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

Xiao Ran's words landed with resounding force.

Each term precisely struck the positive, enlightened side of artistic creation.

This righteous and principled rebuttal not only made Jiang Ci's "remains theory" appear even more dark and grotesque by contrast,

but also pulled himself back onto the "correct" track.

His agent beside him secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Beautiful.

This round was finally turned back.

However, Hou Hsiao-hsien completely ignored Xiao Ran's defense.

He didn't even give Xiao Ran an extra reaction.

Hou Hsiao-hsien picked up a script from a nearby table, one that had been prepared long ago and bound with a black binder clip.

*The Lurker*.

Hou Hsiao-hsien didn't open it, just lightly tapped the cover with his finger.

Then, he casually flipped the script to a certain page, spread it open, and placed it on the table in front of the several people.

He didn't ask the two to improvise a performance.

Nor did he pose any professional questions about camera work, blocking, or emotions.

On the open page was the summary of a scene.

The protagonist, Shen Qingyuan, to present his pledge of allegiance to the enemy, in the chaotic and dangerous Paramount Ballroom,

in front of everyone, uses the most vicious language to humiliate and abandon his childhood sweetheart fiancée, Gu Wanbai.

He wants to personally crush her pure love into filthy mud scattered on the ground.

The atmosphere in the room became incredibly heavy because of these words.

Hou Hsiao-hsien slowly spoke, asking the two a question that wasn't on the script at all.

"After performing this scene."

"When Shen Qingyuan returns home alone."

"What will he do?"

As soon as the question was asked, an uncontrollable look of delight instantly appeared on Xiao Ran's agent's face.

This question was perfect for Xiao Ran's style!

For an actor skilled in portraying delicate emotions,

this kind of "behind-the-scenes scene" showcasing the character's inner pain and struggle was practically a freebie!

Xiao Ran almost immediately gave an answer.

"He would break down."

He answered decisively, full of confidence.

"Immense pain and guilt would completely overwhelm him."

"He might smash everything in the room, smash those objects carrying the beautiful memories he shared with Gu Wanbai."

"Or, he would numb himself with alcohol, drink himself into a stupor, escaping this unbearable pain in a drunken haze."

Xiao Ran's voice was full of infectious emotion.

He seemed to have already transformed into that lone lurker walking in the darkness, portraying that extreme grief vividly and completely.

He paused, then delivered his final, elevated point.

"This is human nature."

"It is also the most authentic manifestation of humanity after a character sheds all pretense."

A perfect answer.

From the character's emotional logic to the deep excavation of human nature, it was impeccable.

Xiao Ran's agent had already started applauding for him in his heart.

Lin Wan's heart, however, sank bit by bit.

This answer was too standard.

So standard that any professionally trained actor could give a similar response.

It was correct, full, yet it lacked only one thing... surprise.

After listening, Hou Hsiao-hsien remained silent as before.

His face, which revealed no joy or anger, gave no feedback whatsoever.

He just slowly turned his gaze towards Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci didn't look at him.

Jiang Ci's gaze, from beginning to end, had been fixed on the cold text of that script.

Humiliation.

Abandonment.

Crushing.

He filtered out all the emotional identification belonging to readers and the audience, filtered out that sadness, heartache, regret.

He went straight to the character's core mission.

Lurking.

Gaining trust.

Severing the past.

Lin Wan could sense that Xiao Ran and his agent were waiting for Jiang Ci's answer.

Waiting for him to give a clumsy, or repetitive, answer.

Silence.

A long silence.

Just as Xiao Ran's agent was almost losing patience.

Jiang Ci finally spoke.

"He wouldn't break down."

Only five words.

Light, carrying no emotion whatsoever.

Xiao Ran's confident posture instantly stiffened.

The look of "victory is assured" on his agent's face also froze.

Not break down?

How is that possible?

That was the scene of personally pushing away the woman he loved most, watching her heart break before his eyes!

Under the astonished gazes of the several people, Jiang Ci raised his head, calmly meeting Hou Hsiao-hsien's eyes directly.

His words were calm, almost cruel.

"The first thing he would do when he gets home."

"Is to carefully check every corner of the residence, confirming there are no listening devices he might have missed before."

These words made Xiao Ran completely stunned.

Check... listening devices?

What kind of thinking is that?

Jiang Ci ignored the reactions of the others, continuing in his straightforward, narrative tone,

dissecting the man who had just committed an "atrocious crime."

"Then,"

"He would sit down, turn on the gramophone."

"Play that opera record he and Gu Wanbai listened to when they first met."

Hearing this, Xiao Ran's agent slightly relaxed.

So that's it.

Using music to reminisce about the lost love.

Using this method to express pain could indeed be considered a design choice.

However, Jiang Ci's next words completely shattered his meager imagination.

"He would listen to it from beginning to end, completely."

Jiang Ci's pace wasn't fast, but each word was clear.

"Not to reminisce about the love."

"But like an agent, conducting a mission debrief."

"He would meticulously, in his mind, recall all the expressions on Gu Wanbai's face tonight at the Paramount—shock, disbelief, pain, despair, and finally that bone-deep hatred."

"He would use these expressions to evaluate whether his performance was successful."

"Every detail would become the basis for his judgment."

"To ensure that this 'breakup' is real, irreversible."

Jiang Ci's voice echoed among the several people.

"This debriefing process is extremely painful for Shen Qingyuan! But he must do it!"

"Shen Qingyuan is a man, but he also carries the great righteousness of his country and people on his shoulders!"

"This is an agent confirming his mission completion."

"This is his real task."

Jiang Ci finished speaking.

His voice fell.

The color visibly drained from Xiao Ran's face.

His proud "authenticity of humanity," in the face of Jiang Ci's cold "mission logic,"

appeared so childish, so fragile.

Lin Wan froze again.

She knew Jiang Ci was a genius, but she never imagined Jiang Ci's talent had surpassed the category of "portraying tragedy."

He was constructing an absolutely rational, goal-serving motive for every action of the character.

As the screenwriter of *The Lurker*, she was extremely convinced by Jiang Ci's reasoning.

Finally.

A sharp voice tore through the dead silence.

Xiao Ran's agent could no longer hold back.

He pointed a finger, almost poking Jiang Ci's face.

He turned to Hou Hsiao-hsien, shouting almost uncontrollably:

"Director Hou! Listen! Listen to what he's saying!"

"Is this the reaction a tragic hero should have?"

"This is clearly a cold-blooded psychopath!"