Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

……

The lights at the business event venue gradually dimmed, and staff members methodically dismantled the stage equipment. A faint scent of perfume and the lingering heat from the stage lights still filled the air.

Yang Mi had just finished her last media interview, took the microphone off her dress, handed it to her assistant, and immediately fixed her gaze on Gu Qing not far away.

He stood quietly with his eyes downcast, his profile clean and gentle, his nose high and straight, his lips light in color. Although he was just standing there casually, he exuded a refined and dazzling aura, attracting the attention of passing staff.

Yang Mi's heart stirred slightly, and she quickened her pace unconsciously, walking a few steps to Gu Qing's side and familiarly reaching out to gently take his arm.

Her fingertips brushed against the cuffs of his black shirt, seemingly unintentionally, with a hint of intimacy. Her originally sharp and efficient tone softened, adding a touch of languid coquettishness.

"I'm starving, little brother, let's go get something to eat."

She deliberately moved closer to Gu Qing, her voice soft and sweet, with just the right amount of allure: "The three of us together can have a little drink."

when speaking,
She deliberately emphasized the words "the three of us" and "have a little wine," her eyes slightly upturned, a faint smile playing in them, exuding charm.

Having two top-tier beauties in the entertainment industry dining and drinking together—any man would probably have already been fantasizing and readily agreed to such treatment.

Can be biased,
Gu Qing didn't even look up, her gaze still fixed on her busy assistant. "I don't drink."

Yang Mi's smile froze slightly, clearly not expecting to be rejected so decisively.

She paused for a moment, then quickly remembered something and took a step forward, the faint scent of gardenias wafting around Gu Qing's nose.

"Don't you drink because you're afraid of being taken advantage of by strangers?"

She blinked, her tone sly, "With Baba Bao and me here, who would dare take advantage of you? We'll protect you."

Gu Qing slowly raised his head, his gaze first falling on Yang Mi, then turning to Dilraba, whose cheeks were slightly flushed and whose eyes were clear. After a two-second silence, he nodded very seriously.

"Yeah, with Sister Dilraba around, who would dare take advantage of me?"

With just one sentence, Yang Mi was left speechless.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time. Her expression was a mix of exasperation and amusement, and she didn't know how to respond for a moment.

"Giggle-"

Dilraba, standing next to her, couldn't help herself and gently lifted the corner of her eye with her slender fingers, afraid that laughing too hard would cause wrinkles.

But seeing her sister's frustrated and helpless expression, she couldn't help but laugh heartily, her shoulders trembling slightly, her eyes full of unconcealed joy.

This scene is absolutely hilarious.

In the entertainment industry, she had rarely seen any artists who could leave the quick-witted and shrewd Sister Mi speechless.

"Are you coming or not?!"

Yang Mi finally came to her senses, angrily raised her fist, and lightly punched Gu Qing in the waist.

The force was as light as a feather brushing against someone; it was hardly a hit, but rather a playful squabble with a hint of coquetry.

Gu Qing sighed softly in resignation.

He finally understood that this "Big Honey Sister" was the most typical female celebrity in the entertainment industry.

Not only her, but also several female celebrities who are close to her are mostly like this.

No matter how much her actual age increases, she always subconsciously maintains a youthful appearance in her behavior, as if she is forever stuck in her most youthful and dazzling time.

This is actually a very common "Peter Pan syndrome" in the entertainment industry.

Many female celebrities resist aging from the bottom of their hearts and desperately try to hold on to a "youthful" image through makeup, clothing, and behavior.
Essentially, it's a fear of aging and an anxiety about identity transformation.

But the deeper reason lies in the unwritten rules within the circle.

In the entertainment industry, both male and female celebrities are essentially commodities defined by the market.

The market buyers are always obvious, and male artists have a longer career lifespan and their value is more preserved.
On the other hand, female celebrities' value is often deeply tied to their appearance and age. Once they shed the "young girl" label, they easily face the dilemma of narrowing their acting roles, reducing their resources, and declining their popularity.

In order to secure their professional status, they have to force themselves to maintain a youthful image.

This involves both internal struggles and invisible external pressures.

Over time,
As a result, the entertainment industry has seen an increase in celebrities with princess-like temperaments, who are like children who never grow up.

