Summary
of MG2 Episode 12:
Scene opens up with the continuation of San Cai searching for Mr. Gao in the lobby of the company’s building. Back at Grandma’s apartment, Dao Ming Si opens the front door to find lots of boxes of cakes on the ground. He kneels down on the ground and started picking each of the boxes up.
Dao Ming Si (reading the sender’s name from the box): “Mr. Gao. Mr. Gao. Mr. Gao. Still another Mr. Gao? How did Grandma meet so many Mr. Gao’s as friends? So many cakes. A birthday without relatives, Grandma must be very lonely.”
Dao Ming Si then proceeds to bring all the cakes back into the house with him. Then he uses a coconut and turns it into a birthday coconut putting one candle on the top. He takes it upstairs to Grandma’s room and knocks on the door.
Grandma (through the door): “I’m busy.”
Dao Ming Si knocks again.
Grandma (folding her clothes): “I said I’m busy, did you not understand?”
Dao Ming Si is persistent and knocks again, so Grandma goes to open the door. When she opened the door, she was ready to scold him but he started singing.
Dao Ming Si (holding out the coconut to her): “Happy Birthday to Grandma, Happy Birthday to Grandma, Happy Birthday to Grandma, Wish that Grandma will be happy everyday after seeing me.”
Grandma (with a pleased smile on her face): “What the heck are you singing?”
Dao Ming Si: “I wish Grandma would be forever pretty and not grow old, be beautiful, be generous, be cute, and young. Also the voice that you use to scold people will get louder and louder.”
Grandma (getting loud): “I love scolding people? It’s all because you are asking for it.”
Dao Ming Si: “Ok, ok… I was asking for it. Then this old grandma who’s voice that is use to scold people which is getting softer and softer, will you try this fruit juice that I have made especially for you to celebrate? It’s very good.”
Grandma: “Are you trying to give me a stomachache?”
Dao Ming Si: “Come on, come. Let’s go, let’s go.”
Dao Ming Si pulls Grandma downstairs to the living room table and sets the coconut in front of her. Grandma gets ready to blow the candle when Dao Ming Si stops her.
Dao Ming Si: “Hey, make a wish first Grandma.”
Grandma puts her hands together and makes a wish.
Dao Ming Si: “Done? Then let’s blow the candle. One, two, three.”
Grandma blows the candle looking very happy.
Dao Ming Si (clapping his hands): “Happy Birthday!”
Grandma: “Thank you.”
Dao Ming Si then pulls the candle out and sticks a straw into the coconut.
Dao Ming Si: “Try it.”
Grandma takes a sip.
Dao Ming Si: “How is it?”
Grandma (swallowing): “What’s that weird taste?”
Dao Ming Si: “Hey, what are you calling weird taste? I made it especially for you.”
Grandma: “It’s a little weird, but I believe that once I’m in Canada, I will miss this weird taste.”
Dao Ming Si: “Why would you miss it? If Grandma likes it, I’ll make it for you for your birthday every year.”
Grandma: “Then you must remember how to make this weird taste. I won’t want any other taste.”
Dao Ming Si: “That’s not a problem at all. Simple.”
Grandma: “Really?”
Dao Ming Si: “Grandma how long are you planning to be on vacation?”
Grandma: “Who said I was going on vacation? I am going to emigrate.”
Dao Ming Si: “Emigrate? Why so sudden?”
Grandma: “It’s not sudden. I’ve decided to emigrate a long time ago. If it wasn’t because you two moved in to the 2nd floor, I would have sold the house already.”
Dao Ming Si: “You’re going to sell the house?”
Grandma: “However, since you two came that’s good, can help me look after the house. I’m warning you. You better take good care of my house.”
Dao Ming Si: “But why would you want to sell the house? And also there’s me and Ye Sha living with you, every year celebrate your birthday with you…”
Grandma (interrupting him): “No need, no need. You don’t need to treat me this way. You have to take care of Ye Sha, understand? Don’t be like a no heart, no brain, stupid guy, who always says love her but doesn’t have any idea what her heart is thinking about.”
Dao Ming Si (boasting): “Of course, I know Ye Sha.”
Grandma: “What do you know about her? ”
Dao Ming Si: “I…”
Grandma: “Do you know what perfume she likes, what flavor cake she likes to eat?”
Dao Ming Si: “She… (laughs) I’ll ask her next time.”
Grandma (with an incredulous look): “Next time? What if there’s no next time? Men are all like this. Think they know everything, and act all strong and all but doesn’t really know what us women’s hearts are thinking about. (she starts getting mad) Men is men. (smacks both of her hands on the table and gets up) NOT ONE GOOD ONE.” Dao Ming Si jumps back a little and Grandma walks away angry.
Dao Ming Si (talking to no one in particular): “Why did she throw such a big tantrum for? What did I do to her?”
Outside on the street, the Grandpa that San Cai met early was standing around thinking about something then he started to slowly walk. Meanwhile, San Cai is still at the company looking for Mr. Gao. Grandpa is right outside the company and sees San Cai asking all around for this Mr. Gao. The security guard finally walks up to San Cai.
