Episode Two

Scene 11 (Night Scene)
Characters: Li Dongming, Li Jianxing, Chen Aijiao, Officer Liu, Xu Congming, Yang Jialing
Time: Late December night
Setting: Houtong Police Station

△ The police are making interrogation records at the station, asking about the details of the incident.

Officer Liu: (seriously to Jianxing and his wife) “Mr. Li, according to regulations, we must detain your son and transfer him to the district prosecutor’s office tomorrow morning.”

△ Li Jianxing and his wife look extremely panicked.

Jianxing: “Officer Liu, can he be released on bail? I’m willing to pay any amount.”
Officer Liu: “Mr. Li, tomorrow you and your wife should go to the prosecutor’s office and ask the prosecutor whether bail is possible.”

Jianxing: (blaming Aijiao) “It’s all your fault. You spoiled him too much, and now it has led to this disaster!”
Aijiao: “As long as that child doesn’t die, there will be a way to bail our son out. No need to be so nervous.”

Jialing: (angrily accusing) “Do you have any conscience? My younger brother was injured by your son and sent for emergency treatment, and you’re still making such callous remarks.”
Congming: “What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

△ Xu Congming rolls up his sleeves, about to hit someone, but is stopped by the police.

Officer Liu: (sternly) “If the child cannot be saved, your son will be prosecuted for causing serious injury and abandonment resulting in death. The penalty will be very severe.”

△ Only then does Aijiao realize the seriousness of the situation. The couple begins arguing at the police station.

Jianxing: “Old woman, you idle around all day playing cards with those gossipy women. We have only one son, and you can’t even control him.”
Aijiao: “You damned old man, don’t you have any responsibility? And you still blame me!”
Jianxing: “I work hard every day for this family. If that injured child cannot be saved, our son’s future is finished! Are you satisfied now?”
Aijiao: “All you do is blame me. Don’t you ever reflect on yourself? Why does our son wander outside all day? As his father, don’t you need to spend time with him?”
Jianxing: “Damn it, if you don’t discipline him and he causes more trouble, I’ll kick you out too!”
Aijiao: “Go ahead and kick us out. Once you drive us away, you can remarry. Do you think I don’t know what you’re planning?”
Jianxing: (furious, raising his hand) “Bastard, say that again…”
Aijiao: “Hit me then! Hit me if you dare!”

Officer: (waving his hand) “Both of you, stop arguing!”
Officer: (shaking his head with a bitter smile to Congming and Jialing) “The old saying goes, pamper a pig and it climbs onto the stove, pamper a child and he becomes unfilial. That’s exactly the kind of offspring this is. Sigh!”

Scene 12 (Night Scene)
Characters: Zhao Renjie, Wang Xiaofen, Yang Tiansi, You Tianmei, Xu Fugui, Wu Youxiu
Time: A night in late December.
Setting: Corridor outside the operating room at the Miners’ Hospital (unless specified, dialogue is in Mandarin)

△ At the entrance of the operating room, Zhao Renjie sees Yang Tiansi and his wife, who are extremely anxious, along with their neighbor Xu Fugui, approaching.

Tiansi: (reaching out to shake hands) “Doctor Zhao, how could we trouble you to personally escort my son here?”
Renjie: “Congming carried Jiaxiang to the health station. After I stopped his bleeding and examined his injuries, I judged that he had to be sent here immediately for surgery, so I followed the ambulance.”
Tianmei: (crying sadly) “This child has had a hard fate since he was young, sigh!”
Renjie: “Auntie, the doctors will do their best to save Jiaxiang.”
Tianmei: (hands clasped) “Amitabha, please let the Bodhisattva bless him.”
Tiansi: “Thank you, Doctor Zhao.”
Renjie: “Don’t say that. Treating the injured is our duty as doctors.”

Scene 13 (Night Scene)
Characters: Yang Tiansi, You Tianmei, Yang Jiaxiang, Li Jianxing, Chen Aijiao
Time: Late December, late night.
Setting: Intensive Care Unit of the Miners’ Hospital

△ Li Jianxing and his wife enter the intensive care unit carrying nutritional supplements and fruit gift boxes.
△ Upon meeting, Li Jianxing bows deeply to Tiansi and Tianmei in apology.

