The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 59

Jiang Musheng said, “This isn’t very appropriate of you.”

“Is it?” Cheng Shunzhu didn’t seem to detect any strong disapproval on Jiang Musheng’s face, so he cheekily turned to Yu Youqing and asked, “Sister Youqing, what do you think? I really can’t do this.”

Cheng Shunzhu was an omega, and he knew how to act cute. As he pleaded with Yu Youqing, he even grabbed her wrist and shook it, afraid she might refuse.

This was a development Yu Youqing hadn’t anticipated at all.

[Damn, what’s this guy up to?]

[Cheng Shunzhu, you really know how to create drama. Maybe you should switch to variety show scripting.]

[Who would’ve thought it’d end with him asking Yu Youqing to take his place?!]

[Why call Yu Youqing? Call me! I’d be willing!]

[The fact that Teacher Jiang didn’t outright refuse or agree—does this mean there’s actually something between them?]

[The best part of this eye contact is that it’s happening while sitting on someone’s lap. Genius.]

[This is getting weird—suddenly I want to see Cheng Shunzhu and Wei Xi, two delicate flowers, locking eyes?]

[Damn, that’s some niche content right there.]

[Go for it! Hurry! Is this something even my VIP membership can’t unlock?]

In principle, this was absolutely not allowed. But since the show had no script, the production team adjusted the flow based on live audience reactions.

So, after receiving instructions through their earpieces, a staff member asked Yu Youqing, “Um, Teacher Yu, do you agree?”

Yu Youqing thought to herself, This show really knows how to play games.

When they don’t need her, it’s “Yu Youqing.” When they do, suddenly she’s “Teacher Yu.”

“That’s not right,” Yu Youqing said with a smile to Cheng Shunzhu. “You should take responsibility for your own tasks. Teacher Jiang isn’t going to bite—right, Teacher Jiang?”

Then, in one swift motion, Yu Youqing plopped down onto Wei Xi’s lap.

Face to face, locking eyes.

Jiang Musheng: “…”

Wei Xi was a little stunned. She had assumed Yu Youqing wouldn’t pass up a chance to interact with Jiang Musheng, so when Yu Youqing sat down, she was still in full gossip mode.

The ten seconds passed in a flash, and just like that, Yu Youqing completed the task.

Defeated, Cheng Shunzhu sighed, “Fine, I guess we’ll have to forfeit this one. What’s the third task?”

He proudly waved the balloon in his hand and grinned. “Is the last task related to this balloon? Let me tell you, there’s no way I’m messing this one up.”

The staff member could only look at him with pity.

Even Jiang Musheng let out a quiet sigh.

The staff announced, “The second task was completed by Yu Youqing’s team. Jiang Musheng’s team is considered to have failed. The third task is indeed balloon-related—whoever collects the most balloons wins.”

Cheng Shunzhu brightened. “I have the most!”

“Collect the most balloons?” Yu Youqing recalled how the show always omitted key details when announcing tasks, so she stayed silent.

The staff clarified, “Didn’t you notice the rule written on the balloons? They can’t be removed. So, the task is to photograph as many balloons as possible with your phone. We’ll only count the photos. Anyone who physically collects the balloons will be disqualified.”

Wei Xi couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, quickly covering her mouth afterward, hoping her entire reaction hadn’t hurt poor Little Bamboo’s feelings.

Cheng Shunzhu: “Is your production team deliberately messing with me?!!”

Meanwhile, the live stream audience had already lost it.

[I don’t even recognize the word “ha” anymore, sisters]

[Little Bamboo, you’re my source of joy for the entire day today]

[This is hilarious, what kind of devilish production team is this? Do you even remember this is a dating show?]

[Production team: Blame me?]

[What’s strange is that when Yu Youqing was called out by Cheng Shunzhu, it was the perfect opportunity for her to ride the hype, but she actually refused.]

[Can we stop overanalyzing everything? I just want to enjoy the show without constantly hearing about how this person is bad and that person is bad. At this point, I’m starting to feel sorry for Yu Youqing.]

[Too rebellious, honestly.]

