“The Silent Movement” — A Youth Inspirational Idol Film
This story comes with a 120-minute motion picture screenplay. The film adaptation licensing fee is US$100,000. The producer may request changes to the time period, settings, and portions of the plot. The fees for such changes shall be separately negotiated in the authorization contract.
I. Story Synopsis
Qiu Yu-ling, whose fate has been full of hardships, has gone through two unfortunate marriages and given birth to three children. With the help of her children, she escapes from her second husband, Zhao Dong-ping, who is addicted to drugs, and returns to Tamsui with her three children, Ya-xin, Mei-yin, and You-ji, to seek refuge with her adoptive father, Qiu Yong-lai. Yong-lai’s eldest son, Zhi-qian, and his wife, Ai-jiao, believe that Yu-ling has returned in order to claim a share of the family property, and they are quite hostile toward Yu-ling and her daughters. Fortunately, Yong-lai and his youngest son, Zhi-kun, sincerely accept Yu-ling and her daughters. Whenever Zhi-qian and his wife bully Yu-ling and her daughters, Zhi-kun often steps forward to defend them.
Yu-ling returns to her old trade and goes back to singing and drinking with customers in a nightclub. She is repeatedly bullied by the local gang leader Ma Da-fa and by customers, until the owner, Wu Tai-ran, steps in to help her out of trouble. Ambitious and hardworking, Ya-xin successfully places first in the entrance examination for the gifted class at Taipei First Girls High School, causing Yong-lai and Zhi-kun to feel extremely proud.
Ya-xin has golden hair and sharply defined features, giving her the appearance of a mixed-race girl. Because she became deaf in childhood, she suffers from both hearing and speech impairments. Zhang Xue-ye and the clique of girls known as the “Princess Gang” in her class often seize opportunities to bully Ya-xin. One time, when Xue-ye bullies Ya-xin, their homeroom teacher, Yan Ru-yu, summons Xue-ye’s father, Zhang Ying-ming, and Ya-xin’s mother, Qiu Yu-ling, to the school. Ying-ming recognizes Yu-ling as the sweetheart he had during his student days. The two unexpectedly reunite. Ying-ming has never forgotten his old feelings for Yu-ling, and confesses to her that he is willing to take care of her and her daughters, but Yu-ling politely refuses him.
Ya-xin goes to Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf to look for her young uncle Zhi-kun, and on her way back she meets a street performer named Xi Yang. Xi Yang’s performance arouses Ya-xin’s interest in learning the violin. Xi Yang accepts Ya-xin as his student and teaches her to play the violin. Recognizing both Ya-xin’s talent for music and her spirit of hard work, he introduces her to his close female friend Tang Mei-yun (Candy), who begins teaching Ya-xin the piano.
At the church, Father John learns from Ya-xin that her biological mother is his former wife, Yu-ling. Feeling deeply guilty and indebted toward Yu-ling and her daughter, he wishes to make amends. John seeks out Yu-ling and has a serious talk with her, but Yu-ling politely refuses him. She does not want John to disturb her and her daughter any longer.
When the juvenile delinquent Red Monkey and his gang see Ya-xin alone, they intend to molest her, but Li Zi-xuan and Qin Ri-xin, who happen to pass by, drive them away. Later, Zi-xuan meets Ya-xin at church. It turns out that Zi-xuan is Tang Mei-yun’s younger male cousin, and he is an excellent violinist. Because Ya-xin and Zi-xuan share the same interests, they become close friends of the opposite sex and often practice ensemble playing together.
Under the careful guidance of the musical couple Xi Yang and Tang Mei-yun at the Presbyterian church, Ya-xin progresses rapidly. However, she suffers from not having a piano of her own to practice on. Ordinarily, she can only practice fingering in her room by using piano keys that she has drawn on her desk.
