Scene 21 Time / Day Setting / High School Music Classroom Characters / Yu Renjie, Chai Yuqing
▲ Inside the high school music classroom, Yu Renjie is sitting in front of the piano, completely absorbed in playing a piece of music. A scorebook is placed on the piano stand. Chai Yuqing walks over and stands at the doorway listening for a while, until the piece ends.
Chai Yuqing: (walking over while applauding) The melody of this piece is very moving. It has a kind of bleak, weathered sadness to it, but how come Ive never heard it before? It couldnt be a piece you wrote, could it?
▲ Renjie stands up. His face flushes red from shyness. Yuqing notices the handwritten music score on the stand and curiously picks it up to look through it.
Chai Yuqing: (curious) You wrote this? There are even lyrics on it!
▲ Renjie smiles and nods.
Chai Yuqing: I didnt expect you to be so talented. The piece you just played was this one: “Remember Our First Meeting That Year,” right?
▲ Renjie nods.
Chai Yuqing: The imagery in the lyrics is very good. Its already poetry. You can write both lyrics and music. In the future, the band will really have to rely on you to hold up half the sky.
▲ Having been praised, Renjie becomes a little nervous, and his face cannot help twitching again.
Chai Yuqing: Dont be nervous. Sit down and play a few more pieces for the teacher.
▲ Renjie sits down and begins to play. While listening to the music, Chai Yuqing looks at the score, her expression intoxicated, until two more pieces have been played.
Chai Yuqing: Renjie, make a photocopy of this scorebook for me. Ill do some arrangements for you, and then give them to everyone to practice.
▲ Renjie becomes anxious upon hearing this and hurriedly waves both hands.
Chai Yuqing: You dont need to feel embarrassed. Every one of the pieces youve written is wonderful. The teacher is full of confidence in you.
Scene 22 Time / Day Setting / Pavilion Beside the Pool on the High School Campus Characters / Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya, Wu Yuetian, Jin Meiren, Princess Clique
▲ Drawn by the singing, Renjie walks toward the pavilion by the pool. ▲ Wu Yuetian is playing the guitar and singing the duet “Visiting Spring” together with Jiang Muya. Jin Meiren and a whole group of girls from the Princess Clique surround the two of them, cheering and making a commotion.
Jiang Muya: That year we came to the little mountaintop, to the mountaintop with fine and heavy rain. Wu Yuetian: Your hair scattered into spring, and we walked into a poem rich with imagery. Wu Yuetian: You said I was like a poetic raindrop, gently drifting toward your rosy cheeks. Jiang Muya: Ah~~ I was intoxicated several times. I~~~ was intoxicated several times.
▲ Wu Yuetian and Jiang Muya gaze at each other deeply through the song.
Jin Meiren: So wonderful! Princess Girl A: It sounds so good!
▲ The muscles on Renjies face cannot help but twitch violently.
Yu Renjie: (V.O.) Muya, do you really like Wu Yuetian?
Scene 23 Time / Day Setting / High School Music Classroom Characters / Yu Renjie, Chai Yuqing, Jiang Muya
▲ Inside the high school music classroom, Yu Renjie is sitting in front of the piano in a daze. Yuqing comes over to his side.
Chai Yuqing: You have something on your mind, dont you, Renjie?
▲ A bitter smile appears on Renjies face.
Chai Yuqing: Are you willing to tell me about it?
▲ Renjie nods, takes out paper and pen, and writes down two lines: I like Jiang Muya, but I dont dare tell her.
Chai Yuqing: So thats it! Secretly loving someone is very painful, although the teacher has no experience in this area. Yu Renjie: (writing) The person Muya likes is Yuetian. Chai Yuqing: Even though the person Muya likes is Yuetian, you can still find a chance to confess your feelings to her. Yu Renjie: (writing) Im afraid of making a fool of myself! Chai Yuqing: Silly child, even if there is a chance you may be rejected, you still have to let Muya know that you like her.
▲ Renjie nods, and a smile blossoms on his face.
Chai Yuqing: Thats more like it! Ive finished doing the arrangements for your songs. I first recorded two of them on piano. Ill play them for you.
▲ Chai Yuqing places the CD into the player tray and presses play. Piano melodies immediately begin to sound. Teacher and student listen together. At this moment, Jiang Muya enters through the back door. Hearing the piano music, she stops to listen appreciatively until the melodies of the two songs finish.
