Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

……

……

"What?! Gu Qing wants to come back to Running Man?!?"

"Really?! Is this a formal comeback or just a temporary guest appearance?!"

"The official Weibo account has announced it! It's a 'surprise comeback guest appearance'! Only one episode will be filmed!"

"I………!!!"

The news was like a bombshell dropped into the long-dormant "Running Man" fan community, instantly creating a huge stir.

Countless longtime fans who have followed the show since the first and second seasons were deeply moved when they saw the official Weibo account's short message accompanied by a classic silhouette poster of Gu Qing from his time on Running Man.

My first reaction was disbelief, and I couldn't help but swear, using all sorts of "greetings" to express my shock and ecstasy.

Can be seen clearly,

He was only a guest star in one episode and was greatly disappointed, so he turned his profanity towards the official Weibo account editor who always comes up with sensational headlines.

When Gu Qing's team officially confirmed their intention to participate in the Running Man program and began coordinating the specific schedule,

Director Wu Tong couldn't wait any longer and mobilized the program team and even the station's publicity resources to start building momentum in advance.

Trending search terms are already prepared, concise yet explosive:
#Gu Qing returns to Running Man#
Following closely behind was an orange "Hot" sign, which quickly turned into a bright red "Explosive" sign amidst the frenzied clicking and discussion from fans and passersby.

Thanks to this impactful title, and the deep bond between Gu Qing and "Running Man" filled with laughter, sweat, and friendship,
The news spread like wildfire, quickly sweeping across major social media platforms and undeniably topping the trending charts.

however,
Contrary to the program team's expectations of a nationwide celebration, Gu Qing's large fan base showed subtle differences in their reactions to the incident.

"Huh? Why does my younger brother want to go back to film Running Man?"

"Exactly! Isn't it good enough for us to focus on our own success? Our movies and TV dramas are doing so well, why go back to that variety show that's already lost its original flavor?"

"My younger brother is a top star who lets his work speak for itself, unlike those traffic stars who can only maintain their exposure through variety shows!"

"I was so scared! My heart was pounding before I clicked on it. Luckily, it was just a guest appearance... If they had announced a regular comeback, I would have been devastated!"

This is a significant portion of what happened after Gu Qing left Running Man.
This sentiment is common among "new fans" or "fans of his works" who were attracted to him through works such as "The Journey of Flower", "The Imperial Doctress", "Nirvana in Fire" and "Love O2O".

They lacked appreciation for the increasingly formulaic and controversial fifth season of "Running Man," and even held it in some contempt.
Some believe that for Gu Qing, with her current status and position, to participate in such a variety show would be "lowering her own value" and would only be a waste of her popularity.

of course,

There is another group of "long-time fans" who have known Gu Qing since his debut through "Keep Running" and have accompanied him as he grew up.
But it's a completely different story.

Their comments were filled with nostalgia and excitement:
"My youth is back!!! My little brother is coming home!!"

"It brings back memories of the first season! I'll never forget the image of that whirlwind boy running on the acupressure mat!"

"Finally, I can see my younger brother, Chao Ge, and Chi Chi playing around with each other again! The brotherhood is the original passion!"

They value the emotional connection and youthful memories more, and are less concerned about the changes in the program itself.

Gu Qing's studio officially released a schedule announcement, confirming that he will participate as a guest in the recording of the first episode of the fifth season of "Keep Running".
The focus of the fans' discussion quickly shifted from "should they go or not" to more practical issues.

"Speaking of which... when my brother goes back to record the first episode, will that woman... be there?"

"I don't want to see her at all! I'm physically uncomfortable!"

"The production team better be clear-headed! Those CP fans are like leeches, they stuck to us back then and we couldn't shake them off, they've finally quieted down a bit in the last two years!"

"Can you please stop trying to ride on my younger brother's popularity? Will he die if he walks independently?"

Worry, disgust, and vigilance spread among Gu Qing's fans.

The "that woman" they were referring to was clearly a specific person.

"They probably won't appear on the same stage, right? I remember that from the second half of the second season, my brother and she almost never had any scenes together alone."

"Yes, especially in the final battle of the second season, my brother put her on the throne of 'strongest ability user,' which was more than enough, and we were even long ago."