Yu-ling asks Ying-ming for help. Ying-ming arranges for Ya-xin to come to his house and practice together with Xue-ye, but Xue-ye strongly rejects the idea, and Ya-xin does not wish to trouble other people. Yong-lai and Zhi-kun intend to pay for a piano for Ya-xin, but Zhi-qian and Ai-jiao are displeased by this and are scolded into silence by Yong-lai. Yu-ling does not want her family to quarrel because of this matter, and politely declines the kindness of her younger brother Zhi-kun.
Thoughtful Ya-xin does not want her mother and family to be troubled over her worries, but while practicing piano at church, Teacher Tang Mei-yun (Candy) notices that something is troubling her. Mei-yun learns what is on Ya-xin’s mind and in turn informs Father John. Mei-yun arranges for John and Yu-ling to meet. After obtaining Yu-ling’s consent, John pays for an imported grand piano for Ya-xin.
At the piano competition held by the school, Ya-xin defeats her classmate Zhang Xue-ye, who has always thought very highly of herself, and Xue-ye must settle for second place. After this setback, Xue-ye deeply reflects upon herself and decides to learn from Ya-xin. The two girls become close friends who appreciate and understand one another.
Xue-ye’s cousin, Zhao Mu-bai, is a local hoodlum. Thinking himself clever, he wants to avenge Xue-ye. Bringing along Red Monkey and his followers, he smashes Xi Yang’s performance at Fisherman’s Wharf, injures him, and even breaks Ya-xin’s violin. Ying-ming learns of this from the triumphant Mu-bai, and mistakenly believes that his daughter Xue-ye could not accept losing the competition and ordered Mu-bai to make trouble and beat people up. Therefore, he sternly rebukes Xue-ye. Feeling wronged, Xue-ye protests her innocence and directs her anger toward Mu-bai.
Ying-ming takes Xue-ye to the hospital to visit Xi Yang. There, they apologize in person and promise to take responsibility, and Xi Yang forgives them. Xue-ye notices the violin that Mu-bai smashed. After returning home, Xue-ye asks her father Ying-ming to buy a new violin to compensate Ya-xin. Ying-ming feels that Xue-ye has become more mature and sensible, and therefore gladly agrees.
On the day of the practical examination for the Department of Music at National Taiwan Normal University, Xue-ye’s performance on stage is dazzling. When it is Ya-xin’s turn to go on stage, she performs brilliantly in the piano section. However, during the violin examination that follows, the judges notice that the neck of Ya-xin’s violin has been patched with adhesive tape, and they are all astonished.
Ya-xin remembers how Xi Yang was injured by Mu-bai’s disturbance, and how her violin was smashed. Filled with tragic and heroic emotions, she gives an utterly moving performance that deeply touches the judges. However, the sound quality of the violin is simply too poor, and the judges temporarily request that she change to another violin. Seeing this, Xue-ye immediately offers her own violin, allowing Ya-xin to perform again and successfully complete the practical examination.
When the examination results are announced, Ya-xin and Xue-ye take first and second place respectively. Ying-ming presents the violin to Ya-xin as a gift. Zi-xuan is about to go abroad for advanced study. At the farewell party, he and Ya-xin confess their love and make a promise to one another. Xi Yang announces his engagement to Tang Mei-yun.
Five years later, Ya-xin is teaching music at Tamkang High School. Zhao Wu-ji, the school’s art teacher, wishes to pursue Ya-xin romantically, but she politely rejects him. Zhang Mei-ling admires Wu-ji, and Ya-xin tells Wu-ji that she already has a boyfriend and urges him to treat Mei-ling well. Zi-xuan returns after completing his studies abroad and proposes to Ya-xin. Wu-ji finally gives up.
One of Ya-xin’s students, Lin Ting-li, has a hearing impairment but sincerely wishes to learn the violin. In Ting-li, Ya-xin sees her own former self, and she resolves to give him a helping hand. She introduces Ting-li to her own first teacher, Xi Yang. Under Xi Yang’s guidance, Ting-li’s skill on the violin gradually reaches a higher and higher level...
