51 Day Scene
Characters: Gao Yingxiong, Pu Tianxiang, Doctor, Nurse Gao Huijun
Time: Same day (morning)
Location: Health Clinic

△ The doctor and Nurse Gao Huijun walk out of the operating room.

Yingxiong: “Doctor, how is he? My friend isn’t in danger, right?”

Doctor: (making an OK gesture while removing his mask) “The bullet fragment has been removed from the patient’s arm, but his right hand will most likely lose its gripping function.”

Yingxiong: “Doctor, what do you mean by that?”

Doctor: “Mr. Gao, the injured person’s right hand may become permanently disabled.”

Yingxiong: (grabbing the doctor’s clothes with both hands) “What? Disabled?”

Doctor: “Mr. Gao, please calm down!”

△ The doctor pats Gao Yingxiong on the shoulder and walks out of the operating room.

Yingxiong: (distressed) “It’s all my fault… I failed to protect Tianxiang. Sis, Tianxiang was injured because of you.”

Huijun: “Tianxiang was injured because of me?”

Yingxiong: “Do you think I would lie to you?”

Huijun: “What exactly happened?”

Yingxiong: “Sis, do you know what kind of person Zhou Tianyou is?”

Huijun: (shaking her head) “No.”

Yingxiong: “He’s one of Wu Tianliang’s men, involved in smuggling and illegal logging operations.”

Huijun: (frightened) “Then why did he deceive me?”

Yingxiong: “You’re too innocent. Zhou Tianyou found out that you were my sister, so he sweet-talked you, took revealing photos of you, and used them to force me into joining their organization. Tianxiang went with me to negotiate and retrieve your negatives; unexpectedly, Tianxiang was captured and brutally harmed by them.”

Huijun: (gloomy and sorrowful) “Brother, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have trusted Zhou Tianyou.”

Yingxiong: “Sigh! Let bygones be bygones. But now Tianxiang’s right hand is crippled. I think he’ll suffer a terrible blow because of it. I don’t even know how to explain this to Tianxiang’s father and to Aiyu.”

52 Day Scene
Characters: Tianmei, Zhou Tianyou, Pu Tianxiang, Gao Yingxiong, Gao Huijun
Time: Afternoon
Location: Health Clinic

△ Tianmei brings Zhou Tianyou to the clinic ward to visit Pu Tianxiang.

Tianmei: “Tianxiang, is your injury feeling any better?”

Tianxiang: “Auntie, I’m much better now.”

Tianyou: “You should be calling her Mom instead!”

Tianmei: (giving Tianyou a look) “It’s alright! Your younger brother just isn’t used to it yet.”

Tianyou: (holding a fruit basket) “Tianxiang, this is just a small token of my sincerity. Because you got hurt, big brother apologizes to you here.”

Yingxiong: “What’s the use of apologizing! Tianxiang’s right hand is crippled now. How are we supposed to settle this debt?”

Tianyou: “I’ve already apologized to my younger brother. Otherwise, what do you want?”

Yingxiong: (rolling up his sleeves) “What do I want? You want to fight?”

Huijun: “Brother, don’t fight! This is a hospital ward.”

Yingxiong: “I still haven’t settled accounts with you over bullying my sister and stealing timber!”

Tianmei: (looking at Huijun) “You must be Huijun, right?”

Huijun: “Yes, Auntie.”

Tianmei: “Mm! Such a pretty girl. How many years have you been working as a nurse?”

Huijun: “Thank you for the compliment, Auntie! Since graduating, I’ve been working in my hometown.”

Tianmei: “Tianyou truly has good taste. If Tianyou could marry you as his wife, it would be a blessing earned by our Zhou family ancestors.”

Huijun: (shyly) “Auntie…”

Yingxiong: “As her younger brother, I haven’t agreed to this. Auntie, do you know your son bullied my sister?”

Huijun: “Brother! Don’t be like this.”

Tianmei: “Tianyou has already told me about this matter, so today I brought Tianyou here not only to visit Tianxiang’s injuries, but also to apologize to you siblings. This old woman apologizes to you both.”

△ Tianmei makes a motion as if about to kneel down, but Yingxiong and Huijun quickly help her up.

