Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

……

……

"Little brother, let's go inside."

After discussing work matters, Li Binbin finished the remaining champagne in his glass and casually placed the empty glass on a small round table on the side of the balcony.

A gentle evening breeze caressed her slightly flushed cheeks, adding a touch of languid allure to her usually cool and beautiful face.

Even the oldest A8 is still an A8.

She naturally took Gu Qing's arm again, her fingers slightly cool, and said in an intimate tone, "I'll introduce you to some friends. You'll see each other all the time in this circle, so it's always good to have more connections and help each other out."

Her suggestion was reasonable.

It serves as both a way for seniors to mentor juniors and showcase their network of connections, and also as a subtle form of "showing off."

"Sister Bingbing, wait a moment."

Gu Qing turned his head, his gaze lingering for a moment on her profile and ear, which were being caressed by the evening breeze. He suddenly spoke, gently pulling his arm away from her embrace.

Li Binbin's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again instantly, and the smile on his face faded slightly. A hint of displeasure and anger flashed through his heart.

She thought Gu Qing was annoyed by her overly intimate behavior, or that he didn't want to appear too close to her in public.
The sensitivity brought about by this age difference is subtly amplified at this moment.

However, she guessed wrong.

Gu Qing raised her finger and touched the diamond earrings beside her ear, which were carefully designed by the stylist and still reflected tiny starlight in the night.

He quickly unfastened the delicate clasp and removed the two diamond studs that shimmered with a cold luster.

"Sister Binbin,"

Gu Qing still remembered what she had promised Li Binbin.

He opened his palm, and the pair of diamonds in his hand still shone brightly under the warm light emanating from the banquet hall in the distance. "When you gave me that watch last time, I said I would definitely give you a gift in return."

However, I haven't found a suitable opportunity or a partner who truly suits my taste.

He paused, looking at her with clear eyes, his already gentle voice sounding even softer in the night breeze.

"I never expected to run into you at the Bulgari dinner today. Consider this gift... as an early gift to you."

Li Binbin's pretty face was still somewhat surprised. She could even smell the clean and refreshing light soap scent on Gu Qing's body, which was completely different from the strong perfume scent that was usually around her.

She turned her head away somewhat awkwardly.

Gu Qing was slightly taken aback, mistakenly thinking that Li Binbin had asked him to help her put it on.

Remembering Li Binbin's kind advice, he hesitated for a moment, but still picked up the earring.

"Brother... huh?!"

Just as Li Binbin composed herself and was about to turn around, a few stray strands of hair near her ear were suddenly gently brushed aside by warm fingers.

Li Binbin's body stiffened involuntarily as his fingertips brushed against her sensitive earlobe, sending a subtle yet undeniable tingling sensation through her.

She instinctively wanted to turn her head or say something, but her movements seemed to be paused.

A rare, almost bewildered look appeared on Li Binbin's mature and aloof face.

What came into her view was Gu Qing's profile, which was very close to hers.

His handsome face was aloof and noble. He lowered his head slightly, and his long, thick eyelashes cast small shadows under his eyelids. His expression was focused and serious, and his movements were gentle. He was wearing earrings.

Li Binbin's heart skipped several beats in that instant, and then began to beat faster and faster uncontrollably.

She had seen too many men fawn over her, showering her with even more precious and rarer jewelry.

But not once,
In this scene, in this manner, a boy who was so beautiful it was almost unreal, with such focused and gentle demeanor, personally put the ornament on her.

All these details intertwine to create an indescribable, highly aggressive allure.

Li Binbin, who was always adept at social interactions and known for her maturity and rationality, felt a long-lost girlish panic and dry mouth at this moment.

She could even clearly hear the excessively loud heartbeats in her chest, and the temperature of her cheeks rose steadily.

She simply stood there, letting Gu Qing do as he pleased, her gaze almost dreamily fixed on his lowered eyelashes and beautiful lips.

"Okay, Sister Binbin."

Gu Qing breathed a sigh of relief, quickly finished putting it on, took a small step back, and examined it carefully.

The diamonds that had originally looked cool and lively on his ears now adorned Li Binbin's fair earlobes, unexpectedly complementing her aloof and elegant temperament.

"very nice."

Gu Qing nodded in satisfaction, a pure and refreshing smile blooming on her face.

then,

He naturally raised his arm again, elbow slightly bent, assuming a standard, gentlemanly gesture of inviting a lady.

