The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 64

Wei Xi, standing at the back, observed everything with the keen eyes of a gossip enthusiast.

At first, she genuinely wondered if Shen Tingyao had done it on purpose. But upon further thought, that didn’t make sense. If Shen Tingyao had wanted to target Yu Youqing on the court, she could have taken the opportunity to smash the ball at her earlier, why wait until now?

Moreover, it was obvious that Shen Tingyao had been startled when Yu Youqing got hit in the face.

If Jiang Musheng hadn’t stepped in to take Yu Youqing off the court, Wei Xi could have sworn she saw Shen Tingyao about to rush over and apply the ointment herself, only to be beaten to it by Jiang Musheng.

Wei Xi couldn’t help but find it surreal. This wasn’t how Shen Tingyao should be acting wasn’t she supposed to be a rival in love?

After Jiang Musheng finished applying the ointment, Shen Tingyao approached Yu Youqing again.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Yu Youqing laughed helplessly. “It’s fine. Why are you all treating me like I’m some fragile thing? It’s just a little bump.”

Besides, after the ointment was applied, the slight pain was barely noticeable. But while she herself didn’t think much of it, everyone else seemed to be making a big deal out of it.

[Who said Yu Youqing was delicate?]

[Lol, if she were really playing up the delicate act, shouldn’t she be wailing right now?]

[For those who don’t know, even though Yu Youqing seems fine, anyone who’s played competitive badminton knows that getting hit like that with sudden force hurts like hell.]

[True. The more I watch, the more I feel like all those rumors about Yu Youqing before were just that rumors.]

[Has Yu Youqing never been on an immersive, live-filmed variety show like this before? Otherwise, fans would’ve seen her real personality ages ago.]

[Now that you mention it, she’s only ever been on pre-recorded shows. And we all know how much editing can manipulate those.]

[Damn, I think we just uncovered something big. Were all those past scandals fake?]

[I’m gonna be one of Yu Youqing’s first real fans!!]

[Too late her first real fans were probably the haters from the “Jiji-Zhazha” anti-fan club, LOL.]

[Teacher Jiang, could you tone it down? Your date is right there, and you’re busy applying ointment to another woman!]

[But your date also wanted to apply ointment to that same woman, LOL.]

[Who wouldn’t? [/dog]]

Since Yu Youqing was injured, Ji Fu had already returned to the court, leaving Yu Youqing to rest and watch from the sidelines.

But the remaining players seemed to have lost their competitive edge, turning the match into a friendly game. Yu Youqing cheered from the side, “Come on! Play harder! Give the audience a good show!”

Ji Fu: “Stop shouting!”

“Don’t yell it might make your face hurt more,” Jiang Musheng advised.

Shen Tingyao nodded. “I agree with Teacher Jiang.”

Wei Xi chimed in, “Yeah, Xiaoyu, just relax and take it easy, okay?”

Yu Youqing: Huh?

[LMAO]

[Yu Youqing: My injury has somehow united all of you?]

[Xiaoyu: Accidentally becomes the group’s darling.]

[Warning: This is not a drill. This is officially a comedy show.]

[“Thank you, Little Fish, for remembering to make the match exciting for us viewers even while injured. This VIP subscription was totally worth it, sniff sniff.”]

[“[/Highlight][/Highlight] President of Yu Youqing’s Fan Club: Hehe, check out my ID!”]

[“Are you mocking us who didn’t have time to change our names with your super VIP status? How annoying!”]

[“Stop fighting already hahaha, it’s been entertaining enough. Go rest up.”]

In the end, due to overwhelming fan requests and the guests’ visibly waning enthusiasm, the production team showed some humanity and actually let them return early.

Back at the villa, the others noticed the medicine on Yu Youqing’s face and gathered around to ask what happened.

Wei Xi explained, “I froze up during the ball game this afternoon when I should’ve dodged. Little Fish tried to pull me away and got hit by the ball instead.”

Cheng Shunzhu naturally asked, “Huh? Who threw the ball?”

“It was me,” Shen Tingyao sighed, offering a sincere apology. “I’m really sorry.”

Cheng Shunzhu looked curiously at the dynamic between Jiang Musheng, Shen Tingyao, and Yu Youqing.

