The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 26

“I—I wiped my hands.”

After blurting this out, Yu Youqing belatedly held her breath: “!!!”

Wasn’t this basically admitting it outright?!

Wait a minute!

Jiang Musheng didn’t seem to be blaming her, did she?

Yu Youqing finally snapped out of it. “Ms. Jiang, you’ve dealt with President Ye before too?”

“Mhm, his behavior isn’t exactly a secret.”

Yu Youqing’s voice suddenly rose. “He wasn’t trying to coerce you, was he?! Then punching him once and slapping him wasn’t enough!”

“He doesn’t have that capability.” Jiang Musheng couldn’t help but chuckle, the exhaustion from a long day fading at Yu Youqing’s tone. “Not enough?”

“Yeah, that scumbag bullied my best friend before. I beat him up just like I did today.” Now that Jiang Musheng already knew, Yu Youqing saw no reason to hide it.

Tonight, Ye Miaoyi was dealing with the Ye family, so there was no time for a long chat. The only other person who knew about this was Liang Yitang, and Yu Youqing certainly wasn’t going to confide in her.

Even in the past, she had always acted within the persona her company crafted for her. She had never done something so reckless before, and honestly, she felt exhilarated.

Jiang Musheng’s call had come at an oddly perfect time. Her tone was gentle, and she didn’t seem in a hurry to hang up, which gave Yu Youqing an unexpected urge to open up.

As she took out the ointment and set her phone on speaker, she asked, “Ms. Jiang, you don’t seem the least bit upset that I hit someone?”

Jiang Musheng replied, “Why would I blame you? I just wanted to say you don’t have to act so hastily next time.”

“Huh?”

“If you need help, you can tell me directly. Wouldn’t it be better to have a professional handle it rather than doing it yourself?”

The way Jiang Musheng said it sounded so indulgent.

Yu Youqing couldn’t help but smile. “You really believe in me that much? But the comments all say it couldn’t possibly be me, no one would believe someone who used to be so immature would suddenly do something so righteous.”

Jiang Musheng said calmly, “But I believed you.”

Yu Youqing’s hand stilled.

Jiang Musheng seemed to be telling her that she didn’t need to dwell on the past.

Was she comforting her?

“There’s just one thing I want to ask,” Jiang Musheng continued. “Since you stood up for Liang Yitang, you might make a lot of enemies. Are you really okay with that?”

Yu Youqing replied, “I didn’t do it for Liang Yitang, I did it for my best friend. It’s a bit complicated but it definitely wasn’t for Liang Yitang! She was just incidental.”

After a pause, Jiang Musheng chuckled softly, as if relieved.

Yu Youqing asked, “Was that why you called me?”

“Mhm. I won’t be back tonight, so I called to make sure you were safe carrying things alone.” Jiang Musheng’s voice was gentle. “It’s late. Get some rest. Nothing will happen.”

Ahh, Ms. Jiang really was the most considerate landlord ever.

After hanging up, Yu Youqing carefully applied the ointment and went to bed in high spirits.

The next morning, she was jolted awake by a barrage of calls.

“Was that you in last night’s video, sis?!!”

Yu Youqing rubbed her ears and moved the phone a few centimeters away. “You woke me up from my dream just for this?”

“Just for this? This is a big deal! Why would you stand up for Liang Yitang?” Tiantian was utterly baffled.

Yu Youqing replied lazily, “You must have mistaken someone else for me.” She glanced at her phone after a whole night, the videos and gossip accounts had long disappeared. According to her plan with Ye Miaoyi, if there was no news exposure by the next morning, it meant Ye Miaoyi had successfully negotiated with the Ye family and secured Wind in exchange for Ye Jibai.

Tiantian pressed, “You’re still hiding it from me? You’re the artist I manage, how could I not recognize you? Even though the video’s gone, I know it was you! Even if it’s been suppressed, all the entertainment companies are discussing it internally. And that was definitely Liang Yitang, I wouldn’t mistake her. She’s always had it out for you.”

Yu Youqing said, “As long as the matter is resolved now, that’s all that matters. Did I cause any trouble for the company?”

“Of course not! I just wish you’d told me so I could’ve helped you! This morning, I even saw people saying the person in the video must be your best friend, how ridiculous!” Only when Yu Youqing yawned on the other end did Tiantian finally remember the main point. “Remember when we signed the contract? We talked about building an alpha persona for you. Before the video was deleted, it was trending hard. A lot of people said that punch looked totally alpha.”

Yu Youqing thought to herself: Nah, I just had practice, I’ve thrown a punch like that before.

Tiantian continued excitedly, “Originally, while shaping your image, we wanted you on that dating show from Orange Platform, but your popularity wasn’t high enough, so negotiations stalled. But this morning, Orange Platform reached out, it’s a done deal!”

