The Trash A Really Doesn't Want to Go Viral [Entertainment Circle] - Chapter 22

Yu Youqing’s thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

Jiang Musheng appeared to have just taken a shower, her hair slightly damp. She must have rushed over to grab her phone, because her face was extremely close to the camera.

In other words—a direct hit to the heart with her stunning looks.

Yu Youqing froze for only a second before decisively hanging up the call.

But the next moment, the phone rang again. Yu Youqing switched to voice-only mode.

“What is it?” Jiang Musheng asked.

Yu Youqing could feel her face burning—no doubt from the impact of what she had just seen. She couldn’t even bring herself to glance at the barrage of comments on the screen now.

“Is your hand better, Teacher Jiang?” Yu Youqing guessed that Jiang Musheng might not realize she was live-streaming. She glanced at the screen, where Cheng Shunzhu was completely stunned—he never expected Jiang Musheng to actually answer Yu Youqing’s call.

Now, the livestream had essentially gotten Jiang Musheng to appear without spending a single cent.

Jiang Musheng paused for half a second. “It’s fine. Just now, you—”

“I pressed the wrong button,” Yu Youqing replied, her tone impeccably polite. “I just wanted to ask how your hand was doing.”

What the—?!

????????

S-She answered?! SHE ANSWERED!!!!!!!!

That’s really Teacher Jiang’s voice—oh my god, I’m gonna faint.

The comments were instantly flooded with fans’ reactions, and the number of viewers in the livestream skyrocketed within seconds. Yu Youqing ignored it, figuring that someone as sharp as Jiang Musheng would realize this was just part of a task.

“It’s fine,” Jiang Musheng said. “I’m going to dry my hair. Can you wait for me for a bit?”

Yu Youqing replied, “I just wanted to check in. I hope I didn’t disturb your rest, Teacher Jiang. I’ll hang up now.”

Thinking back to how Jiang Musheng had looked earlier, she added before ending the call, “It’s cold out—dry your hair quickly so you don’t catch a chill.”

Jiang Musheng: “…”

Yu Youqing promptly hung up and turned back to the screen. “Is that acceptable?”

Holy sh1t! I’m eating my words—I never thought Teacher Jiang would answer!

Jiang Musheng picked up so fast. Does this mean she doesn’t actually dislike Yu Youqing at all?

Not gonna lie… I’m starting to waver a little too…

But answering the call is one thing—why were Yu Youqing’s ears red? What did she see just now???

Ughhh what was it?! Why did the video call switch to voice-only? I paid for this!

I don’t care! But Teacher Jiang really is kind. Did she know Yu Youqing was just completing a task?

Yu Youqing took a deep breath. “Please don’t disturb Teacher Jiang over this.”

The flood of comments was now so overwhelming that the screen was starting to lag. More and more fans poured into the livestream, and just as time ran out, the host hurriedly wrapped things up.

For a livestream, even just the sound of Jiang Musheng’s voice was enough to skyrocket the engagement.

Yu Youqing closed the livestream interface, but her phone still displayed the chat log with Jiang Musheng—two call-ended notifications sat at the top.

She hesitated, about to type something, when Jiang Musheng sent a message first.

Jiang Musheng: “Got it, no problem.”

Yu Youqing’s hand paused. With all the explanations already given by the other party, there seemed to be nothing left for her to say.

Should she ask why Jiang Musheng answered the call? Or whether she disturbed Jiang Musheng’s rest? Or perhaps…

Are you angry?

This thought surfaced in Yu Youqing’s mind.

But in the end, she said nothing.

Having already made her stance clear, she shouldn’t engage in such matters. As for the aftermath, although the live stream attracted a large audience due to the incident’s popularity boosted by Cheng Shunzhu’s side, she quickly ended the call—it was just a slightly more dramatic interlude.

…

Two days later, Tiantian excitedly told her: “Sis!!!!! Wind said they might choose you as their spokesperson!”

Yu Youqing gave a nonchalant “Hmm,” prompting Tiantian to express her confusion: “You’re not surprised at all? It’s like you already knew.”

“Not really, just a bit earlier than you. What do I need to do?”

Tiantian: “Wind said they might finalize the decision in the next couple of days, but… given your current online backlash, it could affect their choice.”

Yu Youqing asked: “What are the main criticisms?”

