Scene 41 Time/Day Setting/Fudan Hospital Lounge
Characters/ Yang Wenhua, Guo Hansheng, Guo Xinmei
△ Guo Hansheng walks into the lounge and sees Guo Xinmei chatting with Yang Wenhua. The atmosphere seems harmonious and pleasant. Hansheng takes the initiative to walk forward. Wenhua and Xinmei stand up. Hansheng extends both hands to shake hands with Wenhua.
Guo Hansheng: (all smiles) Dr. Yang, I truly owe you an apology! Just now, our Dr. Zhao suddenly displayed some improper behavior...
Guo Xinmei: Dad, Zhao Xiaodong was obviously deliberately causing a disturbance. He was probably jealous and couldn't stand seeing someone better than him.
Guo Hansheng: (trying to smooth things over) Xiaodong has never behaved so disgracefully before. Later, I will call him in and ask clearly what the reason was.
Guo Xinmei: Zhao Xiaodong was really disgraceful! Dad, you're not going to let this go without dealing with it, are you?
Guo Hansheng: I will deal with it. Dr. Yang, since you have expertise in this area, why not consider coming to Shanghai to develop your career? Our hospital's plastic surgery department urgently needs talented people with high-level skills like yours.
Yang Wenhua: Thank you, Director Guo, for valuing a junior like me so highly. But my aspiration in studying medicine has always been to remain in areas lacking medical resources and serve the patients there. I have never considered my own future prospects.
Guo Hansheng: That is truly a pity! Young people often think romantically; I can understand that. However, if your thinking could be a bit more practical, whether for your future development or for benefiting patients, it would actually be a win-win situation!
Guo Xinmei: Dad, I already talked with Brother Yang about this just now. I think Brother Yang's noble spirit of practicing medicine to save lives is worthy of my respect. As for his choice, we should give him our respect.
Guo Hansheng: (giving her a look) Girl...
Guo Hansheng: (forcing a smile) My daughter has very strong opinions. She often argues against me. Dr. Yang, you've had a laugh at my expense.
Scene 42 Time/Day Setting/Fudan Hospital Director's Office
Characters/ Guo Hansheng, Guo Xinmei, Zhao Xiaodong
△ Inside the director's office, Guo Hansheng stands before the floor-to-ceiling window, staring into the distance in a daze.
△ Guo Xinmei knocks and enters, bringing in a glass of juice.
Guo Xinmei: Dad, take a break and have some juice.
△ Guo Hansheng turns around and picks up the juice.
Guo Hansheng: (with a serious expression) Girl, just now you ruined your father's plan.
Guo Xinmei: (surprised) What plan?
Guo Hansheng: Do you know why I wanted to persuade Yang Wenhua to come to Shanghai and take over my plastic surgery department?
Guo Xinmei: I know. But Brother Yang has no intention of doing so.
Guo Hansheng: In another ten years, I will reach retirement age. Before that, I must find a reliable successor with future potential. Yang Wenhua is a first-rate talent, worthy of being recruited by me.
Guo Xinmei: The falling flower may be willing, but the flowing water is heartless. There's nothing we can do about that!
Guo Hansheng: Everyone has selfish motives. Girl, if Yang Wenhua were my son-in-law in the future, then both my career and your lifelong happiness would have a perfect successor. Do you understand your father's thinking?
Guo Xinmei: (suddenly understanding) So that's it—Dad has been thinking that far ahead!
Guo Hansheng: Ten years is all. It will come quickly. Let me ask you, girl: what impression do you have of Yang Wenhua?
Guo Xinmei: (smiling) Yang Wenhua? Very nice! Very humble and sincere.
Guo Hansheng: (gazing into Xinmei's eyes) Girl, what your father is asking is: do you like Yang Wenhua?
Guo Xinmei: (presses her lips together and lowers her head, thinking for a moment) I do! But his heart is in Taiwan.
Guo Hansheng: Then that's easy! If you like Yang Wenhua, then think of a way to win him over.
Guo Xinmei: (looking up) Dad, do you mean you want me to go to Taiwan?
Guo Hansheng: Exactly! The pavilion closest to the water gets the moonlight first. I want to send you to Taiwan, to stay by his side. On one hand, you can learn advanced techniques from him; on the other, you can cultivate feelings with him.
Guo Xinmei: (hesitating) Dad, but...
