Chapter 101: The Benefits of Bringing a Driver on a Business Trip (Subscription Requested)

“You’re saying Su Mu agreed?”
Inside the hotel room, Yuan Zheng looked at Chen Anzhi with some surprise. “Are you sure you told him everything I said about the requirements for the role of Xin Qiji?”
Chen Anzhi smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, I told him everything, if not more. He said he’d start preparing and studying in the months before filming begins. You can’t have any objections now, can you?”
Yuan Zheng replied, “The decision about the lead actor is yours. I only voiced my opinion. If he’s willing to learn and can bring the character to life, I have nothing more to say.”
Chen Anzhi chuckled. “After all, he was recommended by Huai. He shouldn’t disappoint.”
Yuan Zheng cautioned, “Let’s not make grand statements yet. The real challenges are ahead of us. We’ll see how it goes.”
“Su Mu is definitely up to the task!”
As the two spoke, Yuan Shuang suddenly walked in, dressed in sporty attire, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Su Mu’s acting is amazing, okay? You probably haven’t seen his previous dramas. His look in ‘Canglan Jue’ was absolutely stunning! He did wirework in that one too!”
Yuan Zheng sighed, “Shuang, you’re an action actress yourself. You know there’s a difference between costume roles and action roles. Don’t let your fandom cloud your professional judgment. Is that what I’ve taught you?”
Yuan Shuang huffed, “You just don’t get it. Su Mu has been working so hard—his fans are practically crying!”
Chen Anzhi: “…”
Yuan Zheng: “…”
…
After returning home, Su Mu immediately began his preparations.
He went to the filming location ahead of time, aiming to acclimate to the environment and start training for the character of Xin Qiji.
Just as he’d thought before: if he wanted to truly embody the spirit of a hero, he first had to become that person—do what he did, feel as he felt. Only then could he deliver the most authentic performance, one that would resonate with the audience. Otherwise, it would be a mere facade, unable to touch anyone’s heart.
Qian Jida, Fan Little Orange, and Master Zhu also began their own preparations.
This time, they were heading out of town and would likely stay in Gubei Province until filming began next year.
They had to bring a lot with them—clothes, daily necessities, and so on.
If only Little Orange went, she wouldn’t be able to handle all the luggage, nor manage everything herself. So Master Zhu was coming along on this business trip as well.
It made sense—for a seventy-million project, they needed enough hands on deck to show their commitment.
Counting it up, the studio had just opened and already earned enough for the following year.
This time, there was seventy million for the film, twenty-one million for the script, five million in extra variety show fees from Liu Qiangxi, and another three million yesterday as a token of brotherhood.
That added up to nearly a hundred million.
After taxes and operational costs, they’d clear sixty or seventy million, no problem.
Adding the fifty-six million in Su Mu’s own account—originally over sixty million, but he’d spent ten million on an RV and studio rent—
All in all, by next year’s settlement, he’d hit a major milestone and completed a phase of his career.
…
Two days later.
Galaxy Airport, Terminal 2.
VIP Lounge.
Su Mu asked, “Everyone, since this is our studio’s first trip with the entire team, don’t you think I should say a few words?”
Qian Jida: “…”
Little Orange: “…”
Master Zhu: “Go ahead.”
Su Mu smiled with satisfaction. “Well, since you all want to hear from me, I’ll say a few words… This shoot is a special one…
In short, that’s the situation. But as for the specifics, we’ll have to see how things develop.”

[Speech proficiency +1]
[Skill points +0.01]
Master Zhu: “Understood.”
Qian Jida: “???”
Little Orange: “???”
…
Su Mu spent more than half an hour practicing speeches.
Not because he was obsessed, but because he’d recently improved his basic attributes and used up a lot of skill points.
He needed to accumulate more.
Not just for drawing mystery boxes—when tougher projects required his personal involvement, enough skill points would give him peace of mind.
It wasn’t until they boarded that Su Mu realized the advantage of bringing Driver Zhu along.
In the past, when traveling out of town, it was hard to get even three people together.
Now, he could practice speeches anytime, anywhere.
Every now and then, he’d have the three of them look over, then he’d share some literary insights and express his sentiments—which, in a way, also helped cultivate the team’s spirit.
Su Mu said, “In the end, one must always remain humble, for in any group of three, there are always three people.
Alright, the airplane meal is coming. Let’s eat first. Listening to me on an empty stomach would only make you hungrier.”

