Scene 111 – Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: Hospital X-ray Room
Characters: Yu Renjie, Zhu Zhihui, Jiang Sijie, Shen Tingting
▲ Several head X-ray films are displayed.
Zhu Zhihui: “Renjie, look at these. This shadow in the cranial cavity—I suspect it’s a malignant tumor.”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “Malignant tumor?”
Zhu Zhihui: “Yes. Besides the stroke, she has blurred vision and auditory hallucinations. Likely the tumor is compressing vessels and the optic nerve. I’ll arrange a CT scan.”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “I’ll handle her admission.”
▲ Renjie leaves, walking back in a daze.
▲ Muya sees him and props herself up.
Jiang Muya: “What are the results?”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “You need hospitalization for further examination.”
Jiang Muya: “What about Sijie?”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “I’ll take him to my mother.”
△ Cut.
▲ Tingting enters the X-ray room.
Shen Tingting: “Senior Zhu, can you tell me about that patient?”
Zhu Zhihui: “She likely has a malignant brain tumor causing stroke and vision issues.”
▲ He reattaches the films.
Zhu Zhihui: “The tumor is deep, near the brainstem and thalamus.”
Shen Tingting: “Meaning…”
Zhu Zhihui: “Even with surgery and radiation, it’s very risky, with high recurrence and short survival.”
Shen Tingting: “I see. Thank you.”
▲ Tingting leaves, stands in the emergency department, and watches Renjie and Muya from afar.
Scene 112 Time/Day Setting/High School Music Classroom Characters/Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya
Scene 112 – Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: Yu Renjie’s home living room
Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Sijie, Huang Meihong, Shen Tingting
▲ Renjie brings Sijie home. Meihong is in the living room answering the phone.
Huang Meihong: “Tingting, Renjie just got back. Do you want to come over now?”
Shen Tingting: “After I finish my shift, I’ll go directly to the dorm to find him.”
▲ Meihong hangs up the phone.
Huang Meihong: “Whose child is this?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “My son. Your grandson.”
Huang Meihong: (shocked) “Don’t scare me! Since when do you have such a big son? How come I’ve never heard you mention it?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “He is Jiang Muya’s and my son.”
Huang Meihong: “Jiang Muya? How did she end up pregnant with your child?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I only just found out too. Muya brought the child to find me.”
Huang Meihong: “Son, are you sure this child is your flesh and blood?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Yes. Sijie also has Tourette syndrome.”
Huang Meihong: “What a karmic entanglement! Then how are you going to explain this to Tingting? You two were already talking about marriage.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I have the obligation to take care of Muya and her son. I can only let Tingting down.”
Huang Meihong: “Son, don’t you think this is unfair to Tingting?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I have no other choice, Mom.”
Huang Meihong: “Then you should explain it properly to Tingting. Sigh! How did things turn out like this…”
▲ On the sofa, Meihong holds her forehead, her thoughts in turmoil.
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Muya is hospitalized for examination. Please take care of the child for a few days.”
Huang Meihong: “Muya is hospitalized? What happened to her?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “It might be brain cancer. Further confirmation is needed.”
Huang Meihong: “Brain cancer? Is it serious?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I’m waiting for the test results.”
Huang Meihong: “Sigh… I don’t even know what to say! I’ll take care of the child. Go deal with things quickly.”
Scene 113 – Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: Doctor’s dormitory living room
Characters: Yu Renjie, Shen Tingting
▲ Tingting brings over a glass of juice.
Shen Tingting: “How is Muya’s condition now?”
▲ Renjie takes a sip of juice.
Yu Renjie: (surprised, sign language) “How do you know?”
Shen Tingting: “I followed you to the hospital and also asked Senior Zhu in the X-ray room.”
Yu Renjie: (unhappy, sign language) “Why would you do that?”
Shen Tingting: “Of course I had to find out why you went out in the middle of the night.”
Yu Renjie: (unhappy, sign language) “Now that you’ve found out, what do you think?”
Shen Tingting: “From your tone, it sounds like you’re accusing me of taking pleasure in her misfortune?”
Yu Renjie: (unhappy, sign language) “You do have that motive, don’t you?”
Shen Tingting: “Renjie, first, I don’t want to argue with you when your mind is already in turmoil; second, my tolerance may not be very great, but my heart is not vicious at all. So don’t try to pick a fight with me, and don’t try to label me.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Fine. I didn’t intend to argue with you either.”
Shen Tingting: “What exactly is Muya’s condition? You’re an expert in this field.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “If it is confirmed to be a malignant tumor, even if I perform the surgery myself, I’m not very confident.”
Shen Tingting: “You mean the difficulty of surgical removal is quite high?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Not only is the surgery highly risky, but unless the tumor is completely removed, the chance of recurrence later is still very high.”
