CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 191 STANDING HIGH ENOUGH_3

Most of them are only children. They’ve never lacked material possessions growing up, so they don’t feel the need to please anyone.

If they want something, they rely on their own skills to fight for it. They especially detest the hypocrisy and "servile attitudes" of the older generation, including those people from the ’80s.

Yuwei spoke again: "I hope that in my next performance, I will stand in a higher position."

Immediately, the applause grew even more enthusiastic. Yuwei had just voiced what none of them dared to say aloud. Who doesn’t desire the throne?

Wu Zixuan’s expression could no longer hold, and for a moment, her face was clouded.

"Well, I hope you’ll continue to excel." In reality, Long Zitao didn’t think too highly of Yuwei’s bold declaration.

If Yuwei truly claimed the decisive C-position and the show’s popularity relied entirely on her, then she could afford such confidence. But, in truth, Fangxin’s popularity was far more crucial.

Next, Wu Zixuan gave her speech. With Fangxin and Yuwei’s performances paving the way, this C-position had lost much of its luster.

Once the brightest star, she was now overshadowed even by Meixuan just moments ago.

"Thank you all for your support. I’m actually not the obedient girl people think I am, nor am I a little princess. I hope you see another side of me."

She wanted to break free from her "sweetheart" image. But no one paid her words much attention—in their eyes, that was the path she was meant to take.

Wu Zixuan didn’t say much else. After expressing her gratitude, she walked up to her throne.

"Now, we have just one spot left in the pyramid, the 55th position. Who will be the last trainee to claim it?"

Long Zitao’s words instantly reignited a flicker of hope among the trainees seated below the pyramid.

Exactly! There’s still one seat left! All this time they had been too caught up in their emotions to remember.

"She excels in one particular skill..."

Some of the girls immediately shouted Lin Jiayi’s name.

Others shouted Ni Chunshu’s name.

Because they both had a strong advantage in dance but a noticeable weakness in singing.

Jiayi, whose hopes had died, suddenly felt revived. Her ranking before this announcement had been 56th.

"Maybe, I can rise one rank." Jiayi’s entire body was taut with tension.

"She’s the only hope for her company." Long Zitao’s words shattered the last glimmer of hope for the girls.

Everyone was puzzled—who could it be? The company’s only hope?

"Congratulations to Yang Han." Long Zitao shouted.

Yang Han, who hadn’t dared to hope, instantly burst into tears. She was part of Lu Bingbing’s group.

The trainees seated below were equally shocked upon hearing this name, as Yang Han had barely caught anyone’s attention.

In reality, her dancing ability was exceptionally strong, with solid foundational skills.

Covering her face, she struggled to suppress her sobs.

Her company was on the verge of dissolution. This competition was her final gig, and she hadn’t expected to make it to the second round.

Her close friends flocked to congratulate her, and her former teammate Chen Yanran also came over to hug her.

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. This is the last spot. Honestly, there are many people below who are more talented than I am. Me being here is purely a matter of luck." Yang Han had already adjusted her mindset.

She truly felt incredibly fortunate to snag this position.

With the final seat now filled, everyone assumed filming was over—that it was time to wrap up.

But would the production team really let them leave like this?

"Although many of you are heartbroken and shedding tears right now, I want to say that some of you seated below will be smiling in just a moment," Long Zitao suddenly announced.

But no one really listened to him; they were still immersed in their grief.

"The achievements you’re proud of today—or the ones you’ll achieve in the future—while you’re part of a girl group, they won’t be possible without the support of your teammates."

"If you shine brightly in a team, radiating brilliance, it’s because you have reliable teammates standing beside you, helping you."

Ruoxuan, hearing Zitao’s words, clutched her face tightly and bit her lips to stop her sobs. That speech pierced straight into her heart.

The two people she trusted most were now eliminated.

"Next, I want to invite the MVPs of the eight winning teams. Earlier, I mentioned that the winning teams would receive a special reward."

The girls were momentarily stunned—what was happening now?

Could it be that these MVPs would become the C-position in the next performance, or gain the privilege of choosing songs?

"The reason you eight earned this honor is thanks to the help of your teammates. This honor doesn’t just belong to you—it belongs to everyone in your team."

Long Zitao slowly turned his gaze toward the eight MVPs.

"Therefore, you have the right to select one teammate from your group who didn’t make it into the pyramid to join you here."

As soon as Zitao finished speaking, the winning team members burst into cheers as if they had found salvation.

Meanwhile, the losing teams endured yet another blow.

Wu Zixuan’s face turned even paler: she had claimed her throne, but she couldn’t save her teammates. This would make her position feel hollow.

"Be aware, you can only choose someone from your own team, and you can only choose one person." Zitao reiterated.

At that moment, Yuwei’s thoughts stirred, and her gaze fell on Ni Chunshu and Wang Na.

In her group, only these two had failed to qualify.

Now, she had to decide who to pick.

"The person you choose will be assigned the status of a shadow trainee. This means they won’t have the privileges of an official trainee and can only follow you closely."

"In the next performance, wherever you go, they must follow you."

"After the next performance is over, the top three shadow trainees with the highest votes will regain official trainee status, with voting channels reopening."

Zitao read the rules carefully and at a slow pace.

"Oh my God! What should I do? I have no idea who to choose," Yue Ting grabbed Meixuan’s hand, her face overwhelmed with indecision.

In her team, everyone had good relationships, and she didn’t have enough experience to know how to make such a choice.

Meixuan’s face remained impassive, silently weighing her options on who to select.

The eliminated trainees were now experiencing turbulent emotions. Moments ago, they had bonded as sisters, but now, subtle schemes and calculations emerged.

Though they didn’t have much opportunity to act on their thoughts—after all, this was happening live.

Standing at the top, Yuwei gazed at the thousands of varied expressions below, feeling deeply moved.

She could easily tell that the production team was not only enhancing the show’s entertainment value but also creating challenges and drama for the high-profile contestants.

"Next to exercise the authority of choice is the MVP from Meixuan’s team, Meixuan," Long Zitao announced solemnly, looking toward the pyramid.

Though Meixuan already had her choice in mind, as she descended, her face carried a reluctant, sorrowful expression: "Oh my God, I truly don’t know how to decide."

As she passed by Lu Xiaoman, the latter sighed in frustration and commented: "Meixuan’s a Libra; she hesitates forever even when picking outfits."