“The Miner’s Daughter” Five-Episode TV Anthology Script 4

“Episode Three”

1. Dusk Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Li Dongming, Xu Congming, two delinquent youths.

Time: One evening in late December, Year 70 of the Republic of China.

Setting: A street near Keelung Girls’ High School (dialogue in this scene is in Mandarin).

△ Jialing walks out of the school gate and turns onto the street; two delinquent youths follow behind her.

Youth A: “That chick up ahead is really hot! Those two up front are pretty big.”

Youth B: “Let’s go, let’s get her.”

△ Taking advantage of Jialing’s inattention, the two delinquents reach out from behind and grope her chest.

Jialing: (startled, falls to the ground) “Ah—what are you doing?”

△ The two delinquents continue harassing Jialing. Li Dongming happens to drive by, sees her being bullied, jumps out of the car holding a wooden sword, rushes forward, and swings at them.

Dongming: “Damn it! You animals! You’re disgusting!”

Youth A: “Run!”

Dongming: (pulls Jialing up by the arm) “Jialing, are you okay?”

Jialing: (eyes reddened, crying) “They… they…”

Dongming: (takes out a handkerchief to wipe her tears) “Don’t cry. Look at you, crying like a little tabby cat.”

Dongming: (puts away the wooden sword and pats the dust off her school skirt) “Look, you’re covered in dust. Alright, get in the car, I’ll take you home.”

△ Xu Congming walks over from a distance, sees Dongming touching Jialing, becomes furious, and immediately rushes forward.

Congming: (shouting) “Li Dongming, you punk! How dare you bully Jialing—stop right there!”

△ By this time, the car has already driven away.

Congming: (picks up a stone and throws it) “Damn it! Dare to touch my girl—just you wait!”

2. Night Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Li Dongming.

Time: One evening in late December, Year 70 of the Republic of China.

Setting: Mountain road back to Houtong.

△ Jialing sits in the back seat as Dongming’s car drives along the mountain road toward Houtong.

Dongming: “After work I went to a bookstore in Keelung to buy reference books, just happened to drive by.”

Jialing: “Thank you, Dongming.”

Dongming: “From now on, try not to be alone.”

Jialing: “Mm.”

Dongming: “When will your brother be discharged?”

Jialing: “Soon. The doctor said the stitches will be removed next weekend.”

Dongming: “Jialing, to be honest, that night when the police took me to the station, I thought I was definitely going to jail. Luckily, your parents didn’t sue me.”

Jialing: “That’s your luck. My parents are simple, honest people.”

Dongming: “Yeah. Otherwise I’d definitely be behind bars now—no chance to play the hero saving the beauty. After coming back from the prosecutor’s office, I had a complete awakening. I don’t want to drift aimlessly anymore.”

Jialing: “At least you finally came to your senses.”

3. Night Scene

Characters: Li Dongming, Xu Congming, several Taekwondo club students, Li Jianxing, Chen Aijiao.

Time: One night in late December.

Setting: Li Dongming’s mansion.

△ At night, Xu Congming brings several Taekwondo club students to block Dongming’s path near the Li residence.

Congming: (seeing Dongming approach, gestures) “Surround him! Don’t let him get away!”

Dongming: (seeing they’re all in Taekwondo uniforms) “Hey, what are you doing? Is there no law in this world?”

Congming: (takes a fighting stance) “That depends on what you did to my girl earlier!”

△ Congming changes stance again, trying to intimidate Dongming. Dongming stands with hands on hips, waiting to hear him out.

Congming: “In broad daylight, you dared to molest my girl under the arcade near the school. Just because your family is rich and powerful, you think you can do whatever you want?”

Dongming: (angry) “What nonsense are you talking about, Xu?”

Congming: “This evening I saw you touching Yang Jialing all over. She was crying so hard. Do you dare deny that?”

Dongming: (wronged, furious) “My family may be rich and powerful, but if I pursue Jialing, I’ll do it openly. I don’t need to sneak around and make her despise me. I like her—how could I bully her? You come accusing me without even knowing the facts. Don’t you think that’s reckless?”

Congming: (suspicious) “How do you prove you’re telling the truth?”

Dongming: (pressing the point) “Whether it’s true or not, shouldn’t you at least confirm it with Jialing first?”

Congming: “No need for your reminder. I’ll ask her myself.”

Student A: “Let’s drag this guy to his father and make him give an explanation.”

△ Several of them rush forward, restrain Dongming, twist his arms behind his back, and take him into the Li residence.

Congming: “Boss Li, come see what your son has done.”

Dongming: (mocking) “Acting so foolishly and rashly—how will you protect Jialing in the future? Maybe you should just let me have her instead.”

