The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 50

“Who are you messaging? We’re running out of time, we need to get backstage.” Tiantian found it odd and couldn’t help asking, “Sister Youqing, is playing with your phone suddenly trendy now? You usually don’t even glance at it much.”

Yu Youqing had already sent her message, but with urgent matters at hand, she had no time to wait for Jiang Musheng’s reply. She reluctantly handed her phone to Tiantian.

She heard every word Tiantian whispered in her ear.

Sometimes, Yu Youqing thought her imagination was quite vivid. From that blurry footage, she had recognized her own chat window on Jiang Musheng’s phone screen.

But why hadn’t Jiang Musheng said a single word to her?

Since Jiang Musheng’s hand had obscured most of the screen, including the chat name, during the video shoot, no one else had noticed this detail except Yu Youqing, who had scrutinized it repeatedly.

It was just as well that no one else knew. If they had, wouldn’t they have gone crazy over it?

For a fleeting moment, Yu Youqing wondered if Jiang Musheng had come specifically to see her. But Jiang Musheng’s words had seemed to deny that.

She told herself not to be too conceited.

She had her own responsibilities to fulfill. When Yu Youqing returned, she realized she and Liang Yitang had been scheduled to appear together.

Yu Youqing knew all too well that this was the organizers’ way of chasing clout. She and Liang Yitang had long been pitted against each other, and now, standing side by side backstage, they naturally became the focal point of every photographer’s lens.

When she approached Liang Yitang, she even smiled slightly as a greeting.

Strangely, the usual Liang Yitang would have sneered at her with two or three cutting remarks. But this time, she barely spared Yu Youqing a glance, her eyes flickering over her before darting away.

Yu Youqing was genuinely surprised.

Had even Liang Yitang changed? No more targeting her? No more acting like a firecracker?

Perhaps because Yu Youqing’s gaze lingered a second too long, Liang Yitang frowned and turned to her, lowering her voice to a sharp whisper, “What are you staring at? Don’t think just because you helped me last time that everything’s settled between us. Stay out of my way.”

Ah, so that was it. Liang Yitang really believed Yu Youqing had helped her during that incident with Ye Miaoyi at the bar.

Yu Youqing replied coolly, “I have no such intentions.”

Hearing this, Liang Yitang bristled again.

Why did Yu Youqing always have to speak in such a grating, infuriating way? Unable to resist, Liang Yitang shot back, “No intentions? Then why did you have YaQi schedule your interview right after mine? If you’re going to ride my coattails, at least do it properly.”

“Your intel must be outdated,” Yu Youqing chuckled. She had already heard the host announce Liang Yitang’s name, she was up next.

Seeing Liang Yitang’s puzzled expression, Yu Youqing lowered her voice, “You didn’t know? YaQi already told me they want me for their next exclusive feature. What, are your sources that slow?”

Liang Yitang’s face instantly darkened. “You’re lying!”

“You’ll know whether I’m talking nonsense or not.” Yu Youqing tilted her chin toward the second floor. “The person in charge of Yaqi must be up there, right? Otherwise, why would they say they sincerely wanted to invite me to dinner? Why don’t you go ask them yourself?”

At that moment, the host announced Liang Yitang’s name.

With more cameras turning their way, Liang Yitang was already seething with anger. She knew that if Yu Youqing dared to say this, there was likely truth to it. But with so many cameras on her, she had to maintain her professional smile, barely keeping her composure.

Just as she was about to walk away, Yu Youqing added, “If I had your status, I wouldn’t let myself be replaced so easily. Wouldn’t that make me a joke?”

Liang Yitang almost couldn’t stop herself from turning back to argue. Every word from Yu Youqing made her blood boil.

Was Yu Youqing doing this on purpose?! Liang Yitang clenched the hem of her dress tightly, repeatedly telling herself not to stoop to her level now.

This was probably exactly what Yu Youqing wanted for her to lose control at such an important event.

But she was still affected, and Yu Youqing, standing closest to her, noticed every subtle change.

Normally, Liang Yitang would linger as long as possible at events where she was prioritized. But this time, she signed her name, took a quick photo, and immediately prepared to leave. Even the host was caught off guard. The organizers had expected Yu Youqing and Liang Yitang to engage in a few rounds of verbal sparring for the cameras, but today, things ended surprisingly quickly. The host asked, “Yitang, don’t you have anything else to say?”

Liang Yitang wasn’t one for deep thinking, but after Yu Youqing’s remarks, she suddenly sensed something was off. In the past, she had always overshadowed Yu Youqing, so whenever someone suggested something like this, she’d assume it was to her advantage, another chance to put Yu Youqing in her place.

