Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 256 The Fisherman (3.2k)
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At the dinner table, seeing Gu Qing sitting next to Nazha and Boss Cai, while her girlfriend Tang Yixin sat with Jin Cheng and Chen Yao, Zhang Ruoyun's tense nerves finally relaxed.

He leaned back against the chair almost imperceptibly and let out a silent sigh of relief.

With Mr. Cai, the skillful "atmosphere manager," around, the conversation flowed smoothly, ranging from promoting the new drama to current anecdotes, maintaining a superficial harmony.

Even when Gu Qing was just quietly eating, his top-tier presence naturally made him the center of attention.

Wang Kai and the others stood up one after another, raising their glasses to him with perfectly timed smiles: "Brother, a toast to you."

"Brother, you are the seniors, why are you using the word 'respect'?"

Gu Qing looked up, picked up her teacup without any airs, and replied gently, "I have to record a song tonight, so I can only have tea instead of wine."

The tea and wine glasses clinked lightly, producing a crisp sound.

Seeing this, Zhang Ruoyun took a deep breath, stood up, held her glass with both hands, and said with a hint of nervousness on her face: "Gu Dingliu, let's have a toast too."

Gu Qing's gaze fell on him, and she shook her head slightly. The corner of her lips seemed to twitch, with a helpless smile: "Brother Ruoyun, just call me Gu Qing or Xiao Gu. Calling me 'top star' is too formal."

He raised his glass again, his voice clear and gentle, "I wish you and Sister Yixin a happy ending."

These words were like a reassuring pill, instantly calming Zhang Ruoyun's anxiety.

Upon hearing this, Tang Yixin blushed and smiled shyly.

Zhang Ruoyun's face broke into a big smile, filled with gratitude and relief: "Since you call Yixin 'sister' and they all call you 'little brother,' I'll shamelessly call you 'little brother' too!"

He downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing, "Thank you for your kind words, little brother!"

Gu Qing's approachable manner was like a key that unlocked Zhang Ruoyun's floodgates of conversation.

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and asked in a tentative yet familiar tone, "Little brother, do you know Ma Sichun?"

"Yes, I know him."

Gu Qing put down her chopsticks, a subtle look flashing in her eyes, and felt a slight pain in her lips again.

It was as if the memory of being gnawed on still ached faintly. "I worked with her on a movie called 'The Left Ear,' which should be released in a few months."

"Brother Ruoyun, you know Sister Ma too?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "elder sister," with a hint of teasing.

"Sister Ma?!"

Zhang Ruoyun couldn't help but burst out laughing, then quickly covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably as she chuckled. "Si Chun is my good buddy!"
If she knew you called her that, tsk tsk, she'd jump up and argue with you for three days and three nights straight!

He laughed and shook his head, as if he could already see Ma Sichun's furious reaction.

Tang Yixin listened from the side, silently thinking to herself: 'One calls her "big sister," and the other calls himself "bro"... If Si Chun found out, he'd probably chase after you both and give you a good beating.'

"Little brother, I have a secret to tell you,"

Zhang Ruoyun suddenly stopped smiling, mysteriously beckoned to Gu Qing with her finger, glanced around, and lowered her voice with the excitement of sharing gossip, "I seriously suspect that my good buddy has a crush on you!"

"Ok?"

Gu Qing revealed genuine surprise and a hint of curiosity, "What...did she do behind my back?"

He unconsciously leaned towards Zhang Ruoyun.

"Come, come, let's talk here."

Zhang Ruoyun simply waved for Gu Qing to sit closer. Gu Qing was already feeling a little uncomfortable being "sandwiched" between Nazha and Boss Cai.

Upon hearing this, she immediately stood up, quickly switched places with Tang Yixin, and sat down next to Zhang Ruoyun.

the other side,
Seeing the two young men suddenly huddle together, arms around each other, heads close, whispering and occasionally letting out low laughter, Nazha felt a tickle in her heart.

She couldn't help but lean forward and tug at Tang Yixin's sleeve, her voice filled with obvious wariness and curiosity: "Sister Yixin, who is that Ma Sichun...? Is she... very pretty?"

Tang Yixin smiled at Nazha's nervous expression and said honestly, "Si Chun is quite pretty, with striking features, but her personality..."

She paused, a hint of helplessness and doting in her voice, "He's very tomboyish, very outgoing, and not at all like us 'soft girls'."

"You little brat, what are you asking about!" Boss Cai swiftly reached out and gently pinched Nazha's chin, turning her face towards him.
Speaking earnestly, her voice was so low that only the three of them could hear, "Don't worry about her. Just know that Jiang Wenli is her aunt and also her manager. That's enough."

Mr. Cai's eyes held a hint of worldly wisdom and an almost imperceptible sigh.

Seeing Nazha's face instantly dim, filled with confusion and self-doubt, the little flame of hope that had just ignited in Boss Cai's heart was extinguished in an instant.

It seems the plan to lure Gu Qing to Tangren is going to fail.

She shook her head inwardly: 'Even the little princesses of the Northwest might not catch his eye, and this silly girl Nazha, her background, her methods, her temperament—she's lacking in every way… It's going to be tough.'

In the entertainment industry, it all comes down to connections.

Go back ten or twenty years, and there are countless examples of celebrities who became wildly popular because they were helping their families pay off debts or came from ordinary families.