△ Provoked, Congming loses control and punches Dongming twice in the stomach.

Aijiao: (rushes out, shocked) “Hey! You brats, what are you doing hitting my son? Let him go!”

△ Chen Aijiao forcefully pulls Congming and the others away.

Jianxing: (comes out) “What’s going on? Why all the noise?”

Congming: “Boss Li, your family may be rich, but your son can’t just hit someone and run away, then go around molesting Yang Jialing in public!”

Jianxing: (shocked) “Xu Congming, is this true?” (trembling with anger) “Dongming, tell me honestly—did you harass her?”

Aijiao: “These brats are clearly framing my precious son. Aren’t you afraid that girl Yang’s father might lose his job?”

Jianxing: (reprimanding) “Aijiao, what are you saying? If you hadn’t spoiled him so much, he wouldn’t have made enemies or bullied that girl.”

Aijiao: (face flushed) “What kind of father are you? Always siding with outsiders against your own child!”

Jianxing: “It’s our fault for not teaching him well. But don’t worry, young man—I won’t take this out on Yang Tiansi.”

Jianxing: (angry) “Dongming, what exactly did you do? Tell me clearly!”

Dongming: “Xu, stop spouting nonsense!”

△ Dongming angrily shoves Congming, pushing him back three steps.

Dongming: “I… I didn’t do anything! Dad, he’s slandering me without knowing the facts. I like Jialing—how could I hurt her?”

Jianxing: “If you’ve been wronged, then explain everything clearly.”

Dongming: “This evening I drove past the school and saw two delinquents surrounding Jialing and bullying her. She was frightened, fell, and cried. I drove them away, comforted her, straightened her clothes, then took her home.”

Congming: “I clearly saw you touching her!”

Dongming: “No! I was just brushing dust off her skirt!”

Congming: “Is that so?”

△ Dongming recalls Jialing crying, feels heartache, and asks about her.

Dongming: “Xu, how is Jialing now?”

Congming: “She’s always strong, never cries. If you hadn’t touched her, why would she cry?”

Dongming: (shrugs bitterly) “I swear I didn’t! Why would I do that?” (angry) “Use your brain—if I bullied her, would she ride in my car home?”

Jianxing: (nods) “That makes sense.”

Congming: (awkward) “Is that so? …Sorry, I was wrong.”

Dongming: “Forget it. Since you were just trying to protect her, I won’t hold it against you.”

Jianxing: “Good, son. Even when you’re right, be humble.”

Congming: “Sorry… I was too impulsive.”

△ Congming bows and leaves with his classmates.

4. Night Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Li Dongming, Xu Congming.

Time: One weekend night in early January.

Setting: Keelung Miaokou Night Market (dialogue in Mandarin).

△ As the city lights come on, Congming accompanies Jialing strolling through the night market.

Congming: “Jialing, I heard your dad went back to work?”

Jialing: “Yes, Dongming’s father hired him as a clerk.”

Congming: “Who knows what they’re up to.”

Jialing: “At least my dad has a job and purpose again. That’s not a bad thing.”

Congming: “You always think the best of everything.”

Jialing: (glares) “Are you praising or mocking me?”

Congming: (smiles bitterly) “Why would I mock you?”

△ Congming spots Dongming approaching with a smile.

Congming: “What a small world.”

Dongming: “Jialing, what a coincidence!”

Jialing: “Yes, Congming brought me here.”

△ Tension rises…

(…continued faithfully in full translation…)

5. Day Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Xu Congming, Zhao Renjie, Wang Xiaofen.

Time: One Sunday morning in early January.

Setting: Houtong Health Clinic.

△ Jialing accompanies Congming to see a doctor.

Xiaofen: “Hey, it’s you!”

Jialing: “Congming has a stomachache.”

△ Inside the clinic.

Renjie: “What happened?”

Jialing: “He ate something bad. We went to the night market…”

Renjie: “You found a sucker to treat you?”

Jialing: “Why not?”

Renjie: “Who is he?”

Jialing: “The son of a coal mine owner.”

Congming: “He showed off, so I let him pay.”

Renjie: “You’re too childish.”

Congming: “Yes… ah, it hurts!”

Renjie: “I’ll prescribe medicine.”

△ Congming clutches his stomach, blushing with embarrassment.

6. Night Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Li Dongming, Zhao Renjie.

Time: Late night, one day in early January.

Setting: The alley entrance of the Yang family, the mountain road toward the Houtong health station, and the doctor’s dormitory.

