Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 421 Return to Extreme Challenge: The Gold Bar Battle! (6.3k)
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Thanks to the continued efforts of Bilibili and Douyin, the popularity of "Nirvana in Fire" has become unstoppable, creating a phenomenal viewing frenzy.

Even if competitors are envious and eager to smear him, they will find that they have nowhere to start.

The exorbitant cost of registering accounts and the high barriers to entry on Bilibili make the price of paid online trolls ridiculously high, resulting in extremely low cost-effectiveness. It's a losing proposition – killing a hundred enemies while losing a thousand of your own.

As for Ah Dou...
What?
Did they pay online trolls to smear the "small boss" of our platform?
Are you crazy, or do we all feel like we've been dismissed from class?
One comes, one is shut down; precise strikes, eliminating future troubles forever. That faint noise can't even cause a ripple.

Especially with the timely release of the new episodes of "Nirvana in Fire" this Saturday, the online discussion has reached a new high, growing bigger and bigger like a snowball.

The plot of the third and fourth episodes is an explosion of information, with subtle foreshadowing and hidden clues.

among them,

The scene where Mei Changsu and Princess Nihuang were chatting in the palace corridor when they happened to encounter a young servant named "Tingsheng" being sternly reprimanded by a snobbish eunuch touched the hearts of countless veteran fans of the original novel.

This seemingly insignificant, bullied minor character is actually the ultimate "hidden thread" running through the first two parts of "Nirvana in Fire".
It is the key fulcrum that will trigger countless joys and sorrows that follow!

Tingsheng's true identity is the posthumous son of the deceased Prince Qi. He is of royal blood but has fallen to this state due to a heinous injustice.

Why did Prince Qi, a man of both literary and military talent who was once highly regarded by the court and the public, die young and end up disgraced?

Answer,

It is hidden in one of the most common and cruel scenes in the five-thousand-year history: the struggle for power and the mutual suspicion between father and son.

The aging and suspicious Emperor Liang could not tolerate the growing power and prestige of his young princes, nor could he bear the immense influence of the maternal relatives behind them, which made him uneasy.

Mei Changsu's father, Lin Xie, the commander of the Chiyan Army, held immense power over the military. His younger sister (Lin Leyao) was taken into the palace by Emperor Liang, and the prince she gave birth to was Prince Qi.

Lin Xie himself married Princess Jinyang, the younger sister of Emperor Liang.

Their son was none other than Lin Shu, the young marshal of the Chiyan Army, who rose to fame at a young age and was known for his dashing and spirited demeanor.

In ordinary families, it would be considered a joyous occasion if two men married each other's sisters, a union that strengthens family ties and becomes a celebrated story.

Could it be placed in a turbulent, power-obsessed royal court?

This was undoubtedly a monolithic "maternal relatives" group that would make any emperor feel uneasy!
It is a huge threat that could shake the very foundation of the nation!

then,

The seeds of suspicion took root in Emperor Liang's heart, eventually evolving into a meticulously planned, bloody, and cruel purge.

He orchestrated everything behind the scenes, fabricating charges, framing loyal officials, and even targeting his own son, Prince Qi, who threatened his throne.

Lin Xie, the brother-in-law whose achievements threatened the emperor, and his 70,000 loyal Chiyan soldiers were all sent to their deaths. Even his own sister, Princess Jinyang, was not spared and ultimately committed suicide in front of the palace.

The excellence of the script of "Nirvana in Fire" is fully demonstrated here. It does not simply caricature Emperor Liang as a muddle-headed and tyrannical villain.

From the perspective of a monarch, one must consider a group whose military and political power is closely intertwined with the royal bloodline, a group that could almost threaten the imperial authority.

His fears and methods, under the logic of feudal imperial power, seem to have a pathetic "rationality".

How could an emperor who had ruled the world for decades voluntarily relinquish his power and peacefully walk towards the twilight of his reign?
Throughout history, how many people have truly achieved this?
What difference does it make if a prince who threatens the throne is killed, even if he is a close relative?

The maternal relatives who wield significant military power and have deep ties to the royal family are a major threat that must be eliminated!
Even if they are extremely loyal, who can guarantee that their subordinates won't try to seize power again?
They deserve to die!

