CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 196: FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIP

Yang Meilan took the microphone and smiled at Lv Fangxin, "What I want to say is, my sister and I, if we go, we go together; if we stay, we stay together."

Sitting in the elimination zone, Yang Meizhu was already in tears. She knew her sister’s thoughts.

She wanted to protect Lv Fangxin. If Lv Fangxin chose her, she would be caught in a huge wave of public opinion, and everything they had worked hard for would vanish.

Yang Meilan couldn’t express it openly, so she could only use the excuse of sisterly love to convey her feelings.

The two sisters came from a wealthy family, having seen much since they were young. They knew they couldn’t go far, so they might as well leave the opportunity for their friends.

"Meizhu, Meilan, happy birthday," some trainees shouted this blessing.

Today was their birthday, but it was filled with bitterness and helplessness.

Originally trying not to cry, Yang Meilan couldn’t help but cover her face and weep.

Yang Meizhu ran over to hug her sister.

"Oh, get away! Who wants to hug you!" Yang Meilan said, with familial love thicker than water, seemingly refusing but full of affection.

Over there, Lv Fangxin was also in tears. She saw through their intentions and felt truly sorry for them.

Standing above, Ye Yuwei watched this scene, emotions mixed. Such a situation would never occur in Hanoi.

Every girl would do whatever it took for her future, striving with all she had.

Opportunities like this were hard to refuse. Even if you didn’t make it to the final group, just staying on stage a little longer allowed more people to see you.

And who knows? You might just become popular with some unintentional performance!

Just like Gao Ziyi and Fu Xiaoyu, who could have predicted their current popularity when they first arrived?

Yang Meilan wiped her tears:

"The biggest regret in this show is not performing together, but being on this show and being seen by those people is enough."

"Fangxin, you are my group’s pride. We’re no longer an unknown little side group. With you, our group has its own name."

Lv Fangxin looked at the former with a choked voice. She really wanted to shout out and then rush to hug the former, but she couldn’t. Doing so would betray Yang Meizhu and Yang Meilan’s intentions.

Finally, it was Lu Peiqin from the Bright Moon Girl Group. She wiped her tears forcefully and resolutely picked up the microphone, "I think since I’m here, I have to be responsible for myself, so today I want to say, I want to stay."

After saying this, she couldn’t overcome the moral line in her heart and burst into tears.

Lai Ruoxuan and Jiang Meixing looked at their teammate—one with a determined gaze and the other with gentle eyes. Their years of struggle and camaraderie made them like sisters.

"I love everyone here. Everyone is striving for their dreams, so I feel really bad at this moment because I want to stay myself." Lu Peiqin couldn’t help but express her thoughts.

"No, you’re not bad. We’re just working hard for our dreams."

"Peiqin, it’s just like job hunting. We’re just competing fairly."

"It’s okay, don’t cry. Things will get better."

A group of girls comforted this inherently kind girl.

Long Zitao felt his nose tingling and his throat choked. He wanted to say something to comfort the girls, but felt everything would be redundant.

"Lv Fangxin, please make your choice," he said.

Lv Fangxin covered her face with her hand, wiping away tears, but they kept flowing uncontrollably.

She walked over with difficulty and patted Lu Peiqin on the back.

The reason she chose her was that she felt they shared empathy.

She felt herself changing, becoming unable to truly face her true feelings.

She didn’t want to become a "bad person," she just wanted to be herself.

At this time, Long Zitao spoke:

"Lu Peiqin, you just said you wanted to stay because you’re bad."

"But our show is like this. Being able to stay and perform truly represents your original intention."

Lu Peiqin nodded, but she still couldn’t get over her internal hurdle.

Long Zitao sighed deeply and stopped persuading her.

"Please, everyone, have a seat," Long Zitao came to the center of the venue.

"I think everyone is too serious. Do you think this competition is cruel?"

The girls said nothing, but their silent attitudes spoke for themselves.

"Do you think the last segment shouldn’t have happened? Like, everyone just leaves?"

Long Zitao’s words made the girls nervous.

"Girls, there’s beauty in choosing."

"You must remember, since you came here, you’re not here to cry, not to play family, not to see whose relationship is better, or who cried the hardest if someone is leaving."

Many girls were unhappy hearing this. Can’t I cry if my friend is leaving? Why can’t I cry?

Long Zitao suddenly changed his expression, his tone becoming intense, "This is the stage. This is a place that determines your future. Some of you have trained for over ten years; some went abroad for training since you were young. What for?"

This time, all the girls instinctively sat up straight.

"Crying doesn’t solve any problems."

"Why do you want to be an idol? An idol is someone who burns themselves to bring more youth and strength to others, not to bring them negativity. What is it when you keep crying?"

"You reached here for your dreams and the stage. Is it so hard to say you want to stay on the stage?"

Long Zitao’s eyes were red. He was loud, agitated, with an attitude of hating iron that’s not made into steel.

Many girls hung their heads in shame. Yes, it’s about being responsible for oneself.

Yang Xiaoyue watched Long Zitao’s performance and showed a satisfied smile.

She felt she made the right choice hiring this once-popular idol. His seemingly harsh but passionate and inspiring words had a shocking effect only when spoken by him.

"Girls, no one wants to see you cry. The audience watches this show to gain positive energy, to find happiness and see your bright side."

Ye Yuwei understood Long Zitao’s words deeply.

To put it bluntly, fans pay for your happiness, not negativity.

But such things couldn’t be said outright.

"When those with dreams but afraid to pursue them see you, they dare to chase boldly. That’s the significance of being an idol too."

After saying these words, Long Zitao felt really exhausted, facing over a hundred girls with different personalities and intricate thoughts. At times, he felt helpless.

This final segment also elevated this episode to a higher level.

It was no longer just about a girl’s sisterhood but allowed them to understand life’s principles better and the audience watching the show.

If we didn’t view the show simply as a show,

but as a book, then this Chapter of departure and salvation started low and ended on a high note.

When you feel heartbroken and full of despair, a ray of sunshine emerges to save you from the darkness and points you toward the future.