Scene 51 Time/Day Location / Taoyuan Airport Departure Hall
Characters / Chen Mengru, Michael, Chen Zhenxing, Li Wanhua (Chen mother), Chen Zhijia, travelers

△ In the Taoyuan Airport departure hall, the Chen family sees Michael off as he boards the flight.
△ Michael embraces each member of the Chen family in turn, performing the cheek-kissing greeting (faire la bise).
△ Chen Mengru removes a heart-shaped necklace and puts it on Michael.

Michael: I will be back. Take good care of yourself!
Chen Mengru: I will wait for you. Take care.

△ Michael embraces Chen Mengru and kisses her on the cheek.
△ Michael waves to the Chen family, walking backward while continuing to wave, then turns and walks toward the boarding gate. The Chen family also waves back to Michael.

Scene 52 Time/Evening Location / Fine Arts Department Classroom
Characters / Chen Mengru, Gu Meiyun, Wu Benyun, Tang Huaimin, teacher, students

△ In the classroom, each group of students sits together. The group consisting of Chen Mengru, Gu Meiyun, Wu Benyun, and Tang Huaimin sits in front-and-back seating arrangement.

△ On the podium, the teacher finishes the lecture.

Teacher: Classmates, for the graduation exhibition works, each group leader please hold meetings as soon as possible to discuss and finalize them. Submit all categories of work titles before next Friday after school.

△ The bell rings. The teacher walks down from the podium and leaves the classroom. Each group begins discussion.

Wu Benyun: The department requires each group to submit at least eight categories of works—“Eight Divisions of the Dragon.” Does anyone have preliminary ideas?
Chen Mengru: I think each person should choose two of their strongest areas to submit works, then integrate them first. That way, the group result will be better.
Wu Benyun: Mengru’s idea coincides exactly with mine. What do you two think?
Tang Huaimin: I think other groups should probably be doing the same as us.
Gu Meiyun: Let’s just do it this way. At this critical moment, we should show loyalty and teamwork spirit.
Wu Benyun: Now that we have initial consensus, next we choose four categories. My strengths are oil painting and gouache.
Chen Mengru: Mine are watercolor and sketching.
Gu Meiyun: Chinese painting and calligraphy are mine.
Tang Huaimin: I only seem to be strong in sculpture.
Chen Mengru: Brother Tang, your sketching is also very strong.
Tang Huaimin: But you already chose it.
Chen Mengru: Then you take sketching. I’ll switch to printmaking.
Tang Huaimin: Thanks, Mengru.
Wu Benyun: The eight categories are settled! Our group is very efficient. Let’s go eat together and discuss further details.
Gu Meiyun: Isn’t the “Eight Divisions of the Dragon” already very clear? What else is there to discuss?
Wu Benyun: Let it count as my treat. Both ladies must honor me with your presence.
Tang Huaimin: Let’s go together. Graduation is coming soon, and there may not be many chances to gather again in the future.

△ The two girls are persuaded by Tang Huaimin.

Scene 53 Time/Evening Location / School Cafeteria
Characters / Chen Mengru, Gu Meiyun, Wu Benyun, Tang Huaimin

△ In the school cafeteria, the four sit around a square table. The table is filled with roasted chicken legs, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, French fries, fruits, and drinks.

Wu Benyun: To be honest with you all, today is actually my 22nd birthday. I didn’t want to spend this day alone.
Gu Meiyun: (confused) Then shouldn’t you find your fan support group? Why us?
Wu Benyun: (bitter smile) I’ve reformed myself. Haven’t you all noticed?
Gu Meiyun: (laughs) Ever since last semester started, you suddenly became a lone bird. I even wondered if you did something disgraceful and got abandoned by your fan club, or if something major happened at home and you were deeply shaken…
Tang Huaimin: I can testify that Benyun has been with me every day since last semester.
Wu Benyun: Thanks, Brother Tang. Meiyun, you and I both have the character “Yun,” but you seem to have a strong prejudice against me.
Gu Meiyun: It’s not prejudice, it’s based on observation. Since freshman year, you’ve been slick-tongued and socially adept—your nickname “Butterfly among Flowers” was well-earned.
Wu Benyun: If I say something, will you believe me?
Gu Meiyun: Say it. We’ll judge truth or falsehood using common sense.
Wu Benyun: I told those girls that the person I like has always been Chen Mengru, and asked them not to waste their energy on me anymore.