When an emperor's suspicion is combined with absolute power, it can transform into the sharpest butcher's knife in the world.

But from Mei Changsu's perspective, how could he not hate?

How could we not transform this injustice and hatred into a thunderous roar that would shake the very foundations of Nanjing?
therefore,

When Mei Changsu was in the deep palace, he protected the thin but stubborn-looking 'Tingsheng' under the eunuchs and offered to teach him to read himself.

Behind that seemingly accidental compassion lies a profound sense of responsibility and atonement.

At this very moment, he encountered one of his former best friends, Prince Jing, whom he no longer recognized because of his drastically changed appearance.

The honest, upright, and loyal Prince Jing could not recognize the sickly and frail strategist before him as the once flamboyant and unrestrained Lin Shu.

Seeing his attention so focused on a lowly slave in the Ye You Ting, she couldn't help but feel suspicious and stepped forward to question him: "Mr. Su, why are you so concerned about this child? You've only met him once, yet you want to personally teach him to read?"

Just as Mei Changsu was pondering how to respond to this "interrogation" from his old friend...

Princess Nihuang, however, suddenly turned against him, stepping forward without hesitation to shield the frail Mr. Su behind her.
She raised her spirited eyebrows slightly and asked Prince Jing with a smile, "I would like to ask Your Highness, is your concern for this child merely out of pity?"

"Ahhh!! She's protecting her husband! She's protecting her husband!!"

"Who says it's not sweet? Who says Gu Qing and Liu Tao don't have any chemistry?!"

"Oh my god! This is the kind of domineering female general who dotes on her little husband that I've always wanted to see! Mr. Su is a sickly beauty who is physically weak but whose intelligence is overwhelming!"

"A strong female lead! This is exactly the kind of strong female lead I've been looking for—one who doesn't depend on men, is capable in battle, and is fiercely protective of her own!"

The live chat was buzzing with excitement when this scene came on.

Especially for female viewers who have become the main audience of the show, how can they resist the contrast between the cuteness of "female Alpha and male Omega" and the sense of destiny?

It precisely scratched their itchy spots.

In this film and television market where winning over female viewers is key to success, as long as you firmly capture their hearts, it's hard for a series not to become a hit!
This brief moment of ambiguity and tenderness perfectly balanced the heaviness of the power struggle.

Then,

The plot is moving at high speed again:
Mei Changsu makes a bet with Prince Jing on how to cleverly lead Tingsheng out of the palace, and then the envoy from Northern Yan enters Liang, thus starting the side story of a martial arts contest to find a husband.

The two episodes are tightly interwoven and fast-paced.

This not only established the crucial hidden plotline of Ting Sheng and resolved the immediate crisis of Princess Nihuang's marriage proposal, but also used these events to advance the main revenge storyline, with Prince Jing serving as the key figure.
"Awesome! The pacing is amazing! It's packed with information but doesn't get confusing at all!"

"This is way too short! Can the platform please do something right and release two more episodes?!"

"Doesn't Tencent love offering early access to content? Hurry up! Buy the broadcasting rights for 'Nirvana in Fire,' and I'll pay for it! Right now!"

"I'm kicking myself now. Why did I ever spend money on 'Fighter of the Destiny'? I should have saved that money for 'Nirvana in Fire'!"

At this point, "Nirvana in Fire" had emerged from its hiding place and was officially taking off.

The series' reputation and popularity have created a perfect virtuous cycle, making it unstoppable.

Everyone in the crew, from the director and producer to the production assistants, was incredibly excited and felt a great sense of pride.

Even the veteran actors who have been in the entertainment industry for many years were pleasantly surprised, feeling both tired and happy.

They traveled with the film crew to various popular variety shows every day, sharing their insights and deep friendships from filming "Nirvana in Fire".

After years of struggling in the industry, I've finally experienced the joy of a blockbuster hit and making money quickly.

Simultaneously,

These seasoned veterans, well-versed in human relationships, know perfectly well who the biggest contributor to the show's remarkable success is.

Whether out of genuine gratitude or simply to capitalize on the trend, they almost invariably showered the male lead, Gu Qing, with heartfelt praise in every program they appeared on.
They praised his dedication, his talent, and the unique quality of his performances.

"Gu Qing is a calm and composed young man, truly a breath of fresh air among today's young actors."

