AFVSIBS Chapter 51: Zhou Chen Eliminated
Wang Wei was about to continue when he suddenly remembered something. Even if Zhou Chen ultimately proved his innocence, he would still be eliminated today.
Due to the plagiarism scandal last night, Zhou Chen had the lowest scores in the online voting and rankings. Even with Chen Bo's perfect score of one hundred, when the scores were averaged, he still ranked at the bottom.
He immediately informed Zhang Chuchu about this, saying, "Chuchu, I almost forgot about this important matter. According to the rules of the program, the trainee with the lowest score from yesterday will be eliminated. So no matter what happens later, Zhou Chen must leave today."
"Yeah, I didn't think of that either. Now, because of the plagiarism scandal, Zhou Chen's scores online are the lowest, and his overall average score is also the lowest. He only has one outcome, and that is elimination."
Reminded by Wang Wei, Zhang Chuchu also remembered this matter and immediately showed a happy smile.
She knew very well that once Zhou Chen left the program and returned to the company, she and Wang Wei would have ways to restrict his opportunities and prevent him from shining in public.
Once his popularity faded, they could quietly sideline him. Everything was under their control.
So, she called Zhou Chen again.
"Zhang Jie, why are you calling again? I've said I'll prove my innocence. Forget about asking me to compensate five million. I don't have that much money." Zhou Chen said impatiently.
"Zhou Chen, I didn't call you about that. I want you to pack up your things and come back to the company with me." Zhang Chuchu said.
"Why?"
"Why? Haven't you checked your overall average score from yesterday? It's the lowest. So you've been eliminated. I have to take you back. Also, as you said, once you're eliminated, you'll be at my disposal. After you return, you are not allowed to publish any texts or comments online, nor can you accept any activity invitations. This includes canceling the invitation from Yang Hanhan's concert." Zhang Chuchu said arrogantly.
Zhang Chuchu had reason to believe that with these requirements, even if Zhou Chen had extraordinary talent, it would be of no use. After all, he was just a trainee who hadn't officially debuted yet. As long as he didn't publish any texts or comments online, and didn't attend any activities, he would be forgotten by everyone in less than three months.
"Zhang Jie, are you sure? Chen Bo gave me a score of one hundred, and I still have the lowest score?"
"Yes, Chen Bo did give you a score of one hundred, but you are suspected of plagiarism. All the online ratings are the lowest because of that, and when averaged, you still rank lower than the other trainees." Zhang Chuchu explained.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen understood what was going on. He could also understand this phenomenon because many netizens were ignorant, especially some trolls and keyboard warriors. They would believe anything they heard or read.
Affected by the article accusing him of plagiarism last night, they naturally gave him low scores.
But Zhou Chen wasn't upset. He didn't really care about advancing in the competition. Now, being eliminated with the lowest score due to the plagiarism scandal was fine with him. After returning, he could finally live the healthy life he wanted.
No matter what methods Zhang Chuchu and Wang Wei might use behind his back to sideline him, Zhou Chen thought it would be best to terminate his contract in advance. That way, he could be free and unrestricted.
So, he said with a happy face, "Okay, I'll pack up my things and go back with you in a while."
"Aren't you sad? Aren't you upset? Don't you plead with me?" Zhang Chuchu couldn't help but feel surprised when she didn't hear any sadness or sorrow in Zhou Chen's tone.
"There's nothing to be sad about, and even less to be upset about. As for pleading with you, there's no need. I wasn't particularly interested in advancing in the first place. The only reason I agreed to return to the program was because I had a contract with the company and couldn't act on my own." Zhou Chen explained.
"You..."
Zhang Chuchu was almost infuriated by Zhou Chen's words. She never expected Zhou Chen to have such an attitude.
"Alright, Zhang Jie, I won't chat with you anymore. I'll pack up my things first. After I'm done, I'll publish a statement online to prove my innocence."
With that, Zhou Chen hung up the phone.
Although he didn't care about staying on the program, he did care about having a stain on his reputation. He didn't want the people who cared and supported him to be sad and disappointed. That was a completely different concept.
If he could prove his innocence, why wouldn't he do it?
So, he decided to pack up first and then publish a statement explaining the plagiarism scandal. For now, he would let those who were trying to sabotage him feel victorious for a while.
Meanwhile, on the program side, Zhao An quickly received the news that Zhang Chuchu wanted to take Zhou Chen away.
"Director Zhao, what should we do? Even if Zhou Chen proves his innocence later, his overall average score is the lowest, and he still has to be eliminated." Assistant Qin Haishan said anxiously.
"What can we do? With such an incident, I'm also helpless. I thought Zhou Chen would be able to explain his innocence and stay on the program. Who would have thought that these netizens are all so easily swayed? When they heard someone accuse Zhou Chen of plagiarism, they all believed it and even gave him the lowest scores." Zhao An said helplessly, shaking his head.
"Should we still announce the list of promotions and eliminations on time?" Qin Haishan asked for instructions.
"This is a rule of the program, and we have to announce these lists publicly. There's nothing we can do now but hope for the best. Fortunately, Zhou Chen already gave us a surprise with a viewership rating exceeding 3.0 yesterday. We should be content with that."
Although there was some reluctance, there was currently no better way to retain Zhou Chen. After all, the program rules were made by them, and they couldn't deliberately change them to favor Zhou Chen.
Moreover, Zhou Chen was still facing the plagiarism scandal, and until he fully proved his innocence, they couldn't risk manipulating these things.
After all, this Blue Star Dragon Country valued the morality of artists the most, and a stain like plagiarism could easily lead to complete blacklisting.
So, at this moment, Zhao An could only let his assistant arrange for the staff to publish the list of promotions and eliminations.
"Brother Yuan, how was that? Did I disappoint you? Now, Zhou Chen has been eliminated. You can rest assured to become the king of popularity and the star that everyone looks up to. Don't forget to recommend a few female fans to discuss life with me when the time comes." After seeing the list published by the program, Li Niuniu immediately boasted to Li Yuan.