Strangely enough, ever since they returned, Shen Tingyao’s previously domineering and somewhat antagonistic attitude toward Yu Youqing had completely vanished, as if she were a different person.

Seriously, what kind of dog-taming magic was this?

Yu Youqing said, “It’s really not a big deal.”

But she was the only one who thought so.

Cheng Shunzhu exaggeratedly replied, “No way! You’re a female celebrity, your face is your livelihood! And you’re so beautiful. If you’d insured this face for millions, you could’ve claimed a hefty payout for that injury.”

Yu Youqing stared at Cheng Shunzhu in amazement. “You’re so smart!” But back then, she had been too poor to afford insurance for her face.

After returning, Yu Youqing became the center of attention due to her injury, with everyone fussing over her.

So Jiang Musheng remained quietly on the sidelines, watching.

At times like this, Yu Youqing occasionally had a strange illusion as if Jiang Musheng had isolated herself from the lively circle, becoming an outsider. Yet everyone had said Jiang Musheng was easy to get along with, and that had indeed been the case here. Despite being the highest-profile guest, she treated everyone equally.

Yu Youqing couldn’t help but recall Jiang Musheng’s words to her yesterday advising her to lower her guard. Yet Jiang Musheng herself had the highest walls, keeping her true self secluded from the liveliness.

Tonight marked the final evening of the third day, which meant it was time for the customary “Heartfelt Messages” segment at the end of each episode.

All the guests changed into fresh outfits before reconvening.

Yu Youqing touched up her makeup in her room, and by then, the red mark on her face was barely visible.

Remembering how quiet Jiang Musheng had been since their return, she hesitated before leaving, then decided to knock on Jiang Musheng’s door.

“Ms. Jiang?” Yu Youqing stood outside. “Want to head down together?”

The door opened immediately. Jiang Musheng was wearing a long coat.

Yu Youqing noticed something: Jiang Musheng always wore a long coat on the last day of filming before leaving.

This alpha was a natural-born clothes hanger, and the long coat only accentuated her tall, slender frame.

And it was undeniably captivating.

But every time Jiang Musheng appeared in her overcoat, she was flawless, not a single detail out of place except today.

It seemed she had come in a hurry. One of her buttons was fastened wrong, and the belt of her coat wasn’t properly tied, hanging loosely from the buckle.

“Ahem.” Yu Youqing cleared her throat lightly. “Jiang-laoshi, there’s no need to rush.”

Jiang Musheng didn’t know what had given away her urgency. She was absolutely certain her expression remained perfectly composed.

So she calmly raised the pitch of her voice at the end: “Hm?”

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHA]

[Jiang-laoshi, you’ve already exposed yourself!]

[Oh my god, if it weren’t for Yu Youqing, I’d never have known Jiang-laoshi had this side to her!]

[I don’t want to ship them either, but it’s Jiang Musheng being flustered, who can resist?]

[Seriously, why is this happening? I never thought I’d ship Jiang Musheng and Yu Youqing before, but the subtle chemistry between them is undeniable. At this point, no one would believe there’s nothing going on.]

[She rushed to open the door with her buttons done wrong my face mask just cracked from laughing too hard.]

[Grinning like an auntie.]

[Xiaoyu, stay strong! Give our Jiang-laoshi some face!]

“Still ‘hm’?” Yu Youqing took a step forward. Privately, she didn’t want anyone else to see Jiang Musheng like this, so she decided to fix it herself.

Jiang Musheng was clearly startled, unsure why Yu Youqing was suddenly being so familiar with her. But the next second, Yu Youqing reached out to undo the misbuttoned hem of her coat.

“You!”

“Don’t move.” Yu Youqing deftly unfastened the button and redid it properly, then moved her hands to Jiang Musheng’s waist, picking up the loose belt still swaying at her side.

“You didn’t tie it properly. Let me help.” There was a hint of amusement in Yu Youqing’s voice this was the first time she’d seen Jiang Musheng like this. “I told you not to rush.”

Jiang Musheng’s mic was clipped at her waist, so Yu Youqing removed it to make adjusting the belt easier. Now, the audience couldn’t hear Jiang Musheng’s voice, allowing her to murmur, “This is the first time you’ve asked me to come down with you.”

Yu Youqing finally looked up at her.

