Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 281 You Have a Crush on Me, Don't You? (4k)
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In the darkness of night, two figures walked silently, one after the other, down a rather empty street.

The one in front was tall and walked with ease, while the one behind him hunched over, clutching a camera, his palms sweating with nervousness, and occasionally stealing glances at Gu Qing's back, fearing that this sudden "luck" was a trap.

Turn the corner,

A "Huiji Wonton" restaurant with warm yellow lights came into view.

The shop is small, but it is clean and tidy. The steaming heat mixed with the aroma of bone broth wafts out, making it especially tempting on a cool night.

"This will do." Gu Qing stopped and pushed open the glass door.

The wind chimes on the door made a clear, tinkling sound.

The owner, a slightly overweight middle-aged man, was rolling out wonton wrappers when he heard the noise. He looked up and saw Gu Qing, who was bundled up tightly. A knowing look flashed across his eyes, and then he gave a simple, honest smile: "You're here? The usual?"

"Yes, Uncle, two big bowls."

Gu Qing's voice, muffled through his mask, sounded very familiar.

He found a corner booth against the wall and sat down, gesturing for the paparazzi to sit opposite him.

The paparazzi, or rather, the man who at this moment resembled a frightened quail, cautiously sat down opposite Gu Qing.

He glanced around furtively. Apart from them, there was only another table of night shift workers engrossed in eating noodles. It seemed no one noticed the top star in the corner.

"Brother... Teacher Gu... do you come here often?"

The man spoke tentatively, his voice a little hoarse. He still couldn't believe he'd witnessed a top celebrity treating him to dinner.

"Yes, the food at this restaurant is very good."

"By the way, if you're going to write an article, don't write it out, otherwise I won't be able to come anymore."

Gu Qing took off his baseball cap and mask, revealing a face that was still unrealistically handsome under the warm yellow light.

He picked up a tissue from the table and slowly wiped his fingers, his movements casual yet carrying an indescribable elegance.

The paparazzi were stunned, instinctively holding their breath—they had seen this face countless times on camera, but the impact of seeing it up close was still too strong.

"What should I call you?" Gu Qing looked up at him, just like his gentle image on the screen.

"Uh, you can just call me Xiao Wu," the paparazzo quickly replied, giving a fake name. Someone in this industry has that much awareness.

Gu Qing nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

Just then, two steaming bowls of wontons were served. The wonton wrappers, as thin as cicada wings, wrapped around tender pink meat filling, floating in the clear broth. They were garnished with bright green scallions and a small spoonful of bright red chili oil, and smelled delicious.

"Eat it while it's hot."

Gu Qing picked up a spoon, scooped up one first, blew on it, and put it in her mouth.

Looking at the bowl of wontons in front of him, which was like a "dream" to him, and then at Gu Qing eating so naturally across from him, Xiao Wu felt a huge sense of absurdity surge into his heart again.

He picked up a spoon, scooped one up, and carefully tasted it.

Fresh, fragrant

The scalding hot food slid into his stomach, bringing a real warmth that slightly eased his tense nerves.

For a time,

In the small wonton shop, only the soft sounds of chewing and the gentle clinking of bowls and spoons could be heard.

"What did you photograph?" Gu Qing suddenly asked, her tone as calm as if she were asking, "How's the weather today?"

Xiao Wu almost choked on the wonton soup, coughing violently until his face turned bright red.

He hurriedly put down the spoon, instinctively hiding the camera behind his back, and looked at Gu Qing with flustered eyes: "I...I didn't take any pictures! Really! It was just...just your back as you walked out of the company gate! I didn't even have time to..."

"What's there to be nervous about?"

Gu Qing scooped up another wonton, smiled slightly, and said, "It doesn't matter if I get photographed. I'm just out for a late-night snack, not doing anything shameful."

Xiao Wu was stunned.

This was completely different from the script he had envisioned. There were no threats of deletion, no cold warnings.

"Are you... really not afraid of being photographed?"

Xiao Wu couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him. He had seen too many celebrities get furious after being photographed in their private lives.

Gu Qing put down her spoon, picked up a tissue to wipe her mouth, and said calmly, "What's the use of being afraid? If you want to film, you'll always find a way."

"As long as they don't make up stories or edit maliciously, what's there to be afraid of in filming me walking, eating, or shopping normally?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the camera in Xiao Wu's arms. "Of course, if they take pictures of things they shouldn't, or try to fabricate stories about me, then the proper procedures will still have to be followed."

His tone was calm, even gentle, but the certainty and sense of boundaries in his words sent a chill down Xiao Wu's spine. This wasn't a warning; it was a statement of fact.

