Chapter 98
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Chapter 98: Follow-Up Feedback, Rules Announcement, Number of Eliminations
In the show,
Luo Chan continued to accuse Chu Yuanqing.
The accusations, fueled and amplified by the surrounding environment, boiled over with malice, fear, jealousy, and anxiety. Under Dream Weaver Rabbit’s mocking gaze, Luo Chan’s outburst turned into a one-sided tirade mixed with moral coercion and absurdity.
When you break it down, the whole point of Luo Chan’s rant was clear:
She blamed Chu Yuanqing for not performing as well as the others during rehearsals and claimed that Chu didn’t deserve her position as the Carry Center.
To put it simply, the accusations were utterly confusing and infuriating to anyone who watched, from Chu Yuanqing’s loyal fans to regular viewers who didn’t skip much of the rehearsal footage.
The performance results were already out. Two thousand people had seen it live, millions watched the live stream, and a video had been uploaded just the night before.
If Chu Yuanqing had truly faltered during the performance, struggling badly and falling from grace after reaching the top, the audience might have understood and forgiven Luo Chan’s harsh comments, given the strict elimination rules in “Dazzling Stage.”
But the reality was that Chu Yuanqing’s performance was a visible success. The main stage was still strong, and the accusations were starting to seem more like a circus act—absurd and comical.
“I don’t get it, is she crazy?”
“This feels like a stunt for attention. Knowing Chu Yuanqing is popular, she’s deliberately stirring things up to make people hate her.”
“Why should Chu Yuanqing feel ashamed? Her dancing might not be flawless, but she’s worked hard in every rehearsal. She improved every day, and it’s clear she deserves to be the Carry Center.”
“There are 56 performers on the main stage, all highly rated. Is it really not enough for the Carry Center to manage the backup dancers? If they want to get rid of others, just let Chu Yuanqing dance alone!”
“The consequences of elimination in ‘Dazzling Stage’ are serious, but every contestant faces the same risks. If Honey Qing earned the Carry Center spot, it’s because of her talent. Who’s anyone to say she doesn’t deserve it?”
Suddenly, someone scrolled back to the beginning and noticed that Luo Chan had voted for Chu Yuanqing. After further investigation, even fans of Great Devil and Little Sakura joined in the fray.
But of course, Chu Yuanqing’s fans were the most furious.
Their beloved idol had already dealt with enough insecurities. They had worked tirelessly to boost Chu Yuanqing’s confidence, creating an impressive amount of likes during the Carry Center competition. They wanted to prove that she was capable and could bravely pursue her dreams.
Now, Luo Chan’s words completely shattered that fragile confidence, like smashing a vase that had just been glued back together.
Xu Ling, angry and red-eyed, reflected on her own experience of supporting idols, recalling how Little Sakura had faced constant setbacks, including being forced to graduate by her teammates. She felt even more upset than before.
Xu Ling imagined how Chu Yuanqing must have felt hearing those words, and her heart ached.
For someone like Chu Yuanqing, who had worked so hard to get here, being told she wasn’t good enough could crush her spirit. If Xu Ling were in Chu Yuanqing’s shoes, she knew she would fall into a pit of self-doubt, unable to crawl out.
The more Xu Ling thought about it, the angrier and sadder she became.
In the show, the reactions from Chu Yuanqing’s friends were just as intense.
The green-eyed cat puffed up, glaring at Luo Chan, while Little Moon was so angry she was ready to jump into the fray.
Xie Qingxuan was the first to act, grabbing Luo Chan’s arm with an expression of cold disdain. The dark energy in her eyes created an oppressive atmosphere, leaving everyone around her shocked.
Luo Chan, overwhelmed by the pressure, stumbled and fell.
But in a surprising turn, Chu Yuanqing stepped forward and hugged Luo Chan, who had spoken so rudely to her. With a pure, motherly smile, she calmed the atmosphere in the carriage, her gesture almost saintly in its gentleness.
The tension in the carriage dissipated.
And, in a way, so did the anger online.
When the video reached this point, almost all the netizens who had been angrily typing their comments felt their anger ebb away. It was as if a divine song had filled the air, awakening their goodness. They deleted their hurtful words, and the cyberbullying stopped.
Chu Yuanqing, with her serious but kind expression, radiated a wisdom that was pure and gentle. She didn’t respond with innocence, but with understanding and a quiet strength that softened the harshest hearts.
The deep motherly love in her eyes seemed capable of washing away all the malice in the world.
