Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

……

……

The following day, Xiamen.

Morning light streamed through the gaps in the off-white blackout curtains, cutting out several slanted beams of light on the room's floor, with tiny dust particles slowly floating and sinking within them.

This is a bedroom that can hardly be described as "girly". By the standards of an ordinary girl's room, it even seems a bit too "hardcore".

The walls are a simple light gray, without any extra stickers or decorations.

The bookshelf was crammed full, and at a glance, it was mostly filled with thick, heavy professional books such as "Fundamentals of Aerodynamics", "Aircraft Structural Design", and "Composite Materials Science".

The only "soft" decoration in the room was probably the brown teddy bear doll in the corner of the bed. It sat quietly among a pile of professional books, creating a strangely cute contrast.

At this moment, the person on the bed is still fast asleep.

The blanket slipped down a corner, revealing a small, innocent, and fair face.

Chen Duling's sleeping face was very peaceful, with long eyelashes hanging down like butterfly wings, casting a light shadow under her eyes.

A slender arm draped outside the blanket, almost transparently white, with distinct knuckles at the wrist, so thin it seemed as if it could be easily encircled with a gentle grip, exuding a sense of fragility.

"Mmm..."

After an unknown amount of time, her long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she groggily opened her eyes.

Chen Duling spaced out for a few seconds, then suddenly rolled over and instinctively reached under her pillow, her fingertips touching the cool phone case, which she skillfully pulled out.

She turned on the screen, and the glaring light made her squint instinctively.

"Is it 10:30 already...?"

Chen Duling murmured to herself, her voice slightly hoarse and low, characteristic of someone who had just woken up, creating a wonderful contrast with her pure and innocent first-love face.

She rubbed her eyes and looked at the date: "July 28th... Seven days until the match I agreed to with 'Xu Yi'."

Thinking of this,

Chen Duling's muddled mind cleared up a bit, and another thought popped into her head: "By the way, 'Xu Yi's' new movie was released yesterday, right?"

The morning chill seeped through the thin blanket, making her shiver.

I simply pulled my bare arms back into the warm blankets, snuggled deeper into the soft covers, and, resting my head on the fluffy pillow, began my daily routine of "staying in bed and playing on my phone" with a clear conscience.

Thinking about the recent overwhelming publicity surrounding Gu Qingxin's film "Wolf Warrior 2," which has practically dominated the screens,
Chen Duling unlocked her phone smoothly and opened the Weibo side account hidden among a bunch of app folders with an inconspicuous icon.

As soon as I entered the page, my finger instinctively clicked into the "Gu Qing" super topic and skillfully completed the daily check-in.

A message pops up on the screen: "Check-in successful! You have checked in for 265 consecutive days."

265 days.

Nearly nine months.

Even among Gu Qing's large and loyal fan base known as the "Gu Family," this number of check-in days is enough to earn her the title of "fan."

After signing in, she lightly swiped her finger across the screen, browsing the lively activity in the super topic.

The first thing that catches the eye is an exquisitely crafted celebratory poster made by a large fan, with the official key visual of "Wolf Warrior 2" at its center.

Gu Qing, who plays "Zhuo Yifan," has his face covered in blood and dust. He raises his gun, aiming it forward with a resolute gaze. Next to him, there is a prominent label that reads:

[Great news! Gu Qing's starring role in "Wolf Warrior 2" raked in a whopping 4.7 million yuan at the box office on its opening day!]

[This film has once again broken the record for the highest-grossing opening day for a single Chinese-language film, previously held by "Detective Chinatown"!]

[The momentum of a champion is unstoppable!]

"470 million in a single day?"

Chen Duling's almond-shaped eyes, which were already a little sleepy from just waking up, suddenly widened and became wide open, all sleepiness gone.

“Xu Yi… is amazing!” she couldn’t help but exclaim in a low voice.

This number was a huge shock to her.

The film "The Left Ear," which she co-starred in with him, grossed 900 million yuan, setting a new record for youth films at the time and giving her her first real taste of "superstardom."

On its very first day of release, *Wolf Warrior 2* grossed more than half of the total box office of *The Left Ear*! This level of growth is truly astounding.
This gave Chen Duling a feeling of being in a different world.
Is Xu Yi, who cooperated with me back then, still the same Gu Qing as she is now?

It has a kind of unrealistic, dreamlike quality.

She continued scrolling down the comments section, which was filled with jubilation:
"Haha, my little brother is amazing! At this rate, he has a great chance of breaking 'Detective Chinatown's' own record!"

