Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 388 Uncle Shen and Mary (8k!)
……

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"WTF?! How much?!"

"Three...three hundred million?!?"

"This is ridiculous! Even launching a satellite wouldn't be this exaggerated! How could Gu Qing possibly get such a high salary?! That's enough to film so many TV series!"

The entire internet erupted in outrage, and public opinion was instantly ignited, like pouring a bucket of cold water into a boiling oil pan.

At the top of the blog's trending topics list, the hashtag #GuQing'sSkyHighSalary# was followed by a bright red "Explosive" sign, and the number of views skyrocketed.

"How is that impossible?! Look at the analysis posts! 'Detective Chinatown' grossed 3 billion yuan. If he really took a share of the box office as the rumors say, 10% would be 300 million yuan! My God, that money-making ability is terrifying!"

"A sky-high salary! This is the real sky-high salary! Those tens of millions before are nothing compared to this!"

When the number "300 million" was clearly seen in black and white, the entire Chinese entertainment industry, from top to bottom, from seasoned professionals to casual observers, went crazy.

This number has exceeded the boundaries of many people's imagination, and is more like a business myth that exists in legend.

Even the "Gu family members," who are usually strong in their fight and have full confidence in Gu Qing, were momentarily stunned when they saw this explosive revelation. Their first reaction was disbelief.

"Little brother...did he really earn that much?" a fan asked cautiously in the super topic.

"It must be true... The box office of 'Detective Chinatown' is just too terrifying..."

“But… three hundred million! I’ve never seen so much money in my entire life…”

Let alone fans, even industry peers, those A-list artists, producers, and directors who are used to high salaries, generally had a skeptical attitude when they saw this number.

Three hundred million! That's a solid three hundred million in cash!

Many veteran entertainers in the entertainment industry have dedicated their entire lives to their craft. If they meticulously calculate all their film salaries and endorsement deals...
After deducting taxes, team profits, and various expenses, those who can ultimately accumulate a net worth of 300 million are probably extremely rare!
This is a disruptive impact on the traditional actor income system.

however,
When people, filled with shock and skepticism, carefully read those seemingly well-reasoned exposés and saw the detailed analysis of the "box office revenue sharing" model,
And then there's the fact that "Detective Chinatown" broke records with a box office of 3 billion yuan...

Although it is still difficult to accept emotionally, rationally, many people vaguely understand that this possibility is not a pipe dream.

Gu Qing may have truly pioneered a brand-new top-tier compensation model that is deeply tied to box office performance.

As the entertainment industry was thrown into turmoil by this "300 million yuan salary," the executives of Gu Qing's self-righteous company, the instigator of the whole thing, finally revealed a long-lost, twisted, and smug smile.

"Hahaha, good! Very good! Let the storm rage on!"

Some people excitedly waved their fists.

They eagerly hoped that this opportunity would also draw in a large number of casual observers, sparking widespread condemnation and outrage against exorbitant celebrity salaries.
Get everyone involved in the verbal attack on Gu Qing, use public opinion to force him to submit, and let him know that without the company's "protection," he will find it difficult to move forward.

However, reality gave them a resounding slap in the face.

The scenario they envisioned—Gu Qing being condemned by everyone and losing public favor—did not occur at all.

First, while discussions and complaints about high celebrity salaries do exist, the focus has strangely shifted.

"Hilarious! Gu Qing earns so much from just one movie, I'd be happy! I've watched 'Detective Chinatown' three times, it was worth the ticket price! Why are you criticizing him?"

"Exactly! At least Gu Qing's movies are worth the ticket price! I enjoyed watching them! Those actors with awkward acting, terrible plots, and tens of millions in paychecks are the ones who should be publicly criticized!"

"I especially want to point out the other top celebrities and young heartthrobs; what kind of industrial garbage are they filming? It's simply an eyesore!"

"If you can produce films of the same quality as Gu Qing's, I'd applaud even if you earned 3 billion, let alone 300 million! The question is, do you have that ability?"

"This money comes from the market, it's what the audience voted for with their movie tickets! We're doing it willingly!"