Yingxiong: “Auntie, please get up first. The one who should kneel and kowtow is Zhou Tianyou.”

Tianxiang: “Yingxiong, I don’t blame Brother Tianyou. I only blame fate for playing tricks on us.”

Tianmei: (sighing) “Sigh! Back then, the father of Tianyou and his younger brother was also a forest ranger.”

Tianyou: (stunned) “Mom, how come I’ve never heard you mention this before?”

Tianmei: “How could I dare to say it? All these years I feared our enemies would come after us again. Who knew you would actually become an illegal logger? How can you face your father with this?”

Yingxiong: (curious) “What happened afterward, Auntie?”

Tianmei: (sobbing) “Later, while trying to capture illegal loggers, my husband suffered severe injuries and died after being sent to the hospital.”

Tianyou: “Mom, don’t cry. Tianyou knows he was wrong.”

Tianxiang: “Mom, then why was I adopted by my adoptive father?”

Tianmei: “I remember that our enemies at the time caused our family to be destroyed. The illegal loggers abducted you, and no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find you. In order to avoid revenge from the illegal loggers, I had no choice but to move away from Alishan. I never expected that you actually never left Alishan.”

53 Day Scene
Characters: Shi Aiyu, Pu Tianxiang
Time: Morning
Location: Rainbow Valley Waterfall

△ On the small path beside Rainbow Valley Waterfall near Danaiku, Pu Tianxiang and Shi Aiyu stroll hand in hand.

Tianxiang: “Aiyu, thank you!”

Aiyu: “Thank me for what?”

Tianxiang: “Thank you for staying with me through the hardest days after I was injured.”

△ Aiyu tightly wraps both arms around Pu Tianxiang’s waist, leaning her head against his chest.

Aiyu: “You need to pull yourself together, Tianxiang.”

Tianxiang: “You know my right hand is crippled now.”

Aiyu: “But you still have your left hand!”

Tianxiang: “Will you despise me?”

Aiyu: “If I despised you, would I still be here with you?”

Tianxiang: “That’s not what I mean. I mean, I can’t even take care of my basic daily needs anymore. How can I give you happiness in the future?”

Aiyu: (sullenly) “Who says you can’t support yourself? Tianxiang, don’t give up on yourself, alright?”

△ Tianxiang picks up a stone with his left hand, turns around, and throws it toward Danaiku.

Aiyu: (eyes glistening with tears) “No matter what life will be like in the future, I’m staying with you no matter what.”

Tianxiang: (using his left hand to wipe away Aiyu’s tears, then holding her tightly) “Aiyu…”

Aiyu: “Tianxiang, look! There are two rainbow bridges in the valley.”

△ Tianxiang and Aiyu gaze together at the rainbow bridges.

54 Day Scene
Characters: Zhao Jia’en, Zhao Mingchang, Lin Meiman
Time: Morning
Location: Zhao Mingchang’s Mansion Living Room

△ Inside the luxurious living room of Zhao Mingchang’s mansion.

Jia’en: “Dad, can you let me go see Tianxiang first?”

Mingchang: “Silly girl, do you think he would wait for you? He hasn’t sent you a single message in these past three years. Maybe he’s already married by now.”

Jia’en: “I don’t care. Even if he’s changed his heart, I want to hear him say personally that he doesn’t want me anymore.”

Meiman: “Honey, just let Jia’en go. You know very well what kind of personality this child has.”

Mingchang: “You child, why are you so stubborn? I really can’t understand it. He’s just an indigenous man living deep in the mountains, not even some especially promising young man. What about him is worth your devotion like this?”

Jia’en: “Dad, you don’t understand matters of love. You’ve never even been in love before.”

Mingchang: (smiling bitterly) “I may never have been in love, but I’ve definitely crossed more bridges than the roads you’ve walked. Why would I need to understand those things?”

55 Day Scene
Characters: Zhao Jia’en, Zhao Mingchang, Lin Meiman, Pu Tianxiang
Time: Morning
Location: On the road to Alishan (driving), Zhao Jia’en’s Mansion Living Room

△ Zhao Jia’en drives toward Alishan, recalling memories of her past with Tianxiang along the way.

