The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 48

This made Jiang Musheng realize one thing, she wasn’t a decisive person either. At least when it came to Yu Youqing, many of her decisions became hesitant. Essentially, it was because she wasn’t entirely confident about the situation.

She asked again, “Are you okay?”

No one answered her. The weight on her shoulder gradually increased, clearly indicating that the omega, now completely unguarded, felt safe enough to fall into a deep sleep.

She had probably also completely forgotten that she was supposed to be the one taking care of Jiang Musheng.

The only person left awake finally dared to lower her head and gaze directly at the moon in her heart, realizing that her feelings had never been as clear as they were in this moment.

Yu Youqing had a very vivid dream. In it, she was incredibly responsible and possessed superhuman strength, accomplishing many things. For instance, she saw Jiang Musheng drunk at the dinner party though Jiang wasn’t the only one. The difference was that Jiang Musheng had brought her along, and of course, she hadn’t drunk at all, steadfastly adhering to her principle of ensuring Jiang Musheng got home safely.

She helped Jiang Musheng up and into the car. At one point, Jiang almost stumbled and fell, but Yu Youqing reacted swiftly and caught her from behind in her urgency.

In dreams, absurdities are normal.

In the car, she let Jiang Musheng lean against her. She escorted Jiang back to her room, even carried her there. Jiang Musheng was truly wasted. As Yu Youqing was leaving, Jiang’s lips accidentally brushed against her fingers.

Finally, Yu Youqing woke up with a splitting headache, barely able to tell whether she was still dreaming.

The sensation of being kissed on the fingertips in the last moment of the dream felt so real that Yu Youqing lay stunned for a long time. Opening her eyes to the ceiling, her mind blank, she felt as though her memories had been stolen from the moment she left the private room.

A blackout? Her?

How was that possible? Had she gotten drunk? When?

Before she could even get tipsy…

A hazy memory surfaced after telling Jiang Musheng they should leave, she stood up and then collapsed.

What happened after that?

In an instant, she recalled Jiang Musheng wrapping an arm around her waist from behind, steadying her before she could hit the ground or grab the table for support.

Everything after that was a blank.

And the one thing she did remember was the complete opposite of what happened in her dream.

Yu Youqing: “…”

Oh no. Did something happen?

Her first instinct was to touch the back of her neck. At the spot where an omega’s gland would be, her skin remained smooth and untouched. She let out a sigh of relief.

This was her own bedroom. Her memories after getting into the car were gone, she really had passed out.

Clearly, the one who was supposed to take care of Jiang Musheng had ended up being taken care of by Jiang instead.

She blinked at the sunlight streaming through the curtains, then rolled out of bed.

Yu Youqing had no idea how to face Jiang Musheng, but she was desperately thirsty, a normal reaction after a hangover.

Fortunately, when she went downstairs, she found that Jiang Musheng wasn’t home. There were no shoes by the entrance, so it seemed she had already left.

Yu Youqing let out a long sigh of relief, grateful that Jiang Musheng was a busy person. That meant she wouldn’t have to face her today, temporarily escaping her own one-sided embarrassment.

At the top of her phone’s messages was one from Lin Xuqiao at 10:30 AM, asking if she had gotten home safely.

Then, fifteen minutes later, another message followed, telling her to rest well.

Yu Youqing: “…” What had happened in those fifteen minutes?

In her dream, she had been the one to catch Jiang Musheng when she collapsed. But in reality, it was Yu Youqing who had stumbled from drinking too much, only to be caught by Jiang Musheng.

In the dream, she had carried Jiang Musheng back, but in reality, it was the opposite.

Yu Youqing was once again exasperated with herself.

She didn’t even dare to dwell on the moment in her dream before waking, the one where she kissed Jiang Musheng’s fingers… Damn it, that better not have been real.

Opening her phone, Jiang Musheng’s chat was buried deep in her messages. She tapped on it but didn’t dare type a single word.