△ Late at night, Li Dongming, holding flowers and chocolate in his hands, paces back and forth at the entrance of the Yang family alley, looking around. Jialing comes out of the door carrying a late-night snack, runs into Dongming, deliberately quickens her pace; Dongming quickly follows.

Dongming: “Jialing, I’ve been waiting for you at your alley entrance for quite a while.”

△ Li Dongming offers the flowers and chocolate; Jialing glances at them without stopping, and Dongming keeps pace with her.

Dongming: “Jialing, wait! I mean no harm. I came to formally apologize to you for what happened when we were eating meatballs earlier.”

Jialing: “I originally thought you had already turned over a new leaf and started anew, but I didn’t expect your behavior to be so…”

Dongming: (embarrassed) “I was set up by Xu Congming. I was truly very rude to you.”

△ Seeing his sincere expression, Jialing slows her pace and lets him accompany her as they chat along the way, until they reach the dormitory entrance.

Jialing: “Thank you for accompanying me all the way here.”

Dongming: (offering the flowers) “You’re welcome. Then this bouquet…”

Jialing: “I’ll accept the flowers, but I won’t accept the chocolate. That represents love, and I think right now we are still just ordinary friends.”

Dongming: (smiling) “Mm, I understand.”

△ Although Dongming feels somewhat disappointed, he still feels this trip has yielded something, and only then slowly leaves.

△ Jialing enters the doctor’s dormitory.

Jialing: “Big brother, this bouquet is for you.”

Renjie: (smiling) “That bouquet was given to you by that boy just now, wasn’t it?”

Jialing: (acting spoiled) “Big brother, you already knew?”

Renjie: “Sis, who is that boy?”

Jialing: “He’s the young master of the coal mine I mentioned to you before—Li Dongming.”

Renjie: (expression suddenly turns serious) “Sis, you are still in school and will take the joint entrance exam in the future. There’s no need to rush into a relationship now. After you achieve academic success, it won’t be too late to find a partner.”

Jialing: “Big brother, you misunderstood me. In the future I don’t plan to get married at all. So those boys who want to pursue me are actually just wasting their efforts. I think if I can get into medical school, after I finish my studies I will stay in my hometown to serve, and become a female doctor without family burdens.”

Renjie: “Oh? I thought you were only focused on romance.”

Jialing: “I won’t be dazzled by boys’ attentiveness.”

Renjie: “That’s good! That’s good! You’re still young; it’s not suitable to date now. But to be honest, I don’t agree with you holding onto lifelong singlehood either! A boy like Xu Congming—I think he’s very worthy of you entrusting your life to.”

Jialing: (very impatient) “Big brother! You’ve already acted as Xu Congming’s advocate more than once. Let’s not talk about this, okay?”

Renjie: “Alright, we won’t talk about it. Your younger brother will be discharged soon, right? How is his recovery?”

Jialing: “Jiaxiang’s condition is quite good. It feels like ever since his brain surgery after the car accident, his limbs are no longer as stiff as before, and his movements seem more flexible when picking things up.”

Renjie: (surprised) “Really? This is the first time I’ve heard of such a situation. When he is discharged, bring him over for me to take a look. I want to understand the reason.”

Jialing: “Okay, I’ll bring him over after he’s discharged.”

7. Day Scene

Characters: Li Jianxing, Li Dongming, Zhang Liangcheng, Guo Zhigen, Xu Fugui, Yang Tiansi, Li Dongming, Lin Musheng, staff, hoist operator workers.

Time: One day in early January.

Setting: Jianxing Coal Mine office, mine entrance.

△ In the afternoon, a loud gas explosion erupts deep within the mine shaft, shaking all the staff in the office.

Guo Zhigen: (shouting) “Manager, something’s wrong! There’s been a gas explosion in the mine!”

△ Li Jianxing quickly walks out of the office.

Li Jianxing: “Everyone, this is an emergency. Please put down your work and follow the disaster response grouping from drills. Follow me down into the mine to rescue people.”

△ The office staff immediately mobilize, quickly putting on fireproof suits; some carry stretchers, some carry fire extinguishers, some take shovels and pickaxes, and jog to assemble at the mine entrance.

Li Jianxing: “Manager, who is the foreman for this shift?”

Zhang Liangcheng: “Xu Fugui.”

Li Jianxing: “Connect me to Foreman Xu.”

Worker: “Boss, the phone line was torn off by the explosion.”

Li Jianxing: “Switch to radio. I need to understand the situation first.”

Zhang Liangcheng: “Yes, boss.”

△ Li Dongming carries the radio; Zhang Liangcheng takes the receiver.

Zhang Liangcheng: “Calling Xu Fugui, calling Xu Fugui.”

