Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 392 Zhou Gongzi and Li Binbin's Invitation (6.3k)
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Inside the Beijing Film Academy's teaching building, the morning sun shines through the large windows, casting dappled shadows on the corridor.

"Take care of you?"

"Zhou Xun invited me to dinner?"

Gu Qing looked surprised, tilting her head slightly to look at the delicate face of her deskmate beside her, which was gradually turning red, with even her fair neck flushing crimson.
Her tone betrayed genuine confusion, "When...when did I take care of you?"

He carefully recalled their interactions since the start of the semester; aside from occasional casual conversations,

He didn't seem to have given his quiet deskmate any special attention.

"It was...it was...it was the first day of school, and you...you asked me to lead the way..."

Zhang Jingyi was very embarrassed, her voice growing softer and softer, as if even mentioning the matter made her feel ashamed, while at the same time she vaguely felt a "heart-wrenching" pain of being forgotten.
He had no choice but to lower his head and explain the whole story in a low voice.

original,

On the first day of school, a minor misunderstanding occurred: Gu Qing mistook her for "Zhou Ye," and the two ended up walking together on campus for a while by sheer coincidence.

This brief moment together, captured by countless cameras, instantly garnered her far more attention than she had anticipated, making her, an previously unknown freshman, an overnight sensation.

In addition, her boss, Mr. Xun, gave her a boost by buying trending topics such as "Beijing Film Academy's New Campus Belle" and "Little Zhou Xun".

This success brought her public recognition and solidified her title as the "17 Beijing Film Academy's Campus Belle," effectively giving her a foothold on the edge of the entertainment industry.

Afterwards,
Gu Qing and his team did not express any dissatisfaction, nor did they act like some top-tier teams, sending letters to demand the removal of these "bundled" trending searches and clarify the relationship.

Within the industry, this is undoubtedly seen as tacit approval, a gesture of goodwill.

That's right.

Is it a different kind of subtle "care"?

Inadvertently, this can be considered as doing Xun Gongzi a favor.

"So that's it..."

Gu Qing suddenly realized, then smiled nonchalantly, waved her hand, and said in a gentle but clearly distant tone, "It's just a small matter, a coincidence, don't take it to heart."

There's no need for Zhou Xun to make a special trip for this.

No need for a meal, please thank Sister Zhou Xun for her kindness.

Having navigated the cutthroat world of entertainment for over two years, I've managed to maintain the popularity of a top-tier celebrity without falling into any traps or being lured into any shady dealings during social events.

Gu Qing was able to maintain her "chastity" and innocence intact not because of luck, but because of her constant vigilance and prudence.

He didn't think that Xun Gongzi, as one of the "Four Dan and Two Bing" and a person of extraordinary status, was worthy of such respect.
They would actually condescend to make a special trip to thank a junior for such a trivial "favor".

This doesn't fit the logic of that social circle.

Recalling Zhao Ya's previous report that the "Love O2O" production team had reached a cooperation agreement with the Beijing Film Academy and that the filming location would be on campus—

He was almost certain from this news that Zhou Xun's trip was most likely a case of "Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, but his real intention was to target Liu Bang."
They came for the show or a particular character, hoping to get a "bargain" from the male lead or sound him out.

Gu Qing had no desire to get involved in such complicated and meaningless social interactions.

What substantial benefits would be gained for him at this stage by befriending Young Master Xun?
It seems not.

He and his team can obtain the same resources and connections that the other party can provide, or even better.

But if he really went to that dinner party, facing a senior like Zhou Xun, if she asked him to ask for a role for one of her artists, even if it was just a small supporting role, could he easily refuse?
How could you possibly refute the face of this respected and well-regarded senior in the industry to his face?
Just thinking about that kind of scene is embarrassing and awkward.

Gu Qing's only consolation at this moment was that she was in the Chinese entertainment industry.

At least the seniors used the word "please," paying attention to appearances and maintaining basic decorum.

