CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 333 - 325: Two Kinds of Moods

At this moment, Ye Yuwei’s expression looked dejected.

She was an orphan and had no family at all.

Zhang Zijing reached out and tightly held her friend’s hand: "You still have me."

Ye Yuwei smiled and also gripped her hand tightly.

Soon, the staff pushed in a large screen.

"Who does everyone want to see?"

Someone shouted to watch Guo Xia’s video.

Uncle Bao opened the video, and a clip of Guo Xia’s family appeared.

It turned out the program team had gone to her home to record the video.

The atmosphere at this moment was warm and beautiful.

There’s virtually nothing better than receiving your family’s blessings during tough times.

However, besides Ye Yuwei, there were also other parents who didn’t appear.

For instance, Chen Yinghan—her family only wrote her a letter.

Similarly, Li Shihan’s parents did not make an appearance.

But everyone knew she grew up in a military compound.

The ones present for her were her teammates Lin Jiayi and Ni Chunshu, both of whom were eliminated after the first public performance. It was obvious from their eyes—they were filled with both envy and happiness.

The two of them sang a song together for their friend.

Zhang Zijing’s parents, on the other hand, cheered her on with all their might. It seemed her parents fully supported her in pursuing the path of being a female star.

What was funny here was Qi Ziyue.

Her parents didn’t appear either. The video on the screen featured her friend.

People jokingly said it was her boyfriend, though, of course, everyone knew that wasn’t possible.

But the moment the video played, everyone was stunned.

Because the screen showed a delicate-looking young man wearing glasses.

Immediately, the crowd started to jeer and tease.

Qi Ziyue quickly clarified loudly, "That’s my assistant, just my assistant."

Once this "assistant" spoke, it became apparent to all that she was a somewhat androgynous girl who could be easily misunderstood.

As if she had anticipated Qi Ziyue’s reaction, the assistant started off with, "Don’t show a horrified expression when you see me. I’m here today to remind you not to overeat."

Qi Ziyue nearly collapsed onto the table in sheer embarrassment upon hearing that.

"I’ve been keeping track of all the meat and snacks you’ve been eating!"

"Just look at these photos fans took of you."

As she spoke, the assistant pulled out her phone, displaying a chubby photo of Qi Ziyue.

The whole room burst into laughter—just a moment earlier, Qi Ziyue had devoured an entire plate of dumplings.

"Don’t believe her! That photo is fake," she exclaimed in an attempt to cover up her embarrassment.

"After the finals, I’ll be waiting to meet you with a scale in hand," the assistant shot back sharply.

This comment sent chills down the spines of those under company contracts, their hearts skipping a beat.

The glimmer of starlight faded, the night deepened.

The girls, who hadn’t slept for nearly a full 24 hours, returned to their dormitories.

As they stepped into the place, they all suddenly felt an oppressive and suffocating silence descending upon them.

In the past, no matter how late it was when they returned, there would always be sisters waiting for them.

But this time, the hallways, the rooms, were all eerily quiet.

They truly felt it now—there were only this many of them left.

From the initial 101 girls, over three performances, and after more than 80 days of collective living, only 22 of them remained to advance to the final round.

In ten days’ time, they would face their ultimate showdown.

Back in their rooms, after showering, many didn’t go to sleep. They all felt there was so much to talk about—too much had happened today.

Shenghai

A certain hot pot restaurant

Yu Qingjia and her group were gathered around enjoying a hot pot.

From the cheerful laughter at the beginning to the current heavy silence, every girl sitting there was consumed by an indescribable sadness.

The atmosphere at today’s live event had left them completely shaken. They felt that Sister Qingjia and Ye Yuwei truly were stars now.

No longer the insignificant nobodies they used to be. Over time, the number of people attending theater performances had dramatically increased, mostly because of Ye Yuwei’s casual fans.

To the point where people were crazily buying Ye Yuwei’s CDs just for their handshake tickets.

Many said they were saving these tickets in hopes of someday getting a handshake.

