The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles-Chapter 27: Life Extended Successfully, Treating the Movie Queen to Dinner

The script reading session concluded in an atmosphere that appeared harmonious on the surface but was actually seething with undercurrents.

Jiang Ci behaved like a genuine "aloof immortal venerable" throughout, barely speaking except when necessary discussions required it.

It wasn't that he wanted to act pretentious.

Mainly, he was afraid that once he opened his mouth, he wouldn't be able to resist criticizing the "beginner fisherwoman" Qiao Xinran sitting beside him.

This sister had "accidentally" bumped into him at least eight times during the two-hour reading session, all while batting her big Kardashlan eyes and asking him over a dozen "script questions" about the "master-disciple relationship."

Her acting was so natural and smooth.

If not for the Player Scanner in his mind frantically "sounding alarms," Jiang Ci might have actually believed she was a dedicated actress seriously studying her script.

As soon as the meeting ended, Jiang Ci was the first to slip away using the excuse that he "needed to go back and digest the character."

He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn't be able to resist asking her: "Beauty, how many fish are in your pond anyway?"

Returning to his rental apartment, Jiang Ci collapsed onto the sofa.

From the audition to signing the contract, then to the script reading—his nerves had been stretched taut all day.

But tired as he was, he felt an unprecedented sense of solidity in his heart.

He opened the system panel.

[Host: Jiang Ci]

[Heartbreak Value Balance: 545 points] (Harvested 75 points at the audition site)

[Current Remaining Lifespan: 86 days] (System rewarded twenty days)

Holy shit!

Jiang Ci stared at the number "86" on the panel, so excited he nearly jumped off the sofa.

Almost three months!

This was the longest life balance he'd had since being bound to this heartless system!

Jiang Ci excitedly circled the room several times before gradually calming down.

He took out his phone and immediately called his mother.

"Hey, Mom!"

"Oh, son! What's up? Have you eaten yet?" His mother's gentle voice came through the phone.

"I've eaten, I've eaten." Jiang Ci laughed. "Mom, I've got good news! I got another new role!"

"Really?!" His mother's voice instantly rose several pitches. "What kind of role? Is it that General from last time?"

"No, it's a new drama called 'Three Lifetimes Tribulation,' a xianxia series. I'm playing the male supporting role number four!"

"Xianxia dramas are great! Young people love those nowadays! My son is really making something of himself!" His mother was overjoyed. "Then... is the pay good this time?"

She asked cautiously, afraid of hurting her son's self-esteem.

Jiang Ci knew his mother had been constantly worried about their family's financial situation.

After his father passed away, the family had accumulated considerable debt, and it all fell on his mother working odd jobs to keep them afloat.

"Mom, don't worry."

"The pay for this role is very high. As soon as the first payment comes through, I'll transfer it to you right away. Use it to pay off the family debts first, and with what's left, buy yourself some good food. Stop being so frugal."

He had signed an A-level contract, and the production company would soon transfer the first payment to his account.

Although Lin Wan had said the money was entirely his to keep.

He still decided that once the money arrived, he would first take a portion and transfer it to the company's account.

He couldn't pretend not to see this favor.

"Oh, oh, good, good!" His mother on the other end was already crying tears of joy, unable to form complete sentences.

After hanging up, Jiang Ci's eyes also reddened.

He looked out the window at the countless lights of the city, and the conviction to survive and give his family a good life became firmer than ever before.

After calming his emotions, he opened WeChat again.

He stared at that white snowy landscape profile picture, hesitating for a long time.

Su Qingying was the biggest contributor to him landing this role.

This favor also had to be repaid.

But how should he repay it?

Send a gift?

Given her status, what luxury item hadn't she seen before? Anything he sent, she probably wouldn't even glance at.

Send a large red envelope?

That would be too tacky, and it would seem distant.

After much deliberation, Jiang Ci felt the most sincere way was to invite her out for a meal.

Although he knew that given Su Qingying's personality and status, she would most likely refuse.

But he had to make the gesture.

What if?

What if she actually agreed?

Clutching onto this sliver of unrealistic hope, Jiang Ci began carefully weighing his wording in the message box.

He couldn't be too enthusiastic, or it would seem like he had ulterior motives.

He couldn't be too polite, or it would seem insincere.

After several minutes of deleting and revising, he finally crafted a message he considered "watertight."

[Jiang Ci: Teacher Su, I really must thank you so much for today. To express my gratitude, I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting you to a simple meal? You can choose the time and place. If you don't have time, that's perfectly fine too. I just wanted to express my heartfelt thanks.]

His words could be said to have lowered his stance to the absolute minimum.

They expressed gratitude while giving the other party ample room to choose, ensuring she wouldn't feel awkward even if she declined.

Perfect!

Jiang Ci nodded contentedly and pressed send.

After sending the message, he tossed his phone aside.

He was already prepared for a polite rejection.

He had even imagined several possible responses Su Qingying might send.

"No need, it was my duty."

"Quite busy lately, maybe next time." (Next time = indefinitely far away)

"I appreciate the sentiment, but a meal isn't necessary."

He stood up, ready to take a shower and wash away all the fatigue and tension of the day.

Just as he reached the bathroom door, his phone on the sofa rang.

Jiang Ci's steps halted abruptly.

His heart treacherously "thumped."

It's here.

The moment of judgment has arrived.

He shuffled slowly back to the sofa, his mood anxious like a student about to unveil their exam results.

He picked up his phone, took a deep breath, and lit up the screen.

On the screen, there were only two simple words.

[Su Qingying: Okay.]

...

Okay?

Jiang Ci blinked, suspecting he had misread.

He brought the phone closer to his eyes and looked again.

Correct, it was indeed the two words: "Okay."

There wasn't even a punctuation mark after them—clean and decisive, just like her herself.

She... she actually agreed?!

This isn't following the script!

The script wasn't written this way!

According to normal logic, shouldn't a top-tier, aloof film empress politely and distantly reject a meal invitation from a newly debuted rookie?

How could she just... agree?

Could it be because of my performance during the audition today made her think I'm teachable, so she's willing to condescend to have a meal with me, this "potential stock," to exchange insights on acting?

Or perhaps... she isn't actually that aloof after all?

Jiang Ci's mind became a chaotic mess.

He hadn't yet recovered from the massive shock.

His phone vibrated with another "buzz."

The other party's second message followed closely behind.