The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles-Chapter 31: The "Beginner" Fisherwoman’s Desire to Conquer!

Everyone was stunned, including the reporter who had asked the question.

What kind of move was this?

This completely broke from the usual script.

Jiang Ci paused briefly, his voice clearly carrying throughout the venue through the microphone:

"Before joining the production, I spent half a month studying the character 'Chu Wuchen.'"

"I discovered he is an immortal who has lived for five hundred years."

"In those five hundred years, he watched seas change into mulberry fields, people coming and going around him, but the only constant was the person in his heart."

His voice carried a strange, captivating power.

In the venue, the previously noisy discussions gradually quieted down.

"So, for me, from this moment filming begins today, until we're wrapped."

"Jiang Ci does not exist."

"The person standing here is Chu Wuchen."

As he reached this point, he finally slowly turned his head, his gaze falling upon Qiao Xinran beside him for the first time.

That gaze was clear and cold, with deep compassion hidden within.

It was exactly the same gaze that had made Gu Huai take notice during the audition.

The shy smile on Qiao Xinran's face instantly froze.

Jiang Ci gave her a slight nod, then picked up the microphone again, speaking to the reporters below the stage, word by word:

"There is only one person in Chu Wuchen's heart."

"He waited for her for five hundred years."

"As an actor portraying him, the only thing I can do is strive to understand him, to become him."

"I hope my performance won't let him down, and even more importantly, won't betray those five hundred years of waiting."

After speaking, he put down the microphone, sat up straight again, and returned to that silent, distant posture.

All the reporters were bewildered.

What... what kind of divine answer was this?

He hadn't answered "yes" or "no," but every word he spoke clearly told everyone:

Don't try to ship us, don't create dating rumors.

I'm here to act.

The character I'm playing is someone who has loved the female lead obsessively for five hundred years.

Pairing me with another woman now shows disrespect to the character, and disrespect to me.

His words were watertight, with lofty intentions, directly elevating a vulgar gossip question to philosophical heights like "an actor's professional integrity" and "respect for art."

Just then, the Director who had been silent all along suddenly started clapping.

"Well said!"

His voice was filled with barely suppressed admiration.

Immediately after, the Producer, screenwriter, and even Gu Huai sitting in the Center Position all gave light applause.

This represented the core production team's recognition of Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci gave a slight nod, his face still maintaining that "Chu Wuchen"-style, emotionless calm.

The host reacted extremely quickly, immediately taking over and steering the topic toward male lead Gu Huai.

For the remainder of the group interview, not a single reporter dared to direct questions at Jiang Ci.

He enjoyed the leisure, sitting quietly at the very edge, continuing to play his "Chu Wuchen" role, being an emotionless background character.

He could feel the terrifyingly low pressure emanating from Qiao Xinran beside him.

But she still maintained her sweet smile throughout, answering questions about her female second lead role with perfect composure, leaving no openings.

Yet the [Player Identification Aura] in Jiang Ci's mind was buzzing loudly, emitting a piercing alarm.

[Warning! Target 'Qiao Xinran' experiencing intense emotional fluctuations!]

[Psychological activity analysis: This Jiang Ci... how dare he? How dare he embarrass me in front of so many people? Isn't he just a newcomer with no background? What gives him the right?]

[Emotional analysis: Anger 30%, Humiliation 40%, Resentment 20%... Wait, generating new emotional tag...]

[New tag generated: Desire to Conquer 10%]

Jiang Ci: "???"

Seriously, lady!

You can actually develop a desire to conquer from this? Are you directing your competitive spirit to the wrong place?

I practically portrayed myself as a madman sacrificing myself for a role—normal people should stay away from me!

Why are you getting excited like you've discovered a hidden boss in a game?

Jiang Ci was cursing internally, but still had to maintain that immortal-like, clear coldness on his face.

The group interview session finally ended, and the main cast stood up to leave.

Jiang Ci just wanted to retreat quickly.

