Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

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"Sicong! You've come to support your brother too? That's so kind of you!"

Wu Jing caught a glimpse of the familiar figure in the front row, wearing a baseball cap and casual clothes. Overjoyed, he opened his arms and warmly greeted the person, giving him a firm hug.

Principal Wang's appearance undoubtedly added a layer of "capital" weight to this already surprising premiere.

"Old Wu, be gentle, be gentle."

Principal Wang, wincing in pain from the hug, patted Wu Jing on the back and then took the microphone handed to him by a staff member.

He didn't respond to Wu Jing first, but instead turned his gaze to the center of the stage, landing on the calm and upright figure in blue. A playful smile appeared on his lips as he clearly spoke into the microphone:
"Gu Qing, long time no see. You kid... do you still recognize me?"

His voice carried through the speakers throughout the theater, instantly quieting the previously noisy scene.

Countless gazes darted back and forth between Gu Qing on the stage and Principal Wang in the audience, a subtle and tense atmosphere filling the air.

The reporters tensed up instantly, their ears perked up, their minds racing: This doesn't sound...right?

Principal Wang's tone didn't sound like he was simply there to offer his support; it sounded more like he was there to interrogate him.

Is there an "additional program" for today's premiere?
Wu Jing's smile froze for a moment. He didn't usually pay much attention to gossip and scandals online.

They are even less aware of the "old grudges" between Gu Qing and Principal Wang that fans talk about but are vague about.

He looked at Gu Qing with some concern, then at Principal Wang, unsure of how to respond.

On the stage, where the lights are focused.

Gu Qing slowly raised her eyelids, her gaze calmly falling on the "national husband" who was surrounded by the eyes of the crowd below the stage.

His face was expressionless, his fingers holding the microphone were slender and distinct, and his posture even revealed a clear sense of aloofness and indifference.

Who are you?

Two simple words: clear and calm.

"Holy crap, Yong!!"

The reporters instantly became excited, and the sound of camera shutters clicked even more frequently.

This is going to be interesting!
Gu Qing's reaction... completely disregarded Principal Wang's feelings!
Is this a public humiliation?

Gu Qing really didn't have a good impression of this rich second-generation who had used her as a "gun" and then disappeared without a trace afterward.

Back then, Principal Wang initiated a public opinion war between himself, Lu Han, and Liu Yifei on his blog, reaping the benefits and gaining significant attention and establishing his reputation as the "Disciplinary Committee of the Entertainment Industry."
However, this made Gu Qing a target of public criticism.

If it weren't for the high quality of "Nirvana in Fire" and its unexpected success in terms of reputation, he would probably have gotten himself into serious trouble.

Gu Qing has his own principles in doing things.

He doesn't provoke trouble, and he always shows the proper etiquette and courtesy when facing real capital tycoons or industry veterans.

But if someone thinks he's young and has a lot of online traffic, they can manipulate him at will and use him as a tool to divert attention...

This young master Wang is clearly not qualified.

It would be more appropriate if his father, Old Wang, were to take his place.

As for whether this will offend Principal Wang?

Gu Qing wasn't too worried.

At most, this young master might get angry and make a few sarcastic remarks online. His worst tactic would be to use his connections to reduce screenings at Dawan Cinemas, just like he did with Feng Xiaogang.

However, this tactic had limited effect on Gu Qing.

Dawan hasn't reached the point where Xiao Wang has absolute power. The numerous shareholders won't turn down money and leave Gu Qing, this "golden signboard of box office success," unused.

Even if Wanda really blocks his film screenings, Gu Qing's core audience will always remain firmly rooted in the fields of TV dramas and web series. For him, movies are icing on the cake, not a lifeline.

He has no "weakness" that requires him to depend on others.

"Who am I?"

Principal Wang's smile froze instantly, his lips twitched involuntarily, and a surge of anger shot up to his head.

From childhood to adulthood, he was always fawned over by those around him. After entering the entertainment industry, he was treated like royalty by all the stars. Who would dare to ask him such a cold and even impatient question in such a public setting?
If it were that Lin dog, he would have already cursed him out with "NMB" and made the other person's entire family lose their way.

however,
When he looked up and met Gu Qing's gaze on the stage, his rising anger inexplicably faltered.