If this were to happen in the entertainment industries of South Korea or Japan, where the hierarchy is so rigid and the seniority system is almost distorted,

Once the "senior" speaks, forget about refusing; if you dare to show even the slightest hesitation, you'll probably get slapped across the face on the spot.
Afterwards, they were ostracized by the entire circle.

"Then... I'll talk to the boss after class."

Hearing the clear distance and rejection in Gu Qing's tone, Zhang Jingyi obediently nodded.

Although he was somewhat disappointed at not being able to complete the task, he dared not say a word, much less try to persuade his boss.

Soon, classes officially began.
This lesson is about "physical training".

Soon, two teachers, a man and a woman, with upright posture and dignified and elegant demeanor, entered the classroom.

After a simple roll call to confirm everyone's attendance, the entire class needs to move to a dedicated physical training room.

The training room is quite spacious and bright, with smooth wooden floors and a huge floor-to-ceiling mirror on one wall, making it convenient for students to observe and correct their movements.

The classroom is neatly arranged with various training equipment such as barre, yoga mats, and exercise balls on both sides.

The physical education course at Beijing Film Academy is quite systematic: it mainly includes basic posture training (sitting, standing, walking, and lying down).

Flexibility and coordination exercises, basic dance combinations (such as ballet hand positions, classical dance body movements, waltz, etc.), and yoga postures that help shape the body and improve body control.

As freshmen, their current courses are still at a relatively basic stage, mainly consisting of proper sitting, standing, and walking posture exercises, as well as routine flexibility training such as leg stretches and shoulder opening.

The school was naturally aware of this as well.
Students at art schools are generally more mature and have more active minds than students at regular universities.

To avoid unnecessary trouble and early romantic relationships, the course is usually arranged so that male teachers are responsible for guiding male students.
Female teachers are responsible for instructing female students, and the classroom is also divided into male and female areas by default, so that they do not interfere with each other.

However... the effect of this physical isolation seems to be quite limited.

Although the class only had 24 students, which is considered a small class, it was still quite noisy in the spacious training room.

It didn't feel like a serious professional training session; it was more like a group outing. The students gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing.

They mostly paid perfunctory attention to the teacher's instructions and training requirements, and did not take them seriously.

Teachers seem to lack sufficient authority and discipline over these students who generally come from wealthy families, have distinct personalities, and may have connections behind the scenes.

The teaching attitude is mostly "teaching according to aptitude"—if you want to learn, I will teach you seriously; if you don't want to learn, as long as you don't disrupt the classroom order, I'm happy to be free and let you do as you please.

From this somewhat relaxed classroom atmosphere, one can perhaps glimpse a clue—

Why do so many young actors graduating from drama schools perform so disastrously when filming, especially in period dramas that require dignified bearing?

He walks with his toes pointing outwards, has hunched shoulders and a slouching posture, looks listless, and acts frivolously, showing no classical temperament whatsoever; he seems to be just a modern person dressed in ancient costume.

After entering the training room, Gu Qing deliberately found the innermost corner for peace and quiet, and quietly leaned against the barre to stretch his leg ligaments and do leg press exercises.

In all fairness,

The basic content taught in the Beijing Film Academy courses was indeed very simple for him.

With his current resources and financial strength, he could easily hire a top-notch private coach, and what he would learn would be much deeper, more refined, and more targeted.

However... learning a lot doesn't mean you have the time and mindset to continuously practice, digest, and absorb the knowledge.

Gu Qing was actually quite glad that she had chosen to temporarily put aside some of her work and return to campus.

In the relatively "quiet" campus environment, without the endless stream of announcements and the exhausting life of working non-stop, he had more "free" time to himself.

This time was perfect for him to calm down and systematically organize and consolidate everything he had learned in the past.

There was ample time to repeatedly study and practice the gestures and expressions in traditional opera, the rhythm and cadence in dance, the power generation techniques in martial arts, and the emotional layers in performance.

