A Top-Tier Star in Government Service Becomes the Entertainment Industry's Go-To Instructor

Gu Xuxi, the universally acclaimed "eight-times-zoom cop hottie" of the North China Division.

The year he earned a First-Class Merit, his black-and-white photo was hung on the wall.

But Gu Xuxi wasn't dead. He'd entered a power fantasy novel aimed at a male audience, becoming a villainous celebrity with a pretty face but no brains.

In the book, he acts out, lives extravagantly, throws his weight around, and clings to powerful people. Yet even if he lies flat and does nothing, resources and good luck from all over the world are delivered right to his door.

That is, until the end of the story, when he is exposed online as a cautionary example, his reputation collapses, and his halo shatters. Next to the grass-roots hero who rises to become a movie emperor, he loses everything.

In this life, when the plot reaches the moment when one instance of karma after another comes back to bite him ...

His rivals and haters dig into every detail of his life, but all of them freeze in astonishment:

This Gu Xuxi ... how come all he does is

bring people together, work hard, and show up on time?

**

Gu Xuxi is pretty exasperated, too. It seems like hardly any of his coworkers are normal.

A multi-award-winning movie emperor insists on giving him "special training" on a variety show called Celebrity Sports Day. He wraps an arm around Gu Xuxi's waist, asking him to teach him how to throw a discus hand over hand. His breath is hot, and his voice trembles with a bubbly lilt. "I-I have poor balance ..."

Gu Xuxi (taking charge and correcting his form without changing expression): Tighten your core and use your arms. If you can't even do this, you should train for another two hours.

The original male idol says he wants to "help out a junior," but sidles up to Gu Xuxi's leg in a camera blind spot, eyes watery. "Mommy, could you look at me a little longer ..."

Gu Xuxi (pulling out his pocket notebook): Inappropriate conduct. One demerit. Repeat offenses will result in a formal admonishment.

A pop idol with a number-one hit crosses over into idol dramas. After ten botched takes, he approaches Gu Xuxi with red ears, trying to flirt. "Teacher Gu, I can't seem to find the right feeling for this hug scene ..."

Gu Xuxi (taking a step back, all business): I recommend rereading Chapter Three of An Actor's Self-Cultivation. If you need coaching, please make an appointment through the proper channels.

An esports god turns down a wildly lucrative endorsement and takes a pay cut to join the same slow-paced variety show. He looks at Gu Xuxi from afar, his ears bright red, then says to the camera, "It was worth coming."

Gu Xuxi (frowning, speaking quietly to the assistant off camera): Check whether he's suspected of illegally switching teams or involved in a contract dispute.

As it turns out, Gu Xuxi is fed up with all the nonsense. He wishes he could whip out a pair of handcuffs and arrest the lot of them!

Arrest every last one!

But as it turns out, if he clips the handcuffs to the small of his back, they only get even more excited.

Gu Xuxi is baffled:

How can artists make so much money without doing their jobs properly?

Do they even take their work seriously?

And if you're being paid a million a day, but can't handle the job, there are plenty of people who can.

*

His values are just too at odds with the entertainment industry, and working here wears Gu Xuxi out.

Luckily, he's under 38, has the required education, is a Party member, and has no tattoos.

So when Gu Xuxi uses his unmistakable "government employee" air to earn a good reputation and rise to the top of the entertainment industry, no one expects him to leave the scene right afterward.

That is, until netizens uncover the truth: Gu Xuxi seems to be ... studying for the civil service exam???

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A lighthearted, funny power fantasy with face-slapping and a comeback.

Theme: Grow through adversity.