At the same time, he winked at Li Binbin, who was still a little dazed, and said in a light tone, "Sister Binbin, we can set off now."

"Hmm... okay, let's go."

Li Binbin's heart raced again at that wink. She snapped back to reality, instinctively raising one hand to gently take the arm Gu Qing offered.

Her other hand, however, unconsciously and repeatedly brushed the strands of hair behind her ear.
Her fingertips would always inadvertently touch the diamond earrings she had just put on, which seemed to still retain the warmth of Gu Qing's fingertips. Each touch brought a subtle, heart-fluttering warmth.

Stepping back into the brightly lit, bustling banquet hall, the noise and extravagance once again enveloped me.

But this time,
Li Binbin's mindset, however, underwent a subtle change.

She led Gu Qing straight towards her familiar little circle.

The place is frequented by industry veterans with established reputations and notable works, or by close friends with considerable influence.

"Little brother, this is Chen Kun, my best friend of many years."

Li Binbin led Gu Qing to Chen Kun, speaking in a familiar tone.

She had only intended to give a routine introduction and showcase her connections, but before she could finish speaking, she inexplicably added a sentence with an unusual seriousness: "Kun, Gu Qing is my younger brother. You have to take care of him and not bully the little boy."

As soon as these words came out,
Chen Kun raised an eyebrow in surprise, his gaze sweeping between Li Binbin and Gu Qing, a hint of understanding and amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Bingbing, what are you saying? Why would I bully a little kid?"

Chen Kun chuckled and extended his hand to Gu Qing, his attitude much warmer than expected. "Come on, Gu Qing, right? I've heard so much about you. You're truly a force to be reckoned with. We old fogies are almost outdone."

He half-jokingly mocked himself, his tone light.

Before Gu Qing made her grand entrance and stole the show, Chen Kun might have felt a slight sense of unease at being overshadowed by the younger generation.

But then he witnessed Gu Qing easily outshine Chris Wu, who had previously been equally popular, in a way that was almost like a "dimensional reduction attack".

His initial displeasure had long since vanished, and he even harbored a sense of shared hatred and a desire to see the drama unfold.

Now that he was being personally introduced by his friend, he was naturally happy to show the demeanor of a senior.

"Teacher Chen Kun, you haven't changed at all, you're still so handsome. I really like your films 'Painted Skin' and 'Flying Swords of Dragon Gate'."

Gu Qing remained humble and polite, holding Chen Kun's hands and bowing slightly. "Every role you played left a deep impression on me; you are my role models."

"Really? Am I not getting old?"

Being praised so specifically for his representative work by the hottest young idol of the moment, Chen Kun's smile immediately became more genuine, and he felt relaxed and happy.

"Haha, why call me teacher? That's too formal. Just call me brother."

He patted Gu Qing on the shoulder and returned the compliment:
"I've seen your work too. You did a great job in 'Brotherhood of Blades' and 'Nirvana in Fire,' clearly you've put in a lot of effort, and you have a bright future ahead of you."

"Alright, alright, can't you speak properly? My brother is already amazing, and he has a bright future ahead of him. Are you cursing him?"

Li Binbin waved his hand dismissively from the side.

After introducing myself to Chen Kun,
She then pulled Gu Qing along, weaving through small circles, introducing him to several highly regarded and accomplished actors and actresses in the industry.
She even introduced several wealthy women with whom she had close personal relationships.

And during the introduction,

Li Binbin would casually raise her hand, her fingertips lightly brushing against the diamond stud earrings on her earlobes, and then naturally take over the conversation, recommending the jewelry that Gu Qing was in charge of selling that night to her friends.

After a while, the results were amazing.

Gu Qing did nothing but shake hands, smile, and take photos, and before she knew it, five more pieces of expensive jewelry had been "reserved" for her.

As night deepened, the lights of the Bund shone even brighter, like a galaxy of stars, and the Bulgari dinner was drawing to a close.

On the small stage in the center of the banquet hall, the lights were refocused, and General Manager Xu, the person in charge of the banquet, walked up with a microphone in hand and a polite smile on his face.

Behind her followed several staff members carrying exquisite bouquets and gift boxes.

The previously scattered conversations gradually subsided, and everyone's attention focused on the stage.

