After Being Scummed – Chapter 12

Do you think I look like someone who would hire child labor?

As a low-profile internet bystander, Yin Bai deeply understands the principle of comprehensiveness when it comes to “eating melons.” After reading Zuo Jingyou’s statement, Yin Bai went to take a peek at He Zhiwen’s studio.

To their surprise, He Zhiwen shamelessly posted a Weibo message: “Whether it’s a man or a woman, it’s all good if you like it.”

Upon seeing this Weibo post, Yin Bai couldn’t help but roll her eyes. What’s all this talk about liking or not liking? Before you engage with someone romantically, didn’t you cheat on your spouse without getting a divorce? Isn’t that just a scummy man? Don’t portray yourself as if you’re so suave and carefree, as if love is the only thing that matters.

Soon enough, Yin Bai discovered someone even more shameless than He Zhiwen.

After seeing Lin Xiao repost He Zhiwen’s Weibo and sharing a picture of them holding hands, with the caption “I like you,” Yin Bai was nauseated to the point of almost vomiting.

In the midst of the internet’s condemnation, the two of them openly admitting their actions surprisingly garnered some people’s praise.

Yin Bai slid her phone down and saw some netizens saying things like “There’s nothing wrong with feelings of attraction,” “Love is love, and attraction is uncontrollable,” and “True love isn’t eternal; changing one’s heart is human nature.” Comments like “Bravely admitting it is admirable” were getting to her.

Yin Bai thought to herself that if the two of them had been upfront before getting involved in ambiguity, before hurting Zuo Jingyou, she might have thought it was quite decent. But now, in this state…

Heh, what a scumbag.

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Yin Bai’s lips. She re-read Zuo Jingyou’s statement once again, and the more she read it, the more she felt that this person was genuinely clear and forthright when it came to emotions, unreserved and dignified.

After all, this statement only clarified what needed to be clarified and didn’t buy into He Zhiwen and the He family’s story. It’s worth noting that the companies under the He family’s banner have a significant share of theater resources, and Zuo Jingyou’s actions carry the risk of offending them.

Yin Bai bit her finger in thought for a moment, opened her email, took a screenshot of Zuo Jingyou’s project, and sent it to Jin Xiangyu. “With this, when negotiating with them, try to meet their demands as much as possible. You can give them any amount of money they ask for, and if it’s not enough, you can ask me for more.”

After all, her personal wealth was so massive that investing in someone like Zuo Jingyou was more than manageable.

When Jin Xiangyu saw this message, she began to doubt her life choices. Her reply came quickly: “Didn’t you vehemently refuse to collaborate with Teacher Zuo¹ before? There was a previous investment, and you withdrew the project just because Teacher Zuo was the lead actress. Are you sure you’re not mistaken, BOSS?”

As Yin Bai’s long-time manager, Jin Xiangyu thought it would be better to clarify things. It would save them from unnecessary workload if Yin Bai impulsively made decisions, one after another.

Yin Bai pursed her lips and swiftly typed on the keyboard, “Isn’t it a case of ‘different circumstances, different choices’? Can’t I think her project is good now? Also, when it comes to theater distribution, provide all possible support during scheduling.”

This way, even if the He family decides to trouble Zuo Jingyou, she can assist this person who is known for her clear stance on matters.

Jin Xiangyu acknowledged with an “Oh” and began to formulate a plan. However, after pondering for a while, she felt that something was off about Yin Bai’s actions. After some hesitation, Jin Xiangyu sent another message, tentatively asking, “BOSS, are you perhaps feeling provoked and wanting to pursue Teacher Zuo? Even if things aren’t good between Teacher Xiao and Teacher Zuo, do you really need to go this far just to upset Teacher Xiao?”

Upon seeing this message, Yin Bai was utterly flabbergasted.

She immediately picked up her phone and angrily typed a response, “Are you out of your mind? I’ll fire you, believe it or not! Am I that bored?”

In the following days, Lin Xiao and He Zhiwen’s relationship became completely public, causing quite a stir online. After a fan battle, the dust settled.

He Zhiwen couldn’t escape the fact of his infidelity, and Lin Xiao was labeled as the third party. However, in the relatively tolerant entertainment industry environment of today, being involved in infidelity and being labeled as a third party were at most seen as moral flaws, without substantial impact on either of them.

After He Zhiwen’s clarification, he continued to work on his projects as usual. Lin Xiao, after going through this ordeal, even gained more dedicated fans and received a lot of attention from yaoi enthusiasts.

