The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 62

[What are they looking at?]

[Please, sisters who can read lips, tell me what they’re actually talking about!]

[I’m willing to pay, production team! Can’t you just go closer and check? Evil thought, you don’t have to be so respectful of the guests’ nighttime privacy. They’re not even asleep yet!]

[Too far away, can’t read lips!!! Crying.]

[And yet, the outdoor group is the most interesting to watch.]

[What the hell is that flying thing? It’s glowing!]

[Ahhhh fireflies!]

[Oh my god, this is so romantic.]

[It’s like the Milky Way.]

[QAQ The sight of fireflies surrounding them is just too beautiful.]

[If I were Jiang Musheng and saw Yu Youqing standing among the fireflies, I’d fall for her too.]

[Best moment of the year!]

[So what did they talk about?! I’m seriously going to throw a tantrum!]

Late at night, viewers who hadn’t slept yet flooded into the livestream, chatting more and more excitedly. Precisely because the production team didn’t bring the cameras closer, they couldn’t hear Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng’s conversation but that only made them more attuned to the subtle shift in the atmosphere between the two.

[Ahhhh what did they say?! Why is Teacher Jiang staring at Yu Youqing without saying anything?!]

[That look, I can practically feel the attraction.]

[Even the antis are starting to waver, what’s going on? [/lol]]

[Before clicking in, I just wanted to say it’s all scripted. After watching for a few minutes, I shut my mouth.]

[If this is acting, I’ll eat my own hat.]

[Why?! Why did I only realize now how perfect they are together?! Ah! What have I missed?!]

[Shouldn’t they kiss now? And then go into the tent? An Alpha and Omega alone in the wilderness, ahem.]

[Sis, this is a livestream, not the middle of nowhere. Keep your pants on.]

[I want to scream for help can someone cast them in a drama with this exact vibe?]

[Honestly, they’re killing it. The chemistry is unreal, wuwuwu.]

[Damn, I feel like my money was wasted. Production team, don’t you want to make more cash?! Here, take it! Just shove the camera in their faces, okay?!]

The demand for close-up shots instantly racked up thousands of likes, with plenty of frustrated fans chiming in.

Meanwhile, Jiang Musheng was intently watching Yu Youqing amidst the fireflies. She would etch this moment deep into her memory, a beautiful instant she would never forget.

As she stored this memory away, the deep-seated fear of darkness within her began to loosen. It was as if a massive, withered tree trunk of dread was slowly being uprooted from the soil of her heart, gradually surrounded by the glow of fireflies.

Though each firefly was tiny, together, they could form a galaxy.

A faint ache welled up from the depths of her heart, quickly spreading through her limbs. It had been a long time since Jiang Musheng had felt such an intense urge to cry. In her life, there had never been a moment that moved her to tears.

Even within her own family, she had always been distant and indifferent. No one had ever treated her the way Yu Youqing did as if she were a child to be comforted. Or rather, as if they were willing to go out of their way to soothe a weakness that shouldn’t even exist in her.

“Teacher Jiang?” Yu Youqing noticed Jiang Musong was lost in thought. A firefly had landed on her hand, and when she turned around, she saw another one perched on Jiang Musong’s head. She walked over and extended her hand, letting both fireflies flutter away from Jiang Musong’s hair.

“Am I right?” Yu Youqing smiled. “There will be light, and it’s incredibly beautiful.”

“Yes, incredibly beautiful light.” Jiang Musong’s gaze never left Yu Youqing’s face as she repeated the words, her tone lifting with warmth.

Even as they returned to their tent, a few fireflies still lingered around them.

“It’s a shame we won’t see them again after this,” Yu Youqing sighed.

“We can always come back to see them,” Jiang Musong said, noticing her reluctance.

“But for now,  never mind, you’re right.” Yu Youqing caught herself before saying more. She lifted the tent flap and yawned, waving at Jiang Musong. “Goodnight, Teacher Jiang. Sweet dreams.”

After showing Jiang Musong the fireflies tonight, maybe she wouldn’t have nightmares anymore?

Jiang Musong’s mood was entirely different now compared to when she had been waiting alone for the night to pass earlier. She nodded. “Goodnight.”

Yu Youqing went inside, reassured.

Camping outdoors at the mountain peak, the natural white noise of the surroundings lulled her into a deep and peaceful sleep. The next morning, she woke to the chirping of birds and insects.

