The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 15

Yu Youqing’s initial intention was to win over her teacher Li Rongcheng by showering Jiang Musheng with exaggerated praise. But suddenly, memories from her past surfaced.

Two years ago, after Jiang Musheng went abroad to further her career, Yu Youqing found herself paying even closer attention to Jiang Musheng’s updates.

She wanted to see if this person, whom everyone revered as if she were a deity, truly lived up to the hype.

Jiang Musheng’s professional prowess was undeniable, but Yu Youqing knew that in this industry, everyone had a carefully crafted persona. She wanted to uncover the life behind Jiang Musheng’s public image the more curious she became, the harder it was to find answers.

Later, when she fell ill and was confined to her bed, her favorite pastime became digging through Jiang Musheng’s old posts. She discovered that Jiang Musheng lived a life completely different from what she had imagined. Beyond promotional content, Jiang Musheng’s private life remained entirely hidden.

Scrolling all the way back, she finally found a photo Jiang Musheng had posted three years ago, taken outside Songcheng University.

As it turned out, they weren’t just from the same hometown; they had even crossed paths once during an event at Songcheng University that year. But the details of that encounter had faded from Yu Youqing’s memory, and she supposed it wasn’t important anyway.

Her secret admiration for Jiang Musheng remained unknown to anyone. As Yu Youqing herself had once said, when you’re trapped in despair, even the faintest glimmer of light becomes something you desperately cling to.

In her past life as a bedridden patient, the more Yu Youqing delved into Jiang Musheng’s past, the more she realized how diligent and composed Jiang Musheng was always kind yet maintaining just the right distance, standing at the pinnacle of excellence through sheer ability. Eventually, she even began to envy Jiang Musheng. She wondered if things might have been different had she seized opportunities in her youth instead of being dismissed as just a pretty face.

In the end, she even regretted turning down that script. Forget the money had she taken it, she could have spent so much time with Jiang Musheng. There was even a forced kiss scene, a real kiss scene!

And then, she actually got reborn.

“You actually made some good points,” Li Rongcheng said, his gaze flickering between Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng with a hint of inexplicable approval before turning to Liang Yitang. “In that case, let’s go with Xiao Yu. Xiao Jiang, what do you think?”

Jiang Musheng seemed to snap out of her thoughts after hearing Yu Youqing’s words. Her brows lifted slightly, and she replied softly, “Mm, I have no objections.”

She hadn’t realized until now had Yu Youqing actually watched her films?

Yu Youqing got her wish and was paired with Jiang Musheng. She sidled up to her and said, “Jiang-laoshi, let’s go to the other ski run.”

Jiang Musheng recalled the movie scenes Yu Youqing had described. “The advanced slope?”

“No, the beginner’s slope.” Yu Youqing was already clumsily making her way over. She was on skis, struggling to push forward with her poles while trying not to lose her balance. As she wobbled along, she added, “I just want you to rest properly. Your hand must be hurting right now.”

Behind her, Jiang Musheng paused mid-step at Yu Youqing’s words. Then she caught up, stopping in front of Yu Youqing, her tone slightly drawn out as she asked, “You mean, you want me to rest?”

Yu Youqing nodded, oblivious to Jiang Musheng’s expression at that moment. Her entire focus was on maintaining balance, but her beginner’s clumsiness left her flustered. Her fingers inside the gloves seemed to have a mind of their own, and she nearly lost her balance when a hand reached from behind to steady her wrist.

“Careful.” Jiang Musheng quickly withdrew her hand, still not on her own board, making it easier to move around. She stepped in front of Yu Youqing, setting her own snowboard aside, and placed both hands under Yu Youqing’s arms.

“Let me teach you.”

“Ah? No.” Yu Youqing had intended for Jiang Musheng to rest, but after trying it herself, she realized how much effort balancing required her whole body tensed, including her hands. With Jiang Musheng supporting her like this, Yu Youqing stiffened, only to see the woman before her chuckle, her peach-blossom eyes glinting in the sunlight with an almost bewitching charm.

“I don’t want you to regret this for the rest of your life.”

“?”

Ah! That was just something she’d blurted out to form a team, why was Jiang Musheng teasing her about it now?

Noticing Yu Youqing’s hesitation, Jiang Musheng guided her hands onto her own shoulders, speaking softly, “Hold on and follow me.”

“Bend your knees slightly, point your toes outward a bit, and most importantly, don’t be afraid.” Jiang Musheng seemed to laugh again. “With me here, you won’t fall.”

Her tone was gentle, and for some reason, Yu Youqing felt as if she were being coaxed like a child. Though her hands rested on Jiang Musheng’s shoulders, she didn’t dare grip too hard. Bundled in thick snow gear, she already waddled like a penguin, and with Jiang Musheng this close, her nervousness only grew. She practically tiptoed, too afraid to glide.

