The two performances over the weekend were a resounding success in terms of ticketing statistics.
The concert hall was packed to capacity, and the ocean of glowing light sticks seethed throughout the night.
On social media, trending topics even managed to overshadow A-list films and dramas promoting during the same period.
Kasahana Chiai performed with thick bandages wrapped around her ankle, performing as if she were burning through her very life on stage.
Rather than causing a disastrous accident, her dedication and powerful stage presence elevated her to a new pedestal in the eyes of fans and some media outlets.
That extreme contrast, mixing fragility with resilience, became the focal point of a new wave of discussion.
From a purely commercial standpoint, this was undoubtedly a brilliant comeback—it even exceeded the Agency’s initial expectations.
However, on Monday morning, when Su Yuqing stepped into the top-floor conference room of Xiaozhua Agency—a room with dark carpets, the scent of coffee, and an invisible sense of oppression—she keenly sensed a hint of tension that clashed with the atmosphere of victory.
The company’s senior management was already seated around the long conference table.
The directors and department heads, who might usually nod and exchange pleasantries in the hallway, sat upright and formal now.
Their faces were like identical masks, showing not a single trace of the relaxation or joy that should have come from the weekend’s glowing performance.
Instead, a heavy silence shrouded the room, broken only by the low hum of the air conditioning system.
On the projection screen, last week’s financial briefing charts remained, their cold numbers creating a bizarre contrast with the current stifling atmosphere.
Su Yuqing subconsciously chose an inconspicuous seat near the door, trying to minimize her presence.
She was merely Chiai’s Exclusive Manager.
For a high-level routine meeting involving the company’s strategic direction, she usually attended only as an observer or to provide information if needed.
As the meeting began, Manager Huang, the Operations Director—the man who had personally propelled Chiai to the top—was the first to break the silence.
He cleared his throat and tapped a thick proposal on the table, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.
“Everyone has seen the data from the weekend. Chiai has indeed proven her commercial value once again. That is undeniable.”
His tone suddenly shifted, like a sword unsheathed.
“But! It is precisely this business model of over-reliance on a single top-tier idol that hides a massive risk, which was fully exposed during this accidental foot injury incident! What if—and I mean what if—Chiai’s injury wasn’t minor next time, but required long-term recovery? What if the stage performance didn’t meet expectations, and public opinion turned against us?”
His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on an empty chair.
“Therefore, because the risk of a single idol—especially a solo idol performance model—is too high and uncontrollable, I still stand by my previous point—”
Everyone present understood that was the Chairman’s seat.
“Xiaozhua must immediately adjust its strategic focus! We need to continue pushing, and with even greater intensity, the planning of idol duos, trios, or even four-person top-tier idol groups! Only by establishing our own idol pipeline and forming a matrix effect can we withstand any future risks!”
These words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.
Another deputy director in charge of artist training immediately raised an objection, his tone laced with obvious sarcasm.
“It’s not that I’m picking on you, Old Huang. Anyone can talk big and paint a grand picture. The problem is that Xiaozhua Agency’s current core resources and connections have only managed to produce and popularize one Kasahana Chiai even after exhausting all our efforts! An idol group? It’s easier said than done! In this industry, where are you going to find so many natural-born idol talents like Chiai for your group? Do you think geniuses who are one in 100 or even one in 10,000 are like cabbages in a field, where you can just dig up a whole sack of them?”
A few suppressed laughs echoed in the conference room, making the atmosphere even more subtle.
Manager Huang seemed prepared.
A mysterious smile appeared on his face as he picked up his teacup, slowly blew on the steam, and said in a tone that was almost like a recitation.
“Well, as the old saying goes, ‘While there are steeds that can run 1,000 miles, there are not always judges who can recognize them.’ “
His gaze, like a searchlight, suddenly turned toward Su Yuqing, who was trying her best to remain invisible in the corner.
“And now, doesn’t our company have a ready-made, sharp-eyed judge right here?”
He pointed his finger toward Su Yuqing, his voice rising an octave with exaggerated praise.
“With our team’s leading… bah! Look at my mouth, I mean our Ace Manager! Young Su, Su Yuqing is right here! Why should we worry about not finding a second or third talented newcomer with limitless potential like Kasahana Chiai?”
“What?”
Su Yuqing snapped her head up, her face filled with shock and disbelief as if she had been struck by a sudden bolt of lightning.
