Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 416 Returning to the Cast, Nirvana in Fire Premieres (10,000 words)
……

……

"sorry to bother you."

After two drinks, Liu Tao's face flushed slightly. She smiled and walked over to Gu Qing's side. An actor had already made room for her, so she sat down.

Watching Gu Qing eat her food with unwavering focus,

Liu Tao's lips curled up slightly, his eyes filled with laughter. He felt that the boy he hadn't seen for so long was still so adorable.

Under the tablecloth, where no one could see, she naturally reached out and gently took Gu Qing's left hand, which was resting on her lap.

Her palms were slightly warm from the alcohol, and a delicate touch came through.

She stood very close to him, turning her head so that her chin was almost resting on his shoulder. Her breath, faintly scented with alcohol, was like a hot feather, gently brushing against his ear.

"Little brother, your sister's alcohol tolerance is... very good, don't worry."

Liu Tao paused, his voice even softer, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible emotion, "In this industry, there are some rules... that must be followed. Not every artist... can live as freely as you."

Say it,
She felt the fingers in her palm twitch slightly.

Gu Qing finally reacted. He used a white porcelain spoon to scoop up a crystal-clear fish ball, brought it to his lips, and gently blew on its bouncy, smooth surface.

Then she turned her head and met his gaze with her clear eyes, "I'm not worried."

His calm reaction surprised Liu Tao, who was about to continue explaining.

She chuckled and parted her red lips slightly, as if she wanted to say something more.

However, before she could speak, the fish ball, which he had blew on to bring it to just the right temperature and was still steaming slightly, slid precisely and gently into her lips.

Hmm... it wasn't a waste of time to feed that rabbit.

Gu Qing put the spoon away. "Don't just drink alcohol, don't forget to eat something to line your stomach."

Liu Tao was stunned. He subconsciously bit down on the chewy fish ball with his back teeth and stared at Gu Qing's gentle and handsome profile.

The hand that was holding mine under the table unconsciously tightened its grip, as if trying to grasp this rare, unadulterated care.

During the meal,
Just as Liu Tao had predicted, a number of actors and crew members came over with smiles to connect with her and offer her drinks.

She welcomed everyone, always with a polite and cheerful smile, whether it was a director, producer, familiar actors, or even behind-the-scenes staff.
She raised her glass to each of them, chatting and laughing, accepting all their toasts with ease, fully demonstrating the good relationships she had built up within the industry and her high emotional intelligence.

Gu Qing remained focused on the food in front of her, occasionally raising her eyelids to glance subtly at Liu Tao, who was handling the food with ease beside her.

He noticed that although Liu Tao's dignified and pretty face had turned quite red after several rounds of drinking, she remained clear-headed, logical, and spoke appropriately and with great tact when exchanging drinks with others.

The god of wine is right beside us.
What else could Gu Qing say?

He simply put his mind at ease and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the "cooking" business.

Occasionally, if he chokes on something, he'll pick up a cup of tea and sip it slowly, his posture relaxed and carefree.

Strangely,

Throughout the entire dinner, no one was so tactless as to force Gu Qing to drink alcohol, or showed any disapproval of his "substituting tea for alcohol".

On the contrary, everyone who came to talk to him had a bright smile on their face and offered endless praise and greetings.
His attitude was respectful and warm, as if being able to sit there was a great honor in itself.

As the dinner drew to a close, the atmosphere became increasingly pleasant.

Liu Tao timely displayed just the right amount of "drunkenness," resting her head on Gu Qing's shoulder and waving her hand with hazy, drunken eyes.
"I can't drink anymore... if I drink any more I'm really going to throw up... let's stop here for today, I have to go on a show tomorrow... I can't let it interfere with my work..."

Almost as soon as she finished speaking,

Gu Qing put down her chopsticks with satisfaction, leaned back lazily, and let out a long sigh, "I'm full! I'm stuffed."

Seeing this, Kong Sheng, who was in the main seat, stood up with a smile: "Haha, as long as our Chang Su is well eaten, that's all that matters."