This relaxed, uneventful, and even somewhat routine student life, in fact, healed the psychological distress and career anxiety that he had accumulated from his previous high-intensity work.

Gu Qing closed her eyes slightly, feeling the slight soreness from the stretching of her leg ligaments. She hummed the melody of "Just Once," which she was working on, and enjoyed this moment of peace and pleasure.

"Gu Qing, your flexibility is amazing! You can do a perfect split!"

"No wonder you were a trainee in South Korea, look at your flexibility and muscle definition... Gu Dingliu, just between us, how many abs do you have?"

"Slurp—hehehe, just looking at the outline through the clothes, it feels like there are at least six pieces! Maybe even eight!"

however,
This peaceful enjoyment of solitude didn't last more than a few minutes.

The place where Gu Qing is is a natural spotlight.

Even though he deliberately hid in a corner, the students' gazes, whether open or hidden, still focused on him like searchlights.

Because it was a heated indoor training room, the heavy coats were left in the lockers outside.

At this moment, most students are wearing relatively thin training clothes, with the boys mostly wearing T-shirts paired with loose-fitting sweatpants;
Some female students, on the other hand, were "equipped" in a more eye-catching way—some wore tight-fitting yoga clothes that outlined their youthful body curves.
Even more extreme, some wore hot pants, revealing their long, straight, fair legs, some even wearing stockings of different colors.

While doing splits and backbends, they would deliberately make soft, whimpering sounds, while glancing out of the corner of their eyes in a certain direction from time to time.

This "scene" made some of the more shy male students blush and their eyes dart around, forcing them to frequently resort to "tactical bending over" or "focusing on tying their shoelaces" to cover up their embarrassment.

"Gu Qing is so popular..."

Looking at her female classmates showing off their unique styles, Zhang Jingyi couldn't help but understand the little schemes behind their "light" attire in the freezing cold.

Those undisguised, direct flirtatious glances cast in Gu Qing's direction practically screamed "Come and notice me!"

She gently smoothed out the wrinkles on her loose-fitting athletic pants, pressed her smooth forehead down against her outstretched calves, and performed a routine stretch.

however,
Out of the corner of her eye, she was also uncontrollably and secretly glancing at the handsome and upright figure in the corner.

She was also "lustful".
It is acknowledged that Gu Qing's looks and temperament have a fatal attraction for young girls.

However, she belonged to the type who had lustful thoughts but lacked the courage to act, far less daring than her female classmates who had the same straightforward and boldness.

When she saw Gu Qing still quietly stretching her legs, not even glancing over out of the corner of her eye, only occasionally exchanging a few whispered jokes with the male classmates standing nearby,
Zhang Jingyi's mood inexplicably lifted, even carrying a hint of secret joy.

"Gu Qing is different from others... She is a top star who has seen the world. Every female artist she has worked with has top-notch looks and outstanding temperament."
How could I be so easily attracted to these... well, ordinary women?

"Wait a minute... 'commonplace beauties'? Did I just include myself in that insult?"

"All right……"

She quietly compared herself to the female celebrities Gu Qing had worked with in her memory, then looked at herself in the mirror with light makeup. A clear sense of anxiety about her appearance welled up inside her. "Compared to those seniors, I am indeed... quite ordinary, even a little ugly..."

Even before officially entering the entertainment industry, Zhang Jingyi had already experienced the industry's rigorous scrutiny of appearance.

Especially being seated next to Gu Qing, a top-tier beauty in the Chinese entertainment industry, every day...

The impact and sense of inferiority brought about by such direct visual shock and contrast are particularly intense.

"Sigh, I have to call the boss later to tell him we couldn't invite Gu Qing... I hope I get yelled at."

The slight pain from the stretching was nothing compared to the anxiety and uncertainty she felt at that moment.

The physical education class went by very quickly.

With a few minutes left before the end of get out of class, the teachers began distributing the cell phones that had been collected and stored before class.

At this time,
Outside the glass door of the training room, a number of students from other departments who had heard the news had already gathered.