Guo Hansheng: But what? I know your temper. I would never force you to do something you don't like.
Guo Xinmei: That's not what I mean! Dad, I'm worried that Brother Yang doesn't like me at all...
Guo Hansheng: If you don't make an effort, how do you know Dr. Yang won't accept you?
Guo Xinmei: Fine! I'll do my best. As for that Zhao Xiaodong, you absolutely must punish him!
Guo Hansheng: I know what to do. Go back to work first.
△ Zhao Xiaodong knocks on the door: Director, it's Xiaodong.
Guo Hansheng: Come in.
△ Zhao Xiaodong pushes the door open and comes in, meeting Guo Xinmei face-to-face. Guo Xinmei glares angrily at him. Xiaodong puts on a smiling face. Xinmei leaves without even turning her head.
Zhao Xiaodong: (O.S.) That spoiled young miss definitely complained about me to her father.
Guo Hansheng: Sit down, Xiaodong. Do you know why I called you here?
△ Zhao Xiaodong nods with a bitter smile. He had already been mentally prepared.
Guo Hansheng: Can you explain your abnormal words and behavior at the meeting just now?
Zhao Xiaodong: (stammering) I... I... I just couldn't accept it!
Guo Hansheng: (puzzled) You couldn't accept it? Had Dr. Yang offended you before?
Zhao Xiaodong: (stammering) N-no, but he... he stole... stole my girlfriend!
Guo Hansheng: (curious) Your girlfriend?
Zhao Xiaodong: Mm! As soon as he came to Shanghai, my girlfriend stopped paying attention to me.
Guo Hansheng: Who is your girlfriend?
Zhao Xiaodong: Lin Xiuling!
Guo Hansheng: Lin Xiuling? Mm, you have good taste! From what you said just now, does Lin Xiuling like Yang Wenhua?
Zhao Xiaodong: I think so! Yang Wenhua is Xiuling's senior from the medical department at National Taiwan University. I feel that they have a very good relationship.
Guo Hansheng: Are you certain that Lin Xiuling and Yang Wenhua are already a couple?
Zhao Xiaodong: I think so! Otherwise, when Yang Wenhua came to Shanghai, why would he stay at Lin Xiuling's house?
Guo Hansheng: So you regarded Yang Wenhua as your romantic rival? You deliberately embarrassed him during the meeting?
Zhao Xiaodong: Mm! If the director wants to punish me, I will accept it.
Guo Hansheng: You are a student I value greatly. The relationship between us is not only that of director and doctor.
Zhao Xiaodong: (lowering his head) Teacher, I'm sorry.
Guo Hansheng: Your words and behavior at the meeting embarrassed the hospital, so you must accept punishment for it. However, I can understand your jealousy. I encourage you to pursue Lin Xiuling. She truly would be a good partner for your future career.
Zhao Xiaodong: (moved) Teacher...
Guo Hansheng: But I ask you not to provoke Yang Wenhua again. Don't throw an egg against a rock and ask for trouble.
Zhao Xiaodong: (agitated) But I refuse to accept him!
Guo Hansheng: Yang Wenhua will return to Taiwan in two days. Please keep your temper under control, all right?
Zhao Xiaodong: (dejected) All right.
Guo Hansheng: Go back to work.
△ Zhao Xiaodong stands up and leaves, looking desolate. Guo Hansheng watches Xiaodong's back as he leaves. He already has a plan in mind.
Scene 43 Time/Day Setting/Outside Fudan Hospital, Street
Characters/ Lin Xiuling, Yang Wenhua
△ Lin Xiuling drives her sedan to the entrance of the hospital and waves to Yang Wenhua. Wenhua gets into the front passenger seat. The sedan slowly drives onto the road.
△ Inside the car, Xiuling hands Wenhua a cup of a dark-colored drink.
Lin Xiuling: I specially bought this for you—grass jelly tea.
△ Yang Wenhua takes it and looks at the drink.
Yang Wenhua: You can buy this here too?
Lin Xiuling: It's from a beverage shop opened by Taiwanese people. I found it online.
Yang Wenhua: (curious) Oh? You were born and raised here. I always thought you considered yourself Shanghainese.
Lin Xiuling: Taiwan is still my root after all! Today at the meeting, the things you said in response to Zhao Xiaodong made everyone present feel your original intention of helping the world and saving lives. I was very touched hearing it! Compared with your great and selfless spirit, all I can think about is making money. I really feel ashamed.
