Dad, Please Let Me Be Your One-and-Only! Chapter 406
Startled by this, Pei Xiaotong stuffed the lemon tea back into the bag. She obediently refused to drink it and followed her sister closely, her eyes still darting around like a lost fawn in the city, quite adorable.
"Speaking of which, didn't we see the Yuan Xiao Group holding up signs and banners for Qing Bao?"
The little girl looked around and saw many fans of her idols holding up signs, some of whom seemed to have come all the way from Capital to support their idols.
Xu Ling also felt a little disappointed, and she said regretfully:
"That's right. All the major fan groups had already organized support for this Public Performance. Even if Qing Bao can't participate in the Public Performance, everyone is just planning to change the banners and lines to something else to continue supporting her."
"But at the end of Qing Bao's live stream yesterday, she specifically asked everyone not to go and show support. If you really want to show support, just film a video at home and post it under the latest Weibo. She can see it and will try her best to reply."
Pei Xiaotong seemed thoughtful, but wasn't too surprised by what she Public Performance. Given Qing Bao's personality, it was obviously hard for her to accept that many fans risked heatstroke in the Great Xia to hold up signs and show their support outside. She felt that Qingbao didn't deserve to be treated like that.
Although this kind of thing is common in the fan community, and given the other party's latest revealed achievements and status as the General Captain the Countermeasures Bureau, he is fully entitled to be treated this way.
But it is precisely because Chu Yuanqing is this kind of person that everyone still likes her so much.
Xu Ling still remembers Qing Bao looked at the camera with slightly pursed pink lips, dim golden eyes, and melancholy gaze after playing the guitar, saying, "I don't want everyone to waste unnecessary time," "I'm sad to see the live support event online," and "I'll respond properly next time." Xu Ling felt a tingling sensation in her heart.
To be honest, any fan would have to succumb to the allure of the Pure White Succubus's plea. Even she, a fan with tickets to the Public Performance, secretly put away her prepared banners and support signs for fear of Qing Bao misunderstanding.
Even now, recalling it, she feels a little unsteady on her feet. It can only be said that the Pure White Succubus was truly terrifying. In ancient times, if Qing Bao like Qingbao were available, it would be perfectly reasonable for the emperor to neglect his morning court sessions. The idea that she would bring disaster to the country and its people is no joke.
If she hadn't been going to watch the Public Performance today and support Little Sakura and Qing Bao's other teammates, she would definitely have stayed up all night editing out the live stream so that other fans who missed the live stream could also enjoy Qing Bao's succubus moment.
Ten minutes later, the two followed the crowd onto the bus and officially entered the venue.
On the other side, there's a huge meeting room, like a stadium.
This place brings together Little Idol from Sea Capital and Capital. Excluding those who died in disasters like Chu Qiushuang, and others who Withdraw from Competition or took leave due to force majeure, there are a total of 162 contestants from about 36 teams.
Ji Shuzhu sat next to Chen Yining. She lowered her eyes to look at the empty center of the venue, then glanced at the Little Idol around her who were whispering and discussing, their eyes filled with confusion. She sighed softly:
"The moment that will decide our fate has arrived."
Liang Xiaoxiao tied up her gray and white hair, revealing her fair neck and increasingly slender profile. She wore dark contact lenses to conceal her gray spiral eyes and the vortex of calamity that would appear when the replica was activated. Her expression was calm.
Lin Bao'er secretly glanced at the other person's neck and stroked it a few times with her fingertips, which caused the seemingly handsome Xiaoxiao to instantly lose his composure, turn around and stare at the other person without saying a word, and the two were locked in a stalemate.
With a clear, resonant voice, Ruan Wutong looked at the two men facing off with a curious gaze.
After Xiaoxiao stayed at Bao'er's house for a few days, did their relationship improve?
Little Purple Fur, with his innocent imagination, just watched the spectacle unfold.
Chen Yining followed her childhood friend's lead and remembered the elimination rules for the Third Performance.
This Public Performance, which is shared by Sea Capital and Capital, will only allow fifty people to advance.
In other words, if we consider the teams, only 10 teams will ultimately advance, making the competition extremely fierce.
