Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 304 of "Nirvana in Fire" (4.7k)
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"like what?"

Jiang Xin looked at Liu Tianxian with a puzzled expression, then wrapped her arms around Liu Tao's arm and shook it coquettishly.

Liu Tao's appearance and temperament are unique in the Chinese entertainment industry, possessing both the gentleness of a virtuous wife and loving mother and the resilience and heroism in her bones.

Many career-driven female celebrities transform into charming and adorable girls under her powerful and inclusive aura.

For most viewers, she is the respected "Teacher Bai".

'It's very much like a character.'

Liu Tao gently tapped his friend's smooth forehead with his fingertip, but his gaze drifted into the distance.

The description that had left a deep impression on her, which she had read in the script not long ago, came to mind:
He was dressed in a flowing white robe, seemingly a frail scholar, with a face as pale as paper, possessing a sickly, aloof beauty. At first glance, he appeared to be a hermit sage untouched by worldly affairs...

Are there really actors in the entertainment industry who can fit this description perfectly?

This was her strongest thought when she first read the script.

This is indeed the case.

The entire production team has been racking their brains trying to find a male lead who combines "youthful good looks" with "strategic planning and the wisdom of Zhou Yu," and there is still no hope of starting filming.

Taking a single criterion might lead to a search; but combining both results in "no such person found".

The pressure from investors and the actors' schedules are like a sword hanging over their heads.

The production team has even begun to consider compromises, intending to abandon the focus on good looks and instead look for talent among middle-aged and young actors with strong acting skills.

On a whim, Liu Tao couldn't resist taking out his phone and snapping a photo of Gu Qing, who was immediately surrounded by a crowd of admirers upon entering the venue.
It was quickly sent to the director and screenwriter of the production team.

Perhaps... this is the turning point?

The group name she sent was: "Nirvana in Fire"!
……

"Little brother, little brother..."

Jiang Xin could no longer contain her joy. She stood up and waved vigorously, trying to get through the crowd to attract Gu Qing's attention.

however,
Surrounded by the calls from afar, Gu Qing politely nodded and smiled at the figures in all directions, responding to the enthusiastic greetings, unaware of the commotion on Jiang Xin's side.

"Alright, alright, sit down, you're so embarrassing!"

Liu Tao noticed the knowing and teasing glances coming from around him, and his face flushed slightly. He quickly reached out and pulled Jiang Xin back to her seat.

Those stares clearly said: yet another one trying to ride the coattails of a top celebrity.

But Liu Tao knew her best friend well; she was straightforward and honest, with a mind as pure as a blank sheet of paper, and had absolutely no scheming.

“What’s so shameful about me greeting my brother!” Jiang Xin muttered indignantly.

“Xin Xin…”

Sitting to the side, Wang Ziwen had a playful smile on her lips and slowly teased, "But it seems that your brother... is quite unfamiliar with you?"
Is your relationship really as good as you say?

She, Jiang Xin, and Liu Tao are the "three sisters" who became friends through the hit drama "Ode to Joy," and they were invited together this time.

This drama focuses on women's growth and mutual support. It is realistic, logically sound, and has achieved both critical and commercial success, perfectly matching the tone of a fashion charity gala.

"Of course!"

Jiang Xin wanted to give a firm answer, but her words faltered and her eyes became unfocused.

Yes, she and Gu Qing haven't seen each other for almost a year since the promotional period for "The Journey of Flower" and "Happy Camp".

There is very little interaction on the blog.

Jiang Xin felt that her passion for Gu Qing had not faded, but she didn't know what Gu Qing thought.

She had witnessed too many partings and reunions, and too much coldness and warmth in the entertainment industry, and she really couldn't be sure whether she had been categorized as "alienated" in the other person's mind.

"Hey, what's all this commotion up ahead? Who's come with such a big entourage, all rushing to curry favor?"

A loud and familiar voice broke in.

Ms. Han Hong, a plump teacher, was wearing a suit and had just returned from the restroom.

Looking at the crowded and noisy crowd ahead, he casually asked with his usual straightforwardness and undisguised sarcasm, "Could it be that Brother Chen Long has arrived?"

