Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 286 The Kisses Expert Arrives (3.2k views)
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Saturday evening, prime time.

A pretty girl sat cross-legged on her small sofa, holding a pillow with Gu Qing's cartoon image on it, her eyes glued to the TV screen.

on the screen,
The Huangguotai logo is flashing, signaling the upcoming premiere of tonight's highlight—"Happy Camp".

Her name is Xiaojuan, a seasoned "keyboard warrior".

For her, the greatest joy of following celebrities is not simply looking up to their brilliance, but immersing herself in the sweet or heart-wrenching emotional atmospheres woven together by the idols and their partners.

She is a professional "sweetness" excavator and a top catcher of "atmosphere".

Gu Qing is her most expansive "sugar field".

From the deep sibling-like relationship with Yang Ying in the early days of "Running Man" to the bond with Zhao Liying in "The Journey of Flower";
From that fleeting glimpse of him standing side-by-side with Liu Shishi during the promotional tour for "Brotherhood of Blades,"
The sparks that flew between him and Gulnazar as the "Word Spirit Couple" in "Up Idol" and "Legend of Nine Tails Fox";
Then, in the currently popular drama "The Mystic Nine," there's the poignant love story between Er Yuehong, played by Zhao Liying, and Ya Tou, a love that transcends life and death...

Every work of Gu Qing's and every time they appear together is a "fertile ground" for her to cultivate and repeatedly enjoy the sweet moments between their characters.

Within the vast "Gu family" group, "scholars" like Xiao Juan are often at the bottom of the hierarchy of contempt.

In the eyes of solo fans, their love is not "pure" enough, and is even somewhat "scummy"—

Today I shouted "They're such a good match!" at the female lead.
Tomorrow, they'll be screaming "locked in" for another partner! This has upset many fans who only focus on Gu Qing himself.

"He likes this today, that tomorrow, and this the day after; he's so fickle!"

Xiao Juan has heard that sound too many times.

However, the celebrity's team has a special fondness for fans like them.

After all, a fan who is so passionate about a show has the potential to impulsively spend money on every new drama and every new collaboration.

"What's wrong with shipping couples? I'm happy and proud of it!"

Xiao Juan muttered to herself, picked up the remote control, and firmly locked the channel to Huangguo TV.

Tonight, her "new sweet field" will be cultivated—the crew of the youth campus film "Left Ear," starring Gu Qing, is coming!
The thought of Gu Qing in a clean white shirt, playing the role of a campus heartthrob, made Xiao Juan's cheeks involuntarily flush.

As an ordinary student, who wouldn't fantasize about having someone as dazzling as Gu Qing appear in their youth?

Even if he's only half as good-looking as me, that would be fine!

As soon as the opening music of the program started, Xiao Juan's phone, which was on her lap, started vibrating wildly like a lit firecracker, with a continuous stream of notification sounds.

“Ding ding ding—!”

She unlocked her screen, and what greeted her eyes was the pinned group chat with a thousand members – “Gu Qing · Starlight · Core Data Group”.

The group owner and administrators are spamming the chat with tags for all members:

"@Attention all members! My brother's appearance on 'Happy Camp' is about to begin! All groups, prepare for data monitoring! Take screenshots in real time, record screens, and generate buzz for related topics. Get moving! Reply received!"

Xiao Juan's fingers flew across the keyboard: "Received."

The message was immediately drowned out by a torrent of "received" messages.

Being able to join this group is the most shining badge on Xiao Juan's "idol-chasing resume".

This is not an ordinary fan group, but an "inner circle" that requires real money investment (purchasing a specified amount of endorsements and merchandise) and continuous "data labor" (daily check-in, controlling comments, fighting against negative publicity, and generating hashtags) to obtain an entry ticket.

Diving for more than three days? Kick!

Mission completion not high enough? Kick!
Data not up to standard? Kick!
Beneath the stringent rules lie alluring "privileges":
Get first-hand access to Gu Qing's non-public schedule, set visit opportunities, exclusive photos and videos, and even pay for proxy photography through the resourceful "station sisters" in the group.

Xiaojuan was able to join the group because of her account on the Abi website, which has nearly 100,000 followers – “Qingtang Research Institute”.

She's a video editor, a "sweetness maker." Her viral CP-themed mashups feature Gu Qing, from the ambiguous tug-of-war of the original "sibling couple" to the sweet daily life of the "Word Spirit Couple."

Many of the tragic love stories of "Er Yuehong and Ya Tou" were written by her, and she even popularized the couple's names.

Her superb editing skills and keen ability to capture "atmosphere and sweet moments" have made her highly respected in the group, where she is affectionately known as "Teacher Juanjuan".

At this moment, the group chat became much more active because of her presence:
Wow! Is Teacher Juanjuan also watching the show? [Starry-eyed]

"Great! Can't wait for Teacher Juanjuan's fresh cut! I'm still working overtime and can't watch the live stream, sob sob [crying emoji]"

"Teacher Juanjuan! The video you edited last time about Second Master and Ya Tou from 'The Mystic Nine' made me cry through three packs of tissues! The background music was absolutely perfect! [crying][crying]"

"Teacher Juanjuan, please give us some new sweet moments! And please provide some after-sales support for the Yanling couple! [cheering]"

"+1 Please give me the maid and the second master! Old candy is fine too! I'm starving! [Pity]"

"I'll always support the sibling couple! Teacher Juanjuan, are you considering remaking the classic? [Looking forward to it]"

Looking at the screen full of compliments and expectations, Xiao Juan felt a surge of joyful satisfaction.

