The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 35

Yu Youqing’s first instinct was to refuse.

At this critical moment, having Jiang Musheng step forward to clarify would only invite a storm of criticism from netizens. Right now, fans were hyper-focused on the numerous coincidental interactions between Jiang Musheng and Yu Youqing, making it even more inappropriate for Jiang Musheng to get involved.

All she needed to do was maintain her distance from Jiang Musheng in future episodes that would resolve the issue. Yu Youqing didn’t think it was a big deal.

Yu Youqing: [No, it’s better to let this matter cool down for now. Please have the company suppress the negative comments and prevent the topic from gaining more traction. I’ll keep my distance from Teacher Jiang during the next recordings the fans’ anger will blow over soon.]

She put away her phone.

The incident had happened suddenly, and Jiang Musheng was probably already asleep by now. When she had swapped the sandwiches for Jiang Musheng, she hadn’t intended to broadcast her goodwill to the world, so Yu Youqing saw no need to make a big deal out of it.

Today, she and Jiang Musheng had mutually chosen each other, which meant they were supposed to go on a solo date tomorrow.

But after this incident, Yu Youqing knew it couldn’t happen. She needed to talk to the production team about changing the schedule she couldn’t be paired with Jiang Musheng again.

The next morning, Yu Youqing got up early to find the production team.

[Finally, after staying up all night, the livestream is back!]

[I barely slept last night, and the first thing I see when the stream starts is Yu Youqing not a great mood, folks.]

[Why couldn’t I open my eyes to Teacher Jiang instead?]

[Did no one see Yu Youqing’s post last night? It annoyed me so much, ShengSheng, stay away from this woman!!!]

[It’s so early,  how is Yu Youqing up already? How can she even sleep?]

[Gotta admit, her bare-faced look is enviable. Say what you will, but her visuals are flawless.]

[Why can’t she just stick to being a pretty face?]

[After last night’s mutual selection, are Yu Youqing and Teacher Jiang going on a date today?]

[Just thinking about it makes me suffocate. My heart aches for our ShengSheng.]

[Only our ShengSheng is this patient. Yu Youqing must be over the moon getting up this early, another day to leech off Teacher Jiang.]

Director Zhao waved when he saw Yu Youqing. “Perfect timing, Xiaoyu. Did you and Musheng decide where you want to go today? If not, the production team will arrange something for you.”

Yu Youqing said, “Director Zhao, I can’t go out with Teacher Jiang today.”

The moment those words left her mouth, the live chat exploded with question marks.

She stepped out of camera range, turned off her mic, and explained the situation with the fans’ reactions from the night before to the director. Apologetically, she added, “There’s already enough awkwardness between Teacher Jiang and me, you know that, Director. I don’t mind, but I don’t want to affect Teacher Jiang.”

The director thought for a moment before responding, “If you and Musheng can come to an agreement, your solo date today can be canceled. Xiaoyu, it’s true that there’s a lot of controversy surrounding you and Musheng, but since you’re both on the same variety show, no matter how much you try to avoid each other, there will still be interactions. Don’t pay too much attention to the online noise.”

Yu Youqing lowered her head. “There’s no possibility between Teacher Jiang and me, and I don’t want to waste her time.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed the director staring past her in surprise, speechless.

Yu Youqing turned around to find Jiang Musheng had come downstairs at some point. She wasn’t sure if Jiang had heard her earlier words, and instantly felt guilty. Quickly turning her microphone back on, she greeted Jiang in front of the camera: “Teacher Jiang, you’re up so early?”

The director mouthed to Yu Youqing: “You tell her yourself.”

Jiang Musheng looked at Yu Youqing standing before her. The young woman had faint dark circles under her eyes, clear evidence of a poor night’s rest.

While Yu Youqing was still struggling to find an excuse to cancel today’s date with Jiang Musheng, Jiang asked, “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Yeah,” Yu Youqing replied, conveniently yawning right then.

Jiang Musheng said, “Then get some extra sleep today, alright?”

“Okay.” She hadn’t expected it to be this easy.

Jiang Musheng gave a quiet hum. “Go upstairs and rest for a while.”

Yu Youqing blinked, inexplicably sensing something off about Jiang’s mood.

After taking two steps toward the stairs, she noticed Jiang Musheng standing motionless in the living room, lost in thought. Yu Youqing climbed two steps slowly.