"Later, her brother was magnanimous and didn't hold a grudge against those underhanded attacks and backstabbing, but we all remember them! In the end, she destroyed any remaining friendship she had."

"Newbie seeking clarification: Who is 'that woman'? Is it Yang Ying?"

"It's her! What I'm most afraid of right now is that, as usual, all the regular MCs will be there for the first episode of season five, right? I'm really afraid that she'll shamelessly try to get attention by sticking to me!"

"Oh my god! Please stop! I'm getting goosebumps! Just thinking about it makes me feel suffocated!"

The collective concern of fans even spawned a second trending topic, second only to the main trending topic, which climbed onto the trending list in a somewhat related manner:

#Gu Qing and Yang Ying on the same stage?#
Although the association between the entries is awkward, the level of discussion remains high.

…………

In stark contrast to the complaints and tight security from Gu Qing's fan base,
In another person involved in the incident,
Yang Ying's social media account comment section, however, presents a completely different, "joyful" scene.

"Ahhh, Baby! Your beloved little brother is coming back!!!"

“We’re all siblings. Any misunderstandings from back then can be cleared up! Let’s sincerely apologize to Gu Qing. He’s such a kind person, he’ll definitely forgive us!”

"Exactly! Let's just dump that old man and get back together with our brother, wouldn't that be better? So many people screamed for you guys back then!"

Thanks to the deliberate or unintentional guidance of Yang Ying's team over the past few years, a large number of former "sibling CP" fans have been purified and transformed into her personal "protective" fans.

And because he occasionally expresses nostalgia for the past in interviews or on social media, the comment section is always active with a group of core fans who can't forget the "sister-brother CP".

Seeing Gu Qing's name mentioned alongside Running Man and Yang Ying again at this moment, it's as if those "lost youths" have been instantly resurrected.

They excitedly flocked back to Yang Ying's account, liking and commenting, expressing their strong expectation of a "reconciliation," while still not forgetting to belittle and dislike Huang Xiaoming in their words.

For a time,

Yang Yingna's social media accounts, which had been relatively quiet due to the poor reception of her recent works, have become lively again.

The number of likes, comments, and shares skyrocketed.
It seems that the once undisputed top female celebrity in the Chinese entertainment industry has made a brief "comeback".

Yang Ying herself naturally noticed this grand occasion immediately.

She sat in the spacious yet somewhat deserted living room of her mansion.
As I swiped my finger across the comments on the screen, filled with nostalgia and anticipation, a mix of emotions welled up inside me, even a bittersweet sense of absurdity.

In the past two years, she has desperately marketed her "hard-working" and "dedicated" persona, "enduring hardship" on set, and trying to prove with her work that she is not just a pretty face.

But in the end,

The attention and discussion generated by all the effort seems to be less than a fraction of the impact of the news that Gu Qing is only "returning to make a guest appearance on a variety show".

"What exactly have I been busy with these past two years?"

A somewhat disheartening thought popped up uncontrollably.

Some of the words in those highly praised comments were like fine needles, gently piercing her heart.

"Yes... Why should I, a young, beautiful, and successful female celebrity, tie myself to an old man?"

"Isn't my fame today the result of my own hard work and dedication? Haven't I suffered enough hardships on Running Man?"

Looking back from her own perspective, she doesn't think she made any fundamental mistakes.

A marriage without love is itself a form of compromise.

Especially recently,
She keenly sensed the subtle change in Huang Xiaoming's attitude towards her.

He might maintain a semblance of calm during the day, but at night, he would always go out alone under the pretext of "going for a walk in the park near the entrance to get some fresh air," and he would stay there for several hours at a time.
The deliberate distance and evasive attitude left her both confused and somewhat displeased.

but,

She didn't have the time to delve into these matters.

It's just a walk, what other interesting things can you do?

At this moment, her entire focus is on whether or not to take this opportunity to return to the recording site of "Running Man".

"If I go back... Gu... no, Qingqing... he shouldn't embarrass me in front of so many people, right?"

Yang Ying thought anxiously, her fingers unconsciously tightening. That handsome, shy boy in her memory, always with a gentle smile...
He has now grown into a top influencer with a powerful aura, someone that others can only look up to.

