After leaving the ice shop, instead of going off to school as Ah Mei had told him to, Da Da peddles his bike off somewhere in a rush. He peddles as fast as he could down the road to the wooden hut. When he gets to the small road, he skids the bike to a stop and dropping it carelessly on the ground, runs straight for the house.
Da Da (stops in front of the house and shouts): “San Cai! (no answer) San Cai!”
Still no answer, so he opens the screen door and starts to pound on the front door.
Da Da: “San Cai! (pound, pound, pound) San Cai, are you there?!”
Back at the ice shop, Ah Mei is cleaning up. She picks up two bowls from a table and starts to bring it over to the counter. But because she’s not paying attention to what she’s doing, she drops the two bowls on the floor instead. She bends down and picks the bowls up before picking up a towel and walking back to the table to wipe it clean. As she is wiping the table, Lei walks into the ice shop in big strides. Without saying a word, he walks over to Ah Mei, grabs her arm and starts pulling her after him.
Ah Mei (dragging her feet): “What are you doing?!”
Lei doesn’t answer and just pulls harder.
Ah Mei (trying to get Lei’s hand off her arm): “Hey, let go!! What are you doing?!”
He just continues to drag her out of the shop without answering.
Ah Mei (shouting): “What are you doing?! You, Lei!! Let go!! What are you doing?!”
At the police station, Lei and Ah Mei are sitting across the table from Ah De. There was complete silence as Ah Mei just sits there and glares at Ah De.
Ah De (not daring to look straight at Ah Mei or Lei): “To tell the truth, I don’t even know if I did it or not. (pause) It could be that I did too many bad things. So...”
He looks up at Ah Mei and Ah Mei turns her head to the side, ignoring him.
Ah De: “I want to be a good person too... like you guys. But you people can’t imagine, to turn from a bad person into a good person... how hard that is.”
Ah Mei pushes back her chair and walks away from the table in anger. Lei and Ah De looks at her as she walks away. Ah De holds his head down and tries to control his emotions. He struggles with himself for a few seconds before taking a deep breath and looks at Lei.
Ah De: “You... (Lei turns his head to look at him.) Can I trouble you with a few things? (pause) When you go back, can you please think of a way to make her lose her temper? (pause) If, after she loses her temper, then her mood will be better. Or you can help her to yell at me. The more ruthless yelling the better. The more anger, the more hatred other people have for me, then the hate that she feels for me or the anger would be less. (pause) Oh, also, you know that she might not be the kind of girl that you go after... can I trouble you to be her friend... or be her big brother. With a brother like you... she would definitely be very happy. (sighs deeply) With a big brother like you is more like it. Please.”
After leaving the police station, Lei and Ah Mei are outside. Lei is leaning against a wall with Ah Mei standing a few feet away from him. She throws a little rock in her hand far away in anger.
Ah Mei (angrily): “I must have had 8 lifetimes of bad luck in order to have this kind of brother! What a bastard!! (kicks angrily at the rocks on the ground) Super bastard!! The number one bastard!! (pause) This kind of bastard being locked up in jail is such a big advantage for him. At least he won’t be killed, be chopped up. (looks up to the sky and pointing) You did it right! Did it really right! Would be better if you keep him look up for a longer time. That way I can live a carefree, relaxed life! Lock him up longer! (pauses, before looking up at the sky again) Ma! I’m very carefree now. Really very carefree! (She turns with her back to Lei and squats down on the ground.) So tired from yelling. Rest a bit.”
She knelt there on the side and started sniffing. Soon her sniffles turns into a full blown case of tears as she starts sobbing her heart out. Lei finally moves and walks over to stand behind Ah Mei. She hears his footsteps behind her and she looks back and stands up facing him. Lei reaches out with his hand and wipes her tears from her face.
Lei: “Stop crying.”
Ah Mei continues to cry uncontrollably as she leans against Lei with her hands on his waist and her head resting on his chest. Lei just stood there quietly with his hand gently patting her head as she continues to cry.
Next day, Lei and Ah Mei are sitting outdoors and talking.
Lei (looking at Ah Mei’s bent head): “I asked the lawyer. This is Ah De’s first violation plus there is not enough evidence. Now he can be bailed out. Just as long as during this suspended sentence, he doesn’t have any more violations then the final verdict would be the punishment of paying a fine. (pause) With regards to this specialized lawsuit, we would, of course, have to leave it to the lawyer to take care of.”
Ah Mei (looks up at Lei): “Find a lawyer to help him get out of trouble? I’m not going to do it. A bad person should get the punishment that he deserves. That way, he’ll know what is right and what is wrong.”
Lei: “He’s not a bad person. (pause) Ah De has received his punishment already. What he needs now is just one chance.”
Ah Mei: “His one chance needs money to produce. Too bad I don’t have money.”
Lei (thinks for a few seconds before answering): “I have.”
Ah Mei (looks at Lei and retorts sarcastically): “Then I congratulate you.”
Lei: “Ah Mei.”
She looks to the side before looking back at her clasped hands that are resting on top of the wooden table.
Ah Mei: “I said that I don’t have money and don’t have any chances. Also don’t need to waste any strength on this kind of person.”
Lei: “He’s your brother.”
Ah Mei: “That’s why it’s none of your business!”
They sat there in silence as they stared at each other.
Lei: “I just realized now that... your stubbornness is not cute at all.”
Ah Mei glares at Lei for a few seconds before getting up in huff and striding angrily away without saying another word.
She slowly walks with her bike to the police station and stood in front of the station staring in. After standing there, staring for a few minutes, she gets up on her bike and peddles away.
That night, she slowly walks with her bike over to the small wooden hut. She stops on the small road and parks her bike there before slowly walking toward the house. When she gets to the front door, she stood there with her head down waiting for Lei to open the door. Lei opens the door slowly and stood there with his arms crossed waiting for Ah Mei to start talking.
Ah Mei (with her eyes staring at the ground): “I don’t like to owe people things. Especially favors. (looks up briefly at Lei before looking down again) If you are lending me money, then I will use the ice shop for a mortgage.”
Lei (gives a small laugh): “What do I want your ice shop for?”
Ah Mei (looks up at Lei): “Then forget about it.”
She turns around to leave when Lei calls out to her.
Lei: “If you really want to mortgage something... (Ah Mei stops in her tracks.) then I want just one thing.”
Ah Mei turns around and looks over at Lei.
Meanwhile, Xi Men, Mei Zuo and Dao Ming Si are sitting in a pub, having a drink. Dao Ming Si is sitting there staring off into space again, while Mei Zuo is staring at his glass of beer.
Xi Men (pouring himself a glass of beer): “You too really don’t have any gratitude at all. (reaches over to pour more beer into Dao Ming Si’s glass) Hey, Ah Si. What are you staring blankly at?”
He puts the can down and picking up his glass, sits back on the sofa.
Xi Men: “If I really remained silent and not ask you guys out, would you guys really, are so absorbed in your relationships that you would forget about me?”
Mei Zuo (next to Xi Men): “Who said I was having a relationship? I am the chauffeur, Mei Zuo. One moment going to practice cello, and then the next, going to some country side.”
Xi Men (puts his arm around the sofa and hits Mei Zuo on his shoulder): “Wherever you go, you are still in a relationship.”
Mei Zuo (looks away): “I was off to find Lei.”
Xi Men: “To find Lei? (pause) What is he doing? (looks across to the other sofa where Dao Ming Si is sitting) He called me today to ask me to help him look for a lawyer. I asked him what’s the matter and he said nothing.”
Mei Zuo (looks a little concerned): “Could it be that something happened to San Cai?”
Xi Men (looks over at Mei Zuo): “What do you mean by that? (He sits up straighter.) Lei is together with San Cai?”
Dao Ming Si’s head perks up a little at this comment from Xi Men.
Mei Zuo (hesitantly): “Lei is... especially there to be with San Cai.”
Xi Men (takes his arm from behind the sofa and clasps his hands in front of him): “This is good. Doesn’t matter what happens to San Cai, Lei would definitely take care of it.”
Dao Ming Si turns his head away, looking a little annoyed.
Xi Men (leans over and puts his glass on the table): “Ah Si. You and Ye Sha are so steady now... what plans do you have? (pause) With regards to getting married... I don’t wish you to lose to Mei Zuo.”
Mei Zuo (smiling and leans over to put his glass down too): “Hey! (pushes Xi Men on his arm) Don’t pull me into this too. I won’t get married to someone that doesn’t love me, ok?”
