Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

……

……

Inside a high-end apartment building.

Zhao Liying was sprawled out on the wool carpet in the living room, leaning against a soft sofa cushion, with a thin, off-white cashmere blanket haphazardly covering her body.

Several opened bags of potato chips and shrimp crackers were scattered on the coffee table, along with a half-empty bottle of "soda" that was bubbling with fine bubbles.

She picked up a cucumber-flavored potato chip, made a crisp "crunch," squinted her eyes in satisfaction, and then took a big sip of iced cola through the straw. The carbon dioxide bubbles stimulated her throat, making her let out a long, pleasant sigh.

This unrestrained and unhealthy binge eating caused her previously slightly gaunt "baby face" to visibly regain its roundness and fullness.

Her skin had a relaxed, rosy glow typical of someone at home, and a few unkempt strands of hair clung to her cheeks, making her look a little sloppy.

Sister Zhao was completely enveloped in the soft embrace of the sofa and carpet, and inevitably some potato chip crumbs stuck to the surface of the carpet.

She didn't care at all; her whole mind was absorbed in the tablet in front of her—she was rewatching "Nirvana in Fire," starring Gu Qing, and watching it with great interest.

She watched the scenes in particular, focusing intently on the long-awaited reunion between Mei Changsu and Princess Nihuang, their restrained and tender emotions, and even unconsciously smiled like an aunt, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

It's not that Sister Zhao has any special fetishes.

Instead,

Seeing Gu Qing and Liu Tao, with such a significant age gap, acting together, the audience is completely captivated, with comments like "They look so good together," "I feel so sorry for Nihuang," and "Brother Su is so wonderful"...

This widespread market recognition
It made her heart leap with joy:
She even had no problem partnering with Sister Tao, which shows how well the audience accepted her.

Then...wouldn't it be even less of a problem if my brother and I were together?

The age gap continued to torment her.

especially,
During this period, Sister Zhao also experienced a thrilling time.

Faced with the current massive "replenishment" campaign sweeping across the entire entertainment industry,
She was initially terrified, her round face flattened, and she urgently contacted her finance and legal teams overnight.
They meticulously reviewed tax records from previous years, fearing that something might have gone wrong.

fortunately,

The investigation revealed that there were only minor oversights that needed to be paid, and no major problems, which put my mind at ease.

Anyway,
She is also a "rich woman" who consistently ranks among the top ten highest-paid celebrities in the entertainment industry, and her commercial value is undeniable.

Especially before the panic about tax arrears,
She was tricked by the company into working herself to the bone, running around almost frantically for three whole months doing business engagements, brand events, and advertising shoots, accumulating a large sum of cash flow.

Now,
She became one of the few artists who remained calm and even somewhat "leisurely" during this storm.

Not only that, she instantly became known as the "Goddess of Wealth" and "lifeline" in the eyes of many, with people coming to her openly and secretly to "beg for her money" and discuss loans.

of course,

The one that attacks most fiercely and with the most justification is none other than one's own company.

Faced with the unusually polite and even pleading loan negotiations from the company's senior management, Zhao Liying initially didn't want to pay any attention.

She possesses a fierceness and straightforwardness rarely seen in women, and is by no means an indecisive, saintly figure who repays evil with kindness.

The "Duckweed" project was snatched away just before filming was scheduled to begin, and replaced with one of the company's favored "insiders".
She still vividly remembers the anger and grievance of being betrayed and used as a bargaining chip.

"You tricked me, and now you've messed things up. Your cash flow is about to dry up, and you still want me to use my hard-earned money to save you?"
"Dream on! Don't even think about it!"

This was her original and most genuine sentiment.

But alas,
She still lent the money to the company, but with one condition:
Give me back "Duckweed"!

This was both a deep-seated desire to cooperate with Gu Qing and a direct act of revenge for the deception and theft he had committed.

Zhao Liying is determined to avenge this!
She simply couldn't believe that, with the company on the verge of collapse and desperately needing a cash injection, they would still cling to that already precarious film project.

however,
To Zhao Liying's surprise and dismay, the company's response came quickly, but its tone was full of helplessness and the truth:

"Liying, that drama... the project is canceled. The company is in a situation where we simply don't have the money to invest."

"Moreover, just last week, Director Han Han informed us that he had found a new investor and the two parties had amicably terminated their contract."

The copyright and project leadership are no longer in our hands.

The "fallen couple" who stole her role had long been struggling with their own tax problems and had slunk back home, refusing to come out.

But the project is gone too.

"Who has that play now?!"