She wasn't sure how much of that former "sibling bond" remained.

in the living room,
She had somehow switched the huge LCD screen to CCTV-6, where it was playing "Love O2O".

The night was gentle, and the moonlight was like water.

Wearing a pleated, moon-white long dress, Bei Weiwei strolled ahead with a girlish shyness, while Xiao Nai, dressed in simple black pants and a white shirt, quietly followed behind.

There were few words exchanged between them, only subtle glances and the occasional brush of sleeves, yet it seemed as if a thousand words were flowing silently between them.
It perfectly captures the unique freshness, subtlety, and sweetness of campus romance dramas.

Yang Ying's gaze first irresistibly fell on Jing Tian's face, which was overflowing with happiness and shyness and looked particularly bright and beautiful in the moonlight.

The undisguised sweetness felt somewhat dazzling to her, and even stirred a faint sense of jealousy that she herself was unwilling to admit.

She forced herself to look away and focus her attention on Gu Qing.

On screen, he stood tall and straight, his profile clean and sharp. The youthful naiveté of the past had faded from his eyes, replaced by a calm and aloof air. His charm and appearance were even more captivating than before.

When he looked at "Bei Weiwei", the tenderness and focus flowing deep in his eyes were so real and touching.

"Qingqing... seems to have really grown up." Yang Ying thought to herself in a daze.

The floodgates of memory quietly opened.

She still vividly remembers the first time she met Gu Qing on the set of Running Man:

A young man with delicate features and a clean-cut demeanor that belies his status as someone in the entertainment industry, his cheeks still retaining a touch of baby fat, full of collagen.
In the meeting room, he politely stood up and greeted everyone with "brother" and "sister". His smile was a little shy, but dazzlingly sunny.

She felt a fondness for him at first glance.

Having witnessed the glitz and scheming of the entertainment industry, she found that unadorned purity, unguarded politeness, and youthful naiveté like a clear spring.
This made her subconsciously lower her guard, and even gave rise to an impulse to take care of him and protect him.

Although it later turned out that this "younger brother" was far stronger and more independent than she had imagined.

The awkwardness and tacit understanding when clinking champagne, the mutual support on the acupressure mat, the cuckoo signal when searching for "love's water"...

The subtle touch during the cookie-eating game, the thrill and trust at the water bomb site, and the mutual protection during the final name tag ripping game...

Countless fragments of memories—some warm, some heart-pounding, some of fighting side by side—surged forth, weaving together a blurry yet moving tapestry of light and shadow.

Yang Ying unconsciously bit her lower lip, her nose tingled slightly, and her eyes even reddened a little.

Yang Ying murmured softly, "Qingqing..."

Almost at the same time,

On the path in the community garden outside the villa, Huang Xiaoming, wearing a mask and hat, was strolling slowly with a slender, gentle young woman, whispering something in a tone of infatuation and tenderness rarely seen at home.
Huang Xiaoming is obsessed with: "Keke..."

A person sits in an empty living room, watching a television screen and reminiscing about the past.
A woman walks and whispers with her "newlyweds" in a garden at night.

In a sense, they were indeed all immersed in their own worlds, each with their own "bright" future.

……

"I want to go back!"

Once this thought arose, it grew wildly in Yang Ying's heart like weeds.

After hiding for so long, after avoiding it for so long, she suddenly didn't want to run away anymore.

She wanted to see Gu Qing face to face!

Even if it's just a glimpse from afar, even if she might face embarrassment and coldness, she wants to personally confirm some things and resolve some inner conflicts.

She hurriedly rummaged through her Hermès bag to get her phone, her fingertips trembling slightly as she swiped the screen several times.

Just as she found Wu Tong's WeChat profile picture and was about to make a voice call, her phone screen lit up first—the caller ID showed "Director Wu Tong".

Seems to be in tune with each other.

She took a deep breath and quickly pressed the answer button.

"Hey Baby, there's something I need to discuss with you about, regarding the filming of the first episode of Running Man Season 5..."

Wu Tong's cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Director, I'm in!"

Before Wu Tong could finish speaking, Yang Ying announced her decision almost decisively and directly.

"Huh?...Uh?"

Wu Tong's hearty laughter abruptly stopped, as if someone had suddenly grabbed him by the neck. There was obvious astonishment and silence on the other end of the phone.