Under the lamplight, Gu Qing's figure was as upright as a bamboo. The modified youth clothes he wore did not make him look old. On the contrary, they made his face look even more handsome and his temperament more refined and gentle.

Those who don't know him might think he's a scion of a noble family from bygone eras.

Principal Wang suddenly felt a little uneasy.

He has criticized many celebrities, from Feng Xiaogang to Fan Bingbing, from pop divas to internet celebrities, and even the CEO of a mobile phone manufacturer.

Although he was later forced to delete his posts and apologize.

But he knew in his heart that he dared to criticize because he relied on his status and the other party's labels of "artist" or "businessman," feeling that he was on a "higher ground" in some way.

But Gu Qing... seems a little different.

Since the "grain replenishment controversy" that caused a stir online, Gu Qing's image has received a certain degree of endorsement and recognition from the official level.

He is not only the tax ambassador of Anhui Province, but also, to a certain extent, a spokesperson for local culture and tourism and a positive image of young people.

To put it dramatically, Gu Qing today, in the mainstream public opinion and official view, has a similar "positive image" to Chen Long back then as a representative of Chinese superstars.

of course,

He is still only known as "Little Chen Long" in China.

You can fabricate rumors about him, you can nitpick his acting in a certain work,

But if they attack him personally or smear him as they would other celebrities...

Principal Wang intuitively felt that it might have touched some kind of invisible "line".

He had no doubt that if he dared to utter a curse as unrestrainedly as he usually did,
Next second,
His account might be banned, or he might even receive a "warning" from a higher level.

"This kid...could he really have caught the eye of some high-ranking official? Does he have such a powerful background?"

Considering some hidden rumors about Gu Qing, and Jack Ma's frequent outrageous remarks, and his current predicament.

Principal Wang's initial unease gradually turned into caution.

He quickly adjusted his expression, suppressing his pent-up anger, and forced a slightly awkward but trying-to-appear familiar smile as he spoke into the microphone:
"Tsk, you've got a bad memory, haven't you? I'm the 'friend' you've blocked!"

When will you have the mercy to remove me from the blacklist?

He deliberately put on a relaxed tone, even with a hint of self-deprecation.

"what???"

"This...this is what Young Master Wang said?"

"Did I hear that right? He's begging Gu Qing to add him back?"

The reporters in the audience could hardly believe their ears; they stared at each other in disbelief.

Is this still the same arrogant and unruly "entertainment industry watchdog" who always talks back and forth?

Why does my demeanor suddenly change in front of Gu Qing, like someone who's done something wrong and is begging for forgiveness... well, a friend?
Even Dilraba, sitting in the back row of the audience, slightly parted her red lips in surprise and subconsciously leaned closer to Yang Mi next to her.
She covered her mouth with her hand, lowered her voice, and asked incredulously, "Sister Mi... this, this isn't right, is it? Is this really Principal Wang? He... he's changed his ways?"

"How would I know what kind of personality he has? I'm not even familiar with him."

Yang Mi brushed a strand of long hair behind her ear, her tone indifferent, as if it were none of her business.

"No way, Honey?"

Dilraba blinked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, and nudged Yang Mi lightly with her elbow, saying in a whisper, "It's all over the internet, even Young Master Wang said it himself."

"I'll come and marry you once you're single again! How can you say we're not close?"

"Little Baba..."

Upon hearing this, Yang Mi gave her a disapproving sidelong glance, lightly tapped her smooth forehead with her slender finger, and scolded her in a low voice,

"With your brain, if you really run into a high-level scumbag, he could fool you so much that you wouldn't even be able to tell east from west, and you'd still be counting money for him!"

She scoffed, dismissing him with disdain. "You actually believe what a rich kid, born with a silver spoon in his mouth and pampered since childhood, says?"
Believe it or not, if I actually post the divorce certificate online tomorrow, he'll just turn around and say, "Just kidding, don't take it seriously!"

The most important reason why Yang Mi has been able to get to where she is today in this industry is that she is extremely clear-headed.

She knew all too well what she wanted, and she also understood all too well the true motives of the men around her.

