Scene 101 Time/Day Setting: High School Music Classroom Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya

101 Day Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: A rented apartment in a small alley
Characters: Jiang Muya, Jiang Sijie, Landlady (elderly woman)

▲ Muya pulls a suitcase with one hand and holds Sijie’s hand with the other, walking along a residential alley. The mother and son arrive at an old apartment with a red notice posted on it.

Jiang Muya: “This place is quiet despite being in a lively area. The environment is quite good. Sijie, we’ll live here for now.”

▲ Muya presses the doorbell on the wooden door, and an elderly woman comes to open it.

Jiang Muya: “I’m here to rent a place.”

Landlady: “The red notice was only posted yesterday, and you’ve already come to see the place. Please come in. The house has just been cleaned and tidied.”

▲ Muya leads her son inside with the landlady.

Landlady: “The house is a bit old, but its condition is quite good. The lighting and ventilation are excellent, and the surrounding environment is very quiet.”

▲ Muya walks around with her son to take a look.

Jiang Muya: “This house is very good. We’ll move in today.”

Landlady: “Then let’s write up the rental contract.”

Scene 102 Time/Day Setting: High School Music Classroom Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya

102 Day Scene
Time: Afternoon
Setting: Neurology Department, National Taiwan University Hospital
Characters: Jiang Muya, Jiang Sijie (6 years old), Yu Renjie, Shen Tingting, Xiaofen (nurse), Patients

▲ Inside the neurology consultation room, Doctor Yu Renjie is seeing a patient.

Yu Renjie (typing to communicate): “You often have trouble sleeping at night. It may be due to excessive mental strain causing neurasthenia, that is, autonomic nervous system imbalance…”

▲ Lines of text appear on the computer screen, and each word is simultaneously voiced.

▲ A phone rings nearby; the nurse on duty answers it.

Xiaofen: “Alright, Dr. Shen, I’ll let him know.”

Xiaofen (writing a note): “Doctor, Dr. Shen is looking for you. Meet at the restaurant entrance after work for dinner, and then go to the bridal shop to look at dresses.”

▲ Xiaofen hands the note to Renjie. After reading it, Renjie gestures “OK.”

△ Scene transition.

▲ In the waiting area, Muya is holding Sijie while waiting. The number display lights up, and the nurse inside calls out.

Xiaofen: “Number 45, Jiang Sijie.”

▲ Muya leads Sijie into the consultation room. Renjie looks up and sees Muya and the little boy, showing a shocked expression.

Yu Renjie (sign language): “Muya, where have you been all these years? There has been no news from you.”

Jiang Muya: “Doctor, I don’t understand sign language.”

▲ Renjie takes out paper and pen.

Yu Renjie (writing): “Where have you been all these years? There has been no news from you.”

Jiang Muya: “I went to where I was supposed to go.”

Yu Renjie (writing): “This child is called Jiang Sijie? Why is he named Sijie?”

Jiang Muya: “Don’t ask yet. Help me take a look at this child first.”

Yu Renjie (writing): “What’s wrong with this child?”

Jiang Muya: “I suspect he has Tourette syndrome like you. He often makes strange sounds and also has facial muscle twitching.”

Yu Renjie (writing): “Tourette syndrome? Is this child mine?”

Jiang Muya: “That’s not important. I only want to ask for your help so that Sijie will be easier to take care of.”

Yu Renjie (writing): “No! This is very important! You must tell me.”

Jiang Muya: “Alright.”

▲ Muya borrows Renjie’s pen and writes a line on the paper: “Sijie is your son.”

Yu Renjie (writing): “Why didn’t you let me know earlier?”

Jiang Muya (writing): “After I found out I was pregnant, I went to the school dormitory to find you. I saw you with your girlfriend Miss Shen, so I quietly left.”

Yu Renjie (writing): “Sigh! How have you been living these past few years with the child?”

Jiang Muya: “I found a teaching job and settled down. I want Sijie to receive treatment, so I moved back to Taipei.”

▲ The nurse Xiaofen notices something unusual.