Wu Tong was truly dumbfounded at that moment.

He turned his head and looked at the screenwriter at the desk next to him, whose eyes were lifeless, lips were pale, and who was on the verge of collapse due to staying up all night revising the script.

Rewrite a new script that completely avoids Gu Qing and Yang Ying appearing in the same frame, and even takes into account all possible interactions after Yang Ying appears.
Wu Tong seemed to have already envisioned the tragic scene of the screenwriter foaming at the mouth and dying on the spot.

"W-what's wrong, Director?"

The long silence on the phone cooled Yang Ying's high spirits as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them.

The urgency on her face faded, replaced by a complex and indescribable expression, and her voice lowered, "Is it...is it Qingqing's side...is he unwilling?"

"You're acting all wronged!" Wu Tong thought to herself, but quickly said aloud, "Uh... no, Baby, don't misunderstand."

"Gu's team only confirmed the schedule and the direction of the publicity, without making any special requests or personal restrictions."

However... however, our script for this episode has already been repeatedly polished and finalized based on the existing guests.

The theme blends elements from Chao Ge and Shi Shi's "The City of Light" and Xiao Gu's "Wolf Warrior 2," with the script logic and game elements tightly interwoven...

He paused, carefully choosing his words, trying to make his "unwelcome" meaning more tactful: "My idea is to record this episode like this for now."

Baby, why don't you wait for the second episode?
Wouldn't it be better if we planned a special theme just for you, such as a promotional event for your "Love O2O" movie?
If you and Xiao Gu appear on the same stage this episode, and he just finished filming the TV series, there will inevitably be some...unfavorable comparisons and discussions online, which may not be the best for you or the show..."

Wu Tong spoke earnestly, but the core message was simple: there's no place for you this time, so don't come.

"Shishi? Is it Liu Shishi?"

Yang Ying suddenly caught another name in Wu Tong's words, her tone somewhat subtle.

"Yes, it's her. Shishi is one of the guest stars this time."

Wu Tong confirmed, adding, "She originally refused, but when she heard that Xiao Gu was willing, Shi Shi finally agreed."

Yang Ying: "..."

"Okay, I understand, Director."

Yang Ying's voice returned to calm, even with a hint of deliberate ease, "It just so happens that I have an important business event that clashes with my schedule, and I can't coordinate it."

Well... I'll go next time. Thank you, director.

After saying that, she hung up the phone without waiting for Wu Tong to say anything more polite.

Thinking about the relationship between Liu Shishi and Gu Qing on screen, she suddenly didn't want to go anymore.

She could show her remaining self-esteem to anyone, but she couldn't bear to show weakness in front of Gu Qingshi.

Yang Ying tossed her phone aside, sank into the soft sofa, clutched a cushion tightly, and stared blankly back at the television screen.

There,

The ending theme song of "Love O2O" is slowly playing, and the silhouettes of Gu Qing and Jing Tian standing side by side under the moonlight are as beautiful as a fairy tale.

……

Time slipped away quietly amidst preparation and anticipation.

After returning to Shanghai, Gu Qing handled the accumulated matters of the studio in an orderly manner and took the time to complete the recording of the two theme song demos that she had promised the game company.

Subsequently,

He then boarded the plane again and headed to the filming location for this episode of "Keep Running": Dalian!
The plane flew smoothly above the clouds.

Wearing noise-canceling headphones, Gu Qing swiped her fingers across the tablet screen, carefully reading the final version of the script sent by the production team.

Perhaps learning from the lessons of the previous season, which was criticized by viewers for its "overly scripted nature" and "lack of originality in the game segments,"

In the first design of this season, Wu Tong played with "mystery" and "simplification".

The script in Gu Qing's hand wasn't complicated. It mainly introduced the core theme of this episode: "Wolf Warrior Special Forces: City of Light" special, as well as the basic gameplay:

The guests will be divided into two camps, "Guardians" and "Conquerors," and will engage in a "Werewolf" style competition that combines physical strength, mental agility, and teamwork under specific scenarios and rules.

"This name... is really a simple and crude mix."

Gu Qing looked at the large characters on the script cover and couldn't help but chuckle.

