The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles

At the center of the storm, inside a luxurious suite at a five-star hotel in the capital, Jiang Ci remained completely oblivious to everything happening outside.

He was half-reclined on the bed, intently studying a classic tragic opera, *La Traviata*, on his tablet.

On the screen, the heroine Marguerite was publicly humiliated by her lover due to a misunderstanding, ultimately dying alone and impoverished in an attic.

Jiang Ci watched with great relish.

He was trying to extract "Bad Ending nutrients" from Marguerite's tragic fate that he could absorb and make his own.

"Ci... Ci-ge..." Sun Zhou approached cautiously, holding up his phone, interrupting Jiang Ci's study session.

"You... you've made it into the top ten trending searches."

Hearing this, Jiang Ci looked up blankly, his thoughts pulling away from the opera's sorrowful atmosphere.

He took Sun Zhou's phone.

Looking at the search term bearing his name on the screen and the countless fervent comments below, genuine confusion was written all over his face.

"Why are they so excited?"

He pointed at his own selfie, asking Sun Zhou with great puzzlement.

"Isn't it just a photo?"

Sun Zhou: "..."

He had already given up on analyzing or commenting on his artist's thought processes.

Right then, Jiang Ci's phone rang.

It was Lin Wan.

Jiang Ci answered the call.

"Jiang Ci."

Lin Wan's voice carried a clear hint of laughter, sounding in an extremely good mood.

She succinctly informed Jiang Ci of two pieces of good news.

"Lang Feng just contacted me. They're very satisfied with the pre-release hype effect and have decided to increase the endorsement fee by fifty percent."

"Furthermore, they have designated you as the exclusive in-depth collaborating artist for the next quarter. All promotional resources will be tilted in your favor."

After listening, Jiang Ci's heart remained calm.

Oh, more money.

He could add a fully automatic massage bathtub to Madam Chu Hong's top-floor duplex.

However, Lin Wan's next words caused a change in his perpetually placid eyes for the very first time.

Lin Wan's tone suddenly turned serious.

"Jiang Ci, listen carefully."

"Tomorrow morning, I'm taking you to meet someone."

"Get ready. We're going to meet Hou Hsiao-hsien."

Early the next morning, Lin Wan personally drove her Cayenne and parked it at the hotel entrance.

Jiang Ci opened the car door and got in. The atmosphere inside the car was noticeably tense.

Lin Wan gripped the steering wheel tightly, dressed in a well-tailored black suit.

Her hair was meticulously pinned up at the back, her makeup flawless, her state fully prepared.

She scrutinized Jiang Ci repeatedly through the rearview mirror.

"When we meet Director Hou later."

"Be steady, be humble, understand?"

"Understood," Jiang Ci nodded.

Wasn't it just about acting like a humble and steady junior? That was right up his professional alley.

Seeing his utterly calm and unruffled demeanor, the string in Lin Wan's heart pulled even tighter.

She knew Jiang Ci was a genius.

But precisely because he was a genius, his thought processes were often on a completely different wavelength from normal people.

The car drove westward, leaving the bustling city center behind.

Ultimately, the car didn't head towards any imposing office building or high-end club.

Instead, it stopped at the entrance of an extremely secluded private garden.

There wasn't even a sign at the gate.

Lin Wan turned off the engine and took a deep breath.

"We're here."

She turned her head, giving Jiang Ci her final instructions, her tone extremely grave.

"This is Director Hou's private studio, also his film archive. It houses rare film copies and materials he's collected from all over the world. It's never open to the public."

"That he's willing to see you today is entirely out of respect for my face as the screenwriter of *The Lurker*."

Jiang Ci nodded, indicating he understood.

The two got out of the car.

They had just stood up when the sound of an engine came from behind.

An all-black, luxurious entourage van pulled to a smooth stop not far away.

The door slid open.

A young man dressed in white casual wear stepped down from the vehicle.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a slender build, fair skin, and soft, brown short hair that shimmered with a warm glow in the sunlight.