Xiaofen (OS): “What’s wrong with the doctor? He’s using handwriting to communicate with the patient—he’s never had this habit before. This is really strange…”

Yu Renjie (writing): “Let me help you. This is my responsibility.”

▲ Xiaofen stares at the two and listens carefully to Muya.

Jiang Muya: “Thank you for your kindness. My life is still manageable.”

Yu Renjie (writing): “Leave me your phone number and address. I’ll come find you after work.”

Jiang Muya: “I don’t want to disturb your life, Renjie.”

▲ Hearing this, the nurse becomes suspicious.

Xiaofen (OS): “What exactly is the relationship between the doctor and this woman? She even calls him by name…”

Yu Renjie (writing): “Legally, I have the obligation to take care of Sijie. I’ll come find you after work.”

Jiang Muya: “Alright.”

▲ Muya writes down her address and phone number.

Scene 103 Time/Day Setting: High School Music Classroom Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya

103 Dusk Scene
Time: Evening
Setting: Entrance of NTU Hospital restaurant, alley, Renjie’s car
Characters: Shen Tingting, Yu Renjie, nurse, passersby

▲ In the evening, Shen Tingting waits at the restaurant entrance. She looks at her watch.

Shen Tingting: “What’s going on!”

▲ Tingting takes out her phone and first calls Renjie’s phone, but it is unreachable. She then calls the nursing station.

Shen Tingting: “Is this the nursing station? This is Dr. Shen. Has Dr. Yu Renjie gotten off work?”

Nurse: “Dr. Shen, Dr. Yu left about half an hour ago.”

Shen Tingting: “Did Dr. Renjie say where he was going?”

Nurse: “I’m not sure. You might have to ask Xiaofen, the nurse on duty with him. Maybe she knows.”

Shen Tingting: “Is Xiaofen there?”

Nurse: “Xiaofen has also gotten off work.”

Shen Tingting: “Alright then.”

▲ Tingting hangs up and walks into the restaurant.

△ Scene transition.

▲ A car turns into an alley and stops in front of an apartment. Renjie steps out, holding a large Pink Panther plush toy. He rings the doorbell, and Muya comes to open the door.

Jiang Muya: “Come in. Although it’s an old house, it’s quite comfortable to live in.”

Scene 104 Time/Day Setting: High School Music Classroom Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya

104 Night Scene
Time: Night
Setting: NTU Hospital doctors’ dormitory
Characters: Shen Tingting, Yu Renjie

▲ Late at night, Renjie returns to the dormitory and turns on the living room light. Tingting, lying on the sofa, opens her sleepy eyes.

Shen Tingting (complaining): “Where did you go? Your phone was off. You said you’d go with me to look at wedding dresses, but you disappeared.”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “Sorry, something urgent came up.”

Shen Tingting: “What urgent matter could make you stand me up?”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “Don’t be like this. I’ve already apologized.”

Shen Tingting: “Fine. Tomorrow is the weekend. Go with me to the bridal shop. Don’t say no again.”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “I really can’t. Recently, on my days off, I have to go to rural areas for mobile medical services.”

Shen Tingting: “Rural medical service? Is it assigned by the hospital?”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “No, it’s voluntary.”

Shen Tingting: “Why did you suddenly decide to go to rural areas?”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “I will be going often in the future.”

Shen Tingting: “Then I’ll go with you.”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “No need. This work isn’t easy. You have to drive deep into remote areas.”

Shen Tingting: “Anyway, I always arrange my days off to be with you. Staying in the dorm is boring. Let me go with you. My pediatrics might even be more popular than yours.”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “Really no need. Get a good rest.”

Shen Tingting (suspicious): “If you won’t let me go, you must have something to hide.”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “Don’t overthink it.”

Shen Tingting (pressing): “You’ve never been someone who lies. Why won’t you tell me the truth?”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “Stop pressing me. I want to rest early. I have to go out early tomorrow morning.”

Shen Tingting (frustrated): “Then tomorrow, are you going with me to look at wedding dresses or not?”