However, it would be a big mistake to think that they are naive, easily fooled, or innocent because of this.

They may be forever young at heart, but when it comes to shrewding relationships and weighing gains and losses, they are all incredibly shrewd and cunning, like seasoned veterans.

So for so long

Gu Qing had already figured out how to get along with them—to be a "dad with a youthful spirit" who knew how to maintain appropriate boundaries.

When he needs to be lively and youthful, he exudes youthful energy; when he needs to be calm and reliable, he inspires confidence. This ability to maintain a balance between activity and composure is essential to navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry and avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

"Next time."

Gu Qing sighed again, raised her slender and clean hand, and gently placed it on Yang Mi's head. Her movements were natural and gentle. "I made an appointment with my friends. They are already waiting for me. I can't be late."

His gaze inadvertently swept over her slightly high hairline, and he barely suppressed the impulsive urge to tease her.
He simply patted Da Mimi's head lightly, his fingertips applying slight pressure, gently turning her face towards Dilraba.

"Go on, go on, stop fooling around."

The tone was gentle and tolerant, just like someone patiently coaxing a child who was throwing a tantrum.

Yang Mi was completely stunned.

She blinked her big eyes, standing there in a daze, clearly feeling the warmth and steady strength of the hand above her head. A string that had been taut for a long time in her heart quietly loosened at this moment.

It was a feeling that was both very unfamiliar and exceptionally reassuring.

It wasn't the flutter of being deliberately provoked, nor the panic of being surrounded by ambiguity.
It is a long-lost sense of security, a feeling of being completely embraced and pampered.

Like when she was a child and felt uneasy after doing something wrong, her father would stroke her head and whisper, "It's okay, I'm here for you."
Like when she was so exhausted from filming that she broke down in tears, her mother hugged her tightly and said gently, "You've worked so hard, take a break."

She had only experienced this feeling of being cherished and protected when she was young.

Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years, she has worked her way up from an unknown actress to a top-tier female star with resources and the ability to stand on her own.

I've long been used to enduring everything alone, used to wearing a mask of strength to face all storms, and I've long forgotten what it feels like to be gently coaxed like this.

As Gu Qing gently pressed the top of her head and listened to his patient and tolerant tone, Yang Mi's originally tense and delicate body subconsciously softened, and her tone unconsciously became gentler and softer.

"Alright, alright, then go ahead."

Her voice was as soft as a feather, carrying a hint of shyness and submissiveness that she herself was unaware of.

Gu Qing nodded in acknowledgment, then turned and followed the team members out of the lounge.

Yang Mi stood there, her gaze following his tall, straight back until he disappeared at the end of the corridor. She was still immersed in that wonderful feeling, her cheeks slightly flushed, and she felt a sweet sense of satisfaction.

It wasn't until she caught a glimpse of Dilraba's stunned and shocked expression that she snapped out of her daze, her fair cheeks instantly turning bright red.

To maintain her authority as the boss, she quickly coughed lightly, clenched her fists in feigned anger, and put on a defiant look.

"That brat is treating me like a child! If he weren't so busy rushing from one event to another, I would have given him a good scolding!"

She got more and more excited as she spoke, reaching out to affectionately link her arm with Dilraba's, her cheek gently pressing against her shoulder, trying to get her on the same side: "We two beautiful women offered to have dinner with him, that's giving him face, and he's still not happy about it, right, Baba Bao?"

"How can there be such an annoying brat in the entertainment industry, yet he's so popular and has so many fans..."

She muttered complaints, her voice growing softer and softer until it was almost inaudible: "And she's so good-looking... it's just not fair..."

"Honey, what are you muttering about? I didn't hear you."

Dilraba tilted her head, her big eyes full of curiosity, clearly not hearing her boss's whispered remarks about the dream girl in the latter half.

I think Gu Qing is such a fun younger brother! He's humorous, lively, and has a wonderful personality. I really wish I had a younger brother like him; it would be so much fun, and it's no wonder so many people like him.

Dilraba smiled and said happily.

"hehe."

Yang Mi sneered, released Dilraba's arm, and gracefully turned to urge her assistant to pack up.

"I think you're just infatuated with him! These good-looking, sweet-talking young men are the best at lying; they're all scumbags!"
Be careful, one day you might get scammed and end up with nothing but your underwear!