They excitedly pressed their faces against the glass, straining their eyes, pointing excitedly in Gu Qing's direction, their mouths opening and closing as if shouting silently.

This situation is not unusual at the Beijing Film Academy.

The course schedule of Gu Qing's first-year experimental class is no secret and is known to everyone on campus.

For many students who have "nothing to do," their greatest pleasure each day is meticulously calculating their time while looking at their class schedule.

She tried to create a "destined" encounter with Gu Qing in various teaching buildings, corridors, and even the cafeteria.

"咚咚-"

A crisp knock on the door broke the somewhat relaxed atmosphere in the training room.

A pretty and lively girl peeked in a little shyly, her voice clear and crisp: "Hello teacher, excuse me, I'd like to talk to Gu Qing about something."

"Hey student!"

The two teachers in the experimental class immediately looked rather displeased. They instinctively assumed that another out-of-school student, disregarding classroom discipline and obsessively following celebrities, had barged in, and were about to sternly reprimand her and make her leave.

"Excuse me, teacher, I know her."

Gu Qing raised her hand at the opportune moment, explaining apologetically, "It's a friend of mine. May I go over and ask her what she needs from me?"

Wow! It's Senior Sister Zhou Ye!

"Jingyi, look! She's really here! You two look so alike, isn't she your long-lost sister?"

Many sharp-eyed students in the class immediately recognized the girl at the door as Zhou Ye, the "female protagonist" who caused that misunderstanding at the beginning of the semester.

Several of Zhang Jingyi's classmates nudged her in surprise and whispered among themselves.

"No...it's okay! I don't know Senior Sister Zhou Ye..."

Hearing the whispers around her, Zhang Jingyi's cheeks instantly turned bright red, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.

The embarrassing experience on the first day of school is one of the "dark histories" she least wants to recall.

"Ahhh—Gu Qing! Look here!!"

"younger brother!!"

Gu Qing had just picked up his coat and put it on when he walked toward Zhou Ye. Suddenly, an even more frenzied and ear-piercing scream erupted outside the training room, almost lifting the roof off.

Gu Qing paused, looking at the dense crowd and flashing phone cameras outside the door.
He turned helplessly to Zhou Ye, whose expression was a mix of nervousness and excitement, and suggested, "It's too noisy outside. Why don't you come in and talk?"
I'm afraid if I go outside, I won't be able to hear what you're saying at all.

"Oh, okay! Senior Gu Qing!"

Zhou Ye nodded hurriedly, carefully squeezed into the training room, and gently closed the door, shutting out most of the noise outside.

As Gu Qing walked towards them, his tall and straight figure was still clearly visible even under his loose training clothes.
With the frantic screams still clearly audible behind her through the door, she felt her heart pounding wildly, as if she were on the set of a fantasy idol drama.

This feeling... is like in a fairy tale, where a handsome prince is walking through a crowd towards his destined... princess?
This romantic thought involuntarily popped into Zhou Ye's mind.

"Senior, where shall we go to talk?"

Zhou Ye tried hard to suppress the flutter in his heart, opened his round, innocent and clear almond-shaped eyes, and looked at Gu Qing with a shy smile on his lips.

She knows how to use her physical advantages.

just,

Hearing the loud banging on the door behind her, she almost couldn't help but lose her composure and barely managed to suppress the urge to roll her eyes.

"Let's go to the back corner, it's quieter there."

Gu Qing pointed to the innermost corner of the training room, the one he used to hide in for peace and quiet.

He led Zhou Ye, trying not to disturb the students who were still doing their final relaxation activities, towards a corner.

However, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that some classmates who had already gotten their phones were enthusiastically and unabashedly pointing their phone cameras at them, starting video or photo modes.

Gu Qing frowned almost imperceptibly. He didn't want to see "Gu Qing secretly meeting a mysterious junior at Beijing Film Academy" trending on social media tomorrow.

Outrageous headlines like "Top-tier campus romance exposed?"

