Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 422 Recording Begins: Returning to Er Yuehong (6.5k)
……

……

Back in my hotel room.

Gu Qing, who had just finished washing up and whose hair was still damp, was answering a phone call from Yan Ming, the chief director of "Go Fighting!"

Yan Ming's voice, both enthusiastic and somewhat cautious, came through the receiver:
"Mr. Gu, I'm sorry to bother you. Have you settled into your hotel yet? Would it be convenient for us to discuss some specific details of tomorrow's filming?"

"Director Yan, I just arrived at the room. Is this convenient for you?"

Gu Qing's voice was gentle.

"That's wonderful! Should I come to your room to find you, or..."

"Director Yan, please come directly here. I'll have my assistant greet you at the elevator."

Gu Qingli made the arrangements efficiently and ended the call.

He turned to Zhao Ya, who was packing her luggage, and said, "Sister Xiao Ya, could you please go and pick up Director Yan?"

"Okay, boss, I'll go right away."

Zhao Ya immediately got up and walked briskly towards the door.

The hairstylist then turned the hairdryer back on and gently continued to style Gu Qing's thick, black short hair with the lowest setting of warm air.

After a while

Footsteps and soft conversation could be heard outside the door.

The door opened, and Zhao Ya led Yan Ming and his staff inside.

As soon as Yan Ming entered the room, his gaze fell on Gu Qing, who was sitting in a chair by the window.

He had just finished blow-drying his hair; it was fluffy and soft, with a slightly messy look. His long bangs naturally covered his eyebrows and brushed against his eyes, like willow branches in a light spring rain.

He was wearing a simple, loose-fitting white T-shirt with minimalist lettering, making him look fresh and approachable, like the sunny and handsome younger brother next door, without any sense of distance.

This image suddenly caught Yan Ming's eye, and he couldn't help but think to himself: How did this child grow up? He was born with a lovable appearance that was completely harmless and appealing to men, women, young and old alike.

This natural affinity with the audience is truly a gift from heaven; even their own little sheep seems slightly inferior in comparison.

"Congratulations, Teacher Gu! 'Nirvana in Fire' has been a massive hit, a phenomenal success!"

Yan Ming strode forward, beaming, and extended both hands to shake hands with Gu Qing. He even unconsciously bowed slightly, his attitude so respectful it was almost humble.

In any industry,
It seems that only in the entertainment industry is class distinction a rule ingrained in people's bones.

This industry has used countless real-world examples to deeply imprint the survival rule of "subordinates must unconditionally obey superiors, and juniors must look up to seniors" into everyone's code of conduct.

This is an unspoken rule that everyone, from top to bottom, tacitly understands and mostly accepts willingly.

Just like on a film set, the director and producer are the absolute authorities, and everyone in the crew maintains a respectful, even somewhat obsequious, attitude.

Subordinates are expected to verbally and physically abuse their superiors, work overtime without conditions, and work non-stop through the night. Weekends are a luxury.

Everyone seems to have gotten used to playing the role of a docile "grandson" or "servant," treating big stars and directors as "masters" and serving them carefully.

But all of this is predicated on…

The core bond that holds this seemingly unequal relationship together is exceptionally realistic and cold: superiors must enable their subordinates to "make money" and see the hope of gaining both fame and fortune!
obviously,
Today, Gu Qing is the most direct embodiment of "fame and fortune," a walking "wealth code" and "traffic guarantee."

Everyone who sees him seems to see a gleaming money tree.

Faced with such "hard power," even the most ill-tempered and difficult person will find it hard not to force a genuine or feigned smile.

"Director Yan, you're too kind."

Gu Qing smiled and shook hands with him, then asked, "Speaking of Brother Lay, I miss him too. When will he arrive at the hotel?"

"Yixing probably won't arrive until tomorrow morning."

Yan Ming explained, "As you know, Mr. Gu, our program recording schedule is quite tight because all the members' schedules are very full and the time is very tight."

They'll arrive tomorrow, and as soon as they step out of the airport, they'll be in the car immediately, and the recording will begin right away, with almost no buffer time.

"It sounds like the filming pace is even more intense than when we filmed 'Running Man'."

