The More Tragic I Act, the Stronger I Get — My Fans Beg Me to Stop Killing Off My Roles-Chapter 4: One glance, and the icy actress broke down on the spot

The director's shout drew everyone's attention to the scene.

"Holy shit? We're already shooting the thirty-second scene?"

"Is that the scene where the rookie made Lin Wan cry yesterday?"

"Wait, wasn't the confrontation between the general and the enemy princess supposed to come later? Why is it moved up?"

"Are you new here? Didn't you check the schedule? Screenwriter Lin personally stepped in and added several key scenes specifically for Jiang Ci, including this night infiltration of the enemy camp!"

"Lin Wan personally added scenes? What kind of background does this rookie have?"

"Who knows? Anyway, he managed to shock the Devil Lin yesterday. Today the director wants to test him on the spot!"

Whispers swirled around Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci was already cursing the director's entire family in his heart.

Bro, do you have to be so intense?

If I mess this up, embarrassment would be the least of my problems. How am I supposed to keep collecting Heartbreak Value to extend my life later!

The director paid no attention to Jiang Ci's inner turmoil, announcing loudly: "Jiang Ci, Teacher Su, come rehearse your lines and get into character! Everyone else, get ready!"

The crowd automatically parted to create a path.

A woman in a white gown walked slowly over, surrounded by a group of assistants and staff.

The moment she appeared, the noisy set instantly quieted down considerably.

Su Qingying.

At just twenty-five, she had won two of the three major awards in domestic film festivals, becoming the youngest double award-winning actress.

Widely recognized in the industry for her divine beauty, she was famously known as the unattainable flower - no hype, almost no variety show appearances, rarely seen in public outside of filming.

Her aura matched her name perfectly, carrying an untouchable sense of distance.

This was his scene partner today.

Also his... life extension KPI.

Su Qingying walked up to the director, nodded slightly, her voice crisp and clear: "Director."

Her gaze swept over Jiang Ci's face without lingering for even a moment.

The director rubbed his hands excitedly: "Teacher Su, Jiang Ci, this is the scene you'll be performing today."

"The general infiltrates the enemy camp at night, planning to assassinate the enemy commander. But outside the tent, he encounters his childhood sweetheart - you, the enemy princess."

Su Qingying took the script, her eyes falling on the section circled in red. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

No dialogue.

One look, four emotions.

Love, struggle, reluctance, killing intent.

This requirement was practically insane.

Even more so when her scene partner was an unknown rookie.

Her gaze finally landed properly on Jiang Ci's overly pale face for the first time.

It was purely observational, devoid of any emotion.

"Are you ready?" Su Qingying asked, her tone flat and straightforward.

"Ready," Jiang Ci answered with forced courage.

Meanwhile, he was screaming internally.

Ready my ass! I practiced in front of the mirror half the night and felt like I was developing multiple personalities!

Su Qingying nodded, didn't say another word, and turned toward the makeup room.

She needed to get into character early.

Seeing this, the director came over and patted Jiang Ci's shoulder, lowering his voice: "Kid, don't stress. Teacher Su is just like that - obsessed with acting, cold to everyone. You managed to shock Screenwriter Lin yesterday, so bring that same energy today and perform well!"

Jiang Ci could only force a bitter smile.

That was a near-death experience plus newbie cheat codes yesterday! Today all I have is beginner-level micro-expression control!

"Costumes! Makeup! Hurry up! Get Jiang Ci ready!" The director started shouting again.

Cold makeup powder patted against his face, but he barely felt it.

His entire focus was immersed in his mind.

[Remaining Life: 13 days 9 hours 32 minutes 05 seconds]

He closed his eyes.

No, can't panic.

The more critical the moment, the calmer I need to be.

He forced himself to recall the feeling from last night's mirror practice.

Love... Mom's freshly cooked braised pork, glistening with oil.

Killing intent... The auntie at university cafeteria window three, with her precisely shaky hand that reduced the braised pork in his bowl from three pieces to two.