Dilraba's red lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes widened, and she looked aggrieved and innocent.

Faced with Honey Sister's contradictory accusation, she couldn't help but retort: ​​"Honey Sister, you're clearly talking about yourself!"

“Your face turned red when he touched your head just now, I saw it clearly!”

Who's blushing?

Yang Mi didn't even turn her head. "That's blush! I specially applied a blush to create a special 'ambient' effect!"

"Then where's your blush? Why is it gone now?" Dilraba pressed on relentlessly.

"I just wiped it off! Is that not allowed?" Yang Mi said matter-of-factly.

"you--"

"What do you mean, 'what ...'? Let's go! Didn't you say you were hungry? Let's go eat!"

Yang Mi quickly changed the subject and walked forward.

"Honey, wait for me! Don't even think about running away!"

Dilraba laughed and chased after him. The two walked out of the lounge one after the other, bickering and teasing each other. Their voices gradually disappeared at the end of the corridor.

……

the other side,
Gu Qing put on a black mask, covering most of his face, revealing only his clear, handsome eyes.

As soon as I stepped out of the event venue, I saw a lot of fans still gathered on the roadside, reluctant to leave.

As night deepened and the evening breeze grew cool, they still held up light boards and banners bearing the name "Gu Qing," their eyes sparkling as they gazed at the venue exit, patiently waiting.

Upon seeing Gu Qing's figure appear, the crowd erupted in suppressed screams.

"younger brother--!!"

"Gu Qing—!!"

"Ahhh, my little brother is finally out!"

Gu Qing paused for a moment, then removed a corner of her mask, revealing a gentle smile, and walked towards her fans.

His bodyguards immediately surrounded him nervously, guarding him warily to prevent any accidental shoving or pushing.

"It's alright, everyone is very orderly."

Gu Qing waved his hand gently, signaling them to relax and not be too tense.

He walked slowly to the fans, patiently accepted the autograph books, posters, and photos they handed him, and carefully signed his name stroke by stroke.

"Little brother, you looked so cool on stage today! You were in amazing shape!"

Happy birthday, little brother! Even though it's already passed, I still want to say happy birthday!

"Little brother, when will you start streaming again? We all miss you so much!"

"Little brother, can you rest for a few more days? Your schedule is so packed in August, you must be exhausted!"

Fans surrounded him, chattering away with concern and affection, their eyes sparkling with adoration, without a trace of noise or chaos.

While signing autographs, Gu Qing smiled and replied softly, "Thank you all, you've worked hard."

"Yes, I will definitely go live and meet everyone as soon as I have time."

"It's alright, not too tiring, you don't need to worry."

He patiently accompanied his fans, signing more than a dozen names and taking photos with several of them. He showed no impatience whatsoever, displaying gentleness and down-to-earth nature.

She stayed by the roadside for nearly ten minutes until the bodyguards, seeing that the night was getting darker, nervously stepped forward again to whisper a reminder. Only then did Gu Qing put down her pen and wave gently to her fans.

"Alright, alright, it's getting late. It's not safe to go back too late. You should go home and rest early."

"Be careful on the road and pay attention to safety."

"Bye-bye, little brother!"

"Your younger brother needs to rest too!"

We will always wait for you!

The fans waved goodbye reluctantly, their eyes following him closely. Even after Gu Qing got into the car and the van slowly drove away, they remained standing there for a long time.

The car door closed.

Isolated from the noise and lights of the outside world, the nanny van drove smoothly through the night.

Gu Qing leaned back in the comfortable chair, gently stretched her somewhat stiff body, let out a long sigh, and let go of her outward composure, revealing a faint trace of fatigue.

Zhao Ya finally dared to speak, her voice filled with lingering fear: "Boss, you really need to be more careful next time!"
Last time, there was an incident where fans pushed you over in the crowd. My heart was in my throat just now, fearing something like this might happen again.

Gu Qing smiled, stretched her fingers which were a little sore from signing autographs for so long, and explained gently, "Sister Xiaoya, last time was an accident. We can't deliberately distance ourselves from our fans every time just because of one accident."

