Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

……

……

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the red carpet and stepping inside the venue, the warm yellow lights contrasted sharply with the dazzling white lights of the red carpet area.

The long corridor is deep and secluded, with stills from the TV series "Nirvana in Fire" hanging on both sides.

Until it was confirmed that there were no reporters or outsiders around,

Liu Tao released Gu Qing's arm and gently took his hand instead.

My palms are warm to the touch, with a thin layer of sweat.

"younger brother,"

She lowered her voice, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes were full of genuine worry, "What exactly happened that the reporter was talking about? Is someone trying to smear you again?"

She paused, a hint of confusion in her voice: "The rap scene? And that...d...diss? What's that?"

The actress, who has always presented herself as virtuous and gentle, had a look of confusion on her face.

It's only been a few days since I've checked my phone much, how come I feel like I'm out of touch with the world?
Seeing her like this, Gu Qing couldn't help but chuckle, and gently patted Liu Tao's hand.
"Sister Tao, don't worry,"

His voice was clear and gentle, carrying a reassuring power, "The matter should... be almost resolved."

In fact,
Gu Qing had no interest whatsoever in clicking on the so-called diss songs by those hip-hop artists that stirred up such a huge uproar online.

He hasn't even logged into his social media accounts on his phone these past few days, only occasionally listening to his assistant report on the "battle situation".

The process unfolded exactly as he had predicted.

He didn't even need to lift a finger.
Those brands, platforms, and production teams whose interests are deeply intertwined with his will naturally clear all obstacles for him as if protecting their own eyes.

That's how it is in the entertainment industry: when you become that towering tree that can provide shade for everyone, naturally there will be an entire forest to shelter you from the wind and rain.

Gu Qing now surpasses Chris at his peak in terms of popularity, reputation, and commercial value.

Even when they are in the wrong, capital can still distort the truth and confuse the public.

Moreover, Gu Qing is in the right this time.

If he really wanted to pursue this matter, all he had to do was openly discuss it and hire the best legal team. None of those rappers who released diss tracks and openly insulted him would escape.

Infringement of reputation rights, online defamation, provoking trouble... any one of these charges is enough to get them locked up for a few days of sewing.

after all,

When you possess the title of "Top Streamer," the only one who can defeat "Top Streamer" is "Top Streamer" himself.

Or, it could be another top influencer.

But Gu Qing had no intention of doing that.

……

"Oh, Professor Gu Qing! Professor Liu Tao! This way, please!"

"Watch out for the threshold, don't bump into it."

"Your dressing rooms are on the left, are they the two best rooms, or are they next to each other?"

Upon entering the backstage area, the previously noisy environment instantly quieted down.

All the staff—whether they were stagehands, lighting technicians, or costume assistants—warmly and eagerly surrounded Gu Qing and Liu Tao as soon as they came into view.

That attitude was so respectful it bordered on piety.

The staff members led the way with warm greetings and stopped at the entrance of the dressing room.

Gu Qing is always quick at removing and applying makeup.

The iconic white fox fur coat was carefully hung up, and she was dressed in a light gray knit sweater and beige casual pants, carefully matched by the stylist. Her makeup was also lightly removed, leaving only basic foundation.

He transformed from a sickly strategist back into a fresh and handsome young man.

He and Xiao Yang, an assistant recruited by Zhao Yaxin, knocked on the door of Liu Tao's dressing room next door.

"My little brother is so handsome..."

Sitting in front of the vanity mirror, Liu Tao's beautiful eyes lit up when she saw Gu Qing enter through the door. A gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her lips, and she naturally reached out her hand.

Gu Qing walked over, took her hand, and stood beside her.

His clear eyes fell on the makeup artist, a woman who looked to be in her thirties or forties.

"Teacher, are you almost done?" Gu Qing asked softly.

"Brother...brother, it'll be...almost done soon."

The makeup artist stammered her answer, avoiding eye contact with him.

Liu Tao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Little brother, with you here, she'll have to draw even slower." His tone was full of teasing.

"Then I'll go?"

