The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 23

Yu Youqing forced herself into the car, feeling Ye Miaoyi give her a gentle push from behind.

Turning her head, she saw Ye Miaoyi mouthing the words “Good luck” at her.

She thought her dear friend might have misunderstood something perhaps believing she was helping in some way?

No, absolutely not.

The moment she stepped into the car, Yu Youqing immediately felt an overwhelming sense of pressure bearing down on her.

Wherever Jiang Musheng was present, Yu Youqing still couldn’t pretend to be completely at ease.

The car was silent, and Yu Youqing had no idea how to start a conversation.

Jiang Musheng glanced at Yu Youqing for a moment, feeling as though she were facing a startled bird. Though Yu Youqing appeared calm on the surface, she hadn’t looked at her once since getting in the car, instead staring blankly ahead in a daze.

“You seem a little afraid of me,” Jiang Musheng said, sounding somewhat resigned. Sure enough, Yu Youqing immediately turned her head and denied it: “No, I’m not.”

“Really?” Jiang Musheng didn’t intend to press the issue, so she nodded. “That’s good then.”

Yu Youqing asked casually, “Teacher Jiang, what brings you here?”

Jiang Musheng replied, “Meeting a friend for dinner.”

“Oh.” Yu Youqing nodded, and the conversation awkwardly stalled at that point.

The ride felt unbearably long to her.

Jiang Musheng remained silent, and Yu Youqing couldn’t shake the feeling that she was like a student who had done something wrong and was now standing before her homeroom teacher though the analogy wasn’t entirely fitting.

She had adjusted her own mindset, but she still hadn’t managed to steady herself when facing Jiang Musheng.

“I watched the livestream,” Jiang Musheng suddenly said.

“Ah! That! I’m sorry, I pressed the wrong button. I meant to make a voice call, but luckily the camera wasn’t pointed at my phone.” Yu Youqing immediately recalled the shocking moment when the call connected, her voice dropping slightly.

Jiang Musheng said, “It’s fine.” It was just wet hair nothing too revealing.

“How is it fine?!” Yu Youqing’s tone was urgent, but she quickly reined in her emotions after realizing her outburst. “I mean, I was worried the fans wouldn’t be able to handle it. They’d all be bleeding from the nose.”

But come to think of it.

Yu Youqing muttered, “Teacher Jiang, you’re way too trusting. You shouldn’t just answer calls from anyone. Otherwise, people might take advantage of the opportunity to call you and ride on your fame.”

Yu Youqing had checked afterward the livestream that night had an astonishing number of viewers. But most of the attention ended up going to Cheng Shunzhu. No wonder he had been invited to dinner with her today the brand must have considered him as well.

Jiang Musheng thought for a moment, then looked at Yu Youqing, a faint smile flashing in her eyes. “Alright, I won’t do it again.”

Yu Youqing didn’t notice anything unusual.

Fortunately, exchanging a few words with Jiang Musheng had eased the tension in the car somewhat. Yu Youqing asked again, “Are you heading back too?”

Jiang Musheng replied, “I’ll take you home first. I still have some things to do.”

Yu Youqing recalled the schedule she’d seen for Jiang Musheng definitely a workaholic. Did she really not care about her own health at all?

Jiang Musheng rarely participated in variety shows, dedicating most of her time to honing her acting skills. Like when she needed skiing skills for a snow mountain film, she subjected herself to intense training, even though those scenes could have been done by a stunt double. But Jiang Musheng never slacked off.

She had a lot of career-focused fans the fiercely loyal kind so they were quick to fend off other minor celebrities trying to ride her coattails. Over the years, countless people had tried to leech off her fame, but the only one who seemed to have faced such strong backlash was herself?

Yu Youqing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Jiang Musheng didn’t seem to be paying attention to her, so Yu Youqing stole a glance and noticed faint dark circles under her eyes. Clearly, she had been busy lately, cutting into her rest time.

Biting her lip, Yu Youqing hesitated but couldn’t resist looking again.

Jiang Musheng: “What’s wrong?”

How was she so sharp? Did she have eyes on the side of her head?