Chris Wu tensed up instantly, his eyes fixed on General Manager Xu's lips, his chest rising and falling slightly with tension and anticipation.

He's sacrificed so much, endured so much, and he's secretly estimated tonight's sales figures—they should be quite substantial…

The top salesman and the ensuing global endorsement contract have to be him!

General Manager Xu gave a brief, polite thank you to all the guests, then changed the subject with a broad smile and announced:
"Based on our final statistics and evaluation, the most popular artist at tonight's Bulgari gala, and the one who set the highest sales record, is—"

She deliberately dragged out her tone, her gaze sweeping over the audience.

Chris Wu's heart was in his throat.

"—Congratulations to our little brother Gu Qing!!"

"Oh oh oh--!"

"Deserved!"

"congratulations!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the audience. Many guests who had enjoyed pleasant interactions or transactions with Gu Qing that evening clapped with smiles, genuinely happy for him and eager to contribute to the atmosphere.

after all,

Doing business with a young person who is pleasing to the eye, speaks well, and is not off-putting is a much better experience.

Chris Wu only felt a buzzing sound in his ears, and he couldn't hear what General Manager Xu said next, or how lively the audience was.

The color drained from his face in an instant, then surged back to a crimson hue due to extreme anger and humiliation.

He clenched his teeth so tightly that he could barely stand up or make a sound without losing his composure.

Amidst applause and admiring glances, Gu Qing calmly walked onto the stage.

General Manager Xu personally presented him with a bouquet of flowers symbolizing honor, and shook hands and hugged him to express his congratulations.

When hugging,
General Manager Xu leaned close to his ear and said quickly and clearly in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Brother, congratulations. After the banquet, a 'surprise' will be delivered to your room. You deserve it."

Her tone carried sincere congratulations, as well as a hint of relief.

She certainly saw the unpleasant expression on Kris Wu's face in the audience.

In fact,
There was considerable internal debate when the final selection of the global brand ambassador was agreed upon backstage.

There is considerable support for Kris Wu.

This is not just about personal preference, but also involves complex considerations of interests.

Kris Wu's foreign nationality is indeed an "advantage" in many situations.

Luxury brands, headquartered overseas, naturally have a higher emotional and cognitive bias towards their own people.

Paying huge endorsement fees to foreign artists may involve certain conveniences or unspoken rules in terms of taxation and cash flow.

These high-end luxury brands have always been very arrogant, and they love making money in China. Their executives also frequently make brainless remarks.

However, Chris Wu really let him down.

Even though she was reborn due to the popularity of "The Rap of China", her image was far worse than Gu Qing's.

The title of "King of Cannons" is still talked about by passersby.

Other than that,

Music, film and television, including tonight's sales figures, were all completely crushed by Gu Qing.

In addition,

The female spokesperson, Liu Tianxian, personally expressed her hope to cooperate with Gu Qing. Even many wealthy Chinese who have pre-ordered jewelry have expressed their admiration and liking for Gu Qing.

Capital is ultimately profit-driven.

When one side presents an option with risks and outdated preferences, while the other side offers a choice that can directly tap into the target market, generate real profits, and has a positive image, the answer is self-evident.

finally,
Gu Qing unexpectedly achieved a milestone—becoming the first male artist in China to become a global ambassador for Bulgari.

……

When the news that "Gu Qing has won the title of Bulgari's global ambassador" suddenly appeared at the top of the domestic entertainment search list late at night like a depth charge, the entire entertainment industry and related fan circles were greatly shaken.

For many top-tier fan groups who had competed or clashed with Gu Qing, this news was like a bucket of ice water being poured over their heads, bringing a brief period of silence.

Especially among Kris Wu's fans, the "Megni," all the active fan groups, supertopics, and forums froze strangely the moment the message popped up.

It seemed as if all the noise and fighting had been frozen in an instant.

A few seconds later, a few scattered comments, filled with disbelief and anger, appeared.

"The 'Love Fan Forever' fan has been removed from the group chat by the group owner!"

A notice announcing the removal of someone appeared abruptly.

"This is His Highness's fan group. Who gave you permission to bring in this garbage? It's bad luck!"

"Pah! It's just a lousy endorsement, who cares? My prince has plenty of high-end endorsements!"