She herself is a "realist" who deeply understands human nature and is good at using rules.
How could they not see through Principal Wang's superficial "interest" and the game mentality behind it?
Dilraba fell silent after being teased, no longer daring to joke about her boss.

Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted from the reporters' area ahead.

Faced with Principal Wang's almost "giving in" request, Gu Qing's cold expression on the stage finally softened a little.

A very faint smile curved his lips as he spoke slowly and deliberately into the microphone:

"Sure. You can ask your theater chain to increase the number of screenings for 'Wolf Warrior 2,' and I'll bring you back."

"No problem! Leave it to me!"

Principal Wang agreed almost without hesitation, patting his chest and declaring, "As long as the film is of high quality tonight and the audience response is good, I guarantee that 'Wolf Warrior 2' will get the highest screening rate in Dawan cinemas! I mean what I say!"

His words weren't entirely perfunctory.

Putting aside Gu Qing's reputation, he personally invested 20 million yuan in the movie "Wolf Warrior 2"!

Using one's own cinemas to increase screenings for films that one has invested in and made money from is perfectly reasonable, so why not?
He desperately wants the movie to be a huge hit!
"Good brother! You're a true friend!"

Wu Jing, listening from the side, was overjoyed and almost jumped up with excitement. He gave Principal Wang a big hug and grinned so wide his mouth almost reached his ears.

Screening schedule!

This is one of the most crucial lifelines for a movie during its initial release!
With Principal Wang's words, at least the Dawan channel is secure!

This little incident ended in an unexpectedly "harmonious" manner.
It satisfied reporters' appetite for "conflict" while showcasing Gu Qing's adept handling of the situation and Wang Sicong's rare "down-to-earth" side, maximizing the dramatic effect and generating considerable buzz.

The interactive session continued.

The microphone was passed to Li Chen and other members of the Running Man cast, who offered their brief but sincere blessings, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

"Sister Mi, should I... take this opportunity to say a few words, explain what happened on the show, and then formally thank Brother Gu Qing?"

Watching the lively scene on stage, Dilraba was also thinking about her "mission" and anxiously tugged at Yang Mi's sleeve.

"Shh-"

Yang Mi gently pressed her hand, signaling her to calm down, and said in a low voice, "Don't rush. If we say it now, our intentions will be too obvious, and it will easily disrupt everyone's emotions. It will be a better time after the movie ends, when the response is good and the atmosphere is at its most enthusiastic."

"Just relax and enjoy the movie."

Dilraba nodded, took a deep breath, and forced herself to turn her attention back to the big screen in front of her.

After all the interactive and speech segments concluded, the theater lights slowly dimmed.
Only the soft glow of the large screen remained. The noisy voices gradually subsided, replaced by an expectant tranquility.

"I'm coming!"

"It's finally starting!"

"Let's see how Gu Qing performs in her first military film!"

The reporters also put aside their gossip, adjusted their posture, and focused their attention on the screen.

Even for work purposes, they were filled with curiosity about the film itself—Wu Jing's relentless efforts, Gu Qing's transformation, the huge investment, and the series of controversies before its release.
All of these factors contribute to the suspense surrounding "Wolf Warrior 2".

Dilraba temporarily put aside her anxiety and focused on watching the screen.

After the dragon emblem was displayed, the movie officially began.

The opening scene features a six-minute-long underwater battle!
Leng Feng engages in close combat with pirates in the azure sea, his movements fierce and ruthless. The camera work is fluid and impactful, with no superfluous dialogue, only the most primal confrontation of strength and a race against time.

The realistic underwater photography, the visceral hand-to-hand combat, and the thrilling explosion at the end instantly captivated all viewers, especially the male audience!

"Wow! This was really filmed underwater?"

"I doubt that the 2 million investment was actually put into the movie. I thought it was a joke."

"Such a strong start? What will happen later?"

Intense gunfights and explosions at sea followed one after another, quickly establishing the film's high-octane, hardcore action tone.

Unlike many domestic blockbusters that limit large-scale scenes to ancient times,

Wolf Warrior 2 immediately establishes its "contemporaneity" and "power" by using modern military equipment and real combat scenes.

however,
Just when the audience thought this was a pure action thriller, the scene shifted to Leng Feng escorting the ashes of his fallen comrades back to their hometown.