Full Story Outline
Yuling returned to Anping with her three children. Her foster father, Qiu Yonglai, and her younger brother, Qiu Zhikun, greeted her happily; only her elder brother Qiu Zhiqian and his wife wore stern expressions, worried that Yuling had come back to claim family inheritance. Zhikun wanted Yuling to feel at ease, so he led her and the three children into his house. Yaxin obediently helped tidy up. Her younger brother Youji held a paintbrush and drawing paper, concentrating on doodling, while Meiyin continued to sway along to music. That evening, Yaxin stayed up late in the study, diligently reviewing her lessons in preparation for the high school entrance exam.
On the results announcement day, Yonglai accompanied Yaxin to the gate of Tainan Girls’ High School to check the list. Seeing Yaxin’s name on the list, Yonglai was extremely happy and took her to Fucheng to enjoy some local snacks in celebration. After returning home, Yonglai praised Yaxin for her achievements. Aiqiao and Zhiqian were jealous, speaking with a sour tone. Zhikun supported Yaxin and inquired with concern about Yuling’s plans to find a job.
Yaxin went to Anping Fishing Harbor to pick up fresh fish from her uncle Zhikun, who was unloading cargo. On the way back, passing through the market, she encountered a street performer, Xiyang, playing the violin. Yaxin listened, completely absorbed. When the performance ended, Xiyang carried his violin and approached her. After talking, he learned that Yaxin loved music and expressed his willingness to teach her. After bidding farewell to Xiyang, Yaxin walked to a music store entrance, saw a violin, and imagined herself playing it. When she returned from the fantasy to reality, she realized that passersby were watching her strangely. Embarrassed, Yaxin picked up the fish on the ground and quickly left.
After returning home, Yaxin overheard a conversation between Yuling and Yonglai, learning that Yuling planned to work at a karaoke snack bar. At first, Yonglai strongly opposed it, but later relented after Yuling insisted.
That day, Yaxin went to where Xiyang was performing and discovered he was too busy. She proactively offered help. Afterwards, Xiyang handed her a handful of coins and expressed hope that Yaxin could help him daily.
On the first day of school, the homeroom teacher asked students to introduce themselves in turn. When Yaxin began to speak, the class quieted down. The teacher explained Yaxin’s situation to everyone and urged the classmates to help and show love.
That evening, a local thug, Ma Dafa, came to the karaoke snack bar with his henchmen to collect protection money. He groped Yuling, who tried to reason with him in vain, and raised a tray to strike Ma Dafa. Ma Dafa’s men pulled Yuling by her hair and beat her painfully. The bar owner, Wu Tairan, intervened in time to stop the assault. After returning home, Yuling covered her face in pain and hurried into the yard, intending to go straight to her room. Unexpectedly, Zhikun saw her and was surprised by the injuries on her face. Yaxin happened to return home at that moment and felt deeply distressed seeing her mother’s wounds. Zhikun brought medicine for Yuling and hurriedly comforted the crying mother and daughter.
After school, Yaxin went to find Xiyang and saw him packing up his instruments. Xiyang said that the Presbyterian Church choir would soon perform, so he had been helping with rehearsals there and asked if Yaxin would like to join. Through Xiyang, Yaxin met the church’s female piano teacher, Miss Candy. When Candy learned Yaxin loved music, she immediately held Yaxin’s hands on the piano and taught her to recognize musical scales.
Yaxin placed a long strip of paper with black-and-white keys drawn on her desk and concentrated, playing the silent piano keys. Qiu Dafu stealthily approached her from behind, intending to scare her, but failed. He grabbed the hearing aid on the desk and ran off, and her uncle intervened to retrieve it.
Yan Ruyu was reading one of Yaxin’s essays aloud. Yaxin became the center of attention among her classmates for the first time. However, the so-called “Princess Gang,” led by Zhang Xueye, looked on with disdain. After class, the “Princess Gang” blocked Yaxin in the hallway, insulting her with one comment after another and forcefully threw her backpack out of the window. Teacher Yan Ruyu happened to pass by, immediately stopped them, and took Zhang Xueye and the gang to the teacher’s office for a scolding.