We've all had a good time today, and that's about enough. We all have work to do tomorrow, so let's call it a day and go home to get some rest!

The assistants and drivers had been waiting outside the restaurant for a long time, so there was no need to worry about transportation back home.

"Little brother... I'm so drunk... my head is spinning... you have to take care of me..."

Liu Tao was practically hanging on Gu Qing's arm, staggering, and anyone who saw her would think she was completely drunk.

"I'll ride back in Xiao Gu's car too!"

On the other side, "eldest sister" Liu Mintao also showed a bit of "drunkenness" at the right time. Her eyes were slightly hazy, and she naturally put her hand on Gu Qing's other shoulder.

With a hint of teasing in his tone, he said, "Sitting with these young heartthrobs and breathing in their youthful energy is much more comfortable than being with you 'old bastards'!"

Her words immediately drew protests from the crowd.

"Sigh, it's good to be young, you're just more likable."

"Back in my youth, I was a well-known handsome young man in the surrounding villages!"

"Haha, let's go, let's go, stop blocking the doorway."

The group chatted and laughed, helping each other along as they walked towards the cars parked outside.

"Sister Xiaoya, Brother Liu, let's go."

Gu Qing spoke to his assistant Zhao Ya and the driver who were waiting nearby.

"Okay, boss."

Driver Liu quickly responded, took a few steps, and opened the car door for Gu Qing and his group in advance.

After Gu Qing helped the two "slightly tipsy" ladies into the spacious back seat of the car and closed the door, the driver jogged back to the driver's seat and started the car.

The vehicle smoothly entered the traffic flow in the night.

however,
Just as the car door closed,
Liu Tao and his older sister, who were still drunk in the back seat of the carriage, opened their eyes at almost the same time.

"Pooh!"

The eldest sister, Liu Mintao, was the first to speak in a low voice, her face showing undisguised disgust, "They're fucking disgusting! They look all respectable all the time, but after a few drinks, they show their true colors and don't even know who they are anymore!"

"Just say what you want, why are you trying to take advantage of me?! Where are you putting your hands?!"

She was clearly extremely dissatisfied with the behavior of some people at the dinner party.

"Alright, alright, Mintao, calm down."

Liu Tao quickly offered gentle words of comfort, adjusting her posture as well. Although she no longer pretended to be drunk, her alluring figure still leaned naturally and intimately against Gu Qing's side.
"We've been in this industry for so many years, what kind of people haven't we seen? If we can't afford to offend them, we can always avoid them. You get used to these kinds of situations."

Her tone carried a hint of helplessness and clarity.

For someone who has worked in the entertainment industry for many years, especially a female artist, various forms of drinking parties and social engagements are almost unavoidable.

With more experience, stumbles, and losses, one naturally develops a set of survival wisdom of one's own: how to protect oneself amidst social gatherings, without offending anyone, while still upholding one's bottom line.

So-called "drunkenness" is often just a necessary disguise and a dignified way to leave.

Seeing Liu Tao leaning so naturally and reliantly against Gu Qing, the eldest sister couldn't help but reveal a complex look of envy in her eyes.

In the acting world, it's common for actors to develop feelings for each other on set, and it's not surprising to her.

Didn't another well-known actress in the same drama cause a stir a few months ago by reading the script late at night with the male lead?

She was just a little sentimental and regretful, wondering why she hadn't met a mischievous guy like Gu Qing when she was working hard on film sets in her youth...

"Little Gu,"

The eldest sister turned her gaze to Gu Qing, her tone becoming serious, "It's not that I'm criticizing you, but you're still too gentle and too lenient with others."

At the dinner party just now, some of the people who came over to get close to you were up to no good. They were secretly touching and pinching you. You should have given them a cold shoulder on the spot, or just avoided them.

The more agreeable you are, the more some people will take advantage of you and think you're easy to bully!

"Trying to take advantage of me?"

Gu Qingzheng took the warm, damp towel from Zhao Ya, pulled one out and handed it to Liu Mintao beside him. Hearing this, he paused, his face showing genuine confusion. "Sister Mintao, who took advantage of me? I didn't feel anything at all?"