What could she say?

The Jiang Musheng before her now was different. It was as if she had been pulled back into the center of the crowd, becoming more down-to-earth, no longer so distant.

“I’ll ask you again in the future,” Yu Youqing replied softly, reattaching the mic. Jiang Musheng tilted her head up slightly, her slender neck like a swan’s.

[Foul play!!]

[Jiang-laoshi, aren’t you an alpha? How can you be this docile?]

[She actually lifted her chin to let Yu Youqing adjust her coat collar.]

[I’ve only seen scenes this idol-drama-like in TV shows before, wuwu.]

[Immediately smacking my own clueless alpha! Why doesn’t she ever do things like this for me?]

[Beautiful love stories never belong to us ordinary folks. hugs self]

[That’s why we need to ship couples!!! My real life is already so hard can’t my CP at least be happy?]

[I can endure being single, but my CP must never break up!]

[Jiang-laoshi, like a big lion that’s already been tamed but Xiaoyu hasn’t even petted you yet!]

[“Isn’t that just like a big cat who starts purring the moment it makes eye contact with its owner? Hahaha!”]

[“Damn it! Yu Youqing, why aren’t you helping out?”]

By now, Yu Youqing had clearly understood the hint in Jiang Musheng’s movements.

But she didn’t step in. She simply fastened the buttons and adjusted Jiang Musheng’s belt before returning to her spot. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Musheng wasn’t disappointed. If Yu Youqing had actually helped straighten her collar, she might have been genuinely surprised.

When they reached the ground floor, Yu Youqing didn’t sit with Jiang Musheng either.

“Come here,” Xu Liyu patted the seat beside her. “Don’t sit with her. She’s got a date with someone else today. Sit with me.”

Yu Youqing smiled and took the seat. Xu Liyu teased Jiang Musheng, “What? You’re glaring at me now? Am I not telling the truth?”

Jiang Musheng replied, “You could stand to be a little quieter. You’re being noisy.”

The others soon arrived, and once everyone was seated, the staff made an appearance.

“Welcome, everyone! We’re here again at the end of our second recording session. I’m sure you’re all very familiar with this segment by now the heartfelt messages, our once-in-a-while tradition,” the staff member said with a smile. “This time, we’ve added new guests, so naturally, there are new messages too. The previous episodes have also sparked growing interest among our audience about the show’s direction.”

Cheng Shunzhu cut in, “Lao Zhao, stop beating around the bush. Just let us hear them already.”

[“Hahahaha, Little Bamboo is forever the impatient one!”]

[“Cheng Shunzhu, my spirit animal in this dating show.”]

[“Too bad our Little Bamboo is destined to be the comic relief in this romance show, never getting the girl. Come to this sister’s arms, I’ll love you!”]

[“Not necessarily. With the addition of new guest stars, someone might fall for Little Bamboo.”]

[“But honestly, the comic relief role suits him. Anyone can tell Cheng Shunzhu is a straight guy,no interest in female Alphas or Omegas.”]

“Who wants to go first?”

Cheng Shunzhu’s protest worked, and the director relented.

Cheng Shunzhu sighed, “I’ll go first.”

He had spent the day with Xu Liyu, but he felt their dynamic was more like siblings. This round, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t receive any messages.

As he passed by Xu Liyu, she patted his shoulder. “Not bad, kid. You’ve got some mental resilience. You’ll make a responsible Omega someday.”

Cheng Shunzhu grinned. “Thanks for the compliment, sis.”

He took the seat at the front, put on the headphones, and soon set them down with a knowing look. “Next, Wei Xi, you’re up.”

When Wei Xi sat down, it was clear she had received a message. Her expression was one of surprise, as if she hadn’t expected it from this person.

It was then that the audience realized their screens had gone silent! The audio from the microphone was completely cut off!

[“????????”]

[“Is my computer broken?”]

[“Did my phone glitch?”]

[“Why is there no sound in my headphones?!”]

[“What’s going on? Did they mute it, or is the show not broadcasting it? Wei Xi’s reaction doesn’t seem fake!”]

At this moment, a notification from the production team appeared on everyone’s livestream interface.

[Due to program confidentiality, starting from this episode, the audio messages received by each guest will only be released in the edited full version. We hope everyone tunes in on time!]

