Chapter 100: Danger? Excellent! Isn't this just free money?

【Male Actor Proficiency Panel】
Strength: 25.1
Speed: 25.1
Vocal Range: 5.1
Cardio: 5.1
Flexibility: 25.01
Stamina: 26.1
Brainpower: 30.5
Skill Points: 6.35

At this moment, Su Mu had no idea what was being discussed at Chen Anzhi’s crew meeting.
After waking up, he lay in bed, gazing at his proficiency panel.
There hadn’t been any new additions to his basic attributes for now.
But even so, these were just barely enough to meet most proficiency requirements.
Currently, his acting-related skills had all reached Level 4.
However, to upgrade further, he would need to complete every category ten thousand times.
Su Mu reckoned that, at this rate, he’d have to grind through several more projects.

He didn’t linger in bed for long.
He got up, washed, and changed into a simple, neat outfit.
Today, he was meeting the director, so it wasn’t appropriate to dress too flamboyantly.
Soon, Little Orange rang the doorbell and brought up breakfast.
Su Mu asked, “Little Orange, why is it only corn and eggs? There aren’t even any meat buns. How am I supposed to eat?”
Little Orange handed him a form. “You can’t eat high-carb foods today.”
Su Mu protested, “Come on, I gave you all such generous year-end bonuses, and this is how you treat me?”
Little Orange replied, “Boss, it’s for your own good. What if you get fat and nobody likes you anymore?”
Su Mu shrugged, “Well, it depends. If I earn just as much when I’m thin or fat, then whether anyone likes me doesn’t matter. It won’t affect my income at all.”
Little Orange sighed, “You’re hopeless.”

Half an hour later, Su Mu and Fan Xiaojü went downstairs. Qian Jida was already waiting in the car, his expression clearly troubled.
Su Mu got into the RV, grabbed a can of iced coffee from the fridge, and handed it over.
“Mr. Qian, what’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well last night?”
Qian Jida looked at Su Mu. “Zheng Quan messaged me on WeChat, talked for about half an hour.”
Su Mu was surprised. “Mr. Zheng? Is something up?”
Qian Jida shook his head. “Not a major issue, but worth considering. He said yesterday, Chen Anzhi’s crew held a meeting specifically to discuss the casting for the character Xin Qiji.”
Su Mu asked, “What did they say?”
Qian Jida continued, “They want you as the lead. Some opposed it, but that’s not important, since the decision is in the investors’ hands.
The real problem is, this project is likely much harder than we anticipated, and the process will be extremely grueling.

Chen Anzhi hired Yuan Zheng’s stunt team. Their shoots are no joke—Yuan Zheng’s crew is known for risking life and limb, and Yuan Zheng himself is strict about action sequences.
If you take the role, you’ll definitely suffer under him. Zheng Quan also said there will be lots of fight scenes, horseback riding, and so forth—getting injured, even losing some skin, is commonplace.
He’s worried you might not be able to endure it, since you don’t have a stunt background and haven’t acted in this kind of film before. Maybe you should think it over.”
Su Mu was stunned at first, then his eyes gradually lit up.
See?
When luck is on your side, someone delivers money to you first thing in the morning!
Not grabbing this would be unworthy of his ‘Best Actor of the Year’ title.
Su Mu asked, “Mr. Qian, so you—or Mr. Zheng—mean this shoot is much, much tougher than expected?”
Qian Jida nodded. “Yes, Zheng Quan is worried you might back out once you learn the truth and asked me to talk you around. But I think it’s up to you.”
Su Mu’s excitement was palpable. “Excellent, now everything lines up perfectly. I don’t mind the hardship or getting injured, as long as the pay increases!”
Qian Jida: “...”
Fan Xiaojü: “...”
Zhu the driver: “Exactly.”

...

