newbobooks Chapter 645 The Red Envelope Scandal: Chen Duling: I'm not from the district!
Chapter 645 The Red Envelope Scandal: Chen Duling: I'm not from the district!
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After discussing investment,
Wu Jing, being a drunkard, was finally free from his wife's watchful eye, so why would he want to sit with Gu Qing on the balcony in the cold wind?
With a strange cry of "Ouch!"
Wu Jing called out "Good brother" as he slipped back to the private room like a greased rag doll, and in the blink of an eye, he plunged into the crowd, raising his wine glass and toasting with others.
Gu Qing leaned on the stone railing, enjoying the peace and quiet, his clear eyes gazing ahead.
The restaurant's balcony faces an old town area.
The winter wind turned the sky into a hazy white, and the pale sunlight thinly spread across the staggered gray-tiled rooftops.
From a distance, this street scene looks like a faded old photograph from the Republican era.
Gu Qing leaned against the railing, her stray hairs swaying in the wind, brushing her forehead and falling back down.
He squinted slightly, preparing to enjoy this rare moment of peace and quiet.
Unfortunately,
This leisurely state couldn't even last for half an hour.
After Wu Jing left,
A few minutes later, the tightly closed glass door was pushed open.
First one, then two.
Groups of two or three artists, as if they had made a pact, occupied most of the empty space on the balcony.
Celebrity dinner parties are never really for eating.
Its only real function is communication.
In this circle, connections are resources, and resources are lifeline.
One person's strength can never support a movie. You need to know people who can invest money, write scripts, build connections, and speak up for you at crucial moments.
And dinner parties,
It is the trading market where all these "needs" are most concentrated.
Today's dinner party was attended by Brother Chen Long, who was essentially just a tool.
There were originally two focal points on the seat.
One is Wu Jing: a newly minted director with box office revenue of 6 billion yuan, and a representative figure who is highly praised by mainstream official media.
The other one is Gu Qing.
Wu Jing was indeed quite attractive; everyone at the table wanted to pry a promise from him about a role in "Wolf Warrior 3".
Compared to Gu Qing, its appeal is completely diminished.
"Duckweed" grossed 3.2 billion yuan.
When this result was first confirmed, many artists in the industry still couldn't believe it.
But the data is there for all to see; the box office system doesn't lie.
quickly,
People started doing the math: how much was the production cost, how much was the marketing cost, how much was the theater's share, and how much ultimately ended up in the investors' hands.
After the calculation was completed, everyone fell silent.
Gu Qing is the sole investor in the entire film "Duckweed".
What does this identity mean? Which artist in the industry doesn't know?
It's no exaggeration to say that the money he earned from one movie is equivalent to that of Fan Bingbing.
This can no longer be summed up by the phrase "a rich and powerful man".
Even a wealthy husband needs you to marry into the family to get a share of their property, but what about Gu Qing's side?
Getting a role in his film is like getting on a rocket.
Top-tier looks, high EQ and IQ, and an exceptional career...
He was only in his early twenties, but he exuded a vibrant energy that only true youth can possess.
Looking at the whole world, you won't find another person who can balance all the conditions to the extent that Gu Qing does.
Every value has been dragged to the top of the list; who wouldn't be confused looking at that?
As long as you are a woman with a normal sexual orientation, from a teenage girl just beginning to experience romantic feelings to an older woman whose hormones haven't yet dissipated.
This is the image of the perfect boyfriend that every woman fantasizes about, stepping out of her dreams and directly into reality.
Ever since Gu Qing pushed open the balcony door and walked out, countless celebrities in the private room had their eyes glued to that glass door.
A glance when picking up food, a glance when clinking glasses...
It's no wonder the female celebrities were watching intently.
Even several male celebrities were secretly observing them.
The balcony door was pushed open again and again.
In no time,
The smell of smoke and alcohol that filled the air was carried from inside the house to outside.
Gu Qing realized that she still couldn't dodge it.
"Little brother, I heard that after 'Duckweed' finished filming, you gave Deng Chao and Li Ying each a very big red envelope?"
One of the male celebrities spoke first, his tone filled with surprise and a desire for confirmation.
As soon as he said that, all the artists around him perked up their ears.
"Little brother, there are rumors online that it has ten million, is that true or false?"
"I heard even extras get a million!"
"Little brother, when are you going to film your next movie? I don't need a role, I just want a red envelope, is that okay?"