Gu Qing's long-standing positive public image, the high quality of his works, and especially the widespread acclaim for "Detective Chinatown,"

His recent act of retiring at the peak of his career and returning to school to hone his acting skills has played a significant role at this moment.

The audience has its own judgment. Rather than criticizing Gu Qing, who lets his work speak for itself and earns money "honestly," they are more willing to vent their anger on other popular but unworthy celebrities.

Even more ironically,
The rival company previously bought a bunch of trending topics about "encouraging growth" and "supporting education" in an attempt to undermine Gu Qing.

Ironically, this incident became Gu Qing's "protective charm," reinforcing his positive image of "valuing skill over profit."

Within the entertainment industry, the reaction to Gu Qing's "sky-high" income completely exceeded the company's expectations.

After the initial shock and disbelief, the colleagues' emotions quickly evolved into a more complex mix of envy, jealousy, and a hint of indescribable awe.

What is the entertainment industry?
This is a place where the concepts of "fame and fortune" are ingrained in people's very bones!
It's a place that completely prioritizes appearance over personality, and places extreme importance on status and commercial value!

Gu Qing can earn 300 million yuan from one drama... This has already exceeded the scope of an ordinary "artist".

This is practically walking capital!
Moreover, he is a young talent with a promising future, only 20 years old!

At this moment, countless female celebrities looked at Gu Qing's handsome and youthful face on their phone screens, their hearts trembling and their eyes sparkling with an unusual light.

If you can get your hands on this "golden bachelor"... then why bother trying so hard to please those fat, married old men?

This is hardly top-tier.

This is clearly a prince on a white horse arriving riding on a colorful cloud!
It's the perfect combination of true love and career!

Why are more and more celebrities choosing to "internalize" their content in recent years, amidst the explosive growth of the internet economy?
Marriages and alliances among celebrities are becoming more and more common, unlike in earlier years when female stars would fight tooth and nail to marry into wealthy families.

the reason is simple,
In an era of soaring actor salaries, it's not difficult for a popular second- or third-tier actor to earn tens of millions from a single film.

Their income far exceeds that of most so-called "rich people," and this money is earned relatively stably and honestly, without as much risk and uncertainty as the real economy.

Unless the other party is a top-tier wealthy family with unfathomable background, ordinary small and medium-sized wealthy people may not have any advantage in terms of financial resources when facing a popular celebrity.

The combination of artists is the real power alliance, a superposition of resources and influence!
And now,
Gu Qing's sudden appearance with his "300 million yuan salary" was like a thunderbolt, demonstrating his terrifying money-making ability.

It seems that this era of "artists as capital" is being presented to everyone more intensely and clearly.

The most direct and dramatic reaction,

It comes from Chris Wu, who has always regarded Gu Qing as his number one rival.

He was lazily scrolling through social media in his mansion when the trending headline "Gu Qing rakes in 3 million" caught his eye.

He froze, his pupils dilated, as if he didn't recognize the words.

Then,

A surge of emotion, a mixture of extreme shock, resentment, and anger, rushed to his head. He slammed the tablet computer in his hand onto the expensive wool carpet, letting out a suppressed, almost manic growl:

"Ah ah ah ah ah!!!"

"Three hundred million?! How could he possibly earn three hundred million?!"

clown!

He felt like a clown!
Recalling his smugness when he received that 6000 million yuan film contract, and even casually showing it off to his female fans who adored him in private settings...

At this moment, those memories transformed into the loudest slaps, striking his face hard with each blow, leaving a burning pain.

He finally earned the highest salary of his career, 80 million yuan, with "Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back".
He thought he was enough to stand out from the crowd, to tear Gu Qing apart, to trample Lu Han underfoot, and to firmly sit on the throne of the top influencer.

But who could have imagined,
Gu Qing, this guy who doesn't play by the rules, doesn't follow the fixed salary route at all; he actually gets a share of the box office revenue!

"Haha, Gu Qing's popularity now not only surpasses the other three top stars, but her salary is also far superior."

Gu Qing: Even if the three of you were tied together, you wouldn't be enough for me to beat!

"Hahaha—brother is awesome! This is the true pinnacle of popularity!"

