After Being Scummed – Chapter 53
by Little PandaA Kiss
Even Xu Ruofeng hadn’t expected Yin Bai to be convinced so easily. She held her wine glass, looking at Yin Bai with some astonishment, and asked in pleasant surprise, “Director Yin, does this mean you’ve agreed?”
Yin Bai took a deep breath from the oxygen tank. After catching her breath, she looked squarely at Xu Ruofeng and said, “Before the Spring Festival holiday, get your project proposal and the first draft of the script ready. I’ll need these materials to convince my manager.”
“In terms of funding, I will give you the greatest support. But at the same time, I need a good story in return.”
Holding the oxygen tank, Yin Bai looked at Xu Ruofeng and Zuo Jingyou across from her and said very seriously, “Can you meet this requirement?”
A joyful glint flashed in Xu Ruofeng’s eyes. She turned to look at Zuo Jingyou, and their eyes met, both seeing the delight in the other’s.
The corner of Zuo Jingyou’s lips curved up slightly. She turned her gaze to Yin Bai, a smile slowly blossoming. “Yes, we will definitely give you a good story.”
Seeing the smile on Zuo Jingyou’s face, Yin Bai couldn’t help but smile as well. She turned her head, got a business card from Zhang Yu, and held it out to Xu Ruofeng between her long fingers. “This is my manager’s business card. After you’ve prepared the project proposal, give it to her directly. She will work out a suitable budget for your project.”
Xu Ruofeng took the card and said gratefully, “Thank you.”
After seeing her take the card, Yin Bai turned and instructed Zhang Yu, “When we get back, send an email to Jin Xiangyu and tell her about this matter so she can file the project for the record.”
Zhang Yu raised her hand and made an “OK” gesture. “Okay, Boss.”
Yin Bai genuinely wanted to do this project, so she made all the arrangements clear and gave Xu Ruofeng a sufficient response. Seeing her attitude, Xu Ruofeng also felt a sense of relief.
She had met many investors before who made grand promises upfront, only to turn around and act as if they had forgotten the whole thing, their words meaning nothing.
Someone as straightforward about providing funds as Yin Bai was a rare sight these days.
Xu Ruofeng raised her glass and toasted Yin Bai, “Thank you, Director Yin, for your strong support. Although the project has not officially started, I must still toast you.”
Yin Bai had Zhang Yu pour her a glass of warm water and clinked glasses with Xu Ruofeng from across the space. “I look forward to your work as well. By the way, what’s the name of that Tibetan girl?”
Xu Ruofeng paused for a moment before telling Yin Bai, “Dawa1… in the Tibetan language, it means ‘moon.’”
Yin Bai nodded thoughtfully. “Then I hope the name of this movie can be called 《Dawa》. For Dawa, I’ll toast you as well.”
Seeing this, Zuo Jingyou, who was sitting to the side, also raised her glass and said with a smile, “Well then, let’s all have a drink.”
“To Dawa!”
To this woman who spent her life striving to break free from the mire and grow upward.
Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together. Yin Bai, who had been a little hesitant, also extended a tentative hand when she saw everyone’s enthusiastic toasting, lightly tapping her glass against Zuo Jingyou’s.
As the rims of their glasses touched, Zuo Jingyou raised her eyes and looked at Yin Bai with some surprise.
Yin Bai lifted her hand, brought the glass of warm water to her lips, took a small sip, and calmly drank the entire thing.
The person who was usually a germaphobe didn’t, at this moment, remember that this was a glass someone else had touched. At this very moment, her mind was full of one thought: As expected, if it’s Zuo Jingyou, I don’t mind.
No matter how intimate the contact, I won’t feel disgusted.
Zuo Jingyou watched her drain the glass in one go, her eyes lowering into a soft smile, hiding this momentary burst of joy.
The dinner was a great success, with both host and guests enjoying themselves thoroughly.
As the host, Xu Ruofeng was a big drinker. When she got happy, she would pull a group of people to drink with her, making the whole place lively and noisy.
Yin Bai didn’t actually like drinking much, and coupled with her altitude sickness, she could only sit to the side holding her oxygen tank, taking puffs of oxygen while eating beef.
As a young documentary director, Xu Ruofeng was quite a talker. When the strong liquor went to her head, she started telling everyone interesting stories from her documentary shoots.
