National Tide 1980

The afternoon date did not go well, so Keiko Matsumoto had to put all her last hopes on the date at 7 o'clock that night.

Probably because of the weekend night, the restaurant of the Imperial Hotel in Ginza Marunouchi in central Tokyo was packed with diners.

The car lights and street lights below the window turned into flowing lights, shining with beautiful gem-like light.

The streets are filled with a dazzling array of commercial advertisements and neon lights, which have become slender ribbons winding along the road, dazzling and extremely psychedelic.

At a table next to the window with a good view, Keiko Matsumoto and President Omi of Nanyang Chemical Fiber and his wife sat facing each other.

Keiko Matsumoto, who was wearing a dark kimono, asked the Omi couple to eat first as soon as the dishes were served.

"Tonight is really rare. I didn't expect to be able to make an appointment with Mr. Omi. Last week, I happened to go to the flower arrangement class again in Shibuya. I heard that the teacher just came back from the UK this month, so I tried I tried to call you. I didn’t expect that I got in touch with you successfully. Thank you very much for your appreciation. It makes me extremely honored..."

Keiko Matsumoto said with gratitude.

The reason why she calls Mrs. Omi her teacher is because Mrs. Omi likes flower arrangements and is well-known in the ikebana circle in Tokyo.

Many famous ladies and ladies have studied under her in order to increase their personal accomplishment.

Keiko Matsumoto is no exception. Six years ago, she was recommended by someone and studied in the flower arrangement class taught by Mrs. Omi.

What I didn't even expect was that the two of them got along very well, and their personal relationship was far better than others.

If not for the fact that Mrs. Omi later had to accompany President Omi to England to expand foreign trade business, she had to quit her job teaching flower arrangement.

Most of them can still maintain a good teacher-student relationship.

"Don't say that, Keiko-chan. I'm very happy to receive your call. It seems that you haven't forgotten me as a flower arrangement teacher. How about it? We haven't seen each other for a few years, and our Keiko has become A big star who has won the Best Actress crown. Do you still have the leisure time to play with flowers and plants at home now?"

Mrs. Omi, who was in her fifties, looked at Matsumoto Keiko with a very loving look.

"Hey, I still practice when I have free time. I was lucky enough to learn the art of flower arrangement from Teacher Omi for more than two years, which really benefited me a lot. I can really realize now that flower arrangement is really good for improving personal accomplishment and elegance. It's very helpful. And whenever I have troubles at work, I will become calm by playing with flowers and plants. In this way, it seems to become much easier to figure out the role. Otherwise, could I get those awards and still What else should I say? So I really want to thank you for your teaching."

"Ah, Qingzi has become so good at talking now. It makes me so happy. However, I am very relieved that you can still play with flowers and plants from time to time and realize the benefits. In this case, if you have time, you Just come home and stay with me. As the president, he is busy all year round, and my children are all abroad. To be honest, I feel very lonely. If only we could sit together often, drink tea, and discuss flower arrangements. , it’s also a pleasure.”…

"That's great. I'm really looking forward to being able to meet Teacher Omi from time to time."

Just as he was talking about this, suddenly, President Omi, whom Matsumoto Keiko was not familiar with, interrupted.

"Oh, how can you make such a request? Miss Qingzi is a leading star. She must be very busy with her work, right? There must be countless movies, advertisements, and commercial performances, right? How can she have so much free time? Come to accompany you? If you speak so rashly, it will embarrass Miss Qingzi..."

As soon as she said this, Mrs. Omi hesitated.

She then looked into Matsumoto Keiko's eyes, and her eyes showed a little worry and a little embarrassment as if questioning.

Matsumoto Keiko quickly explained when she saw this, and told her career dilemma very frankly.

"No, no, it's okay, I have time. Frankly speaking, my career has not been going very well in the past year. Due to a supernatural incident in an advertisement shot last year, it caused a bad social impact. So much so that the advertisement was Blocked, many advertisers have also terminated their contracts. Therefore, except for one or two movies that are still being planned, there is nothing important to be busy with at the moment. At most, there is a pending variety show on NHK TV, which may invite me in the near future. We still need to talk about the opportunity to serve as a guest and the New Year's Red and White Song Concert. There are no other work arrangements..."

This not only immediately relaxed Mrs. Omi's mind, but also successfully won her sympathy.

It also made her understand the real purpose of Matsumoto Keiko's meeting this time.

"Is that so? We have been staying abroad, but we don't know any news. Keiko-chan, you must have had a hard time this year."

Mrs. Omi couldn't help sighing, but she only thought about it briefly, and then expressed it happily.

