Chapter 40: A Star’s Schedule Should Be Packed

[Blind box being opened in order...]
[Blind box of works: Song "Salvation" / Song "Dispelling Sorrow"]
[Blind box of talents: Baritone proficiency / Breathy voice proficiency]
[Blind box of skills: Fish-killing proficiency (duplicate) / Empty box]
[Blind box of items: Kiss gum 1 / Kiss gum 1]
[Blind box of attributes: Vocal range 0.1 / Empty box]

Su Mu opened all the remaining blind boxes in one go.
As he'd anticipated, there were still a few empty boxes.
But overall, the gains were considerable.
This time, the works box didn’t come up empty; he got two songs, though it would have been even better if he’d drawn a novel script or something similar.
Still, these two songs were quite good.
Sun Nan’s high-difficulty song "Salvation."
Mao Buyi’s original "Dispelling Sorrow," which secured his championship in the talent show.
Su Mu was fairly familiar with both songs in his previous life, and he could sing them.
In terms of difficulty, with his current singing level, he might be able to master "Dispelling Sorrow" more quickly.
Of course, he had no task to produce a single this time.
So there was no need to rush.
The talent blind boxes awarded two proficiencies, both in singing technique.
Baritone and breathy voice control proficiency.
Su Mu knew that to sing well,
the required technical proficiency is no less than that needed for acting.
A couple of years ago, when he tried to release a single, Qian Jida had specifically arranged for a vocal coach from the company to give him lessons.
So he was keenly aware of the aspects needed in the field of singing.
Mid, high, and low notes, vocal placement, resonance, breath control, timbre adjustment, R&B runs, vibrato, diction, falsetto, strong mixed voice, weak mixed voice, rhythm control, lyric interpretation, and emotional expression, and so on.
Some songs are more demanding, requiring a stack of techniques; others are simpler and may only need proper control of mid and low notes to be passable.
Like "Salvation" and "Dispelling Sorrow."
The former requires powerful high notes and precise breath control to sing steadily all the way through.
The latter only needs stable mid-range notes and the skill of weak mixed voice to be handled with ease.
Of course, this is just entry-level.
To express a song in a sophisticated way—blending technique into lyrics and emotion, to the point where the audience can’t tell you’re using technique—that's the level of a master.
So, singing a song in a way that impresses people is simple enough.
But to truly win them over,
at least three or four proficiencies need to reach LV3 or LV4.
The skill and item blind boxes were a bit of a miss, yielding duplicates.
But the last attribute box gave him vocal range.

The wider the vocal range, the more types of songs and techniques one can command.
This was a very good foundational attribute.
With that, the blind box rewards had been sorted.
And time had unwittingly slipped into the late hours.
Su Mu carefully put the script beside his hand back into its file folder.
Zhang Huaimou had urged secrecy, and since this was not easily won, he naturally didn't want the material he was preparing to be known ahead of time.
If someone with ulterior motives learned the content, who knows what trouble might arise.
Su Mu planned to reply to Zhang Huaimou at the set tomorrow.
He agreed to collaborate again.
The plot of "Langya List" might not be top-tier, but it would certainly stand out in the current market.
After all, in his previous life, the show had won the Feitian Award that year.
In short, everything would wait until filming wrapped.
Finish the promotional work for "Raging Advance."
Then, he would sit down with Zhang Huaimou for a proper discussion about this drama.
…
…
"It's a wrap!"
"Brother Su Mu, thank you for your hard work! Your performance was amazing!"
Inside the studio.
"Thank you, thank you all! You’ve worked hard too!"
Su Mu finished his last shot, holding the bouquet presented to him, looking at everyone in the crew with a face full of reluctance and emotion.
[Emotion proficiency +1]
[Expression proficiency +1]
Su Mu: "I'll keep it brief. Joining the crew and working with everyone... It was because of you all... that we... Of course, the reason things turned out so well is entirely thanks to everyone... So we must always believe... You understand.
Thank you all, thank you Director Zhang, let’s keep pushing forward and create new brilliance!"
"Very good, applause!"
[Speech proficiency +1]
[Skill point +0.01]
[…]
Su Mu’s scenes were finally wrapped.
In fact, many actors in the crew finished before him.
Zhou Yi, Sun Danfei, and Ning Yuyan, for instance, wrapped up in mid-July.
Su Mu and Zhang Jianlin, having more scenes, were the last to leave.
During this time,
he verbally agreed with Zhang Huaimou to collaborate again.
But the details and process would wait until "Raging Advance" was finished, and the premiere was officially launched.

…
After saying goodbye to the crew,
and parting temporarily from Zhang Huaimou,
Su Mu’s life on set had come to a close.
He took a day to rest.
Qian Jida bought tickets back to Galaxy City.
Filming was finished, but the work wasn’t truly over.
First, they needed to return to the company to submit proof of completion, then the company would stamp it, making the agreement effective and releasing the final payment.
Then they would wait for notice to attend promotional events for "Raging Advance."
Once all this was done,
work would truly be finished.
On the plane,
Qian Jida held the announcement sheet he’d just printed at the airport, entering Su Mu’s itinerary and schedule on his tablet.
"This time, we’ll rest for just two days after returning, then the schedule gets pretty tight."
Su Mu: "Only two days? That little?"
Qian Jida: "Boss, it’s already the end of July. On the 2nd, we fly to Mango City for three days of 'Dream Days.'
Though you’re a surprise guest, the appearance fee is high—1.2 million per day, three days for 3.6 million.
After that, we’ll go straight from Mango City to Capital City for the first round of 'Raging Advance' promotions.
At the end of August, you’ll be a mentor guest for 'Create a Star,' then there’s another event for the brand you’re endorsing..."
Listening to Qian Jida’s tight schedule,
Su Mu didn’t feel overwhelmed.
For a celebrity, this was routine.
In fact, the busier the schedule, the better one's standing.
The artists without bookings are the most anxious,
since no gigs mean no earnings.
…
When the plane landed in Galaxy City,
Qian Jida and Su Mu went straight to the company.
The process went smoothly, but as it neared completion, a small issue arose.
Inside the office,
Zhou Wanming looked at Qian Jida, excitedly asking, "Jida, with Su Mu acting in Director Zhang’s drama, I think he’s bound to become popular. Plus, everyone online is promoting his song, and the play count is high. This is a great opportunity—I think we must seize it."
Qian Jida smiled, "President Zhou, I’m not quite sure what you mean. When you say it’s a great opportunity, you’re referring to…"