Xi Men (smiling also): “Just a minute. You said that Ying Xiao Qiao doesn’t love you. (teasing, looks at Mei Zuo) I thought it was you that doesn’t love her. (Mei Zuo thinks and looks away at being pulled into a trap.) I caught you now.”
Mei Zuo (trying to change the subject): “Right. Has Xiao You called you recently?”
Xi Men (leaning back on the sofa, smiling smugly): “Don’t try to evade my question. So your meaning is that... you have already fallen in love with Ying Xiao Qiao. (Mei Zuo looks away, smiling uneasily at being caught.) You don’t know if she loves you or not. (Xi Men stares at Mei Zuo with a smile on his face.) Hey, so being in a relationship would really make a person become dumb? (Mei Zuo looks over at him.) Everybody could see that she is whole heartedly set on marrying you. Of course she loves you!”
Mei Zuo: “What she loves is being well matched in social status - not me.”
Dao Ming Si (finally speaks up, sounding exactly the way the old Dao Ming Si would sound): “Are you an idiot? (looks over at Mei Zuo) Then what are you being a chauffeur for?”
He reaches for his glass of beer and takes a drink. Xi Men and Mei Zuo turns to look at each other in surprise and both laughs.
Xi Men: “Ah Si. You really are like ‘Ah Si.’”
Dao Ming Si just looks over at them without saying anything. Xi Men and Mei Zuo starts laughing at each other again.
Mei Zuo: “That is the Ah Si that I originally know.”
Dao Ming Si: “What I meant is that you should go and ask her about it. Why waste your time in guessing back and forth?”
Mei Zuo: “Scared me. I really thought that you regained your memories.”
Dao Ming Si: “Weren’t you guys really hoping that I would regain my memories? (pause) If I regained my memories, why would that scare you for?”
Xi Men looks at Mei Zuo for his answer.
Mei Zuo: “I didn’t mean it like that. I was only thinking that if you regained your memories, then things would become very complicated.”
Dao Ming Si (not looking at the guys): “Become very complicated? Why is that?”
Mei Zuo (leans forward from the seat): “You and Ye Sha, Lei and San Cai’s things.”
Xi Men (slowly sits up from his seat): “You are saying that San Cai and Lei...”
He looks over at Mei Zuo.
Mei Zuo: “I can’t be sure. But their feelings have always been very special, no?”
Dao Ming Si is starting to look a little irritated at the course of the conversation.
Mei Zuo: “I’m only saying that if Lei and San Cai can officially begin, then at least, their feelings would be reciprocated. Then there would be no regrets.”
Xi Men (after thinking for a few seconds, nods his head): “Also right. (He picks up his glass.) Then let’s give a toast to Lei and San Cai.”
Mei Zuo and Xi Men both holds up their glasses for a toast but Dao Ming Si suddenly stands up in a flash and downs his glass of beer.
Xi Men (looks up at Dao Ming Si): “Ah Si.”
Dao Ming Si (puts down his glass and turns to walk away): “I’m tired. I’m leaving first.”
Xi Men and Mei Zuo both look at each other and wonders what the problem is.
Mei Zuo (puts his glass down and stands up, calling out): “Ah Si!”
Xi Men stands up from his seat and watches as Dao Ming Si leave and Mei Zuo follows him.
Dao Ming Si is walking up the stairs away from the pub with Mei Zuo’s words going through his head.
Mei Zuo: “If Lei and San Cai can officially begin, then at least, their feelings would be reciprocated. Then there would be no regrets. There would be no regrets. There would be no regrets.”
Mei Zuo stands at the bottom of the steps and stares at Dao Ming Si’s back as he walks away. Dao Ming Si stands outside on the streets and thinks as lots of cars are passing by.
When Dao Ming Si gets home, he heads straight for the studio that Ye Sha does her art work in. A servant walks by and sees Dao Ming Si.
Servant: “Master.”
Dao Ming Si: “Where’s Ye Sha?”
Servant: “Miss Ye Sha is in her room.”
He closes the door to the studio and walks away.
Dao Ming Si barges into Ye Sha’s room in a rush without even knocking.
Dao Ming Si: “Ye Sha...”
Ye Sha (pounces onto the bed, smiling): “Right on time! Come back when I have to take my medicine.”
Dao Ming Si stood at the foot of the bed and smiles before walking over to the dresser to get the medicine. Ye Sha sits up on the bed and waits for him. Dao Ming Si walks back over with the medicine in one hand and a glass of water in the other.
Dao Ming Si (hands her the glass of water): “Here.”
He sits down on the bed next to her and holds out his hand where the medicine is lying.
Ye Sha (reaches for one pill, smiling at Dao Ming Si): “This one is to live for Ah Sing for 3 more months.”
She puts it in her mouth and takes a sip of water to wash it down. Dao Ming Si hands her a second pill.
Ye Sha (taking the 2nd one): “This one is to live for Ah Sing for 3 more years.”
She puts the 2nd one in her mouth and takes a sip of water to wash that down too while Dao Ming Si sits on the side and smiles at her silliness. After she swallows the 2nd pill, Dao Ming Si puts the last pill right into her mouth and she swallows that down with more water.
Ye Sha (pointing to her mouth): “Then that one is to live for Ah Sing for 300 more years!”
She giggles and Dao Ming Si smiles also.
Ye Sha: “Then I would be able to live for 300 years!”
Dao Ming Si (looks at her): “Silly! Hurry up and sleep.”
Ye Sha: “Then is there a bed time story tonight?”
Dao Ming Si: “I don’t know how to tell stories. Can you please have mercy on me?”
Ye Sha: “Then you would have to use a kiss as a substitute.”
She closes her eyes and raises her head up to Dao Ming Si so that he could kiss her on the lips. Dao Ming Si stares at her for a few seconds, before slowly leaning over and kissing her briefly on her cheeks.
Dao Ming Si (stands up quickly to walk away): “Sleep early.”
Ye Sha sits there with a disappointed look on her face before calling out to him.
Ye Sha: “Ah Sing.”
Dao Ming Si stops in his tracks and turns to look at her.
Ye Sha (forces a smile): “Thank you.”
Dao Ming Si (smiles): “Silly. (He reaches out a hand and ruffles her hair.) Hurry up and go to sleep.”
Ye Sha nods her head and lays down on the bed. Dao Ming Si slowly walks toward the doorway and stops briefly to look back at Ye Sha before walking out and closing the door lightly. Ye Sha lays on the bed with her eyes open and thinking about what just happened.
When Dao Ming Si comes out of Ye Sha’s room, he finds Sha Ge standing silently on the side.
Sha Ge (quietly): “Found San Cai?”
Dao Ming Si (smiles sarcastically): “Found and then what?”
Sha Ge: “I was only thinking. We can lie to Ye Sha. (looks at Dao Ming Si) You can’t deceive San Cai.”
He sighs and then turns around and slowly walks away. Dao Ming Si stood there looking at Sha Ge’s back and then suddenly, he breaks into a run and runs past Sha Ge in a flash. Sha Ge stops walking and looks after the running Dao Ming Si.
Sha Ge (with a tormented expression): “God. (pause) I can’t figure out what is right and what is wrong.”
Next day, Lei is standing in front of the police station and waiting for Ah De to come out. A policeman shows him out and he walks over to where Lei is standing. Lei smiles at him and then slowly walks over to the car. Ah De looks around as if trying to find someone and then with a disappointed look, walks over to Lei’s car and gets in. Lei drives Ah De back to the ice shop and all the while, there was silence in the car. Meanwhile, Ah Mei is sitting at the ice shop and waiting for them to show up. As she sees Lei’s car pulling up, she gets up from the chair and walks toward the back to the kitchen. Lei’s car comes to a stop in front of the shop and Ah De gets out of the car. He is just about to walk into the shop when he sees Ah Mei walking out front with a small fire burning in a little clay pot. She puts the pot in front of Ah De and stood there with her head down. [Note: According to Chinese tradition, people who are just released from jail, when they go home, their superstitious relatives would always have some sort of pot that is burning with a fire set in front of them. The person would step over the fire and through the doorway. This is done in order to get rid of bad luck and bad spirits.] Ah De just stood there looking at her.
Ah Mei (still not looking at him): “What are you standing there for? Step over the stove.”