“The bodyguards are all watching over me, nothing will happen. Besides, they're still waiting outside so late to support me, how could I just turn around and leave?” Zhao Ya opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed her words back.

"Boss, you'd better be more careful next time."

If she hadn't entered the entertainment industry, encountering such an idol would definitely make her feel proud and honored, and she would feel that she had chosen the right person to support.

She could serve as Gu Qing's agent.
Watching him interact with those crazy fans, I was constantly on edge, afraid that something unexpected might happen.

After all, Gu Qing has encountered major incidents of being besieged by fans more than once since her debut.

"Yes, I'll be careful." Gu Qing nodded with a smile.

……

The voice just fell,

The phone beside me suddenly rang, breaking the silence inside the car.

Gu Qing casually took it out and saw the words "Sister Ma" flashing on the screen, indicating a video call.

As soon as he pressed the call button, Ma Sichun's familiar yet exaggerated wail came from the other end of the line, his voice so loud it almost pierced the screen: "Xu Yi—! When are you coming? We're starving!"

The video immediately showed Ma Sichun's striking, radiant face with a defined jawline. She grinned at the camera, looking impatient: "Can you hurry up? We're going to starve if you don't come soon!"

"You're always rushing me, aren't you? If you're hungry, why don't you eat first?"

Gu Qing rolled her eyes helplessly, picked up her phone and waved it out the car window to show the road conditions as they were still driving, then shoved the camera back at her face, "I just finished a gig and I'm still on the road."

"I've been working all day, and I still have to take time out of my schedule to help you promote your business, and this is your attitude? Sister Ma, do you want to die?"

"If you don't come now, I'll kill myself right here!"

Ma Sichun's eyes widened, her lips full, and she bared her teeth and claws, "I'll become a starving ghost and come find you the moment I see you!"

finished,

She squinted her eyes again, grinned foolishly, stuck out her tongue and made faces at the camera, and shook her head as she bickered with Gu Qing.

Well, another child who hasn't grown up.

Just as Gu Qing was preparing to switch to the mode of being the boy's father.

"Sister Sichun, Brother Gu Qing has worked hard all day, please don't keep urging him."

A timid, somewhat immature female voice softly rang out, carrying a hint of obedience and gentleness.

In the lower right corner of Ma Sichun's picture, a bright and pretty face immediately peeks out.

Wang Churan tilted her head slightly; her features were so delicate they resembled a meticulously drawn painting, and her eyes held a hint of shyness and bashfulness.
Yet, it couldn't conceal her striking and radiant beauty; her skin was fair, and her lips were pink, like a flower bud about to bloom.

"Cousin, whose side are you on? Why are you siding with outsiders!" Ma Sichun angrily grabbed Wang Churan's neck and pulled her directly in front of the camera.

"Mmm-mmm-mmm—"

Wang Churan struggled gently, her dark hair slightly disheveled, and her face flushed slightly.

She stretched out her fair hand, gently brushed aside the strands of hair that were obscuring her eyes, revealing her beautiful face. She waved shyly and obediently to Gu Qing in the video.

"Gu Qing... Brother, it's been a long time."

Her voice was sweet and soft, full of a young girl's delicate charm.

Die, die, die!

I almost called him "little brother"!
You absolutely must not expose yourself!
Wang Churan screamed wildly inside, but on the surface she maintained the image of a well-behaved girl, smiling so gently and charmingly.

"Hi, long time no see," Gu Qing replied with a gentle smile.

Next second,
He immediately switched expressions and sternly reprimanded Ma Sichun in the video: "Sister Ma, you should learn from little sister Chu Ran! Can't you be quiet and act like a gentle lady?"

"Huh? Lady Chu Ran?!"

Ma Sichun seemed to have heard the funniest joke, rolling her eyes in anger, her expression exaggerated as if she were performing a comedy:
"This little girl only dares to act like a lady in front of you! Do you know that in private she calls me Little Ma?"

"I... um—"

Wang Churan reacted quickly, immediately reaching out her delicate hand to cover Ma Sichun's mouth, preventing her from continuing to "expose" her.

Next second,
She instantly transformed into a "super-strong girl," firmly pressing Ma Sichun's head onto the bed with one hand, while her smooth, jade-like knee gently pressed against the back of her neck.
He subdued the person with ease, his movements fluid and seamless, clearly not the first time he had done it.