Chai Yuqing: I tried to compose according to the imagery in your lyrics, preserving that sense of bleakness and loneliness.
▲ Jiang Muya walks over.
Jiang Muya: Teacher, who wrote these two songs? Chai Yuqing: Renjie wrote them. They sound very moving, dont they? Jiang Muya: Mm! They feel very sad. I never expected Renjie to write songs. Chai Yuqing: Renjies talent is no less than that of the recently deceased Zhang Yusheng. Muya, do you want to sing these two songs? Jiang Muya: Can I? Chai Yuqing: Actually, Renjie has written many wonderful songs. It would suit you quite well to sing them. Jiang Muya: Okay!
▲ Chai Yuqing takes two sheets of music from a folder.
Chai Yuqing: Take a look at these two songs first. I will arrange time for you and Renjie to practice together.
▲ Muya takes the sheet music and softly hums.
“Remember our first meeting that year, when the west wind stirred up catkins across the city, drifting like rain cupped in the palm...”
Scene 24 Time / Day Setting / Pavilion Beside the Pool on the High School Campus Characters / Wu Yuetian, Jin Meiren, Jiang Muya
▲ Inside the pavilion, Wu Yuetian and Jin Meiren are cuddling together. Yuetian has his arms around Jin Meiren, and the two interact intimately.
Jin Meiren: Yuetian, do you like me, or that red-haired Jiang Muya? Wu Yuetian: Of course I like you! How could Jiang Muya compare with you? Jin Meiren: Let me tell you, actually a lot of boys are pursuing me. Wu Yuetian: I know what you want to say. Jin Meiren: If youre not sincere toward me, think for yourself what the consequences will be. Wu Yuetian: Dont be so suspicious!
▲ Under the shade of a tree not far away stands Jiang Muya. She is craning her neck toward the pavilion.
Jiang Muya: (V.O.) Yuetian, why is the person you like her?
Scene 25 Time / Day Setting / High School Music Classroom Characters / Yu Renjie, Chai Yuqing, Jiang Muya
▲ Inside the high school music classroom, Yu Renjie accompanies on the electronic keyboard while Jiang Muya sings the song “Blue Tears”:
“The waves shatter upon the uneasy reef, crystal-clear droplets blooming into roses. The azure sea gathers into a bud, a blue tear in your eyes. / Blue tears are the remorse of deep affection. The love that has been given is so exhausting. It is as if ocean currents are destined only to briefly intersect. Better that the next life be a beautiful reincarnation. / The seabirds can all understand your sorrow, but my helplessness has never been understood. The lovely figure living in your mind is a flower bud that has bloomed and never withered. Yet I, standing beside you and loving you, am only a deeply affectionate and unregretful blue tear.”
Chai Yuqing: (applauding) You sang this song very well. You expressed the helplessness and bitterness in the song very naturally. Jiang Muya: Thank you, teacher. Chai Yuqing: Renjie has written these songs wonderfully. He is only in his early teens, yet he can write songs so profound and moving. It truly is not easy.
▲ Hearing his teacher praise him so highly, Renjie blushes.
Chai Yuqing: At the concert at the beginning of next semester, these songs written by Renjie will be the grand finale. I believe that when the time comes, they will certainly amaze the audience. Practice well, and let us look forward together to that concert. Jiang Muya: Okay, teacher.
Scene 26 Time / Day Setting / Jiang Muyas Bedroom Characters / Jiang Muya, Vivian (Jiangs Mother)
▲ In the bedroom, Jiang Muya is listening to the song she recorded playing from the stereo, her expression intoxicated. Vivian walks in and stands behind her listening. Muya remains completely unaware.
Vivian: You sang very well! I am proud of you! Jiang Muya: Thank you, Mommy. These songs were all written by a classmate in my band. Vivian: Really? Your classmate is that talented? Jiang Muya: Yes! The teacher praised him and said he is no less than Zhang Yusheng. Its just a pity that he cant speak... Vivian: What? Your classmate is mute? Jiang Muya: I heard from my classmates that he became mute because his vocal cords were injured. Vivian: What a pity! Muya, your old illness hasnt acted up again, has it? Jiang Muya: Not recently. Vivian: Thats good. Mommy supports you in developing your interests, but you still have to put your studies first. Jiang Muya: I know, Mommy.
