[{"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-69":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},1297883,1723,"Chapter 69: A Strategic Investment in Sustainable Growth","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-69",69,"\u003Cp>Backstage was buzzing with noise and activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students were finally snapping out of the immense shock from the performance they had just witnessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh my god, Xia Meng, you were absolutely divine just now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It wasn't acting; I really felt like you and Jiang Ci were Ming Ming and Ma Lu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless praises and congratulations swarmed around Xia Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was surrounded at the center, yet her face showed no particular expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was very calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So calm it felt somewhat out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze instinctively cut through the excited faces, searching for something amidst the noisy crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He politely parted the seething crowd, and the backstage instantly quieted down considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's eyes focused on this stranger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man ignored the others, walking straight over to Jiang Ci, who was removing his makeup in front of the mirror, and to Xia Meng standing beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Jiang Ci, Miss Xia Meng, hello.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man's voice was gentle, carrying a professional courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He introduced himself, \"I am Director Wei Song's assistant. Director Wei asked me to convey his congratulations to both of you for your brilliant performance tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he respectfully presented two business cards with both hands. The cards had a simple design but an exceptionally high-quality feel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Song?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of sharp intakes of breath echoed backstage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Song's works were practically synonymous with art and awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's gaze instantly shifted from the man to those two thin cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envy, jealousy, shock—all sorts of emotions intertwined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if oblivious to the reactions around him, the assistant continued explaining with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Wei greatly admires both of your talent and dramatic tension.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He believes acting skill is the only valid passport, having absolutely nothing to do with whether an actor themselves possesses popularity or traffic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze lingered on Jiang Ci and Xia Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Wei hopes to have the opportunity later to personally discuss with both of you about the script for a new project.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Backstage fell silent as a tomb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new project.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Wei Song personally discussing a script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of those words was enough to crush the psychological defenses of every acting student present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Meng reached out and took the card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingertips registered the cool, smooth texture of the cardstock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She showed no excitement, not even looking at the card itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body instinctively turned towards Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes held a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does this mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How... should we respond?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had grown accustomed to using Jiang Ci's judgment as her own reference point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci observed the smiling assistant in the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't turn around immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up a makeup removal pad himself and, unhurriedly, wiped away the heavy dark circles on his face, which had been specially applied to create the \"Broken Feeling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he turn around and accept the card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart was utterly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new project?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Song?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was only circling around a few more practical questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it tragic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are there many female characters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the Heartbreak Value conversion rate high?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the core KPIs that determined a project's value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of the assistant, Xia Meng, and all the classmates backstage, Jiang Ci spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't immediately agree, nor did he show himself to be overwhelmingly flattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was flat as he said, \"Thank you for Director Wei's appreciation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, whether I participate or not will depend on reading the script first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words landed with heavy, decisive weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jaws of the classmates backstage nearly hit the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Wei Song they were talking about!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually said... he needed to see the script first to decide?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of confidence was this? What kind of pride?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the stupefied stares of the onlookers, the assistant showed not a hint of displeasure. Instead, a flash of admiration crossed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither servile nor overbearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm, professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This attitude was precisely the quality Director Wei Song admired most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" the assistant immediately nodded, his attitude growing even more respectful. \"This is Director Wei's contact information. After the script is refined, Director Wei will contact you personally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He proactively took out his phone and exchanged contact information with Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing all this, Jiang Ci finished removing his makeup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He completely ignored the weirdly complex atmosphere backstage and didn't look at Xia Meng again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually tucked the business card into his pocket, put on his jacket, and said to everyone offhandedly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm heading out first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without looking back, he left the theater under the dazed gazes of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire backstage was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Meng watched Jiang Ci's back disappear through the doorway, then looked down at the card in her own hand—a card that could change the fate of any actor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remained silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she took out her phone and dialed a number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other end of the line was her father, that top figure in the domestic theater theory circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call connected quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Xiao Meng? Is the performance over? How did it go?\" Her father's voice was as steady as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Meng didn't answer his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just looked at the empty doorway and softly asked a question that rendered the other end of the line completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there's a kind of performance that can instantly shatter another kind of performance that's been painstakingly practiced for years, a technical performance...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But its core... is humorous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is that called... in theory?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance of the graduation play theater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gust of cold wind blew, clearing much of the fog from Jiang Ci's exhausted mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that crying and shouting on stage earlier had consumed a massive amount of energy, and now he just felt ravenously hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ci-ge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A booming shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Zhen charged out of the crowd like an excited bear, giving Jiang Ci a solid bear hug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were fucking incredible!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was so excited his face was flushed red, and his arms trembled as he hugged Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, a grown man, cried my eyes out! You owe me tissues!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mo followed behind, walking over slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He adjusted his black-framed glasses; traces of moisture that hadn't been fully wiped clean still lingered on the lenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The performance just now was extremely successful,\" he analyzed in his usual calm tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both in terms of dramatic structure and emotional tension, it far exceeded the scope of a student production.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze settled on Jiang Ci, his eyes full of inquiry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially you. You've already formed the rudiments of a personal performance style. A style that... combines experiential and presentational methods, yet transcends both.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with the effusive praise from his two roommates—one emotional, one rational—Jiang Ci just waved a weary hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his completely empty stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a bit hungry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Zhen and Chen Mo's excitement instantly stalled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci patted Zhao Zhen's shoulder, proposing with a serious expression,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go, back to the dorm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll check the food delivery app to see if there are any big discount coupons or spend-to-save deals left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Zhen: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mo: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged a look, seeing a hint of absurdity in each other's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here they were, excited almost to the point of heart attacks, moved to tears for the sake of art, for their brother's success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the main person involved...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head was full of nothing but food delivery coupons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This huge contrast made them feel the tears they'd just shed were a bit ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Dorm Room 404.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Zhen and Chen Mo were still immersed in the afterglow of the performance, excitedly scrolling through posts on the campus forum on their phones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*'The Night of Deification! The Full Version of Jiang Ci & Xia Meng's 'Rhinoceros in Love'—Did You Cry?'*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*'On-Site Audience Member: Don't go, seriously don't go, my throat is hoarse from crying!'*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*'A Rational Analysis of Jiang Ci's Performance: Is He a Genius or a Madman?'*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the central figure of this storm—Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already quietly changed into workout clothes, laid out a yoga mat on the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he began his unshakable daily physical training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Push-ups, planks, sit-ups...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set after set, quiet and regular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he had realized a serious problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To continuously harvest Heartbreak Value, he needed to take on various high-intensity, high-emotional-consumption \"tragic\" roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crying scenes, shouting scenes, rain scenes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were all physically demanding work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a good body, you couldn't handle the KPIs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, exercising was to better sustain his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was to be able to take on more \"Great Compassion Mantra\"-level scripts in the future, to wring the emotions of the audience and his co-stars even drier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a sustainable development strategic investment.\u003C\u002Fp>",1481,"2026-06-05T18:00:08.556Z",1,"novelbin.me","faa88abfd956876051bebfb5b38a8a9d7599dc1fb91e69748dc7a2de874dadd0","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-70","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-68",366,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-cover.jpg"]