Wei Xi looked at Yu Youqing in shock: “Xiao Yu, doesn’t that mean you…”

Apart from Yu Youqing, no one had expected the competition’s outcome to be judged this way. At that moment, Yu Youqing had nine balloon photos in her phone—she had taken a picture of every single one. After all, it was just a matter of snapping a quick photo.

The staff were equally surprised. As part of the production team, they were usually wary of guests who seemed to have figured out all the game rules.

And no one had expected that the guest who saw through everything would be Yu Youqing.

“Congratulations to Yu Youqing’s team for winning. You’ve completed all three tasks on the mountain and will receive an additional reward.” The staff handed Yu Youqing an envelope before continuing, “Since you found a shortcut and finished these three tasks here, unless you’re aiming for the Hunter’s intel, you can choose to head back down now.”

Yu Youqing asked, “Is the other team still climbing?”

“Xu Liyu’s group is still working on the second task. They’ll continue the challenge,” the staff replied.

Yu Youqing nodded. “Then we’ll keep going too.”

Jiang Musheng turned to Cheng Shunzhu. “Xiao Cheng, still up for it?”

“I don’t want to go anymore.” Three consecutive losses in the earlier games had reaffirmed Cheng Shunzhu’s status as a gaming disaster. He felt he would only hold Jiang Musheng back from here on out. “Should we just go back?”

“Your team failed all three games, so there’s a penalty.” The staff noticed Cheng Shunzhu had already set the balloons aside. Though they pitied him, they pressed on, “Since your team is currently in last place, the penalty is spending the night in Gushan.”

Cheng Shunzhu gasped. “Both of us?!”

When Jiang Musheng heard they had to stay overnight in Gushan, her gaze froze for a split second—a reaction Yu Youqing caught.

Before this, Yu Youqing hadn’t been sure, but now she was certain: Jiang Musheng was genuinely afraid of the dark. Yet her teamwork was so impeccable that she hadn’t said a word, likely knowing Cheng Shunzhu would fuss over her if he found out. If Yu Youqing hadn’t noticed Jiang Musheng’s slightly stiff posture when she got close, she would still be in the dark about it.

The staff member said, “No, only one person will be penalized. The program team has prepared single-person camping equipment, and you can decide who it will be.”

“Wait a minute.” Yu Youqing frowned and was the first to ask, “Why?”

The staff replied, “It’s the program’s rule. There’s naturally a purpose behind it. Have Teacher Jiang and Xiao Cheng decided?”

Cheng Shunzhu, knowing he had been a liability to his teammates all night, volunteered, “Then I should stay! If it weren’t for me, Teacher Jiang and the others would’ve definitely won.”

“No need to think like that.” Jiang Musheng shook her head. “If only one stays, it should be an alpha.”

She wasn’t wrong. Omegas could face unexpected situations, and even with the crew monitoring at all times, unforeseen circumstances could arise. Subconsciously, omegas were fewer in number and naturally required more consideration—even protection.

Cheng Shunzhu grew anxious. “But—”

If Jiang Musheng had made up her mind, there was no changing it. Yet Cheng Shunzhu felt too guilty, wishing he could dig a hole and disappear from the cameras after his performance tonight.

He had a sudden idea. “How about we draw lots? That way, it’s fair. Whoever gets picked stays.”

Jiang Musheng said, “Fine.”

The staff quickly brought a wide-mouthed bottle with slips indicating “go” or “stay.” Jiang Musheng and Cheng Shunzhu each drew one. When unfolded, Jiang Musheng’s slip read “camping,” while Cheng Shunzhu’s said “rest.”

Cheng Shunzhu: “???”

Yu Youqing’s frown deepened.

Jiang Musheng, however, remained composed and asked, “Where’s the camping spot? Hand me the gear.”

[Ahhh! My Musheng!]

[Program team, have you no heart?! How can only one person take the punishment?!]

[I thought about it—it really wouldn’t be good for Teacher Jiang and Xiao Zhu to squeeze into one tent. That’d be a disaster…]

[But the program team’s being unfair here.]

[Is there another motive? They can’t seriously leave someone outside in the middle of winter.]