Thinking of the hurtful comments under the trending topics, Chris Wu's face turned ashen with anger, and his chest heaved violently.

From his trainee days in South Korea, he was highly regarded by his company and treated as a prodigy.

After their debut, their agency, XO, became incredibly popular throughout Asia and even the world, truly a top star-making machine.

After returning to China, he had a smooth and successful career, with abundant resources. He had never experienced such crushing and humiliation.
Now that Gu Qing has repeatedly slapped him in the face in terms of popularity, works, and even his most prized commercial value, how can the proud and arrogant Chris Wu swallow this insult?!

"If you can get a share of the box office revenue, why can't I?!"

An idea entered his mind and quickly grew.

Chris Wu immediately grabbed his phone to check the data.

Among the films that have been taken off the screens during the Spring Festival, the one he starred in, "Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back," has accumulated a box office of 17 billion yuan!
In previous years, this would have been an absolutely remarkable championship achievement.

Compared to the 3 billion yuan box office of "Detective Chinatown," it's like comparing heaven and earth, appearing so insignificant.

"10% of the box office revenue... If I could get the same contract, I could get at least 170 million from 'Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back'!"

Chris Wu's nostrils flared slightly, his breathing became rapid, and his eyes gleamed with uncontrollable greed and excitement.

170 million! This number made his throat feel dry and tight.

That's faster than robbing someone!
Beyond anger and jealousy, a strange sense of "gratitude" unexpectedly arose within me—

He should instead "thank" Gu Qing for pointing out a brand new and more lucrative path to wealth!
The entertainment industry isn't afraid of celebrities making money! They're only afraid you won't make that much money!
As long as you can prove that you have enough box office appeal and can bring investors a return far exceeding the investment,

Let alone 300 million, even a higher share would be something those capitalists waving their cash would be willing to give!
In the past, a movie was considered good if it could earn tens of millions in profit, and earning hundreds of millions was considered a phenomenal blockbuster.

But now, the market is expanding at such a rapid pace that even those of them involved are feeling alarmed.

Gu Qing's "300 million" will not deter investors; on the contrary, it will act like a magnet, attracting large, powerful companies.

In particular, several major internet companies will pursue top-tier traffic that can create miracles even more frantically!

Thinking he had figured everything out, Chris Wu immediately called his agent and ordered in an unquestionable tone: "Immediately! Change the salary model for my next movie to box office revenue sharing!"

The conditions... cannot be worse than Gu Qing's!

As a top influencer, he was confident that he had the right to make such a request.

And Chris Wu's next film is the fantasy epic "L.O.R.D.: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties," directed by the highly popular Guo Jingming.

"what?!"

"He wants a share of the box office revenue too?! And it can't be lower than Gu Qing's?!"

Upon receiving the call, Director Guo flew into a rage and nearly crushed the wine glass in his hand.

He desperately wanted to yell back into the phone: "Don't you even know your place? Do you think you're worthy of comparing yourself to Gu Qing?!"
This film, "L.O.R.D.: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties," is his labor of love, an ambitious work in an attempt to prove to moviegoers across the country that he is more than just an idol drama director!

He invested tremendous effort and money, employing the most advanced CG technology available today, in an effort to create a grand fantasy world.

to this end,

He spared no expense, inviting almost half of the top stars in the entertainment industry to help out, and the production cost was already astronomical.

Currently, Chris Wu's stance is firm and he is not backing down.

Looking around the entire Chinese film industry, Director Guo finds very few young male actors who can carry the box office and have top-tier popularity.

Gu Qing couldn't be invited, and Lu Han's temperament didn't quite fit the dark fantasy style of "Legend of Ravaging Dynasties"...

After much thought, it seems that the only candidate left is Chris Wu.

His popularity and fan base are indeed one of the guarantees of box office success.

"10%... then 10% it is!"

Director Guo struggled internally for a long time before finally making a decision with a heavy heart, almost with a sense of tragic heroism.

He could only console himself with this thought: although he ultimately received less profit, he also transferred some of the risk of box office failure to Chris Wu.

In case... he meant in case

The film "Legend of Ravaging Dynasties," to which he poured his heart and soul, did not receive the market response he expected, but at least it reduced some of the losses in terms of actor salaries.

