The Trash A Really Doesn't Want to Go Viral [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 12

Jiang Musheng actually gave her the coat.

Gave it to her!

But what about Jiang Musheng herself?

Realizing this, Yu Youqing immediately tried to take off the scarf around her neck to give it back, but Jiang Musheng said, “I’m not cold.”

“How could you not be cold? Even if your clothes are warm, your hands are still freezing.” Yu Youqing seized the chance to explain about the scarf, “Oh right! This scarf is Zizi’s, not the one you gave me.”

Afraid the cameras might pick it up, she lowered her voice, “I couldn’t bear to wear the one you gave me.”

Yu Youqing thought she had come up with a pretty good excuse.

Jiang Musheng didn’t seem to be in a hurry to return to the campsite. She nodded and said, “I know.”

The scarf she had given Yu Youqing had a little secret—the brand had embroidered a label with her name on it, making it one-of-a-kind. Just a glance told her this wasn’t the one she had given Yu Youqing.

“Teacher Jiang, this was included with your task.” A staff member hurried over, carrying a bowl of tofu, looking somewhat embarrassed. “But it’s so cold… it’s turned into frozen tofu.”

He tapped it, and the tofu made a crisp, hollow sound.

Yu Youqing: “Included?”

Staff: “Yes, this came with the beef task Teacher Jiang took. Teacher Jiang, is this all right?”

Yu Youqing thought, wasn’t tofu something she had mentioned wanting in the group chat? Was this a coincidence?

Jiang Musheng turned to her and asked, “Is this all right?”

Yu Youqing froze for a moment before nodding eagerly, “Yes, yes!”

So, was there even the slightest possibility that Jiang Musheng had taken this task to get the ingredient she wanted?

Yu Youqing felt a little flustered at her own bold thought. Coincidence, it must be a coincidence.

But somehow, the tightness in her chest from seeing Liang Yitang wrapped in Jiang Musheng’s coat had completely dissipated in that instant.

She and Jiang Musheng walked slowly back through the snow, with Jiang Musheng leading the way, carrying the small bag of tofu.

“Teacher Jiang,” Yu Youqing said, her throat dry and sore, “wait for me a second.”

She wanted water, but they were still a short distance from the campsite—where would she find any? Self-sufficient, Yu Youqing eyed the snow on the ground.

Wasn’t this the perfect solution?

When Jiang Musheng turned around, she saw Yu Youqing struggling to squat down, pushing the scarf aside. Bundled up in thick layers, her arms looked like little lotus roots, barely able to extend.

Jiang Musheng crouched down and removed her gloves.

“What do you need?”

Snowflakes clung to the tips of Yu Youqing’s lashes. She blinked, tilting her head up slightly, and said, “I’m so thirsty. I want water.”

Jiang Musheng’s hands were slender, and Yu Youqing’s gaze was immediately drawn to them. She had expected Jiang Musheng to laugh at her childish idea, but instead, Jiang Musheng scooped up a handful of snow. The crystalline flakes melted against her skin, dripping away.

“Still hesitating?” Jiang Musheng brought her hand to Yu Youqing’s lips. “It’ll melt soon.”

Yu Youqing bent down and took a sip, the icy sweetness spreading across her tongue.

Jiang Musheng was feeding her snow.

Yu Youqing felt dazed. The heat in her lungs seemed to have spread through her body. She didn’t realize the snow in Jiang Musheng’s palm had almost completely melted, and Jiang Musheng didn’t stop her. So when Yu Youqing lowered her head again, her tongue lightly grazed Jiang Musheng’s palm.

!!!

Yu Youqing sprang up like a coiled spring, her face flushed as she stammered, “I didn’t mean to do that.”

“I know.” Jiang Musheng glanced at her palm before standing up.

Yu Youqing wanted to fetch Jiang Musheng a tissue, but she had already put her gloves back on.

Her heart pounded with anxiety, wondering if Jiang Musheng might think she had ulterior motives. The two returned to the campsite in tense silence without exchanging another word.