Jiang Musheng watched for a long moment before laughing again.

Embarrassed, Yu Youqing lifted her chin stubbornly. “What’s so funny, Teacher Jiang?” Then, remembering Jiang Musheng’s words from last night, she added, “Are you going to mock me again, saying a ‘scummy Alpha’ wouldn’t act like this?”

“So easily teased?” Jiang Musheng’s smile never faded. They had reached the beginner’s slope now, safely distanced from the group, so she took a step back, letting Yu Youqing’s hands slide from her shoulders.

Yu Youqing had barely sighed in relief when her hand was suddenly grasped, albeit through their gloves.

“…”

“This way, you can hold on tighter,” Jiang Musheng said. “I’ll guide you forward.”

Yu Youqing wanted to refuse, but Jiang Musheng tugged her hand, pulling her forward a few steps. Instinctively, Yu Youqing tightened her grip.

A playful smirk curled Jiang Musheng’s lips. “Holding on pretty tight, aren’t you?”

The moment Yu Youqing heard this, she tried to pull away, but Jiang Musheng only tightened her hold and murmured, “Be good.”

At that, Yu Youqing’s mind went blank.

Why was Jiang Musheng being so nice to her today? And why had she smiled at her so much? Even if it was at her expense, Yu Youqing couldn’t help feeling,  the distance between them had somehow shrunk.

Was it just her imagination? She had always thought Jiang Musheng was gentle with everyone, yet beneath that gentleness lay an aloofness that kept people at a distance. But today, when Jiang Musheng spoke to her, there were occasional hints of playful teasing in her tone.

Yet, this somehow made Jiang Musheng feel more real to her.

Lost in these thoughts, Yu Youqing suddenly realized she had unknowingly followed Jiang Musheng quite a distance on the slopes. She came to a stop, took off her woolen hat, and exhaled, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. “So hot.”

But as soon as a breeze brushed past, she shivered and quickly pulled the hat back on, muttering, “So cold.”

Jiang Musheng also stopped and looked at her. After a thoughtful pause, she remarked, “So you do feel the cold after all.”

“Of course.” Yu Youqing found Jiang Musheng’s behavior today rather odd, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. After a brief silence, her insatiable curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn’t resist asking, “Why do you say that?”

“At the last event, I saw you take off your coat for Liang Yitang. I thought you were quite resistant to the cold.” Jiang Musheng’s smile faded slightly as she recalled the scene, adding coolly, “And then you came to deliver a coat for someone else. You really do take good care of her.”

Take care of who?
Liang Yitang? That’s a joke.

Yu Youqing blinked, nearly blurting out that the coat had actually been meant for Jiang Musheng. But afraid of seeming strange, she swallowed the words and instead offered a placating smile. “You have such a good memory, Jiang Laoshi. It was just a casual gesture.”

Hoping to salvage her image in Jiang Musheng’s eyes, she quickly added, “I actually brought a coat for Teacher Li too. I’m just naturally considerate like that with everyone.”

The warmth in Jiang Musheng’s eyes dimmed. “Is that so?”

“Ah, yes.” Yu Youqing nodded, sensing Jiang Musheng’s skepticism. “Jiang Laoshi, I’d take care of you the same way.”

Jiang Musheng fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. Yu Youqing suddenly felt the atmosphere between them grow awkward. She opened her mouth, realizing her explanations were only making things worse.

Jiang Musheng finally spoke. “No difference at all?”

Yu Youqing’s heart pounded. From her understanding, Jiang Musheng seemed to think she was playing favorites but she truly wasn’t.

She even removed her goggles, meeting Jiang Musheng’s gaze with the utmost sincerity before nodding emphatically.

“Yes. Absolutely no difference.”

Case closed.

Yu Youqing waited patiently for Jiang Musheng’s response. After a long pause, Jiang Musheng finally replied, “Alright.”

But this time, her voice carried no trace of amusement.

Alright what?

Before Yu Youqing could ask, Jiang Musheng extended her hand again. Having already been led by her earlier, Yu Youqing didn’t hesitate this time and placed her hand in Jiang Musheng’s palm.

Leaning slightly forward, she heard Jiang Musheng murmur softly, “Then let’s take it slow.”

“I will.” Yu Youqing naturally assumed Jiang Musheng was referring to her skiing and nodded in earnest. “Rushing would only backfire.” She was terrified of falling especially if it meant dragging Jiang Musheng down with her.

“Indeed.” Jiang Musheng tightened her fingers slightly, the corners of her lips curling up once more as she voiced thoughts only she understood. With a soft hum, she repeated Yu Yousheng’s words.

“Too much haste may spoil things, so let’s take it slow.”

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