[{"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-160":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},1297774,1723,"Chapter 160: Unorthodox Path? The Right Path is the One That Can Extend Life!","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-160",160,"\u003Cp>The accusation from Xiao Ran's agent instantly ignited Lin Wan's fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took a step forward, instinctively shielding Jiang Ci behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her stance showed she was prepared to protect her own person here, even at the cost of tearing up all pretense of civility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could tolerate commercial competition, but she absolutely could not tolerate the other side using this method to insult an actor's understanding of a character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the battle manifesto she had prepared in her mind had not yet had a chance to be spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Hsiao-hsien finally made his first clear move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towards that distraught, grimacing agent of Xiao Ran, he made a \"please be quiet\" gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran's agent's roar came to an abrupt halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My film set does not need anyone other than the actors to define the characters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words held no reprimand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they carried more weight than any harsh vocabulary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The color drained completely from Xiao Ran's agent's face in that instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized he had overstepped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thoroughly provoked this director who held absolute authority within the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Hsiao-hsien did not look at him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned back to Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of clear emotion finally appeared on that impassive, ancient-well-like face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an approving look, the kind one gives when finding a kindred spirit, a worthy opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The role of Shen Qingyuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Needs a 'psychopath' to play it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tidal wave surged in the heart of every person present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran's body swayed violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The confidence, the composure on his face, and the awkwardness that had just surfaced due to his agent's loss of composure, all shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had actually lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His analysis of the character's humanity, his portrayal of the inner pain, every detail was practically perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a textbook-level answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His agent standing beside him was utterly despondent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That face was even paler than when he had been warned by Hou Hsiao-hsien just moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had he messed up this audition, but he had also offended Hou Hsiao-hsien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more terrifying, he had personally pushed this role right into the hands of their rival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could even foresee that he and Xiao Ran would become the biggest joke of today's situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Lin Wan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tense body finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Jiang Ci's still calm back in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person she had chosen was a unique genius!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An outcome within expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the starkly different reactions of the several people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Hsiao-hsien picked up that black script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, under Xiao Ran's almost-shattering gaze, he personally handed it to Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take the script back and study it well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shen Qingyuan is yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran's body trembled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That script he had dreamed of, that he thought was surely within his grasp, now drifted so lightly into another person's hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Hou Hsiao-hsien in disbelief, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Question? Refusal to accept? Or pleading?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, not a single word came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Hou Hsiao-hsien's calm yet absolute gaze, any words seemed pale and powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci took the script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hands, it felt slightly heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carrying the unique texture of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Hsiao-hsien did not spare another glance for Xiao Ran, who stood rooted to the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just added one more sentence to Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, the filming start date is to be determined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The preparation work for this film will be very long, several months, half a year, or even longer. Wait for my notification.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a year?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan's heart lifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what she knew, Jiang Ci's scenes in *The Legend of Han and Chu* would be wrapped up in at most another month or so!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an actor on the rise, a gap period of over half a year was enough for any kind of change to occur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci, however, didn't care in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind had already rapidly pulled up the system panel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heartbreak Value harvested after the release of *Palace Conspiracy*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long-tail effect brought by the continued online fermentation of the General Gu character after its broadcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the massive amount of Heartbreak Value harvested on set a few days ago while filming the 'The Farewell My Concubine' scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Life Balance: 1110 days】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Heartbreak Value Balance: 3673 points】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over three years of life reserves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never mind half a year, even waiting a full year, he could afford it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even felt this timing was just right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would allow him to calmly finish filming *The Legend of Han and Chu*, then take on one or two \"short, simple, fast\" tragic roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could harvest a wave of Heartbreak Value and pile his life balance up to an even safer number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci nodded, agreeing crisply and decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the stunned and rigid master-servant pair of Xiao Ran, Hou Hsiao-hsien said to Jiang Ci and Lin Wan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My assistant will see you out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Screenwriter Lin, we'll communicate about the script details later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words completely declared the end of this \"audition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And pronounced the \"death sentence\" on Xiao Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That middle-aged assistant who had remained silent all along walked over at the opportune moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made a \"please\" gesture towards Lin Wan and Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan gave Hou Hsiao-hsien a solemn nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, pulling Jiang Ci along, she turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From beginning to end, she did not look at Xiao Ran again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the defeated, disregard is the greatest contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them walked past Xiao Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right at the moment Jiang Ci brushed past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran finally couldn't hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using a voice suppressed with extreme anger and humiliation, he squeezed a sentence out from between his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your style of acting is a crooked, unorthodox path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was very low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet filled with venom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's footsteps did not pause in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't even be bothered to give a sideways glance in reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crooked, unorthodox path?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it can extend life, then it's the proper path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he had always only stood from the perspective of the script's character to understand the character's motives, what kind of crooked path was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That heavy wooden door slowly closed behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran's agent finally retrieved a sliver of his wits from that soul-scattered state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supporting the dispirited Xiao Ran, he practically staggered out of the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They got into that all-black entourage van.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car door closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look of terror and despair on the agent's face was instantly replaced by a cold, venomous resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dialed a number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call was quickly connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking into the phone, he used a completely different tone, one carrying a trace of fawning obsequiousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Manager Liu? Yes, it's me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Hou's side... we lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Probably, Director Hou himself also gave consideration to Lin Wan being the screenwriter's status, that's why we failed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ran's agent was still trying to save face, not wanting his loss to look so ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person on the other end of the phone seemed to say something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agent kept agreeing, his posture extremely humble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone shifted. A flash of ruthlessness passed through his eyes, which were bloodshot from jealousy and resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do have a method.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To make that guy surnamed Jiang, even if he gets the role, never be able to join the crew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1281,"2026-06-05T18:00:08.557Z",1,"novelbin.me","41b98d2164b32ebb9f72cc9e6822c1a0c7b42a0e946d2e65c9450cb580482101","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-161","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-159",366,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-cover.jpg"]