The artists all chimed in with enthusiastic flattery.
Such deeds cannot be hidden in the entertainment industry.
More precisely,
Rather than saying it couldn't be hidden, it's more accurate to say that the person involved never intended to hide it in the first place.
Sister Zhao posted a message on her WeChat Moments the night she received the red envelope.
Old Deng went even further, directly addressing the issue during an interview by saying with a smile, "I can't disclose the exact figures, but I can tell you that they are very large."
Neither of them are the type to deliberately keep a low profile.
Especially when it comes to Gu Qing, everyone is eager to talk about it.
In the eyes of Sister Zhao or Old Deng
Revealing this would definitely enhance Gu Qing's personal image; keeping it hidden would be a waste.
that's the truth.
When you single-handedly account for over 3 billion yuan in box office revenue, your popularity is so high that there are definitely more people who are envious of you than those who admire you.
The cake is only so big. If you cut off the biggest piece, what will the rest of the people get?
Your rivals in the entertainment industry won't show you any mercy just because you're successful, nor will they hesitate to attack you just because someone is standing behind you.
Capital is profit-driven, and the market is ruthless. If you block someone's path, that person will do everything in their power to bring you down.
Even ordinary netizens can't suppress the thought of "why is that so?" when they see someone earn more money in one movie than an average person could earn in several lifetimes.
Resentment towards the rich doesn't need to be cultivated; it's naturally present in most people's minds and only needs a suitable trigger to explode.
But as,
After Gu Qing's story of giving huge red envelopes to the entire crew gradually spread through the media and social networks.
The focus of public attention has quietly shifted.
"Holy crap! Really?! A ten million yuan red envelope?!"
"Wait, wait, let me sort this out. It's not a total of ten million in red envelopes, but ten million for each lead actor? Or do the staff get a share too?"
"Gu Qing is really good at making friends, isn't he? He takes out his own money and shares it? Are there still investors like this these days?"
"Not only that, I heard that even the director and other supporting actors received red envelopes."
The actor who played Xiao Ma even posted a long essay on his blog praising Gu Qing, saying Gu Qing was his "older brother." It made me cringe so much I almost died of embarrassment.
"Awkward my ass! I'd love to lick that boots too! Forget a million, I'd call Gu Qing 'Dad' if he gave me ten thousand!"
"I don't want a red envelope, I just want to lick Gu Qing's boots."
In the comments section, netizens were drooling with envy, and all sorts of jokes emerged.
Public opinion shifted from a dangerous stance of "being envious of how much money Gu Qing made" to...
It turned into a comedic situation of "envying those who received red envelopes".
The anti-rich sentiment that might have been stirred up was swept away by the overwhelming calls of "I also want to recognize Gu Qing as my younger brother".
Some netizens even went to the blogs of Sister Zhao and Old Deng and shouted:
"Could you let me have this younger brother?"
"Can't be multiplied by 2!"
I wonder if the chemistry between the mother and son they played in "Duckweed" carried over into real life.
Zhao Liying and Deng Chao were very in sync; they both replied to netizens in the comments section at the same time, even using the same punctuation.
The entire comment section was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Even though a few jealous guys were grumbling sourly in the corner:
"If I could earn 3 billion from one film, I'd be willing to give away tens of millions. What's so great about that?"
However, he was immediately criticized by fans and netizens who rushed to the scene, and deleted his account.
quickly,
A short, just a few words, trended on social media, but it made everyone who clicked on it burst out laughing: "A happy family of three."
Artists in the industry naturally learned about Gu Qing's exaggerated personal stories through various channels and trending topics.
Generosity, magnanimity, and willingness to share profits—these three qualities alone are already quite impressive.
When it comes to the same person, especially in the entertainment industry where fame and fortune are paramount, it's as rare as a giant panda.
People who hoard their food will never have a good ending anywhere; everyone understands this principle.
But when it came time to divide the money,
How many people can be as unwavering as Gu Qing?
Before Gu Qing,
The last person to cause a sensation across the internet for "sending out large red envelopes" was: Jiang Wen.
At the celebration banquet for "Let the Bullets Fly", Jiang Wen publicly gave Emperor Entertainment Group's boss an eight million yuan red envelope.
He spoke eloquently, neither arrogant nor humble, earning money with dignity; his pride was admirable even through the screen.
But the artists in the industry don't think so.
Who did Jiang Wen give it to?
He's someone else's boss and investor!