Ah De looks at her for a few seconds more before slowly raising his foot to step over the stove. As he is stepping over, Ah Mei starts talking.
Ah Mei: “Bad luck go away. Good luck come. Let the past be the past. Everything will start anew.”
Ah De turns around to look at Ah Mei.
Ah Mei (looks at the huge bowl of noodles on the table): “Eat all the noodles. Don’t leave anything behind.”
Ah De looks over at the bowl and then slowly walks over to the table and sits down. Ah Mei walks past him and toward the back again. Lei is standing outside by his car and looking into the ice shop. Ah De picks up the chopsticks and looks up as Ah Mei walks past him with some incense in her hands. She walks over to the front of the ice shop and holds the burning incense high up above her head.
Ah Mei (looking up at the sky): “Ma. Brother is back. (Ah De slowly raises his head as he hears Ah Mei talking.) He will take good care of me.”
Ah De is slowly eating the noodles in the bowl in front of him with his back to Ah Mei.
Ah Mei: “You don’t have to worry.”
Ah De is slowly chewing and trying to control his emotions as he hears the words that his sister is saying.
Later, Lei and San Cai are slowly strolling along a small road. It was the same place that Ah Mei brought San Cai to last time when she showed San Cai where the sour fruits were. Lei and San Cai just walked past the bridge and is slowly looking around with Lei following behind San Cai.
San Cai (stops walking and stares at the trees): “I’m thinking about home.”
Lei (standing behind her): “Then let’s return to Taipei.”
San Cai (nods her head and turns around to face Lei): “Tomorrow.”
Lei nods his head and smiles at her. Then they continue to slowly walk up the small road.
Lei (looking at San Cai’s back): “San Cai. I have something I have to return to you.”
He reaches into his pant pocket for something.
San Cai (continuing to walk): “So even you have something that you owe me? I always thought that I was the one that owes you things.”
Lei grabs hold of San Cai’s right hand and puts something in her palm before closing her hand tightly around it. San Cai stood there and slowly opens up her hand to find the meteor star ring in her palm.
San Cai (looks up in surprise at Lei): “Why do you have it?”
Lei: “Because it is very important to you.”
San Cai (looks back down at the ring on her palm, quietly): “Lei.”
Lei (smiles): “This is an exchange between me and Ah Mei. This way she can be at ease.”
San Cai (looks up at Lei and then back to the ring): “But the story of this ring has ended.”
She reaches back her hand and throws the ring far away. From far away, on the other side of the road that is connected to the bridge, Dao Ming Si is slowly walking and looking around. Lei and San Cai are both standing there staring at the place where she threw the ring.
San Cai (sighs): “And now, it truly has ended.”
She lowers her head and stares at something. Lei slowly looks down at San Cai’s bent head.
Lei (to San Cai’s back): “Jing’s and my story has ended too.”
San Cai turns around and looks at Lei. Meanwhile, Dao Ming Si is crossing the bridge and he stops in his tracks in the middle of the bridge as he sees the meteor star ring lying on the ground in front of him.
Lei: “Every second there is a story ending. And also a story beginning.”
He slowly turns to face San Cai.
Lei: “San Cai. (She raises her head and looks at him.) Return with me to Japan. (She looks at him with a surprise expression.) Do you understand my meaning?”
San Cai lowers her head and looks away for a few seconds before raising her head and looking back at Lei. He reaches his hand up and putting it on her shoulder, turns her to face him directly. He slowly lowers his head and kisses San Cai on the lips. Standing on the bridge, Dao Ming Si sees Lei kissing San Cai through the trees. He raises his hand to support himself on the ledge of the bridge and looks away in stunned silence at the scene before him. Dao Ming Si stood rooted to the ground as he continues to look at the scene unfolding before his eyes. Then, slowly, very slowly he starts to back away from them and then turns to start rapidly walking away. Once he gets off the bridge, he breaks into a run to get away from the heartbreaking scene that he saw.
That night, San Cai and Lei are slowly walking up the small road back to the wooden hut. San Cai, walking with lots of things running through her head, slowly comes to a stop. Lei who is walking behind San Cai and looking at her from the back the whole time, stops behind her too.
San Cai (turns to face him): “Lei...”
Lei (raises his hand and puts it on her arm): “Don’t rush. I will wait for you.”
San Cai gives Lei a small smile before turning and continuing to walk back to the house.
Inside the house, Ah Mei and Ah De are preparing dinner and waiting for them to show up.
Ah Mei (looks up): “Eh, why were you guys so long? It’s time for dinner.”
San Cai (walks over to the food that is set up on the table): “Smells so good!”
Ah De: “How about it? My sister’s cooking doesn’t lose to you, right?”
Ah Mei brings another dish and sets in on the table.
San Cai (smiling): “Of course!”
Ah Mei: “It’s only the two of you?”
San Cai: “Why is that?”
Ah De: “Where’s your friend? He was just here looking for you guys before.”
San Cai: “Friend? (turns to Lei) Is it Mei Zuo?”
Lei is standing next to San Cai with his arms crossed.
Ah Mei: “It is not. Mei Zuo is much cuter. This one looks not bad but has no manners. Asked him what his name is and he won’t say. Only asks where is San Cai. I said that you guys must have gone out for a walk. He didn’t even say thank you and ran out.”
Ah De: “Of course, he won’t say thank you to you. Look at you, he must have thought that you are a maid.”
Ah Mei: “Maid? You are a servant!”
Ah De: “I...”
He looks away and gives up arguing with her.
San Cai (looks at Lei again): “So who can it be?”
Lei (looking down at the floor, quietly): “It’s Ah Si.”
San Cai turns her head quickly and looks at him with a surprised expression.
Dao Ming Si is standing on a hill top and looking down at the night scenery. Lei slowly makes his way up the hill to where Dao Ming Si is standing. He stops a few feet behind Dao Ming Si and stood there staring at his back. Dao Ming Si turns around slowly and notices Lei standing there so he starts to slowly walk over to Lei. With a sort of angry expression on his face, Dao Ming Si stood in front of Lei and the two of them doesn’t say anything.
San Cai (running up from behind, calls out): “Lei! (She stops next to Lei and looks at Dao Ming Si.) Dao Ming Si.”
He stares at Lei and then looks over to San Cai. San Cai, on the other hand, is looking at Lei.
Lei (turns to look at San Cai): “Ah Si is looking for you. I’ll go back first.”
He turns to leave and Dao Ming Si reaches out quickly and roughly grabs Lei’s arm to turn him around.
Dao Ming Si (loudly): “What?! Are you returning to me the favor that I let you won at the basketball game?!”
Lei (just at loudly): “The basketball game hasn’t ended!”
The two of them stood there facing off each other in silence and there was tension in the air around them.
Dao Ming Si (quietly): “I only wanted to come and see if you two were good or not. (He looks over at San Cai briefly before turning away.) I’m leaving first.”
He turns to leave and Lei steps up and calls out to his back.
Lei: “Very disappointed?”
Dao Ming Si stops walking and stood with his back to Lei and San Cai.
Lei: “I thought the Ah Si that has regained his memory... would find back his courage and finish this basketball game.”
San Cai is looking from Lei to Dao Ming Si’s back and back to Lei in confusion.
Lei: “Didn’t think that with the last shot... you don’t even want the chance to catch the ball.”
San Cai: “Lei. What exactly are you two talking about? Why can’t I understand it at all?”
Lei (looks at San Cai): “San Cai. Did you forget? (looks back at Dao Ming Si’s back) The game that Ah Si wanted to play to kick us out of Ying De has never ended.”
Dao Ming Si turns back suddenly and grabs at Lei’s shirt roughly.
Dao Ming Si (shouting): “The game has ended already!”
Lei doesn’t say anything and just let Dao Ming Si hold onto his shirt.
Dao Ming Si (slowly letting go of the shirt, quietly): “Because I have chose to... (He slowly looks over to San Cai.) give up.”
San Cai (looks at him with a stunned expression): “Dao Ming Si... you... you really regained your memories?”
Dao Ming Si avoids answering her question.
Lei: “Ah Si. (pause) The ball is actually at San Cai’s now. You still want to choose to give up?”
Dao Ming Si slowly looks over at San Cai again. San Cai looks from Lei over to Dao Ming Si and without saying a word, Lei slowly walks away, leaving San Cai and Dao Ming Si standing there.
After Lei left, Dao Ming Si turns and walks a few steps away before stopping with his back to San Cai. She walks two steps up to him to close the distance between them.
