After Being Scummed – Chapter 73
by Little PandaBut that was only the beginning of a regretful tragedy.
After returning to Tibet, Yin Bai started being Zuo Jingyou’s life assistant1 again. Zhang Yu, who stayed in Haicheng, was handling that previous matter for that underage child.
The girl’s name was Gu Liu2. At fifteen, after graduating from junior high school, she was discovered by a manager from Starlight Entertainment and came to the entertainment company to be a trainee. Her family background was not good, so she just wanted to subsidize her family’s expenses. In Haicheng, she could be considered as having no one to rely on. If she hadn’t met Yin Bai, she might have just chosen to quell the matter to pacify the people3.
But although Gu Liu was young, she also knew that some things couldn’t be let go just like that. Without Zhang Yu’s help, she was also preparing to sue those three rich young masters.
Zhang Yu was happy to see it come to fruition, and even entrusted Yin Bai’s legal team to handle this matter.
Not only that, Gu Liu also relied on media public opinion to make this matter boil up and spread about4. For a time, the entertainment circle was in an uproar.
The majority of people supported the girl in taking up the weapon of law to protect her own rights and interests, making one cut to sever into two pieces5 with that dirty entertainment company, and then sending those three rich young masters to jail. A small portion of people believed this was a badger game6 with an unusual and uneven distribution of benefits.
But no matter which it was, the immense public opinion caused a huge public relations crisis for Starlight Entertainment. Other companies even began to make moves, attempting to acquire Starlight Entertainment Company.
Because of this matter, the entertainment circle experienced great turmoil. As if watching a lively show at Starlight Entertainment’s expense, its competitors secretly pushed the entertainment fermentation7 of this matter, and began to dig at the wall’s corner8 with great fanfare.
The entire senior management of Starlight Entertainment was made to have scorched heads and battered foreheads9 by this matter. Among those three rich young masters, one was a collateral nephew10 of the Huacheng Ye family, and his net worth was a bit higher than the others.
In addition, he was the only son in his family, a precious single seedling11, so they wanted to manage the relationships12 to get him out. But the other party wouldn’t release him. After making several inquiries, they found out that Yin Bai had played a very important role of justice in this matter.
That collateral relative of the Ye family put his head together and contacted Yin Bai, wanting her to buy a face13.
When Yin Bai received the call from this Ye family relative, she was amused to laughter by this stupid cunt14.
On the set where the cold wind was biting, she was wrapped in a thick down jacket, sitting in a spot exposed to the north wind holding a thermos15. While listening to the whistling sound of the wind, she absent-mindedly listened to the humble, soft-spoken pleas coming from her phone. Only after a good while did she say: “Mr. Ye, this matter isn’t something that can be settled just by me saying a few words…… This concerns judicial fairness. Do you think a mere citizen like me can manipulate the judiciary? Do you take me for Huang Silang16?”
Yin Bai indeed didn’t deliberately do anything, she just greeted some elders she knew, told them about the vile nature of this matter, and everyone was very disgusted by it and decided to handle it strictly, that’s all.
Mr. Ye on the other end of the line had a humble tone: “It’s also just a matter of you opening your mouth. Just let me bring my son back……”
Yin Bai said in a very subtle tone: “Your son doesn’t do human things, and you still want to bring him back?”
Mr. Ye said: “He’s still young, he doesn’t know any better. If you teach him, he’ll grow up.”
Yin Bai gave a cold laugh: “Not young anymore, he’s twenty-three, five years older than the underage girl. Before he was an adult, not teaching your son well is not Mr. Ye’s fault. Because for a person to grow up, they always have to go through the harsh beatings of society17.”
“Mr. Ye, I advise you that it’s better to let your son accept the harsh beatings of society.”
Mr. Ye’s voice also hardened: “Chairman Yin, is this you not selling my Ye family face?”
As if she had heard some ridiculous joke, Yin Bai laughed a few times, “Hahaha”: “You also count as the Ye family? Do you think you are Ye Shen18 or Ye Can19? Oh, neither of those two would do such an immoral thing. It’s only you local landlords20 with a bit of money who can indulge your sons like this.”
“Your son harbored others for drug use, and also plotted the attempted [censored] of a young girl, and you still want him to escape?”
“I heard that your son hit and killed someone before, and you wanted to use money to settle it? Mr. Ye, you think you’re a big landlord. This is a new society21, not everything can be settled with money!”
Yin Bai dished out a round of cold ridicule and burning satire. The Mr. Ye on the other side was obviously furious, but he didn’t dare to offend Yin Bai too much, so he could only lower his voice and say through gritted teeth: “Chairman Yin, then we’ll walk and see22.”
