The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 9

Yu Youqing didn’t understand why Jiang Musheng’s expression suddenly froze, making the atmosphere around them drop several degrees. Even in the well-heated room, she couldn’t help but shiver slightly.

“What’s wrong, Teacher Jiang? Did I say something wrong?” Yu Youqing asked.

Jiang Musheng turned and walked away.

Just like that.

Indeed, Teacher Jiang really disliked people prying into her private contact information!

Yu Youqing became even more convinced her assumption was correct.

But just as she was about to close her suitcase, Jiang Musheng returned this time holding a long, thick black-and-white checkered scarf.

“Take this too,” Jiang Musheng handed it to Yu Youqing.

“No need!” Before she could finish, Jiang Musheng stuffed the scarf into Yu Youqing’s suitcase. “When you get to the location, some of your cold-weather gear will be confiscated.”

“???” That’s insane! Before she could even condemn the show’s production team, Youqing noticed something odd. “How did you know?”

Jiang Musheng remained unruffled. “Li Rongcheng was my former teacher. He told me.”

Li Rongcheng was one of the show’s regular hosts, a veteran theater actor.

Yu Youqing: “But isn’t this also cold-weather gear?”

“Your own will be taken, but gifts from others won’t.” With the advantage of having read the show’s script, Jiang Musheng instructed, “Just say someone gave it to you.”

Yu Youqing was deeply moved. “Teacher Jiang, you’re such a good person.”

Jiang Musheng: “…” Next time, spare me the “good person” card, I’ve heard it so much it’s lost all meaning.

Yu Youqing thanked Jiang Musheng several more times but still didn’t mention the contact info, happily heading upstairs to sleep.

–

The next day, on the flight to Beicheng, Yu Youqing took out the scarf.

Even in Songcheng, the weather was already freezing, with breath turning to mist in the air. The scarf was incredibly warm, wrapping around her so snugly it could hide half her face.

Since her rebirth, Yu Youqing had been rather careless about clothing, if not for her styling team, she’d just throw on whatever was handy.

If she didn’t put in a little effort, she’d almost forget how good she looked.

She took out her phone and snapped a few selfies she was satisfied with, admiring them afterward.

“When did you get this new scarf? It’s gorgeous,” Tiantian praised, leaning in for a closer look. “You haven’t posted in ages, why not share one of these photos? Huh? I recognize this scarf. It’s gotten crazy expensive lately 20,000 yuan per piece.”

“That expensive?” Yu Youqing clicked her tongue, then realized, of course. Jiang Musheng earned so much, what did a little thing like this matter to her? Even the frostbite ointment she’d given her was pricey and hard to get.

“It shot up in price after Jiang Musheng endorsed it,” Tiantian said with a laugh, then showed her phone. “Have you seen this?”

Yu Youqing had just posted one of her selfies when she glanced at Tiantian’s screen and froze.

Wasn’t that the question she’d casually answered a few days ago?

But now, next to the question was a small “trending” icon, it had actually made it to the Q&A hotlist.

Tiantian: “This anonymous user claims to be living with their idol right now. Whether it’s true or not, it’s gone viral… Everyone’s trying to guess who the idol might be. Fans are going crazy imagining themselves in that position. Look at these replies things like ‘Your life is my dream, please give us more fantasy material.'”

She didn’t notice the momentary discomfort on Yu Youqing’s face and continued, “This answer suddenly blew up last night. Everyone’s begging this anonymous user to share more. I initially thought it was a publicity stunt, but after reading their only reply, it seems they genuinely adore their idol.”

Yu Youqing instinctively blurted out, “Nonsense!”

“What? Have you seen it too?” Tian Tian grew more excited seeing even the usually indifferent Yu Youqing engaging in the discussion. “Even within the industry, artists have their own idols. Like Teacher Jiang many celebrities look up to her.” She then asked, “Sis, don’t you have any artists you particularly admire?”

“I don’t,” Yu Youqing replied, already seeing Tian Tian open the reply from [Anonymous User 009]. She felt an inexplicable shame, as if her secret identity had been exposed, and turned her face away, adding, “How could I possibly have one?”

Tian Tian: “Fair enough.”

Yu Youqing sighed in relief. She hadn’t logged out after posting her work photo, so comments kept pouring in.

[Only posting now after switching companies? Thanks, but no thanks]
[Heartless and only knows how to stir drama. Your fans are gone, and anyone who dares speak up gets attacked]
[Is that necklace she’s wearing the classic design endorsed by our Shengsheng??? You’re desperate for attention, still riding on Shengsheng’s coattails]
[Wasn’t that red carpet incident enough for you?]
[Fans are being too extreme maybe she just bought it casually]
[No way, that black-and-white checkered pattern is Shengsheng’s signature piece. It’s sold out everywhere, she’s doing this on purpose]
[LOL, maybe on someone else, but not on this talentless Yu Youqing. All she knows is how to create hype!]

Yu Youqing skimmed through them and turned off her phone.

“Don’t pay attention to those. You’ll gain new fans after this show,” Tiantian quickly changed the subject, thinking Yu Youqing was upset. “Are you familiar with the regular hosts of the show?”

“Saturday Night” had two permanent hosts, Lü Fan and Li Rongcheng, both respected veterans in the industry with extensive connections.