Jianxing: “Mr. Yang, my unfilial son drove into your son. I am truly sorry! I am willing to bear all medical expenses.”
Tiansi: “Boss, let’s wait until my child wakes up first.”
Jianxing: “After my unfilial son is released on bail, I will bring him here to apologize to you in person.”
Tianmei: (angry) “Boss, your son hit someone and fled. This kind of behavior is really…”
Tiansi: (interrupting) “A-Tian, don’t say these things now!”

14 Night Scene
Characters: Li Jianxing, Chen Aijiao
Time: Late December, late night
Setting: Inside the Li family sedan on the return journey (dialogue in Mandarin in this scene)

Jianxing: (driving) “Go back and properly discipline your son. Don’t let him constantly cause trouble for me to clean up. I do not want to keep wiping his backside again and again.”

Aijiao: “My words are not listened to by my son. My son only fears his father, but you, as his father, are busy with your career and rarely take the initiative to care about our son. Do not put everything on me.”

Jianxing: “Sigh! It seems I must bring him by my side and give him some tasks to do.”

Aijiao: “Yes, give him some kind of assistant manager position. If he has something to do, he will not be bored and will not wander outside all day.”

Jianxing: “How old is he? Moreover, that kind of material can still be an assistant manager? Ridiculous!”

Aijiao: “Why do you look down on your son so much? Could it be that he is not your biological son?”

Jianxing: “With a son who is so unworthy and ignorant, what can I expect from him in the future? I will make him start as a tea-serving assistant.”

Aijiao: “A tea-serving assistant? Old man, aren’t you too harsh?”

Jianxing: (firm tone) “Jade cannot become a vessel without carving. What does a woman like you understand? I have the final say.”

15 Night Scene
Characters: You Tianmei, Yang Jiaxiang, Yang Jialing, Li Jianxing, Chen Aijiao, Li Dongming
Time: Late December, night
Setting: General ward of the miners’ hospital

△ Li Jianxing and his wife bring their son Li Dongming to the ward to apologize to Tianmei.

Jianxing: “Mrs. Yang, I have brought my unfilial son to apologize to you.”

Dongming: (bows deeply to Tianmei) “Mother Yang, I am truly sorry!”

△ At this moment Dongming dares to look directly at Jialing and is immediately attracted by her pure appearance, appearing somewhat distracted.

Tianmei: “The child has already awakened. We will talk after the child is discharged from the hospital.”

Jianxing: “I remember your husband once worked in my mine. I heard he later became ill and left his job.”

Jialing: (unhappy) “My father coughed blood in the mine back then. The mine manager only sent him to the hospital and did not care whether he lived or died. My father risked his life for you, and he ended up like this. Do you people even have humanity?”

Aijiao: (displeased) “You little yellow-haired girl, how can you speak so harshly?”

Jianxing: (awkward expression, pulls Aijiao’s hand to signal her to stop) “Afterwards I learned that your husband had no job after leaving the mine. Out of moral responsibility, I should have given him a job.”

Jialing: (rudely) “Although my father’s silicosis treatment has improved, he can no longer go down into the mine to dig coal. What you say now, is it not crocodile tears?”

Tianmei: “A-Ling, you must not speak to Mr. Li so rudely.”

Jianxing: “It is not too late. I will arrange an office clerical job for him to stabilize your family’s life. It is at least my intention.”

△ Dongming’s gaze never leaves Jialing.

16 Night Scene
Characters: Yang Jiaxiang, Yang Jialing, Li Dongming
Time: Late December, night
Setting: General ward of the miners’ hospital (dialogue in Mandarin unless otherwise indicated)

△ Li Dongming carries a basket of fruit, gently pushes open the ward door, sees only Jialing taking care of the patient in the room, smiles slyly and rubs his hands.

Dongming: (OS) “A good opportunity has come.”

Dongming: (walks to the bedside, smiling) “Xiang, are you feeling better? Big brother brought some fruit for you to eat.”

Jialing: (dark expression) “What are you doing here again?”

Dongming: “It is all because I was careless. That evening the light was dim and visibility was poor, so I did not notice you.”

Jialing: (unappreciative) “Stop pretending to be kind. Even if the light was dim, after hitting someone you should at least stop the car and check. Instead you accelerated and fled. You are truly beyond help.”

Dongming: (embarrassed but still talkative) “Jialing, when you smile you are very beautiful, and when you are angry you are even more pure and lovely. There must be many boys pursuing you, right?”

Jialing: “None of your business. There are a whole truckload of boys waiting. So what?”

Dongming: “That means your temperament is indeed outstanding and your conditions are excellent.”

Jialing: (angry) “You really have thick skin.”