She hesitated over what to do, but in this situation, if she had done anything disrespectful to Jiang Musheng, the right thing would be to apologize. Yu Youqing reflected on how often she had already apologized to Jiang Musheng, why did she keep finding herself in situations where she owed her an apology?

But what was done was done. What else could she do now? Yu Youqing sighed deeply, resolving never to drink recklessly in front of Jiang Musheng again. Her alcohol tolerance was laughably bad.

She stood blankly in the living room for a while until her stomach growled, reminding her that she should eat. Just then, the doorbell rang, and a message from Jiang Musheng arrived.

Jiang Musheng: 【Food’s at the door. If you’re up, you can eat.】

Everything she had ordered was suitable for someone recovering from a hangover anyone would call it thoughtful. Yu Youqing, not wanting to waste the gesture, ate everything. Finally, she mustered the courage to send a thank-you message.

Along with a photo of her empty breakfast plate.

After hesitating, she added: 【Jiang-jie, did I cause you any trouble last night?】

Jiang Musheng, who happened to be holding her phone, replied quickly: 【No.】

Yu Youqing got up to throw away the trash. As she reached the bin, her hand holding the takeout bag paused slightly.

Inside the trash can was a small tube.

They rarely stayed at home, and even when they did, their living areas didn’t overlap much downstairs, so the trash was usually empty. Yu Youqing clearly remembered that the bin had been empty before she left yesterday.

But now, there was an inhibitor inside.

It looked familiar. Staring at it, she realized it was the special fast-acting inhibitor Li Rongcheng had given them after the snow mountain variety show—the kind that worked quickly for highly compatible alphas and omegas.

It was empty. Already used.

Not by her.

Had last night been Jiang Musheng’s rut?

Yu Youqing didn’t know how compatible her pheromones were with Jiang Musheng’s. Having drunk alcohol yesterday, it was highly possible she couldn’t control her pheromone release. Under such circumstances, Jiang Musheng entered her rut cycle yet still managed to send her home to bed, enduring long enough to administer herself an inhibitor before attending her scheduled events the next day as usual.

Yu Youqing felt conflicted part of her admired Jiang Musheng’s incredible self-control, while another part couldn’t help feeling her attraction to Jiang Musheng must be too weak.

Perhaps this was as far as they would ever go.

Yu Youqing also had an event that afternoon, the opening ceremony of a film festival sponsored by various investors. Thanks to her show’s popularity, she was among the invited guests. Her assistant Tiantian worked efficiently; after mentioning yesterday they’d negotiate with Yaqi Media, she now reported they’d agreed and wanted to meet for dinner after tonight’s ceremony.

In the car, while the stylist prepped Yu Youqing, Tiantian shared more: “Another good news, Liang Yitang will be there too. She still doesn’t know her interview slot got replaced. Yaqi’s being shrewd; since we haven’t fully committed, they’re keeping Liang hanging.”

Yu Youqing chuckled. “Quite the strategists. If I decline, they’ll run Liang’s feature as planned. If I agree, they’ll just postpone Liang’s. She’d throw a fit if she knew.” Being replaced by others wouldn’t anger Liang Yitang as much her manager Zhao Guili had always positioned her as Yu Youqing’s rival, insisting she must always stay one step ahead.

Tiantian continued, “By the way, you’ve never mentioned your landlord. Haven’t you met them?” Oblivious to Yu Youqing’s sudden tension, the assistant mused dreamily, “Someone who owns such a big house yet rents it out so affordably must be a kindhearted beauty. Though imagine their shock discovering their tenant’s a celebrity!”

No, Yu Youqing thought silently.

The shocked one was me, not Jiang Musheng. The only accurate part was that Jiang Musheng truly was beautiful and kindhearted.

However you looked at it, she’d hit the jackpot. As scenery flashed by outside, fragmented memories surfaced leaning against Jiang Musheng’s shoulder last night.

Yu Youqing: “……!”

She immediately averted her gaze, staring fixedly at her hands resting on her lap, refusing to entertain further thoughts.

Don’t think. If she didn’t dwell on it, she could pretend nothing happened.

