Chapter 111: The Famous Senior

On the set of "Produce 101," the director’s team took their places as cameras captured every angle of the dance practice room without missing a single detail.

Thirty-six newly promoted contestants entered the room one by one.

Standing before them, Chen Xiuyuan smiled warmly and said, “Thank you all for your hard work!”

“No, it’s not hard at all!” the girls shouted in unison.

Chen Xiuyuan chuckled, “Don’t say that insincerely! I can see the exhaustion etched on every one of your faces. But that’s how competitions are—brutal yet passionate. If you’ve made it this far, it means each of you has the talent to debut as part of a group. And the moment to truly debut is just within reach. I hope you’ll continue to persevere and fight for your dreams.”

These words deeply moved the contestants. Some were so touched that tears welled up in their eyes.

Then, Chen Xiuyuan explained the rules for the second public performance and announced six center-position contestants: Liao Meiqi, Xie Yuqian, Yu Xiaoci, Zhu Xiyu, Ju Nianzhi, and Dou Jiajia, a Thai contestant who secured the sixth spot on the ranking board, holding her ground with rap.

“These six center-position contestants will form six teams in three days and step onto the public stage,” Chen Xiuyuan continued. “And notably, you’ll be joined by six star seniors to complete the performance.”

“You have three days to collaborate with these star seniors to create and rehearse your songs and dances. Over the next three days, the mentor team will guide each group as advisors. Now, I will announce the creative theme.”

The girls listened intently to every word. The mention of star seniors had them bubbling with excitement, practically jumping with joy. After spending over two months in the program, aside from the selection and directing teams, they rarely saw anyone else.

The entire "Produce 101" operation was basically run like a military camp.

And now, suddenly, six star seniors were parachuting in!

Since they were seniors, they were about the same age as the girls.

And since they were stars, they were bound to be handsome!

The girls were overcome with excitement, some moved to tears.

“Star seniors!”

“So thrilling, so thrilling!”

“It’s been so long since we’ve seen boys...”

“Hey! Don’t act like that, the cameraman’s crying!”

“Wait, where are the senior sisters? Why only seniors?”

“Emmm, Dou Jiajia, I didn’t expect you to be like this—stay away from me!”

“After two months inside, I’m actually starting to think Brother Xiuyuan looks quite good!”

“Wow, you have quite the taste, liking an empty nester!”

Chen Xiuyuan was left speechless.

“You girls are trying to drive me crazy!” he snorted and raised his hand for silence before continuing.

“Given that the college and high school entrance exams just concluded, this period will surely be unforgettable for many of you. Therefore, our creative theme is—‘Cherishing the Best Time.’”

“Now, I will reveal a secret message left by each star senior.”

As Chen Xiuyuan finished speaking, the girls erupted into excited screams.

Inside, Chen Xiuyuan felt a twinge of melancholy. When he was young, he too was just as popular as these fresh faces...

At thirty, he shed silent tears within.

“Let’s start by listening to the first recording,” Chen Xiuyuan said.

Soon, the director played the recording.

“Hi, girls of Produce 101, hello...”

The moment the voice began, the room was filled with wild screams.

“Wow! Zhang Hengge! It’s Zhang Hengge!”

One girl was so overwhelmed she collapsed to the floor, crying out loudly.

In the next instant, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted from excitement.

Chen Xiuyuan was baffled.

“Someone, help!”

The team doctor rushed in, checked her pupils, then placed one hand under her jaw and pressed the point between her nose and upper lip.

After a few seconds, the girl slowly regained consciousness, wiping tears and asking, “Zhang Hengge, has Zhang Hengge really come?”

The girls exchanged looks, none daring to answer, afraid she might faint again from shock.

Chen Xiuyuan stepped forward, concerned, and after confirming she was fine, signaled the director to continue playing the recordings.

“My personality is rather introverted. I enjoy reading comics and working out...”

“Finally, here’s a hint: I’m from Jiangnan. Get ready to pay up!”

The phrase “I’m from Jiangnan. Get ready to pay up!” was a catchphrase from a film role played by Zhang Hengge, confirming his identity.

Next, the second and third guest recordings played. Their voices were harder to recognize. The girls guessed seven or eight popular celebrities but couldn’t be sure.

Then came the fourth guest’s recording.

“Hello, girls of 101. I’ve been following your growth. I see all your efforts and sweat. You might not guess who I am just by my voice. The director told me to give you some hints, but I don’t think it will help—because even if I do, you probably won’t guess who I am...”

Halfway through the sentence, Liao Meiqi, standing in the center, covered her mouth in disbelief.

The others were puzzled.

“This guy’s voice is so beautiful, sounds like a professionally trained announcer!”

“Yeah, so soothing~”

“Meiqi, do you know who it is? Tell us, tell us!”

Liao Meiqi’s eyes were red and trembling with excitement. Her emotions fluctuated so wildly that she struggled to speak.

The recording continued.

“So, I’ll briefly tell you about myself. I like reading, listening to music, writing books and songs. Besides that, I also cook. Um, my fried rice is delicious...”

When the recording ended, the girls remained clueless about this charming voice.

But they noticed Liao Meiqi’s excitement and asked her.

Wiping away tears, she said through laughter and tears, “That’s my brother. It’s my brother!”

“Your brother?”

All the contestants widened their eyes.

Xie Yuqian suddenly turned around, eyes blazing with shock and anger.

Liao Yuan?

Again Liao Yuan?

Even after a month, Xie Yuqian could still feel the lingering impact of the song “Nobody.”

She had her own channels of information and knew that the anonymous original author of “Nobody” was actually the streamer Liao Yuan.

This man had once publicly criticized senior Han Yu on Weibo and staunchly supported Liao Meiqi. She remembered well and loathed him intensely.

So when she heard the name, painful memories surged, fueling her fury.

If it hadn’t been for a serious warning from the last incident, she might have exploded at the director’s team.

Why? Why Liao Yuan again? And as a guest?

A huge conspiracy! An enormous conspiracy!

This show wasn’t fair at all!

But her anger vanished instantly when the fifth recording played.

“Hello, beautiful and lovely girls. Do you know who I am? I really enjoy the show Produce 101. It reminds me of my trainee days...”

Before the recording finished, many girls screamed, “Han Yu! It’s Han Yu!”

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