Jiang Musheng looked up. “Have you eaten breakfast? If not, have some before resting.”

The director immediately caught on. “Right, right! I completely forgot we’ve already ordered breakfast. Eat first before sleeping, it’s bad for your stomach otherwise.”

Yu Youqing quickly turned back. The director’s words gave her a reason to stay. She obediently sat down on the sofa.

The crew went to wake the others. Cheng Shunzhu and Wei Xi came down together. Seeing Jiang Musheng and Yu Youqing in the living room, Wei Xi pulled Cheng Shunzhu to sit on the opposite sofa when he tried to sit next to Yu Youqing.

Cheng Shunzhu: “What? I want to sit by my sister.”

Wei Xi blinked at him meaningfully. “Xiaoyu, where are you two going on your date today?”

Cheng Shunzhu: “Huh? Date? Then yesterday’s mutual selection.” Finally catching on, he slightly parted his lips but stayed silent.

If asked, he’d only regret his earlier obliviousness.

Yu Youqing said, “We’re not going out today. I’ll rest upstairs after breakfast.”

Wei Xi glanced between Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng, sensing some undercurrent between them.

Jiang Musheng stood up. “I’m going up to change.”

As she went upstairs, Ji Fu and Xu Liyu came down.

Without Jiang Musheng present, the atmosphere noticeably lightened. Ji Fu smiled and asked, “Yu Yu, did you get up so early for your date with Teacher Jiang? How serious.”

Yu Youqing had to repeat, “No, we don’t have that planned today.”

Xu Liyu gave Yu Youqing a look.

Just as Ji Fuwas about to press further, Wei Xi quickly interjected, “Alright, breakfast time! I’m starving.”

Yu Youqing glanced upstairs no one had come down yet.

Cheng Shunzhu, noticing her gaze, tentatively offered, “Should I go call Teacher Jiang?”

“.No need.” That would be too obvious. Yu Youqing shook her head and took her breakfast back to her room. She made sure to check the ingredients in the director’s ordered meal, confirming there were none of Jiang Musheng’s allergens before leaving.

Ji Fu asked, “What’s going on? Did Xiaoyu and Teacher Jiang have a fight? They seemed fine yesterday.”

“No idea. Last night Xiaoyu went out to chat with Teacher Jiang and seemed perfectly normal when she returned,” Wei Xi shook her head, recalling Yu Youqing’s strange question from the previous night. “But after coming back, she asked me the weirdest thing whether the cats in the courtyard were afraid of light.”

Ji Fu: “?”

Cheng Shunzhu interjected, “Shh,  stop talking. Teacher Jiang is coming downstairs.”

The group immediately fell silent as Jiang Musheng descended. She glanced at the breakfast prepared by the production team, noticing there were still sandwiches but unlike yesterday, Yu Youqing wasn’t there to hand them out.

Xu Liyu said, “Eat something. Why are you leaving again so soon after coming down?” She handed Jiang Musheng a bowl of porridge. Just as Jiang Musheng was about to decline, Xu Liyu added, “I saw Xiaoyu take the same thing earlier. It must taste pretty good.”

Jiang Musheng’s hand paused mid-air for half a second before accepting it.

Xu Liyu scoffed, “Look at you.”

Yu Youqing had actually gone back to sleep. She hadn’t slept well the night before. After having breakfast, she slept soundly all morning. When she came downstairs, the living room was empty.

A staff member informed her that the others who hadn’t completed their mutual selections had gone to the sports stadium for daytime activities. They hadn’t disturbed her or Jiang Musheng since both were still asleep. Yu Youqing nodded and decided to take a walk outside.

But wait! Jiang Musheng hadn’t gone out either? Yu Youqing had assumed Xu Liyu would drag Jiang Musheng along.

She glanced at Jiang Musheng’s tightly shut door and dismissed the thought of knocking, she was probably still asleep.

Having skipped lunch, Yu Youqing bought a bag of bread from the same bakery she visited yesterday and nibbled on it as she walked.

The layout of the villa area hadn’t changed much, so even someone with a poor sense of direction like Yu Youqing wouldn’t get lost. She wandered aimlessly, strolling alone through the vast villa complex, which made her seem a little lonely.

[Ugh, the stuff happening at the stadium is way funnier.]

[Then why are you here watching Yu Youqing? Even funnier.]

[I’m here to see the contrast, how pitiful Yu Youqing looks.]