Zhao Liying grew anxious and pressed for an answer.

"Well... we don't know the specific details either. I'm afraid you'll have to ask Director Han Han directly, Liying."

The company then tentatively steered the conversation back on track, "So... about the loan?"

Zhao Liying took a deep breath, suppressing her disappointment and anger, knowing that this was a crucial moment in the negotiations.

She quickly adjusted her strategy, settling for second best, and clearly and firmly stated her conditions:

"I can still lend you the money."

She paused, then said calmly, "My agency contract expires next year, and I will not renew it."

I will join Sister Binbin's company.

For Zhao Liying, this might not be a bad opportunity.

For almost every rising star, the year they look forward to most and fear most is the final year of their contract.

Especially large talent agencies like Huayi Brothers often start pressuring their artists about contract renewals at the beginning of the year, employing a variety of tactics:
If a contract is not renewed, the employee may be sidelined, subjected to exploitative work arrangements, have quality resources blocked, or even have negative information leaked about them.

She had been working non-stop for three months on business, and it's possible that the company wanted to use this opportunity to test her patience, exhaust her energy, and increase her chances of renewing her contract.

By taking advantage of the special juncture of the "grain replenishment" campaign, they were able to use a loan to achieve a relatively peaceful "breakup."
Avoiding the final year being maliciously wasted is clearly the most cost-effective option under the current circumstances.

The company fell silent on the other end of the phone.

They clearly hadn't expected Zhao Liying to be so decisive and to have already found a new partner. Li Binbin's current strength made them all feel troubled.

Zhao Liying... this "stubborn weed" who didn't receive much attention back then, but struggled her way up from humble beginnings.
With sheer grit and relentless effort, she blossomed into something truly magnificent, even reaching the point where she could negotiate with them on equal terms and even "buy her freedom."

Why let go of this rising star, one of the "Four Little Flowers" of the new generation and a top-tier actress with outstanding commercial value?
It's undoubtedly a huge loss.

But what if we don't release it?
I didn't even have a chance to go home and see my grandmother.

Weighing the pros and cons, the harsh reality forced the company to back down.

"...Okay, we can discuss the terms. We'll have our legal teams coordinate the specifics tomorrow."

And so, after some back and forth, the matter was tentatively settled.

A huge weight has been lifted from Sister Zhao's heart regarding her "future freedom," at least for now.

But another heavy stone, concerning "Duckweed," pressed down on us.

"Should we try contacting Director Han Han?"

She held her phone, her fingertips unconsciously swiping across the screen, her pretty face filled with hesitation and struggle.

His bright eyes dimmed, and his chubby face slumped.

"Ugh……"

She sighed deeply, buried her face in the soft cushion, and said in a muffled voice, "What good would it do to contact them? Will the drama still be back in my hands?"

She is very familiar with the industry rules.

When new investors bring their own funding to a production, their primary goal is inevitably to promote their own artists or those they have their eye on.

How could the other party possibly give up the opportunity to promote their own people for her sake?
Neither she nor Gu Qing were targets of the new sugar daddy.

How can she get the project back?
A sense of powerlessness spread through me.

Just as her thoughts were in turmoil and her mood was low,
[Having mistakenly entered the Heavenly Palace, I am advised to put down the sand in my hand.]

Sending that person off on horseback through the imperial street, the tale of talented scholar and beautiful woman comes to an end.

I swallowed my bitterness, unable to obtain the tea offered before the Buddha.

Leave only three inches of soil to plant February flowers...

The cell phone rang suddenly.

A clear, melodious voice, tinged with a touch of melancholy reminiscent of traditional opera, flowed out.

This is Gu Qing's rendition of "Memories of Farewell to the Nine Gates," which has long since replaced "The Years" as Xiao Zhao's favorite ringtone lately.

She glanced lazily at the screen, and the next second, her beautiful eyes suddenly widened, shining with an astonishing brightness.

Caller ID: Gu Qing.

"younger brother?!"

She practically sat bolt upright, the blanket and bag of chips thrown aside. "He called me?!"

Having known Gu Qing for almost two years, Sister Zhao recalled that this was truly the first time Gu Qing had taken the initiative to call her.

In the past, she would usually ramble on about her life, complain about work, or suggest gatherings, while Gu Qing would listen patiently and occasionally reply with messages.

The vast majority of the times she initiated contact were when she did so.