Ins: (fade in)

△ Inside the Zhao family living room, Zhao Mingchang speaks frankly to Pu Tianxiang.

Mingchang: “I only have one daughter, Jia’en. How can you give my daughter a good life?”

Tianxiang: “I love her.”

Mingchang: “Can love be eaten as food? She’s so wholeheartedly devoted to you. What are you planning to use to support her in the future?”

Tianxiang: “I… I’ll work hard and earn money…”

Mingchang: “You’ve only just entered society. I don’t believe you can find any worthwhile job!”

Jia’en: (anxiously) “Dad, don’t pressure him like this!”

Meiman: (comforting her) “Jia’en, your father isn’t wrong. Your mother only has one daughter too. How could I bear to let you suffer grievances?”

Tianxiang: (raising his head) “Uncle, what exactly are you trying to say?”

Mingchang: “My wife and I also can’t bear to see Jia’en heartbroken. If you agree to marry into the Zhao family, work at my company, and become my capable assistant, then in the future I’ll let you inherit my business…”

Tianxiang: (angrily) “Impossible. I love Jia’en, but that doesn’t mean I covet your Zhao family’s wealth.”

Jia’en: (anxiously) “Tianxiang, don’t be angry. Dad doesn’t look down on you…”

Mingchang: (angrily pointing at Tianxiang’s nose) “Young man, you truly don’t know what’s good for you.”

Tianxiang: (agitated) “Uncle, it’s impossible for me to marry into the Zhao family. Both of my hands are healthy, and I have the ability to support Jia’en.”

△ Zhao Mingchang becomes furious.

Mingchang: “If you don’t agree to my conditions, then forget about being together with Jia’en. Leave!”

△ Tianxiang turns around and leaves while Jia’en is devastated with grief.

Jia’en: (trying to chase after him, but stopped by Mingchang) “Tianxiang, Tianxiang…”

Mingchang: “Jia’en, it’s not that your father cannot accept Tianxiang. Perhaps if the two of you separate for a while, Tianxiang’s thoughts will change. Or perhaps both of you will find more suitable partners.”

Jia’en: “Dad, I promise you, I’ll first go abroad to study. If within three years I return after finishing my studies, and neither Tianxiang nor I have changed our hearts, then please agree to our marriage and stop demanding that Tianxiang marry into the Zhao family. I will inherit the Zhao family business myself, alright, Dad?”

Meiman: “Honey, just agree to our daughter’s request.”

Jia’en: (OS) “Tianxiang, wait for me to come back and prove that my feelings for you have remained unwavering from beginning to end.”

△ After the image fades out, it fades back in again.

△ Zhao Jia’en’s sedan speeds along the Alishan Highway.

56 Day Scene
Characters: Zhao Jia’en, Pu Tianxiang, Shi Aiyu
Time: Afternoon
Setting: Pu Tianxiang’s Home

△ Jia’en arrives at Pu Tianxiang’s home in Dabang Village, Alishan. Tianxiang is just walking out from the inner room.

Jia’en: (peeking in, calling from the doorway) “Excuse me, excuse me, is anyone here?”

Tianxiang: (calling out from the living room) “Aiyu, is that you? I was just about to go look for you…”

Jia’en: (eyes brimming with tears) “Tianxiang…”

Tianxiang: (astonished) “It’s… it’s you…”

△ Tianxiang’s attitude immediately turns cold, though his heart is stirred.

Jia’en: “I finally found you.”

△ Jia’en spreads her arms, wanting to embrace Tianxiang, but Tianxiang avoids her.

Jia’en: “Tianxiang, you…”

Tianxiang: (coldly) “You… how have you been these past few years?”

Jia’en: “Not well. These past few years, I studied desperately, thinking only of returning to the country as soon as possible. I made an agreement with my father: as long as I followed his wishes and finished my studies, he would agree to our marriage, and he would no longer force you to marry into the family.”

Tianxiang: (astonished) “What you said is true?”

Tianxiang: (eyes brimming with tears) “I thought… I thought back then you went abroad because you gave in…”

Jia’en: “No, I never changed. It was you who refused to listen to my explanation. On the day I left the country, you did not even come to the airport to see me off.”

