Don't Call Me Master, Call Me Director

The Girl with a murderous glint in her eyes grabbed Shinji and threw him to the ground.

Master Shinji found himself choked by the other party, both physically and mentally.

"Chloe... Flora..."

Like a mouse caught by a cat, Shinji stammered out the Girl's name.

Chapter 33: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night...

The commotion of Shinji falling to the ground drew the attention of the surrounding people, who turned to see what had happened.

However, upon seeing that it was a Girl who had thrown a Boy to the ground, they all turned their heads back.

Seeing that the young Girl and Boy were not old, it was clearly an emotional dispute, something too common in "romantic" France for people to be surprised by.

Shinji, who had been thrown to the ground, quickly calmed down after the initial panic.

"Yo, Lissy. It's been a few years, and you're still as passionate as ever."

"Passionate my foot! Your skin is thicker than a brick wall."

The Girl rolled her fiery red eyes at Shinji.

Despite his inner turmoil, Master Shinji maintained a calm facade, even offering the Girl a charming smile.

"This is a demonstration of my patience when dealing with beautiful women."

Unfortunately, this smile, so perfect it would shame politicians, failed to impress the Girl.

"If you don't want to wear dentures, take back the teeth you're showing."

"Yes, Miss Lissy."

Shinji instantly retracted his smile, then nimbly got up from the ground. While the Girl wasn't looking, he made a throat-slitting gesture at Waver and Kariya, who were snickering nearby.

"You're so glib and never serious."

The Girl glared fiercely at Shinji before continuing, "Matou Shinji, you're quite something, managing to keep avoiding me."

"Not at all, I've always deeply respected Miss Chloe."

Shinji deliberately emphasized the word "respected," clearly hinting at something.

"Of course, I've always doted on you too, Shinji. After all, our families have been friends for generations."

Noticing that Shinji no longer used a nickname for her, the Girl raised an eyebrow. Although annoyed by his completely business-like attitude, she had to change her tone and adopt the polite language of juniors from prominent families.

This silver-haired, red-eyed Girl, slightly older than Shinji, was the heir to the Flora Family, a Mage Family from North America—Chloe Flora.

Although her Magecraft skills were only average, she possessed a sharp mind, earning dual degrees in Management and Finance at a young age and taking charge of the family business.

"So, you're the representative distributor for the Jidai Group this time?" Shinji asked, rubbing his neck.

"It seems someone doesn't know I've taken over the distribution department yet~ How heartless."

Chloe rolled her eyes again. "I crossed the Atlantic to come to Europe, and yet someone doesn't even know who the head of their partner is."

"I didn't... Wait, don't talk as if the Jidai Group has already been decided as the distributor!"

Realizing what she said, Shinji first loudly retorted to Chloe's statement, then turned to look at Waver, who was standing by, spectating.

Waver said with a hint of smugness, "So far, the Jidai Group, represented by Chloe, is the most sincere among all the distributors who have had preliminary talks."

After speaking, Waver leaned in and whispered into Shinji's ear.

"This young lady is genuinely here to cooperate with us, Shinji. Just go along with it."

Shinji's face darkened. He hissed, "Do you know about my history with her?"

"No."

"Then why are you butting in!"

Shinji stomped on Waver's black leather shoe.

Then, ignoring Waver, who was clutching his foot, Master Shinji turned back to Chloe and chuckled awkwardly, "The Jidai Group's confidence in my film is greatly appreciated, but my family's FSN is rated PG-13. Isn't that too big a style difference with you, who owns HBO?"

HBO was the largest premium cable TV channel in North America, renowned worldwide for its adult-oriented dramas and programs.

How adult-oriented were they?

It was enough to know that HBO was the producer of the future world-famous Game of Thrones to get a general idea.

"The Jidai Group doesn't only have HBO. Our other channel, TBS, is all-ages. Besides, television channels and films are completely different distribution channels, aren't they?"