It's not surprising that she, a well-known domestic celebrity and philanthropist, was invited to attend a fashion charity gala.

She had a very good relationship with all the women at the table, so they sat together.

Han Hong has always disliked some artists in the industry who fawn over their superiors and are arrogant towards their lower-level employees, so he makes no attempt to hide his mocking tone.

Liu Tao felt utterly exhausted—this "family" would truly fall apart without her!

She quickly pulled Han Hong down to sit, lowering her voice: "Old Han, keep your voice down! It's not Brother Chen Long, it's Gu Qing, the one Xin Xin always talks about, the hottest young heartthrob right now."

"Hi! It's little Gu Qing!"

Han Hong's eyes lit up, and the mockery on her face instantly turned into surprise. "You should have said so earlier! No wonder there were so many people gathered around. You invited him over to catch up!"

"Old Han, do you know him?"

Now it was Liu Tao's turn to be surprised. So he was the only "outsider"?
"Of course I know you!"

Han Hong's voice unconsciously rose a little, filled with sincere admiration, "I met him at Huangguotai New Year's Eve last year, he's such a nice kid! Low-key, kind-hearted, and he even donated a large sum of money to our foundation without leaving his name!"

She had an excellent impression of Gu Qing and was full of praise for him.

"So that's it..."

The sense of estrangement Liu Tao felt towards Gu Qing due to their unfamiliarity dissipated considerably, replaced by a hint of goodwill.

They are close friends with Han Hong, and they are all enthusiastic about public welfare in private.

Putting aside the praise from her two best friends,
This unassuming kindness alone is enough to prove that the child is of good character.

It's incredibly difficult to find a good person in the entertainment industry.

They're worth getting to know better!

the other side,
Su Mang was beaming and drawing everyone's attention.

"Come on, little brother, you and Qianqian are seated at this table in the front row."

She affectionately linked arms with Gu Qing, basking in the spotlight, then looked around. "Hey? Qianqian isn't with you?"

"She's behind us, she should be here soon."

Gu Qing responded politely.

Su Mang would personally lead the way and exchange pleasantries with almost every important artist who entered, showcasing the fashion director's extensive network and influence.

Every table in the front row was filled with stars, all of whom were highly popular celebrities.

The four top celebrities were cleverly "equally favored," each placed at a different table.

Gu Qing walked to her seat, her gaze quickly sweeping over her classmates: Ni Ni, Song Qian, and Yang Mi, all stunningly beautiful and popular actresses.
In addition, there's another empty spot—reserved for Liu Tianxian.

Gu Qing felt helpless. There were many familiar faces in the room, but at this table... there wasn't a single person he had worked with before.

As Gu Qing approached, the reactions of the people at the table were subtle and varied.

Ni Ni smiled languidly and generously, sitting in her original position and nodding gracefully to him, her eyes filled with a hint of curiosity as she looked him over.

A hint of hesitation flashed across Song Qian's face. She leaned forward slightly, as if she wanted to stand up and greet them, but then felt it would be awkward.

In the end, all I could offer was a slightly awkward smile.

As a senior artist who debuted very early in South Korea, according to the customs there, even trainees like Gu Qing and the four members who returned to China should bow and greet her.

But this is China, and the rules are different.

She was also aware of Gu Qing's current popularity and status.
Putting on airs? She hadn't thought about it.

Should she actively try to establish a senior-junior relationship? That would seem too deliberate and beneath her dignity. Just as she was struggling with this internal struggle—

"Oh, is it my little brother?"

A sweet, soft voice broke the delicate silence. Yang Mi, at the peak of her beauty, gracefully rose, her eyes sparkling, and with a beaming smile, extended her slender hand. "Great! We finally have a boy at our table! Welcome!"

This move instantly attracted everyone's attention.

'Tsk, here we go again...'

'Ah……'

'Really...'

The gazes cast here were filled with a silent mix of complex emotions: disdain, sneers, contempt, disgust, and amusement.

