Chapter 99: All Eight Trump Cards Played, Yet Still Only Second Place?

When the host announced the votes for "Easily Cold as Fireworks," chaos erupted at the headquarters of Tide Sound Culture.

Because the threat to Wu Junchen's position as the most popular contestant had become immense.

"Hold on! We must keep Wu Junchen at the top of the popularity chart!" the director of the operations department shouted at his team.

"Director, we're out of budget!" the staff responded helplessly.

They had used every possible method. Especially when it came to harvesting from fans, they had gone so far as to drain the pond and kill the hen for its eggs. For days, Tide Sound Culture had been mobilizing fans to crowdfund for the rankings, squeezing the fan base dry.

When the ordinary fans could no longer provide, the company set its sights on the wealthy women in the fan groups. Each group began privately messaging these affluent fans, persuading them to buy votes.

The livestream for the final sprint of the formation night was nearing its end. Now, the only way to boost the rankings was to pour real money in.

However, the popularity of "Red Actor" and "Easily Cold as Fireworks" was overwhelming. Both songs soared to the trending list, attracting countless casual voters. Added to this, "Nocturne" topped the Music Storm Chart. Songstone Records ran ads across major music platforms, leveraging the popularity of "Nocturne" to boost Fang Xing's reputation.

As a result, Fang Xing's popularity score skyrocketed at an alarming rate in the final stage.

In the Tide Sound Culture headquarters conference room, the operations director looked at Chairman He Hongtu and forced himself to speak: "Chairman, all funds have been used up. If we want to secure Wu Junchen's position at the top, we'll need additional funding."

He Hongtu had been watching the live broadcast in the conference room and knew the situation was dire for the company. His expression was grim as he asked in a deep voice, "How much time is left before the voting closes?"

The director checked his watch and replied, "According to the schedule FiFan Entertainment gave us, about twenty minutes remain."

He Hongtu asked again, "Twenty minutes isn't long. How much more would it take to hold out until the end?"

"Now, we can only throw money directly at the popularity chart. Given Fang Xing's growth rate, at least twenty million," the director said, his throat dry as he uttered the number.

Normally, Tide Sound Culture had many channels for boosting rankings at a relatively low cost. However, those methods required a day or two to take effect. With only twenty minutes left, the only option was to spend heavily.

He Hongtu frowned, "What about organic votes? Did you factor in Wu Junchen's natural popularity growth?"

The director replied helplessly, "Since the third performance, through tonight's formation night, that's four stages in total. We've lost all four. So... Wu Junchen's organic popularity growth isn't even a fraction compared to Fang Xing."

By the end, he didn't know what else to say.

"Useless fools!" He Hongtu slammed a report onto the meeting table.

After investing years and funds training the five Tide Sound boys, losing to a single Fang Xing infuriated him.

An operations staff member tentatively raised a hand and suggested, "I have an idea, though I'm not sure if it'll work. We could try negotiating with Penguin Video to close the voting channel early."

Wu Junchen was still ranked first. If the channel closed now, his position would be locked.

He Hongtu's gaze was icy as he glared at the employee, scolding, "Are you out of your mind? Penguin Video is making hundreds of thousands each minute from popularity votes. You want them to close the channel now? Why not just ask them to give you money?"

The fiercer the ranking battle, the more Penguin Video profits—especially towards the end. If they didn't demand an extension, that was already generous. Asking them to close the channel now was like robbing them.

"So, do we keep spending to hold on?" The executives all shared the same frustration.

Liu Rongxuan cleared his throat and said, "Chairman He, tonight is the final sprint for the formation, but it's not the last episode. There's still the faction battle later. If we spend money to secure first place tonight, do we keep spending in the faction battle?"

He Hongtu's expression grew solemn. After thinking for a moment, he made his decision: "Give up! Pull back all recoverable ranking funds. Once Wu Junchen loses, we'll capitalize on the fans' heartbreak, stir them up, and win it back in the faction battle."

Spending company funds to boost rankings was throwing money away. Stirring up fans to crowdfund was different.

Fan-raised funds were split fifty-fifty between Tide Sound Culture and Penguin Video. So, mobilizing fans was profitable.

But when the company itself spent, it was burning cash.

As long as He Hongtu kept his wits, he knew which path to take.

...

The livestream continued.

He Hao announced the final voting rules, "Audience members, both here and watching the stream, though 'Easily Cold as Fireworks' received 21.85 million votes and ranked first in the second round, our ultimate formation rules are based on the overall popularity chart in the Penguin Video 'Tomorrow's Star' section, not a single stage."

"The higher your rank on the overall chart, the better your chance of joining the GLA Glacier Boys."

"The voting channel will remain open for the last ten minutes. All contestants will now make their final appeal."

One by one, the trainees stepped onto the stage, following the host's order, making their last plea for votes.

Most were emotionally charged, earnestly begging their fans, some with tears streaming down their faces, wailing, "We want to form the group! We won't give up on our musical dreams!"

When He Hao handed the microphone to Fang Xing, the tone shifted dramatically.

He Hao: "Fang Xing, with only a few minutes left before the voting closes, is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?"

Fang Xing looked surprised, "Do I have fans?"

The irreverent netizens immediately filled the screen with comments:

[No, you don't have fans, only haters.]

[It's impossible for you to have fans.]

[I've voted so many times just so I can keep mocking you. Isn't that hard for me?]

[Actually, I really loved the two songs tonight. I'm thinking of switching from a hater to a fan...]

[No! You don't want that. Quick, gag him and kick him out!]

He Hao pressed on, "Fang Xing, do you want to join the group?"

Fang Xing: "No."

He Hao feigned surprise, "You don't want to join?"

Fang Xing: "I was planning to quit, but couldn't afford the penalty. President Tong wouldn't let me leave."

He Hao: "Then why are you so serious about the competition?"

Fang Xing: "I just don't want to lose."

He Hao continued, "Fang Xing, you're now second in popularity. If you want to join the group, you have a good chance."

Fang Xing grinned, joking, "Only second? I brought out 'Red Actor' and 'Easily Cold as Fireworks,' such killer songs, and I'm still only second. Looks like the national level of musical appreciation needs improvement."

He Hao raised his brows, "Do you really think so?"

Fang Xing laughed, "No, just kidding."

The barrage exploded:

[Hey! I refuse to accept that. Doubting my musical taste? Now I absolutely have to vote!]

[Great, now he's provoking the audience. Don't flop, I'll be hating you forever.]

[Hating you is my attitude, voting is my musical literacy—they don't conflict!]

[Honestly, with 'Nocturne,' 'Wild Bird,' 'Lovers Under Heaven,' 'Difficult Scriptures,' 'The Wind Rises,' 'Youth Speaks of China,' 'Red Actor,' 'Easily Cold as Fireworks'—these eight killer songs—if they can't win first place, our musical standards are truly hopeless.]

[If eight killer songs lose to a capital-backed idol, the music scene is doomed.]

[I can't speak for others, but I'm voting ten times to prove my musical taste is fine.]

[Other shows get to the top with one or two breakout songs. Only this lousy show has eight and still only ranks second.]

Many viewers who had been too lazy to vote recalled the eight killer songs released throughout the season, decided to move their fingers, and cast their votes.

Most ordinary viewers didn't comment, but quietly gave their free votes, not spending money. But with such a massive base, it made a difference.

In the last ten minutes, Fang Xing's popularity once again surged explosively.