"I've already watched it three times! My brother's image has improved so much this time, and his acting is superb. Those who used to criticize him for being too concerned about his image can shut up now!"

Three ticket stubs were also attached to the comment.

"Those are all paid trolls and fake smears hired by the rivals. Can't you see how wide his acting range has been since his debut? Fantasy, martial arts, comedy, campus... he can do it all!"

"Exactly! Xiao Nai in 'Love O2O' is so sweet! The 'Love O2O Couple' is the best!"

Chen Duling had a faint smile on her lips as she watched fans praise Gu Qing, but when she saw the comment "The Qingcheng Couple is the best,"

The curve of her lips faded slightly, and her delicate nose wrinkled almost imperceptibly; she felt inexplicably down.

It's only been a short time, and "The Left Ear"... has it already been forgotten by so many people?

Has the "Qingling" couple also become a thing of the past?
She hesitated, biting her lower lip, her fingertip hovering above the comment box, wanting to type, "Actually, there's another one called 'The Left Ear'."

But in the end, I didn't press send.

She was afraid that if this alternate account were accidentally exposed one day, it would bring unnecessary trouble and distress to Gu Qing.

"Perhaps... this is the 'fluidity' of fans and the 'timeliness' of CP (couple pairing)."

Chen Duling thought to herself silently, with a sense of loss that she couldn't quite explain.

She still remembers how popular the "Qingling" CP supertopic was when "The Left Ear" was first released.

With daily active users often reaching tens of thousands, a plethora of meticulously edited videos, touching fan art, and engaging interactive fan creations have emerged, even briefly breaking into the top ten of the annual CP (couple) super topic rankings.
Even the Harper's Bazaar Charity Night extended an ambiguous olive branch. Back then, the supertopic was bustling with activity every day, like a youth party that never ended.

And now…

She slowly switched to the "Qingling CP" supertopic. The page was much quieter, with most of the latest posts dating back a few days.

She habitually checked in here as well, and then browsed the few new posts.

A lone post with only a dozen or so comments conveyed a sense of desolation and loneliness.

"Life without new sweet moments is so bitter... I've been savoring the old stuff so much, when will Qingling and I be able to appear together again?" a CP fan lamented.

"Sister, stop fantasizing. Didn't you see the trending topics? The 'Qingcheng Couple' are about to make their relationship official. What chance do we Qingling have?" Someone poured cold water on the idea.

"Official announcement?!"

Chen Duling's heart skipped a beat.

I woke up this morning to find out that my crush has officially announced their relationship. Is there anything more devastating than this?
She hurriedly exited the CP super topic and her fingertips trembled slightly as she opened the Weibo hot search list.

Upon closer inspection,
Her already fair cheeks seemed to have lost a bit of color.

The top trending topic was #WolfWarrior2's opening day box office reached 4.7 million yuan#, followed by a bright red "Explosive" word.

The following trending topics, each with an eye-catching title, left her dizzy and confused.

#Have Gu Qingjing and Tian officially announced their relationship?#
#Jing Tian appears at the premiere of Wolf Warrior 2, the "Lovely Couple" reunite#
#Gu Qingqing in Youth Attire, Jing Tian in Cheongsam: Amazing Photos#
#The Couple Who Are So Beautiful Are Now Open for Business#
"No...there's a question mark!"

Chen Duling took a deep breath; the rigorous logic and observation skills cultivated in science students came in handy at the crucial moment.

I just learned my lesson from a recent official announcement.

Her wildly beating heart calmed down a little.

Chen Duling clicked on the most eye-catching "official announcement" trending topic and quickly browsed the pictures, texts, and videos posted by marketing accounts, holding her breath.

As I delved deeper into the reading, my anxiety gradually subsided.

It turns out that the photos were just taken after the premiere when Gu Qing saw Jing Tian off, and the media used sensationalist headlines to exaggerate the situation.

But even so,
When she clicked on the live video that had been shared millions of times, a subtle, slightly bittersweet feeling still welled up inside her.

In the video,
The cinema at night

Gu Qing and Jing Tian walked out side by side, holding hands naturally, talking as they walked, both with relaxed smiles on their faces.

Faced with a barrage of flashing lights and cameras, they didn't flinch. Instead, they stopped together and waved to the media, their demeanor relaxed and friendly.

The scene then switches to the moment of farewell.

Before getting into the car, Jing Tian looked up as if she said something, then stretched out her arms in a coquettish manner. Gu Qing naturally opened his arms and gave her a gentle hug.