Chloe rolled her eyes at Shinji again.

If any other woman did this repeatedly, she would look unpleasant, but Chloe's action only made her more beautiful and captivating.

Chloe was truly stunning, a refined beauty even by the strictest standards.

Her silver hair cascaded smoothly, and her delicate features were a delight to behold.

Furthermore, her fashion sense was impeccable. She wore a black short-sleeved dress with silver trim, revealing her cute shoulders and delicate collarbones, giving her a look that was both simple and elegantly poised—the kind of young lady who would be popular anywhere.

Unfortunately, this beautiful woman's name was Chloe Flora, the woman Shinji feared the most and least wanted to deal with.

Thus, Shinji seemed not to see Chloe's peerless beauty and continued to express his resistance.

"Jidai Group's main media business isn't film, is it? I'm looking for a partner with a massive film distribution network, like, say, that big-eared mouse whose name can't be spoken."

Chloe's lips pursed at his words, and she responded with a hint of mockery, "Since you have no interest, Shinji, why tell your Japanese partners that the European and American distributors are us, Jidai Group?"

"Uncle--!"

Shinji shot a glare at Kariya, who was whistling at the ceiling.

"You were the one who told me to contact the Flora Family, kid."

Although Kariya didn't speak directly, his eyes clearly conveyed that message.

However, Master Shinji was Master Shinji after all. That thick skin, which even mortars couldn't penetrate, wasn't earned for nothing.

"Is that what Uncle said?" Shinji exclaimed softly at first, then frowned in thought, "He must have been so eager for distribution that he said that to promote my film. Personally, I don't think it was necessary."

"Oh, really!"

Chloe gritted her teeth, her tone involuntarily becoming heavier.

"Fine, Jidai Group is within my considerations. But I'd prefer my film to receive the best treatment."

A guilty Shinji clicked his tongue and replied with a serious expression.

"Forget it. I'm attending this Cannes Film Festival to find suitable films for distribution for the group anyway, not to lock down this one specifically," Chloe retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"Mm, Type-Moon films operate on the principle of fairness and justice, welcoming all distributors," Shinji said in a businesslike tone.

"If other distribution companies aren't interested, you can come to Jidai Group. I personally see great potential in you, Shinji."

After speaking, Chloe secretly reached around from behind and pinched his lower back hard before Shinji could speak.

"Hiss..."

Master Shinji's eyes widened, and he gasped, staring at the silver-haired beauty unable to speak.

"See you at the film festival."

Chloe smiled triumphantly and gracefully departed under Shinji's furious but silent gaze.

"Pfft... Shinji... haha... I never thought there'd be a girl in this world who could handle you... haha..."

After Chloe left, Kariya couldn't hold back any longer, clutching his stomach and laughing heartily.

"Uncle! I'll kill you!"

Furious, Shinji kicked out at him.

Shinji and Chloe Flora's relationship was rather complicated. They met three years ago.

Back then, Shinji, wanting to understand the development of the North American film industry and learn about filmmaking, stayed with the Flora family as an exchange student through the connection between the Matou family and the Flora family.

Chloe was already 20 years old then, the apple of the Flora family's eye, and a highly sought-after beauty.

Living under the same roof, and with both of them showing signs of developing careers in the entertainment industry, Shinji and Chloe often interacted.

Chloe wasn't interested in filmmaking, but she was fascinated by Shinji's ideas on media development and recognized the young boy's talent.

As they talked, they became good friends.

However, Shinji didn't have any romantic intentions toward Chloe. The Flora family, like the Tohsaka family, was too close to the Matou family; pursuing her would only lead to marriage.

Shinji, who already had the potential of a playboy, wasn't about to give up the whole forest for one tree.

If things had continued according to this script, the next generation of the Matou and Flora families would have forged a deep friendship like their elders, becoming a beautiful story in the world of Magecraft.

Alas, life always throws unexpected curveballs.