Even the fans who loved to joke or stir trouble online were affected. Imagining how their idol might feel seeing her fans tear others down, they realized the harm they were doing and stopped themselves.
Chu Yuanqing had always promoted kindness and gentleness, perhaps to the point of being too kind.
But her fans knew that fighting or hurting others would never make her feel better. In fact, it would only make her sad, and that was something they couldn’t bear.
This was true loyalty to their idol.
In the entertainment industry, most fans are created by celebrities who encourage their obsession for profit. Only by cultivating brainless fans can they make money and fuel their popularity.
But Chu Yuanqing was different. She stood independently, without a company, and in a world of chaos, she was a breath of fresh air.
Xu Ling looked at the video still playing on her screen. Inside the carriage, the contestants were apologizing to Chu Yuanqing, turning the gloomy atmosphere into something lighter and more cheerful.
Xu Ling felt deeply moved, and couldn’t help but sigh.
“Honey Qing is even more mature than I imagined. She seems more like an adult than I do.”
“She’s the kind of leader a girl group needs. Only someone like her could unite everyone’s hearts in a moment of crisis.”
“I think Honey Qing would be perfect as the leader of a girl group.”
The second episode was nearing its end.
Later that night, some contestants were interviewed, and Luo Chan privately apologized to Chu Yuanqing. As expected, Chu Yuanqing forgave her, on the condition that she perform happily on stage.
Chu Yuanqing’s words were simple:
“Even if dreams may shatter, standing on stage with your favorite idol in every moment is precious. Don’t let negative emotions consume you, and never let your future self regret it. This is the lesson Miyuki taught me.”
Those words struck a chord with Sakura fans and even CP fans alike.
“I feel like Chu Yuanqing is really strong. I thought she’d be upset by all the comments, but instead, she always focused on how to improve herself. She didn’t let anything drag her down. That’s the kind of serious attitude we all need ❤️❤️❤️.”
The show continued, skipping some daily routines, and 168 contestants finally took the stage under the watchful eyes of two thousand live audience members.
The girls danced with youthful vigor, sweat and joy filling their expressions. As the cameras showed, their eyes were filled with determination, creating an atmosphere of energy and spirit that was captivating to the audience.
And just like that, the second episode came to an end.
Xu Ling let out a sigh of relief. She had to admit, without Luo Chan’s emotional outburst, the episode’s excitement would have been considerably lessened.
From the rehearsal stage, it was clear that many of the main stage girls harbored some dissatisfaction with Chu Yuanqing, but they kept it in check.
In “Dazzling Stage,” the competition rules and the oppressive environment of the underground base created an anxious atmosphere. The tension between the main stage and sub-stage had been slowly building.
If Luo Chan hadn’t exploded, Chu Yuanqing might not have realized the issue, and the main stage performers could have lacked the energy needed to make the show truly shine.
Her outburst sparked everything, and the episode turned into a pure idol showcase, with emotional conflicts coming to a head before being lifted by the high energy on stage. The episode focused on reality, youth, dreams, and the pursuit of original intentions.
In other talent shows, Chu Yuanqing might be suspected of following a script for a leading lady, but in “Dazzling Stage,” it was clear that the interactions between the trainees were authentic and the highlights were raw and unembellished.
Xu Ling checked the “Dazzling Stage” official website again. The live broadcast schedule still hadn’t been announced. She grabbed her warm dinosaur pillow from the dryer, flopped onto the bed, and decided to take a nap before continuing with her editing.
Elsewhere, the public’s reaction to the second episode began to stir.
It was now noon.
In the underground base, 168 contestants gathered in a white room, eagerly discussing.
“Are they finally going to announce the competition format?”
“Why are they being so secretive? Could it be no group battles?”
“This place feels more like an extreme challenge or an escape room than a competition.”
Chu Yuanqing looked serious, nervous even, as she waited for the announcement.
After all, with her popularity, if she continued to perform well, she could make it to the finals without fear of elimination. But now, her fate depended on the competition rules.
Dream Weaver Rabbit didn’t keep them waiting long. It appeared in the air, smiling down at the contestants.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I trust you’ve had a restful time during yesterday’s break?”
“Now, I will candidly announce the rules for the next phase of the competition.”
“‘Dazzling Stage’ will follow the group confrontation format for eliminations, but with a twist: the strongest contestants will have the privilege of choosing their own teams. So, the method of forming groups will be different from the usual format.”
Dream Weaver Rabbit smiled again, its face turning slightly sinister.
“I’ve also studied the number of contestants. With 168 of you, it’s a bit much. So, half of you will be eliminated in this round… 84 contestants.”