This kind of rhetoric frequently appears in various interviews.

The Gu family was naturally delighted to see their younger brother being praised, and they frantically forwarded, liked, and commented on the post, spreading the praise to every corner of the internet.

So far,

A win-win situation has been formed: the platform gained traffic and reputation, the production team and actors gained recognition and new career heights, and the audience enjoyed an audio-visual feast.

Everyone is a winner, except for "Fighter of the Destiny," which started with great fanfare but has now been overshadowed.

As the absolute male lead of this phenomenal drama, Gu Qing must be carrying a heavy burden at this moment.

According to industry practice,

During the broadcast of the series, the lead actors need to cooperate with the production team to carry out high-intensity and high-frequency promotions, and travel to various variety shows.

If you miss such events, you'll inevitably be labeled as "unprofessional" or "arrogant."

It might even draw criticism and accusations from directors and producers in public.

however,
However, this kind of routine did not happen on the set of "Nirvana in Fire".

When the production team learned that Gu Qing was currently working on another project, focusing on her new film, everyone from the director and producer to the publicity team gave a surprisingly consistent answer:
Distressed!

Instead of exerting any pressure or recall, they practically treated this "meritorious lead actor" with utmost care and protection.

"We can't let our 'Chang Su' get tired. We'll handle the publicity so he can focus on filming. He can just record a video message to express his feelings."

The producer even said this in front of the media.

These words were full of understanding.

after all,

Which actor can be like Gu Qing, possessing such top-tier platform resources and a terrifying traffic effect, making two major video giants willingly devote all their resources to supporting him?

If the production crew is still not satisfied, then they are really getting a good deal and acting innocent, and they should be dragged out and "shot" for five minutes.

Since the production team was so considerate and gave the green light, Gu Qing was naturally happy to have some free time and devote all her energy to filming the new drama.

In fact,
He was indeed quite troubled during this period.

On one side is Mei Changsu from "Nirvana in Fire," a man of meticulous planning and burdened with worries.
On one hand, there's the completely different character in the new drama, and the two contrasting emotions often clash in his mind, making it difficult for him to adjust to the best filming state.

Being able to temporarily set aside distractions and focus on perfecting his new role is undoubtedly a godsend for him.

however,
Just as Gu Qing had regained her composure and was preparing to finish filming the new drama in one go...

An invitation from Dongfang TV once again shattered his brief peace.

The production team of "Go Fighting!" extended an olive branch to him, hoping that he could take advantage of the momentum of "Nirvana in Fire" and appear on the show again.

This adds another brilliant chapter to this year's blockbuster resume.

and,

The production team also provided a reason that Gu Qing could hardly refuse—the filming location for this episode of "Go Fighting!" could be his hometown: Huizhou!

When assistant Zhao Ya brought this news to Gu Qing
Without even a second's hesitation, he turned around and went to ask the director for leave.

joke,

Only those artists with their brains slammed would refuse to do something that can help promote their hometown, both give back to their community and enhance their personal image—a benefit that clearly outweighs the drawbacks.

Any artist with a bit of emotional intelligence and long-term vision knows the importance of the "hometown" label and would love to include their place of origin in any self-introduction.

Gu Qing, as of now,

She promoted local attractions in her hometown for free and sang "Small Town Ballad" on the Spring Festival Gala stage to promote the charm and culture of Anhui...

It seems like all of these are one-way contributions, with no immediate material reward from the hometown.

In reality, the local officials and villagers have seen and remembered this friendship and these achievements.

This is a constantly replenishing pool of emotions, waiting to provide strong support when he needs it, or at crucial moments. After successfully obtaining the leave slip...
Gu Qing booked a flight back to Huizhou that very night.

Before his departure, the three girls, Jing Tian, ​​Zhang Jingyi, and Zhou Ye, who came to see him off, as well as the entire crew, all had faces filled with a sense of loss and sorrow, as if the sky had fallen. The atmosphere was so gloomy that it seemed he would never return.

Although Gu Qing was a little puzzled by everyone's strong reaction, she still smiled and encouraged them, "Film well! I hope that when you come back, you'll see that all the scenes you're responsible for have been successfully filmed!"

……

the next morning,

Huizhou, Huangshan, Tunxi Airport.