With Director Guo's compromise, Chris Wu's team acted swiftly, and the very next day, through various channels, they semi-publicly revealed that he would participate in "L.O.R.D.: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties" on a "box office revenue sharing" basis.

The goal is clear—to market his own high-class image, to demonstrate that he is on the same level as Gu Qing, and that the top-level treatment Gu Qing can receive is the same for Chris Wu!

Seeing two of the most representative top celebrities in the entertainment industry "competing from afar" in this way once again, the entire industry's trend seems to be quietly shifting.

Many celebrities who feel they have a large following and a solid fan base, whether they are rising stars or veteran actors, are starting to get restless.
Following suit, they tentatively proposed a "box office or viewership rating revenue sharing" request to the production teams they were in talks with.

Even Bingbing, who was confirmed to play the female lead in "L.O.R.D.: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties," reportedly expressed a similar idea to the production team. Back then,

Gu Qing single-handedly ushered in the "era of major couples" in the Chinese entertainment industry;
Now, the shockwave of his "300 million yuan salary" seems to have inadvertently given rise to the "big revenue sharing era" in the Chinese entertainment industry ahead of schedule!
only,
Do these artists, eager for a share of the profits, possess the same discerning eye for film selection, acting skills, and box office success as Gu Qing?

That's another story that needs time and the market to prove itself.

……

The next day, Saturday.

Even while staying in a star-rated hotel, Gu Qing maintained a highly disciplined lifestyle.

As dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight appeared, he got up, changed into a light gray sleeveless sweatshirt and black shorts, put on a black mask, and prepared to go to the gym on the hotel's basement floor for a morning run.

To his utter surprise, as soon as the elevator doors opened on the floor where the gym was located, he stepped out...
He was stopped by a man who had been waiting there for some time; he was about thirty years old and wore black-rimmed glasses.

"Gu Qing? You're Gu Qing, right?!"

The man's voice trembled slightly with excitement, and he held a small voice recorder and notebook in his hand. "Hello! I'm an entertainment reporter from XX Times. May I have a few minutes of your time to ask you a few questions?"

Gu Qing was genuinely startled by this sudden "ambush."
He glanced subconsciously around the empty gym corridor, and reluctantly took off his mask.

She revealed her flawless face, even without makeup: "How did you recognize me?"
And... how did you get here?

He paused, his tone slightly incredulous, "Big brother, you didn't come here specifically to ambush me, did you?"

"To be honest, I'm just guessing about Gu Dingliu."

The male reporter chuckled, with a touch of professional slyness and smugness, and explained, "I learned that you are staying at this hotel."

Then I studied many of your past interviews and noticed that you have always emphasized a regular lifestyle and mentioned many times that you like to maintain your condition through exercise.

So... I simply checked in, and since last night, I've been coming to the gym to hang out from time to time.

It seems my homework wasn't in vain!

"You...didn't sleep all night?" Gu Qing was somewhat taken aback.

"Yes, but I'm not sleepy at all!"

The male reporter straightened his back, his spirits high, "I'd be willing to stay up for three days straight to interview you, Mr. Gu, and get this exclusive news!"

"……ox."

Gu Qing remained silent for a moment, then sincerely gave this dedicated "reporter" a thumbs up.
At the same time, I silently gave this hotel a bad review for its privacy protection capabilities and added it to my blacklist.

"I usually run for half an hour."

Gu Qing walked to a treadmill, adjusting the speed and incline, setting it to slow incline mode, and said to the reporter, "You can ask, but I'm warning you beforehand, don't ask overly private questions."

I believe that as a professional journalist, you should be able to strike the right balance.

"No...no problem! Absolutely no problem!"

The male reporter was stunned at first, then realized that this was a windfall, and was overjoyed.

He quickly adjusted the recorder, took out paper and pen to record, took a deep breath, and asked the question that the whole internet was most concerned about: "Teacher Gu Qing, first of all, congratulations on the brilliant achievements of 'Detective Chinatown'!"
Regarding the online reports that you received a salary of up to 300 million yuan for this film, is this information true?

"A 300 million yuan salary? Who leaked this information?"