Such a fervent atmosphere was something they had never witnessed before.

In the past three months, the small theater’s performances had been completely sold out for every show.

If they could manage a 45% occupancy rate before, it would be considered impressive.

Now, all this was thanks to the traffic Ye Yuwei brought in.

Of course, there was also a small fanbase for Lu Bingbing.

All of them performed with all their might in the small theater, trying their best to retain these audiences.

None of them had ever experienced such exhilarating and fiery performances.

But it wasn’t just that. Whenever they ventured out, people would swarm around asking about Ye Yuwei.

This was both awkward and uncomfortable because the company forbade them from discussing anything about Ye Yuwei.

Nonetheless, some brave ones still disclosed a few things.

Because small theater performances required a highly engaged fanbase.

Their own rankings depended on fans’ participation and voting; fans were their "bread and butter" and indispensable "tools" for gaining fame.

Seeing so many people showing up and such a dedicated fan community around them, letting go of it was like spotting money on the ground and refusing to pick it up.

In the end, the company relented, as long as it didn’t go too far.

People like Yu Qingjia gained a decent number of casual fans out of this.

Which was how they ended up attending today’s fan meeting.

"If we had gone there back then, who knows how things would’ve turned out," Zhang Yu said, sipping some wine.

"Maybe we could’ve stood on that biggest stage," Su Yiran said with a look of longing.

"What a pity. If only we had handled things better, we definitely could have secured two debut spots," Zhang Yu said, her eyes filled with regret and anger.

They had heard from the rumors by now. Back when the show first aired, their group had been allotted five spots, supposedly including two debut positions.

"Who could’ve guessed the show would blow up? We’re not fortune-tellers," Yu Qingjia tried to manage everyone’s emotions. Some things couldn’t just be said without care.

"If five of us had gone, Sister Qingjia, you would definitely be one of them," said Duan Yuxin.

"At the time, they wanted us top-ranking members. Too bad they didn’t send anyone," Zhang Yu said.

Yu Qingjia, deep down, was just as dissatisfied. If they had agreed to the offer back then, she definitely would have gone.

Among the "Magnificent Seven," apart from the "Big Three," her external engagements were the least.

Galaxy would never have sent the Big Three, so the next in line would undoubtedly have been her.

If she had participated, Ye Yuwei wouldn’t even stand a chance.

But alas, it was all destiny. What was missed was missed.

"However, I heard that once the temporary group disbands, there will be another selection," Yu Qingjia remarked.

Her words instantly reignited excitement among everyone, sweeping away their gloomy mood from earlier.

"Really, Sister Qingjia?"

"Oh my god! If that’s the case, we’ll have a chance!"

"The company won’t stop us this time, right?"

"If they try, I’ll quit, even if it means breaking my contract!"

Yu Qingjia looked at everyone’s lifted spirits and laughed:

"Don’t get too carried away. If it happens, the company will definitely allow us to go."

"From what I’ve heard, some of our company’s traditional businesses are gone."

Yu Qingjia’s words left everyone feeling puzzled.

"Although Galaxy isn’t well-known outside the industry, it has a certain reputation among insiders."

"Every year, programs from various networks and galas still invite us."

"But this year, none of the big networks have sent me invitations."

"The word is that they’re all waiting for the girl group formed through Tencent’s show."

Yu Qingjia’s remarks once again silenced everyone.

Those TV programs were one of their few gateways into the entertainment industry.

They were also one of the scarce opportunities for external engagements.

Without those, they would be trapped in this small world.

To stay local meant no hope, especially with such fierce competitors around.

Though outwardly defiant, deep down, they had already conceded that the girl group from Tencent’s program would undoubtedly become the ultimate first-tier group.

The mind-conditioning power of Tencent’s program was extraordinarily strong.

Coupled with its sensational popularity, all other girl groups felt overshadowed in comparison.

"Don’t lose heart—prepare well over the next two years. Opportunities always favor those who are ready," Yu Qingjia said, raising her glass. The others followed suit, lifting their glasses.