These artists haven't enjoyed any benefits and can't find any sense of common ground at all.
Some celebrities even couldn't help but complain in their hearts.
It would be disgusting if we had to give our boss a red envelope after we earned money.
A breath of fresh air has emerged in the entertainment industry.
When Gu Qing gives out red envelopes to the artists, that's a different story.
Working alongside Gu Qing's younger brother not only boosted my career but also earned me a considerable amount of money.
What an amazing catch!
"Little brother, I don't want a red envelope, and I don't want any payment for my work..."
A slightly tipsy female celebrity, emboldened by the alcohol, took a step forward and almost pressed herself against Gu Qing.
Her eyes sparkled with a seductive allure, a hint of feigned charm, and her voice was sweet and alluring: "I just want to have a romantic storyline with you, is that alright?"
These words were extremely blunt, and even the other female celebrities nearby were taken aback.
But their reaction wasn't disdain; instead, they were annoyed that they had been a step too slow.
Everyone here is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Which one of them didn't work hard for more than ten years to make it to the top?
This means that the so-called face and dignity have long been thrown into some obscure corner.
In the early years,
There's no such thing as an artist becoming an overnight sensation and then having the entire company pamper and indulge them after they become a top star.
During that period,
The company is truly the only dominant player!
Because resources are so scarce, getting a role is a truly desperate struggle, like begging on your knees.
Without experiencing the early days of the entertainment industry, one can never understand just how humble artists could be in the face of capital.
Just like Huang Xiaoming, who didn't come to the dinner party today.
He did it at a dinner party back then, in front of everyone in the industry.
With a 'plop',
He directly knelt down in public to acknowledge Mrs. Heung, a woman from Hong Kong, as his godmother.
Everyone was completely baffled at the time.
Even Mrs. Xiang herself didn't expect that Huang Xiaoming would suddenly make this move.
But believe it or not, they actually became relatives.
He could remain calm, abandon all pride, kneel down, and endure the mocking and strange looks from those around him to call a woman he had only met a few times "Mom".
How many people can do that?
at least,
Deng Chao couldn't do it back then, so he lost to Huang Xiaoming in the competition for the top spot.
But a hero doesn't dwell on past glories.
Back then, Huang Xiaoming was able to do it.
But now he...
Seeing Gu Qing attend the recent dinner party, Huang Xiaoming was so frustrated that he simply refused to come.
Once you've finally managed to put on the clothes you threw away, who would be willing to throw them away again?
……
"What kind of movie to film depends on the director. As an actor, I don't have any decision-making power."
Gu Qing tilted her head slightly, leaned against the stone railing, and maintained a polite smile.
But her brain was racing, trying to figure out a clever way to escape.
Fortunately at this time,
The phone in the down jacket pocket suddenly vibrated, and a caller ID popped up on the screen. "Brother Lü?"
Gu Qing glanced down and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Excuse me, I need to take this call."
Gu Qing turned to the side, swiped his thumb across the screen, and held the phone to his ear: "Hey, Brother Lü."
"Brother Lü? Isn't the director of the Spring Festival Gala surnamed Lü...?"
"Sigh~~"
The artists exchanged surprised and uncertain glances, then took a few steps back in unison and remained silent.
"Xiao Gu, the rehearsal is at three o'clock this afternoon. Try to arrive early and don't be right on time."
While waiting in the backfield, you can walk around a few times.
Director Lü's voice came through the receiver, faintly, "I have a new idea, remember to come early."
"Okay, Brother Lü, I'll go back to the hotel now, pack my things, and head over as soon as possible."
Gu Qing responded naturally, finding a way to leave.
"Okay, I'll wait for you to come over." Director Lü hung up the phone with satisfaction.
Gu Qing turned around and faced the artists with different expressions on the balcony.
He apologetically put his phone back in his pocket: "Dear seniors, I think I must take my leave now."
"Little brother, work is the priority. Director Lü personally spoke up, so you had no choice."
Someone in the crowd immediately chimed in.
"Yes, yes, you go ahead and get busy. We'll get together again sometime, there's no rush."
The smiles of the crowd were warm and natural, and they were all understanding. How could they dare to keep Gu Qing around?
Gu Qing nodded to each person and then slipped through the crowd.
Pushing open the glass door to the balcony and returning to the private room, the warmth, mixed with the smell of smoke and alcohol, wafted towards me again.
Chen Long was still chatting with some old friends at the main table when he saw Gu Qing walking over. "What's wrong?"