This is a feeling of being needed and recognized that is difficult for ordinary students to experience in reality.

But at the same time, a hidden anxiety also crept in—the resource library was running out of material.

Xiao Juan is very distressed. She has edited the old variety show countless times, almost exhausting all the details and sweet moments, but new collaborations are still not coming.

Her creative passion was slowly drained away, leaving her feeling powerless.

Xiaojuan fondly remembers the early days of the "sister-brother CP" (couple pairing), when the stable weekly output of new interactions inspired her and allowed her to cut with great enthusiasm.

"We are—the Happy Family!" The familiar opening line from the TV brought Xiao Juan back to reality. She put down her phone and stared intently at the screen.

Soon, the crew of "The Left Ear" appeared.

Gu Qing, dressed in a crisp white shirt, with a clean smile, instantly captured Xiao Juan's heart—this was the campus heartthrob she had always dreamed of!
However, the atmosphere in the group quickly cooled down:
"This guy's resources... I'm about to curse! He's already a top star, why is he still promoting these washed-up celebrities? [Angry]"

"Trash company! We can't get a single resource! Run, little brother! [Cracked]"

"Look at Li Yifeng next door, he's already hooking up with Feng Xiaogang! What's wrong with our little brother? [Speechless]"

"Master Zhang! Brother Kai! Look at our little brother! [Kneeling]"

"I just went to see the promotional material for 'The Left Ear,' and they actually dared to label it as having two male leads? Does that Ou Hao even deserve it?!"

"Sigh, a small workshop is just a small workshop, it wastes time. If my brother were in a big factory like Huayi or Bona, he would have been promoted long ago, and there wouldn't be those three jobs."

The anger and dissatisfaction of the solo fans flooded the screen.

Xiao Juan's gaze, however, lingered on the girl beside Gu Qing—Chen Duling, who played Li Er.

A pure white flower, with timid eyes and a slender figure, like a lily glistening with morning dew.

When she stood side by side with Gu Qing, who was wearing a white shirt, the scene was so clean and beautiful that it took your breath away.

"They're such a perfect match..."

The thought involuntarily popped into Xiao Juan's mind, followed by a surge of bittersweet envy.

She casually searched for Chen Duling's information and was surprised to find that before filming "The Left Ear," Chen Duling was just an ordinary student, just like her!

"Students...can act as lovers with their younger brothers, and even date..."

A bold thought popped into my head uncontrollably: 'Then... is it possible for me too?'
She subconsciously put herself in Chen Duling's shoes.

After the program started

Xiao Juan's career radar is fully activated.

In the first game segment, countless "sweet spots" sparkled in her eyes:
When Chen Duling jumped onto Gu Qing's back, her cheeks flushed instantly and her eyes lowered shyly.

When Gu Qing steadily supported her knees, his hand deliberately hovered in the air, maintaining a gentlemanly distance.

When He Jiong mispronounced a name, Gu Qing quickly defused the situation with a joke...

"what--!"

Upon seeing this scene, Xiao Juan couldn't help but cover her mouth and let out a short scream.

She had only experienced this intense feeling of being "intoxicated" during the initial "sibling couple" period. But this time, it seemed even more different.

Chen Duling's identity as an ordinary student was like a key, instantly unlocking the valve of identification for Xiao Juan (and countless young female fans like her).

The interactions on the screen are no longer just other people's stories; they seem to have become a projection of their own fantasies.

"Was my brother... protecting 'me' just now?"

This wonderful empathy made her heart race.

In the second snack guessing segment, the production team preserved the entire clip of Gu Qing handing candy to Chen Duling, the screams of the fans in the audience, and his generous announcement that he would "buy back all the candy in the vicinity".

It has a bit of the "domineering CEO style" of a fishpond owner who used to rent out the entire fishpond.

What truly made Xiaojuan's mind explode with excitement, causing her to breathe rapidly and her fingers to tremble, was the final play segment.

The camera inadvertently panned to the edge of the stage—Chen Duling sat alone in a slightly dim corner, as quiet as a forgotten painting.

Gu Qing, who was talking with Teacher He, seemed to glance at her unintentionally, a hint of doubt flashing across his brows.

Immediately afterwards, he very naturally reached out a hand from behind He Jiong and steadily pulled the lonely figure to the light beside him.

This detail!

In Xiao Juan's eyes, this "expert on knacks" was nothing short of a bombshell!
"Boom boom boom! I've fucking blown it apart!!"

Xiao Juan excitedly punched the pillow, feeling her blood boiling.

Before the program had even finished, she couldn't contain her creative impulse. She rushed to her computer desk, turned on the computer, and opened the editing software in one swift motion.

Long-dormant inspiration erupted like a volcano, materials rapidly combining in her mind, and she even came up with several titles—"From Dark Corner to Light: His Silent Redemption,"

"He's Xu Yi, and he's also Gu Qing: His Favoritism Is Always in the Details"...

However, for the vast majority of "Gu family members" in the group, the highlight of tonight's program was not the undercurrent of interaction, but Gu Qing's few lines of a cappella singing:
"Who says my little brother can only sing OSTs and Peking Opera style?! He sings pop songs so well too!"

"Even his a cappella singing is amazing! Please, little brother, release a single! I'm begging you!"

"You've been proven wrong, haven't you haters? Did you hear that? Our little brother is all-around amazing!"

A "counterattack" on idols' abilities is quietly unfolding in group chats and blogs.

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