But Xiaozhu pointed to as fate was not simply whether or not one would advance.
It is the more crucial thing, the one that determines the course of one's life.
That is, whether or not to become Magical Girl.
Recently, Magical Girl, disaster groups, <Flash Dance>, and various other explosive news have been bombarding us one after another. Judging from the atmosphere around us, the contestants involved are aware that they are in the middle of a storm, and their attitude towards this Public Performance has become ambiguous.
Idols, Magical Girl.
When ideals and dreams converge, and unexpected responsibilities and risks are added, most of these girls, who are not yet adults or have just turned 18, inevitably feel lost.
If I participate in the competition, does it mean I'm automatically on the path to becoming Magical Girl?
If you refuse, are you missing a real opportunity to change your life and destiny?
If this continues, will their years of hard work in dance, vocals, facial expressions—all the skills related to Idol Power —truly have any use?
This feeling of uncertainty about the future, whether it's shrouded in mist, hiding unknown thorns, or perhaps paved with gold, left every contestant unsure of what attitude to take towards this Public Performance.
Even knowing that in order not to let down past efforts and the audience, and to do their best to present themselves on stage, people still can't help but have random thoughts that affect their performance.
If I'm not mistaken,
Dream Weaver Rabbit will not allow everyone to go on stage in this state. It will definitely give the other contestants who have not yet "Lighting Up" or entered the ideal world a relatively fair right to know a few hours before the official start of the competition.
Otherwise, there would be no need to hold this Public Performance at all; just let all the Magical Girl in the team advance and eliminate the rest.
Meanwhile, a seat not far away.
The Green Eyed Cat's eyelids drooped wearily, and she listlessly rubbed her face. In order to help Xie Qingxuan's [Wise King] perform to the fullest, she had overused [Mask] and hadn't recovered yet.
Little Sakura petted the cat and said with some concern:
"Liuli, you must get a good night's sleep tonight. Don't play games just because you have free time."
Kiriwake Yayoi wasn't worried about Liuli Cat Cat messing up on stage. Her Idol Domain could help her regain her peak performance on stage. At most, she'd be a little weak afterward, but it wouldn't be a big problem.
Xie Qingxuan pinched Liuli's ear and reminded her:
"Today, for Qing Bao, I will give it my all on stage."
Chu Wangshu wholeheartedly agreed, and she nodded in agreement:
"Although Dad tacitly agreed to our advancement, some people will inevitably feel it's unfair. We must use the best stage to get the best score and perfectly quell those objections."
After the little girl finished speaking, she glanced at her phone again at the message Chu Yuanqing had replied with "Good luck on the Public Performance," and murmured:
"I wonder if I'll have time to see Dad later. She should be in our team's Waiting Room right now, right?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Liuli's eyes widened slightly. She leaned on the table, tilted her head, and looked back at her Little Cotton-padded Jacket, asking with some concern:
"Is Xiao Qing alone there now?"
Everyone had just left the Ideal Country and arrived at the scene at a very late stage, so they didn't have time to reunite with Chu Yuanqing.
Chu Wangshu shook her head and said:
"Dad said that Mom is with her, as are other Magical Girl sent by the Countermeasures Bureau, and it seems that Sister Xiaoyu is also there."
Just as Green Eyed Cat was about to say that Charlotte should be in Vienna for the Public Performance, she suddenly realized the two elements of [time difference] and [spatial magic].
If you do the math, by the time the Public Performance in Great Xia ends, the one in Austria will be starting soon, so there's definitely enough time.
It seems that Charlotte, like them, also vaguely sensed that something was wrong, preferring to return to Austria just in time for the Public Performance rather than leave Chu Yuanqing early.
The girl thought of this and turned to look at Xie Qingxuan, as if confirming something. When he nodded, she pursed her lips and nodded. The drowsiness and sleepiness in her emerald eyes disappeared. As the Public Performance approached, her anxiety grew deeper.
In theory, Charlotte, herself, Xie Qingxuan, and Kiriwake Yayoi, if they fight desperately, can all contend with the bishop, or even stronger opponents. In addition, with the addition of several Captain-Class Witch dispatched by the Countermeasures Bureau, the defensive force is already severely overstretched.