As an undisputed top celebrity in the entertainment industry, Gu Qing's personal schedule is basically in a semi-public state.

Often, even if he wants to keep a low profile, the ubiquitous paparazzi, fans, and online photographers will instantly expose his whereabouts.

usually,

Every time he appears at an airport, he causes a huge crowd to gather, creating a bustling scene and quickly becoming a trending topic.

However today
The scene outside the airport was quite different. A group of fans and enthusiasts, armed with cameras and microphones and ready to capture "masterpiece photos," could only watch longingly as the airport opened up, unable to get any closer.

All non-passengers or those unable to provide valid proof of pick-up will be politely but firmly "invited" by staff to a designated area outside the entrance as soon as they approach the entrance.

Why is the order so good today?

The travelers returning home today are no ordinary people.

The local leaders attached great importance to this proud individual who made outstanding contributions to promoting his hometown, and specially arranged a warm yet tasteful welcome ceremony.

The song "Small Town Ballad" performed at the Spring Festival Gala also brought tangible tourism benefits to Huizhou.

The distribution of traditional Huizhou pastries to the audience was a successful cultural export.

all of these,
For Anhui Province, whose GDP was on the verge of falling to the level of a poverty-stricken province, this was like a long-awaited rain after a drought.

then,

Inside the airport, a red banner welcoming people home was quietly hung up, and employees organized by relevant units, holding support banners, lined up in neat rows.

Although they maintained discipline, they couldn't help but look curious and expectant, glancing towards the passenger passage from time to time.

Who wouldn't want to see a big star?
of course,

Even more noteworthy are the middle-aged people standing in the front row, dressed in dark jackets and white shirts, who appear calm and unremarkable.

"Mr. Gu Qing, this way please..."

The VIP passage door slowly opened, and a figure appeared, guided by ground staff.

With a refined and elegant demeanor, she seems to be a young person with a built-in filter, calming down the surrounding noise.

Gu Qing's appearance immediately caused a small commotion, and everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to her.

The appreciation of beautiful people and things is ingrained in the genes of the Chinese people.

Since ancient times,

Whether it's selecting officials or evaluating talent,

"A beautiful appearance" is always a hidden but important advantage.

"Comrade Xiao Gu, welcome home!"

A leader stepped forward first, warmly shook Gu Qing's hand, and gave it a firm shake, while casually patting his shoulder with his other hand.

"The more than 60 million people in our Anhui province are very grateful for your contributions to our hometown!"

"Let us also have a good look in front of the whole country on New Year's Eve, showcasing the culture and charm of Huizhou!"

Then,

It was a standard procedure: a handshake, small talk, and asking about each other's recent situation...

The leaders displayed approachability and personal charm, while Gu Qing maintained a humble and polite smile throughout.
He bowed slightly and shook hands with each leader, and did not forget to turn to the staff holding welcome banners, put his hands together, and sincerely bowed to express his gratitude.

Local media reporters accompanying them quickly snapped photos, capturing this positive moment.

The group walked out of the airport in a throng.

The fansites waiting on the perimeter, tasked with taking photos and meeting quotas, instantly erupted in excited cheers:

"Ahhh!! Gu Qing, look this way!!"

"Gu Qing! Gu Qing, look at me!!"

Screams and camera shutters rang out, and fans waved signs, creating a lively scene.

According to the original plan,
The production team of "Go Fighting!" was supposed to send a special car to pick Gu Qing up from the airport, and even the chief director Yan Ming personally went to the airport to prepare a "surprise" for Gu Qing.

Or,

It's to prepare mentally for the upcoming recording of the show.

however,
The scene before us,
Gu Qing was surrounded by a group of middle-aged people in jackets, chatting and laughing, their relationship appearing exceptionally harmonious and amicable.

This completely stunned Director Yan Ming, who was used to seeing big scenes.

Teacher Gu, what... what are you doing?

This is far too much of a spectacle!

Yan Ming clicked his tongue inwardly, "We're just a variety show production company, there's no need to alarm so many... leaders, right?"

Given the immense popularity of "Go Fighting!", it is indeed necessary to communicate closely with relevant local departments in each filming location to ensure public safety and the smooth running of the program.