Scene 27 Time / Day Setting / High School Auditorium Characters / Yu Renjie, Chai Yuqing, Jiang Muya, Wu Yuetian, Tao Mingliang, Qiu Shuyao, band members, Jin Meiren, principal, teachers, students
▲ Inside the high school auditorium, the band “Youth Suite” is holding its performance concert on stage. Jiang Muya and Wu Yuetian open the show by singing a duet of “Visiting Spring,” and the atmosphere on site is lively.
▲ The song is still being sung when Jiang Muya suddenly rolls her eyes back, foams at the mouth, convulses all over, and collapses limply. A commotion breaks out at the scene. Chai Yuqing rushes out from the side of the stage. Yu Renjie also stops accompanying and rushes over, but Wu Yuetian stands there stunned, coldly watching from the side.
Chai Yuqing: Renjie, quickly help me lift Muya up.
▲ The two of them help Muya up. Renjie nervously gestures in sign language.
Chai Yuqing: I know, this is an epileptic seizure. Help me find a clean towel, pry open her mouth and let her bite on it, so that she wont bite her tongue.
▲ Unexpectedly, after hearing the teacher say this, Renjie does not hesitate for a second and lets Muya bite into the flesh on the back of his own hand.
Chai Yuqing: (crying out in alarm) Renjie, what are you doing? If you do this, you will get hurt.
▲ Renjie endures the pain. The muscles on his face twitch. Muya leans diagonally against his chest.
Chai Yuqing: (calling out) Yuetian, Mingliang, the two of you go to the infirmary and bring back a stretcher.
Tao Mingliang: Yes, teacher.
▲ Tao Mingliang turns around and is about to leave, but Wu Yuetian still does not move at all.
Chai Yuqing: Yuetian, what are you still standing there for?
▲ Tao Mingliang turns back and pulls on Wu Yuetians sleeve.
Wu Yuetian: (with an unwilling expression) Fine, Ill go.
▲ The two of them quickly walk off the stage.
Chai Yuqing: (concernedly) It hurts a lot, doesnt it? Renjie, look, blood is already seeping out. Ill go get my handkerchief. Endure it a little longer.
▲ Chai Yuqing stands up and goes behind the stage, where she finds two handkerchiefs and a box of tissues. When she comes back, Muya has already regained consciousness.
Chai Yuqing: (concernedly) Muya, youre awake. You really gave us a fright just now.
Jiang Muya: (eyes reddening) Im sorry, teacher. I ruined the concert.
Chai Yuqing: Your health is more important. Dont worry about the concert for now. Renjie, your hand is bleeding. Ill help you bandage it and stop the bleeding.
▲ Chai Yuqing first uses tissues to wipe the wound on the back of Renjies hand, then ties the two handkerchiefs together and wraps up that hand.
Chai Yuqing: There, youve been hurt like this. For the rest of the accompaniment work, let me do it instead. Go to the infirmary and have the nurse disinfect it and apply medicine.
▲ Renjie nods.
Scene 28 Time / Day Setting / Living Room of Yu Renjies Home Characters / Chai Yuqing, Yu Dawei, Huang Meihong, Yu Renjie
▲ In the living room of Renjies house, Meihong is talking with Chai Yuqing on the telephone.
Huang Meihong: So thats what happened. I was just about to ask Renjie. Okay, I understand. Thank you, teacher, for your concern.
▲ Dawei puts down the newspaper.
Huang Meihong: The teacher called and said that Renjie hurt the back of his hand while trying to save a female classmate who was having an epileptic seizure.
Yu Dawei: Good boy. So it turns out you were injured while playing the hero saving a beauty. Then I have nothing to say.
Huang Meihong: Honey, stop teasing our son.
Yu Dawei: When are you and our son finally going to move back to Taipei? Its been several years already. Your anger should have cooled down by now, right?
Huang Meihong: Lets wait until our son graduates from high school.
Yu Dawei: Fine then. I guess Ill just have to keep taking the bus back every weekend to be with you. Son, you were willing to let that girl bite you in order to save her. She must be pretty cute, right? Some day bring her home and let us evaluate her.
Huang Meihong: What nonsense are you talking? Youre being so improper.
Yu Dawei: How am I? Im being very serious. Our son is already at the age of puberty. Its perfectly normal for him to want to date girls. Besides, I trust his judgment.
