My Scum Life

Author: Zhang Wujì
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Is it campus literature? The coolest internet phenomenon? Or body writing? In 2004, what did we see? First, several youth campus novels were criticized by book reviewers for their repetitive content, leaving readers indifferent. This triggered a chain reaction, with numerous readers verbally attacking and criticizing the books. The book market was almost dominated by the so-called essential handbook for teenage boys and girls in Korea, featuring identical high school campuses, wealthy handsome boys, plain-looking innocent girls, and the same cliche story of a "sparrow turning into a phoenix" that had been written to death eight hundred years ago. This once again proved the adage "It's better to hype than to write well," which seemed to become the maxim of 2004. In 2005, do you still want to see clichés? In 2005, do you still want to see plagiarism? The author of this book, Zhang Wujì, uses a pen that closely reflects life and sharp, humorous language to interpret the lives of ordinary people. Behind his seemingly hedonistic attitude lies a deep concern for society and an incredibly profound inner world. My Scumbag Life exaggerates our humor, boldly expresses our recklessness, delicately describes our lives, and meticulously portrays our helplessness, making readers laugh uncontrollably while also leaving them in tears.
Book Summary
Zhang Wujì has a young wife, Xiaohua, whom he was betrothed to since childhood. As he grew older, the vast difference between urban and rural life made him fear her. His love bloomed violently because of the city girl Li Xue. Zhang Wujì went to prison after injuring his boss. Xiaohua married Chen Da Zhuang to pay off his debts, but Da Zhuang, resenting Xiaohua for giving her virginity to Zhang Wujì, took revenge. Unable to endure the abuse, Xiaohua wanted to divorce, but was forced to work as a hostess in a karaoke bar to pay off Da Zhuang's debts. After Zhang Wujì was released from prison, he learned that Li Xue had become the mistress of his former friend Zhang Ping and began to descend into depravity, engaging in a one-night stand with Zhang Ping's mistress. When Zhang Ping found out, he hired killers to retaliate but accidentally killed Xiaohua and her unborn child.
The narrative begins from age 0. The sun was too bright, stirring my desire to write, so facing the sunlight, I had to fully express my urge to write. Starting the story from age 0 was a good idea. In the womb, I refused to admit I was a scumbag. I think gender was still a question then; basic features hadn't fully developed—how could I tell if I would become a scumbag? That's why I always proudly told others that I was a good comrade even in the womb. I stayed in the womb for a long time. They said there was no advanced prediction like a due date back then, but I definitely didn't emerge until after ten months because my two older brothers had laid a revolutionary foundation. So, I came out without much trouble, and my mother experienced less pain. As the saying goes, the youngest is the treasure—does this have anything to do with it?
Staying in the womb for so long, I was clearly unaccustomed to such glaring light. No matter how they called me or tapped me, I remained indifferent—just like now, no matter how many people throw bricks at me, I don't care, as long as my hairstyle stays intact. Not only did I not open my eyes, I didn't cry either. Not crying isn't something an ordinary person can do—it requires great determination and courage, risking being called mute by others. That kind of worldly pressure isn't something a "person" can bear, but I did it. You can call me a beast if you want, at least I'm in the "diligent" generation.
The warmth and comfort of the womb were unmatched by the outside world. The moment I came out, sweat was beading on my head—it was the hottest time of summer. I couldn't change my fate of not being born by the end of July, so I would have rather been born in a snowy, freezing winter. But fate is fate—it can't be changed in the slightest. From then on, I believed my life's fate couldn't be altered, even if I didn't want to be a scumbag who was of no use to the people.
The birth of a great person is usually heralded by stars in advance. My college-educated aunt knew a lot about it. She told me that a comet appeared that day, which made me secretly rejoice for many years. Later, I learned that the star had another nickname: the "comet of misfortune," which made me feel down for many years. Judging from this trend, it seems I can't escape these shadows in this life.