△ Hearing Wu Benyun speak his true feelings, Mengru becomes visibly uneasy.

Gu Meiyun: You actually have the heart to say something so ruthless to your admirers?
Wu Benyun: If you doubt me, you can verify with any one of them.
Gu Meiyun: Hey Mengru, you seem to be the person involved here. Do you want to respond? At least he made such a huge sacrifice for you.

Chen Mengru: (hesitant) Benyun, thank you for your mistaken affection toward me. My heart belongs only to Michael. Unless he breaks his promise to me, I will not consider accepting another boy.

Gu Meiyun: Mengru, you did the right thing. Say everything clearly at once and don’t give the other person false hope.

△ Mengru’s words cause Wu Benyun’s expression to freeze instantly; after a while, he gives a bitter smile.

Wu Benyun: (sincere) Mengru, I have no regrets toward you. Unless you and Michael achieve a happy ending, I will not give up. “What is love in this world? It makes people vow life and death for each other…”

Chen Mengru: (persuading bitterly) Benyun, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Why suffer like this?

Chen Mengru: (OS) As expected, I guessed it right. This meal is really hard to swallow…

Scene 54 Time/Evening Location / Girls’ Dorm Room
Characters / Chen Mengru, Gu Meiyun

△ Chen Mengru and Gu Meiyun return to the dorm and enter the room. Mengru opens her laptop to check emails.

▲ Close-up of laptop screen.

△ Several lines of English appear on the screen:
Dear Vivian:
I will go to work immediately after graduation from university.
I want to save some money, and then design new bags to sell in the market…

△ Chen Mengru writes a reply.
Dear Michael:
It is good news. Stick with your ideals…

Gu Meiyun: (standing behind, shaking her head) You and Michael are like a modern version of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. I am impressed.

Chen Mengru: Michael said he has already found a job. After graduation he will go to a luxury accessories company in Milan as a designer.

Gu Meiyun: He moves so fast? He found a job even before graduating.
Chen Mengru: Yes. He said he doesn’t want to waste time.
Gu Meiyun: I haven’t even figured out what job I want yet.
Chen Mengru: Michael said he will work hard, save money, and then start his own luxury handbag brand.
Gu Meiyun: Very ambitious. That’s good. But…
Chen Mengru: But what?
Gu Meiyun: Mengru, haven’t you thought about it? If he doesn’t come back for you…
Chen Mengru: Of course I’ve thought about it. You can’t force matters of the heart.
Gu Meiyun: I’m just afraid you won’t be able to handle it later.
Chen Mengru: Maybe I’ll be sad for a while, but life still has to go on.
Gu Meiyun: If you can think like that, that’s good. What are your plans after graduation?
Chen Mengru: I want to travel and sketch everywhere, and prepare for the Taiwan Art Exhibition.
Gu Meiyun: I’m so envious of you. No financial pressure. I don’t have your fate. Thinking about the low starting salary makes the future feel bleak.
Chen Mengru: Take it one step at a time—secure something first, then aim higher.
Gu Meiyun: We can only do that for now. Sigh… our generation is truly tragic.

(One year later)

Scene 55 Time/Day Location / Tamsui Old Street, Church
Characters / Chen Mengru, Wu Benyun, tourists

△ Under the shade of trees in front of a church on Tamsui Old Street, an easel is set up. Chen Mengru is sketching; the drawing paper shows the outline of the church. Curious tourists gather around watching.

△ Wu Benyun walks out from the church side entrance, first noticing the crowd under the shade. He curiously walks forward and sees Chen Mengru’s back and the easel.

Wu Benyun: (OS) Could that be Chen Mengru? No way it’s that coincidental, right?

△ Wu Benyun walks over.

