The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles-Chapter 28: Practical Application of the "Scumbag Techniques"

[Su Qingying: You pick the time. I’m not picky.]

Jiang Ci: "…"

Good grief.

This wasn't just politeness.

This wasn't empty words.

She really wanted to have a meal with him.

Jiang Ci felt sweat prickling on his palms.

Having dinner with the Best Actress!

For a pure, never-been-in-a-relationship twenty-two-year-old virgin like him,

this was no less terrifying than being asked to rip apart a Gundam with his bare hands.

What to eat?

Where to go?

These were monumental problems!

Go to a street-side barbecue stall?

No way.

In his mind the headline already flashed: "Shocking! Icy Best Actress Su Qingying Caught Having Late-Night Skewers with Mysterious Man, Image Ruined!"

Then he'd be a historical villain.

Go to one of those Michelin-starred restaurants downtown?

One meal would probably eat up his food budget for the next three months.

Besides, those places are paparazzi magnets with long telephoto lenses.

It had to be private, the atmosphere had to have class, the dishes had to be presentable, and the price… couldn't be outrageous.

Jiang Ci felt his brain cells dying en masse.

He opened the map app, his fingers frantically hopping over keywords like "private kitchen" and "membership restaurant."

Finally, a name tucked away in the suburban corner caught his eye.

Bamboo Whisper.

The online photos showed a tranquil bamboo grove, a quaint courtyard, winding paths leading to secluded spots.

Most importantly, this place operated by strict reservation only, serving just three tables a day. Privacy maxed out.

Its only downside was the price.

Jiang Ci stared at the "average 1500 per person" figure, his heart bleeding.

One meal, three thousand yuan.

"Damn it, I'm going all in!"

He bit his lip, deciding to repay this favor and protect his life. He went for it.

He called the restaurant to make a reservation.

"Hello, I'd like to reserve a table for two the night after tomorrow."

"Alright, sir. Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"No."

"Okay, your reservation has been secured. Seven o'clock the night after tomorrow. We look forward to your visit."

With the restaurant sorted, Jiang Ci finally exhaled a little, but an even stronger wave of anxiety surged up.

Sitting face-to-face with the Best Actress in a private room for two to three hours.

Just picturing it made him feel suffocated.

What to talk about?

"Teacher Su, nice weather today, isn't it?"

"Teacher Su, do you also use that soft shampoo?"

No, that would freeze the conversation solid!

He had to find a way!

His gaze landed again on that familiar system panel.

The last hope was always System Daddy!

He focused, dashed into the System Store, and started wildly browsing the Special category skills.

"Crash Course: End Awkward Conversations," 200 points, way too expensive!

"Humor Master Trial Card," 50 points, wrong vibe—his persona was the Melancholy Prince, not a stand-up comic.

Just as he was about to despair, the skill he knew best reappeared before his eyes.

Complete Guide to Scumbag Quotes and Techniques.

Wait…

This skill seemed to offer more than performance tricks like the "Broken Feeling Gaze."

He remembered it also included…

"How to plant exclusive 'secret anchors' for the two of you in casual conversation?"

"How to use perfectly timed compliments to make the other person bloom inside without seeming forced?"

"Detailed tactics for top-tier emotional tugging…"

Jiang Ci's eyes suddenly lit up!

Holy crap!

Isn't this basically a ready-made "High-End Dinner Conversation Guide"?

Even though he's not a scumbag, he could borrow these techniques to defuse awkwardness!

Use them to conduct a high-quality social interaction that leaves both parties comfortable—totally doable!

Yes, that's it!

Like someone suddenly unlocked a flow, Jiang Ci immediately summoned the detailed contents of the Complete Guide to Scumbag Quotes and Techniques in his mind and started cramming on the battlefield.

…

Six-thirty the night after tomorrow.

Jiang Ci arrived half an hour early at the private kitchen called Bamboo Whisper.

He wore simple casual clothes, clean and fresh.

The restaurant's atmosphere was even better than the photos online.

Winding paths, swaying bamboo shadows, and a faint scent of ink in the air.

A server led him to a window-side private room separated by a bamboo screen, giving a view of the courtyard outside.

Jiang Ci sat down, sipped some tea, and silently recited the "chat manuals" he'd learned the day before.

"First, don't interrogate like you're checking someone's household records."

"Second, use open-ended questions to guide the other person to share."

"Third, learn to listen, and at the right moments give positive feedback."

…

He was muttering these when the bamboo screen of the private room was gently pulled aside.

Su Qingying walked in.

Jiang Ci jumped up so fast he nearly toppled the teacup.

"Su… Teacher Su, you’re here."

He was so nervous his words stammered.

Su Qingying dressed low-key today: a beige knit sweater with jeans, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, a black mask covering most of her face.

Even so, her outstanding temperament and cool gaze made her the focal point of the room the moment she entered.

"Sorry, there was a bit of traffic," she said.

She removed her mask, revealing an exquisitely delicate face, her voice calm as water.

"No, I’m the one who came early." Jiang Ci quickly waved his hand and pulled out the chair opposite for her. "Please sit, Teacher Su."

Su Qingying nodded and sat.

The waiter poured her tea and handed her the menu.

She didn't take it, instead looking at Jiang Ci. "You order. I'm fine with anything."

"Okay."

Jiang Ci took the thick menu, his fingertips slightly chilled.

Here we go!

The first test of the dinner: ordering the food!

He outwardly flipped through the menu calmly, while in his head the first chapter, third section of the High-End Dinner Guide from the Complete Guide to Scumbag Quotes surfaced automatically.

[When you don’t know the other person’s tastes, do not act on your own. The best approach is to recommend the signature dishes and return the final choice to the other person to show respect.]

Clearing his throat, he pointed to two dishes on the menu and spoke in a steady, natural tone.

"Teacher Su, I checked beforehand. Their 'Bamboo Shoot Steamed Chicken' and 'Matsutake Stuffed Tofu' are their signatures, well reviewed, light and healthy. How do those sound? Or is there anything else you'd like?"

His words showed he'd done his homework and returned the decision to her.

Su Qingying's clear eyes looked at him, a bit surprised at his thoughtfulness. She said lightly, "Let's have those two, and add a green vegetable."

"Okay."

Jiang Ci closed the menu and handed it to the waiter.

Order stage, smoothly passed.

The waiter bowed and retreated, the bamboo screen closed again.

The room instantly fell quiet.

All that remained in the air was the faint steam from the tea and the barely audible sound of two breathing.

Jiang Ci's heart tightened once more.

Here it comes.

The second, and hardest, test: breaking the ice!