Yu Renjie (sign language): “I won’t have time to accompany you during this period.”

▲ Renjie walks into the bathroom. Tingting pouts angrily, her face full of frustration.

Scene 105 Time/Day Setting: High School Music Classroom Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya

105 Morning Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: NTU Hospital doctors’ dormitory
Characters: Shen Tingting, Xiaofen

▲ In the morning, Tingting wakes up and walks into the living room, seeing a note left on the table.

Shen Tingting (frustrated): “What is this man busy with? Could he have another woman outside? That’s impossible! His routine used to be normal. Right—I’ll call Xiaofen and ask why he stood me up yesterday.”

Shen Tingting (dialing): “Xiaofen? This is Dr. Shen. Sorry to call you so early.”

Xiaofen: “Dr. Shen, it’s okay. What’s the matter?”

Shen Tingting: “Have you noticed any strange behavior from your boss recently?”

Xiaofen: “Yes. Yesterday afternoon, a mother brought her son in. The boy had Tourette syndrome. The boss directly communicated with the mother by writing, and she even called him by name. It felt like they knew each other. The boss became somewhat mysterious at that time.”

Shen Tingting: “Tourette syndrome? Calling him by name? Somewhat mysterious?”

Shen Tingting (OS): “Doesn’t Renjie also have Tourette syndrome? That mother’s son has Tourette syndrome?”

Xiaofen: “Yes, I thought the boss was a bit strange at that time.”

Shen Tingting: “Your boss stood me up yesterday evening.”

Xiaofen: “Stood you up? No way! I did pass on your message to him.”

Shen Tingting: “Can you help me ask the nursing station to find out that mother’s name, phone number, and address?”

Xiaofen: “Sure. Wait a few minutes. I’ll call and find out, then call you back.”

Shen Tingting: “Thanks! I’ll wait for your call.”

▲ Tingting goes into the kitchen, pours milk, toasts two slices of bread, spreads peanut butter, and brings them to the living room.

▲ The phone rings. Tingting answers it.

Xiaofen: “Dr. Shen, I found out! That mother’s name is Jiang Muya, and her son is Jiang Sijie.”

Shen Tingting: “Jiang Sijie?”

Xiaofen: “The ‘Si’ as in longing, and ‘Jie’ as in Doctor Renjie’s name. I’ve sent her phone number and address to your phone by message.”

Shen Tingting: “Thank you, Xiaofen.”

▲ Tingting hangs up, her mood heavy.

Shen Tingting (OS): “It really is Jiang Muya. This little boy has Tourette syndrome and is named Sijie. It’s clearly…”

▲ At this thought, Tingting’s mood sinks to the bottom. She holds her forehead, tears streaming down her face.

▲ Shen Tingting takes out a GPS tracker receiver and turns it on. Soon she locates Renjie’s car.

Shen Tingting: “This is heading toward Tamsui. And he told me he was going to rural medical service! I’ll follow and take a look—I’ll find out what exactly you’re up to!”

Scene 106 Time/Day Setting/High School Music Classroom Characters/Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya

Scene 106 – Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, Yacht
Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya, Jiang Sijie, Tourists

▲ Renjie and Muya, mother and son, board a yacht. Renjie wears sunglasses and casual clothes; Muya wears a suit. They sit closely together. It is Sijie’s first time on a boat. Held in Renjie’s arms, he curiously watches the splashing water along the ship’s side.

▲ The yacht sails into Fisherman’s Wharf. Renjie holds Muya and her son by the hand as they follow the tourists and disembark in sequence.

▲ The three walk along the shopping street at Fisherman’s Wharf. Renjie buys squid balls and takoyaki; the three eat while walking.

▲ The three play by the seaside, chasing the water and stepping in the waves. Renjie holds Sijie’s hand, writing in the sand and picking up seashells.

▲ Tingting drives and follows them to the seaside. Seeing Renjie playing with that child on the beach, and the three interacting sweetly, Tingting is heartbroken, sheds tears, and leaves dejectedly.

