After Being Scummed – Chapter 84
by Little PandaDry Rice Person, Dry Rice Soul!1
Zuo Jingyou sat to the side, comforting Xiao Nian for a good while. Only after she recovered did she tentatively ask, “Teacher Xiao, are we still filming today?”
She felt Xiao Nian’s state was not very good, a bit suppressed. Perhaps she needed to go out alone with her lover for a while to properly relax.
Xiao Nian took the tissue, wiped her tears dry, and looked at Zuo Jingyou with red eyes, saying, “We can continue filming. I won’t delay work. Thank you, Teacher Zuo.”
Zuo Jingyou didn’t know if she was talking about the matter of her comforting her, or the matter of her and Yin Bai. But no matter which one it was, Zuo Jingyou accepted it calmly.
She chuckled lightly and said confidently and generously, “You’re welcome.”
In the end, Xiao Nian still adjusted her state. In a resolute manner, she embraced her past self and completed a reconciliation with herself.
Her explosion in the scene infected Zuo Jingyou. The two of them, in a super-perfect state, completed this sad yet healing redemption.
Tomorrow will come in the end, as long as you give me a hug.
Xu Shishi, standing behind the camera, after calling CUT, got up and walked towards Zuo Jingyou and Xiao Nian by the bed. She put her hands together, looked at the two main actors who still bore messy traces, and said with tears in her eyes, “Thank you… thank you, both teachers…”
“I feel I have completed the core of this comedy movie… it is you who have made her a success.”
Xiao Nian, holding back tears, looked up at Xu Shishi and, with red eyes, barely squeezed out a smile. When she lowered her eyes, a string of tears fell like pearls.
Zuo Jingyou, at the side, saw in her eyes the relief after she had poured out her sorrow, and a smile hooked on the corner of her mouth. She reached out, took a tissue, handed it to Xiao Nian, and said to her, “Wipe it.”
Xiao Nian wiped her tears, constantly saying thank you.
Zuo Jingyou looked at her, her smile faint. The two’s assistants walked over and helped them put on their clothes. When everything was tidied up, Yin Bai, who had been waiting outside for a long time, sat in a wheelchair, holding a bouquet of flowers, and had a staff member push her in.
Zhang Yu stood by her side, holding a pile of messy ribbon poppers. With a pa sound, after opening one, a sky full of ribbons scattered towards Zuo Jingyou in the crowd.
Zuo Jingyou raised her eyes and saw Yin Bai coming towards her in a wheelchair, holding flowers, her eyes full of gentleness. “Teacher Zuo, happy birthday!”
Following her lead, all the staff members—including Xiao Nian—held a ribbon popper, opened them all together in Zuo Jingyou’s direction, and amidst the gratifying pat sounds, happily shouted, “Teacher Zuo, happy birthday!”
Zuo Jingyou was sprayed with a body full of ribbons, but was not the least bit angry. She put her hands together, her eyes holding a smile, very gentle. “Thank you… thank you everyone…”
Yin Bai passed through the crowd, came before Zuo Jingyou, and delivered the fresh flowers into her hands. “Fresh flowers for Teacher Zuo. This afternoon, everyone will celebrate Teacher Zuo’s birthday together.”
Xu Shishi quickly called out, “Wrap it up2, wrap it up! Tonight we’ll go out and play, to celebrate Teacher Zuo’s birthday!”
Everyone happily said okay, and Zuo Jingyou said thank you again. She turned her head, looked at Xiao Nian and said, “Teacher Xiao Nian, you come along too.”
It was not a question, but a declarative sentence.
Xiao Nian did not hesitate and directly said okay.
That evening, a group of people boisterously celebrated Zuo Jingyou’s birthday. Zuo Jingyou even took a group photo in the lively crowd. In the photo, there was also the back of Yin Bai, who was eating cake.
When Zuo Jingyou posted this photo on Weibo, she also @’d Xiao Nian. When sharp-eyed netizens discovered Yin Bai’s back, they instantly became excited.
Oho, it really is Zhao Min and Zhou Zhiruo. What a huge Shura field3, exciting.
