After Being Scummed – Chapter 53

A Kiss

Even Xu Ruofeng didn’t expect that Yin Bai would be so easily persuaded. Holding her wine glass, she looked at Yin Bai with some surprise and asked excitedly, “Did Director Yin agree?”

Yin Bai took a deep breath while holding an oxygen tank, then looked at Xu Ruofeng and said firmly, “Before the Spring Festival holiday, prepare your project proposal and the initial draft of the script. I need these materials to convince my manager.”

“In terms of funding, I will provide you with the maximum support. However, at the same time, I also need a good story to report back to me.”

Holding the oxygen tank, Yin Bai looked at Xu Ruofeng and Zuo Jingyou on the opposite side and said very seriously, “Can you meet this requirement?”

Xu Ruofeng’s eyes shimmered with joy. She turned her head to look at Zuo Jingyou, and the two of them exchanged a glance, both seeing the happiness in each other’s eyes.

Zuo Jingyou’s lips curved into a slight smile as she turned her gaze towards Yin Bai. She slowly unfolded a smile and said, “Yes, we will definitely give you a good story.”

Yin Bai, looking at the smile on Zuo Jingyou’s face, couldn’t help but smile as well. She turned her head, took a business card from Zhang Yu, and extended it towards Xu Ruofeng. “This is my manager’s business card. After you’ve prepared the project proposal, give it directly to her. She will provide you with a suitable budget for this project.”

Xu Ruofeng took the business card and expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you.”

After seeing her take the business card, Yin Bai turned to Zhang Yu and reminded her, “Go back and send an email to Jin Xiangyu, informing her about this matter and asking her to create a project record.”

Zhang Yu raised her hand and made an “OK” gesture, saying, “Sure thing, BOSS.”

Yin Bai genuinely wanted to undertake this project, so she made everything clear and provided Xu Ruofeng with ample responses. Seeing Yin Bai’s attitude, Xu Ruofeng also felt relieved.

She had encountered many financiers before, who spoke eloquently upfront but conveniently forgot about things when it came down to it. Promises made were often easily broken.

Encountering someone like Yin Bai, who was so straightforward and willing to invest, was indeed a rare occurrence.

Xu Ruofeng raised her wine glass and toasted Yin Bai, saying, “Thank you, Director Yin, for your generous support. Although the project hasn’t officially started yet, I still want to offer a toast to Director Yin.”

Yin Bai had Zhang Yu pour her a glass of warm water and, from a distance, clinked glasses with Xu Ruofeng. “I’m also looking forward to your work. By the way, what’s the name of that Tibetan girl?”

Xu Ruofeng paused and said to Yin Bai, “Dawa… in Tibetan, it means the moon.”

Yin Bai nodded thoughtfully, “Then I hope that the name of this movie can be called 《Dawa》. For Dawa, I’ll also raise a toast to you.”

Seeing this, Zuo Jingyou, who was sitting beside them, also lifted her wine glass and said with a smile, “Alright, let’s all have a drink.”

“To Dawa!”

To this woman who has been striving to break free from the quagmire and grow upwards throughout her life.

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together. Initially hesitant, Yin Bai, upon seeing the enthusiastic toasts, extended her own tentative hand and lightly touched glasses with Zuo Jingyou.

As the rims of their glasses touched, Zuo Jingyou raised her eyes, looking at Yin Bai with some surprise.

Yin Bai lifted her hand, brought the glass of warm water to her lips, took a sip, and calmly drank it all.

Normally a person with cleanliness habits, at this moment, she didn’t even think about the fact that this was a glass touched by someone else. At this very moment, her mind was filled with one thought: as long as it’s Zuo Jingyou, she wouldn’t mind.

No matter how close the contact, she wouldn’t feel any disgust.

Zuo Jingyou watched Yin Bai finish her drink with a smile, her eyes narrowing slightly, concealing the fleeting joy of that moment.

During this dinner, everyone enjoyed themselves.

As the hostess, Xu Ruofeng was quite a drinker. When she was in a good mood, she would gather a group of people to drink, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the venue.