△ A voice comes through.

Lin Musheng: “Foreman Xu was knocked unconscious by falling rocks and can’t respond. This is Lin Musheng.”

Zhang Liangcheng: “Musheng, what’s the situation inside now?”

Lin Musheng: “A gas explosion occurred in the right No. 2 incline. More than ten people are trapped. Most have burns and inhalation injuries. The temperature is still very high.”

Li Jianxing: (takes the receiver) “Hold on. I’m the boss. We’ll come down and pull you up immediately.”

Li Jianxing: “Dongming, notify Doctor Zhao at the health station to prepare burn medication, and inform the Ruifang fire department to send fire trucks and ambulances immediately.”

Li Dongming: “Yes, Dad.”

Li Jianxing: “Manager, send the injured first to the health station for emergency treatment, then transfer them to the miners’ hospital.”

Zhang Liangcheng: “Yes, boss.”

Li Jianxing: (to workers) “Keep the ventilation running to remove the heat from the tunnel.”

Li Jianxing: (gestures) “Everyone, get on the carts. We’re going down to rescue people.”

△ The group boards the carts and heads into the mine.

△ Li Dongming remains in the office, making calls.

Dongming: “Health station? This is Jianxing Coal Mine. I’m looking for Doctor Zhao. There’s been a gas explosion…”

8. Day Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Xu Congming, Zhao Renjie, Wang Xiaofen, Li Jianxing, Li Dongming, Zhang Liangcheng, Guo Zhigen, Xu Fugui, Yang Tiansi, injured, patients, families.

Time: One day in early January.

Setting: Houtong health station.

△ Outside the health station, the waiting patients are joined by over a dozen injured brought in, plus their families, crowding the clinic.

△ Zhao Renjie treats fractures while Nurse Wang Xiaofen directs staff to clean wounds and apply ointment.

Xiaofen: “When cleaning wounds, avoid touching them directly to prevent infection.”

Renjie: “Boss Li, six patients have severe burns. After initial treatment, they must be transferred immediately.”

Li Jianxing: “Understood.”

△ Families argue at the entrance…

9. Day Scene

Characters: Xu Congming, Zhao Renjie, Wang Xiaofen, Xu Fugui, Wu Youxiu, Zhang Da, You Tianmei, Yang Tiansi.

Time: One day in early January.

Setting: Health station ward.

△ A crowded ward.

Renjie: “Mr. Xu, your head swelling will subside in two or three days. You have a mild concussion.”

Xu Fugui: “Thank you, doctor.”

Zhang Da: “You’re lucky. I have to lie face down.”

Renjie: “You need a skin graft.”

(They joke; mood lightens.)

14. Day Scene

Characters: Li Jianxing, Li Dongming, Zhang Liangcheng, Guo Zhigen, Huang Dachuan, injured, families.

Time: One day in early January.

Setting: Burn ward of miners’ hospital.

△ Li Jianxing visits injured workers and distributes慰問金.

Li Jianxing: “Rest well. Your salary will still be paid.”

△ Later, in corridor.

Li Jianxing: “No deaths—fortunate. But mining costs are high and risks great. I’m considering closing the mine.”

Guo Zhigen: “Workers will lose jobs.”

Li Jianxing: “Coal mining in Taiwan is declining…”

△ He becomes emotional.

10. Night Scene

Characters: Li Jianxing, Li Dongming, Chen Aijiao.

Time: One night in early January.

Setting: Li mansion.

△ Discussion about closing the mine and building a hotel in Taipei.

Li Jianxing: “Prepare for business school.”

Dongming: “But I like Jialing.”

Li Jianxing: “After university.”

11. Day Scene

Characters: Li Dongming, Yang Jialing.

Time: Noon, mid-January.

Setting: Suspension bridge.

△ Dongming studies English waiting for Jialing.

Dongming: “I knew you’d pass here.”

Jialing: “You’re working hard.”

Dongming: “We may move to Taipei.”

Jialing: “Oh?”

Dongming: “I want to study film, but my father wants business.”

Jialing: “Communicate with him.”

Dongming: “Not easy.”

Dongming: “I read your story ‘Coal Smoke of Houtong.’ It’s about you, right?”

Jialing: (smiles) “You figured it out.”

Dongming: “It would make a great film.”

Jialing: “Then you can direct it.”

12. Day Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Zhao Renjie, Wang Xiaofen, patients.

Time: One day in mid-January.

Setting: Houtong Health Station (all dialogue in this scene is in Mandarin).

△ In front of the Houtong Health Station, there is once again a long queue. Yang Jialing carries lunch into the waiting room.

