Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

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"Sister?"

"Why is she here?!"

Looking at the delicate and youthful face magnified by the high-definition lens on the monitor screen, Gu Qing blinked hard, wondering if she had just been reading a novel in the car and her eyes were playing tricks on her.

At first glance, her facial features, her ethereal and otherworldly aura, especially her elegant white dress, her long, flowing hair, and her simple jade hairpin adorning her ancient costume...

She is exactly like the ethereal Little Dragon Girl from the "The Return of the Condor Heroes" era.

But reason immediately told Gu Qing that this was impossible.

Last night, Senior Sister Liu was joking around with him and asking him questions about the script of "Three Lives Three Worlds". How could she suddenly be parachuted into the production team of "General and I" which is not a top-tier production, and even play Ma Sichun's "cousin"?
Gu Qing calmed himself down and carefully examined the camera before realizing what was happening.

Sure enough, upon closer inspection, there are some differences.

The distance between this girl's eyebrows and eyes, the contours of her face, and especially her clear yet slightly bewildered eyes, do indeed resemble Liu Yifei in her youth by about five or six points, particularly that innocent and naive charm.

But as you look further down, the differences become obvious.

The distinctive, slightly heroic, delicate hump nose of her senior sister became a softer line on this girl's face; her lips were also fuller and sweeter, less aloof and more vibrant.

One possesses an ethereal and otherworldly quality of "extreme purity," while the other leans more towards a vibrant and lively "bright brilliance."

It's obvious that the makeup and styling team intentionally borrowed from the classic image, hoping to ride the wave of popularity.

"What's wrong, Teacher Gu? Are you feeling... a little out of place?"

Director Wen, who was standing next to him, had been keeping an eye on this suddenly arriving top star out of the corner of his eye. Seeing him staring at the screen for a long time without saying a word, with a subtle expression, he couldn't help but feel uneasy and cautiously asked.

"Oh Nope."

Gu Qing snapped out of her daze, quickly adjusted her expression, pointed to the figure in the white dress in the lower right corner of the monitor, and smiled easily.
"At first glance, I thought I saw someone I knew."

Was this actor's makeup and styling specially designed by the production team? It has a very classical feel.

Director Wen looked in the direction he was pointing and immediately understood, a hint of embarrassment at being "found out" appearing on his face.
"Teacher Gu has a good eye. No wonder you are Teacher Liu's good friend. You noticed this."

He rubbed his hands together and explained, "To be honest, when I saw Xiyin's costume fitting photo during the casting process, I was also shocked. I thought Liu Yifei's sister had joined the cast!"
Those eyebrows, those features, that air about them—they do indeed bear a striking resemblance.

So... our makeup and styling team referenced the styling ideas of some of Mr. Liu's classic roles back then, thinking... it can be considered a tribute to the classics of our predecessors.

"Teacher Gu, what do you think... Teacher Liu shouldn't mind, right?"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Gu Qing with a probing gaze.

Gu Qing felt a little helpless under that gaze and said, "Director Wen, why are you asking me? I'm not Senior Sister herself."

"It's not a big deal to want to learn from the character's makeup and styling."

fortunately,

Just then, a commotion came from the film set.

After the makeup was touched up, the staff dispersed, and filming was about to continue.

Director Wen immediately stopped chatting, cleared his throat, picked up the walkie-talkie, and got back into work mode.
His face regained its directorial seriousness: "Attention all departments, we're doing one more take! Quiet—3, 2, 1, Action!"

The clapperboard rang out crisply.

The story continues on camera.

Ye Zhao, played by Ma Sichun, and Zhao Yujin, played by Sheng Yilun, walked out of the inner courtyard one after the other.

Ye Zhao walked briskly, while Zhao Yujin followed behind, looking slightly unsteady.

In the courtyard, only the girl in the white dress named "Liu Xiyin" remained, her back to the camera, gazing into the distance from the railing, her silhouette exuding a faint melancholy.

"Cousin~!"

A cheerful, magnetic voice rang out; it was Ma Sichun's deliberately lowered voice, yet it couldn't hide the concern and joy within.

Upon hearing the voice, Liu Xiyin turned around abruptly. In an instant, her bright, clear eyes, which had been veiled with a hint of melancholy, rippled with surprise, like the surface of a lake tossed with a pebble; her entire face lit up.