Yin Bai said sarcastically: “Mr. Ye, rather than walking and seeing with me, you should worry about how to get your son’s sentence reduced.”
If Yin Bai were to say it, this kind of social dregs, this garden borer23, it would be better for them to die early and be reincarnated early24.
Yin Bai hung up Mr. Ye’s call, and after happily adding him to her blacklist, she stopped paying attention to this matter.
The public opinion fermented into a huge sensation, and a series of scandals about Starlight Entertainment subsequently broke out. It finally concluded with the girl winning the lawsuit, Starlight Entertainment going bankrupt, and its artists being taken in by various major entertainment companies.
This matter continued intermittently for several months, from the end of the year to the spring of the following year, only barely coming to a close in March of the next year.
Under Gu Liu’s bravery, girls who had been violated before and could only swallow the atrocities with tears also came forward one after another to expose similar incidents, causing those three men to stay in prison for a few more years.
Yin Bai was extremely satisfied with this result. She greatly admired these girls, so she had the entertainment company under her banner sign them, redid their career planning, cultivated them well, and let them shine and radiate heat25 in the entertainment circle.
For this, the girls were all very grateful.
In early March, the company formally signed contracts with these girls. To show the importance she placed on it, on the day of the signing, Yin Bai formally appeared at the scene, shook hands with every brave girl, and patted their shoulders, encouragingly saying: “The past is all in the past. Here, you must work hard and study well, you must learn something……”
“Hosting, acting, singing…… in the future, do whatever you want to do. Work hard.”
Gu Liu, who was at the head, when faced with Yin Bai’s encouragement, looked at her with sparkling eyes full of hope, and said sincerely and seriously: “Chairman Yin, I will. We will all strive to live up to expectations26, and earn a lot of money for the company!”
Yin Bai looked at her hopeful and very serious gaze, and couldn’t help but think of ten years ago, when she had also seen such a gaze in Xiao Nian’s eyes.
Full of gratitude, and also absolute trust. But ever since she took out that contract, she had never again seen such an expression in Xiao Nian’s eyes.
She really…… did wrong.
If she truly loved Xiao Nian, she shouldn’t have started in such a way back then. She was too hasty, and too young.
The next day, after flying back to Tibet, that evening, she lay in bed holding Zuo Jingyou and started talking to her about the contract signing matter. When talking about Gu Liu, Yin Bai put her arm around Zuo Jingyou’s shoulder and said very melancholically: “At that time, looking at her eyes, there was suddenly a moment when I thought of Xiao Nian.”
Zuo Jingyou lay in her arms, looked up at her, and asked curiously: “Hmm, Teacher Xiao Nian? What, are they very similar? I don’t feel they look very similar.”
Although Zuo Jingyou was far away filming in Tibet, she had also been following this matter, and even like Xiao Nian, had strongly supported Gu Liu and had even called Gu Liu to encourage her. Of course she knew what Gu Liu looked like.
In terms of looks, Gu Liu and Xiao Nian really weren’t alike at all.
Yin Bai curved the corners of her lips. She turned on her side to look at Zuo Jingyou, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her in the dark and said: “It’s just a feeling, I don’t mean that they are very similar.”
“Let me tell you something that might make you angry…… Although I’m a bit apprehensive, but today for some reason I suddenly really want to talk to you about Xiao Nian……”
Zuo Jingyou smiled faintly, raised her hand to stroke Yin Bai’s long hair, and said softly to her: “It’s okay, you can talk. I’m also a bit curious, what kind of story is there exactly between you and Xiao Nian.”
“Even more curious, why, when you are so lovely, would Xiao Nian bear to leave you.”
Ever since getting together with Yin Bai, Zuo Jingyou felt more and more that in this world, she could never find another person as wonderful as Yin Bai.
Because she was truly too precious, so much so that she cared a great deal about why Xiao Nian, on that day, could have the heart to cast Yin Bai aside.
Yin Bai curved her lips, revealing a bitter smile: “Because at the beginning, I wasn’t that good of a person either. Or rather, when I was still young, I was an out-and-out27 villain.”
Zuo Jingyou blinked, placed her hand on Yin Bai’s shoulder, and caressed her cheek, asking with confusion: “Why would you say that about yourself?”
Yin Bai sighed and said a bit uncomfortably: “Anyway…… I’ll tell you, and then you’ll know……”
“Okay, you talk.”
Yin Bai looked up, and by the dim light, she looked at the ceiling. Her thoughts traveled through time, and in a trance, she returned to the musical theater of that year when she was nineteen……
In a similarly dim space, she sat on the stage, looking up at the glamorous woman under the spotlight, who was wearing a green blouse and a red wig, listening to her sing affectedly28: “Ah…… I just woke up……”
“Ah…… please forgive me……”
“Ah…… my makeup is still very messy……”
Suddenly, she felt that the little rose from the story was standing vividly in front of her. She looked at the woman’s delicate face, and for the first time in her life, a huge, wild ambition surged forth—she wanted this person, to accompany her for a lifetime.
