The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles-Chapter 2: Heartbreak Ends, Lifespan Resets to Zero

Jiang Ci woke up in an overly quiet lounge.

A pure white ceiling filled his vision.

His mind went blank for three seconds before he suddenly sprang up from the sofa. His first reaction wasn't to check his body, but to close his eyes and sink his consciousness into his mind.

A pale blue virtual screen unfolded before him.

At the very top was a line of large green text.

[Remaining Life: 14 days 21 hours 58 minutes 02 seconds]

Below that was his entire net worth.

[Heartbreak Value Balance: 30 points]

Jiang Ci's eyes grew hot, and he nearly burst into tears.

He was still alive!

Just two hours ago, he had been a poor bastard on the verge of kicking the bucket!

His gamble had paid off!

He was about to open the system store to study what treasures he could exchange for.

Suddenly, he noticed the audition notice for "Palace Conspiracy" that someone had left on the table.

Memories from several hours ago flooded back.

In his rented room, his phone screen was still lit, his mother's WeChat message clearly visible.

"Son, did you get the money? Don't skimp while you're out there, make sure to eat properly."

Below that was a red transfer reminder.

Jiang Ci's mood at that time had been more oppressive than the overcast sky outside.

He was twenty-two this year, a senior acting major, yet he couldn't even get his foot in the door of any production crew.

His mother's concern felt like a mountain weighing on his heart.

And it was at that moment that a cold, emotionless voice sounded in his mind.

[Detected host's survival desire has reached threshold. Heartbreak Master System activating...]

Jiang Ci's first reaction was that he was so hungry he was hallucinating.

"Hello, not interested in credit cards, don't need loans, thank you."

[Activation successful. Core rule: Break women's hearts to obtain Heartbreak Value.]

Jiang Ci was completely dumbfounded on the spot.

"Bro, take a look at this face of mine. Does it look like it can break girls' hearts?"

The system answered him with action.

An excruciating pain, as if his soul was being instantly drained, assaulted him.

Immediately after, a blood-red countdown appeared in his vision.

[Life Countdown: 00:59:59]

Jiang Ci was thoroughly convinced.

He casually asked a follow-up question.

"So... what about physically breaking their hearts? Does that count?"

The system's response was simple and brutal.

[Any illegal acts or use of violence will result in immediate host elimination.]

Seemed this system was quite "humane" after all.

Jiang Ci slumped in his chair, feeling his life was emptier than his wallet.

Me, a pure-hearted boy who went through four years of film school without ever holding a girl's hand, and you want me to become a scumbag who makes women cry?

This business doesn't match my expertise at all!

"Wait..."

A sudden realization dawned on Jiang Ci.

This acting student on the brink of death finally remembered his major.

"System, what you're harvesting is pure emotional energy, right?"

[Yes.]

"Then... what if I'm acting? Through performance, making the character I portray move people's hearts, making my female co-stars, or female audience members watching my performance, feel heartbroken and emotionally devastated because of the character... does that count?"

This might be his only way out.

He heard in his mind that the usually quick-reacting system fall into rare silence.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

[Evaluating... Behavior logic aligns with core of 'creating heartbreak'.]

[Does not violate any prohibition clauses.]

[Host's proposal... feasible.]

[Due to adjustments in system's underlying logic, the original Heartbreak Value exchange for life time setting has been changed to randomly reward seven to thirty days of lifespan based on Heartbreak Value.]

[Heartbreak Value can be exchanged for skills in the system store.]

Jiang Ci was so excited he nearly jumped out of his chair.

I'm a genius!

When it comes to exploiting glitches, I'm the man!

[Detected host has discovered core rule loophole. System logic impacted. Special reward: Newcomer Gift Package issued.]

[Obtained 'Tragic General Experience Card' (one-time use).]

"Tragic General?"

Jiang Ci froze for a moment, then instantly remembered the "Palace Conspiracy" audition notice their advisor had sent in the class group chat.

He had glanced at it before and been deeply impressed by one particular role.

A young general who sacrifices himself for the nation, bidding farewell to the eldest princess before his death.

The script notes highlighted in red: This segment is one of the drama's core tear-jerking moments, requiring actors with strong empathy and explosive power.

Looking at the notice in his hand, Jiang Ci revealed a bitter smile.

When he rushed into the audition venue, having been delayed too long on the way, he really had been down to his last breath.

But he never expected.

He had gone too hard, completely overwhelming the screenwriter's own mother who was sitting on the judging panel.

The effect was overwhelming.

Directly delivering a double critical hit.

Jiang Ci silently offered mental incense to Lin Wan.

Just as he was immersed in the joy of surviving catastrophe, the lounge door clicked open from the outside.

The noise from the corridor was neatly shut out behind the door.

A figure entered.

It was Lin Wan.

She had changed out of her sharp business suit, wearing only a simple white shirt.

Her makeup was removed too, revealing a clean yet still astonishingly beautiful face.

But that face showed no expression whatsoever.

She hadn't brought the director or any assistants, coming alone, standing quietly at the doorway, looking at Jiang Ci on the sofa.

Time for reckoning?

Making the industry-famous Iron Lady break down crying in front of hundreds of people.

Was this big sister planning to silence him for good?

"Um... Hello, Teacher Lin."

Jiang Ci struggled to stand up from the sofa, his body still somewhat weak.

Lin Wan didn't respond.

She stepped forward, one step at a time, until she stood before him.

The sound of her high heels hitting the floor, tap by tap, felt like they were hammering against Jiang Ci's heart.

The distance between them was less than a meter.

Jiang Ci could even smell the faint, crisp scent of paper and ink mixed together coming from her.

"You're Jiang Ci?"

She finally spoke, her voice clear and cold.

"Yes."

"Which company are you with?"

"Not signed with any company. I'm a senior this year." Jiang Ci answered honestly.

Lin Wan nodded slightly, seeming unsurprised by this answer.

She remained silent for a few seconds, then asked a question Jiang Ci never expected.

"You... have you ever hated someone?"

Jiang Ci froze.

What kind of interview question was this?

Background check? Or psychological profiling?

He weighed his words carefully: "Well... I wouldn't call it hate, at most... just some lingering resentment?"

Like the auntie in the university cafeteria who always gave him one less piece of braised pork.

Lin Wan suddenly reached out her hand.

Jiang Ci instinctively flinched backward.

What?

Going to hit me?

Her hand simply paused in mid-air, pointing at his eyes.

"I'm talking about here."

Lin Wan's gaze was sharp, as if wanting to dissect his soul.

"What was in here during your performance earlier—that wasn't acting."

She spoke word by word, with absolute certainty.

"That kind of all-consuming despair, and loving to the extreme... then letting go."

"You couldn't have acted that."

She took another step closer, delivering her final judgment.

"You must have experienced it."

Jiang Ci completely froze.

Big sister, your imagination is way too vivid!

I was dying!

It had absolutely nothing to do with the love-hate drama you're talking about!