The Trash A Really Doesn't Want to Go Viral [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 19

Even if I had feelings, I wouldn’t say it out loud. People should know their place.

Yu Youqing thought to herself.

“So Teacher Jiang can joke around too.” Yu Youqing didn’t take the words seriously, but after responding, she suddenly felt a chill and instinctively tucked her neck in, tightening her coat collar.

Jiang Musheng stepped aside to make room at the car door. “Get in.”

Yu Youqing remained polite. “There’s no need for Teacher Jiang to go out of your way to send me—”

“I’m heading that way anyway.” Jiang Musheng opened the passenger door, leaving no room for further refusal. “I’m going back too. Let’s go.”

Once inside the car, Yu Youqing stayed silent. She racked her brain but could only think of saying “thank you” again—though Jiang Musheng seemed to dislike her constant politeness.

Because Jiang Musheng had just said she was being too formal with her.

But what else could she do? Yu Youqing grumbled inwardly. She and Jiang Musheng weren’t close enough for casual interactions, yet she kept causing trouble for her.

Jiang Musheng drove with focus, the car’s music filling the silence and preventing complete awkwardness.

With nothing else to do, Yu Youqing idly pulled out her phone and finally checked social media. Her company had acted quickly—the statement had already been posted.

As previously discussed, they first clarified the misunderstanding, then emphasized that the relationship between Jiang Musheng and Yu Youqing wasn’t as strained as people assumed. The scarf had been a gift from Jiang Musheng before the show’s recording. Meanwhile, the Saturday program team specifically released the clip of Jiang Musheng feeding Yu Youqing snow, reinforcing their joint statement.

Yin Zi’s side also issued a clarification, stating that her scarf was simply one she had purchased herself.

Yu Youqing noticed Jiang Musheng’s studio had also posted on Weibo, sharing a rare photo of her to reassure fans.

After the clarifications, public opinion shifted to: “Teacher Jiang is an incredibly considerate senior who doesn’t hold grudges, even against someone like Yu Youqing, who had ulterior motives.”

Still, the accusations that Yu Youqing had orchestrated the controversy for clout gradually died down.

Just as she closed the app, a barrage of messages from Yin Zi flooded her WeChat. Since she had nothing better to do, Yu Youqing opened them.

“Wuwuwu, Sister Youqing, you’re way too kind! You could’ve just exposed me for lying, but instead, you tried to take the blame yourself. That’s seriously so alpha of you!”

“Honestly, the company told me to coordinate with you, but I didn’t do a great job. I should’ve created more opportunities for you and Teacher Jiang.”

“I heard Teacher Jiang discussed the solution with you at the company. Weren’t we supposed to be the ones ‘accidentally’ provoking her? But after this statement, it feels like Teacher Jiang willingly let you… ‘accidentally’ provoke her?”

“Actually, Sister Youqing, have you ever thought that if something really happened between you and Teacher Jiang, it wouldn’t be so bad? You’re both single—an unmated alpha and an unmated omega—wouldn’t you say…”

“…you’d make a perfect match?”

The last half of Yin Zi’s voice message played just as the car’s music stopped. Though Yu Youqing’s phone volume wasn’t loud, the words rang out unmistakably in the sudden silence.

Yu Youqing suddenly felt awkward, torn between wanting to glance at Jiang Musheng’s expression and trying to turn off her phone. In her flustered state, she accidentally tapped Yin Zi’s latest message: “Why not consider oo-relationship with me? I think you’re both caring and responsible—I’ve already fallen for you lol.”

“…”

The car stopped.

“Just childish jokes, Teacher Jiang. Please don’t mind it.” Yu Youqing locked her phone screen and noticed they’d arrived outside the residential area, though Jiang Musheng hadn’t driven in yet.

“Which part?” Jiang Musheng turned her head, “The oo-relationship or how well-matched we are?”

Yu Youqing hadn’t expected Jiang Musheng to hear so clearly. She froze momentarily, her hand pausing on the seatbelt before replying, “Both.”

Silence filled the car, the atmosphere turning palpably awkward.

Yu Youqing touched her nose, her voice sounding unnaturally stiff. “Well… I don’t do oo-relationships.” Not her preference.

Her gaze drifted as she spoke. She knew she treated every interaction with Jiang Musheng cautiously, unlike Jiang Musheng who treated her no differently than anyone else—hence could behave so naturally.

She failed at that.

Recognizing Yu Youqing’s discomfort, Jiang Musheng stopped teasing and restarted the car toward the underground garage, reassuring, “Why do you always seem afraid of me?”

She chuckled lightly to ease the tension, “I’m not that scary, really. And don’t dwell on today’s matter. If you feel anything wasn’t handled well, you can tell me.”