On his face was a perfectly measured smile, like the warm sunshine of spring.

Clean, sunny, brimming with the power to heal hearts.

Lin Wan's expression darkened slightly.

She lowered her voice, speaking quickly to Jiang Ci in a volume only the two of them could hear.

"It's Xiao Ran."

"The newly minted 'National Little Brother.' He exploded in popularity last year with a youth campus drama, following a pure healing and positive energy route."

Lin Wan's brows furrowed.

"Universally acknowledged in the industry as a 'resource-backed star,' with very deep connections."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the young man named Xiao Ran, along with his agent, spotted Lin Wan and Jiang Ci.

Their faces showed no surprise at all as they walked straight over.

"Sister Wan, long time no see."

Xiao Ran spoke first, his voice clear and bright, his smile sincere, leaving no room for fault.

His agent, a middle-aged man who appeared shrewd and capable, also chimed in with a smile, "Yes, Sister Wan, what a coincidence to run into you here."

Lin Wan tugged at the corner of her mouth, forcing a formulaic smile.

"It is quite a coincidence."

Xiao Ran's gaze naturally fell on Jiang Ci standing beside Lin Wan.

He looked Jiang Ci up and down, his clear eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.

Then, he smiled.

That smile was even brighter than before, carrying a touch of youthful enthusiasm.

"This must be Teacher Jiang Ci, who's recently been stirring up a storm on the trending searches with his 'Heartbreak Smile,' right? I've long heard of your reputation."

He enunciated the three words "Heartbreak Smile" with particular clarity.

Polite, yet carrying a subtle, indescribable nuance.

The agent standing beside him immediately feigned surprise with an "Ah!"

He patted Xiao Ran's shoulder, his tone seemingly casual, yet ensuring every word was clearly delivered to Lin Wan and Jiang Ci's ears.

"Xiao Ran, weren't you also called here by Director Hou today to discuss the *The Lurker* script?"

"What a coincidence, is Teacher Jiang Ci here for this script too?"

The air between the four of them abruptly tightened.

Lin Wan's expression completely darkened.

Her worst fear had come true.

Xiao Ran's agent was still acting.

"Oh dear, it seems the competition is fierce this time! But then again, who wouldn't want the male lead role in Director Hou's film?"

He looked at Jiang Ci, a smile of "encouragement" from a senior to a junior plastered on his face.

"Teacher Jiang Ci's popularity is also quite high now thanks to General Gu. You have your advantages too."

The implication was clear: you're just a topic-driven rising star, while our Xiao Ran is genuinely favored by the director.

Intense dramatic conflict was instantly heightened.

On one side, the healing, sunny, well-connected "National Little Brother." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

On the other, the melancholic, strangely aesthetic "Master of Bad Ending Aesthetics."

A war for the male lead role in *The Lurker* had ignited even before meeting the director.

Yet Jiang Ci showed no reaction.

He didn't look at the chattering agent, nor did he acknowledge the tense, confrontational atmosphere.

His gaze, from start to finish, remained firmly locked on Xiao Ran's face, adorned with that perfect "healing smile."

Only one crystal clear, utterly tangible thought occupied Jiang Ci's mind.

So *this* is who they should have hired for the "Embrace the Sunshine" advertisement.

*This* is the client's standard answer.

Just as Xiao Ran and his agent were secretly feeling triumphant, savoring the pleasure of suppressing their opponent...

Jiang Ci finally moved.

He completely ignored all the provocation and sarcasm in the other party's words.

He simply took a small step forward, looking at Xiao Ran with utmost concentration.

"Your smile is very standard."

The smile on Xiao Ran's face faltered slightly.

Jiang Ci seemed utterly unaware, continuing his inquiry in his straightforward, matter-of-fact tone.

"Did you practice it specifically?"

"I happen to need something similar recently."

"Is there a tutorial?"