After Being Scummed – Chapter 19
by Little PandaWe’re friends la!
Hearing Yin Bai say this, Zuo Jingyou frowned with some difficulty, hesitating for a moment before saying, “But Little Prince, I don’t have any paper or a pen right now. How can I draw a little sheep for you, ne?”
Zuo Jingyou reached out, picked up the glass of wine on the table, and smiled at Yin Bai. “How about this: when I get back, I’ll draw a sheep for you then, okay?”
Perhaps it was a case of loving the house and its crows1, for Yin Bai felt that Zuo Jingyou’s smile at that moment was simply too captivating. She lifted her wine glass, took a sip, and said rather disappointedly, “Alright then.”
Perhaps because Zuo Jingyou had called her “Little Prince” twice, Yin Bai was now feeling a bit bolder. She cradled her wine glass, looked at Zuo Jingyou, then at the balloons flying towards the sky outside the pavilion2, her gaze drifting for a good while before finally settling back on Zuo Jingyou. “Then you must remember to draw a sheep for me, o.”
Zuo Jingyou couldn’t help but laugh. “En, of course, I promised you, a.” She would never go back on a promise she had made.
Yin Bai was a little happy, a smile bubbling up from her eyes. She put down her glass, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Zuo Jingyou. “So, can we be considered friends now?”
Zuo Jingyou looked at her youthful, sincere, clear, and transparent eyes and nodded emphatically. “Of course, we are friends! Otherwise, why would I draw a sheep for you, ne.”
Yin Bai cheered up. She put down her wine glass and said frankly and sincerely, “If I had known chatting with you was this fun, I would have made friends with you sooner.”
You see, for someone like her, it was actually very difficult to find a suitable friend.
Her youth was manageable; with her parents’ encouragement and her grandmother’s indulgence, she was able to grow up optimistic and innocent. But this didn’t mean that under such an upbringing, she grew into someone unversed in worldly affairs.
On the contrary, because she lost her parents at a young age, although her grandmother indulged her childish innocence, she also diligently cultivated her ability to deal with danger.
This meant that Yin Bai possessed the ability to live independently in the secular world.
A person who learned to survive too early, in order to protect her only remaining childishness and innocence, had to use a cold mask to hide her true nature, thereby rejecting many social interactions.
In her desert-like interpersonal relationships, Xiao Nian was an extremely special existence for her. Because that was the first time Yin Bai had actively wanted to get close to someone.
Xiao Nian was too vibrant and beautiful, like a light, attracting Yin Bai. Like a moth to a flame3, in the end, she was reduced to ashes and smoke4, and everything became a tragedy.
But despite this, Yin Bai was still very grateful to Xiao Nian.
At least, getting along with Xiao Nian gave her a good start in interpersonal relationships. She slowly walked out of her own desert, following the track Xiao Nian had laid for her, and established relationships with people like Jin Xiangyu and Zhang Yu. So after Xiao Nian left, she didn’t have to face a desert-like world once again.
It was Xiao Nian who brought her to the human world.
It was just that Yin Bai had never thought that in this world, besides children, there were people like Zuo Jingyou.
Yin Bai felt that she should be a mature “adult.” Now it seemed that Zuo Jingyou was indeed a mature “adult,” the kind of adult who could tolerate many things. The kind who wouldn’t mistake a boa constrictor for a hat5, and whose mouth wasn’t full of talk about banknotes, golf, and political trends.
In Zuo Jingyou’s heart, there were the same things as in Yin Bai’s.
There was the Little Prince, there were stars, there was the primeval forest, and there was the boa constrictor.
Indeed, someone who could raise such an interesting child like Tongtong was also a very interesting person. This unexpected discovery made Yin Bai genuinely happy.
Yin Bai’s change was so obvious, and the sincerity and frankness in her eyes also made Zuo Jingyou feel very comfortable. Zuo Jingyou propped her chin on one hand resting on the table, smiling as she looked at Yin Bai. “Actually, I’ve always wanted to be friends with Director Yin, I was just worried Director Yin would find me uninteresting.”
From their few brief encounters before, Zuo Jingyou had discovered that Yin Bai was a rare person with a pure heart. Especially during that awkward meeting at the hospital, she had received a kind of considerate goodwill from Yin Bai that was somewhere between that of a child and an adult.
