Chapter 45: Third Episode
[Goose Gossip Group | Featured | Hot | “Starlight” Episode 3 Live Discussion Thread]
——
[Original Post]
RT.
The third episode airs tonight. Starting a live discussion thread here. No hate names, no cross-group talk, no outsiders allowed. Violators will be blocked and muted.
OP will monitor the thread in real time. Due to the number of replies, I might respond to the wrong one sometimes—please understand.
[4F] I’m here.
[11F] Snacks, sunflower seeds, and soda for sale in the front row.
[25F] Just came from the Elimination Thread. A goose compiled the results from both rounds of voting into a chart and calculated an elimination table using tonight’s vote count.
Cen Chi dropped a lot. How did Red Hair make it into the top 15? And how is Tan Shen in the top three again?!
[35F] Emperor Yue’s “Thank you for voting, I love you all” in Japanese at the fan meeting was taught to him by Red Hair. Some Tide-sisters voted for him as a thank-you gesture.
Consider it a form of payback.
[39F] …He casually helped him into the top 15 just like that?
[42F] Where’s Brother Deserve?
[45F] At the fan meeting, wasn’t Tan Shen the one who fetched water for Emperor Yue? And back when Emperor Yue injured his eye, it was Tan Shen who first communicated with fans and reassured them.
Tide probably voted for him out of affection by association.
[53F] The perks of having lots of active fans—so jealous.
[57F] What’s going on with Cen Chi?
[89F] This is the sin of CP fans.
Doing RPS (Real Person Shipping—using real people as imagined couples in fanfiction or comics) without keeping it to their own circle was already unjustifiable.
Then they spammed the livestream comments, directly pushing that fantasy onto Tide. Of course they’re going to stop supporting Cen Chi if they keep exploiting them.
[92F] Cen Chi’s top fans really need to publicly cut ties with the unhinged CP fans of “ChiYue Eternal”…
At least make your stance clear, or Tide might keep voting for Cen Chi’s rival instead. Isn’t that a total disaster?
[109F] Just checked Brother Freeloader’s Super Topic—there’s not a single word about CP fans.
Instead, they’re accusing Alcohol Allergy Guy (the one in 5th place) of being backed by vote-buying water armies.
[112F] Replying to #109: They probably won’t cut ties. Freeloader’s big fans don’t want to lose the votes from the CP fans—if they cut ties, those votes vanish.
[136F] Huh? In C-ent you can only survive by relying on solo fans…
Whatever, kind words can’t save the doomed. Maybe we should rename Freeloader’s fans from “Freeloader Bro’s Fans” to “Freeloading Sis”?
Kinda catchy.
[152F] That said… Allergy Bro did bot votes.
Just look at the data graph—his vote count rises like stairs: sudden spike, then flat, then spike again, then flat again.
[198F] Allergy Bro had a ton of screen time in episodes 1 and 2, definitely a favored one by the showrunners. But his later performance dipped, so capital stepped in.
[204F] Other companies are stepping in too, though not as aggressively. That’s why the data doesn’t look too shady.
Let’s put it this way: there are probably fewer than three truly “clean” contestants in the top 10.
[229F] …First time following a survival show—Is this normal?
Didn’t the authorities ban vote manipulation?
[248F] As long as it doesn’t blow up, no one cares.
Fans of survival shows are used to this. Every season is just a pre-cooked dish served up by capital—script predetermined, contestants just acting it out, debut spots decided in advance.
But show fans always chase with real feelings. (Can’t stop watching—we don’t eat if we don’t watch. What else can we do? bitter smile)
[262F] Come to think of it, Emperor Yue’s career luck is insane. He managed to purify his fanbase super early—now it’s all die-hard solo fans. His votes are pure and leave everyone else in the dust.
[289F] “Good career luck” is an understatement.
His fans are fiercely loyal, vote like machines, he’s popular both in and out of China, and his very first solo gig outside the show was with a globally first-worn haute couture piece.
The founder of that luxury brand even posts like a top fan on Instagram—recent posts are full of rainbows and love, calling him “angel” and “beauty” every other sentence…
It’s a dream life. Honestly, give me even one of these achievements for my fave and I’d wake up laughing.
[316F] And the melon about the ancient danmei drama CP fan and the founder…
The Bilibili video already hit 3 million views, still has over 1,000 people watching live. What kind of level is that?
[337F] That’s a breakout-level scandal.
[367F] The CP fans of that fame-chasing “washed-up” celeb took advantage of a bunch of underage fans and clout-chased across the entire C-ent industry—basically poison ivy of the scene.
Finally got dealt with.
As one of the victims, I went and gave the exposé video a like and a coin for good measure.