He thought back carefully. Throughout the dinner, those who came to toast and exchange pleasantries with him were indeed very enthusiastic, even overly so.
But everyone was kind and friendly, and no one did anything obviously inappropriate with him.

"You silly child! How can you be so naive!"

Seeing his bewildered look, the older sister was even more furious and worried for him. "Do you think that patting someone's shoulder, touching their hair, or pinching their cheek is how elders show affection to younger generations?"
Some people's eyes and gestures were just...off! You didn't notice, but I saw it all clearly from the side!

"what?"

Gu Qing was stunned, her brows furrowed, and she began to try to recall every detail of the dinner party.

indeed,

During the meal, people kept coming over to greet him and chat with him; almost everyone from the film crew came over and said a few words to him.

As for physical contact... a pat on the shoulder means encouragement, a pat on the head shows affection, and a pinch on the cheek expresses fondness...

These actions weren't particularly outrageous in the social circles of the entertainment industry, and considering that those people were generally more than ten years older than him, their behavior seemed quite natural.
He genuinely didn't find anything strange or offensive.

But after the older sister's reminder,

Gu Qing suddenly raised her head, her face instantly turning greenish. She felt as if countless tiny insects were crawling all over her body, and she began to feel uncomfortably itchy.

Holy crap! No way?!
He belatedly felt a chill.

"Sister Mintao, please stop scaring your little brother,"

Seeing Gu Qing's face change instantly, Liu Tao couldn't help but chuckle. She reached out her slender finger and gently pinched his nose, smiling soothingly.
"I think everyone here today is quite normal. At least I haven't heard any bad rumors about them. Don't scare yourself."

"That's not necessarily the case!"

The eldest sister insisted on her opinion, her tone serious, "You can know a person's face but not their heart! Who can know clearly how much trouble and chaos some people are behind the scenes?"

Gu's age and appearance make him too easy for some people with ill intentions to have inappropriate thoughts.

……

Gu Qing's appearance and age were indeed very likely to arouse a woman's maternal instincts.

Liu Mintao was no exception, which is why she spoke earnestly and continued to admonish him: "Little Gu, what I'm telling you isn't just scaremongering."

In this industry, you must always be vigilant and learn to protect yourself. Never take these potential risks for granted just because things are going smoothly for you now!

She lowered her voice and spoke more bluntly: "Many celebrities' 'orientation' is not necessarily innate."
Many times, it's out of necessity, or because something happened without their knowledge.

There are some things I can't say to you too bluntly, but you need to understand them.

"Anyway, remember what I said: From now on, you need to be extra careful about what you eat, drink, and do at any dinner party outside!"
Even if it's someone you know inviting you out, if there are any unfamiliar people or people whose backgrounds you don't know at the dinner party, listen to me, decline if you can, and absolutely don't go!

"If it's unavoidable, just like what you did today, don't drink alcohol, stay sober, and even tea, once it's out of your sight, never touch it again!"

Who knows if someone might take advantage of the situation to sabotage it?

She sighed at the end, "The trend in the entertainment industry has changed. More and more people like handsome young men like you, which is why such a large number of young people have emerged."

You must take good care of yourself.

"..."

The eldest sister's words, which combined her many years of experience, made Gu Qing feel a little uneasy.

He suddenly realized that the idol talent shows that would emerge one after another in the next few years would feature many contestants who lacked solid work.

In the end, don't they all rely on deliberately selling bromance and hyping up "brotherly love" or "sisterly love" to gain attention and stand out?

This includes the numerous BL dramas, dual male lead dramas, and sisterhood dramas that emerged during those years, attempting to replicate the success of "Guardian" and "The Untamed"...

Without exception, they all have powerful capital backers behind them, attempting to rapidly and mass-produce top-tier celebrities through this model.
At the same time, it is also subtly influencing the values ​​and aesthetic preferences of some young viewers.