The barrage comments went wild.

[Ahhhhh how am I supposed to sleep tonight?!]

[Production team really knows how to boost ratings]

[Want to curse at the production team but somehow it feels justified]

[Another day where only the audience suffers]

[Whatever, with this unruly production team, this is exactly the kind of stunt they’d pull]

[So who left the message for Wei Xi then?]

[Looking at that shocked expression, could it be a new guest? She only met Shen Tingyao today]

[My guess is no. If it were Shen Tingyao, Wei Xi would probably look like she’d seen a ghost]

[Hahahahaha I see what you’re implying]

After listening, Wei Xi designated Xu Liyu to go next. Xu Liyu wore the headphones for about three minutes before taking them off, scanning the room with an inscrutable expression before saying, “Xiaoyu, your turn.”

Yu Youqing nodded and stood up under everyone’s expectant gazes. But after sitting down, she asked Zhao Yang outside: “Director, I have a question first.”

Zhao Yang: “Go ahead.”

“I just want to ask, how will the next episode’s guest pairings be determined after these confessions?” Yu Youqing said helplessly. “We’re all traumatized by your constantly changing rules. There’s a chance matched pairs still won’t get to interact next episode.”

[Hahahahaha production team PTSD]

[Yu Youqing speaks for all of us!]

[She must be reading fan comments, how else would she know so clearly?]

[This production team might actually break up the ships]

[Crying-laughing emoji x4]

[What can we do? We’re just poor viewers suffering through the wait]

“Now now, would our show really do that? This is a dating program.” Zhao Yang laughed, making his promise. “Pairs who match this episode will get three days of dating activities next episode. The third episode’s theme is pure sweetness!”

Yu Youqing: “You better keep your word.”

She sighed in relief and put on the headphones.

But when she played the recording, she heard the production staff’s voice instead.

“Congratulations on completing this episode’s Hunter mission. Multiple people recorded confessions for you, but this episode’s Hunter reward has already been redeemed.”

Yu Youqing listened carefully. After this message, the staff notification ended, and she heard Wei Xi’s voice.

“Xiaoyu, it’s me! Thanks for pulling me back today, I definitely wouldn’t have dodged otherwise. So I’m giving you my confession. That moment when you were so alpha who wouldn’t fall for that? Anyway, today I only want to give my confession to you.”

Yu Youqing’s gaze shifted and met Wei Xi’s, who gave her a victory sign.

Wei Xi had voted for her today, and since there were multiple people, it was likely that some wouldn’t receive messages.

Yu Youqing had only left one message for someone.

The second message.

“Hello.”

When Yu Youqing heard these two words, her pupils nearly trembled in shock.

It was Shen Tingyao!

Why was this person leaving her a message? Logically, shouldn’t she have steadfastly chosen Jiang Musheng, with Jiang Musheng ultimately choosing between her and Yu Youqing?

Yu Youqing had harbored a bit of a competitive spirit, secretly viewing Shen Tingyao as a rival. She had lost in the first round of multiple choices, so surely she should win this time, right?

Who would have thought this rival would leave her a message instead.

This person really doesn’t follow the usual script.

She continued listening.

“I bet you’re wondering why I left you a message. Surprised?” The voice in the recording chuckled, then paused as if thinking. “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Teacher Jiang, but I’m just taking an unconventional approach, if I want you to notice me, don’t I need to use some unusual methods? I hope we’ll have more chances to get to know each other next episode.”

Yu Youqing: “?”

That was a lot to unpack. What exactly did Shen Tingyao mean by that? Yu Youqing couldn’t quite figure it out.

Unlike when she had received Wei Xi’s message and could exchange glances, now, feeling the weight of multiple gazes on her, Yu Youqing grew increasingly restless.

She had no choice but to keep listening.

“Yu Youqing.”

The moment that familiar voice reached her ears, the tension in Yu Youqing’s furrowed brow instantly eased.

It was that distinctive tone Jiang Musheng used when calling her name.

“I’ll remember what you said last night, and the fireflies we watched together.” Jiang Musheng must have recorded this in a quiet place, because every breath was crystal clear. “I don’t know who you voted for today, but I hope it was me. Is that too much to ask?”

