Reborn as a comedic artist

Behind the monitor not far away.

Huang Yuxi is currently reviewing the footage she just shot.

On the small LCD screen, the chaotic yet tense scene from just moments ago was being replayed.

The camera was shaking violently, the lighting was dim and ambiguous, there were hysterical screams, and a rough, grainy texture that hit you right in the face.

In the scene, Cheng Ming's blood-stained face has an empty yet resolute gaze; Wang Shuo rolls comically and tragically on the ground like a ball of flesh. The two intertwine to form a strange and absurd chapter.

The art was now complete, and that was what she wanted.

No, it was several times better than she had expected.

This is not just a nonsensical comedy video created for traffic; it is the pinnacle of modern performance art.

The mockery of reality, the silent resistance to the absurdity of life, and the helplessness of having to submit are all vividly displayed in these few minutes.

"Perfect."

Huang Yuxi closed the monitor, let out a long breath, and felt her tense nerves finally relax.

A satisfied smile graced her lips; the sense of accomplishment made her radiant.

She turned her head, wanting to share this joy with everyone, her gaze sweeping over the group who were teasing each other.

However, when her gaze swept over Cheng Ming and Zhao Yufeng, her smile instantly froze on her face.

In sight, Zhao Yufeng was almost pressed against Cheng Ming, her two plump and firm legs even wrapping around Cheng Ming's body. The way the two of them were "fighting" was an eyesore no matter how you looked at it.

In particular, Zhao Yufeng's arrogant face was, in Huang Yuxi's eyes, nothing short of blatant showing off.

Suddenly, a feeling welled up in my heart: the finest cabbage I had painstakingly cultivated for several years had been snatched up by someone else before I even had a chance to harvest it.

That indescribable emotion was like an overturned jar of aged vinegar, the sour smell bubbling up and rushing straight to your head.

"Da da da".

The sound of high heels clicking on the wooden floor was crisp and rapid as Huang Yuxi walked up to Cheng Ming in a few steps.

Without making a sound, she used her broad shoulders to push Zhao Yufeng, who was clinging to Cheng Ming, aside and stood between the two of them.

"Alright, that's enough. This is a film set, not a wrestling ring...!"

As she spoke, she reached out very naturally to straighten the collar of Cheng Ming's tattered Zhongshan suit, which had been torn to shreds.

Although her tone carried a hint of disdain, her hand movements were very gentle.

Huang Yuxi raised her head, her beautiful eyes staring straight at Cheng Ming, her gaze carrying a hint of warning, as well as a touch of smug satisfaction.

"Time is tight and the task is heavy. This film needs to be rushed out. Editing, music composition, color grading—each of these takes time. Besides, we're going to have to spend a lot of money tonight, aren't we? I think someone's wallet is about to burst..."

What does it mean to be mature and intellectual? This is the difference.

Thanks to Huang Yuxi's smooth maneuvering, Cheng Ming was able to escape from the "suffocation play".

He sighed, then looked at the dozens of extras around him with their burning, expectant, wolf-like eyes.

"Come on! Brother Shuo, take off that yellow jacket of yours. Don't go out and scare people; it'll ruin the city's appearance. Let's go back to the studio and edit the footage!"

Cheng Ming waved his hand, displaying the air of a leader:

"Everyone, you've all worked hard today. Go back and rest a bit, change your clothes, and meet at 'Veteran's BBQ' on Shuyin Back Street at 7:30 PM. Save your appetites, so make sure you eat and drink well!"

"Yes, Godfather...!"

Back to his original job and with no worries about food and drink, Wang Shuo's backache and leg pain disappeared.

……

The studio is rented in a residential building on the back street of the school, on the third floor, without an elevator.

The only advantage of this place is the cheap rent; a 150-square-meter apartment costs only about 20,000 yuan a year.

It has four bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen, two bathrooms, and a balcony. It also comes fully equipped with basic appliances.

When the two returned to the studio, it was already past 3 p.m.

Cheng Ming needed to rest and recuperate, so he went straight into a bedroom, while Wang Shuo sat down at the computer in the living room.

Turn on the computer, import the footage, and open the editing software.

This set of movements is fluid and graceful.

Despite Wang Shuo's complaints about being tired and exhausted at the bar, once he returned to his professional field, he displayed an almost obsessive focus.