"Come back, come back,"

Liu Tao held his hand tightly and smiled, "I was just joking with you. I still have some things I want to ask you."

She paused, then asked curiously, "What exactly is the process for the live stream later? Don't we need to go over the script?"

This is what she cares about most.

Traditional drama promotions, especially the finale events, usually have a strict script—what questions can be asked, what topics should be avoided, which jokes should be made, and what juicy details should be revealed are all pre-designed.

"Sister Tao, there's no need to go over the script,"

Gu Qing explained with a smile, her tone relaxed, "Just think of it as... a group of friends sitting together watching the show they filmed."

Let the conversation flow naturally, say whatever comes to mind; if it's too deliberate, viewers won't like it.

Liu Tao nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, in the past, the wrap-up events for film and television productions often involved inviting a group of reporters to watch a few clips together, then going through an interview process, and finally giving out some red envelopes. It was a joyful occasion, but it always seemed official and distant.

Gu Qing simply adopted the methods used by some film crews or variety shows in the next few years.

Just start a live stream (or pre-recorded episode).

Inviting celebrities to watch the shows they've filmed is essentially a form of real-time recreation (viewing reaction).

This gives the audience a great sense of relatability and intimacy, as if they are watching the show with celebrities, which is very effective.

Gu Qing had no shortage of connections, so he directly brought over A Dou's team, who were already setting up the equipment in the large rest room, waiting to start the live stream.

Perfect timing, this will also bring a surge of traffic to the platform.

"These shares are such a great deal!"

This is the sentiment in the hearts of ByteDance's top executives.

They even intuitively and subconsciously believe that

Without Gu Qing, their own platform would never be able to compete with Kuaishou.

Their initial expectations were realistic—if they could follow in the footsteps of others and grab a third of the market share, that would be enough to celebrate with champagne.

However, in reality, in less than a year, the two sides have already formed a three-way balance of power.

Especially the recent "suicidal" actions of this group of hip-hop artists after joining Kuaishou have caused Kuaishou's already worrying reputation to plummet once again.

More and more high-quality creators, brands, and even ordinary users are beginning to flock to Adou on a large scale.

"Koi! This is a live koi!"

"I must shake hands with Gu Qing at the annual meeting and share in his good fortune."

"Whenever there are new projects in the future, we must find a way to bring him in—with him around, I feel at ease!"

This idea isn't just present in the entertainment industry; even business tycoons have started to whisper about it.

What does capital believe in most?
Believe in trends, believe in data, and believe in metaphysics.

Gu Qing, however, is precisely the one who can turn metaphysics into reality.

……

Twenty minutes later, Liu Tao finished her makeup.

She changed into a light purple Chinese-style long dress, her hair loosely tied up, exuding both gentleness and competence.

Gu Qing and she walked side by side, led by the staff, chatting and laughing as they headed to the break room for the live broadcast.

However, as soon as the door was pushed open—

"Little brother, you're here?"

The cloying, almost syrupy sound of squeezing sugar out rang out in unison, regardless of gender.

In the break room, the actors, producers, directors, and even the platform staff of the "Nirvana in Fire" crew all stood up and waved enthusiastically.

Praise poured forth like lard, hot and sticky:

"Little brother, you look so handsome today!"

"Come, come, Gu Qing, sit here with me."

"Teacher Gu, we owe this drama a lot to you. I've remembered what you said last time. If I find a good script, I'll definitely ask you for help."

"this…"

Gu Qing felt a chill run down her spine, and the smile on her face almost crumbled.

This is probably the only "unpleasant thing" he has encountered recently.

Since he became the spokesperson for Bulgari,
And it was the charge of those honey badger hordes that made everyone in the industry aware of the power Gu Qing possessed.

The entertainment industry is full of opportunists.

this time,

This resulted in almost everyone Gu Qing encountered flocking to him and eagerly greeting him with smiles.

In the past, everyone would laugh.

But that smile still carried a hint of friendliness.

However now,
It feels too fake, full of ingratiating masks.

Gu Qing was naturally a little uncomfortable.

But you can't say that what others did was wrong.

Because that's just how the entertainment industry works—a strict hierarchy where people fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak.