Gu Qing raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. He had gone to bed early yesterday and hadn't paid attention to the online uproar.

He took the phone from the reporter and quickly glanced at the shocking headlines and discussions on the screen.

He frowned slightly, then handed the phone back, replying calmly, "First, I need to clarify something. I don't receive a fixed salary, but rather a share of the box office revenue."

Secondly, even if calculated based on profit sharing, what I personally received was far less than what the report claimed, and I still had to pay a high amount of taxes.

"So...so the revenue-sharing model is real?!"

Although the male reporter had expected it, he was still surprised and delighted to receive a near-affirmative answer from Gu Qing himself, and subconsciously swallowed.

He pressed his advantage, posing a second pointed question: "So... Professor Gu, are you worried that such 'sky-high' revenue might cause resentment and resistance from some viewers?"

Why do viewers dislike me?

While maintaining a steady pace, Gu Qing turned her head and glanced at the reporter with a slightly puzzled look, her tone frank and confident.
"I think the quality of the movie 'Detective Chinatown' is not bad, right?"
On the contrary, I and many people around me were very happy to see this, and the market also gave a positive response.

And I want to emphasize again that I receive a share of the box office revenue, which means my income is directly linked to the film's market performance.

In a sense, this money is "voted" by the audience with each movie ticket.

If the movie isn't good and the audience doesn't buy it, I won't make any money. It's a model of shared risk and shared benefits.

He further explained: "After all, if it's a profit-sharing arrangement, it means that we have to bear the corresponding risks."

If "Detective Chinatown" only grosses ten million or one hundred million yuan, or if it fails to be released as scheduled due to some unforeseen circumstances, then I might not get a single penny.

The time and effort invested in the early stages may also be wasted.

From this perspective, receiving a fixed, secure, and high salary seems like a safer choice, right?

"But Ms. Gu, you ultimately chose the riskier revenue-sharing model," the reporter added at the opportune moment.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing adjusted her breathing rhythm and smiled slightly, saying, "Because I have enough confidence in the director, and I have great confidence in the entire script of 'Detective Chinatown' and the creative state of all our actors."

I firmly believe that this will be a great film that audiences will want to see and that will bring them joy.

I'm willing to pay my dues for this 'trust'.

"So, will there be a second sequel to 'Detective Chinatown'? Will you continue to participate?" the reporter pressed.

"I'm afraid we'll have to ask Brother Sicheng; he's the Grand Master."

Gu Qing smiled. "I don't know the specific plans right now. But he did tell me before that 'Detective Chinatown' would strive to become a sustainable film universe."

I also look forward to wearing Qin Feng's trench coat again.

"...".
The male reporter knew when to stop; after obtaining the key answers regarding the film and the actor's salary, he...

The remaining questions mainly revolved around Gu Qing's campus life at Beijing Film Academy—how did she feel about attending classes?
How do you get along with your classmates?

How well are you adapting to the specialized courses in the performing arts department? ...

Gu Qing was happy to answer, sharing some interesting anecdotes from campus life and her insights into learning, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

Half an hour flew by.

Gu Qing slowly stopped the treadmill, wiped her sweat with a towel, and politely nodded to the reporter: "That's enough for now, thank you for your hard work."

The male reporter was very tactful, thanking him repeatedly and waving goodbye, without continuing to follow him out of line.

He looked at the footage recorded on the device with satisfaction, knowing that this exclusive content was enough for him to hold his head high in the company, and even get a promotion and a raise.

……

Back in her hotel room, Gu Qing took a comfortable hot shower to wash away the light sweat from her morning exercise, and then changed into clean casual clothes.

He called room service, then picked up his phone and found that Zhao Liying and Teacher He had already sent him messages.

Zhao Liying: "Little brother, are you up yet? Your sister and Teacher He will be waiting for you downstairs at the hotel at nine o'clock sharp!"

Teacher He then sent a more detailed message: "Good morning, Xiao Gu! We'll arrive around nine o'clock."

Also, I'd like to bring two good friends from the industry to lunch. I wonder if you mind?

"Teacher He, of course I don't mind. Your friend is my friend, and you're very welcome!"