...

One hour later, Jiang Ci - fully made up and dressed in black night-walking clothes - and Su Qingying - in a white gown, pure and elegant - stood on opposite sides of the set.

The filming location was completely prepared.

The night was deep, a crescent moon hung on the artificial sky backdrop, with several clusters of reeds swaying gently under the wind machine's breeze.

A simulated military tent stood in the center, warm candlelight shining through from inside, casting a beautiful silhouette on the tent fabric.

All lights and cameras were in position.

The director sat behind the monitor. Lin Wan had arrived at some point and stood beside the director, arms crossed, her expression carrying its usual pickiness and seriousness.

Everyone on set had their hearts in their throats, all wanting to see whether this rookie who received special treatment from Lin Wan was the real deal or just all talk.

The director picked up the walkie-talkie and gave the order in a deep voice.

"Action!"

The moment the command was given, Jiang Ci moved.

He crouched low, moving silently through the reeds, sneaking up to the outside of the tent.

His movements were clean and efficient, without any excess.

This was the foundational skill he'd honed through four years of hard work as an acting student.

His target was the shadow of the enemy commander inside the tent.

Tonight, he would take the enemy general's head and carve a bloody path for the tens of thousands of comrades behind him.

His hand already rested on the sword hilt at his waist.

Muscles tensed, killing intent about to emerge.

Just as he prepared to draw his sword and strike, the tent flap was gently lifted from inside.

A figure in white walked out carrying a basin of water.

Under the moonlight, that familiar face sent violent tremors through Jiang Ci's entire body.

Su Qingying.

No, the enemy princess!

His childhood sweetheart who grew up with him, but was separated from him by fate's cruel tricks.

The camera locked tightly on Jiang Ci's face, giving him a massive close-up.

The key scene had arrived!

Jiang Ci's pupils contracted sharply in an instant.

He never expected to meet her here, in this way.

The princess played by Su Qingying clearly didn't expect anyone outside the tent either. Startled by the dark figure, the basin in her hands crashed to the ground with a loud clatter.

Water splashed everywhere.

Their eyes met.

Jiang Ci's performance officially began.

The first change appeared in his eyes.

[Love].

In this moment, he didn't think about national loyalty or grand causes.

Only one image surfaced in his mind.

Before the system activated, lying on his rented apartment bed, looking at the WeChat message from his mom.

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

That kind of unconditional care.

He poured this purest emotion entirely into his gaze.

The look he gave Su Qingying instantly became incredibly tender.

Behind the monitor, the director's eyes widened immediately!

Yes! This feeling! The surprise of reunion after long separation and the deeply buried love!

However, this was only the first layer.

Just one second later, the second change appeared in Jiang Ci's eyes.

[Struggle].

His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

The tenderness in his eyes was rapidly washed away by a deeper pain.

He was the Great Xia's general. She was the enemy kingdom's princess.

Between them stood national enmity, family grudges, and the bones of tens of thousands of soldiers.

This love was an original sin.

In Jiang Ci's mind, that blood-red countdown seemed to reappear.

[Life Countdown: 00:03:00]

That was the threat of death, the instinct for survival.

This most primitive desire to live perfectly overlapped with his character's current struggle of "loving but unable to obtain"!

Su Qingying, standing opposite him, felt this most acutely.

She had originally prepared thoroughly, ready to guide and accommodate any mistakes a rookie might make.

But when she met Jiang Ci's eyes, her heart trembled violently.

She clearly saw that love, so warm it almost made her want to drown in it.

Yet the next second, that warmth was replaced by bone-chilling pain.

In her ten years in the industry, she had acted with countless award-winning actors and seasoned performers, but no one had ever given her such terrifying impact.

Her emotions, at this moment, completely slipped from her control and began following Jiang Ci's rhythm.

Her face showed a trace of genuine panic and heartache that wasn't in the script.

She wanted to say something, but found she couldn't utter a single word.

And Jiang Ci's performance continued.