He recalled that during the period when BL dramas were at their most popular and almost dominated the screen, the online public opinion became extremely volatile.

Some fanatical CP fans even regard normal heterosexual relationships as "heresy" and launch verbal attacks against them, causing a negative social impact.

Fortunately later,

The authorities promptly recognized the dangers of this unhealthy trend and took swift and decisive action to suppress it, effectively curbing its abnormal growth.

"Little brother, you should thank Sister Mintao properly,"

Liu Tao gently nudged Gu Qing, who was deep in thought, and said seriously, "These are real 'survival guides for the industry.' You absolutely cannot summarize such practical experience without spending more than ten years in the entertainment industry, a place of fame and fortune, struggling, falling into pits, and suffering losses."

These are valuable lessons learned by my eldest sister through hardship.

"Thank you, Sister Mintao,"

Gu Qing snapped out of her daze and said sincerely, "I understand. I've remembered what you mean. I'll be more careful in the future and protect myself."

"Well, it's good to understand."

Seeing that he was listening, Liu Mintao nodded with satisfaction, then a teasing smile appeared on his face.

She moved closer to the car window, leaning against it, and even picked up the hat that was lying next to her and put it on, saying deliberately, "Okay, I've told you everything I needed to."

I won't be a third wheel and disturb your passionate reminiscing.

"Sister Mintao, we're not exaggerating at all..."

Gu Qing was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by her blunt words.

"that is,"

Liu Tao smiled and agreed, but his tone carried a different meaning, "There are too many people...it's inconvenient."

Gu Qing: "..."

Are you really planning to "start" just because there are few people?

……

Everyone returned safely to their hotel.

That night, some people were alone and went to bed early;
Some people are in pairs, pouring out their hearts to each other.

Regardless, everyone got a good night's sleep and was well-rested, ready to be in top condition for the variety show recording the next afternoon.

……

"Big Shows in the Capital" is a highly regarded interview program on Beijing TV.

Since its inception in 2011, it has invited countless big-name celebrities, including many top-tier stars.

Among them, what the audience talks about most is that they once invited national treasure-level artists such as "Sister Xiaoqing and Teacher Gaowa" to share the stage, which are extremely senior.

It enjoys stable viewership among middle-aged and older audiences.

This is precisely why the production team of "Nirvana in Fire" chose this location for their first major promotional campaign.

The group arrived at the recording studio on time.

After receiving the usual warm and thoughtful welcome from the program crew, Gu Qing also received the script for tonight's interview from the executive director.

Although the production team brought a total of ten actors, making quite a spectacle, due to the program's length and the need for optimal recording quality, only the five core lead actors were actually able to sit on the main stage sofa for a key interview.

The casting was no surprise; it was based on industry consensus on star power and current fame, rather than solely on the importance of their roles in the drama.

Examples include: Gu Qing, Liu Tao, Jin Dong, Chen Long, and Wang Kai.

As for the other five actors, such as Liu Yijun and Liu Mintao, they were seated in a specific area in the first row of the audience.

During the program, you may be asked one or two brief questions, and the camera will take some time to focus on you, but overall you are just an extra and a background character.

Whether it was because land in the capital was so valuable, or because the number of actors who came this time exceeded the production team's usual capacity to accommodate them, even the dressing rooms provided backstage seemed very crowded and cramped.

There are only four separate lounges in total.

Without a doubt, Gu Qing, the most famous actress, had a room all to herself; Liu Tao, also a top-tier actress, shared another room.
The remaining two dressing rooms, which need to be shared by eight actors, are quite cramped.

The eldest sister was quite easygoing. Seeing how crowded the lounge was, she simply grabbed her makeup bag and went straight to knock on Liu Tao's door.

As for Gu Qing, if he were to follow his usual easygoing nature, he might not mind letting them squeeze into his spacious lounge as well.

But after hearing her older sister's "heart-to-heart" warning last night, Gu Qing inexplicably felt uneasy and became somewhat wary.

He ultimately decided to "do as the Romans do," staying obediently alone in his dressing room, not going anywhere, and concentrating on studying the script. To others, his actions were perfectly normal.

