The staff on-site were preparing for the recording to ensure everything went smoothly.
By rights, the sixteen contestants who had already advanced should not have been present, as they no longer needed to compete.
However, the show's rules stipulated that all contestants, whether advanced or not, had to attend every recording session, except for those who had been eliminated.
Therefore, Tong Tong and the others were still required to be present, also to observe the strength of their opponents.
Gao Yuan and Yun Duo Er arrived just in the nick of time, two minutes before the show began.
A video of another contestant was playing on the big screen. Fortunately, it was a relatively normal one.
Unlike Song Yi Cheng's fear-induced studying, this made many viewers change their perception of these prodigy contestants.
Even though most of the contestant videos they saw showed them reading and doing homework,
they also managed their time well, occasionally helping their parents with chores within their capabilities, making them seem more down-to-earth.
Only Song Yi Cheng was constantly studying, not just studying, but also needing to be fed and unable to tie his shoelaces.
They almost thought that this was how geniuses were cultivated.
Fortunately, Song Yi Cheng was an anomaly, and it didn't shatter their illusions about geniuses.
However, after watching everything, what they really wanted to see was Tong Tong's video, but unfortunately, it was never shown.
At precisely 8:00 PM, the recording officially began.
The host, holding a list and a microphone, walked from backstage to the front.
As usual, there was a lengthy segment of sponsor advertisements before the talk shifted to the competition.
"Without further ado, the rules for the复赛 (re-examination round) are as follows:
The sixteen contestants will be divided into two groups, competing head-to-head, with eight advancing.
The remaining eight will then draw lots to choose their opponents. The four eliminated will then have no chance to showcase themselves on stage.
However, as I said, regardless of whether you are eliminated or not, your presence here is already excellent.
Now, I will announce your group pairings. Zhou Yu Tong and Luo Cheng Jie are in the same group..."
As each contestant's name was called, they began to feel nervous.
With four people being eliminated out of sixteen, it meant that one person from each group would be eliminated, which was quite a high elimination rate.
No one wanted to be eliminated right after arriving, so if they encountered a question they didn't know, they would choose to use one of the three chances provided by the invited guests.
If they didn't use it now, they wouldn't have the opportunity later.
"The groups have been decided. Now, I will announce the competition's questions. It will still be a test of memory, but it will be in a rapid-response format.
This means that the two contestants in the same group will stand on stage simultaneously to answer. After I state the question, the contestants will race to answer.
Whoever answers correctly advances directly, and if they answer incorrectly, their opponent advances.
So, do not rush to answer blindly. Of course, if you do not know the answer but rush to answer, you can ask your invited guest to choose someone from the 'help group' to answer. If they answer incorrectly, your opponent still advances.
Now, please welcome the first group, Zhou Yu Tong and Luo Cheng Jie, to the stage."
The two contestants whose names were called took a deep breath, then walked onto the stage with light steps. They politely shook hands with each other.
"As expected of prodigy contestants, their demeanor is truly remarkable. Even as opponents, they haven't forgotten to show their integrity.
I hope you will all be as humble and polite during the rapid-response segment. Of course, I'm just joking.
When it comes to the actual rapid-response time, you must give it your all. Whoever gets the chance to answer first gains the advantage.
Please look at the big screen..."
After the host finished speaking, the big screen began its countdown.
...
In the end, Zhou Yu Tong won this match, which immediately made her breathe a sigh of relief.
"I announce that Zhou Yu Tong has advanced directly to the next round. However, Cheng Jie, do not be discouraged. You still have a chance. Please return to your seats."
...
Soon, all eight groups of contestants had finished their matches, and the list of advancing contestants was confirmed.
Among these eight, two had chosen to have the 'help group' answer for them, and the 'help group' lived up to expectations, helping them answer correctly.
This goes to show how important it is to win the right to answer.
If you know the answer and your opponent doesn't, but they can win by using the 'help group', it's a significant disadvantage.
So, regardless of whether you know the answer, try to grab it first and take control of your destiny.
Finally, there were eight people competing for four remaining spots. Each person had a 50% chance, but also a 50% probability of being eliminated.
The competition was fierce, and ultimately, four contestants were eliminated, leaving the stage with regret.
"Let us bid farewell to these four contestants, and we wish them a bright future on their paths ahead.
At the same time, let us congratulate the twenty-eight contestants for successfully advancing to the next round. We will see you again tomorrow at nine o'clock!" With the host's announcement, the day's recording came to an end.
The audience's hands were red from clapping. Some felt regret for the eliminated contestants, while others were happy for those who advanced.
After the recording ended, the audience began to leave. They exited through a different door than the contestants.
Many audience members did not rush to leave, wanting to take photos with their favorite contestants as souvenirs.
This was because some audience members had not managed to buy tickets for the next day and would not be able to see the contestants' future performances.
Among everyone, Tong Tong had the most audience members wanting to take photos with him.
Many people also wanted to take photos with Gao Yuan and Yun Duo Er, but they were blocked.
Due to their special status, they could not freely take photos with fans.
The lesser-known invited guests, who would have liked to be photographed, had no one approaching them.
Tong Tong was kept busy for over ten minutes before the audience finally dispersed.
"Tong Tong, you have quite a lot of fans. It looks like you'll be a big star once the show airs," Xia Qian Qian said with a smile.
Although no one approached her for a photo, seeing Tong Tong's popularity made her very happy.
"Auntie Xia, I don't know if I'll become a star, but you definitely will become a big star in the future!" Tong Tong replied with a smile.
"Hahaha, Tong Tong, you're so eloquent. Auntie will say the same thing: if I truly become a big star, I will fulfill any wish you have!"
In truth, she no longer felt pressured about this matter.
After working so hard, if it happened, it happened; if not, it didn't. At least she had strived for her dream.
However, not all efforts are rewarded, so she had long since come to terms with it.
Liu Yi Feng knew that Tong Tong had said that because he could see Xia Qian Qian's future.
However, he did not say much, letting time reveal everything.
"Tong Tong, didn't you say you wanted a late-night snack? Let's go find Uncle Wang quickly!"
"Yes, I'm hungry!"
"Mentioning food makes you hungry, what a little foodie!" Liu Yi Feng chuckled.
Saying this, he held Tong Tong's hand and walked towards Director Wang's lounge.
However, as they just stepped out of the recording hall, they collided head-on with Yun Duo Er!
"Child, why are you walking so carelessly? You've bumped into someone," the assistant said displeasedly as Tong Tong bumped into Yun Duo Er's stomach.
Tong Tong saw his mother with an unfamiliar expression and politely, yet distantly, apologized: "I'm sorry, Auntie!"
"It's alright, but be careful when walking next time!" Yun Duo Er said with a gentle smile, though there was no hint of maternal affection.
After speaking, she turned to Liu Yi Feng: "The child is still so young. It's best to keep a close eye on him, so he doesn't cause any trouble, that would be bad!"
Liu Yi Feng could sense the hidden meaning in her words and replied unhurriedly: "This is my son, and I will naturally take good care of him. You don't need to worry about it."