“You shouldn’t push yourself too hard, Teacher Jiang. You should rest more.” The words slipped out before Yu Youqing could stop herself, but she immediately realized she had no right to say such things. Hastily, she added, “Your fans all say that. Actually, I’m also your fan.”

Right! Wasn’t it normal for a fan to care about their idol?

“You’re right,” Jiang Musheng said calmly, glancing at Yu Youqing, whose thoughts were written all over her face. “Then I’ll cancel one thing and go home to rest tonight.”

Yu Youqing: “?” She choked.

When she’d voiced her concern, she never expected it to lead to this.

She got nervous when Jiang Musheng was at home!!!

Wasn’t this just shooting herself in the foot?

But she couldn’t say anything after all, the apartment technically belonged to Jiang Musheng.

Tearfully, Yu Youqing muttered, “That’s good.”

The faint curve at Jiang Musheng’s lips never faded, but Yu Youqing didn’t notice.

Soon, they arrived at the residential complex, and the car smoothly entered the underground garage. Privacy was guaranteed here, so Yu Youqing had already pulled her cap down.

Sigh. Should she talk to Jiang Musheng later or not?

After her awkward “That’s good,” Jiang Musheng hadn’t spoken to her again. Did she somehow figure out what Yu Youqing was thinking?

Yu Youqing panicked a little. She suddenly remembered one thing, no matter what, Jiang Musheng was still her landlord.

Yu Youqing had little real-life experience outside of playing spoiled, arrogant characters in dramas roles her former company had typecast her into.

As a tenant living with her landlord. uh, shouldn’t she at least make some conversation?

After much deliberation, Yu Youqing opened the car door and stepped out, only to realize Jiang Musheng wasn’t following. Puzzled, she turned back.

“Just teasing you. I’m not going up.” Jiang Musheng’s tone was light, clearly in a good mood. “Let me know if anything comes up at home.”

Her words made it sound like they were a married couple. Yu Youqing hesitated for a moment before tactfully responding, “Teacher Jiang, you’re so busy, I wouldn’t want to trouble you. Besides, nothing major would happen anyway.”

Jiang Musheng: “Shouldn’t tenants turn to their landlord when issues arise?”

Well, that certainly put things into perspective. Yu Youqing realized she might have overthought things and nodded humbly. “Understood, Teacher Jiang.”

Jiang Musheng chuckled. “No need to keep calling me ‘Teacher Jiang’ all the time. It sounds odd.”

But Yu Youqing noticed nearly everyone else addressed her that way. Still, she bit back the remark and nodded. “It’s hard to break the habit suddenly.”

“No rush. Take your time.” Jiang Musheng seemed ready to leave when Yu Youqing suddenly blurted out, “Teacher Jiang, oh, I mean, Jiang. no, Teacher Jiang! Aren’t you worried about ruining your health by pushing yourself so hard?”

“I know my limits. My health is fine for now.” Sensing Yu Youqing’s clumsy attempt at concern, Jiang Musheng smiled gently. “Working hard now means I can enjoy life properly later.”

After returning home, Yu Youqing couldn’t stop turning Jiang Musheng’s words over in her mind.

Something about them felt off. The sentiment seemed eerily similar to her own thoughts like Jiang Musheng was hinting at something.

“After this big job, I’ll retire and live my best life!”

No way. She must be reading too much into it.

If Jiang Musheng really left the industry, it would be a huge loss though Yu Youqing personally wouldn’t mind, given her own lack of achievements.

As something of a fan herself, imagining things from a fan’s perspective nearly brought her to tears at the thought of Jiang Musheng disappearing from the screen.

The following week brought little work just a few magazine photo shoots that wrapped up in half a day. She had no further interactions with Jiang Musheng either. When New Year’s Day arrived, Ye Miaoyi, who hadn’t spent the holiday with her family, dragged Yu Youqing out for hotpot instead.

Despite their long separation, their bond remained as strong as ever. Yu Youqing was thrilled to have Ye Miaoyi back in the country.

The next morning, Ye Miaoyi called.

“Good news and bad news which do you want first?” Her tone was strained. Knowing her well, Yu Youqing could tell she’d just finished venting her anger before calling.

Yu Youqing: “The good one.”

