Running Over The Head Of My Ex [Rebirth]

Chapter 13

As He Qingqi said, their names were not among the first 14 announced.

With each name displayed on the screen, Zhang Xiaoyu and Qiu Ming felt their hearts climb closer to their throats, only to drop back down in relief when it wasn’t theirs. They hoped the next name wouldn’t be theirs, either.

Wang Qiyu secured the 10th place with 26,457,843 votes, a strength rating of A, and a final vote total of 52,915,686.

9th place, Zhang Xiaoyu, votes: 25,123,154, strength rating: A+0.2, final votes: 53,070,938.8.

8th place, Qiu Ming, votes: 25,647,213, strength rating: A+0.2, final votes: 56,423,868.6.

With her simple mindset, Qiu Ming was thrilled to see her name, her eyes sparkling as if she’d won a five million dollar jackpot. She was so excited, she almost jumped. Her drop in popularity led to her demote to Class C last time. There was nothing more she could ask for now!

She was delighted!

However, Zhang Xiaoyu had mixed feelings. Seeing Wang Qiyu’s name appear before hers, she was excited but also worried. After all, debut positions weren’t based on Class A, but on the top seven. Wang Qiyu had reached this height before but had now fallen. Zhang Xiaoyu felt a bit concerned for her.

Zhang Xiaoyu couldn’t help but glance in Wang Qiyu’s direction, and Wang Qiyu, catching her gaze, smiled brightly.

They walked closer and hugged each other. Wang Qiyu whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, I’m not that fragile.”

Zhang Xiaoyu responded with an “Mm,” holding Wang Qiyu’s left hand and Qiu Ming’s right hand, and went to their seats.

The results from 7th to 4th place were announced sequentially. Li Xiang moved from 8th to 7th, Li Xuanzhi and Fang Caiying swapped places, and Cheng Yi and Jin Zhiyang’s rankings remained unchanged. Finally, only the top 3 and the last position remained unannounced.

The top three were those three individuals, but the precise rankings were still anticipated.

Last time, their vote differences were insignificant, with only four million votes separating the first and third places.

In reality, during the “Idol Era,” two votes cost approximately one yuan, even though it appeared to be a significant amount, comparable to the base votes of about 25th place. Four million votes was equivalent to two million yuan. Each of the top three had nearly a million followers on Weibo. If each fan spent just two yuan, the rankings could change.

“Please have our top three stand over here.”

He Qingqi walked to the central stage, nervously staring at the large screen. Unlike last time, she had put in a lot of effort this time. Could she hope for further advancement?

She glanced at Zhuo Zhiwei, who was beside her. Compared to her and Tao Jinghan, Zhuo Zhiwei was a complete newcomer. Yet, with her skills and looks, she had broken through the defenses and made her way in. 

In her previous life, she could only hope for third place. Zhuo Zhiwei’s success was a testament to her talent and hard work. He Qingqi had nothing but admiration for her.

Even if Zhuo Zhiwei surpassed her again in this life, she accepted it wholeheartedly.

“Now, we will announce the results for first place!”

“She works tirelessly and possesses great strength. She is meticulous, responsible, and willing to help everyone, even her competitors.”

“She was one of the most responsible leaders in the last PK round, deserving of the center position!”

The three girls holding hands started sweating. The description fits each of them. They initially believed it might be them, but simultaneously doubted it due to the strength of their competitors.

Yan Huan raised his voice, speaking faster:

“She trained abroad and was once hailed as the strongest rapper of the next generation of girl groups. She gave up all her honors to start anew in her home country. She is the only contestant with over a hundred million base votes. She is!”

The audience, especially the girls, shouted passionately:

“Tao Jinghan! Tao Jinghan!”

“Yes, it’s our Tao Jinghan! Congratulations, Tao Jinghan!”

“Ding.”

On the big screen: Tao Jinghan, votes: 110,201,621, strength rating A+0.2, final votes: 232,443,566.2.

Tao Jinghan was overwhelmed with emotion, bowing to the advancing and eliminated contestants and the mentors.

Her decision to restart her career in her home country had been met with doubt and rejection by many, but at this moment, she felt incredibly fortunate.

“Thank you, everyone!”

After hugging He Qingqi and Zhuo Zhiwei, Tao Jinghan ran to her throne.

Only He Qingqi and Zhuo Zhiwei remained standing. They smiled at each other, feeling a sudden weight lifted as they relaxed and held hands.

Yan Huan joked, “Why do I feel like you two just relaxed instantly?”

He Qingqi laughed nonchalantly, “The first place is already taken. There’s no difference between second and third.”

“Besides,” He Qingqi tightened her grip on Zhuo Zhiwei’s hand and smiled at her, “we’d be happy for each other regardless of who ranks higher.”

“So, you’re not happy for Tao Jinghan?”

“Of course!” He Qingqi responded confidently, “We both tried our best to surpass her!”