It was this goodwill that made her never stop her child from interacting with Yin Bai. She even felt that if there was a chance, she might be able to make friends with Yin Bai.
Yin Bai raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair by her temple, saying a little embarrassedly, “It’s not too late now, a. When it comes to fate6, being timely is better than being early, ma7.”
Yin Bai sat up straight and looked at Zuo Jingyou very seriously. “By the way, since we’re friends, there’s no need to be so polite. You can call me by my name.”
Exchanging names is the beginning of friendship.
Zuo Jingyou pondered for a moment, her lips slightly parted, and said softly, “Then… Teacher Yin Bai?” After all, Yin Bai’s name only had two characters, and it felt a bit too abrupt to say. Plus, she was indeed teaching her daughter, so it was more appropriate for Zuo Jingyou to call her ‘teacher’.
Yin Bai paused for a moment, then quickly replied with a smile, “Okay, Teacher Zuo Jingyou.”
Zuo Jingyou looked up and met Yin Bai’s gaze. Seeing Yin Bai’s sparkling grey-blue eyes, she couldn’t help but give a slight smile. When she smiled, Yin Bai smiled too.
The two exchanged knowing smiles and then found some trivial topics to chat about.
They started by talking about the Little Prince, then moved on to Oscar Wilde’s8 fairy tales, inevitably mentioning Wilde’s life and works, and later, related films.
Yin Bai had to admit that stars and actors who could make it to the A-list in the entertainment circle, besides their own capabilities, also had excellent emotional intelligence9 and communication skills.
Like Xiao Nian, who, when faced with a somewhat difficult Yin Bai in her early twenties, could patiently coax her and satisfy all her fantasies and demands.
And the Zuo Jingyou before her was also very good at conversation. Talking to her was like bathing in a spring breeze10, even making Yin Bai feel as though she regretted not meeting her sooner, and considering her a confidante11.
The two chatted for a good while, during which Zuo Jingyou completely forgot about the group of people she was supposed to meet. It was only later, when Yin Bai got thirsty, that the two of them walked out of the pavilion together.
The wedding was to be held at four in the afternoon, and it was currently high noon, but Yin Bai was already hungry.
She leaned on her cane and returned to the crowd with Zuo Jingyou, taking a glass of plain boiled water and a piece of cake from the tray of a passing waiter, and began to eat slowly.
But as soon as the cake entered her mouth, Yin Bai frowned. Zuo Jingyou, who was holding a fruit platter nearby, saw her expression and quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Yin Bai licked the cream from the corner of her mouth, covered her lips with her hand, and whispered close to Zuo Jingyou, “The cake here isn’t good.”
Yin Bai paused, then added with great solemnity, “Not as good as yours.”
Zuo Jingyou was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled in spite of herself. She lowered her eyes, a glistening light within them, and smiled faintly. “Then don’t eat any more of it. Have some fruit to tide you over.”
“Of course, you can also try other desserts.”
“En.”
Yin Bai nodded and followed Zuo Jingyou, choosing what she wanted to eat from the passing waiters’ food carts.
The two of them standing side by side attracted the attention of many people at the venue.
After all, one of them was a big-screen actress with high status12, and the other was a famous “wealth-scattering child”13 in the industry. For various reasons, many people naturally wanted to strike up a conversation.
However, neither of them seemed to have any desire to talk to others, which made countless people beat a retreat14.
But among this group, there were always a few courageous souls. And so, just as Zuo Jingyou was helping Yin Bai try desserts, a not-so-familiar person approached. “Teacher Zuo, long time no see.”
The two, who were standing together pretending to casually sip juice while actually looking for desserts, heard the voice and looked up in unison at the newcomer.
The person was wearing an off-white knitted long dress, with a cashmere coat of the same color scheme. Her long hair was tied up, her figure slender, looking extremely chic and elegant.
Yin Bai looked at her classic Eastern oval face15, and her heart gave a lurch.
What kind of luck was this, to run into Lu Qing on such an occasion? She had lost all appetite for her little cake!
Yin Bai immediately became unhappy, retracted the hand she was about to extend towards the food cart, and her eyes began to wander, starting to think about how to make an awkward yet polite exit later.
Zuo Jingyou, standing beside Yin Bai, was equally surprised when she saw Lu Qing. She straightened up, a business smile on her face. “Long time no see, Director Lu.”