Due to the bullying incident by the Princess Gang, Teacher Yan recorded the incident in Zhang Xueye’s contact book and arranged a meeting with Xueye’s father. As a result, when Xueye returned home, she was scolded by her father, Zhang Yingming. The next day, Zhang Yingming, at the teacher’s request, went to the school office to communicate and planned to apologize in person to Yaxin’s parents. There, he discovered that Yaxin’s mother, Qiu Yuling, was his old classmate. They arranged to have coffee and catch up. After learning of Yuling’s hardships over the years, Zhang Yingming felt pity and deep attachment. That evening, at the “Old Love Karaoke” restaurant, Yuling was forced to drink by several patrons. Wu Tairan, the owner who admired Yuling, stepped in to shield her from being pressured.
That day, Yaxin’s younger sister, Meiyin, now in junior high, saw a wealthy classmate using expensive stationery and designer hair accessories, feeling envious. At home, she begged her mother for more pocket money to buy a hairband. Yuling refused and scolded her a little. Annoyed, Meiyin ran off, deliberately giving Yaxin a small push as she left. Youji kept his head down, drawing, creating an image of a dark-colored Charizard angrily roaring at two women.
Yaxin, who loved music, sat at the church piano, playing attentively while Candy guided her. Xiyang then entered with his violin, asking about her progress. Candy commented that Yaxin was very promising. That evening, Yuling was busy in the kitchen preparing braised pork and tried to call Yaxin to help, but Yaxin didn’t appear. Yuling went to her room and saw Yaxin focused on playing the silent piano. After learning that church teachers were teaching Yaxin piano, Yuling supported her daughter’s studies. Youji continued doodling, and Meiyin focused on watching a singing show, occasionally humming along.
Finding the house out of rice, Yuling asked Yaxin and Meiyin to go to the supermarket together. Reluctantly, Meiyin went with Yaxin. They ran into classmates, and when the classmates learned Yaxin was deaf, they expressed surprise and sympathy, causing Meiyin embarrassment. She demanded Yaxin not walk with her.
After the karaoke snack bar closed, Wu Tai wanted to escort Yuling home, but Yuling politely declined.
After street performing, Yaxin helped Xiyang pack his instruments. Xiyang went to buy herbal tea across the street and returned to offer it to Yaxin. They talked about his hometown and dreams, encouraging Yaxin to pursue her own dreams bravely.
During class break, Yaxin sat reading. Xueye glanced at her, then turned away with disdain. Members of the Princess Gang deliberately approached Yaxin, mocking her. Yaxin discreetly turned off her hearing aid, entering a silent world. The Princess Gang gestured wildly, appearing like clowns in her eyes.
That evening, Zhang Yingming’s car slowly stopped at the corner across from “Old Love Karaoke,” waiting for Yuling to finish work, planning a chance encounter to take her to the beach. Yuling and Yingming strolled along the sand, chatting, while the driver leaned against the car door, silently smoking.
The school announced a piano competition. Xueye and the Princess Gang occupied the space in front of the bulletin board, while Yaxin watched from the side. After school, Yaxin went to the Presbyterian Church to practice piano, telling Xiyang and Teacher Candy about the competition. They encouraged her to participate. At home, Yaxin also told her mother, Yuling, who expressed her support.
Zhang Yingming called Yuling and, upon learning that Yaxin also intended to participate in the piano competition, proactively offered for Yaxin to practice at his home. Zhiqian happened to overhear Yuling’s conversation. That evening, during dinner, Zhiqian mocked and ridiculed the piano competition, while Yonglai and Zhikun expressed support and promised to help Yaxin hire a piano teacher. Meiyin, displeased, said, “Why learn piano if I’m deaf? I might as well learn singing myself.” Yuling scolded her, and Meiyin, frustrated, set down her bowl and stormed to her room.
