Huayu Entertainment: The Birth of a Succubus Top Star

"Brother Xiaoming, I heard you're taking the doctoral entrance exam?" Gu Zhiyan asked.

This is the exam for doctoral candidates.

"Hehe, that's true. You're never too old to learn, right?" Huang Xiaoming chuckled. "I wonder how the exam went. The list of candidates for the second round of interviews won't be released until next month."

Gu Zhiyan smiled and said, "Then I wish you success in getting ashore in advance."

It was just polite talk; he knew Huang Xiaoming had failed the test the first time.

"Haha, thank you for your kind words," Huang Xiaoming laughed heartily. "By the way, you still only have a bachelor's degree, right? Aren't you planning to take some further exams?"

Gu Zhiyan laughed and said, "I don't do scientific research or anything. I'm just in the entertainment industry, so a bachelor's degree is enough."

"Brother, Xiao Yan is a graduate of Tsinghua University," Chen Meng reminded him.

"Isn't a bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University still a bachelor's degree?" Huang Xiaoming said dismissively.

Chen Meng looked at his cousin speechlessly: "Xiao Yan's undergraduate degree is much more valuable than your doctoral degree from the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Well, it's several levels higher. Oh, I misspoke, you haven't even been admitted yet!"

Huang Xiaoming: ...

Whose cousin are you anyway?

Gu Zhiyan didn't mind Xiaoming's ignorance; it was normal for him not to understand these things.

Speaking of taking the doctoral entrance exam, Gu Zhiyan couldn't help but think of Dr. Zhai and joked, "Brother Xiaoming, once you pass the exam, I guess netizens won't dare to question you anymore."

Gu Zhiyan remembered that when Huang Xiaoming was admitted to his doctoral program in his previous life, the entire internet fell silent, and the comment section was unusually harmonious.

Back then, Dr. Zhai's simple question about CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) sent plagiarism rates for all graduating students' theses to new heights, and even eight years later, its impact remains strong.

In the eighth year of the reign of Emperor Tianlin, I will keep quiet and offer my blessings, but not ask any questions.

Netizens also advised Brother Xiaoming not to do live streaming.

Later generations mourned him and learned from his example!

Xiao Ming became the first person to benefit from Zhai Tianlin's influence.

"Why?" Huang Xiaoming asked, puzzled.

He was already prepared to face the doubts. In the entertainment industry where the average level of education is low, a high level of education is easily questioned by the public, except for those like Gu Zhiyan and Chen Duling who earned their education through solid academic achievements.

Gu Zhiyan smiled and said, "You should thank Zhai Tianlin for that."

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Ming understood the situation and said speechlessly, "I thank him, but he forged it. I didn't forge anything; I relied entirely on my own abilities."

Gu Zhiyan smiled and said, "Brother Xiaoming, you should know that if netizens are really determined to expose you, unless you do something flawless, it's easy for them to find fault with you, and it's also easy for malicious people to amplify it."

Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaoming immediately lost his confidence. Although he hadn't fabricated anything, he couldn't guarantee that his thesis was completely without any problems.

The less trouble, the better.

If what Gu Zhiyan said is true, then we really should thank Zhai Tianlin.

Huang Xiaoming gave an awkward smile and changed the subject: "Let's not talk about this anymore. Um, after the awards ceremony, I'll treat you to a proper celebration."

"What are we celebrating?" Gu Zhiyan said speechlessly, "Whether we'll win an award is still uncertain!"

"I have a feeling that this time the Best Actor award is definitely yours," Huang Xiaoming said confidently.

This is a summary of his long-term experience, and it's a story full of bitter tears. Every time he met Gu Zhiyan, he was the loser.

He didn't make the cut this time, which is actually a good thing; he feels much more relaxed.

Gu Zhiyan laughed and said, "Thank you for your kind words. Whether I win an award or not, I'm definitely going to have this meal. By the way, I might bring a few more people with me."

Huang Xiaoming waved his hand generously: "No problem, bring as many as you like. The more people, the more lively it will be. I was originally planning to invite a few more acquaintances anyway."

Having agreed to have dinner together after the awards ceremony, Gu Zhiyan and Huang Xiaoming parted ways.

Gu Zhiyan went straight to the backstage rest area. There was still more than half an hour before the awards ceremony started, so she wanted to find a place to rest for a while.

Backstage, in the rest area, a group of female stars were busy touching up their makeup, socializing, and exchanging pleasantries, but Qin Hairu stood out with her unique style.