Even if he weren't famous, he would still greet big shots with respect and a smile.

Only when you become that "high" do you truly realize that standing on the mountaintop, the wind is warm, though it smells a bit oily.

"Mr. Gu, the equipment is ready and we can start the live broadcast at any time."

A junior leader from A Dou's team waited until everyone finished exchanging pleasantries before stepping forward, bowing slightly, and extending both hands to shake hands with Gu Qing.

The respect in his tone was subtly different from how he treated other artists.

"Mr. Gu?!"

This title caused subtle changes in the expressions of everyone present, with a variety of emotions being silently conveyed in their eye contact.

A Dou's people call Gu Qing "President Gu"?
Wow, so you really are ByteDance's "favorite son"?!
No wonder... no wonder the resources are so good and the platform is so supportive!

Some people, believing they had uncovered the truth, began wildly speculating about Gu Qing's "true identity."

In fact,
The speculation surrounding Gu Qing's background has long been one of the top ten unsolved mysteries in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Even though Gu Qing once said on a variety show that he was so poor when he was a trainee that he couldn't even get enough to eat;

Even though his fans have always taken pride in his "grassroots success story"—

But apart from the fans, it seems like nobody believes it.

The haters are convinced that Gu Qing must be a "Celestial Dragon" with a powerful background!

The reasons were listed in a very serious manner:

She debuted overnight thanks to her "divine looks"; she became an instant sensation after appearing on Running Man; then came top-tier roles in "The Journey of Flower" and "Brotherhood of Blades"... every project she took on was a top-tier production.

How could this be possible if it weren't for bringing in investment and being tailor-made for them?

of course,

Few people take such logically flawed statements seriously.

But the haters have one more "trump card": "Why have Gu Qing's parents never appeared?!"

It stands to reason,
If a top-tier celebrity comes from an ordinary family, even if the parents keep a low profile, the neighbors and relatives should at least make some noise, right?
The media dug deep, but couldn't find any useful information.

This made Gu Qing seem like an orphan who had lost both parents.
is it possible?

impossible!
Faced with this public opinion,

Gu Qing wasn't unaware of this; she just found it absurd and helpless.

Are these paparazzi trying to find the original owner's parents?

That's a complete joke.

After the death of both parents, the original owner was already all alone, with himself as her guardian.

Although they are supposedly relatives, the relationship is extremely weak.

They stayed for less than two days.

After secretly signing up for a talent show and being successfully selected, the original owner of this body ran away with the money reimbursed by the show and the money left by her parents.

No one knew he had gone to Nanhan. Similarly,

During her five years in South Korea, she didn't receive a single caring phone call from any relatives.
After he traveled back to China, he changed his phone number.

Gu Qing is now completely alone in this world.

Unless the relevant departments retrieve the original files, his past is a blank slate.

No matter how skilled the paparazzi are, they can't dig up things that don't exist.

But Gu Qing wouldn't bother to clarify these things.

No need.

Given his current status, trying to gain sympathy by playing the victim would be beneath him, and he wouldn't do it anyway.

……

"Little brother, go sit with Lin Chen and the others."

Liu Tao keenly noticed the almost impassioned gazes that the young actresses were casting at Gu Qing, and immediately decided to protect his younger brother.

She even subtly distanced herself from Gu Qing.

Not behaving too intimately in public is a sign of her respect for Gu Qing and her fans.

then,

The seating arrangement was as follows: Liu Tao sat in the middle of the sofa, with one arm around an actress, chatting and laughing.

Gu Qing was sandwiched between Jin Dong and Wang Kai on either side of the single sofa.

The live broadcast officially begins.

A huge secondary screen hangs on the side, displaying scrolling comments in real time, allowing the actors to see audience feedback at any time.

The comments section initially contained tentative and curious elements:
"Hahaha, a strong man has been locked up! Teacher Jin Dong and Teacher Wang Kai have surrounded the little brother!"

"This way of watching TV series is so novel! It's like a tea party!"

"Gu Qing, little brother! Mom's here!!"

