The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 11

Yin Zi happily wrapped the scarf around her neck, having gotten her wish without it being confiscated.

Yu Youqing couldn’t shake the feeling that Jiang Musheng’s glance had carried some hidden meaning, and she inexplicably wanted to explain herself. Putting herself in Jiang Musheng’s shoes, she was sure Jiang Musheng must have thought the scarf Yin Zi was wearing was the same one she had given her. Who wouldn’t be upset about that?

But she didn’t get the chance to explain.

Lü Fanjin went to stoke the fire in the stove, while Li Rongcheng stood outside giving them some guidelines for the campsite. “In extreme cold weather, there’s a very slim chance your pheromones might become unstable. The staff nearby all carry stabilizers, so there’s no need to worry. Don’t stare at the snow for too long, and also only take on tasks within your limits. Later, you’ll receive phones from the production team with all the necessary contacts, don’t wander off too far on your own.”

Perhaps because he had spoken at length, Li Rongcheng coughed a couple of times, though no one paid it much attention.

Before arriving, all guests had confirmed they weren’t in their mating cycles, so pheromone instability shouldn’t have been an issue. But hearing the instructor mention it specifically, Yin Zi asked curiously, “What counts as a ‘very slim chance’?”

Li Rongcheng: “A very slim chance means, if an alpha and omega with 100% compatibility were to cross paths.” Having seen it all in his years, he delivered the explanation matter-of-factly. “If both release pheromones at high concentrations, it might destabilize everyone else’s.”

Ah.

Veteran actors really were different, even describing explosive chemistry in such a clinical way.

But Yu Youqing understood.

Li Rongcheng added, “Still, the odds are low. Alpha-omega pairs with perfect compatibility are extremely rare these days. That’s about it, you can start gathering supplies now.”

The show had a loose structure. Though this snowy mountain setting seemed intimidating, it was still a slow-paced variety show at heart.

Yu Youqing thought she might still have time to exchange a few words with Jiang Musheng before setting off, but just then, Yin Zi eagerly latched onto her arm. “Let’s go, sis! We’ll team up.”

Assigned by the company to pair with Yu Youqing and being the youngest, it was only natural for her to stick close.

Before Yu Youqing could respond, Jiang Musheng walked right past her.

Though Jiang Musheng didn’t say a word or even glance her way, the moment Yin Zi’s hand touched her arm, Yu Youqing felt a guilty prickle at the back of her neck, as if she’d been caught red-handed.

Now it seemed no amount of explaining would clear things up.

Jiang Musheng was her landlord, not her guardian, why was she so nervous?

Liang Yitang quickly caught up, smiling beside Jiang Musheng. “Ms. Jiang, which way should we go?”

Jiang Musheng: “Either is fine.” Meaning she agreed to team up with Liang Yitang.

Distracted, Yu Youqing let Yin Zi lead her outside, puzzled by the inexplicable sourness in her chest.

She’d never found Liang Yitang this noisy before as the girl chattered on beside Jiang Musheng. “Ms. Jiang, what would you like for lunch?”

Jiang Musheng: “I’m not picky.”

Even though they weren’t heading in the same direction, Yu Youqing caught every word Jiang Musheng said.

A cool breeze swept by, and Yu Youqing blinked her eyes. In her peripheral vision, she noticed someone still standing outside the courtyard, which reminded her of something.

“Wait here for me,” she said to Yin Zi before quickly running back. She took off her military coat and stuffed it into Li Rongcheng’s hands, then hurried away.

“Teacher Li, don’t push yourself if you’re coughing from the cold. There’s no need to wait outside for us, don’t freeze.”

Li Rongcheng stared at the retreating figure for a long time before it finally dawned on him:  How did Yu Youqing know I was cold?

Still, the warmth from the fur lining in his palms quietly began to reshape his preconceived notions about her.

After reuniting with Yin Zi, Yu Youqing glanced back Jiang Musheng and Liang Yitang were already out of sight.

Since this was a show recording, the game locations weren’t too far apart. However, the camping area was vast, and Yu Youqing, unfamiliar with the paths, had no idea where they had gone.

“Why aren’t you wearing your military coat anymore?” Yin Zi asked.

Yu Youqing had brought a down jacket as backup and was already wearing it. “Teacher Li still has to work outside, so I gave it to him. I’m not cold.”

Her thoughts kept circling back to how she should explain things to Jiang Musheng. Just then, the staff handed out their phones, and Yu Youqing saw that all four guests had already been added to a group chat.

The group name was: [Discussing What to Eat]

Since these were program-provided phones, the name was clearly part of the show’s planned interactions.

Yin Zi: [The staff just told me we can get big dishes like chicken, duck, fish, and beef. What do you all want to eat?]

Yin Zi: [Sister Youqing, whatever you want, I’ll go get it for you~]

Liang Yitang: [@Jiang Musheng Teacher Jiang, do you have any preferences?]

Yin Zi: [@Yu Youqing What about you, Sister Youqing?]

Within just an hour, Yin Zi had already noticed Liang Yitang’s hostility toward Yu Youqing, so she made it a point to counter her.

Liang Yitang: [The area we’re in has my favorite beef, haha. Teacher Jiang is really so kind.]

Yu Youqing: [Tofu, maybe.]

Jiang Musheng replied shortly after: [I’m not picky about food.]

Liang Yitang: [I’m so happy Teacher Jiang is willing to help me with the beef task!]

Yu Youqing had answered casually, assuming that tasks involving beef or lamb might be more difficult. Given how cold it was, she didn’t want to make things harder for anyone.

But when she read Liang Yitang’s follow-up message, her chest tightened.

