CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol

Chapter 211 - 204 Mature Girl

"Wang Qingyu," Wu Zixuan looked at the remaining contestants and made a helpless decision.

This time, Wang Qingyu did not follow Lu Bingbing. Her own level was far too low, and this round’s competition pressure was higher than last time. She didn’t want to drag Bingbing down.

The remaining six captains actually didn’t want any of the options, but there was no other choice.

When Jiang Mengqi called out Xiang Sixing’s name, only Zhu Riri was left unselected in the dance group.

At that moment, Zhu Riri felt like she had the urge to jump off a building.

She deeply regretted creating that "crazy persona." Although she advanced, her reputation was completely ruined.

However, based on the team selection rules, this time it was Wu Zixuan’s turn to choose, and she had no choice but to pick Zhu Riri—the "troublemaker."

Zhu Riri lowered her head, picking her nose as she walked over, while Wu Zixuan gave her a big hug.

Zhu Riri showed no reaction and directly went to the back of the team. Her teammates didn’t even glance at her.

"Next, can the four captains from the vocal group please step forward when your names are called."

"Qiang Yueting, Duan Yuxin, Guo Xia, Fu Xiaoyu."

"Captains, please begin your selections."

Long Zitao spoke as the girls in the vocal group lined up.

"Li Zimeng," Qiang Yueting decisively chose one of the top three in the singing category.

Qiang Yueting’s thoughts were very similar to Wang Miaomiao’s. Fu Xiaoyu from her old company was also a captain, which made her even more desperate to prove she was better.

Unexpectedly, Guo Xia raised her hand, leaving Qiang Yueting feeling quite awkward.

After hesitating for two seconds, Li Zimeng ultimately chose Guo Xia—her friend from Class A.

The girls chuckled, knowing Qiang Yueting simply couldn’t compete with Guo Xia.

Next was Duan Yuxin. Successfully shedding weight and appearing more polished and composed, she chose Gou Xueying.

In the first public performance, her group’s singing didn’t leave a strong impression on the audience, but their performance shocked the entire base.

Nobody expected Gou Xueying to have such strong stage presence.

However, Qiang Yueting didn’t let Duan Yuxin have her way; she raised her hand.

The members of the dance group watching from the sidelines felt the vocal group captains were incredibly combative over their choices.

In truth, the captains couldn’t really be blamed.

The fundamental difference between dance and vocals is that with dance, you can simplify the moves and improvise—at worst doing some "radio calisthenics." But that’s not possible with singing.

No one wanted someone with mediocre vocal skills.

Qiang Yueting and Duan Yuxin anxiously stared at each other.

"Gou Xueying, please make your choice; the 30-second countdown begins," Long Zitao announced.

"I don’t need 30 seconds. I’ve made up my mind," Gou Xueying said confidently, heading straight to Qiang Yueting.

To her, Qiang Yueting’s abilities were much stronger than those of the girl from the mountains, Duan Yuxin.

During the first public performance, if Lai Ruoxuan hadn’t backed Duan Yuxin up, her team would probably have fallen apart.

She didn’t want to take the risk of joining a team that lacked solid leadership.

Fu Xiaoyu called out, "Zhang Zijing."

Zhang Zijing, who usually got along well with Fu Xiaoyu, was about to walk over when Long Zitao interjected, "Do any other captains want this pick?"

Duan Yuxin immediately raised her hand, as she also had a close relationship with Zhang Zijing.

At this point, Long Zitao became intrigued, seeing Duan Yuxin’s newfound confidence. "Why are you fighting for her?"

"Because I like her," Duan Yuxin said boldly, tilting her head in what seemed like a daring confession.

Everyone laughed, feeling that Duan Yuxin had matured significantly.

On the other side, Fu Xiaoyu began half-jokingly whining, "Don’t fight me for her!"

After hesitating briefly, Zhang Zijing ultimately chose Fu Xiaoyu—her reasoning was actually the same as Gou Xueying’s.