Dongming: (straightening his clothes, approaching Jiaxiang) “My future little brother-in-law, I am sorry. I accidentally injured you. When I become your brother-in-law, I will treat your sister well and take care of her for you. I know you cannot take care of her.”

Jialing: (furious, picks up a broom as if to hit him) “Get out! Get out!”

Jiaxiang: (deliberately) “Sister, it smells so bad, I am about to spit!”

△ Jiaxiang deliberately spits on Dongming’s clothes.

Dongming: (wiping his clothes with a handkerchief) “Alright, alright, I will go. Little beauty, I will come to see you another day.”

△ Li Dongming pushes the door and leaves.

17 Evening Scene
Characters: Yang Jialing, Xu Zhaodi, Li Dongming, Xu Congming
Time: Late December, evening
Setting: Gate of Keelung Girls’ High School

△ After school, Jialing and Zhaodi walk out of the gate together.

Zhaodi: “Jialing, when will your younger brother be discharged from the hospital?”

Jialing: “Soon. Thank you.”

Zhaodi: “You are such a good sister. You still go to the hospital every day after school to take care of your brother. That must be very hard.”

Jialing: “It is not really hard. It is just that every day there appears an annoying man, which is truly disgusting.”

Zhaodi: “Who?”

△ At this moment Li Dongming appears in front of them, blocking their way.

Jialing: (surprised) “Speak of the devil, and he appears. It is like seeing a ghost.”

Dongming: “Hi, two lovely Lises.”

Zhaodi: “Who are you?”

Dongming: (approaches, spinning a set of keys in his hand) “Jialing, where are you going? I drove here. Do you want to go shopping? I will be your driver.”

Jialing: “Zhaodi, ignore him. Let’s go. He is the one who injured my brother and fled after driving away.”

Dongming: “Little beauty, don’t be so unromantic. I am only afraid you will get tired from walking, so…”

Zhaodi: (pointing not far away) “Jialing, your prince charming is coming.”

Zhaodi: (suddenly thinking of an idea) “Hey! Annoying man, I will give you a chance to perform. How about it?”

Dongming: (overjoyed) “Alright, Lise, please say it. I am willing to serve you both.”

Zhaodi: (pointing at Congming, who is walking toward them, to Dongming) “Not two people, three people. Drive the three of us to go shopping, watch a movie, and then go home together.”

△ Dongming sees Congming and remembers he is the boy who testified against him at the police station and even wanted to punch him, and he feels anger.

Dongming: (OS) “How come I meet this jinx again!”

Congming: (runs over quickly) “Jialing… who is he?”

△ Congming recognizes Dongming’s face.

Congming: (takes a Taekwondo stance) “You still dare to harass Jialing? Get lost immediately, or do you want to get beaten?”

Dongming: (not willing to show weakness, but thinking he should not suffer immediate loss, speaks harshly) “You just wait and see. Don’t let me run into you again.”

△ Dongming quickly walks back to the car and drives away. Zhaodi is stunned.

Zhaodi: “That guy really comes and goes like a gust of wind.”

Jialing: “Congming, you should still be careful. I am afraid he may harm you.”

Congming: (disdainfully) “That kind of thug, I do not take him seriously at all.”

18 Night Scene

People: Li Jianxing, Li Dongming, Zhang Liangcheng (manager), Guo Zhigen (deputy manager), Yang Tianci, Wu Ma, several staff members
Time: A day in late December
Scene: Jianxing Coal Mine Office

Li Jianxing brought his son Dongming to the office beside the coal mine site. Dongming was wearing a pair of bib overalls and cloth shoes.

Li Jianxing: “Manager Zhang, from today on, I am handing Dongming over to you. Let him start as a junior worker. All miscellaneous tasks in the office, such as sweeping the floor, making tea, emptying the trash, sending letters, and other chores, let Dongming do them.”

Zhang Liangcheng: “Yes, boss.”

Guo Zhigen: “Boss, all these odd jobs are usually done by Wu Ma. Letting your son do the work of a junior worker—this is not appropriate, is it?”

Li Jianxing: “There is nothing inappropriate about it. This child Dongming understands nothing. All day long he causes trouble outside for me. What he needs is training. Manager Zhang, instruct Wu Ma to take Dongming and let him do the work.”

Zhang Liangcheng: “Yes, boss.”

Li Jianxing: “Dongming, you must remember that in the office, your position is the lowest. Anyone can assign you tasks.”