After all, given his current status, having a dressing room all to himself is a perfectly natural privilege; it's the "norm" in the industry.

If he were to enthusiastically invite others in, it would seem odd and might even cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

Some people with quick minds might overthink things, wondering if Gu Qing is sending some ambiguous "signals".
That would be a case of trying too hard and making things worse, and you wouldn't be able to clear your name no matter what.

After a simple, on-screen makeup session by the makeup artist, Gu Qing quickly flipped through the entire script for the program.

The process is relatively simple, mainly consisting of relaxed and enjoyable interviews.

They will ask about your insights into character development, interesting anecdotes and feelings during filming, and your impressions of the other actors you worked with in the series...

These are just some of the safe and easy questions to ask. Finally, there will be a lighthearted "Pictionary" game to liven things up, which will conclude the interview.

After a brief and friendly initial communication with hosts Cao Yang and Li Kun, the recording of the program officially began.

Gu Qing and the other main actors waited in the backstage area of ​​the program, where they could clearly hear the sounds coming from the studio in front.

The host, Cao Yang, with his stocky build and kind face, surprisingly changed into a replica of the moon-white robe worn by Gu Qing in the drama, in an attempt to liven up the atmosphere.
He was clumsily and comically imitating a classic scene of Mei Changsu on stage, eliciting bursts of laughter from the audience.

It wasn't until another host, the beautiful and slender Li Kun, came on stage and jokingly "exposed" him as a "knock-off," thus leading to the introduction of the "original"—

The main cast and crew of "Nirvana in Fire" have officially made their appearance!

"Please welcome—the actor who plays the master of Lin Chen Pavilion, a man of miraculous healing skills, serene and wise nature, and a discerning heart: Jin Dong!"

The production team also put a lot of thought and creativity into writing a quote for each actor that fits the character's personality.

……

"Bold and resonant, radiant and graceful, renowned and illustrious, a heroine among women! Please welcome Liu Tao, who plays Princess Nihuang!"

After Liu Tao was introduced, it was finally Gu Qing's turn to make her grand entrance.

Gu Qing himself couldn't help but become interested, wanting to hear what kind of flowery language the program team would use to introduce him as the "top of the Langya List".

However, the director's voice came through the headphones clearly:

"He came with a plain face and white robes, and left with the smoke of war in the distance—please welcome Gu Qing, the actor who plays Mei Changsu, the top scholar on the Langya List!"

That's it? Just... one sentence?

Gu Qing was taken aback upon hearing this, and subconsciously muttered something under her breath.

Compared to the relatively specific descriptions of the previous speakers, his inscription is exceptionally concise, even carrying a sense of tragedy and destiny.

Before he could even think, the moment his name was announced on stage, a deafening, tsunami-like scream erupted, nearly lifting the roof off the studio.

Like a tidal wave, it surged from the audience seats and even penetrated the backstage area, which wasn't very well soundproofed!

"Ahhh!!! Gu Qing!! Gu Qing!!"

"Little brother!! We miss you so much!!"

"Gu Qing! Look here!!"

Looking around the audience, eight or nine out of ten people were holding up light boards and banners with Gu Qing's name and photo on them, creating a dazzling sea of ​​light.

The volume and duration of the screams he elicited upon his appearance were several times greater than those of the previous four actors combined!
This astonishing momentum shocked the two hosts, Cao Yang and Li Kun, who were experiencing this "top-tier phenomenon" live on their own show for the first time, and their faces showed undisguised shock.

Among the guests they have invited in the past are many big-name artists, and those superstars may have had such a crazy fan base when they were young.

But as I've grown older and accumulated more fans, it's been many years since I've seen such a pure and passionate display of youthful enthusiasm for idol worship in a recording studio.

The scene got a little out of control at one point, and even the experienced host couldn't get a word in edgewise.

In the end, Gu Qing took the initiative to step forward and take control of the situation. Facing the boiling audience, she gently put her slender index finger to her lips, making a "shh" gesture, while giving a reassuring and slightly apologetic smile.

