Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 389 Charlotte Invites a Song (8k)
……

……

"Teacher Gu, you're joking. How can we call him 'Little Gu'?"

"Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare."

Faced with Gu Qingqian's humble attitude, Shen Teng waved his hands repeatedly, unconsciously shrinking back, which was by no means just politeness.

He was perfectly clear-headed; his own abilities were nothing compared to the great figure before him.

Admittedly,

He gained some recognition through his role as "Hao Jian" in a Spring Festival Gala skit.
He can be recognized on the street, and people can shout "Hao Jian" to him, which has indeed made him famous.

However, this fame is mostly limited to the circles of sketch comedy and stage plays, carrying a strong "comedian" label.

Compared to Shen Yang, who rose to fame and became a true national comedian after appearing on the Spring Festival Gala,
That difference is more than just a world apart.
There are probably more than ten or eight grades in between.

Especially in the vast and bizarre entertainment industry, Shen Teng's "national popularity" is practically negligible when converted into actual "star power".

Those producers and directors who control top-tier resources, and those fashion brands that chase trends...

Who would really take him, a "comedian," seriously?
It's normal for nobody to pay attention to him.

And sure enough, reality dealt him a heavy blow.

He and his entire team at Happy Twist practically scraped together every penny they had, pouring their hearts and souls into creating that comedy film.
The film was about to be released, but it seemed to have sunk into the sea without making a decent splash in terms of publicity.

The thresholds for major media outlets and variety shows are insurmountable for them.

The entire troupe was in a panic, and he, as the nominal "number one," was so worried that he couldn't eat or sleep, and the wrinkles around his eyes deepened.

If it weren't for Mary, his partner, who at a crucial moment gritted her teeth and used all the favors and courage she had accumulated over a long period of time, it wouldn't have been possible.

I made that almost desperate call to Teacher He, who is always happy to mentor younger colleagues, and luckily received a positive response...

This group of people is probably really in a desperate situation where they can only cry out to heaven and earth in vain.

It is precisely because I have deeply experienced the cruelty of climbing the social ladder and belittling those below, and the resource barriers within the industry,

Shen Teng was facing Gu Qing at this moment—

This rising star in the entertainment industry, who just raked in 3 billion yuan at the box office with "Detective Chinatown," breaking film history records and shining like the moon, is enjoying unparalleled fame.
He dared not slack off in the slightest, and even less dared to try to get close to Teacher He just by joking around.

He was terrified that a single inappropriate word or action might offend the other person, thus ruining this hard-won opportunity that could potentially change their destiny.

"Teacher Shen, please don't be so modest."

Seeing this, Gu Qing couldn't help but laugh, "You and Sister Mary are Teacher He's friends, so naturally you are my friends too."

And you keep calling me 'teacher,' which makes me feel like I've aged decades instantly; the pressure is immense.

"Hahaha--"

Gu Qing's self-deprecating yet endearing words instantly broke the slightly tense atmosphere in the car, eliciting a burst of good-natured laughter from everyone.

"Uncle Shen, you see, I told you that Xiao Gu is very easy-going and not the kind of person who becomes arrogant after achieving some success."

Teacher He smiled and smoothed things over, feeling very gratified.

Gu Qing's performance made him realize that his years of dedication to being kind to others and building good relationships within the industry had not been entirely meaningless.

He has helped and mentored countless young artists, some of whom are grateful, but he has also encountered many ungrateful and treacherous individuals.

In this world of fame and fortune, the proportion of people who can always maintain their original aspirations and remember the small acts of kindness shown to them is so rare that it's chilling.

Gu Qing is clearly a rare positive example.

Thinking back to the beginning,

When Gu Qing was embroiled in controversy after her portrayal of Sha Qianmo was accused of plagiarizing Brigitte Lin's Dongfang Bubai,

He had merely used his position to change the promotional schedule for his episode of "The Journey of Flower" from the week after next to the first week of airing; it was just a favor he did on a whim.

did not expect,
Gu Qing kept this kindness in mind, and later readily agreed to lower her status to participate in the film "The Left Ear" that she had recommended.
Now, they are even more willing to give their friends such great face and respect.

Teacher He, who is naturally sensitive and emotional,

Thinking of this,

A warm feeling welled up inside me, and I even felt a lump in my throat; I was deeply moved.