So satisfying. Hehe
[406F] Nothing more to say. Please let my fave inherit Emperor Yue’s career luck, haute couture, first-wear privileges, and overseas virality.
[412F] Manifesting.
…
[655F] They’re here, they’re here.
[672F] The intro is the classic “lower expectations to raise later” routine again.
Several trainees were crying—my heart remained still. Can anything be harder than me being a wage slave?
[701F] They’re announcing re-evaluations now.
[727F] Is this whole segment just people getting demoted?
Don’t recognize a single one of them.
[750F] Monkey Guy was bold enough to sing—his dancing’s bad, but he got bumped up to D.
Brother Deserve is still in F.
But his solo cam still got close-ups—seriously life-saving.
His and the Emperor Yue’s solo cams are the kind that even the coldest woman would laugh at while watching.
[784F] How did these people get an A?
I went to Bilibili and rewatched the Emperor Yue’s solo cam from last episode: smooth moves, steady vocals, high notes not strained—that deserves an A.
[798F] Even Yue’s solo cam isn’t 100% flawless.
Humans aren’t superhuman—when the dance is intense, the singing will inevitably shake.
But in every other part, he’s singing loudly and on pitch.
Isn’t that the essence of an idol’s vitality—and respect for the stage?
[805F] Replying to #798:
If you’re wondering why the geese don’t dislike Emperor Yue, look no further than this comment.
[836F] Even with the volume turned down, I could still hear it. Crown Prince Ying’s breath is way too short—he keeps pausing mid-line like he’s doing a cloze test.
And Allergy Bro sounds like he’s got a funnel stuck in his throat—so breathy and weak.
[866F] Anyone made a mute version yet? Please upload it to Bilibili.
Us chaotic evil folks love that stuff.
…
[1089F] Finally! We’ve made it to the center position selection for the theme song!
[1115F] Wait, did someone just trigger a meteor shower of A-class trainees’ reaction GIFs in the comment overlay?!
Is Starlight seriously burning money on random stuff again?!
[1145F] Emperor Yue’s special effect comments took over the screen instantly.
Gotta admit, the oversized head with a moon filter was kinda cute—totally works as a bobblehead standee.
[1163F] Fight for center! Fight for C!
[1108F] Chen Wu just hit the floor with a full breaking routine—super flashy visuals. No wonder he’s a street dance champion, he definitely has the skills.
[1233F] Chu Li really is a Chinese classical dancer—great posture, long neck, smooth lines, and elegant presence.
[1267F] Cen Chi definitely learned something real from Xiao Han. His self-choreo was explosive, but I think it would shine more in a group formation.
Alone, it lacks that punch.
[1323F] Why did they suddenly cut to so many people?
Isn’t Emperor Yue going to compete for center?
[1343F] Maybe he comes on later?
Honestly, I’d be fine with him as center. He may not be as technically strong as the top ones, but he already exploded once during initial evaluation.
If the producers want to boost him a bit, it’s fair enough.
[1354F] ?
[1366F] ?!
[1376F] Chu Li, what are you doing? Why are you handing flowers to someone else?!
And Emperor Yue—what’s with that gentle hand placement? Who taught you that move…
[1389F] You two looked like royalty—what was that?! Watching a beauty perform or something?!
[1401F] …Is Chu Li a straight dude? What kind of interaction idea was that?!
[1453F] Replying to #901: Yeah, he’s straight. Some goose dug it up before—Chu Li once got cornered in the dorm by a gay guy confessing to him, and he posted a “homophobic” moment on his friend circle.
(Of course, that post was deleted long ago. Gotta play the bromance game once you’re on a show.)
Maybe that’s exactly why—because he’s straight, he doesn’t know how to fake flirt properly, so it ends up coming across… intense.
[1501F] Cen Chi… have you lost it now too?
[1545F] Who came up with that hat tap move… the dominant energy is off the charts…
Whoever thought of that, come forward. I hereby crown you the High Fashion Ambassador of the Fanservice World.
[1666F] Cen Chi leaned right into it, and that moment Emperor Yue tapped his hat—absolutely sent Freeloader Bro into bliss…
[1689F] Chen Wu, you quiet and serious guy—how did you learn to do fanservice interactions too?!
Did someone sprinkle attraction pheromones around Yue Zhaolin?!
Why is everyone gravitating toward him one after another?!
[1836F] …No way, is this still C-ent? What parallel universe have I wandered into?
[1851F] Edits titled “Kiss Everywhere”, “Heartthrob of All”, and “Universal Attraction Field” are already in the works.
[1863F] I used to roll my eyes at those harem-style fanservice tropes, but…
after watching this, I kind of get it. The appeal of a heartthrob is real…
[1888F] It’s mainly his expressions—they’re so good. That constant air of superiority, like he’s always in control.
