Chapter One: I Already Paid for the Award—What Use Are You Now?

(Note: This story is set in a parallel universe, purely for entertainment. If any violations or similarities are found, it can be deleted or revised at any time.)

Galaxy City.

Spotlights blazed, stars gathered in dazzling brilliance.

“Hello everyone, I am the guest presenter tonight, Feng Dagang.”

“Let’s not waste words—just look at the big screen!”

[VCR: He is the flamboyant, enchanting Sha Qianmo in “The Journey of Flower”! He is the pure and unforgettable lover in “Beside the Ming River,” who captured Xia Yuhuo’s heart! With his youthful voice and natural acting, he displays the grace of the new generation!

The 2023 Most Popular Male Artist Award goes to—Su Mu!]

“Ah!!!”

“Su Mu!?”

“Wait... is it really him?”

“Seriously? An idol from a brainless costume drama? Why? Just because he’s got traffic?”

“He definitely bought this award!”

“It’s him, it’s really him! Don’t you dare insult Su Mu—do you know how hard he works?”

“Oh? How exactly?”

“Hmph, when he was filming, he studied his lines in a caravan under the blazing sun!”

“...?”

“And! To shape a character, he could only eat a few slices of Wagyu and salmon every day, not even any caviar. Who else can relate?”

“...??”

“Right, I heard he even lowered his pay so the production could afford a special effects team for post-production. Su Mu only took forty million for that drama! He truly deserves it... 555...”

“???”

As his fans commemorated him,

Su Mu, clad in a luxurious suit, walked onto the glittering stage, head held high, chest out, utterly unashamed under the ‘envy’ of many seasoned insiders.

One step, two steps—the stride of a devil.

Confident, indeed.

And this confidence stemmed from the good-natured, wise-yet-humble attitude deep in his soul.

His mantra: Nothing really matters.

He’d been reborn in this parallel world for three years, reached the pinnacle of success without any cheats, won awards with his exceptional ‘talent and wealth,’ and had become the model of both fame and fortune among rising stars in the entertainment industry.

When it came to acting, he had looks.

For singing, he had looks.

For writing, he still had looks.

In short... that’s what you call professional.

There was nothing he could do about being ‘envied.’

In truth, Su Mu originally just wanted to be a good artist, a good actor, a good singer, a good idol.

After rebirth, discovering he was incredibly handsome, he started as an extra at a film base, then sent out random resumes to media companies. Somehow, he actually got contacted, and nearly joined the intense idol trainee boot camp with other young hopefuls.

He knew this world wasn’t all that different from his previous life.

As long as he could join the trainees, endure a few years, and improve his skills through hard work, he’d have a chance to debut.

But fate had other plans.

Before he could become a trainee, a director noticed him during an unfortunate appearance, and cast him as the fourth male lead in a historical drama.

Surprisingly, it did well, and he gained some fans for his looks!

Then his company’s top agent, sensing the buzz and potential, cast him as the third male lead in a web drama.

His fanbase grew, his popularity soared.

So when his agent handed him a script for the second male lead, Su Mu realized his hard-earned trainee opportunity was slipping away.

Watching those trainees sent off to remote dorms for years of brutal training, Su Mu felt... envy.

Their energetic pursuit of youth was truly admirable.

But as for himself... he could only keep playing second lead, again, and again, and again, and again!

And now, finally, he was cast as the lead.

True, playing the lead paid far more than the trainees could dream of, and he’d made his debut without suffering much. The company even bought him two annual Most Popular Male Artist awards.

But so what?

Su Mu’s heart was conflicted.

He had even thought about giving up, not wanting to become what he despised most.

To be honest, he wasn’t someone who ‘craved shortcuts’!

He wanted to rely on hard work and real ability to become the quality idol his fans dreamed of, to prove himself.

It’s said a good idol begins with looks, is loved for talent, and admired for character.

So two years ago, Su Mu quietly vowed:

Once he earned thirty million, he’d stop!

Then he’d hone his abilities and become a genuine male artist, a true actor!

And so, through his relentless efforts—

Constant appearances on variety shows,

Constant luxury brand endorsements,

After being repeatedly chosen by sponsors to star in a dozen vapid, over-the-top CEO and nobleman romance dramas,

Three years had passed.

Suddenly looking back,

The sea is hard to cross, time has drifted away.

Without thinking, it’s impossible to forget—thirty million?

Hmph, he underestimated it.

Money was ridiculously easy to earn!

His pay was already closing in on sixty million!

The more he earned, the harder it was to stop—it was almost a sin to quit!

If he hadn’t lowered his pay last year to help the production afford special effects, he’d have broken the sixty-million mark long ago.

Of course, Su Mu wasn’t truly concerned with money.

What he really worried about was the impending three-year law of top-tier fame in the entertainment industry.

Like a parabola—after the peak comes the decline. Evergreen exceptions are one in a million, and he certainly wasn’t one.

According to the usual pattern, without genuine skills or solid works, he’d inevitably enter a slump.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent a fortune to keep himself as Most Popular Male Artist for another year.

More importantly, his contract with the company still had two years left.

If his popularity fell, his pay would drop, and he might not meet the contract’s targets.

He could even lose his own investment.