The video deliberately slowed down the moment of the embrace and added a close-up shot—Gu Qing's hand did indeed gently and soothingly stroke Jing Tian's hair.

What Chen Duling found "outrageous" was that the blogger who posted the video had also carefully selected background music—the instrumental version of the interlude "The Next Second" sung by Gu Qing.

A refreshing and sweet melody, paired with scenes of handsome men and beautiful women bidding each other a reluctant farewell and interacting openly in the night,

The ambiguous yet beautiful atmosphere was off the charts, no wonder the CP fans and casual viewers were going crazy over the sweet moments.

"Ahhhh!! From now on, all the couples I ship, please follow this 'openly promoting' standard, okay? It's so sweet!"

"Oh my god! That hug! Gu Qing's head pat was so sweet! Who understands this detail?! It's so swoon-worthy!"

"Who understands? I... I don't understand."

Chen Duling let out a soft hum, so quiet that only she could hear it.

She exited the video call, muttering to herself, "It's just a hug..."

“Xu Yi hugged me back then too.”

"Why don't I see everyone... shipping them so intensely?"

Chen Duling felt a little depressed and jealous.

Scrolling down through the various pictures and texts on the trending topics, the amazing photos captured by fans and admins are indeed of a very high standard, perfectly showcasing Gu Qing and Jing Tian's temperament and beauty. The composition and atmosphere of the images are impeccable.

Chen Duling frowned and flipped through the photos, her delicate brows relaxing only when her fingers stopped on a particular one.

Jing Tian is not in this photo.

There was only Gu Qing.

He stood under the streetlight at the entrance of the cinema, slightly turned to the side, watching the car drive away.

The night wind ruffled his bangs, casting shadows on his handsome, gentle profile. He stood quietly and calmly watching the departing vehicles.

"This one...is beautiful!"

Chen Duling's eyes lit up. She long-pressed the picture and quickly selected "Save to Album".

"咚咚-"

at this time,

There was a gentle knock on the door, and a mother's gentle yet worried voice came from outside: "Dudu, are you awake? Mom has made lunch and left it at the door."

Remember to get up and eat! Eat more, you've lost weight recently…

"Mom, I know, I'll eat right away."

Chen Duling responded, glanced at the time, and realized that she had been lying in bed scrolling through her phone for over an hour.

She lifted the covers, put down her phone, and prepared to get the clothes that were placed at the foot of the bed.

The moment I looked away from my phone screen, my vision blurred as if veiled by a thin mist.

She blinked hard, but the blurriness persisted.

Chen Duling leaned forward and reached for the black-rimmed glasses on the computer desk. She put them on her small, straight nose, and the world became clear again.

"Has my prescription gotten worse again?"

She pushed up her glasses, looking a little uncomfortable. "Why does it still feel a bit blurry?"

For the past six months or so, apart from the occasional necessary physical training to maintain her figure, Chen Duling has spent most of her time staying in this room.

The main theme of my life is facing the computer screen, immersed in the world of League of Legends.
To fulfill his promise to "Xu Yi," and also for some inexplicable reason, he practiced and pushed himself to achieve high scores.

It would be a miracle if eyesight didn't deteriorate after prolonged and intensive exposure to electronic screens.

This is not because Chen Duling has given up on herself or is deliberately avoiding work.

On the contrary,

It's because she has very few job opportunities.

The business alliance that Gu Qing introduced her to was the only decent "job" she'd had in the past six months. Ever since her last drama series with Lay Zhang flopped without a trace...

Her short-lived acting career, which began with "The Left Ear," seemed to have been abruptly put on pause, or even seemingly brought to a halt.

He is a typical "family workshop" type of artist.

She didn't sign with any reputable agency; everything was managed by her family, and she even served as the legal representative of the company herself.

In the fiercely competitive and highly concentrated entertainment industry, trying to secure quality opportunities on your own is nothing short of wishful thinking.

once,

After being lucky enough to be chosen to play the female lead in "The Left Ear," and becoming an overnight sensation for her pairing with Gu Qing,
Chen Duling was also overwhelmed by the sudden luck and popularity.

She found that becoming famous wasn't as difficult as she had imagined; film offers and praise poured in like snowflakes, and she had a wide variety of scripts to choose from.
The investors and producers treated her with kindness and gentleness, and the feeling of being fawned over made her almost forget the realities of the industry.

What unspoken rules? What ruthless competition?
It seems like she didn't touch it at all.

At that time, she was so naive that she even thought those rumors might just be a few extreme cases.

