The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 18

[“This is totally talking about our Teacher Jiang!”]

[“An interview from five years ago? How did they even dig this up? Yu Youqing was only nineteen then.”]

[“Nineteen? She really doesn’t come across as likable, no wonder she faded into obscurity later.”]

[“Damn, unlikable or not, she’s undeniably gorgeous. Even this grainy footage can’t hide her fresh, radiant beauty.”]

[“Looking at her face, I actually feel a bit…”]

[“So not only does she have a crush on Teacher Jiang, but she’s also trying to use her for clout? Disgusting!!”]

[“Why isn’t she explaining the scarf situation? Just gonna stay silent?”]

The comments on the screen kept rolling in real-time, and Yu Youqing saw them all. But right now, her mind wasn’t on the comments at all, she was drowning in embarrassment, especially when Jiang Musheng questioned her. She was completely flustered.

She opened her mouth, feeling everyone’s eyes on her, and forced herself to say, “It’s not like that.”

She also noticed the comments accusing her of scheming to use Jiang Musheng for fame. Terrified that Jiang Musheng might misunderstand, she immediately turned to her to explain.

But then she saw the woman sitting beside Jiang Musheng.

“Hello, I’m Lin Lufu, Musheng’s agent,” the woman said, noticing Yu Youqing’s gaze.

Her agent was here too?! Yu Youqing’s head instinctively lowered further, but then Lin Lufu added, “I’m Lin Xuqiao’s older sister. We’re family, so don’t be nervous.”

Jiang Musheng: “Mm.”

Lin Xuqiao: “Yeah, why do you look like you did something wrong? We called you here to ask what you think. We know it’s a misunderstanding, Musheng won’t hold it against you.”

Yu Youqing: “…Me?”

Tiantian quickly stepped forward. “Yes. Yin Zi has already said she’ll cooperate fully. A clarification is definitely happening. The most straightforward solution is to explain that this was just a misunderstanding that Yin Zi bought her own scarf. But fans might not buy it because your scarf is… too unique.”

She zoomed in on the photo. Beneath Yu Youqing’s chin, the scarf bore a small emblem. Tiantian enlarged it further, revealing a stylized monogram of Jiang Musheng’s initials.

“We could say you accidentally bought a knockoff there are plenty of fakes on the market. But… people might think it’s tacky for a celebrity to wear counterfeit goods. Plus, with how big this has blown up, the backlash from Jiang’s fans might leave a bad impression on the general public. They’re…”

Lin Xuqiao cut in with a verdict: “Honestly, your fans aren’t exactly rational. They’ve gone way overboard defending you, even dug up that cringy five-year-old video of my artist to push this narrative that she’s been secretly in love with you. That’s one long unrequited crush.”

She chuckled. “And five years ago, you weren’t even like this.”

A large fanbase is good, but overly aggressive fans can backfire, potentially affecting how major brands perceive an artist’s marketability.

Yu Youqing could tell Lin Xuqiao was defending her, and she felt touched but more than anything, she was anxious. During a lull in the discussion, she spoke up: “This is on me. I didn’t think much when I posted that selfie. I don’t care about looking tacky, I just don’t want to cause trouble for Teacher Jiang. Let’s just say I bought a fake, okay? I’m fine with that.”

Lin Lufu looked at Yu Youqing for a long while before finally chuckling. She tapped on Jiang Musheng’s desk and inexplicably remarked, “This girl is really something.”

Jiang Musheng suddenly asked, “What’s her career positioning?”

Yu Youqing was stunned by the question.

“Pretty much what netizens are saying using you as a stepping stone to regain popularity, though we haven’t actually implemented it yet,” Lin Xuqiao spoke with surprising ease about this in front of the very person being used. “If you don’t mind, this scarf could be the perfect opportunity to give my artist some exposure. After this, I can negotiate another variety show for her.”

Jiang Musheng was getting a headache from hearing “my artist” repeatedly. She cut straight to the point, “I think we should consider a different approach.”

Leaning back, her gaze fixed on Yu Youqing, her tone grew more serious. “Yu Youqing has just returned to the public eye. It’s not ideal to start off with such a negative reputation. From the company’s perspective, it might be feasible, but for her…”

She paused, then softened her voice, “Hearing those things too often will inevitably hurt. Don’t always tell me it’s fine…” She stopped again, pressing her fingers to her temples in frustration. “I can’t help feeling like I’m making you suffer.”

Yu Youqing’s mind went completely blank, her heartbeat suddenly loud and clear racing with nervousness, yet not entirely from anxiety.

Then she heard Jiang Musheng say to Lin Xuqiao, “What knockoff? I gave her that scarf myself. Just tell the truth.”

Lin Xuqiao: “???”