His gaze swept across the crowd, and he suddenly spotted the most familiar figure from his class.

A thought struck Gu Qingxin, and she suddenly turned her head and said, "Jingyi, could you please come over here for a moment?"

In crucial moments, you still have to rely on your deskmate for help.

"Huh? Me...me?"

Zhang Jingyi's mind went blank, and she pointed blankly at her own nose.
After seeing Gu Qing nod affirmatively, and the instantaneous gazes from the surrounding classmates—a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and undisguised envy and jealousy—
She was completely stunned, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, she walked to Gu Qing's side in a daze, like a puppet on strings.

With an "acquaintance" by her side, especially her deskmate with whom she had a subtle connection, Gu Qing felt much more at ease.

The three of them went to a relatively quiet corner, and Gu Qing then looked at Zhou Ye and asked in a calm tone, "Zhou Ye, is there something you need from me?"

Zhou Ye's gaze lingered on Zhang Jingyi's face for a few seconds, carrying a hint of scrutiny and... slight displeasure.

Why is it her again?
Last time, because of her, half of my trending topics were taken away! How infuriating!

The two look alike, are both newcomers to the industry, and both follow a fresh and artistic style.
Not to mention their respective bosses, Zhou Xun and Li Binbin, who were once rivals that the media talked about.

Zhou Ye was almost certain that for a long time to come, she and Zhang Jingyi would inevitably run into each other on various occasions and in various resources, becoming each other's most direct competitors.

However, now is clearly not the time to consider that.

"Senior Gu Qing,"

Zhou Ye quickly adjusted his expression, reopening his bright, star-filled eyes.

With just the right amount of admiration and anticipation, she extended an invitation: "It's like this, Sister Bingbing just happened to be in the capital today!"

She said she wanted to treat you to a meal in person to thank you for your previous help. Senior, are you free after school at noon?

Gu Qing: "..."

Why does this sound so familiar?

"what?"

Even Zhang Jingyi, who had been keeping her head down like a little follower, raised her face in surprise, her mouth agape in astonishment.

She looked at Zhou Ye, then at Gu Qing, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.
In the end, all he could do was stare at Gu Qing, waiting for his reaction.

For a moment, Gu Qing felt overwhelmed and confused.

Did the "Four Dan and Two Bing" actresses, who stand at the top of the film industry pyramid, make a pact to meet today?

Two people came at once!
Moreover, their goals are so highly aligned.

Does he have that much influence?
Is it worth it for these two big shots to come one after the other to "ambush" a college student?
Gu Qing felt a headache she had never experienced before.

Li Binbin is not Zhou Xun.

She had defended herself before and was also very good friends with her brother Chao.

From both a personal and emotional standpoint, it would be difficult for him to refuse a personal invitation from the other party in person.

but……

The problem is that Zhang Jingyi is standing right next to him, watching him expectantly!
He had just politely declined Mr. Zhou's invitation, saying "there's no need to trouble yourself,"
Right after that, in front of her, who was "an artist under Zhou Xun's management," he agreed to Li Binbin's dinner invitation.

If this gets to Master Zhou's ears, how good will his expression be?
For a senior like her to personally invite a junior to dinner, being rejected is one thing, but...

And then you find yourself in a trap set by your "old rival"?

This is practically a direct, face-to-face slap in the face!
The rules for surviving in the entertainment industry are often very simple and can be summarized in a single sentence.

Having a good relationship doesn't necessarily mean they'll help you.

But if you don't have a good relationship with them, they will definitely mess with you.

"Jingyi, you..."

Gu Qing turned to look at her bewildered deskmate, "Why don't you call your boss and say that Sister Binbin is here too? How about the three of us... eat together?"

“Zhou Ye, why don’t you call your boss back? Senior Zhou Xun also invited me to lunch. Since we’ve bumped into each other, let’s all eat together.”

He wasn't going to take on this hot potato.

……

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(End of this chapter)