For more than a month after, Yin Bai accompanied Zuo Jingyou on the set to finish filming 《Give Me a Hug》. After filming wrapped4, 《Dawa》 was also preparing for release, and Yin Bai again started accompanying Zuo Jingyou, running to announcements from south of the heavens to north of the earth5.
Since the two went public, Yin Bai often followed Zuo Jingyou around, with the appearance of a clingy spirit and a girlfriend-doting maniac, widely sprinkling sugar6 and making the CP fans go crazy shipping them. When encountering fans picking them up at the airport, the bolder ones would greet Yin Bai, and Yin Bai would nod her head as an acknowledgement.
She looked quite cold, but was also easy to talk to. When Zuo Jingyou wanted to take pictures with fans, she would always be at the side with Zhang Yu helping to hold things, just like another assistant for Zuo Jingyou.
Sometimes fans would come over late at night, and Yin Bai and Zuo Jingyou would buy them good things to eat and drink, and arrange for them to be sent back. After many times, Zuo Jingyou’s movie fans felt Yin Bai was ten thousand times more considerate than the former Old He.
Thus, Yin Bai went from being a proper Director Yin to “Xiao Bai.”
The script for 《Dawa》 has a prototype, and this point was naturally brought up when it was released. At the beginning, this movie relied on Zuo Jingyou’s box office appeal and also won a lot of box office from among the National Day blockbusters7.
But Zuo Jingyou’s story was perfected too well, and it was also a “pseudo-documentary” film shot in the “documentary” style that Xu Ruofeng was best at, making people feel that this story was happening vividly right in front of them.
The film, through Dawa’s own narration, tells the story of Dawa’s life. At the end, Dawa transforms into an eagle in a blazing fire, forever flying in the sky above the grassland.
The movie was filmed very well, so the first batch of viewers who returned from watching it gave very good reviews. Although because of the tragic nature of the story itself, it couldn’t achieve the same box office as a popcorn movie8, it still had quite good results.
During the entire period the movie was showing, neither Xu Ruofeng’s nor Zuo Jingyou’s team used the true story of 《Dawa》 for publicity.
Only after the movie was no longer showing did Xu Ruofeng write the true life of a woman named “Dawa” into a long article and post it.
This story stirred up a wave on the internet, which triggered topics of spousal violence and sexual violence. Various parties rushed about, tolling the bell for Dawa’s unfortunate life.
Taking advantage of the fermenting public opinion, Zuo Jingyou and Xu Ruofeng rushed about in the Tibetan region, and together with Yin Bai, established a “Dawa Foundation” to help those children who are out of school or suffering from domestic violence.
This year, Zuo Jingyou did many meaningful things.
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year again. This year Zuo Jingyou was invited to the Spring Festival Gala9, and on New Year’s Eve, she couldn’t go home to have a reunion dinner with her family. Sun Mingrui, who spent all year soaked in the lab, had to go home two days early, and together with Professor Sun and Yin Bai, had New Year’s Eve dinner with the two little kids.
Since they went public, the adults in the family all knew that Yin Bai and Zuo Jingyou were dating. Professor Sun and Sun Mingrui were not pedantic people to begin with. Knowing the two of them were dating, they didn’t say much of anything, and naturally included Yin Bai within the scope of family.
Because Zuo Jingyou was not at home, the only one in the family who could cook was Sun Mingrui. Yin Bai very considerately suggested that tonight’s New Year’s Eve dinner could be solved at a hotel.
However, Sun Mingrui had a stubbornness unique to traditional parents, firmly believing that New Year’s Eve dinner was only fragrant if made at home, so she decided to cook herself.
Although everyone was very worried about Sun Mingrui’s cooking skills, they also knew they couldn’t damage the confidence of a good parent, so they reluctantly agreed.
Therefore, on the morning of the 30th of the great year, after Yin Bai was dressed neatly, she went to the neighbor’s house with her little companions, leaning on her cane.
Because it was the New Year, the children and Professor Sun all got up early, and were playing with Lego together in the living room in the early morning, waiting for breakfast while they played.
