Chapter 28: What a Truly "Sunny" Young Man

[Speech Proficiency Lv2: 24/50 (Entering the Halls)]
[High Note Proficiency Lv2: 21/50 (Entering the Halls)]
[Script Proficiency Lv2: 15/50 (Entering the Halls)]
[Emotion Control Proficiency Lv2: 3/50 (Entering the Halls)]
[Expression Control Proficiency Lv0: 2/10 (Just Starting Out)]
[Line Delivery Proficiency Lv0: 1/10 (Just Starting Out)]

Su Mu gazed at his current proficiency levels.

If he were to categorize these, they could generally be divided by different talents. Scripts, emotions, expressions, and lines—all belonged to the acting category. High note proficiency was a singing skill, while speech was about eloquence.

The Artist Panel certainly wouldn’t help him systematically split these; it would simply activate relevant proficiency levels based on his exposure, or perhaps open them randomly like a blind box.

So Su Mu understood that even with a cheat, there was no such thing as once-and-for-all success. The final plan, and how to efficiently improve proficiency, still required his own strategy.

He couldn’t possibly act aimlessly, dabbling here and there—that would be disastrous.

Right now, he needed to complete the thirty-day Level 3 task, and he’d soon join the crew. Naturally, improving acting-related proficiency was the priority.

Otherwise, with his current skill and experience, he could at best handle the role of Gao Qisheng, Gao Qiang’s younger brother.

Of course, the "Frozen Fish War God" Gao Qisheng had gained fame with this drama too.

But since he was going to act, Su Mu would not give up the role of Gao Qiang.

Script comprehension proficiency was difficult to grind, as each attempt required reading the entire script, which was time-consuming.

Emotion control required cooperation from others—he needed someone to provide emotions opposite to his own mood for each attempt.

Yet good, fresh emotions were hard to come by.

He couldn’t possibly trouble Qian Jida and Xiao Ju every day to tell him sad stories or cheer him up.

Expression control and line delivery proficiency, compared to the above, were less complicated.

One involved seriously managing facial expressions, the other was delivering lines with genuine emotion.

In the end, Su Mu chose to focus on “expression control proficiency.”

After weighing his options, this was what he lacked most.

Because, once actors are on camera, even if they have emotion, lines, and understanding, if their expressions aren’t natural, audiences will still feel detached.

Often, a single expression from an actor can instantly immerse viewers.

The role of Gao Qiang especially required rich expressions to convey the character’s inner subtleties.

So, he would first train his expression control to Level 3—Master Craftsman. The rest could wait until he joined the crew.

[Expression Control Proficiency Lv0: 2/10 (Just Starting Out)]

Su Mu opened his phone’s selfie feature.

He looked at his handsome self.

Indeed, a nose was a nose, eyes were eyes.

He then grinned, eyes narrowed, his smile adorably simple, deliberately showing six pristine teeth, like a harmless, sunny young man.

[Expression Control Proficiency +1]
[Skill Point +0.01]

Su Mu was satisfied as he watched his proficiency refresh.

Just as he expected—as long as he purposefully controlled his expression, conveying what he intended, it counted as expression control.

Just now, he aimed to create the smile of a sunny boy.

So the proficiency updated.

However, after reviewing his smile, Su Mu felt dissatisfied.

Though he managed a simple look, the sunshine was lacking, and it wasn’t quite harmless.

The smile wasn’t pure enough, not quite the big boy—one could still see traces of worldly experience in his expression.

Su Mu scrutinized his selfie.

He analyzed the shortcomings.

A sunny look required clear eyes, and a touch of naïveté—he wasn’t naïve enough, making a natural smile difficult.

So he adjusted, showing eight teeth this time, eyes more curved, unconcerned about how his cheek flesh squeezed, smiling loosely and relaxed.

“Hehehe~.”

[Expression Control Proficiency +1]
[Skill Point +0.01]

This time, he looked sillier, purely naïve, but the sunshine was still missing.

Su Mu thought perhaps his gaze was off—too many emotional scenes had dulled his clarity.

But he didn’t get discouraged, continuing to adjust his expression, determined to smile in a way that would warm anyone’s heart at first glance.

“Hehehe…”

[Expression Control Proficiency +1]

“Hahaha…”

[Skill Point +0.01]

“Jie jie jie…”

[Expression Control Proficiency +1]
[Skill Point +0.01]

...

Su Mu practiced all day.

Proficiency and skill points increased significantly.

He planned to experiment with various expressions in the coming days, refining his micro-control.

Don’t be fooled—everyone’s face may only have eyes, nose, mouth, brows, beard, and chin.

But combined differently, with varying angles and openness, these convey distinct impressions and feelings to others.

Perhaps a wider mouth, or raised eyebrows, could evoke a completely different response.

So,

What expression warms others? What expression enchants? What expression instills fear? What makes hearts race yet hold them captive?

All require exquisitely precise expression control.

It’s a skill essential for a consummate actor.

At night,

Su Mu picked up the phone:

“Hey? Little Chicken Feet!”

“Hello? Who is this? Su Mu bro?”

“Little Chicken Feet!”

On the other end, Xiao Ju was utterly bewildered.

She double-checked the caller—it was indeed Su Mu, but why was he speaking with such a strange accent?

Xiao Ju: “Su Mu, are you alright? Were you kidnapped? But Mr. Qian said it’s a holiday—should I wait until I’m back at work tomorrow to call the police for you?”

Su Mu’s face twitched; he wanted to kick Xiao Ju: “Little Chicken Feet~ I’ve got cramps, buy me some ointment tomorrow.”

Xiao Ju: “Huh? Cramps? In your thigh or waist?”

Su Mu: “In my…”

Xiao Ju: “In your…?”

Su Mu: “In my leg, in my…”

Xiao Ju: “In your leg, in your…”

Su Mu: “…”

Xiao Ju: “What exactly?”

Su Mu: “I’m docking your pay!”

Xiao Ju: “???”

The call ended.

Xiao Ju sat on her bed, utterly confused.

Was he insane?

Calling in the middle of the night just to dock her pay?

She rubbed her cute head, pouting with increasing unease.

Reflecting on Su Mu’s odd behavior recently, she concluded he must have been triggered and lost his mind.

What should she do?

Xiao Ju hurriedly called Qian Jida via WeChat.

Xiao Ju: “Mr. Qian, Mr. Qian! Something’s wrong, Su Mu…”

Qian Jida: “What happened? Speak!”

Xiao Ju: “Su Mu must be sick!”

Qian Jida: “Huh?”

Xiao Ju: “He just called me out of the blue…”

Qian Jida: “And?”

Xiao Ju: “And he randomly said he’d dock my pay.”

Qian Jida: “…”

Xiao Ju: “Mr. Qian, Su Mu must be ill.”

Qian Jida: “Xiao Ju… Is this fun for you? I gave you a holiday and now you’re bored, making things up? I’ll dock your bonus next month!”

Xiao Ju: “Ah!?”

The call ended.

Xiao Ju was on the verge of tears.

In a few minutes, her salary and bonus were gone.

But how was any of this her fault…

o(╥﹏╥)o

...

Hotel.

Su Mu faced the mirror, flashing a sunny smile.

As he looked on,

His heart warmed a little more…