The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 51

Investor?

Which one?

Yu Youqing’s first thought was of that mysterious big-shot investor Lin Xuqiao had mentioned before, the one who supposedly had more money than sense.

The next second, she realized how impolite it was to mentally refer to an investor that way.

Here was someone pouring money into her, and she dared to mock them behind their back?

That sounded a bit like her old self though it had been a long time since that side of her had surfaced. The realization startled her, her former self?

Ever since she woke up again, Yu Youqing had been doing everything she could to distance herself from who she used to be that spoiled, reckless, and ignorant version of herself.

Before facing Jiang Musheng, she thought she had been doing pretty well.

Strangely enough, Jiang Musheng seemed to bring out that childish side of her again.

“She’s here.”

Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. Yu Youqing looked up and saw Lin Xuqiao and Jiang Musheng sitting at the table.

Outside, people were clamoring to catch a glimpse of who was inside, but the two here were completely at ease, leisurely sipping tea in a slow, unhurried rhythm. Wisps of steam curled through the small space, creating an atmosphere of pure relaxation.

Jiang Musheng met Yu Youqing’s gaze, then noticed she wasn’t holding her phone which explained why there had been no response to her earlier message.

“Looking for me?” Jiang Musheng gestured for Yu Youqing to sit beside her, already bending down to personally brew a fresh pot of tea.

Yu Youqing glanced around, confirming no one else was joining them, and chuckled. “I thought the investor invited me. Where are they?”

Jiang Musheng’s hands paused briefly, but she quickly regained her composure, expertly finishing the tea before handing it over.

“Try it,” Jiang Musheng said, offering the cup. “Fresh Pu’er from home. It’s good.”

Anything sent by the Lu family, even something as simple as tea leaves, was worth a fortune. Jiang Musheng was clearly playing favorites when Lin Xuqiao had been here earlier, she had to pour her own tea. But for Yu Youqing? Jiang Musheng was more than happy to serve, downplaying the tea’s value as if it were some cheap roadside purchase to keep Yu Youqing from feeling pressured.

Prioritizing romance over friendship!

Lin Xuqiao looked between Yu Youqing and the dutiful figure beside her, then said meaningfully, “The investor’s right here, isn’t she?”

Jiang Musheng’s movements halted slightly. She shot Lin Xuqiao a glance, only to receive a raised eyebrow in return.

Yu Youqing took a sip, her eyes lighting up instantly.

“Teacher Jiang, your tea-brewing skills are amazing,” she praised, completely missing Lin Xuqiao’s hint. She blinked. “Where? You mean, Lin Xuqiao?”

The tension in Jiang Musheng’s shoulders eased, and she settled back into her seat, feigning nonchalance.

Lin Xuqiao sighed inwardly, Yu Youqing’s little brain just wasn’t making the connection right now.

“Well, if it were up to me, I’d have made you a superstar by now,” Lin Xuqiao said. “At the very least, I would’ve acquired that company that wronged you. Why bother with all these tedious rules that let our own artists suffer from baseless scandals?”

“It’s not exactly like that.” Yu Youqing was sipping tea when she suddenly realized, “Director Lin knows about this?”

How did Lin Xuqiao know about Zhao Guili’s previous management methods and recognize them as malicious rumors?

In any other setting, such remarks might have passed unnoticed. But now, with Jiang Musheng by her side, Yu Youqing felt an inexplicable hope that Jiang Musheng wouldn’t misunderstand her.

In the past, she’d barely had any interaction with Jiang Musheng, yet countless tabloids had fabricated connections between them.

Lin Xuqiao continued, “There are only so many management tactics in our industry. Veterans know that when people accuse you of riding coattails, it’s simply because the other party holds higher status. When two artists are equally famous, collaboration is just mutual benefit. But your former agency was truly unique the only one that would damage their own artist’s reputation without cleaning up the mess afterward.”

Her words succinctly clarified Yu Youqing’s predicament.

Yu Youqing’s first instinct was to check Jiang Musheng’s expression, only to find their gazes already locked.

Flustered, she lowered her head to drink tea, missing the smile that flickered across Jiang Musheng’s face.

Yu Youqing finished her tea first. Jiang Musheng promptly refilled her cup.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Jiang Musheng then said, “Since you’ve signed her, don’t repeat past mistakes.”

“Alright, alright, now you’re lecturing me?” Lin Xuqiao teased Jiang Musheng about her protective attitude. “How amusing. When our little fish was with her previous company, appearing with you was called ‘coattail-riding.’ But after signing with me, you were the one who said it was fine to be associated. What’s your game here?”

“Didn’t you just say it yourself? When status is equal, it’s mutual benefit nothing wrong with that,” Jiang Musheng replied smoothly.

But mutual benefit requires equal standing, Yu Youqing thought silently. Did Jiang Musheng truly regard her so highly, believing she could stand on the same level?

The tea tasted sweet initially, but its aftertaste felt even sweeter.