In the interval while waiting for breakfast, the goods that Yin Bai had ordered before began to arrive one after another. Because they were ordered in Sun Mingrui’s name, for the entire morning, Yin Bai stood at the door, like an announcer, shouting for Sun Mingrui to come move things, “Miss Sun, there’s a delivery for you to sign for…”
“Miss Sun, the seafood delivery is here…”
“Miss Sun, the vase I just bought… hurry up and come sign for it…”
Miss Sun, Miss Sun… it sounded so formal.
After signing for another gift, Sun Mingrui turned her head to look at Yin Bai and asked very curiously, “Didn’t Xiao You tell you what you should call me?”
Yin Bai blinked, her expression quite blank. “She did, that’s why I call you Miss Sun.”
Sun Mingrui sighed, thinking to herself that she felt she was particularly bad at handling interpersonal relationships, but it turned out Yin Bai was even worse than her.
Too simple and easy to deceive, and also grew such a good-looking skin-pouch10. No wonder her own family’s younger sister liked her to death and back to life11.
After all, the matter of her stepping forward to protect Yin Bai and getting injured as a result had made her worry for a good while.
Sun Mingrui raised the signing pen in her hand and tapped Yin Bai on the forehead. “I am Xiao You’s older sister. You should call me Dajie12, meixi13!”
Yin Bai raised her hand to cover her forehead and mumbled, “It can’t be counted like that. Although I am dating Teacher Zuo, we all address each other on our own terms14.”
“She calls you sister, I call you Miss Sun, how appropriate.”
Otherwise, how would she interact with the other two little companions? Could it be that because she is dating Zuo Jingyou, Tongtong would have to call her ‘mama’?
This was absolutely impossible.
Sun Mingrui picked up the pen and tapped her on the forehead again. “Call me Dajie.”
As the saying goes, riches and honor cannot corrupt, poverty and lowliness cannot move, might and force cannot bend16! Yin Bai hesitated for a moment, then obediently said, “Alright, Sun-dajie.”
This form of address was not very endearing, but Sun Mingrui still accepted it.
She sighed, looked at Yin Bai and said, “Don’t call me so distantly. We’re all family now, understand?”
“Oh, okay.” Yin Bai twitched the corner of her mouth, revealing a fake smile. “Then Dajie, you hurry up and make breakfast. Professor Sun, Tongtong, Wenwen, and I are all so hungry!”
This whole big family was counting on Dajie’s cooking to save their lives!
Sun Mingrui rubbed her temples and said with some helplessness, “If you hadn’t bought so many things, I would have finished making breakfast long ago.”
“Forget it, you go play with Tongtong and the others on the sofa for a while. I’ll call you when it’s ready to eat.”
“Alright.”
Yin Bai, having been sent away, returned to the sofa on her cane. Professor Sun, who was building Lego with the children, heard the sound of her cane approaching, looked up at her, pushed up her reading glasses17 and asked, “Xiao Bai, what did you buy now?”
Yin Bai said with a grin, “Just that vase I had my eye on before. It’s a New Year’s gift for you.”
“And our new Lego. Tonight we can build the new one.”
Tongtong, who was lying on the table, head buried in thought, looked up and said to Yin Bai in surprise, “Really?”
Yin Bai reached out and rubbed her head, saying with a smile, “Of course it’s real. And it was your mother who promised to buy it. She can’t come home tonight, but you have new Lego to accompany you!”
Tongtong made an OK gesture and happily continued building Lego with Professor Sun. At this moment, Wenwen, who was lying by the table eating snacks, sighed, “Sigh, did my mama say when breakfast will be ready?”
“It’s the New Year, and Xiaoyi18 isn’t home. Can my mama manage?”
Yin Bai tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said with some hesitation, “She should be able to… If your mama really can’t manage, we’ll just go to a hotel for dinner tonight.”
“Yay!” Wenwen cheered and jumped up!
Yin Bai looked at Professor Sun and asked with a smile, “Professor, what do you think?”
Professor Sun nodded in agreement. “I agree with your approach. After all, what matters during the New Year is eating happily.”