"Exactly! Look at those video clips circulating online, Gu Qing was following behind Li Binbin. Who knows how she sold her butt to get this endorsement!"

"What a pretty boy! His outfit tonight is neither male nor female. Who is he trying to impress? Does he have even a fraction of His Highness's masculinity and sophistication?"

"Did any of you sharp-eyed ladies notice? Gu Gou was chatting and laughing with Liu Tianxian and Yang Mi at the banquet."
"And with this, how dare Gu's brainless fans call him a 'pure boy' and 'national little brother'? It's disgusting!" After the initial shock, the Meigeni (fans of Gu) quickly organized a counterattack, using even more intense words and sarcasm to try to defend their idol's dignity.

They also tried their best to denigrate the legitimacy of Gu Qing obtaining the endorsement, attributing everything to "unspoken rules" and "selling one's body".

just,

Among the crowd were some fans who had watched more leaked videos from the scene or heard rumors, and they voiced different opinions.

"Um... I think I just saw that the aunt sitting next to Your Highness... did she put her hand on Your Highness's lap?"

"I saw it too! High-resolution photos! He really touched her! Why...why didn't Your Highness dodge? And why was he smiling at her?"

"This...this can't be...something like that, can it? Was His Highness forced into this?"

These whispers, like drops of water thrown into a hot oil pan, instantly triggered an even more intense reaction.

"My favorite Kris Wu has been removed from the group chat by the administrator!"

"Aifan has been removed from the group chat by the administrator!"

Two more announcements about kicking people out.

"These two are definitely Gu Gou's spies! Disguised traitors! They're deliberately spreading rumors at this time to disrupt morale and divert our anger from Gu Gou!"

"His Highness is the purest and most innocent young man I've ever met! How could he possibly do such a thing?!"

"Exactly! That lady next to him looks like an elder, and she seems to know His Highness very well! What's wrong with an elder patting his leg affectionately? Can you please stop having such filthy thoughts!"

"We fully support Your Highness! Get lost, you traitors!"

The management swiftly purged the "dissidents."

Compared to the intense upheaval within the fan community, the industry's reaction was more complex.

"Bvlgari's global ambassador... Shu Qi also worked her way up for seven years, from a small international brand to an ambassador, before finally getting the global ambassador contract. Gu Qing just parachuted in like that!"

"I can understand why Liu Yifei got the award. She debuted early, has international fame, and there is a significant gap in film and television achievements among actresses of the same age."

But Gu Qing… what makes him superior to Chris Wu? Wu is a regular in the fashion world, sporting several high-end luxury brands!

"I just asked a friend, and Gu Qing is the top seller at tonight's banquet, with a sales volume that is far ahead of the competition."

"Wow! That's impressive? Didn't Chris Wu also have a bunch of rich women surrounding him? He didn't even outsell Gu Qing?"

"That shouldn't be the case. Isn't Gu Qing known for his principles, refusing to drink with others or fawn over them? With his personality, how could he possibly get along in that kind of setting? Is it just a persona?"

"Hey, that's really not it. My friend was there, and he said Gu Qing didn't do any of that gimmicky stuff; her look was just stunning, and she's so polite and clean-cut."

Many wealthy women and socialites actively sought him out to buy things, just like fans of celebrities.

Li Binbin even personally led him around, introducing him to various people, and the effect... wow!

"Wow, she carved out her own path with her looks and charisma! No wonder she's a top star!"

"Gu Qing is now a true all-rounder, without any blind spots."

"It seems that the term 'Four Top Streamers' is becoming outdated, and the future will likely be a situation of 'one superpower and many strong players.' Gu Qing's momentum is unmatched in the short term."

This night is destined to be a sleepless one for many in the entertainment industry.

For Chris Wu himself, this night was like hell.

……

“Ahhhh——!!”

Inside the hotel suite, the heavy doors shut out the outside world.

Kris Wu no longer needed to maintain that sunny and cool idol mask. The anger, humiliation, and jealousy that he had suppressed all night erupted like lava.

"I'm the top salesperson! I'm the brand ambassador!!"

His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead, and he hysterically kicked over the low table in the center of the living room, scattering fruit and snacks all over the floor.

"I endured it for so long! I felt nauseous all night! And what was the result?!"
It was all for nothing! Gu Qing!! I'll fucking kill you!!

Each curse was accompanied by the sound of something being smashed.