[Honestly, watching her eat a piece of bread alone while wandering around makes me feel like the distance between celebrities and us has shrunk. She seems just like a regular person.]

[Comparison really is cruel. I actually feel a little sorry for her? Am I crazy????]

[Did she cancel her date with Teacher Jiang today because she found out about last night’s post? The buzz had already died down by this morning.]

[But Teacher Jiang hasn’t left her room all day. Has she even eaten?]

[Is Teacher Jiang upset?]

[Maybe she’s just not used to filming variety shows.]

[Hey, why is Yu Youqing turning back?]

Yu Youqing had already walked some distance from the convenience store when she suddenly turned around as if remembering something. After grabbing another bag of bread inside, the cashier the same one from yesterday, smiled and said, “Eating this stuff every day? That’s not very healthy.”

“Ah, you’re right,” Yu Youqing smacked her forehead.

It was fine if she ate carelessly, but she couldn’t expect Jiang Musheng to do the same.

After some thought, Yu Youqing decided to buy a small bag of dried noodles instead and headed back with them.

She quickly returned to the villa, where everything remained just as she had left it, no one else had come back yet. Yu Youqing went straight to the kitchen, retrieving the ingredients she needed from the fridge.

She blanched the greens, fried an egg, and chopped some scallions. In another pot, she boiled water for the noodles, then cooled them under running water.

Her movements were practiced and effortless, as if she had done this countless times before. Soon, the rich aroma from the kitchen filled the entire living room, even making the director swallow hard in anticipation.

Just as Yu Youqing was plating the noodles, Jiang Musheng happened to come downstairs into the living room.

“Teacher Jiang,” Yu Youqing set down her ladle and greeted her, “Would you like some noodles? I made a bit too much and can’t finish it all.”

The smell was too tempting to refuse. Jiang Musheng obediently walked into the kitchen to help, but Yu Youqing quickly said, “Just sit down, I’ll bring it to you.”

Jiang Musheng sat back down.

Yu Youqing divided the noodles into two portions, hers served in a much smaller bowl.

Jiang Musheng inhaled the scent and, without hesitation, picked up her chopsticks.

For such a simple bowl of dried noodles, the flavor was unexpectedly rich. Jiang Musheng, who hadn’t eaten anything since noon, felt her stomach warm and satisfied by the broth. But when she noticed how much smaller Yu Youqing’s portion was and how she was barely touching it, eating one strand at a time, she frowned.

“Is that enough for you?”

“It’s enough,” Yu Youqing replied. She had already filled up on bread outside but didn’t want Jiang Musheng to think she had cooked the noodles just for her. Smiling, she added, “I don’t eat much, I gain weight easily.”

Jiang Musheng frowned. “Not replenishing calories in winter will leave you cold.”

Yu Youqing’s gaze darted away as she mumbled, “Is that enough for you? There’s still a little left in the pot if you’re still hungry.”

“Thank you, but I’m full. My bowl is twice the size of yours,” Jiang Musheng said gratefully, no longer caring about appearances as she finished the noodles.

[!!!!!!]

[OMG, I thought Yu Youqing went back for something else, turns out it was to buy noodles for Musheng!]

[Apologies, but I’m dropping my hate for one second,  my inexplicable liking for her just increased.]

[I’m genuinely curious is Yu Youqing’s cooking really that good?]

[She actually noticed Jiang Musheng hadn’t eaten that’s pretty thoughtful.]

[Did Yu Youqing stay and eat just so Jiang Musheng wouldn’t feel lonely???]

[This, this is kinda unexpectedly making me like her a bit.]

Just then, the others returned.

After an afternoon of physical activities, they were completely drained. The moment they stepped inside, the scent of food hit them, and their eyes lit up instantly.

“Xiaoyu, giving Musheng special treatment?” Xu Liyu glanced at Jiang Musheng’s empty bowl and teased Yu Youqing, “You’re way too biased.”

“Yeah, yeah! We want some too!” Cheng Shunzhu chimed in. “If I’d known we could’ve had your cooking today, I would’ve convinced everyone to leave later!”

Yu Youqing’s culinary skills had already earned her fame among them the day before. Even a simple bowl of noodles was enough to make their mouths water.

“It’s not like that, it was just a coincidence. Teacher Jiang and I slept in until noon, and she hadn’t eaten yet,” Yu Youqing hurriedly explained, not wanting any misunderstandings. “Do you all want some?”