"cousin!"

Ye Zhao, played by Ma Sichun, had already strode forward.

She swung her arms naturally, her steps were steady and powerful, and her movement across the threshold was clean and crisp, without the slightest hint of girlish coyness.

To better resemble a man, she even changed the way she breathes and exerts force, making her shoulders and back appear broader.

"sharp."

A hint of admiration flashed in Gu Qing's eyes behind the monitor. "His demeanor and mannerisms are completely devoid of any effeminate air. He's put in the effort."

He has always admired dedicated and conscientious actors.

Cross-dressing is a common trope in film and television dramas, but it is also the part that best tests the actor's skills and the production team's sincerity.

A good performance is heroic and dashing; a bad performance is just a poor imitation.

Later historical romance dramas have become so perfunctory that they simply have the female lead change into men's clothing, yet her makeup remains exquisite, her eyelashes long and curled, and her red lips luscious.

But expecting everyone around to cooperate in putting on a show of "Wow, what a handsome man!" is simply insulting the audience's intelligence.

Ma Sichun is a very professional actress.
Not only did he achieve the "bright and splendid" hairstyle, thickened sword-like eyebrows, and slightly rugged grooming in appearance, but more importantly, he also tried to resemble a young general who was used to military life and had a forthright personality in his eyes, posture, and even some small gestures.

This dedication to the role and her willingness to set aside her pride are among the reasons why Gu Qing admires her and is willing to become her friend.

In contrast,

Following behind her was the "handsome prince" Sheng Yilun, who still walked with a carefree and unrefined gait, lacking the air of someone accustomed to a life of luxury.

It goes without the contrasting feminine qualities of "delicate as a willow in the wind" and "pitiful to behold" required by the script.

"Cousin, it's been several years since we last met in Hanlu Town."

With a hearty, brotherly smile on his face, Ma Sichun looked Liu Xiyin up and down, his tone sincere, "It's been a few years since we last met, and our Xiyin has grown even more beautiful."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiyin lowered her head slightly, her voice soft and shy: "Ah Zhao... has also become... more mature and more majestic."

"Pfft-cough cough cough!"

Standing to the side and slightly behind Ma Sichun, Sheng Yilun couldn't help but burst out laughing again.
He immediately pretended to cough to cover it up.

But his trembling shoulders and flushed face betrayed him.

You really can't blame him for laughing.

This scene is indeed somewhat comical:
Ma Sichun is not short, standing at 1.7 meters tall, which makes her stand out among female celebrities.

But her cousin, standing in front of her, was a good half a head taller than her, at least 173 cm.

And his own nominal "husband" is so tall that you can see the top of Ma Sichun's head...

The subtle height difference and the contrast created by the lines made it difficult for him, as an observer, to get into the story.

His smile made Liu Xiyin, who was acting for the first time, burst out laughing as well, quickly covering her mouth with the back of her hand, her shoulders trembling slightly.

It's one thing to have several consecutive NGs, but...

He was even mocked by the ugly woman next to him.
Now, when Sister Ma was filming "The Left Ear",

She spends every day playing and joking around with Gu Qing; she hasn't fallen to the point of developing a fetish for ugly things yet!
Now,
Her once handsome and spirited face was now dark with anger. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath to suppress her rage.

"Crack crack crack! Let's take a break, just a short rest!"

Upon seeing this, Director Wen immediately stood up and called for a stop.

He might not have been fully aware of Ma Sichun's impending emotional outburst, but he was more concerned about the presence of Gu Qing, a distinguished guest, sitting beside him.

It's not appropriate to make such a top star wait and watch NG (outtakes), so we can take this opportunity to pause, let the actors adjust, and also introduce them to Gu Qing.

"Sichun, come here for a moment." Director Wen waved to the audience, his tone gentle.

Ma Sichun remained silent, pursed her lips, and with a dark expression, strode towards the monitor.

Behind her,
The little girl, who had just stopped laughing, belatedly realized she might have gotten into trouble. Seeing her "cousin's" clearly displeased back, she panicked.

She quickly lifted her skirt and hurriedly caught up with him, her voice timid: "Ah Zhao? Cousin... Sister Sichun, why are you angry?"