San Cai (talking to Dao Ming Si’s back, hesitantly): “You... really regained your memories?”
Dao Ming Si: “From the moment that I woke up in the hospital. I saw you lying on my bed beside me. I was really very happy. I really wanted to reach out my hand to call you. (San Cai is struggling to control her emotions behind his back.) But the image that showed up in front of my eyes was not your face. (pause) I remembered everything. Have you. (San Cai is silently crying in the background.) Have Ye Sha. (pause) I really don’t know what to do. I can’t see you, but I start thinking about more and more of you. Smiling. Crying. And also when you are mad at me. I become more and more determined... more and more clear... more and more sure how much I love you. (San Cai’s crying face is filled with a painful expression when she hears these words from Dao Ming Si.) Should I cover up my own feelings? Or should I honestly face my own feelings? (pause) I don’t know. There’s only one person that can give me the answer. That’s why I came here. (pause) In the end, I’m only disturbing you and Lei.”
San Cai (walks up to face Dao Ming Si, crying): “Dao Ming Si.”
Dao Ming Si (turns to face San Cai directly): “San Cai. Has our story really ended?”
San Cai doesn’t answer and looks away from him. Suddenly, Dao Ming Si wraps his arms around San Cai and hugs her to him tightly as though afraid to let go.
Dao Ming Si (with a tormented expression): “Are you willing?”
San Cai (shakes her head that is resting on his chest and continues to cry): “Not willing. (pause) But even if unwilling and then what can be done? From the moment that we met, it’s like we were meant to be cursed. Dao Ming Si, does fate really doesn’t want us to be together? Doesn’t want us to hurt Ye Sha and Lei?”
Dao Ming Si (pulls away from San Cai and grabs onto her arms roughly): “Fate?! Tell me where is fate?!?!?! (He lets go of San Cai and starts yelling loudly at the sky.) Fate is where?!?! Tell me!!! You come out!!! I want to hit you really badly!! Why do you have to treat me and San Cai like this?!?!?”
San Cai grabs hold of Dao Ming Si’s arm from behind to try to control his outburst.
San Cai (shakes the arm that she is holding): “Dao Ming Si. Do you remember? That night, at the balcony of your home, (Dao Ming Si slowly turns to face San Cai.) it was the meteor rain that made us begin our love. (Dao Ming Si raises his head and looks up at the sky.) Maybe the meteor rain is our fate. (She looks up at the sky.) Maybe the meteor rain is our answer.”
Dao Ming Si looks over at San Cai waiting for her to continue.
San Cai (looking at him): “Dao Ming Si. If tonight, we can see a meteor rain, then we don’t have to care about anything. (She turns to look at the ground.) If there isn’t any... then it means (She takes a deep breath before looking at Dao Ming Si.) the end.”
They both stood there and looked at each other for a while before both raises their heads to look up at the sky... searching... searching for that ray of shimmering light in the darkness that would give them the answer that they need.
As time passes by, Dao Ming Si and San Cai kneels on the ground with their heads raised up to the sky continuing to look for their answer. Meanwhile, Lei is back at the wooden hut. He is sitting at the stairs and staring blankly in front of him in the darkness. Ye Sha, on the other hand, is sitting in her room on the sofa with a coconut lantern on the table and playing with the lamp, turning it on and off.
The time of dawn approaching is coming closer and closer.
San Cai: “The sky is starting to light up.”
Dao Ming Si (quietly): “I’m not willing.”
San Cai: “All night long, I have been thinking about our story from the beginning. From the time your mom starts to stop us, till your car accident, amnesia, know Ye Sha. We have tried our best. Ran a race with fate already. Now even God want us to give up. (pause) Then there should not be any unwillingness. (San Cai stares down at the ground.) Dao Ming Si. The story has really ended.”
She slowly gets up on her feet but because she has been kneeling too long, her legs were a little weak and she stumbles a little.
Dao Ming Si (reaches out a hand to help her): “San Cai.”
Without saying anything else, she slowly turns and starts to walk away.
Dao Ming Si (still kneeling, grabs hold of her hand to stop her): “I’m not willing… Because you still owe me an answer. You never told me you love me.”
San Cai starts to slowly cry again when she hears these words from Dao Ming Si.
Dao Ming Si: “I use to think… I would be able to pick lots of meteor star to give to you. (pause) I was so stupid. It seems that all I can give you... (He reaches into his pant pocket and takes out the meteor star ring that San Cai threw away.) is only this meteor star ring which changed our fate.”
He puts the ring in her hand that he was holding and then gets up from kneeling and turns to walk away. San Cai slowly opens her hand and stares at the ring that is once again lying there. She looks up and seeing Dao Ming Si walking further and further away, her tears starts falling all over again.
San Cai (shouts out): “DAO MING SI!”
He stops walking but did not turn back.
San Cai (shouting): “I LOVE YOU!”
Dao Ming Si, finally gets the answer that he has been waiting for all this time and upon hearing it, slowly walks away.
San Cai (staring at his back and repeats quietly, with tears running down her face): “I love you.”
After walking for a couple of steps, Dao Ming Si comes to a stop again. Trying to control his tormenting emotions, he takes a deep breath and then continues to walk away. San Cai stood there holding the meteor ring tightly in her hands, with endless tears falling, while the meteor shower that they have been waiting for, finally streams past up in the sky behind her. But a minute too late, since both of them didn’t see it.
After leaving from the hill, San Cai slowly walks back to the wooden hut. She walks over to the stairs by the porch and sits down, staring at nothing. Lei looks over from where he is standing and notices San Cai sitting there. She looks up, gives Lei a fake smile, before turning away to continue staring. Lei slowly walks over to her and sits down on the steps without saying a word and just giving her comfort with his presence. Once Lei sits down, San Cai can no longer control her tears and she starts crying all over again. She uses Lei’s shoulder to cry on as Lei sat there and listens to her heartbroken sobs in silence.
Later that day, Lei is standing at the bottom of the stairs inside the house waiting for San Cai. She is upstairs getting her things together. With everything packed, she slowly walks down the stairs with her bag. She stops at the foot of the stairs and Lei reaches out his hand and takes her bag for her.
Lei: “Let’s go.”
San Cai looks at him and nods her head. As Lei turns toward the door, San Cai calls out to him, “Wait a minute for me.”
Lei (turns back to her): “I’ve always been waiting for you.”
San Cai gives him a small smile before walking away. She goes over to the flowers that Lei bought for her with the money that he earned from selling vegetables for the old lady.
San Cai (standing in front of the flowers, thinks to herself): “Do I love Lei? (She looks over at him and smiles.) I don’t know. He was once my dream. But dream and love is not the same after all. Dreams are beautiful. Love is the real thing.”
She takes the flower and walks out of the wooden hut with Lei following behind her.
Back at the ice shop, Ah Mei and Ah De are both working diligently.
Ah Mei (narrating the things she said to Lei and San Cai): “Eh, if there isn’t anything, don’t call all the time. I hate talking on the phone. Writing letters are even more not necessary. And if it’s not on the way, don’t come over to see me. I’m very busy with my business everyday. Also... thank you guys. Goodbye.”
Summary of MG2 Episode 29:
After leaving from the country side, Dao Ming Si goes back home. He slowly walks down the hall toward Ye Sha’s room with his head down and looking very unhappy. Sha Ge, on the other hand, is standing outside of Ye Sha’s room and is silently crying, his face full of sorrow. Dao Ming Si finally sees him when he gets closer to the room.
Dao Ming Si (stop in front of him, calls out hesitantly): “Sha Ge.”
Sha Ge (crying): “The hospital called... said that the bone marrow match failed. FAILED!”
Dao Ming Si stands in shock at the news that he hears as Sha Ge continues with his heartbroken sobs.
Inside the room, Ye Sha is sitting on the floor and leaning against the bed. On the carpet around her, is scattered with lots of pink and white pills. A lifeless Ye Sha uses the pills to make out the word ‘death’ on the carpet. Dao Ming Si walks in and goes over to stand next to her.
Ye Sha (without looking up says with a lifeless tone): “Go away.”
Dao Ming Si (stares at her and then at the pills on the floor): “What are you doing?”
Ye Sha (quietly): “Waiting for death.”
Dao Ming Si: “Didn’t you promise me that you’ll treasure your life?”
Ye Sha: “No more strength. Not playing anymore.”