……

"Since Brother Jiong has spoken, then... then I might as well be shameless and presume to call him 'Little Gu'?"

Shen Teng, being an extremely clever and perceptive person, immediately seized the opportunity and abandoned his deliberate act of respect.

He chuckled, deliberately putting on a smug expression of "getting a huge advantage," creating a hilarious effect.

"Oh my god, with your skin, when is it ever not thick-skinned? It's as thick as a city wall corner!"

Mary, his partner, immediately launched into a sarcastic remark in her signature thick Northeastern accent, delivering a precise and scathing retort.

"Hahaha—" The laughter that had just subsided inside the car rang out again, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious and relaxed.

After chatting for a few more minutes, they agreed to send a message after Gu Qing was ready, and then ended the call.

……

About an hour later, the car carrying Teacher He and his entourage slowly approached the hotel where Gu Qing was staying.

however,
Ten meters away from the hotel's main entrance, the vehicle seemed to be stuck in the mud and could not move forward an inch.

"Teacher He, there's simply nowhere to park! There are just too many people!"

The driver looked at the dense crowd ahead and sighed in frustration.

The scene before us is truly spectacular:
The hotel's grand entrance was now completely packed with people, three or four deep.

Reporters with their cameras and microphones, fans holding up support signs and their phones and screaming excitedly, and onlookers who were just there to watch the spectacle mingled together, forming a noisy and restless crowd.

"What are you doing? Why is everyone stuck in traffic here?"

"I heard a celebrity lives there? Who is it that has such a grand entrance?"

"Gu Qing?! Is that the Gu Qing who played Qin Feng in 'Detective Chinatown'? My God!"

"Ahhh!! Gu Qing!! Little brother, look here!!"

The sounds of discussion, screams, and camera shutters mingled together, and even through the car window, one could feel the heatwave that seemed to threaten to lift the roof off.

Inside the car, besides He Jiong and Zhao Liying, who were already used to big scenes,

Shen Teng and Mary, who were experiencing such a scene for the first time, were completely shocked.

This is quite different from the pressure brought by the Spring Festival Gala.

The Spring Festival Gala is more about psychological pressure.

When they are performing, the audience below the stage is a million miles away from them, so how could they possibly have such crazy support measures?

Shen Teng's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, and he subconsciously touched his chest. "My god, this is terrifying!"

He had only heard of Gu Qing's "top influencer" status online before, and thought it was just a fabricated hype based on data.
Only when he witnessed the crowds comparable to those at a train station during the Spring Festival travel rush did he truly and concretely understand the terrifying appeal of a "top influencer"!

Mary couldn't help but gasp softly, gripping the car window with both hands, looking at the passionate and sincere faces of the young fans outside, and murmured:

"Wow... this setup... we don't even need to find extras for a Spring Festival travel rush promotional video..."

She turned her head and exchanged a shocked and somewhat bewildered look with Shen Teng. "If our movie could have even one-tenth... no, one percent of that kind of popularity, we should be secretly thrilled, right?"

Looking out the window, Teacher He wore a smile of relief and emotion, like that of a loving mother.

He has witnessed the rise and fall of too many artists, and he is genuinely proud that Gu Qing has achieved so much at such a young age and still remains humble.

Sitting next to him, Zhao Liying had even more complicated feelings.

She felt incredibly proud of Gu Qing, as if she shared in his glory, but deep down, an indescribable sense of loss and a faint feeling of inferiority also quietly and uncontrollably began to grow.

Despite her years of hard work, she has already become one of the top actresses, with many representative works and loyal fans.

But why, looking out the window at the sea of ​​people going crazy for Gu Qing, did she feel the distance between herself and him?
Instead of growing closer together, it seems like there's an invisible, ever-widening chasm between them.
……

When Gu Qing learned from the hotel manager that the main entrance had been completely "breached," he could only rub his temples in exasperation.

It seems this hotel's privacy practices really deserve a serious complaint.

fortunately,

The hotel also has an employee entrance and a back door.

Guided by staff personally arranged by the manager, Gu Qing put on a mask and hat and moved away discreetly and quickly.