Okay, four to one. Yin Bai felt that if this morning’s breakfast wasn’t good, they should just book the hotel’s New Year’s Eve dinner!
The author has something to say:
Tonight belongs to the meal enthusiasts’ night
LP: Re-translated on August 26, 2025
Footnotes
- 干饭人干饭魂 | gàn fàn rén gàn fàn hún | Literally “dry rice person, dry rice soul.” A popular internet slang phrase celebrating the joy of eating. “干饭” (gàn fàn), literally “to do rice,” means to eat enthusiastically. A “干饭人” (gàn fàn rén) is an avid eater, and “干饭魂” (gàn fàn hún) is their passionate “eater’s spirit.”
- 收工 | shōugōng | Literally “to gather the work.” A common term in workplaces, especially film sets, meaning to finish work for the day.
- 修羅場 | xiūluóchǎng | Literally “Asura field.” In Buddhism, it is the battlefield where the demigod Asuras fight endless, bloody battles. In modern Japanese and Chinese slang, it refers to a chaotic, intense, and conflict-ridden situation, especially a messy romantic entanglement or a scene of extreme tension between rivals.
- 殺青 | shāqīng | Literally “to kill the green.” The term originates from the ancient practice of treating bamboo slips with fire to remove moisture and prevent decay before writing on them. In modern film and television production, it means the completion of principal photography.
- 天南地北 | tiānnándìběi | An idiom that literally means “south of the heavens, north of the earth.” It is used to describe traveling far and wide, or talking about a wide range of topics.
- 撒糖 | sā táng | Literally “to sprinkle sugar.” A popular slang term for couples (real or fictional) displaying sweet, affectionate moments for the public.
- 國慶檔 | Guóqìng dàng | Literally “National Day slot.” Refers to the lucrative movie-going period around China’s National Day holiday (October 1st).
- 爆米花電影 | bàomǐhuā diànyǐng | A direct calque of the English “popcorn movie,” referring to a light, entertaining blockbuster film.
- 春晚 | Chūnwǎn | An abbreviation for the CCTV New Year’s Gala (中央电视台春节联欢晚会), a massive annual variety show broadcast on the eve of the Lunar New Year. It is a major cultural event with extremely high viewership.
- 皮囊 | pínáng | Literally “skin-pouch” or “skinbag.” A literary or sometimes slightly detached way to refer to one’s physical body or appearance.
- 死去活來 | sǐqùhuólái | An idiom that literally means “to die and come back to life.” It is used to describe being overwhelmed by an extreme emotion, such as love, grief, or pain.
- 大姐 | dàjiě | Literally “big sister.” A common term for one’s eldest sister. It can also be used to address a woman of a similar or slightly older generation as a sign of respect.
- 妹媳 | mèixí | A compound of “妹” (mèi, younger sister) and “媳” (xí, from 媳妇 xífù, wife). Traditionally, it means “younger brother’s wife.” Here, it’s being creatively applied to a younger sister’s female partner.
- 各論各的 | gè lùn gè de | Literally “each discusses their own.” A common phrase indicating that relationships between individuals should be considered independently, not transitively. For example, one would call their friend’s parents “auntie” and “uncle” out of politeness, not because they are one’s actual aunt and uncle.
- 歪理 | wāilǐ | Literally “crooked reasoning.” Refers to specious arguments, sophistry, or flawed logic presented as if it were sound.
- 富貴不能淫，貧賤不能移，威武不能屈 | fùguì bùnéng yín, pínjiàn bùnéng yí, wēiwǔ bùnéng qū | A famous quote from the classical text ‘Mencius’. It describes the ideal character of a great person who maintains their principles regardless of external pressures or changes in fortune.
- 老花眼鏡 | lǎohuā yǎnjìng | Literally “old flower glasses.” A common term for presbyopic glasses or reading glasses.
- 小姨 | xiǎoyí | Literally “little aunt.” A common term for one’s mother’s younger sister.
i think it’s more of a biopic film than a mockumentary since it’s based on real life people and events. :>
i think it’s more of a biopic film than a mockumentary since it’s based on real life people and events. :>