RCQT Chapter 102

Rong Jinghe walked onto the stage, accepting the card that represented his ranking. He hugged a few people and then proceeded to stand in his designated spot.

Chu Qianze glanced at the people beside him, not saying anything, just patting someone’s shoulder.

Suddenly, Rong Jinghe smiled, then continued facing the camera.

“Congratulations to our trainees. I hope in the future, everyone can have even better performances.”

After Yu Xiaoyang said something, Rong Jinghe didn’t really pay much attention. He was reminiscing in his mind about his performance in this concert.

At the time of the fireworks malfunction, he had a lot on his mind, and he couldn’t recall how he performed. Did he lose focus because of the fireworks malfunction? Were there any mistakes in his expressions or dance moves?

It was quite possible.

In the end, it seemed he had been too careless.

After the announcement of the rankings, Yu Xiaoyang checked the time and then said, “It’s about time now. We still have classes in the afternoon. Everyone go back and take a rest. Adjust yourselves, and don’t tire yourselves out too much.”

“The remaining time is up to you.”

Crying voices erupted from the back—those were the eliminated students. Chu Qianze looked over, witnessing the emotional scene.

Dou Xi also wiped away tears. Although he was fortunate enough to stay, some of his friends who started the journey with him were eliminated. If this continued, the dormitory would soon be empty.

Observing the group over there, Yu Xiaoyang sighed and walked over to offer a few words of comfort. All he could do was provide some consolation.

Chu Qianze followed his roommates out. After having lunch and a nap, time was actually quite tight.

Noticing that Rong Jinghe seemed lost in thought, Chu Qianze patted his shoulder and asked, “Where’s your bag?”

Bag?

Rong Jinghe paused for a moment, subconsciously patting his waist but finding nothing. “Seems like I left it in the public training room and forgot to grab it. I’ll go back real quick; you guys go ahead.”

“Sure, we’ll head to the cafeteria first and save you a seat,” Ye Lunguo said.

“Great, I’ll catch up soon.” With a wave to the others, Rong Jinghe turned around and briskly walked back.

Once he turned a corner, he slowed his pace, took a deep breath after a while, and then picked up the pace again. Upon reaching the public training room, he opened the door, found his bag inside the cabinet as per his memory, and then left again.

The group arrived at the cafeteria and noticed that there weren’t many people around. There was no need to wait in line to get their meals.

Ye Lunguo suddenly remembered that it was no longer the time when over a hundred people had to queue up for food.

“Previously 108, now 60,” Hong estimated, expressing a sense of nostalgia.

“All of a sudden, nearly half are gone, and we don’t even need to queue anymore.”

“When we used to wait in line, you found it troublesome. Now, with no line, you think there are too few people,” Chu Qianze remarked, picking up a nearby tray and passing it to the others.

“Well, it feels like time just flew by, doesn’t it? Are you not used to it?” Hong sighed but didn’t elaborate further.

“Let’s eat, then sleep, and after that, attend classes!”

Chu Qianze glanced at the food, surprised to find no desserts.

As Rong Jinghe walked over from outside, Chu Qianze waved to him, signaling everyone to gather.

Hastening his steps, Rong Jinghe lifted his bag and said, “Sorry for the wait.”

“We just got here; haven’t had a chance to buy our meals yet,” Ye Lunguo said.

Rong Jinghe picked up a plate and utensils from nearby, ready to order food. However, his gaze fell on Chu Qianze, and his eyebrows furrowed.

Noticing the scrutiny, Chu Qianze raised an eyebrow, questioning the reason for the intense look.

“The doctor said to avoid spicy food for a while,” Rong Jinghe reminded.

Diced chili beef, pickled pepper chicken feet, spicy shrimp… Chu Qianze’s plate was a sea of red, and just looking at it made his throat ache.

“A little bit won’t hurt,” Chu Qianze picked up some spicy pig trotters, the entire time under the unexpressive gaze of Rong Jinghe.

Stare, just staring.

Chu Qianze felt like the hand holding the trotter was about to be stared through.

What are you looking at? If you keep looking at me—

Chu Qianze changed the direction of his utensils, and finally, he placed the food on Rong Jinghe’s plate, maintaining a smile. “Here, for you to eat.”

“Pfft,” Hong couldn’t hold back his laughter. He thought something big was going to happen, but it ended up like this? “Brother Chu, don’t be a coward. Pig trotters are so delicious; a little bit occasionally won’t hurt.”

He continued to goad, and when Rong Jinghe glanced at him, he instantly stopped.

“Brother Chu, the doctor said to avoid spicy food. Why did you get so much? It’s really not appropriate!”

Faced with Chu Qianze’s friendly gaze, Hong quickly moved to the side with his plate.

“I’ll go check out the other dishes.”

Chu Qianze chuckled, thinking the food portion was about right, and headed towards a nearby table for four. “I’ll be waiting for you guys over there.”

After finishing their meal, everyone prepared to return to the dormitory for some rest.

“You guys go ahead; I won’t be going back. I’m planning to walk around,” Rong Jinghe said, falling a few steps behind.

“Sure, we’ll head back. Brother Jinghe, remember, there are classes in the afternoon,” Ye Lunguo said.

“Okay, goodbye.”

As they turned the corner, Chu Qianze glanced back at Rong Jinghe. It seemed like he was heading to the training area.

Chu Qianze withdrew his gaze and walked leisurely.

‘Are you there?’ he called out to the system in his mind.

[What do you want me to do?]

‘Compile the overall situation of the voting results for this round and show it to me.’

[OK]

‘Do it yourself, without using official information.’

[That’s quite troublesome.]