Gu Qing subconsciously made a comparison, then realized it might not be appropriate, pursed her lips slightly, and naturally changed the subject, "Director Yan, what specific things did you come here to discuss?"

"Teacher Gu, there are two things I need to discuss with you."

Yan Ming's smile faded slightly, and he appeared more formal. He first gestured to the staff behind him to hand him a folder.

Then he personally held it with both hands and handed it to Gu Qing, saying, "This is the general process and script for tomorrow's filming. Please take a look, Teacher Gu."

If you feel any aspects are inappropriate, or if you have any personal suggestions, we will immediately organize revisions; everything will be based on your feedback!

Any variety show, even one known for its "authenticity" and "unrestricted" format like "Go Fighting!", inevitably has a basic script framework.

But the essence of why Extreme Challenge was able to stand out and become a national variety show lies in the fact that it often only sets a grand background and ultimate goal.

The specific game process and the interactions between members were full of improvisation.

In particular, a group of "old foxes" led by "Master Strategist" Huang Xiaochu, "Bad Uncle" Huang Bo, and "King of Looks" Sun Honglei.

Their unconventional and free-flowing approach truly gave the show its soul, creating countless unexpected laughs and memorable moments.

This is different from those variety shows that meticulously design every expression and every line of dialogue of celebrities, purely to create conflict and trending topics.

For example, "Divas Hit the Road" is a typical example, forming a stark contrast.

The early versions of "Running Man" and "Go Fighting!" can be considered two very different yet equally dazzling "oddballs" in the history of domestic outdoor reality shows.

"Running Man...Running Man...Why did I suddenly think of Running Man again?"

Several familiar images flashed through Gu Qing's mind, and then she shook her head to herself, "I'm not old yet, why am I already being so sentimental?"

He composed himself, opened the script titled "The Battle for Huizhou Gold Bars," and quickly skimmed through it.

With his near-photographic memory, Gu Qing skimmed through the text, memorizing the entire process and key points in less than two minutes.

The story setting of this episode is quite interesting:
A year ago, due to Zhang Yixing's poor management, his family's leather factory went bankrupt.

Fortunately, the old father was farsighted and secretly left behind a batch of gold bars as a backup plan.

So, the six members of the Extreme Men's Team gathered in Guangzhou, intending to start a new battle for gold bars, but unexpectedly, the gold bars they had obtained were stolen.

In their time of poverty and despair, the family's old house in Huizhou, named "Bu Er Tang," became the six brothers' last hope for a turnaround.

"Teacher Gu, Show Lo can't come to this episode for the time being due to a scheduling conflict."

Seeing Gu Qing close the script, Yan Ming began to explain the character settings at the opportune moment, "Therefore, we have specially arranged a key role for you."

The five brothers returned to Huizhou to vie for the land deed to "Bu Er Tang," which led to a series of games, trials, and a battle for gold bars.

"And you, Teacher Gu, play the role of a young waiter who is newly recruited by 'Bu Er Tang' after they leave."

Your shrewdness, competence, and hard work earned you the employer's appreciation and trust, thus qualifying you to participate in this land title competition.

Gu Qing nodded, indicating his understanding.

This character design is not only reasonably integrated into the plot, but also gives him a strong sense of participation and room for competition.

"Teacher Gu, after reviewing the entire process and role settings, what are your thoughts? Is there anything that needs adjustment?"

Yan Ming cautiously probed.

He was afraid that this guy might suggest some impractical changes, forcing the screenwriting team to work through the night again.

"Director Yan, I do have a small suggestion,"

Gu Qing smiled and said, "I don't know if you can accept this."

"Teacher Gu, you're too kind. Please feel free to offer any suggestions you may have. As long as it's within our capabilities, there's absolutely no problem! I'll arrange for someone to make the adjustments right away!"

Yan Ming's heart skipped a beat, but his face was all smiles as he silently mourned for the screenwriters who would probably have to work overtime to revise their drafts again.

"It's nothing really,"

Gu Qing said calmly, "I was just thinking, among so many game segments, could we appropriately intersperse some content to highlight and showcase the unique local culture of Huizhou?"
For example, Hui-style architecture, traditional handicrafts, or elements of local opera, etc.