Wearing a black haute couture floor-length gown, with her hair slicked back and adorned with pearls, she exuded an aura of authority as a film queen in front of the camera. Yet, at this moment, she seemed completely unconcerned about the expensive dress and exquisite makeup, as she was busy enjoying a steaming plate of spicy stir-fried clams, a specialty of Qingdao, displaying a relaxed and down-to-earth demeanor.

Gu Zhiyan called out, "Sister Hailu, are you eating?"

Qin Hailu looked up and saw Gu Zhiyan. He immediately greeted him, "Brother, come on, have some with me. I can't finish it all by myself. Let me tell you, it's incredibly delicious."

Gu Zhiyan shook her head: "Never mind, I'm not hungry, so I won't eat."

"The awards ceremony will take a long time. I'm not hungry now, but I will be later," Qin Hailu said casually, glancing at the other female celebrities. "Why are you acting like those women? I just invited them to eat together, and they're all so concerned about their image. You're a grown man, so stop talking nonsense and come on over."

Having said that, Gu Zhiyan no longer refused and joined in dealing with the clams.

Qin Hailu was absolutely right, it's delicious, with a perfect balance of freshness and flavor.

"Be nicer to Da Lizi from now on."

After eating only a few bites, Qin Hailu suddenly said this.

Gu Zhiyan asked, somewhat surprised, "Uh, Sister Hailu, you found out? Did Sister Zeng Li tell you?"

Qin Hailu replied, "She's very stubborn and would never say anything, but I'm not stupid. I noticed something was wrong with her a long time ago. After analyzing all sorts of clues, I concluded that it could only be you."

"Sister Hailu, I never knew you were Sherlock Holmes!" Gu Zhiyan said with a smile.

Qin Hailu rolled her eyes at Gu Zhiyan: "Tch, stop flattering me. Let's get down to business. I know you're a womanizer, but what can I do? Da Li Zi likes you. Even though we're classmates and best friends, there's not much I can say about it. Judging from her expression, she probably wouldn't listen anyway, so I'll just leave it at that. But you can't let Da Li Zi down."

Gu Zhiyan nodded and said, "Don't worry, Sister Hailu, I will treat Sister Zeng Li well."

"Okay, that's good enough. Although you're a womanizer, you're still loyal and affectionate," Qin Hailu smiled. "By the way, I have a favor to ask of you."

Gu Zhiyan replied, "Sister Hailu, just tell me what's wrong. Given our relationship, I'll definitely help if I can."

Qin Hailu shook his head and said, "It's not my own business, it's Dalinzi's business."

Gu Zhiyan asked curiously, "Guo Qilin? What happened to him? I didn't hear anything about him!"

Qin Hailu sighed: "It's all because of your show 'Joy of Life'. Da Linzi told me the other day that his role might be replaced and he won't be able to act in the third season."

Gu Zhiyan asked in confusion, "I haven't heard of such a thing!"

However, it's not impossible. When a show becomes popular, it's common for capital to change the cast in the sequel. They'll definitely want to promote their own people!

"Anyway, that's what he told me. You know this kid has been without a mother since he was little, and his father is such a jerk. Not to mention his stepmother, I'm the only one who can take care of him!" Qin Hailu said with emotion.

"Sister Hailu, leave this to me. I'll ask about the situation when I have time. Don't worry, the role is still Dalinzi's, and no one can replace him." Gu Zhiyan reassured Qin Hailu.

Putting aside the fact that Guo Qilin is a good person and is his younger brother, just considering the "Joy of Life" project, Guo Qilin, who plays Fan Sizhe, is definitely one of the roles that should not be replaced.

Qin Hailu breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay, I'm relieved to hear that. I'll treat you to dinner with Dalinzi another day."

What was something that was beyond her and Guo Qilin's control was just a matter of a word for Gu Zhiyan.

"Sister Hailu, with our relationship, don't stand on ceremony with me," Gu Zhiyan smiled, then gave Qin Hailu a thumbs up, "You're such a great godmother!"

Qin Hailu grinned broadly: "Haha, absolutely! People from our area are all about loyalty and righteousness!"

Gu Zhiyan and Qin Hai ate and chatted on the roadside.

The scene of Gu Zhiyan and Qin Hailu eating clams without any regard for their image was secretly captured by the media at the scene, which immediately sparked heated discussions online.