The Trash A Really Doesn't Want to Go Viral [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 18

“This is totally talking about our Teacher Jiang!”

“An interview from five years ago? They even dug this up? Yu Youqing was only nineteen then.”

“Nineteen? She really doesn’t come across as likable, no wonder she faded into obscurity later.”

“Damn, unlikable or not, she’s undeniably gorgeous. Even this grainy footage can’t hide her fresh, radiant beauty.”

“Looking at her face, I actually feel a bit…”

“So not only does she have a crush on Teacher Jiang, but she’s also trying to use her for clout? Disgusting!!”

“Why not just explain the scarf situation? Staying silent now?”

…

The comments on the screen were updating in real-time, and Yu Youqing saw them all. But right now, her mind wasn’t on the comments at all—she was drowning in sheer embarrassment, especially when Jiang Musheng questioned her. She was completely flustered.

She opened her mouth, feeling everyone’s eyes on her, and forced herself to say, “It’s not like that.”

She also noticed the comments accusing her of scheming to use Jiang Musheng, and terrified of being misunderstood, she immediately turned to Jiang Musheng to explain.

But then she saw the woman sitting beside Jiang Musheng.

“Hello, I’m Lin Lufu, Musheng’s agent,” the woman said, noticing Yu Youqing’s gaze.

Her agent was here too?! Yu Youqing’s head instinctively lowered further, only to hear Lin Lufu add, “I’m Lin Xuqiao’s older sister. We’re family—no need to be nervous.”

Jiang Musheng: “Mm.”

Lin Xuqiao: “Yeah, why do you look like you’ve done something wrong? We called you here to ask for your thoughts. We know it’s a misunderstanding—Musheng won’t hold it against you.”

Yu Youqing: “…Me?”

Tiantian quickly stepped forward: “Yes. Yin Zi has already agreed to cooperate fully. A clarification is definitely happening. The most straightforward solution is to explain that this was all a misunderstanding—Yin Zi bought her own scarf. But fans might not buy it because your scarf is too unique.”

She zoomed in on the photo, revealing a small emblem beneath Yu Youqing’s chin on the scarf. Tiantian enlarged it further, showing the cursive initials of Jiang Musheng’s name.

“We could say it was an accidental purchase of a knockoff—there are plenty of fakes on the market. But… people might think it’s tacky for a celebrity to buy fakes. Also, with how big this has blown up, after the clarification, the way Teacher Jiang’s fans come across to the public might not be great. They—”

Lin Xuqiao cut in decisively: “True, your fans aren’t exactly rational. They’ve gone overboard defending you—even dug up my artist’s cringy five-year-old video to slap a label on her, saying she’s had a crush on you. That’d be one long unrequited love story.”

She chuckled. “Besides, you weren’t even like this back then.”

A large fanbase is good, but overly protective fans can backfire, potentially affecting how big brands perceive an artist’s marketability.

Yu Youqing sensed that Lin Xuqiao was defending her and felt touched, but more than anything, she was uneasy. During a lull in the discussion, she interjected, “This is on me too. I didn’t think much when I posted that selfie. I don’t care about looking tacky—I just don’t want to affect Teacher Jiang. Can we just say I bought a fake? I’m fine with that.”

Lin Lufu stared at Yu Youqing for a while before chuckling and tapping Jiang Musheng’s desk, suddenly remarking, “This girl is really something.”

Jiang Musheng abruptly asked, “What’s her career positioning?”

Yu Youqing was stunned.

“Pretty much what netizens are saying—using you for clout to make a comeback, though we haven’t actually implemented it yet,” Lin Xuqiao explained with surprising ease, discussing this right in front of the person being used. “If you don’t mind, this scarf could be our prop to generate some buzz for my artist. It’ll help me negotiate another variety show for her later.”

The repeated emphasis on “my artist” gave Jiang Musheng a headache. She cut straight to the point: “I think we should reconsider her career approach.”

Leaning back, her gaze fixed on Yu Youqing, her tone grew more serious. “Yu Youqing has just re-emerged into the public eye. It’s not ideal to start off by damaging her reputation. While this strategy might work from the company’s perspective, for her…”

Jiang Musheng paused, softening her voice before continuing, “Being labeled like that too often would inevitably hurt. Don’t always tell me it’s fine…” She trailed off, pressing her fingers to her temples in frustration. “I can’t help feeling like I’m letting you suffer.”

Yu Youqing’s mind went blank, her heartbeat suddenly loud and clear—pounding with nervousness, yet not entirely from anxiety alone.

Then she heard Jiang Musheng tell Lin Xuqiao, “What knockoff? I gave her that scarf myself. Just tell the truth.”

