I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema!

As a rule, as the executive director, Hashimoto Ichiro is usually the first to arrive.

The lively atmosphere in the office cooled down a bit in an instant.

Nancun Xing and Changgu Luzou looked at each other. Nancun Xing scratched his head and said uncertainly, "I don't know. I haven't seen anyone today."

"Hashimoto-senpai has been acting a little strange lately."

Beichuan Yao, holding her own glass of milk, added quietly, her face, always full of energy, now filled with the sharpness and worry that only belonged to a woman. "I've seen him several times answering the phone alone at the end of the corridor, acting mysteriously. When I asked him, he said something was wrong at home."

"That's right!"

Hasegawa nodded vigorously, lowering his voice as if sharing some important secret. "Last Friday, I saw Iwata's assistant, the one called Kojima, sneaking around our door. Then it seemed like he went to look for Hashimoto-senpai."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Nohara Hiroshi.

In the office, for a moment, the only sound was the monotonous operation of the coffee machine.

"Maybe... he found a new classroom?" Nancun Xing guessed. This was a reasonable explanation.

After all, Section Chief Suzuki was promoted, and their temporarily formed team has been disbanded in a sense.

As an experienced Level 4 director, it was normal for Hashimoto Ichiro to be poached by other classrooms.

Nohara Hiroshi didn't say anything, he just drank his coffee calmly.

After all, Suzuki Seito had talked a lot with him before leaving.

This also includes Hashimoto Ichiro.

Moreover, this young man, Hiroshi Nohara, was promoted to a fourth-level director so quickly, which would definitely arouse jealousy.

But some things don’t need to be spoken out once you see through them.

It is also Hashimoto's freedom to choose which classroom he wants to go to.

"By the way, Section Chief Nohara."

At this moment, Kitagawa Yao gently placed a document that she had just received from the administrative department in front of Nohara Hiroshi.

"This is... a notice from above."

Her voice was thick with indignation. "They say they're holding a special meeting this morning at 10:00 AM regarding the copyright and adaptation rights for 'Anzhiju,' and they ask you...as the original author, to be in attendance."

"Ha! These guys are really quick!"

Nan Cun Xing slammed the table, anger written all over his young face. "We worked so hard to build this empire, and now someone is eager to reap the spoils?!"

"That's right! The way he eats is so ugly!" Hase Luzou was so angry that he was shaking all over.

In the office, the joy that had just risen from the victory was instantly replaced by anger at being robbed in public.

"Calm down, everyone."

Nohara Hiroshi's voice seemed unusually calm amidst the clamor of anger.

He looked at the notice, a faint smile on his face. "When the peaches are ripe, there will always be people who want to pick them. The problem is whether they can get them and whether they can afford the price."

His words were like a tranquilizer, instantly calming the restlessness in everyone's hearts.

The copyright is still in the hands of their omnipotent section chief.

If the section chief disagrees.

What else can I do?!

Thinking of this, everyone smiled.

'Squeak—'

Just as everyone began to enthusiastically discuss Nohara Hiroshi's methods and copyright issues, the office door was pushed open.

Hashijita Ichiro walked in.

He had changed into a brand new suit, his hair meticulously combed, and his face wore a perfectly formalized look of apology, but the emotion he expressed was just that: "Sorry, everyone, I'm late. There was an emergency at home."

"Senior Qiao Xia, what's wrong with you..." Nancun Xing was about to ask something.

But Hashijitaro interrupted him directly: "Um... I have some personal matters to attend to this morning and need to go out. I have already reported to the personnel department in advance."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and was about to leave without waiting for Nohara Hiroshi to speak.

This gesture is more of a... notification than a request for leave.

The atmosphere in the entire office instantly dropped to freezing point.

Nancun Xing and Chang Gu Lu Zuo both looked at him in astonishment, as if they were looking at an extremely unfamiliar intruder.

This is not the Hashimoto Ichiro they have in mind at all!

"Hashimoto-senpai."

Nohara Hiroshi's voice sounded calmly at this time.

Hashijitaro paused. He didn't turn around, but turned his back to everyone and said in a somewhat stiff voice, "Section Chief, is there anything else?"

"Oh, nothing." Nohara Hiroshi leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound. He paused for a moment before speaking again: "Next time, remember to tell us in advance, otherwise, we will worry about you."

Hashijitachi was silent for a moment.

But nothing was said.

