CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol
Chapter 74 - 72 Misunderstandings

Chapter 74: Chapter 72 Misunderstandings

Time flies.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

As the show’s executive director, Yang Xiaoyue was practically overwhelmed with work, and her anxiety only grew heavier with each passing day.

"What! ’Shadow Girls’ dropped out? How could they quit?" Yang Xiaoyue shot up from her chair upon receiving the call.

This girl group was formed by a very famous film company in Huaxia.

All the members came from acting schools and had excellent singing and dancing abilities.

They were supposed to be the secret weapon for the competition, yet unexpectedly, they backed out.

"Their company took on two web dramas and sent them to act instead."

Once Yang Xiaoyue heard this, she knew they wouldn’t return. Compared to acting, a talent show was next to nothing.

"Director Yang, I’ve already done my best to persuade them. Perhaps..."

"It’s fine. Once they’re off filming, there’s no convincing them to come back," Yang Xiaoyue said with a bitter smile.

After hanging up, she immediately called Sun Miao over.

"We’ll need to adjust the script. Shadow Girls won’t be participating."

Sun Miao was shocked at the news: "They’re not participating? Didn’t you sign a contract?"

"No, the company needs tier-by-tier approval before contracts can be finalized," Yang Xiaoyue replied helplessly, shaking her head.

She also understood this wasn’t the fault of Penguin; contracts of this kind had to go through extremely rigorous processes to avoid massive trouble in case of disputes.

"This completely disrupts our plans. Originally, we intended to have those girls advance—they’re beautiful and good at performing," Sun Miao added, frowning.

"Now we can only find replacements for them," said Yang Xiaoyue.

"Replacements? But where are we going to find them? We’ve screened almost everyone there is to see."

Yang Xiaoyue thought for a moment: "I have a friend who recently partnered to open a film company. They manage a girl group too, and he recommended them to me, though their level is mediocre."

"Xiaoyue, since you mentioned them, they must have some strengths, right?"

"Yes, the group is more focused on looks—they’re decent as background performers."

"Xiaoyue, I think it works. Among the strong groups we have, their looks are just average. Nowadays, the first thing viewers notice in a show is whether the performers look good or not."

Yang Xiaoyue nodded: "It seems that’s our only option now. We’re truly out of choices."

"Miaomiao, come with me tomorrow," she said.

"Sure, if the script changes, I need to have firsthand information," Sun Miao replied.

In this deadlock, Yang Xiaoyue headed to Canglan Culture Company.

"Thank you, Xiaoyue. I knew from our past work together that you’d still leave me some face," Shou Shou warmly greeted them.

Yang Xiaoyue, of course, didn’t reveal the truth and replied with a smile, "No need to thank me. It’s a decision made by the director team collectively."

"Haha, Xiaoyue, don’t be so polite!" Shou Shou laughed heartily.

As Yang Xiaoyue passed through Canglan Company’s lobby, she suddenly stopped.

"Who’s that girl?"

"She’s new here—barely a month. Bit of a klutz," Shou Shou chuckled as he looked at Lv Fangxin’s photo.

"Is she here now?"

"No, she took the day off for some personal matters," he answered, a little puzzled at Xiaoyue’s question. "She can’t sing or dance," he added.

"That’s fine! I just want that face," replied Yang Xiaoyue.

Shou Shou craned his neck, studying the photo closely before nodding: "Her looks are among the best in this group. Her appearance is the main reason I brought her on board."

Meanwhile, Lv Fangxin, the subject of their discussion, was angrily munching on an ice cream bar.

She hadn’t taken leave voluntarily; she’d been kicked out.

Earlier that day, she’d lashed out at Shou Shou, accusing him of exploiting them.

Shou Shou had been forcing them into livestreaming, but none of the girls dared speak up.

They had joined the company to be actors—or at least idols. Becoming online influencers? What even was that?

An explosive argument ensued, and Shou Shou straight-up sent her packing.

Lv Fangxin stormed out with her belongings. This wasn’t her first time walking off.