Dao Ming Si (gets mad and reaches down roughly to pull her to her feet): “What are you talking about?!”
He pulls her over to the mirror and makes her stand in front of it.
Dao Ming Si: “Look at yourself now! (shakes her when she doesn’t look at their reflection) LOOK!”
Ye Sha finally looks up and they both stare at their reflection in the mirror.
Dao Ming Si: “Are you the Ye Sha that I know? Are you the Ye Sha that believes that she’ll find the way out even when she is lost? Are you the Ye Sha who can find herself in others’ smiles? (shakes her again) ARE YOU?!”
Ye Sha (finally breaks out of her silence and shrugs Dao Ming Si away, crying): “I am the Ye Sha that is dying soon!!”
Dao Ming Si (stands close to her again): “Coincidentally, I am the Dao Ming Si who has escaped from death. Let me tell you what death is. Death is, when you want to do something and you don’t have the time for it... Death is, when you have no more chances to wipe your tears... Death is, when you don’t even have the chance of 3 months! So you rather choose to give up these 3 months of time... and not choose to make good use of it? (He turns her around roughly to face him.) Tell me!! (He shakes her for her answer.) You tell me!! Do you know, seeing you like this, I also feel very sad?!”
Ye Sha (crying): “Ah Si.”
She rests her head on his chest and leans against him helplessly.
Ye Sha (sobs): “Why did they give me hope and then give me disappointment? I’m very scared. (heartbreaking cries) Really very scared...”
Dao Ming Si (wraps his arms around her and rests his cheeks on her head): “Don’t be scared. I’m here. Let’s go traveling around the world, ok? We have to happily see this whole world. (pause, with a tormented expression on his face) We have to forget everything. Forget all the worries. Forget all that’s forgotten. Ok?”
Next morning, Dao Ming Si is sitting at a table and eating breakfast with his mom.
Dao Ming Si (at one end of the table): “I want to go on vacation with Ye Sha.”
Dao Ming Feng (at the other end): “Going out to relax a little is good. When would you be back?”
Dao Ming Si: “Don’t know.”
Dao Ming Feng (reaches for her glass of orange juice): “Ye Sha’s sickness... is not suitable for long trips.”
Dao Ming Si (slowly looks up at Dao Ming Feng cautiously): “You know?”
Dao Ming Feng was bringing some food to her mouth and pauses in her movement at Dao Ming Si’s question.
Dao Ming Si: “That’s why you decided with her on some sort of 3 months agreement, is that right?”
She looks at the food that’s on the fork and looking up at Dao Ming Si, slowly puts the fork down on the plate.
Dao Ming Feng: “Ah Si. Mommy is doing this for you. You love Ye Sha, no?”
Dao Ming Si (gets angry): “Then you shouldn’t have used our love as a bargaining chip! Especially since I’m your son!”
Dao Ming Feng: “There will be a day when you will understand... Mommy has paid out how many painstaking efforts for you.”
Dao Ming Si: “I hope there will be a day when you will understand... how selfish you are!”
He gets up from his chair and throws down his napkin on the table in anger, turning to leave. At this moment, Yu Tian walks into the dining room quickly.
Yu Tian (to Dao Ming Si): “Master. (walks over to Dao Ming Feng) Madam. Sorry. It’s a call from Zhong Wu Department’s Liu Shu Hao.”
He holds out the cordless phone toward Dao Ming Feng.
Dao Ming Feng (answering the phone): “So early in the morning. What’s the matter? (pause) Understood.”
She holds out the phone toward Yu Tian and he takes it from her.
Dao Ming Feng (looks at Dao Ming Si): “San Cai has resigned. Probably because she has agreed to go to Japan with Hua Ze Lei.”
Dao Ming Si is stunned at the news and stood frozen for a few seconds. But suppressing his feelings, he walks out of the dining room with his head held high. Dao Ming Feng reaches for her glass of orange juice and smiles with a triumphant look on her face.
Inside a pub at the bar counter, a moody Dao Ming Si is fiddling with an ash tray while a can of beer sits on the counter top. Mei Zuo stands behind him for a few seconds before walking over to stand next to Dao Ming Si. Without a word, Xi Men also walks up and stands to the other side of Dao Ming Si.
Mei Zuo (to the bartender): “Two beers. (looking at Xi Men, while Dao Ming Si picks up his can of beer) Didn’t we celebrate Dao Ming Si’s 10th birthday in Hawaii?”
Xi Men: “It’s at L.A.’s Disney.”
Mei Zuo: “Hawaii!”
Xi Men: “L.A.!”
Dao Ming Si puts his beer back down and picks up the ash tray again.
Mei Zuo: “How can that be? I remember that I was sunburned...”
Dao Ming Si (interrupts him): “My 10th birthday was spent in Taiwan. (He holds up the ash tray and looks at it, as though fascinated with it.) Because at that time I broke my leg.”
The bartender places two more cans of beer on the counter.
Xi Men: “We thought that you were going to hide from us for the rest of our lives.”
There was silence between the three of them as Dao Ming Si puts the ash tray down and Mei Zuo opens up a can of beer.
Mei Zuo: “Ah Si. You really are too much. Regained your memories and don’t tell us.”
Dao Ming Si (picks up the ash tray again): “I wasn’t purposely not saying it... It’s just that I didn’t know how to say it.”
Xi Men (looks at Dao Ming Si): “You remember San Cai?”
Dao Ming Si doesn’t answer and picking up his beer, just turns around to lean his back on the bar counter and drinks.
Mei Zuo turns around to lean against the counter also and is silent for a few seconds while looking at Dao Ming Si.
Mei Zuo: “Did you tell San Cai?”
Xi Men also turns around and waits for Dao Ming Si’s answer.
Dao Ming Si (avoids the question and changes the subject): “Eh. In another 2 days, I’ll be going with Ye Sha to travel around the world.”
Mei Zuo doesn’t know what to say and turns around to face the bar counter.
Dao Ming Si: “Don’t know when I’m coming back. (looks at Xi Men) Well? How about pretending to see me off?”
He raises his beer of can for a toast.
Xi Men (calls out to Mei Zuo while reaching for his can of beer): “Mei Zuo.”
Mei Zuo finally turns around and the three of them have a toast and drink from their cans. There was silence after the toast as all three of them are lost in their own thoughts and feelings.
Mei Zuo: “Lei is also going back to Japan. It seems like F4 really is going to disappear.”
Xi Men: “Won’t happen. There are some things that won’t disappear for life.”
Dao Ming Si: “Unless someone loses his memory again.”
They all smile at his comment.
Mei Zuo (looks over at Xi Men): “If it is me, Xi Men, promise me, you must beat me until I’m awake!”
Xi Men (nods his head): “I guarantee it. Anyway, I’ve wanted to hit you for a long time.”
Mei Zuo laughs at him.
Dao Ming Si: “Eh. You two are really not good brothers... didn’t beat me to wake me up earlier.”
There was another moment of silence as they all pondered over the comment that was made. Xi Men puts his arm on Dao Ming Si’s shoulder and gives him a light pat.
Mei Zuo: “Ah Si. Because of San Cai, you and Lei wouldn’t...”
Xi Men and Mei Zuo both look at each other over Dao Ming Si’s head.
Dao Ming Si: “Didn’t Xi Men said it before? F4 would never disappear.”
He holds up his beer of can again and then drinks.
Next scene shows the airport...
San Cai’s voice narrating: “On the day that Dao Ming Si & Ye Sha left... I didn’t go to the airport to see them off. (scene of an airplane taking off) Left... ended... this year’s summer and my most important memories ended together...”
3 months later...
Inside a travel agency, Mimi picks up a ringing phone.
Mimi: “Hello, Ao You Travel Agency. Very happy to serve you. (pause) Oh, please hold on a minute. (covering the mouth piece of the phone, Mimi looks up and calls out) San Cai Senior! (San Cai turns around.) Your phone.”
San Cai: “Orh. Thank you. (turns back to her two customers) Eh, excuse me. Why don’t you guys think it over. I’ll pick up a call.”
The two customers smiles and nods their head.
San Cai (reaches over to pick up the phone): “Hello. I’m San Cai. (smiles) I also have good news to tell you. (pause) Then, see you later. Bye.”
She hangs up the phone and walks back to the two customers.
San Cai: “Sorry. Have you guys decided?”
She sits at a table with the two customers and explains things to them.
