Chapter 30: The Expression Master Sets Out for the Capital City

The charity gala was but a fleeting interlude. Su Mu was not indifferent to the doubts cast upon him by outsiders. Yet a victory won by mere rhetoric could only be temporary. To silence those voices, to ensure his future as a star would shine even brighter, he could rely on nothing but true ability.

There was no need to rush for a momentary success.

After returning home,

Su Mu continued to focus his energy on improving his proficiency. He spent some time carefully summarizing every scene in the drama "Raging Storm," listing all the possible expressions required for the character Gao Qi Qiang from beginning to end.

Previously, he had practiced expressions aimlessly, making whatever came to mind. But after last night’s success in controlling his expressions to deal with Liu Qiangxi and Zhang Hua’an, Su Mu had an epiphany: if he was to train proficiency, he must do so with purpose and precision.

By studying the script, he could identify the emotions and expressions Gao Qi Qiang would need in each scene, then target his training accordingly. Of course, for now, mastering expression control was paramount—completing the blind box task took precedence. The other proficiencies were secondary; he would improve them when possible.

Su Mu pulled out the script and began to categorize and summarize:

Gao Qi Qiang, as a character, grows with the story. The actor from his previous life had portrayed him brilliantly, from his early days as a timid everyman, through the mid-stage cold-blooded dominance, and finally to the cunning depth after his rise, ending with the anguish of losing his loved ones—a lifetime of sorrow, all performed with vivid detail.

At different stages, Gao Qi Qiang had distinct personas and inner worlds, and naturally, his expressions differed as well.

In the early phase, Gao Qi Qiang was a weak fishmonger, easily bullied by anyone. He could only endure humiliation, panic when taken to the police station, helpless, aggrieved, and pitiable.

At this stage, he had no scheming, his smile was honest and foolish, his grievances genuine, his fear real.

The smiles were naïve, apologetic, resigned; the tears were full of real sorrow; there was the hardship and helplessness of life, and the fear and hatred toward the local tyrant.

These were the emotions Gao Qi Qiang needed in his early stage.

Each corresponding expression was something Su Mu had to experiment with and adjust, listing them as thoroughly as possible, marking the details of each expression under each emotion, then practicing them before the mirror.

Only when he felt satisfied would the expression be considered mastered.

Su Mu knew at his current age, not yet thirty, playing Gao Qi Qiang was somewhat forced. At least the actor from his previous life wore the marks of life’s trials and experiences on his face, making him incomparable.

But in this life, no one knew what Gao Qi Qiang should look like.

If, in the previous world, "Raging Storm" was defined by the actor named Zhang Songwen,

Then in this world, it should be he who defined what Gao Qi Qiang ought to be.

After all, this role was his to perform.

[Expression control proficiency +1]
[Skill point +0.01]
[…]

Su Mu practiced ceaselessly, his proficiency accumulating bit by bit.

Gradually, he seemed to develop muscle memory; he could fine-tune his expressions exactly as he wished.

He learned to control a smile to convey weariness, joy, helplessness, or deceit.

Mastering expression control made him steadier, imparting a sense of hard-won experience.

[Expression control proficiency +1…+1…]
[Skill point +0.01…+0.01…]

[Notice! Expression control proficiency upgraded to LV3!]
[Expression control proficiency LV3: 1/3000 (Master Craftsman)]

Su Mu glanced at the parameters in his mind.

He had successfully reached LV3.

However, the real challenge had only just begun.

He needed to max out those three thousand proficiency points to complete the task.

Fortunately, it was expression control—no matter how many times he practiced, it wouldn’t require an overwhelming number of repetitions. If it had been some other skill or craft, it might have needed at least ten thousand attempts.

In the ensuing days,

Having mastered the expressions Gao Qi Qiang might use in his early stage, Su Mu began working on the script’s middle portion.

From the perspective of the story, Su Mu believed the mid-stage began with the scene he auditioned for—that moment marked the transformation of Gao Qi Qiang’s actions, thoughts, and inner state.

Forced into desperation, he began to walk a dark path, his methods became ever more extreme, his heart increasingly ruthless.

With such plot developments, Gao Qi Qiang’s expressions could no longer hold the same sincerity as before.

He had to hide—hide his scheming, his thoughts, all the things that could not see the light.

Thus, with these backgrounds and internal motives, every expression Gao Qi Qiang made had to carry calculation, a hint of cruelty, and an elusive madness.

As one ascends to the peak, there is indeed madness; Gao Qi Qiang hid it well. Even in the scene where he knelt before the secret boss, accepting him as a godfather, his eyes were wild, unconcerned with dignity; all he wanted was to make it, to get the money.

In the later stage, after becoming a true big shot, he became a tiger lying low to the ground.

So every expression had to convey a sense of detachment and control over all things.

These were Su Mu’s conclusions for the entire script.

He identified thirty or forty expressions; even if he missed a few, they would more than suffice to portray Gao Qi Qiang.

In the days that followed,

Except for necessary errands, Su Mu spent all his time holed up in his room, grinding proficiency.

Whenever he felt bored, he would practice other expressions for variety—such as the bashful, shy smile, or the indulgent look of pleasure, or the steadfast, enduring expression. He figured they might come in handy for future acting.

…

March passed.

In the blink of an eye, it was mid to late April.

Over the course of a month, apart from handling some work procedures with Qian Jida, Su Mu spent all his time at home honing his expressions.

The results were substantial.

As his proficiency grew, he gained ever more precise control over his expressions, and even developed his own insights—such as which expression to use at what moment, and the appropriate depth each should carry.

Meanwhile,

The Zhang Huaimou production team had nearly finished preparations. After the official announcement, the actors would be called to join.

The location was, naturally, Capital City.

Qian Jida booked tickets early.

A week ahead of schedule, he brought Su Mu and Little Tangerine to the Marriott Hotel in Capital City.

He called it “the earlier, the better”—more time to prepare for reincarnation, more time to handle trivial matters.

It was clear how seriously Qian Jida took this opportunity.

After arriving in Capital City,

Aside from meeting Zhang Huaimou and the crew’s producer with Qian Jida, Su Mu stayed put in the hotel.

And on the final day of the task deadline, he finally maxed out LV3.

[Expression control proficiency LV3: 3000/3000 (Master Craftsman)]