But this inexplicable emotion seemed to foreshadow some nightmare, making all the preparations feel insufficient.
Hopefully... it's just wishful thinking.
As the atmosphere grew heavy, data flashed across the center of the venue, coalescing into a well-known animated character— the Dream Weaver Rabbit —under the gaze of over a hundred contestants.
The Super AI surveyed its surroundings, but instead of displaying its signature, infuriating smile, it strangely adopted a calm demeanor and addressed the crowd:
"Gentlemen, it's been a long time."
As the words fell, the image woven by the Virtual Projection, along with the change in the voice, was woven and reassembled, transforming into a slender young woman in the eyes of the crowd, who were either confused, shocked, or bewildered.
Astrid, resembling an elegant and beautiful noblewoman, wore a long gown that reached her ankles. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her scarlet eyes gazed upon the crowd. With a faint smile, she spoke softly:
"I am Dream Weaver Rabbit, the head instructor of <Flash Dance>, and also the person behind the Magic Countermeasures Bureau account. I am the previous General Captain of the Countermeasures Bureau, the Primal Witch — Astrid."
"Now, I will, in this combined capacity, explain to everyone here the meaning of <FlashDance>, the connection between idols and Magical Girl, and... the future you are about to face."
Volume 1: 379. Competition Format, Debut, Lone Shadow.
At the same time,
As Astrid candidly explains to the contestants the relationship between idols, brilliance, the stage, and Magical Girl, as well as the risks involved, in the private dressing room located in the waiting area.
Chu Yuanqing sat on the soft velvet sofa. Her delicate face looked better than yesterday, no longer sickly and frail. She raised her golden eyes to look at the various scenes being broadcast on the big screen.
Although she cannot use magic yet, her physical condition is close to that of someone recovering from a serious illness. She can walk with difficulty and no longer needs to sit in a wheelchair. If one ignores the dark cracks that have climbed from her wrist to her forearm, everything is developing in a positive direction.
Charlotte and Iris sat on either side of her, while Ji Qianju, the Relief Witch with whom she was not yet very close, sat on a soft chair on the edge, watching the monitoring equipment with Xie Qingyu.
This screen broadcasts the venue, the front of the stage, the audience seating, and various areas of the entire Public Performance, as well as a satellite view of the entire Sea Capital from above.
In addition, this lounge was temporarily converted into a command center. The communication base built by the obsidian can ignore the disaster aura and even spatial signal interference, allowing for remote communication with the Magical Girl on missions, maintaining constant contact and exchanging information.
Obviously, since Chu Yuanqing is involved, it is equivalent to the life and death of [Pure White]. For the sake of the survival of human civilization, the Countermeasures Bureau has raised the level of importance to the highest level. Even the Public Performance venue has been equipped with a teleportation array in advance, and the worst-case evacuation plan has been made.
In other words, the higher-ups are already prepared to sacrifice the entire Sea Capital if necessary.
Of course, this is the worst-case scenario. With the Combat Power dispatched by the Countermeasures Bureau and the magnificent stone wonders that have been built over many years in the underground of a top-tier city, even without Charlotte and Chu Yuanqing's teammates, they are more than capable of dealing with the Cult of Disaster Gods.
After all, during the last trip to the Ideal Kingdom, our side not only inflicted a major defeat on the Cult of Disaster Gods, losing several bishops, but also gained early knowledge of the enemy's methods against Magical Girl. Theoretically, we are in a stage of strategic victory, so there is no need to worry too much.
"Sister Chu, are you still feeling unwell?"
Iris raised her innocent gray eyes, cupped the soft yet icy hand in her small hands as if trying to warm it with her own warmth, and stared unblinkingly at Chu Yuanqing.
Looking at this young and inexperienced child, Chu Yuanqing felt a heavy sense of powerlessness and guilt at the thought that the other might use [Great Full Bloom] again to protect him, or even sacrifice himself in battle.
The Pure White Witch composed herself, lowered her eyes, reached out and touched Iris's hair, and whispered:
"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine now, Iris."