Guard: “Miss, you’ve been looking like this for a whole hour already. If you continue like this, I’m going to get scold at from upstairs.”
San Cai: “I’m sorry mister. But I have to find Mr. Gao.”
Guard: “Miss, can you please don’t make this so hard for me?”
At this moment, Grandpa walks in through the door and up to where San Cai and the guard was standing.
San Cai: “Mr. Can I also ask you to please don’t make this so hard for me? I really have to find Mr. Gao.”
San Cai turns away from the guard. The guard sees Grandpa in the back of San Cai and started to call out, but the Grandpa made a motion with his hands to show the guard not to say anything.
San Cai (turning around, sees Grandpa): “Hey, Grandpa. What a coincidence. You were coming here too?”
Grandpa: “I saw you from outside and you seem to be very busy.”
San Cai: “Oh, I’m here to look for a Mr. Gao.”
Grandpa: “Oh, well you just helped me at the park, so now let me help you, ok?”
San Cai: “Eh, that’s not necessary.”
Grandpa: “Let’s go up the elevator first. You first, you first.”
Grandpa makes San Cai start walking in front of him. All the employees that pass by, bowed to the Grandpa and for each one that passes by, Grandpa makes a motion with his hand to let them know not to call out to him.
San Cai (looking back): “Grandpa, where are we going?”
Grandpa: “We’re going up to find Mr. Gao.”
There was a whole bunch of people waiting at the elevator bank and everybody scooted aside when Grandpa walked by as if to let him walk first. Grandpa sees this and told everybody to get in the elevator all together. Inside the elevator, everybody is staring at Grandpa.
Grandpa (turns to a young man behind him): “What floor are you going to Mister?”
Young man (has an amazed and happy look on his face at the same time and stammers): “Twe.. Twelve.”
Grandpa reaches over to push the button for the twelve floor but it was already pushed.
Young man (bowing): “Thank you, pres…”
Grandpa holds up his hand and stops him from finishing his sentence.
Grandpa (talking to San Cai): “Miss, why are you looking for Mr. Gao?”
San Cai: “Oh, yesterday there was a Mr. Gao that reserved from me a cake to send to Ms. Zhang but there seems to be some misunderstanding between the two of them, because Ms. Zhang won’t accept the cake. I thought maybe their misunderstanding might become more and more serious, so I have to come and find Mr. Gao.”
When they finally reached the 12th floor, the minute that the doors opened, the employees standing there all called out, “Good morning, President.”
Grandpa rubs his head with his hand, he wanted to keep his identity a secret from San Cai and now all his good intentions were ruined with a ‘good morning, president.’ San Cai just stood there staring at Grandpa, not knowing what to do. Grandpa turns to San Cai, takes the cake from her hands and waves her to follow him.
In the waiting room, outside of the President’s office, Dao Ming Feng is sitting on the couch waiting. An assistant brings a cup of tea over to her and leaves it on the coffee table.
Dao Ming Feng (impatient): “How long will I still have to wait?”
Assistant: “Sorry, Dao Ming President. Our President really didn’t say.”
Meanwhile, Grandpa and San Cai was walking down the hall and as they were walking, all those that pass them would call out, ‘Hello President’.
San Cai (walking behind Grandpa): “Grandpa, you really are this building’s president?”
Grandpa: “I’m also the same old man that was sitting in the park day dreaming.”
San Cai (smiling): “No wonder you said you could help me.”
Grandpa (smiling): “Come on in.”
Grandpa opens the door and goes into the waiting room while San Cai stands outside the doorway. The assistant walks up to him.
Assistant: “President. Dao Ming President is here waiting for you.”
Dao Ming Feng (calling out from the couch): “Gao President. I’ve been waiting a long time for you. (walking over) Shouldn’t we discuss about the merger contract?”
Grandpa: “Today we are not discussing. I have a very important guest.”
Grandpa walks over to the door and pulls San Cai in.
Grandpa: “Little miss, come in, come in.”
Dao Ming Feng and San Cai see each other both shocked and surprised.
Dao Ming Feng: “She is your very important guest?”
Grandpa: “Right. She is my important guest. Let’s change the discussion to another day.”
Grandpa then pulls San Cai with him into his office.
Dao Ming Feng (calls after him, angry): “Gao President. Gao President!”
Inside the office, the assistant is standing there while Grandpa is looking over some documents and San Cai is looking around the room.
Grandpa: “Is there anything else?”
Assistant: “No. President. Dao Ming President insist on waiting for you.”
Grandpa: “Let her wait.”
The assistant then walks away. San Cai is smiling slightly to herself.
Grandpa (catching her smile): “What are you smiling at?”
San Cai: “Oh, nothing much. I just never thought that such a bossy person would have to resort to this in front of Grandpa.”
Grandpa (pointing to the sofa): “Sit, sit. You also know this woman?”