Tao Jinghan shouted back, “Qingqi, as long as you’re happy, you can inherit the whole building! What’s a C position in ‘Idol Era’?”

He Qingqi responded with mock resentment, “Knowing my dad and brother, they must have spent a lot of money on votes for me, but the competition is just too strong!”

“Hahaha.”

“Alright, back to business.” Yan Huan looked at the card in his hand and asked, “Who do you think will be second?”

“She will,” He Qingqi said.

“I think so too,” Zhuo Zhiwei added, joking seriously. “After all, she’s the one who can inherit the whole building if she’s happy!”

“Hahaha.” Another round of laughter followed.

He Qingqi looked at her, puzzled. “Zhuo Zhiwei, since when did you become so mischievous?” She then affectionately ruffled her hair.

“Please look at the big screen.”

2nd place, He Qingqi, votes: 86,503,546, strength rating: A+0.2, final votes: 190,307,801.2.

3rd place, Zhuo Zhiwei, votes: 86,204,578, strength rating: A+0.2, final votes: 189,650,071.6.

A difference of only 300,000 votes.

Their worst fear had come true: a gap had formed.

It was inevitable, but they hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

The girl at the top of the pyramid would always be a towering presence over them.

He Qingqi and Zhuo Zhiwei looked at each other, seeing apprehension in each other’s eyes. Tao Jinghan’s era had begun.

The fifty-sixth spot went to a teammate of Tao Jinghan, who had previously ranked in the seventies.

When her name was announced, she burst into tears, never expecting to make it, thinking she would be going home.

It felt like a dream, like a pie falling from the sky. She ran to the top of the pyramid and hugged Tao Jinghan for a long time before returning to her seat.

The eliminated contestants hugged their friends and then left the stage. The contestants’ area suddenly felt empty, and many girls had red eyes, struggling to hold back tears.

Even He Qingqi felt a bit emotional in this sad scene.

Many names she hadn’t even memorized vanished in less than a month.

Though no close friends left the stage this time, what about next time? And the time after that? How many of the companions who fought alongside her could stay?

Those who departed had already left, but those who stayed had to endure the rigorous selection process.

Yan Huan announced the new competition rules.

For this performance, 56 contestants would be divided into groups of seven by drawing lots, making eight groups. This time, a group could have eight Class A contestants or eight Class F contestants.

The big screen displayed eight songs.

“Only My Railgun,” “Heartbeat,” “Tear,” “Don’t,” “Your Smile is Sweet,” “Last,” “Kick It,” and “Fireworks.”

When “Last” appeared, the crowd buzzed with discussions. He Qingqi was puzzled.

Zhuo Zhiwei explained, “’Last’ was the debut song prepared by Jinghan’s former group, and Jinghan was one of the center positions. It was promoted on Weibo, but after Jinghan returned to China, the center position was given to someone else.”

“???” He Qingqi exclaimed, “The show’s producers are stirring things up.”

Tao Jinghan’s overseas group garnered much attention and popularity, with many fans ready to support them upon their debut. The group consisted of seven members, five of whom ranked among the top ten potential female idols on the list.

He Qingqi imagined the fans excitement when the show aired, likely causing another surge in popularity.

“Hey? Aren’t you nearsighted?” He Qingqi suddenly realized.

Zhuo Zhiwei’s expression remained unchanged: “Yes, I heard it from the front.”

He Qingqi nodded, believing her without doubt, and looked back at Tao Jinghan’s reaction.

She seemed lost.

in thought, unusually quiet.

Perhaps she missed her group members, having spent years training together and supporting each other through tough times. It was normal to feel reluctant after suddenly parting ways.

“Jinghan.”

“Hmm?”

“Two months will pass quickly.”

“Yes, I know.”

Tao Jinghan smiled brightly like a crescent moon, but He Qingqi noticed the lack of joy in her eyes.

Due to the cameras, He Qingqi nodded without saying more.

The drawing began with Tao Jinghan. She randomly picked a ball, gently opened it, and as she took out the paper, everyone held their breath, craning their necks in curiosity.

Tao Jinghan showed the paper to the camera: “Tear,” not “Last,” an eighth chance missed.

The contestants felt a bit disappointed.

Tao Jinghan’s status in the “Idol Era” was unshakable by anyone but those two. Even if this song boosted Tao Jinghan’s popularity further, it wouldn’t affect them. More viewers would only benefit them.

They also wanted to see a contestant perform their song live!

He Qingqi rummaged through the box, not believing the producers would just tease them. As she felt around, her expression changed, and she found a ball fixed to a panel.

She tugged it lightly and removed the ball, saying, “Last.”

No wonder Jinghan’s expression wasn’t good…

He Qingqi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Yan Huan, then at the director’s team. To avoid pressuring Tao Jinghan, He Qingqi decided to inform He Dongche. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time she picked up the phone for such things.