Iris's eyes were half-closed. Like a gray kitten whose belly had been stroked and was now exposed, she drowsily sat closer, feeling that Sister Chu smelled so good and her hands were so soft, reminding her of her mother Aili's embrace.
Seeing this, Charlotte blended in, poking Iris's soft cheek with her fingertip, and secretly comparing the texture of the Liuli Cat Cat, her precious daughter, and Iris's skin. She immediately concluded that they were all very pinchable and cute.
Ji Qianju glanced at this scene and noticed Xiao Yu's envious gaze beside her. Her expression was subtle. Did this person also want Chu Yuanqing to pat her head?
The Relief Witch gathered her thoughts and glanced at the communication base. On the miniature map that appeared on it, none of the dozen or so symbols representing Magical Girl transmitted any information about the discovery of the calamity.
"Is everything normal...?"
Time passed, inside the venue,
After Astrid finished outlining the pros and cons, she looked at the contestant who was processing this information and said softly:
"I allow all of you to withdraw from the competition at the peak of your careers. After this Public Performance, you may choose to Withdraw from Competition. The only penalty is that, for safety reasons, the [Flow State] you experienced in the training room will be eliminated."
"Of course, the Program Group will also provide everyone with some compensation, the amount of which will not be lower than your personal insurance coverage at the base."
Although the number is small, since there have been cases like Chu Qiushuang, who was targeted by the Calamity Beasts for stepping into the [Flow State] realm and unfortunately died, <Flash Dance> will naturally prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Fan Qiuling sat in the front row, took a deep breath, and asked:
"You mean, even if you choose to Withdraw from Competition, you won't be stripped of your status as an idol, and you can still perform on stage in the future, right?"
Astrid nodded in acknowledgment, confirming the guess, and continued:
"Yes, but for at least the next six months, in order to combat the calamity and cultivate more Magical Girl, <Flashdance> will monopolize the global idol debut channels."
"Therefore, it will be difficult to achieve anything significant in the short term Withdraw from Competition."
Fan Qiuling's heart skipped a beat.
The Dream Weaver Rabbit is speaking conservatively.
The real subtext is that, out of concern for the survival of human civilization, the idol profession, which focuses on the stage, will be given special significance by the government.
In other words, it has begun to differ fundamentally from the idols that were previously categorized in the Entertainment Industry.
If you think about it more deeply, Withdraw from Competition now is equivalent to missing the last chance. It's no different from being eliminated in the past and being stripped of your idol status, unable to step onto the official stage. It just sounds better on the surface.
Fan Qiuling believes that there aren't many fools among the trainees who have made it this far; they should all be able to see this point. But even so, how many are willing to continue taking risks for their dreams and for their debut?
If it were for fame and fortune, the exposure of "Flash Dance" is already world-class. Just considering the exposure in the Sea Capital region alone, it would be enough for a nobody at the bottom to easily seize wealth they could never have imagined in the past.
Not to mention, according to Dream Weaver Rabbit, the minimum compensation from Flash Dance is five million Great Xia coins, backed by the official government, so no one is worried that the other party will renege on their promise.
As for continuing to debut as Magical Girl, she'll only become more famous and richer...
Chu Qiushuang's death is still vivid in my mind.
Chu Yuanqing's identity General Captain was revealed, and he single-handedly suppressed the forbidden zone. As a result, news of his injury and hospitalization spread like wildfire. If even someone as strong as him could be so seriously injured that he couldn't perform, what about the situation of the other Magical Girl?
You get the money, but you don't live to spend it.
Everyone understands this principle.
Even so, no one in the venue suggested Withdraw from Competition for the time being.
Even though Fan Qiuling saw through all of this and knew all the risks and benefits, she was still caught in a silent struggle. There was another self in her heart, another irrational, still young, and full of hope and courage.
These contestants sitting in the hall have all poured countless hours of sweat and toil into being here. They arrived here with aspirations and expectations, and with all their courage and determination, they stepped over the corpses of others' dreams. They were even entrusted with the wish of reaching a higher stage by their former teammates.
So...
--I don't want to give up.