San Cai (sitting down): “Eh, she is… nothing.”
Grandpa: “There are a lot of people that would do anything for money.”
Assistant (bringing over a cup of tea): “President. Here’s your tea.”
Grandpa: “Give her a fruit juice.”
Assistant (bowing): “Yes.”
San Cai: “Eh, there’s no need for the bother.”
Grandpa: “It’s not a bother. Look at you, all sweaty. Drink a cup of orange juice is good.”
San Cai: “There’s really no need, Grandpa. I want to hurry up and find Mr. Gao and give him back this cake. I still have to go back to the pastry shop. Also don’t you have a guest waiting?”
Grandpa: “Eh, I don’t think I asked you what your name is.”
San Cai: “I’m called San Cai.”
Grandpa: “San Cai, let Grandpa tell you something. First, this woman outside is not my guest. She is someone that I don’t like. Second, your job has been finished. So, you can sit there and wait to drink the fruit juice.”
San Cai (confused): “My job has been finished?”
Grandpa: “Right. I am the person that send the cake, Mr. Gao.”
San Cai (surprised): “So you are Mr. Gao?”
Grandpa: “Actually I should thank you because you did a lot in order to find me. I am very touched over your ‘never give up spirit.’”
San Cai (picking up the cake box): “Mr. Gao, this is to return to you. I need to tell you something. Ms. Zhang didn’t even look at it and refuse this cake. Also she told me to take it to feed it to the dogs. Sorry but I’m just telling you what she said so please don’t be mad.”
Grandpa: “No need to apologize. It’s all my fault because I can’t remember what flavor she likes.”
San Cai: “Flavor? But she didn’t even open it how would she know that it’s not the right one?”
Grandpa: “She… never mind. Just thank you very much.”
San Cai: “You’re welcome. Then I must leave now. Goodbye.”
Grandpa: “Huh? You’re not drinking the fruit juice?”
San Cai (stands up to leave): “No that’s ok. Thank you Grandpa.”
Grandpa (standing up also): “Is it because you are feeling that I was playing you for a fool so you are now mad at me?
San Cai: “No, not all. It’s just that I don’t want other people to misunderstand that I’m trying to win Gao Grandpa’s favor.” (She was referring to Dao Ming Feng.)
Grandpa: “Trying to win the favor of an old man day dreaming in a park because he has a lot of things on his mind and is upset – I really admire this kind of person. Now do you want to drink a glass of fruit juice with this old man who is upset?”
San Cai nods her head smiling. Meanwhile, Dao Ming Feng is walking in the hallway outside, still waiting for Grandpa to see her. Finally the door to the office opens and San Cai comes out. San Cai and Dao Ming Feng stared at each other for a couple of seconds and then walked pass each other.
Dao Ming Feng (to the assistant, angry): “This is unacceptable!”
Assistant: “Dao Ming President really sorry.”
Dao Ming Feng: “I’ve been waiting for so long and still won’t let me go in.”
The assistant stops Dao Ming Feng from walking further.
Assistant: “Dao Ming President, really very sorry.”
Dao Ming Feng (calling out): “Gao Lao, I know you can hear me talking. If you refuse this merger, it won’t do any good for you.”
Assistant: “Dao Ming President, we apologize, but our President is really in a meeting right now.”
Dao Ming Feng: “Can you please tell your Gao President that I will definitely not give up so easily.”
Dao Ming Feng walks away very angry.
Back inside the office.
Assistant (looking at the cake): “President. I don’t remember that today is your birthday.”
Grandpa: “It’s really not my birthday today. (pause, looking at the cake) It’s a regret. (picks up the box and hands it to the assistant) Here, bring it outside and share it with everybody. Don’t waste the chef’s hard work who made this cake.”
Assistant: “Yes.”
Grandpa: “Dao Ming Feng has left?”
Assistant: “It seems like she wasn’t willing. I believe that she will come to see you again.”
Grandpa (laughing): “This woman has a lot of power but too bad she’s a failure as a person in life.”
At the apartment, Dao Ming Si is taking down the clothes that were hung up to dry on the clothesline when Ye Sha comes home.
Dao Ming Si (seeing Ye Sha): “Hey, you’re home? Are you hungry? Would you like some cake?”
Ye Sha: “Huh? I have to see cakes everyday, why would I want to eat it?”
Dao Ming Si: “No choice. We have a whole pile of cakes today.”
Ye Sha: “A whole pile of cakes? Why?”
Dao Ming Si: “Today is Grandma’s birthday and there was someone named Mr. Gao that sent all the cakes. Very weird.”
Ye Sha (surprised): “Mr. Gao?”
Dao Ming Si nods his head.
Ye Sha: “Then is Grandma’s last name Zhang?”
Dao Ming Si (thinks for a few seconds): “Yes. But Grandma is really weird, she won’t take any of the cakes. If it wasn’t because I was afraid it was such a waste. I secretly brought all the cakes…”
Grandma (yelling from downstairs): “AH SING!”