Wu Benyun: (surprised) Chen Mengru, it really is you!
Chen Mengru: (looks up, surprised) Wu Benyun, why are you here?
Wu Benyun: I live just behind Old Street. You’re here sketching?
Chen Mengru: Yes, traveling and sketching everywhere.
Wu Benyun: Want to come to my studio later? Let me host you properly as a local.
Chen Mengru: Thank you for your kindness, but I haven’t been disturbing classmates on this trip.
Wu Benyun: After Michael went back, have you still been in contact?
Chen Mengru: Yes, I keep in touch with him via email.
Wu Benyun: (hands over a business card) I’ve opened a personal studio doing design cases here in town. You’re welcome anytime to chat.
Chen Mengru: Okay, if I go, I’ll call you first.

Scene 56 Time/Night Location / Small hotel room facing Tamsui River
Characters / Chen Mengru, Tang Huaimin (voice only)

△ Chen Mengru pulls open the curtain and opens the window.
△ On the night surface of the Tamsui River, several ferries are moving; across the river is Guanyin Mountain, and at the foot of the mountain in Bali, lights are scattered like stars.

△ Chen Mengru opens her laptop on the desk and receives email.

▲ Close-up of laptop screen.

△ Several lines of English appear on the screen:
Dear Vivian:
I have started to work. Although I work hard and am busy every day, I am happy and living a fulfilling life…

△ Chen Mengru writes a reply.
Dear Michael:
When you are busy working, please take good care of yourself…

△ At this moment, the phone rings. Mengru pauses typing.

Tang Huaimin: Mengru, it’s Huaimin!
Chen Mengru: Brother Tang, how have you been lately?
Tang Huaimin: Terrible! Wen Ai has been placed under house arrest by her parents. They do not allow her to come to Taiwan to find me, and they even plan to arrange for her to marry a second-generation rich heir. What should I do?
Chen Mengru: Don’t rush first. Let’s think of a solution together.
Tang Huaimin: Can we find a place to meet and talk in person?
Chen Mengru: Sure. Give me the time and place.
Tang Huaimin: Where are you now?
Chen Mengru: In Tamsui.
Tang Huaimin: I will go to Tamsui to find you. I’ll arrive tomorrow noon. I’ll call your mobile.

Scene 57 Time/Dusk Location / Wu Benyun’s Tamsui Studio Workshop
Characters / Chen Mengru, Wu Benyun, Tang Huaimin

△ Inside Wu Benyun’s personal workshop, Benyun brews a pot of tea and pours it into three cups.

Wu Benyun: Drink some tea to quench your thirst. This tea is actually what you brought.

△ The three raise their tea cups. Benyun brings the cup close to his nose to smell the aroma.

Wu Benyun: The fragrance is pure and fresh. Alishan high mountain tea truly lives up to its reputation.

△ The three each take a sip of tea.

Wu Benyun: Next time you come to Taipei, remember to bring ten jin for me.
Tang Huaimin: No problem. After I return to the mountains, I’ll have it sent by courier.
Chen Mengru: Let’s return to the main topic.

Wu Benyun: I heard roughly what Mengru said over the phone. I think, to untie the bell, you must be the one who tied it. Brother Tang, since you intend to be with Wen Aihua, sooner or later you must face her parents.
Tang Huaimin: I understand that logic, of course. But the immediate crisis is that Aihua is basically under house arrest. Her parents insist on her marrying a wealthy second-generation man named “Jiang Yang.” Their families are old friends, well-matched in social status, and they are about to get engaged very soon. My mind is completely in chaos…
Wu Benyun: The current plan is to first find a way to get Aihua out so she can return to Taiwan. Once she is in your hands, you will have bargaining chips to negotiate with the Wen family parents.
Chen Mengru: (nods) Benyun, I didn’t realize you are quite scheming.
Wu Benyun: A compliment from a beauty. I have always liked reading military strategy and tactics books.
Tang Huaimin: How can we get Aihua out of Shanghai and bring her back safely? From what she said on the phone, that Jiang Yang watches her like a hawk every day and does not let her out of sight.

Wu Benyun: (thinks for a moment, smiling mysteriously) In that case, we need Mengru’s help.
Chen Mengru: (points to herself, confused) Me?
Wu Benyun: Mengru, you personally go to Shanghai and meet Aihua. Then find an opportunity to switch identities with her. Aihua can then escape directly to the airport. When Jiang Yang realizes she has been swapped, you just say he recognized the wrong person.
Chen Mengru: “The cat replaces the prince”… this idea seems feasible.
Wu Benyun: Of course it is feasible. Mengru and Aihua have similar body types. With a little disguise, you can deceive them.