Shen Tingting: “Then if no surgery is done and only medication is used to control it, how long is the survival time?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “About three to six months.”
Shen Tingting: “That short? Sigh… now we can only pray it’s not malignant.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “The results will come out in a couple of days.”
Shen Tingting: “Renjie, if Muya is cured, would you consider getting back together with her?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I don’t know. My mind is in chaos. I can’t think about or answer hypothetical questions like that right now.”
Shen Tingting: “Alright. During this time, I won’t press you anymore. Let time solve this triangle problem.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Thank you for your understanding.”
Shen Tingting: (bitter smile) “If I obtain it, it is my fortune; if I don’t, it is my fate. If you are meant to be my husband, you won’t escape; if you are meant to be Muya’s husband, no matter how I fight, I can’t win against her, right?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Why do you have to press me with words?”
Shen Tingting: “I’m not pressing you. Renjie, from the moment you discovered my singing voice resembled Muya’s, that was when you were willing to accept me, wasn’t it?”
▲ Renjie gives a bitter smile and remains silent for a moment.
Shen Tingting: “Deep in your soul, I have always just been a substitute. Muya is your true love in this lifetime. I’m not wrong, am I?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “And you say you’re not pressuring me?”
Shen Tingting: “I’m only speaking my true feelings.”
Scene 114 – Daytime Scene
Time: Afternoon
Setting: Teacher’s dormitory, Hongye Elementary School, Taitung
Characters: Chen Yunru, Wagang
▲ On the weekend, inside the dormitory, Wagang plays guitar and sings “Since I First Met You,” looking intoxicated. Chen Yunru stands at the door holding two bags of hot pot ingredients, listening and secretly smiling.
Chen Yunru: (OS) “And you still insist you never had a crush on Jiang Muya.”
▲ After finishing the song, Wagang notices Yunru.
Chen Yunru: “I’ve heard Teacher Muya sing this song. You were so absorbed just now, I didn’t dare disturb you.”
Wagang: “Just singing for self-entertainment to pass time. Don’t tease me, Yunru.”
Chen Yunru: “Since you miss Muya so much, just give her a call. We’re all adults—no need to act so stiff.”
Wagang: (foolish smile) “You’ve seen right through me.”
Chen Yunru: “Your secret crush on Muya isn’t really a secret. People just feel you’re the one who suffered, because the falling flower has no intention while the flowing water is full of feeling.”
Wagang: (bitter smile) “Haha! Don’t make me the topic as soon as we meet. What are we eating tonight?”
Chen Yunru: “These two bags—Marine Corps style.”
Wagang: (curious) “What kind of thing is ‘Marine Corps’?”
Chen Yunru: “Beef, lamb, pork slices, plus fish, shrimp, and shellfish.”
Wagang: “I see. That should be called delicacies from land and sea.”
Chen Yunru: “Weren’t you in the Marine Corps? Didn’t you boast about ‘frogs in water, six nuggets’?”
Wagang: (laughing) “You twisted it like that. I said ‘sea dragons with six-pack abs.’”
Chen Yunru: “Anyway, it sounds about the same! I bought the ingredients. You cook. As agreed—women handle outside, men cook inside.”
Wagang: “Alright! If I go back on my word, I’d be going against my own stomach. I’ll take this to the kitchen. You go watch cable TV in your room. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Chen Yunru: “That’s more like it! This empress returns to her palace.”
Wagang: (OS) “Oh my… just don’t go into a trance.”
Scene 115 – Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: NTU Hospital X-ray room, Emergency Department
Characters: Yu Renjie, Zhu Zhihui, Jiang Muya, Patients, Nurse
▲ In the X-ray room, Renjie frowns deeply while looking at the report.
Zhu Zhihui: “Classmate, this female patient is important to you, right?”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “She is the mother of my child.”
Zhu Zhihui: “The mother of your child? Then she’s your wife? But you and Junior Tingting…”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “She is my first love.”
Zhu Zhihui: “I see. Her condition is not very optimistic…”
▲ Renjie remains silent, tears welling up in his eyes.
△ Cut.
▲ In the emergency room, Renjie comes to Muya’s bedside.
Yu Renjie: (writing) “The test results are out.”
Jiang Muya: (bitter smile) “I know my body. I’m afraid I don’t have much time left. I’m only worried about Sijie…”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “You must accept the reality and face it bravely. I’ve already assembled a medical team.”
Jiang Muya: “Don’t waste effort on me. Knowing it can’t be cured, why bother?”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “Don’t think only negatively. You must accept treatment immediately. Sijie needs you.”
Jiang Muya: “Then tell me, how many more years can treatment give me?”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “That depends on postoperative recovery. Three or five years, I can’t be sure. But if you don’t undergo surgery, you may only have three to five months.”