Yin Bai actually didn’t like drinking much, especially considering her susceptibility to motion sickness. So, she could only sit on the side with an oxygen tank, simultaneously inhaling oxygen and eating beef.

As a young documentary director, Xu Ruofeng was a very talkative person. When the alcohol got to her, she began sharing interesting anecdotes about filming documentaries with everyone.

For example, during the previous shoot in Western Hunan, Xu Ruofeng encountered a particularly simple and honest Miao young man. Because she teased the young man with playful words, she ended up being proposed to.

When Yin Bai heard this story, she enjoyed it while inhaling oxygen, thinking that Xu Ruofeng liked boys, so there was no need to worry about her and Zuo Jingyou getting involved.

However, when Xu Ruofeng, with narrowed eyes and a tipsy demeanor, mentioned meeting a Yi girl in Lijiang last year and being moved by her youthful shyness, Yin Bai suddenly felt that her oxygen supply wasn’t quite sufficient!

Feeling stifled, Yin Bai took a few deep breaths of oxygen. When she found the oxygen tank empty, she nudged Zhang Yu, who was already a bit tipsy, to get herself a new one.

As Yin Bai continued to breathe in oxygen, she silently criticized Xu Ruofeng’s romantic tendencies. At the same time, she lifted her eyes and, using the corner of her eye, glanced at Zuo Jingyou sitting across from her.

Through a layer of mist-like heat, she saw Zuo Jingyou on the opposite side, chin rested on her hand, gazing at Xu Ruofeng with a bewitching look. “Senior Sister really is someone who easily falls for others. It’s truly liberating and enviable.”

In that moment, Yin Bai seemed to perceive a glint of admiration named “admiration” in Zuo Jingyou’s eyes.

Realizing this, Yin Bai felt a stifling sensation in her chest, like a lingering mist in a valley that couldn’t be dispersed.

A sensation of burning, climbing up from her chest, scorched Yin Bai’s internal organs, making her extremely uncomfortable. Holding the oxygen tank, she breathed in while pondering, “Does Zuo Jingyou… like her? Does she like Xu Ruofeng?”

The friendship between senior and junior sisters had spanned many years, a familiarity where each knew the other well. Both were talented, appreciating each other’s abilities. Moreover, Xu Ruofeng was a person with good character, a cheerful personality, someone admirable.

Liking her didn’t seem like such an extraordinary thing.

Furthermore, Zuo Jingyou had mentioned that she… didn’t dislike girls either.

Yin Bai’s heart sank to the bottom of a valley. Holding the oxygen tank, she sat by the lively hot pot, watching Zuo Jingyou’s smiling face. For some reason, she felt her body getting colder and colder.

She looked at the smile on Zuo Jingyou’s face, feeling as if all the sounds were coming from a very distant place. It seemed as though getting closer, yet also as if drifting away…

Yin Bai sat in the corner, pitifully hugging her oxygen tank, vaguely feeling that she was about to be alone again.

Why… can’t all happiness last?

Why… can’t relationships stay the same as they were at the beginning?

Why… do all things constantly change?

In fact, haven’t there been answers to all of this for a long time? There’s nothing in this world that remains eternally constant, love cannot last until death, and friendships cannot endure indefinitely…

What’s called eternal and unchanging is merely perpetually in flux, Yin Bai thought.

Before getting hurt again, she felt that she might have to leave.

She sat in the corner, staring blankly at Zuo Jingyou for a while.

Zuo Jingyou, who was listening to Xu Ruofeng’s long-time anecdotes with others, turned her head upon sensing Yin Bai’s gaze and met her eyes.

Locked in a silent gaze, Yin Bai remained silent for a while, lowering her eyes.

Zuo Jingyou keenly sensed that something was off with Yin Bai. After exchanging a few words with those around her, she got up and moved to sit beside Yin Bai. Gazing down at Yin Bai, she asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Yin Bai didn’t expect her to come over. Holding the oxygen tank, she slightly turned away, avoiding Zuo Jingyou’s gaze, and replied in a subdued voice, “It’s nothing… just severe altitude sickness. I need to rest.”