At this stage, she couldn’t just rely on friendship to decide; she had to prioritize her future.

Duan Yuxin felt a wave of despair—why were all the universally praised voices slipping away?

"Alright, Duan Yuxin, you still have another chance to pick," Long Zitao said.

"I choose Xu Qianhua," Duan Yuxin decided reluctantly.

In this arena, Xu Qianhua was the undisputed "powerhouse belter." The reason no one picked her in the first round was fear that she’d overshadow everyone else.

But by now, Duan Yuxin couldn’t afford to care. Other teams already had two stellar singers, so her group couldn’t afford to be weak either—especially if the assigned song turned out to be particularly challenging.

This time, no one fought her for the pick. Xu Qianhua reluctantly joined the younger girl’s team.

Lai Ruoxuan felt somewhat disheartened. She believed her singing level wasn’t inferior to Gou Xueying’s, yet none of the four captains had chosen her first.

"I choose Lai Ruoxuan," Duan Yuxin declared, unwilling to take any more risks.

The others didn’t contest her choice; they understood the close relationship between the two.

Lai Ruoxuan walked over, embracing Duan Yuxin tightly. "Ruoxuan, that was so embarrassing just now."

"It’s alright, it’s alright," Lai Ruoxuan softly comforted her.

"Wu Meixiang," Guo Xia chose another top-three singer.

Fu Xiaoyu kept enthusiastically beckoning Qi Ziyue, who blushed slightly before walking over—and was promptly pulled into a hug.

Their friendship had blossomed rapidly during this period.

Qiang Yueting then selected Liu Lixian.

Duan Yuxin chose Gao Ziyi next, though she was hesitant about picking this heavier girl.

She found Ziyi too dramatic and prone to creating personas. Still, her singing skills were decent.

Guo Xia followed by choosing Liu Mengyao, Zhu Riri’s teammate. The latter had been dragged down badly, as many who criticized Zhu Riri also targeted Liu Mengyao.

Finally, only Luo Qijia remained, and she was automatically assigned to Fu Xiaoyu’s group.

Luo Qijia understood why no one had chosen her—for her unremarkable singing and dancing and her lack of social interaction. Under such circumstances, she was the only option left.

Liu Niannian, Luo Fengwu, and Chen Yanran—three observers—each joined the teams that had rescued them.

The exception was Chen Yanran. Since Chen Afang had withdrawn, the show’s producers had temporarily assigned her to Guo Xia’s group.

"Finally, the two captains from the Academy of Creative Arts: Lv Fangxin and Ye Yuwei," Long Zitao announced.

Ye Yuwei and Lv Fangxin stood at the forefront, both experiencing subtle shifts in emotion.

Ye Yuwei couldn’t believe that, just over six months ago, Lv Fangxin—formerly a country girl—now possessed the aura of a rising star.

Lv Fangxin, on the other hand, sighed inwardly, amazed that she could stand on equal ground with the person she had once regarded as a big star—Sister Yezi. Her position might even be higher now.

The twists and turns of life are truly astonishing.

Ye Yuwei took a deep breath. This performance was extremely important for her.

If she performed well, she could earn herself a promising contract with Penguin Entertainment; failure would mean leaving under a cloud of criticism.

"Yang Ni," Ye Yuwei said with a smile.

Yang Ni hadn’t expected to be chosen first. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she ran over and hugged Ye Yuwei tightly.

"Chen Yinghan," Lv Fangxin chose without hesitation.

As Chen Yinghan walked over, Lv Fangxin hugged her like she was afraid to lose the most precious treasure.

"Wei Xin," Ye Yuwei smiled.

The vocal and dance groups watched closely as Ye Yuwei’s team made their selections. Many among them debated on who Ye Yuwei should pick next.

It was evident that they were beginning to view Lv Fangxin differently.

Deep down, they silently hoped Ye Yuwei would emerge victorious.