"Fanfan, Fanfan, calm down, don't be like this!"

The assistant was so frightened that he huddled in the corner, trembling with fear.

Although a hint of impatience and disdain flashed in the agent's eyes,

But duty called, so he gritted his teeth and stepped forward, trying to restrain the enraged Chris Wu, his voice filled with anxious words of comfort.

"Calm down?! How can you expect me to calm down?!"

Chris Wu whirled around, shoving his manager's hand away. His face was a horribly purplish-blue from extreme anger, his features contorted in a grotesque grimace.

"My reputation, my reputation, my endorsements! All of it was stolen by that beast Gu Qing, and you want me to calm down?! Huh?!"

He kicked a nearby armchair, causing it to shift; his chest heaved as he gasped for breath.

"Black! Immediately! Right now!"

"Spend money to hire online trolls and marketing accounts! No matter the cost, I'm going to smear Gu Qing to death!"

The agent secretly groaned: "Gu Qing is currently very popular, and she has powerful connections. She probably earns more than you."

Are you really going to use money to kill the other side? It's not certain who'll die first...

But he knew he couldn't add fuel to the fire at this moment, so he could only suppress his irritation and continue to comfort her: "Fanfan, I understand how you feel, but you need to stay calm, especially in times like these."

Gu Qing is currently riding high, with both public favor and industry reputation at their peak.

At this time, forcibly attacking him will not only have limited effect, but may also backfire, with his team turning the tables and accusing us of being jealous and slandering him.

He helped Chris Wu to the only intact sofa and sat him down, trying to analyze in a calm tone: "These things can't be rushed."

We can only wait, wait for him to make a mistake, wait for his popularity to naturally decline, or wait for a suitable opportunity. The entertainment industry is full of ups and downs; no one can stay at the top forever.

"We'll strike when he makes a mistake, or when someone new emerges and steals the attention; that way, we'll achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"Wait? Wait for him to make a mistake? Wait for him to become unpopular?"

Chris Wu was so angry he trembled as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world. "If we keep waiting! I'm not even famous anymore! Gu Qing is still incredibly popular!"
Look at the way he acted tonight! Look at how those people treated him! How am I supposed to wait?!

He shoved his agent away abruptly, ran his hands through his hair, and paced back and forth in agitation.

"No! I have to do something, or I won't be able to swallow this! I'll suffocate tonight!"

He stopped abruptly, staring intently at his agent. "Do you have any ideas?"
I need a way to disgust Gu Qing immediately!

The agent felt a chill run down his spine under his gaze and shook his head helplessly: "Fanfan, really, nothing. Any action against him now could easily be used against us. We..."

"roll!!"

The agent and assistant, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, exchanged a glance, immediately lowered their heads, and quickly left the room, gently closing the door behind them.

"Is there really no way...?"

Chris Wu slumped gloomily onto the messy sofa, various thoughts swirling in his mind.

Suddenly, an idea came to mind.

"Have it!"

……

At the same time, thousands of miles away.

—In Chuandu, a recording studio hidden deep inside an old residential building, with questionable soundproofing.

The sound is filled with aggressive and rhythmic drumbeats, and a deliberately flattened, rough male voice with a heavy regional accent:
"Huang Zitao, you call yourself a boss? How can you talk like that without thinking? Of the five returning members, you're the worst!"

"Zhang Yixing has a great older brother from 'Go Fighting!', and Lu Han has 'Running Man'~ Kris Wu is the mainstay of the show's ratings!"

"So what exactly does Huang Zitao have? To date, the most talked-about thing is still that 'OK' he said during the XO roar in 13!"

"So the reason no one cheered for you after all these years in the South China Sea is because your team doesn't make a sound when they say 'Eh~' (XO)!"

……

The lyrics are full of personal attacks and vulgar puns, the rhythm is rough but highly provocative, and the provocative accompaniment makes it deafening in the small space.

"Click!" The recording stopped.

"Damn!!"

"That's incredible! Man! That flow! That punchline!"

"With these lyrics out, wouldn't Huang Zitao be furious enough to vomit blood? And he dares to fight back? He'll have no chance to fight back! He can just wait to flop!"

Outside the recording studio, several young men with brightly colored hair were excitedly howling and high-fiving each other, while the air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke.

