Chapter 538: Apology

In the outskirts of Long’an, there’s a film city that used to be just a small town. About ten years ago, it was developed into a film shooting base and has grown considerably since then.

On the evening of September 17th, several guest actors gathered at a farmhouse restaurant to celebrate the wrap of a new drama. The table was filled with dozens of dishes, all delicious and affordable. They drank and lively discussed funny moments from the shoot and behind-the-scenes gossip.

“I heard the second female lead has already signed on for the director’s next project,” one actor mentioned.

“Really? Her acting is mediocre at best. Did she sleep with him?” another speculated.

“Of course! At the rate she’s going, she’ll be a lead actress in three years,” someone else said, prompting laughter.

The conversation grew sour. Guest actors are essentially high-end extras. Although their income is comparable to that of an average office worker, and their schedule is flexible, they couldn’t help but feel envious when they thought about peers earning millions and living in the limelight.

Everyone came here with dreams of becoming the next Wang Baoqiang, but after repeated brushes with reality, most settled into a mindset of just getting by.

“Sorry, we’re late!” two men entered, speaking in broken Chinese and bowing to everyone.

The atmosphere shifted uncomfortably. Whispers broke out, “Why are these two here?” “Who invited them?” “Send the Japanese back.”

The two Japanese actors—Tamura Shinji and Fujiwara Toru—didn’t notice the subtle change in the air. They greeted their colleagues with smiles and took their seats. Tamura poured himself a drink, saying, “According to Chinese custom, I should punish myself with a drink for being late.”

“Wait, wait, use a bigger cup!” said Lao Wang, the senior guest actor. Someone handed Tamura a large glass filled to the brim with strong Chinese liquor, and laughter rippled around the table as everyone prepared to watch the spectacle.

Tamura hesitated briefly before downing half the glass. He grimaced at the burning sensation, quickly passing the remaining half to Fujiwara, who tried to decline, saying, “I can’t drink that much.”

“No excuses, this is China. Drink up!” another actor shouted.

After much back and forth, Fujiwara reluctantly drank it, eliciting more laughter. “Speak Chinese, not bird talk,” someone jeered.

“Fujiwara says he can’t drink more,” Tamura translated.

“Your Chinese needs work. Learn from Tamura,” Lao Wang teased.

Another actor chimed in, “Fujiwara, do you remember the phrase we taught you?”

Fujiwara thought for a moment, then parroted, “I am a Japanese devil!” More laughter erupted.

Lao Wang slammed his cup on the table, “Little Japanese, do you know why we’re drinking together tonight?”

“Because the shoot wrapped,” Tamura responded, sensing the underlying hostility.

“You’re wrong. Tomorrow is an important day for China. Have you heard of September 18th?”

The Japanese men conferred before Tamura answered, “September 18th is the day China defeated Japan in the war. Anti-Japanese War victory, world peace!” He raised his fist, trying to show solidarity.

Having been guest actors in China for a while, they had learned to blend in.

“You’re wrong. September 18th is a day of national humiliation for China. It’s the day your Japanese devils invaded, starting the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and occupying Beijing. Didn’t your history books teach you that?”

Fujiwara nodded in agreement, “Yes, yes.”

“Did your history books mention this?”

The two looked uncomfortable. The others grew more aggressive, “What I hate most about the Japanese is how they refuse to admit their invasion of China.”

“They even deny the Nanjing Massacre. It’s disgraceful.”

“Did you know these two get paid three thousand yuan per episode by the crew?”

This statement ignited the room. As guest actors who only earned a thousand yuan per episode on average, the disparity fueled their anger. “Why do they get special treatment? They’re no better than us in skill or looks, yet they earn three times as much!”

“Why don’t you go back to Japan and be AV actors? You’ll earn more and get to play with porn stars for free.”

“Yeah, go back to Japan and stop taking our money!”

The two Japanese actors exchanged awkward glances. Fujiwara, whose Chinese was not as good, kept nudging Tamura to leave.

Lao Wang took another sip of his drink, slowly setting the cup down, “Let me be fair. They came all the way to China and got ‘killed’ by us Chinese in the drama. It’s only fair the crew gave them a bit more money.”

“Hey, Lao Wang, are you siding with the Japanese now?” someone protested.

“Yeah, is your mother-in-law Japanese?”

“Shut up!” Lao Wang shouted. “I’m not done talking!” He pointed a finger at the now pale-faced Japanese actors, his tone slightly slurred from the alcohol. “But you need to remember, if China hadn’t defeated you, you wouldn’t be making this money now. You should be more grateful to the anti-Japanese heroes!”

“Yeah, they should apologize to those who fought against Japan!”

“Apologize! Bow and apologize!”

The room erupted in chaos. Tamura, sweating, stood and bowed, “We are grateful to be filming in China. We respect China’s growing strength and its excellent film industry, providing opportunities for international actors. We are very, very grateful.”

“Enough with the nonsense. Apologize properly!” someone slammed the table.

“Every Japanese person owes China an apology. You don’t leave here without apologizing today!”

Fujiwara, now visibly angry, stood up. An actor threw his drink in Fujiwara’s face, “What’s the matter, little Japanese, are you upset?”

Fujiwara yelled back in Japanese, unleashing a string of words.

Tamura tried to calm him, “Fujiwara-san, please…”

Fujiwara pushed him away, the alcohol now fueling his temper. He smashed a bowl on the table.

“Speak Chinese! Speak human language!” the actors demanded.

“This is enough!” Tamura muttered, regretting they had come.

A man blocked the door. Fujiwara yelled, “Let me out!” and got slapped. The man pointed at him menacingly, “In the drama, I killed you. I can do it in real life too. If you don’t apologize, you’re not leaving this room!”

The room was ablaze with nationalist fervor. Lao Wang patted the man’s shoulder, “They bullied us back then. Now that China is strong, it’s our turn to bully them. Haha!”