The others shook their heads in unison.

Cheng Shunzhu was about to nod, but then he suddenly caught Jiang Musheng’s gaze looking up at him and thought it better to shake his head instead.

“No need, we’ll eat together tonight. Not now.” Xu Liyu glanced meaningfully at Jiang Musheng’s expression. “Suddenly, I think staying home for a date sounds pretty good. Sports activities aren’t really my thing way too exhausting.”

While Yu Youqing wasn’t paying attention, Jiang Musheng quietly took the bowls to the kitchen to clean up.

Yu Youqing: “!”

Teacher Jiang, you shouldn’t! How could we let you wash the dishes?

But just as she was about to rush over and snatch the bowls away, Xu Liyu pulled her back, insisting she stay in the living room to chat with everyone.

Xu Liyu stared at her. “Why do I feel like you’re especially attentive toward Musheng?”

“Am I?” Yu Youqing averted her gaze from the kitchen, masking her nervousness. “I care about all of you equally.”

“Then why didn’t you ask me out today? You even gave me the heart-fluttering message yesterday, I thought you’d choose me.” Xu Liyu pretended to be hurt, running a hand through her glamorous hair. Sitting beside Yu Youqing on the couch, she leaned in slightly as she spoke, conveniently blocking the view of Jiang Musheng.

Earlier, the director had mentioned that Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng had mutually canceled their date for the day.

How odd.

Yu Youqing said, “Director Xu, stop teasing me!”

“Pfft.” Xu Liyu burst out laughing, relaxed. “You’re so easy to fluster! It’s like you’ve never dated before. Before I met you, I saw all those wild rumors online about you being a player, but now it’s clear they were just baseless gossip.”

“Is that strange?” Yu Youqing touched her face, too embarrassed to admit on camera that she’d never been in a relationship.

“Very strange!” Wei Xi chimed in. “You have this face that looks like you’d be a total flirt like you’ve dated a ton of people. You just give off the vibe of someone who’d have a lot of suitors.”

“No one’s pursuing you?” Cheng Shunzhu joined in. “Are they blind? I’d pay for their glasses myself. If I weren’t into alphas, I’d definitely chase after you.”

“Enough joking.” Yu Youqing tried to steal a glance at Jiang Musheng’s situation during the conversation but found her line of sight completely blocked by Xu Liyu.

Xu Liyu smiled at her knowingly.

Yu Youqing: “…” Why did Xu Liyu remind her so much of a fox?

Clearly, the others were in the mood to chat longer in the living room, but the production team outside prompted them to discuss their initial pairing thoughts.

“Speak freely?” Ji Fu glanced at the staff’s cue. “Who do you feel most inclined to go on a date with at this stage?”

Yu Youqing: “How can you ask that when everyone’s right here?”

Xu Liyu raised her hand. “Then let’s have two people go help in the kitchen give you all some space to talk.”

Cheng Shunzhu had been eager to stay and listen to the gossip, but since Xu Liyu pointed at him to follow, he reluctantly trailed after her.

Ji Fu had already asked Yu Youqing, “I heard from Xiao Xi that you had a half-hour chat with Teacher Jiang last night. What happened? Did it not go well, so you didn’t even want to go on a date with her this morning?”

Yu Youqing shook her head. “No, Teacher Jiang is very considerate. But we’re not that familiar yet, so when we’re alone together, I don’t even know what to talk about. It just gets a little awkward.”

If it weren’t awkward, she wouldn’t have even blurted out something like being afraid of the dark in front of a cat.

“If you ask me, I think you and Teacher Jiang are a great match,” Wei Xi chimed in. She had also seen the posts online and guessed that Yu Youqing’s sudden decision to cancel the date was probably because of that. “It’s such a shame to cancel the date. Don’t you want to seize the rare chance to spend time with Teacher Jiang?”

Yu Youqing noticed that the conversation kept circling back to her and Jiang Musheng, so she redirected, “What about you two? After playing together at the sports center, who caught your eye more?”

Ji Fuand Wei Xi exchanged a glance before Wei Xi averted her eyes.

“We just thought it was a pity you and Teacher Jiang didn’t come. It was really fun,” Ji Fu said vaguely, coughing lightly before adding, “I asked the director, and if you two hadn’t slept in today, they were planning to send you to an amusement park.”

Great, the topic was back to her and Jiang Musheng again.