Great. Even though I know she’s doing this on purpose, it still annoys me.

Jiang Musheng just happened to go that way can she really twist everything like this?!

Yin Zi: “Sister Youqing, don’t be mad. The phone is innocent. Oh, look, there’s a task point up ahead!”

“Huh? Who said I was mad?”

Yin Zi: “You looked like you were about to throw the phone.”

“…” Was I?

Yu Youqing wondered if the cold had frozen her brain, making her react to Liang Yitang’s cheap provocation. And wait, why was Liang Yitang even targeting her? It wasn’t like she was trying to steal Jiang Musheng away.

Before she could untangle her thoughts, she and Yin Zi arrived at a task site set up on the ice. Yin Zi immediately spotted the reward and cheered, “It’s fish! A warm fish soup would be perfect in this weather. Teacher Jiang would definitely like it too.”

Yu Youqing’s eyes lit up.

That’s right! Although it was all a misunderstanding, Jiang Musheng must still be feeling a bit upset because of her. She could bring the ingredients back to apologize.

The game wasn’t difficult the production team wasn’t trying to make things hard from the start. It was just a simple game of throwing darts.

Yu Youqing and Yin Zi worked well together, and their on-screen chemistry was strong, so they quickly completed the task.

When they returned to the starting point, Yu Youqing felt cold and decided to take out the overcoat from her suitcase to put on.

Just then, her phone rang.

In the group chat, Liang Yitang had sent a photo along with a message:
[Jiang-laoshi is amazing!!!]
[Not only did she get the beef, but she also got so many other ingredients!]
[I’m so touched~]

Touched my foot.

Jiang Musheng didn’t get those ingredients just for you alone, Yu Youqing grumbled silently in her heart.

Opening the photo, she could see Jiang Musheng in the distance completing a task, but that wasn’t the main point. The real issue was that Liang Yitang had taken the photo from a selfie angle, and though her face wasn’t visible, her sleeve was.

It was that military overcoat.

Jiang Musheng wasn’t wearing it, instead, Liang Yitang had it on.

Yu Youqing frowned, feeling as if an icy wind had just slashed at her, stinging a little.

“Why is she wearing Jiang-laoshi’s coat?” Yin Zi, who had also seen the photo, exclaimed. “She refused to wear the one prepared for her, and now she’s taking Jiang-laoshi’s? That’s so calculated.”

Without a word, Yu Youqing typed out a message:
[Where are you?]

Liang Yitang, probably too pleased with herself, actually sent the location.

Yu Youqing said, “Zi Zi, go help out in the kitchen first.”

Yin Zi tensed. “What are you going to do? You’re not planning to beat Liang Yitang up, are you? Don’t be impulsive didn’t the company tell you to focus on making a good impression?”

“Lend me this.” Yu Youqing took the scarf from around Yin Zi’s neck. “I just think isn’t Jiang-laoshi cold? I’m going to bring her some warmth.”

Yin Zi: “?”

Yu Youqing was already running toward Jiang Musheng’s task location with the scarf and coat in hand. When she had been walking with Yin Zi earlier, she hadn’t noticed, but now that she was sprinting, the wind felt like knives slicing into her face. Yet for some reason, she couldn’t stop herself from rushing forward, panting heavily without pause.

Liang Yitang was so inconsiderate, how could she let Jiang-laoshi freeze like that?

Weren’t so many artists supposed to idolize Jiang Musheng? How could she let her idol give up her coat for her! As she ran, Yu Youqing mentally justified her actions so the discomfort in her heart definitely came from this.

For convenience, she loosely wrapped the scarf around her own neck for now.

By the time she arrived, she was still gasping for breath, her throat and lungs burning from the sprint.

But when she finally reached them, she realized the coat had already been returned to Jiang Musheng, while Liang Yitang stubbornly maintained the illusion that she wasn’t cold.

Huh?

Jiang Musheng saw Yu Youqing standing before her, holding the coat, and noticed the scarf around her neck.

Probably in a hurry to come out, Yu Youqing hadn’t worn a hat, leaving her entire face exposed, her eyes exceptionally bright. Her features could withstand high-definition cameras, let alone the stunning effect of seeing her up close. Her fair skin flushed pink from the cold wind, the corners of her eyes tinged with color like blooming peach blossoms.

Noticing Jiang Musheng’s cool gaze directed at her, Yu Youqing’s throat tightened.

Liang Yitang looked at Yu Youqing in surprise. “You actually came?”

She had already reached her limit with the cold but refused to wear extra layers to maintain her best appearance in front of Jiang Musheng. Seeing Yu Youqing holding the coat she hadn’t worn, she quickly walked over and took it. “You’re quite persistent. Fine, I’ll reluctantly put it on.”

Yu Youqing: “…” Uh, that wasn’t for you.

But it seemed Jiang Musheng no longer needed it.

Standing there awkwardly, Yu Youqing felt like an idiot.

Liang Yitang, having completed her task and now warmed up, was already heading back with the staff. Yu Youqing, dejected, prepared to follow, her throat burning uncomfortably.

“Aren’t you cold?” A cool voice sounded in front of her. Yu Youqing looked up to see Jiang Musheng standing before her. The next second, Jiang Musheng took off her coat and draped it firmly over Yu Youqing’s shoulders.

She even tightened the scarf around Yu Youqing’s neck, blocking the chilly wind before adding, “Your nose is red from the cold.”

Yu Youqing froze.

Warmth enveloped her completely, and for a moment, even Jiang Musheng’s gaze seemed to soften with tenderness.

This was so damn warm!

Warm enough to make her feel like she could run another ten kilometers!

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