Upon its release, the video sparked a significant response and discussion across all platforms.
It is remarkable how, in a scenario where female bloggers frequently stumble on feminist issues, a prominent and influential public figure managed to vividly present the heinous face of male perpetrators of sexual violence through a simulated experiment, advocating firmly for gender equality while shedding light on the challenges faced by women from a female perspective.
Zhong Shao, a member of the elite group and producer of this experimental film, effectively silenced the unsavoury group of unknown individuals attempting to continue objectifying women online.
Unperturbed by the subsequent online discussions, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng returned to W County.
The medical examination results for all female students were as expected, with 78.4% of students experiencing gynaecological issues related to menstruation. On the same afternoon, seven schools held a physiological health seminar.
Rather than starting with a rigid discussion on male and female anatomy, the seminar directly posed the following questions to all attendees:
- What kind of person do you aspire to be? What profession do you wish to pursue?
- What professions do you believe women can excel in?
The majority of students were left in a daze. In their childhood, some of them also dreamed of the future, aspiring to become scientists, astronauts, police officers, or doctors. However, as they grew up, they faced reality and began to feel lost. They all wanted to explore the world outside, but they were well aware that obtaining a higher education was their only way out. Few of them had thought about what industry they would work in or what kind of person they would become in the future, let alone considering the role of women in the workforce. To them, venturing beyond the mountains, pursuing higher education, securing a stable job to support their families, and improving their living conditions at home were their greatest aspirations.
The bewildered expressions of the audience did not escape the notice of the staff, who skillfully guided them through the two questions without pause or omission.
"My name is Zhong Shao, from City A. I was born in a country outside of China. As a child, I never thought about what profession to pursue or the kind of person I would become. However, in the place where I grew up, women were free to do whatever they pleased, to become whoever they wanted to be, beyond just performing unpaid household labour. By traditional standards, my mother was not considered a typical mom; she was an artist who achieved success in her field. At 16, I met my mentor and decided to become a genuine actor. Inspired by my aunt, I aspire to do things within my abilities and scale of influence that may contribute to societal progress." The idea of advancing society may sound like a pipe dream, yet it is crucial to remember that the continuous development and progress of human civilisation rely not only on the contributions of great individuals but also on the subconscious influence of citizens' intellectual and moral development within the societal framework, driving progress forward.
With a determined look, Yu Cheng took the microphone from Zhong Shao, perhaps moved by his words or simply by Zhong Shao himself.
"My name is Fang Yucheng, from City A. I hail from Pingcheng, a relatively small city. In my childhood, I aspired to follow in my parents' footsteps, attend a good school, and secure a stable job. Later, I developed a passion for acting and aimed to become an actor. After getting into an acting school, I realised that being a good actor was not enough for me; I intend to excel as a genuine actor."
"Transitioning from 'I wish' to 'I intend' was greatly influenced by my mother. She was a civil servant who excelled in her work and was an exceptionally tolerant and open-minded mother. She once told me, 'Within the bounds of law and morality, it doesn't matter what kind of person you want to become or how you plan to live your life, except for one thing - you must cherish it.' Now, as an actor in film and television, I hold my profession and identity in high regard, continuously striving towards the goal of being a great actor."
With Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng leading the way, a brief silence fell among the group below as the children either lowered their gaze or looked up, reconsidering these two questions.
Before long, a male student at the back raised his hand.
"My name is Wang Zhuo, from Daxia Village. Both my parents work outside, leaving me and my grandmother to live together. When I was a child, I wanted to become a doctor, and that dream still persists. I aspire to attend medical school and become a skilled surgeon who saves lives. My grandmother and mother may not have had much education, but they are both resilient. My grandmother raised my father on her own, and my mother worked alongside my father at construction sites." Pausing briefly, Wang Zhuo continued, "I believe that women and men are equal and capable of pursuing the same professions."
Following the first speaker, more hands went up one after another. Among them, some were influenced by traditional beliefs of male superiority passed down through generations, while others saw females and males as equally important due to their parents jointly supporting the family. The vast majority of girls saw this pathway leading out as their hope for self-rescue and breaking free from predetermined destinies. For those who cannot break free, the future awaiting these girls is a replica of their parent's lives - marrying and having children before reaching legal age, and eventually going out to work with their husbands to earn a living.
The slide on the large screen flickered to the next page - a girl frowned, holding a piece of the sanitary pad with "Breaking the Stigma, Respect Gender" written on the central line in bold red font, signalling the commencement of the lecture session. Staff members explained the physiological differences between males and females, inquired about the male students' understanding of female health, presented objective data on the current "menstrual poverty" situation in our country, and shared past experiences to reassure girls that there is nothing shameful about dealing with menstruation, and elaborated on the importance of sanitary pads and why female menstrual health should start not only from the bathroom but also from the use of sanitary pads.
For the first time, male and female students openly discussed menstruation with a serious attitude; for the first time, when discussing sexual topics, male and female students did so without embarrassment or hesitation.
At the end of the seminar, Zhong Shao addressed all the students, stating, "Regardless of gender, your talents and wisdom should not be hidden, but rather allowed to flourish."
In particular, he had special words for the girls, leaving them with Yu Cheng.
Yu Cheng encircled the girl farthest in sight, her voice growing like the rising sun piercing through all directions as if welcoming beams of light, saying, "I want to tell all the girls that you can elegantly walk in high heels or freely run in sneakers, as long as you are willing; I hope that girls can have independent thinking and personality, and remember, it is your right to make a difference in life."
The kind of person you become and the life you lead is entirely up to you.
The seminar was considered successful overall, but Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng still felt it was not enough. The two men exchanged a glance at the end, their thoughts perfectly aligned.
The production team quietly left the evening after the seminar.
The next morning, Zhong Shao, under the name of his aunt Zhong Jing, signed the "Toilet Renovation Plan" with seven schools simultaneously.
From "Unisex Toilets" to the "Toilet Renovation Plan," Zhong Shao chuckled, feeling quite destined for toilets.