But now things were different. Yu Youqing’s resurgence in popularity made Liang Yitang feel threatened. Even an interview slot had been given to Yu Youqing before her. Hearing the host’s question now, it felt like she was being blatantly used as a tool for clout.

Dream on!

Liang Yitang scoffed and stared at the host for two seconds.

The female host felt a chill under her gaze but kept her smile intact, not daring to say another word.

Liang Yitang strode away but was stopped halfway by a familiar director who invited her upstairs for a chat.

It was now Yu Youqing’s turn to take the stage.

The media below had clearly been waiting for this moment. The moment Yu Youqing finished signing her name and stepped down, reporters shoved microphones in her face.

“Sorry, not now.” Yu Youqing gently held back the nearest microphone. “Let’s not disrupt the event. It’s not over yet. Everyone, take your time, no need to rush and risk falling.”

Her voice was gentle and pleasant, a far cry from the domineering image people once associated with her. The crowd was momentarily stunned.

After Yu Youqing went downstairs, she had no intention of mingling with the investors on the second floor. She planned to retrieve her phone from Tiantian and then contact Jiang Musheng to leave.

She glanced around but couldn’t spot Tiantian. Instead, a staff member approached her.

“Miss Yu, I’m an assistant from Yaqi Media,” the person said. “We’d like to discuss the timing of your upcoming exclusive interview. Our manager is already waiting for you upstairs.”

Yu Youqing asked, “The second floor?”

The assistant nodded, and Yu Youqing smiled. If she remembered correctly, Liang Yitang had also gone upstairs to socialize.

“Let’s go then.”

If they were delivering themselves to her doorstep, she wouldn’t hold back.

Though the upstairs area was spacious, it was divided into several smaller sections separated by traditional Chinese screens.

The investors, directors, and others who had the authority to select actors were gathered there, but even among them, there were unbreakable barriers.

At that moment, Liang Yitang was half-heartedly chatting with a director, her gaze repeatedly drifting toward a secluded booth about ten meters away.

It was the most prestigious spot in the room, reserved for someone of immense influence, yet she couldn’t get close.

“Who’s in there?” she asked.

The person beside her replied, “That’s the new company backing Yu Youqing, General Manager Lin and the mysterious investor behind them. No one’s been able to dig up any information on that investor. Lin Xuqiao’s company is throwing all its resources into promoting Yu Youqing, and it’s all thanks to that big-shot backer.”

The director’s tone carried both envy and barely concealed disdain. “Spending that much money just to push Yu Youqing? Must be some spoiled rich kid who doesn’t care about wasting cash!”

Liang Yitang frowned. “So she found herself a sugar daddy?”

“Who knows?” The director scoffed, repeating gossip as if it were fact. “There’s definitely some kind of connection. Otherwise, why would anyone pour that much money into a female celebrity? The investor’s identity is hidden so well, no one knows who’s backing them. If we could just get in with them, we wouldn’t have to worry about scripts ever again.”

Liang Yitang thought for a moment. “I’d like to meet them.”

“No chance. They’re too arrogant! Before you came up, plenty of people tried, but—” The director, who had also failed to get close, spoke bitterly. “Not a single one got in. All rejected. At this rate, even Jiang Musheng wouldn’t get an audience!”

In this industry, no one could rival Jiang Musheng’s status so this was clearly an impossible task. Liang Yitang was about to give up when she suddenly caught sight of Yu Youqing.

Just for a split second, through the gap in the screens, she saw Yu Youqing being led into one of the booths behind her.

Liang Yitang: “?”

Was this woman really that desperate to insert herself into everything?

Meanwhile, after entering, Yu Youqing sat across from the Yaqi Media representative, maintaining nothing but a carefully constructed, artificial smile.

When she arrived and looked around, she realized the upper area had also been turned into a private space. She had originally thought she might run into Jiang Musheng here so they could leave work together, but now she had no idea where to find him especially without her phone.

“Xiao Yu? Xiao Yu, are you listening?” The voice from across the table finally snapped Yu Youqing out of her daze. She nodded, “I’m listening.”

The person in charge smiled, assuming Yu Youqing’s nod meant agreement.

“Then we’ll schedule the feature interview for the next issue. I’ll go back and inform the editor-in-chief.” The person in charge beamed, thinking the matter was settled, and even took a leisurely sip of tea.

Yu Youqing found it all quite amusing.

Ever since she entered this private room, the person in charge had spoken to her in a tone that suggested the interview was a foregone conclusion. While their words were full of so-called “sincerity,” their underlying attitude still reeked of condescension. As insiders at Yaqi, they were well aware that the past reports about her had been fabricated. Yet, as the instigators and accomplices, they showed no remorse. Instead, they positioned themselves as her saviors.