She blinked, asking with some confusion, “Is there something you need?”
Privately, Lu Qing was actually quite a meticulous16 person. She glanced at Yin Bai beside Zuo Jingyou out of the corner of her eye, then withdrew her gaze and got straight to the point17. “It’s like this, I contacted your studio before, Teacher Zuo, to ask if you had any availability18. But it’s been two weeks, and I haven’t received a reply. Since I ran into you today, Teacher Zuo, I couldn’t help but come over and ask.”
Yin Bai, listening from the side, frowned. What was going on? Lu Qing wanted to collaborate with Zuo Jingyou? Didn’t she know that Xiao Nian and Zuo Jingyou didn’t get along?
What if Xiao Nian got upset?
Zuo Jingyou looked at Lu Qing before her and vaguely remembered that there was such a matter. She showed an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, I’ve been busy and forgot. Teahcer Lu film starts shooting19 next year, right? That’s truly regrettable. My schedule for next year is already fully booked, I really can’t squeeze out any time.”
Next year, she had to edit her debut work, arrange for the film’s release, prepare her graduation thesis, and so on… she was incredibly busy.
Zuo Jingyou showed a helpless expression. “I’ve read Director Lu’s script, and I’m indeed very interested. But the timing doesn’t work out, so I can only regret…”
Before Zuo Jingyou could finish, Lu Qing pursed her lips and said very firmly, “It’s alright, it’s good enough that Teacher Zuo is interested! I can wait for Teacher Zuo’s availability. If next year doesn’t work, the year after next is also fine.”
She pondered for a moment and said very seriously, “Teacher Zuo, please don’t rush to refuse me. We can find a time to discuss it in detail. Please give me another chance; I believe we will have a very perfect collaboration.”
Standing to the side, Yin Bai heard these diplomatic words20 and felt so creeped out by Lu Qing’s cheesiness21 that she was about to get goosebumps22.
Heavens, do all you art film23 directors talk so cheesily? Could it be that Xiao Nian liked her so much precisely because she talked so cheesily?
This was truly unexpected!
Zuo Jingyou didn’t completely shut the door, just nodded and said, “Alright then, Director Lu, let’s set a time, and we can talk properly.” After all, such an occasion wasn’t really suitable for formally rejecting someone.
Lu Qing smiled. “Okay, I’ll contact your assistant later to schedule a time when you’re free, teacher.”
After Lu Qing finished speaking with Zuo Jingyou, she suddenly turned her gaze to Yin Bai and said very seriously, “Since Director Yin is also here, I have something I’d like to say to Director Yin as well.”
Suddenly addressed, Yin Bai, who was about to move aside with her cane, turned her head, smiled at Lu Qing, and said innocently, “What is it? Could it be that your new movie wants me to invest?”
No way, no way! Could Lu Qing’s family have gone bankrupt, needing her, this fake former love rival, to invest so she can make a movie?
That would be terrible! Wouldn’t Xiao Nian have to support her then?
Wa, what a shameless little white face24!
Yin Bai leaned on her cane, countless messy25 thoughts flashing through her mind.
At this moment, Lu Qing pursed her lips and smiled, straightening her back as she looked at Yin Bai and said, “No, it’s that Teacher Xiao and I are getting married next February. Teacher Xiao received a lot of help from Director Yin before, so I’m here personally this time to invite Director Yin to our wedding.”
“You will surely grace us with your presence26 and attend, right?”
In that instant, Yin Bai gripped her cane, trembling all over with anger.
Shameless, too shameless! You can’t bully people like this! Her fists were hardening!
The author has something to say:
So angry, so angry!
But Little Director Yin is a dignified person and wouldn’t do anything too inappropriate.
LP: Re-translated on May 16, 2025
Footnotes
- 愛屋及烏 | àiwūjīwū | Lit. “love the house and its crows”; Fig. When you love someone, you love everything connected to them.
- 涼亭 | liángtíng | An open-sided pavilion, often found in gardens or scenic spots, providing shade and a place to rest.
- 飛蛾撲火 | fēi é pū huǒ | Lit. “moth flies into the flame”; Fig. to head willingly into a dangerous or disastrous situation; to rush to one’s own doom.