It was still early, the bright light seeping through the gaps told her it was just dawn.

Stretching, Yu Youqing stepped out of the tent and saw Jiang Musong boiling water over the fire.

Spotting her, Jiang Musong handed her a small cup. “Have some tea.”

Yu Youqing took a sip and smiled. “Maybe it’s because we’re drinking tea in the mountains where we shouldn’t even have the means to, but it tastes especially fresh and sweet.”

“Tea brewed with dew has a slightly different flavor,” Jiang Musong said lightly.

“You collected dew this morning?” Yu Youqing asked.

Jiang Musong hummed in confirmation.

Yu Youqing drank every last drop, savoring the preciousness of each one.

“The fog was thick this morning, so we couldn’t see the sunrise. That’s why I didn’t wake you,” Jiang Musong explained.

“!” Yu Youqing had completely forgotten about that. After all, her claim about coming to see the sunrise had just been an offhand excuse yesterday she hadn’t expected Jiang Musong to take it to heart. She rubbed the cup awkwardly. “Oh,  it’s fine. We can see the sunrise anywhere. There’ll be plenty of chances in the future.”

After tea, they prepared to return to the villa. The crew would handle the remaining cleanup, and a program-arranged vehicle would take them down the mountain.

Back at the villa, the others were still asleep it was far too early.

The production team suggested Yu Youqing and Jiang Musong rest a little longer until the group gathered in the living room at 11:30.

The moment the others saw them, a flurry of questions erupted.

“How was camping last night?”

“Did you sleep well in the tent? Was it noisy outside all night? We were supposed to pick someone through games yesterday, but then—”

“Teacher Jiang, did you two do anything special last night?”

“The production team is so heartless! How could they give you two such a punishment being left outside overnight.”

“Xiaoyu! You made it to the very top, did you get the clue?”

“Camping was a great experience. I highly recommend everyone try it,” Jiang Musheng said under everyone’s expectant gazes. “The forest at night is beautiful in a way you can’t appreciate during the day.”

“I got the clue,” Yu Yousheng cleared her throat.

When she reached the summit, the staff had relayed the clue to her through her earpiece.

“The clue I got about the hunter is just four words,” Yu Yousheng deliberately built suspense, pausing under everyone’s eager looks before continuing, “‘Young and accomplished.'”

Everyone: “??”

“What does that mean?”

Jiang Musheng explained, “Literally, it means achieving remarkable success at a young age.”

“Right. Applied to our group, it likely points to someone who made their mark in their respective fields early on,” Yu Yousheng found herself unexpectedly in sync with Jiang Musheng. “Take me, for example, I debuted very young. Though I faded later, I should still fall within this hint’s scope.”

[This sister really holds nothing back]

[Hahahaha the way she’s self-aware about being washed up is both funny and heartbreaking]

[She really treats us like family]

[The others’ expressions mirror mine exactly]

[I suspected Yu Yousheng might be the hunter before, but now it seems unlikely? Why would she give such direct clues otherwise?]

[Either she really isn’t, or this is strategy]

“Yousheng-jie, you’re not washed up now, don’t say that,” Cheng Shunzhu comforted while also deflecting suspicion from himself. “That rules me out, I only debuted recently, hardly ‘young and accomplished.'”

“I relied on family connections in my youth, so that probably doesn’t count either?” Xu Liyu scanned the group. “If we’re talking early fame in your circles, wouldn’t that make both Xiaoyu and Musheng suspects? Along with Ji Fu and Wei Xi, didn’t you all show promise very young?”

Xu Liyu looked at Yu Yousheng: “Any other details? Like whether they’re omega or alpha? That would help narrow it down.”

“Nothing else,” Yu Yousheng shook her head. “If the clues were too obvious, the production team probably worried it would ruin the fun.”

“True!” Wei Xi nodded. “We’ll eliminate possibilities one by one. More task clues will surely appear later.”

“Right,” Yu Yousheng agreed, quietly exhaling in relief.

The actual clue she’d received was only half revealed.

The complete hint wasn’t just “young and accomplished”, it was followed by “omega.”

Wouldn’t that practically announce who it was? So Yu Yousheng withheld it, knowing the production team wouldn’t interfere anyway.

She hadn’t expected everyone to trust her so completely, letting the deception pass so smoothly.

As they finished speaking, a staff member appeared.