He hurriedly picked up his phone with his other hand.

Wang Churan blushed deeply, but she still forced herself to maintain a gentle and obedient image, and said softly to the camera, "Brother Gu Qing, you go ahead and do your work. Message us when you arrive and we'll come pick you up. Bye-bye!"

finished,

Without waiting for Gu Qing's reply, she decisively hung up the video call.

immediately,

She looked down at Ma Sichun, whom she had firmly subdued and unable to move, and gave her a "friendly" yet cunning smile.
Her voice was soft, yet carried a hint of threat: "Little Ma, let's have a good talk about what a 'lady' really means, shall we?"

"Waaaah—" Ma Sichun struggled desperately, but her resistance was futile, and she could only let out a pitiful groan.

Gu Qing stared at the suddenly blacked-out phone screen for several seconds before realizing what had happened, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Young girls these days are so full of energy."

Zhao Ya, watching from the side, didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Boss, you're not that old yourself."

She sighed softly, "Many artists your age are still studying at the Beijing Film Academy."

You just celebrated your birthday, you're only 22, yet you've already been a national sensation for three years. Your rise has been not only rapid, but also steady.

After a pause, Zhao Ya added, "You truly are someone who has been in the industry for half a lifetime but has returned as a youth."

In the entire entertainment industry, the only artist who can compare to you is probably Teacher Xiao Kai.

Upon hearing the name "Xiao Kai," Gu Qing frowned slightly, then suddenly remembered something, her voice tinged with worry: "I feel like Xiao Kai's mood hasn't been quite right lately."

Recalling his interactions with Kai during this period, he couldn't help but say, "He's been coming to see me every day lately, asking if I play games. He's been very clingy in his words."

"He also said that he would apply to the Beijing Film Academy at the end of the year, and asked me if I would go to school next year, and if I could live in the same dormitory as him, so we could play games together every day..."

Gu Qing was a little puzzled: "This child, doesn't he have to work lately? Why is he focusing all his attention on this?"

His work schedule is usually very full, and even when he occasionally surfs the internet, he only skims the news and has little time to keep up with the latest news about his friends.

Zhao Ya thought for a moment and gently shook her head: "Boss, I don't think I've seen any bad news about Teacher Xiao Kai, so nothing should have happened."

Speaking of which,

She suddenly made a face as if she had bumped into something, and couldn't help but laugh. "But boss, Teacher Xiao Kai is sticking to you so much, his feelings are very obvious. He must be longing for family affection."

"He seems to have debuted when he was thirteen or fourteen years old. He has been working hard in the entertainment industry on his own for so many years. He has never had any close friends and rarely had family members by his side."

"I've noticed that every time Teacher Xiao Kai sees you, he used to call you Brother Gu respectfully, but now he just calls you Brother and Brother. You're getting closer and closer."

"Sister Xiaoya!"

Gu Qing couldn't help but rub her forehead, feeling utterly exasperated. "Have you been secretly reading those weird stories lately? Be serious, stop joking around."

"In the entertainment industry, you can't make these kinds of jokes carelessly, or it can easily cause problems."

Zhao Ya immediately stopped smiling and solemnly raised her hand to swear: "Don't worry, boss, I'll only say this in front of you. I'll keep my mouth shut in other places!"

"What do you mean by 'keeping your mouth shut'? Don't misuse idioms!"

Gu Qing covered her forehead, feeling utterly exhausted. "Go back and flip through the idiom dictionary again, and study it properly. Now, don't talk anymore, I'm going to take a nap."

"..."

Zhao Ya straightened her chest and saluted, then silently made a zipper gesture with her hand near her mouth, and quietly stopped talking.

The car was quiet again.

Gu Qing gently closed her eyes, leaned back in the soft chair, and rested.

The city's dazzling neon lights flashed past the car window, casting flickering, ever-changing light and shadow on his handsome face, making his features appear even more gentle.

Forty minutes later,
The van slowly pulled up near a five-star hotel.

This hotel is very close to the venue for tomorrow's new film launch, making it convenient for Gu Qing to work the next day.

Before setting off, Gu Qing repeatedly instructed Ma Sichun to communicate with the crew, keep everything simple and low-key, and not to make a big fuss.