Half an hour later.
Intercontinental Hotel.
Zheng Quan and Chen Anzhi were waiting in the lobby, conversing quietly as they watched outside.
Zheng Quan asked, “Director Chen, what Yuan Zheng said yesterday is really true, right? The role of Xin Qiji will be extremely tough.”
Chen Anzhi nodded. “If we stick to the original shooting plan, yes. This is a story about ancient warfare, and Xin Qiji was renowned as a fierce general. To portray him properly, we have to highlight those traits and abilities—aside from his poetry, that means action scenes.”
Zheng Quan looked troubled. “If I’d known earlier... sigh. I’m worried Su Mu might back out. If he were just any actor, it wouldn’t matter. But he has plenty of options—if he doesn’t work with us, even Oil Depot Penguin is eager to sign him. He’s never short of offers.
If he thinks Yuan Zheng’s requirements are too excessive and joins another company, then Kiwi Fruit will really lose out.”
Chen Anzhi shook his head helplessly. “It depends on whether Su Mu is a principled actor. Zhang Huaimou praised him to the skies, said he has excellent acting ethics.
But if he switches crews just because of a little difficulty, then maybe Zhang Huaimou, and all three video giants, have misjudged him.”
“He’s here.”
Just then, the RV pulled up outside.
Su Mu, Qian Jida, and the others got out.
They entered the lobby and spotted Chen Anzhi and Zheng Quan.
After some greetings and pleasantries, they went to the hotel restaurant.
In the private room, a few words were exchanged before getting straight to business.

Chen Anzhi said, “Su Mu, to be honest, we’ve been extremely rigorous in preparing and casting for this drama. We don’t want to tarnish the legacy of this historical hero in our hands.
So after yesterday’s team discussion, we decided we want you, the lead actor, to do as much preparation as possible before the shoot, to truly embody Xin Qiji’s characteristics.
That includes some challenging action moves, horseback fighting, and so on... of course, there are risks. We can use stunt doubles, but you know, the authenticity of certain scenes depends on capturing the actor at special moments, so inevitably some shots will need you personally. Are you willing?”
Su Mu’s expression suddenly grew grave, as if facing a fearsome challenge, looking tense.
“Director Chen, is it really... that difficult? Dangerous?”
[Expression Proficiency +1]
[Emotion Proficiency +1]
[Skill Points +0.01+]
Zheng Quan saw Su Mu’s reaction and felt his heart drop.
It’s over... He’s definitely thinking of backing out.
If they lost Su Mu, what would next year look like?
Chen Anzhi neither confirmed nor denied. “Extremely difficult. We’ve brought in Yuan Zheng’s stunt team as consultants—you’ve probably heard of them. You need to be mentally prepared.”
Su Mu furrowed his brows, as if he were torn inside, but finally his face set with determination.
“All right, I understand, Director Chen. I’m willing to cooperate!”
Chen Anzhi and Zheng Quan were both surprised.
They hadn’t expected Su Mu to agree so readily.
Chen Anzhi warned, “Su Mu, think this through. If you truly cooperate, you’ll have to go to the filming site with our crew for several months beforehand to get acclimated. This is no joke.”
Su Mu’s gaze was sincere and his tone earnest. “Of course. I know it’ll be hard, and I might get injured—broken arms, legs, cracked ribs, concussions, stomach perforations, spinal curvature, herniated discs—there’s a lot of risk!
But I gave my word to Mr. Zheng. I value loyalty most of all. Mr. Zheng has always treated me well—I can’t just shrink back at the sight of ‘danger.’”
[Speech Proficiency +1]
[Expression Proficiency +1]
[Emotion Proficiency +1]
After Su Mu finished, the room was quiet for a while.
Chen Anzhi suddenly gave a thumbs up. “Excellent, Su Mu! Zhang Huaimou was right about you. There aren’t many brave young actors like you.
No need to discuss further. Your agreement is the best outcome!”
Zheng Quan was deeply moved.
Su Mu’s words made him feel ashamed for having warned Qian Jida that morning.
Wasn’t he just judging a gentleman with a petty heart?
He’d doubted Su Mu would stay, but the man valued their friendship above all.
Facing such hardship and risk.
Zheng Quan... how could he accept such loyalty without guilt?
Did he deserve it?
After a long pause, Zheng Quan suddenly slapped the table. “Su Mu!”
Su Mu feigned surprise. “What is it, Mr. Zheng?”
Zheng Quan declared, “Brother! Say no more. I’ll drink to this. When we get back, let’s redraft the contract. This time, Kiwi Fruit will increase your pay to seventy million! Nothing more to it—Kiwi Fruit not only has money, but values loyalty as well!”
Su Mu smiled inwardly.
Heh, got them right where he wanted.
(乛乛)
PS: A song for all the gentlemen~ ji~ji~jiNTM! dududu
(End of chapter)