CH 75

Chapter 75: Thank You, Mr. Orca

To start off by directly supporting one billion?

But didn't the voting just start?

Everyone was dumbfounded.

After confirming that the LED screen counting the votes at the venue hadn’t malfunctioned, the major entertainment agencies, who were closely following the situation on the night of the group formation, were also stunned. They sat in the conference room, looking at the news coming from the scene. After a long time, they regained their senses, but still couldn't make up their minds. They hesitantly asked their leaders, "Should we also vote?"

According to their original support plan, the companies were not planning to control the votes too early, in order to prevent their competitors from figuring out their bottom line. Most entertainment agencies were likely to operate in a similar manner. Therefore, when they saw Qiao Dai's popularity skyrocket to one billion, they were at a loss and didn't know what to do next.

Although their superiors had not given any instructions yet, the staff members were already wavering internally. They anxiously looked at the scrolling vote count on the screen and took a deep breath.

To have the audacity to directly vote with one billion, they really needed to carefully analyze what kind of person or entity had such courage.

Upon hearing this question from his subordinate, the person in charge became even more anxious. He paced back and forth in the conference room, his body trembling slightly, clearly showing signs of extreme nervousness. He couldn't decide whether to participate or not.

After all, that was one billion in support. If he wanted to secure a prominent position for their trainees, they needed to control the votes between them and the leading contestants within a certain range. Otherwise, the gap in their vote counts would make it even more difficult to make up for it in the later stages.

Originally, several companies were supposed to compete against each other and then widen the gap at the last moment. It would depend on which company had a keener eye, better grasp of the data, and could unexpectedly secure victory. However, who could have expected that Qiao Dai's fans would surge with such momentum and directly vote with one billion in the beginning.

Thinking of this, the person in charge's breathing became slightly heavier, and his exhales became more rapid.

He furrowed his brows, staring at the rapidly changing numbers on the LED screen, which represented the continuous votes from the contestants' fans. He was well aware that Qiao Dai's one billion votes were definitely not from the company itself because no company would do such a thing. The essence of a company was profit, and investing such a high cost right from the start would pose too much risk for them. However, fans could support their idols without considering the cost. The person in charge instinctively clenched his fist, clearly caught in a particularly conflicted state.

Although the one billion support was exaggerated, it was still a level that the major entertainment agencies could afford. But what really made them hesitate was the significance represented by Qiao Dai's chief support directly reaching one billion votes.

To gradually accumulate from millions to tens of millions and then to one billion, compared to directly starting with one billion, although the final number was the same, the pressure it put on others was vastly different.

It's obvious that he could have started with a small amount of support, but Qiao Dai's chief support deliberately chose not to do so. How strong is his confidence to be so arrogantly assertive and showy?

It seemed like he was nonchalantly telling everyone: he has money, and he will definitely secure Qiao Dai's position as number one.

He didn't stop others from supporting their contestants, but he also didn't reveal to what extent he would support Qiao Dai. It was precisely this unpredictable behavior that made everyone hesitant to make any rash moves.

Should they follow suit or not?

The vote counts for the contestants continued to skyrocket, but Qiao Dai maintained a commanding lead, maintaining a staggering advantage. The person in charge took another deep breath and decisively said, "Let's stick to the original plan and not blindly follow the votes."

The person in charge had to admit that at this critical juncture, he was hesitant.

He wasn't a fan of the contestant; he was just an employee whose primary concern was the company's interests.

He didn't want to bear the consequences of being too impulsive. Even if they eventually achieved their desired ranking, if it exceeded the company's original budget, it would be considered a failure. Therefore, when faced with the uncertainty posed by Qiao Dai, the person in charge ultimately chose a conservative strategy, which ended up falling short of their expected goals.

Several other entertainment agencies seemed to have made the same conservative decision. After Qiao Dai's support value initially soared to the top, no other contestant managed to surpass her. Although there were a few waves of attempts to catch up later on, the disparity in vote counts made it clear that Qiao Dai had already secured the first-place position.

In the last few minutes before the voting deadline, the venue fell into a tense silence. Countless eyes, both at the scene and online, were fixed on the LED screen counting the votes, afraid to blink and miss that moment.

The final minute, three seconds, five seconds...