As a system, processing data was almost instinctual, and completion time was measured in seconds.

Chu Qianze sighed, ‘What do you want?’

[A year’s subscription to a certain manga.]

‘You’re asking for a few hundred bucks just to check some data? Not bad.’

[Half a year is also fine qwq]

‘Show me the results first, and if I’m satisfied, I’ll get you the annual subscription.’

[Wait a moment!]

[Loading]

[I’m running at full speed!]

Chu Qianze stepped directly over a nearby manhole cover as the system arranged the data.

[I have organized relevant data from various websites about this program. The conclusion is as follows:]

[Vote count:]

[Fan votes:]

…

In various lists, Rong Jinghe consistently ranked first, while according to the program team, he was only in fourth place.

Well, if the first place is always the same person, there won’t be much excitement.

Thinking about this, Chu Qianze couldn’t help but chuckle.

During the break between classes, Chu Qianze picked up a nearby water bottle and took a sip, leaning against the wall. He saw Rong Jinghe still training.

“Brother Jinghe is still training,” Ye Lunguo whispered.

“Haven’t seen him take a break,” Hong added in a hushed tone.

Chu Qianze was sitting cross-legged, and he noticed the two of them looking at him. He asked with a hint of annoyance, “What?”

“Brother Chu, it’s time to show some friendship,” Ye Lunguo said, handing over a water bottle.

“Why don’t you give it to him yourself?” Chu Qianze took the water and tossed it lightly.

Ye Lunguo slumped on the ground. “Too tired, can’t stand up.”

Hong: “Legs are weak.”

In the end, they were just too lazy to get up.

Rolling his eyes, Chu Qianze stood up and handed the water over. “Have some.”

“Thanks.” Rong Jinghe took the water and took a small sip.

At the moment, it wasn’t suitable to drink water too quickly; otherwise, during the later exercise, he might experience some discomfort.

Seeing that Rong Jinghe showed no signs of resting, Chu Qianze didn’t say anything and returned to his seat.

After finishing the training and returning to the dorm, Hong was the first to rush to the bathroom for a quick shower. When he came out, he shouted triumphantly, “I’ve come back to life!”

“I’ll go next!” Ye Lunguo sprinted into the bathroom.

“Keep it down. Aren’t you afraid someone will report you for disturbing the peace?” Chu Qianze sipped his yogurt and remarked to Hong.

“Ah, you wouldn’t understand the joy of coming back to shower after a sweaty workout, Brother Chu,” Hong said. Training every day and hardly sweating at all, it was like having the physique of a deity. He wasn’t jealous at all.

Hong took out a face mask, tore it open, and began his skincare routine. “You can’t understand.”

Chu Qianze rolled his eyes and noticed that Rong Jinghe’s seat was still empty. “Has Brother Jinghe not come back yet?”

“Brother Jinghe hasn’t returned? Huh, not sure,” Hong said, glancing towards the vacant seat.

“Maybe he went somewhere else to train. Falling out of the top three in the rankings must be tough for Brother Jinghe. It’s probably the troubles of being an honor student. Although for me, fourth place is already impressive,” Hong scratched his head and chuckled.

As someone who had re-entered Class A after being demoted, he was quite satisfied, feeling like he was rocking it.

Therefore, Hong concluded that Rong Jinghe probably had OCD or something, as he seemed quite intense.

Chu Qianze tossed the yogurt box into the trash and stood up. “I’m going for a walk.”

Buying a mixed-grain pancake from the cafeteria as a late-night snack, Chu Qianze walked to the door. He noticed a sign offering a discount on the “Family Bucket,” and his steps faltered.

Rong Jinghe sat on the ground, hands resting on his knees, lost in thought.

Somehow, Rong Jinghe remembered the conversation he had with his family before joining the program.

“Now you’re almost 22. How much longer do you plan to play around outside? There’s no achievement in working so hard. Why exert yourself like this? Since you’ve terminated your contract with that management company, it’s perfect. Settle down and come back to work honestly.”

“What do you like… what do you like doing? That’s what people your age talk about.”

“Of course, we support you. But… you, you’ve injured your back at such a young age from practicing dancing. You even damaged your voice, and it almost didn’t recover. Getting tired every day and being scolded by people, why are you enduring this suffering? It infuriates me just thinking about it!”

“Back then, when our family faced difficulties, you had to support yourself. Somehow, you ended up in the entertainment industry, and that’s our fault. Now that the family has stabilized, you don’t need to do these things anymore. Come back. We work hard to make money so that you can have a good life, not to see you suffer… What? You want to participate in some talent show and make a comeback? Seriously, are you trying to drive me crazy?!”

“Your stubbornness, it’s just like when I was young! Why learn something like this? Especially my own temperament!”

In the end, the woman sighed. “Mom can’t argue with you. If you want to go, then go. Am I supposed to cry, throw a tantrum, or threaten to hang myself? Can that stop you? I don’t understand the things in your circle, but I know some things. This is about making a living off your youth. You’re 22 now; that’s not considered young inside, right? How about this: if you don’t debut as the first, don’t bring up this matter again and just work peacefully. Seeing you like this really pains me… Please, reconsider. Come back soon, even if it’s just for your mother’s sake, okay?”

It was the first time he saw his strong-willed mother speak to him in such a humble manner.

With a slightly lowered neck, Rong Jinghe rubbed his cheeks, relaxing the facial muscles.

“I’m here.”

Hearing the voice, Rong Jinghe raised his head and looked back.

Seeing him looking over, Chu Qianze raised the “Family Bucket” in his hand.

“What a coincidence. Want to eat together?”

 

 

 

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