"I...we usually wouldn't dare to make things up about you, Teacher Gu..."

Xiao Wu instinctively tried to defend himself, but his voice trailed off.

That's nonsense. Fabricating scandals about top celebrities is something reporters love to do.

"Ah."

Gu Qing gave a noncommittal reply and picked up her spoon again. "So, relax and eat your wontons. It's hard work staking out in the middle of the night."

Xiao Wu watched as Gu Qing focused intently on the wontons in her bowl, as if their earlier conversation had been nothing more than casual chatter about the weather.

His tense nerves finally began to relax, and a complex, indescribable emotion welled up inside him—

There was a sense of relief at surviving a disaster, a feeling of being "treated normally" that was unfamiliar, and even a hint of...being flattered.
The two remained silent and quietly finished their unexpected late-night snack.

Gu Qing scanned the code to pay, then put her hat and mask back on in one smooth motion.

"gone."

"Next time you see me, you can greet me in person. There's no need to take pictures secretly. I'll remember what you look like."

He nodded to Xiao Wu, pushed open the door and walked out, quickly disappearing into the night.

Xiao Wu sat there, camera in hand, stunned for a long while. The two empty bowls of wontons on the table were still steaming.

He looked down at the camera. The screen lit up, showing several blurry photos of Gu Qing walking out of the company building. The only slightly clear profile photo was mostly obscured by the shadow of her hat brim.

He hovered his finger over the delete key for a moment before finally moving it away.

I can't bear to delete it...

He quietly put away his camera and left the shop.

The night breeze, carrying the intoxicating scent of early summer, brushed against his face. He looked in the direction where Gu Qing had disappeared and let out a long, complicated sigh.

This meal of wontons was probably the most bizarre and...unforgettable meal of his paparazzi career.

And that top star, Gu Qing, seems to be even more...special than he imagined?
Three days later, on a flight to Changsha.

Gu Qing leaned back in the spacious first-class seat, closing her eyes to rest. Zhao Ya sat beside her, quietly confirming the itinerary after landing.

"Boss, after landing, go straight to the hotel, meet up with the crew, and then go to the Huangguotai studio for a rehearsal and script reading. The official recording of 'Happy Camp' will take place in the afternoon."

"Mm," Gu Qing replied.

Zhao Ya paused, then, remembering something, added, "By the way, boss, the production company just sent an email. They listened to the demo of 'A Bridge of Fate' and were very satisfied!"
"I've already contacted my second brother and teacher Tan Weiwei. I heard they were both very interested in the demo and are coordinating their schedules, so there shouldn't be any problems!" "My second brother even messaged me yesterday, saying he really likes this song."

Gu Qing said with a smile.

……

The plane landed smoothly at Changsha Huanghua Airport.

Guided by staff from Huangguotai, Gu Qing arrived at the customized hotel arranged for the "Left Ear" film crew.

at the same time,

Inside the hotel suite, the atmosphere subtly changed after news of Gu Qing's impending arrival arrived.

"Xu Yi replied to my message!!"

Mas was scrolling through his phone when he received the reply. His eyes lit up instantly, and he practically jumped up from the sofa, bouncing excitedly a couple of times.
His face beamed with an undisguised, radiant smile: "He's finally here! We've been waiting for him!"

That eager enthusiasm showed no sign of the awkwardness that comes with not seeing each other for half a year.

Chen Duling sat quietly by the window, gazing at the distant scenery. Upon hearing this, her fingertips and eyelashes trembled.
Subconsciously, she smoothed the stray hairs at her temples, then looked down at her clothes, pursed her lips, and a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation flashed in her eyes.

Xu Yi... is he coming?

Guan Xiaotong was chatting and laughing with her assistant when she heard that her "Brother Gu Qing" was coming to the hotel soon. She was immediately put on pause, followed by even greater excitement.

"Sister Sichun, is Brother Gu Qing really coming?"

She looked at Ma Sichun with the joy unique to a young girl.

She quickly stood up, tidied her hair and collar in front of the mirror, and the unique joy of facing an idol, a mixture of admiration and closeness, was evident in her expression.

After a while

With a soft "ding," the elevator doors slid open slowly to both sides.

Gu Qing's figure had just appeared at the door.

"Xu Yi—!"

A clear and enthusiastic call instantly broke the silence of the corridor. Ma Sichun, like a joyful and agile female leopard, opened her arms and pounced on Gu Qing without any hesitation, giving her a solid "bear hug" so strong that Gu Qing swayed slightly.

"What is it, Sister Ma?"