Dao Ming Si and Ye Sha looked at each other.
Dao Ming Si: “Hurry, hurry.”
Ye Sha: “Leave the clothes.”
Dao Ming Si (yelling): “Coming!”
They both run downstairs to see why Grandma was calling. Grandma is in the kitchen and angrily taking all the cakes out from the refrigerator and slamming it down onto the table. Dao Ming Si and Ye Sha sat outside the kitchen and didn’t dare go in. Grandma finishes taking out all the cakes and walks over to Dao Ming Si and Ye Sha, hitting her hands on the table.
Dao Ming Si (talking to Ye Sha): “Take a look at this dog…”
Grandma: “Hey you two. Who told you to stick your nose in other people’s business? Throw all of it away for me.”
Dao Ming Si: “But Grandma, you want to throw all the cake away and not let me eat? That’s such a big waste.”
Grandma: “I said to throw it away, so throw it away. If you want to eat, then go buy it yourself.”
Dao Ming Si (getting angry): “Hey, you…”
Ye Sha jumps up and stops Dao Ming Si.
Ye Sha: “Ok, ok. Grandma said to throw it away, so throw it away. Ok? Quick, go throw it away for Grandma. (pushes Dao Ming Si into the kitchen) We have no choice. Grandma doesn’t like these flavors.”
Grandma: “Hey, how did you know I don’t like those flavors?”
Ye Sha: “If that’s not the case, then why do you insist on throwing it away?”
Grandma doesn’t answer.
Ye Sha: “Did I guess right?”
Grandma starts walking away but Ye Sha stops her.
Ye Sha: “Aye Grandma, then what kind of flavors do you like? I’ll tell Ah Sing to buy it for you.”
Grandma: “No need. Who cares about what flavor it is.”
Ye Sha: “Then what is all this business about Mr. Gao?”
Grandma doesn’t answer and walk back to her room. Dao Ming Si comes out of the kitchen, his hands full of boxes of the cakes.
Dao Ming Si (asking Ye Sha): “Really throw it all away? Let’s it eat ourselves.”
Ye Sha (walking after Grandma): “You eat.”
Dao Ming Si: “I eat? Ok, ok.”
He then proceeds to happily lay out all the cakes on the table. Meanwhile, Ye Sha is in Grandma’s room and Grandma is telling her all about Mr. Gao.
Grandma: “He is one year older than me and is my school mate. That year our department in college had a car outing. I was sitting in his car and half way we met with a car accident. I was lying in the hospital for 3 days and he was perfectly fine. He stayed with me in the hospital for 3 days. (sighs) And then we started dating. In the beginning everything was going really well but then later once he graduated and found a job, he changed. When he is with me, he is always absent minded. Out of 10 dates, there would be 9 times that he would be late, and the other one time, he didn’t even show up at all. The thing that makes me the most mad is that he even forgets about my birthday.”
Ye Sha: “Oh, that’s the end. Grandma must have been so mad.”
Grandma: “Well, of course. Then the 2nd day, he bought a birthday cake and came to find me, but I threw him out. He doesn’t even know what he did wrong. I said to him that the things that he did wrong are one too many. For example, I hate eating chocolate cake and you still go and buy me a chocolate cake to eat? He really thought that the problem was in the cake. So he said what kind of cake do you like? I’ll buy it for you tomorrow.”
Ye Sha: “Then Grandma, exactly what flavor do you like to eat?”
Grandma: “When he asked me that question, my anger that I felt all started coming up. I remember the time when we both shared a cake together, that sweet happiness feeling. The more I think about it the more my anger started boiling over. So I said to him, you don’t even know what cake I like to eat and you said you love me? When he heard that, he got mad too. He said I was being unreasonable. He asked me to give him two more days, and then he would definitely buy me the cake. We were arguing, so I pointed him in the nose and said I’ll give you 30 years of time and you still won’t be able to buy it. (sighs) Today is exactly 30 years.”
Ye Sha (incredulous voice): “30 years? Because of a cake you have argued for 30 years?”
Grandma: “30 years and this man still doesn’t understand, so what’s the point in remembering him?”
Ye Sha: “Really? Is that really what you are thinking about in your heart? Then why did you waste 30 years to wait for his reply? (Grandma doesn’t answer) So what’s so good about this cake that you were willing to waste 30 years for?”
Grandma: “It’s only a…”
Ye Sha is running toward a pay phone to call San Cai and let her know the good news.
Ye Sha (out of breath): “San Cai. San Cai, it’s a sponge cake. Sponge cake.”
Next day, San Cai runs quickly back to the company to look for Grandpa. She ran past the security guard in the lobby with him yelling, “Hey miss, you can’t go up.” The security guard follows her upstairs to the hallway outside of Grandpa’s office.
Guard: “Miss, you can’t just barge in here like this.”
San Cai: “I have something that’s very, very important. I have to see Gao Grandpa immediately.”
Guard: “Who’s Gao Grandpa?”