He just said "hmm" and quickened his pace, disappearing at the door as if he was fleeing in panic.

The office suddenly fell into silence.

No one is a fool. They can feel the turbulent waves hidden beneath the seemingly calm conversation.

And... the abnormality of senior Hashimoto Ichiro!

"Jingle Bell--"

However, just when the atmosphere was extremely tense, the landline phone suddenly rang, breaking the suffocating silence.

"Hello, this is the Nohara production team." Hiroshi Nohara picked up the microphone, and all emotions had faded from his handsome face.

Only calm remains.

On the other end of the line came the gentle and steady voice of Deputy Director Asumi: "Nohara-kun, did you receive the meeting notice?"

"Got it, Deputy Director." Nohara Hiroshi's voice was calm: "It's just that I don't understand why you are so anxious?" He did not hide the fact that he had already guessed it.

"Haha, some people can't wait." Ming Hai laughed heartily.

He likes the smart Hiroshi Nohara.

But thinking about the importance of Nohara Hiroshi to "An Shiba Inu", Asumi said in a deep voice: "This is a challenge for you, so before this, I have already informed the review department. The copyright is yours, so you need to set the price. And as "An Shiba Inu" is a very successful planned animation, it is reasonable for the price to be higher..."

This reveals the price.

"Hi." Nohara Hiroshi raised his eyebrows. As long as the price was arbitrary, he would not be polite.

At this time, Ming Hai said again: "Besides, I have a better plan for you."

"Please go ahead." Nohara Hiroshi looked slightly surprised.

"Remember that S-ranked live-action horror project I mentioned last time?" Asumi's voice was solemn. "The station has officially approved it. I recommended you for the director position. The board of directors voted unanimously in favor."

When Nohara Hiroshi heard this, a sharp light like a sword being unsheathed finally appeared in his eyes, which had always been as calm as an ancient well.

This is just as he guessed!

And he knew that this was Asumi's real killer move.

Using the production rights of the third season of "An Zhi Ju" which seemed insignificant, in exchange for the absolute dominance of an S-level project that would determine the future situation for several years.

This tactic is indeed very clever.

"Deputy Director, aren't you afraid that I'll mess up?" There was a hint of sarcasm in Nohara Hiroshi's tone.

"Hahaha!" A hearty laugh came from Asumi on the other end of the line: "Nohara-kun, I've never made a mistake in judging people in my life. I believe in you, just like I believe that the sun will rise as usual tomorrow."

"Well, thank you for your trust." A confident arc appeared on Nohara Hiroshi's lips.

"Yeah." Asumi felt relieved when he noticed that Nohara Hiroshi wasn't angry or upset. So he said seriously, "Nohara, after the meeting, come to my office."

"Hi!" Nohara Hiroshi replied.

After they hung up the phone, Hiroshi Nohara turned his head to look at the sky outside the window that was cut into pieces by steel bars and concrete. The chess game in his mind that he had already deduced countless times finally made the most crucial move.

He picked up the business plan on the table and slowly wrote five words on the blank cover.

——"Wonderful Stories of the World".

No matter how well "An Zhi Ju" performs, it is just an early morning and late night animation.

If you want to achieve results.

Then there must be real-life films and TV shows to tell the story.

However, for Nohara Hiroshi, who has memories of his past life, this horror live-action TV series completely fits the genre of "urban ghost stories" and perfectly fits the "modern national conditions of Japan".

Not without!

And there are many!

However, the most classic one is exactly "The Strangest Tales of the World", which can be regarded as a national-level horror live-action TV series in Japan!

Created multiple firsts in Neon ratings.

It has been broadcast continuously for more than 30 years.

According to Nohara Hiroshi's memories of his previous life, the show started airing in 1990 and is still being produced and broadcasted in 2025.

Timeless!

Now, having come to Neon in this parallel universe, Hiroshi Nohara doesn't believe that he can't conquer Neon with the same contemporary background, social culture!

……

10:00 a.m. sharp, Tokyo TV Production Headquarters Building, 17th floor, Conference Room 3.

When Nohara Hiroshi pushed open the heavy frosted glass door, there were already shadowy figures inside.

A unique aroma of high-quality black tea and document ink floated in the air.

It's like the prelude to a war without gunpowder that is about to begin.

Sitting in the main seat was Yamamoto, the director of the projection department. He had a programmed gentle smile on his face, but beneath that smile was a bottomless calmness like a cold pond.