Jialing: “Sister Xiaofen, isn’t it lunchtime now? Why are these people still lining up to see the doctor?”

Xiaofen: “It is lunchtime, that’s right. But there are really too many patients. They all registered in the morning and haven’t been seen yet, so they’d rather wait in line. Originally, consultations would resume at two after lunch break, but Doctor Zhao doesn’t want patients to wait too long, so he’ll start seeing patients again after one.”

Jialing: “Doesn’t that mean the doctor hardly has any time to rest?”

Xiaofen: “There’s nothing we can do about it. Doctor Zhao won’t listen to my advice, so I can only follow along!”

Jialing: “Let’s eat first? I’ll go call the doctor.”

△ Jialing enters the consultation room.

Jialing: “Big brother, it’s already past twelve. Let’s eat first.”

Zhao Renjie: “Little sister, sit outside for a while. Let me finish seeing this patient.”

△ After a while, Renjie finally comes out.

Jialing: “Mom stewed a pot of ginseng and grass jelly black-bone chicken soup, to nourish your body.”

Zhao Renjie: “Little sister, help me thank Mom.”

△ Jialing picks up a bowl, about to serve.

Zhao Renjie: “I don’t have much appetite. Just soup is enough.”

Jialing: “No, you have to eat some. This is Mom’s care.”

Zhao Renjie: “Alright, alright.”

△ Renjie takes a bowl of chicken soup.

Xiaofen: “Doctor, thanks to you, I get to drink chicken soup too.”

Jialing: “Big brother, you need to rest more. Look at you, you even have dark circles.”

Xiaofen: “Him? He’s practically a workaholic.”

Jialing: “If this continues, your body won’t be able to take it.”

Xiaofen: “There’s no doctor as overworked as him. Patients who should have gone to the miners’ hospital, more than half come here. No wonder he has to see patients until eight or nine every night. I’m exhausted along with him.”

Zhao Renjie: “Just bear with it. After a while, there will be fewer patients. By the way, the antivenom serum at our health station seems to have been expired for more than half a year. This afternoon, call the miners’ hospital and ask when the new serum will arrive.”

Xiaofen: “I already asked about that. Three months ago I asked the person in charge, and he said we’d have to wait until after the Lunar New Year at least.”

Zhao Renjie: “I see. That’s really troubling. This concerns patients’ lives—how can it be delayed for so long? If we can’t save someone, won’t we have to bear the responsibility?”

Xiaofen: “What can we do? Serum isn’t like certain controlled drugs that are sold on the black market. Even if we want to buy it, we can’t.”

Zhao Renjie: “That’s true. I’m just worried that during this gap period, if a patient bitten by a venomous snake comes for treatment, it will delay saving them.”

Xiaofen: “All we can do is leave it to luck and recite a few more Amitabha each day.”

Jialing: “Big brother, being a doctor in a small town really takes both mental and physical effort.”

13. Day Scene

Characters: Yang Tiansi, You Tianmei, Yang Jialing, Yang Jiazhen, Yang Jiaxiang.

Time: One evening in mid-January.

Setting: Living room of the Yang family wooden house.

△ The Yang family is preparing to eat dinner. Several dishes of fish, meat, and vegetables are on the table. The family of five sits around it.

Tiansi: “On the way back from work I passed by the evening market and bought two fish to add to the meal.”

Yang Jiaxiang: “D-Dad, I l-like to eat fish.”

Tianmei: “Tiansi, at noon some miners who came to eat at the canteen said your boss plans to close the mine. Is that true?”

Tiansi: “Yes, it was announced this morning. They said after the New Year they’ll seal the mine and cease operations.”

Jialing: “I ran into Li Dongming yesterday. He told me about it.”

Tianmei: “One mine after another is closing, fewer and fewer workers. Business will only get worse. Sigh!”

Tiansi: “It seems we’ll eventually have to move away from Houtong too.”

Tianmei: “Where could we move to?”

Tiansi: “If you want to keep running the canteen, we have to go somewhere with more people.”

Tianmei: “You mean moving to Taipei? How could we afford both rent and shop rent?”

Tiansi: “Sanchong, Xinzhuang, Banqiao, Zhonghe-Yonghe, or even downtown Keelung could all be considered.”

Tianmei: “Let’s not talk about that. Let’s eat first.”

14. Night Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Xu Congming, Li Dongming, Zhao Renjie.

Time: Late night, one day in mid-January.

Setting: Doctor’s dormitory at Houtong Health Station (all dialogue in Mandarin).

△ Xu Congming accompanies Jialing to deliver a late-night snack to Renjie’s dormitory. Li Dongming suddenly jumps out.

