Idol Chapter 181

The finals are set for Saturday night.

On Monday, Xie Lianyun reported the incident to the police, leading to the unexpected arrest of Han Qu.

On Tuesday, Fengyue Culture accused members of FALSE of sexually harassing artists and released multiple solid proofs.

On Wednesday, Gu Shaochu publicly withdrew from the competition.

One thing after another blew up in the entertainment industry, like stones stirring up waves in water.

Initially, some speculated that Xie Lianyun was creating such a big scene just to hype “Chosen by the Gods” and draw in viewers.

By the third day, the general public and Weibo’s programmers were completely dumbfounded.

What’s been going on these days? New explosive news every day?

Can people still go to work, study for exams, and memorize vocabulary in peace?

Gu Shaochu was popular even before he joined the show, having been part of a top team in his youth and accumulating numerous awards. After retiring, he entered a prestigious university and then ventured into the entertainment industry. Even before “Chosen by the Gods” was aired, there were rumors that he was pre-selected to win the championship.

As the final approached, speculation about the list of the final six and their performance order was also hotly debated.

As soon as the news broke out, many found their houses collapsed into rubble, rushing to the show’s discussion plaza in tears.

[Why would Shaochu withdraw when he’s so strong—he’s definitely the main character!]

[It must be related to Han Yang or Shi Jianian! So frustrating! What does this have to do with my brother’s management company playing tricks!]

[I’m not watching this show anymore. What’s the point without Shaochu, I’m so angry (flips table)]

The news not only stunned the audience outside the venue but also the nine boys who remained in the building were quite surprised.

Gu Shaochu had hinted at withdrawing from the competition quite early, more like a precaution to prepare the organizers psychologically.

Xie Lianyun spoke with him alone for ten minutes, and when he came out, he was very nonchalant.

“If you want to leave, just leave. It’s no big deal.”

However, the other producers and sponsors were too reluctant to let him go, specifically asking Gu Shaochu what had happened.

Was it an unpleasant interaction with another contestant, or was there something about the competition’s format that made him uncomfortable? They asked him to discuss it openly, no need to just walk away like this.

Now that Huo Ren nodded, Gu Shaochu officially left the show, gathering for a meal with friends who hadn’t debuted yet before he left.

A few understood his intentions and raised their glasses with a smile to send him off.

Some people are naturally suited to work alone, and after trying to fit in and still disliking teamwork, it’s normal for him to make this decision.

“We’ll probably meet again when we debut.”

“If you debut solo, you’ll be competing for the OSC trophy against us.”

“Gu Shaochu! There are six of us! Are you scared?”

“Good luck, we’re still friends, let’s hang out more in the future.”

Gu Shaochu sat by the smoky hot pot, looking up at the friends he had made along the way.

“Yes.” He smiled. “I’ll miss you guys. Let’s play tennis together after the finals.”

Zhu Xizhi chugged a big gulp of beer, slamming the glass down.

“Brother Shaochu, who do you think is most likely to win?”

Everyone laughed and asked whom he favored more.

Gu Shaochu’s gaze circled around and settled on Fu Mingnian, sitting quietly to his left.

That day, during the fan dance, he had seen a Fu Mingnian on stage that was completely different from usual.

It was as if all pretenses and disguises had been stripped away, sharp as a blade’s edge.

“I’m rooting for you.” Gu Shaochu smiled and patted his shoulder, calmly and warmly saying, “See you at the OSC awards ceremony.”

Fu Mingnian nodded his head.

Perhaps in a few years, he would lead the entire DIVINE to compete against this man for that supreme crown.

On Thursday, Mei Shengyao returned.

Not only had he traveled to many countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, but he also brought back six or seven boxes full of gifts, and his complexion had finally improved a lot.

He had previously spent two years alone guarding Chi Ji, almost as if he was locked underground, his condition nearly collapsing.

Now, after having fun all around, he considered it a compensation for the years of excessive restraint.

Huo Ren originally had company matters to attend to but deliberately handed over his responsibilities to his subordinates and drove to the private airport to pick him up.