Yang Wenhua: Xiuling, everyone has their own choices. You don't need to be influenced by me.
△ The car stops at a red light.
Lin Xiuling: By the way, the ten-year promise with your first love should be this year, right?
Yang Wenhua: Mm. This year's Life Bean Festival in November.
Lin Xiuling: Then I'll make a special trip back. I want to meet her. Am I welcome?
Yang Wenhua: (smiling bitterly) You're always welcome.
Lin Xiuling: If... I mean if... your girlfriend breaks the appointment, or if she...
Yang Wenhua: I know what you want to say.
△ Lin Xiuling turns her face toward him and gazes at Wenhua affectionately.
Lin Xiuling: Wenhua, are you willing to open your heart to me?
Yang Wenhua: Xiuling, I can't answer this hypothetical question right now.
Lin Xiuling: (smiling) I understand that answer! Tonight, let's cook together.
Scene 44 Time/Night Setting/Kitchen of Lin Xiuling's Villa in the Outskirts of Shanghai
Characters/Lin Xiuling, Yang Wenhua, Housekeeper Zhou Hong
△ Lin Xiuling and Yang Wenhua enter the kitchen together and put on cooking aprons.
Zhou Hong: Boss, all the ingredients have been washed and prepared.
Lin Xiuling: (smiling) Thank you for your hard work, Sister Hong.
△ Zhou Hong turns and leaves the kitchen.
Lin Xiuling: Wenhua, I'll be your assistant.
Yang Wenhua: First put the fragrant rice into the rice cooker and cook it. While it is cooking, I will stir-fry the filling.
Lin Xiuling: While you are stir-frying the filling, what should I do?
Yang Wenhua: Find a frying pan and spread a layer of coarse salt in it. Lay the stream shrimp flat on top of the coarse salt, then put it into the microwave and steam-roast it at a low temperature.
Lin Xiuling: Salt-baked stream shrimp. That's simple. Then what?
Yang Wenhua: Rest for a while. When the fragrant rice is about seventy to eighty percent cooked, add bananas to the rice and mash them together evenly with a wooden pestle. Then we can start wrapping the hunter's rice parcels.
Lin Xiuling: So I really guessed it correctly. This morning at the market, I was still wondering what you bought the shell ginger leaves for! So during the lunch break, I deliberately looked it up online and discovered that you were planning to make hunter's rice parcels.
Yang Wenhua: Yes! That way, after I return to Taiwan tomorrow, you can slowly eat this string of hunter's rice parcels.
Lin Xiuling: You're hurrying back tomorrow already? Isn't there still one more day of the conference?
Yang Wenhua: The symposium is only for one morning. I have already booked a plane ticket for two o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Lin Xiuling: (pleading) Can't you stay two more days?
Yang Wenhua: That wouldn't be good! During the time I came here for the conference, all my work has been covered by Director Shao and my junior colleague.
Lin Xiuling: (unable to hide her disappointed expression) I had originally planned to take advantage of the weekend and take you to the nearby scenic areas. Then let us make an agreement first. During the Life Bean Festival, I will go to Alishan to find you.
Yang Wenhua: Mm! Once the hunter's rice parcels are wrapped, we'll stir-fry a plate of sweet potato leaves and cook a luffa and tiny fish soup, then we can start eating.
Lin Xiuling: Let me make those last two dishes.
Scene 45 Time/Night Setting/Dining Room of Lin Xiuling's Villa in the Outskirts of Shanghai
Characters/Lin Xiuling, Yang Wenhua, Housekeeper Zhou Hong
△ In the dining room, Lin Xiuling and Yang Wenhua are sitting opposite each other around a square dining table. On the table are a platter of hunter's rice parcels, a dish of stir-fried sweet potato leaves, a dish of luffa and tiny fish soup, a bottle of red wine, and two glasses. Xiuling pours the red wine into the glasses.
Lin Xiuling: (raising her wine glass) Here's to you, for the successful presentation of your paper.
Yang Wenhua: (raising his glass as well) Mm, Xiuling, thank you for taking care of me these past few days.
△ The two clink glasses.
Lin Xiuling: (smiling) We have to drink it all!
Yang Wenhua: Mm.
△ The two finish a glass.
Lin Xiuling: Wenhua, this is your last night in Shanghai. In a little while, I will play a few piano pieces to see you off.