"However, it's okay to encounter some setbacks. Keiko-chan, don't be discouraged. Well, you can come to see me at home the day after tomorrow in the afternoon. It's a coincidence that recently, the dedicated wife of Mitsukoshi Department Store also had " The wife of the art director of "Decoration Garden" magazine also wants to learn floral art from me. Let me introduce you to them. They should be helpful to your career. Also, when I come back this time, I actually intend to prepare my own flower arrangement. Classroom. I believe there are still some elegant ladies who will sell me some face. When the time comes, you can come too, Keiko-chan, at least you can use this to expand some contacts."

Mrs. Omi's sincere care and kindness made Matsumoto Keiko immediately feel the long-lost warmth.

She immediately bowed her thanks.

"That's great. For me, this is really what I dream of. Thank you so much, Mr. Omi."

But that's not all, Mrs. Omi is indeed a person worthy of Matsumoto Keiko being called "teacher".

She had always been rich and free, as if she had finally discovered the meaning of life. She really cared about this beloved disciple and seemed very enthusiastic about helping.

Not only did she try her best, she even forced her husband to take a positive stance on the spot.

"By the way, husband, doesn't Nanyang Chemical Fiber's fabric business cooperate with many clothing companies? You can also help to smoothen the relationship and introduce Qingzi to the presidents, presidents, and directors of those clothing companies, so that we can How many commercials does she accept? I’m not saying that a good actor like Keiko shouldn’t just be buried. If I can’t help her, I won’t feel at ease!”…

Needless to say, since Mrs. Omi said this in front of Matsumoto Keiko.

No matter how good President Omi is, he has no choice but to accept this and betray his wife's face.

"Miss Qingzi, I don't know much about the entertainment industry. Our company's business does not require any advertising. So I am a layman on these things. I really don't know if it is useful to say it myself. However, I also think that Qingzi Miss Zi is a very good actress, so I will try my best to help. I will call and ask tomorrow."

I have to say that President Omi is indeed a big boss in business, and he seems to be very used to being asked by others.

He dealt with it in a business-like manner and kept the buttons alive.

But this was enough to deepen Keiko Matsumoto's feelings and make her sincerely grateful to have enthusiastic elders like Mr. and Mrs. Omi around her.

So Matsumoto Keiko thanked him again, and at the same time believed that he should do his best to repay the favor sincerely.

"President, you are so polite. No matter what the outcome is, I am overjoyed to receive such caring care from you and Mr. Omi. Okay, isn't Mr. Omi going to open a flower arrangement class? I am also willing to contribute to the funding. Please do your part. No matter what, Mr. Omi, please don't refuse me. I know you are not short of money, but if you don't do this, I will be extremely sorry and find it difficult to repay your love."

Mrs. Omi couldn't help showing pride and a bright smile like a peacock's tail, and she declined happily.

"Ah, Keiko-chan, don't take this kind of thing to heart. It's just a matter of saying a few words. As your teacher, it's natural for you to take care of your students. Such a small thing is really important. It’s nothing.”

But Keiko Matsumoto is determined. She is an emotional person. The better others treat her, the more she demands that she be worthy of others.

"No, teacher, please stop talking. This must be done, otherwise I won't be able to see you. Please allow me to do whatever I want for once."

"Oh, you kid, you are so serious. What can I say..."

Needless to say, the banquet atmosphere became more harmonious next.

The grateful Matsumoto Keiko not only toasted and served Omi and his wife frequently, but also specially asked for expensive cigars for President Omi after the meal.

And she also thought that she finally got rid of her bad luck, so she drank a lot of wine.

As a result, just when the meal was about to end with the guests and hosts enjoying themselves, things took a complete turn.

The cause of this incident was that Mrs. Omi got up to go to the bathroom.

Originally, Matsumoto Keiko wanted to accompany Mrs. Omi.

However, just when she was about to get up, she suddenly found that her hand was grabbed by someone under the table.

The most unbelievable thing is that the person holding her hand was actually President Omi sitting diagonally opposite her!

A sudden shock came from the sky.

Matsumoto Keiko was almost numb, completely dumbfounded on the spot, and her face turned red with shame and anger.

However, under her wide-open eyes, she stared in horror.

The gray-haired President Omi looked as if nothing had happened, and gently let go of his hand, as if nothing had happened. …

He even smiled and nodded to Matsumoto Keiko, indicating that she should sit in peace.

So even Matsumoto Keiko herself had some doubts. Did she have a delusion in the drunken atmosphere just now? How could an elder like President Omi touch her?

In this way, when she was in despair, Mrs. Omi left without noticing anything unusual.

However, as soon as Mrs. Omi left, the sanctimonious President Omi couldn't help but reveal another face.

The almost shameless words that followed completely shattered Keiko Matsumoto's original dream, and she realized again the ugliness of the real world.