“Attention everyone, we’ll have a new guest joining us today.”

This announcement drew surprised expressions all around, as this hadn’t been mentioned in the original program arrangements.

As the staff member’s words faded, a tall woman pushing a suitcase appeared at the door. She had chocolate-brown wavy long hair, earth-toned makeup, and red lips exuding the commanding aura of an alpha female. When she appeared on camera, she greeted everyone with an easygoing smile.

“Hello everyone, I’m Shen Tingyao, twenty-six years old.” Her gaze had been fixed on Jiang Musheng from the moment she entered, completely unabashed. “I’m into forbidden alpha-alpha relationships, and I came to this show specifically for Teacher Jiang.”

Shen Tingyao debuted two years ago playing an empress in a historical drama, consistently portraying strong female characters. With several breakout supporting roles, she enjoyed decent popularity.

Wei Xi gasped beside Yu Youqing, whispering, “She’s so bold.”

After Shen Tingyao’s introduction, the others naturally followed her lead and turned their attention to Jiang Musheng.

Jiang Musheng merely exchanged a polite glance with Shen Tingyao before looking away.

Yu Youqing remained silent, quickly observing Shen Tingyao and noticing she didn’t even glance her way.

Wait, why did that tone sound somewhat provocative?

But who exactly was she challenging?

Shen Tingyao walked straight toward Jiang Musheng and took the seat closest to her.

Even Yu Youqing hadn’t sat that close to Jiang Musheng.

The atmosphere momentarily froze, leaving others unsure how to respond.

A staff member intervened: “As our weekly guest star, Shen Tingyao gets a special privilege on her first day, she can choose to pair up with whoever was left alone last night.”

Yu Youqing: “…?”

Cheng Shunzhu exclaimed, “So that’s why you arranged yesterday’s tasks this way! Does that mean I missed my chance to spend time with a beauty?”

His remark instantly lightened the mood. While Shen Tingyao’s approach to Jiang Musheng was direct and intense, she behaved normally toward other guests.

Her interest in Jiang Musheng was unmistakable when she suddenly addressed Yu Youqing: “Hello, Little Fish.”

Only then did Jiang Musheng look up.

Shen Tingyao continued: “I watched the previous episode and saw you had many interactions with Teacher Jiang. Everyone says you two have the best chemistry so far, so—”

She smiled at Yu Youqing and declared: “May the best woman win.”

“Hello.” Yu Youqing briefly touched Shen Tingyao’s hand in greeting, feeling inexplicably unsettled. She should have explained that she hadn’t actually interacted much with Jiang Musheng in the previous episode. But hearing Shen Tingyao’s challenge, she suddenly didn’t want to clarify.

Yu Youqing wasn’t sure if her expression remained friendly at least she hoped not to appear petty.

“Now that’s throwing down the gauntlet,” Xu Liyu chuckled, patting Jiang Musheng’s shoulder twice. “Two stunning women competing for you, what incredible luck.”

After resting and welcoming their new guest, it was time to begin the day’s challenges.

Shen Tingyao immediately positioned herself closer to Jiang Musheng during filming.

“Little Fish, aren’t you going over there?”

At one point, Wei Xi even asked Yu Youqing this question.

Yu Youqing shook her head and said, “Why should I go over there? We’re all just hanging out together, no need to overthink it. Besides, she only gets that privilege on her first day here. It’s only natural for her to be with Teacher Jiang.”

“But she’s clearly trying to steal Teacher Jiang away from you!” Wei Xi exclaimed.

Yu Youqing replied, “Teacher Jiang was never mine to begin with. How can you ‘steal’ what doesn’t belong to you?”

“But last night you went to keep Teacher Jiang company. I thought you liked her.”

“Didn’t I already explain?” Yu Youqing said. “I just happened to go watch the sunrise, that’s all.”

Wei Xi fell silent then.

But as she trailed behind, being one of the first in the show to ship Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng, she muttered under her breath, “Sis, your stubbornness is only going to hurt you.”