This feeling sometimes made her feel like a "humble little girl" tirelessly pursuing a cold, aloof male god on campus.
Although she knew that Gu Qing wasn't aloof, it was just his job.

therefore,

Gu Qing's proactive phone call instantly dispelled all her laziness and depression, as if her long-term "efforts" had finally seen the dawn of reward.

I got to lick it, ladies!

Sister Zhao hurriedly tidied her completely disheveled hair, cleared her throat, took two deep breaths, and tried to make her voice sound natural with her usual teasing tone before pressing the answer button:
"Oh my, what a rare guest, Second Master."

She deliberately dragged out the tone, but the corners of her mouth had already involuntarily turned up, "Missing me, huh?"

A very soft laugh came from the other end of the phone, a clear and melodious voice, more refreshing and pleasant than a gentle breeze sweeping across a lake on a hot summer evening.

“Niu Aihua, you should change how you address her.”

"Cow...Cow loves flowers?"

Zhao Liying's teasing smile froze instantly, and she blinked blankly.

One second...two seconds...three seconds...

"Hmm? Niu Aihua?"

On the other end of the phone, Gu Qing seemed a little puzzled by her silence, and gave a soft "Hmm?" with a smile.

"Cow...Cow loves flowers?"

Zhao Liying repeated the name in a daze, her brain seemingly finally connecting those three words with a deep-seated expectation. Her voice trembled slightly with disbelief, "Little brother, you mean...?"

"Riding the Waves".

Gu Qing's voice was still gentle, but it carried an undeniable certainty, gently striking her heart through the receiver, "Sister Liying, I got it back."

He paused, his tone carrying a clear smile and gentleness, and asked:
"happy?"

"unhappy!"

"unhappy?"

Gu Qing couldn't help but chuckle. Hearing the choked voice and heavy nasal tone on the phone, he deliberately teased her, "Oh... how about I return it?"

"Bullshit!"

"Woooooo~~"

The unseemly sobbing turned into a wail.

Gu Qing leaned forward, resting his head on the balcony railing, letting the cool night breeze caress his face and lift the bangs on his forehead.

Accompanied by Sister Zhao's crying for food, there was a strange sense of pleasure in this wicked humor.

I don't know how long she cried.

The crying gradually turned into sobs, followed by the sound of her sniffling.

Sister Zhao finally calmed down. She grabbed a few tissues haphazardly, blew her nose hard, her voice still thick with nasal congestion, but she had regained her ability to think:
"Brother... how did you find out about this?"

“I recently attended a Bulgari dinner party, and Sister Binbin mentioned it to me.”

Gu Qing walked back to her room and sat down on the sofa.

"Ah~"

Zhao Liying sighed in distress, realizing she had even stabbed herself in the back.

"Sure enough, you can't trust a woman's words."

after that,

He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Little brother, so you started paying attention to him from that time on?"

These details of being cared for and silently cherished are undoubtedly what touches a girl's heart most deeply.

"Yes, of course." Gu Qing's tone was matter-of-fact. "Our 'Er Ya CP' has always been someone who neither causes trouble nor is afraid of trouble."

This rustic yet endearing nickname brought a smile to Zhao Liying's red and swollen eyes.

"originally,"

Gu Qing continued, "I'm planning to find a suitable new script so we can have a proper showdown with them and see who's better."

Unexpectedly, this coincides with the current wave of "replenishment of funds," and your company is struggling to survive, leading to the withdrawal of investment from the project.

"Then I'll have to bring my own funding to the project and be the boss for once."

Gu Qing said with a smile, "Let me personally act as a sugar daddy and support a female celebrity."

"Er Ya CP... This name is so corny."

Sister Zhao was amused and burst into laughter through her tears. Some tears welled up again, but this time they flowed with a smile. "You want to be like those coal mine owners, bringing your own investment to promote people?"

Immediately,
Worry surfaced in his mind: "Investing in a movie is very expensive, little brother. You... Although the box office revenue sharing for 'Detective Chinatown' is high, you can't take such a risk, can you?"

She feared that Gu Qing was acting impulsively because of her.

"It's fine."

Gu Qing sounded relaxed, “Detective Chinatown made enough money, we can afford to lose it.”

At worst, I'll just treat it as a life experience and recoup some of it.

"Bah bah bah!"

Zhao Liying immediately interrupted him, her tone urgent, "We haven't even started filming yet, and you're already talking about compensation!"

"Brother, I won't take any payment for this role," she suddenly said, her tone resolute.

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.

Zhao Liying was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized a terrible possibility.

Gu Qing wouldn't misunderstand that she wanted to use "zero pay" as a bargaining chip to get a share of the box office revenue.
This thought made her face turn pale instantly.