Zhang Liangcheng: “Wu Ma, take the junior worker to the pantry and start teaching him.”

Wu Ma: “Alright, manager. Junior worker, please follow me.”

Dongming followed Wu Ma and left the office.

Yang Tianci (OS): “Wow! The boss is really harsh when teaching his son!”

The office staff all had expressions of disbelief on their faces. Some whispered to each other in hushed voices.

19 Night Scene

People: Yang Tianci, You Tianmei, Yang Jialing, Jiaxiang, Jiazhen
Time: A weekend evening in early December
Scene: Yang Tianci’s living room

The Yang family was eating dinner in the living room.

Yang Tianci: “Let me tell you, today was the first day that the boss’s son, Li Dongming, started work. The boss really made Dongming start from being a junior errand worker. The atmosphere in the office was very strange. Everyone felt that the way Boss Li teaches his son is really extremely harsh.”

You Tianmei (surprised): “A junior errand worker? That is indeed very unusual! But I think your boss probably wants to temper his son.”

Yang Jialing: “In my opinion, that young master of the Li family looks very careless. How could he possibly do these odd jobs?”

Yang Tianci: “Dongming seems to be very afraid of his father. He followed Wu Ma and learned all day today.”

Yang Jialing: “That’s fine too. Letting Li Dongming have something to do will make him more disciplined.”

20 Night Scene

People: Yang Jialing, Li Dongming
Time: A night in late December
Scene: Mountain road returning home from the health station

Li Dongming kept following behind Yang Jialing. Jialing realized she was being followed and quickened her pace, turning two corners. When she looked back, she found that person was still following her. The two of them walked one in front and one behind onto a suspension bridge. Jialing gathered her courage and turned back, only to discover that the person was Li Dongming.

Yang Jialing (angrily, hands on hips): “Why are you following me? I warn you not to follow me again!”

Dongming: “Jialing, I did not intend to follow you. I just wanted to find a chance to talk to you, but I was afraid you would misunderstand, so I followed you when you went out.”

Yang Jialing (coldly): “Isn’t a misunderstanding already created now? What is there to talk about between us? You are a rich young master born with a silver spoon, and I am the daughter of a miner. How could I possibly rise to your level?”

Dongming: “Jialing, please don’t speak so sarcastically. I am not what you think I am.”

Yang Jialing (mockingly): “Did I say anything wrong? Everyone in Houtong knows that Young Master Li spends his days idle and aimless. Even if your father has mountains of gold and silver, sooner or later you will squander it all.”

Dongming turned around and leaned both hands on the ropes of the suspension bridge on either side.

Dongming: “Is that so? You also think I am that kind of person. Don’t you want to hear my thoughts?”

Yang Jialing (curious): “Thoughts? You, Young Master Li, who eats well and dresses well—what thoughts could you possibly have?”

Dongming: “I once had a twin younger brother.”

Yang Jialing (suspicious tone): “Once?”

Dongming (sad expression): “Yes. When I was in fourth grade, my father often worked outside. My mother went out to play mahjong with the neighbors. Only my brother and I were left at home. One Saturday afternoon, because we were bored, I suggested going to the stream to play in the water. My brother accidentally slipped into deep water. I did not know how to swim, and in panic I shouted desperately. I watched my brother being swept away by the rushing stream. When the rescue team arrived at the scene, they found my brother in a deep pool downstream not far away. It was already too late; he could not be saved.”

Yang Jialing: “What does that have to do with you being idle and aimless?”

Dongming sighed.

Dongming: “Because I did not take good care of my brother, my father thought I was a sinner of the Li family. From then on, I could no longer receive his love at home. He was no longer gentle with me, always criticizing me and shouting at me harshly. After graduating from high school and finishing military service, I made some drinking and gambling friends. I gave up on myself, wandering outside every day, causing trouble to make my father angry, just to get his attention.”

Yang Jialing: “So that’s how it is. But using self-destruction to take revenge on your father is still wrong. Boys should be stronger than us girls when facing difficulties and setbacks, not using excuses to rationalize failure.”

Dongming: “I understand that, but my father? He treats me like an enemy. When has he ever treated me like his son?”

Yang Jialing placed her right hand on Dongming’s left shoulder to comfort him.

Yang Jialing: “I understand your grievance. My father said you are now working as a junior worker in your father’s mine office?”

Dongming: “Yes. This is arranged by my father. I understand his intention and effort, so I actually have no complaints.”