San Cai: “That’s your Gao President.”
Guard (blocking San Cai): “Miss, I’m sorry. The President is waiting for a very important guest. You can’t go in.”
San Cai: “Then go tell him I’m San Cai, he will definitely see me immediately.”
Guard: “Miss, I’m sorry, but it was an order from upstairs, that no one is allowed inside.”
San Cai: “But this thing is very important to your President’s happiness for the rest of his life. He has done so much for your company for his whole life and now that he is old, are you willing to let him live the rest of his life alone all by himself?”
Guard: “Miss wait, then how about this? You write it down and I’ll find a way to bring the message in for you.”
San Cai (taking off her back pack): “Oh ok.”
She takes out a pen and a piece of paper and kneeled down to start writing out her message. At this moment, Dao Ming Feng walks in from behind.
Guard (as Dao Ming Feng was walking by): “Dao Ming President.”
Dao Ming Feng looks down and sees San Cai.
Dao Ming Feng (in a not so friendly tone): “It’s you again.”
The assistant walks out of the office to greet Dao Ming Feng.
Assistant: “Dao Ming President please go in. The President is waiting for you inside.”
Dao Ming Feng walks into the office and the assistant turns and notices San Cai.
Assistant: “Miss, why are you here again?”
San Cai smiles at the assistant, the assistant walks back into the room and San Cai hands the piece of paper over to the guard.
San Cai: “Thank you.”
Inside the office:
Dao Ming Feng (walking over to Grandpa): “Gao President. This has been a difficult meeting time to come by. I’ve finally get to see you.”
Grandpa: “Dao Ming President. Today’s meeting is all planned because of you. Let’s hope that it will do good for your idea today.”
Dao Ming Feng: “I have everything prepared already.”
Grandpa: “Good. (to the assistant) Let’s show the presentation. (to Dao Ming Feng) Please.”
Assistant (walking over to Grandpa and handing him San Cai’s note): “President.”
Grandpa (after reading the note, whispers): “Sponge cake.”
He quickly turns to face Dao Ming Feng.
Dao Ming Feng: “Is there something wrong, Gao President?”
Grandpa: “I suddenly have something really important to take care of.”
Dao Ming Feng: “Gao President. If you want to measure my sincere ness…”
Grandpa (interrupting her): “I have never doubted this point, but this thing is really important to me and I can’t waste any time. If there’s anything else, we’ll talk about it some other time.”
Dao Ming Feng (calling after Grandpa’s back): “Gao President!”
Grandpa goes out to the hallway and looks for San Cai.
Grandpa (calling out): “San Cai! San Cai! San Cai!”
San Cai: “Grandpa.”
Grandpa (grabbing San Cai’s arm): “Let’s go buy sponge cake.”
San Cai: “Grandpa. Then do you remember which pastry shop it was from?”
Grandpa (pulling San Cai along): “When I saw your note, that’s when I remembered. It should be at Zhang Hua.”
San Cai: “Zhang Hua? My God… then to go and come back would take almost 5 hours! But early tomorrow morning, Ms. Zhang is off to Canada.”
Grandpa: “Aiyo. We will definitely make it. We have to make it.”
As San Cai and Grandpa is standing at the elevator bank waiting for the elevator, Dao Ming Feng walks up.
Dao Ming Feng: “Gao President. I really don’t understand. (turning to look at San Cai) San Cai, what the heck are you doing?”
The elevator came and Grandpa rushed San Cai in.
Grandpa (in a rush): “Let’s go.”
Dao Ming Feng (the door closes with her calling after them): “Gao President!”
San Cai and Grandpa are riding in a limo toward Zhang Hua.
Grandpa (sighing): “She really knows how to torment people.”
San Cai: “Grandpa.”
Grandpa: “I can’t believe that she would remember such an ordinary sponge cake.”
San Cai: “It could be that it was related to some sweet memory with Grandpa.”
Grandpa: “That time I was studying in college and one day I picked up my courage and asked Xiao Hong (Grandma’s name) for a date. She actually accepted. (laughing) That was our first real date. The day before the date, I had to hand in a report. I was working on it for one whole day and one whole night. I even forgot to eat dinner. When I was waiting for her, my stomach kept on rumbling.”
San Cai (smiling): “So that’s why you bought the sponge cake.”
Grandpa: “Right. I randomly ran into a pastry shop and randomly picked up a cake. When I was shoving it down my throat, that’s when Xiao Hong showed up. She asked me, is it really that good? I didn’t even have a chance to answer her and she grabbed it out of my hands and took a bite and said Hey, this is really good. That’s how we shared the sponge cake. At that time I was very excited and happy, so I promised her and said that after I graduated and found a job, when I get my first wage, I would come back and buy 10, 8 sponge cakes for her to eat. Until now, I still remember the smile that was on her face. (pause) Too bad I actually forgot that I have said such important words to her before. (with regret in his voice) 30 years I have forgotten.”
Back at the apartment, Ye Sha is walking around and around in the house.