In the darkness, Yin Bai’s eyes became misty with a layer of water. She opened her mouth softly and said: “Did I ever tell you that for me, it was love at first sight with Xiao Nian……”
“Yes, you’ve said that.”
“That was the year I was nineteen, at the venue for June 1st Children’s Day. I went alone to the Haicheng Theater to watch a domestic musical of 《The Little Prince》.”
“The actors’ singing voices were all very beautiful, and in this venue, I met Xiao Nian for the first time.”
“She was a student at a music university. Her vocal conditions and acting ability were both outstanding, so she played the little rose in it……”
“You also know how much I like 《The Little Prince》 , so at first sight, I fell for her.”
Zuo Jingyou nodded and gave her evaluation: “That really is a romantic first meeting.”
Yin Bai turned her head, looked at Zuo Jingyou, and sighed lowly: “I also thought it was a very beautiful beginning, but I was too young at the time, I didn’t know how to love a person…… A beautiful beginning like this would only become a lamentable regret later on.”
Yin Bai paused, then continued speaking to Zuo Jingyou: “That was my first meeting with Xiao Nian. For a long time after that, I would go to see her performances…… until three months later, I discovered she had withdrawn from the musical troupe……”
“On the day of my twentieth birthday, I was celebrating at a hotel under my family’s banner. That day, I met Xiao Nian again.”
She would always remember that day. The woman with disheveled clothes struggled to escape from someone else’s room and bumped into her arms. At that moment, the woman tightly gripped her hand, looked up at her, and a light of survival burst forth from her eyes: “Save me…… save me……”
Yin Bai looked at the woman’s familiar face, and a surge of frenzied joy welled up in her heart.
Today was her birthday, so this woman must be a gift bestowed upon her by heaven.
So Yin Bai, leaning on her cane, grabbed her hand and said with a cold face: “Fine, I’ll save you.”
But that was only, the beginning of a regretful tragedy.
LP: Re-translated on August 11, 2025
Footnotes
- 生活助理 | shēnghuó zhùlǐ | Literally “life assistant.” This role is similar to a personal assistant but often encompasses a broader range of personal and daily life management tasks, not just professional ones.
- 顾琉 | Gù Liú | A person’s name. 顾 (Gù) is the surname, 琉 (liú) is part of the word “琉璃” (liúlí), which means colored glaze or glass, often used in a poetic context.
- 息事宁人 | xī shì níng rén | A four-character idiom. Literally “quell the incident to pacify people.” It means to patch things up, smooth things over, or let a matter rest, often by making concessions to avoid further conflict, even if it means accepting an injustice.
- 沸沸扬扬 | fèi fèi yáng yáng | A four-character idiom. Literally “bubbling and scattering.” It describes a situation, rumor, or piece of news that is causing a great stir, being widely discussed, and creating a hubbub or uproar.
- 一刀两断 | yī dāo liǎng duàn | A four-character idiom. Literally “one knife, two pieces.” It means to make a clean break or sever ties completely and decisively, as if cutting something in two with a single stroke.
- 仙人跳 | xiān rén tiào | Literally “immortal jump.” A slang term for a type of blackmail scheme or confidence trick. Typically, a woman seduces a man into a compromising situation, at which point her accomplices appear, posing as her husband, police, or gangsters, to extort money from the victim under threat of violence or public exposure.
- 发酵 | fājiào | Literally “to ferment.” In this context, it is used figuratively to mean that a situation or piece of news is developing, intensifying, and spreading, much like a chemical fermentation process.
- 挖墙脚 | wā qiáng jiǎo | An idiomatic phrase. Literally “to dig at the foot of a wall.” It figuratively means to undermine a competitor or organization by luring away their key personnel or talent.
- 焦头烂额 | jiāo tóu làn é | A four-character idiom. Literally “scorched head, battered forehead.” It describes a state of being in great trouble, under immense stress, or overwhelmed with difficulties, often appearing harried and disheveled as a result.
- 旁系子侄 | pángxì zǐzhí | A term for relatives not in the direct line of descent. “旁系” (pángxì) means collateral line, as opposed to the direct line (直系, zhíxì). “子侄” (zǐzhí) is a general term for sons and nephews. So, a nephew from a branch of the main family, not a direct descendant of the family head.
- 独苗苗 | dú miáo miáo | Literally “single seedling” or “lone sprout.” A colloquial and affectionate term for an only son or child, especially an only male heir in a family. It implies that the child is extremely precious, cherished, and often doted upon.