"Mei Changsu! My Mei Changsu!"

Occasionally, a few discordant notes would drift by:

"Has your younger brother been following the recent developments in the traditional Chinese style music and rap music scene?"

But it was quickly swallowed up by the wave of fans.

As the host warmed up the audience and the actors greeted the audience in turn, the series officially began to air, and the focus of the online discussion returned entirely to the finale of "Nirvana in Fire".

"My god, it's only been a few minutes since the broadcast started, and the number of viewers has already exceeded 300,000?"

"Luckily, the server was upgraded in advance, otherwise it would have really crashed."

Adou's technical team exclaimed quietly in a corner, their voices filled with excitement.

"This is the effect of President Gu's popularity combined with the hit drama,"

The person in charge whispered, "Just wait and see. When it gets to the climax, it could easily break several million views."

……

The plot of *Nirvana in Fire* becomes increasingly captivating as it progresses. Tonight, all drama fans are most concerned about two things:

First, can the old case of the Chiyan Army be completely overturned, and can Mei Changsu assist Prince Jing in ascending the throne?

Secondly, will the love story between Mei Changsu and Princess Nihuang have a happy ending?

The latter, in particular, has captured the hearts of countless Gu Qing fans.

My younger brother has acted in so many dramas, and they've all ended badly or been heartbreaking. It's so rare to see a glimmer of love in "Nirvana in Fire," so I really hope it has a happy ending!
especially,
As female viewers age, younger-older-younger-older-older-younger-older-brother pairings are gradually replacing the classic template of the perennial domineering CEO and naive and sweet female lead that was popular in idol dramas.

……

Soon, episode 53 premiered.

Connecting to the climax left over from last week:
At Emperor Liang's birthday banquet, his ministers forced him to abdicate, demanding a retrial of the Chiyan case.

Veteran actor Ding Yongdai, who plays Emperor Liang, delivered a textbook-level performance of rage at the end of the previous episode.

"I second that proposal! I second that proposal!"

"Shut up, shut up!"

"Guards, drag her away! Drag her away!"

Emperor Liang was enraged. His face turned red and his eyes were bloodshot, like an old dragon roaring.

A group of soldiers rushed into the hall, but remained unmoved.

Her most loyal bodyguard, Commander Meng, stepped forward and bowed slightly before the princess, saying, "Your Majesty, I respectfully request that you listen to what the princess has to say!"

In an instant,
Emperor Liang's shock, astonishment, fear, anger... all emotions intertwined on his face.

At this moment, all the drama fans were thrilled.

This stubborn old man has finally been proven wrong.

But the series ended there, at the climax of the episode.

At this moment, the plot continues to unfold.

Prince Mu Qing, the younger brother of Princess Nihuang, also stepped forward to offer his advice.

Emperor Liang was completely cornered, and the old case was laid bare in the sunlight.

The veteran actor's acting skills exploded once again.

He portrayed the desolation, anger, fear, and resentment of an aging emperor who was betrayed and abandoned by his people so vividly that the audience felt a complex sense of sympathy while enjoying the performance.

Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan rose to his feet, becoming the final straw that broke the old emperor's back.

Emperor Liang's bloodshot eyes swept across the entire arena.
In the end, the image of death was fixed on Mei Changsu, whose face was ashen.

The camera zooms in, and the background music features a dense drumbeat that sounds like a heartbeat.

"hiss--"

"Brothers, why are you pinching me for no reason?"

Gu Qing was intently watching the screen when he suddenly felt both of his arms tighten at the same time.

On either side, Jin Dong and Wang Kai simultaneously gripped his arms tightly.

"Brother, I'm nervous."

"Teacher Ding acted so well, it even scared me."

The two spoke in hushed tones.

Gu Qing: "..."

"Haha, my little brother looks like he's given up on life!"

"I'm dying of laughter! Don't ruin our show-watching mood!"

The live chat was instantly flooded with laughter.

The number of real-time online users has quietly surpassed one million and is still skyrocketing.

This is the best feedback Gu Qing can give to the platform.