Tang Huaimin: (presses hands together, pleading) Mengru, my future happiness is in your hands…
Chen Mengru: (smiles) Alright, don’t do that. You know I’m soft-hearted.
Tang Huaimin: Mengru, I will cover all your travel expenses to Shanghai. I will transfer money to your account later. If it is not enough, you can pay first and I will reimburse you.
Chen Mengru: Travel expenses are not a problem. I’ll first email Aihua.
Tang Huaimin: Mengru, after you pick up Aihua, I want her to stay at your home in Sun Moon Lake for a while to avoid attention.
Chen Mengru: Sure. After you and Aihua’s parents reach a conclusion, come to my house to pick her up.
Wu Benyun: Shall we old classmates have dinner together later?
Chen Mengru: (waves hand) No need. I want to walk around Old Street alone.
Wu Benyun: (disappointed) You…
△ Tang Huaimin looks at Wu Benyun’s disappointed expression and can only shake his head with a bitter smile.

Scene 58 Time/Night Location / Tamsui Old Street
Characters / Chen Mengru, Tang Huaimin, shopkeepers, tourists

△ At night on Tamsui Old Street, crowds flow continuously. Every shop is filled with people, like schools of sardines moving from one end of the street to the other.

△ In the crowd, a graceful silhouette gradually becomes clear in the foreground. Chen Mengru walks calmly and notices someone calling her from behind.

Tang Huaimin: Mengru! Mengru!

△ Chen Mengru turns around. Tang Huaimin quickly catches up.

Chen Mengru: (smiles) Didn’t Benyun ask you to stay for dinner?
Tang Huaimin: I told him I had another appointment with a friend and left first.

△ The two walk to a candied hawthorn stall.

Tang Huaimin: Wait for me a moment.

△ Tang Huaimin goes forward and buys two skewers of candied hawthorn, handing one to Mengru. They walk side by side.

Chen Mengru: (happy) How did you guess I wanted to eat candied hawthorn?
Tang Huaimin: Boys or girls, everyone likes this childhood taste, don’t they?
Chen Mengru: You are so considerate toward girls. No wonder Aihua is willing to overcome all difficulties to be with you.
Tang Huaimin: I am truly grateful that at this critical moment you are willing to go to Shanghai for me.
Chen Mengru: You and Aihua are both my good friends. When difficulties come, we should support each other and get through them together.
Tang Huaimin: (moved) In this lifetime, you will always be my good friend.

Scene 59 Time/Night Location / Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Arrival Hall, connecting roads, taxi interior
Characters / Chen Mengru, driver, passengers

△ In the Hongqiao Airport arrival hall, arriving passengers and people picking them up constantly interweave in two streams of crowds. Chen Mengru pulls a small suitcase, wearing a light casual outfit with trousers, walking out from the exit and taking a taxi.

△ The taxi leaves the airport and drives toward the city center. Mengru looks out the window at the new buildings and elevated roads. Although she is on a mission and can only glance briefly, she is still deeply shocked by the city’s astonishing vitality.

Driver: Little girl, where are you from?
Chen Mengru: Taipei.
Driver: You are from Taiwan? No wonder you have such elegance.
Chen Mengru: Uncle, you people in Shanghai really know how to speak.
Driver: Actually, you don’t know—us Shanghainese are quite snobbish compared to other cities.
Chen Mengru: Oh, I didn’t know that.
Driver: I’ve driven passengers from all countries. Taiwanese and Japanese girls are the most graceful—quiet and self-controlled. Unlike South Koreans, Hong Kongers, and Southeast Asians, who get into the car like a flock of sparrows, chirping nonstop, eating and drinking all the way, and constantly giving instructions to the driver!
Chen Mengru: (curious) Oh? What does “big turn, small turn” mean?
Driver: Big turn means turn left, small turn means turn right.
Chen Mengru: Haha! I still need to learn these daily expressions.
Driver: When you came out of the terminal just now, you happened to be assigned to my taxi. From your appearance and demeanor, I guessed you were probably Taiwanese. Taiwanese girls are more generous than Japanese girls, and I was right.
Chen Mengru: You have good judgment.
Driver: (proud) Since we are compatriots, I won’t take you on a detour. Give me the address. I’ll drive according to normal routes.
Chen Mengru: I have the address here.