After careful discussion among their family members, they ultimately chose a youth drama that would pair them with the then-popular "Little Sheep," thinking that no matter what, they would have a solid fan base to rely on, ensuring a sure profit.

result,

The show aired quietly without making a splash, suffering a major setback in both critical reception and viewership.

Since then, her "good luck" has been taken away overnight.

The film offers that had previously filled my inbox and required careful sifting have vanished without a trace.

After the hype dies down, the cold, hard reef of reality is revealed.

She began to actively seek opportunities, submitting applications and attending interviews.

however,
Several job interviews shattered Chen Duling's remaining rosy illusions about the entertainment industry.

Chen Duling's face was expressionless as she silently put on her pajamas.

My stomach, which had been rumbling with hunger, suddenly began to churn with nausea, and I felt suffocated and lost my appetite.

The memories of those interviews were not pleasant.

The so-called assistant directors, casting directors, and even representatives of the investors sat behind a long table, sizing up the young, beautiful, and expectant girls in the room.

The one she remembered most clearly was...
The bloated, middle-aged man smiled and scanned the row of girls who had come for the interview, speaking in a tone as if he were picking through goods at a market.
He asked slowly and without hesitation, "What kind of 'price' are you willing to pay to get this role?"

Those words were like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, leaving her mind blank for a moment.

She had considered the unspoken rules.
I never imagined that I would call a group of girls who had been interviewed together and ask them so confidently and bluntly, "What are you willing to give up for this role?"
What shocked and amused Chen Duling even more was the presence of many of the other girls who had come for the interview, many of whom she didn't even know the names of.

Among them are many women with outstanding looks and temperament, whom she believes are in no way inferior to some glamorous actresses on screen.

Surprisingly, not a single person showed any surprise or anger.

They answered almost eagerly, with a tone bordering on obsequious enthusiasm:

"I'm willing! I'll do anything!"

"Director, I can film even the most explicit scenes."

"Give me the chance, and I'll do anything!"

And this is only the first "screening threshold".

Just because you say "I'm willing" doesn't mean the role is yours.

The other party may also make vague requests such as a so-called "probation period" or "further understanding."

Finally, from this group of girls who "agreed," the most "suitable" one was chosen.

What shattered Chen Duling's worldview even more was...

Even the selection of male leads for film and television productions follows similar "rules".

She fled the interview in a panic.

Forget your dreams of becoming a star!

From then onwards,

Chen Duling truly experienced firsthand the cruel rules of the game hidden beneath the glamorous facade of this industry.

She realized that for artists without a background, without capital support, and without the protection of a powerful company, they cannot afford to make a single wrong step.

You must consistently create hit after hit, maintaining your popularity and commercial value, and only with solid achievements can you earn a voice and the right to choose, and only then can you be qualified to say "no" to those dirty rules.

otherwise,

Unless the production team can't find any replacements, they might "give you a chance" as a favor.

You think you can get in through your talent and dreams? No way!

They might not even open a crack in the window for you.

"Did Xu Yi... just get to where he is today?"

As Chen Duling put on her soft-soled slippers, her thoughts drifted uncontrollably back to Gu Qing.

"So...that's why he works so hard, one project after another, trying out all sorts of different roles?"

She seemed to understand Gu Qing's near-workaholic state a little better now. Those without powerful backers can only become their own.

People tend to overthink when they stay at home for extended periods.

In Chen Duling's current life, the only person she seems to remember repeatedly and who evokes various emotional ripples is Gu Qing.

The 265-day continuous check-in on the super topic is the best proof.

Having stepped into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, and briefly witnessed the allure and pressure of the top tier of fame,

When she returned to a normal life, she found that she and most of her peers had lost common ground.

And what about their "peers" in the industry?
Those artists who exchanged contact information at the event and politely addressed each other as "teacher" or "sister,"
How many people would truly respect her, a fleeting star who is essentially a "family workshop" backed by a washed-up artist?
Most of the names in her contacts are lying there quietly, and she can't even see them on her WeChat Moments.

It seems only Xu Yi…

Only his chat window would light up occasionally.

The conversation usually begins with her mustering the courage to send a question about the new version of League of Legends, or a meme about esports that she finds interesting.

No matter how busy he was, he always seemed to find time to reply with a few words, perhaps brief, but never making her feel perfunctory or ignored.

That became one of the few interactions that brought color and anticipation to her otherwise gray stay-at-home life of the past six months.

Oh, right,

Another person contacted her not long ago.

"Li Bala" suddenly sent her a photo.