- 打点关系 | dǎdiǎn guānxì | Literally “to arrange relationships.” A common phrase related to the concept of “guanxi” (关系), or social networks/connections. It refers to the act of using connections, often through gifts, favors, or bribery, to navigate bureaucracy or achieve a goal. It is similar to “pulling strings.”
- 买个面子 | mǎi ge miànzi | Literally “buy a face.” A request for someone to “give face” (给面子, gěi miànzi), which is a core social concept in Chinese culture. It means to show respect for someone’s social standing or reputation by complying with their request, thereby acknowledging their honor and prestige. The person asking is essentially asking the other to do them a favor out of respect for their status.
- 傻逼 | shǎbī | A vulgar and offensive slang term. “傻” (shǎ) means foolish or stupid. “逼” (bī) is a vulgar term for female genitalia. Combined, it is a strong insult, equivalent to “idiot,” “moron,” or more vulgar terms like “cunt” or “motherfucker.”
- 保温杯 | bǎowēn bēi | Literally “keep-warm cup.” A vacuum flask or thermos. In modern Chinese culture, carrying a thermos (often with hot water or tea) is sometimes stereotypically associated with a more traditional, health-conscious, or middle-aged lifestyle.
- 黄四郎 | Huáng Sìláng | A primary antagonist from the popular 2010 Chinese film “Let the Bullets Fly” (让子弹飞). Huang Silang is a wealthy, ruthless, and powerful local despot who controls a town and believes he can manipulate law and justice with his money and influence. Referencing him implies someone who thinks they are above the law and can control everything.
- 社会毒打 | shèhuì dúdǎ | A popular modern slang term. Literally “society’s poisonous beating.” It refers to the harsh, humbling, and often painful lessons one learns from real-world experiences, setbacks, and difficulties after being naive or sheltered.
- 叶申 | Yè Shēn | A person’s name. 叶 (Yè) is the surname, 申 (Shēn) is one of the twelve Earthly Branches and is associated with the monkey in the Chinese zodiac.
- 叶粲 | Yè Càn | A person’s name. 叶 (Yè) is the surname, 粲 (càn) means “beautiful,” “splendid,” or “to smile.”
- 土地主 | tǔ dìzhǔ | Literally “local landlord.” This term has strong negative historical and political connotations in China, stemming from the land reform movement during the Communist Revolution. Landlords were depicted as a class of feudal oppressors who exploited peasants. Using this term today is a strong insult, implying someone is greedy, exploitative, and acts like a local tyrant.
- 新社会 | xīn shèhuì | Literally “new society.” This term specifically refers to the People’s Republic of China, established in 1949. It is used to contrast the post-revolutionary era with the “old society” (旧社会, jiù shèhuì) of pre-1949 China, implying a move away from feudalism, corruption, and foreign domination.
- 走着瞧 | zǒuzhe qiáo | An idiomatic phrase. Literally “let’s walk and see.” It is used as a threat, implying “Just you wait,” “We’ll see about that,” or “Time will tell,” with the speaker confident they will eventually prevail or get revenge.
- 花园蛀虫 | huāyuán zhùchóng | Literally “garden borer/moth.” “蛀虫” (zhùchóng) refers to insects that bore into wood or plants, destroying them from within. Figuratively, it refers to corrupt individuals or harmful elements that destroy an organization or society from the inside.
- 早死早超生 | zǎo sǐ zǎo chāoshēng | Literally “die early, be reborn/transcend early.” A common, harsh curse wishing death upon someone. “超生” (chāoshēng) has roots in Buddhist and Taoist beliefs, meaning to transcend the cycle of reincarnation (samsara) and be reborn into a better existence or realm. The curse implies the person is so worthless or evil that their death would be a relief for the world and the only way for them to potentially start over as something better.
- 发光发热 | fā guāng fā rè | A four-character idiom. Literally “to emit light and radiate heat.” It means to dedicate oneself and contribute all of one’s ability and energy to a cause, to shine in one’s field, or to be a source of positive influence.
- 争气 | zhēngqì | Literally “to fight for breath.” A culturally significant term that means to strive to do well in order to win honor for oneself, one’s family, or one’s group. It implies a determination to succeed, prove one’s worth, and make others proud, often in the face of doubt or hardship.
- 不折不扣 | bù zhé bù kòu | A four-character idiom. Literally “no fold, no discount.” It means “one hundred percent,” “through and through,” “out-and-out,” or “unmitigated.” It emphasizes that something is exactly as described without any reduction or compromise.
- 矫揉做作 | jiǎo róu zuò zuò | A four-character idiom. Literally “to straighten and knead, to make and do.” It describes behavior, speech, or art that is overly artificial, pretentious, and unnatural.
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