Ma Sichun kept walking, her heart even more heavy: Is this girl really that naive or just clueless? Why did she have to bring up the very thing she didn't want to talk about!
When she stormed over to the monitor, she immediately spotted a guy sitting next to the director wearing a baseball cap, looking down and trying to suppress his shrugging shoulders.

"What are you laughing at?! Am I that funny?!"

Unable to contain himself any longer, Ma Sichun demanded an explanation.

"It's not funny, my mighty Brother Zhao."

The man looked up at the sound, revealing a pair of bright, smiling eyes beneath his hat brim. A lingering smile played on his lips, and his voice was clear and teasing:

This sound...

Ma Sichun seemed to have been paused, her pretty face turning red and then purple, her eyes wide as she glared at the other person's face under the brim of their hat.

The little girl holding her arm was also startled and quickly whispered to dissuade her, "Sister Sichun, don't take it to heart..."

She hadn't finished her words yet.
Just moments ago, Ma Sichun was furious and seemed ready to strike at any moment, but suddenly, as if her expression had changed, the anger on her pretty face melted away.

Instead, there was an unbelievable and huge surprise; even the voice that had been deliberately lowered for the role instantly returned to a clear female voice, and even rose several octaves:
"Xu Yi!!!"

The scream, filled with pure joy and surprise, pierced through the slightly noisy rest area.

"Xu Yi?"

The little girl froze, and the arm she was holding suddenly felt empty.

This name... sounds familiar.

It's that...

Before she could figure it out, Ma Sichun, like a cheerful SpongeBob SquarePants, bypassed the obstructing monitor stand, opened her arms, and pounced on the smiling young man with a clear goal in mind!
"Ahhh!! Xu Yi! It really is you! What are you doing here?!"

Ma Sichun hugged Gu Qing without any hesitation, jumping and skipping with joy. Her previous frustration and anger had long since vanished.
Did you come all this way just to see me?!
Good heavens! How did you find this place? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?!

This sudden turn of events left the staff who hadn't yet fully dispersed stunned.

"Teacher Gu? It's Gu Qing?!"

"My God! It really is Gu Qing! He actually came to visit the set?!"

"No wonder Producer Jin was so agitated just now! I should have known!"

Quiet gasps and whispers quickly spread through the crowd.

Director Wen is very perceptive; he understood the situation as soon as Ma Sichun recognized Gu Qing, and immediately stood up.
She began to disperse the crowd that had gathered to watch the commotion: "Alright, alright, everyone disperse. Go do what you need to do and give Teacher Gu and Sichun some space to catch up."

"Props team, go check the props for the next scene! Lighting, adjust the angle!" Although they really wanted to stay and watch the excitement, due to the director's instructions and Gu Qing's own status, everyone tacitly dispersed quickly, only unable to help but look back frequently.

As Producer Jin left, he deliberately passed by the young girl who was still standing there, somewhat dazed, and gently patted her shoulder meaningfully, lowering his voice.
With an encouraging smile, she said, "Chu Ran, what are you standing there for? Your favorite idol is here. This is a rare opportunity, so make the most of it!" After saying that, she smiled and left.

In a blink of an eye,
The monitoring area, which had been crowded with people, was now a relatively quiet space.

Only Gu Qing, Ma Sichun, and the girl in the white dress who seemed not to have fully digested the information in front of her, her cheeks slightly flushed and her hands at a loss, remained.

"Xu Yi! Xu Yi! Why did you suddenly come? You didn't even tell me!"

Ma Sichun was still excitedly shaking Gu Qing's arm, completely unable to believe his appearance.

"Alright, alright, Sister Ma, calm down first,"

Gu Qing smiled and tried to free his arm, gesturing to the little girl standing beside him, "Your 'cousin' is still watching, so be mindful of your 'Brother Zhao's' majestic image."

"Brother A-Zhao! You were just mocking me, weren't you?"

Ma Sichun persisted, boldly pinching Gu Qing's cheeks and gently pulling them apart. While complaining, her eyes were filled with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.
"Quickly, call me 'sister' once and I'll forgive you!"

"Sister Ma."

Gu Qing readily accepted good advice.

"I--!"

