The Trash A Really Doesn't Want to Go Viral [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 15

Yu Youqing’s initial intention was to win over her teacher Li Rongcheng by lavishing Jiang Musheng with exaggerated praise, but she suddenly found herself recalling events from her past.

Two years after Jiang Musheng went abroad to further her career, Yu Youqing began paying even closer attention to her activities.

She wanted to see for herself whether this woman, whom everyone revered as if she were a deity, truly lived up to the hype.

Jiang Musheng’s professional prowess was undeniable, but Yu Youqing knew all too well that in this industry, everyone had a carefully crafted persona. She wanted to uncover the life beneath Jiang Musheng’s public image—the more curious she became, the more elusive it seemed.

Later, when she fell ill and was confined to her sickbed, her favorite pastime became digging through Jiang Musheng’s old posts. She discovered that Jiang Musheng lived a life completely different from what she had imagined. Beyond promotional content, all traces of Jiang Musheng’s private life had been meticulously erased.

Scrolling all the way to the bottom, she finally found a photo Jiang Musheng had posted three years ago—taken outside Songcheng University.

As it turned out, they weren’t just from the same hometown—they had even crossed paths once during an event at Songcheng University that year. But the details of that encounter had long faded from Yu Youqing’s memory, and she supposed it didn’t matter anyway.

Her secret admiration for Jiang Musheng remained unknown to anyone. Just as Yu Youqing herself had said, when trapped in despair, even the faintest glimmer of light becomes something to cling to.

In her past life as a bedridden patient, the more Yu Youqing delved into Jiang Musheng’s history, the more she realized how diligent and composed the woman was—always gentle and polite, yet maintaining just the right distance. Jiang Musheng had climbed to the pinnacle of excellence through sheer ability. Eventually, Yu Youqing even began to envy her, wondering whether her own life might have turned out differently if she had seized opportunities in her youth instead of being dismissed as just a pretty face.

In the end, she even regretted turning down that script. Forget the money—had she taken the role, she could have spent so much time with Jiang Musheng. There would have been that forced kiss scene too…

And then, she really did get reborn.

“You… actually made some good points,” Li Rongcheng said, his gaze flickering between Yu Youqing and Jiang Musheng with a hint of inexplicable approval before turning to Liang Yitang. “In that case, let’s go with Xiao Yu. What do you think, Xiao Jiang?”

Jiang Musheng seemed to snap out of her thoughts after hearing Yu Youqing’s words. Her brows lifted slightly, and she replied softly, “Mm, I have no objections.”

She hadn’t noticed before—had Yu Youqing really watched her films?

Yu Youqing got her wish and was paired with Jiang Musheng. She sidled up to her and said, “Jiang-laoshi, let’s go to the other ski run.”

Jiang Musheng recalled the movie scenes Yu Youqing had described. “Want to try the advanced slope?”

“No, the beginner’s slope,” Yu Youqing said, already clumsily making her way over. She was on skis and struggling to push forward with her poles while trying not to lose her balance. As she wobbled along, she added, “I just thought you should take it easy. Your hand must still hurt.”

Behind her, Jiang Musheng paused mid-step at the sound of Yu Youqing’s voice. Then, she caught up and stopped in front of her, her tone slightly drawn out as she asked, “You mean… you want me to rest?”

Yu Youqing nodded, oblivious to Jiang Musheng’s expression at that moment. Her entire focus was on maintaining balance, but her beginner’s clumsiness left her flustered. Her fingers, tucked inside the gloves, seemed to have a mind of their own, and she nearly lost her balance before a hand reached from behind to steady her wrist.

“Careful,” Jiang Musheng said, quickly letting go. She hadn’t yet stepped onto her own board, so she moved with ease. Walking over to Yu Youqing, she set her snowboard aside and positioned herself in front of her, placing both hands under Yu Youqing’s arms.

“Let me teach you.”

“Ah? No.” Yu Youqing had intended for Jiang Musheng to rest, but after trying it herself, she realized how much effort balancing required—her whole body tensed, her hands gripping tightly. With Jiang Musheng supporting her, Yu Youqing stiffened, only to see the woman before her chuckle, her peach-blossom eyes glinting in the sunlight, carrying an almost mesmerizing allure.

“I don’t want you to regret this for the rest of your life.”

“?”

Ugh! That was just something she’d blurted out to form a team—why was Jiang Musheng teasing her about it now?

Noticing Yu Youqing’s hesitation, Jiang Musheng guided her hands onto her own shoulders, her voice low. “Hold on, follow me.”

“Bend your knees slightly, point your toes outward a bit, and most importantly, don’t be afraid.” Jiang Musheng seemed to laugh again. “With me here, you won’t fall.”