He hasn't forgotten his original intention in agreeing to come and record this—to promote his hometown.

If the final program is just running around and playing a few regular games in the ancient town, and the exploration of Huizhou culture is superficial, then wouldn't his trip have been in vain?
"Oh dear, so that's what happened! Teacher Gu, you scared me to death!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ming let out a long sigh of relief, his heart instantly calming down, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
"Don't worry! We've already considered this!"

This episode was filmed in Huizhou to promote and showcase the local excellent traditional culture, which is one of the core themes of this episode and also a social responsibility that "Go Fighting!" has always upheld.

We've included tasks in the game segment that incorporate traditional Huizhou elements, ensuring the audience experiences the rich cultural heritage of Anhui!

"With Director Yan's words, I feel relieved. I've always trusted the quality of 'Go Fighting!'"

Gu Qing's smile became more genuine as she handed the script back to Yan Ming. "Then, is there another matter?"

"Yes, yes, Teacher Gu."

Yan Ming nodded quickly and continued, "As you know, the story of this episode is set in the Republican era."

Therefore, all the members' outfits on the show needed to conform to the characteristics of that era.

He gave his assistant behind him another wink. The assistant immediately took out a neatly folded garment from an elegant pouch he carried with him and unfolded it with both hands.

What comes into view,
It turned out to be a long gown of excellent quality, paired with an exquisite mandarin jacket.

This outfit certainly has a strong Republican-era feel, but what sets it apart is its color—not the common cyan, gray, or dark blue, but a bright, even dazzling, vibrant red!
Under the soft lighting of the hotel room, this red color, like a burning flame, looked particularly unique.

Even more strikingly,
The red long gown and mandarin jacket were embroidered with intricate and exquisite vine and branch patterns in silver thread on the lapels and cuffs, and were also inlaid with plum blossom patterns, which shimmered in the light, exuding an indescribable sense of luxury and elegance.

Gu Qing took a closer look,
I felt that this red long gown and mandarin jacket looked strangely familiar, and the silver embroidery with intertwined vines and branches was a unique feature.

He couldn't help but look up at Yan Ming with a mixture of surprise and inquiry: "Director Yan, what's this...?"

Yan Ming rubbed his hands together, a smug grin spreading across his face: "Teacher Gu, you see, since the background of this episode is the Republic of China era..."
And you, coincidentally, have a phenomenal representative work, the story of which also takes place in this era. It was a huge hit across the country back then, and many drama fans still remember it fondly to this day.

He paused, observing Gu Qing's expression, and continued, "I was thinking, since we have such a representative 'outfit' that fits this theme perfectly, why not wear it again?"

This will also allow our viewers to relive the memories of watching the show back then.

The outfit Yan Ming brought was one of the classic costumes worn by Gu Qing, who played the famous Peking Opera actor "Er Yuehong" in the hit drama "The Mystic Nine".

The image of the dashing and tragically short-lived "Second Master" has long been the white moonlight in the hearts of countless viewers, and his red-clothed look is even more deeply rooted in people's hearts, becoming a classic on the screen.

Although "Go Fighting!" is already a top variety show IP in China, it is still a step away from "Running Man", which has dominated the ratings charts for many years.

Even at his peak, he was always outmatched by his opponent.

How could Yan Ming, as the chief director, be content with this?
He also harbored the ambition to perfect the show and the desire to reach the top! Just then, he received the news...
The new season of "Running Man" has found a new regular cast member to replace Lu Han, Huang Zitao, who is known for her straightforward and funny personality, and the premiere date is set for next week.

Yan Ming is determined to take advantage of Gu Qing's current popularity and unleash the nostalgia-driven "Er Yuehong" to launch a brilliant ratings counterattack.

It propelled "Go Fighting!" to the undisputed "throne" of domestic variety shows!
"The Mystic Nine...it was indeed first broadcast on the TV station, which is quite a special coincidence."

