CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 286 - 279: Fewer and Fewer

"Next, I will announce the ’Dynamic Era Girl Group.’ Please stand up."

Following Long Zitao’s words, Su Ruiqi, Liu Feiyu, Luo Qijia, and Ma Xingyu stood up.

Liu Feiyu remained calm; she knew she was guaranteed to advance.

Su Ruiqi, on the other hand, was extremely nervous. She was the team leader and excelled in singing and dancing.

However, she had never received good camera time. Of course, her personality and appearance didn’t attract fans either.

"Su Ruiqi, your talent has been recognized by the mentors and founders."

Long Zitao’s words filled her heart with joy, and her teammates began clapping for her.

"As the leader of this group, it seems your teammates have performed better."

With this comment, the atmosphere in the room grew tense, and Su Ruiqi felt her blood freeze instantly.

Liu Feiyu couldn’t help but furrow her brows, thinking the show’s approach was too cruel.

"If you were to leave this stage today, would you feel regret or resentment?"

"...I think there would be regret. But I hope my teammates can move forward."

Su Ruiqi fought back the pain as if a knife were piercing her, forcing a smile and continuing, "I will cheer for them, and I will give them likes."

Luo Qijia and Ma Xingyu looked at their leader with deeply conflicted emotions.

Especially Luo Qijia, who wanted to advance but also hoped her leader would advance—and yet secretly wished her leader wouldn’t so she could take the spot herself.

She felt she was so "bad," so dark.

Before coming here, they had been teammates and friends, living together for over two years.

But in the face of fame and fortune, she had become so terrifying.

The young Ma Xingyu felt an urge to cry.

She was inherently kind, and everyone liked calling her "Little Pony."

She had spent every day following the leader in grueling training sessions, not knowing how to express herself or how to maintain a so-called persona.

"You wouldn’t be able to give likes to people from the outside."

Long Zitao’s words reinvigorated the previously stifling atmosphere, and everyone spontaneously shouted out, releasing the tension in their chests.

"Advancing are Su Ruiqi, Liu Feiyu, Luo Qijia—you are also the group with the most members advancing today."

Liu Feiyu and Luo Qijia couldn’t hide their delight, while Su Ruiqi turned to the still-forced-smiling Ma Xingyu and held her hand tightly.

"...I’m fine. I’ll head out and like your posts."

"...Good luck. Remember to focus on losing weight."

Su Ruiqi’s words nearly broke the always-food-loving, diet-obsessed Ma Xingyu.

Liu Feiyu and Luo Qijia walked over, gave a token embrace, and headed toward the advancement zone.

Ma Xingyu covered her face, collapsing weakly back into her seat.

"Next, I will announce the ’Special Union’ trainees."

Hearing the name of this company, all the trainees instantly fell silent.

The ’Special Union’ trainees were none other than the most eccentric contestant Zhu Riri and her unlucky teammate Liu Mengyao.

Simultaneously, the cameraman zoomed in on the nervous Gao Ziyi.

Gao Ziyi had gotten even heavier, her face puffed up like a steamed bun.

Today, Zhu Riri had applied light makeup, making her look somewhat normal.

Her teammate Liu Mengyao had slimmed down noticeably, visibly tense in every gesture.

Over the past period, Liu Mengyao had been plagued by insomnia. Every time she shut her eyes, she saw Zhu Riri going berserk and then laughing gleefully from the throne.

Similarly, Zhu Riri had lost weight. Since her advancement, she had been the target of relentless online abuse.

While others were criticized for blocking other contestants’ advancement paths, she was purely vilified.

She lived in constant fear, genuinely worried she’d be attacked if she left the base.

"Regrettably, none of you will enter the next stage of the competition."

Long Zitao’s words eased the minds of everyone, including the two aforementioned contestants.

Wu Zixuan even surreptitiously exhaled as if to rid herself of bad luck.

"I believe every one of you has grown through this program."

"I hope you can face everything outside with strength."

Liu Mengyao nearly burst into laughter—was this a jab at Zhu Riri?

Sitting beside Zhu Riri, Gao Ziyi bent forward slightly to observe her closely.

She genuinely wondered what this girl might be thinking now.

Long Zitao gave them no chance to speak and proceeded to announce the next group.

"Next, I will announce the trainees from Tomato Entertainment. Please stand up."

Qiang Yueting and Fu Xiaoyu held hands and got up.

At this point, Qiang Yueting had lost her previous radiance, looking visibly exhausted.

The cameraman, in true fashion, switched the shot to Lv Fangxin.

Making the former feel entirely uncomfortable.

Qiang Dongyue forced a smile, her gaze fixed on Wang Miaomiao.

Would she end up like her? Why had she been so foolish before?

Qiang Yueting had not only suffered a blow from the "airport photo" but also had her singing criticized for being disruptive, her neighbor diss track exposed, and her derogatory regional comments unearthed.

These events, long forgotten by her, had all been brought to light.

She deeply felt that her dreams of debuting, even her hope of fighting for the C-position, were drifting further and further away.

Fu Xiaoyu, however, smiled genuinely, confident in her advancement and now only concerned with her ranking.

"Congratulations, all of you advance." Long Zitao chuckled.

Qiang Yueting secretly exhaled, relieved that the worst-case scenario hadn’t occurred.

"Next, I will announce the group from Wuliang Entertainment. Please stand up."

Gou Xueying, who had consistently performed well, and the stunning Wang Tingting stood up.

"After the rankings from the last performance, the two of you are very close."

"Today, only one of you will advance."

"Which do you think it will be?"

Long Zitao’s final question caused Wang Tingting’s throat to tighten.

She had been the thumbs-up queen for her group in the last performance.

But online, Gou Xueying seemed to be more popular than her.

Some netizens even praised Gou Xueying’s skill and strength.

She believed that as the program entered its third public performance, the show would definitely retain contestants with higher popularity and skill to ensure outstanding stages.

Across the entire base, Gou Xueying’s singing skills undoubtedly ranked among the top ten.

Feeling heavy-hearted, Wang Tingting found herself choking back tears, holding the microphone but unable to speak. Seemingly frail yet inwardly strong, Gou Xueying grabbed the microphone.

"I think Wang Tingting will advance because she has truly worked hard."

"From F Class to B Class, and now becoming the thumbs-up queen in the last performance."

Gou Xueying’s words earned applause from the whole room, with everyone admiring this girl who was soft on the outside but strong inside.

Wang Tingting hated her own timidity and loss of confidence.

"The one advancing is Wang Tingting. Please proceed to the advancement zone."

Gou Xueying forced a smile, hugged her teammate, and the emotions in her eyes broke the other’s heart.

Wang Tingting raised her head, preventing her tears from falling, and quickly walked to the advancement zone, where Zhao Juke greeted her with an enthusiastic hug and joyful laughter.

"Next is the ’Firepower Girl’ duo, Gao Yingxi and Wu Meiying."

Everyone broke into relaxed smiles upon hearing their names.

Gao Yingxi and Wu Meiying also appeared calm and at ease.

Originally, they had joined to add a touch of prestige, but they hadn’t expected the program to gain so much popularity.

Both had now seriously considered debuting, especially Wu Meiying.

Her company had gone all out in promoting her, even purchasing a day-long giant LED billboard for her at Times Square in the USA.

They had also spent tens of thousands of dollars on votes to secure her a C-position song during the third public performance.

However, after a vote manipulation scandal erupted, her company was directly warned by Tencent.

Tencent knew very well the size of her fanbase.

Though not an unknown face, her popularity remained limited.

"All advancing." Long Zitao said decisively.

The two walked hand-in-hand toward the advancement zone.