The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 19

Even if I had feelings, I wouldn’t say it out loud. People should know their place.

Yu Youqing thought to herself.

“So even Teacher Jiang can joke around.” Yu Youqing didn’t take the words seriously, but after responding, she suddenly felt a chill and instinctively tucked her neck in, tightening her coat collar.

Jiang Musheng stepped aside to make room at the car door. “Get in.”

Yu Youqing remained polite. “There’s no need to trouble Teacher Jiang to drive me.”

“I’m heading that way anyway.” Jiang Musheng opened the passenger door, leaving no room for further refusal. “I’m going back too. Let’s go.”

Once in the car, Yu Youqing stayed silent. She racked her brain but could only think of saying “thank you” again though Jiang Musheng seemed to dislike her constant politeness.

After all, Jiang Musheng had just pointed out how overly formal she was being.

But what else could she do? Yu Youqing grumbled inwardly. She and Jiang Musheng weren’t close enough for casual interactions, yet she kept causing trouble for her.

Jiang Musheng drove with focused attention, and the background music in the car kept the atmosphere from becoming too awkward.

With nothing else to do, Yu Youqing idly pulled out her phone and finally checked social media. Her company had acted swiftly, the statement had already been posted.

As agreed, it clarified the incident as a misunderstanding and emphasized that Jiang Musheng and Yu Youqing’s relationship wasn’t as strained as speculated. The scarf had been a gift from Jiang Musheng before the show’s recording. Meanwhile, the Saturday program team released the clip of Jiang Musheng feeding Yu Youqing snowflakes, perfectly complementing their joint statement.

Yin Zi’s side also issued a clarification, stating that her scarf had been purchased independently.

Yu Youqing noticed Jiang Musheng’s studio had also posted on Weibo, a rare photo of her to reassure fans.

After the explanations, public opinion shifted to: Teacher Jiang is an incredibly considerate senior who doesn’t hold grudges, not even against someone like Yu Youqing, who had ulterior motives.

Still, accusations that Yu Youqing had orchestrated the controversy for clout gradually died down.

Just as she exited the app, a barrage of messages from Yin Zi flooded her WeChat. With nothing better to do, Yu Youqing opened them.

“Wuwuwu, Sis Youqing, you’re way too nice! You could’ve just exposed me for lying, but instead, you tried to take the blame yourself. That’s seriously alpha behavior!”

“Honestly, the company told me to coordinate with you, but I didn’t do a great job. I should’ve created more opportunities for you and Teacher Jiang.”

“I heard Teacher Jiang discussed the solution with you at the company. Weren’t we supposed to be the ones ‘accidentally’ stirring up drama with her? But after this statement, it feels like Teacher Jiang willingly let you. ‘accidentally’ cause a scene?”

“Actually, Sis Youqing, have you ever thought, if something really happened between you and Teacher Jiang, it wouldn’t be bad? You’re both single, an unmated alpha and omega, so wouldn’t you!”

“—be a perfect match?”

The last half of Yin Zi’s voice message played just as the car’s music stopped. Though Yu Youqing’s phone volume wasn’t loud, the words rang unmistakably clear in the sudden silence.

Yu Youqing immediately felt awkward. She wanted to glance at Jiang Musheng’s expression while simultaneously trying to turn off her phone. In her flustered state, she accidentally tapped the latest message from Yin Zi, which read: “Why not consider being in a same-sex relationship with me? I think you’re both caring and responsible, I’ve already fallen for you, haha.”

“…”

The car stopped.

“Kids say silly things sometimes. Please don’t take it seriously, Teacher Jiang.” Yu Youqing locked her phone screen and noticed they’d already arrived outside the residential complex, though Jiang Musheng hadn’t driven in yet.

“Which part?” Jiang Musheng turned her head, asking, “The same-sex relationship part, or that we’d be well-matched?”

Yu Youqing hadn’t expected Jiang Musheng to have heard so clearly. She froze momentarily, her hand pausing on the seatbelt before finally replying, “Both.”

Silence filled the car, the atmosphere suddenly turning awkward.

Yu Youqing touched her nose, feeling her voice go dry. “Um, I wouldn’t be in a same-sex relationship.” Not her preference.

As she spoke, her gaze drifted away. She was acutely aware that she treated every interaction with Jiang Musheng with excessive caution, whereas Jiang Musheng remained unaffected because in Jiang Musheng’s eyes, she was no different from anyone else, allowing her to behave naturally.

But Yu Youqing couldn’t manage that.

Noticing Yu Youqing’s discomfort, Jiang Musheng decided not to tease her further. Restarting the car, she drove into the underground parking garage while offering reassurance: “Why do you always seem so afraid of me?”

She chuckled, trying to ease the tension. “I’m really not that scary. And don’t overthink today’s events. If you feel anything wasn’t handled well, you can always talk to me about it.”