△ Jia’en suddenly embraces Tianxiang again, and Tianxiang cannot bear to reject her anymore.

Jia’en: “Tianxiang, let us start over again, alright?”

Tianxiang: (slowly removing Jia’en’s hands) “No, look, look at my right hand. My five fingers cannot spread open. My right hand is crippled.”

Jia’en: (shocked, heartbroken) “Your hand, what happened to your hand?”

Tianxiang: “This is a lingering effect from a gunshot wound not long ago. I am a forest police officer. There can be danger at any moment. I do not want to delay your happiness.”

Jia’en: “Then stop being a forest police officer. Come back to Taipei with me. My father will arrange for you to work at his company.”

Tianxiang: “I cannot leave this place. Alishan is my hometown. Besides… besides, I already have a girlfriend now. I cannot deceive you, and I cannot wrong Aiyu either.”

Jia’en: “Who is Aiyu?”

Tianxiang: “My girlfriend. We are about to get married.”

△ Tianxiang turns his head and ponders for several seconds, determined to make Jia’en give up completely.

Tianxiang: “Jia’en, you are welcome to attend our wedding.”

Jia’en: (disappointed, crying) “No, no, I don’t want that. I want to be your bride.”

△ Jia’en embraces Tianxiang from behind.

△ Aiyu happens to arrive at Tianxiang’s home and sees this scene at the doorway.

Aiyu: (angrily) “Tian… Tianxiang… she…”

Tianxiang: (breaking free from Jia’en) “Jia’en, Zhao Jia’en, my university classmate. She just returned from studying abroad.”

Aiyu: “Oh? Then why would she…”

Tianxiang: (interrupting quickly) “We invited her to attend our wedding. What do you think?”

Aiyu: (blushing, embarrassed, relieved) “Oh, alright.”

Jia’en: (firmly) “No. What I, Zhao Jia’en, cannot obtain, no one else should even think of obtaining.”

△ Zhao Jia’en rushes out of Tianxiang’s house, then turns back to face Tianxiang and Aiyu.

Jia’en: (wiping away tears) “Tianxiang, I will come back again. My parents promised me that as long as I finished my studies and returned, they would fulfill our wishes. I did not betray you. I refuse to accept this. I will come back again.”

△ Tianxiang’s brows are tightly furrowed in sorrow and pain. He deeply feels he has wronged the two women who love him deeply.

△ Aiyu frowns, feeling a wave of uneasiness in her heart.

57 Night Scene
Characters: Zhao Mingchang, Lin Meiman, Zhao Jia’en
Time: Night
Setting: Zhao Mingchang’s Mansion Living Room

△ Inside the Zhao family living room.

Jia’en: (crying) “Dad, if you had not demanded that Tianxiang marry into the family back then, things would not have turned out like this. He would not have become a police officer and crippled his right hand.”

Meiman: (shocked, comforting her) “Good daughter, with your abilities, you can find someone even better. Don’t cry.”

Jia’en: “No, I have waited for Tianxiang for three years. I refuse to give up just like this.”

Mingchang: (helplessly) “This Pu Tianxiang is really unable to withstand any test at all?”

Jia’en: (crying) “Dad, if not for your insistence, Tianxiang and I would not have ended up like this today…”

Meiman: (patting Jia’en’s back) “Dear, can you say less for once?”

Jia’en: “I don’t care. As long as Tianxiang is not married yet, I will not give up. Dad, if you refuse to help me this time, then I will not inherit your business. I will live permanently in Alishan with Tianxiang and fight for my happiness.”

△ Mingchang raises his hand as if wanting to slap Jia’en, but he cannot bear to and lowers it again.

Mingchang: (angrily) “Fine. As long as Tianxiang changes his mind, I can build a resort village and a grand hotel in Alishan. The administration and operations can be handed over to Tianxiang. He also would not need to marry into the Zhao family. But he absolutely must remain loyal to my daughter.”

Jia’en: (moved, hugging her mother) “Dad… thank you.”

Mingchang: (helplessly) “Who told you to be my precious daughter? Sigh… perhaps it truly was your father’s fault. For these past three years, watching you devote yourself wholeheartedly to your studies, and after returning, seeing that your feelings for Pu Tianxiang had not changed at all—it was your father who delayed your youth.”