Huang Meihong: Youre getting more and more off-topic. Im not talking to you anymore. Son, how bad is your hand? Let Mom take a look.
Yu Renjie: (sign language) Its nothing serious. Im fine.
Huang Meihong: Just let Mom take a look.
▲ Meihong unties the bandage on Renjies hand.
Huang Meihong: Luckily the wound isnt deep.
Yu Dawei: That girl bit you because she wants you to remember her forever.
Huang Meihong: Honey, stop talking nonsense. I heard from the teacher that that girl has epilepsy.
Yu Dawei: Epilepsy is indeed a troublesome illness. Our sons Tourette syndrome still hasnt gotten better yet.
▲ Hearing his parents say this, Renjie feels uncomfortable inside.
Huang Meihong: Son, whats wrong?
▲ Renjie shakes his head.
Huang Meihong: Mom doesnt think you shouldnt have been hurt while saving that girl. I just think that at a time like this, you should put your schoolwork first. If you want a girlfriend, wait until youre in college, and then take your time choosing.
Yu Dawei: What your mother says is right. Son, I believe that with your intelligence, you should be able to understand what we mean.
▲ Renjie lowers his head. He no longer wants to make any explanation.
Scene 29 Time / Day Setting / Jiang Muyas Dining Room, Muyas Bedroom Characters / Jiang Muya, Vivian, Jiang Kefeng (Jiangs father)
▲ In the dining room, the Jiang family is eating dinner.
Jiang Kefeng: I heard from your mommy that your old illness acted up again.
▲ Muya lowers her head and eats in silence. Vivian quickly gives her husband a look.
Jiang Kefeng: I think you should continue taking your medicine.
Jiang Muya: (raising her head, tears in her eyes) I dont want to. I dont want to.
Vivian: Daddy, since our daughter doesnt want to, dont force her.
Jiang Kefeng: Im doing it for her own good.
▲ Muya puts down her bowl and chopsticks and suddenly stands up.
Jiang Muya: Im not eating anymore.
▲ Muya turns around and leaves, leaving Jiang Kefeng dumbfounded.
Jiang Kefeng: (angrily) See? What kind of attitude is that?
Vivian: Stop it. Ill go in and check on her.
▲ Vivian gets up from the table and goes to her daughters bedroom. Muya is hugging a Winnie the Pooh doll and sitting at her desk, sulking. Vivian opens her arms and hugs Muya from behind, resting her face against Muyas long hair.
Vivian: Baby, dont be unhappy. Your dad is doing it for your own good.
Jiang Muya: (crying) Mommy, I ruined the concert.
Vivian: Its okay. This wasnt your fault.
Jiang Muya: (crying) I even bit Yu Renjie.
Vivian: (puzzled) April Fools Day?
Jiang Muya: I mean Yu Renjie, the boy who is very good at writing songs.
Vivian: Oh? How could someone have such an interesting name?
Jiang Muya: Mommy! Im being serious.
Vivian: All right! Some day take me to his house, and we will thank him in person.
Scene 30 Time / Day Setting / High School Music Classroom Characters / Yu Renjie, Chai Yuqing, Jiang Muya
▲ Inside the high school music classroom, Muya is shedding tears in self-reproach.
Jiang Muya: Teacher, Im sorry...
Chai Yuqing: Relax a little! No one will blame you for this, Muya.
Yu Renjie: (sign language) Muya, you do not need to blame yourself for this.
Jiang Muya: Renjie, I didnt get the chance to sing the songs you wrote. I really feel very sorry toward you...
Yu Renjie: (sign language) Muya, there will still be chances in the future.
Chai Yuqing: Muya, what we hope for is that you live healthily.
▲ In Muyas mind appears Wu Yuetian on the stage, that cold and contemptuous face from that moment. She cannot help but be overcome with sorrow.
Jiang Muya: I shouldnt have hidden my epilepsy, but I was worried that if I had told you earlier, perhaps you would not have given me the chance to stand on the performance stage...
Chai Yuqing: You are truly overthinking it. We would not deny all the effort you have made because of your hidden illness.
▲ Renjie takes out paper and pen and writes: I have Tourette syndrome. I once even wanted to give up on life, but after I lost my voice, instead I came to understand many things, and became stronger.
Chai Yuqing: If Renjie can do it, then you definitely can too, Muya.