Yang Wenhua: Oh? So you know how to play the piano.
Lin Xiuling: Yes! Back when we were in school, you almost never came to the recreational activities held by the department, so you never had the chance to hear me play the piano.
Yang Wenhua: Sorry.
Lin Xiuling: Not at all! I heard that you play classical guitar very well. In the past, I likewise never had a chance to hear you play. This time, when I learned that you were coming to Shanghai, I specially went to a music store and picked one out.
Yang Wenhua: Oh? You're really thoughtful, Xiuling.
Lin Xiuling: Since we're exchanging with each other, perhaps I can even accompany you on the piano!
Scene 46 Time/Night Setting/Piano Room of Lin Xiuling's Villa in the Outskirts of Shanghai
Characters/Lin Xiuling, Yang Wenhua
△ In the piano room, Lin Xiuling sits in front of the piano and plays "Mariage d'Amour." Wenhua leans against the piano and listens until the melody ends.
Lin Xiuling: Do you know this piece, Wenhua?
Yang Wenhua: (smiling and nodding) "Mariage d'Amour."
Lin Xiuling: Do you know why I am playing this piece?
△ Wenhua nods.
Lin Xiuling: Wenhua, I know that I cannot replace the place your first girlfriend holds in your heart. I sincerely hope that she will not let down the deep affection you have for her. I want you to obtain happiness.
Yang Wenhua: Thank you, Xiuling.
Lin Xiuling: (smiling sweetly) But if she changes her heart or breaks the appointment, Wenhua, would you be willing to open your heart and let me come in?
Yang Wenhua: Xiuling, you have already asked this question.
Lin Xiuling: All right! I am not in a hurry for you to give me an answer.
△ Lin Xiuling stands up, takes a guitar down from the instrument rack, hands it to Wenhua, and pulls over a chair.
Lin Xiuling: It's your turn to show off a little.
△ Yang Wenhua sits down and begins tuning the guitar.
Yang Wenhua: The material of this guitar is excellent. The tone is very good.
Lin Xiuling: I specially chose it for you. Come to the clinic tomorrow at noon. I'll take you to catch your flight.
△ Yang Wenhua begins playing "Romance d'Amour." Lin Xiuling gazes at Wenhua affectionately. Listening to the piece, Xiuling's eyes gradually become moist.
Lin Xiuling: Ah! "What is love in this world, that it makes people pledge their lives and deaths to each other?" Wenhua...
Yang Wenhua: (looking out the window) If it were possible, I would be willing to take Cien's physical suffering in her place. It has almost been ten years. I do not know whether she has been doing well...
Lin Xiuling: If Cien knew that you treated her this way, then she should not make you suffer.
Scene 47 Time/Day Setting/Director's Office, Fudan Hospital, Shanghai
Characters/Guo Hansheng, Guo Xinmei, Yang Wenhua
△ Inside the director's office, Guo Hansheng and his daughter Guo Xinmei are seeing Yang Wenhua off.
Guo Xinmei: (handing over a small gift box) Brother Yang, this is just a small token of my feelings.
Yang Wenhua: Xinmei, inside this is...?
Guo Xinmei: (smiling) A silver pocket watch.
Guo Hansheng: Dr. Yang, just accept it. In the future, my daughter will still need a lot of your care!
Yang Wenhua: But this is too valuable...
Guo Hansheng: Yesterday I already spoke with President Tang of your main hospital. Starting this year, both sides will send doctors to each other for practical medical exchange. I plan to let Xinmei go and learn some useful skills from you.
Guo Xinmei: (happily) We will be seeing each other very soon.
Yang Wenhua: All right, but our place is only a small city. It is not comparable to Shanghai.
Guo Xinmei: (laughing) Not at all! Taitung City has mountains behind it and the sea in front of it, with beautiful mountains and beautiful water. It is not like here, where there are crowds of people everywhere. I already looked it up online.
Scene 48 Time / Day Setting / Qingxiu Jiaren Cosmetic Medical Clinic, Commercial District, Shanghai City
Characters / Lin Xiuling, Yang Wenhua, Zhang Dongmei, Hu Meimei (Reception Desk), Nurses
△ Yang Wenhua arrives at the cosmetic medical clinic. The moment he enters, he sees a young married woman decked out in gold and silver, one hand on her hip and the other pointing at the duty reception nurse Zhang Dongmei, loudly scolding in anger.
