Chapter 4: Finding a Substitute

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After the meeting ended,

"Hold on a second, guys."

Deng Chao suddenly stood up, clapped his hands, and said, "Since we're going to be filming this show together, we're a family now. To make it easier to stay in touch, I'll start a group chat. Everyone, join in."

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and began to operate it clumsily.

His tone was relaxed and natural, carrying the warmth of an older brother, which instantly bridged the distance between everyone.

"Chao-ge is Chao-ge, always so thoughtful."

Chen Chichi laughed in agreement, and the others nodded one after another, pulling out their phones to scan the QR code and join the group.

Deng Chao’s gaze swept over the group and finally landed on Gu Qing, his smile becoming even gentler.

"Xiao Gu, let's add each other as friends too."

He walked over to Gu Qing on his own initiative, ready to scan the code.

Gu Qing was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Deng Chao to take the initiative to add his contact information.

After all, Deng Chao’s status in the industry was well-established, while he was just a newcomer who had just debuted.

"Chao-ge, let me scan you instead."

Gu Qing hurriedly stood up; he wasn't a fool, and he certainly understood the basic social graces.

"What's the trouble? How many times do I have to say it? From now on, we're brothers, don't be a stranger."

Deng Chao smiled and patted his shoulder, looking very satisfied.

At the same time,

Chen Chichi also leaned in, grinning as he said, "Xiao Gu, let's add each other too. I just complimented you on being handsome, you can't reject me—that would be too embarrassing for me."

"Chichi-ge, of course not. I really love watching *iPartment*. I’ve followed every season."

Gu Qing said.

Although that show had been confirmed to be a plagiarism,

For most young people who grew up watching *iPartment*, it remained the fondest memory in their hearts.

"Really? You watch it even over in the Peninsula?"

Chen Chichi was a bit skeptical.

In this industry, there were too many people who would say whatever they thought others wanted to hear.

"I do! Every time I got tired from dance practice, I’d use my phone to watch some relaxing comedies."

Gu Qing cursed inwardly—he hadn't transmigrated when he was watching it. He hurriedly smoothed things over, "It’s just that this season only has 24 episodes, it feels like too little. Your relationship and career with Yifei-jie finally got on the right track, but it still seems a bit rocky. Will there be a fifth season?"

"You'll have to ask Wei Zhen about that."

Chen Chichi smiled again, clearly feeling a bit closer to Gu Qing.

A wildly popular idol being a fan of his show—the secret thrill was undeniable.

"Qingqing-didi, I want to add you too, I want to add you too."

Angelababy also walked over, shaking her phone with a playful smile on her face, "Come on, scan me, little brother."

"Chen-ge, Zhulan-ge, let me add you both as well."

Seeing this, Gu Qing added Li Chen and Wong Cho-lam, who hadn't spoken up yet.

After adding everyone, Deng Chao and his group laughed as they followed their assistants away.

In the empty room, Gu Qing was left alone in the blink of an eye.

"Phew—"

Gu Qing put down his phone and let out a long breath, rubbing his face, which had gone stiff from smiling.

"Selling smiles is better than selling my soul, I suppose."

He knew that in this industry, connections were vital.

"In the next few years, with the big internet companies entering the scene, it’ll be the golden age for traffic-driven artists. I’ll grind for six years, earn enough to retire, and then enjoy life!"

After setting his goal to make money, Gu Qing headed toward his assistant outside the door.

Back in his room,

A staff member had sent him the script for the evening's shoot and a set consisting of a black leather jacket and a helmet.

Just like the awkward opening of the first season of *Running Man* in his past life, each member had to film a small skit.

Chao-ge was filming as a "soul dancer," Wang Baoqiang was filming an action sequence to highlight his "Shaolin boy" persona.

Li Chen was the "romantic playboy," Chen Chichi the "water gun assassin," Wong Cho-lam the "master of disguise," and Angelababy the "female secret agent."

And for Gu Qing himself, the "biker boy."

The script was very simple: ride a cool black motorcycle, crash through a specially made fake wall, drift to a stop, strike a pose, take off the helmet, and show his face.

But there was one major problem facing Gu Qing: "I don't have a driver's license. I can't drive."

His predecessor was a trainee in the Peninsula; when would he have had the time to get a motorcycle license?

"Uh..."

Looking at Gu Qing, who was shrugging his hands like a little bear, the staff member suppressed a laugh and said, "Don't worry, Teacher Gu. We'll find a stunt double to do the crashing part. You just need to record the part where you take off the helmet. After all, highlighting your face is what's most important."

"Sorry about that, thanks for the trouble."

Gu Qing gave an awkward smile, "Also, just call me Gu Qing. I'm really not a 'Teacher'."

He hadn't expected to need a stunt double on his very first day, perfectly fitting the stereotype of the "useless idol."

"Teacher Gu, if we just called you by your name, we’d probably be cursed to death by your fans."

The young man said with a bitter face, explaining with trepidation.

Those of them in the industry knew all too well what kind of crazy things those fanatical fans could do.

"..."

Gu Qing was speechless. He feared his fans had already settled their tabs and run off long ago, but he couldn't just say that out loud. He had no choice but to temporarily accept the high-pressure title.

There was still some time before the evening shoot,

Gu Qing simply put the script away and began to practice dancing.

This was a habit accumulated by his predecessor over many years; a sense of urgency that he would be eliminated if he didn't improve kept him from sitting still as time slipped away.

As the twilight deepened outside the window, two hours passed in a flash.

Gu Qing took off his shirt, which was soaked enough to wring out, and after a short rest, went to wash up.

Just as he finished changing and was about to blow-dry his hair,

"Boss, time to get up. We have to leave in an hour."

Zhao Ya, from next door, knocked on the door with a soft voice, carrying a small bag full of cosmetics.

In addition to being an assistant, she was also briefly doubling as his makeup artist.

It wasn't that the company was deliberately sidelining Gu Qing; on the contrary, they valued him highly, otherwise, they wouldn't have put so much effort into marketing him to get him onto *Running Man*.

It was just that the makeup artist they had paid a high price to poach had run into some contract issues with their original company and wouldn't be able to arrive for a few more days.

After entering,

Seeing Gu Qing with his hair dripping wet,

Zhao Ya naturally picked up the hairdryer to style his hair.

The hot air carried the scent of mint shampoo. She stared at the boy's damp brows and eyes in the mirror, her hand holding the comb trembling slightly. She said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's, "Boss, should I apply eyeliner? Li-jie said that..."

"No."

Gu Qing recoiled as if triggered, the back of his head hitting the hairdryer stand with a "bang" that nearly made Zhao Ya drop the comb.

He winced and refused without a second thought, "Didn't the director say they wanted a more natural look? Just put on some powder, that's fine."

"A grown man wearing eyeliner? That would be too weird."

Zhao Ya thought about it; the director did say they wanted the artists' makeup to be subtle, so she regretfully gave up on the idea.

After a simple makeup application,

Gu Qing checked his phone. There were twenty minutes left until the agreed meeting time. He said, "Let's go, we'll head downstairs and wait."

"Huh? Why go so early?"

Zhao Ya tried to persuade him, "Boss, you're a huge traffic draw for the show now. People should be waiting for you, not the other way around."

"You know how much 'water' is in this traffic of mine, don't you?"

Gu Qing put on his clothes, annoyed, "Besides, no matter how much traffic I have, I'm still a newcomer. Keeping a good attitude might not guarantee success, but it certainly won't hurt."

With that, he walked out of the hotel.

……

(End of chapter)