△ Chen Mengru hands a note to the front seat. The driver glances at it and places it in the window slot.

Driver: That area is the city center commercial district, often congested. I’ll avoid traffic. The fare is about the same, but we can save half an hour.
Chen Mengru: Then I’ll follow your advice.

Scene 60 Time/Night Location / Shanghai streets, commercial buildings, office interior, office area
Characters / Chen Mengru, Wen Aihua, Jiang Yang, driver, waiter, employees, pedestrians

△ The taxi arrives at a wide road lined with towering commercial buildings. It stops in front of one building. A uniformed attendant opens the door, takes the suitcase. Chen Mengru steps out, adjusts her trousers, and after freeing her hands, the attendant returns the suitcase to her.

△ At this moment, Wen Aihua, dressed in professional office attire, walks over with a smile. The two women embrace and touch cheeks.

△ Aihua helps pull the suitcase while they walk and talk.

Wen Aihua: I received your email last night. I was so excited I almost couldn’t sleep! Let’s go talk in my office so that Jiang Yang can see us through the glass and not become suspicious.

△ The two enter the building and take the elevator.

Chen Mengru: How did things become like this? You’ve even lost your freedom of movement.
Wen Aihua: It’s a long story, but I can only shorten it.

△ The two walk into the office, passing through the staff area, and enter Aihua’s office.

△ Mengru sits on a sofa with her back facing the floor-to-ceiling window; the suitcase is placed beside her.

△ Aihua brings a glass of juice and holds a small makeup mirror in her palm. She sits opposite Mengru on the sofa and raises the mirror, reflecting a young man not far away wearing a neat shirt and trousers with a center-part hairstyle.

Wen Aihua: That is Jiang Yang. He follows me everywhere every day—going to work, eating meals—almost only missing bathing and sleeping with me.
Chen Mengru: I understand. He actually looks quite handsome—like a talented young elite.
Wen Aihua: That’s because you don’t understand him. I don’t get along with him at all. Let’s not talk about him. Let him suspect through the glass. Let’s get to the point. The “switch” you mentioned in your email—I think it should work.
Chen Mengru: So how do you plan to arrange it? When do we act?
Wen Aihua: The day after tomorrow at noon. I’ve already booked a flight to Taoyuan. At 10 a.m. that day, I will meet a client at a café. You arrive ten minutes early, find a secluded corner, and sit facing away from the street window pretending to read a magazine.

△ Wen Aihua hands Chen Mengru a café business card.

Chen Mengru: Then what?
Wen Aihua: Then lend me your ear.

△ Aihua whispers into Mengru’s ear for a while.

△ In the office opposite, the man occasionally steals glances at the two women.

Chen Mengru: Good plan!

Wen Aihua: (holding the card) Tomorrow afternoon I will ask my younger sister to send an identical outfit and hat to your hotel.
Chen Mengru: Okay. The next day I will bring it to the café, change clothes in the restroom, and switch roles with you.
Wen Aihua: Then I will leave through the side door of the café and rush straight to the airport. You will order food and sit facing away from the street window so Jiang Yang’s assistant will not suspect anything. At 1 p.m., Jiang Yang himself will arrive. When he discovers I have been replaced, I will already be on the plane. No matter what he asks you, pretend he has mistaken you for someone else. Then the waiter will intervene, and you can safely leave the scene.
Chen Mengru: Such a detailed plan… this “switching the real with the fake, escaping like a cicada shedding its shell” plot is even more thrilling than Japanese mystery master Seicho Matsumoto’s detective stories.
Wen Aihua: I’ve already booked your hotel and paid in advance with my credit card.
Chen Mengru: Was that what Brother Tang told you in the email?
Wen Aihua: Actually, even without Brother Tang’s instructions, I would have done these things. A few months of workplace training has already changed me.