Hu Meimei: What are you acting so arrogant for? It's not as if yours is the only clinic in all of Shanghai City. It's not as if I can't afford to pay...
△ Lin Xiuling walks out from the consultation room and removes her mask.
Lin Xiuling: Miss, I already told you just now, it's not that I'm unwilling to do it for you, it's that the ultrasound showed...
Hu Meimei: I'm getting married in a few months, yet you're saying I have to go for a detailed examination first. You're obviously telling me not to get married at all...
Yang Wenhua: What happened?
Lin Xiuling: This young lady wanted me to perform breast augmentation surgery for her, but during the ultrasound examination just now, I discovered a spot in one of her breasts that appears to be a possible early-stage tumor. I suggested that she first go to a major hospital for a CT scan and a tissue biopsy, in order to determine the nature of that tumor, before I can decide how to handle it afterward.
Yang Wenhua: Xiuling, your concern is correct.
Yang Wenhua: Miss, Doctor Lin's procedure is not wrong. You should first go to a major hospital for a thorough examination.
Hu Meimei: You really do love meddling in other people's business! You're not even a doctor here.
Lin Xiuling: He is my senior schoolmate, a surgeon with highly specialized expertise.
Yang Wenhua: Xiuling, open up this young lady's ultrasound file and let me take a look.
Lin Xiuling: Alright. Miss Hu, please sit down and rest for a moment. After my senior takes a look, perhaps he may have a different method of handling it.
Hu Meimei: Fine! I'll sit down and wait for you to give me an answer.
△ Lin Xiuling leads Wenhua into the consultation room, turns on the ultrasound machine, and displays a data file.
Yang Wenhua: It should be breast cancer, and the cancer cells already show signs of spreading. Did you ask the patient whether there is any family medical history?
Lin Xiuling: I didn't ask that.
Yang Wenhua: First confirm whether it is breast cancer. If it is, then you must consider a mastectomy.
Lin Xiuling: (with a troubled expression) A mastectomy? I'm afraid the patient may find it very difficult to accept.
Yang Wenhua: Even if the patient cannot accept it, you still must explain and analyze it to her and persuade her as much as possible.
Lin Xiuling: I'm worried that after hearing it, the patient will switch to another hospital and find a doctor to perform the breast augmentation.
Yang Wenhua: We cannot allow that to happen. As doctors, saving the patient's life is our first priority. Let us go persuade her together.
Lin Xiuling: Alright then! But aren't you rushing to catch your two o'clock flight?
Yang Wenhua: There is still enough time.
△ Yang and Lin come out together and walk toward the young married woman.
Yang Wenhua: Miss, judging from the ultrasound image, you should have breast cancer, and the cancer cells have already spread. I sincerely suggest that you first go to a major hospital for a detailed examination and undergo thorough treatment...
Hu Meimei: What? So this is the answer you're giving me? I thought you had greater ability. I didn't expect you to be just the same as that Doctor Lin. If you don't want to do it for me, then I'll go find another hospital!
Yang Wenhua: (seriously) Miss, please do not act out of emotion. We are handling this according to SOP procedure, and it is also to protect your physical health. This is our duty as doctors...
Hu Meimei: (interrupting Wenhua) Hey! It's not as if I can't afford to pay, and it's not as if yours is the only hospital in all of greater Shanghai. If you don't want to take my case, I'll leave right away.
△ The rich lady's temper flares up. She turns around and is about to leave, but Lin Xiuling grabs her hand and stops her.
Lin Xiuling: Miss Hu, please don't be like this. We are doing this for your own good as well.
Yang Wenhua: (sternly) Miss, how about this? If you are willing to accept Doctor Lin's recommendation, I will personally perform the tumor removal and breast reconstruction surgery for you.
Hu Meimei: (with a suspicious look) You? Are your skills really good enough?
Lin Xiuling: (surprised) Wenhua, you...
△ Yang Wenhua nods and signals with his eyes.
Lin Xiuling: (in a firm tone) Miss Hu, with my senior Doctor Yang Wenhua's skill, you will not find a second one like him in all of Shanghai.
Hu Meimei: Then alright. I accept your suggestion.
△ Yang Wenhua takes the airplane ticket out of his pocket and hands it to Lin Xiuling.
Yang Wenhua: Xiuling, help me refund this ticket first. I'll go back a few days later.
Lin Xiuling: (joyfully) Alright.