But when he got out of the car, he saw that the entire crew, from the director and producer to all the actors, were waiting neatly at the hotel entrance.

To make it easier for Gu Qing to check in and work, the production crew even booked all the rooms in the entire hotel.

The red carpet stretched from the roadside all the way to the hotel lobby, with vibrant flowers lining both sides, creating a lively atmosphere. The scale of the event was so grand that it resembled welcoming an international superstar from afar.

As soon as Gu Qing got out of the car, he saw Ma Sichun standing at the very front.

She stood on tiptoe, craning her neck to look towards the car.

The moment he saw Gu Qing, his eyes lit up, sparkling with excitement.

"Xu Yi—!"

She suddenly swung her arm, as happy as a child, and skipped and hopped towards Gu Qing, just like a frolicking husky.

But as soon as she ran to Gu Qing's side, before she could pounce on her, Gu Qing reached out and gently pinched the back of her neck, obediently pulling her to her side.

"Sister Ma."

Gu Qing maintained a polite business smile, his lips moved slightly, his voice was low, and he gritted his teeth.

The sound was very soft; only Ma Sichun, who was very close, could hear it.

"What did I tell you? I told you to keep a low profile, and here you are, even laying out the red carpet?!"

Ma Sichun, however, was completely oblivious to the seriousness of the situation. She was still grinning foolishly, holding Gu Qing's arm tightly with both hands, tilting her head up to his ear, and saying with a silly grin, "Hehe, Xu Yi, I told them! But the director and the others knew you were coming and insisted on arranging it this way. I couldn't stop them!"

"But don't worry! It'll just be the three of us at dinner! The director and the others said they won't bother us!" Ma Sichun assured him confidently.

Gu Qing took a deep breath and continued to grit her teeth and whisper, "Now that we've made such a big fuss, how can we expect people not to come and socialize?"

"With so many people here, and only the three of us going out to eat, how am I supposed to face people outside?"

"Oh? That won't work!"

Ma Sichun belatedly realized what was happening, her smile vanished instantly, and she panicked.

She had been eagerly awaiting Gu Qing's arrival, and if it weren't for her fear of her cousin's power, she wouldn't have even wanted to bring this third wheel.

If the entire crew goes out to eat together, how will she have a chance to chat with Gu Qing alone?

Seeing Ma Sichun's distraught and aggrieved expression, Gu Qing had no choice but to withdraw her hand.
He put on a professional business smile again and strode toward the directors, producers, and actors who were waiting in line to warmly welcome him.

"Thank you all for your hard work, teachers. You're too kind."

"I've long admired your name; it's great to finally meet you today."

He shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with everyone, being polite, considerate, and composed. After going through the whole process, the smile on his face almost froze.

Ma Sichun stood there all alone, his shoulders slumped, his lips pursed in grievance, his face full of disappointment.

"Little Ma, what's wrong? Why do you look so dejected?"

Instead of queuing, Wang Churan quietly walked to Ma Sichun's side, gently took her hand, and asked in a low voice.

"Xu Yi said there are too many people and he has to entertain them, so he might not even want to go out to eat."

Ma Sichun muttered softly, too exhausted to even care about the "Little Ma" her cousin was referring to.

Wang Churan's eyes lit up instantly. She leaned close to Ma Sichun's ear with a mischievous grin and whispered, "It's okay if we don't go out to eat. We can order the food and have it delivered directly to Gu Qing's room so we can go eat with him."

She blinked and smiled mischievously: "Wouldn't it be better to eat in Brother Gu Qing's room? It'll be quiet and peaceful, and no one will bother us."

Ma Sichun's dull eyes suddenly lit up.

She suddenly hugged Wang Churan, who was almost half a head taller than her, and almost jumped up excitedly: "Yes! Cousin, how are you so smart! You're my savior!"

"Let's go, let's go order now and pick out what Brother Gu Qing likes to eat!"

The two girls held hands and ran off happily, skipping and hopping, preparing a "surprise" for Gu Qing.

behind,

Gu Qing was still patiently exchanging pleasantries with the crew, gentle and composed.

He was completely unaware of what kind of 'surprise' was quietly waiting for him.

……

...(End of this chapter)