Finally, we arrived safely at the secluded spot where Teacher He's car was parked. We opened the car door and quickly climbed inside.

Gu Qinggang had just gotten into the car, and hadn't even settled in properly,
Zhao Liying, who was standing next to him, eagerly grabbed his arm and firmly "fixed" him to the seat next to her, as if afraid that he would run away.

"Second Master, have you missed me?"

She tilted her round face up and asked with a grin.

"They call me 'little brother' all the time on their phones, but why don't they call me that when we meet in person?"

Gu Qing reached out and pinched her chubby cheek, then took off her mask and gave the others in the car an apologetic smile.

"Teacher He, it's been a long time. I'm sorry to have kept everyone waiting."

"Little brother! I've missed you so much!"

Teacher He leaned forward warmly, opened his arms, and, over the "obstacle" Zhao Liying, gave Gu Qing a smiling hug.
"You're a real superstar now, wow, this is quite a spectacle."

"Teacher He, I have always been."

Gu Qing's uncharacteristic antics instantly amused everyone.

He then smiled and extended his hand toward Mary, who was sitting inside Teacher He, "Sister Mary, is this our second 'meeting'?"

"Little...Little Gu, you...you..."

Mary looked at the face so close to hers and felt as if she couldn't breathe.

The confident and charismatic "rogue female CEO" on stage has vanished, replaced by a sense of tension.

She grasped Gu Qing's outstretched hands with both of them, shook them vigorously, and after holding back for a long time, exclaimed from the bottom of her heart, "You child... you are so good-looking!"

She looks like she stepped right out of a painting!

Up close, Gu Qing's face was flawless, with delicate skin and exquisite features like a meticulously sculpted work of art, especially her eyes, which were clear and bright, without a trace of impurity.

"Brother Teng, it's an honor to meet you. I'm a big fan of your sketches, and I look forward to watching you on the Spring Festival Gala every year."

Gu Qing made sure to shake hands with Shen Teng in the passenger seat at the end.

"Isn't this a coincidence?"

Shen Teng immediately displayed his talent for humor, grabbing Gu Qing's hands with both of them and exclaiming in an exaggerated expression, "I'm also a fan of your songs, dramas, and movies, Xiao Gu!"
Of course, there are also fans like Mary... uh, especially pure and superficial fans of her looks!

After a lively exchange of pleasantries, Teacher He instructed the driver, "Mr. Huang, please take me to the restaurant I booked."

"Okay, Teacher He."

The driver responded, set the navigation, and the vehicle smoothly drove away from the noisy area.

The back seat of the vehicle

After Gu Qing finished greeting everyone, Zhao Liying naturally and with an unquestionable air held Gu Qing's hand with her slender white fingers.

She tilted her head slightly and sniffed lightly.

The familiar scent emanating from Gu Qing, carrying the warmth of sunshine and the freshness of lime, enveloped her, giving her a sense of inexplicable peace and attachment, and making her relax completely.

She got closer to him.

As the vehicle swayed slightly, Sister Zhao's beautiful black hair brushed against Gu Qing's earlobe.

A slight itch came over her, and Gu Qing reflexively twitched her ears slightly.

Sister Zhao looked over.

I noticed that Gu Qing's earlobes were well-defined, with beautiful lines, as if carved from the finest mutton-fat jade. They looked full and soft, and appeared particularly striking under the car's interior lighting...

Zhao Liying found this reaction extremely amusing, and a slightly mischievous smile curled at the corners of her lips.

She deliberately brought her cheek close to that delicate earlobe, lowered her voice, and breathed out warm air almost imperceptibly, as if she were whispering something that was not meant to be told to outsiders.

Gu Qing looked rather embarrassed and helpless. He could only use his other free hand to gently pat Zhao Liying's smooth forehead and whisper, "Be serious."

“Come on, Lili, let’s go inside and give them some space so they can have a proper ‘chat’.”

With a sweet, almost saccharine smile on his face, as if he were watching a romantic drama, Teacher He quietly gestured to Mary beside him.

"Master, what's wrong with Xiao Gu and Li Ying...?"

Mary blinked, her eyes blazing with gossip, and asked in a whisper.

"I'm not quite sure either."

Teacher He silently mouthed the words, then shrugged, indicating that he was also an "outsider."