[Speech proficiency +1]
[Skill points +0.01]
Qian Jida: “…”
Little Orange: “…”
Driver Zhu: “I’ll have the chicken rice and a cola, thank you.”
…
…
A few hours of flying left everyone exhausted, body and soul.
There was no helping it—the filming location was quite far from Galaxy City.
To pursue authenticity, Director Chen Anzhi had spent months scouting locations nationwide before settling on this one.
Perhaps due to geography, Gubei Province still had many untouched landscapes.
It was also a major livestock region, with numerous horse farms.
Since this was a historical production, warhorses were essential.
The crew had some horses for filming, but not enough for grand scenes.
To create the spectacle of thousands of troops, they’d need to rent horses from local farms.
Many actors and extras would need basic riding lessons, so the horse farms were the ideal training ground.
After disembarking, Su Mu and his group passed through the VIP corridor to the arrivals hall.
Though the crew wouldn’t officially assemble until next year, Chen Anzhi had arranged for staff to meet them.
The staff had arrived a day earlier to begin building the set.
“Mr. Su… Su, hello. I’m Yuan Shuang, sent by Director Chen to pick you up.”
Wearing a mask, Su Mu recognized the tall, slender woman in sweatpants through his sunglasses.
“Hello,” Su Mu greeted her.
Trying to contain her excitement, Yuan Shuang pointed awkwardly. “The car’s outside. Let’s go to the hotel first. Director Chen and the others are already at the set and tied up with work for now.”
Su Mu nodded with a smile. “Alright, thank you.”
Without delay, Su Mu, Qian Jida, and the others followed Yuan Shuang out of the airport.
…
It took two hours by car to reach the hotel.
To call it a hotel was generous—it was more like a larger inn, similar to the accommodations at Hengdian Film Base.
Su Mu wasn’t surprised.
After all, this place couldn’t compare with first-tier cities like Beijing or Galaxy City.
And to be near the filming location, they had to stay somewhere remote. Having such an inn was already fortunate.

Yuan Shuang looked at Su Mu, a bit nervous at meeting her idol.
“This is the best inn here. The rooms are all booked in advance; you can check in right away.”
Su Mu looked at her curiously. “Aren’t you staying here?”
She shook her head. “I’m an action actress. We have temporary dorms at the set—it’s more convenient. But Director Chen said you should stay here for now since you’ll be around for months. Once the crew officially assembles next year, room arrangements will be adjusted.”
“You’re an action actress?” Su Mu asked.
“That’s right, from Yuan Zheng’s action team.”
Su Mu understood immediately. “I see. Thanks for picking us up today.”
“You’re welcome! Um… Su Mu, I’m your fan. Could I get a photo with you?”
Su Mu smiled. “Of course, come on.”
Overjoyed, Yuan Shuang snapped a few photos with her phone.
She then informed Su Mu that someone would pick him up for training the next morning, before driving off.
After checking in, the group found their four adjacent rooms, settled in, and began unpacking.
Almost immediately, Fan Little Orange was scrolling through her phone, looking up food delivery options.
A few minutes later—
“Oh my gosh, this place is so remote! There are barely any delivery options, and they’re all far away. How are we going to survive?”
Qian Jida sighed, “What’s all the fuss about?”
Su Mu laughed, “We won’t starve. There are a few options, right?”
Little Orange looked worried. “Rice noodles, Yunnan rice noodles, and a Sha County eatery.”
“That’s it?” Su Mu asked.
“That’s it. That’s all that shows up. Otherwise, we’ll have to eat at the inn.”
Qian Jida: “…”
Su Mu: “…”
The room fell silent.
To be fair, Su Mu and the others weren’t being picky.
But given they’d be here for months, maybe half a year, they couldn’t eat Sha County food every day.
“Su Mu, will the crew provide lunch boxes?” Little Orange asked.
“They will,” Su Mu replied, “but who knows if they’re better than Sha County?”
Little Orange: “…”
…
Meanwhile, at the filming location—
It was a vast stretch of wilderness, right beside a horse farm.
Many workers were busy building the temporary set, which was already taking shape.
Chen Anzhi and his team were examining details and discussing plans.
Before long, Yuan Shuang returned.
“Director Chen, I’m back.”
“Did you pick them up?”
“Hehe, mission accomplished! I even got a selfie with my idol!”
“Good. Tomorrow, when Su Mu comes over, have your action team start training with him.”
“Understood.”
With that, Yuan Shuang slipped away.
But their conversation soon spread among the crew.
“Did you hear? Su Mu’s here!”
“He is? Already?”
“I heard he’s here early to get into character for Xin Qiji and plans to train with Yuan’s action team.”
“Wow, he’s training with Yuan Zheng’s team? That’s asking for trouble!”
“No kidding. Yuan Zheng is notoriously tough. Wasn’t it last year that several young actors ended up in tears from his scolding?”
“Is it worth it, though? It’s just a role. There are always stunt doubles. Is it really necessary for the sake of publicity?”
“Yeah, and basic training at this stage might not help much. Just look at our set—the fight scenes are complex, with horseback riding and leaping through fire hoops, not to mention swordplay on horseback. Can he really manage?”
“Su Mu hasn’t done these kinds of roles before. Action scenes require real skills. I bet he won’t last three days!”
(End of chapter)