Chapter 76: I, Qiang Xi, Will Pay This Five Million!

It had to be said, Vandy was an exceptionally competent dance instructor.

After the two of them decided to start with popping, he didn’t immediately have Su Mu jump into practicing movements. Instead, he began with a thorough explanation of the origins and culture of street dance, including current trends both domestically and abroad, giving detailed insights into the genre. This was so Su Mu could form a concept and framework in his mind before beginning.

Only then did he lead Su Mu through warm-up exercises, and from there, they started with the foundational branches of popping. Among the main styles of popping, the most crucial—and absolutely essential—category is the pop itself, also known as the “shock.” This is something no popper can go without. It relies on the rapid contraction and relaxation of muscles in various parts of the body, creating a vibrating effect that produces a striking visual sensation.

Training the pop is something that accompanies a popping dancer throughout their entire career. At different stages, the quality of the pop will reach different levels of mastery. Often, the difference between a master and a novice can be seen in just a few pops.

Vandy explained, “There are many parts of the body you can use to pop: the neck, triceps, forearm, wrist, chest, abdomen, glutes, thighs, knees, calves, ankles… The Fresno movement, which involves extending the arms and shifting your weight from side to side, is the basic exercise for training the whole body to pop. Watch me.”

Snap, snap-snap!

Right in front of Su Mu, Vandy demonstrated the movement to the rhythm of an eight-beat track. His pop had an excellent texture; though his muscles weren’t especially large, his movements were crisp and clean.

Su Mu tried contracting and relaxing the muscles in various parts of his body. But as for the quality—let alone the texture—he couldn’t even find the feeling of popping; his muscle contractions were barely noticeable.

[Popping Proficiency +1]
[Skill Point +0.01]

Although it was his first attempt at popping and the results were far from ideal, his proficiency still increased. With this, Su Mu was reassured: as long as he kept raising his proficiency, mastery would naturally follow.

Of course, popping isn’t just about the pop. There are many other elements: control stops, waves, foot glides, King Tut hands, and so on. But you can’t become an expert overnight. Learning most of these elements would take several days.

As for what came next? Just grind it out.

…

Su Mu spent the day practicing with Vandy in the dance studio.

He had successfully transformed from a normal person into someone who looked like he had a constant case of the jitters, twitching all over at random intervals. Anyone who understood would know that every beginner goes through this slightly crazed phase—because popping practice is addictive. You’ll find yourself spasming now and then, and when you hear music, you can’t help but twitch along to the beat. Of course, to outsiders, it just looks odd.

[Popping Proficiency +1]
[Popping Proficiency +1]
[Skill Point +0.01…+0.01]

Back in the RV, Su Mu was grinding away at his proficiency. From neck spasms to arm cramps, then chest pops and sore abs and glutes—at this point, calling 911 would probably be too late anyway.

Little Orange, looking worried, recorded a video of Su Mu’s current state and sent it to Qian Jida.

[Video]
Little Orange: Boss Qian! You need to see this—he’s gone mad.
Qian Jida replied: What happened?
Little Orange: He’s dancing, but it’s like he’s possessed.
Qian Jida: ???
Little Orange: It’s terrifying. It’s like he’s having seizures. He was like this all the way home.
Qian Jida: Little Orange, take care of him.
Little Orange: (╥﹏╥) Why me!
Qian Jida: He’s your boss.
Little Orange: Fine…

…

At home, Su Mu ate a little and immediately went back to grinding his proficiency, paying no heed to Little Orange’s worried glances. He was exhausted, but as his proficiency improved, he could clearly feel that each pop felt different. He was gradually mastering this element of popping.

[Popping Proficiency LV3: 2/5000]
[Task: No street dance proficiency currently started. Please raise any dance style proficiency to LV2. (Completed!)
Reward:
[+1000 Proficiency]
[Skill Points +5.0]
[Attribute: Flexibility]]

Late into the night, the system finally notified him that his panel task was complete. However, upon reaching LV3, he could clearly feel that proficiency was much harder to gain. Popping with a single muscle group no longer counted; he needed to coordinate his whole body for it to register. The difficulty was increasing.