The camera captured the reactions of others in the room. Zhao Liying, who was looking over there seriously, caught a glimpse of the camera out of the corner of her eye and instantly switched to a bright smile, as if her previous gaze was just an illusion.

Liu Shishi, however, was well-prepared. She smiled gently and gracefully at the camera, even waving her hand lightly. Her eyes were calm and unwavering, revealing no trace of emotion.

Her highly publicized "best friend breakup" with Yang Mi was a major topic of conversation in the Chinese entertainment industry.

"Hahaha, that girl must be incredibly jealous! Second Master is going to be snatched away by that vixen!"

"Senior Sister looks normal, her expression control is perfect, you can't see any fluctuation at all."

"Sister, it's precisely this lack of reaction that's scary, okay? Think about what happened between her and Yang Mi. Now she's flirting with her brother right in front of him, isn't that just taking advantage of him?"

"Speaking of which, who exactly is Yang Mi? She smiles like a vixen. Has my younger brother ever worked with her? Why is she so enthusiastic?"

"You're so annoying! Stay away from your brother!"

In front of the television, Gu Qing's fans were discussing the matter animatedly, with some simply enjoying the spectacle while many more expressed their dissatisfaction.

"Hello, Sister Honey."

Gu Qing was equally puzzled—he had no connection with Yang Misu, so where did this overly enthusiastic "welcome ceremony" come from?

But one shouldn't hit a smiling face, so he remained polite, lightly touching the other person's hand with his fingertips before quickly withdrawing.

He smiled back at Ni Ni, then turned his gaze to Song Qian, whose smile seemed a little stiff, and extended his hand with a natural yet respectful gesture: "Hello, Victoria. When we were trainees, we all persevered by listening to your legendary story."

“But you’re already much more successful than us ‘older generation’ people.”

Song Qian felt a sudden sense of relief, and her smile immediately became much more sincere. She quickly stood up, took Gu Qing's hand, and spoke with emotion and affection.

From the outside perspective, these "workers in South Korea" naturally belong to a single circle.
Moreover, since they belong to the same company, their relationship is always given an imagined aura.

After greeting everyone,
Gu Qing deliberately left an empty seat (for Liu Tianxian) and sat down alone.

An invisible distance subtly emerged between him and the female celebrities sitting at the same table.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment. Since they weren't familiar with each other, forcing a conversation would only increase the embarrassment.

It was Yang Mi who finally broke the silence.

With Sister around, how could the place be deserted?
From the furthest distance, she lazily rested her chin on one hand, her naturally alluring fox-like eyes shimmering with moisture, fixed intently on Gu Qing.
Ignoring everyone around her, she sighed softly, her voice gentle and sweet: "Little brother, you rejected me so cruelly..."

"Ah?"

Caught off guard, Gu Qing's face showed genuine bewilderment, even doubting her own memory. "Sister Mi, this... this should be our first formal meeting, right? What did I say that I refused you?"

"puff……"

Ni Ni quickly lowered her head, using her wine glass to conceal the upward curve of her lips.

"cough……"

Song Qian quickly turned her face away, her shoulders trembling slightly, clearly trying her best to suppress her laughter.

A sense of pleasure and secret satisfaction swept through both of them.

Yang Mi's charming smile froze for a fraction of a second, then transformed into a deeper resentment, her eyes flashing with accusation: "Little brother, you really have a bad memory."

"I was the first to volunteer to play the female lead in 'The Mystic Nine'... Don't you remember at all?"

When Gu Qing and Li Yifeng started their public opinion war, she keenly sensed the potential of this drama and immediately volunteered herself.

However, the production team politely declined, allowing Zhao Liying to "steal" the role.

Watching the immense popularity of "The Mystic Nine" unfold before her eyes, Yang Mi was filled with deep regret—it should have been hers! Hers!

If she had two hit dramas in her hands, "Bone Sword" and "The Mystic Nine,"
What about the "Four Little Actresses" ranking, or even Liu Yifei's status?
She might not be unshakeable!
But all this,
They were all turned away with a casual "not suitable"!
Her resentment was also extremely deep.