It seemed Jiang Musheng was sending her a message of affirmation, like someone firmly believing in her, a sensation Yu Youqing had never experienced before.

She’d never imagined such validation would come from Jiang Musheng.

Whimper.

Why was Teacher Jiang so good to her?

Yu Youqing desperately wanted to know: was Jiang Musheng like this with everyone, or just her?

Lin Xuqiao watched impatiently from the sidelines.

As someone who knew the whole story, seeing Jiang Musheng hide her feelings made Lin Xuqiao feel like an anxious ant on a hot griddle, truly understanding the saying “the emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuch is frantic.”

How could they just leisurely pour tea here? She ought to drag a bed over for them right now!

Jiang Musheng watched Yu Youqing finish her tea before saying, “Let’s go back together.”

Yu Youqing explained, “I sent you a message, but since my phone wasn’t with me, I wasn’t sure if you’d seen it. That’s why I came up to look for you.”

“I thought you came up here to.” Jiang Musheng looked up in surprise, only to realize her assumption was unnecessary when she saw Yu Youqing’s expression. She chuckled, her tone carrying both resignation and amusement, “I thought you came for more opportunities.”

With so many resources gathered here today, one could easily strive for scripts, advertisements, or photoshoots. Yet in this world of fame and fortune, someone had come up simply to look for a person and that person was her.

“It doesn’t matter,” Yu Youqing said honestly. “If someone really wants to work with me, they’ll find me eventually. But keeping Teacher Jiang waiting would be a far greater sin.”

Lin Xuqiao suddenly felt rather out of place.

She waved them off, “Go on, you two. Oh, and for your next recording, try to cooperate more. Haven’t you seen what people are saying online? That you two aren’t giving them enough to watch. And can’t you keep a closer eye on Xu Liyu? She’s acting like she’s really there to date and pick a partner.”

“Well, it is a dating show,” Yu Youqing said, tactfully ignoring the part about her and Jiang Musheng. “Boss Xu is just friendly, so she gets along with everyone.”

Jiang Musheng added, “If you’re worried, you could always join as a guest. Director Zhao would probably welcome you.”

Lin Xuqiao ran an entertainment company. Though she worked behind the scenes, she was still part of the industry and had her own influence.

Even though it was a dating show, Director Zhao hadn’t limited the cast to just industry insiders as long as it made for good content, anything went.

Lin Xuqiao scoffed, “Enough already. Stop talking nonsense and get going. Don’t keep me from my meetings.”

It wasn’t until Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng were seated together in the car that Yu Youqing belatedly realized two things.

“Didn’t you say you came to discuss projects with President Lin? Any progress?” Yu Youqing asked. When she’d entered earlier, only Jiang Musheng and Lin Xuqiao had been in the private room. Now it struck her there hadn’t been any business-like atmosphere at all.

“Mm, it’s settled,” Jiang Musheng said.

They sat together in the backseat, just like last time. Even the driver followed the same routine, raising the partition as soon as they got in. The only difference was that both of them were sober now.

Yu Youqing said, “I’ve noticed something.”

“Oh?”

“Does President Lin like or, is she interested in Liyu?” Yu Youqing hesitated to jump to conclusions, but she had this vague feeling. “Whenever Liyu comes up, President Lin’s attitude is always different.”

“Mm, they’re a bit of a pair,” Jiang Musheng said. “Xuqiao has liked Liyu for years, but she’s never said anything. She’s just stayed by her side all this time.”

If Yu Youqing remembered correctly, the three of them had grown up together.

Yu Youqing: “All these years and she’s never spoken her feelings? Why?”

“After being friends for so long, a sudden change in status requires courage. She was afraid that if she spoke up, she might lose even the friendship they had. By not saying anything, at least they could remain safely in the friend zone.”

Yu Youqing said, “I never would’ve guessed President Lin had such a personality.”

“Perfectly normal.” Jiang Musheng’s tone carried a hint of melancholy, as if recalling something. “When it comes to matters of the heart, everyone acts differently from their usual selves.”

Fearful that taking that step might be a mistake, it’s easier not to move forward at least then, nothing is lost.

Yu Youqing neither agreed nor disagreed, and both of them fell into their own thoughts, saying nothing more.

Jiang Musheng suddenly asked, “I’ve noticed you’re quite perceptive about other people’s feelings.”

Yu Youqing chuckled awkwardly, rubbing her nose. “Probably just a nosy streak? Besides, it’s pretty obvious between President Lin and Li Yu. President Lin, who’s usually so reserved, becomes talkative around Li Yu. When you like someone, you just want to keep talking to them, right?”

Just like herself.

Yu Youqing mused inwardly aside from the times she had to feign aloofness, she talked quite a lot around Jiang Musheng.

Wait.

Could this mean—?

“Mhm, true.” Jiang Musheng couldn’t help but curve her lips into a faint smile.