Miraculously,

The deafening screams subsided as if paused, leaving only suppressed, excited whispers.

This powerful influence and appeal once again left the host and backstage staff speechless with astonishment.

Subsequently,

Gu Qing sat down on a comfortable lounge chair prepared by the production team, next to Liu Tao, who was also smiling.

"Gu Qing, your fans are just too enthusiastic!"

The female host, Li Kun, patted her chest with lingering fear and said to Gu Qing with a smile, her tone tinged with amazement and teasing, "Look how much they like you. Your influence is truly incredible."

"Thank you, thank you everyone."

Gu Qing turned to the audience, put his hands together, bowed slightly, and sincerely expressed his gratitude to his fans.

However, this simple action almost triggered a new wave of screams. Fortunately, the fans seemed to realize that they were recording a program and tried their best to hold back.

Seeing this, Likun couldn't help but chuckle, secretly regretting her earlier teasing remark.

With Gu Qing present, the recording pace of this program is unlikely to be easy.

"Hey! Our first segment today is pretty interesting, it's called: 'Crowdfunding'!"

It was the experienced male host, Cao Yang, who, with his deep voice and powerful presence, successfully steered the topic back onto the intended track.

"That's right!"

Li Kun quickly chimed in, continuing the conversation, "We've heard that the casting process for 'Nirvana in Fire' is quite different from that of many other TV dramas."
It is said that netizens first "crowdfunded" online by recommending their favorite actors, and then the production team made a comprehensive consideration of the recommendations?

I wonder if this rumor is true?

She turned her gaze to Gu Qing and posed her first question: "So, I'd like to ask you, Gu Qing, when you played the male lead Mei Changsu in 'Nirvana in Fire,'..."

Is it also because you have a large online fan base, a result of crowdfunding and recommendations from netizens?

"I... I don't think so."

Gu Qing shook his head very honestly without much thought.

"..."

Li Kun felt a sudden pang in her heart, and looked at Gu Qing with a resentful expression, momentarily at a loss for words.

Why is this kid so honest? Can't he at least cooperate a little for the sake of the show?

Fortunately, Gu Qing paused, seemingly feeling that the answer was too dry, and then proactively revealed something else: "I was... recommended by Sister Tao."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Liu Tao beside him; in truth, he himself had harbored a degree of curiosity.

Why did Liu Tao strongly recommend him to the production team to play Mei Changsu, a role that was very different from his previous image?

"Liu Tao? You recommended him?" Cao Yang feigned surprise at just the right moment, steer the conversation toward Liu Tao.

"Yes, I recommended my younger brother to the director and the production company to play Mei Changsu."

Liu Tao readily admitted it and began to explain the reason, "I remember the first time I met him was at last year's Bazaar Charity Gala."

As she recalled, she gestured with her hands, her eyes filled with the amazement she felt upon first meeting him: "At that time, he was wearing a very elegant, plain white long gown. When he walked the red carpet, he gave off a kind of... ethereal, clean, yet with an indescribable sense of melancholy and a story to tell."

The moment I saw him, I exclaimed "Wow!" and thought: "My God, how can someone be so suited to period dramas, so full of classical charm?"

"Then, coincidentally, I had just finished reading the novel script of 'Nirvana in Fire' around that time, and I was sketching out the image of Mei Changsu in my mind."

The moment I saw him, I knew, "That's it! He's the one! Mei Changsu should look exactly like him!" So I immediately contacted the director and producer and strongly recommended him.

After Liu Tao finished speaking, he looked at Gu Qing with a smile, his eyes filled with the satisfaction of a "talent scout".

"I see!"

Cao Yang suddenly realized and immediately tried to smooth things over with a nice remark, "Gu Qing, you're more than just the 'people's elected' Mei Changsu, you're practically the 'chosen one'!"
With the anticipation of fans of the original work and netizens alike, and the approval of the production team, it's a product that everyone wants!