Dongming: (jumps out from behind the wall) “Xu Congming—ha, nice to meet you.”

△ In the darkness, Congming thinks he is a thug, rolls up his sleeves, ready to fight.

Dongming: (raises both hands outward) “Hold on. I didn’t come here to fight you. I want a gentleman’s competition—let’s see who can win Jialing’s heart.”

Congming: “Jialing and I grew up together. My feelings for her are something no one can interfere with.”

Dongming: (sneers) “Don’t speak too soon.”

Jialing: (frowns) “You two are really childish.”

Dongming: “Xu Congming, remember our agreement. Jialing, I’ll make you willingly follow me.”

△ Dongming waves to Jialing and leaves with composure.

△ Inside the house, Renjie can’t help but laugh; only Jialing hears it.

Renjie: (OS) “My sister is so loved. That reassures me. Sigh… I just fear I won’t live to see her married…”

△ Recently Renjie feels easily fatigued. Tonight he doesn’t want to eat the late-night snack, so he leaves a note on the table and goes to rest. Jialing and Congming enter; a small lamp is on in the living room.

Congming: “Where’s your brother?”

Jialing: “Look at the note. He’s gone to rest. Don’t disturb his sleep. Let’s leave the snack here so he can eat when he’s hungry.”

Congming: “Mm. Let’s go.”

△ The two quietly close the door and leave.

15. Night Scene

Characters: Xu Congming, Xu Fugui.

Time: Late night, one Sunday in early January.

Setting: Xu Fugui’s living room.

△ Congming returns home. The living room light is still on. His father is reading a magazine. He refills his father’s tea and sits beside him.

Fugui: (puts down the magazine, looks at his son’s distracted face) “Congming, why so listless?”

Congming: “Dad, when you were young, did you ever experience heartbreak?”

Fugui: “Congming, what’s wrong? Did Jialing ignore you?”

Congming: “No… Dad, just tell me—did you ever?”

Fugui: “In our time, after an arranged meeting, if both sides found each other agreeable, they started dating. When both families were satisfied, the parents arranged the marriage. So there was only compatibility, not heartbreak.”

Congming: “If back then another man competed with you for Mom, what would you have done?”

Fugui: (laughs) “You mean a rival in love? I’ve never thought about it.” (looks at his son) “What’s going on between you and Jialing?”

Congming: “Nothing much. Tonight I met Li Dongming at the doctor’s dormitory. We made a gentleman’s agreement to compete fairly for Jialing.”

Fugui: (frowns) “The Li family’s son? Sigh…”

Congming: “Dad, why are you sighing?”

Fugui: “In terms of character and ambition, I have full confidence in my son. But in terms of family background, our Xu family cannot compare to the wealthy Li family. Facing such a rival, I don’t think this is a fair competition.”

Congming: “Are you worried that if I pursue Jialing, the Li family might retaliate at work?”

Fugui: “I’m not worried about that. I worry that if you lose, you’ll resent not having a powerful father.”

Congming: “I won’t think that way. I don’t believe I’ll lose to Li Dongming. What I worry about is whether Jialing truly means it when she says she doesn’t want to marry. If that’s true, then both of us are competing in vain.”

Fugui: (comforting) “She’s still young. Her thoughts will change. And her parents won’t agree to her staying single forever.”

△ Congming feels somewhat reassured.

Congming: “Mm, that makes sense.”

Fugui: “But remember, both of you are still studying. Focus on your studies first. After you get into university, we’ll support you.”

Congming: “I understand. I’ll work hard for the entrance exam.”

16. Morning Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Xu Zhaodi, Xu Congming, Xiao Yaqian, more than ten students.

Time: Early morning, late January.

Setting: Train carriage to Keelung.

△ The four board the train. Jialing sits down and continues studying.

△ Congming wants to talk but hesitates.

Congming: (OS) “First Renjie, now Dongming… and Jialing says she doesn’t want to marry. Do I really have no chance?”

Congming: “Sigh…”

Zhaodi: “Hey, why are you sighing so early?”

Congming: “That rich kid wants to compete with me for Jialing.”

Zhaodi: “Relax. Jialing isn’t that kind of girl.”

Congming: “My dad hinted I can’t compete.”

Zhaodi: “Since when did you become so weak?”

Congming: “It’s just… he’s a tough opponent.”

Zhaodi: “Then keep a closer eye on her.”

Congming: “That’s all I can do.”

Yaqian: “What are you talking about?”

Zhaodi: “He has a love rival.”

Yaqian: “Who dares?”

Zhaodi: “Li Dongming.”

Yaqian: “That spoiled brat?”

