The Scumbag A Really Doesn't Want to Become Famous [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 7
“This can’t be real.” Yu Youqing muttered to herself as she walked toward the figure at the entrance, just wanting to confirm whether she had drunk herself stupid.
Jiang Musheng watched as Yu Youqing stumbled toward her. Just as she was about to reach out to steady the seemingly unsteady woman, Yu Youqing suddenly stopped two steps away and leaned in closer.
A faint scent of alcohol lingered around Jiang Musheng, but it wasn’t unpleasant. With the proximity, she could see every one of Yu Youqing’s curled lashes, so close they almost brushed against her own.
Even Jiang Musheng paused for a moment.
But the next second, Yu Youqing’s hand reached up and lightly pinched Jiang Musheng’s cheeks.
Before Jiang Musheng could even frown, Yu Youqing sobered up halfway in a panic, hastily stepping back. “J-J-J-Jiang. Teacher?” The little tyrant demeanor she’d had at home earlier had completely vanished.
She retreated, but the lingering, intoxicating scent of alcohol in the air remained. Jiang Musheng thought regretfully that she hadn’t meant to scare her like this.
Finally stepping inside instead of lingering at the entrance, Jiang Musheng walked in while Yu Youqing’s mind was still struggling to catch up. Dazed, she followed behind Jiang Musheng, feeling as though Jiang Musheng was more at home here than she was.
Wait.
Her home?
Could Jiang Musheng be the landlord of this place?!
Jiang Musheng glanced at the small hot pot and bottles of alcohol on the table, a trace of amusement flashing in her eyes as she looked up at the woman who now seemed like a guilty child. “Seems like you’re settling in well here.”
Yu Youqing couldn’t even force a smile, barely managing a weak one. “I didn’t know that my landlord was Teacher Jiang.”
As if the shock wasn’t enough, she let out a tiny hiccup from the alcohol and immediately covered her mouth.
Stay calm. Don’t panic.
Would Teacher Jiang really eat you alive? And besides, weren’t you the one who drank? Shouldn’t alcohol make you bolder?
Yu Youqing mentally reassured herself.
The show on TV continued playing, making Yu Youqing even more uncomfortable. She checked the time, 8:30 PM.
Only 8:30.
And Jiang Musheng had taken a seat on the sofa, even asking, “Weren’t you watching TV? Sit a while longer?”
Yu Youqing sat as if on pins and needles.
She blurted out, “Teacher Jiang, you’re back so early.”
“Mhm. On days without schedules, I can leave even earlier.”
Yu Youqing gave a small “oh” before falling silent again. She had turned the volume up too loud earlier and had no idea when Jiang Musheng had returned. What if Jiang Musheng had heard all her nonsense? If she didn’t apologize now, when would she?
Talking about some “white moonlight”! What if Jiang Musheng got angry and kicked her out? She’d never find a better, more affordable place.
After the host had finished listing Yu Youqing’s past scandals, the next segment brought up Jiang Musheng’s interview about her so-called “white moonlight” again.
“It’s been half a month since the whole internet started competing to be the ‘White Moonlight,’ and everyone is curious about what kind of person could actually become Jiang Musheng’s White Moonlight. From what we know so far, Jiang Musheng has said it’s just a past memory in her heart and hopes everyone wouldn’t focus too much on her private life. But fans still want to know does calling someone a ‘White Moonlight’ mean the story didn’t end with them being together? Or…”
Yu Youqing was almost drawn in by the host’s words. As long as it wasn’t about her, she could listen with great interest.
Jiang Musheng said, “The volume’s a bit loud. Where’s the remote?”
“I’ll get it, I’ll get it!” Feeling guilty for causing trouble, Yu Youqing quickly grabbed the remote and turned it down. It wouldn’t do to make the landlord do such things.
Jiang Musheng suddenly remarked, “Don’t pay attention to fake news like this.” She had never called it a past memory, who knew where that came from?
Yu Youqing immediately turned off the TV.
She realized had she accidentally touched on a sore spot for Jiang-laoshi?
That White Moonlight must be something else, to have rejected an alpha like Jiang-laoshi.
As she stood up to clean the mess she’d left on the coffee table, Yu Youqing marveled at Jiang-laoshi’s saintly kindness, renting out her villa at such a low price. Given how wildly popular Jiang Musheng was now, her home was practically a hotel, she couldn’t possibly return often.
By now, Yu Youqing was completely sober. But when she finished tidying up, she was surprised to see Jiang Musheng still sitting on the sofa.
Yu Youqing reverted to the awkwardness of her first day moving in. “Jiang-laoshi, I’ll head upstairs now! Oh, right, about the dress the other day, thank you. I’ll go get it for you.”
“No need.” Jiang Musheng lifted her gaze, her eyes lightly resting on Yu Youqing. “It was a gift from the brand. I just passed it along.”
Oh, really?
If Yu Youqing hadn’t already checked with the brand, she might’ve believed that.
But then again, Jiang-laoshi had her pride. Maybe she’d tried to give the dress to her White Moonlight, got rejected, and didn’t want to admit it.