Scene 106 Time/Day Setting/High School Music Classroom Characters/Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya

Scene 107 – Night Scene
Time: Evening
Setting: NTU Hospital Doctor’s Dormitory
Characters: Shen Tingting, Yu Renjie

▲ Yu Renjie has just entered the dormitory living room. He sees Tingting on the sofa with red eyes, her arms folded across her chest. Renjie places a bag of snacks on the table and sits down.

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “What’s wrong with you?”

Shen Tingting: “Renjie, why did you lie to me like that?”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “You already know?”

Shen Tingting: “I asked Xiaofen. She helped me find out. Jiang Muya brought your son to see you for medical treatment.”

▲ Yu Renjie lets out a long sigh and remains silent.

Shen Tingting: “Today you went to see them, and even took them to the Tamsui seaside. You didn’t go on a rural medical outreach tour. I’m not wrong, am I?”

▲ Yu Renjie remains silent.

Shen Tingting: (staring) “I am your girlfriend. In the future, we are supposed to hold hands and spend our lives together. No matter what happens, we should face it together, shouldn’t we?”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Don’t put pressure on me anymore, okay?”

Shen Tingting: (sadly) “I’m not putting pressure on you. Muya has come back with your son. Shouldn’t we deal with this together?”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I’m sorry, Tingting…”

Shen Tingting: (choking with emotion) “Sorry? Our seven-year relationship is only worth your ‘sorry’? Is that fair to me?”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I know it’s unfair to you, but morally I must take care of Muya and her son.”

Shen Tingting: (sadly) “Seven years ago, what did Jiang Muya do to you? She left without a word. Seven years later, she comes back with your son and declares her claim over you. What kind of logic is that!”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Tingting, I only saw them yesterday. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Shen Tingting: (choking) “Of course you didn’t mean to, but you’ve already decided to get back together with Jiang Muya, haven’t you?”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Tingting, I… whatever I say now seems unnecessary.”

Shen Tingting: (firmly) “Renjie, you’ve changed. You’ve become hard to understand and communicate with. Why is that? If you still have me in your heart, tomorrow, we go to the court and notarize our marriage—tomorrow!”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “That’s impossible, Tingting. Don’t force me to make a decision right now.”

Shen Tingting: “Fine! Give me a time. I’ll wait for your decision!”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I don’t know. I really don’t know what I should do…”

▲ After signing, Renjie grabs his hair with both hands, looking distressed.

Shen Tingting: “Think it through carefully. When you have an answer, tell me. My phone will be on all day. I’ll wait for your call.”

▲ Tingting stands up, returns to her room, and locks the door. Sounds of sobbing are heard from inside.

▲ Renjie feels as if his heart is being cut, lost and helpless.

Yu Renjie: (OS) “God, why have You given me such a difficult test…”

Scene 108– Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: Jiang Muya’s rented apartment living room
Characters: Jiang Muya, Jiang Sijie, 119 Emergency Personnel

▲ Jiang Muya leans against the sofa, her face pale.

Jiang Sijie: (pulling Muya’s hand) “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Muya: “Mom suddenly doesn’t feel very well.”

Jiang Sijie: “Mom, go find Dad. Dad is a doctor.”

Jiang Muya: “We can’t trouble your father.”

Jiang Sijie: “Then I’ll call Uncle Wagang. Wagang loves me the most.”

Jiang Muya: “That won’t work either. Wagang is in Taitung. He’s too far away.”

Jiang Sijie: “Then I’ll call 119 and get an ambulance.”

Jiang Muya: “Mom will be fine after resting for a while.”

Jiang Sijie: “What if you don’t get better? Then I still need to call an ambulance.”

Jiang Muya: “Mom is probably just tired from moving recently. That’s why I feel unwell. Don’t worry. Let Mom rest quietly for a while.”

Jiang Sijie: “Mom, go lie down on the bed and rest. Sijie will be good and won’t disturb you.”

▲ Muya stands up, but suddenly everything goes black before her eyes. She feels dizzy, and collapses.

▲ Sijie shakes Muya’s body in panic with his small hands.