The ingredients had already been delivered, so Yin Zi was helping in the kitchen. Liang Yitang claimed to have caught a cold and had retired to her room.

A fire crackled in the hearth of the living room, and Li Rongcheng waved Jiang Musheng over to warm herself.

“Why aren’t you wearing your coat? You youngsters never take your health seriously.”

No sooner had he spoken than Yu Youqing entered behind her, the snow on her shoulders melting instantly in the warmth. One look at her, and Li Rongcheng immediately understood.

Yu Youqing didn’t idle upon returning. She busied herself preparing hot tea, quietly placing a cup each in Jiang Musheng and Li Rongcheng’s hands as she bent down.

Avoiding Jiang Musheng’s gaze, she murmured, “Drink something warm.”

She noticed Jiang Musheng still hadn’t removed her gloves, wisps of steam rising slowly from them as they warmed by the fire.

“Thank you,” Jiang Musheng accepted the cup.

Li Rongcheng gave Yu Youqing a curious look.

In just two years, Yu Youqing seemed completely reborn—nothing like her former self. The spoiled young miss of the past would never have bothered with such mundane tasks, let alone shown concern for others. Not causing trouble would have been blessing enough. Yet throughout this program recording, she hadn’t displayed any of her old tendencies.

Yu Youqing smiled. “Why are you looking at me like that, Teacher Li? Don’t mind me—continue your conversation.”

“How’s your hand now? Didn’t you get frostbite while filming that movie?” Li Rongcheng asked with concern. “The weather here is so cold. I actually told Director Wang you probably wouldn’t come.”

“It’s fine. I couldn’t refuse Director Wang and you, Teacher.” Jiang Musheng took a sip of tea, warmth spreading through her stomach and then her body.

She removed her gloves, revealing faint redness around her knuckles. Jiang Musheng subtly turned her hand away before Yu Youqing could see.

“I didn’t realize you came just to humor me?” Li Rongcheng chuckled, his tone carrying paternal warmth. “You’re not getting any younger—haven’t met anyone special yet? It’s about time you started looking.”

“Teacher,” Jiang Musheng’s voice took on a note of helplessness. “Haven’t met the right person, so there’s no rush.”

“Your parents seem quite anxious about it.” Just as Li Rongcheng was about to continue lecturing, Yu Youqing suddenly exclaimed, quickly picking up her dropped teacup. “It’s fine! Please continue your conversation. More tea?”

She efficiently refilled Li Rongcheng’s cup, adding, “Romance is usually just a passing fancy for the young. Our Teacher Jiang probably just wants to focus on her career.”

Amusement colored Yu Youqing’s voice. She hadn’t expected someone like Jiang Musheng to be so flustered by parental pressure. She couldn’t help but step in to assist.

That’s when she caught a glimpse of Jiang Musheng’s hand—was that a hint of redness?

But Jiang Musheng quickly hid her hands beneath the table, leaving Yu Youqing wondering if she’d imagined it.

Yu Youqing poured herself a cup of tea and was just about to take a sip when Li Rongcheng asked, “So, does this mean you’re looking to date someone?”

“…Cough.” Yu Youqing nearly choked on her tea. Logically speaking, she’d joined this variety show to gain exposure and build momentum for an upcoming dating show. This was the perfect opportunity to play along, yet for some reason, the words wouldn’t come easily now.

Her gaze instinctively sought out Jiang Musheng, only to find the woman wasn’t looking at her—she was staring at the tea instead.

Yu Youqing nodded. “If the right opportunity with the right person comes along, of course I’d like to try.”

“I’ll head back to my room first.” Jiang Musheng set down her teacup and left without staying longer.

After Jiang Musheng had retreated to her room, Li Rongcheng teased, “If you want to date someone, isn’t the perfect candidate right here?”

“Not at all.” Yu Youqing laughed, speaking an honest truth. “My standards are high—I’ve never been in a relationship before.”