Observing Yin Bai’s condition, Zuo Jingyou suggested with great concern, “Then, why don’t you go back and rest?”

Yin Bai nodded, “Alright, I’ll go back first. You guys continue enjoying.”

As Yin Bai spoke, she reached for her nearby cane, turned to Zhang Yu, and advised, “Drink less, I’m heading back now.”

Zhang Yu raised her glass, squinting as she said, “Alright, BOSS, take care on the way!”

Yin Bai stood up, exchanged greetings with everyone present, and with the help of her cane, she made her way towards the exit. Seeing that she was leaving, Xu Ruofeng quickly suggested accompanying her. Yin Bai declined, mentioning that her room was not far, just next door, and there was no need for an escort.

Expressing her gratitude in a polite manner, Yin Bai hoped that the others wouldn’t let her departure affect their enjoyment. After saying this, she turned and hurriedly left the lively place.

Zuo Jingyou turned her head, watching Yin Bai’s unsteady figure as she walked away. She picked up her phone, stood up, and instructed her assistant Yang Yi, “Yang Yi, take Zhang Yu back later.”

“I’ll accompany Director Yin for a bit. Take your time enjoying.”

As Zuo Jingyou spoke, holding something in her hand, she hastily chased after Yin Bai’s retreating figure.

When Yin Bai reached the doorway, a sudden gust of cold wind blew against her face, making her shiver. The night wind was chilly, making her already cold heart even colder.

Sigh, it’s so depressing. Is she going to be alone again?

Just as Yin Bai was thinking this, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. She turned around, and in the dim night, she was astonished to see Zuo Jingyou walking towards her. Yin Bai widened her eyes, “Why did you come out too? Aren’t you going to continue drinking with them?”

Zuo Jingyou stood beside her, reached out, and gently held Yin Bai’s hand. With a warm smile, she said, “No more drinking. It’s dark at night. I’ll accompany you back.”

Hearing her words, Yin Bai felt a bit pleased, yet there was an indescribable awkwardness. She lowered her gaze and said somewhat sheepishly, “I can walk by myself, you don’t have to accompany me.”

Zuo Jingyou lightly chuckled and supported Yin Bai as they walked forward slowly. “I can’t rest assured if you walk alone.”

Zuo Jingyou drew closer to her, and the warmth emanating from her seemed to effortlessly dispel the chill that had risen from Yin Bai’s heart.

In this quiet and cold night, Zuo Jingyou’s gentle words held a kind of magical power, inexplicably pulling Yin Bai’s heart from the depths into the warmth of the present.

Yin Bai’s heart soared, suddenly feeling incredibly joyful. She pursed her lips, forcefully suppressing the upward curve of her lips, pretending nonchalance, “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m a grown person, and nothing happens when walking at night.”

After Yin Bai finished speaking, she pressed down the corners of her lips, sounding somewhat displeased, “But you, your senior sister is having a great time over there. Why don’t you continue drinking and chatting with her?”

The words were filled with a hint of bitterness.

Zuo Jingyou chuckled, holding Yin Bai’s arm and shielding her from the wind as they walked. While accompanying her, she whispered, “Senior sister can drink anytime. But if you fall at night, I’ll feel uneasy.”

This statement sounded a bit strange. Yin Bai furrowed her brows, saying with an odd tone, “If I fall, it’s not your fault. Why would you feel uneasy?”

Zuo Jingyou helped her into the entrance of the inn, leading her towards the room, “If you fall, my heart will ache.”

Yin Bai’s hand, leaning on the cane, paused, and she stopped in her tracks, looking at Zuo Jingyou, asking, “Will it really?”

Zuo Jingyou nodded, earnestly replying, “It really will!”

Alright…

Yin Bai fell silent, and Zuo Jingyou supported her as they walked forward in silence for quite a while, all the way until they reached the door of Yin Bai’s room.