Since joining this company, she and Shou Shou had been at constant odds, fighting every few days.

In Lv Fangxin’s view, she’d stumbled into a wolf’s den. This place brainwashed people like a scam training scheme.

Still, she begrudgingly admitted Shou Shou had one redeeming quality—he did hire people to teach them singing and dancing.

Back at the company, Shou Shou was busy arranging other interviews while sending someone to retrieve Lv Fangxin.

After much hassle, Lv Fangxin got called back.

Yang Xiaoyue observed the small-faced, big-eyed, slightly bewildered girl before her.

"What can you do?"

"I can dance and sing."

Lv Fangxin’s mind was blank. To her, Penguin was the pinnacle of prestige, and now, incredibly, she herself was slated to join their program.

In her dazed state, she danced the one routine she’d practiced over the past month.

Yang Xiaoyue watched with a hint of amusement. The girl’s dance was unintentionally hilarious—none of her moves hit the right beats.

She’d seen subpar girl groups before, but this was on a whole new level. Still, youth, cuteness, and beauty made her bearable to watch.

But when Lv Fangxin began to sing, one note almost sent Yang Xiaoyue straight out of the room.

"Alright," Yang Xiaoyue quickly interrupted, ending the auditory torture.

"Why did you want to join a girl group?" Sun Miao asked, keeping a neutral tone beside Xiaoyue.

"I dropped out of middle school, don’t know much, hate hard labor, and this seemed easy. Plus, it’s fun and I can become a star," Lv Fangxin confessed honestly.

Yang Xiaoyue and Sun Miao exchanged a knowing glance and smiled. The girl was clearly naïve.

"Have you considered what happens if you get older, don’t succeed as a star, and can’t do this anymore?" Sun Miao followed up.

"Then I’ll go home and get married," Lv Fangxin blurted out. Seeing no response, she added, "I ran away because I didn’t want to get married so soon."

"Are your parents forcing you into marriage?" Sun Miao sharply caught on to the topic.

"Not exactly..."

Lv Fangxin hesitated to badmouth her parents in front of strangers.

But Sun Miao wouldn’t let go of the thread. Through persistent questioning, Lv Fangxin finally divulged the details.

Getting the information he wanted, Sun Miao exchanged a glance with Yang Xiaoyue, and the two got up to leave with the staff in tow.

Lv Fangxin stared blankly as they left, not daring to utter a word.

"Waaah! Waaah!"

"Fangxin, why are you crying?" Her teammate Xiao Ling, one of the twins, approached with concern.

"Yeah, why are you crying?" chimed in Xiao Qi, the other twin.

"I’ll never get chosen!" Lv Fangxin sobbed harder.

"Why? The results aren’t even out yet!"

"That... that director stopped me after just two lines of singing!"

At that moment, Shou Shou, who had been escorting Yang Xiaoyue, walked back in and saw Lv Fangxin looking like a mess. His heart filled with disdain.

If not for the major shareholder insisting he sign the girl, he wouldn’t even take her for free.

Just as he was about to mock her, Lv Fangxin turned toward him with tear-filled eyes and a grateful expression. "Boss, thank you! Even after I dissed you, you still gave me this golden opportunity."

Her response completely floored Shou Shou. He widened his eyes at her.

"Boss, I promise I’ll be obedient and earn money for you," she added excitedly, grabbing his hand in her zeal.

The feel of her soft, slender hands nearly sent Shou Shou’s soul flying.

"Fangxin, I’ve always believed in you. You’re the most promising artist in our company," Shou Shou said, his tone suddenly earnest.

Lv Fangxin let go and wiped her tears with her sleeve. "Boss, thank you! I know my abilities. There might still be some room for improvement, but my ceiling is probably limited."

Still lost in recalling the fleeting touch of her graceful hands, Shou Shou nodded absentmindedly. "Don’t worry, I’ll invest more resources in you all."

The twins and other girl group members watched Shou Shou putting on airs, his face suffused with smugness and infatuation. Their expressions were full of disdain.

In their hearts, they wondered how they ever got tricked into joining this lousy company.