It seems the production team is trying to awkwardly combine elements of Chao Ge's "Psychological Crime: City of Light" and his "Wolf Warrior 2" to create a gimmick.

Compared to the somewhat perfunctory program theme,
Gu Qing subconsciously clicked on the attached guest list:

[Permanent members of the Running Man cast]: Deng Chao, Chen Chichi, Li Chen, Zheng Kai, Wang Zhulan, Dilraba, Huang Zitao.

[This episode's guest stars]: Gu Qing, Liu Shishi, and Guo Jingfei.

There are a total of ten people.

"It's alright, I don't need to say anything more."

Gu Qing coldly curled her lips, pulled down the sunshade, put on her eye mask, and took a short rest.

—At 10:00 AM, the plane landed on time.

Gu Qing, accompanied by his assistant Zhao Ya and several security personnel, walked out of the terminal building passage.

However, the scene before them made everyone gasp in shock.

The arrival hall was already overflowing with people.

The dense crowd stretched from the exit all the way to the pillars and railings in the distance, and even the second-floor railing was full of people.

Fans holding light boards, banners, cameras, and mobile phones surged like a tide, their screams and shouts creating a deafening sound wave that almost lifted the airport's dome.

The scale of this airport welcome far exceeds any previous one!
Obviously,

The currently airing and nationwide hit drama "Love O2O" has propelled Gu Qing's popularity to an unprecedented new peak.

The aura surrounding "Xiao Nai the Great God" drew countless young drama fans and casual viewers to join the airport welcome party, leading to this almost out-of-control "carnival".

A few security guards were woefully inadequate in the face of such a massive crowd.

The crowd surged forward like an out-of-control torrent, engulfing them in an instant.

"Aaaaaaah!!! Xiao Nai!! Xiao Nai, look at me!!"

"Little brother!! Gu Qing, little brother!!! Mommy loves you!!!"

"Get out of the way! Don't push me! I need to see my little brother!!!"

"Ouch—who stepped on my foot!"

Screams, shouts, shoving, and complaints mingled together, creating a suffocating cacophony.

Gu Qing felt as if she had been plunged into a swamp of flesh, surrounded by bodies and waving arms. The air felt thin, and her eardrums were pierced by the screams from close range.

He could barely move an inch, and even standing was difficult.

The bodyguards struggled to form a defensive line with their bodies and arms, but the line was on the verge of collapse under the onslaught of the frenzied crowd.

"Ahhh!! I touched my brother's clothes!! I touched them!!"

"I have my brother's autograph pen! Can someone pass it to me?!"

In chaos,
A disheveled female fan with an unusually fervent gaze suddenly burst forth with astonishing strength and forced her way through the gap between the arms of two security guards!
With a clear objective and swift movements, she reached over the security guard's shoulder and grabbed directly at Gu Qing's head—

"Shh!"

The black baseball cap that Gu Qing was using to cover her head was ripped off by her!
Having gotten the hat, the female fan didn't back down; instead, she eagerly covered her mouth and nose tightly with the hat in front of countless people.
He took a deep, blissful breath, a near-morbidly satisfied and excited smile spreading across his face, muttering to himself, "So fragrant! My little brother smells so good!!"

In an instant,
Gu Qing felt a chill run down his spine, and his hair stood on end.

"Aaaaaahh ...

"I want some too! I want my brother's things too!!!"

One stone stirs up a thousand waves! Seeing someone successfully "succeed," the eyes of the other fans who were originally trying to restrain themselves and were just shouting instantly turned red!
The string of reason snapped completely, and the idol so close at hand seemed to have become a "trophy" that could be snatched away at will.

The crowd surged and pushed forward even more frantically, with countless hands reaching out from all directions.

The target was Gu Qing, who was surrounded at the center.

His coat, his backpack, his hair, even his body!
"Stop them! Don't let them get close!!"

Zhao Ya screamed in fright, her voice distorted.

She turned around abruptly and hugged Gu Qing tightly, trying to use her petite back to block the outstretched hands.

The bodyguards finally stopped being polite and began to push, block, and shout, trying to clear a path.

But the crowd had become completely engrossed in the frenzy, and the pushing and shoving only sparked a more intense confrontation.

"Sizzle—!"

