He could make a good connection for the time being.

"Thank you, seniors."

Genkawa Yu turned 20 last year, and after arriving at the main table, there was naturally a lot of toasting and socializing, which is a very important social activity.

"Mr. Genkawa, your acting skills are really amazing. I learned a lot from acting with you."

Just then, Yamada Hide, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly spoke up, with a half-smile on his face.

"Not at all, Yamada-san is also very good."

Genkawa Yu picked up his glass and toasted him.

Just as the two clinked their glasses, everyone heard the actor, who was being heavily promoted by Johnny & Associates this year, say something with a grin.

"Jeni-san has always liked young and outstanding male actors. I wonder if Genkawa-san would be interested in coming to our agency for a chat?"

These words immediately froze the previously cheerful atmosphere at the dinner table.

Moriyama and Furuta quickly exchanged a glance, while Director Asano's face instantly darkened.

Sakurajima Mai, sitting opposite him, stared blankly at Genkawa Yu's face.

For some reason, her small hand holding the cup suddenly clenched tightly.

Volume One: The Shining Morning Star: Chapter Eleven - The Actor and the Star Theory

When Yamada Hide made that extremely abrupt invitation, Genkawa Yu instantly sensed the change in the atmosphere at the drinking party.

The expressions on everyone's faces varied, but no one made a sound.

After thinking for a moment, he smiled slightly and said, "I already have an agency now, thank you for your kindness, Yamada-san."

"You can't say that. People always strive for better things. Genkawa-san is so talented. If you had an even better agency to help you, you would definitely be able to take your acting career to the next level."

Judging from the rumors I heard at the audition, although Johnny & Associates is a behemoth in the entertainment industry, it has a very bad reputation.

Moreover, the larger the firm, the more trouble it means. The young man was satisfied with his current situation and naturally would not agree to such a sudden invitation.

"I am satisfied with my current situation, and I apologize that I cannot accept Yamada-san's invitation."

"..."

Yamada Hide's smile froze instantly. After a long pause, he finally said, "That's truly a pity..."

After saying this, he stood up abruptly and apologized to the director and the actors, saying that he had urgent business to attend to and had to leave.

After he was hurriedly escorted away by his agent and assistant, the atmosphere at the dinner table became somewhat strange.

"this..."

Genkawa Yu was somewhat puzzled, but at that moment, Director Asano broke the strange atmosphere with a hearty laugh.

Don't worry about it.

He whispered in the young man's ear, "This is a film set. Even if you refuse him, nothing will happen. But I still have to commend Genkawa-kun for his courage. He's really something for a young man!"

"Haha, Genkawa-kun is truly generous! He deserves a big drink!"

"Genkawa-kun, let's drink again!"

Furuta and Moriyama continued to seek out Genkawa Yu for drinks, each with a bright smile on their face.

They'd certainly witnessed a good show today. They never expected someone to be so disrespectful as to directly reject Jenny Entertainment. After all, Jenny Entertainment is one of the three leading entertainment companies, with close ties to many television stations.

Seeing the young man surrounded by several men, and noticing that he looked normal, Mai Sakurajima finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She had heard all sorts of rumors about Jenny's Agency, almost all of them negative. The fact that Genkawa Yu was able to reject her so decisively made her feel inexplicably at ease.

Let's talk to him again later.

The banquet ended close to midnight.

Genkawa Yu stood at the entrance of the ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) with his completed novel in hand. A cool night breeze swept from his sleeves to his chest.

He stared at the system screen that only he could see, and the [Entry Production Platform] had actually gained quite a bit of experience.

[Production Sequence 1: A Spark of Inspiration]

Experience points: 9/100

It seems that drinking with industry veterans can indeed be a source of inspiration. Yuan Chuanyu nodded with satisfaction. As long as he experiences more novel things, he should be able to add this entry to his collection soon.

"Genkawa-san~"

Turning his head, the young man saw a smiling black-haired girl. He had just received a text message from Mai Sakurajima, which was why he was waiting for her here.

"Here you go, this is the manuscript you requested. I've just finished writing it."

Genkawa Yu handed over the manuscript in his arms. The story wasn't long, just enough for him to max out the experience points for the [Writing] entry.

"Mr. Genkawa, I didn't get a chance to talk to you earlier. Do you have time now?"

Mai Sakurajima, who was holding the manuscript, wasn't in a hurry to read it; instead, she wanted to have a chat with him.

Aren't you going home now?

Genkawa Yu glanced at his phone. The other person was an underage actress, and it wasn't appropriate to stay with her so late.

"My agent is on her way, and I'll wait for her here."

broker?

The young man immediately thought of the other woman's mother. Mai Sakurajima was able to make it in the entertainment industry on her own thanks in no small part to her mother's help. The mother and daughter could talk privately when they were together, and their relationship was more solid than that of an ordinary artist and his/her manager.

"Let's chat then. There's a vending machine over there. Would you like a hot drink?"

"Ah."

The two left the ryokan (traditional Japanese restaurant) together and walked to a vending machine not far away. The night breeze in Tokyo carried a slightly cool, intoxicating feeling, and the streetlights in the distance cast a faint glow on the asphalt road.

What would you like to drink?

Genkawa Yu looked at the hot drinks inside. The colorful vending machines also sold cold drinks in winter, catering to all sorts of strange people.

"Let me treat you."

Sakurajima Mai suddenly took the initiative, smiling as she placed her small hand on the vending machine, "What would you like to drink, Genkawa-san?"

"I want the most expensive one."

"..."

Sakurajima Mai looked Genkawa Yuu up and down, her smile growing brighter. "Alright, then I'll treat Genkawa-san to the most expensive drink."

The girl bent down and bought two cans of coffee for 600 yen each, then handed them to the young man in front of her.

"Thank you."

"This is the first time I've ever seen a girl offer to treat, and the guy says he wants the most expensive drink." Sakurajima Mai opened her coffee, staring intently at Genkawa Yu's face. "Genkawa-san, aren't you worried that saying something like that will seem strange?"

"I'm not worried. Rather, I don't care what others think at all." Genkawa Yu took a sip of coffee. "Because no matter how others see me, they won't show it directly, right?"

"..."

"Instead of racking your brains to guess what the other person is thinking, it's better to just ignore it. That way, you can live a more relaxed life."

"So that's how it is."

Mai Sakurajima nodded, a thoughtful expression on her pretty face.

"More than that, Sakurajima-san wanted to talk to me about what happened at the party just now," Genkawa Yu said softly, gazing at the distant scenery. "Were you surprised by my actions?"