The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles-Chapter 11: This melon is poisonous, but it smells so good!
Holy crap!
This drama is toxic!
He originally thought he was just watching a high-end romance drama (cliché version) from the VIP seats, but damn, this turned out to be a thriller suspense film!
An S-level player, while pursuing his target, actually harbors killing intent in his heart?
Is that reasonable? No, it's not!
Could he have misunderstood? Maybe this "killing intent" isn't literal?
Like... the kind of killing intent that means "possessiveness so strong he wants to kill all rivals"?
Or... is Lu Yifeng simply a psychopath? What he enjoys isn't conquest, but destruction?
The more Jiang Ci thought about it, the more creeped out he felt.
Looking at Lu Yifeng's face, still wearing that perfect smile, he felt a chill run down his spine for the first time.
This guy was an extremely dangerous person!
"Jiang Ci?"
Lu Yifeng's voice pulled Jiang Ci back from his shock. Only then did he realize he had been holding the other man's hand for a bit too long.
"Ah, sorry, Teacher Lu." Jiang Ci quickly let go, putting on an act of being so excited he was lost for words. "I... I was just too excited. I never thought I'd get to see you in person, let alone shake your hand..."
This performance of his was something he casually learned from Lu Yifeng himself.
He perfectly captured the image of a little fan who was so overwhelmed with excitement after being encouraged by his idol that he didn't know what to do.
As expected, Lu Yifeng didn't become suspicious. He just smiled, the fleeting emotion in his eyes accurately captured and translated by the system.
[Micro-expression Analysis: Corners of mouth raised 0.3mm, pupils unchanged - Standardized comforting smile, inner feelings completely calm.]
[Predicted Inner Thoughts: Another fool easily subdued.]
Jiang Ci: "..."
Alright then, you're the boss.
"No problem, I understand," Lu Yifeng said magnanimously, then smoothly turned to everyone. "So it's settled for dinner tonight? Jiang Ci, you should come too. It's a good chance to get to know some seniors in the industry."
He actually invited Jiang Ci along too.
This move once again showcased his "generosity" and "approachability," raising everyone's favorable impression of him another notch.
But Jiang Ci saw right through it.
Bringing me along serves two purposes: first, to highlight his good reputation for nurturing newcomers.
Second, he probably wants to use me as a background prop and tool at the dinner to emphasize how "close" he is with Su Qingying.
After all, with Su Qingying's current cold attitude, having more "insiders" around gives him more room to maneuver.
Should he go or not?
Jiang Ci only hesitated for 0.1 seconds.
Go! He must go!
Even though this drama is toxic, it's really juicy!
Besides, this isn't just about watching drama anymore.
He absolutely must figure out what that 5% killing intent means.
He also felt that Su Qingying might be in danger.
Although he wasn't close with Su Qingying and had only acted one scene with her, she was still one of his "top contributors," having given him 100 points of Heartbreak Value.
Both emotionally and logically, he couldn't just stand by and watch his "top contributor" jump into a pit of fire.
Jiang Ci instantly found his position - an undercover Chaoyang resident lurking beside the enemy!
"I... I can really go too?" Jiang Ci pretended to be overwhelmed by the honor, unable to believe it.
"Of course," Lu Yifeng smiled like a warm spring breeze. "The more the merrier."
"Thank you, Teacher Lu! I'll definitely be there!" Jiang Ci was practically ready to bow to Lu Yifeng on the spot.
And so it was settled.
Lu Yifeng stayed on set a while longer, exchanging pleasantries with the director and several lead actors. His every move exuded the demeanor of a top star.
It wasn't until his manager came to hurry him along that he reluctantly left.
Before leaving, he specifically walked over to Su Qingying and said softly, "See you tonight."
Su Qingying maintained her cold expression throughout, giving him no response whatsoever.
The moment Lu Yifeng left, the chatter on set could no longer be contained.
"Oh my god, Lu Yifeng is just too perfect? So handsome, so gentle, so rich, and so good to everyone!"
"The way he looks at Actress Su could practically form threads! It's so sweet!"
"I declare, I'm locking this CP! If they don't get married, I won't believe in love anymore!"
Jiang Ci silently walked to the side and picked up his script.
Listening to all the excited discussions around him, he had only one thought:
Ignorant humans, you have no idea that what you're obsessing over isn't sugar...
In the afternoon, it was Jiang Ci's turn to film.
The scene he was shooting today was where the young general gets hit by arrows.
In the drama, he gets shot by multiple arrows, is desperately protected by his personal guards as they retreat to the city gate tower.
Outside the city walls are the overwhelming enemy forces.
Inside the city are the already panicked, nearly collapsing defending troops.
Using the last of his strength, the general pushes aside his guards, dragging his broken body to climb before the war drum.
He picks up the drumsticks and, using all his life force, beats the drum that symbolizes defiance and determination.
"Boom!"
"Boom! Boom!"
The drumbeats are his final words.
This scene has no lines at all, relying entirely on the actor's physicality and eyes.
The director had extremely high requirements for this scene, as it was the glorious finale for the young general character and one of the most tragic yet inspiring climaxes in the early part of the entire movie.
"Jiang Ci, are you ready?" Director Li's expression was uncharacteristically serious. "The emotions in this scene are crucial. You need to convey that feeling of knowing certain death is coming, yet still using your life to awaken your comrades' fighting spirit - that absolute determination!"
"I understand, Director," Jiang Ci nodded.
He changed into the tattered armor stained with "blood" and pierced with several fake arrows. The makeup artist had applied a deathly pale makeup to his face.
When he staggered step by step toward that massive war drum, the entire set fell silent.
Everyone's eyes were focused on him.
Including Zhao Xueling, who had previously been charmed by Lu Yifeng's sweet talk, and even the award-winning actor Qin Feng, who had been curious about him all along.
Even Su Qingying, who had just finished touching up her makeup, stopped and watched him from a distance.
Jiang Ci stood before the war drum and closed his eyes.
He needed to summon the emotions.
Determination, tragic heroism, facing death with life...
These emotions were too distant for a twenty-two-year-old.
The first thing that flashed through his mind was actually that cafeteria auntie with the shaky hand when serving food...
No! That's too funny, it'll break the mood!
He quickly shook off that thought.
Then, Lu Yifeng's perfectly smiling face surfaced in his mind.
And beneath that smiling face, the system's analysis... 5% killing intent.
A surge of anger suddenly welled up from the depths of his heart.
He thought about himself, who would kick the bucket if he didn't harvest Heartbreak Value.
He thought about this bizarre, glamorous industry.
Superficially dazzling and beautiful, but potentially hiding countless "villains" like Lu Yifeng, disguised with perfect acting skills.
What kind of sorrow was this?
An intense, overwhelming sense of tragedy instantly gripped Jiang Ci's heart.
"Eye Micro-expressions" skill activated.
He suddenly opened his eyes.
The usual playfulness and silliness were completely gone from his gaze.
All that remained was a final madness and unwillingness, born from seeing through the absurdity of the world and burning through all hope!
He didn't need to act like the young general anymore.
At this moment, he was that general!
What he saw wasn't cameras or crew members.
But this decaying, hopeless dynasty that he was protecting with his life, yet was ultimately destined to fall!
He slowly raised the drumsticks in his hand.