Ma Sichun instantly became "enraged and embarrassed," showing none of the usual girlish reserve. She jumped up and used a familiar "guillotine" move.
He grabbed Gu Qing by the neck with his arm, trying to push him down, yelling, "Try saying that again! You have no manners!"

"Sister Ma, Sister Ma."

Gu Qing did as she wished.

"Si... Sichun, you... you..."

Wang Churan, watching from the side, was terrified. She mustered her courage and took two steps forward, her slender, fair hand hovering in mid-air. She wanted to dissuade him but dared not touch him, her face filled with worry for her idol's "safety".

"Oh dear, Chu Ran, look how scared you are!"

Ma Sichun then let go of Gu Qing's hand, watching her straighten up, and speechlessly took off her hat to tidy her messed-up hair.

She laughed heartily, put her arm around Gu Qing's shoulder like a close friend, and turned to introduce Wang Churan, "We were just joking! Come on, Xu Yi, let me formally introduce you. This is my cousin in the play, the actress who plays Liu Xiyin, Wang Churan."
The young girl who just got into university is a die-hard fan of yours; apparently, she's been a fan for 10 years.

When she was suddenly called out and introduced, especially when Sister Sichun revealed that she was a fan, Wang Churan's shy face turned bright red.

She stood awkwardly in front of the two men, looked up, and stared closely at the handsome face that she had only ever seen on screens, in posters, and in her dreams.

Without the brim of the hat obscuring her view, Gu Qing's features were clearly visible to her.

The midday sun was very bright, casting dappled light and shadow through the sparse foliage of the courtyard onto his straight nose and eyelashes; his skin was astonishingly good.

Those eyes, which always seemed to sparkle with starlight, were now looking at her with a gentle smile…

Wang Churan felt her heart pounding like a drum, her mind went completely blank, and all the greetings and self-introductions she had prepared vanished. She could only stammer out a few words:
“Gu Qing…brother, hello, I…I am Wang Churan, I…”

I stammered for a long time, but no further explanation came out.

For many young girls, especially art school students who dream of becoming stars and have just entered or are about to enter the industry.

Gu Qing's existence is almost an unavoidable benchmark and fantasy.

He is too young, yet his achievements are too great;

He has top-notch looks, but his talent is equally impressive; from music to variety shows, from TV dramas to movies, he has achieved success in all areas, and every step he takes is steady and brilliant.

In the media,

He is praised by countless predecessors as a "rising star" and "a promising talent";
To his peers and younger generations, he was a perfect idol who seemed within reach yet remained unattainable.

Of ten girls who dream of becoming stars, probably eight have seen Gu Qing as a guiding light or a beacon on their path to success.

Wang Churan is clearly one of them.

Gu Qing put his hat back on, smiled slightly at her, and spoke in a gentle and normal tone, trying to ease her tension.

"Don't be nervous. Sichun and I are good friends. We're used to joking around in private. Don't be scared."

"..."

That smile made Wang Churan feel dizzy. She just stared blankly at Gu Qing, forgetting even to say "thank you." Her fair cheeks turned so red they looked like they were about to burst into flames.

"Wow... is this really necessary?"

Looking at her "cousin's" absent-minded expression, Ma Sichun sighed and facepalmed in exasperation.

Then he nudged Gu Qing with his elbow, his tone slightly sour, "You're still as charming as ever!"
Back then, I was completely captivated by you.

But honestly, isn't my cousin really pretty? Look at how fresh and vibrant she is!

"Wang...Chu Ran?"

Gu Qing read the name aloud, and a slight thought crossed her mind.

This name... seems vaguely familiar.

In those posts listing "post-95 actresses", their names seem to appear alongside those of Xiao Ye, Jingyi, and others?

This world... is really small.

You can run into another 'acquaintance' even when you're just meeting someone you know.

A subtle sigh rose in Gu Qing's heart.

This young girl's first role was paired with Sister Ma, a princess of the Northwest entertainment circle, so her background is obviously not simple.

"What's wrong? Are you really mesmerized? Your eyes are practically glued to the screen."

Seeing that Gu Qing didn't speak, Ma Sichun nudged him again, this time with more force. "I know my 'cousin' is pretty, but you don't have to be staring like a madwoman, do you? Say something!"