Qing He’s voice narrating: “When winter arrived, San Cai found a job at a travel agency. She said that this is a very joyous job. Because, who doesn’t bring a happy feeling to start a new vacation? Everyday San Cai is busy with recommending attractions, booking flights. She said that she fell in love with this job.”
The scene of San Cai going over details with the two customers are shown throughout Qing He’s narration.
Qing He’s voice continuing: “San Cai loves to hear the customers’ news that they bring back from all over the places in the world. I think that’s because, these news, could help San Cai to, little by little, piece together news of Dao Ming Si and Ye Sha, who has lost contact. (San Cai is bowing to her customers and waving goodbye to them.) Winter vacation has started. Mimi has also started working at the travel agency.”
The customers walk away and Mimi runs over to where San Cai is standing.
Mimi: “Senior, congratulations!”
San Cai: “Congratulate what?”
Mimi: “I heard the manager say that next month you will be starting to take a Japan tour group. You must be very happy!”
San Cai (smiling): “I am very happy. But I also am very nervous.”
Mimi: “What’s there to be nervous about? Anyway, you have Hua Ze Lei Senior in Japan would could help you.”
San Cai (smiling): “Don’t know if he will have time then. Thinking about this tour, bringing so many people, is very nerve-wracking.”
Suddenly, Qing He jumps out and next to San Cai.
Qing He (with his arms wide open): “SURPRISE!”
Mimi (happy): “Qing He Senior!”
San Cai (looks at Qing He, smiling): “Hi.”
Qing He: “San Cai, why aren’t you surprised at all?”
San Cai (laughs): “You come here to report everyday, what’s there to be surprised about?”
Qing He: “Eh, today is not the same. Today is the weekend. I have already planned everything to bring you to celebrate.”
San Cai: “Celebrate? Celebrate what?”
Qing He: “Celebrate... celebrate you two working... working very happily!”
San Cai and Mimi looks at each other, smiling at his silliness.
Qing He: “Celebrate... we haven’t been together to be happy in a long time. Celebrate... aiyo! Anyway, it’s just to go dancing, so let’s go celebrate a bit. I already have this wish to dance until my leg muscles cramp up. (very excited) Hurry up! Ok?”
San Cai: “Are you nuts? You still want to dance until your leg cramps up? Moreover, I can’t make it today. I planned something with Lei.”
Qing He (rolls his eyes, teasing sarcastically): “Oh, that’s how friends are. I already have my heart set on dancing. Then why don’t you tell Lei to come with us? I also want to see Lei’s (He starts moving around excitedly.) expression when he dance until he gets leg cramps!”
San Cai (hits him on his arm, smiling): “Stop playing around. (She pushes Mimi over to stand next to Qing He.) You and Mimi go and have fun.”
Qing He: “Mimi, don’t tell me you can’t make it either.”
Mimi (with her head down): “Sorry. I have to work tonight.”
Qing He: “Work again?!?! What exactly are you busying about recently? (Mimi looks like she’s trying to hide something, while San Cai looks over at them with concern.) Every time I ask you, you have to work.”
Mimi: “Actually, I really want to go. Just that, Senior, it’s like this. Because my dad helped recommend me to a high class French restaurant to study their etiquette... so.... sorry, Senior.”
Qing He: “Your dad is not thinking for you at all! This a vacation day.”
Mimi: “Sorry, Qing He Senior.”
San Cai (pushes Qing He’s hands): “Qing He. You know that Mimi is working because she wants to learn how to take care of the family. Moreover, didn’t you say that you like hardworking girls?”
Qing He: “I did say that. That’s right. But... but just feel... just feel that winter vacation has been so boring.”
San Cai: “Then let’s change to another day. Change to another day and we’ll plan earlier. That way Mimi can change her shift before hand. Ok?”
Mimi: “Right. Qing He Senior, I will definitely go next time.”
San Cai nods her head in agreement too.
Qing He (sighs): “If I knew earlier, then I would have went with my mom to ‘bei gang jin xiang.’” [Note: He means to go to some temple in ‘bei gang’ to offer his prayers or to light incense.]
After Qing He leaves the travel agency, he is dragging his feet, walking around the streets.
Qing He (standing at the corner of a street, talking to himself): “Boring Taipei. Boring Mr. Chan Qing He. Boring Friday.”
Just then his cell phone rings and taking it out of his pocket, he looks at the number before answering.
Qing He: “Hello, how are you. I am... Qing He. (pause) Oh, Mimi. (pause) It’s ok. San Cai said that hardworking is a virtue. (pause) Ok, then you go and work. Bye bye.”
He hangs up and then thinks for a bit before he starts to look at his cell phone’s address book.
Qing He (talking to himself as he scrolls down his address book): “Dao Ming Si... missing. Xi Men... busy. Mei Zuo... (He looks up and sees an intimate couple passing by him before continuing.) in love.”
Then he finally finds a number to call.
Qing He: “Hello? Ah Guai. Hey, accompany me to dancing tonight, ok? (pause, with a begging tone) Go... Dance for a bit. (pause) Eh, I’ll pay for your admission fee.”
Later that night, Ah Mei is standing in front of the Taipei Railroad Station waiting for someone. Lei slowly walks up behind her and taps her on the shoulder.
Ah Mei (turns around sharply, with a not so happy tone): “Eh! You are too slow, you!”
Lei (just smiles at her and reaches out his hand to ruffle her hair): “Why are you still so cute?”
Ah Mei smiles and fixes her hair with one hand and holds out a jar in her other hand to Lei.
Lei (takes the jar): “What is this?”
Ah Mei: “It’s for you.”
Lei: “For me?”
Ah Mei nods her head.
Lei (looks at the jar and nods his head, smiling): “Let’s go.”
Lei brings Ah Mei to a lounge or room of some sort. They are sitting on a sofa around a table. Lei slowly reaches his head inside the jar that Ah Mei brought for him and takes out a small round object and slowly brings it closer to his mouth. Ah Mei is leaning forward, hugging a pillow to her and looking intently at his expression. He takes a bite and slowly chews it.
Ah Mei: “Eh, how is it?”
Lei doesn’t answer and just continues to chew and taste the object.
Ah Mei (smiling): “How is it?”
Lei (turns to her and smiles): “Tastes good.”
Ah Mei (smiles happily and grabs the jar on the table): “Like crying fruit but don’t like to cry, right? [Note: ‘ku guo’ = Chinese character for ‘crying fruit.’ Probably made of the sour fruits that Ah Mei gave to San Cai to eat.] Eh, do you know that these have to be put into a big bowl and marinated for 3 months? If you add condensed milk and crushed ice, it would taste even better. (Lei nods his head.) Ah De invented this. I helped to give it a name, called... ‘li li guo zi shuang.’ It’s now our shop’s top ice dish! San Cai must love it, right? (She puts the jar down on the table.) Eh, how’s San Cai?”
Lei (with his head bent and looking down): “She said that she’ll be over later.”
Ah Mei: “Eh, no. I was asking how you and San Cai are now.”
Lei (looks up at Ah Mei and gives a small smile): “Still the same.”
Ah Mei: “What does still the same mean?”
Lei: “Like good friends.”
Ah Mei looks away from him with an annoyed, pouting expression.
Lei: “What’s wrong with you?”
Ah Mei: “Eh, I didn’t know you were this modest. Weren’t you going to bring San Cai to Japan? (Lei looks away from her.) Moreover, hasn’t it ended between her and this bad tempered guy? Then why aren’t you both still not together yet? Why is it still good friends?”
Lei just continues looking down without answering.
Ah Mei (looks at Lei’s bent head): “Answer me.”
Lei (turns his head to look at her): “You have too many questions.”
Ah Mei: “Then answer them one by one.”
Lei (looks away and then answers after a few seconds): “Actually there is only one answer. (pause) Ah Si and San Cai’s story... still hasn’t ended yet.”
Ah Mei: “Then you and San Cai’s story has ended?”
Lei: “Strictly speaking... my story with San Cai... has maybe never started.”
Ah Mei: “You’re talking nonsense! Don’t you love San Cai? (Lei doesn’t answer.) Eh, don’t lie to me! I will look down on you.”
After a few seconds of silence, Lei quietly speaks up.