But now,
The Chinese entertainment industry is gradually becoming a stage for the second generation, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for grassroots stars to rise to prominence.

If a grassroots celebrity truly carves out a path to stardom, they are generally extremely driven by their career aspirations.

Gu Qing is such an example in Boss Cai's eyes.

Even after becoming a top star, he still works diligently filming, honing his acting skills, and consolidating his popularity, instead of indulging in nightly revelry and a life of debauchery. Such a person is definitely very rational and ambitious.

At least, that's what Mr. Cai thinks.

Ambitious people who want to climb the social ladder either try to woo the daughters of big bosses or seek resources by falling into the arms of "older sisters".

There are many celebrities like this in the industry, both male and female, who inevitably have to sacrifice some of their image.

One of the most famous rogue movie stars started out by dating older women and broke through the ranks. After he became famous, he dumped his old flame.

This is considered normal.

Boss Cai didn't think Gu Qing was such a heartless person.

I didn't see him trying to be a pushover who relies on women to get ahead. Otherwise, he would have been ecstatic to hear that the Northwest Circle Princess had a crush on him.

She picked up her teacup, took a sip as a cover-up, and was already considering other resource exchange options in her mind.

The two brothers are on this side.
"real or fake?"

After hearing Zhang Ruoyun's "revelation," Gu Qing's eyes were filled with pure doubt. "Brother Ruoyun, you're not trying to fool me."

"Oh, Brother Gu,"

Zhang Ruoyun slapped her thigh, making a solemn vow with an exaggerated yet serious expression, "Why would I lie to you, brother!"

You have no idea what my brother was like when he was filming on set! His phone wallpaper was you, and during breaks he'd watch your videos, and he'd just sit there grinning like an idiot!

He mimicked a silly grin, then leaned close to Gu Qing's ear and whispered, "That's not all, there's a poster of you on her RV!"

Once, she fell asleep in the rocking chair, mumbling to herself. I leaned closer to listen—and good heavens, she was calling your name!

Zhang Ruoyun winked and made a definitive conclusion, "That state of mind, she was definitely fantasizing about you in her dreams! The evidence is irrefutable!"

"..."

Gu Qing opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but felt at a loss for words.

Is Sister Ma going to become a sasaeng fan too?

"Remember this, little brother!"

Zhang Ruoyun instantly dropped her joking expression, becoming serious and even a little fearful as she warned, "This is a secret between you, me, and heaven. Please, please don't let it slip that I told you."

Otherwise, if my buddy gets angry, he could really chase me down three blocks with a knife!

He made a motion of wiping his neck.

Gu Qing nodded silently.

"correct,"

Zhang Ruoyun changed the subject, asking curiously, "What do you usually do to relieve boredom after filming? You don't just stay at home, do you?"

"Me..." Gu Qing composed herself, thought for a moment, "I just play games, or... practice dancing, work out. That's about it."

"This is so boring!"

Zhang Ruoyun immediately adopted a "heartbroken" expression, like a teacher imparting knowledge, "As actors, we must embrace life! Feel nature! Do you understand?"
"Being locked up in a concrete box all day stifles my inspiration. I need to go out into the world to draw energy!" He waved his arm, exuding an air of command.

"Oh?"

Gu Qing asked expectantly, "How do you mean by hugging?"

Zhang Ruoyun's eyes lit up, knowing there was a chance. She immediately became animated, leaning forward as if to share some ultimate secret, "When you're free sometime, I'll take you to a great place."
—Fishing in the wild!

He deliberately drew out his words, his tone full of enticement, "The grandeur of sea fishing, the leisurely pace of freshwater fishing, the choice is yours!"

Let me show you my special skill—lure fishing with a fly hook! It's so cool and stylish!

"Lure fishing? Freshwater fishing?"

Gu Qing looked at Zhang Ruoyun with a skeptical expression. "Brother Ruoyun, are you sure? You can do lure fishing in freshwater? You're not just trying to fool a complete novice like me, are you?"

Hey! Why would I lie to you?

Zhang Ruoyun, as if her tail had been stepped on, stiffened her neck and patted her chest, "I swear on my highest honor as a fisherman that I will never miss a day for the next ten consecutive days!"
Lure fishing in rivers is incredibly efficient! It's much faster than your clumsy method of sitting idly waiting for fish to bite!

He got more and more excited as he spoke, "If you don't believe me, let's go after we finish eating. I have a full set of top-of-the-line fishing gear in my trunk, ready to teach you on the spot, and I guarantee you'll learn!"

Gu Qing hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Uh... that works. But tonight is really not an option, I still have to go to the recording studio to record a demo."

"It's okay! I'll stay with you!"

Zhang Ruoyun immediately chimed in, afraid he might change his mind, a triumphant, even slightly "wicked" smile spreading across her face.

"After we finish recording the song, let's go fishing for a couple of days! Night fishing has its own unique charm!"

Seeing Gu Qing nod in agreement, Zhang Ruoyun picked up his wine glass and took a sip as a cover-up, but the uncontrollable curve of his lips and the gleam of "successful abduction" in his eyes betrayed his inner smugness.

Another innocent young man is about to be dragged down the irreversible path of becoming a "fisherman."
Awesome! So awesome!

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(P.S.: Two more chapters to go)
(End of this chapter)