"Master, what year was Liying born? She and Xiao Gu look like... how many years apart are they?"

Mary covered her mouth, lowering her voice even further, her tone carrying a strange sense of anticipation.

Teacher He thought about it carefully, "Liying seems to have been born in 87, and Xiao Gu in 96... that means there should be a difference of... nine years."

"Nine years old?!" Mary's eyes lit up instantly, like light bulbs had been switched on, and she couldn't control her voice, "Then that's about the same age as me?!"

"What do you mean, 'similar to you'?"

Teacher He didn't react for a moment.

Next second,
Upon hearing the answer, she exclaimed in surprise, "You're in a relationship?!"

"What relationship? Who's in a relationship?"

Zhao Liying, who was secretly "taking advantage" of the situation, was startled by the sudden exclamation and turned around somewhat guiltily.

"Is Sister Mary in a relationship?"

Gu Qing also tilted her head in surprise, covering her wet earlobe, and looked at the back seat.

"It was more than just talking,"

Shen Teng, sitting in the passenger seat, spoke slowly, his tone so sour it could practically soak a jar of sauerkraut, "She's dating a guy who's 11 years younger than her."

Although his tone was joking, everyone in the carriage could clearly feel the undisguised disappointment and distress behind his words.

"Wow, Lily! You're really something! You kept it a secret for a long time!"

Teacher He was both surprised and delighted, and immediately asked, "When will you bring the person over so I can take a look? I'll help you assess them."

"Master...this...this isn't completely settled yet..."

Mary instantly became shy and bashful, her cheeks flushing red and her eyes sparkling, like a young girl deeply in love, tinged with a touch of nervous insecurity.
"Many people around me... don't really approve of this relationship, thinking that I'm so much older than them... and that it will definitely..."

"Sister Mary, it's none of anyone else's business what you do with your love life!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Liying immediately raised her eyebrows, revealing her outspoken personality. Her words were sharp and precise, like daggers: "So what if I'm older? Did I eat their rice?!"

"My older sister is older! My older sister knows how to take care of people!!"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke, expressing her indignation and shared hatred of the enemy.

At first, Sister Zhao was still a little unfamiliar with Mary.

But now,
My affection for her skyrocketed, and I couldn't wait to surpass Teacher He and become sworn sisters with Mary.

"Little brother, do you think what I said is right?"

After Zhao Liying finished speaking, she didn't forget to seek support. Her almond-shaped eyes widened, her cheeks puffed out, and she stared intently at Gu Qing beside her.

"Uh...yes, Sister Liying really...treats me well."

Gu Qing readily agreed and nodded.

Zhao Liying immediately beamed, then turned her head and looked intently at Mary, with an expression that said, "See, I told you so."

"But everyone says... I'm too old, I'm past my prime... He's so young, what will happen in the future..."

Mary still lacked confidence.

"Pah! Does that mean people of similar age are guaranteed to stay together in the end? Aren't there plenty of divorces among people the same age?" Zhao Liying immediately retorted.

"With technology so advanced these days, skincare is so easy. Look at your skin, it's so beautiful!"

"Does our entertainment industry lack examples of older/younger partners? There are plenty of happy ones!"

Not only Zhao Liying, but also Teacher He joined in the comforting camp, saying, "Lili, when it comes to matters of the heart, only the person drinking the water knows whether it's hot or cold."

If you truly love someone and they deserve it, then don't be afraid, and don't let other people's opinions hold you back.

Does this mean that two people who like each other can't be together because of their age difference?

"If you love, you might regret it for a while; but if you don't love, you might regret it for a lifetime. So why not choose to bravely love first?"

"At the very least, you've tasted both flavors, which makes life more complete, doesn't it?"

"..."

Shen Teng, sitting in the passenger seat, was somewhat dazed as he listened to the encouraging words coming from the back row.

Looking in the rearview mirror, he saw his partner Mary's eyes gradually change from initial hesitation and uncertainty to a determined look.

I was immediately filled with regret!

Why does he have to be so foul-mouthed?!

Is this the scenario we expected, where everyone would advise Mary to reconsider?

How did it turn into a "Brave Pursuit of Love Mobilization Meeting"?!
……

Even after waiting for Teacher He to reserve the private restaurant room with excellent privacy, they started ordering food.

