[{"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-71":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},1297885,1723,"Chapter 71: New Year's Eve Hot Pot Gathering","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-71",71,"\u003Cp>The next morning, the sunlight was just right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci arrived at Liu Guodong's office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the eight-hundred-word reflection report he had typed up early that morning neatly and formally on the heavy redwood office desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher Liu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Guodong was sitting behind the desk, leisurely sipping a cup of hot tea. A faint aroma of Pu'er tea filled the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his eyelids slightly, saw Jiang Ci, and showed not a hint of surprise on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he had long anticipated his arrival at this exact time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Guodong didn't even glance at the reflection report. Instead, he pushed a form already signed on his side of the desk towards Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave School Approval Form.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci looked at the form and was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This efficiency was just too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Last night,\" Liu Guodong interrupted him, setting down his teacup, \"in the three hours after the performance ended, I received no fewer than twenty phone calls.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back in his chair, hands clasped over his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Directors, producers. Without exception, they were all asking me about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Jiang Ci, his tone full of pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are now the newest 'gold-lettered signboard' of our Capital Film Academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's heart was utterly unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gold-lettered signboard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded less substantial than the project codename \"Cash Cow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Liu Guodong's tone suddenly shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slight smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by the kind of seriousness unique to academic authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But, Jiang Ci.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, I want to give you a warning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The more everyone praises you, the more the spotlight shines on you, the more you must keep your composure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Flowers and applause are the things most likely to make people lose their way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The path of art allows for absolutely no falsification, and there are absolutely no shortcuts to take.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word Liu Guodong spoke was forceful and resonant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci shelved the jumbled KPI calculations in his mind and nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He expressed his gratitude sincerely. \"Thank you for your guidance during this stage play performance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Guodong stared at him for a few seconds, as if gauging the sincerity in his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he nodded and pulled open a drawer beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From it, he took out a thick, unmarked kraft paper envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Thump.*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The envelope made a dull sound as he placed it on the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is my reward for your performance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Performance reward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's mind began racing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it a bonus? Some out-of-print, treasured script? Or perhaps handwritten performance notes from some master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Guodong seemed to see through his thoughts and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed the heavy kraft paper envelope towards Jiang Ci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are a genius. Everyone acknowledges that now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But a genius needs to know the boundaries even more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered slightly, carrying an unprecedented gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Open it and take a look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See how an actor can be elevated by a role, and also... how they can be destroyed by it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci reached out and took the envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its weight was more than he had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the flap and pulled out not a script, nor a bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a thick stack of documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each document was a case study of an actor who had once left their name in film history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were detailed biographies, analyses of the classic roles that made them legendary overnight, but more prevalent were the tragic records of their lives plummeting downward afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alcoholism, depression, suicide, spending their remaining days in psychiatric hospitals...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One shocking photo after another, lines of cold, detailed written records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's fingertip traced the title of one document — *Actor Gao Xiang: Clinical Psychology Report on Personality Confusion with the Portrayed Character 'Patient No. 23' After Immersion in 'The Asylum'.*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, he felt as if struck by an electric current.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, he felt so directly the real and brutal risk on the path to the pinnacle of art that lay behind the \"Heartbreak Value\" he pursued daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, \"madly devoted to the craft\" was never just a compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could also be a one-way ticket to destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But did he have a choice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly and solemnly placed the documents back into the kraft paper envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he bowed deeply to Old Liu before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afternoon, Dorm Room 404.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci returned to the dorm and began packing his luggage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The *Three Lifetimes Tribulation* crew had agreed, and the final scenes for \"Chu Wuchen\" promised to the Director were about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He efficiently booked a flight ticket online for that evening to the film and television base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he zipped up his suitcase, a hand pressed down on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Zhao Zhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bro Ci, you're leaving already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, the crew is pushing.\" Jiang Ci replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Zhen stood in front of him, his expression brooking no argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He announced loudly, \"What's the date today, have you forgotten?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci thought about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"December 31st.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right! New Year's Eve!\" Zhao Zhen's voice grew even louder. \"Tonight, no matter what, the three of us brothers have to get together! Consider it your farewell party!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci looked at his face, which clearly said 'refusing is disrespectful,' then glanced at Chen Mo beside him, who wasn't speaking but clearly felt the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small space suddenly cleared in his mind, which had been filled with KPI calculations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold wind on New Year's Eve stung people's cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside the small hot pot restaurant that had been open for four years near the school gate, steam was rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci, Zhao Zhen, and Chen Mo sat around a table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the copper pot, red oil churned, and white broth bubbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Zhen raised his beer bottle high, his face flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on! Brothers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using his signature loud voice, he addressed the entire shop. \"Let's wish our Old Jiang a smooth journey, immediate success, and an early crowning as Film Emperor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bottoms up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Clink!* Three beer bottles collided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cool liquid slid down their throats, carrying a spicy malt aroma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere reached its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mo adjusted his glasses, fogged up by the steam, and leisurely picked up a slice of freshly cooked tripe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rational analysis,\" he began in his usual calm tone, \"Jiang Ci, I must remind you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The entertainment industry is more complex than we imagine. Especially big directors at Wei Song's level. They view actors like tools.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, as if weighing his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You need to have your own judgment. Don't let him PUA you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"PUA?\" Zhao Zhen almost spat out his beer. \"What's that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Psychological manipulation,\" Chen Mo explained succinctly. \"Destroying your confidence through criticism and denial, making you develop absolute dependence and obedience towards him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ci's chopsticks, holding a slice of mutton, stopped mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at these two brothers before him—one boisterously painting a blueprint of a Film Emperor for him, the other coolly and seriously analyzing potential risks for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emotions belonging to \"Jiang Ci,\" the ordinary university student, buried deep in his heart for four years, were completely steamed out by the scalding hot pot vapors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he temporarily forgot about the life countdown, forgot about the Heartbreak Value KPI.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just felt a deep warmth in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled, rolled that slice of mutton in the sesame sauce dip, and stuffed it into his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1261,"2026-06-05T18:00:08.556Z",1,"novelbin.me","db6950a32c61bdb00a7ca54abe5de55e831c5b7b78b5a0738d14a6b8e1fae111","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-72","the-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-chapter-70",366,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-more-tragic-i-act-the-stronger-i-get-my-fans-cover.jpg"]