"Why don't we stay and have a few words alone?"

"You...what do you mean..."

"A smart person like you should understand what I want to say. I want to have a good talk with you about your situation."

"My...my situation?"

"Yes, just one advertising mistake caused a devastating blow to Miss Keiko's career. She obviously has such a high reputation and is loved by the people, but in the end it is all useless. Don't Miss Matsumoto understand? ? The career of a celebrity is so fragile. Maybe it will be wiped out by an accident..."

"President...are you...are you drunk?"

"Am I drunk? Haha, maybe."

President Omi stared at Matsumoto Keiko with a mysterious smile.

"But you have to be clear, advertising is just a word to me. Based on my reputation, not many Japanese clothing companies will refuse my request. If you need it, I guarantee that you will get more clothing advertising. I can’t take it. But I am a businessman and I need to repay.”

"Repay? Just now...didn't we already achieve..."

"No, how can a real deal be achieved through superficial conditions? I want better conditions. My wife always talks about you and how beautiful you are. I didn't believe it in the past. Until I saw I’ve seen the videos of several of your movies. Even an old man like me who is about to enter my sixtieth year is fascinated by a beauty like you..."

"No, President Omi, please respect yourself! Such words are really rude. I am not that kind of person, and I have great respect for... Mr. Omi..."

Qingzi's voice was not only stiff, but also filled with fear.

He even sounded trembling with anger.

"Ha, what's the point? There is no one who doesn't have a lover nowadays, unless he is a penniless pauper. As long as we don't tell, who will know? With all due respect, Miss Matsumoto, in fact, what you need is not an advertisement, not a movie, not Opportunity. But a backer, a rock-solid backer. I can be your backer. How much money can you make from advertising and how much money can you make from acting in movies? The sky-high 40 to 50 million yen. That's it. ? But as long as you agree to have a secret relationship with me, no matter 100 million yen, 200 million yen...as long as you need it, I can satisfy you. With my support, what else can hinder your acting career? You can absolutely Make your own movie according to your own preferences. How about it? It's fair..." ...

As he said that, President Omi, who had completely transformed into a crazy man, became obsessed with lust and stretched out his hands under the table and started to move.

The principles of the human world are all turned upside down!

Such humiliation is intolerable!

You really know people and faces but don’t know their hearts!

This painful lesson caused Matsumoto Keiko to suffer a double mental and emotional trauma, and her psychological endurance completely collapsed.

Although she is no longer a little girl who doesn't know the world, she has been exposed to all kinds of chaotic relationships in the entertainment industry.

She doesn't know how many lustful wolves are hidden around her, and it is inevitable that she will be noticed and harassed by men.

But this person who covets her, no matter who he is, shouldn't do it! It must not be! Omi-sensei’s husband!

President Omi's shamelessness not only ruined her relationship and relationship with Mrs. Omi, but also completely destroyed her last beautiful understanding of the world.

Keiko Matsumoto felt like something was biting her heart, biting her heart painfully.

Unable to live up to expectations, she shed tears on the spot.

Before Mrs. Omi could come back, she ran away.

After driving back home, she hid directly in the bathroom and washed her hands desperately in the sink, as if it was stained with a thousand years of filth.

After washing it countless times, she smiled sadly at herself in the mirror and began to think about her future.

She really didn't know how she would see Teacher Omi again in the future, or how she would continue her life.

Everything she experienced today simply overturned her understanding of life.

Was it because she was too ignorant in the past? Or does this world hide its filth too well?

she does not know!

But she knew that she was unwilling to compromise or linger, so she longed for destruction.

Based on her mood at this time, she really wanted to smash the mirror and set the house on fire.

I wish I could destroy everything in this reality and destroy the nastiness and filth in the world.

Just like what is said in "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion", "As long as there are no witnesses, shame will be eradicated from this world. Others are all witnesses, and if others do not exist, shame will not exist. .”

But for another moment, she remembered the words of the young man she had only met once.

"The so-called harboring dirt and unwillingness to compromise. This is often an excuse for people who lack wisdom and struggle strength. It can only reflect the pessimism of self-abandonment. In the face of powerful forces. Smart people will not rush for a while, but will act like Just like playing chess, advance and retreat with a well-founded approach, and make choices. Then slowly strengthen yourself with forbearance, and wait for good opportunities..."

Fortunately, because it was these words that were tied to her heart like a thin thread.

It protected her heart from completely shattering and exploding.

It was these words that still gave her the last glimmer of hope, like a weak first flame.

She missed him, she wanted to see him.

No matter how many reasons told her that she shouldn't do this, she still desperately wanted to see him.

It's an attraction that comes from the soul, not a hormonal desire.