"Uncle Long, Director Lü called to urge us to finish rehearsals, so I have to leave now."
Gu Qing bent down and whispered a few words in Chen Long's ear.
Chen Long nodded, patted him on the shoulder, and waved his hand, "Go on, go on, business is important."
After bidding farewell to Wu Jing and the others at the main table, Gu Qing quickly walked towards the door.
In the parking lot,
Zhao Ya was nestled in the back seat, holding an open pastry box in her hands. She had just taken a bite of a golden pastry, and there was still a little soybean powder on her lips.
The car door was suddenly pulled open, and a blast of cold air rushed in.
She nearly choked. "Boss? You're done eating so quickly?"
"Back to the hotel."
Gu Qing sat in the back seat, glanced at the food, reached into Zhao Ya's pastry box, picked up a piece of pastry stuck with a toothpick, and put it in his mouth.
He chewed it a couple of times, and the soft, chewy texture of the glutinous rice and the sweet aroma of the red bean paste melted on his tongue at the same time.
He mumbled, "Go back and lay low for a while. What's this? It's quite delicious."
"Donkey rolling around."
Seeing that he was eating with gusto, Zhao Ya couldn't hide the smile on her face.
She took out a new piece from the box, stuck a toothpick in it, and handed it to Gu Qing as soon as he swallowed it. "Boss, are you surrounded again?"
As she spoke, she gently sniffed the air.
Beneath the pleasant scent of the car air freshener mingled with a strong, pungent odor, Zhao Ya almost immediately guessed what was going on.
"There's also a strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes. Boss, you must have made up an excuse to run away."
"I know why you asked. It's too dry, you eat it."
Gu Qing casually blocked it.
Zhao Ya chuckled, turned to the side, took a thermos from her tote bag, unscrewed the lid, and handed it to Gu Qing.
"Boss, I was just guessing. By the way, what excuse did you use this time?"
"It's not exactly an excuse, I really do need to go back."
Gu Qing took the thermos and sipped the warm water. The warm water slid down her throat, diluting the lingering sweet red bean paste taste in her mouth.
He placed his thermos in the cup holder in the armrest box, took out his phone, and swiped his thumb across the screen. "Director Lü told me and Xiao Erduo to go to rehearsal early this afternoon."
at the same time,
With a "ding-dong" sound,
Chen Duling and her mother were walking out of the elevator, preparing to have lunch, when they arrived at the hotel lobby on the first floor.
My phone vibrated slightly.
Xu Yi: "Little Ears, have you finished eating?"
"I've already eaten."
Chen Duling didn't even think about it.
"Director Lü said we should go to rehearsal early this afternoon, an hour in advance. Is that convenient for you?"
"It's convenient, I'm already back at the hotel."
Chen Duling showed off her hand speed, her slender fingertips flashing across the screen, replying instantly.
"Okay, I'll be back at the hotel in twenty minutes. You and Auntie can ride in my car this afternoon."
"Yes, sir. (Salutes)"
Chen Duling painstakingly searched for a salute expression that she thought was very cute.
After sending,
She glanced at the time in the upper left corner again; it was still a few minutes until one o'clock.
Twenty minutes...
Chen Duling did a quick mental calculation.
"Dudu, let's go eat."
The woman had already taken a few steps when she turned back and saw her daughter still standing there. She asked in confusion, "Weren't you hungry?"
"Mom, I...I'm not hungry anymore."
Chen Duling raised her head, and a lighthearted look appeared on her delicate, palm-sized face.
She grabbed the woman's arm.
"Let's go back first. Xu Yi is coming to see us soon, and the afternoon rehearsal has been moved up."
"Even if we move it earlier, it won't make a difference if we eat a little more, right?"
The woman was being pulled back by her daughter. She turned her head and glanced at her, her eyes full of worry.
"Mom, I'm really not hungry. I ate too much for breakfast."
Chen Duling swiped her elevator card. "Besides, I have to try on clothes this afternoon. How am I supposed to wear them after I've eaten?"
After returning to the room,
Chen Duling opened the door, changed into slippers, took off her coat and hung it on the hanger, then sat on the edge of the bed.
But the woman noticed that Chen Duling had been making constant little movements ever since she entered the room.
including but not limited to:
I check my phone every two minutes, look down aimlessly to adjust the hem of my clothes, and peek up at my reflection in the vanity mirror.