“Brother—” Shengyao, who had grown a lot taller, ran quickly towards him: “I missed you so much! Where are Brother Long and the others?”

“Brother Long is in the United States, Brother Yun and Brother Jue are taking care of Chi Chi,” Huo Ren explained as he drove towards their secret base: “As I mentioned over the phone, Chi Chi’s neural responses have become more evident recently, and his fingers often make grasping motions.”

Huo Ren had yet to visit Chi Ji since hearing the news.

He knew he had too much guilt and regret unprocessed, and feared that his emotions couldn’t withstand facing all of that past again.

Since his return, he had buried himself in work, also indirectly avoiding many fears.

Mei Shengyao leaned against his shoulder, listening quietly for a while, then suddenly said, “Brother Ren, why don’t you come with me to see Chi Chi this time?”

Huo Ren gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter, pausing before saying, “It’s a bit sudden.”

“Let’s go see him, it’ll be fine. You must miss him too.”

Leaning against his brother, Shengyao looked at the rapidly passing streetscape sideways, slowly continuing.

“The first time I met senior brother, he was only in his teens.”

“At that time, I thought, senior brother is so tall, even on tiptoes I couldn’t reach his face.”

“He was so clean and pure like an angel, and when he smiled, his eyes sparkled like gems, especially beautiful.”

Shengyao rubbed Huo Ren’s shoulder, pausing for a long time.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Chi Chi’s eyes.”

“I miss him.”

Huo Ren had never refused Mei Shengyao.

Among the six of them, only Shengyao expressed his emotions passionately and directly, unchanged from the beginning.

Love is love, hate is hate, and he could openly tell everyone after being apart for just two or three days how much he missed them.

In this respect, Mei Shengyao and Huo Ren seemed to be two extremes of the past.

When he spoke again, his voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

“Okay, I’ll drive us in.”

Han Qu was just released today and was still entangled in a slew of lawsuits and troubles, barely managing his own affairs.

For caution, the SUV circled several times, traditionally switching cars at the transfer station before returning to the Mei family old house.

It was as if they were still filming that escape reality show, just another game segment.

Huo Ren followed behind Mei Shengyao, his heartbeat slowing down with every step closer to the basement.

He could hear his own breathing and the pain of his nails digging again into his palms.

When Shengyao returned here, his expression also became relaxed and nostalgic.

“I wonder if Chi Chi has been fattened up.” He muttered softly: “The nutritional paste needs to be fed daily.”

After their fingerprint, iris, and voice prints were recorded, Huo Ren changed into a set of sterilized clothes and slowly walked to the doorway of that room.

Xie Lianyun and Bo Jue, one on each side, were guarding beside the bed, both looking up at them.

As Huo Ren clearly saw the real figure on the bed, the long-lasting feeling of his heart being clenched and squeezed suddenly disappeared.

He involuntarily quickened his pace and reached Chi Ji’s side just as Bo Jue got up.

It was warm, still breathing, incredibly real—his dear friend.

Not the blood-covered corpse from his nightmares, not the black and white photo from the obituary.

It was Chi Ji, still in deep slumber.

Huo Ren felt as if his fingers weren’t obeying him, trembling as he reached out.

“Chi Chi…” he called softly, holding back tears.

“…Do you want to build a snowman?”

“Brother Ren,” Mei Shengyao whispered, looking down at them, “hug him, he’s so cold.”

Xie Lianyun silently nodded.

As Huo Ren leaned in, countless memories surged back like a tide.

It was like embracing all the past he shared with Corona.

The second they did broadcast gymnastics during auditions, the night curled up in the underground parking lot.

The first time being taught how to touch piano keys, the first time hearing a siren-like song.

Even the scent of the sausage egg burger was retrieved from his memories, warm as ever.

“Chi Chi,” he held the sleeping youth tightly, his voice hoarse, “please wake up.”

Huo Ren buried his cheek into his shoulder, letting hot tears roll down uncontrollably.

“These past two years… it’s been too hard for us.”

