CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 284 - 277: 2 Public Eliminations

"Hello everyone!"

"Hello, initiator!"

Right now, everyone’s emotions are extremely tense, whether they believe they’ll advance or fear they’ll be eliminated.

"Hello, girls of Tianou."

"After completing two performances, your journey to debut has already reached its halfway point."

These words instantly made the atmosphere heavier, a wave of sorrow enveloping everyone’s hearts.

"Today, based on your votes, we will announce the new round of advancement rankings."

"After this round, 36 out of the 58 of you will stay here."

Long Zitao’s pace of speaking was steady but it only heightened the tension in the room.

No one spoke; it seemed they were all waiting for a difficult moment.

The camera operator continuously zoomed in on each girl’s close-up shot—some took deep breaths, some nervously fiddled with their hair, others shifted uneasily.

"Since coming here, you’ve gained new classmates and new teammates for performances."

"Do you remember your first day stepping onto this stage?"

"Do you remember the people who stood beside you when you sat on the pyramid?"

Before the trainees could answer, Long Zitao continued, "Those people were your original company teammates."

Many of them couldn’t help but show reflective, bittersweet, nostalgic smiles.

Indeed! Back then, they were just as nameless and ordinary.

If they could cross this hurdle, their future identities might completely transform.

If not, all of this would just be an illusion, like flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water.

The girls instinctively reached out and held onto their nearby teammates.

Human emotions are truly complex and contradictory.

Before this, and after this, these people would all be competitors. But when they needed support, the first ones they thought of were often the "people beside them" for so many years.

Gao Ziyi also smiled and held Jiang Mengqi’s hand, but the latter’s face was filled with disappointment as she stared ahead, completely unresponsive to the gesture.

Jiang Mengqi felt like she wouldn’t make it this time and was sure she’d be eliminated. Moreover, some of Gao Ziyi’s actions had made her particularly uncomfortable.

"Today, we’ve brought you all together again in the most familiar way."

"Returning to the starting point while welcoming a new beginning for everyone."

"I hope every girl has good fortune."

Long Zitao cast a sincere and encouraging look toward each of them.

"Next, we’ll move on to the announcement phase."

At this moment, Yang Ni suddenly clasped her hands together in a prayer gesture.

Nearing eight years of struggling in the outside world, she was desperate to advance this time.

She had been the one most likely to secure the center position.

Her stunning debut performance, the teachers’ praises, the admiration of her classmates.

But everything had been ruined because of her "carelessness."

During that time, she was so distraught that she couldn’t extricate herself, even harboring thoughts of self-harm.

But she got through it all.

Because she often used the things she’d learned back in her hometown to counsel herself.

"Those advancing will first be seated in the advancement area before climbing the pyramid."

Long Zitao gestured toward the direction opposite where the trainees were seated.

"Among the girls here, there’s one group whose original members all remain."

"They are the Dream Flying Girl Group!"

Long Zitao’s words made many of the girls look enviously at Guo Xia and Wei Xin’s side.

They themselves proudly raised their joined hands.

"Will the six trainees from this group please stand."

"Guo Xia, did you ever imagine achieving such good results?"

Guo Xia, who had been bowing to the other trainees, froze for a moment before answering:

"I think we should all approach it with a gratitude-filled heart!"

"It doesn’t matter what the outcome is; treating each stage seriously is what matters most."

As a high-ranking trainee, she wasn’t in danger of being eliminated.

But she couldn’t boast, so she gave an answer that seemed not to be an answer.

Her words earned applause across the room.

"Now, I will reveal your rankings."

Long Zitao’s statement surprised everyone—they hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

This wasn’t what they had anticipated at all! Last time, there had been all kinds of dramatic farewells.

Yang Xiaoyue also noticed the trainees’ expressions. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Her arrangement this time was actually a lesson learned from the third season.

The farewell scenarios during the first public performance last time had caused a lot of dissatisfaction, with people complaining about how they spent more than two hours just watching the trainees cry. Idols were supposed to bring optimism and positive energy.

So this time, the pace of the process was sped up.

Furthermore, there were nearly half as many people left this time, so the show couldn’t be stretched out as long as the third season.

"Half of you will be able to stay on this stage."

Long Zitao’s words caused Jiang Mengqi to feel even more nervous and dejected.

Before this ranking announcement, many of the girls speculated that the show in balancing commercial interests might only leave one person from the same company.

She couldn’t resist the urge to glance at Gao Ziyi sitting next to her but ultimately held herself back.

The girls in Dream Flying were also stressed to the limit, barely maintaining smiles.

"Meimei, keep it up!"

"Du Jiayu, keep it up!"

"Luo Tiantian, keep it up!"

Even as Jiang Mengqi struggled to secure her own spot, she stood and cheered for her CP partner.

Luo Tiantian, with her newly dyed white hair, turned back to return the supportive smile.

"It’s unfortunate, Meimei, Du Jiayu, Luo Meiyi—none of you will continue in the next round. Thank you for your efforts during this time."

Long Zitao’s voice remained calm, but to different ears, it sounded very different.

This reserved tone was actually a production team requirement; he had been much more passionate the last time.

The three girls, Meimei, Du Jiayu, and Luo Meiyi, bowed to everyone as tears welled up in their eyes.

"Now, those whose names weren’t called, please head to the advancement area."

"For the rest, please listen closely."

Initially wanting to rush over to say goodbyes, the remaining girls stayed seated and motionless.

They felt the production team’s methods were too cruel.

Nonetheless, others still shouted words of encouragement loudly.

"This group came to the show as the group with the most members representing the stage."

"It was also one of the most popular groups."

Everyone immediately guessed it was Yuehua’s "Fantasy Girls," and the cameraman shifted the lens toward Meng Meixuan.

But her expression wasn’t good because she already knew about the song selection issue.

Her reputation had taken a significant hit after failing in three song selections.

Moreover, before arriving at the recording studio, the news she got was still that her song hadn’t been finalized.

This made her anxious while simultaneously resenting Wu Zixuan deeply.

She blamed the other’s fans for not rallying to support her during vote-pushing.

"’Fantasy Girls,’ please stand."

As several girls stood up, Meng Meixuan’s smile appeared forced, while Wu Zixuan turned her face intentionally to the side.

"Now, let’s announce your advancement results."

Long Zitao spoke while looking at them with interest.

"Among you, only Meng Meixuan and Wu Zixuan will continue on the stage."

Long Zitao’s words didn’t surprise these girls.

They all understood that the first two were guaranteed to debut in high-ranking positions.

Since that was the case, the others would most likely be sacrificed to make space for trainees from other companies, ensuring Penguin could balance interests.

Jiang Mei’er and the other three gathered around, and the five of them hugged together.

"Keep it up! Meixuan."

"Keep it up! Zixuan."

Although they were prepared for the outcome, Jiang Mei’er and the other two couldn’t hide their bitterness and disappointment.

Tears welled as they cheered for the two.

Wu and Meng both patted them gently in comfort.

"Will the advancing trainees please proceed to the advancement area, and thank the remaining trainees for their efforts."

Long Zitao began urging them to move along.

Seated beneath Meng Meixuan’s group, Fan Lei looked visibly shocked.

She was deeply afraid she wouldn’t advance, and equally afraid of her teammates leaving.

To her, Yuehua was a benchmark, and now only the two most popular ones remained. But what about her own group?