“Wait… Manager, I… I’m just here today as an observer who needs to occasionally supplement Chiai’s recent vacation schedule. Recruitment auditions are highly professional… and should be the sole responsibility of the Human Resources Department and the specialized recruitment team. How can I…”
She spoke hurriedly, trying to distance herself from this ridiculous situation.
“Changing generals for such an important process… and letting an outsider like me lead it… won’t the procedure be a mess? It will also add a lot of unnecessary workload!”
Before she could finish, the conference room door was gently pushed open, and the Chairman, who was usually elusive and existed mostly as a photo on the front page of internal publications, walked in slowly.
He walked straight to the head seat, his gaze gentle yet carrying the majesty of someone long in power.
He looked at Su Yuqing and interrupted her.
“Young Su, don’t be overly modest.”
The Chairman’s voice was calm, but it held the power to set the tone.
“The Board of Directors has always believed in your eye and professional judgment.”
He looked around, seeking consensus.
“If nothing else, take Kasahana Chiai, the current pillar of the company. Didn’t you pick her out from a pile of candidates despite everyone else’s objections and insist on focusing our training on her? We’ve all seen that unique eye and boldness.”
A director immediately agreed.
“Yes, yes. Oh, Young Su is truly young and promising. At such a young age, you’ve added so much fuel to the fire of Xiaozhua’s career, making the flame of Chiai burn so brightly. You deserve a lot of credit!”
Another female director, Director Wang, who was known for her tough style, also spoke with a smile, though her tone left no room for refusal.
“Hmm, that’s right. Young Su, don’t be afraid. Go ahead and do it boldly. I’ll give you my personal guarantee right here that all personnel and resources of the entire recruitment department will unconditionally and absolutely follow your command and arrangements! If anyone dares to be uncooperative, come straight to me!”
Su Yuqing felt her scalp go numb.
These sudden praises and heavy responsibilities were like an invisible net, trapping her firmly.
She opened her mouth, wanting to argue a few more points—for example, that she had zero experience with large-scale open auditions, or that this was completely outside her scope of duty…
But the Chairman did not give her the chance.
He coughed twice, drawing everyone’s attention, and then said in a formulaic yet extremely oppressive tone.
“Alright, everyone is clear on the situation, the pros and cons have been analyzed, and the candidate seems to be the consensus. So, now, we will vote on the important proposal Manager Huang just made—”
“Specifically, the proposal for Su Yuqing from the Managerial Department to temporarily serve as the Special Chief Examiner for this large-scale Idol Newcomer Audition open to the general public—let us vote.”
His gaze slowly swept across every director and manager present.
“Those in favor of this proposal—”
He paused, clearly uttering two words: “Raise hands.”
As soon as he finished, Manager Huang was the first to raise his hand with a swift, clean motion.
Following that, the Chairman also slowly raised his hand.
Then, like a domino effect, Director Wang, who had previously spoken in support, and the other department heads who had been waiting to see… one hand after another was raised.
Eventually, in the conference room, everyone except Su Yuqing herself had their hand raised.
A forest of arms, under the bright lights, declared an irrefutable collective will.
At that moment, Su Yuqing’s heart felt as if it had sunk into the cold, deep sea.
“Very well.”
The Chairman nodded with satisfaction and signaled for everyone to put their hands down.
“Passed unanimously.”
“This…!”
Su Yuqing’s throat tightened.
The last syllable got stuck there; she couldn’t say anything.
What else could she say?
In the face of this powerful organizational resolution of a unanimous pass, any of her personal objections or struggles seemed pale and weak—even disrespectful of the big picture.
“I hereby declare,” the Chairman stood up and straightened his suit buttons, his tone as relaxed as if nothing had happened, “this meeting adjourned.”
The executives stood up one after another, their faces wearing various inscrutable expressions as they chatted and left the conference room.
When Manager Huang passed by Su Yuqing, he even gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder and whispered.
“Young Su, do a good job! This is a sign of immense trust and grooming from the board! This is a rare opportunity!”
With that, he followed the crowd out.
In the blink of an eye, Su Yuqing was the only person left in the spacious conference room.
She remained frozen in that cold chair, the echoes of “unanimous pass” and “adjourned” ringing in her ears.
Before her were empty seats and a projection screen that was slowly growing dark…