CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 344 - 336 Inside and Outside the Stage

"Next up, let’s welcome our initiator, Long Zitao, to the stage."

Following Uncle Bao’s words, Long Zitao, dressed in athletic wear, walked up onto the stage.

He performed his hit song for the live audience, which the production team considered a perk for the mentors. Fans below the stage were shouting his name incessantly.

Long Zitao sang while looking at the passionate faces in the crowd below.

In the beginning, when he joined the show, his original role was as a mentor. However, the production team felt his singing and dancing skills weren’t sufficient for that position, so they redefined his role as the initiator instead.

At the start of the show, he faced considerable criticism and attacks.

People said he lacked emotional intelligence, his taste made everything seem "low," his professional level was inadequate, and he had a penchant for using motivational speeches and overly sentimental, over-the-top ways, like holding a morning meeting in a street-side hair salon.

But through his gradual performances on the show, he finally won over the audience’s hearts and gained a large following of fans.

To the public, Long Zitao is seen as straightforward and sincere, someone with strong values, and genuinely passionate about helping these dream-chasing girls.

When the song ended, Uncle Bao approached the stage. "That was incredible, simply amazing."

Long Zitao felt a little embarrassed upon hearing Uncle Bao’s praise.

His fans, however, were exhilarated, chanting, "Taotao is the best!"

"Zitao, are you happy today?"

"I’m beyond happy!"

Despite being someone who usually talks a lot, Long Zitao suddenly seemed hesitant to express himself this time.

Uncle Bao, an industry veteran and an award-winning actor, made Zitao a bit uneasy.

"Haha, after months of hard work, tonight we finally get to see the results."

Uncle Bao’s words stirred a mix of emotions in Zitao’s gaze— elation, melancholy, and reluctance.

"I’m very excited and nervous right now," said Zitao, his voice trembling slightly.

"I’ve watched the show before, and from it, I can tell you are an extremely sincere person. You even lost your temper once in pursuit of your goal." Uncle Bao deliberately adopted a serious expression.

The incident Uncle Bao referred to was Zitao’s notably controversial behavior during the song selection before the second public performance.

Zitao himself remained bothered by it, but due to the production team’s restrictions, he could not openly express his thoughts about it.

This time, the show had given him the opportunity to speak his mind freely, while also shaping his public persona. Judging by the online reception, audiences already had a positive view of that temper flare-up.

Standing nearby, Gao chuckled quietly. This segment’s direction hadn’t arranged any remarks for her.

With a serious tone, Long Zitao stated:

"Reaching the shore of your dreams requires great sacrifice."

"I’ve been through it myself, which is why I hold the girls to high standards."

"Also, once you’ve achieved fame, many people will shower you with praises."

"You need to discern whether someone truly cares for you."

At that moment, the camera panned to the eliminated contestants sitting at the edge of the stage.

The girls couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Having navigated the entertainment industry, they deeply understood the meaning behind Zitao’s words.

Meanwhile, the 22 contestants waiting backstage felt the sentiments resonate even more strongly.

"Zitao put it perfectly. Every word hit home because it’s genuinely heartfelt. Honestly, he’s the one who experienced the most during this program." Gao began praising Zitao’s performance.

"Actually, this program isn’t just about me; it’s also about the mentors who stayed with the girls throughout, and all the staff and founders involved!"

Long Zitao’s sincerity drew thunderous applause from the audience, all genuine and emotional.

"Now let’s welcome our five mentors to the stage." Gao’s clear voice echoed across the venue.

The five mentors walked onstage, while four massive screens displayed individual messages from each of them directed at the girls. The heartfelt words touched everyone deeply.

"Next, the competition will begin. I’m about to reveal the real-time popularity ranking."

Gao held a cue card handed to her by the production team, her expression solemn.

The atmosphere became tense as everyone’s hearts were on edge— even the network executives, who were certain their trainees would debut, couldn’t remain calm.

None of them could be sure if Penguin wouldn’t pull some last-minute trick.

Ye Yuwei and the others were already standing on stage, each wearing bright smiles. But their nervousness was evident.

"What I’m sharing is good news."

Gao’s words prompted a subconscious laugh from everyone, though no one really trusted her.

"The first piece of good news is the current holders of the debut spots."

"Before announcing that, I’d like to reveal that the top vote-getter in our rankings thus far is Meng Meixuan."

This announcement wasn’t surprising, yet it still delighted the winner.

Watching this unfold on screen, Xiao Du’s lips curved into a frosty smile.

He was skeptical about Meng Meixuan’s collective fundraising efforts.

Especially during the scramble for the center position in the third public performance’s theme song.

Meng Meixuan couldn’t even beat Wu Zixuan in that battle— if her agency hadn’t stepped in at the last minute, it’s likely she wouldn’t have held the center spot.

"How is Meng Meixuan still first when we’ve mobilized over 70 people and poured more than 300,000 yuan into it in just this half-hour?" Mu Yunchu furrowed her brows.

"Let’s observe further. If Penguin really tampers with the votes, we’ll proceed with our original plan."

Xiao Du’s pale face revealed a sinister expression.

Back on stage, Gao continued: "Therefore, she earns an additional ten thousand likes."

Hearing this, fans from other factions nearly smashed their screens in frustration.

Though ten thousand likes might not seem like much, it reeked of vote manipulation!

"Now, I’ll reveal the names of those who retained their spots in the top eleven!"

"The contestants maintaining their rankings are Lv Fangxin, Fu Xiaoyu, and Duan Yuxin."

Gao’s announcement provoked waves of fury among the fandoms.

Lv Fangxin held the seventh ranking during the previous round, which already spurred suspicions of Penguin rigging the votes.

Now that her ranking remained unchanged, many simply couldn’t take it.

Following the third public performance, her fan base invested over 4 million yuan to boost her standings.

According to published details from other factions’ fundraising activities (every fan club transparently shares its donation breakdown),

The disclosure wasn’t because fan clubs wanted to expose their data; it was shared to reassure those who funded the voting campaigns and to challenge rival fan clubs openly— a "We’re not afraid of you" gesture.

Among the top eleven fundraisers, Lv Fangxin’s camp had contributed the most money, surpassing Ye Yuwei’s camp by over 1.7 million yuan.

Fans who had already cast their votes for Lv Fangxin flooded the program’s official Weibo account with complaints, only to find it completely swamped— every fanbase was furious.

Standing on stage in a brilliant Mr. Su-designed blue gown, Lv Fangxin’s expression remained calm, even showing traces of quiet satisfaction.

Her own thoughts differed starkly from her fans’. She felt that debuting lower on the rankings might actually ease her pressure.

These days, she’d been haunted by nightmares— every time she closed her eyes, she’d see people calling her worthless and witnessing her performance failures.

Ye Yuwei found it surprising; Lv Fangxin’s fans were typically tough when it came to voting efforts.

Inside, Duan Yuxin felt similarly shaken— this was her first time participating in such a show,

And she’d already surpassed heights that countless talented young women could only dream of achieving in a lifetime.

So many bright, passionate girls had been overlooked.

Yet she stood here as the center of public attention.

Fu Xiaoyu was equally emotional. Without much confidence in debuting, she simply hoped for a steady outcome.

"Keep it up! Until the very end, none of us know who will debut." Gao sounded like she was comforting the contestants but was actually urging fans watching the show to vote.