She hurriedly explained into the phone, speaking at a rapid pace like a machine gun: "Little brother, don't misunderstand! That's not what I meant!"
I'm not saying I want a share of the profits, I mean zero pay! I'll act for free!
I don't want anything! Really! I just want to save you some costs, I..."

She was so anxious that she became incoherent, and the more she spoke, the more flustered she became.

"Sister Liying,"

Gu Qing interrupted her flustered explanation with a helpless yet amused voice, "What kind of nonsense are you thinking about?"

"I wasn't saying anything just now; I was just thinking about something else."

"What is it?" Zhao Liying was still worried.

“I have my doubts,”

Gu Qing said helplessly, "Did you and Brother Chao conspire in secret all along, saying you wouldn't accept 30 million and instead wanted to do a 'friendship appearance for free' with me?"

"Huh?" Zhao Liying was stunned.

"Sister Liying, thirty million is a bargain for your net worth, take it."

Gu Qing explained, "You two... you're making me feel like I'm deliberately taking advantage of you."

previous life,

The total investment in the film "Duckweed" was 160 million yuan, featuring three A-list stars, plus 50 million yuan for publicity and distribution, bringing the total to 210 million yuan.

The film ultimately grossed over 10 billion yuan at the box office, and after deducting the revenue share from various cinemas, the net profit was 1.84 million yuan.

It's a very successful film investment.

nowadays,
Gu Qing brought his own investment to the production team, so he was the boss and didn't need to pay his salary.

The agreement between Han Han and Han Han was also a box office revenue sharing contract.

A top director in the industry typically receives 5% to 10% of the box office revenue.

Han Han may not be considered a big-name director, but he is a promising young director of the new generation, and he is directing his own works.

Including copyright fees, the agreed revenue sharing agreement is 8%.

The 8% here refers to 8% of net profit.

Since learning that Gu Qing had personally invested in the production, Han Han had given up even his basic fixed salary and opted for a share of the profits instead.

have to say,

A talented person is indeed a talented person; he has a unique perspective.

The director's and the male lead's salaries were covered without spending a single penny.

The remaining money,

Gu Qing has 1.5 million yuan in the bank for investment, which will definitely allow him to smoothly finish filming "Riding the Waves".

Zhao Liying then understood, and her heart relaxed a little, but she immediately retorted: "That's different! Brother Chao is a movie star, he naturally has box office appeal, it's normal for him to receive a 30 million yuan salary."

As for me? I mainly act in TV dramas. TV drama actors who switch to movies naturally have to accept a lower salary; that's just the way the market works!

"Moreover, little brother, given the current cash flow shortage in the industry, even if you only ask for a five million yuan salary, just let it out and there will be plenty of A-list actors scrambling to get the role!"
When I say "zero pay," I'm not being polite; there are genuinely many people who would rather pay out of their own pocket or work for free than not work with you!

"Wow, I'm actually quite popular?"

Gu Qing feigned surprise, then, upon hearing the cracking sound of a fist clenching on the phone, said seriously, "Alright, alright, since you've said so, Sister Liying, then I'll reduce the payment a bit."

"How many?"

"How about twenty-nine million?"

"Ten million!"

Zhao Liying was both annoyed and amused, "Ten million at most, I don't want a penny more!"

"Sister Liying, are you sure you and Brother Chao didn't conspire to deceive me? In the end, Brother Chao only asked for ten million."

Gu Qing scratched his head, "It's not like I can't make money. I can afford to pay you the normal market price."

"You guys are making me feel like I'm a terrible boss."

"This is different."

Zhao Liying reiterated, softening her tone, "Being able to participate in your first film as an investor and lead actress, and to work with you and Brother Chao, is enough."

"……All right."

Gu Qing temporarily compromised, but she already had another plan in mind.

At worst, once the movie makes money, we'll give it to Brother Chao and Sister Liying in the form of "red envelopes" or "special bonuses".

He firmly believes that a truly good and lasting friendship is not maintained by one party constantly "losing out".

Brothers, settle accounts.

Especially in the entertainment industry, where interests are complex and intertwined, clear accounts and no one owing anyone anything are often the cornerstone of a stable relationship.

How many groups that once worked together and created brilliance eventually parted ways and became enemies because of unclear profit distribution?
The delicate relationship between the main creators after "Lost in Thailand" serves as a cautionary tale.

Sometimes, self-interest can truly blind people.

A brief silence fell over both ends of the phone call.