This was true.

After all, with such an extraordinary idol out there, ordinary mortals just didn’t measure up.

Their afternoon schedule was light. After a short nap, they took a walk around the campsite with the two hosts to film some additional footage.

Night fell early on the snowy mountain, so everyone was brought back before long.

The evening grew even colder. After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

The tea set Yu Youqing had used at noon was her own, so she went back to the living room to retrieve it. There, she spotted Jiang Musheng’s assistant, Yangyang, hurrying in from outside with a basin of hot water.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Youqing stopped her.

“Youqing-jie, do you have any good remedies for frostbite itching?” Yangyang looked up, her anxious expression clear to Yu Youqing. “I warned Sheng Sheng repeatedly before we came not to let herself get too cold, but somehow the frostbite flared up again in just one day… Ugh.”

Yu Youqing frowned. “Frostbite?”

Yangyang nodded. “Yes. She’s so dedicated to her work—this is an old problem from filming in the cold. It flares up whenever she’s exposed to the cold. I remember there was a particularly effective ointment, but Teacher Jiang said she ran out. I thought I’d at least have her soak her hands in hot water first.”

Yu Youqing suddenly recalled the tube of ointment Jiang Musheng had given her before she left, as well as the redness she’d noticed on Jiang Musheng’s knuckles by the fire earlier. So she hadn’t been mistaken.

“I have the ointment. I’ll take it to Teacher Jiang right now.” Yu Youqing took the basin of hot water from Yangyang. “I’ll handle it.”

When Yu Youqing entered with the water, Jiang Musheng was pressing a hot water bottle against the back of her hand. She looked up, momentarily stunned at the sight of her visitor. Her hand slipped out from under the bottle, as if she meant to hide it behind her back, but Yu Youqing quickly stepped forward. After setting the basin down, she knelt in front of Jiang Musheng and gently took hold of her hand.

“Still trying to hide it?”

Yu Youqing’s voice was soft.

Her touch was just as gentle, careful not to cause any pain.

It finally dawned on Yu Youqing—from the moment they’d met, aside from that one time Jiang Musheng had fed her a handful of snow, she had always been wearing gloves.

Snow was cold. Yu Youqing knew that better than anyone.

Yet in front of her, Jiang Musheng had said nothing.

The room had tatami flooring, so when Yu Youqing crouched down, she was at just half Jiang Musheng’s height. She tilted her head up to look at Jiang Musheng’s face and said, “Since frostbite ointment is so hard to come by, you should keep some for yourself.”

When she took Jiang Musheng’s hand, she noticed the fingers had already turned red. Though the fingertips weren’t swollen yet, the joints showed slight protrusions.

Yu Youqing had researched the condition—it matched what Jiang Musheng had told her. The hands hurt in both cold and heat, which was why soaking them in hot water didn’t bring Jiang Musheng much relief.

With a sigh, Yu Youqing pulled the ointment tube from her pocket, took Jiang Musheng’s hand, and gently placed it in the warm water.

“Bear with it a little,” she said softly.

Jiang Musheng remained silent, quietly watching Yu Youqing’s every move.

“Jiang-laoshi, does it hurt?” Yu Youqing’s voice was thick with guilt. If she hadn’t suddenly wanted water, Jiang Musheng wouldn’t have had to—

She handled Jiang Musheng’s hand with utmost care as she submerged it in the water, her gaze fixed as if performing a solemn ritual.

The cameras in the room had been turned off—there were no filming requirements for the evening.

Seeing Jiang Musheng’s hand soaking in the warmth, Yu Youqing thought the pain must be intense. Maybe a gentle massage would help. But the moment her fingers brushed Jiang Musheng’s hand, Jiang Musheng suddenly turned her palm over and grasped Yu Youqing’s hand firmly.

“Yu Youqing,” Jiang Musheng’s gaze locked onto her, steady and intense, “if you keep this up, I might misunderstand.”