6: System reward! Acting skills come alive!

Director Wang's full-throated, “It must have a close-up!” exploded like a thunderclap on the small set.

The assistant director Xiao Li and the part-time screenwriter Lao Zhao, whose names were called, jolted and scurried over.

“Director Wang, your orders!” they said in unison, with professional, fawning smiles on their faces.

“This bandit, Lin Da!” Director Wang pointed at Lin Da, who had just climbed up from the ground with an innocent expression, “He can't just die like that! It's too much of a waste! You two quickly put your heads together and add a few lines for him, design a close-up shot before he dies. It needs to highlight his… his kind of terror and unwillingness, and also a bit of… uh… yes, a bit of complex emotion, like ‘looking up to the protagonist’s martial arts like a towering mountain’!”

Director Wang gesticulated wildly as he spoke, trying to recreate the shock Lin Da had just given him.

Xiao Li and Lao Zhao were stunned.

Adding lines for an extra? And an extra who dies as soon as he appears?

And it needs to highlight such complex emotions?

This was simply unheard of in their low-budget web drama crew, which pursued “short, fast, and efficient” productions.

“Director Wang, this… isn't this against the rules?” Lao Zhao mumbled hesitantly, “The script has already been finalized. Will temporary changes affect the progress?”

“Rules are dead, people are alive!” Director Wang glared, “What progress or no progress, one good shot is worth ten useless words! I tell you, if Lin Da’s scene just now is edited well, it will definitely be a highlight of our crappy drama… ahem, of our drama! You just do as I say, I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!”

Seeing the director speak to this extent, Xiao Li and Lao Zhao dared not say more. They quickly nodded and bowed in agreement, pulling Lin Da aside to urgently discuss the details of the added scene.

The surrounding extras, at this moment, looked at Lin Da with eyes that had changed from initial admiration to envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Why?

They were all extras, why did this kid get the director’s favor, with added scenes and close-ups?

Was it just because he “died” more uniquely?

Some extras who considered their acting not bad began to secretly ponder whether they should also learn from Lin Da’s performance when they “died” next time, maybe they could also be noticed by the director.

Lin Da seemed oblivious to the surrounding gazes. He was currently immersed in immense joy.

Because, at the moment Director Wang announced he would add a scene for him, the cold mechanical voice sounded in his mind again:

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for over-completing the novice mission [The Self-Cultivation of an Extra]!”

“Mission evaluation: S-rank (Perfect performance, amazed everyone, successfully attracted the director's attention and gained an opportunity for an added scene)!”

“Mission reward distribution: Acting Points +20 (additional 10 points for novice mission), cash reward 2000 yuan, [Emoticon Master (Elementary)] skill book x1, novice gift package has been automatically upgraded to [Advanced Novice Gift Package] x1!”

A series of system prompts made Lin Da’s heart pound.

S-rank evaluation!

This was something he hadn't expected. He had originally thought an A-rank would be good enough.

Acting Points were directly given 20 points! This was like timely rain for his current terrible basic attributes.

And a 2000 yuan cash reward! Enough for him to improve his current difficult life.

What surprised him the most were the [Emoticon Master (Elementary)] skill book and the upgraded [Advanced Novice Gift Package]!

He suppressed the urge to check immediately, first politely cooperating with the screenwriter and assistant director to complete the communication for the added scene. It was nothing more than adding two lines of internal monologue-style dialogue and a close-up shot of his facial expression before he died, to show his complex emotions.

These were a piece of cake for Lin Da, who possessed an emperor-level soul.

“Director Wang, thank you for giving me this opportunity.” Lin Da walked up to Director Wang and bowed sincerely.

In any case, it was Director Wang who gave him this platform, allowing him to complete the novice mission. He remembered this favor.

“Thank me for what! You earned it yourself!” Director Wang looked more and more favorably upon Lin Da now. He patted Lin Da’s shoulder and said earnestly, “Young man, work hard! I see you have potential for acting! If there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll look for you again!”

These words were undoubtedly a great affirmation for a new actor.

Lin Da thanked him again, then found an excuse to temporarily leave the noisy set, hiding in an deserted corner, and eagerly opened the system interface.

He first unhesitatingly added those 20 Acting Points to the “Expression Control” and “Emotional Infectiousness” attributes, adding 10 points to each.

Instantly, he felt his facial muscles seemed to become more flexible, and his control over various subtle expressions became more effortless. At the same time, he felt it was easier to mobilize his inner emotions and more effectively convey them.

If his previous acting was “dead,” relying on his past life’s experience to endure, now, his acting seemed to have “come alive,” with a hint of agility and naturalness.

“Expression Control: 45/100 (Slightly improved)”

“Emotional Infectiousness: 60/100 (Proficient)”

Looking at the improved attributes, Lin Da nodded with satisfaction.

Next, he turned his gaze to the [Emoticon Master (Elementary)] skill book.

[Emoticon Master (Elementary)]: After use, the host will master the ability to instantly make various vivid, exaggerated, and highly infectious expressions. Whether it's joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, or mischievousness, cuteness, cowardice, or wildness, all can be effortlessly produced, appearing completely natural. In the elementary stage, ten common emoticon templates can be unlocked, and there is a certain chance to trigger a “stroke of genius” expression in specific situations.

“This skill… is interesting!” Lin Da’s eyes lit up.

In comedic performances, a well-timed expression often plays a crucial role. Xing Zai in his previous life was a true “Emoticon Master.”

He unhesitatingly chose to use it.

The skill book transformed into a stream of light and merged into his mind. Countless classic, quirky, and hilarious expressions flashed before his eyes, finally settling into ten clear expression templates, deeply imprinted in his memory.

Lin Da instinctively tried it out in the air.

He first made a “mischievous raised eyebrow” expression, with a slight upturn of his lips and a hint of playful mockery and smugness in his eyes.

Then he quickly switched to a “pitiful puppy dog eyes” expression, with watery eyes, slightly downturned lips, and on the verge of tears.

Seamless switching, no hesitation!

“Amazing!” Lin Da secretly praised. This skill was simply made for comedy!

Finally, he opened the upgraded [Advanced Novice Gift Package].

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: [Acting Foundation Strengthening Pill] x3, [Stamina Potion (Medium)] x1, [Random Character Script Fragment (Supporting Role Level)] x1, System Points +300.”

[Acting Foundation Strengthening Pill]: After consumption, it can slightly improve the four-dimensional attributes of acting.

[Stamina Potion (Medium)]: Stronger effect than small potions.

[Random Character Script Fragment (Supporting Role Level)]: After use, a classic script fragment of a supporting role can be obtained for the host to learn and ponder.

The rewards were upgraded again!

Lin Da contentedly closed the system interface, feeling full of energy.

Just then, a voice, with a hint of hesitation and curiosity, sounded behind him:

“Um… Lin Da… you… how did you act that scene just now? It was too… too divine!”

Lin Da turned around and saw Zhou Xingxing staring at him with wide, curious eyes, looking at him cautiously, his face filled with admiration and confusion.