“Previously, it was about you being diva-ish, having a bad temper, poor acting skills, and such… Ugh, aren’t these pretty common? And they’re all from years ago—do people think no one grows up? Recently, the most talked-about issue is how you left your previous company before your contract ended. When this was deliberately brought up, it created a negative impression, making people say you… lack integrity.” Tiantian frowned, continuing only after seeing Yu Youqing’s unchanged expression. “Regardless of how credible these criticisms are, the label ‘lacking integrity’ is like a brand on our heads, affecting all future collaborations.”

Indeed, everyone would think—

If Yu Youqing broke her word once, she would surely do it again and again.

Once trust collapses, every action she takes is already tainted with malice.

Tiantian said: “We’re having dinner with the brand tonight.”

“Tonight?” If Yu Youqing remembered correctly, Ye Miaoyi was supposed to return today.

“Yes, it’s the brand’s request. There are other artists competing for this endorsement, so tonight will determine whether we get it. The bad news is… Liang Yitang is also joining the competition.”

Yu Youqing raised an eyebrow: “Her?”

Given her status, a mid-tier brand like this shouldn’t even be on Liang Yitang’s radar. Securing it would be easy for her, so why bother? The answer was obvious—she wanted to humiliate Yu Youqing.

Tiantian sighed: “She’s targeting you. She might even embarrass you during dinner.”

Yu Youqing: “That’s not a problem.”

Though Liang Yitang had been taken under Zhao Guili’s wing, in Yu Youqing’s eyes, she was rather dim-witted. She could easily guess what Zhao Guili had told Liang Yitang—probably something along the lines of:

“The company is grooming you to be the next Yu Youqing. Yu Youqing was once popular, wasn’t she? We can make you just as famous, but you have to follow our lead. Otherwise, you’ll end up like her—though, of course, her current state is her own fault. You can definitely surpass her. Don’t let her overshadow you.”

It must have been something along those lines.

Liang Yitang followed through, but her methods of suppression were blunt and direct, her disdain blatantly written on her face.

Yu Youqing pondered this thoughtfully.

“By the way, I also have a copy of Teacher Jiang’s schedule here. Manager Lin wants you to memorize it…”

Yu Youqing looked up abruptly. “Why would I need to see Teacher Jiang’s schedule?”

“Huh? Manager Lin said your career direction has changed now. She said if you’re willing, your work schedule can completely overlap with Teacher Jiang’s—the more interactions you have with her, the better.” Tian Tian added, “She said openly riding on someone’s popularity isn’t really riding; it’s just creating opportunities. Whether you take them is up to you.”

Yu Youqing: “???”

“When was this adjusted?” What had she missed?

“During the broadcast of your interview from five years ago. Manager Lin later asked me if you’ve liked Teacher Jiang all along. I said I didn’t know. Then she mentioned the investor had revised your plan, giving you more freedom.”

Was this investor running a charity?

This was the second time Yu Youqing had heard the word “investor” from Lin Xuqiao’s mouth—the first was when she signed her contract.

This “freedom” carried a different implication to Yu Youqing.

Did they think she genuinely liked Jiang Musheng and wanted her to… win her over?

How absurd!

But from a business perspective, it made some sense. The end goal was still to bind her and Jiang Musheng together for shared profits.

However, Yu Youqing had already decided against it.

“Let me see.”

Tian Tian obediently pulled up Jiang Musheng’s schedule and placed it in front of Yu Youqing.

Yu Youqing skimmed through it quickly, noting how packed it was. She hummed in acknowledgment. “Avoid all of them.”

Tian Tian: “…?”

Yu Youqing wasn’t one to go back on her word. With her current scandals, she couldn’t risk affecting Jiang Musheng. And for her own sake, she didn’t want their relationship to change either.

She didn’t like Jiang Musheng, and Jiang Musheng didn’t like her.

That was all.

…

That evening, Yu Youqing prepared to leave. Tian Tian had already called a car to wait for her outside the neighborhood.

At the same time, a message arrived from Ye Miaoyi, saying she would also attend the dinner since she was the actual designer behind Wind.

The Ye family had originally wanted her to study management, but Ye Miaoyi had no interest in inheriting the family business and pursued her passion instead. Her brand had developed overseas and had only recently been integrated into the family enterprise.

Ye Miaoyi personally came to the restaurant entrance to greet her. When Yu Youqing appeared bundled in a thick coat with her hood pulled tightly over her head, Ye Miaoyi took a second glance before laughing.