Jiang Muya: (bitter smile) “If you are willing to stay with me, three to five months is enough; but if it’s only out of obligation to prolong my life, then what meaning do three or five years have to me?”
Yu Renjie: (writing) “Don’t say that. How can I watch you be so negative?”
Jiang Muya: “I have experienced brilliant times and the glory on stage. These years my life has been peaceful. Even though you weren’t by my side, it was enough for me. I don’t want to struggle meaninglessly anymore, to wrestle with death. I only want you to stay by my side in the final moments of my life. Will you fulfill this wish for me, Renjie?”
Yu Renjie: (OS) “It seems Muya has made up her mind. How can I rekindle her will to live?”
Scene 116 – Dim Scene (Overcast)
Time: Morning
Setting: Doctor’s dormitory living room
Characters: Yu Renjie, Shen Tingting
▲ A light drizzle falls outside. Standing by the window, Renjie gazes blankly at the rain clouds.
▲ Tingting walks over and hugs him from behind.
Shen Tingting: “Seeing you so down, is it Muya’s report…?”
Yu Renjie: (sign language, dejected) “Muya refuses surgery. I have no way to help.”
Shen Tingting: “You’ve already done your best, haven’t you? You’re not a Bodhisattva. Her fate is something she must face herself.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Muya asked me to accompany her through the final stage.”
Shen Tingting: “Then go accompany her. I have that much tolerance.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “There’s also Sijie. Muya can’t let him go.”
Shen Tingting: “Sijie is your flesh and blood. Loving you, I will love him too.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “I want to take Muya on a trip around the island.”
Shen Tingting: “I’ll go with you. You drive, I’ll take care of Muya along the way.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Is that appropriate?”
Shen Tingting: “Don’t worry, I’ll try not to disturb you.”
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Muya wants me to contact a friend in Taitung. She wants to see him.”
Shen Tingting: “Since it’s her wish, go arrange it.”
Scene 117 – Morning Scene
Time: Early morning
Setting: Taimali Beach, Taitung / Sea surface
Characters: Yu Renjie, Shen Tingting, Jiang Muya, Jiang Sijie, Wagang
▲ On the beach, Muya sits in a wheelchair pushed by Renjie, with an IV drip attached. Tingting holds Sijie’s hand behind them.
▲ The rising sun casts light across the clouds over the sea.
Yu Renjie: (sign language) “Look, the sun is about to rise.”
▲ He points toward the glowing clouds.
▲ A yacht approaches and docks nearby. Wagang steps off and waves. Renjie pushes the wheelchair toward the pier.
Wagang: “Get on board. Let’s go watch whales and dolphins, and see flying fish.”
△ Cut.
▲ On the yacht deck, Muya holds Tingting’s hand; Renjie stands behind the wheelchair.
Jiang Muya: “Tingting, thank you for your tolerance these days.”
Shen Tingting: “Sister Muya, this is what I can do.”
Jiang Muya: “Renjie and Sijie—I entrust them to you. I know you will treat them well.”
Shen Tingting: “Sister Muya…”
▲ Dolphins chase flying fish on the sea.
Jiang Sijie: (pointing) “Mom, look! Dolphins and flying fish!”
Jiang Muya: (stroking his head) “My child, remember what Mom told you. In the future, be someone respected like your father…”
Scene 118 – Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: NTU Hospital
Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya, Vivian, Jiang Kefeng, Nurse
▲ Vivian and Jiang Kefeng rush to the hospital and see their dying daughter Muya and grandson Sijie.
▲ Vivian hugs Muya and bursts into tears; Jiang Kefeng is also in tears.
Jiang Muya: “Mommy, Daddy, after I’m gone, let Sijie stay with his father…”
Vivian: “Okay… okay… Muya…”
▲ Muya smiles, closes her eyes, and breathes her last.
Jiang Kefeng: “Muya, my daughter…”
▲ They hold her, sobbing uncontrollably.
Scene 119 – Daytime Scene
Time: Morning
Setting: Church sanctuary
Characters: Yu Renjie, Jiang Muya, Vivian, Jiang Kefeng, Jiang Sijie, Shen Tingting, Wagang, Priest, relatives and friends
▲ At Muya’s funeral, Wagang sings the songs she loved.
▲ In the coffin, Muya seems aware even in death. Hearing the sorrowful singing, tears flow from the corners of her eyes.
▲ Renjie, mute for many years, at the moment before the coffin is closed, looks at Muya one last time.
Yu Renjie: (hoarsely shouting) “Jiang Muya… in the next life, I will still love you…”
▲ The relatives and friends are deeply shaken, moved by the tragic lovers whose love was deep but fate was shallow.
▲ Tingting holds Renjie and Sijie, crying uncontrollably, no longer able to distinguish whether what she feels is love or pity.
(End of the entire play)