"Thorn--!"

The sound of the fabric being torn and pulled was clearly audible to Gu Qing.

He felt his coat sleeve being pulled suddenly, and the fabric at his shoulder groaned under the strain.

In the chaos, someone's fingernail scratched his arm, causing a sharp pain.

Gu Qing's ears were ringing, a mixture of screams, pulling sounds, and shouts that almost made him deaf.

He was forced to lower his head to avoid being injured in the face by wildly waving hands or objects.

He stretched out his long arms and tightly embraced Zhao Ya, who was standing in front of him. He used one hand to protect the back of her head and the other to put his arm around her shoulder, then pressed his forehead against the sweaty back of the tall bodyguard in front of him.
In the crumbling, manpower-built "mobile fortress," they moved extremely slowly and laboriously toward the airport exit.

"Teacher Gu! This way! Get in the car quickly!!!"

Two staff members, who had arrived early and were waiting by the roadside for the Running Man crew's pick-up vehicle, turned pale with fright at the sight of the terrifying scene, which resembled a "zombie apocalypse."

Despite their fear, they forcefully opened the sliding door of the van and desperately waved and shouted at Gu Qing and the others who were struggling to move through the crowd.

"My goodness... what... what's going on?!" The driver was also stunned, his palms sweating as he gripped the steering wheel.

With the security personnel clearing the way and providing cover with all their might, Gu Qing and Zhao Ya finally broke through the last "human wall" and almost stumbled as they rushed into the open car door.

"Hurry! Drive!"

As soon as Gu Qing got into the car, before he could even sit down properly, he hurriedly called out to the person in front of him.

He didn't want to stay in that suffocating environment for even a second longer.

"Teacher Gu... I can't open it!"

The driver's voice trembled with fear.

Gu Qing suddenly looked up at the front of the car—

Several fans, their faces flushed and their emotions running high, actually spread their arms and blocked the front of the car!

The car's windshield was completely covered by the hands of the surging fans, their faces contorted with excitement as they peered through the glass.

The windows on both sides of the car were also completely covered by faces and hands, instantly dimming the light.

The entire van seemed to be swallowed and enveloped by the frenzied crowd, trapped in an "amber" that prevented it from moving.

"Gu Qing! Brother, open the window! We just want to take a look!"

"Little brother, I've liked you for a long time! Can you give me your autograph? Just one!"

"Gu Qing, come out for a moment! We won't hurt you! We just want to be closer to you!"

The sounds of banging on the glass and indistinct shouts through the glass came from all directions.

"What the hell is going on?!"

Gu Qing looked around at the completely sealed car windows, his chest heaving violently. A mixture of anger, helplessness, and lingering fear almost overwhelmed his reason.

He'd seen crazy fans before, but this was the first time he'd ever witnessed one so crazy as to disregard their own and others' safety, even attempting to "besiege" a vehicle.

"Are they all out of their minds?! Don't they know how dangerous it is to block a car like that?!"

"Boss, don't be afraid, don't be afraid... It's alright, it's alright..."

Zhao Ya mistakenly thought that Gu Qing was frightened by the scene.
She quickly suppressed her trembling, reached out and gently patted his back, soothing him in the softest voice she could muster, "Airport security and the police will be here soon, let's just hang in there, just a little longer..."

She always remembered that her boss, who had reached the top at such a young age, was actually several years younger than her.

"I...sigh!"

Gu Qing sighed heavily and irritably scratched her disheveled hair.

He wasn't afraid; he was simply extremely puzzled and angry at this completely out-of-control, boundaryless, and even self-destructive and harmful "idol worship" behavior.

These girls, and even a few boys among them, had young faces filled with blind fanaticism, completely disregarding basic public safety rules and personal dignity.

Gu Qing had encountered enthusiastic fans before, but this was the first time he had ever seen one this fervent.

"Holy crap!! Why is the car shaking?!"

"What are they going to do?!"

The driver in the front seat suddenly let out a terrified scream!
Gu Qing and Zhao Ya swayed violently, almost sliding off their seats!
"Thump! Thump!... Clang!"

The car body began to sway noticeably from side to side, and the amplitude of the sway increased!

They...are going to overturn the car?!

……

...(End of this chapter)