Lin Xuqiao: “???”

Lin Xuqiao: “…You could’ve mentioned that earlier.”

–

After leaving the meeting room, Yu Youqing floated dazedly to the elevator, barely registering as it descended to the underground parking garage, her steps still unsteady.

For most of the latter half of the meeting, while others discussed logistics, her mind had been elsewhere—completely absorbed in Jiang Musheng’s words.

“Being labeled like that too often would inevitably hurt.”

“I can’t help feeling like I’m letting you suffer.”

Back when she was the company’s top earner, profit had naturally been the priority. Now that she was the least profitable, profit mattered even more. Frankly, admitting to clout-chasing would be more palatable to the public than revealing Jiang Musheng had gifted her the scarf.

Wasn’t that exactly what netizens wanted to see?

Jiang Musheng’s fans certainly wouldn’t want their idol associated with her.

And yet.

When even Yu Youqing herself hadn’t cared much about the backlash, Jiang Musheng’s first concern had been whether she’d feel wronged.

She’d considered whether Yu Youqing might be hurt.

In that moment, Jiang Musheng’s expression had been so earnest—so intensely focused on her—that Yu Youqing felt… special. As if this consideration was hers alone.

How could Jiang Musheng be this captivating?

Yu Youqing stood under the parking garage lights, hands covering her flushed face, her still-erratic pulse betraying how thoroughly those words had unsettled her.

A sudden beep interrupted her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Jiang Musheng leaning casually against a car door, having spotted her instantly. With a lazy flick of her wrist, Jiang Musheng jingled her keys—a version of herself Yu Youqing rarely saw.

Gone was the approachable, mildly amused persona she showed the world. Under the stark garage lights, her sharp eyes held a different kind of allure.

How could she think Jiang Musheng looked more like a scumbag alpha?

The kind of alpha that would make girls abandon their morals without hesitation just to be with her.

Yu Youqing froze again, her heart racing uncontrollably. It took her half a second to realize Jiang Musheng was signaling her to come over. She hurried forward, steadying her voice, “Teacher Jiang?”

“Don’t take Lin Xuqiao’s words to heart.” Jiang Musheng hummed in acknowledgment, her other hand lifting slightly before dropping again. “Everything will be resolved.”

Standing before Jiang Musheng, Yu Youqing kept her gaze fixed on her toes. She knew Jiang Musheng was here to comfort her.

There was nothing wrong initially, but now, in Jiang Musheng’s presence, an inexplicable wave of sadness surged within her, her nose tingling with unshed tears.

She responded softly, “Thank you for not holding it against me.”

“Why do you sound so wronged?” Jiang Musheng noticed her emotional shift and bent slightly to look at Yu Youqing. Seeing her still avoiding eye contact, Jiang Musheng frowned, worried she might cry. After a moment’s hesitation, she raised her hand—intending to lift Yu Youqing’s chin but fearing it might be too forward—and instead gently brushed Yu Youqing’s hair.

“If you’re uncomfortable with this, we can find another solution.”

Jiang Musheng’s tone was as gentle as if speaking to a child. Yu Youqing didn’t understand why, but the kinder Jiang Musheng was, the more emotional she became. Her shoulders tensed, and she finally looked up to ask, “Why are you so nice to everyone?”

Don’t you know this kind of kindness can be misleading?

It makes people hope for more, makes them greedy.

Jiang Musheng didn’t expect this question. A faint smile touched her lips. “Can’t I be nice to you?”

Yu Youqing didn’t know how to respond, only feeling utterly miserable.

Yes. Of course you can.

But Yu Youqing knew Jiang Musheng treated everyone this way, always eager to mentor juniors. In Jiang Musheng’s eyes, she was probably just another junior to lend a hand to.

This indiscriminate kindness made Yu Youqing ache.

Once people taste sweetness, they grow greedy. Yu Youqing knew she was no exception. She was foolishly yearning for something she had no right to desire.

Wake up.

Yu Youqing forced a smile. “No, I still want to thank you, Teacher Jiang.”

“What’s with you, little one? Always so formal with me.” Jiang Musheng noticed Yu Youqing’s unease and chuckled helplessly. Sensing Yu Youqing had more to say, she waited patiently instead of leaving.

Yu Youqing met Jiang Musheng’s gaze and finally couldn’t hold back, though she tried to sound like she was joking, “Teacher Jiang, it’s easy for people to fall for you like this.”

No wonder Jiang Musheng’s fans were so fiercely loyal.

Jiang Musheng’s dark eyes lowered to hers. “But you haven’t, have you?”