Yu Youqing asked, “But the video didn’t confirm it was me. Was the hype enough?”

“No, the director told me a senior artist recommended you, so you made it onto the guest list.”

Yu Youqing nodded casually. “Director Lin is really looking out for me, huh? Must’ve been tough securing this resource for me.”

Tiantian hesitated.

Truthfully, she doubted it was Director Lin who recommended Yu Youqing, but she had no clue who else it could be. From what she’d observed, Yu Youqing didn’t seem to have any friends in the industry.

The only “senior” she could think of was Teacher Li Rongcheng, whom Yu Youqing had offended years ago. They’d recently worked together on a variety show, but even then, Li Rongcheng hadn’t been particularly warm toward her.

But the “who” didn’t matter.

“What matters is we got the opportunity! Youqing, you have to make the most of this!” Tiantian’s voice brimmed with genuine excitement. “Treat it like you’re going there to fall in love or something.”

Yu Youqing asked, “Who else is on the show?”

“It’s confidential, the guests won’t be announced until the first episode airs. They say it’s for the purest show effect, and there might even be ordinary participants.” Tiantian chuckled. “But let’s be real, how could they actually be ordinary? Their backgrounds must be impressive. Orange TV isn’t kind enough to promote complete unknowns.”

“In three days, your first recording will take place in Songcheng,” Tiantian added. “Songcheng is your hometown, right, Youqing? I checked, half the filming will be there.”

Several seconds passed with no response.

Tiantian almost thought Yu Youqing had fallen asleep when she finally heard a soft “Mm.”

Her tone didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic.

Only then did Tiantian belatedly realize she had never heard Youqing mention her family.

Feeling guilty, she worried she might have inadvertently touched on a painful subject. She quickly changed the topic, mentioned she’d pick Yu Youqing up in three days, and hung up.

If Yu Youqing’s predictions were correct, these three days would likely be her last stretch of free time.

Given Orange TV’s influence, once the dating show aired whether the reception was positive or negative the flood of attention would come with a rapid rise in her popularity. Work opportunities would only multiply from there.

She was returning to Songcheng, yet she felt no sense of homecoming.

After all,  that place could hardly be called home.

Yu Youqing smirked self-deprecatingly and tossed her phone aside.

For the next three days, she lazed around at home, eating and sleeping in blissful idleness. In her spare moments, she chatted with Ye Miaoyi, who assured her everything was progressing smoothly. By next month at the latest, Wind would officially be back in Ye Miaoyi’s hands.

As for Ye Jibai, who had suffered such a humiliating loss, he could do nothing but swallow his anger. Rumor had it he’d even been severely reprimanded at home.

Both Ye Miaoyi and Yu Youqing found this deeply satisfying.

Ye Miaoyi apologized profusely: “I owe you big time for this, Qingqing. You’ve been too good to me. The only way I can repay you is by offering myself up!!”

Yu Youqing laughed. “Get lost.”

Pulling this off hadn’t been cheap.

Between greasing palms and hiring a top-notch lawyer for negotiations with the Ye family to strengthen their position, expenses had piled up.

With Ye Miaoyi’s accounts maliciously frozen by her family, Yu Youqing had gallantly fronted the money thankfully, her recent drama earnings had already been deposited.

By the end of it, her bank account was completely drained.

Not one for emotional displays, Ye Miaoyi insisted on drafting an IOU, but Yu Youqing waved it off with a smile.

“Just boost Wind’s market value and sign me at top-tier rates later. This money will be nothing then,” Yu Youqing said.

“Absolutely! I won’t forget that,” Ye Miaoyi joked. “If you won’t take me as payment, at least let me set you up. It’s lonely going it alone.”

Yu Youqing scoffed. “No need. You know I’m joining a dating show, right? Maybe I’ll find true love there.”

Knowing Yu Youqing was joking, Ye Miaoyi also burst out laughing: “Oh, come on! Even though they say there’s no script, at the end of the day, you’re just going on a dating show. If you get too emotionally invested, you lose.”

Yu Youqing said, “Yeah. As long as it pays the bills.”

It was just a job, after all.

Who would her next co-star be?

–

“Ten-Second Heartbeat” was a dating reality show produced by Orange TV, featuring six guests who would live and complete tasks together for three months at various locations arranged by the program.

Amid the flood of dating shows, “Ten-Second Heartbeat” stood out not just because of its major platform backing, but due to its innovative twist two special identity cards among the six participants:

One was the Hunter, and the other was the Free Agent.

These two guests’ identities would remain hidden, known only to themselves. Naturally, as special roles, they would have unique missions.

Like most variety shows, this one adopted a live-streaming format. If there were team tasks, separate live rooms would be created, allowing fans to switch freely. In the evening after recording, the official edited version would be released.

