Chapter 229: Chapter 229: The Unexpected Elimination Result
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Ma Liheng’s gaze shifted subtly between the stage and the mentor’s table.
Seeing Qingyue’s unpleasant expression, he quickly cut off Qin Jiaxiang, starting with flattery: "Director Qin is truly an internationally renowned filmmaker, broad-minded and willing to support newcomers."
Qin Jiaxiang clicked his tongue and shot Ma Liheng an unhappy glance.
What’s with this old fox? He was talking to Sang Ning; why was he interrupting?
After successfully cutting off Qin Jiaxiang, Ma Liheng smiled and turned to Qingyue: "Qingyue is also a rare gem of an actor. I assume he’s one of the collaborators that Director Qin has in mind?"
"Am I right, Director Qin?" Ma Liheng asked this while locking eyes with Qin Jiaxiang.
From Sang Ning’s perspective, she thought Ma Liheng’s smile had a sneaky, rat-like quality to it, making her uncomfortable.
Qin Jiaxiang’s eyes widened, his eyeballs rolling around as he furrowed his brows and shot Ma Liheng a quick glare.
What kind of idiot was Ma Liheng? Couldn’t he tell Qin Jiaxiang didn’t want to comment on Qingyue?
At that moment, the host, seemingly eager to stir the pot, pressed on: "I bet the audience is also dying to know if Qingyue’s performance moved Director Qin. On their behalf, let me ask: Director Qin, how would you rate Qingyue’s performance today?"
Damn it!
In his heart, Qin Jiaxiang cursed. There were always pesky commoners trying to sabotage him!
He paused before giving an ambiguous reply: "I believe that at the right time, in the right place, destined actors and directors will ultimately cross paths because of the pull of fate."
Host: "..."
Ma Liheng: "..."
Qingyue: "..."
Sang Ning was floored. Qin Jiaxiang had truly mastered the art of speaking without saying anything substantive.
It was as if listening to him say nothing was even more enlightening than hearing actual insights!
"Heh."
The host was momentarily speechless and could only let out an awkward chuckle to buy himself a couple of seconds to think.
As he mulled things over, his gaze accidentally met Wen Jiu’s eyes.
The host instantly felt like he’d been thrown a lifeline; Wen Jiu was famously good-natured in the industry.
She was the perfect candidate to defuse this situation.
The host, Brother Hua, raised his eyebrows subtly, giving Wen Jiu a silent cue in hopes she’d follow up gracefully.
"Director Qin’s words are so philosophical and thought-provoking," the host said. "On behalf of the audience, I’d also like to ask: In Teacher Wen Jiu’s eyes, is Qingyue a compatible actor for directors?"
Wen Jiu leaned forward slightly, gripping the stand mic on the table and wearing her trademark smile before speaking: "I don’t know if Qingyue and a director are a match. But with me? Definitely not."
Wen Jiu’s words were a direct hit, instantly taking down two people.
Not only did Qingyue’s expression darken even further, but the host almost lost control of his professional smile.
This could practically count as a stage accident—but thankfully, it was pre-recorded.
Brother Hua noticed Wen Jiu still seemed eager to continue critiquing. Fearing she might say something even more unmanageable, he quickly intervened to wrap up this agonizing mentor review segment.
"Thank you, Teacher Wen Jiu. I heard you’ve recently founded a talent agency. Unfortunately, as someone who started their career as an idol, Qingyue may not currently align with your company’s development strategy. What a shame.
Still, we all look forward to seeing idol-actor Qingyue grow quickly, so he can meet more esteemed figures in the industry!"
Sang Ning was the first to clap, and others gradually followed suit.
Seizing the moment, Brother Hua ended the mentor review: "Now, let’s have this group of contestants retire to the waiting room to watch the results of their advancement on the big screen!"
Sang Ning was the first to walk off the stage, with the others following her lead.
Sang Ning was somewhat worried about Wen Jiu. She was afraid that if Wen Jiu stayed on stage any longer, she’d say something even more shocking.
This was still a recorded program, after all. Wen Jiu’s animosity toward Qingyue was practically palpable.
Qingyue had backers now. If they maliciously edited the footage into a video with hashtags like "#WenJiuBullyingQingyue#," it wouldn’t look good.
Even with Wen Jiu’s solid footing in the industry, she wouldn’t be able to avoid the storm of online abuse.
Sang Ning already knew how bitter cyberbullying tasted and wouldn’t wish it on anyone, let alone Wen Jiu. Sang Ning genuinely saw her as a little sister in need of protection.
Wen Jiu’s defiance in standing up to Qingyue had, after all, been out of solidarity for her.
Each group had their own separate waiting room after performing.
The waiting room layout featured a large flat-screen TV opposite three wraparound sofas.
Qingyue and Shen Yi didn’t get along, so they each sat on separate sofas, one on the left and the other on the right.
Sang Ning sat in the middle with Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina on the center sofa.
Out of nowhere, Lu Ye decided to wedge himself onto the already packed sofa with Sang Ning and the girls.
That sofa comfortably seated three women, but squeezing in one more person would be outrageously cramped.
Seeing Lu Ye’s rear about to drop beside her, Sang Ning quickly scooted right toward Wang Qiuhong, protesting, "With that oversized butt of yours, can’t you find another sofa?"
Sang Ning truly thought Lu Ye was nuts. Either of the sofas occupied by Shen Yi or Qingyue could easily seat one more adult male.
Yet he insisted on squeezing in beside her.
Regardless of how much Sang Ning complained, Lu Ye shamelessly planted himself down.
Shooting a glance to his right at Shen Yi: "Stone face is contagious!"
Then turning left toward Qingyue: "I don’t play with kids who have connections!"
Sang Ning: "..."
There was no way Lu Ye’s remarks were making it into the final cut.
"Now announcing the advancement results for Group Four contestants!" came the broadcast announcer’s voice from the TV.
The room instantly grew silent.
Wang Qiuhong clung tightly to Sang Ning’s arm. "Ah, what do I do? I’m so nervous. I hope I don’t get eliminated!"
Nervousness spread like a virus. Xi Meina’s heart began racing as she clenched her fists on her lap, her eyes fixed on the screen.
She held onto a sliver of hope—please, don’t let her be eliminated. She genuinely wanted to stay on this stage.
Hope and despair coexisted inside her. Xi Meina knew there was a 99% chance she and Wang Qiuhong would be cut.
After all, Sang Ning’s performance had been uniquely outstanding, and her acting was solid.
Thinking of this, Xi Meina sighed heavily in her heart.
Acceptance washed over her—if she were eliminated, so be it.
She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at the words on the screen.
"What the hell!"
"Is this rigged?!"
"Oh my god, I can’t believe my eyes!"
Not long after closing her eyes, Xi Meina’s ears were assaulted by Lu Ye’s loud exclamations.
What’s going on?
Unable to suppress her curiosity, she cracked her eyes open and saw a line of bold text on the screen.
Eliminated this round: Sang Ning, Xi Meina!
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