Jiang Musheng spoke like a wise older sister, but Yu Youqing dared not actually cast her in that role. The more comfort Jiang Musheng offered, the more Yu Youqing became aware of her own shameful expectations.

Initially, she had respected Jiang Musheng as one would a teacher. But now, someone she had secretly admired for so long stood before her someone inherently charismatic, whose every unconscious action sent Yu Youqing’s thoughts spiraling for hours.

Jiang Musheng’s slightest kindness became magnified infinitely in her eyes.

Yu Youqing was no child; she recognized the stirrings of her own heart. Unfortunately, every small thing Jiang Musheng did seemed tailored to resonate with her especially today in the meeting room, when Jiang Musheng had said she didn’t want her to suffer any grievances.

She knew it was pathetic to grow attached over such trivial matters. But having come this far alone, Jiang Musheng was the first person who made her feel genuinely cared for.

During her years of admiring Jiang Musheng from afar, the woman had never been within reach. Now, encountering her in person, more vibrant and considerate than any screen could convey, how could her heart not race?

As Jiang Musheng parked the car, she remembered something and attempted to lighten the mood. “About that proposal I mentioned during filming have you given it any thought?”

Yu Youqing’s reply came out stiff: “I don’t dare consider it.”

Why are you speaking so rigidly! Who do you think you’re talking to?!

As soon as she finished speaking, she regretted it. She knew her old habit had resurfaced acting out when flustered, speaking sharply just to mask the unease in her heart.

“What?” Finally hearing Yu Youqing address her, Jiang Musheng caught the awkward hesitation in her tone and found it amusing. She had endless patience to coax Yu Youqing into speaking. “Go on, tell me.”

“Jiang-laoshi, don’t you know? The company already laid out my career path using you for publicity. And I agreed to that plan myself.” Yu Youqing paused before adding, “Even though you and President Lin are close friends, you don’t have to make these concessions for me.”

Jiang Musheng fell silent for a moment. “Who said this was a concession?”

Who knew this little girl had such an active imagination?

Before, Jiang Musheng had never interfered with Lin Xuqiao’s arrangements for her. But this time, before leaving, she had specifically told Lin Xuqiao to change the plan to one that wouldn’t make Yu Youqing feel slighted.

Lin Xuqiao had asked, “So I’ll just openly tie her to you for publicity, then?”

Jiang Musheng had no objections.

“I… I understand Jiang-laoshi doesn’t want me to feel awkward. I’ll keep our living arrangement a secret, of course.” Yu Youqing wasn’t even sure who she was being stubborn with anymore, her words tumbling out thoughtlessly. “As for that script, if I got it because of you, wouldn’t that just be nepotism?”

“Do you even understand what ‘nepotism’ really means?” From Jiang Musheng’s perspective, Yu Youqing’s cheeks looked slightly puffed. She chuckled, resisting the urge to pinch them. “Have you ever seen someone claim they’re benefiting from connections when they don’t even have the other person’s contact info?”

Yu Youqing was about to retort that she never said she wanted special treatment when she saw Jiang Musheng pull out her phone.

And wave it at her.

Huh?

“Jiang-laoshi, what do you mean by that?”

“Actually, the misunderstanding isn’t on my part, it’s yours.” Jiang Musheng gathered her thoughts before continuing. “First, I’ve never felt this was awkward. I just wanted you to feel comfortable around me, not to draw a line between us.”

“Though I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, what I want to say is…” Jiang Musheng let out a soft laugh, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she voiced these thoughts for the first time. “That method Yin Zi suggested to you might actually work.”

What method?

What had Yin Zi said again?

She’d told Yu Youqing to win Jiang Musheng over, even joked about them being a couple. Which one was Jiang Musheng referring to?

Yu Youqing’s mind short-circuited for a moment before she managed to ask in a trembling voice, “You mean,  when she said we’d make a good match?”

Jiang Musheng hummed in agreement. She raised her phone slightly. “Would you be willing to give it a try?”

Yu Youqing’s expression went blank. She couldn’t believe such luck would land in her lap. Right now, Jiang Musheng seemed to glow in her eyes, radiating an aura that screamed, This can’t be real this must be a dream.

She instinctively raised her hand to pinch her own face, but Jiang Musheng was quicker, grasping her wrist. Finally getting her wish, she gently poked Yu Youqing’s cheek and said, “What? I thought I was being direct enough. Still don’t believe me?”

Yu Youqing: “!!!”

What kind of beginning is this?!

“I don’t believe it,” Yu Youqing murmured, feeling her face grow hot. Her other hand reached to open the car door, hoping the cold air outside would clear her mind.

With a “click,” the car door locked.

Jiang Musheng then leaned in, her warm breath brushing against Yu Youqing’s ear.

“Then what do I need to do to make you believe this is real?”

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