Gu Qing's slender, fair fingers, with their distinct joints, gently brushed against the familiar silver vine and twig patterns on her robe, the touch slightly cool.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me, a mixture of nostalgia for past roles and a touch of helpless amusement at being "outmaneuvered."

have to,
A cool, aloof, and cunning genius named "Xiao Nai".
A strategist who never misses a beat, Mei Changsu
Now we're about to welcome another peerless beauty, "Er Yuehong".

One more, and we'll have enough for a mahjong table in no time.

……

After that,
After confirming the specific time for tomorrow's recording session with Yan Ming, the director and his team said goodbye and left.

The room returned to silence.

Gu Qing sat alone on the sofa, her gaze fixed on the long robe spread out on the bed, as radiant as a rosy sunset, lost in thought.

He suddenly stood up, walked to the bedside, picked up the red dress, and slowly walked to the full-length mirror.

He skillfully put on his long gown, carefully fastened the buttons on his mandarin jacket, and finally straightened his collar.

In an instant,
The person in the mirror suddenly changed his demeanor. The fresh-faced boy next door seemed to have disappeared, and in his place, the number one actor in Changsha, "Er Yuehong," whose brows held countless charms and stories, quietly returned.

"Kaka——"

Gu Qing raised her phone and took several photos of herself in the mirror, and also recorded a short video imitating Er Yuehong's flick of her sleeve and turn around.

With a mischievous smile playing on his lips, he sent the photos and videos to Sister Zhao.

Subsequently,

He turned off his phone decisively, took off the red clothes that carried too many memories, and prepared to go to sleep contentedly.

Late at night, on the other side of the city.

Upon receiving the photos and videos, Ms. Zhao opened them and screamed uncontrollably.

He then excitedly rolled around on the bed, clutching his phone, watching the video over and over again.

After remembering, she quickly sent a voice message to Gu Qing, but did not receive a reply.

In her panic, Sister Zhao tried to make a video call, but no one answered.

Question marks flooded the screen, filling it completely.

"Aren't you going to answer?!"

Enraged, Zhao Liying dialed the phone number directly.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently switched off..."

Zhao Liying: "..."

Er Yuehong, can I kill you with one blow?

……

The following morning, at Cixi Airport.

Zhang Yixing, nicknamed "Little Sheep," arrived early and, with the help of staff, dealt with the enthusiastic crowd of fans at the airport before finally getting into the special car arranged by the production team.

He breathed a sigh of relief, took out his phone, and scrolled through social media while waiting for his brothers to arrive.

Just as he was engrossed in watching,

"Yixing!!!"

A loud, energetic shout suddenly came from outside the car window!

"Hey~"

Zhang Yixing was so frightened that he trembled all over, and his phone almost flew out of his hand.

He turned his head in shock and saw a round face, squeezed and distorted, grinning at him against the car window. Who else could it be but his master?

"Master! Don't scare me like that from behind! You'll scare me silly!"

The little lamb patted its chest, looking aggrieved.

But as soon as he finished speaking,

"what--!!!"

An even more exaggerated scream came from the left side of the car window!

Zhang Yixing was so frightened that he cried out in surprise, his face turning pale. He turned around in terror.

There, "King of Looks" Handsome Lei Lei had his entire face pressed against the glass, making an extremely evil, grinning face.

With his signature, slightly "bandit-like" gaze, he stared intently at Zhang Yixing as if his wicked scheme had succeeded.

"Alright, alright, Yixing is already a bit slow-witted, why are you scaring him? What if you scare him even more?"

At this moment, Huang Bo appeared out of nowhere, playing the role of "messenger of justice." He lightly kicked Sun Honglei with his foot and then opened the car door.

She hugged the still-shaken little lamb tightly, patting his back tenderly, "Oh dear, look how scared our child is, his face is ashen, poor thing."

"Brother Bo! How am I stupid?"

Zhang Yixing, however, was not completely comforted and struggled to emphasize, "I'm a 'triple genius' now! Not the 'triple fool' I used to be!"

"Yixing, just stop struggling, accept your fate, and be our 'three idiots' in a good mood."

Squirrel Xun grinned, showing off his distinctive front teeth, and chuckled as he leaned in to add insult to injury, "Little Pig isn't here today, perfect! Let's keep each other company, silly team up, might makes a difference!"