The live audience following along caught her words and flooded the chat:

[Sis, your stubbornness is only going to hurt you]
[Sis, your stubbornness is only going to hurt you]
[Your stubbornness is going to ruin everything!!!!!!]
[I can feel everyone’s frustration, I know you’re anxious but please stay calm for now]
[Next time I like someone, I’ll just tell them I want to watch the sunrise together]
[Shen Tingyao pursuing Teacher Jiang is normal for this show, but Yu Youqing doing nothing is what’s abnormal here!! Weren’t you after clout? Why aren’t you making a move?!]
[That year, the apricot blossoms danced in the drizzle, yet you claimed you were only there for the sunrise]
[Last night’s fireflies made me fall hard, don’t let me ship them just to see them break up already T_T]
[Fine, let’s wait it out. It’s only the second episode there’ll be plenty more chances later]

Throughout the day, Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng’s gazes met several times.

But she neither avoided them nor lingered just held them for a second or two before looking away, as usual. During tasks, Jiang Musheng and Shen Tingyao naturally paired up.

By evening, Yu Youqing finally felt she could relax.

Just get through today, and Jiang Musheng wouldn’t be tied to Shen Tingyao anymore.

Before bed, the crew gathered all the guests as usual to announce the next day’s arrangements.

Yu Youqing took her original seat from noon.

A staff member stepped forward.

“After today, I believe you’ve all grown closer. Tomorrow is our final day of filming. Following today’s group outing, it’s time again to choose individual partners for dates.”

Yu Youqing kept her hands perfectly still on her knees, looking exceptionally well-behaved.

She still hadn’t decided who to pick tomorrow. Based on the first episode’s format, group dates were probably still an option.

“Choosing partners? Is it free choice?” Shen Tingyao, experiencing this for the first time, spoke up first. “I pick Teacher Jiang!”

The moment she said it, a voice echoed in Yu Youqing’s heart:

I want to pick Teacher Jiang too!

But the crew hadn’t specified the selection format yet they’d only mentioned choosing. Xu Liyu picked Cheng Shunzhu, while Ji Fu and Wei Xi had already paired up, leaving just the three of them.

Staff: “Shen Tingyao, are you certain about choosing Teacher Jiang?”

“Absolutely, without a doubt,” Shen Tingyao said. “Xiaoyu, who are you picking?”

Yu Youqing seemed to hear her own heart answering yes, she was absolutely certain she wanted to choose Teacher Jiang.

Jiang Musheng had already begun to speak, but after Shen Tingyao asked that question, the camera shifted to Yu Youqing’s face.

Throughout the entire day, Yu Youqing hadn’t shown any signs of strangeness. Even after Shen Tingyao arrived and declared fair competition, she had remained as composed as usual.

But now, in the evening, when it was time to make a choice,

She knew she shouldn’t back down.

All day, Yu Youqing had been wrestling with whether or not to take this step. She reasoned that since Shen Tingyao was just a guest, she wouldn’t be on the show for long. Why should she care so much?

She had spent a long time trying to figure out what exactly she was so bothered about. Why did she feel so unsettled? It was just one day there was still another day of filming left, and Jiang Musheng might not even be with her anymore. So why did it matter?

Yet there was no logic to it.

Especially after Shen Tingyao announced her choice, Yu Youqing felt as if she had been provoked. A fierce determination surged within her. Even if it was just for tonight, even if the chance was slim, she wanted to seize Teacher Jiang for herself.

Seize. Yu Youqing realized, with some surprise, that she had unconsciously used that word.

Facing the camera, she said firmly, “I choose Teacher Jiang.”

The moment the words left her mouth, the expressions around the room shifted dramatically.

“Damn!” Cheng Shunzhu quickly covered his mouth after the curse slipped out, lowering his voice. “This is intense. A two-way choice? I mean, of course Teacher Jiang would pick our Youqing-jie, but still, I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Who has?” Wei Xi muttered. After following Yu Youqing all day, she had genuinely believed Yu Youqing had no thoughts on the matter. Now, it seemed the opposite was true.

Xu Liyu looked amused. “So what now? Are we doing a three-way date like last time?”

Jiang Musheng, who had maintained her usual cool and composed demeanor, finally showed a crack in her facade the moment Yu Youqing chose her. A glimmer of delight flickered in her dark eyes.

To the off-camera crew, her expression was unmistakably bright. But in the heat of the moment, Yu Youqing, still tense, didn’t notice.

“The rules are different this time,” a staff member explained. “The second day’s date is one-on-one. But for Teacher Jiang, there’s an exception.”

“First, because she was left unpaired last night. Second, as a guest this round, Shen Tingyao has a special privilege, if the person she chooses hasn’t matched with anyone else, she gets priority to pair with them unconditionally.”