Once they stopped, Yin Bai released herself from Zuo Jingyou’s support. She stood at the door, leaning on her cane, looking down at the other person. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke, “I have a question for you…”

Zuo Jingyou raised her eyes, meeting Yin Bai’s gaze. She blinked playfully and said, “Ask away.”

In the dim light of the corridor, Zuo Jingyou stood vivaciously in front of Yin Bai. Her exquisitely beautiful face seemed to be veiled, appearing dreamlike and enchanting.

Watching her charming demeanor, Yin Bai pursed her lips and, unable to suppress her uneasy heart, softly asked, “Zuo Jingyou, do you like your senior sister?”

Zuo Jingyou didn’t show surprise. She simply lifted her lips, smiled gently, and responded, “I thought you were going to ask, if both you and senior sister fell, whom would I be more worried about.”

A smile spread from the corners of her mouth, as beautiful as a snow lotus blooming on a glacier, captivating the senses.

Zuo Jingyou gazed at her, her features extremely gentle. “Yin Bai, I also have a question I want to ask you.”

Yin Bai lowered her eyes, meeting Zuo Jingyou’s gaze. In the dim light, the woman looked up at her, her eyes sparkling and enchanting.

In a trance, Yin Bai watched as the woman lightly parted her lips, asking in a word-by-word manner, “Yin Bai, you’ve come all this way to find me. What is it for?”

For what? Of course, it’s to see you.

Why do I want to see you?

Of course… Of course…

Yin Bai stared at the woman’s soft, cherry-like lips, and suddenly, a thought surfaced. In that moment, she felt as if her head had been struck heavily, buzzing…

She tightened her grip on the cane in her hand, looking at the seemingly puppet-like figure of Zuo Jingyou before her, drained of all energy, only able to stare blankly.

Zuo Jingyou raised her eyes, gazing at Yin Bai’s dazed expression, and couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

This person… is really hard to figure out.

With these thoughts in mind, Zuo Jingyou raised one hand and placed it on Yin Bai’s shoulder, softly calling her name, “Yin Bai…”

Yin Bai snapped back to reality, meeting Zuo Jingyou’s gaze.

Zuo Jingyou lifted her other hand, cupping Yin Bai’s face gently, and whispered, “Let’s give it a try…”

Give it a try? Try what?

Before Yin Bai could comprehend, Zuo Jingyou pressed her shoulder, cradled her face, tilted her head slightly, and leaned in for a kiss…

When the soft lips touched each other, Yin Bai, who was being kissed by Zuo Jingyou against the door, instantly widened her eyes.

This is… this is…

Among friends, too…

No, it shouldn’t be…

She is… kissing me?

Yin Bai’s mind turned into a chaotic mess, her heart beating irregularly as if it could burst out of her chest at any moment. In this instant, all thoughts in her mind were drawn away, and the only sensation she could feel was the kiss from Zuo Jingyou on her lips.

Warm, soft, like a feather gently caressing her heart.

Breathing closely, sharing breath, the air between their mouths and noses was filled with the pleasant scent of Zuo Jingyou.

Yin Bai leaned against the door, like a wooden puppet, afraid to move, allowing Zuo Jingyou to kiss her.

Her heartbeat was chaotic, her breathing was erratic, and her thoughts were all in disarray. Just as Yin Bai completely lost her ability to think, Zuo Jingyou caressed her shoulder, lifted her head, hooked her neck, and lightly bit her lips.

A slight pain on her lips, Yin Bai unconsciously let out a soft moan. Her lips parted slightly and, in the next moment, were deeply captured by Zuo Jingyou, breaking through her defenses…

The hot and tender lips captured Yin Bai’s thoughts in an instant. Her body trembled, and her limbs became unsteady. In the face of the other’s forceful plunder, she released the cane in her hand.

The cane slipped from Yin Bai’s hand, making a clattering sound as it fell to the ground and rolled away.

With nothing in her hands, Yin Bai raised them and tightly embraced Zuo Jingyou’s waist. She bent down, enveloping Zuo Jingyou in her arms, closed her eyes, and gently responded to the kiss.

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LP: (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)

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