But just as he was about to slip away, a figure blocked his path.

It was Gu Huai.

He was looking at him with an investigative gaze.

His aura was strong—just standing there made people feel pressure.

Other actors in the crew who wanted to approach and get familiar with him, seeing this situation, all tactfully stopped.

"You," Gu Huai spoke, his voice deep and magnetic, "spoke very well just now."

"Thank you, Teacher Gu." Jiang Ci responded immediately.

"I'm not just being polite."

"I've been in this industry for fifteen years. I've seen too many actors who treat acting as just a job, and plenty of celebrities who treat acting as a tool for fame."

"But rarely have I seen someone like you, who starts living as their character even before filming begins."

Jiang Ci was startled—was he... praising me?

"The character Chu Wuchen—I've studied the script—is very difficult to portray."

"I just... really like this character." He could only continue with this explanation.

"Like?"

Gu Huai smiled, that smile revealing an understanding that saw through everything.

"I hope this liking of yours can be maintained until we're wrapped."

After speaking, he patted Jiang Ci's shoulder, then turned and left, surrounded by a crowd of assistants and agents.

Jiang Ci let out a long sigh, feeling like he'd been on a rollercoaster today.

"Brother Jiang Ci, wait for me."

An overly sweet voice sounded behind him.

Jiang Ci stiffened all over—he didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Qiao Xinran, wearing high heels, quickly caught up, her face once again wearing that innocent, sweet smile, as if the embarrassment and humiliation on stage had never happened.

"Brother Jiang Ci, you were so amazing just now!" She walked to Jiang Ci's side, looking up at him with sparkling eyes full of "admiration."

"I was so nervous I didn't know what to say, but fortunately you were there. When you spoke like that, I felt like I really became Su Nian, instantly getting into character!"

The [Player Identification Aura] sounded again.

[Warning! Beginner Fisherwoman 'Qiao Xinran' is using the 'Feigned Weakness and Praise' tactic, attempting to repair the relationship and reestablish ambiguous connection.]

[Psychological activity analysis: This guy is completely unyielding, it seems conventional methods won't work. Need to change approach, first praise him to make him lower his guard. Once he falls into my hands, we'll see how I deal with him!]

Listening to the system's real-time broadcast, Jiang Ci almost laughed out loud.

Deal with me? Do you think this is some domineering CEO script?

He looked at her expressionlessly, "That's good. I hope you can get into character that quickly once filming begins too."

The smile on Qiao Xinran's face stiffened momentarily again.

She probably didn't expect that even after lowering her posture so much, Jiang Ci would still maintain this "dead face" attitude.

"Of course!" She quickly adjusted, her smile becoming even sweeter, "From now on in the crew, I'll need Brother Jiang Ci's guidance. You can't think I'm dumb, okay."

As she spoke, she tried to reach out and grab Jiang Ci's arm.

Jiang Ci shifted his footing, stepping back half a step, perfectly avoiding her "accidental" touch.

"Guidance is too strong a word." he said lightly, "We're all serving the characters. If you have questions, you can ask the Director."

After speaking, he no longer looked at her, turned and walked away.

He was afraid if he continued talking with her, he wouldn't be able to hold back his laughter.

"You..."

Qiao Xinran's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of frustration, but it was quickly suppressed.

Jiang Ci could imagine her expression right now—it must be quite spectacular.

He walked away quickly from the venue without looking back.

It seemed... he had thoroughly offended this "Beginner Fisherwoman."

No, worse than offending.

It seemed he had made her think he was a high-difficulty "instance" worth "conquering."

Returning to the hotel arranged by the crew, Jiang Ci felt physically and mentally exhausted.

Dealing with people who had more schemes than a honeycomb was truly exhausting.

He just wanted to quietly act in his tragic drama, earn his life-extending money—why was it so difficult?

He took out his phone, wanting to browse the news to see if the media had exaggerated today's events.