Shen Teng remained dejected and sullen, sighing as he looked at the menu, as if it contained not the names of dishes, but his shattered "boyish heart".

Even Gu Qing keenly noticed that
Uncle Shen's feelings for Sister Mary are probably far more than just old partners and good friends.

That sour and disappointed look was exactly like... well, a resentful husband.

To prevent the atmosphere at the dinner table from becoming increasingly awkward...

Gu Qing took the initiative to start the conversation: "Teacher He, I heard Sister Mary call you Master in the car just now. Is there a story behind that?"

"Sigh, Lili is just too honest and too sentimental."

Teacher He smiled helplessly and explained, "Actually, we're more like good friends. The word 'master'..."

"no!"

Mary immediately interrupted, her tone resolute and unwavering, "I'm sticking with you as my master! You'll be my master for life!"

then,

She turned to Gu Qing, her eyes slightly red, and emotionally recounted that past event that was of paramount importance to her.

The story dates back to at least 2004, shortly after Mary graduated from the Central Academy of Drama.

At that time, although she loved performing and focused on the stage, she had very little fame, and her personality became somewhat inferior due to repeated setbacks. She lacked opportunities and her future was uncertain.

Teacher He himself is particularly fond of sketch comedy and drama. He happened to go to the small theater several times to watch Mary's performance in "The City Is Full of Pyramids" and greatly admired her acting talent.

then,

Teacher He proactively recommended her to people in the industry and encouraged her on various occasions to be confident and brave in front of the public and the camera.
He even brought Mary to his own popular show, which was very influential at the time, giving her a chance to appear in front of a national audience.

This timely act of kindness was like a beacon illuminating the path for Mary, who was in dire straits at the time.

She was deeply grateful and from then on always addressed him as "Master." This affection had long surpassed that of ordinary friends.

"Little brother, you have no idea how good my master is!"

As Mary spoke, her voice choked up again, and tears welled up in her eyes. "We... the movie we're making is about to be released, but... but we can't even find a decent place to promote it."

"This movie is the culmination of the hard work of all the sketch comedy actors in Happy Twist, you could even say it's... their livelihood!"

Her voice trembled.

"The night before last, I really had no other choice but to call my master and ask if... if I could promote it on his show."

Master...he agreed without saying a word!

"And when he heard me crying on the phone, he immediately booked the earliest flight to come see me..."

Tell me, how could I let a master like him get away? I've decided he's the one for me for life!

Seeing Mary overcome with emotion and burst into tears, Teacher He patted her back tenderly and comforted her softly.

Zhao Liying quickly pulled out a tissue and handed it over.

"What's the name of the movie?"

Gu Qing asked at the opportune moment.

"Goodbye Mr. Loser".

Shen Teng, who had been feeling lost and dejected, finally perked up a bit when he heard the movie's title.
The brief introduction states, "It tells the story of a middle-aged man who is disillusioned and living a particularly unsuccessful life, who by chance returns to his teenage years in 1997."

On campus, using memories from a past life, he plagiarized popular songs from the future, published them, and instantly became a music superstar.
And in the process, she re-examines her life and finds true love again... well, it's kind of a wish-fulfillment story.

Gu Qing: "..."

Hearing Shen Teng's summary, his expression became slightly strange.

When he watched "Goodbye Mr. Loser" in his previous life, he was more immersed in the dense jokes.

Listening to this plot synopsis now, aside from the age discrepancy,
The protagonist Charlotte's experience is, in some ways, quite similar to that of the "time traveler" with memories of the future.
So, in some ways, he's a "high-spec version of Charlotte"?
"Xiao Gu, you have no idea how difficult it was to make this movie!"

Shen Teng, as if he had found someone to confide in, began to pour out his grievances, "Nobody wants to invest! The investors who read the script all said the subject matter was outdated and the story was clichéd."
Nobody believed that Mary and I could carry the box office!

What's most infuriating is that some people even use you to mock us!

"I?"

Gu Qing was taken aback and pointed at herself in surprise.

"Yes! Ever since your movie 'The Left Ear' became a hit, your refreshing and handsome campus heartthrob image has become deeply ingrained in people's hearts and has become an industry benchmark."