Yu Youqing nodded. “I’ve met them both, but I know Teacher Li Rongcheng better.” After a pause, she added with a smile, “Though ‘better’ might be an overstatement, he once criticized me.”

That was about a year before her career took a nosedive. Her company had arranged for her to be a guest performer on an acting show, instructing her to just go through the motions. Her performance was a disaster. Li Rongcheng, as a judge, had scolded her: “An actor as impatient and exaggerated as you won’t last long!”

And indeed, she faded into obscurity. Looking back, Teacher Li had been absolutely right.

Tiantian gasped. “You’re not going to argue with Teacher Li when you see him, are you?! You have to stay calm.”

No, I won’t.

Yu Youqing only wanted to say one thing to Li Rongcheng: I stand corrected, you’re truly a master strategist.

“Three guest stars in total, plus one mystery guest. Who could it be?” Tiantian muttered curiously. The production team’s secrecy was impeccable. “It’s just a shame that aside from you and Yin Zi, the other guest is Liang Yitang. I don’t know why she’s even coming.”

Yu Youqing wasn’t worried. If Liang Yitang wanted to come, so be it. She was here to gain exposure, not to engage in some petty rivalry with her.

Tiantian added, “But I saw a lot of comments under the official Weibo post saying Jiang Musheng would be perfect for the snow mountain mission. Many are speculating it might be her. If it really is Teacher Jiang, you should seize the chance to interact with her more.”

“No way,” Yu Youqing said firmly. “Whoever the mystery guest is, it definitely won’t be Teacher Jiang.”

When she had been packing earlier, Jiang Musheng hadn’t said a word about it. Besides, everyone knew Jiang Musheng rarely participated in variety shows, let alone one this grueling.

Yu Youqing closed her eyes, ready to rest, but the in-flight entertainment was playing the movie Jiang Musheng had filmed in the snow-capped mountains.

On screen, Jiang Musheng effortlessly carved down the slope on a snowboard, snow spraying in her wake as the board sliced through the air. Her face, illuminated as if by a radiant glow, exuded confidence and charisma so striking it was impossible to look away.

“Wow, Teacher Jiang really embodies every role she plays,” Tiantian marveled, suddenly struck by inspiration. She leaned in and whispered her bold theory to Yu Youqing, “Remember that post saying even A-listers worry about their houses feeling lifeless when left empty, so they rent out their villas at rock-bottom prices? The place you rented was dirt-cheap too… Have you even met your landlord?!”

Tiantian’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “If that anonymous post was true, this could be some ‘Top Star Falls for Me’ drama. Holy crap!”

Yu Youqing’s heart skipped a beat, but she calmly pushed Tiantian away, keeping her expression neutral. “I’ve met them. It’s not what you think.”

She added pointedly, “Love doesn’t happen that easily. Cut back on the novels.”

Yet somehow, Yu Youqing, who had been ready to sleep, was now wide awake, her gaze fixed on Jiang Musheng on the screen.

Had Teacher Jiang been appearing in her life a little too often lately?

So often that even she had started entertaining the faintest, most absurd thoughts.

Ridiculous.

At the Snow Mountain Park filming site, the crew was already in place, and one guest had arrived.

Liang Yitang was exchanging pleasantries with the two hosts. Though the weather was freezing, the indoor heating kept them warm except for the massive floor-to-ceiling window that offered a view of anyone approaching outside.

The camera crew outside were bundled up tightly, but the bitter cold was still relentless.

“Teacher, are most of today’s missions outdoors?” Liang Yitang had dressed lightly for her grand entrance on camera, knowing first impressions mattered. The short walk through the snow had nearly been the death of her, but she’d toughed it out. Now, she was glued to the fireplace.

Li Rongcheng chuckled. “Plenty. I know this won’t be easy for you youngsters. It’s freezing, don’t just prioritize looking good over staying warm!”

Liang Yitang had come mainly because she recognized Li Rongcheng and Lü Fan’s extensive connections in the industry, hoping to build relationships while also taking a dig at Yu Youqing.

She knew Yu Youqing had been scolded by Li Rongcheng before, so he definitely didn’t like her.

“Teacher Li, did you know Sister Youqing is coming too?” Liang Yitang shifted the topic. “Sister Youqing probably wears even less than I do. Last time I ran into her on the red carpet, she actually gave me her coat in front of the cameras. She really doesn’t seem to feel the cold.”

Li Rongcheng frowned sternly. “Yu Youqing is far too frivolous!”

Just as he finished speaking, Lü Fan glanced out the floor-to-ceiling window. “Old Li, who’s that?”

Everyone looked up, their gazes freezing.

Outside the window, an indistinct figure appeared.

As it got closer, they realized it was a person bundled up tightly in a military-style coat, exuding an earthy, no-nonsense vibe. The fur collar was pulled up so high that not even a face was visible, and the brown furry hat on their head had two ears, making them look like a bear bouncing along.

Everyone: ?

A moment later, the person tugged the collar down slightly, revealing Yu Youqing’s face, small as a palm, her breath puffing white in the cold. Her eyes sparkled even brighter as she cheerfully waved through the window. “Hello, teachers!!”

Li Rongcheng: ?

Who is this girl greeting??

Has Yu Youqing frozen her brain???

Is this any way for a female celebrity to behave?!

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