Lei: “I have not denied that my feelings for San Cai are very special. (pause) From the moment that I discovered her existence... I realized... (Scene of when San Cai was crying in the hallway of the school after being attacked by the two guys that Dao Ming Si sent after her. Lei tries to comfort her and stop her crying by doing a handstand. San Cai (crying): “What are you doing?” Lei’s doing a handstand against the wall.) I couldn’t help but help her... (Scene of when San Cai was in Barcelona shouting out to the scenery with Lei beside her asking for the missing Dao Ming Si to come back.) get rid of her obstacles... solving difficulties. (Scene of when Dao Ming Si gets into an argument with Lei over San Cai at Ying De University.) Now Ah Si got into trouble, I would naturally become the shoulder that she leans on. (Scene of when Dao Ming Si yells at Lei for trying to help San Cai when all the students were after her and Qing He. And San Cai was being pulled between Lei and Dao Ming Si as though they were having a tug of war.) But I never thought that... (San Cai anxiously grabs the meteor necklace that Dao Ming Si threw into the pond from Lei’s hands and stood there crying while she clutches the necklace tightly in her hands.) each drop of San Cai’s tears... (Lei reaches over and pulls the crying San Cai into his embrace.) would make me unconsciously fall in love with her. (Scene of when San Cai came back from the hill after Dao Ming Si left and she was sitting on the staircase of the porch and using Lei’s shoulder to cry on.) I still love San Cai. But I still didn’t know myself. (Scene of when Lei is slowly walking on the beach toward the water after Ah Mei left him to ponder at his own answers to her questions.) I faintly felt that my heart would strangely become to ache. More and more painful... More and more painful. Until you reminded me... (Scene of when Ah Mei was standing at the beach with Lei. Ah Mei: “San Cai caused you pain, right? (pause) You love San Cai, right?”) That’s when I finally realized my feelings toward San Cai. (pauses, Lei with a very sad looking face) I expressed my feelings to her. (Scene of when Lei and San Cai is standing on the small road. Lei: “San Cai. Return with me to Japan.”) I know that the one she still loves is Ah Si. But because of San Cai... I am willing to be Ah Si’s shadow. (pauses for a few seconds then looks over at Ah Mei) But I’m not Ah Si. Ah Si is after all my buddy. Moreover... (Lei looks away.) after Ah Si regains his memory... he still loves San Cai after all.”
Ah Mei: “Then why isn’t there any news of him? Why did he leave San Cai here and not care about her?”
Lei (had his head turned to the side as he tries to regain his composure): “I think this answer... (He takes a deep breath.) he would understand more clearly than anyone else. Ah Si’s disappearance... is so that San Cai won’t find... (Scene of Dao Ming Si sitting in the room that San Cai wrote all over the wall on, deep in thought all by himself.) any reason to make her sad. However, even without any clues... (Scene of San Cai standing at the airport staring at the different clocks with the times of the different cities around the world.) The more that San Cai wants to forget... (Scene of San Cai standing in front of the boarding gate entrance with her head down.) The more that she can’t forget. (San Cai turns from the gates and slowly walks away.) Because inside the two of their hearts... (San Cai is home and staring at the lights that are hanging in the shape of the meteor pendant on the window.) neither of them is really seriously willing to end this story. (looks over at Ah Mei) I have already booked the tickets to Japan. Early morning the day after tomorrow.”
Ah Mei: “Aren’t you going to regret it?”
Lei: “In this world, there are two types of people who are mentally suffering from regrets. (pause) One is those who are not able to get the person that they love. (pause) The other is those who see their loved ones not being able to get any happiness.”
Ah Mei is starting to cry softly for Lei on the side.
Lei: “I don’t wish that you will feel this kind of regret.”
He looks over at Ah Mei and finds her crying.
Lei: “Wei! I remember you saying that you don’t like to cry.”
Ah Mei (wipes her tears): “It’s all because of this crying fruit. (points to the jar on the table and continuing to cry) It’s all because of this crying fruit! (She looks over at Lei.) You must remember this! When I have saved enough money, I will be sure to go to Japan and chase you back! (Lei laughs lightly.) I definitely will!”
Lei (nods his head, smiling): “You really are... very cute.”
Ah Mei looks over at Lei and gives him an annoyed look.
Lei (teases): “Cry baby.”
Ah Mei smiles while she is still sniffling.
Lei (picking up the jar): “Ok. You should eat a crying fruit yourself.”
Ah Mei (pushes his hand away): “Don’t want. You eat.”
Lei (holds it out to her again): “It tastes very good.”
Ah Mei reaches her hand in the jar and takes one out to put in her mouth.
Inside a disco, everyone is cheering on a girl as she walks over to a pole and starts dancing rather sexily against it on stage. It turns out that the girl that is dancing in a tank top and miniskirt with lots of make up on is none other than Mimi. It just so happens that Qing He and his friend are walking through the crowd of people who are standing there watching the girl on stage, rubbing and bumping, dancing very suggestive, sexy moves against the pole.
Friend (pulls onto Qing He’s arm, who is walking in front of him, to a stop): “Qing He. Qing He (points on stage) Look.”
Qing He (looking on stage): “Wow,
there is this kind of entertainment here?”
Friend (points to the girl dancing on stage): “But isn’t that your
Junior, Mimi?”
Qing He: “It can’t be. You must be seeing things. Mimi is working. How can it be?”
Friend: “Take another closer look. She really is. Look at her face. It really is.”
Qing He (starts to get angry): “You’re seeing things! (pushes his friend) I told you it can’t be!”
Friend: “Eh, what are you getting mad for? Why such an ugly face? (He turns to walk away with someone else.) Go... get some drinks.”
At this moment, a guy goes up on stage and walks over to Mimi. He dances close to her and tries to touch her and tries to hold onto her. A scared Mimi stops dancing and tries to ward off his hands.
Mimi: “Mr....”
Guy: “Come on.”
Mimi: “Can you please don’t do this?”
Guy: “It’s ok. Come.”
Qing He sees this from where he is standing and quickly moves his way pass the crowd toward the stage. He gets up on stage and pushes the guy away from Mimi.
Qing He: “Get away!”
Guy: “Eh, who are you?”
Mimi (hides behind Qing He): “Qing He Senior.”
He looks at Mimi and then looks back at the guy.
Qing He (loudly): “What?”
Guy (pushes Qing He on the shoulder): “What do you want to do?”
Qing He looks around him and then pulls up his sleeves as though getting ready for a fight. But before he can move a muscle, the guy reaches out and punches Qing He in the eye. Qing He covers his bruised eye and squats down on the floor in pain.
Guy (staring down at Qing He): “If I don’t teach you a good lesson today...”
Mimi (reaches out a hand to stop the guy): “No! Please, I beg you! (She bends down next to Qing He.) Please don’t.”
Guy (points at Qing He): “I’ll let you go this time. Don’t let me see you again next time!”
The guy walks away from the stage.
Mimi (puts her hands on Qing He’s shoulder): “Qing He Senior...”
Qing He is mad and shrugs off her hands roughly while still covering his bruised eye. He starts to get off the stage.
Qing He (cold tone): “Go away!”
Mimi stays there on the stage and stares at Qing He’s back not knowing what to do.
In the dressing room backstage, Mimi is sitting at the dressing table and crying. Her boss walks in and shaking his head at her, he takes out a white envelope from his suit pocket and leaves it on the table. He then turns and walks out. Mimi stares at the back of her boss and then looks back at the envelope on the table. Picking it up, she starts crying harder and looks back over to the doorway. Holding the envelope of money close to her heart, Mimi is crying her heart out in her misery. After a few seconds, she puts the envelope on the table and then resting her head on the table, she continues with her sobbing.
Later, after all the crowd of people is all gone, Mimi slowly walks out with her bag and finds Qing He standing there waiting for her.
Mimi (looks over at him in surprise): “Qing He Senior.”
Qing He (with his back to her, the muscles in his jaw moving in untold anger): “Why did you lie to me? Why? (no answer from Mimi, so he shouts loudly) TELL ME!!”
Without waiting for an answer, Qing He walks away angrily. Mimi continues to stand there and stare at the back of Qing He. She walks over a couple of steps and stops.
Mimi (starting to cry again): “Sorry, Qing He Senior.”
She leans against a glass case and stood there continuing to cry again.
Walking out of the disco, still clenching his jaw, Qing He throws his bag down in anger and his cell phone falls out. He looks at it and leaning down, picks it up and dials a number.
Qing He: “San Cai? It’s me, Qing He. (pause) I want to ask you a question. If you discover that your very, very, very good friend... lied to you. What would you do?”