In the photo, she stands smiling brightly next to Gu Qing, and the two appear to be in a rest area of ​​a film crew.

The accompanying text carried a hint of undisguised boasting and smugness: "'Xu Yi' came to visit me on set! Little Ear, aren't you envious? [hehe]"

"I'm not envious!"

Chen Duling stared at the photo for a long time before replying with three words that made her nose sting.

She knew that this "Li Bala" sister had always been somewhat envious of her deep down, and perhaps even harbored a subtle jealousy.

After all, she was the young actress who received the most praise and positive reviews from the audience in "The Left Ear".
Thanks to Gu Qing, she not only changed the somewhat melodramatic ending of the original novel, but also gained a lot of heartwarming scenes, becoming the actress with the best reputation after the movie's release.

On and off screen,

She was also the girl who received the most care from Gu Qing.

However, Chen Duling also knew that...
"Sister Ma" isn't a bad person at heart; her little bit of jealousy is more like the rivalry between little girls—straightforward and frank.

Unlike others, he harbored no genuine discontent or jealousy.

"Girls' jealousy...can sometimes be really scary."

Chen Duling shook her head, putting aside these unpleasant memories, and reached out to open the door.

On a wooden tray by the door lay a lunch that had gone cold—a few florets of steamed broccoli, half an ear of corn, a box of boiled beef slices, and a box of blueberries.

Standard, bland, and tasteless celebrity diet meals.

She bent down to pick up the tray, and then casually took a can of chilled sugar-free cola from the mini-fridge by the door.

"Drinking sugar-free cola and eating low-fat meals, I've got everything I need in my life."

Chen Duling amused herself by placing the plate and cola on the spacious computer desk.

"Feeling great and ready to keep pushing for higher scores! Another day closer to my goal!"

She cheered herself up and prepared to start a new day of gaming.

As she tidied the table and prepared to make room for eating, her gaze inadvertently swept across the table.

The computer desk matched the style of her room—simple to the point of being cold and austere.

Aside from the essential computer equipment, peripherals, model airplane tools, and a few professional books laid out, there were almost no other decorations.

The only exception was that there was a picture frame on each side of the computer monitor.

The one on the right is a typical family photo.

The photo shows a family of four against the backdrop of Xiamen's iconic seaside scenery, a warm and ordinary scene.

The photo frame on the left holds the brightest memory of her acting career.

That's a group photo of the crew of "The Left Ear" when filming wrapped up.

Everyone was wearing blue and white school uniforms, their youthful energy practically overflowing the photo frame. They smiled carefree at the camera, making all sorts of funny and cute gestures.

In the photo, she has her head slightly lowered, looking somewhat awkward and shy, but there is a faint, genuine smile on her lips.

Above her head, a long, beautiful hand reached out, making a playful "V" sign.

That was Gu Qing at the time. Seeing that she was too nervous and reserved, he smiled and took the initiative to reach out and make a "V" sign on her head, which also left a unique and vivid moment in this group photo.

Chen Duling tilted her head and gazed quietly at the photograph.

The cold metal frame pressed against her fingertips.

Time seemed to flow backward with her gaze, and she clearly remembered every detail of the day the photo was taken.

then,

Ma Sichun and Guan Xiaotong, one on each side, both wanted to take photos with Gu Qing's arm in theirs, which was practically the "center position" of the crew.

The scene was a bit awkwardly lively and competitive.

It was Gu Qing, waving at her who was hiding at the edge of the crowd:
"Little Ears, come here. You're the leading lady, where do you think you're going to hide?"

then,

He pulled his arm away from Guan Xiaotong's embrace and gestured for her to stand over there.

The little girl whose seat was "stolen" pouted and looked sullen. In the end, she had no choice but to stand next to Ou Hao in the play.

"I am the female lead..."

Chen Duling repeated the sentence in a low voice, her gaze falling on her own face in the photo, which was showing a shy smile, but a sense of emptiness and loss welled up in her heart.

then,

Amidst the noise and the clicking of camera shutters, standing beside him, another, even quieter thought echoed in my mind, a thought only I could hear…

just,

Will I ever have the chance to say what I didn't say then?

Chen Duling lowered her eyes sadly. She poked at the cold broccoli on her plate with her chopsticks, but had no appetite.

"Ring ring—ring ring—"

Just then, the phone lying quietly on the table suddenly started vibrating violently.

Chen Duling glanced over instinctively, her delicate body suddenly trembling slightly.
A thought popped into my head uncontrollably:
"The candy...is here?!"

……

...(End of this chapter)