Faced with the arrogant and domineering leader of the demolition team, and the threat of "wait until you leave and see how I kill them," Leng Feng's suppressed anger and grief made the audience in front of the screen feel heartbroken.

When Leng Feng, unable to bear it any longer, suddenly ripped off his military cap and kicked the bully, sending him flying backward and crashing heavily into the car window—

"Cool!!"

"That's exactly what we should do!"

A low, relieved cheer and applause rang out in the theater.

This resistance against power and protection of the weak instantly evoked the most basic emotional resonance.

But then,

The seriousness of discipline was fully demonstrated. Although Leng Feng had a valid reason for his actions, he was still discharged from the military and imprisoned for three years.

This approach, instead of simply emphasizing individual heroism, makes Leng Feng's character more realistic and substantial, earning silent approval from male viewers: "It makes sense."

Three years later,
Upon his release from prison, Leng Feng learns of his lover Long Xiaoyun's sacrifice and resolutely travels to Feizhou, working as a security guard on a cargo ship while searching for clues.

The main storyline unfolds from there.

The film's pacing is exceptionally well-controlled.

After a tense opening, a short segment depicting Leng Feng's daily interactions with the locals of Feizhou provides a buffer.

His heartwarming interactions with his Black godson "Potato," his hearty drinking and soccer games with his coworkers, and his sunny smile as he showed off his muscular physique on the beach...

These scenes, full of everyday life and exotic charm, allowed the audience to relax their tense nerves, unconsciously bringing a smile to their faces, and also giving them a better understanding of the "human" side of the character Leng Feng.

"It's so warm."

"The pacing of this movie is good, with a good balance between tension and relaxation."

"But according to the usual pattern, after the heartwarming moment, it should be..."

really,

Before the audience could even process what was happening, a sudden, deafening explosion shattered the silence!

Anti-government militants swarmed into the streets like locusts, killing anyone they saw. Bullets flew everywhere, and shells relentlessly destroyed houses and lives.

The camera makes no attempt to conceal the tragic scenes of ordinary people: the elderly, children, and women being shot and falling to the ground, struggling and crying out in pools of blood.
The cruelty of war and the fragility of life are laid bare on the screen.

"This scale..."

"It's a little upsetting to watch..."

Some viewers frowned, feeling uncomfortable with the impact of the images.

But this is just the beginning.

The ensuing street gunfights, fierce battles in shops, tank crushing, rocket bombing... a series of high-density, high-intensity combat scenes brought the chaos and terror of war to the extreme.

Leng Feng navigates through a hail of bullets to rescue people, and every perilous situation keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

Finally,

Leng Feng led some of his compatriots to the embassy, ​​where they found temporary safety. New missions then began.

The crucial mission was to rescue Dr. Chen.

Leng Feng once again drove alone through the battle zone that had become a battlefield.

The scene shifts to a local hospital, where unarmed medical staff and patients are being brutally massacred by rebels.

From the elderly doctor with white hair to the terrified nurse, and then to the child lying on the verge of death in the hospital bed...

Every time the trigger is pulled, it feels like a challenge to the audience's psychological limits, with anger and helplessness silently accumulating and fermenting in the theater.

For Chinese viewers who cherish life and sympathize with the weak, this wanton killing of innocent people is most likely to ignite the deepest righteous indignation in their hearts.

The plot unfolds layer by layer, with the pressure constantly increasing, almost suffocating the audience.

After overcoming numerous obstacles and hardships, Leng Feng finally arrived at his destination.

As everyone stood outside the gates of a factory invested in by Chinese, they instinctively tensed up.

The factory walls were high, and the figures of armed guards could be vaguely seen on top of them, creating a tense atmosphere.

"They're going to fight again..."

"They haven't even had a chance to catch their breath..."

Just when the audience thought another fierce battle was about to break out, the tightly closed factory gate creaked open and slowly opened inward.

A figure, completely out of place in his surroundings, swaggered out, surrounded by a group of armed guards.