Dao Ming Si (sitting on the sofa): “Hey, can you relax a little? If you continue like that, Grandma will find out.”
Ye Sha: “But why are they taking so long to come back?”
Dao Ming Si: “How am I suppose to know? Can you sit down?”
Ye Sha walks over to the couch and sits.
Dao Ming Si: “Where did they go to buy?”
Ye Sha: “Um, it’s Zang something. (thinking) Zang Hua.” (the Chinese characters mean ‘dirty word’ and not the Chinese words of the place Zhang Hua.)
Dao Ming Si: “Zang Hua? Is it very far?”
Ye Sha (gets up from the couch): “Don’t know. Heard that it was very far. Don’t know if we would make it on time before Grandma…”
Grandma suddenly walks into the room.
Ye Sha (surprised): “Grandma.”
Dao Ming Si (getting up from his seat): “Grandma.”
Grandma (hands a box to Ye Sha): “This is for you.”
Ye Sha (taking the box): “Why?”
Grandma: “It’s only a piece of clothing. What do you mean why? Anyway, I don’t fit it anymore. I’m going to sleep now. The two of you better be quiet, don’t make so make noise. Tomorrow morning, you don’t have to send me off. I really hate those scenes.”
Ye Sha: “Huh? We can’t even send you off?”
Dao Ming Si: “Yeah.”
Grandma: “I said there’s no need for it, so there’s no need.”
Grandma turns and walks back downstairs.
Ye Sha (walking over to the coffee table): “What are we going to do? Why?”
Ye Sha puts the box down on the table and opens it up.
Dao Ming Si (recognizing the dress): “Aye, isn’t this the dress that Grandma lend you to wear last time?”
Ye Sha (taking the dress out of the box): “Right.”
Dao Ming Si: “I beg her for a long time before she would lend it for you to wear.”
Ye Sha: “Really?”
Dao Ming Si: “And she had this longing look on her face like she didn’t want to give it up. Why would she give it to you?”
Ye Sha: “Why would she give it to me?”
Ye Sha puts the dress back in the box.
Ye Sha: “What are we going to do?”
Dao Ming Si: “Do you have their phone number?”
Ye Sha shakes her head and they continue waiting.
San Cai and Grandpa finally arrives in Zhang Hua.
San Cai: “Grandpa, are you sure that it’s around here?”
Grandpa: “Should be around here somewhere. (to the driver) Lao Wang, stop here for a minute.”
Grandpa and San Cai got out of the limo which is parked next to a bar.
Grandpa: “We came from this side and passed by a Chinese medicine shop, right? I still remember that we stood underneath this tree eating the cake. The tree is still here. But this building across the street is completely different. Must have renovated. Not the same anymore.”
San Cai started walking away.
Grandpa: “San Cai, where are you going?”
San Cai: “I want to walk around and ask. If Grandpa you are sure that it was here, then if we go and ask the people around here, they might know where the shop is.”
Grandpa: “Ok.”
San Cai walks into the bar.
Lady: “Welcome, Miss. How many people?”
San Cai: “Oh, sorry, I just want to ask if you know if there’s a pastry shop nearby?”
Lady: “I’m not too sure and I haven’t heard about it.”
San Cai: “Thank you.”
Grandpa (coming up behind San Cai, talking to the lady): “A long time ago, there really was a pastry shop here. I just want to ask if you know where this shop has moved to.”
Lady: “We’ve lived here for more than 10 years and haven’t heard about any pastry shop around here.”
San Cai: “Thank you.”
San Cai and Grandpa walks out of the bar and walks all around asking about this pastry shop. They asked a lot of people and walked for a long time. Finally they went back to where the limo was parked. Grandpa was very sad and wanted to give up looking.
Grandpa: “San Cai, forget it. It’s been so many years. Could be that the people are so old that they don’t even remember about it. And it was only a small pastry shop.”
San Cai (not giving up): “It can’t be. God would not be so cruel.”
Grandpa: “God has been very good to me already. He gave me so many years, but I haven’t saved anything. (sighing) But I haven’t saved anything.”
San Cai seeing Grandpa so sad, refuses to give up and tries one last time to ask someone. Finally, she managed to find out the location of the pastry shop from this person and both San Cai and Grandpa immediately went there to buy the sponge cake.
Next morning, Grandma wakes up and goes into the living room. She was thinking so hard that she didn’t see Ye Sha and Dao Ming Si asleep lying on the sofa. She walks over to the window, stretches and yawns loudly. Dao Ming Si and Ye Sha was frightened by the sudden noise and both fell off the couch, in the process making a loud noise and in turn scaring Grandma.
Dao Ming Si (getting up from the floor): “Grandma, you’re awake.”
Grandma: “Why are the two of you sleeping in the living room?”
Dao Ming Si: “We were…”
Ye Sha: “…afraid that you would sneak out.”
Grandma: “Huh?”
Ye Sha: “We were afraid we would over sleep.”