For example, when she was filming in Xiangxi2, she met a particularly simple and honest young man from the Miao3 ethnic group, and because she teased the young man with her flirty words, she ended up getting a marriage proposal.
When Yin Bai heard this part, she breathed in her oxygen with great interest, thinking to herself that since Xu Ruofeng liked boys, she wouldn’t have to worry about her getting together with Zuo Jingyou.
But when Xu Ruofeng squinted her eyes and drunkenly said that last year in Lijiang4 she met a girl from the Yi5 ethnic group and was captivated by her shyness and modesty, Yin Bai suddenly felt that the oxygen in her hand wasn’t so easy to breathe anymore!
Yin Bai took a few suffocated gulps of oxygen. When she realized the tank was empty, she nudged the already drunk Zhang Yu beside her and had her change it for a new one.
As Yin Bai breathed in the oxygen, she silently grumbled in her heart about Xu Ruofeng’s amorous nature. At the same time, she raised her eyes and glanced at Zuo Jingyou from the corner of her eye.
Through a misty layer of steam, she saw Zuo Jingyou across from her, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes looking dreamily at Xu Ruofeng. “Senior Sister really is someone who falls for others easily. It’s the kind of carefreeness that makes one envious.”
At that moment, Yin Bai seemed to see a light called “admiration” in Zuo Jingyou’s eyes.
Realizing this, Yin Bai felt a wave of gloom spread through her chest, like the mist that perpetually shrouded the valleys, impossible to dispel.
A burning sensation climbed up from her chest, scorching Yin Bai’s internal organs until she was in great discomfort. Holding the oxygen tank, she breathed in the oxygen and thought, Does Zuo Jingyou… like her?
Does she… like Xu Ruofeng?
Years of friendship as senior and junior sisters. You’re familiar with me, I’m familiar with you. Both are equally talented and admire each other. Plus, Xu Ruofeng is a person of good character, with a cheerful personality that people admire.
Liking her… doesn’t seem to be anything strange.
What’s more, Zuo Jingyou also said… she… isn’t against liking girls…
Yin Bai’s heart sank to the bottom of a valley. She hugged the oxygen tank, sitting by the lively hot pot, looking at the smile on Zuo Jingyou’s face. For some reason, she felt her body growing colder and colder…
She gazed at the smile on Zuo Jingyou’s face, and it felt as if all the sounds were coming from a very, very distant place. As if they were getting closer, yet also moving further away…
Yin Bai sat in the corner, pitifully hugging her oxygen tank, vaguely feeling that she was going to be all alone again…
Why… can’t any happiness last?
Why… can’t any relationship stay as it was in the beginning?
Why… is everything constantly changing?
Actually, the answers to all this were already there, weren’t they? There is nothing in this world that is singular, eternal, and unchanging. Love cannot last until death, and friendship cannot endure forever…
So-called eternity is nothing but eternal change.
Yin Bai thought, Before I get hurt again, I should probably go back.
She sat in the corner, staring blankly at Zuo Jingyou for a good while.
Zuo Jingyou, who was listening to Xu Ruofeng’s old stories with the others, turned her head upon sensing Yin Bai’s gaze and met her eyes.
Their eyes locked. Yin Bai was silent for a long moment before lowering her gaze.
Zuo Jingyou keenly sensed that something was wrong with her mood. She exchanged a few words and laughs with the person next to her, then got up and switched her seat to be next to Yin Bai. Looking down at her, she asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Yin Bai hadn’t expected her to come over. Hugging her oxygen tank, she turned slightly to the side, avoiding Zuo Jingyou’s gaze, and said in a hoarse voice, “It’s nothing… My altitude sickness is just too severe, I want to rest…”
Seeing her like this, Zuo Jingyou suggested with great concern, “Then you should go back and rest?”
Yin Bai nodded. “Okay, I’ll head back first. You all continue drinking.”
As she spoke, Yin Bai felt for her cane at her side and turned to instruct Zhang Yu, “Drink less. I’m going back first.”
Zhang Yu, holding her glass, squinted and said, “Okay, Boss. Be careful on your way!”
Yin Bai got up, said goodbye to everyone at the table, and then stood, leaning on her cane as she walked out. When Xu Ruofeng saw she was leaving, she quickly stood up and offered to walk her out. Yin Bai refused, saying her room was just next door and she didn’t need an escort.
