Chapter 57 Part 2
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This chapter is edited by Cthulhu. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 57: Don’t Stop Here, Join Carry Center and Become a Star! (2)
“Oh my! How is it that Honey Qing seems to have such good chemistry with everyone? Whether it’s with Small Hope, Great Devil, Liuli, Little Sakura, or Xiaoxiao – with Honey Qing as the foundation, any combination works well.”
The trend of various ‘ship’ combinations didn’t trigger any backlash from the main fanbase.
The reason was very simple.
“Dazzling Stage” was a survival talent show featuring 168 contestants. If screen time were evenly distributed, each person would only get less than 45 seconds in one episode.
It was manageable when only 101 contestants appeared in the first episode. However, as the remaining 67 contestants joined, the screen time would become even more limited.
Even for popular contestants like Xie Qingxuan, it was very difficult to stand out in this aspect.
In this situation, the smartest approach was to form small groups with good chemistry, making the audience enjoy watching their interactions.
Success meant more attention and screen time on the show, leading to increased popularity.
When Chu Yuanqing’s dormitory life was shown in the program, it proved this method effective.
In this context, who could be unhappy with Chu Yuanqing?
She wasn’t just the link connecting everyone but also the catalyst for creating interesting interactions.
When everyone benefited without exploitation, it created a true win-win situation, fostering a friendly atmosphere for discussion.
In such a motivating environment, even before the show ended, fans eagerly rushed to Weibo to create new fan pages.
The scene of Chu Yuanqing helping Xie Qingxuan style her hair appeared particularly intimate, striking a chord with many viewers. The fan page for this pair emerged first, titled “City of Love – City of Romance.”
Tang Liuli’s pairing followed, with their fan page called “Poetry of Love and Music – Clear Verse, Beautiful Melody.”
Though slightly late to emerge, thanks to hints from a previous live broadcast, their fan page quickly filled with fan fiction from small group chats.
The stories featured a shy, moody character with social anxiety being comforted by a mature, stable, and gentle mother figure, leading to some mature content.
Word spread that the writer’s wife was well-known in the community, with a writing style both comforting and incisive, crafting intimate scenes that were tasteful yet exciting – a rare artistic achievement in fan fiction.
As for Liang Xiaoxiao, while some fans created sites for her due to her popularity and appearance, her fame couldn’t compare to the first two pairings, let alone the highly acclaimed “Meet You in the Mist.”
Nevertheless, she benefited. Without her Grade D rating, she would have only gained attention for her flying disc dancing in the first episode, with minimal screen time afterward.
Now, sharing a dorm with Chu Yuanqing and gaining fan support earned her tens of thousands of new Weibo followers.
While CP fans eagerly followed the show, viewers finally reached the first episode’s conclusion.
The episode’s latter half progressed to the current date, showing the trainees’ status before the secondary ratings.
Twenty-five percent of screen time went to Top A players, featuring brilliant training videos and personal interviews.
These segments emphasized the powerful role of virtual reality systems and other high-tech devices while advertising and pressuring the Top A players.
The remaining footage illustrated each trainee’s status.
Grades F, D, and C lacked independent practice rooms.
The recording method involved assistants randomly selecting time points, entering training rooms with cameras, capturing brief segments, and conducting quick interviews with present trainees.
This approach encouraged hardworking players.
The lower-rated players who appeared trained up to 12 hours daily, embodying true dedication.
Some girls showed tears, others determination. Some spoke emotionally about their stage dreams, while others maintained perspective, acknowledging that effort might not guarantee success but wouldn’t lead to regret.
The emotional background music and harsh elimination process stirred viewers’ feelings.
This contrasting technique portrayed high-rated players as dragons in treasure troves, while lower-rated players became brave underdogs seeking comebacks.
Many casual viewers began supporting the latter.
In this atmosphere, the scene shifted to the same assistant arriving at the Grade C Practice Room to interview Chu Yuanqing.
Among first episode contestants, Chu Yuanqing’s popularity ranked in the top ten.
After watching Top A contestants’ interviews, anticipation naturally built for her segment.
Starting with questions about her bare face, Chu Yuanqing’s answer shocked viewers:
“???”
“No way, is it true? She’s really makeup-free?”
“I always thought she wore high-end natural makeup!”
“So jealous! Nuwa really was skilled at creating people.”
“Isn’t saying ‘too expensive, can’t afford it’ attention-seeking? Basic cosmetics only cost five hundred.”
This last comment provoked casual viewers while defensive fans rushed to explain and retaliate.
The screen filled with comments until Chen Xiaoxiao’s lighter questions eased tensions.
Chu Yuanqing shared thoughts about her roommates, prompting viewer responses:
“The brilliance of maternal love shines through underage Honey Qing!”
“Her tone seems condescending, yet somehow endearing.”
“How can someone discuss others so much in their own interview? Such sincerity!”
The final question made behind-the-scenes viewers laugh heartily.
“Why did you choose to compete?”
This standard question usually prompted stories about dreams and childhood, some moving, some sincere, some humorous.
But in the video, Chu Yuanqing fell silent. Her eyes dimmed, her young face serious as she spoke:
“Sorry, I lied to the mentor before.”
“I joined because the pay is very high. That’s the only reason.”
She paused, her tone softening, eyes downcast but peaceful, lips curved slightly.
“The stage and idols aren’t what I pursue.”
Her voice drifted like dandelion seeds, carrying morning mist sorrow, embracing viewers and leaving lingering chest pain.
The interview ended, concluding the first episode.
Comments froze, the screen darkened, reflecting Xu Ling’s speechless face.
*Click*
Tears fell on her dinosaur plushie, soon flowing freely.
Xu Ling, overwhelmed by Chu Yuanqing’s vulnerability, realized her admiration had evolved beyond Kirimi Miyuki’s influence into independent appreciation.
Fan devotion often works this way.
Passionate fans who call celebrities “baby” see beyond present appearances to complete life journeys.
These youth stories capture timeless, precious emotions.
These moments of resonance transcend age, causing seemingly foolish behavior that others can’t understand.
Yet some rely on these connections to overcome dark times, improve themselves, and shine in their youth.
Xu Ling now understood Chu Yuanqing’s reality – her loveless childhood, lonely umbrella walks, dream-chasing courage, and ultimate surrender to reality.
She whispered: “You shouldn’t have stopped here.”
Meanwhile, countless others, influenced by the savior BUG’s charisma, processed their emotions before erupting like magma, driving public opinion further.
The situation spiraled toward darkness for Chu Yuanqing.
The trending topic “Chu Yuanqing character collapse” transformed from lighthearted meme to bullying keyword.
The post now collected her past stories, giving new fans an emotional journey from joy to sorrow.
Fans discussed her nervousness during interviews, her approaching adulthood without government support, her expenses, and the show’s crucial pay.
“Dreams are luxury slogans for parentless children.”
“Is this her first touch of stardom?”
Fan sentiment grew sadder, angrier, more spirited.
Their collective will blazed like fire, forming countless sword points toward one goal:
Let Chu Yuanqing Carry Center debut!!!