After all, Jiang Musheng hadn’t mentioned anything. Was she supposed to demand answers?

The film festival’s opening had enlisted numerous celebrities for glamour, Yu Youqing being one, a benefit from her show’s airing. Before she could ask, Tiantian regretfully informed her, “Too bad we can’t confirm if Teacher Jiang’s attending. She was on the list, but I heard from internal groups her red carpet got canceled probably can’t make it due to scheduling.”

Yu Youqing felt both disappointment and relief. If Jiang Musheng came, the media would inevitably link them together.

She arrived not too early, but the red carpet event hadn’t started yet. The moment Yu Youqing appeared, media swarmed toward her, camera flashes so rapid they nearly blinded her.

The venue was spacious. She headed indoors first to wait.

The waiting area resembled a cocktail reception, where industry professionals mingled effortlessly. Though Yu Youqing came alone, she was immediately surrounded upon entering.

“Youqing! Long time no see! I’ve been following your show,” said an unfamiliar face who approached her warmly. Yu Youqing noticed cameras pointing their way as this young artist deliberately moved closer.

“Teacher Yu, I’d love to discuss a project with you, but couldn’t reach you before. Are you available?” Another stranger likely some director who previously hadn’t deemed her noteworthy enough to contact.

Countless such interactions and approaches followed.

Yu Youqing maintained perfect smiles, raising her glass like everyone else. Before the show aired, these same people had considered her a washed-up has-been. Overnight, their disdain and neglect had vanished.

…

Watching the mingling crowd, Yu Youqing felt profoundly unsettled. While coming here, she’d hoped to see Jiang Musheng at such events. Yet now, facing the reality, Jiang Musheng remained foremost in her thoughts.

She remembered the comfort of sitting beside Jiang Musheng, even with Lin Xuqiao and Xu Liyu being near-strangers, Jiang Musheng’s presence made her feel at ease. Few people around, yet her heart felt full when Jiang Musheng was there.

Now surrounded by crowds offering possibly insincere praise, she only felt increasingly hollow inside.

This was dangerous, she realized. Gradually, she was placing Jiang Musheng in a special position within her heart.

Excusing herself for fresh air, Yu Youqing went alone to the rest area on the top floor, a media-free zone where artists could access the rooftop terrace freely.

With everyone still downstairs, she found the rooftop deserted. Dusk approached, temperatures dropping as cold winds whipped her hair back. Gazing at the city lights, the show’s title suddenly surfaced in her mind:

Ten-Second Heartbeat.

Rumor said the show’s final method for confirming feelings involved having guests maintain eye contact for ten seconds.

When two who truly liked each other looked into each other’s eyes, their hearts would know.

At this moment, Yu Youqing admitted, she missed Jiang Musheng terribly.

Clad only in her evening gown under the emerging moonlight, she hugged herself against the chill, staring into the distance as if numb to the cold, hoping the icy wind might extinguish the burning warmth in her chest whenever she thought of that person.

If she saw Jiang Musheng now… could she finally understand her own heart?

At this thought, Yu Youqing stood still, lowering her head to hide the self-mocking smile at the corner of her lips.

What on earth was she thinking?

A gust of wind blew by, bringing with it a chill that, as she had hoped, gradually calmed her chaotic heartbeat. She knew it was time to go back.

Then came the faint sound of footsteps behind her. Before she could react, warmth enveloped her shoulders as a coat was draped over her by the person who had approached from behind. Startled, Yu Youqing turned around and saw Jiang Musheng standing before her.

Though night had fallen, the person before her seemed to glow, her eyes bright like stars, filled with unmistakable concern and tenderness that radiated through their locked gazes, spreading warmth to every limb.

In the quiet exchange of glances, Jiang Musheng asked nothing not why she was here, nor why she seemed suddenly so despondent. Instead, she simply said softly, “I’m sorry. Did I come too late?”

At that moment, Yu Youqing heard her own heartbeat again.

Loud. Painfully clear.

She thought, she didn’t need ten seconds anymore.

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