"Serves him right for being a show-off and trash-talking the hip-hop scene. He's got what he deserved!"

"My brother Ba is the best! These lyrics are so sharp and to the point! Awesome!"

The recording studio door was pushed open, and a thin, ordinary-looking young man with a deliberately contrived air of arrogance walked out.

His name is Wang Hao, known in the industry as "Brother Ba". He is a well-known "tough guy" in the Sichuan underground rap scene, specializing in diss tracks.

Unfortunately, he was eliminated in just the second round of the audition for The Rap of China.

Fortunately,

He was successfully recruited by Brother Fan to be his henchman.

They get paid, they get attention, and they can use the platform and resources provided by "Brother Fan" to step on those celebrities who are usually high and mighty.

Just like this time, it was just following the subtle hints and requests from "Brother Fan" that he released a diss track against Huang Zitao, the harsher the better.

The process is easy, and the rewards are generous.

The audition pass card for the next season of "The Rap of China," and possible camera attention.

For these underground rappers who yearn for success, this is a shortcut they could never have dreamed of.

As for being scolded?

Even negative publicity is still publicity; the more criticism a celebrity receives, the higher the attention they get, and the higher their commercial performance fees can become.

Rap earns its money from being criticized and plays on the "authentic" persona.

"By the way, Brother Ba,"

A young man with green hair came over, clicking his tongue with a hint of lingering satisfaction, "You mentioned all those who returned from overseas in your song, but it feels like... something's missing? It doesn't rhyme quite well? Is Gu Qing missing?"

"Damn, you want to diss Gu Qing? I actually quite like Gu Qing, I was screaming while watching 'Nirvana in Fire'!"

"In Sichuan, who doesn't like Gu Qing? Can you tell us something we don't know?"

Hearing his brothers' chatter, Brother Ba waved his hand impatiently, "Get lost! What good is it if you like it! There are people who don't!"

He almost blurted out, "Brother Fan doesn't like it," but his strong survival instinct made him swallow the words back.

For an app user, knowing about a juicy story but not being able to leak it, and having to keep it a secret, is worse than being killed.

There was nothing we could do.

Compared to real money and future prospects, it's not impossible to temporarily put aside the so-called "real" things...

at this time,

His cell phone screen suddenly lit up and started buzzing.

Ba Ge took out his phone and glanced at it casually. It was a text message from an unknown number, without a signature.

The moment he saw the contents of the text message, the laziness and impatience on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of surprise and... a hint of excitement.

He unconsciously straightened his back a little, and the fat on his face twitched.

"You guys keep chatting, I'm going out for a smoke and to take this call."

He waved to his brothers with feigned composure, gripped his phone, and strode quickly toward the quieter, darker corner of the stairs outside the recording studio.

After confirming that no one was around, he turned the screen back on and carefully read the text message, which was brief:
At most, it boils down to one sentence: Diss Gu Qing, the harsher the better.

There were no pleasantries, no explanations, and no signatures.

But Ba Ge immediately understood where the text message came from.

Ba Ge's heart started racing uncontrollably.

Dissing Gu Qing?

He subconsciously licked his slightly chapped lips.

This is much more provocative than dissing Huang Zitao.

He's already tasted the sweetness of scolding Huang Zitao.

Although he was relentlessly attacked by Huang Zitao's fans, he also gained a massive amount of attention, his blog followers skyrocketed, and his previously ignored underground performances are now able to sell tickets.

Most importantly, the feeling of standing in the eye of the storm, pointing fingers at glamorous celebrities and getting cheers in return is incredibly addictive!

In his view, what is the essential difference between Gu Qing and Huang Zitao?
Aren't they all just popular celebrities who rely on their looks to make a living?
It's just that one is more popular and has more fans.

He even criticized Huang Zitao, a top-tier celebrity, so why would he be afraid of a top star?
At most, they'll just get criticized even more harshly.

Conversely, if he could take advantage of the momentum from criticizing Gu Qing, wouldn't his fame be able to rise to another level?
At that point, who would dare say he's just a nobody in the underground?
A mixture of greed, vanity, and a desire for shortcuts to "success,"

And the distorted sense of superiority deep inside that "I am more real and more outspoken than you celebrities" gradually overwhelmed the initial doubts.

He took a final drag on his cigarette, then crushed the butt under his foot, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"Done!"

……

...(End of chapter)