"Brother Xun, I don't want to be your partner!"

The little sheep looked disgusted and said, "If I'm on your team, isn't it a guaranteed loss? I want to be on my master's or Brother Bo's team!"

"Alright, alright, let's hurry up and find our cars and get settled. Today's recording is about to officially begin!"

Yan Ming's voice rang out at the right time. He personally came to the airport to coordinate the gathering of the men's gang members.

"Director, Brother Pig isn't here today, so is it just the five of us recording the show?"

Zhang Yixing asked curiously, feeling that the number of people was a bit small.

"Yes, it's just the five of you today."

Yan Ming, as usual, played the mystery, smilingly concealing crucial information; he enjoyed seeing the members' genuine reactions.

"Ah...that would be so boring."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yixing showed a hint of regret on his face, "When can we find another guest so we can properly 'entertain' them?"

His so-called "hospitality" was, of course, the "special care" that was exclusive to the Men's Club and left the guests both amused and exasperated.

To know,
Even the renowned master thief, the dashing Sha Yi, was left with psychological trauma after appearing on an episode of "Go Fighting!"

The related hilarious clips stayed on the trending topics list for several days without coming down, becoming a "famous scene" in the history of variety shows.

Just at this moment,

Wearing sunglasses and exuding an air of "strategic planning," Chef Huang mercilessly exposed Yan Ming's "lie":
"Yixing, don't listen to Yanming's nonsense."

The script I received clearly stated that six people were involved.

"Since Little Pig isn't here, there's definitely another hidden guest. They're probably hiding in some corner right now, ready to play the villain and trip us up, eliminating us!"

"Teacher Huang! Grandpa Huang! Please have mercy! I'm really scared of you!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ming's face turned almost green. He clasped his hands together and bowed repeatedly, pleading, "Please, please don't let anything slip during the recording! I beg you, please leave some suspense and surprises for our show!"

Among all the members of the Men's Gang, the one who gives Yan Ming the biggest headache is not actually the unpredictable and potentially treacherous "King of Looks" Sun Honglei, nor the cunning old fox Huang Bo who always manages to find loopholes in the rules.

It's actually Chef Huang, who's known as the "Master Calculator"!
Variety shows

To ensure smooth filming, the process and game design are usually not too complicated or obscure, and the puzzles are not too difficult.

There will always be some clues left in the process to guide the guests to discover and advance.

This was originally intended to ensure both the quality of the program and the efficiency of recording.

But what about Chef Huang?
He often starts the game very early, or even right after receiving the quest card, relying only on a few background descriptions or subtle clues.

They can instantly deduce the ins and outs of the entire story, and even directly reveal the final answer or the mastermind behind it all!

His all-knowing, confident, and self-assured demeanor greatly enhanced the intellectual content and drama of the show.

However, it often causes the suspense and segments carefully designed by the production team to fail instantly, bringing great "trouble" and challenges to the recording, forcing the writing team to design more and more complex plot twists to deal with them.

Among the six members of the "Go Fighting!" crew...
Apart from the truly foolish Zhang Yixing, who among them wasn't shrewd and calculating?

Who can't see the trick?
Everyone worked together seamlessly to maintain the balance and entertainment of the show.

have to say,

Yan Ming is indeed a master at resolving crises and shaping his public image.

He went with the flow, not only refraining from suppressing Huang Xiaochu's "spoilers," but also packaging him as a wise man with the persona of a "divine strategist."

This leads to a stark contrast between the "three geniuses" and the "three fools," greatly enhancing the show's appeal and the characters' charm.

If not,

"Go Fighting!" may never have reached the legendary status it has achieved today.

As all members boarded the vehicle, signals came over the walkie-talkie that each unit was ready.

Yan Ming, watching through the monitor as the men inside their respective cars began to scheme against each other and sparks flew, took a deep breath, picked up the walkie-talkie, and said in a deep voice:

"Attention all departments, the first episode of the 'Go Fighting!' Huizhou Special is titled 'The Battle for Gold Bars'—"

"Action!"

……

……

(End of this chapter)