As far as Yu Youqing was concerned, Jiang Musheng could never ask for too much.

She had received three messages in total.

“Next,” Yu Youqing finally looked up. “Teacher Jiang, it’s your turn.”

Jiang Musheng stood up as instructed.

Now as an observer, Yu Youqing felt much bolder. She watched intently as Jiang Musheng took a seat and listened to the messages.

Jiang Musheng seemed to have received two messages. Yu Youqing wondered who else besides herself would have left one for Jiang Musheng after all, Shen Tingyao’s message had gone to her.

After that, the remaining participants listened to their messages.

A staff member announced, “Now that everyone has heard their messages, this episode’s recording is officially over! As for who left messages for whom, you’ll have to wait for the full version released this weekend. The livestream will end in five minutes, see you all next time!”

[Ah! It feels like we barely saw anything before the episode ended again, wuwuwu~]

[Relatable +1]

[I won’t sleep tonight, I’ll be dreaming about who voted for whom!]

[Looks like Little Fish is the big winner. I counted three messages for her, who were they from?]

[I’m crying, just let Little Fish and Teacher Jiang choose each other already. They’ve been forcibly separated all episode.]

[Will there be guest stars next episode?]

[Five-minute countdown, sisters!]

[“No worries, we can still meet in the Touchbo super topic hhhhhhh”]

[“There are countless detail experts in the super topic, let’s go!”]

As the livestream ended, the production team’s camera crew also wrapped up their work for the day.

As soon as Yu Youqing stood up, a staff member handed her phone over. Tiantian had messaged saying the car was already waiting outside.

Others were teasingly asking who she’d left her heart-fluttering message for. Cheng Shunzhu was the first to approach Yu Youqing, saying, “Sis, did you get several messages? I saw you listening for quite a while.”

“None of your nosy business,” Yu Youqing feigned seriousness. “That’s a secret, you’ll find out next episode.”

Jiang Musheng had also been about to step forward, but seeing others already crowding around Yu Youqing, she halted.

Unexpectedly, Yu Youqing waved at her first. “When are you leaving?”

“Later.” The moment Yu Youqing beckoned, Jiang Musheng resumed her steps and walked over. “And you?”

Yu Youqing: “I’ll leave later too.”

Once Jiang Musheng arrived, the others tactfully backed off, gradually packing up to leave.

Shen Tingyao frowned slightly, wanting to approach, but was pulled away by Wei Xi.

Only Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng remained in the living room.

Yu Youqing spoke first. “How was your date with Shen Tingyao today?”

“Didn’t I tell you last night?” Jiang Musheng paused, her tone carrying rare amusement. “I thought you wouldn’t ask.”

Early that morning, when Jiang Musheng had come out, Wei Xi happened to be leaving too and mentioned Yu Youqing was still buried under the covers, asleep. Jiang Musheng already knew her stance.

She was quite pleased, Yu Youqing really was like a child in front of her, probably thinking she’d hidden her feelings perfectly, but to Jiang Musheng, it was just some adorable pouting.

On the way back, Jiang Musheng had been guessing when Yu Youqing would finally ask this question.

She had to admire Yu Youqing for holding it in until the show wrapped up.

“I wasn’t curious at all,” the oblivious little Yu Youqing continued her clumsy act, stubbornly clinging to her pride. “Just asking casually.”

Jiang Musheng countered, “Then who else left you messages today besides me?”

“You, why are you asking that?”

Though it wasn’t a difficult question, Yu Youqing thought of Shen Tingyao’s message and inexplicably felt that since Shen Tingyao was Jiang Musheng’s date.

“I won’t tell you either.”

“But I genuinely want to know. I’m really curious,” Jiang Musheng said.

Yu Youqing: “?”

Since when did you play by these rules?

Yu Youqing’s throat tightened, feeling like it’d be strange not to answer. But just then, her phone chimed, Tiantian notifying her the car had arrived outside the villa.

“I’ll head out first,” Yu Youqing sighed in relief.

Once in the car, Tiantian asked, “So? Was this episode exciting enough? You look like you’re not quite done yet.”

As an outside viewer, Tiantian had followed all three days closely.

She pressed, “The other guests came on so strong aren’t you worried they might actually sweep Teacher Jiang off her feet? Didn’t you feel anything?”

