23. Withdrawal
The atmosphere at the second round of ranking announcements was tense and solemn. The host announced in a deep voice that 40 trainees had been eliminated, leaving only 60 remaining. There was joy, and there was worry. The trainees who advanced wore expressions of relief and hope for the future, while those whose names were called were filled with reluctance and tears.
When the top rankings were announced, the atmosphere on the scene reached a climax.
"Third place, LYRA Entertainment, Chu Qingling!"
"Second place, AXIS Entertainment, Wuyo!"
"First place, Xingshuo Entertainment, Mi Xi!"
Applause and cheers flooded the three of them like a tide. Ruan Xu also achieved a good result of fifth place. Dormitory 401 was the biggest winner of this ranking release.
Next came the acceptance speeches. The trainees expressed their gratitude, determination, and vision for the future. When it was Chu Qingling, the third-place finisher,'s turn, the audience fell silent.
He walked to the microphone and bowed deeply. Under the spotlight, he was wearing a uniform training suit, his champagne-blond hair soft, his face delicate but pale. He picked up the microphone, his voice as cold and calm as ever:
"Thank you to my parents for always supporting my choices. Thank you to all the fans who voted for me, thank you for your love. Thank you to LYRA Entertainment, thank you to my agent Sister He, and thank you to the company for cultivating me..."
His speech sounded no different from the previous ones, standard and sincere. However, just when everyone thought he would express his determination to continue fighting like everyone else, his tone suddenly changed -
“…This is the last time I’ll stand here and speak.”
!!!
This one sentence was like a bolt from the blue, silencing the entire studio!
Everyone was stunned. The instructors frowned, and the trainees in the audience looked at each other in disbelief. Wu You, who was standing next to him, ready to take over, suddenly opened his eyes wide, and a hint of surprise crossed Mi Xi's calm face.
Chu Qingling seemed not to notice everyone's reaction and continued speaking in his calm voice:
"I've been so happy to meet these partners these past two months." His gaze seemed to sweep over the members of the "Swordsman" crew, pausing briefly on Mi Xi. "I want to say to my fans, I'm sorry for disappointing you. I'm also... sorry for the company's careful training of me."
His tone was filled with genuine apology, but also revealed a sense of determination.
"Today, I want to say, it's not that the production team didn't give me a chance," he said, looking up at the camera with a clear gaze, as if penetrating the lens, looking at a specific person, "it was me who gave up this opportunity."
"My fellow members of the Swordsman team, please forgive me for not being able to continue walking with you." He bowed slightly again in the direction of Mi Xi, Wu You, and Ruan Xu. "However, I believe that one day in the future, we will meet again."
After saying that, he handed the microphone to Wuyou, who was completely stunned, without any hesitation. Then, under the gazes of countless shocked, puzzled, and regretful people, he calmly walked down from the third place seat.
He didn't turn around, but bowed deeply to all the contestants present. He then turned to the mentors' table and bowed again.
Then, in deathly silence and with countless cameras tracking him, he straightened his thin but resolute back and walked firmly towards the studio door, step by step.
"Teacher Qingling!"
"Chu Qingling!"
Some trainees in the audience couldn't help but shout out.
But he seemed oblivious. The heavy door of the studio slowly closed behind him, as if isolating him from all connection with the stage.
The brilliant third place gave up just like that.
Just to preserve the last bit of dignity and escape from the vortex that made him sad and helpless.
The whole audience was shocked! The live broadcast barrage instantly exploded!
At the special guest seat, Xie Sui suddenly stood up, his face pale, his fists clenched, and his eyes filled with unprecedented panic and pain.
He didn't expect that his coercion and harm would ultimately result in Chu Qingling leaving so decisively...
————
Qing Ling walked through the heavy doors of the studio, seemingly shutting out all the noise, lights, gazes, and invisible pressure behind him. The corridor was deserted, a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere inside. He didn't stop, heading straight for the dormitory area.
His luggage was already packed, leaving him with just a simple suitcase, the same one he'd arrived in. He'd changed out of his training uniform and donned his own white shirt and light-colored trousers, topped off with a beige cardigan. He looked more like a handsome college student than an idol trainee who'd just made waves on stage.
He took out his cell phone, his fingertips paused on the screen for a moment, and then without any hesitation, he clicked send.
A Weibo post that had been edited long ago instantly appeared on his homepage.
@Chu Qingling v:
I gave up the opportunity to debut and also gave up my identity as an artist.
From now on, I am just Chu Qingling, and no longer an artist of LYRA Entertainment.
I will pay the penalty for breach of contract.
Don't disturb my life.
Thank you everyone!
The text is concise and straightforward, without any unnecessary embellishment or emotional outburst, but with a firm and resolute determination.
Give up the opportunity to debut.
Give up your artist identity.
No longer a LYRA artist.
I will pay the penalty for breach of contract.
Each one of them is like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of all those who are paying attention to this matter.
As soon as the notification tone of the successful Weibo post faded, the phone began to vibrate wildly. The screen was instantly filled with caller IDs and message notifications, most of which were from his agent Sister He, LYRA staff, and the name he least wanted to see at the moment - Xie Sui.
Chu Qingling didn't even look at it, just long-pressed the power button to turn off the phone.
The world suddenly became quiet.
He stuffed his phone into his pocket, pulled the handle of his suitcase, turned around, and walked towards the exit of the base without any nostalgia.
The afterglow of the setting sun stretched his shadow very long, and his thin figure seemed a little lonely on the empty road, but his straight spine and resolute steps revealed a desperate courage and a desire for freedom.
He gave up a bright future that was within his reach and took on an astronomical penalty, all to break free from the cage that, in the name of love, suffocated and hurt him.
He didn't know where his future lay, nor did he know how to repay the huge debt.
But he knew he had to leave.
Behind him, the entire Internet was in an uproar because of his sudden Weibo post about withdrawing from the competition and terminating his contract.
#Chu Qingling withdraws from the competition#
#Chu Qingling terminates contract with LYRA#
#Chu Qingling Breach of Contract Damage#
The word "explosive" instantly followed the entry. Fans cried out in despair, passersby were shocked and dazed, and the industry was abuzz with discussion.
"Oh my god! Third place! You just don't want it?"
"Is LYRA not good to him? Why did they terminate the contract?"
"Liquidated damages! Can he afford it?"
"Did you have a falling out with the prince?"
At this moment, Mi Xi, Wu You and others, who had just finished recording the ranking announcement and were still immersed in the shock of Chu Qingling's sudden departure, also learned the news through the staff.
Wu You looked at the phone screen, rarely putting away his cynical expression, and smacked his lips: "Such a big deal... That bastard Xie Sui, what has he done to me..."
Ruan Xu was so anxious that she almost cried: "Teacher Qingling...how could this happen..."
Mi Xi looked at the Weibo post, his eyes silent. He remembered the fragility and disappointment in Chu Qingling's eyes when he confided in her that night, and his lonely figure on the stage.
This was not a momentary impulse, but rather long-pent-up emotions that finally found an outlet to burst forth.
Cut everything off in the most brutal way.
Chu Qingling, with his departure, taught everyone, especially Xie Sui, a heavy lesson.
His story seemed to have come to a temporary halt at this moment, but everyone knew that this would never be the end.
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