Gu Qing felt a little helpless as she was being squeezed, and turned her head away in disgust. "You're trying to take advantage of me as soon as you arrive? This is a bit too 'heavy' a gift."

He resisted the urge to throw her over his shoulder.

Thinking of the revelation Zhang Ruoyun had made on the phone not long ago, Gu Qing's eyebrows flashed with curiosity as he looked down at Ma Sichun, who was still clinging to him: "Do you have a crush on me?"

"I...I have a crush on you?!"

This statement was extremely effective.

Ma Sichun seemed to have been stepped on, instantly jumping out of Gu Qing's arms and almost tripping over herself.

Her cheeks flushed bright red instantly, her eyes darting around in a panic. She put her hands on her hips, trying to appear calm, and raised her voice several octaves: "Xu Yi! No, Gu Qing! It's been a while, how come you've become so narcissistic?!"

"Who...who has a crush on you! Little Ears, Little Tong, don't you think so?"

She tried to find allies to cover up her current predicament.

However, when her gaze swept over, she first saw Guan Xiaotong grinning foolishly.

At this moment, Guan Xiaotong was completely immersed in the joy of meeting her idol, and she couldn't see Ma Sichun's embarrassment at all.

She stood to the side, her face filled with undisguised admiration and joy, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Gu Qing, like they were filled with stars.

Ma Sichun's question was like a breeze, gently blowing past her ear without leaving a trace.

"Brother Gu Qing, it's been a long time!"

Guan Xiaotong's voice is clear and crisp, with a deliberately sweet tone.
Like a little fangirl, with a hint of longing and anticipation, she subconsciously took a small step forward, slightly opening her arms, as if she also wanted a hug.

Looking at her obedient and expectant expression, Gu Qing couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out his palm and gently pressed it lightly on the top of her head.
He then naturally took her outstretched little hand, gave it a simple shake, and let go, gently reminding her, "Little girl, you can't keep hugging strangers, you have to be careful."

"Brother, you're not a stranger, and I'm an adult now, not a child anymore."

Guan Xiaotong's voice carried a hint of coquetry, her little mouth slightly pouting, but she still obediently withdrew her hand, though her eyes remained fixed on Gu Qing.

Gu Qing's gaze passed over Guan Xiaotong and landed on Chen Duling at the very back.

"Little Ears, it's been a long time." Gu Qing looked at her.

"Xu...hao...long time no see."

Chen Duling stood a few steps away. She had seen Ma Sichun's enthusiasm and Guan Xiaotong's intimacy, but it was as if she was separated by an invisible barrier.

As they greeted each other,
She had been secretly observing Gu Qing and noticed that after some time apart, the youthful, melancholic air he possessed, reminiscent of Xu Yi, had faded considerably.

Instead, she exuded a more composed and dignified aura, so beautiful it was almost dazzling, yet it also brought an invisible sense of distance and pressure, making her throat tighten and the greeting she had prepared stuck in her throat.

She stood there somewhat awkwardly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

When Gu Qing looked at her with a hint of teasing, he said, "Why have you become so shy?"

He found it a bit strange that they didn't even mention Solo anymore.

"I'm not shy."

Chen Duling took a deep breath, as if summoning the greatest courage she could muster, lifted her slightly flushed face, and took a small step forward. She opened her arms and gently hugged Gu Qing.

The movements were very light, a fleeting touch followed by an immediate separation, as if afraid of disturbing something. But in the instant of the embrace, Gu Qing could clearly feel her slender body trembling slightly.

"The temperament has changed... but the flavor... it's still Xu Yi's flavor."

The clean, crisp air, still like the warm sun of that time, slightly relaxed Chen Duling's tense nerves.

Ma Sichun's unbridled behavior and Guan Xiaotong's affectionate and coquettish manner made her both envious and at a loss.

Chen Duling suddenly realized that the reason they could get close to Gu Qing so easily was not only because of their personalities, but also because of the unspoken confidence behind them.

She was merely a "little ear" who needed to look up to Xu Yi and be extremely careful in getting close to him.

This realization added a silent pressure to her in his presence.

After the lively greetings ended, the subtle tension in the air dissipated.

Gu Qing looked around and asked, "Where's Brother Youpeng?"

"He went to see Teacher He,"

Ma Sichun had already returned to her carefree self and replied, "The director instructed that once you arrive, we'll head to the station together, and we can go over the script on the way and once we get there."

"Okay." Gu Qing nodded decisively. "Let's go then."

He gestured to his assistant to put down the luggage, then turned around and left.

The group, each with their own distinct feelings, set off once again, their destination the Huangguotai broadcasting studio.

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(End of this chapter)