Not long after Gu Qing sent the message, his phone suddenly rang with a video call invitation. It was Sister Zhao calling.

As soon as Gu Qing answered the call, Sister Zhao's adorable chubby face almost filled the entire screen.
"Wow~ Is this the handsome little face worth '300 million'?"

"Let your sister take a look."

Her tone was filled with affectionate envy and a touch of playfulness, while in the background, Teacher He could be heard laughing uncontrollably.

"see it?"

Gu Qing cooperated by holding up her phone at a softly lit angle and responding with a smile.

"Slurp~ Slurp~ Lick the screen!"

"Tsk tsk, no wonder it's worth 300 million, that face is just too beautiful!"

Little Zhao smiled foolishly, completely smitten.

"Hello, Xiao Gu!"

Teacher He's face also appeared on the screen, with his signature warm smile, "Congratulations again! 'Detective Chinatown' has surpassed 30 billion, making history!"
I still feel like I'm dreaming. The person I was video chatting with was actually the youngest box office champion in the history of Chinese-language films!
Nana told me yesterday that if she wants to make it in the industry, she'll have to stick close to me!

Teacher He, as always, excels at providing emotional value, making him a little embarrassed by the praise, and he quickly responded modestly:

"Teacher He, please don't make fun of me. Sister Na's blog has over 100 million followers, and she's so popular. I should be the one trying to ride on her coattails."

At this moment, Gu Qing noticed a blurry figure moving in the corner of the phone screen. Judging from the figure and clothing, it was clearly a woman, sitting in the back seat with a somewhat restrained air.

He asked curiously, "Teacher He, are the two friends you mentioned already with you?"

"Yes, yes!"

Teacher He smiled and took the phone, turning the camera to the side. "Come on, Lili, don't be shy, say hello to our little brother Gu Qing."

The camera focused on the woman with a round face who looked very approachable.

"Master, I think I'll pass..."

She seemed a little nervous and embarrassed, but faced with the phone held up in front of her, she could only wave it down, her voice slightly shy: "Gu...Gu Qing, hello!"

Upon seeing the woman's face clearly, Gu Qing was slightly taken aback, then promptly and accurately called out her name:

"Sister Mary?"

"Huh? Little brother, you know Lili?" He Jiong asked, somewhat surprised.

"We know each other!"

Gu Qing smiled and said, "When I was on the Spring Festival Gala, I saw Sister Mary and Brother Shen Teng's skit. It left a deep impression on me and was very interesting."

His mind raced, and he asked curiously, "Teacher He, the other friend you mentioned, could it be Brother Shen Teng?"

"Hey! Little brother, you guessed right!"

Teacher He beamed with joy, clearly pleased with Gu Qing's approval of his friend.
He immediately turned the phone camera to the front passenger seat of the car, "Come on, Uncle Shen, stop pretending to be serious and say hello to Xiao Gu."

Next second,
That face, so comical and seemingly born with a knack for making people laugh, appeared on the screen.

Shen Teng's attitude at this moment was completely different from his natural ease on stage.

Facing this young man who shone brightly on the Spring Festival Gala, and is now a national sensation, breaking box office records,
He appeared somewhat awkward and respectful, even showing a hint of nervousness as if he were dealing with a senior:
"Hello, Teacher Gu! You can just call me Xiao Shen. I'm a junior in the film industry."

Gu Qing was amused by Shen Teng's sudden "humble attitude," thinking he was deliberately creating a comedic effect, and quickly waved her hand with a smile: "Haha, Brother Shen Teng, please stop joking."
You and Sister Mary are my seniors on the Spring Festival Gala, bringing so much joy to the audience and serving as role models for me.

"Just call me Xiao Gu, don't be shy. You're Teacher He's friend, so you're my friend too."

Looking at the slightly green appearance of the future "King of Comedy Box Office" on the screen, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

He never expected that the two friends that Teacher He was going to bring would actually be the "Shen-Ma" duo, who would later become half of the Chinese comedy film industry.

just,

Why did Teacher He come to the capital specifically to see Shen and Ma?

A sense of curiosity arose in his heart.

……

……

(End of this chapter)