On a dark and stormy night... no, on Chloe's 21st birthday, to celebrate finally being of legal drinking age, she did something uncharacteristically rebellious and drank a bottle of wine.

But she wasn't exceptionally gifted, and how good could a girl who had never drunk before be?

What Shinji never expected was that Chloe not only had a low tolerance for alcohol but also poor drunken behavior.

Chloe didn't cry or make a scene like others; instead, she kept forcing Shinji to drink.

Although Shinji was underage in both Japan and the US at the time, as a Transmigrator, he didn't take it too seriously, treating it like drinking with his buddies.

But when Chloe's drunken state entered the second phase, Master Shinji felt something was off. The flushed Chloe directly wrapped her arms around him and wouldn't let go, constantly kissing him.

Shinji initially intended to resist, but he overestimated his tolerance for alcohol after transmigrating. His so-called resistance was seen as compliance by Chloe.

Thus, Chloe straightforwardly "took care of" Shinji.

This drove Shinji crazy. He never expected to be taken advantage of by a girl, and one who wasn't even in his target range.

Although the entire process was comfortable for Shinji, momentary comfort didn't guarantee lifelong comfort!

Chloe, on the other hand, was quite open-minded. Although the drunken incident was an anomaly, she didn't mind taking their relationship further with Shinji, as she had a good impression of him.

So, Chloe hinted at certain things to Shinji, both openly and subtly, expressing her feelings.

Her actions terrified Shinji.

Setting aside the fact that Shinji had no intention of getting married, Chloe's strong personality, similar to Tohsaka Rin's, didn't match Shinji's ideal wife.

Most importantly, Shinji, who was ambitious in the entertainment industry, didn't want to get too close to Jidai Group.

Cooperation between business rivals is perfectly fine, but once Shinji marries the Flora Family's princess, it becomes unclear whether he's expanding territory for himself or for the Jidai Group.

Fearing an arranged marriage, Shinji decided to cut his study abroad program in America short by a year and returned directly to the Clock Tower to find a partner.

From then on, Shinji adopted a strategy of minimal contact and communication with the Flora Family and Chloe. He never expected to run into her again at Cannes.

Chapter 34: Who Attends the Red Carpet as a "Proper" Person?

Running into Chloe right after landing was truly an inauspicious start for Master Shinji.

However, Shinji didn't focus his energy on the wealthy woman any longer, but rather on the film festival itself.

To ensure his work wasn't delayed, Shinji specifically chose to arrive in France a few days early.

With some time left before the film's opening, Shinji's first impression of Cannes was that of a beautiful and tranquil seaside tourist town.

Unfortunately, Master Shinji had no opportunity to visit the beach or hit on girls. After just one day to adjust to the time difference, he and Waver completed the final exhibition procedures for FSN.

Then, Master Shinji witnessed what a mature, large-scale commercial film festival was like.

During the time spent processing the paperwork, Shinji only did three things: pay, pay, and pay some more.

After running around the film festival venue for a day, Shinji's biggest takeaway wasn't the artistic atmosphere of the Cannes Film Festival, but the naked financial interests involved.

It's no wonder people in the industry always say money is the most basic stepping stone to touching cinematic art.

From obtaining exhibitor credentials to producing promotional materials and securing screening rooms, all of it incurred significant costs, almost matching FSN's first-week promotion expenses in Japan.

Whether it was commissioning the film festival's designated partner to create movie posters or renting a cinema's screening hall, the fees Shinji paid were far higher than normal, giving him the illusion of buying water at a tourist spot in his past life.

Even the cheapest credential fee required Shinji to pay 1200 Euros per person.

Furthermore, because Shinji was unknown in the international film market, the credentials he obtained were of the lowest tier. He had to queue to watch movies and could only stand at the back for press conferences.

If he were an industry big shot, he would have received higher-tier credentials, not only allowing him to watch movies without queuing but also offering various other privileges.