"I just hope that after the drama is officially broadcast, my performance will live up to the expectations of the book fans and the trust of Director Kong and Director Li."

Gu Qing responded modestly. After speaking, he felt as if he had missed something, so he naturally turned to look at Liu Tao and added, "Oh right, and there's also Sister Tao's recommendation and trust."

"Oh my, it's so sweet!"

Likun immediately noticed this subtle detail, cupped her hands to her heart, made an exaggerated expression of being overwhelmed by sweetness, and then threw the topic back to Liu Tao.
"Tao, now that you hear how much Gu Qing values ​​your recommendation, what about you? What were your feelings and emotions when you heard that Gu Qing agreed to play Mei Changsu?"

however,
For some reason, Liu Tao's thoughts seemed to be on a different wavelength from everyone else's at this moment.

She turned her head and met Gu Qing's questioning smile. She wondered if she had instantly recalled the intimate interaction between the two during yesterday's dinner.

Gu Qing's focused gaze touched a soft spot in her heart, and she couldn't help but laugh.

That smile was different from her previous dignified and proper demeanor; it carried a distinct shyness that only a young woman would have.

She turned her head away, not daring to meet Gu Qing's gaze. She lowered her head and covered her mouth and half of her cheek with her hand, her shoulders trembling slightly as she laughed. She looked completely overwhelmed with emotion and unable to reply.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Are you too happy to speak?"

Seeing this, Cao Yang immediately smiled and joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Nothing... nothing."

Liu Tao finally managed to stop laughing, took a deep breath, but her face was still flushed. She pointed to Gu Qing beside her and explained with a lingering smile, "It's just that I suddenly remembered something that happened when I came back yesterday."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "I just got back and saw everyone. It's been a long time since I've seen you all, so I happily hugged and greeted many of you."

Then……"

She looked at Gu Qing and smiled, saying, "My little brother was standing right next to me, and he said to me in a... well, slightly aggrieved tone, 'Sister Tao, why do you hug everyone else but not me?'"

She imitated Gu Qing's tone at the time, which made the female fans in the audience scream continuously.

"Then I replied to him,"

Liu Tao's voice softened unconsciously, "'Because in my heart, you are the most special one.'"

"After Ke Tao finished speaking, she hugged me."

Gu Qing interjected with a sarcastic remark at the opportune moment.

"Hahahaha!" The audience burst into laughter.

"You've become just like everyone else in an instant!"

Cao Yang also summarized with a smile, which triggered another round of laughter.

"As for what it's like to act alongside my younger brother..."

Liu Tao finally steered the conversation back on track. She suppressed her smile, looked at Gu Qing, and said earnestly, "I feel very happy and joyful."

He is a very professional, dedicated, and considerate partner who also knows how to take care of his co-stars' feelings.

"Oooooooo!!!"

The host and audience immediately erupted in cheers, mingling with the excited screams of the fans, creating an incredibly lively atmosphere.

"Then I'd like to ask all the actors and teachers present here,"

Cao Yang seized the opportunity and asked a question that could better explore the story: "During the months-long filming of 'Nirvana in Fire,' was there any scene that left a particularly deep impression on you or that moved you the most?"

“There’s a scene that left a particularly deep impression on me and that moved me deeply, and it’s about Gu Qing.”

Sitting in the front row of the audience, Liu Yijun, the teacher who plays Xie Yu, took the microphone handed to him by the staff and spoke sincerely.

"I remember, we were filming a scene where only I was in the frame."

The director originally planned to only shoot close-ups of me; Gu Qing's character was off-screen and didn't need to be in the frame.

He described the situation in detail: "Under these circumstances, many actors, especially lead actors like Gu Qing who had heavy roles and limited time,
Usually, the assistant director or script supervisor will hold up a script and read the lines aloud, while the actor can go rest or prepare for the next scene.

"But Gu Qing is different."

Liu Yijun's tone was full of praise, "He insisted on not using a teleprompter, and just acted with me off-camera."

Moreover, the environment at the time was actually not good. We were in a prison set that we built, and the smell and lighting were terrible.