When Chu Li interacted with him, there was that subtle surprise.
With Freeloader Bro, it was like “Okay, I’ll play along.”
And by the time more people joined, he looked completely nonchalant—like he’s used to being adored.
[1925F] He really looks like an emperor returning from court only to face a palace full of concubines (censored term for privacy).
[1956F] (Sudden realization) So that’s what the “Emperor” in Emperor Yue means…
[2230F] Center position went to Chu Li.
[2367F] No one cares.
[2589F] Even though no one cares about who got center, Chu Li’s ending pose was kind of dorky—it didn’t match his looks at all.
He actually shot a heart arrow at the camera. The contrast is kinda cute.
[2623F] Meanwhile, Emperor Yue in the back wasn’t even looking at the camera—he was watching the falling confetti.
What was he thinking about?
[2858F] So after filming the theme song, they went to promote at a mall in person. The buzz was decent, but is the production team doing this on purpose…
Not only did they add the Emperor Yue’s BGM and a slow-motion thumbs-up screenshot, they even used that famous painting meme—HAHAHAHA!
[2912F] “Top Idol and a Steamed Bun and an Emo Boy and a Mango and a Monkey and a Lucky Random Audience Member Pulled on Stage”
No matter how many times I watch it, I still laugh every time…
[3001F] Because the likes were really high.
(Even though it’s kind of shameless.)
[3235F] The first group performance song list is here!
[3302F] We’ve all read the leaks by now, so we already know the results—what we really want to see is how they fought for the positions.
[3334F] Seeing “Actually” kind of hits different…
When Emperor Yue first appeared, he was getting flamed by iA fans nonstop—you couldn’t even defend him on Weibo or the main square.
Now he’s strong enough to go head-to-head with the CP fans of a hit BL drama.
[3367F] The show’s only three episodes in… so it’s only been, what, three or four months since his debut appearance?
[3398F] Can’t even imagine what the scene will be like on the day he officially debuts.
[3467F] This season, they’re not running for songs anymore—instead, they’re doing three events: archery, shooting, and darts.
But let’s be honest, the goal here clearly isn’t just the competition.
Production team, be real—aren’t you just jealous of the viral god-tier archery pics from Xiao Han’s Idol Sports Day and trying to recreate that hype?
[3498F] So… who are they trying to spotlight?
[3512F] Most trainees practice for these anyway, so hard to tell who’s actually accurate.
But for archery, it’s not about hitting the target—it’s about looking good while doing it.
Are they trying to boost Emperor Yue?
[3578F] Wait, Emperor Yue didn’t pick archery?
[3628F] He picked the gun.
[3676F] Huh? That kind of carnival gun is hard to shoot with.
Back in my hometown, night market booths always had them—almost no one could hit all the targets to win the big plushie.
[3686F] Same! I’ve played before—sometimes the owners rig the guns, or they inflate the balloons too small so the plastic bullets just bounce off.
[3702F] Wait—he hit it on the first shot?!
[3724F] Expected, honestly.
But he’s definitely practiced a lot—his posture is textbook perfect. The eye, arm, and sight are all aligned.
[3762F] He’s on his third shot now…
[3804F] He’s so locked in. He only shoots at the inflated balloons.
But like—doesn’t he need to aim first?
How is he just tilting slightly and firing right away?
[3824F] Six hits already?!
[4004F] TEN IN A ROW?! What the—!
[4025F] …My fingers went numb.
[4178F]
This past half hour was all Dead-leaf Butterfly and Necktie practice. Barely any footage of Emperor Yue. So boring.
But my brain is empty, yet I feel so busy.
I don’t even know what I’m waiting for.
The thread’s quiet too—aaahh…
[4196F] +1. Goose brains have officially been reshaped in the image of Emperor Yue.
The Yue Cult’s group foundation has stabilized once again…
[4301F] …I can’t hold it in anymore. I really can’t.
[4303F] Ah. So this is what it looks like when he wants to win.
That calm gaze… that intense thirst for victory.
[4335F] Dream girl heaven.
[4348F] Career stan heaven. I’m doomed. My spiritual anchor is shaking.
My original bias is in danger…
[4389F] Replying to #4301: I’m jumping ship. I’m officially stanning Emperor Yue now.
Now that the rose-colored glasses are off, I can finally say it—my former bias was just a talentless sing-and-dance flop, a plastic-surgery-failed, average-looking guy who treats fans like an obligation and still expects blind praise.
Feels so good to finally say it. I’m free.
**TN
Treated Like a Big Shot by Everyone in the Boy Group Survival Show is now completed, you can binge-read it now. 😀