"younger brother……"

After a while, Zhao Liying's voice rang out again, lower and more cautious than before.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Sister Liying?" Gu Qing replied.

"You...you have to believe me."

Zhao Liying bit her soft lower lip and emphasized again that she had made a great decision to make this matter completely clear.
"Just now, I really, really, absolutely did not have the slightest intention of exchanging zero pay for a share of the profits or any other benefits."

I swear, I will not, and I will never, ever try to take advantage of you or scheme against you!

She spoke quickly and urgently, as if worried that if she hesitated even for a second, a possible misunderstanding would take root and sprout.

Even though she knew that Gu Qing was probably not that petty and suspicious, she was still afraid.

They were afraid that even the slightest possible shadow might loom between them.

Gu Qing was speechless.

He had intended to gloss over the matter in a lighthearted tone, but he keenly noticed the almost breathless breathing of Sister Zhao on the other end of the phone.
That tension and anxiety could be felt even over the phone.

Gu Qing immediately understood.

At this moment, the more nonchalant the answer, the more likely she is to feel that you are avoiding the issue, and the easier it is for her to misunderstand.

then,

Gu Qing paused for a few seconds on purpose, making the brief silence seem as if he had been thinking and judging carefully.

Then, in a clear and serious tone, he slowly said:
"Ok, I know."

"Sister Liying, I believe in you."

These few simple words are like the most effective reassurance.

Zhao Liying's tense shoulders instantly slumped, and only then did she realize that a thin layer of sweat had seeped into her palms and her back was also a little damp.

Her hasty explanation just now seemed to have exhausted her strength, leaving her feeling drained.

"……Um."

She responded softly, her voice becoming nasal again.

"Goodnight, Second Master," she said softly, with an unprecedented sense of peace.

Goodnight... little girl.

"beep--"

The phone hangs up.

Gu Qing sat quietly on the sofa for a moment. The phone screen went dark, revealing his clearly defined profile.

After a while,
He shook his head, putting those thoughts aside for the time being.

He reached out and took a neatly bound script from the table.

As the new investor and male lead, he has to be more efficient at joining the production than others.

Tomorrow morning, he will set off for the film set to meet the famous "talented director" Han Han in person.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the production team's current preparation status and any outstanding issues, and finalize everything anew.

The good news is,

The main filming locations for "Duckweed" are concentrated in Shanghai and its surrounding suburbs, with the furthest being no more than two or three hours' drive away.

Unlike some large-scale historical or fantasy dramas, it doesn't require traveling all over the country, saving a lot of travel and time costs.

But at the same time,
The most "troublesome" part, which also best demonstrates his influence as a new investor, is only just beginning.

That was the re-selection and confirmation of the supporting actors in the film.

Due to Huayi's sudden withdrawal of investment and the interruption of the project, all supporting actors previously confirmed and recruited by Huayi and Huang Xiaoming have been dismissed and their contracts have been voided.

Now that the project has been restarted under Gu Qing's leadership, it's like starting from scratch.

As news spread quickly within a small circle that "Gu Qing brought investment to the production team and restarted 'Sisters Who Make Waves'", the deep waters of the Chinese entertainment industry began to boil.

nowadays,
What is Gu Qing's image in the eyes of the authorities and the public?
"A law-abiding citizen!"

At this critical juncture of the grain replenishment campaign, when everyone was on edge and fearful, being able to film with a "model student" like Gu Qing was, to some extent, a kind of invisible "safety certification".

In the past, some people would have worried that rushing over might displease Huang Xiaoming and cause unnecessary trouble.

But now?
Go find somewhere cool and stay there!
For many artists eager to reverse their image or consolidate their positive image, and for the capital behind them, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Even Gu Qing underestimated what Sister Zhao had said on the phone earlier.

"There are so many artists in the industry who would rather act for free than not work with you."

The production cost of this show might be lower than Gu Qing could ever imagine.

For a commercial film, actors' salaries and post-production marketing often account for 70% to 80% of the total investment.

As a low-to-medium budget drama film that focuses on nostalgia, lacks special effects, and has relatively concentrated scenes, "Duckweed" actually had a production cost that was almost the same as that of a campus drama.

The originally planned investment of 1.5 million... judging from this trend, it's unlikely that we'll be able to spend it all.

How to balance personal relationships with professional expertise, and how to choose the most suitable actor for the role from among numerous offers of opportunities?
At the same time, it prevents the film from becoming a gathering place purely for people with connections.

This will be Gu Qing's first and crucial test as a new investor.

……

...(End of chapter)