As Ethan approached, the idol girls immediately sat up straight and focused their attention.
However, instead of delivering a long speech like a boss, Ethan simply raised his glass and said, "You've all worked hard today. So, how do you feel about the Tokyo Dome's environment?"
"It's amazing," the girls replied, their eyes reflecting the restaurant's lights like twinkling stars.
"Good, because you'll need to prepare well for the second half of the year." Ethan paused, seeing their puzzled expressions, and then added, "We've already booked the Tokyo Dome for a performance. This year, you'll be performing on that stage."
"Ah!" The girls couldn't help but scream in excitement, their voices even reaching the upper floor.
"That's right," Akimoto Yasushi added. "So, work hard and make sure the Tokyo Dome is packed."
Watanabe Mayu and the others quickly covered their mouths, looking as if they were on the verge of tears.
The girls then raised their glasses in a toast to Ethan—though they were only drinking soft drinks. The company had strict rules regarding alcohol.
After the big announcement, Ethan returned to the second floor.
With most of the filming wrapped up, the next major task was traveling to Chongqing to shoot the most critical and action-packed scenes.
A week later, Ethan and the production crew arrived in Chongqing, China.
As soon as they stepped off the plane and headed towards the airport exit, they were immediately hit by the scorching heat of the mountain city.
"Ethan, I feel like I'm being roasted alive," Scarlett said, wearing oversized sunglasses while fanning herself with her hand.
Seeing this, Ethan handed her a small portable fan he had prepared in advance.
"Such a gentleman, Ethan," Scarlett said with a smile as she switched on the fan and let the cool air blow against her face.
The rest of the crew was also suffering from the heat, especially Will Smith. His dark skin and black dress shirt didn't help—he was already drenched in sweat.
"This place is so hot and humid. Why did we choose to film here?" he complained as he followed the group out of the airport.
Ethan chuckled. "Once you see the unique terrain and elevation differences, you'll understand."
Just as he finished speaking, a sudden scream rang out. Turning their heads, they saw a passerby who had recognized Scarlett. Though she was wearing sunglasses, her figure and hairstyle gave her away.
"You're Scarlett!" The passerby excitedly ran over. Even though Scarlett couldn't understand him, she still nodded and signed an autograph.
However, within moments, others also realized the presence of the celebrities.
"Will Smith! A superstar! Can I get an autograph?"
"I'm a huge fan! Can you sign my chest?"
Ethan had planned to lead the team out quickly, but before he could react, someone recognized him as well.
"It's Ethan! The director of Inception!"
"Ah! I need an autograph!"
"I want a photo!"
"Ethan, smile for the camera!"
The crowd's enthusiasm soon turned chaotic, blocking the entire airport. Security had to step in, escorting Ethan and his team out of the building.
Once inside their air-conditioned vehicle, everyone finally felt like they could breathe again. They slumped into their seats, paying no mind to their appearances.
"These fans are crazy," Will Smith shrugged. "The problem is, I don't understand a word they were saying."
"If you learned Chinese, trust me, they'd be even crazier," Ethan laughed. "Anyway, since we're in Chongqing, we need to experience the local cuisine before filming. Can you all handle spicy food?"
"Spicy food?" Will Smith shook his head.
Scarlett also shook her head.
Only Rob Sari seemed enthusiastic. "I love spicy food! Is Chongqing food very spicy?"
"Not just a little," Ethan replied vaguely. "It's extremely spicy."
Before long, they arrived at their hotel. After dropping off their luggage, Ethan took them to one of Chongqing's most famous underground hotpot restaurants.
Since it was the afternoon, the place wasn't too crowded—an advantage that helped them avoid getting recognized and swarmed by fans again.
"This place is so unique! It's underground?" Scarlett was fascinated by the restaurant's setting.
Ethan explained, "This used to be an air-raid shelter."
"An air-raid shelter?" The celebrities looked puzzled.
"Yes. Back when Japan invaded, they frequently bombed Chongqing…" Ethan proceeded to give them a brief history lesson.
Upon hearing about the atrocities committed during the invasion, the group instinctively covered their mouths in shock.
Clearly, they had little knowledge of Chinese history. The media in the U.S. had long shaped certain stereotypes, leading many foreigners to view China with biases and a lack of understanding.
But now, hearing these historical facts directly from Ethan—a highly respected figure—they immediately accepted his account.
People tend to trust those with higher status.
As they talked, a pot of fiery red hotpot was brought to their table.
The moment they saw the bubbling red broth, the group instinctively shook their heads.
Will Smith raised both hands in surrender. "Hey, man, there's no way I'm eating that!"
"No worries. There's a clear broth in the center," Ethan pointed to the mild, non-spicy section of the pot.
"Rob, you should give it a try," Ethan urged, while eagerly dropping various ingredients into the spicy broth. It was nearly impossible to get authentic hotpot in the U.S., so he had to make the most of this opportunity.
Seeing Ethan enjoying the food so much, Rob curiously picked up a slice of beef, dipped it in the spicy broth, and took a bite.
Immediately, his eyebrows scrunched together, and he grabbed his water, gulping it down.
"Haha, Rob, didn't you say you could handle spice? This isn't even the spiciest version!" Ethan teased. He had specifically ordered a mild spice level to accommodate his guests.
Rob shook his head dramatically. "This is insane, Ethan. But I have to admit, the flavor is incredible."
"Come on, give it another go," Ethan encouraged.
Eventually, the others also tried a bite, though they quickly switched to the non-spicy broth. Surprisingly, they really enjoyed some of the side dishes, like crispy fried pork and tofu pudding.
After finishing their meal, they returned to the hotel to review the script.
The production team had coordinated with local government agencies, and after ensuring that the film didn't depict any negative portrayals, the authorities fully supported their shoot.
Thanks to this cooperation, the crew had been granted access to a massive public square, with partial road closures to accommodate filming.
This location would serve as the backdrop for two crucial action sequences—one featuring an intense explosion and another showcasing a large-scale battle between the various corporate factions and the Lucy's Team.
These scenes were set to be among the most thrilling moments of the film
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