Murashita Shuichi suddenly stepped in front of Rong Xiu, his face full of hostility. "I don't believe Huaxians can make any good films. How about a bet to see whose film wins this year's Oscar Best Foreign Language Film?"
The repeated provocations from the Japanese had finally enraged the normally mild and gentle Fang Kaizhi. He said indignantly, "Fine."
Murashita Shuichi pressed his advantage. "If you lose, then at the awards ceremony, in front of audiences around the world, you must admit that Huaxians know nothing about film. Huaxian films are all trash."
The moment he said that, everyone's expressions changed dramatically.
This was no small matter, and Fang Kaizhi immediately hesitated. As a Huaxian, he could disregard his own personal gains and losses, but he had no right to drag Huaxian cinema into this.
Seeing Fang Kaizhi's hesitation, Murashita Shuichi sneered. "What, do you also know you have no hope of winning? You're willing to admit that Huaxian films are trash!"
"...If you are willing to admit that Autumn Dew White is inferior to Bushido, then this bet can be called off. We Japanese have always known how to be lenient with others. For the sake of Huaxia's five thousand years of history and culture, we'll leave you a little dignity before the world's audience."
That single remark stoked Rong Xiu's fury. Before Fang Kaizhi could respond, someone behind him said with absolute finality, "Fine!"
Fang Kaizhi turned around in astonishment and saw Lu Heng say expressionlessly, "If you lose, then at the awards ceremony, before audiences around the world, admit that you Japanese are the arrogant pigs who know nothing about what cinema is."
Red Carpet Show
The hotel restaurant was crowded and full of chatter. Before long, the dispute and wager between the Autumn Dew White crew