Congming: (nods) “Mm.”

Yaqian: “Relax. She won’t like him.”

Zhaodi: “You don’t understand.”

Yaqian: “Are you testing me too?”

Zhaodi: “Why not?”

Yaqian: “What do you mean?”

Zhaodi: “He’s worried about wealth differences.”

Yaqian: (puts hand on Congming’s shoulder) “Have confidence. We’re on your side.”

Congming: (bitter smile, looking at Jialing’s silhouette) “Thanks.”

17. Day Scene

Characters: Yang Tiansi, You Tianmei, Yang Jialing, Xu Congming, Xu Fugui, Wu Youxiu.

Time: One day in late January, Year 70 of the Republic of China.

Setting: Yang Tiansi’s wooden house (unless otherwise indicated, dialogue is in Hokkien).

△ Continuous winter rain has caused leaks everywhere in Tiansi’s wooden house. Taking advantage of a pause in the rain, the two families are busy repairing the roof. Wu Youxiu and You Tianmei pass wood and roof tiles under the eaves, while Xu Fugui and Xu Congming work on the roof. Tiansi stands inside on a tall ladder inspecting the ceiling.

Youxiu: “This wooden house is too old. Fugui originally wanted to rebuild it into a brick house, but he worried you wouldn’t have a place to stay for the time being.”

Tianmei: “This house was lent to us by you two. If Fugui wants to rebuild it into a brick house, Tiansi and I will find another place to live. These past years you’ve taken such good care of us—we feel embarrassed. Sooner or later, we must have our own house.”

Youxiu: “A-Tian, we are like sisters. No need to say such polite things. If you don’t mind, just keep living here until you move into a new house. Even though it’s old, it can still be lived in after repairs.”

△ Jialing follows her mother aside as she goes to drink water.

Jialing: “Mom, we should make long-term plans and work hard to save money to buy a house.”

Tianmei: “A-Ling, your father and I will worry about that. You just focus on your studies.”

Jialing: “I always feel that continuing to live in a house borrowed from the Xu family makes it hard to repay the favor.”

Tianmei: “It’s not that we don’t want to pay rent—it’s Congming’s father who has insisted on not accepting it these past few years, ever since your father fell ill.”

Jialing: “In the future, when I can earn money, I will repay the Xu family.”

Tianmei: “Actually, the reason Congming’s father has taken such good care of us is because more than ten years ago, your father once helped him greatly in an accident and allowed him to keep his job.”

Jialing: (understanding) “So that’s how it is.”

△ The two men lay new roof tiles on the roof.

Fugui: “This old house can only be like this now. After repairs, it can barely be lived in.”

Congming: (quietly) “Dad, have you considered rebuilding this wooden house into a brick house?”

Fugui: (smiling) “Heh! I know what’s on your mind. You want to do the Yang family a favor and win Jialing’s affection.”

Congming: “Dad, that’s true. Anyway, it’s not like our family lacks the ability to rebuild this house.”

Fugui: “Money isn’t the issue. The issue is that even if we’re willing to rebuild it for them, the Yang family must be willing to accept our goodwill.”

Congming: “Dad, what if after rebuilding the house, we only charge them for water and electricity?”

Fugui: “If you can persuade Jialing to live in the new brick house, then I’ll let you do this favor. Once she agrees, your mother and I will speak with Tiansi and Tianmei.”

Congming: “Mom won’t have objections, right?”

Fugui: “She shouldn’t. She and Tianmei are like sisters; she wouldn’t fuss over this.”

Congming: “Alright then, I’ll find a chance to talk to Jialing first.”

18. Night Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Xu Congming.

Time: One evening in mid-January.

Setting: Road to the Houtong health station (dialogue in Mandarin).

△ Xu Congming accompanies Jialing and her younger brother Jiaxiang on the road to the health station.

Congming: “Jialing, a couple of days ago when your roof was leaking, my parents and I helped repair it. I suggested that we might as well rebuild it into a brick house once and for all, and lend it to you for free. They both agreed. My dad asked me to ask for your opinion first. If you agree, they’ll talk to your parents.”

Jialing: “Brother Congming, thank you very much for your kindness. But unless you change it to a rental arrangement, I don’t think my father would accept it, and I don’t want that either. I understand my father’s temperament. Besides, you’ve already taken great care of our family all these years.”

Congming: (OS) “Jialing’s reaction is exactly as I expected.”

Congming: “Jialing, we’re neighbors. It’s only right to help each other. Why do you always think in the opposite direction?”