“Brother Long isn’t here today, but he must be thinking of you, missing all of us.”

“Chi Ji…”

In that instant, Chi Ji gripped Bo Jue’s fingertips again.

“He’s moving—” Bo Jue could barely control his voice: “Ren Ren, he can hear—”

“Chi Ji, Chi Chi, there’s so much we still haven’t done,” Huo Ren choked out, “I’m about to have a concert, won’t you wake up?”

He rarely lost his composure in front of his teammates, nor had he ever voiced these repeatedly mulled over thoughts.

“Did they tell you we got the crown?”

“Six crowns, and one of them belongs to you.”

That shouldn’t be taken as an end.

Corona shouldn’t have ended at that point.

He couldn’t accept it, he never agreed.

Even if everyone assumed the idol group had disbanded, that there would be no more performances or follow-ups, he refused to accept a single word of it.

“We’ve talked about it many times, getting a big house after we’re done, six people living together.”

“Brother Long will study acting after sorting out company matters, I’ll go abroad with you to study, everyone traveling together.”

“Chi Chi, we haven’t even prepared for a farewell concert, wake up—”

Suddenly, Mei Shengyao rushed over.

“His eyes are open!!! Brother Ren!!!”

“Ren Ren, he’s really awake!!!!”

“Doctor, where’s the doctor?! I’ll go find the doctor—”

“Chi Chi!! Chi Chi look at me, I’m Xie Lianyun—”

At that moment, Huo Ren suddenly didn’t dare to look back.

He held Chi Ji tightly, his body trembling involuntarily.

With all the courage he could muster, he created some distance between himself and Chi Ji, and looked again.

“Are you… awake?”

Those clear, pure eyes were already brimming with tears, blinking slowly and gently.

---

Author’s Note:

*Will resume daily updates at 6 AM starting tomorrow.*

I’ve taken several days off, and I truly apologize for the frequent interruptions. I bow to you all. Red packets are available for comments within 24H of this chapter, MUA!

*“The Idol Group and the Crown” is expected to officially conclude around March 20, including various extras.*

———————————

Chi Ji’s storyline hasn’t been altered; the initial idea was to write covertly, there’s no need to excavate every foreshadowing, just hint subtly in the main text and freely elaborate in the extras.

But back in Chapter 139, the comments exploded, and I was just in a phase of exhaustion… It was quite troublesome during that period.

Fortunately, I’ve made it through all the way to now.

The side CP in the extras was really up to the readers’ interpretation, now it seems like it might hit a wall, so let’s leave it to fate…

——————

I’m planning to start a new project, expected to launch around April 15~

Please poke the author’s column to follow, kisses O3O

“Alpha Position Pheromones”

ABO boy band story from the dominant perspective/20-40K words/emphasis on the emotional storyline/no torture, no side CP

【Main Dancer】 Playful dominant alpha X 【Main Vocalist】Cold, abstinent omega

Wen Yaofeng never expected to catch his teammate being bitten on the neck in the fire escape.

Especially by the always indifferent, beautiful cold-faced lead singer.

Bai Chun immediately wanted to explain that a friend was helping, but then he realized something even more dreadful than being misunderstood.

In front of Wen Yaofeng, ordinary temporary markings became ineffective.

That person was always domineering and self-centered in the group, and his pheromones were as explosive as tequila.

—So potent that it made any ALPHA’s scent seem as bland as boiled water.

And then it all became ineffective.

And they had just eight minutes before they had to go on stage.

Bai Chun unbuttoned his collar, looking at him expressionlessly.

“Wen Yaofeng, bite me, right now.”

———————————–

**-Mini Drama-**

For precaution, temporary marking before major performances had become their tacit understanding.

Wen Yaofeng leaned against the makeup room doorframe, smirking as Bai Chun threw yet another special effect substitute injection into the trash.

“Still no effect?”

Bai Chun’s demeanor was cool as he stood up and unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his neck to him.

His tone unintentionally a bit rushed.

“Hurry up, stop messing around.”