“Wind’s endorsement deal is finalized. That Liang Yitang who kept giving you trouble? The company rejected her.” Ye Miaoyi sounded almost vindictive. Yu Youqing simply hummed in acknowledgment, she’d expected as much then finished the thought herself. “So the bad news is I wasn’t chosen either?”

“You stole my line.” Ye Miaoyi’s frustration was clearly directed at her family. “Those idiots! They gave the endorsement to Cheng Shunzhu instead. I’m sorry, Qingqing. This should’ve been yours. It’s my fault for not having the influence to secure it.”

Truthfully, Yu Youqing wasn’t surprised by the outcome. But the dejection in Ye Miaoyi’s voice suggested deeper complications. Frowning, she asked, “Did you have a falling-out with your family?”

“There was never any falling out to begin with, we’ve never gotten along. You know how my family is. Even before I returned, they wanted to marry me off to some alpha for the family’s benefit,” Ye Miaoyi said with a self-deprecating smile. “Before I came back, my stake in Wind was split fifty-fifty with the family. Now they’ve given thirty percent to that adopted son, trying to sideline me and push me out of Wind.”

Yu Youqing was silent for a moment before asking, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t expect them to be this ruthless, to still treat me like this in the end. And I couldn’t bear to see my hard work destroyed like this.”

Yu Youqing understood what Ye Miaoyi meant.

Wind had been built from the ground up by Ye Miaoyi, but as a mid-sized independent brand, it was insignificant compared to the Ye family’s other ventures. The Ye family could easily dismantle it if they wanted.

The adopted son Ye Miaoyi mentioned was Ye Jibai.

The Ye family had little regard for daughters, and Ye Miaoyi’s mother, in poor health, had only given birth to her. Later, they adopted Ye Jibai as their son.

Yu Youqing asked, “What’s your plan now?”

“I’m cutting all ties with them!” Ye Miaoyi declared.

“Not just that. You should take everything you’re entitled to from the Ye family, don’t let Ye Jibai benefit from it,” Yu Youqing said with a light scoff. “Remember when I helped you beat him up as kids?”

“What should we do?” Ye Miaoyi immediately recalled the incident, then added after a pause.

Yu Youqing replied, “First, find you a lawyer, one who’s bold enough to stand up to the Ye family.”

“You’re right, but that’s easier said than done right now.” Ye Miaoyi hesitated awkwardly. “I don’t have enough money.”

Yu Youqing: “…”

Seriously? She hadn’t expected that to be the reason.

After hanging up, Yu Youqing couldn’t stay home any longer. She hurriedly arranged to meet Lin Xuqiao at the company. When Lin Xuqiao saw her in the office, she was surprised.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you in such a rush. What’s so urgent that you had to come here in person?”

Yu Youqing sat on the sofa, looking up at Lin Xuqiao seriously. “President Lin, can I meet the investor you mentioned, the one who wanted to back me?”

Lin Xuqiao raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“I want to ask him a question. If I were to beat someone up and get even more backlash, would he terminate my contract? And the penalties.” Yu Youqing trailed off.

Lin Xuqiao stared at her in shock, already pulling out her phone to type a message. “Beat someone? You? Who?”

“It’s just a hypothetical. I just have some unfinished business with that person.” Yu Youqing quickly weighed her options, aware that Lin Xuqiao might even know him, these elite circles were all interconnected so she didn’t hide it. “It’s Ye Jibai from the Ye family.”

“Oh, Young Master Ye.” Lin Xuqiao’s expression barely flickered, showing no surprise. She swiftly typed out Yu Youqing’s words and sent them, then glanced at the urgent reply that came through. Without missing a beat, she asked, “Did he cause trouble for you, or was it during that last dinner?”

“No.” Yu Youqing knew what Lin Xuqiao was thinking. Now aware that Lin Xuqiao was a good boss who actually worried about her being subjected to casting couch practices, she simply shook her head and said, “Personal grudge.”

Lin Xuqiao: “Then let me ask for you.”

After a while, Lin Xuqiao looked up with a bright smile: “Your investor says—”

Hmm?

“Thank you for ridding the world of scum. She’s willing to give you a raise.”

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