Dao Ming Si: “Right. Afraid we would over sleep.”
Grandma: “Didn’t I tell you yesterday not to send me off?”
Dao Ming Si (picking up the soda cans from the floor that had fallen on the floor when he fell off the couch): “You said don’t send, then we don’t send?”
Grandma: “Nonsense.”
Dao Ming Si (persistent): “We have to send you off.”
Ye Sha (agreeing): “Right, have to send.”
Grandma: “Ok. Then the two of you hurry up and call a taxi to the airport. Then help me take my luggage out.”
Ye Sha / Dao Ming Si: “Ok.”
Dao Ming Si (getting up from the floor): “Call a taxi.”
Ye Sha (stops Dao Ming Si, whispering): “Slowly.”
Ye Sha and Dao Ming Si was trying to stall time so that they can give Grandpa enough time to come back. Dao Ming Si understands and kneels back down to clean up the garbage on the coffee table. He was cleaning in slow motion. Grandma walks by and sees him.
Grandma: “Hey, hurry up! HURRY UP!”
Ye Sha: “Hurrying.”
Dao Ming Si (speeding up his movement): “Ok, ok. (to Ye Sha) Why did you eat so many things?”
Ye Sha: “You ate them.”
Dao Ming Si (handing Ye Sha the garbage): “You throw it away.”
Grandma (rushing them again): “What time is it now. Do you know?”
Dao Ming Si: “Ok, ok. Faster, faster.”
Ye Sha: “We’re moving very fast.”
Ye Sha pulls Dao Ming Si back and makes the motion of ‘slowly’ with her hands.
Grandma (calling out): “Hurry up.”
Dao Ming Si: “Ok, ok.”
Ye Sha: “We know.”
Dao Ming Si starts walking really slow but he was saying, “Ok, ok, we’re moving very fast. Faster.”
Dao Ming Si is helping Grandma bring the suitcases outside to the taxi.
Dao Ming Si (carrying a big suitcase): “Grandma, why are your things so heavy?”
Ye Sha (carrying another suitcase): “Right.”
Dao Ming Si: “What do you have in here? (whispering to Ye Sha) Are they here yet?”
Ye Sha (looking around and whisper back): “Still not.”
Dao Ming Si (whispering): “Why are they taking so long?”
Ye Sha (whispering): “I know. Making people so anxious.”
Grandma: “If you know that people are anxious, why are your movements still so slow? It’s only a few suitcases and you two have been running all around for so many times.”
Dao Ming Si (shaking out his hand): “Grandma, these suitcases are very heavy.”
Ye Sha (stretching her back): “Right.”
Grandma (looking around): “Aye, where’s my small beige bag?”
Grandma looks inside the trunk of the taxi. Ye Sha and Dao Ming Si both look at each other and repeated, “Beige bag?”
Ye Sha (looking in the trunk too): “Let’s look around.”
Dao Ming Si (also looking in the trunk): “It’s here. In here.”
Grandma: “It’s not here.”
Dao Ming Si: “But it was just… oh, can it be inside the car?”
Dao Ming Si goes over to open the car door and look inside.
Ye Sha: “Oh, ok. You go look. (to Dao Ming Si) Is it there?”
Dao Ming Si (closing the car door): “It’s not here.”
Grandma / Ye Sha: “Not here.”
Dao Ming Si: “Not here. How can that be? (to Ye Sha) Could it be that you were careless before and left it on the ground?”
Ye Sha: “Oh, right. Let’s take a look.”
Dao Ming Si: “Could it be? Could it be?”
Both Dao Ming Si and Ye Sha dropped to the ground and pretended to be looking underneath the car.
Ye Sha (pointing to something underneath the car): “Eh, is it that?”
Dao Ming Si: “Do you see it?”
Ye Sha (still pointing): “This one.”
Dao Ming Si (peeks underneath): “Which one?”
Ye Sha: “The front one over here.”
Dao Ming Si: “You’re talking about that black one over there?”
Ye Sha: “Yes.”
Dao Ming Si: “That’s the tire! Grandma’s is gray right?”
Ye Sha: “Oh…”
Dao Ming Si: “Right.”
Ye Sha (getting up): “Well, it’s really not here.”
Dao Ming Si (still pretending to look): “Not here?”
Grandma (annoyed): “It’s beige!”
Ye Sha: “Oh beige. Understood, understood. Let me think.”
Dao Ming Si (getting up and looking at Ye Sha): “Didn’t just bring it down with you?”
Ye Sha (pointing to herself): “Me?”
Dao Ming Si: “Right.”
Ye Sha (still pointing): “I was bringing it?”
Dao Ming Si: “I remember that you picked up the beige one.”
Grandma (getting impatient): “Hurry up and go look for it for me!”
Ye Sha: “Ok, we’ll go look for it. Grandma don’t be so anxious. (turning to look at Dao Ming Si) You go look for it. 2nd floor. 2nd floor.”
Dao Ming Si: “Oh, ok. Ok. Grandma don’t be anxious. I’ll go upstairs and look around.”
