Tokyo: My Best Actor Gear List

Chapter 29 The Deal with Six Benki

Roppongi, members-only nightclub "Velvet".

The crystal chandelier's light was dazzling, and the air was filled with the scents of expensive perfumes and cigars.

Inside the VIP box, Jin Jing kicked the fledgling model out, leaving only his personal assistant behind.

He loosened his tie, looking irritated.

"Speak," Kanai said, lighting a cigarette. "What's going on with those two women? Weren't we supposed to let them cause trouble in Tokyo? Why did they suddenly run back to Shizuoka?"

"Something unexpected happened."

The assistant pulled a stack of photos out of her briefcase. "According to Chieko, a man claiming to be your 'creditor' found them. He had a very intimidating aura and forced them to pay the interest on the 80 million yen gambling debt. They were terrified and bought standing tickets to escape back home overnight."

"creditor?"

Kanai frowned. "I do owe the casino money, but we're negotiating an installment plan, so there's no reason for me to bother them."

He picked up the photo on the table.

Those were photos taken by paparazzi.

Although blurry, you can see a tall man in a black suit and sunglasses, with his hand on the table, his back view exuding a fierce aura.

"Who is this person?"

"At first, we also thought it was the underworld."

The assistant then produced another photo, "But after checking Akina's recent whereabouts, we found that this person often appeared near her home. This is a front-facing photo."

That's a photo of Kitahara Shin after he removed his makeup on set.

His gaze was calm and his expression was unchanging.

Kanai picked up the photo, his brows furrowing even more.

"This face... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."

He didn't remember immediately.

For someone at the top like him, the extras and staff he sees every day are countless. These nameless nobodys are like pebbles on the roadside, not worth taking up any of his brain's memory.

他把照片扔回桌上，有些烦躁地弹了弹菸灰：「大概是哪个以前给我递过水的场务吧？长得倒是挺欠揍的。」

"Not a stagehand."

The assistant pointed out, "Take a closer look at those eyes...they were backstage at the NHK charity gala last time..."

NHK?

Jin Jing paused.

That night was one of the most humiliating moments he had experienced in recent years.

He was scolded by that stubborn old man, Ken Ogata, and lost face.

He picked up the photo again and stared into the man's emotionless eyes.

A scene from deep in my memory finally overlapped with the photograph.

That extra in period drama standing in the corner, seemingly meekly apologizing, but actually deliberately raising his voice to attract the attention of his senior, making him lose face.

"Ah...it's him."

Jin Jing suddenly sat up straight, his jaw muscles bulging slightly, and his voice squeezed out from between his teeth, "That bastard who set me up."

"Kitahara Shin." Seeing that he remembered, the assistant quickly filled in the information, "He's made it big now. He recently played a villain in Kinji Fukasaku's 'Yakuza Blood.' I heard he was really crazy on set, even shocking the real yakuza. People in the industry call him 'Mad Dog.'"

"A mad dog?"

Kanai stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, scoffed, "A clown acting like this? He's nothing but a barking watchdog."

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the night view outside.

Although he outwardly expressed disdain, a sense of crisis was brewing within him.

Akina was already on the verge of a cliff; one more push and she would have obediently given in.

But now, this man named Kitahara Shin has not only cleared away the obstacles, but is also guarding her like a bodyguard.

This kind of uncontrollable variable must be nipped in the bud.

"We can't let him ruin things." Jin Jing turned around. "Since he's just a small-time actor, let's deal with him according to the rules of the industry."

Is Takada Kogyo among the investors of "Yakuza Blood"?

"Yes, we invested 30 million."

"That nouveau riche Takada kept begging me to cut the ribbon at their new shopping mall, and he even wanted me and Akina to be brand ambassadors together."

Kanai picked up the mobile phone on the table and dialed a number. He put on a standard, fake social smile.

"Hello, is this President Takada? This is Kanai."

"Oh, long time no see. I heard you invested in Director Fukasaku's new film? Congratulations... But there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"The agency has agreed in principle to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for that new shopping mall. I can even consider offering a discounted rate for the spring endorsement next year. But..."

Kanai changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat troubled, "There's an actor in that drama named Kitahara Shin who has some issues with his private life. He's been harassing my fiancée recently. If Akina and I are to have a deep collaboration with your company in the future, seeing this person... will always make me feel a bit uncomfortable."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

This is how adults make deals.

On one hand, there are top-tier celebrities offering cheap endorsements and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, bringing immeasurable direct commercial value; on the other hand, there is just a newcomer supporting actor with some acting skills but no real background.

Even a fool could do the math.

A moment later, Jin Jing smiled.

"Then I'll trouble you. It's not that I absolutely have to do anything, it's just that I feel... his screen time is a bit too much? After all, the audience is watching for Matsuda Ken, and it's not good for a supporting actor to steal the spotlight, don't you think?"

After hanging up the phone, Jin Jing tossed his cell phone back onto the sofa and poured himself another glass of Louis XIII.

The wine swirls in the glass, reflecting his smug face.

What's the point of acting so ruthless?

In this industry, acting skills are just an embellishment; capital is the skeleton.

If they cut your scenes and kick you out of the production, you'll just be a background actor who can't even afford to eat.

He tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp.

In this game, he's always the dealer.