“You’re dressed nothing like a celebrity attending a dinner—more like a college student.” Ye Miaoyi, impeccably styled, had taken this first meeting with her friend seriously. She smiled and added, “You look a lot like you did before you entered the entertainment industry.”

Yu Youqing finally removed her mask and smiled at Ye Miaoyi.

Ye Miaoyi froze for a moment before snapping back to reality after two seconds. She felt… from Yu Youqing’s gaze, she saw traces of the real Yu Youqing from before.

Blinking, Yu Youqing asked, “Shall we go in?”

“Oh, right! So you’ve changed companies now—how’s your new boss treating you? Hopefully not forcing some disgusting persona on you like your last one just to make money… And what about your breach penalty? How did you pay it?” Ye Miaoyi absolutely refused to believe the online rumors about Yu Youqing finding some sugar daddy. She was just worried Yu Youqing hadn’t truly broken free. “Are you doing alright now?”

The smile on Yu Youqing’s lips was genuine. “Why so anxious? Do I look like I’m not doing well?”

“I’m afraid you’re being taken advantage of, but there’s nothing I can do to help right now,” Ye Miaoyi said.

“My new company covered the breach penalty, so now I’m working hard to be a proper entertainment industry laborer.” Yu Youqing joked lightly as they entered indoors, pulling down her hat and taking a shallow breath. “Some kind-hearted unlucky investor took a chance on me, convinced I’ll make a comeback. The new boss treats me well too.”

And she still hadn’t even seen what the investor looked like.

Only then did Ye Miaoyi relax. A waiter who recognized them came to guide them.

“That’s good then. Don’t be nervous about today’s dinner—I was set on choosing you from the start, but those stubborn old folks in my family insisted on considering others…” Ye Miaoyi grumbled. “I’m the designer here!”

She continued, “I want you. If I had more say, I’d sign both you and Jiang Musheng together.”

Yu Youqing didn’t pause her steps. “Is that so?”

“Yeah! It was that scene of you and Jiang Musheng in the snow that made me want you two as endorsers. You looked so perfect together, which is why I asked if there was something between you two. The chemistry you had on camera was different.”

“Don’t imagine things.” Yu Youqing pushed open the door and, unsurprisingly, saw a familiar face inside.

Cheng Shunzhu’s expression turned to undisguised shock the moment he saw her.

Yu Youqing met his gaze briefly before taking the empty seat beside him. Meanwhile, Ye Miaoyi adopted a more formal demeanor upon entering, naturally not sitting with Yu Youqing.

The Ye family representative was young.

Ye Miaoyi’s expression darkened when she saw Ye Jibai, her nominal younger brother, not even bothering to greet him. Several secretaries from the Ye company had also come along, seemingly ready to sign contracts on the spot.

During the meeting, Ye Jibai asked a few questions which Yu Youqing answered smoothly.

Just as they were about to leave, Ye Jibai smiled and asked, “What else do you know about our brand positioning?”

Throughout the entire process, Yu Youqing realized that Ye Jibai had somehow become the decision-maker for Ye Miaoyi’s independent brand—and he wasn’t giving her any face at all.

She smiled and stood up. “The brand is excellent. I admire the designer who created it, and I enjoy collaborating with talented designers.”

Ye Jibai’s expression instantly soured.

Yu Youqing left first. Sighing, she stepped outside the restaurant and pulled her hat brim firmly down over her face.

The Ye family had arranged a car for her, but Yu Youqing wasn’t keen on taking it. However, with the biting wind howling outside and considering her public status, hailing a taxi didn’t seem like a convenient option either.

“Qingqing!” Ye Miaoyi chased after her. “You were amazing just now! I saw that brat Ye Jibai’s face turn green. Why are you leaving in such a hurry? The car we arranged will be here in two minutes.”

No sooner had she spoken than a sleek silver-gray car pulled up smoothly in front of them.

Yu Youqing thought the license plate looked vaguely familiar.

The next second, the rear window rolled down slightly, revealing Jiang Musheng’s profile.

“Need a ride?”

Yu Youqing immediately declined, “No, there’s a car arranged—”

“Nope! They’ve all left! Qingqing’s the only one left here!” Ye Miaoyi chimed in swiftly, pulling the car door open and nudging Yu Youqing inside with a knowing grin.

“Go on, it’s freezing out here—don’t catch a cold. And, uh, sorry to trouble you, Teacher Jiang.”

Jiang Musheng replied calmly, “No trouble at all.”

Yu Youqing: “?”