"Sister Ma,"

Gu Qing snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at her. "I was just wondering if I've been in the industry for 10 years yet."

"Hey! Can't you call me something nicer? I'm a girl!"

Enraged, Ma Sichun punched him again, this time aiming for the soft flesh at his waist.

In what ways do you resemble a girl?

Gu Qing gritted his teeth. After being hit, he reacted quickly, turning to the side, his right hand hooking around her neck, and then lightly tripping her.
With a clever move, he knocked the still-shouting Ma Sichun to the ground.

The movements were fluid, clearly the result of many practice sessions.

"Ah—! Gu Qing!"

Because it was a playful scuffle, Gu Qing controlled her strength very well; Ma Sichun was simply caught off guard and knocked down without getting hurt.

But lying face up was truly humiliating. Her pretty face flushed red, and she glared at Gu Qing above her, both ashamed and angry.
She retorted without thinking, "Can't you be a little gentler with me! Don't forget, I was the one who gave you your first on-screen kiss!"

The air fell silent for a moment after he said that.

"Hey! Don't spread rumors!"

Gu Qing immediately retorted, "In 'The Left Ear,' you kissed someone on the cheek. What does that have to do with your first on-screen kiss?"

"Then...then what about when we mess up? Doesn't that count?"

Ma Sichun lay on the ground, neck stiff, a smug look on her face, "Anyway, I got the kiss!"

"what……?"

Wang Churan, who was standing there dumbfounded, unconsciously opened her mouth slightly, and her beautiful eyes widened even more instantly.
Her long eyelashes fluttered rapidly like the wings of a startled butterfly, and her chubby, collagen-rich face was filled with shock and... an irrepressible curiosity and excitement.

She...she seemed to have heard some incredible, earth-shattering gossip that would trend on social media and crash servers!!!

"Nonsense!"

Gu Qing was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by her unreasonable arguments. A faint memory seemed to linger on her lower lip, recalling the slight pain she felt last year when her teeth bumped into her during a NG (no good) moment on the beach.
"That wasn't officially broadcast on screen, so how can it be considered a first on-screen kiss?"

"I don't care, I kissed him anyway, so I'll round it up!"

Ma Sichun tilted her head and tilted her cheeks up proudly.

"Fine, fine, say whatever you want, you're amazing."

Gu Qing was too lazy to argue with her while she was lying on the ground. He reached out and pulled her up forcefully, then glanced at his watch. "I'm not going to argue with you anymore. I should probably go."

"Huh? Xu Yi, you're leaving?!"

Ma Sichun's smugness vanished instantly, and she hurriedly grabbed his arm, "You just got here!"

"I've finished looking at you. You're full of energy... oh no, I mean 'impressive and extraordinary'. Why aren't you leaving?"

Gu Qing shrugged. "I asked Director Han Han for leave to come here. I have to rush back to film 'Riding the Waves'."

"I don't believe you! You only asked for half a day off? You're kidding me!"

Ma Sichun clung tightly to his arm and started to act spoiled.

"Don't go! Stay a little longer, at least... at least have lunch together! I'll ask the crew to add some extra food!"

"I'm not hungry, I'm full of anger." Gu Qing tried to pull her arm away.

"You're not full!!"

Ma Sichun hugged him tighter. Seeing that Gu Qing was about to drag her away, she steeled herself, jumped up suddenly, wrapped her arms around Gu Qing's neck, and clung to him like a koala, wailing.
"Wow—Xu Yi, you can't leave! If you leave, I'll have to film with that face all afternoon again, and I'll be so depressed!"
You can't just stand by and watch someone die!

Sheng Yilun, who was still some distance away, thought, "..."

"Cousin! Stop him!!"

"me?"

Wang Churan was at a loss, watching Gu Qing struggle to walk over, entangled in the "accessory".

She was so shy that she subconsciously took a step back to give them some space.

"Good boy."

Gu Qing winked and smiled at her.

When Wang Churan received that look, her heart skipped a beat, and a feeling of happiness welled up inside her as she helped her idol complete the task.

But in the end,
For the sake of her image, Gu Qing still couldn't manage to leave the film set with a wailing Ma Dajie on her person.

The 'feast at Hongmen' at noon was still unavoidable.

……

...(End of chapter)