[I just want to ask—why aren’t the other guests objecting? Help each other out, stand up to the program team!]

At that moment, Yu Youqing suddenly spoke up. “This isn’t reasonable.”

Several gazes turned to her, filled with varying emotions. Yu Youqing could feel Jiang Musheng’s eyes on her but continued, “This is a dating show, not a survival program. Why leave someone camping outside in the middle of winter? They could catch a cold.”

“Xiao Yu’s concern is valid,” the staff member said with a smile. “So we’ve already taken that into account. There’s outdoor heating equipment, and professionals will guide them on how to use it. There won’t be any issues.”

Yu Youqing: “…”

Jiang Musheng watched the furrow between Yu Youqing’s brows—the first time she truly felt Yu Youqing was concerned about her.

In the pitch-black night, under dim streetlights, that person seemed to warm the icy moonlight into a scorching heat, delivering it straight to her side.

Yu Youqing still had to continue her mission, but Jiang Musheng then said, “I choose to keep going forward.”

Cheng Shunzhu: “Teacher Jiang, you’re still going?”

Jiang Musheng replied, “Those who go further can get clues about the hunter.”

At the mention of this, Yu Youqing inexplicably felt a pang of guilt and fell silent.

The staff then instructed them to continue climbing upwards.

But as they ascended, Yu Youqing was noticeably distracted, lost in her own thoughts.

Earlier, the staff had informed her about the additional rewards for winning three games.

“The person who captures the balloon clue will receive one swap opportunity. That means if your crush goes on a date with someone else, you can choose to switch places.”

This was supposed to be a great reward, yet Yu Youqing didn’t feel particularly happy about it.

She and Wei Xi moved faster, gradually taking the lead, while Jiang Musheng and Cheng Shunzhu fell behind.

Yu Youqing quietly asked the staff member beside her, “Can I ask—where exactly is the camping spot? Is it really safe? Won’t it be too cold? Are your professionals reliable? Not that I doubt them or anything…”

The staff member replied, “Xiao Yu, do you want to go too? Why not ask Teacher Jiang? She must have all the details.”

Yu Youqing immediately pressed her lips together. “I was just asking casually.”

By around nine in the evening, the temperature in the mountains had dropped significantly.

Wei Xi, exhausted from the climb, could barely go on, so Yu Youqing urged her to head back first. With staff accompanying her, it was safe anyway.

Normally, celebrities rarely had the time or energy to exercise. Yu Youqing had initially pushed herself for the sake of winning the clue, but now, her mind was wandering so much that she didn’t even realize how far she had gone without feeling tired.

Until the staff told her, “Xiao Yu, everyone else has already gone back. You’ve won.”

Yu Youqing turned abruptly.

The staff continued, “We have a shuttle to take you down. Hop on, and we’ll give you the clue once we’re back.”

Yu Youqing only asked, “Has Teacher Jiang already gone to the camping spot?”

By then, she was already on the shuttle, the wind howling as it carried her back toward the lodging.

“Yes,” the staff answered. “But she probably hasn’t arrived yet. Teacher Jiang’s camping spot is at the summit.”

Yu Youqing: “?”

She had been just a short distance from the summit herself. She hadn’t expected Jiang Musheng’s spot to be all the way up there.

Wouldn’t it be even colder at the peak?

For some reason, Yu Youqing couldn’t settle her mind—especially after learning Jiang Musheng’s location. She regretted not pushing on to the summit.

The shuttle continued moving, but Yu Youqing was lost in thought.

She overheard the staff member murmuring into their earpiece, communicating with the production team.

“Has the instructor gone with her?”

“They’ve already gone over the basics? Good, that’s good. Teacher Jiang should be fine.”

“The temperature in the mountains tonight… it’s especially cold, right? Below freezing?”

“Driver, wait.” Yu Youqing turned to look back toward the summit, as if making up her mind. “Please take me up there instead.”

The staff member was surprised. “Xiao Yu, what’s wrong?”

“There’s something I haven’t finished.” Her voice was soft, but despite the cold night air, she felt lighter after saying it, her tone lifting slightly. “If I don’t do this, I probably won’t sleep well tonight. Please take me there.”

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