He wore the same camouflage uniform as Leng Feng, but it was noticeably cleaner and crisper. He held an AK in his hand, his chin slightly raised, and his gait carried the arrogance of a rich kid who was oblivious to the hardships of life.

When he reached Leng Feng, who was covered in dust and blood, he even casually chewed the gum in his mouth, tilted his head, and looked the disheveled Leng Feng up and down.
A wicked smile, a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, and undisguised superiority, curled at the corners of his mouth.

"You'll protect me?"

His tone was flippant, carrying obvious suspicion and a hint of sarcasm.

Before Leng Feng could answer,

He seemed to think that wasn't "impressive" enough, so he slowly pulled a walkie-talkie from his pocket, deliberately bringing it close to his mouth, as if afraid others wouldn't hear him.

In a deliberately elevated, theatrically excited tone, he announced to Leng Feng, and also to the air behind him:

"I have 18 AKs and 30 Type 79 grenades here..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Leng Feng, then grinned, revealing his white teeth, and uttered the second half of the sentence with a resounding tone, "Enough to arm a reinforced platoon, right?!"

His spittle almost landed on Leng Feng's face.

The camera then gave Leng Feng a close-up: his lips were tightly pursed, his jawline was taut, his eyes were sharp as knives, and his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched almost imperceptibly.

"Smash him! Smash him now!!"

"That brat deserves a beating! Slap him!"

"Wu Jing, stop holding back! Let's teach Gu Qing a lesson!"

In the theater,
The audience, who had just been feeling suffocated by the cruelty of war, suddenly found an outlet for their emotions and almost collectively transformed into "irritable old men".
I wish I could rush into the screen and teach this arrogant "brat" a lesson for Leng Feng.

Gu Qing's character "Zhuo Yifan" makes an extremely "hate-inducing" entrance, but strangely, it helps to regulate the film's pace and relieve audience stress.

Even the two female reporters from before, Xu Li and Ye Zhen, couldn't help but exchange a knowing smile and whisper among themselves:
"Why does the younger brother character seem a bit arrogant?"

"I really want to hit him... but I also find it kind of funny, why is that?"

"I was also thinking about my annoying younger brother."

Gu Qing's appearance provides a brief respite, even a touch of comedy, amidst the film's sustained high-pressure narrative.

He Jianguo, a veteran standing next to him, keenly noticed that Leng Feng was about to raise his hand to slap him. He smiled and smoothed things over, inviting Leng Feng into the factory.

Then,

Another slightly unexpected plot point occurs: Rachel, the female doctor played by Lu Jingshan,

She bids farewell to Leng Feng at the factory gate and decides to return to her own country alone, unlike in traditional commercial films where she inevitably fights alongside the male lead and develops a romantic relationship with him.

"Huh? The female lead left already?"

"No romance? Sure!"

"Isn't this the reality? There's no time for romance on the battlefield."

"This arrangement is great! It's more realistic and more focused on the main storyline!"

Many journalists and film critics were immediately impressed; this unconventional approach won them favor.

After entering the factory,
Faced with the grim situation of evacuating overseas Chinese, internal disagreements arose.

Gu Qing advocated using the factory's weapons and manpower to arm all Chinese people, including local employees, to break through the siege.
Lacking a concrete plan, he was so anxious that he beat his chest and stamped his feet, even kicking the iron bucket next to him in frustration.

The recoil caused him to grimace in pain, but he forced himself to keep quiet to save face, his face contorted with embarrassment.

It vividly portrays a hot-blooded but inexperienced young man, and also provides many laughs.

Leng Feng calmly proposed a principle based on reality and capability: prioritize the evacuation of women and children, and have male workers voluntarily form a guard team to hold their ground and await reinforcements using the factory's terrain and limited equipment, waiting for the navy to arrive in three days.

These "three days of waiting" became a rare period of warmth and growth in the film.

Zhuo Yifan, a passionate arms enthusiast, instantly became a "fanboy" after witnessing Leng Feng's amazing skills and military prowess, and relentlessly pestered him to become his apprentice.

Leng Feng, worn down by his persistence, had no choice but to teach him a few practical grappling and fighting techniques. In the process, he naturally "taught" this arrogant disciple a lot of lessons.