But when have they ever encountered such a scene, where guests are greeted at the airport with such high-level and warm hospitality by local leaders?

They watched as Gu Qing boarded a Coaster minibus and slowly drove away under the guidance of other vehicles.

Yan Ming remained where he was, too afraid to step forward.

"Let's go back to the hotel first."

He sat back in his car, rubbed his temples, and started to feel a little apprehensive. "I'll talk to Teacher Gu about the recording details later."

An unprecedented dilemma confronted Yan Ming: Should the script be revised at the last minute?

What is the soul of "Go Fighting!"?
Of course it's about "tricking the guests"!

Within the framework of rules (or no rules), they "harm each other," thus creating the ultimate dramatic effect and humor.

The classic "gold bar battle" they prepared for Gu Qing was no exception.

But thinking back to what happened at the airport just now,

Yan Ming's heart was pounding.

If this goes too far, and Gu Qing is "bullied" too badly in the game, this beloved "little pride of Huizhou" will be in trouble.
Will they... hold a grudge?

If anything goes too far and upsets the other party, the consequences...

But on second thought,
He had worked with Gu Qing before.

I know that this top celebrity is not someone who can't take a joke or not.

On the contrary, he has a strong sense of variety, is quick to catch jokes, and has a great sense of entertainment.

"Alas, fortune favors the bold!"

Yan Ming gritted his teeth and ultimately decided to trust Gu Qing's professionalism and sense of humor.

"The original plan remains unchanged! The 'gold bar war' will proceed as scheduled!"
However… I should remind those few 'old foxes' to be careful and know when to stop…

On the other side, on a Coaster bus that was traveling smoothly.

"Comrade Xiao Gu, I heard you came back this time to be on a TV show, what's it called..." a leader tried hard to recall.

"The leader is 'Go Fighting!'"

Gu Qing quickly took over the conversation.

"Oh right, right, 'Go Fighting!' Look at my memory. You young people are so quick-witted and remember things so clearly."

The leader laughed heartily, "I've also heard that you have a photographic memory? That's an amazing skill! I've lived this long and I've never seen one in real life."

Make sure to read as much as possible, and read good books. Don't waste the gift God has given you.

He said earnestly, "As cultural workers, you must be cultured yourself so that the characters you create can have roots and soul, do you understand?"

"Yes, no worries, boss, I've got it. I promise I'll make good use of my free time to read more and enrich myself."

Gu Qing was as obedient as a grandson, doing whatever he was told.

"Good, good, it's good that you have the intention."

The leader nodded in satisfaction. "Also, I heard that you've chosen an ancient town scenic area as your recording location this time?"
The program team responded that it was because you strongly recommended it, and they hoped to take this opportunity to promote the culture and tourism of your hometown once again.

Comrade Xiao Gu, you've put in a lot of effort; your hometown is proud of you.

The leader sighed, patting Gu Qing's hand with satisfaction, "We can't hold you back. I heard that filming variety shows requires a relatively quiet environment."

"Do you need us to coordinate a temporary closure of the scenic area for one day to ensure the filming and promotion of your program?"

"Oh dear, this is too much trouble for you, boss. It's really not necessary."

Gu Qing quickly waved his hand to explain, "The biggest highlight of our show is 'authenticity,' which emphasizes the interaction and reactions of celebrities in real environments and among real people."

If the area is cleared out, it loses its original charm and immersive experience.

The reason I recommend filming in ancient towns is that I hope to leverage the program's influence to showcase the most beautiful and authentic aspects of Huizhou to audiences across the country.

The visitor experience is fundamental to the long-term development of a scenic area. We must not allow the filming of a program to negatively impact everyone's enjoyment and disrupt the normal order of the visit. That would be putting the cart before the horse.

"Well said! Comrade Xiao Gu, your understanding is spot on!"

The leaders expressed even greater appreciation, saying, "As a city where tourism is an important industry, the experience and satisfaction of tourists are the most crucial factors in determining whether a scenic spot can have a continuous vitality."

It's remarkable that you could think of that!

……

Until the Coaster bus came to a smooth stop in front of the hotel arranged by the production team,

I personally enjoyed the private car service.
When Gu Qing got out of the car, her head was still spinning.

This is...so exciting!
……

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(End of this chapter)