Yu Youqing happened to turn and catch it, finding the timing of that smile intriguing. “What’s so funny?”

Jiang Musheng lowered her voice. “So sharp about others, yet so oblivious when it comes to yourself.”

Yu Youqing heard her clearly but didn’t understand. She blinked. “Huh?”

“Do you think I talk a lot when I’m with you?” Jiang Musheng glanced at the distance between them enough to fit another person. The backseat was spacious, leaving a perfectly safe social gap between them.

In Yu Youqing’s mind, despite all their interactions, Jiang Musheng’s standing was still no different from a stranger’s.

Connecting this to their earlier conversation, the first thought that flashed through Yu Youqing’s mind wasn’t the answer to Jiang Musheng’s question.

Instead, it was why was Jiang Musheng asking her this?

“A lot. No, wait, not exactly. I don’t know how to put it.” Yu Youqing fumbled like a student caught unprepared by a pop quiz. “You’re just very polite, so you respond to everything.”

Jiang Musheng sighed inwardly.

Of course. Everyone was the same.

Blind when it came to their own feelings.

Yu Youqing left early that night. When she went to fetch her phone from Tiantian, the latter was on a call and whispered, “Don’t just leave yet. Aqi’s stuff is done, but we still have the main event the dinner gathering.”

But Yu Youqing couldn’t stay. She knew Jiang Musheng was waiting for her to come home, so she brushed it off vaguely. “If it’s not a big deal, count me out. I’m heading back to rest. Call me if it’s something unavoidable.”

Her phone stayed silent the whole way back, and she thought the night was over. Little did she know, just as she stepped inside and changed her shoes, her phone rang.

“I know you don’t like social gatherings, but today’s meeting is absolutely essential. The investors and production companies are all there, and it’s that studio with the trashy Alpha script who called it, this is a rare opportunity. You need to show your face.” Tiantian lowered her voice, “With the script getting fast-tracked, establishing connections early will only benefit us. Hurry over.”

Yu Youqing knew this was an opportunity she couldn’t miss.

Her entire company team was working hard to secure this script for her. Even if her personal goal was just to earn enough money and retire, she couldn’t let all these people’s efforts go to waste.

Jiang Musheng noticed Yu Youqing lingering at the doorway and frowned, “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a dinner meeting I need to attend.”

Jiang Musheng said, “This late?”

“It’s barely past eight, Teacher Jiang.” Yu Youqing was already changing her shoes. Fortunately, she hadn’t changed out of her event attire or removed her makeup yet.

Jiang Musheng offered, “I’ll drive you.”

“No need.” Yu Youqing was well aware of Jiang Musheng’s packed schedule today yet she’d still made time to come here. The slight weariness in her voice was evident. “I’ll just take a cab. It’s perfectly safe.”

Seeing Yu Youqing’s insistence, Jiang Musheng didn’t press further.

Only when Yu Youqing was leaving did she say, “Call me immediately if anything happens.”

“Okay.”

Yu Youqing’s hand paused on the doorknob for several seconds.

What had she originally thought would happen?

She’d imagined completing this collaboration with Jiang Musheng and then parting ways. When she first woke up in this timeline, her biggest regret had been turning down that script where she could have kissed Jiang Musheng.

Now she was steadily advancing toward that goal, yet hesitating.

Her feelings for Jiang Musheng had grown far beyond just wanting a professional collaboration.

These past few days had only confirmed what she already knew in her heart.

If they truly worked together on this drama, they’d inevitably be tied together through promotional activities more interactions, more joint appearances.

All of which would become fertile ground for her hidden feelings to grow uncontrollably. She even felt selfish for using this opportunity to get closer.

“Teacher Jiang,” Yu Youqing turned to meet Jiang Musheng’s dark eyes, “Do you really think I’m suitable to play the female lead in that trashy Alpha script?”

For a moment, she felt lost about which path to take next.

Her eyelashes fluttered downward. “Everyone says—”

“Stop.” Jiang Musheng stepped forward, cutting off her words. “What ‘everyone says’ is meaningless.”

“These are just your own doubts. No one else gets to define you.” Jiang Musheng’s words slowly dissolved Yu Youqing’s hesitation. “Besides, what’s there to fear? Starting from the bottom means every step afterward is upward progress.”

Like throwing a lifeline to someone drowning at sea, Jiang Musheng’s words infused Yu Youqing with strength and vitality, gradually steadying her turbulent emotions.

“You’re exceptional,” Jiang Musheng said deliberately, her dark eyes filled not only with determination but also with a trust that brought calm. She smiled slightly, her hand half-extended as if to stroke Yu Youqing’s hair, yet it paused mid-air.

Yu Youqing noticed Jiang Musheng’s movement and, this time without hesitation, took two steps forward, pressing herself lightly against Jiang Musheng’s palm.

Surprise flickered in Jiang Musheng’s gaze for only a moment before softening.

She said, “Don’t worry. Someone’s got your back.”

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