Shen Teng looked indignant, "These days, any drama that's even remotely related to school or youth is immediately targeted by investors..."

The male and female leads must be handsome and beautiful, at least on par with the school's most popular and attractive students!

He scratched his weathered, story-telling face hard, and said in a fit of exasperation, "But when I was young, wasn't I also the most handsome guy at the PLA Academy of Arts?!"
"Isn't our military arts a school heartthrob a school heartthrob?!"

His "accusation," coupled with his face that starkly contrasted with the title of "school heartthrob,"
This immediately made Mary, who had just been wiping away tears, burst into laughter. "Give me a break!"

You said that was when you were 'younger,' but look at yourself in the mirror now, where's the look of a school heartthrob anymore?

"You think you can compare to Xiao Gu? You're not just a little bit worse, you're worlds apart!"

Speaking of which,
Mary sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness and self-deprecation: "It's no wonder people look down on us as 'old hags'."

To be honest, I've seen the rough cut. The two of us were wearing school uniforms, pretending to be high school students, and the incongruity of that age was just too much.
I feel uncomfortable looking at myself; I don't look like a student at all.

"Those people don't know anything!"

Shen Teng immediately retorted, displaying unwavering confidence and pride in his philosophy regarding comedy creation: "We're performing comedy! Not idol dramas!"

That's exactly the absurdity and humor that's meant to be! If you just cast two handsome men and beautiful women to act in it seriously, it just wouldn't feel right.

“Brother Shen Teng is right, Sister Mary, you should have confidence in the movie.”

Gu Qing nodded in agreement, "I just heard the plot and I think it's quite interesting."

While the concept of 'time travel' isn't new, very few films have successfully adapted it into a comedic story for the big screen.

"Moreover, the way film and television images are presented is completely different from the textual descriptions in novels."

If the film has a fast pace, frequent and natural jokes, and the comedy genre itself is approachable, it's very likely to be a box office hit.

"Lili, did you hear that? Even your younger brother thinks highly of your movie. His judgment in the industry is legendary; he's never made a mistake."

Teacher He immediately took over the conversation and continued to encourage Mary.

"I understand, I understand. I know Xiao Gu's great reputation as the 'industry's lucky charm' and the 'box office miracle'."

Mary wiped her eyes and forced a smile. "But people say that only movies starring my brother himself can have this 'lucky charm' effect."

"Oh, what a pity!"

Shen Teng slapped his thigh, his face full of regret, "If I had known earlier that Brother Jiong and Xiao Gu were such good friends, I should have revised the script again!"

"There's a part in my script that depicts Xia Luo's target for plagiarizing songs, and the original idea was Jay Chou."

If we write it according to your model, Xiao Gu, the absurdity and contrast of the comedy will definitely reach a new level!

"In this way, even though you, Xiao Gu, didn't actually star in it, your 'shadow' has appeared in our movie, so the box office... hehe, it's definitely guaranteed!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, even going so far as to clasp his hands together in a cryptic gesture and bow to Gu Qing, who was directly opposite him.
He muttered to himself, "May the koi fish bring me great box office success..."

"Brother Teng, stop praying. This is all just nonsense circulating online. Don't take it seriously."

Gu Qing was both amused and exasperated by his exaggerated behavior and quickly waved her hand.

"Uncle Shen, it's not too late now."

Teacher He suddenly spoke up, his tone carrying a subtle hint, "I remember you mentioned before that your movie... isn't it missing a theme song to add the finishing touch?"

He smiled, turned his gaze to Gu Qing, and said meaningfully, "And our younger brother is a recognized creative genius in the industry."

You all... should make the most of this hard-won opportunity.

Teacher He brought Shen Teng and Mary along not only to let them meet Gu Qing and broaden their horizons, but also for a deeper purpose.

He wanted to add another solid layer of insurance for his two apprentices who were struggling on their film journey.

With his "Happy Camp" as the core promotional platform,
If we add to that the immense popularity and attention generated by the theme song that Gu Qing himself composed and may sing...

So, even if "Goodbye Mr. Loser" does poorly at the box office, how bad can it be?

At least,

This also ensures that these serious sketch and drama actors have something to eat.

……

……

(End of this chapter)