Jiang Sijie: (crying) “Mom, wake up! Don’t scare me! Mom! Mom!”

▲ Sijie picks up the phone receiver and dials 119.

Jiang Sijie: (crying) “119? I want to find my dad. My mom fainted.”

Officer: “Little friend, don’t cry, don’t panic. What is your mom’s name? Where do you live?”

Jiang Sijie: (sobbing) “My mom’s name is Jiang Muya. I don’t know where we live.”

Officer: “Then what is your father’s name? What does he do?”

Jiang Sijie: (sobbing) “My dad’s name is Yu Renjie. He is a doctor. Mom took me to NTU Hospital to see him before.”

Officer: “Okay, we will immediately send an ambulance and notify your father.”

Scene 109 – Night Scene
Time: Late night
Setting: NTU Hospital Doctor’s Dormitory, 119 Command Center
Characters: Shen Tingting, Yu Renjie, Officer, Supervisor

▲ Yu Renjie has changed into a robe and is about to sleep when the phone suddenly rings.

Officer: “May I ask, is this Dr. Yu Renjie?”

Yu Renjie: “This is the dormitory of Dr. Yu Renjie from NTU Neurosurgery. I’m not available right now. Please leave a message.”

△ Cut.

Officer: “It’s a recorded message. Supervisor, what should we do?”

Supervisor: “Then leave a message. That counts as fulfilling our duty to notify.”

Officer: “This is the 119 Command Center. Your wife Jiang Muya has fainted. We received a report and have dispatched an ambulance.”

Yu Renjie: “Uh… uh…”

Officer: (turning to supervisor) “Strange, I hear sounds but no response.”

Supervisor: “Make sure to tell him which hospital.”

Officer: “We will send your wife to NTU Hospital Emergency Department. Your son hopes you can come as soon as possible.”

Yu Renjie: “Uh… uh…”

Officer: (to supervisor) “Again the same sound, no response. Could he think we’re scammers?”

△ Cut.

▲ Renjie hangs up, quickly changes back into his clothes, grabs his phone, and opens the door. Passing the living room, Tingting is in a robe.

Shen Tingting: “It’s so late. You’re still going out?”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Emergency department called. A critical patient.”

Shen Tingting: (suspicious) “There are on-duty doctors there. It wouldn’t be your turn.”

Yu Renjie: (sign language) “They urgently need my support.”

Shen Tingting: (suspicious) “Really?”

▲ Renjie rushes out like a gust of wind.

Shen Tingting: (suspicious) “Something seems off. I’d better follow and see.”

▲ Tingting changes clothes and leaves.

Scene 110 – Night Scene
Time: Evening
Setting: NTU Hospital Emergency Department
Characters: Dong Xinyi (on-duty doctor), Yu Renjie, Jiang Sijie, Shen Tingting, Nurses, Patients

▲ Yu Renjie enters and immediately finds Dr. Dong Xinyi.

Yu Renjie: (writing) “Junior, a Jiang Muya was just brought in. Where is she?”

Dong Xinyi: “Senior, Miss Jiang is under emergency treatment. Preliminary diagnosis is acute stroke.”

▲ Renjie rushes into the emergency room and sees Muya unconscious with an oxygen mask.

Yu Renjie: (writing) “Nurse, has thrombolytic therapy been administered?”

Nurse: “It has been given. She will gradually regain consciousness.”

▲ Renjie watches the monitors; heart rate and breathing are stabilizing.

Yu Renjie: (writing) “When she regains consciousness, transfer her to X-ray.”

Nurse: “Yes, doctor.”

▲ Sijie pulls Renjie’s sleeve.

Jiang Sijie: (anxious) “Dad, why hasn’t Mom woken up?”

▲ Renjie pulls Sijie close, pats his head.

Nurse: “Little boy, don’t worry. Your mom will wake up soon.”

Nurse: “Dr. Yu, is this your son?”

▲ Renjie nods.

Nurse: “So fair and delicate, with handsome features. He’ll definitely be a handsome man.”

▲ At the emergency room entrance, Tingting watches this scene.