Yin Bai’s words were tactful, hoping the others wouldn’t have their fun ruined because of her. After speaking, she turned and hastily fled the lively place.
Zuo Jingyou turned her head and watched her staggering back. She picked up her phone, got up, and said to her assistant, Yang Yi, “Yang Yi, make sure to get Zhang Yu back to her room later.”
“I’ll walk Director Yin back. You guys take your time drinking.”
With that, Zuo Jingyou grabbed her things and hurriedly chased after Yin Bai’s retreating figure.
When Yin Bai reached the doorway, a gust of cold air hit her, making her shiver. The night wind was chilling, making her already freezing heart even colder.
Sigh, this is so sad. Am I going to be all alone again?
Just as Yin Bai was thinking this, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind her. Yin Bai turned her head. Seeing Zuo Jingyou walking towards her from the dim night, her eyes widened in surprise. “Why are you out too? Aren’t you going to keep drinking with them?”
Zuo Jingyou came to her side and stood still, reaching out to take her arm. She smiled gently. “I’m done drinking. It’s dark out, I’ll walk you back.”
Hearing her say this, Yin Bai felt a little happy, but also an indescribable awkwardness. She lowered her eyes and said, a little embarrassed, “I can walk by myself, you don’t have to see me off.”
Zuo Jingyou chuckled lightly, supporting Yin Bai as they slowly walked forward. “I’m not at ease with you walking alone.”
Zuo Jingyou drew closer to her. The warmth from her body seemed to easily dispel the chill rising from the bottom of Yin Bai’s heart.
In this silent, cold night, Zuo Jingyou’s gentle words seemed to have a magical power, miraculously pulling Yin Bai’s heart, which felt like it was falling into an abyss, back to the warmth of the mortal world.
Yin Bai’s heart soared, and she suddenly felt incredibly cheerful. She pursed her lips, trying her best to suppress the upward curve of her mouth, and pretended to be indifferent. “What’s there to not be at ease about? I’m a grown person, nothing will happen to me walking at night.”
After she finished, she pressed down the corners of her lips, pretending to be unhappy. “You, on the other hand. Your Senior Sister is having a great time drinking over there. Why didn’t you stay and drink and chat with her?”
Her words were practically dripping with jealousy.
Zuo Jingyou smiled faintly. Holding Yin Bai’s arm, she turned sideways to shield her from the wind, coaxing her softly as they walked, “I can drink with Senior Sister anytime. But if you were to fall in the night, my conscience wouldn’t be clear.”
That sounded strange. Yin Bai frowned tightly and said in a passive-aggressive tone, “If I fall, it’s not your fault. Why should your conscience not be clear?”
Zuo Jingyou helped her into the guesthouse’s main door and led her towards her room. “If you fall, my heart will hurt.”
Yin Bai’s hand, holding the cane, paused. She stopped walking and looked at Zuo Jingyou. “Really?”
Zuo Jingyou nodded, her face serious as she replied, “Really!”
Fine…
Yin Bai said no more. Zuo Jingyou supported her as they walked in silence for a while, all the way to Yin Bai’s room door.
After they stopped, Yin Bai finally let go of Zuo Jingyou. She stood at the door, leaning on her cane, looking down at the other woman. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Let me ask you a question…”
Zuo Jingyou looked up, met Yin Bai’s gaze, blinked, and said playfully, “Go ahead.”
Under the dim corridor light, Zuo Jingyou stood charmingly before Yin Bai, her clear and beautiful face as if veiled, dreamlike and illusory.
Yin Bai looked at her pretty face, pursed her lips, and finally, unable to suppress her uneasy heart, asked softly, “Zuo Jingyou, do you like your Senior Sister?”
Zuo Jingyou showed no sign of surprise. She just curved her lips into a light smile. “I thought you were going to ask me, if both you and Senior Sister fell, whose pain would hurt my heart more.”
A smile spread from the corner of her mouth, as beautiful as a snow lotus flower6 blooming on a glacier, captivating one’s heart and soul.
Zuo Jingyou looked at her, her eyes exceedingly gentle. “Yin Bai, I also have a question I want to ask you.”