Ye Sha (calling out): “Hey, also… oh, never mind.”
Dao Ming Si goes back upstairs to look for the beige bag while Ye Sha and Grandma continue waiting downstairs.
Grandma (looking at Ye Sha): “There’s something strange going on with the two of you today.”
Ye Sha points to herself and looks innocent.
Grandma: “Don’t think I didn’t notice. What are the two of you up to?”
Ye Sha: “Up to? Grandma, how can you say something like that? I’ll help you put the suitcases in the trunk, ok? I’ll be very quick. Very quick. I know you are in a hurry.”
Grandma stands off to the side while Ye Sha looks around trying to decide which suitcase to put in first. At that moment Grandpa calls out, “Xiao Hong!”
Ye Sha sticks her head out from the back of the trunk and looks. Grandma turns in surprise at the sound of his voice to find Grandpa standing beside the limo. They stood there looking at each other, then San Cai gets out of the limo with the box of sponge cake and hands it to Grandpa. He takes it from San Cai and slowly walks over to where Grandma is standing. The scene was so touching that both Ye Sha and San Cai started crying. San Cai couldn’t stare at the scene any longer and ran away. Ye Sha sees San Cai running away and ran after her. At that moment, Dao Ming Si comes back down from upstairs with the beige bag, but he sees Grandma and Grandpa standing there staring at each, so he quickly backs away from the door to give them some privacy.
San Cai is still running and after turning around a corner, she stops and leans against the wall. Ye Sha catches up with her and slowly walks over.
Ye Sha: “San Cai, what’s wrong?”
San Cai: “I don’t even know.”
Ye Sha: “You have used so much physical strength in order to get Grandpa and Grandma to meet again. You should be happy for them and also be happy for yourself.”
San Cai (looking at Ye Sha): “I’m really very happy, but… Just leave me alone.”
Ye Sha: “I understand. I understand why you are feeling so sad.”
San Cai: “I don’t even understand it myself. How can you understand?”
Ye Sha: “Is it because you are afraid of seeing reunions? The reason being that you’ve been waiting for your own reunion?”
San Cai doesn’t say anything and just looks at Ye Sha.
Back at the apartment, Grandpa and Grandma are sitting with a table and two chairs in the backyard.
Grandma: “If you have anything to say, please say it quickly. I still have a flight to catch.”
Grandpa (stammering a little): “How… how are you?”
Grandma: “I’m good. Very, very good. Is that it?”
She stands up from her seat.
Grandpa (standing up also): “Xiao Hong. (he holds out the box of sponge cake to Grandma) Can… can you give me back my happiness?”
Grandma looks from the box to Grandpa and back to the box again, then she sits back down. Grandpa also happily sits back down and opens up the box and takes out a round sponge cake. Then he slowly holds it for her to see with both his hands. Grandma finally seeing the sponge cake, had tears in her eyes and slowly smiled.
Later, Grandma searches through some old things and pulls out a cake box. She brings it over and compares the box to that with which Grandpa bought the sponge cake from before.
Grandma: “He still bought the wrong one. Men is men.”
Grandma started smiling to herself and shaking her head.
That night, Ye Sha is once again in Grandma’s room talking.
Ye Sha (with the box of the dress that Grandma gave to her early): “Grandma, the dress is really pretty. Are you really want to give it to me?”
Grandma (looking at it): “30 years. Because of that special birthday, I especially had someone made it for me. Give it to you.”
Ye Sha: “A 30 year old dress and you still have it protected as if it was brand new.”
Grandma: “What’s the point of having new clothing? Today when I saw him, I suddenly discovered that I’ve really grown old. (smiling) When he was young, he used to be more chubby. Every time that he comes to see me, my friends would say, ‘Xiao Hong, here comes your big bear.’”
Ye Sha (looking at Grandma with a smile on her face also): “Grandma, when you are smiling, you are so beautiful.”
Grandma: “What’s so beautiful? The hair is white already.”
Ye Sha: “Did you ever regret it? Wasted 30 years. I really admired your stubbornness. (pause) Within these 30 years, did your heart ever soften up?”
Grandma: “How can it not soften up? Every year it would soften up once. Sometimes when I think about it, I would be mad at myself. Why do I have to be like this to myself?”
Ye Sha: “Then now, what have you two decided to do in order to make up for these 30 years?”
Grandma: “What’s there to make up? I’m following with my plans to go to Canada.”
Ye Sha: “Huh? Why? What about Grandpa?”
Grandma (smiling): “Him? He’s going with me.”
Ye Sha smiles and goes over to give Grandma a hug.
Ye Sha: “Grandma, I’m going to really miss you. But I’m really very happy for you. (pause) Grandma, I have a question.”
Grandma: “Ask.”
Ye Sha: “This sponge cake, is it really that good?”
Grandma: “Think about it, what can be more sweet than for two people in love to share a cake, you taking a bite, I taking a bite, huh?”