“Ah!” Wei Xi gasped. “So when she let Youqing speak first, she already knew about her privilege. Even if Teacher Jiang had chosen Youqing first, it would’ve still worked out for her.”

For a couple of seconds after the announcement, Yu Youqing stood frozen, unable to react.

Then, suddenly, she remembered the reward she had earned from yesterday’s mission.

Exchange.

It’s no surprise the show arranged things this way, it actually makes perfect sense. If she hadn’t impulsively used that reward last night, she could have swapped places with someone today.

Unfortunately, the reward had already been used yesterday. Moreover, she and Jiang Musheng hadn’t completed their mutual selection just now, so there was no chance to turn things around.

The staff announced, “Congratulations! Tomorrow, Shen Tingyao and Jiang Musheng will begin their two-person date!”

Yu Youqing didn’t look at Jiang Musheng’s expression again.

She was afraid to see disappointment in Jiang Musheng’s eyes that would make her feel truly regretful. At the same time, she was also afraid of not seeing any disappointment in Jiang Musheng’s expression, which would undoubtedly make her heart ache.

So Yu Youqing simply avoided looking at anyone.

She didn’t know what was said afterward, lost in her own thoughts, though she managed to keep her composure on the surface.

It wasn’t until the production team announced the end of the livestream and everyone returned to their rooms that Yu Youqing finally let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the bed.

Damn it.

Turns out, she really didn’t want Jiang Musheng to go on a date with someone else.

Wei Xi hadn’t returned yet, so the room was empty except for her. Free to release her emotions without restraint, Yu Youqing grabbed her pillow and smacked it hard against the bed several times.

It was like punching cotton, no one would feel the pain anyway.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Yu Youqing buried her face back into the blanket, assuming it was Wei Xi, and mumbled, “The door’s unlocked. Come in.”

Unexpectedly, the voice that greeted her was one she knew well.

“What are you doing?” Jiang Musheng’s tone carried a hint of confusion. “Are you upset?”

“N-No!” Yu Youqing immediately sat up, her hair fluffing up from the sudden movement, making her look soft and tousled. Her face, having been pressed into the blanket, was slightly flushed.

“Why are you here?”

“To bring you this. Didn’t we walk around all day today?” Jiang Musheng placed a packet of foot soak powder on Yu Youqing’s nightstand.

Yu Youqing blurted out without thinking, “You have so much of this? Why didn’t you give it to me yesterday?”

But Jiang Musheng didn’t answer the question. Instead, she said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out first.”

As Jiang Musheng made to leave, a surge of determination rose in Yu Youqing’s chest.

All evening, she hadn’t heard Jiang Musheng’s choice. Who had Jiang Musheng originally wanted to pick?

During the first episode, they had often ended up doing activities together, even when they weren’t in the same group.

But none of the other guests had shown any romantic interest in Jiang Musheng, so Yu Youqing had assumed it was just friendly banter and never felt any sense of threat.

Yet today, with Shen Tingyao’s arrival, she had truly felt it.

And this was just a guest for one episode. What if, in the future, more guests came each one vying for Jiang Musheng’s attention?

At this moment, Yu Youqing realized that her earlier declaration that she hadn’t joined the show to pursue Jiang Musheng, had become a shackle. Just like how she had repeatedly told herself not to fall too deep.

But now, she couldn’t suppress her impulses anymore.

Just as Jiang Musheng had said feelings were sometimes utterly unreasonable.

She wasn’t a fool. The moment she realized how much she didn’t want Jiang Musheng to go on a date with Shen Tingyao, she knew exactly what it meant.

The others were just friends. But this newcomer? She was a real rival.

As Jiang Musheng stood up, Yu Youqing called out softly:

“Jiang-laoshi.”

Jiang Musheng turned back, looking at Yu Youqing, who sat wrapped in her blanket under the lamplight.

Yu Youqing’s expression showed a mix of hesitation and unmistakable disappointment. Her slightly tousled hair made her look like a pitiful little kitten, curling up its tiny tail while hiding its clumsy little thoughts.

“Actually, I really want to know,” Yu Youqing finally lifted her head to meet Jiang Musheng’s gaze, her voice tinged with bitterness, “if it weren’t for Shen Tingyao’s special privilege, would the person you originally chose have been me? The truth is. I didn’t want you to go on that date with her.”