Yin Bai lowered her gaze and met Zuo Jingyou’s. Under the dim light, the woman looked up at her, her eyes sparkling, bewitching and soul-snatching.
In a daze, Yin Bai watched as the woman’s lips parted, and she asked, word by word, “Yin Bai, you came all this way to find me. What for?”
What for? To see you, of course.
Why did I want to see you?
Of course… of course, it’s because…
Yin Bai gazed at the woman’s lips, as tender as cherry blossoms, and a thought suddenly surfaced. In that moment, she felt as if her head had been struck heavily, and it was buzzing…
She tightened her grip on her cane, looking at Zuo Jingyou before her, like a puppet drained of all its energy, only able to stare at her blankly.
Zuo Jingyou looked up, and seeing her dazed expression, she couldn’t help but sigh softly.
This person… is really so difficult.
Thinking this, Zuo Jingyou raised a hand and placed it on Yin Bai’s shoulder, calling her name softly, “Yin Bai…”
Yin Bai snapped back to reality and met Zuo Jingyou’s eyes.
Zuo Jingyou raised her other hand, cupped the side of Yin Bai’s face, and said softly, “Let’s try…”
Try? Try what?
Before Yin Bai could react, Zuo Jingyou pressed on her shoulder, held her face, tilted her head up slightly, and kissed her…
The moment their soft lips touched, Yin Bai, who was being pressed against the door and kissed by Zuo Jingyou, widened her eyes instantly.
This is… this is…
Can friends also…
No, they can’t…
She is…
Kissing me?
Yin Bai’s mind turned into a pot of mush, and her heartbeat was abnormally fast, thump, thump, thump, as if it could leap out of her chest at any second. In that instant, all thoughts were drained from her mind. The only thing she could feel was Zuo Jingyou’s kiss on her lips.
Warm, soft, like a feather gently stroking her heart.
Their breaths mingled, their scents intertwined. The space between their noses and mouths was filled with Zuo Jingyou’s pleasant aroma.
Yin Bai leaned against the door like a wooden dummy, not daring to move an inch, only allowing Zuo Jingyou to kiss her.
Her heartbeat was a mess, her breathing was a mess, her thoughts were all a mess… Just as Yin Bai completely lost her ability to think, Zuo Jingyou, while still pressing on her shoulder, raised a hand to hook around her neck, pulled her head down, and bit her lip lightly.
A slight pain on her lips made Yin Bai hiss subconsciously. Her lips parted slightly, and in the next second, Zuo Jingyou broke through her defenses and kissed her deeply…
The hot, soft lips captured Yin Bai’s thoughts at once. Her body trembled, her hands and feet unsteady. Amidst the other’s forceful plunder, she let go of the cane in her hand.
The cane slipped from Yin Bai’s grasp, falling to the ground with a clang, then rattled as it rolled far away.
With her hands now empty, Yin Bai, having nothing to hold onto, raised her arms and tightly wrapped them around Zuo Jingyou’s waist. She bent down, circling Zuo Jingyou in her embrace, closed her eyes, and gently returned her kiss.
LP: (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)
Re-translated on June 24, 2025
Footnotes
- 達娃 | Dáwā
- 湘西 | Xiāngxī | A region in western Hunan province, known for its scenic beauty and the rich culture of its ethnic minorities, particularly the Miao and Tujia peoples.
- 苗族 | Miáozú | One of the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups in China. They are known for their intricate silver jewelry, embroidery, and unique cultural traditions.
- 麗江 | Lìjiāng | A prefecture-level city in the northwest of Yunnan province, China. It is famous for its UNESCO Heritage Site, the Old Town of Lijiang.
- 彜族 | Yízú | An ethnic group in China, Vietnam, and Thailand. They are the seventh largest of the 56 ethnic minority groups officially recognized by the People’s Republic of China.
- 雪蓮花 | xuě lián huā | A rare and precious flowering plant that grows in the cold, rocky regions of the Himalayas. In Chinese culture, it often symbolizes purity, resilience, and rare beauty.
RAHHHHHHH🦅🦅🦅🦅
FINALLY!!!
FINALLYYY 🥳🥳
FINALLYYY 🥳🥳
these too had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air -AAAAAAAAAHHH
these too had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air -AAAAAAAAAHHH
its happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
finally 🥰💞
its happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
finally 🥰💞