"Little brother, logically speaking, your older sister was the first artist to have faith in you and support you. You little...heartless man~"

She drew out the last syllable of her voice, with a coquettish tone, and gave Gu Qing a flirtatious glance, her eyes seemingly hooked.

"..."

Gu Qing was completely speechless. She knew she was talking nonsense, but she had no idea how to respond.

He can't handle this woman.

"thanks, thanks."

Gu Qing simply got up and went to make her way through the scenes.

Watching Gu Qing leave, Yang Mi was not annoyed at all. Instead, her red lips curved into a deeper smile, and she gently bit her lip, her eyes showing even more interest.

Tsk, this kind of shy, runaway "puppy"
He's much more interesting than those greasy old men...

"Brother Chao, Brother Kai."

Gu Qing walked quickly to the table where Deng Chao and Zheng Kai were sitting, her voice becoming a little lighter.

"Hey! Little brother (Gu)!" Deng Chao and Zheng Kai stood up in surprise at the same time, opened their arms, and gave Gu Qing a warm bear hug.

The atmosphere here is so relaxing and comfortable.

"Come, come, little brother, let me formally introduce you to my wife." Deng Chao said with a hint of pride, pushing his wife forward.

"The child is so handsome! This outfit is also a great choice; it really complements your style."

The Empress was cheerful and unpretentious, patting Gu Qing's arm without any awkwardness, and then curiously touching the fabric of his clothes, praising it.

Deng Chao wasn't jealous at all; instead, he happily joined in with his wife, "touching her all over."
Gu Qing was both amused and exasperated: "Brother Chao! Where are you touching?" He instinctively covered the inside of his chest.

"Still hiding it?"

Deng Chao spread his hands and said with a smile, "Hurry up and hand over the candy. I saw you giving things to the fans outside."

"You were able to figure that out?" Gu Qing was genuinely surprised this time.

"Of course."

Deng Chao said smugly, "We've recorded so many episodes together, do you think I don't know your little habits? Hurry up, everyone gets a share!"

"All right……"

Gu Qing looked pained, slowly pulling out the last three milk candies from a hidden pocket in her sleeve. 'There really aren't many left...'

"Haha, the interaction between Brother Chao and his younger brother is so sweet! Brother Kai even lifted his younger brother up high!"

"Empress has joined the 'candy-grabbing' army! This is definitely a family gathering, so heartwarming."

May the friendship among the Running Man cast last forever!

The Running Man fans watching on TV were completely satisfied.

The social time before the start of the Bazaar Charity Night was inherently filled with deliberate small talk and subtle awkwardness.

Gu Qing's introduction was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly enlivening the atmosphere of the entire venue.

He has a high profile, and the camera is happy to follow him.

Wow! My little brother is actually so familiar with Teacher Huangbo and Zhang Yixin?

"Sis, are you on 2G? Didn't you watch 'Go Fighting!'? The episode where the younger brother was a guest, he even saved Lay!"

Wherever Gu Qing went, regardless of their seniority or status, most of the artists at the table would greet him with smiles.
Those who were close even shook hands and hugged, vividly demonstrating the loving relationship between seniors and juniors in the industry.

Of course, not everyone can laugh.

Li Yifeng was expressionless, his eyes vacant.

Chris Wu wore sunglasses, his chin slightly raised, maintaining a cool and noble princely demeanor.

Lu Han forced a slightly awkward chuckle.

The forced smiles of these three top celebrities were captured precisely by the camera, making the audience at the scene and those watching on television feel relaxed.

"Hey, look! Little brother is heading towards Liying and Shishi."

"Oh my god! A love triangle is about to unfold! I don't know whether to talk to the girl first or greet Shishi first."

"Exciting! So exciting!"

Just as all the audience held their breath, anticipating this dramatic scene—

The camera suddenly cuts!
The blinding spotlights focused precisely on Liu Yifei, who had just entered the venue and was radiant with beauty!
"Relieve your back!"

At that moment, countless viewers in front of their televisions echoed the same cry from their hearts.

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(End of this chapter)