Yang Jialing: “I never expected Li Dongming to be so sensible.”

Dongming gave a bitter smile.

Dongming: “Jialing, do you mean I used to be very reckless and immature?”

Yang Jialing: “Did I say anything wrong?”

Dongming: “I really was very reckless before. I lived every day in confusion, until I injured your younger brother and was taken to the police station, and personally saw my parents arguing because of my trouble. Only then did I wake up as if from a dream.”

Yang Jialing: “That’s good. It is not too late for you to realize it now.”

Dongming: “Now my life is very fulfilling. During the day I work as a junior errand worker, and at night I study at home.”

Yang Jialing: “Study?”

Dongming: “I am preparing to retake the university entrance examination next year.”

Yang Jialing: “I see. Then you must work hard. Let me see you in a new light.”

Dongming: “I will definitely do it.”

Jialing’s tone became gentler, which encouraged Dongming.

21 Night Scene

People: Zhao Renjie, Yang Jialing, Wang Xiaofen
Time: A night in late December
Scene: Clinic room at Houtong Health Station

The clock reached eight o’clock. In the clinic room of the Houtong Health Station, Doctor Zhao had finished seeing the last patient and was busy tidying up instruments.

Xiaofen (embarrassed, blushing): “Doctor… I…”

Renjie suddenly felt slightly dizzy, closed his eyes, and shook his head.

Renjie: “It’s fine now. You can get off work early.”

Xiaofen, gathering courage:

Xiaofen: “I… I want to invite the doctor to go to Keelung Miaokou Night Market together.”

Renjie continued packing medicine bottles.

Renjie: “Another… another day, okay? I am not feeling very well.”

Xiaofen felt disappointed and thought Renjie did not want to go out with her, so she lowered her head and left the clinic.

Renjie felt a wave of dizziness. He failed to stand properly, and a tray of medicine bottles fell to the ground. He steadied himself against the table but nearly fainted again. Xiaofen heard the sound and immediately rushed back into the clinic. Seeing Renjie’s condition was wrong, she quickly supported him.

Xiaofen: “I will help you back to your room to rest.”

Jialing: “Brother, I brought dinner and late-night supper…”

Jialing entered the health station and called out several times but received no response. Xiaofen quickly walked out.

Xiaofen: “Jialing, you are here. Renjie… the doctor is feeling unwell and is resting on the bed now.”

Jialing placed the food down and tried to rush into the room, but Xiaofen stopped her.

Xiaofen: “The doctor is fine now. Let him rest a bit. I want to talk with you.”

Jialing: “Okay.”

Xiaofen: “It may be because there have been too many patients recently. The doctor often feels tired in the afternoon, but he still forces himself to stay alert. Today I originally wanted…” (lowering her head, somewhat shy) “Later, while the doctor was tidying things, he suddenly fainted.”

Jialing (extremely shocked): “Fainted?”

Jialing recalled in her mind:

Jialing (OS): “Brother has recently not been going to the cafeteria to eat. He always asks me to bring dinner and late-night supper over. He must be overworked…”

Jialing: “Tomorrow I will bring chicken soup to help Brother recover.” (kindly) “Can I call you Sister Xiaofen?”

Xiaofen (surprised): “Of course you can.”

Jialing: “Sister Xiaofen, can you help me take care of Brother?”

Xiaofen: “Of course. Even if you did not say it, I will definitely take good care of Ren… Jie.” (realizing she misspoke) “I will take good care of Doctor Zhao. This is a nurse’s duty, and he is also my little boss.”

Jialing: “Then I am relieved. Thank you. With Sister Xiaofen taking careful care of him every day, Brother will surely recover quickly.”

Jialing (OS): “If Brother can be taken care of by Sister Xiaofen, then when I go to Taipei to study in the future, I will feel more at ease. I sincerely hope Xiaofen can become my sister-in-law.”

Xiaofen: “You are welcome. This is what I should do.”

Xiaofen felt increasingly close to this younger girl.

Xiaofen: “Jialing, I will take you to see him.”

Xiaofen held Jialing’s hand and walked toward the ward. Renjie was resting with his eyes closed on the bed.

Jialing (softly calling): “Brother, do you feel better?”

Renjie opened his eyes.

Renjie: “Sister, I am fine. I just felt dizzy earlier.”

Jialing took out a handkerchief and wiped his face.

Jialing: “You must rest well. Do not overwork yourself.”

Jialing’s eyes were full of concern and reluctance.