"Old Cheng, don't worry, today's video will focus on being authentic and showcasing our outstanding acting skills..."

After Wang Shuo finished speaking, he became engrossed in the next ten minutes or so, with only the sounds of mouse clicks and keyboard taps filling the studio.

"Click, click, click..."

Wang Shuo's fingers flew across the keyboard, from the construction site scene at the beginning of the video to the very end.

Subtitles, background, background music.

Timing, transitions, special effects.

High-quality editing often requires only the simplest methods.

Unlike previous parody videos.

The video shot by Wang Shuo and Cheng Ming this time is of high artistic value.

All you need to do is smooth out the entire video, reduce noise, improve image quality, add subtitles and background music, and highlight the actors' performances.

The video appears to be extremely contrasting.

This strange feeling—that makes you want to laugh, but then feel something's off after you've laughed—is truly deadly.

Finally, with the crisp click of the "Enter" key, the video was successfully uploaded.

"Done!"

Wang Shuo slammed his laptop shut, his bulky body jiggling twice with the movement.

He grabbed the half-empty bottle of mineral water on the table and drank it all in one gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh: "This editing will definitely blow the minds of those old fogies at our school away."

As Wang Shuo completed the project, Cheng Ming, who was recuperating, also received a system notification.

"The system introduces the basics, the creative work is up to the individual; I advocate for art (completed)."

"System settlement in progress... Reward: 500 Art Values!"

[Host: Cheng Ming]

Art Value: 1000

Current Skill:

[Auditory Skills: Piano (Professional), Guitar (Professional), Vocal Performance (Professional), Percussion (Amateur)]

[Visual Arts: Photography (Professional), Painting (Professional)]

[Taste: Cooking (Beginner)]

[Physical Skills: Dance (Beginner), Acting (Expert)]

[Lifestyle/Other: Fishing (Beginner), Video Editing (Amateur)]

[Special Note: Skill levels are divided into Beginner, Amateur, Professional, Expert, World, Master, and Legendary.]

[System Shop: Now Open]

[Next mission refresh countdown: 143 hours, 59 minutes, and 57 seconds]

......

Night was falling.

But the air still carried the lingering heat unique to summer.

Shuyin Back Street.

This decadent street, which has been the cradle of countless art students' souls late at night, is at its liveliest right now.

There was no elaborate plating, nor any elegant soft music.

All that could be heard was the sizzling sound of charcoal burning through grease, the shouts of people playing drinking games, and that unique aroma that was a mixture of perfume, cumin powder, and restless hormones.

Several greasy folding tables were pushed together, occupying the best spot at the barbecue stall.

The green beer bottles at my feet are piled up like a row of tables; one wrong move and I could kick a whole bunch of them over.

"Come on! Brother Shuo! Let's have a drink!"

The guy who played the bully's henchman in the movie was blushing like Guan Yu, holding a giant one-liter beer mug, and snuggling up to Wang Shuo.

It's fortunate that this isn't Chengdu in later years, otherwise, with its round face, thick beard, and Sichuan accent, the place would be packed with admirers like Xiong Xiong.

The extra let out a burp, his eyes filled with remorse: "Brother! You were too flamboyant on set at noon, I really couldn't control myself... I won't say anything more, it's all in the drink...!"

"Gulp gurgle—"

The golden liquor flowed down his chin and down his neck. Bench Guy, full of bravado, downed half a glass in one gulp.

Wang Shuo was already quite drunk; his eyes were glazed over, and he couldn't even speak clearly.

He laboriously raised his hand, patted the other person's arm—which was thicker than his calf—and chuckled foolishly.

"This...this is nothing! It's sacrificing oneself for art...!"

But bro, we have a deal. Next time... next time Lao Cheng does this kind of thing, we'll switch roles... I'll play the one with the chair, and you play the one rolling on the ground... I want to experience the thrill of being a bully too!

"Hahaha! No problem...no problem...!"

"As long as Brother Cheng says the word, I'll play anything, not just the bully, but even that chair! You can sit here...!" The extra slapped his well-developed pectoral muscles loudly.

A burst of laughter erupted around them, the atmosphere so lively it felt like the roof was about to be blown off.

........