As the timer on the screen approached zero, it seemed like the numbers were ticking slower and slower. In stark contrast, the contestants' support values were skyrocketing. The constantly changing numbers became so fast that it was hard to discern the exact figures. Seeing Qiao Dai's overwhelming support value, the fans at the venue began to scream excitedly, and an inexplicable atmosphere of passion permeated the air, causing everyone's bodies to tremble with excitement.

At the moment the timer reached zero, Qiao Dai's support value finally settled at 1.9 billion.

1.9 billion! Nearly two billion!

What an astonishing number! It was known that the second-place contestant, Song Yiqi, also achieved a support value of 120 million. Behind Song Yiqi was a well-known leading company in the industry, while Coco, a small company like Qiao Dai's, had no power to compete. But even so, Qiao Dai completely crushed the competition.

The fans went into a frenzy.

"She's] so powerful! She's] truly deserving of the center position!"

"This support value of 1.9 billion could already break the record for support in talent shows, right?"

"From the first episode until now, Daidai has truly shone on this stage. She deserves it!"

"Walk on the flowery path! Walk on the flowery path!"

Amidst the cheers of the fans at the venue, colorful lights started flashing, and beautiful flowers fell from the sky. Celebratory confetti fluttered down, landing on the girl beneath the spotlight.

The red carpet unfolded slowly as Qiao Dai stepped on flower petals and confetti, making her way towards the crystal staircase at the end. Dazzling lights followed her, and the petite girl reached the top of the stairs. She turned around, the red cape accentuating her originally fair skin, making her look like a princess from a fairy tale. She wore a sparkling crown on her head and held the trophy symbolizing first place in her hand. She smiled radiantly towards the cameras and the countless audience members at the venue.

At that moment, she was the most captivating focus of the night.

As Cheng Su looked at Qiao Dai, standing at the top of the crystal staircase with a brilliant smile, a hint of a smile flashed across his eyes. He sat up straight, joining all the fans in giving a sincere round of applause for Qiao Dai.

Apart from Qiao Dai, the other members of the "Rose Boys" group also achieved good rankings. Except for Jiang Ruowei, who had a lower initial ranking, although she performed well on the night of their debut, her fan base was still limited, resulting in her ultimately achieving fourth place. She regretfully missed the opportunity to debut among the top ranks.

The camera swept across the stage, capturing the excitement and tears of the contestants who successfully debuted. The eliminated contestants also smiled and congratulated their fellow trainees, whom they had spent months together with. They embraced each other, creating a touching scene.

After the award ceremony came the post-competition interview segment. The host started by interviewing the eliminated contestants and ended with an exclusive interview with the champion.

For the eliminated contestants, it was impossible not to feel sad, but they also accepted their circumstances. After spending these few months together, they had grown familiar with each other, and their bond was no longer the same as before.

Perhaps during the initial rankings, they might have felt dissatisfied with their positions, but now they truly respected the outcome. Their only regret was directed at themselves, wondering if things would have been different if they had worked even harder.

When the host approached Jiang Ruowei for an interview, the barrage of comments in the live chat expressed concern for Qiao Dai.

After all, Qiao Dai and Jiang Ruowei were both Coco trainees. Among the five Coco trainees who participated in "Pick Eleven," besides Lin Lang, who withdrew from the program due to negative news, Qiao Dai, Luan Zhen, and Shi Qing all successfully debuted. Only Jiang Ruowei was eliminated. Furthermore, in the "Rose Boys" group, which had six debut slots, she was the only one who unfortunately didn't make it. One could only imagine how difficult it must have been for Jiang Ruowei.

Not only Jiang Ruowei's fans but even the fans of the other contestants couldn't help but feel heartache. They also worried that she might lose control of her emotions and say something inappropriate.

In the early stages of the program, Jiang Ruowei seemed to be closer to Lin Lang and didn't interact much with Qiao Dai and the others. It was only after Lin Lang withdrew from the competition that Jiang Ruowei's relationship with Qiao Dai improved on the show, culminating in their joint performance on the night of their debut.

However, even though fans noticed the change, they were unclear about what had happened between Qiao Dai and Jiang Ruowei. They couldn't figure out if Jiang Ruowei's attitude shift was because she became friends with Qiao Dai or simply because she was left with no other choice after Lin Lang's departure and had to collaborate with her Coco teammates. These uncertainties made Qiao Dai's fans feel a bit uneasy, concerned about what Jiang Ruowei might say during the host's interview.

"Isn't Jiang Ruowei supposed to be Qiao Dai's teammate? It seems like Qiao Dai hasn't paid much attention to her, but she gets along so well with the Galaxy members. It's strange."