Now inside the private car, it was completely their own space.

After hearing Tiantian’s words, Yu Youqing didn’t argue but instead fell silent.

“?” Tiantian noticed something was off from Yu Youqing’s expression. “Wait, why do you look so wronged?”

Yu Youqing remained silent, which made Tiantian grow anxious.

“Talk to me,” Tiantian said. “Although we joined this show to change people’s previous perceptions of you, that doesn’t mean you have to endure unfair treatment. Didn’t Manager Lin say you could still do whatever you want as a baseline?”

As someone who deeply immersed herself in the show’s live comments, Tiantian had noticed a significant improvement in the audience’s opinion of Yu Youqing this episode. Many viewers had become more aware, questioning the validity of past scandals about Yu Youqing.

Tiantian already knew about the tricks played by Yu Youqing’s former agency, so she enthusiastically liked every comment supporting Yu Youqing.

If Zhao Guili wasn’t guilty, why would she miss such a great opportunity? She would have long since come to smear Yu Youqing, yet there hadn’t been any movement so far.

“It’s not that,” Yu Youqing shook her head. “I’m just wondering, if it’s really okay to be a little selfish.”

Seeing the hesitation in Yu Youqing’s eyes, Tiantian suddenly understood. “I get it. Are you struggling with something related to Teacher Jiang?”

Yu Youqing was simply thinking about what her next step should be.

She felt somewhat lost.

Because the situation seemed to be deviating from her original goal, and she couldn’t even control her own heart.

She and Jiang Musheng had chosen each other something that should have been a happy occasion. So why did she have so many reservations?

She shouldn’t have been so stubborn earlier. When Jiang Musheng asked, she should have talked more with her.

The worries related to Jiang Musheng could only be truly soothed by Jiang Musheng herself.

“Yes,” she said softly.

“You’re just too close to see clearly,” Tiantian said, even taking out her phone to snap a photo of Yu Youqing with a click.

Yu Youqing: “What are you doing?”

“Capturing this rare moment of you agonizing over love,” Tiantian said, saving the photo with satisfaction. “You’re nothing like the playboy image people spread about you, let alone some heartless alpha. Do you know how many fans of your pairing with Teacher Jiang have skyrocketed this episode? Yet in the first episode, you two also had interactions, why do you think the biggest surge happened now?”

Yu Youqing frowned.

“From the moment you turned around and said you’d use your reward to go camping with Teacher Jiang, I couldn’t help but yell ‘holy shit’ at my screen,” Tiantian hesitated for a moment before patting Yu Youqing’s shoulder solemnly. “Sincerity begets sincerity. Whether you’re genuinely giving your all people aren’t fools. They can feel it.”

“So now you have more and more people supporting you. What are you afraid of? Still hung up on not wanting to ride on Teacher Jiang’s popularity? Come on, Ms. Yu Youqing, don’t you realize? You’re already famous this isn’t about relying on someone else’s clout anymore.” Tiantian laughed as she spoke. “What kind of show is this? A dating show! If you’ve really fallen for Teacher Jiang, go for it! What’s holding you back? At this point, if you don’t make a move, your fans won’t stand for it!”

Yu Youqing felt as though the fog in her heart had suddenly cleared, revealing a bright path ahead.

That’s right.

With nothing left to lose, what was she afraid of?

True cowardice was giving up before even trying. Yu Youqing understood now her recent hesitation stemmed from the fact that deep down, she didn’t want to give up so easily.

So, she decided to listen to that inner voice.

On this show, she would throw caution to the wind and give it her all.

The car hadn’t left yet.

The vans always lined up to pick them up, waiting for the ones ahead to depart first. Yu Youqing had walked quickly earlier and slipped into the car in no time. Now that her mind was made up, she desperately wanted to talk to Jiang Musheng.

She rolled down the window and saw Jiang Musheng just stepping out.

“Teacher Jiang!” Yu Youqing waved. “I have something to tell you.”

Jiang Musheng bent slightly, meeting her eyes at the car window. “What is it?”

“Are you heading to the airport? Ride with me.” Yu Youqing’s demeanor was completely different from before her eyes sparkled brilliantly, full of life. “Come with me, and I’ll tell you who just left me a message. How about it?”