Luckily, there were rewards.

“Add 1000.”

Su Mu directly added 1000 points of proficiency to his popping category.

[Popping Proficiency LV3: 1002/5000]

With this sudden surge in proficiency, Su Mu felt an itching sensation in all his muscles, which, after constant friction, finally relaxed. It felt wonderful.

He sharply contracted the muscles in his forearm—snap! A sensation of crispness he’d never experienced before burst forth. Looking into the mirror, Su Mu could clearly see the improvement in the quality of his pop. With some more practice and a few more proficiency points, boosting his strength, endurance, and newly acquired flexibility attribute, he should be able to reach Vandy’s level before long.

Earning more money off this should be no problem.

…

…

A few days later.

Su Mu accompanied Qian Jida to a brand event. The banquet went smoothly. Liu Qiangxi was all smiles, socializing effortlessly; in the past six months, he’d been having a streak of good fortune in business. The main reason was the soaring performance of the high-end brand division, which had cemented his place as Regional Director for Greater China. Naturally, his outlook was different now.

After the banquet, Su Mu and Qian Jida were asked to stay behind by Liu Qiangxi, who said he wanted to discuss the upcoming sponsored variety show in detail.

With a beaming face, Liu Qiangxi said, “Su Mu, you’ve been filming in Hengdian for a while, so it’s been some time since we last met. I also just heard you’re about to terminate your contract with Giant Elephant. Does that mean you have big plans for next year?”

Su Mu replied, “Not exactly big, but there will definitely be some action.”

Liu Qiangxi gave a mysterious smile, already imagining several scenarios in his mind. Not big? I don’t believe it.

He then put on a knowing look, as if he’d already guessed everything. “I get it. These things aren’t for me to pry into. I’ll be watching with interest.”

Su Mu and Qian Jida exchanged bewildered glances:

‘What exactly is he watching for?’
‘I have no idea.’
‘Let’s get to the point.’
‘Agreed.’

Qian Jida took a sip of tea, then smiled, “Director Liu, rest assured, even if we terminate with Giant Elephant, we’ll still fulfill all subsequent endorsement obligations.”

Liu Qiangxi nodded in satisfaction, “Of course I trust you. But about that, the sponsored variety show is about to start, and Su Mu, I hope you can shine on the show and help launch our new brand into the spotlight.”

Su Mu replied, “Director Liu, here’s the thing—street dance is complicated. Getting good at it isn’t something you can do overnight, so if you’re hoping for me to stand out, that might be a bit of a challenge.”

Liu Qiangxi was taken aback, “Didn’t you hire a teacher?”

Su Mu responded, “I did, but training and actually standing out on a variety show are two different things, wouldn’t you agree, Director Liu?”

Liu Qiangxi: “…”

Su Mu: “…”

Liu Qiangxi cleared his throat, “How much?”

Su Mu: “It’s really hard to stand out. Add another five hundred.”

Liu Qiangxi: “No way! The production team would never agree to that!”

Su Mu: “Qiangxi, look, this has nothing to do with the production team. What they pay is what they pay; what you give is what you give—they’re not the same, are they? Whether in terms of feelings or significance, I treasure your support far more.

If we look back, through all our cooperation, two endorsement deals, you’ve already given over a hundred million. Would you really quibble over this extra five hundred? Let me just ask you, does five hundred really mean that much to you?”

Liu Qiangxi: “I…no, it’s not much.”

Su Mu smiled, “Exactly, it’s not much. So I sincerely ask you for this five hundred, is that all right, Qiangxi?”

[Facial Control +1]
[Emotional Control +1]
[Skill Point +0.01…]

Liu Qiangxi was silent for a moment.

He was right—anyone who could ask for money with such sincerity must have a clear conscience.

Is five million a lot? Not really.

Liu Qiangxi slapped his thigh, “Fine! As long as you can stand out, I’ll add another five million. I, Qiangxi, will make it happen!”

Su Mu: “That’s the spirit!”

Qian Jida: “!!!”