Jiang Musheng played the understanding big sister role, but Yu Youqing dared not truly see her as such.

The kinder Jiang Musheng was, the more Yu Youqing became aware of her own shameful expectations.

Initially, she’d respected Jiang Musheng as a teacher.

But having someone she’d secretly followed for so long suddenly appear before her—especially someone as inherently charismatic as Jiang Musheng—meant every casual gesture sent Yu Youqing’s thoughts spiraling.

Jiang Musheng’s slightest kindness became magnified endlessly here.

Yu Youqing wasn’t a child; she recognized when her heart stirred. Unfortunately, every small thing Jiang Musheng did struck a chord within her.

Especially today in the meeting room, when Jiang Musheng said she feared Yu Youqing might feel wronged.

Yu Youqing knew it was pathetic to grow attached over such trivial matters. But having come this far alone, only Jiang Musheng made her feel genuinely considered.

Previously, Jiang Musheng had never been physically present during her fangirling. Now, encountering this living, considerate version surpassed anything she’d seen on screens—how could her heart not race?

As Jiang Musheng parked, she recalled something and attempted to lighten the mood.

“That proposal I mentioned during the show—have you considered it?”

Yu Youqing’s reply came stiffly: “I don’t dare consider it.”

Why are you speaking so rigidly! Who do you think you’re talking to?!

The moment she said it, she regretted it. She knew her old habit was acting up again—whenever she felt lost, she’d start acting out, her words sharp, all to mask the unease in her heart.

“What’s wrong?” Finally hearing Yu Youqing speak to her, Jiang Musheng could detect the awkward hesitation in her tone and found it amusing. She had endless patience to coax Yu Youqing into opening up. “Tell me.”

“Jiang-laoshi, don’t you already know? The company had already set my development path—using you for publicity. And I agreed to that plan before.” Yu Youqing paused before adding, “Even though you and President Lin are close friends, you don’t have to make these concessions for me.”

Jiang Musheng fell silent for a moment. “Who said I was making concessions?”

Who knew this little girl… had such an active imagination?

Before, Jiang Musheng had never interfered with Lin Xuqiao’s arrangements for her. But this time, before leaving, she had specifically told Lin Xuqiao to change it—to something less humiliating.

Lin Xuqiao had asked her then, “So I’ll just boldly tie her to you in public, then?”

Jiang Musheng had no objections.

“I… I understand Jiang-laoshi doesn’t want me to feel awkward. I’ll definitely keep our living arrangement a secret—no one else will know.” Yu Youqing wasn’t even sure who she was trying to provoke anymore, her words spilling out thoughtlessly. “As for that script, if I got it because of you, wouldn’t that just be nepotism?”

“Do you even understand what nepotism really means?” From Jiang Musheng’s perspective, Yu Youqing’s cheeks were slightly puffed. She chuckled, resisting the urge to pinch them. “Have you ever seen someone claim they’re benefiting from connections when they don’t even have the other person’s contact info?”

Yu Youqing was about to retort that she never said she wanted special treatment when she saw Jiang Musheng pull out her phone.

And wave it at her.

Huh?

“Jiang-laoshi, what do you mean?”

“Actually, the misunderstanding isn’t on my part—it’s yours.” Jiang Musheng gathered her thoughts before continuing. “First, I’ve never felt like this was awkward. I just wanted you to feel comfortable around me, not to draw a line between us.”

“Though I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, what I want to say is…” Jiang Musheng let out a soft laugh, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she voiced these thoughts for the first time. “The method Yin Zi suggested to you might actually work.”

What method?

What had Yin Zi said to her again?

She’d told her to win Jiang Musheng over, even joked about them being in a romantic relationship—which one was Jiang Musheng referring to?

Yu Youqing’s brain short-circuited for a moment before she managed to ask in a trembling voice, “You mean… when she said we’d make a good match?”

Jiang Musheng hummed in agreement. She raised her phone slightly. “Would you be willing to give it a try?”

Yu Youqing’s eyes widened in shock. She couldn’t believe such good fortune would land in her lap. Right now, Jiang Musheng seemed to glow in her vision, radiating an aura of surrealism—as if this had to be a dream.

She instinctively raised her hand to pinch her own face, but Jiang Musheng was quicker, grasping her wrist. Finally getting his wish, he gently poked Yu Youqing’s cheek and said, “What? I thought I was being pretty straightforward. Still don’t believe me?”

Yu Youqing: “!!!”

What kind of beginning was this?!

“I don’t believe it,” Yu Youqing murmured, feeling her face grow hot. Her other hand instinctively reached to open the car door, hoping the cold air outside would clear her head.

With a “click,” the car door locked.

Jiang Musheng then leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

“Then what do I need to do to make you believe this is real?”