Yu Youqing sighed, realizing there was no escape.

Wei Xi said, “Today’s the day we get our identity cards.”

“Right, I almost forgot about that,” Ji Fu mused. “I wonder who’ll draw the Hunter card. If it’s me, I’d definitely be found out immediately.”

Ten Seconds of Love stood out in the oversaturated dating show market, gaining immense popularity even before airing, despite not revealing the cast thanks to its unique twist.

The show incorporated elements of Werewolf, adding the roles of Hunter and Free Agent alongside the regular contestants. As the name suggested, the Hunter had to successfully “hunt” all the other contestants by completing missions assigned by the show. The Free Agent, on the other hand, could take a more relaxed approach, though they would still receive tasks.

Those who drew these special roles couldn’t reveal their identities, or they’d face penalties and have to redraw.

“What about you, Xiaoyu? If you got a special role, would you tell us?”

“I’m a terrible actress, isn’t that public knowledge? If I had a special role, you’d all figure it out without me saying a word,” Yu Youqing joked, well-versed in self-deprecation. “Honestly, I’d prefer to be the Free Agent.”

“Isn’t the Free Agent just a glorified shipper? That’s not enough, you should be the one in the ship.”

“Well, the Free Agent can pair up with anyone they want, right? In the end, the hardest role is the Hunter. They have to win everyone’s affection but can’t actually end up with anyone.” Ji Fu shook her head. “The production team is downright cruel.”

“It won’t be me,” Yu Youqing said confidently. She didn’t think her luck was that bad.

Ji Fu smirked. “What if Teacher Jiang is the Hunter?”

“With Teacher Jiang’s acting skills, there’s no way we’d be able to tell,” Yu Youqing, who was quite familiar with Jiang Musheng’s acting abilities, instinctively responded. “If she were the hunter, everyone else would have no choice but to surrender.”

Wei Xi: “Including you?”

“Hmm. Huh? You’re trying to trick me again!” This time, Yu Youqing caught on quicker. Ji Fu laughed and smoothed things over, saying, “Whenever Teacher Jiang is mentioned, our little fish gets particularly nervous. But as long as you’re not in front of Teacher Jiang, you’re just fine.”

Ji Fu continued, “Especially after yesterday, did anything happen between you two last night?”

This was getting more and more outrageous.

She had to set the record straight!

Yu Youqing cleared her throat solemnly, “There’s absolutely nothing between Teacher Jiang and me, and there never will be. Everyone should stop teasing us about it, really.”

Ji Fu asked, “Why not? Xiao Xi and I both think you and Teacher Jiang have great chemistry.”

“It’s only the first episode, how can you tell if there’s any chemistry or not? Maybe I’m the type who doesn’t need romance,” Yu Youqing chuckled, thinking it unlikely the show would be so cruel as to give her and Jiang Musheng the special identity cards. She cautiously glanced toward the kitchen and added, “My feelings toward Teacher Jiang are absolutely, completely pure.”

Wei Xi eyed her skeptically, “Little Fish, this is a dating show. You sound so certain?”

“Absolutely certain,” Yu Youqing turned her back to the kitchen. Without seeing Jiang Musheng busy at work, she could voice her lies more convincingly, “I have no other thoughts about Teacher Jiang whatsoever.”

Wei Xi was about to say more when Ji Fu quickly grabbed her wrist, signaling her to look up. Wei Xi’s gaze lifted, and her face instantly flushed red. She clamped her mouth shut, the words she had been about to say stuck in her throat.

The two of them, sitting across from Yu Youqing, stared at something behind her.

Yu Youqing asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything? Weren’t we going to talk about other potential pairings?”

She smiled, oblivious to the sudden tension. Relieved that Wei Xi and Ji Fu had finally stopped focusing on her, she tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, joking, “How about we discuss the likelihood of me pairing up with other guests? Stop fixating on me and Teacher Jiang there’s no need to be so rigid.”

Wei Xi & Ji Fu: “…”

Little Fish, maybe you should, uh, turn around?

Yu Youqing couldn’t read minds. She had no clue what the looks in Wei Xi and Ji Fu’s eyes meant, only finding it strange how these two chatterboxes had suddenly gone dead silent.

Just as she was about to ask, a familiar voice spoke up from behind her:

“You think you can pair up with someone else?” The voice was unmistakable, its tone dipping slightly at the end, carrying a hint of danger. “No need to be so rigid?”

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