[{"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-276":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},1297940,1723,"Chapter 276: One bite at a time, and you'll live longer","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-276",276,"\u003Cp>Lin Wan placed the black box heavily on the coffee table in front of him, producing a dull thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The box was sealed, entirely pitch-black, exuding a metallic chill, and had considerable weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci looked at the box, his mind racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A prop for \"Icebreaker\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supplementary script materials delivered early?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or some kind of... performance art?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan didn't keep him in suspense; she directly lifted the lid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was not a cold prop, nor was it a tragic script that would excite him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a meticulously crafted set of purple clay tea utensils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Idle hands are the devil's workshop,\" Lin Wan crossed her arms and gestured with her chin towards the tea set. \"Make me a pot of tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This request was even more absurd than asking him to perform a comedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's fingertips hovered above the tea set for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently took out each piece of the tea set one by one, arranging them on the coffee table with an almost obsessive-compulsive sense of perfect symmetry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boiling water, warming the cups, placing the tea leaves, brewing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan just watched him quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched him approach this activity, which should have been filled with leisurely enjoyment, with the attitude of handling precision instruments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he still not emerged from the character?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The living room was left with only the faint sound of flowing water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the amber-colored tea liquor was slowly poured into the tasting cups, Lin Wan suddenly asked a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you remember what day it is today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's hand pouring the tea didn't pause; he answered almost subconsciously: \"August 20th, 2025.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up blankly at Lin Wan, his eyes filled with genuine confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him like that, the last bit of anger in Lin Wan's heart dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed silently, didn't say anything more, turned around, and walked into the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later, she walked out carrying a large white porcelain bowl and placed it heavily in front of Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a \"thud,\" the bottom of the bowl collided with the tabletop, startling Jiang Ci back to his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't any rare delicacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a bowl of the most ordinary Yangchun noodles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear broth, thin noodles, a few chopped scallions,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and lying neatly on top were two golden-yellow poached eggs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twenty-three years old, Jiang Ci.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan placed a pair of chopsticks in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to tradition, longevity noodles. One continuous slurp, live a long life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's gaze was glued to that bowl of noodles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those two poached eggs, those few chopped scallions,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>were like a rusty key, thrust into a corner deep within his memory, and then given a forceful twist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally remembered, in that dream from the night before last that held no joy or sorrow, parting or reunion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>who that woman who sang him the birthday song, her face unclear, actually was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his memory, ever since his father left, on this day every year, no matter how tight the family's finances were,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his mother would always, like performing a magic trick, bring out an identical bowl of noodles like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in Mandarin tinged with a heavy local accent, she would say the same words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One continuous slurp, live a long life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A year ago, he was still deeply mired in the anxiety of extending his life, harboring an almost obsessive craving for the words \"long life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the string of numbers on his system panel, a life balance that felt unrealistically long,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then looked at this bowl of steaming hot noodles before him, and a sense of peace he had never felt before arose in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifespan no longer made him so anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, it was enough for him to accomplish some things more important than merely \"living\" itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Ci, what are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him still lost in thought, Lin Wan couldn't help but urge him on. \"The noodles will get cold if you don't eat them soon. They'll become a soggy lump and won't taste good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci snapped back to reality. Looking at that bowl of noodles, so simple it clashed with the luxury of this mansion, his throat felt blocked by something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the chopsticks; his fingers were actually a bit stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he wasn't acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a tremor originating from the depths of his bloodline, more real than any script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head, picked up a strand of noodles with the chopsticks, and carefully brought it to his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To conceal that sudden surge of emotion, he ate very quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he truly managed \"one continuous slurp.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him like that, the softest part of Lin Wan's heart was gently nudged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bowl of noodles was soon empty, even the broth was drunk clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci put down the bowl and chopsticks, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Sister Wan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words left his mouth, the screen of his phone, which he had placed on the coffee table, suddenly lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the caller ID, a familiar contact name flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number's location was Star City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, a voice that sounded somewhat aged, carrying a heavy local accent, yet desperately trying to suppress sobs, came through with a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Son, Mom saw that video...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother Jiang's voice held unconcealed probing and worry so thick it was almost palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had clearly seen that online video about him being blacklisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother Jiang didn't understand terms like \"reversal,\" \"marketing,\" or even \"the play is greater than heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her simple world, she only saw her own son,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>being screamed at and pushed away by a beautiful actress on the film set, saw him standing there alone, at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her eyes, that was \"being bullied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mom, that was acting, it's fake,\" Jiang Ci hurriedly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Mother Jiang on the other end of the line had her own set of beliefs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can acting involve crying so realistically like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was stubborn. \"I watched it back and forth several times. That girl was crying her heart out; it didn't seem fake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you, I saw your hands were shaking, you must have been frightened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's heart felt both sour and tender. The more he tried to explain clearly, the less Mother Jiang seemed to receive the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this anxiety, in Mother Jiang's ears, automatically transformed into another signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ironclad proof that her son had suffered a grievous wrong but didn't dare tell his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci wanted to say more, but suddenly there was silence on the other end of the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, Jiang Ci's WeChat notification sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped it open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A transfer message abruptly popped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Transfer Amount: 2000.00 yuan.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below it was an awkwardly typed note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Son, buy something good to eat for your birthday, don't skimp. If it really doesn't work out, just quit and come home. Mom will take care of you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at that bright red \"2000 yuan\" and that simple, straightforward phrase \"Mom will take care of you,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci, this now multi-million yuan valued actor in the entertainment industry, pursued by capital,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>completely broke down at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These 2000 yuan weren't enough for a fraction of the down payment on the large flat he bought for his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, at this moment, they felt heavier than all his acting fees combined in his bank account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci held his phone, his gaze lingering on the screen for a long time, unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan stood to the side. Seeing him like that, she silently turned her back, leaving him with a space of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long time passed before Jiang Ci managed to regain some composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cleared his throat, his tone becoming light and cheerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told the person on the phone that he was doing very well, that his boss was exceptionally good to him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>not only giving him a holiday but also that he had just eaten a big lobster for his birthday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rambled on for a long while, finally managing to reassure his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before hanging up, Mother Jiang seemed to suddenly remember something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her originally gentle tone instantly turned forceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, right! If that boss named Lin Wan dares to bully you, you tell Mom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mom would dare to go to the capital and confront her, even if it costs me my old life!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci hung up the phone. When he looked up,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he happened to meet Lin Wan's gaze reflected in the hanging painting on the wall, a look that seemed both amused and not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Wan leisurely spoke up: \"I heard. She's coming to the capital to have a word with me, is that it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rare warmth flushed Jiang Ci's cheeks. He lowered his head and silently tapped to accept the payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he took a screenshot of that 2000 yuan transfer record and solemnly saved it in his phone's photo album.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he lift his head and reply in a tone that was half-serious, half-teasing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Wan, what my mom said was, if you dare to dock my wages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1550,"2026-06-05T18:00:08.557Z",1,"novelbin.me","2b4ddef6889ddce47c41fe80640c13d9d04aad8f551ff1c1186c588440df98d5","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-277","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-275",366,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-cover.jpg"]