2: A piss-off system? The first mission!

Lin Da was stunned for a full half-minute before he snapped back to reality from a series of “System Prompts.”

Golden Supporting Actor System?

It sounds… interesting.

In his previous life, he had fantasized about how great it would be if life could be like a game with cheats. He never expected that after being reborn, such an extraordinary encounter, which only existed in web novels, would actually happen to him.

“System, are you there?” Lin Da silently asked in his mind.

“Hello Host, the Golden Supporting Actor System is at your service,” the cold, mechanical voice sounded again.

“Uh… what’s the beginner’s welfare? Also, could you explain the beginner’s mission in more detail?” Lin Da rubbed his hands, feeling both nervous and a little excited. After all, he had lived two lives, so his psychological resilience was quite strong, and he quickly accepted reality.

“The beginner’s welfare has been automatically sent to your System Backpack. Please check it yourself, Host.”

Following the System’s prompt, Lin Da felt a semi-transparent light screen, similar to a game interface, appear before his eyes, visible only to him.

In the upper left corner of the light screen was his basic information:

Host: Lin Da

Age: 20

Acting Level: LV1 (Just Starting Out)

Main Attributes:

Facial Control: 35 / 100 (Mediocre)

Dialogue Foundation: 42 / 100 (Slightly Basic)

Body Language: 38 / 100 (Mediocre)

Emotional Impact: 50 / 100 (Decent)

Character Understanding: 65 / 100 (Talented – Enhanced by previous life’s soul)

Special Skills: None

System Points: 0

System Backpack: Newbie Gift Pack x 1

Lin Da’s mouth twitched as he looked at the values in the thirties and forties. Except for “Character Understanding,” which stood out due to the integration of his previous life’s experience, the others were simply unbearable. This was clearly the standard for a mere extra!

“It seems the starting point in this life is even lower than I imagined,” he said with a wry smile, shaking his head.

His gaze shifted to the System Backpack, where a faintly glowing small gift pack indeed lay quietly.

“Open Newbie Gift Pack.”

“Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have received: [Acting Introduction Guidebook] x1, [Stamina Potion (Small)] x1, [Random Character Experience Card (Extra Level)] x1, System Points +100.”

[Acting Introduction Guidebook]: Records basic acting techniques and training methods. Reading it can slightly improve acting attributes.

[Stamina Potion (Small)]: Can quickly restore physical strength and energy after consumption.

[Random Character Experience Card (Extra Level)]: After use, you can randomly experience a short life segment of an extra character, drawing acting inspiration from it. (Note: Only for extra characters)

There weren’t many items, but for Lin Da at this moment, it was like receiving timely help. Especially the “Character Understanding” attribute, which gave him a bit more confidence in completing the system mission.

“As for the beginner’s mission…” the System’s voice sounded again, “It requires the Host to, within three days, through his own efforts, obtain a supporting role with at least one line of dialogue, and during the performance, make at least three crew members (director, assistant director, cinematographer, script supervisor, fellow actors, etc., are all acceptable) deeply impressed by your performance and remember your name ‘Lin Da.’”

“And the standard for excellent completion is, on this basis, your performance must receive additional recognition from the director, such as him actively adding scenes for you or publicly praising you.”

“Failure penalty…” The System paused, as if brewing something, “The System will randomly strip the Host of a life skill, such as ‘ability to tie shoelaces,’ ‘ability to distinguish left from right foot,’ ‘ability to use chopsticks normally,’ etc., for one week.”

Lin Da’s eyelids twitched as he listened.

This penalty… it’s ridiculously absurd!

Imagine a grown man unable to tie his shoelaces for a week, or unable to hold chopsticks steadily while eating—the scene would be too beautiful to behold.

“System, are you sure you’re not joking with me?”

“This system never jokes,” the mechanical voice replied seriously.

Lin Da took a deep breath. Alright, it seemed this “Golden Supporting Actor System” was not only interesting but also a bit of a pain in the ass.

However, having struggled in the entertainment industry for fifty years in his previous life, what kind of storms hadn’t he seen? This level of challenge wouldn’t scare him.

“A supporting role with lines… make three people remember my name… and complete it excellently…” Lin Da stroked his chin, beginning to analyze the mission carefully.

For a fresh graduate with no connections or background, finding a role with lines within three days was already difficult. Not to mention having to perform exceptionally and make people remember him.

He recalled the memories of this body’s original owner. Yesterday, he had auditioned for the wuxia web drama “Jianghu Xiaoxiami.” He auditioned for a bandit minion with two lines, but because he was too nervous, he stammered the line “Big Brother, they’re coming!” and was immediately rejected by the assistant director.

“The ‘Jianghu Xiaoxiami’ crew…” Lin Da’s eyes flickered.

Although he was rejected, it was at least a clue. For such a low-budget web drama, the production cycle was short, and actor changes might be frequent, so there might still be a chance.

Moreover, he remembered that the assistant director’s surname was Wang, a middle-aged man in his forties, with a somewhat impatient temper, but he seemed quite polite to actors with good acting skills and a serious attitude.

“I’ll try anything,” Lin Da decided.

In his previous life, although he had played supporting roles his entire life, he poured 100% of his effort into every character, no matter how big or small. He knew deep down that there were no small roles, only small actors. Even an extra who died upon appearing could be performed with layers and style.

“As long as I can get a chance…” A glimmer of confidence flashed in Lin Da’s eyes.

He glanced at the chipped wall clock; it was already three in the afternoon.

“Time waits for no one.”

He quickly took out the [Acting Introduction Guidebook] from his backpack and chose to use it. A white light flashed, and countless basic knowledge of acting, as well as vocal and physical training techniques, flooded into his mind, verifying and merging with his previous life’s experiences.

Although the attribute values didn’t change immediately, he felt his understanding of acting became clearer, and his body also seemed to become more coordinated.

After tidying up the room simply and changing into a relatively clean T-shirt and jeans, Lin Da took a deep breath and pushed open the creaking door.

Outside the shared rental house was a narrow, greasy alley, filled with the strange mixed smells of various foods.

Just as he was about to walk out of the alley, a commotion caught his attention.

Around the corner of the alley not far away, several people were gathered, seemingly arguing about something.

“…Why does his bento have a chicken drumstick, and mine doesn’t? Are you looking down on me?” a slightly sharp, indignant young voice sounded.

Lin Da looked over, only to see a thin young man, wearing a faded yellow old T-shirt with greasy, matted hair, his face flushed, yelling at a crew caterer who was distributing bentos.

The young man was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with an unyielding spirit in his brows and eyes. Although his clothes were shabby, his eyes were unusually bright, as if two small flames were dancing within them.

Lin Da’s steps suddenly halted.

His heart began to pound uncontrollably.

That face…

That expression…

Although much more youthful, tender, and even disheveled, Lin Da recognized him at a glance.

It was him!

The partner who, deep in his memories, shared countless joys and sorrows, and together created the golden age of Hong Kong comedy!

That talented, yet sensitive and stubborn…

Xing Zai!

Zhou Xingxing!