- 灰飛煙滅 | huīfēiyānmiè | Lit. “ashes fly, smoke vanishes”; Fig. to be utterly destroyed, annihilated, to vanish without a trace.
- This is a direct reference to Drawing Number One in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince,” where adults mistake a drawing of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant for a hat. It signifies an adult who has lost childlike imagination and perception, focusing only on superficial or “practical” matters.
- 緣分 | yuánfèn | A concept in Chinese culture referring to the predetermined principle or “fateful coincidence” that brings people together, often in relationships. It implies a sense of destiny or serendipity.
- 嘛 | ma | A sentence-final particle indicating that something is obvious, or to soften a suggestion or statement, similar to “you know” or “of course.”
- 王爾德 | Wáng’ěrdé | Oscar Wilde, the Irish poet and playwright.
- 情商 | qíngshāng | Emotional Quotient (EQ). Refers to the ability to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions.
- 如沐春風 | rú mù chūnfēng | Lit. “like bathing in a spring breeze”; Fig. to feel extremely pleasant and comfortable, often due to someone’s kind words, gentle demeanor, or excellent teaching.
- 知己 | zhījǐ | Lit. “know oneself”; Fig. an intimate friend, a soulmate, someone who truly understands you.
- 咖位 | kāwèi | From “cast” (as in film cast) + “位” (position/status). A slang term in the entertainment industry referring to an artist’s ranking, status, or standing.
- 散財童子 | sàncái tóngzǐ | Lit. “wealth-scattering child/attendant.” Originally from Buddhist lore (Sudhana), who sought enlightenment. In modern slang, it can refer to someone who spends money lavishly, a big spender, or sometimes ironically, someone who brings fortune to others or is a source of easy money.
- 打退堂鼓 | dǎ tuìtánggǔ | Lit. “to beat the retreat drum”; Fig. to give up, to back out, to abandon an attempt.
- 鵝蛋臉 | é’dàn liǎn | Lit. “goose-egg face.” An oval face shape, traditionally considered very beautiful and ideal in East Asian aesthetics.
- 一板一眼 | yī bǎn yī yǎn | Lit. “one beat, one eye (of a drumstick)”; Fig. methodical, by the book, scrupulous, rigid in one’s ways.
- 單刀直入 | dāndāo zhírù | Lit. “enter with a single blade”; Fig. to get straight to the point, to speak directly without beating around the bush.
- 檔期 | dàngqī | Schedule availability, particularly for performers, artists, or film productions. Refers to a period when someone is free for a project.
- 開機 | kāijī | Lit. “start machine”; Fig. to begin filming for a movie or TV show; the commencement ceremony for filming.
- 場面話 | chǎngmiàn huà | Lit. “scene words”; Fig. words appropriate for the occasion, polite talk, diplomatic or superficial remarks often said for social propriety rather than expressing true feelings.
- 肉麻 | ròumá | Lit. “flesh tingling”; Fig. cheesy, corny, sappy, overly sentimental to the point of causing discomfort or goosebumps.
- 雞皮疙瘩 | jīpí gēda | Lit. “chicken skin bumps”; Fig. goosebumps.
- 文藝片 | wényì piàn | Lit. “literature and art film”; Fig. arthouse film, a film that is artistic or experimental in style, typically not mainstream commercial cinema.
- 小白臉 | xiǎo bái liǎn | Lit. “little white face.” A derogatory term for a handsome young man, often implying he is kept by a woman, a pretty boy, or a gigolo, suggesting he relies on his looks rather than substance.
- 亂七八糟 | luànqībāzāo | Lit. “disorderly seven messy eight”; Fig. in a hideous mess, all mixed up, chaotic, jumbled.
- 賞光 | shǎngguāng | Lit. “bestow light/honor”; Fig. (Honorific) to grace with one’s presence, to honor with one’s attendance. A polite way to invite someone.
Omg. Is this Lu Qing clueless!!!! Omg I’m pretty clueless too but even I know I don’t invite the exes to a wedding!!!!!! Insane!!
I’m sure she’s crazy!!! That would suit her better!!! How can someone in the entertainment industry want to collaborate with their fiancée’s rival???? How can someone invite their fiancée’s ex to their wedding??? She’s crazy!!!
Omg. Is this Lu Qing clueless!!!! Omg I’m pretty clueless too but even I know I don’t invite the exes to a wedding!!!!!! Insane!!