Next morning, Mimi opens the door of her apartment to find Qing He standing outside her door. Qing He slowly raises his bent head and looks at Mimi with his bruised eye. He gives her a slight smile and Mimi forces a smile back at him.
They went outside and sat there not talking at all. Mimi slowly turns her head over to look at Qing He briefly before looking away.
Mimi: “How is Qing He Senior’s eye?”
Qing He reaches up with his hand to touch his sore eye without answering.
Mimi: “Qing He Senior, must be looking down upon me now. (pause) Because Mimi Junior, is a girl that likes to lie. Mimi Junior is a materialistic girl. (pause) Mimi Junior is not a cute girl at all. (She looks over at Qing He again.) You must be thinking about that now, right?”
Qing He (finally speaking): “Not right. Actually, I feel that you are very cute. I always like having you following me all around, calling me Qing He Senior. Telling me what your father has said about this and that. Even though I don’t know how your father looks like, but from your words, I hear that, he must be the type that’s very tall, strong, and with one punch, can beat me into a pulp that kind of guy.”
Both smiles at the comment that he made.
Mimi: “What you said is right. My dad is really like that. Tall, strong, and with one punch, can beat those people that bully me into a pulp.”
Qing He (smiles and looks over at Mimi): “That’s why, I came here today and was afraid of bumping into him.”
Mimi (bends her head down and starts to cry): “Qing He Senior. I didn’t mean to lie to you. It’s because I just wanted to make a little more money. I only... school is going to be starting soon.”
Qing He (starts to look around uncomfortably as Mimi starts to sniffle loudly): “Ok already. Just as long as you don’t work there anymore. Don’t be sad.”
Mimi (looks up, still crying): “I’m not sad. I’m just happy that Qing He Senior is still willing to come and look for me.”
They sat there with just the sound of Mimi sniffling before Qing He starts talking.
Qing He: “San Cai said that when your friend lies to you... then she must have a reason to. So... (He looks over at Mimi.) I will definitely believe in my friends.”
Mimi (looks up smiling): “Qing He Senior, you really believe me?”
Qing He (nods his head): “Of course! You are my very, very good friend.”
Mimi: “Thank you. Qing He Senior.”
Qing He: “What’s the big deal about it? Friends are suppose to be like that.”
Mimi: “But... its meaning to me is totally different. Because I don’t have friends. Ever since I was little, I have been other people’s laughing stock. So I tried all that I could to get into Ying De to study. (starts crying again) Even though I can’t pay for the tuition fees, I still have to go to study in Ying De. (pause) Because I have to make these people who look down on me, to be envious of me. Then, would they want to be friends with me. Within my world, friends are just a type of advantage or disadvantage relationship. (pause, crying) Because you are poor, so that’s why you have no friends. Because you are an illegitimate daughter, so everyone looks down on you!”
Qing He turns his head and looks at Mimi.
Mimi: “My dad is not tall, not strong and also will not beat up those who bully me with one punch. (pause, sobs out) Because I don’t have a dad! Because I’m an illegitimate daughter! Qing He Senior, I didn’t mean to lie to you on purpose. I always wished... I made myself believe that I have a father who worries about the boys that call... a father who would sneak peeks into my love letters... a father who would wait for me at the front door at 10 p.m. (She stands up suddenly facing Qing He.) Sorry!”
Qing He (quickly stands up and wipes her tears with his hand): “Don’t cry anymore.”
She continues to cry and he uses both hands to wipe her tears.
Qing He (loudly): “Don’t cry! What’s the big deal about not having a father? You have Qing He Senior! (pause, nodding his head) Ok, Qing He Senior, I, may not be tall and also not strong. But when there are other people who bullies you... I can still run away with you! (Mimi looks up at him with a very grateful expression.) In the future, you don’t have to lie anymore. When other people bully you, you just say, ‘Qing He Senior would protect me!’ Come, say it with me once loudly. Mimi has Qing He Senior!”
Mimi (softly): “Mimi has...”
Her voice trails off as she looks around consciously.
Qing He: “Has what?”
Mimi (looks down on the ground): “Has Qing He Senior.”
Qing He: “Louder!”
Mimi (holds her head high, loudly): “I have Qing He Senior! Qing He Senior would protect me! (louder) I have Qing He Senior! Qing He Senior would protect me!”
She starts crying happy tears now and Qing He reaches out with both his hands to help her wipe her tears again.
Mimi (stands up straight and shouts): “I HAVE QING HE SENIOR! QING HE SENIOR WOULD PROTECT ME!”
Qing He (shouts): “LOUDER!”
Mimi: “I HAVE QING HE SENIOR! QING HE SENIOR WOULD PROTECT ME!”
Mei Zuo is standing by his car holding an umbrella and patiently waiting for someone.
Xiao Qiao (runs over and stops in front of him): “Hi, waited long?”
Mei Zuo: “Ok.”
Xiao Qiao reaches over and gets ready to get in the passenger side of the seat but Mei Zuo stops her.
Mei Zuo: “Are you sure you want to sit here? Aren’t you afraid your ex boyfriend might be angry?”
Xiao Qiao looks at him, shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders indicating that she didn’t know what he was talking about. Mei Zuo looks at the backseat and tilts his head toward it.
Xiao Qiao bends down to look through the window and Mei Zuo opens the door of the backseat for her.
Xiao Qiao (exclaims in happiness): “Ah!”
When she sees her cello lying on the backseat, a delighted Xiao Qiao opens up the case and strokes her cello with a loving hand and a big smile on her face. After a few seconds, she gets up and Mei Zuo closes the door shut.
Mei Zuo: “I called the cello teacher everyday to pester him. I think that I must have drove him crazy!”
A very happy Xiao Qiao doesn’t say anything but just grabs hold of the Mei Zuo’s shirt and pulls his face to her so that she can kiss him. A surprised Mei Zuo drops the umbrella to the ground at the suddenness of her move.
Xiao Qiao (pulls back, smiling sweetly): “Thank you.”
Mei Zuo stumbles back a little as she releases the shirt that she was holding. He looks at her and then looks away with a big grin on his face.
Mei Zuo: “You know that this type of thing... should be left to the guy to initiate?”
They smiled at each other and then Mei Zuo puts his hand behind Xiao Qiao’s neck and pulling her close to him, shares a passionate kiss with her.
Later that night, Lei is standing all alone by the water side and looking out at the night scenery. He turns around, walking away slowly, and sees Xi Men standing to the side with a drink in his hand and waiting for Lei. Then, they both sat there, drinking and staring out at the water.
Lei (staring out at the water): “Tomorrow...”
Xi Men (interrupts him): “I know. No need to see you off.”
Lei doesn’t respond and just smiles.
Xi Men: “You and Ah Si is so different. He can’t keep anything to himself... but you don’t say anything. However, the two of you are my most important friends. He left. And you’re leaving too. But I believe that, one day, you will both be back. (pause) Not because Taipei is good... it’s because Taipei is home. Everyone must return home. (looks over at Lei) When you come back, may I go pick you up?”
Lei (smiles): “Then you help me tell Mei Zuo. (Mei Zuo is slowly walking up behind Lei and Xi Men.) He’s so busy being in a relationship recently.”
Mei Zuo stands behind them and opens up a can of beer. Lei turns his head and looks over at him.
Mei Zuo: “No matter how busy... I will still come and drink with you.”
He holds out his can for a toast and Xi Men and Lei both holds out their can too. Then the three of them drinks up from their own cans.
Lei (turns his head to look at Mei Zuo): “Tomorrow...”
Mei Zuo (interrupts him): “I know. No need to see you off.”
Lei and Xi Men both smiles at this and then the three of them continue sitting there, staring out at the water and drinking.
Afterwards, Lei sends a message on his cell phone by the water side.
Lei’s voice: “There’s a snail that would be returning to Japan. I realize now, that I am actually also a snail. (San Cai is sitting on her bed and moving her very tired neck around.) It seems that I am fated to be friends with another snail for the rest of my life. (She looks at her cell phone and receives this message from Lei.) It seems that there is something that I will never be able to give you... and that’s happiness.”
Lei puts his cell phone back and slowly walks away.
Scene of when after San Cai was being bullied by the students in Ying De, she ran up to the roof to hide and meets Lei there. She looks at him, out of breath, as he walks over to her and holds out a handkerchief for her to clean up. San Cai looks at him cautiously before taking the handkerchief from his hand and wiping herself with it.