Su Mu knew these contracts were double-edged swords.

But without signing, he wouldn’t have received the company’s backing, resources, or their willingness to buy awards to maintain his top status and land more endorsements.

Yet all this was just superficial prosperity.

Without real works and ability, it’s just a castle in the air—if it doesn’t collapse, it’s still tottering.

There will always be someone younger and more handsome to replace you.

So Su Mu knew, as a top idol, he ultimately had to... make money, make lots of money, and keep making money! Only then would he feel secure~

“Ahem!”

Su Mu snapped back, holding the trophy with deep emotion: “Receiving this award... I have only four words in my heart: Never forget your original intention!”

Industry insiders: “...”

Outsiders: “...”

Everyone fell silent.

His speech ended.

Apart from the celebrities, audience, insiders, judges, organizers, and staff below, the unseen masses erupted in applause.

The host stepped up: “First of all, congratulations Su Mu. I think what everyone cares most about is your upcoming schedule. It’s rumored you’ll join three major variety shows at Goose Media next year. And, are you planning any breakthroughs in your roles?

Just like the trophy in your hand—two years as Most Popular Male Artist—are you aiming to compete for the Best Actor crown next year?”

Ha, isn’t that obvious? Who’d want Most Popular Male Artist if they could win Best Actor!

Everyone knows it’s all for show. Are you deliberately putting me on the spot?

Trying to make things awkward, Su Mu thought helplessly: “Oh, you’re joking, Host. I’m still inexperienced—Best Actor requires far more depth and talent. I have much to learn, and there are many more outstanding colleagues. So I only hope to solidly grasp every project (and paycheck).”

Host: “Su Mu remains as humble as ever. By the way, I heard Director Zhang is casting for a new drama. He’s got the hottest script in hand, with many big names eager to join, including veteran actors.

Haha, why not take this chance to job-hunt live and ask Director Zhang for a role?

Do you feel confident in your acting to stand out, conquer the director and audience?”

Seriously... confident with what?

Su Mu was speechless. He felt the host was targeting him.

He wasn’t petty—just that the host kept asking the wrong questions.

If only he’d won Best Supporting Actor, or at least a Best Actor nomination, he could handle it.

But the problem was, he was a halfway rookie reincarnated—his awards these past years were all vague titles like ‘Most Beloved, Most Popular.’

Basically, he’d bought his own gilded reputation. Popular in appearance, infuriating in reality—those who know, know.

So to claim confidence now would be shameless, since competing with those big names and veteran actors was pure fantasy.

Getting criticized was minor.

But making everyone lose face would be truly awkward.

Tomorrow’s headlines, guaranteed.

Su Mu felt utterly helpless. He wondered if he was truly unloved—everyone else’s reincarnated protagonists had cheats, just saying “Deep Blue, add points” and instantly got stronger.

But he’d been here three years, still relying on money to win awards.

Every day, he suffered mockery and ridicule, the psychological pressure was immense.

Some reincarnations wake up with cheats; if you don’t, you probably never will.

Life really felt hopeless.

[Installation took 1206 days 6 hours 18 minutes 32 seconds]

Name: Su Mu

Height: 183 cm

Looks: Top-tier fresh meat

Strength: 1.1

Speed: 1.1

Stamina: 1.1

Brainpower: 1.1

[Speech (Novice) Proficiency Lv0: 1/10]

“Have...” Su Mu was stunned. “I have it!?”

Swish!

Celebrities: “!!!”

Judges: “???”

Fans: “!!!”

Director Zhang: “...”

The whole venue was shocked.

“Did you hear? He said ‘have’!”

“Yeah, I heard... a bit cocky.”

“Where does he get that confidence? He’s really lost touch!”

“Haha, forget the veterans and big names. If he can outshine the other young supporting actors, I’ll wash my hair upside down. Besides, would Director Zhang cast him?”

“I’ve read the script—every role is richly developed. The more outstanding the supporting roles, the harder they are to play. Su Mu really doesn’t know his own limits.”

“Ahem...”

The host, awkward: “Wow, didn’t expect Su Mu to be so... confident in this job-hunt. No more jokes—let’s wait and see, hoping you land a great role with Director Zhang, and congratulations again!”

The host quickly smoothed things over, ending the conversation.

He was speechless himself—never imagined Su Mu was so thick-skinned, accepting the challenge on the spot.

Shouldn’t he have modestly deflected, joked, and moved on?

How could he climb up so readily?

If the media ran with this tomorrow, and Director Zhang, pressured by public opinion, had to give Su Mu a role, wouldn’t the host have dug a pit for Director Zhang?

Offending a big director was no small matter.

Having been outmaneuvered by Su Mu, the host broke out in a cold sweat, no longer daring to tease.

Meanwhile,

Under the strange gazes of the crowd, Su Mu had already stepped down from the stage.

After returning to his seat, he felt a deep sense of desolation.

He knew he’d been misunderstood.

Because when he said ‘have,’ he meant he had a cheat now, not that he was confident of landing a role and outshining everyone at Director Zhang’s audition.

This cheat came at such a damned moment!

Wasn’t it just accelerating his decline...?

(PS: New book by a rookie, begging for your support, the internal review has passed, so invest with confidence and grab those coins!)