Ah Dou did her best to reduce the negative public opinion surrounding him, and he repaid her with the most direct and overwhelming amount of traffic.

After tonight, the format of "the entire crew watching the show live" will surely become a new promotional paradigm in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Short video platforms will also take advantage of this opportunity to further expand their influence.

……

Before we knew it, episode 53 had ended, and episode 54—the grand finale—was finally here.

Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan, who now controls the court, begins to deal with the aftermath of the Chiyan case.

Lin Chen, the young master of Langya Pavilion, was in high spirits and prepared to take Fei Liu and Mei Changsu on a sightseeing trip.

The scene is heartwarming and filled with joy.

Mei Changsu, in the guise of Lin Shu, pays homage to his ancestors, with Nihuang quietly by his side.

"Get married! Get married!"

"Let's get married right here!"

The comments section erupted in celebration, as if they had already envisioned a perfect ending.

but,

Keen-eyed viewers watching the live stream suddenly noticed something was wrong.

"Wait, why are Liu Tao's eyes red?"

"My brother's smile has disappeared too... No way? Don't mess with me!"

Panic began to spread in the live chat.

Sure enough, after the ancestral worship ceremony, the plot took a sharp turn for the worse.

When war broke out on the border, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan wanted to personally lead the expedition, but was stopped by Mei Changsu.

"I have been Mei Changsu for a full thirteen years."

If, in the end, I can return to my identity as Lin Shu, return to the Northern Frontier, return to the battlefield, that would be a blessing for me.

Mei Changsu said calmly.

"what--?!"

The show's fans were stunned.

"What will happen to Nihuang if you leave?!"

"Where's your poison? Isn't it going to be cured?!"

Even during the live broadcast, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

When faced with Mei Changsu's determination to go to war, Lin Chen, a close friend, only said one sentence: "I don't know Lin Shu."

The friend I desperately wanted to keep alive was not Lin Shu.

That simple sentence precisely struck a chord with everyone, bringing tears to their eyes.

Standing beside Gu Qing, Jin Dong, who always presented himself as a "veteran cadre," was moved to tears by his own actions.

"younger brother,"

He took the tissue Gu Qing handed him, wiped his face haphazardly, and tried to appear calm. "Can you tell me... why Mei Changsu insisted on going?"
Why...did he abandon everyone?

Isn't he selfish?

He was trying to maintain the dignity of a grown man, but the moment he asked the question, tears streamed down his face.

Gu Qing was silent for a moment before saying softly, "Brother Jin, Mei Changsu's hands were once used to draw a great bow and tame wild horses."

He didn't like stirring up trouble in that treacherous hell; he...wanted to go back.

These are lines spoken by Mei Changsu himself when the first few episodes aired.

The words fell,

Jin Dong covered his eyes with one hand and waved the other repeatedly, saying, "Don't...don't say it...I was wrong...I shouldn't have asked..."

Gu Qing shook her head and did not answer.

No one is selfish.

That's just how fate is, and that's how choices are made.

Filming for the "Nirvana in Fire" series was a transformative experience for every actor.

That kind of atmosphere of complete dedication, mutual competition, and mutual support is something that can only be encountered by chance.

Therefore,
When the ending came, everyone felt as if they had gone through a farewell together with the characters.

When Mei Changsu put on the Chiyan Army commander's robe and bid farewell to Nihuang at the pavilion, saying the words "A promise made in this life will be kept in the next";

When Nihuang returned to the Southern Territory, she received a letter addressed to "My dear sister Nihuang"...

In the break room, more than one person had tears in their eyes.

The drama "Nirvana in Fire" has come to an end.

"Mei Changsu!! My Mei Changsu!!!"

"Director and screenwriter, you have no heart!! Give me back my favorite couple!!!"

"I cried, I really cried... Why did this have to happen..."

The barrage completely exploded.

Sadness, anger, reluctance, shock... a variety of emotions swept through the live broadcast room like a tsunami.

But the next second,
The screen went black; the server crashed.

Meanwhile, passersby who were scrolling through short videos and not watching the live stream also experienced their phones suddenly lag.

The platform... crashed!
……

...(End of chapter)