[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans":3,"chapter-the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-156":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1297770,1723,"Chapter 156: Meeting Director Hou Hsiao-hsien","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-156",156,"\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was half-reclined on the bed, intently studying a classic tragic opera, *La Traviata*, on his tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the screen, the heroine Marguerite was publicly humiliated by her lover due to a misunderstanding, ultimately dying alone and impoverished in an attic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci watched with great relish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was trying to extract \"Bad Ending nutrients\" from Marguerite's tragic fate that he could absorb and make his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ci... Ci-ge...\" Sun Zhou approached cautiously, holding up his phone, interrupting Jiang Ci's study session.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... you've made it into the top ten trending searches.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Jiang Ci looked up blankly, his thoughts pulling away from the opera's sorrowful atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took Sun Zhou's phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are they so excited?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at his own selfie, asking Sun Zhou with great puzzlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it just a photo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhou: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already given up on analyzing or commenting on his artist's thought processes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right then, Jiang Ci's phone rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Lin Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci answered the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Ci.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan's voice carried a clear hint of laughter, sounding in an extremely good mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She succinctly informed Jiang Ci of two pieces of good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Jiang Ci's heart remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, more money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could add a fully automatic massage bathtub to Madam Chu Hong's top-floor duplex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Lin Wan's next words caused a change in his perpetually placid eyes for the very first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan's tone suddenly turned serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Ci, listen carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow morning, I'm taking you to meet someone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get ready. We're going to meet Hou Hsiao-hsien.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early the next morning, Lin Wan personally drove her Cayenne and parked it at the hotel entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci opened the car door and got in. The atmosphere inside the car was noticeably tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan gripped the steering wheel tightly, dressed in a well-tailored black suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair was meticulously pinned up at the back, her makeup flawless, her state fully prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She scrutinized Jiang Ci repeatedly through the rearview mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When we meet Director Hou later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be steady, be humble, understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood,\" Jiang Ci nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't it just about acting like a humble and steady junior? That was right up his professional alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his utterly calm and unruffled demeanor, the string in Lin Wan's heart pulled even tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew Jiang Ci was a genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But precisely because he was a genius, his thought processes were often on a completely different wavelength from normal people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car drove westward, leaving the bustling city center behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, the car didn't head towards any imposing office building or high-end club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it stopped at the entrance of an extremely secluded private garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn't even a sign at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan turned off the engine and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned her head, giving Jiang Ci her final instructions, her tone extremely grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That he's willing to see you today is entirely out of respect for my face as the screenwriter of *The Lurker*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci nodded, indicating he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two got out of the car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had just stood up when the sound of an engine came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An all-black, luxurious entourage van pulled to a smooth stop not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door slid open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man dressed in white casual wear stepped down from the vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his face was a perfectly measured smile, like the warm sunshine of spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean, sunny, brimming with the power to heal hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan's expression darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her voice, speaking quickly to Jiang Ci in a volume only the two of them could hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's Xiao Ran.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan's brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Universally acknowledged in the industry as a 'resource-backed star,' with very deep connections.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had she finished speaking than the young man named Xiao Ran, along with his agent, spotted Lin Wan and Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their faces showed no surprise at all as they walked straight over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Wan, long time no see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran spoke first, his voice clear and bright, his smile sincere, leaving no room for fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan tugged at the corner of her mouth, forcing a formulaic smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is quite a coincidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran's gaze naturally fell on Jiang Ci standing beside Lin Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked Jiang Ci up and down, his clear eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile was even brighter than before, carrying a touch of youthful enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He enunciated the three words \"Heartbreak Smile\" with particular clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Polite, yet carrying a subtle, indescribable nuance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agent standing beside him immediately feigned surprise with an \"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiao Ran, weren't you also called here by Director Hou today to discuss the *The Lurker* script?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a coincidence, is Teacher Jiang Ci here for this script too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air between the four of them abruptly tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan's expression completely darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her worst fear had come true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran's agent was still acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Jiang Ci, a smile of \"encouragement\" from a senior to a junior plastered on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher Jiang Ci's popularity is also quite high now thanks to General Gu. You have your advantages too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was clear: you're just a topic-driven rising star, while our Xiao Ran is genuinely favored by the director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intense dramatic conflict was instantly heightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one side, the healing, sunny, well-connected \"National Little Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other, the melancholic, strangely aesthetic \"Master of Bad Ending Aesthetics.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A war for the male lead role in *The Lurker* had ignited even before meeting the director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jiang Ci showed no reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't look at the chattering agent, nor did he acknowledge the tense, confrontational atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze, from start to finish, remained firmly locked on Xiao Ran's face, adorned with that perfect \"healing smile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one crystal clear, utterly tangible thought occupied Jiang Ci's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So *this* is who they should have hired for the \"Embrace the Sunshine\" advertisement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*This* is the client's standard answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xiao Ran and his agent were secretly feeling triumphant, savoring the pleasure of suppressing their opponent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci finally moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He completely ignored all the provocation and sarcasm in the other party's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply took a small step forward, looking at Xiao Ran with utmost concentration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your smile is very standard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile on Xiao Ran's face faltered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci seemed utterly unaware, continuing his inquiry in his straightforward, matter-of-fact tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you practice it specifically?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I happen to need something similar recently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there a tutorial?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1350,"2026-06-05T18:00:08.557Z",1,"novelbin.me","71325234359a14cb7e17f5e77de16d79a32d1d95befa93afc4b57d102c9175cc","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-157","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-155",366,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-cover.jpg"]