Yu Youqing asked, “Is this what you call sincerity?”

“Of course! Isn’t it obvious?” The person in charge was baffled by her question, still grinning. “We’re giving you ample coverage! And you know our magazine’s influence. Naturally, whatever Liang Yitang gets, we’ll make sure you receive the exact same top-tier treatment.”

“You’re offering me the same resources you give Liang Yitang?” Yu Youqing couldn’t help but laugh, deliberately steering the conversation. “If she finds out, wouldn’t that cause trouble? You know we’ve never gotten along.”

“What’s the big deal?” The person in charge nearly shouted. “This is just standard work arrangements. Besides, Yitang debuted after you, it’s only natural your feature comes first.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Someone burst into the room, Liang Yitang, furious, having clearly overheard everything. Trained under Zhao Guili in the same manner as Yu Youqing had been in the past, her temper had long been spoiled. She didn’t hold back, swatting the teacup from the person in charge’s hand, sending it crashing to the floor.

“Who wants your stupid interview?!” Liang Yitang stood in front of the person in charge, her tone sharp as a blade. “Why should I be second? You people have no shame.”

The person in charge’s face darkened. The commotion had drawn attention, and others outside could faintly hear the argument. He lowered his voice, “Yitang, there’s been a misunderstanding. Let me explain!”

“Explain what?” Liang Yitang cut him off impatiently. “If you’re so eager to interview Yu Youqing, give her both slots. I said I don’t want it.”

The person in charge was stunned. “That’s impossible! We already had an agreement! This is a breach of contract.”

Liang Yitang scoffed. “The agreement was that my interview would be in the next issue. You’re the ones breaking it first! Get out of my sight.”

It was indeed Yaqi who was in the wrong first. This matter could have been handled properly, but no one could have predicted that Liang Yitang and Yu Youshen would run into each other today, turning the situation into a classic case of “going for wool and coming home shorn.” As he hesitated, Yu Youshen took the opportunity to speak up.

“I had no idea it was like this. How could I possibly steal Yitang’s spotlight? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have agreed to it in the first place.” Yu Youshen smiled gracefully, standing up from her seat and walking out as she spoke, “My sincerest apologies. In that case, please cancel my exclusive interview as well. There’s no need for this collaboration.”

The person in charge: “???”

At that moment, he thought he could at least secure a deal with one of them, either Yu Youshen or Liang Yitang. But just as he was about to speak to Liang Yitang, she also tossed out a remark: “You think I’ll take what Yu Youshen rejected? Your schemes are quite transparent!”

With that, she walked out too.

Left alone in the private room, the person in charge turned pale and then flushed red, utterly speechless in his frustration.

Liang Yitang caught up with Yu Youshen: “What’s your game?!”

Yu Youshen hadn’t left yet she was still looking for Jiang Musheng to leave together. Seeing Liang Yitang approach, she stopped and replied leisurely, “I didn’t steal anything from you, did I?”

“Who needs your fake kindness? Hypocrite.” Liang Yitang was easily provoked by Yu Youshen’s words again. “What’s the point? Coming here now just to fish for resources? Your intentions are written all over your face.”

By now, Yu Youshen had figured out Liang Yitang’s temperament. She had learned a bit of competitiveness and cunning from Zhao Guili, but her personality was unstable frankly, she was a bit of a fool as an artist.

She drawled, “What’s wrong with wanting resources? It’s not shameful. Can’t I pursue opportunities?”

Liang Yitang scoffed, glancing at the supposedly impenetrable VIP Room No. 1. An idea struck her, and she taunted Yu Youshen, “If you’re so capable, why don’t you go there? Rumor has it the wealthiest investor is sitting inside. Go on, then.”

Yu Youshen knew she was being baited.

Earlier, when Liang Yitang had arrived from outside, Yu Youshen had observed the layout of the private rooms on the second floor. Judging by status and financial influence, Jiang Musheng was most likely in that room which was exactly where Yu Youshen had intended to go.

She strode toward it, while Liang Yitang muttered behind her, “So overconfident.”

Liang Yitang eagerly awaited the sight of Yu Youshen being thrown out, ready to mock her mercilessly. But to her shock, as soon as Yu Youshen approached, a staff member emerged from behind the screen of VIP Room No. 1 and walked straight toward her. Liang Yitang smirked triumphantly from behind.

This must be because Yu Youshen’s notorious reputation preceded her before she even got close, they were already coming to shoo her away!

Liang Yitang took a few steps forward to follow, and thus, she clearly heard the staff member say:

“Miss Yu, our investor has invited you inside.”

Liang Yitang: “???”

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