Yaxin remembered that her younger sister’s birthday was approaching. When she returned to her room, Meiyin had already sulked herself to sleep. Yaxin opened a small tin box and counted the coins inside, planning to buy a hairband as a gift for Meiyin. At the boutique, she discovered that she didn’t have enough money, but after the shop owner learned about Yaxin’s situation, she sold it at a reduced price. That night, Yaxin gave the gift to Meiyin, but Meiyin acted ungrateful. Later, during the night, Meiyin secretly got up, put on the hairband, and admired herself in the mirror. Pretending to sleep, Yaxin watched her sister’s happiness and smiled faintly before falling asleep herself.
After school, the driver was waiting outside to pick up Xueye. When Xueye found out that Yaxin would also be going home, she scowled, climbed into the backseat, and completely ignored Yaxin. Upon entering the house, Xueye threw her backpack on the sofa and went straight to the piano room. Yaxin followed and hesitated at the door, unsure whether to enter. Yingming then brought Yaxin to another piano inside the room.
Xueye vented her anger by playing the piano recklessly. The piano tutor stood beside her, noticing her lack of focus, and casually praised Yaxin. Angered, Xueye got up and left. The tutor hurried after her. Yaxin silently stopped playing and lowered her head, feeling embarrassed. Xueye didn’t practice further and idly flipped through a magazine. Her cousin Mubai arrived to take her out. Initially unwilling, Xueye changed her mind when she heard piano music from the room.
After returning home, Yaxin told her mother, Yuling, that she didn’t want to practice at Yingming’s house. Zhikun, standing outside the living room, overheard the conversation and decided to help Yaxin buy a piano. The next day, dressed in tall rubber boots and fisher attire, Zhikun went to the music store to inquire about piano prices. Yonglai, seeing the piano catalog in Zhikun’s hands, said he would help pay for it. Zhiqian and his wife strongly opposed, but Yonglai was unmoved. When Yuling stepped into the courtyard, she was suddenly subjected to sarcastic remarks from Zhiqian and his wife over the piano. Yuling urged her father not to buy it, but Yonglai insisted she leave it alone.
At school, Yaxin participated in the contestant selection for the piano competition. The judges noticed the hearing aid on her ear and began to discuss it. At first, Yaxin was nervous, making her playing somewhat stiff. Once her emotions stabilized, she gradually performed well. At home, the phone rang. Yonglai answered and heard from Yaxin’s teacher that she had passed the school piano competition selection. Overjoyed, Yonglai urged Zhikun to hurry and ask the music store when the piano could be delivered.
Yaxin ran energetically to the Presbyterian Church to inform Candy and Xiyang that she had passed the school selection. They were delighted and wanted to treat her, but Yaxin insisted she had to go home and tell her mother first. Returning home, she found the house empty. Zhikun came running, took her hand, and led her to the warehouse, where everyone was crowded together, seemingly watching something. There, she saw the new piano in the middle of the warehouse. Meiyin silently left, her expression serious, though Yaxin noticed the subtle change in her sister’s demeanor. Yaxin went to her room, found Meiyin asleep with her head covered, and gently touched the keyboard she had drawn herself on the desk. On Meiyin’s desk, she noticed a registration form for a singing competition.
When Meiyin came home later, she heard Yaxin playing the piano and realized that Yaxin was playing the piece designated for her competition. Meiyin was momentarily stunned, standing at the doorway. Yaxin encouraged Meiyin to sing along. Yuling, witnessing her daughters interacting harmoniously, felt comforted.
After passing the piano selection, Teacher Yan Ruyu congratulated Yaxin and asked what she planned to do after graduating high school. Seeing that Yaxin hadn’t decided, the teacher handed her a brochure for the independent admission program at National Taiwan Normal University’s Music Department. Yaxin returned to her seat to browse it. The Princess Gang attempted to provoke her, but Yaxin silently turned off her hearing aid. Their attempt failed, and they left in frustration.
Zhikun was in the yard, tidying up, when he overheard the conversation.