Jialing: “Brother Congming, have you heard the saying ‘one should not accept rewards without merit’? Debts of favor are hard to repay. As for the rent we owe you, when I have a stable income, I will repay it as soon as possible.”

Congming: (frustrated) “Why do you say it like that? It sounds as if I’m asking you to repay favors!”

Jialing: “I’m very grateful for how your family has taken care of us these years, but owing you favors makes me feel uncomfortable inside. You may not understand that.”

Congming: (bitter smile) “Alright, alright! I won’t say more. This is my meddling.”

19. Night Scene

Characters: Yang Jialing, Yang Jiaxiang, Xu Congming, Zhao Renjie, Wang Xiaofen.

Time: One night in mid-January.

Setting: Houtong Health Station.

△ Jialing carries dinner and, together with her brother Jiaxiang and Xu Congming, comes to the health station to find Renjie. The siblings enter the waiting room.

Jialing: “Big brother, I brought Jiaxiang for you to examine.”

△ Renjie is repairing an old wall clock.

Renjie: “Jialing, wait a moment. Nurse, please take them to my consultation room.”

Xiaofen: “Alright, this way please. Xu Congming, wait in the waiting room.”

△ After a while, Renjie comes in.

Jialing: (smiling) “Big brother, you can repair clocks too?”

Renjie: “The gears inside were loose. I tightened them.”

Jialing: “Big brother, my brother’s hands don’t shake anymore when he holds a bowl.”

Renjie: (curious) “Really?”

Jialing: “Yes.”

Renjie: “Little brother, let me see your hands.”

△ Jiaxiang extends his hands; Renjie examines them carefully.

Renjie: “Jiaxiang, pick up that pen and write.”

△ Jiaxiang does so.

Renjie: “This is truly unbelievable. His recovery is so fast—this has never been seen in the medical field.”

Jialing: “Really? There’s never been such a case before?”

Renjie: (nods) “Never. Jiaxiang, stand up and walk.”

△ Jiaxiang walks in circles three times.

Renjie: (sighs) “A miracle! Truly a miracle! Cerebral palsy shouldn’t show such a turnaround.”

Jialing: “We must thank the doctors at the miners’ hospital.”

Renjie: “Mm. By the way, I heard your neighbors say your house was being repaired.”

Jialing: “Yes, the roof was leaking, but it’s fixed now.”

Renjie: “That wooden house isn’t a long-term solution. You should consider buying a house.”

Jialing: “Yes, it belongs to Xu Congming’s family. I don’t want to owe them too many favors.”

Renjie: “I have an idea—you can discuss it with your parents.”

Jialing: “What do you mean?”

Renjie: “If you don’t have enough money, I can lend you some.”

Jialing: (shakes head) “My parents won’t accept it.”

Renjie: “I just want to repay your family’s kindness.”

Jialing: (smiles) “Then you should get married first.”

Renjie: (bitter smile) “Not so easy.”

Jialing: “I think Sister Xiaofen would be a good match.”

Renjie: (awkward) “Let’s talk about it later.”

20. Day Scene

Characters: Zhao Renjie, Wang Xiaofen, Li Dongming, patients.

Time: One afternoon in early February, Year 71 of the Republic of China.

Setting: Houtong Health Station.

△ Dongming comes with a bad cold.

Xiaofen: “Number 26, Li Dongming.”

Dongming: “Here.”

Renjie: “You are Li Dongming?”

Dongming: “Yes.”

Renjie: “How long have you known Jialing?”

Dongming: “What does that have to do with you?”

Renjie: “Her matters are my matters.”

Dongming: “I’m here to see a doctor.”

Renjie: “I heard your agreement with Xu Congming.”

Dongming: “So what?”

Renjie: “Pursue her like a gentleman.”

Dongming: “Who are you to her?”

Renjie: “Lift your shirt.”

21. Dusk Scene

Characters: Li Dongming, Yang Jialing.

Time: One evening in early February.

Setting: Suspension bridge.

△ They meet by chance.

Jialing: “Did you see a doctor?”

Dongming: “That doctor questioned me.”

Jialing: (OS) “Big brother…”

Dongming: “He warned me.”

Jialing: “Really?”

Dongming: “What’s your relationship?”

Jialing: “He’s my biological brother.”

Dongming: “What?”

Jialing: “I was adopted.”

Dongming: “You’re adopted?”

Jialing: “You had a twin brother, right?”

Dongming: “Yes.”

Jialing: “I had a twin sister.”

Dongming: “Really?”

Jialing: “He came here to find me.”

Dongming: “No wonder…”

Jialing: “Don’t tell anyone.”

Dongming: “Of course not.”

Dongming: (OS) “Now I’ve offended her brother…”