"I'm speechless. People are already making assumptions without any evidence. I don't want to entertain these fishing comments."

"Let's not forget that Jiang Ruowei and Qiao Dai never had a good relationship to begin with. It's no wonder things turned sour when Jiang Ruowei got eliminated."

The barrage of comments quickly took on a rhythm, and just at that moment, the host happened to turn to Jiang Ruowei to ask for her thoughts. Everyone saw Jiang Ruowei's eyes turn red as she took the microphone. Her striking appearance had always carried a strong sense of aggression, and now, as she bit her lip and remained silent, it raised the tension for everyone.

Jiang Ruowei held the microphone for a while and finally spoke, her voice slightly choked but resolute and decisive, leaving everyone stunned.

"I hate Qiao Dai."

The girl's voice carried a hint of sobbing, but her tone was firm and clear, catching everyone off guard.

The live chat exploded instantly.

"?"

"Can they really air this content? Is the production team crazy?"

"It's not like Qiao Dai is to blame for your failure to debut. Why burn the bridge like this?"

As the audience bombarded the screen with question marks, Jiang Ruowei, still holding the microphone, continued with her next sentence, "Because she makes me feel inferior."

Jiang Ruowei looked up at Qiao Dai, forcing a smile. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Before, I was frustrated with Qiao Dai simply because she was a new addition. I didn't understand why they chose Qiao Dai to be with us on the show. She was just a newcomer in the industry for three months, while I had been a trainee for two years. Why did she deserve this opportunity?"

Qiao Dai seemed surprised as she looked at Jiang Ruowei. Her usually bright and shining eyes now carried a tinge of worry. It was the first time she heard Jiang Ruowei openly dissecting their journey like this.

Qiao Dai knew just how proud Jiang Ruowei was as a girl. So, she truly didn't expect her to calmly express her jealousy in front of everyone on the night of their debut.

As if trying to collect her emotions, Jiang Ruowei took a deep breath. With tear-filled eyes, she looked at Qiao Dai and her voice, which was both a smile and a cry, said, "But do you all know? She would practice basic skills until 3 a.m., return from the practice room late at night, give her all in every performance. I saw with my own eyes how she gradually surpassed me and left me far behind."

Qiao Dai walked over to Jiang Ruowei and hugged her tightly, and Jiang Ruowei gritted her teeth and continued speaking, "This feeling is really terrible. I used to think, if Qiao Dai can do it, why can't I? But when I tried, I realized that I couldn't do it, I really couldn't. I couldn't work as hard as she did. That's why I got eliminated today, while she stood in the center position."

Jiang Ruowei smiled at Qiao Dai and spoke earnestly and sincerely, "Qiao Dai, I really despised you. You made me see my laziness, jealousy, and arrogance. You made me feel inferior and without self-esteem. But from now on, I promise I will never be like that again. I'll start from scratch, and someday, I will catch up to you."

The venue fell into silence, and then a wave of whispers followed. It was clear that the audience had a strong reaction to Jiang Ruowei's words.

"Jiang Ruowei... she really dares to speak up."

"I kind of understand her feelings now. Being left far behind by her former teammate must be complicated."

"It's normal to feel jealous. It's not easy for the young lady to confront her own emotions."

Those who had initially wanted to spectate and enjoy the drama were now speechless. No one had expected Jiang Ruowei to openly express her prejudice against Qiao Dai during the interview on their debut night. However, this explosive revelation was not the expected scenario of tearing each other down. On the contrary, it even showcased the emotions between the girls in a different light.

Jiang Ruowei's statement not only avoided being criticized as dark, but many expressed understanding. Even some of Qiao Dai's fans started to view Jiang Ruowei in a different light. Admitting jealousy so bravely was a rare occurrence. Although they weren't friends initially, it didn't hinder the possibility of them becoming friends in the future.

"Qiao Dai, is there anything you'd like to say to everyone?"

During the segment where Qiao Dai was interviewed, the host followed the usual routine and posed the question. Jiang Ruowei's introspection had stirred up a heated discussion, so everyone wondered how Qiao Dai would react to it.

Qiao Dai confidently took the microphone. She didn't utter any flowery words but, after expressing gratitude to everyone who had helped her on her journey, she looked into the camera, towards the pitch-black audience seats, and earnestly said, "Just as Ruowei said, many here are more outstanding and experienced than me, but today, it is I who stands here."