Lin Xuqiao: “…You could’ve mentioned that earlier.”

–

After leaving the meeting room, Yu Youqing floated dazedly to the elevator, barely registering as it descended to the underground parking garage. She stepped out, still lightheaded.

During the latter half of the meeting, while everyone else was discussing plans, her mind had wandered far away lingering on Jiang Musheng’s words.

“Hearing those things too often will inevitably hurt.”

“I can’t help feeling like I’m making you suffer.”

Back when she was the company’s most profitable artist, profits naturally came first. Now that she was the least profitable, profits still came first. Honestly, admitting she was using Jiang Musheng for clout would be more acceptable to the public than revealing Jiang Musheng had actually given her the scarf.

Wasn’t that exactly what netizens wanted to see?

Jiang Musheng’s fans wouldn’t want their idol associated with her either.

And yet.

Even when Yu Youqing herself hadn’t cared much about it, Jiang Musheng had been the first to consider whether she might feel wronged.

She had thought about whether Yu Youqing might be hurt.

When she’d brought it up, her expression had been so earnest so earnest that Yu Youqing felt as though this consideration was something special, reserved only for her.

How could Jiang Musheng be so captivating?

Yu Youqing stood under the lights, covering her face for a long moment. She realized something was very off with her emotions her heartbeat still hadn’t settled from the turmoil Jiang Musheng’s words had stirred.

A sudden beep snapped her out of her thoughts. Yu Youqing looked up to see Jiang Musheng leaning casually against a car door, her gaze locking onto Yu Youqing with precision. She lazily jingled her car keys.

She seemed different from her usual self.

Gone was the approachable, faintly smiling demeanor she showed others. Under the lights, her eyes held an unusually alluring charm.

How could she think Jiang Musheng was acting like a scumbag alpha?

The kind of alpha that would make girls abandon their morals without hesitation just to be with her.

Yu Youqing froze again, her heart racing wildly. It took her half a second to realize Jiang Musheng was signaling her to come over, so she hurried forward, steadying her voice, “Teacher Jiang?”

“Don’t take Lin Xuqiao’s words to heart.” Jiang Musheng hummed in acknowledgment, her other hand lifting slightly before dropping again. “Everything will be resolved.”

Yu Youqing stood beside Jiang Musheng but kept her gaze fixed on her toes. She knew Jiang Musheng was here to comfort her.

There was nothing wrong to begin with, yet now, standing before Jiang Musheng, an inexplicable wave of sadness surged in her chest, her nose tingling with unshed tears.

She murmured a quiet acknowledgment, then added, “Thank you for not holding it against me.”

“Why do you sound so wronged?” Jiang Musheng noticed her emotional shift and tilted her head to look at Yu Youqing. Seeing her still hanging her head low, Jiang Musheng frowned, worried she might start crying. After a moment’s hesitation, she raised her hand intending to lift Yu Youqing’s chin but fearing it might be too forward and instead gently brushed her fingers against Yu Youqing’s hair.

“If you feel it’s not acceptable, we can find another solution.”

Jiang Musheng’s tone was as gentle as if she were speaking to a child. Yu Youqing didn’t understand why, but the more Jiang Musheng comforted her, the more emotional she became. Her shoulders tensed, and finally, she looked up and asked, “Why are you so kind to everyone?”

Don’t you know? This kind of kindness can be misleading.

It plants unrealistic hopes, makes people greedy for more.

Jiang Musheng didn’t expect that to be her response. A faint smile touched her lips. “Can’t I be good to you?”

Yu Youqing didn’t know how to answer, only feeling utterly miserable.

Yes. Of course, you can.

But Yu Youqing knew Jiang Musheng could be this kind to anyone, always eager to mentor juniors. In Jiang Musheng’s eyes, she was probably just another one of them someone to lend a hand to when possible.

It was this indiscriminate kindness that made Yu Youqing feel a pang of sorrow.

Once people get a taste of sweetness, they grow greedy. Yu Youqing knew she was no exception. She had started yearning for things she had no right to desire.

Wake up.

Yu Youqing: “No, I still want to thank you, Teacher Jiang.”

“What’s with you, little one? Always so formal with me.” Jiang Musheng noticed Yu Youqing’s awkwardness and chuckled helplessly. Sensing she had more to say, she waited patiently, in no hurry to leave.

Yu Youqing looked at Jiang Musheng and finally couldn’t hold back, though she tried to make her tone sound lighthearted, as if joking: “Teacher Jiang, you’re the kind of person people can’t help but fall for.”

No wonder Jiang Musheng’s fans were so fiercely loyal.

Jiang Musheng’s dark eyes lowered, meeting hers. “But you haven’t fallen for me, have you?”

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