As for the guests, insiders claimed they would either be ordinary people or lesser-known celebrities, as Orange TV wanted to keep things unpredictable.

Three days later, Yu Youqing landed in Songcheng.

A chauffeur-driven van was waiting outside. The driver, a friendly local, chatted enthusiastically: “Going to Jingyuan World City? Oh, in Gushan New District? I know that area like the back of my hand, I’ll take the fastest route! Did you know? It was only recently renamed Gushan New District. Before, it was called—”

“Wandong District,” Yu Youqing nodded calmly. “I’m a local.”

“Oh wow, a local! Huh, you look really familiar.” The driver glanced in the rearview mirror and scratched his nose sheepishly. “Sorry, this is my first time driving a celebrity, so I got a little excited.”

Yu Youqing replied, “No worries.”

As familiar scenery flashed by, she fell silent.

Aside from work obligations, she hadn’t been back in a long time. The familiarity now carried a tinge of strangeness.

She closed her eyes, no longer looking.

Forty minutes later, Yu Youqing arrived at the filming location designated by the production team.

The show’s director, Zhao Yang, a middle-aged man in his forties, was waiting outside in person. He extended his hand with a smile: “Welcome, Youqing. First time working together.”

Yu Youqing shook his hand with a smile. “Has filming started yet?”

The guests’ first gathering was in a nearby villa prearranged by the crew. Zhao Yang pointed and said, “Not yet. I’m waiting for everyone here. Once you step through that gate, recording begins.”

Yu Youqing nodded.

As the director stayed behind, a woman with black-framed glasses approached and nodded at her. “Xiao Yu, I’m Wan Fang, the assistant director. You can call me Fang-jie. I’ll take you over now, follow me.”

Yu Youqing nodded obediently again.

This area was already on the edge of the new district, adjacent to the sprawling forest park. Naturally, the prime locations were surrounded by affluent villa communities. Jingyuan World City was the landmark development of the new district, requiring a short walk to enter its grounds.

What made it unique was that the bustling, modern commercial hub of World City stood at the forefront. But if one turned left from the nearby driving school registration point and walked about three hundred meters, the view would suddenly open up to reveal the quieter, more elegant rear section of the villa area.

Without the production crew’s guidance, other guests would undoubtedly get lost.

Noticing Yu Youqing’s composed demeanor without a trace of confusion, Sister Fang smiled and remarked, “You seem quite familiar with this place?”

Yu Youqing replied, “I’ve just been here before.” Not exactly familiar just that the memories were particularly vivid.

Yet Yu Youqing appeared to know every turn and exit instinctively, as if it were second nature.

Sister Fang gave her a curious look but ultimately said nothing more.

“We’re here. You can enter from here, it’s Building A7.”

Yu Youqing: “Thank you, Sister Fang.”

She carried her suitcase toward the designated building.

Meanwhile, the live stream on Orange Video had already been running for over ten minutes.

The villa’s courtyard was spacious, clearly handpicked by the production team. The garden even featured a glass greenhouse, showing signs of meticulous care. As she pushed open the door to the living room, a camera suddenly flashed in her direction, capturing her image with a “click.”

Yu Youqing blinked at the unexpected burst of light.

The camera lowered, revealing the slightly surprised face of a young woman behind it. Her handling of the camera was skilled, indicating she was the first guest to arrive.

Her shot had been spontaneous, not intentional. Realizing she had startled Yu Youqing, she immediately apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t expect you to arrive so suddenly.”

Her demeanor was gentle, with no fluctuations of pheromones, she was a beta.

“Hello, I’m Wei Xi.”

“It’s fine.” Yu Youqing nodded. “I know of you. Your work is impressive.”

This was their first meeting, but Yu Youqing had heard of Wei Xi before. A freelance photographer renowned for her exceptional portrait work, Wei Xi had gained broader recognition the previous year after winning an award for a series of documentary photos, marking her transition into a new phase of her career.

Her striking appearance had also sparked considerable discussion.

However, the moment Yu Youqing appeared on screen, the live chat erupted.

[Why her??]

[Ugh, I was wondering the same thing! The moment Yu Youqing shows up on a variety show, I automatically assume it’s for clout!]

[I was in a good mood seeing Wei Xi, but now,  it’s ruined.]

[Em… honestly, I had high hopes for this show, but now I feel like Yu Youqing’s just going to leech off everyone else here.]

[Come on, that’s too harsh. Did you see that video from the other day? Some people thought it might be Yu Youqing maybe there’s some misunderstanding.]

[Ugh, fine. Now that you mention it, I bet it was all staged by her team just for this show.]

[I actually started to think it might be her and felt a tiny bit of goodwill, but nope, it’s gone now lol.]