Standing in the center of the spotlight, Qiao Dai seemed to emit a radiant glow from head to toe, capturing everyone's attention.

"Ah, Daidai is being a bit wild today, love it!"

"Our adorable and innocent Daidai is speaking fiercely. You go, Daidai!"

"Our Daidai has the queen vibe now, ohhh!"

The audience was caught off guard by Qiao Dai's presence, but they didn't perceive her words as arrogant. She was simply stating the facts: a newcomer who nobody had high hopes for, yet she had repeatedly surpassed expectations and ultimately reached the pinnacle.

She deserved it, she truly deserved it.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Dai took a deep breath, and in that instant, numerous scenes flashed through her mind. From the initial confusion and helplessness when she arrived here, to gradually finding her stride, and now, standing at the top as the champion, it all felt like an unreal dream.

But the dazzling lights on the stage, the attentive gazes around her, and... the person sitting in the audience watching her, all told her unequivocally—Qiao Dai, you did it.

With bated breath, Qiao Dai's soft voice resonated in the air, gently reaching the ears of everyone, "So, I want to say to all of you: if I can do it, then you can too."

Her eyes began to sparkle, as if the stars in the night sky had fallen into her gaze, and her words were more enchanting than the stars themselves.

"Daidai!"

"Daidai!"

After a brief moment of silence, the screams from the audience reached new heights. Some fans even shed tears on the spot, saying, "No, no, no! Daidai, you're amazing!"

Thinking about Qiao Dai's journey, her fans felt a tinge of sadness. She truly deserved the crown, yet she was still encouraging others, encouraging countless ordinary individuals to pursue their dreams.

"Sister, you deserve it!"

"One second, she's a queen; the next, she's a goddess. Daidai is truly exceptional!"

"Always love our Daidai, she's a hardworking and warm-hearted angel!"

#QiaoDaiYouMakeMeFeelInferior#

#IfICanDoItThenYouCanToo#

Following Qiao Dai's impactful words during the opening show, the statements made by Jiang Ruowei and Qiao Dai during the interview segment were also regarded as golden phrases by netizens and quickly trended online.

"Y1S1, Daidai really 'slapped the face' of many."

"If you have a friend like Daidai, you'll strive harder to improve."

"Listening to Daidai's words, I feel inspired to revive my dreams."

After the formal interview concluded, there was an interactive segment to lighten the atmosphere. The production team compiled a list of each contestant's primary fan support, allowing the contestants to say a few words to their fans.

As the names of the top supporter and the corresponding support data appeared on the LED screen, the excited audience suddenly remembered that earlier today, a mysterious fan had shown extraordinary support by directly contributing one billion points. They became curious and turned their attention to the support ranking of Qiao Dai, wanting to know who this extraordinary person was. However, their curiosity was immediately halted.

Among the colorful profile pictures and names like "Adore Little Sister Daidai," "Daidai's Path to Stardom," and "Eleven Girl's Explosive Rise," Qiao Dai's top supporter had a simple black and white profile picture of a killer whale and a name that was equally direct and simple—just "Orca."

Everyone fell into silence.

"This profile picture and name remind me of someone."

"Agreed."

"Hahaha, it really does."

Seated in the back rows, a young fan noticed the comments flooding the live chat and hurriedly explained, "Maybe they just like animals? Let's not jump to conclusions. It's not nice."

As the young fan explained, they secretly glanced at Cheng Su's expression and instinctively tightened their grip on their hand, hoping Cheng Su wouldn't be upset with them for their innocent misunderstanding. Daidai was innocent!

At that moment, the host approached Qiao Dai with a bright smile and asked, "Qiao Dai, do you have anything to say to your top supporter?"

Today, Qiao Dai's extraordinary support at the beginning of the show, contributing one billion "qi" points, had caused a sensation. The host couldn't help but ask a few more questions, and the camera shifted to Qiao Dai's face.

Upon hearing the host's question, a faint smile appeared on Qiao Dai's face as she replied, "Thank you, Mr. Orca."

Although her voice was gentle, it felt like scattered sparks burning Cheng Su's ears, causing him to instinctively tense up.

"Wow, Daidai's 'Orca' response is so alluring."

"Announcement: From today onwards, let's change our name to 'Orca.'"

Amidst the barrage of comments, a sudden question appeared:

"Wait, how does Daidai know that this Orca is a guy? Do they know each other?"