On the screen,
Gu Qing plays Zhuo Yifan, who is sometimes clumsy and falls around, wincing in pain but refusing to admit defeat.
Sometimes, after learning a trick or two, he would proudly show it off to his coworkers;

Sometimes, he almost caused trouble because of his recklessness, and after being severely reprimanded by Leng Feng, he hung his head...

These lively and engaging interactions diluted the somber atmosphere of war, making the relationship between Leng Feng and Zhuo Yifan, the "master and apprentice," more vivid and endearing.

It also allowed the audience to see the beginnings of Zhuo Yifan's transformation from a spoiled rich kid into a truly responsible warrior.

A few knowing laughs occasionally rang out in the theater, making the atmosphere much more relaxed.

The audience was engrossed in the film. In the back row of the theater, a side door leading to the lounge was quietly opened a crack. A head peeked out to listen to the noise, then quickly withdrew.

Inside the lounge,

Wu Jing rushed in like a gust of wind, his face flushed with excitement, his hands rubbing together incessantly, and his eyes gleaming with an almost manic light.

"It's safe! It's safe! Hahaha! Little brother! Old Song! Teacher Wu!"

Our film... it's fucking in the bag!!

His voice trembled slightly as he patted the shoulders of Song Ge, Gu Qing, Wu Gang, Ding Haifeng, and others in the lounge, as excited as a child.

"Brother Jing, calm down, the real show has only just begun."

Gu Qing looked at him, a faint smile appearing on her face.

Wu Gang and Ding Haifeng nodded with smiles, clearly the audience's reaction outside gave them great confidence.

Amidst the jubilation, one person, though smiling, seemed to be forcing it, and deep in his eyes lurked a subtle, complex emotion and...regret.

It was Song Ge, the chairman of Capital Culture, who was the largest investor.

His mood at this moment could be described as a mixture of joy and sorrow, with sorrow perhaps outweighing joy.

The good news is that the film is of high quality, the audience response is enthusiastic, and the possibility of it being a box office hit is extremely high. As the main investor, he can make a fortune.

The worry is... precisely because it may have been too successful, so successful that it exceeded his initial expectations and control.

When he initially invested in "Wolf Warrior 2," he was more optimistic about Wu Jing's fighting spirit and the uniqueness of the subject matter, viewing it as a high-risk but potentially high-return endeavor.

He had not anticipated that Gu Qing's arrival would bring such terrifying attention and "added value."
Therefore, the contract he signed with Wu Jing at that time had major problems.

Song Ge speculated that patriotic war films were a complete niche market at the time, with Wolf Warrior 1 ultimately grossing 5.45 million yuan.

He predicts that Wolf Warrior 2's box office will be between 8 million and 15 billion yuan!
then,

In the contract, he promised Wu Jing a guaranteed box office of 8 million yuan and paid her a guarantee deposit of 2.17 million yuan.
Of this, Capital Culture will bear 1.4 million yuan, to be paid in four installments, while the remaining 7759 million yuan will be paid by Juhui Film Union!
His revenue-sharing agreement is quite complicated.

The contract stipulates that if the box office revenue is less than 800 million yuan, the distributor's share will be 12%, and Capital Culture will receive 6.6%; if the box office revenue is greater than 800 million yuan but less than 1.5 billion yuan.

For the portion exceeding 8 million, the revenue-sharing ratio will be increased to 25%, with Capital Culture accounting for 13.75%.

Box office > 15 billion: Revenue sharing ratio reduced to 15%.

Capital culture accounts for 8.25%.

In other words, it's just one sentence.
The more Wolf Warrior films gross, the less he earns.

The smaller the box office of Wolf Warrior, the more he earns.

Mr. Song was on the verge of tears looking at the current situation.

"Stop raising it, stop raising it, 15 billion in box office revenue would be enough."

He prayed frantically in his heart.

The shareholders who bought the company's stock were completely unaware of these contracts when they were signed.

He couldn't imagine it.
If "Wolf Warrior 2" really becomes a box office hit, what will the shareholders' emotions be after the revenue sharing is completed?

……

...(End of this chapter)