The woman saw all of this, and wanted to laugh, but was afraid of exposing Chen Duling's little scheme.
Until, twenty minutes later.
Chen Duling's phone screen lit up again.
She looked down,
"Little Ears, I've arrived."
Chen Duling's eyelashes fluttered slightly. She pressed her phone to her chest, quickly stood up, and without even putting on a coat, blurted out:
"Mom, I'll press the elevator button for Xu Yi."
The person had already reached the door, and the sound of footsteps faded into the distance.
"Dudu..."
The woman got up, intending to follow, but after taking two steps, she thought for a moment and sat back down in the room.
She decided not to be a third wheel for her daughter.
……
Chen Duling arrived at the elevator, stretched out her slender finger, and pressed the down button that was lit up with white light.
On the elevator's display screen, the numbers jumped rapidly starting from the first floor...
Chen Duling's heart gradually raced. She lowered her head and gently kicked the blanket on the ground with her toes.
"Ding--"
The elevator stopped in front of her.
Chen Duling held her breath, her clear, bright eyes shimmering slightly, and she gently bit her lower lip with her rabbit teeth.
"Dudu?! Have you missed your sister?"
Zhao Ya's face peeked out from the crack in the door first. She saw the slender girl in front of the door, smiled happily, and went forward to hug her tightly.
Chen Duling exclaimed in surprise and nodded shyly.
Why is it Sister Zhao Ya?
Out of the corner of her eye, her gaze drifted past Zhao Ya's shoulder and into the depths of the elevator until she saw the tall, slender figure she had been longing for.
"Little Ears, it's been a long time."
Gu Qing walked out with a light laugh and looked at Chen Duling who had been put down.
Chen Duling's beautiful eyes reflected that familiar, warm smile. She didn't speak, but took a hesitant step forward, her delicate body trembling slightly, yet she still made up her mind.
The moment they got close,
She opened her arms and hugged Gu Qing, gently pressing her forehead against his chest; the down jacket was a little cold.
The voice was muffled and very weak.
"Xu Yi, I miss you."
Gu Qing still heard it.
He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on the girl's small, red earlobes and her trembling, slender body.
"Little Ears, aren't you afraid of catching a cold wearing just a sweater?"
Gu Qing raised her hand and gently patted Chen Duling's hair twice.
A few strands of hair bounced slightly, tickling and softly irritating my palm.
Zhao Ya stood to the side, smacked her lips, and slightly grinned.
"Dudu... why are you treating people differently too?"
"Sister Zhao Ya, I...I..."
Chen Duling felt like she was a wild king, only to be a real woman for six seconds before quickly letting go, her pretty face burning, and she lowered her head, wanting to hug Zhao Ya.
"No, no, no, I wouldn't dare hug a woman the boss has hugged."
Zhao Ya, being very professional, stepped back, saying, "Even being hugged is not allowed."
"I wouldn't dare hug you. Who did you just hug?"
Gu Qing glanced at her.
"I was just too excited."
Zhao Ya smiled sheepishly, nodded at Chen Duling, and winked, hinting, "Dudu, the boss is jealous."
Chen Duling stole a glance at Gu Qing, then nervously moved closer, realizing her mother was right; she should take the initiative.
She nervously held Gu Qing's hand and took two steps to the left, stammering, "Xu Yi, Sister Zhao Ya, my room is in front. I live with my mother."
“Little Ears, of course I know you live with your mother.”
Gu Qing followed her for a couple of steps and said with a smile, "I still need to go back and pack my things. I just wanted to say hello. I'll send you a message at 2 o'clock, and we'll meet downstairs."
"Ah... Oh... Xu, Xu Yi, I'll head back now."
Chen Duling felt a sense of impending doom. Her fair face turned bright red. She hurriedly let go of his hand, turned around stiffly, and even when she tried to run, she felt a bit awkward, as if she was moving her arms and legs in unison.
"Little Ears, you really do have a talent for robot dance."
Gu Qing chuckled and entered the elevator with Zhao Ya.
Back in the room,
When the woman saw Chen Duling return, she covered her face and plopped onto the bed with a thud.
"Dudu, have you seen your Xu Yi?"
The woman smiled and joked.
Chen Duling didn't say anything, but rolled around on the bed, grabbed the blanket, wrapped herself up like a caterpillar, and wriggled around without saying a word.
The woman was completely baffled.
"How come my good daughter has become a district after just one trip out?"
……
...(End of this chapter)