[{"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-316":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},1297980,1723,"Chapter 316: “This Bowl of Wine, I'll Drink It For Him”","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-316",316,"\u003Cp>Chapter 316: \"This Bowl of Wine, I'll Drink It For Him\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, everyone in the film crew was woken up before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wen, sporting two dark circles under his eyes, held a stack of freshly drawn storyboard sketches in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't hold a meeting to explain them, simply instructing the set assistant to distribute the storyboards to every core creative member, then roaring out a single word with his voice, hoarse and nearly broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shoot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daytime filming task had only one objective: set construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The open space at the village entrance was transformed into a crude Celebration Banquet scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several enormous bonfires were set up, the firewood stacked taller than a person. Scattered around the bonfires were a few long wooden tables, laden with roasted meat and beer prepared by the Props Team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkness in the mountains was thick and impenetrable, only those few bonfires illuminating a small patch of the world around them with piercing brightness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames crackled and popped, the towering firelight turning every face a deep red, their features twisting and distorting in the leaping light and shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of children, led by villagers, danced a local dance around the bonfire. Their singing voices were childish, yet carried a wild edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the circle of bonfires stood a ring of fully armed \"drug dealers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prop guns in the hands of those Background Actors gleamed with an ominous light under the fire's glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filming began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong, playing Cha Cai, sat with imposing authority on the only chair with a backrest—the seat of honor, the throne of this wicked kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised a bowl of wine and addressed everyone loudly, \"Today, brothers, you've worked hard! The goods have been delivered safely!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding Background Actors raised their wine bowls, letting out a chorus of coarse cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong finished his wine and set the bowl down heavily. He didn't look at his reveling subordinates, instead shifting his gaze towards Jiang Ci, who stood in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah He, come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci stepped out of the darkness, the firelight illuminating his utterly expressionless face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong pointed at the mountainous pile of cardboard boxes beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go, distribute the prizes to the children.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused—a deliberate pause—before adding with an air of condescension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To celebrate their successful performance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those boxes contained brand-new schoolbags and sneakers. Bought with the drug money obtained from the batch of \"goods\" just shipped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci didn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong didn't urge him either, just kept watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, Jiang Ci turned and walked towards the pile of boxes. He opened one and took out a brand-new blue schoolbag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked up to a little boy who was dancing and handed him the bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy stopped dancing, took the bag, lifted his face smudged with charcoal dust, and gave a brilliant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Uncle Jiang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body stiffened for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he moved to the next child, handing out the second \"prize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Uncle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle, these shoes are so pretty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He distributed them mechanically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every innocent, smiling face of a child receiving a gift,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word of thanks,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was slicing away at Jiang He's soul, piece by agonizing piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's performance, which started with painful struggle, had finally turned completely numb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the gifts were distributed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong stood up and clapped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, everyone, stop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noisy set instantly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The children dancing around the bonfire also stopped, looking at him curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong smiled, a smile that seemed to lower the temperature of the entire bonfire party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, besides celebrating, there's one more important matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are going to hold an initiation ceremony.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand and pointed out several of the older boys from among the children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around fourteen or fifteen years old, their bodies already beginning to develop,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their height shooting up rapidly, their faces still carrying childishness, but when they looked at Lei Zhong, their eyes held the fanaticism and worship usually seen in adults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the carefully selected next batch of \"mules.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong signaled his men to lead the other younger children away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the bonfire, only these half-grown teenagers and a group of ferocious-looking drug dealers remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere suddenly turned deadly serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ceremony was simple: drink a bowl of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Background Actor walked up to Lei Zhong carrying a large, coarse pottery bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong pulled a prop Dagger from his waist and lightly drew it across his thumb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A \"drop of blood\" immediately welled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his finger over the bowl, the crimson blood falling into the murky wine, rapidly spreading and diffusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the oldest rule of the stronghold: swear an oath with blood, never betray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drink it,\" Lei Zhong handed the bowl to the oldest of the teenagers, \"From now on, you are my man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teenager was filled with excitement and pride,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended both hands, respectfully, tremblingly, and accepted the bowl of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the script, at this point, Jiang He was supposed to remain silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely an observer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the Monitor, Jiang Wen leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci watched this half-grown child, barely in his teens, holding that bowl of wine mixed with blood and sin, about to bring it to his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, he had a better idea for the performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the teenager's lips were about to touch the rim of the bowl,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hand reached out, steadily blocking the pottery bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile on Lei Zhong's face slowly faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to look at Jiang Ci, his turbid eyes full of question marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wen didn't yell cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teenager holding the wine bowl was stunned by this sudden development,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arm holding the bowl frozen in mid-air,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the man who had suddenly stopped him, at a complete loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher had told him his performance only needed to be drinking this bowl of \"wine,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had the big brother opposite him changed things now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci turned his wrist, snatching the pottery bowl from the teenager's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised the bowl towards Lei Zhong, his face once again putting on that roguish, slightly fawning smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle, he's still young, can't handle such strong liquor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong understood; it was time for another impromptu addition to the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cha Cai gave Jiang He (Jiang Ci) a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci threw his head back and downed the entire bowl of wine in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prop water slid down his throat, yet he performed the sensation of being scorched by raging fire with absolute realism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He inverted the empty bowl, then slammed it down on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This bowl of wine, I'll drink it for him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wiped his mouth and continued explaining with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This kid looks clever, needs to keep a clear head to help Uncle with the accounts later. What a waste if he gets drunk stupid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahahahahaha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong erupted into earth-shaking laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, slapping Jiang Ci's shoulder heavily, again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good! Good! What an Ah He you are!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at Jiang Ci, loudly announcing to his underlings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Starting to care for your own apprentice now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good! This bowl of wine, you should drink it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong turned his head and barked at the now terrified teenager, \"Get lost! Useless thing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he looked back at Jiang Ci, the smile on his face growing even wider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you drink it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He signaled his men to pour another drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full, large bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drink!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci didn't hesitate, picked up the bowl, and downed it again in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's steps were already beginning to sway slightly. He braced himself against the table to barely stay upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fill it up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Zhong's roar carried a sadistic pleasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third bowl of wine was pushed in front of Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at that bowl, his stomach churning violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his head, looked at Lei Zhong's face in the firelight, and suddenly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up that third bowl of wine, threw his head back, and poured it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He violently smashed the pottery bowl in his hand at his feet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crisp shattering sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pottery bowl shattered into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fragment flew up, grazing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A line of blood stretched from the corner of his eye all the way down to his jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood welled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camera focused on that blood-streaked face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci was laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing wildly, desolately.\u003C\u002Fp>",1454,"2026-06-05T18:00:08.557Z",1,"novelbin.me","b0a6609b3d049f1d99d0dc38ca46285a685554ac6e4da388d2f0565dbbdaa9d1","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-317","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-315",366,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-cover.jpg"]