[This is just gross. What’s she even doing here? Feel bad for the other guests.]

[“Beauty is one of a kind, and so is the scandalous reputation.”]

[“No way, no way, do people actually believe Yu Youqing has changed for the better? Where are your brains, entertainment fans? [dog emoji]”]

[“LOL, I heard Yu Youqing was in talks for Wind’s endorsement, but guess what? It went to Cheng Shunzhu instead.”]

[“I watched Cheng Shunzhu and Yu Youqing’s livestream. They seemed to get along well, and during the stream, Yu Youqing called Jiang Musheng, who picked up instantly!!”]

[“Please, casual fans, use your brains before speaking. Don’t drag our Sheng Sheng’s name into the same sentence as Yu Youqing, okay?? Don’t mistake Jiang’s politeness for an opportunity to stir up drama.”]

Yu Youqing had no idea the fans were tearing each other apart in the comments.

After greeting Wei Xi, she sat on the living room sofa to wait for the other guests. Wei Xi was busy reviewing photos on her camera, and since neither was particularly familiar with the other, they didn’t force small talk, leaving the room in silence.

Until the next person pushed open the door.

Yu Youqing heard a slightly surprised voice: “Oh, it’s you.”

She looked up and was met with an eye-catching head of fiery red curls, framing the owner’s snow-white skin.

“Hello, I’m Xu Liyu,” Xu Liyu said with a smile, revealing a pair of playful little fangs.

Yu Youqing caught a hint of teasing in Xu Liyu’s eyes, reminding her of that awkward moment at the bar. But she knew cameras were rolling, and she couldn’t afford to lose her composure. She nodded in return. “Hello, I’m Yu Youqing.”

Could Xu Liyu be the civilian participant on this show?

Xu Liyu then greeted Wei Xi, and soon after, two more figures, a man and a woman appeared at the door.

Both were carrying luggage. The woman had her hair in a high ponytail and stood at least 176 cm tall. Despite the winter chill, she seemed unfazed, dressed in a retro-style dress with bold, commanding lipstick. She didn’t hesitate in the slightest upon seeing the group, introducing herself confidently as Ji Fuzao, a former professional skier now transitioning into entertainment.

Yu Youqing hadn’t followed such news before, so she didn’t recognize Ji Fuzao, but she did know the male omega beside her.

The moment he entered, Cheng Shunzhu’s eyes locked onto Yu Youqing. Abandoning his suitcase, he bounded over excitedly. “Sis! You’re on this show too? That’s awesome!”

After the livestream incident and their subsequent dinner, Cheng Shunzhu had grown to admire Yu Youqing’s maturity and steadiness, she really felt like an older sister. He knew full well that if it had been anyone else, they’d have written him off as a clout-chaser who stole endorsements. But Yu Youqing hadn’t. She’d even been willing to stay friends.

Though new to the industry, Cheng Shunzhu had already seen his share of drama, making Yu Youqing’s sincerity all the more precious to him. She was nothing like the rumors painted her difficult and unapproachable. On the contrary, she was the easiest person to get along with.

With five people now in the living room, the atmosphere grew livelier. But after the introductions, the unfamiliarity between them quickly turned the air stiff.

Cheng Shunzhu rubbed his nose and glanced around. “Huh,  we’re still missing one person. Wait, am I the only guy here?”

“You’ve got it wrong. You’re the only male omega here,” Xu Liyu interjected, pointing to herself and Ji Fuzao. “Apart from us two alphas, it’s just you and Yu Youqing who are omegas.”

Wei Xi was a beta.

This was a dating show, and by default, the usual pairing was alpha and omega. Without considering other factors, two potential couples could already be formed here.

As for betas, they could pair with anyone.

The sole male omega scratched his head with a slightly troubled yet bashful expression and said, “Actually, I prefer gentle omega girls myself.”

Yu Youqing chimed in, “Don’t worry, maybe the next person to arrive will also be an omega.”

No sooner had she spoken than someone walked through the door, carrying a suitcase.

Yu Youqing happened to have her back to the door. She hadn’t seen who had arrived yet, but she noticed the stunned and astonished expressions on everyone’s faces who could see the entrance.

Especially Cheng Shunzhu, his lips moved slightly as he barely managed to find his voice. “J-Jiang, Teacher Jiang?!”

Yu Youqing’s heart skipped a heavy beat, and she whipped her head around.

Ji Fu and Wei Xi were also frozen in shock, unable to contain their excitement at seeing such a big star. “Oh my god, it really is Teacher Jiang!”

The sunlight outside had broken through, casting a golden, warm glow on the ends of the newcomer’s hair as they stood in the doorway.

Jiang Musheng walked in and stopped right beside her, asking, “Am I late?”

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