Jia’en: (moved, throwing herself into her father’s embrace) “Dad.”

Mingchang: “Another day, I will find Tianxiang’s father and have a proper talk with him. Is that alright, my dear daughter?”

Jia’en: (blushing, smiling through tears) “Thank you, Dad.”

58 Day Scene
Characters: Zhao Mingchang, Zhao Jia’en, Lin Meiman, Pu Guangrong, Pu Tianxiang
Time: Daytime
Setting: Living Room of Pu Guangrong’s Home in Dabang Village

△ Zhao Jia’en accompanies her parents to the Pu family home.

Mingchang: “Village Chief Pu…”

Guangrong: “Just call me Guangrong.”

Mingchang: (bowing to Pu Guangrong) “Brother Guangrong, back then it was I who prevented my daughter from associating with Tianxiang. But now, for my daughter’s sake, I have come especially to apologize to you and Tianxiang.”

Tianxiang: (astonished, helping Zhao Mingchang up) “Uncle!”

Jia’en: (moved) “Dad…”

△ Pu Guangrong is touched by Zhao Mingchang’s sincere attitude.

Guangrong: “Sit, sit down and let’s talk properly.”

Guangrong: (personally pouring tea for Mingchang) “The millet wine here is nothing special. You city people like drinking tea, right? This is Alishan high mountain tea that I grew myself. It won first place in this year’s evaluation.”

Mingchang: (tasting the tea) “Mm! It truly is fine tea. Brother Guangrong, your craftsmanship is excellent.”

Mingchang: “Brother Guangrong, I was thinking, if I build a resort village in Alishan and hand the management rights to Tianxiang, what… what do you think?”

Guangrong: (astonished, pleasantly surprised) “Building a resort village is a very good idea. It can bring prosperity to the area, but…”

Guangrong: (looking toward Tianxiang) “This child Tianxiang is extremely stubborn. In the end, it still depends on his own decision. As his father, my words actually do not carry much weight anymore.”

Jia’en: “Tianxiang…”

Tianxiang: “Thank you for your kindness, Uncle. Although my right hand is crippled, I can still support myself. I do not need your pity.”

Jia’en: (anxiously) “Tianxiang, this is not pity, it is…”

Tianxiang: “There is no need to say more. Please excuse me for a moment.”

△ Tianxiang rises and walks out of the house.

Jia’en: (lowering her head, disappointed) “Tianxiang… Tianxiang…”

△ Meiman stops Jia’en from chasing after him, signaling for her not to rush.

Mingchang: “Brother Guangrong, if I build a resort village here, the local people will gain many job opportunities. If I hand the business over to Tianxiang and the young couple to manage, then I can retire and peacefully enjoy my old age. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Guangrong: “Of course, of course. Brother Mingchang, my son Tianxiang has received such favor from you, and Jia’en is such a talented young woman. Please give me some time to persuade Tianxiang.”

Mingchang: “Very well, I shall await good news, await good news indeed. I should start addressing you as my in-law now.”

Guangrong: “Yes, yes, Brother Mingchang… my in-law.”

Guangrong: (bringing out two cans of high mountain tea and high mountain coffee) “This is just a small token, not worthy of mention.”

Mingchang: “There is coffee as well? My in-law truly has excellent skills. Once the resort village is built, both the tea and coffee will use your products. What do you think?”

Guangrong: “Good, good, good. Our villagers will have jobs in the future.”

△ Zhao Mingchang and Pu Guangrong converse merrily.

59 Night Scene
Characters: Pu Guangrong, Pu Tianxiang
Time: Night (8 PM)
Setting: Dining Room of Pu Guangrong’s Home

△ During dinner.

Guangrong: “Tianxiang, what do you think about the matter the Zhao family discussed?”

Tianxiang: “Dad, Aiyu and I are already discussing marriage. Besides, you and Uncle Shi are old friends. How could I betray Aiyu?”

Guangrong: (putting down his chopsticks) “Tianxiang, three years ago, didn’t you also misunderstand Miss Jia’en? Yet she waited bitterly for you for three years.”

