Chapter 9: Passion!

Ding!

[Physical Form +1]

After running nearly 500 meters, a system notification suddenly echoed in Chen Jin’s mind.

He had thought it was a reward for his diction skills, but to his surprise, it was actually for his physical form.

“Just by running, my physical form improves?”

Chen Jin couldn’t help but chuckle.

[Physical Form Skill Level]: Beginner (1/10).

Staring at the new entry that appeared on his personal panel, Chen Jin’s imagination began to run wild.

“So if I study acting, will my acting skill also increase by one point?”

He was tempted to run back and test it out, but since he was already out running, he decided to keep going for at least half an hour before returning.

After all, there were still over ten days before the art entrance exam—plenty of time.

“It’s still early.”

“How do I improve vocal music then? Reciting lines should help with voice, right?”

Chen Jin found the system puzzling, but he knew that the four fundamental skills for an actor were voice, diction, physical form, and acting.

Voice training, diction, physical presence, and performance!

These four elements are inseparable for an actor. Mastering them elevates one’s craft to a level worthy of being called a “veteran actor.”

If one is older, the title “seasoned veteran” could be added before that.

Acting is certainly essential, but diction and voice are equally important, while physical form relates to gestures and body language. Together, they complement each other and raise the art of acting to corresponding heights.

As the saying goes, acting has no limits.

The stronger these four skills, the stronger your performance becomes.

“How wonderful!”

“In these ten days before the exam, I’ll at least solidify and improve all four skills, aiming for mastery first!”

At that moment, Chen Jin’s confidence for the upcoming art exam surged, and his daily actor training was fueled with renewed vigor.

“Passion, p-a-s… passion, passion!”

“Fighting, f-i-g… fighting, fight!”

“…”

Chen Jin shouted vigorously while running.

Following behind him, Su Wanyu, hearing the passionate cries carried by the wind, truly felt for the first time the genuine yearning from Chen Jin’s heart.

Indeed, sometimes diction carries such magic.

If someone simply ran while reciting English words, it wouldn’t draw much attention; but a heartfelt recital and roar can turn many heads, especially from such a vibrant young man.

Especially that slightly strained shout of “passion” — it made Su Wanyu, who was about to speed up and catch up, decide to stay behind her son on her electric bike.

She was curious to see how long he could sustain such fervent shouting.

“Ah, Teacher Su, that’s your son up ahead, isn’t it?”

“Getting up so early to study seriously, running and reciting English at the same time!”

“That boy is amazing!”

Neighbors familiar with Chen Jin and Su Wanyu couldn’t help but strike up a conversation with Su Wanyu, observing how diligently Chen Jin was running and reading aloud.

To them, it was obvious that Su Wanyu must have encouraged him to do this.

But the boy’s enthusiasm and the spirit he showed while running and shouting were completely different from a child being forced.

At the very least, it proved that Su Wanyu’s education was effective.

“…”

Su Wanyu could only offer an awkward yet polite smile, watching her son run with growing excitement ahead, listening to his emotionally charged recitations. For the first time, she felt her son was truly different from before.

He seemed to be consciously and earnestly changing himself.

“Could it really be the dream of the art exam driving him?”

As a teacher, Su Wanyu often reflected on herself, and she certainly liked the current Chen Jin.

A son who possessed strong inner motivation on his own.

And so, she rode her electric bike, trailing Chen Jin for over ten minutes at a moderate distance, unnoticed by him due to his intense focus on training.

From start to finish, Su Wanyu witnessed Chen Jin running while reciting vocabulary.

Of course, Chen Jin didn’t recite nonstop; he sang a bit, practiced vocalization and warm-ups… Many passersby along the way glanced over, their expressions varied.

Finally, as Chen Jin turned to head back, he spotted Su Wanyu riding her electric bike behind him.

“Mom?”

He was surprised but didn’t think much of it.

This was something his mother might do.

Though out of breath, Chen Jin’s expression was joyful.

He had just confirmed that singing and vocal exercises improved vocal music, running enhanced physical form, and reciting English words strengthened diction.

One exercise improved three skills at once, and Chen Jin was ecstatic.

Though the increments were just one or two points each, the cumulative effect over time meant great progress.

Besides, this was part of the actor’s daily routine—something to be practiced consistently every day.

[Host persists with the second day of actor daily practice: Diction +1, Physical Form +1, Vocal Music +1!]

The daily task rewards had already been credited.

“Son, let’s have a talk!”

Su Wanyu gave Chen Jin a rare smile, and he instantly felt overwhelmed with delight.

Such an expression was something he might encounter once in a thousand years!

Apparently, she was very pleased that he had voluntarily run while reciting vocabulary today.

“Sure, what shall we talk about?”

“Your art exam!”

Here it was!

Chen Jin had been waiting for this moment since the new task had yet to be completed.

Now was the perfect time to test it.

“Mom, I want to try the art exam. If I don’t pass the initial round, I’ll definitely come back and work hard on my classes!”

“Prepare well for the college entrance exam!”

This time, Chen Jin employed some acting techniques and diction skills.

Sincere, heartfelt, a bit of his true self shining through.

Su Wanyu didn’t respond immediately.

Chen Jin continued running, and Su Wanyu rode alongside him.

“Can you really do it?”

After a while, Su Wanyu finally asked.

“Yes!”

“I’m willing to swear an oath!”

Seeing the softening in Su Wanyu’s heart, Chen Jin answered decisively.

“No need for an oath—just write me a guarantee letter when you get home!”

“This art exam, I can accompany you, but you must promise that if you don’t get in, you’ll come back and study hard for the college entrance exam… it’s just over a hundred days away!”

Su Wanyu wasn’t sure if it was Chen Jin’s passion that stirred her or some magic in his diction, but seeing his transformation, she felt maybe she should give him a chance.

“Yes!”

Chen Jin couldn’t help but want to pump his fist, but he kept his expression composed. “I’ll write it as soon as I get home!”

“But…”

Suddenly, Su Wanyu added a twist, and Chen Jin’s heart jumped again.

She wouldn’t just end it there!

“For the next few days, you have to do exactly what you did last night and now: recite vocabulary and run. Otherwise… forget it!”

Phew—

He thought it might be something more serious.

It was just about persistence.

Chen Jin understood what Su Wanyu meant—these few days before the art exam were a probation period.

He had to satisfy his mother’s expectations before she would agree.

Even if she hadn’t said it, Chen Jin would have worked hard these days anyway!

After all, these were system rewards.

At the very least, he wanted to improve the four fundamental skills of an actor before the exam!