Her tone was gentle, and for some reason, Yu Youqing felt as if she were being coaxed like a child. Though her hands rested on Jiang Musheng’s shoulders, she didn’t dare grip too hard. Bundled in the thick snowsuit, she already waddled like a penguin, and with Jiang Musheng so close, her nervousness only grew. She lifted her feet awkwardly, too afraid to glide.

Jiang Musheng watched for a long moment before failing to suppress another laugh.

Embarrassed, Yu Youqing lifted her chin slightly. “What’s so funny, Teacher Jiang?” Then, recalling Jiang Musheng’s words from the night before, she added, “Are you going to mock me again, saying a ‘scummy Alpha’ wouldn’t act like this?”

“So easily teased?” Jiang Musheng’s lips remained curved in amusement. They had reached the beginner’s slope now, safely distanced from the main group. She took a couple of steps back, and Yu Youqing’s hands slid from her shoulders.

Yu Youqing had barely sighed in relief when, seconds later, her hand was suddenly taken.

Though—through the gloves.

“…”

“This way, you can hold on better,” Jiang Musheng said. “I’ll guide you forward.”

Yu Youqing wanted to refuse, but Jiang Musheng tugged her hand, pulling her forward a few steps. Instinctively, Yu Youqing tightened her grip.

A playful smirk crossed Jiang Musheng’s face. “Holding on pretty tight, aren’t you?”

The moment Yu Youqing heard that, she tried to pull her hand away, but Jiang Musheng tightened her hold instead, murmuring, “Be good.”

At that, Yu Youqing’s mind went blank.

Why was Jiang Musheng being so nice to her today? And why had she smiled so much—even if it was always at her expense? Yet somehow… the distance between them didn’t feel as vast anymore.

Was it just an illusion? She had always thought Jiang Musheng was gentle with everyone, yet beneath that gentleness lay an aloofness that kept people at arm’s length. But today, when Jiang Musheng spoke to her, there were occasional hints of playful teasing in her tone.

Strangely enough, this made Jiang Musheng feel more real to her.

Lost in these thoughts, Yu Youqing suddenly realized she had unknowingly followed Jiang Musheng quite a distance while skiing. She stopped, took off her fleece hat, and exhaled, casually wiping her forehead. “It’s so hot.”

But as soon as a breeze blew by, she felt chilly again and quickly put her hat back on, muttering, “It’s so cold.”

Jiang Musheng also stopped to look at her. After a thoughtful pause, she remarked, “So you do know how to feel cold.”

“…Of course.” Yu Youqing found Jiang Musheng particularly odd today, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. After a brief silence, her damned curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn’t resist asking, “Why would you say that?”

“At the last event, I saw you take off your coat for Liang Yitang. I thought you were quite resistant to the cold.” Jiang Musheng’s smile faded slightly as she recalled the scene, adding indifferently, “And now you’re here delivering coats for others. You really take good care of her.”

Take care of who?

Liang Yitang? That’s a joke.

Yu Youqing blinked, nearly blurting out that the coat was actually meant for Jiang Musheng. But afraid of coming across as strange, she swallowed the words and instead offered a flattering smile. “Teacher Jiang, your memory is so sharp. It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

Hoping to salvage her image in Jiang Musheng’s eyes, she continued, “Actually, I also brought a coat for Teacher Li. I’m just naturally considerate like that.”

The warmth in Jiang Musheng’s eyes dimmed as she replied flatly, “Is that so?”

“Ah, yes.” Yu Youqing nodded, sensing Jiang Musheng’s skepticism. “Teacher Jiang, I’d take care of you the same way.”

Jiang Musheng fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. Yu Youqing felt an awkward tension settle between them after her words. She opened her mouth, realizing her explanations were only making things worse.

Jiang Musheng asked, “No difference at all?”

Yu Youqing’s heart pounded. From her understanding, Jiang Musheng seemed to think she was playing favorites—but she truly wasn’t.

She even took off her goggles, meeting Jiang Musheng’s gaze with the utmost sincerity, and nodded solemnly.

“Yes. Not the slightest difference.”

Final and absolute.

Yu Youqing waited patiently for Jiang Musheng’s response. After a while, Jiang Musheng finally spoke, her voice devoid of its earlier warmth.

“Alright.”

Alright what?

Before she could ask, Jiang Musheng extended her hand again. Having already been led by her earlier, Yu Youqing didn’t hesitate this time and placed her hand in Jiang Musheng’s palm.

Leaning forward slightly, she heard Jiang Musheng murmur softly, “Then let’s take it slow.”

“I will.” Yu Youqing naturally assumed Jiang Musheng was referring to her skiing and agreed wholeheartedly. “Rushing would only backfire.” The thought of falling terrified her—especially if it meant dragging Jiang Musheng down with her.

“Indeed.” Jiang Musheng tightened her fingers slightly, the corners of her lips curling up again as she uttered words only she could fully comprehend. With a soft hum, she repeated Yu Youqing’s statement.

“Rushing might backfire, so let’s take it slow.”