Tianxiang: (angrily) “It was Uncle Zhao who forced me to marry into the family. Dad, you raised me for so many years and worked so hard to support my education. How could I forget my roots for the sake of immediate gain?”

Guangrong: (patting Tianxiang’s shoulder) “Good child, I did not raise you in vain.”

Guangrong: (placing food into Tianxiang’s bowl) “But with your condition now… would you not delay Aiyu’s future? Your hand already…”

Guangrong: (sighing) “Sigh… although we can grow tea and coffee, I am getting old. I do not have many years left to work.”

Tianxiang: “I can learn. Even if I cannot do the planting work myself, we can hire tribespeople to plant, and I can manage the business.”

Guangrong: “Look around. There are fewer and fewer workers now. Everyone wants to go to the cities to make big money. Only a few fools like us remain here.”

Tianxiang: “No, Dad. We grew up here. Toward this homeland, I share the same feelings as you.”

Guangrong: “Child, don’t be foolish. Opportunities like this are not something everyone encounters. Your old father is getting old. Soon I will not be able to work anymore.”

△ Guangrong finishes eating and puts down his chopsticks.

Guangrong: “I’m going out to the yard to enjoy the evening breeze.”

Guangrong: (turning back to look at Tianxiang, smiling, OS) “I wonder what kind of fortune this foolish child of mine has. Even with a crippled hand, there are still two girls so deeply devoted to him.”

△ Tianxiang also puts down his chopsticks, having no appetite.

Tianxiang: (OS, deeply troubled) “Should I really stop delaying Aiyu’s future? Jia’en loves me deeply and sincerely. Can I wrong her again? And Dad—he raised me without complaint or regret. Can I deny him a peaceful old age?”

60 Dusk Scene
Characters: Pu Tianxiang, Shi Aiyu
Time: Dusk
Setting: Danayi Valley

△ As usual, Tianxiang goes to pick Aiyu up after work. The two chat while walking. When they reach Danayi Valley, they sit on rocks beside the stream.

Aiyu: “Tianxiang, what’s wrong? You look so worried.”

Tianxiang: (hesitating) “I…”

Aiyu: (uneasy) “What’s wrong with you?”

Tianxiang: “Jia’en… when we had just graduated from university, we had already talked about marriage. But at that time, her father demanded that I marry into the family, and I refused.”

Aiyu: (understanding) “Mm, and then…”

Tianxiang: “Jia’en agreed to her father’s condition and first went abroad to study. These past few years, she worked hard to complete her studies, all for the purpose of returning earlier… returning…”

Aiyu: (raising her head) “Returning to find you.”

Aiyu: (forcing a smile) “Unchanging love feels like the kind of romantic plot that only exists in movies.”

Aiyu: (lowering her head, speaking slowly, voice trembling) “I… I admire her determination and courage, truly… Tianxiang.”

Tianxiang: (facing Aiyu, holding her hands) “Aiyu, you… you are crying…”

Aiyu: (pretending to be strong) “No… no…”

Tianxiang: (distressed) “A thousand mistakes, ten thousand mistakes, they are all my fault. I…”

Tianxiang: (embracing Aiyu) “My father is old. He raised me for more than twenty years. I should repay him. But how can I repay the emotional debt I owe Jia’en? And how should I treat you so that I do not betray you either? Aiyu, can you tell me?”

Aiyu: (anxiously) “Tianxiang, don’t be like this, alright? Everyone has a past.”

Aiyu: (choking with emotion, wiping away tears) “Anyway… anyway, I have grown tired of life in the mountains. I heard there are more opportunities in the city. I want to go out and struggle while I am still young, save more money, and someday I still want to study painting in France.”

Aiyu: (pretending to be strong) “I do not want to grow old and die deep in the mountains.”

Tianxiang: (painful expression) “Aiyu, you want to leave me?”

Aiyu: (forcing a smile) “Tianxiang, you misunderstand. I originally already had plans to study abroad. But I could not stop worrying about you. Now that Zhao Jia’en is here to take care of you, then I can…”

Tianxiang: “Then you can cast me aside and spread your wings to fly freely without worry?”

Aiyu: “Tianxiang, don’t be like this, alright? Loving someone is not about possessing them, but about blessing them to live a happy life.”