Yu Youqing nodded. “Still, thank you, Jiang-laoshi. Now that I’m your tenant, don’t worry, I’ll pay the rent on time, won’t disturb you, and definitely won’t interfere with your life.”
She emphasized, “I won’t tell anyone we’re living together!”
That was only right. Right now, Jiang Musheng’s fans adored her, while Yu Youqing had nothing but antis. No need to drag Jiang Musheng into her mess.
As a nobody who’d accidentally stumbled upon a big shot’s secret, the least she could do was keep her mouth shut especially after receiving so many favors.
Pursing her lips, Yu Youqing darted upstairs before Jiang Musheng could stop her.
The next morning, before heading downstairs, Yu Youqing listened carefully for any movement. She wasn’t comfortable being alone with Jiang Musheng in the house, it just felt awkward.
Luckily, the downstairs was empty.
Yu Youqing had a company meeting today to discuss her upcoming schedule. When she arrived, Tiantian excitedly said, “Remember how Jiang Yinghou mentioned in that interview that she has a White Moonlight?”
“Yeah, why?”
“You and Teacher Jiang both came from Songcheng,” Tian Tian analyzed while holding her tablet. “So our marketing strategy will focus on this angle, making you Teacher Jiang’s white moonlight.”
“I thought it was just a simple case of riding on coattails, but this is next-level,” Yu Youqing said.
Tian Tian replied, “Not at all. This is just one of many proposals. Do you think we’re the only ones doing this? Ever since Teacher Jiang’s interview came out, marketing teams from various rising stars have been working on similar plans. And all those sudden CP materials popping up online? You think fans made those? No way they’re deliberately released by teams. We’re actually late to the game.”
Yu Youqing felt like Jiang Musheng was a flower being ruthlessly plucked, petals falling one by one.
The only connection she had with Jiang Musheng was their shared origin in Songcheng nothing more.
“The company plans to get you into a dating show later, but first, you’ll be a guest on the slow-paced variety show ‘Where to Go This Saturday’ in a week,” Tian Tian added. “This is your first step in establishing your persona. The company assigned a new artist to assist you, but the show’s director is full of tricks and loves putting guests through their paces. If you’re mentally prepared, you can go.”
Yu Youqing asked, “How much does it pay?”
“For this episode, you’ll get this much.” Tian Tian held up five fingers. Yu Youqing immediately said, “Deal, no problem.”
Tian Tian: “??” Sis, are you that desperate for money?
–
Despite its cozy-sounding name, “Where to Go This Saturday” was actually an outdoor show where guests constantly outsmarted the production team. The regular cast were seasoned veterans, but new guest stars often struggled whether from intense physical challenges or unexpected twists, testing their quick thinking and revealing their true personalities.
A strong performance could win over many viewers.
The show filmed weekly for three days and two nights, taking guests to different locations for unique experiences and assigned tasks.
In the dressing room, Jiang Musheng checked her phone as a message from Lin Xuqiao popped up.
[Lin Xuqiao: I sent that girl to “Saturday.”]
[Lin Xuqiao: Don’t blame me for making her suffer a bit. Starting from scratch means some hardship, but if she nails the show’s appeal, it’ll win her fans.]
[Lin Xuqiao: Free next week? Let’s meet at Li Yu’s place. If you don’t come with me, I’ve got no excuse to see her.]
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Musheng replied: [Your artist, your call.]
She knew Yu Youqing wasn’t afraid of hardship. Jiang Musheng wouldn’t interfere with Lin Xuqiao’s arrangements for her own artist nor would she meddle in Yu Youqing’s decisions unless… Yu Youqing personally asked for her help.
Yang Yang walked in with a stack of schedules, muttering, “This production team’s something else. They’re pulling out all the stops to get you as a guest even sent us next episode’s plans in advance. They’re taking everyone to North City’s snowy mountains. Harsh conditions aside, skiing’s child’s play compared to ‘snow surfing.’ Isn’t that just asking for injuries? As usual, we’ll decline.”
But after a long while, Yangyang still hadn’t heard Jiang Musheng speak. Looking closely, she realized Jiang Musheng seemed lost in thought.
Yangyang said, “Sheng Sheng? Sheng Sheng! You’re supposed to join the filming next week. The snow mountain area is freezing, if you catch a cold, your fans will curse me to death! My dear Teacher Jiang, don’t even think about it. You turned down the previous invitations, so why are you considering the toughest one now?”
Director Wang of “Where to Go on Saturday” had invited Jiang Musheng several times before, but her schedule never aligned. Flipping through the show’s game arrangements, she frowned slightly.
The cold was harsh, especially on the snow mountain. As an alpha, she wouldn’t be affected, but she worried about freezing a certain delicate omega.
Jiang Musheng closed the document and placed it on the table. It was unclear who she was thinking of, but when she spoke again, her voice carried a faint trace of indulgent ease.
“Tell Director Wang I’ll take part in this recording.”
NOTE: Laoshi meaning Teacher.