Yin Bai looked upon this with great disdain, thinking that she would never collaborate with He Zhiwen in the future, no matter how good his films might be.

She didn’t like either of these two individuals.

Yin Bai had been battling a cold for several days, and on the 28th, Zhang Yu, who had taken a short vacation, finally returned.

Taking advantage of her holiday, Zhang Yu had traveled to the southwestern region and brought back a souvenir for Yin Bai – a Tibetan knife.

Apart from the souvenir, Zhang Yu chatted enthusiastically with Yin Bai about her trip, insisting that it was a pity for Yin Bai not to go out and explore.

Yin Bai sat on the balcony swing, flipping through a collection of Byron’s poems. She looked up at Zhang Yu, whose wheat-colored complexion had turned slightly sun-kissed, and said with a teasing tone, “Why go out? Do I need to go out and get as tan as you? I’d rather not.”

“I’m as fair as a fairy. Why would I want to become a dark and ugly sorceress?”

Zhang Yu looked at her with an amused expression and said, “BOSS, why does your remark sound so sour?”

Yin Bai closed the book in her hand and let out a light chuckle. “Do I have any reason to be sour with you? Sour about what? Your tan skin? Your white teeth?”

Zhang Yu didn’t mind Yin Bai’s sarcasm at all. Instead, she winked at Yin Bai and said with a suggestive tone, “I understand, I understand. You’re just at home feeling bored, secretly envious that I went on a trip.”

“Oh, BOSS, without me by your side, you must be feeling lonely.”

Yin Bai rolled her eyes at her. “You’re overthinking it. I’m doing just fine, and I’ve even made two new friends.” With that, Yin Bai picked up her cane and stood up from the swing.

As she walked toward the indoors, Yin Bai said to Zhang Yu, “There’s a new live-in nanny and a new assistant coming this afternoon. Can you help them get familiar with the environment?”

This time, Zhang Yu was left dumbfounded. “A new assistant? BOSS, why didn’t you tell me anything? Oh no, oh no, are you trying to replace me because you’re jealous I went on a trip?”

Yin Bai raised her hand and playfully poked Zhang Yu’s chest with the book in her hand, smiling slyly. “Feeling regretful now, are you? Dare to brag about your hiking trip in front of a disabled person?”

Zhang Yu immediately clutched the book and displayed a remorseful expression. “I’m sorry, BOSS. If I had known you held grudges like this, I wouldn’t have flaunted it everywhere.”

“Forgive my shallowness and ignorance. Spare me a way out, please.”

Zhang Yu, holding Yin Bai’s book, began to feign tears. Yin Bai was utterly disgusted by her act and shivered involuntarily. She quickly took the book back from Zhang Yu and hastily picked up her cane to head indoors. “Alright, alright, I don’t know you yet. You’re making me sick.”

“As for the live-in nanny, she’ll take care of my meals in this villa. As for the other assistant, I’ll leave her under your supervision. Her information has already been sent to your email. Take a look at what she can do and delegate some of your tasks to her.”

“Get her out here as soon as possible, and in the future, you both can take turns accompanying me, allowing for shifts and rest.”

Zhang Yu gave an OK gesture and replied seriously, “Okay, BOSS.”

As soon as Zhang Yu finished speaking, the phone on the nearby table started ringing. She picked it up and saw that it was a video call from the villa’s front gate. She then told Yin Bai, “Looks like someone is here. BOSS, I’ll go and receive them.”

Yin Bai nodded, and Zhang Yu answered the call.

As soon as the call was connected, Zhang Yu saw a young, rosy-cheeked, and very adorable little girl on the phone screen.

The little girl blinked her big, watery eyes at the camera and excitedly exclaimed, “Fairy big sister, are you home, fairy big sister?”

Yin Bai, who had taken just a few steps, halted in her tracks and turned to look at Zhang Yu. Zhang Yu looked at her in surprise and pointed to the phone, “BOSS, this can’t be the new assistant you mentioned, can it?”

Yin Bai rolled her eyes at her and replied, “Do I look like someone who would hire child labor?”

Yin Bai walked back with her cane, tapping it rhythmically, and said, “Give me the phone; this is the neighbor’s kid. I’ll handle this.”

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1. In some cultures, especially in Asian cultures, it’s common to use titles like “teacher” or “professor” as a sign of respect when addressing someone, especially if they are seen as a knowledgeable or authoritative figure in a particular field.