But he was very serious, rehearsing with me word for word, and acting with great emotion, helping me with my scenes until my shot was finished.

He remarked, "After filming that scene, I was deeply moved and immediately posted a blog post to praise this young actor."

What a pity...

Liu Yijun chuckled self-deprecatingly, “For middle-aged actors like us, not many people follow our blogs. Even if we post, not many people read them, and not many people know about them.”

These words carried a hint of helplessness and bitterness from a middle-aged veteran actor.

"Thank you, Teacher Liu. I'll look for it as soon as I get back!"

Gu Qing immediately responded on stage.

His quick and emotionally intelligent recollection drew another round of lighthearted laughter from the audience.

And this "praise contest" between Gu Qing and Gu Qing has only just begun.

Then,

"Eldest sister" Liu Mintao also picked up the microphone. She looked at Gu Qing, her eyes full of an elder's affection for an outstanding younger generation:
"Xiao Gu is truly one of the most dedicated young actors I've ever met."

From the first day I joined the crew until the end of filming, I never saw him late or leave early, not even once!

I've never seen him act like a big shot or put on airs.

She described Gu Qing's life on set: "Every day he was alone, sitting there quietly, either reading the script, memorizing lines, or writing and drawing in his notebook, trying to understand the character."
Or they might very humbly come to us old folks to rehearse and discuss acting.

Diligent, reliable, and clean—this kind of child is so endearing!

Talking,

Her "big sister" aura kicked in again, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes as she began to make comparisons and complaints: "You have to understand, this is really exaggerated!"
In recent years, I have met many young actors who are called "little fresh meat" (young, handsome male actors), but they are actually much older than Xiao Gu!
The results of it?
They're all incredibly arrogant!
Her acting skills are nothing to write home about, but she's incredibly spoiled! She's always late, and if the director says anything or she does too many takes, she throws a tantrum or even refuses to act!

It's infuriating to look at; it's an insult to the word 'actor'!

The eldest sister's sharp and direct criticism instantly resonated strongly with the other veteran actors in the audience.
Many people nodded in agreement and whispered their support, while also complaining about some unprofessional and diva-like young artists they had worked with or heard about.

As can be seen,

The collapse of the reputation of "young and handsome male celebrities" and the industry phenomenon of "everyone kicking a man when he's down" have actually been accumulating a lot of dissatisfaction within the industry for some time, and now they are beginning to show signs of this in public.

"Who is it? Could you tell me more specifically?"

Upon hearing such explosive news, Li Kun and Cao Yang's eyes lit up, and their professional instincts made them eager to ask more questions.

Other TV stations might be afraid of offending popular celebrities and the capital behind them, but "Big Show in the Capital" is backed by Beijing TV and is not afraid of trouble at all.

"Next segment! Shouldn't we move on to the next game segment?"

Upon seeing this, Gu Qing immediately interrupted with a smile.

He had to consider the feelings of these outspoken seniors, lest they accidentally name names on the show, which would cause a lot of trouble later.

Reminded by Gu Qingyi, Liu Mintao and the others immediately snapped out of their excited rant and realized that it was indeed inappropriate to speak too frankly on a public program.
They all looked at Gu Qing gratefully, then tacitly kept quiet about the specific names and changed the subject with a smile.

……

Before we knew it, the interviews and games had come to a successful end, and the recording of the entire episode was drawing to a close.

Since the production team of "Love O2O" gave Gu Qing a week's promotional leave, he naturally didn't need to rush back to the production team immediately after recording the program, unlike other actors.

And coincidentally...
Seemingly knowing that Gu Qing had this vacation, Liu Tao also arranged a week off for herself.

Gu Qing only ended his short but pleasant vacation as the official premiere date of "Nirvana in Fire" approached.

Feeling refreshed and radiant, he returned to the Beijing Film Academy campus where the "Love O2O" crew was located to continue filming "Xiao Nai".

And a discussion about the premiere ratings of "Nirvana in Fire"

The curtain will slowly rise with his return...

……

……

(End of this chapter)