In memory of comrade Rou Shi who was murdered 33 years ago.
Based on the novel February by Rou Shi.
Anyone want some tea?
Melon Seeds.
Mom can I eat the tangerine when we get home?
Cailian eat it if you want. Don't ask your mom again.
How old is your granddaughter?
No we are neighbors.
Oh.
Her father was a revolutionary. He died in battle in Guangzhou.
Sigh how are his daughter and his widowed wife supposed to make a living?
A Lan hasn't the guest arrived?
Hey Miss Tao where is Principal Tao?
She was shy when she saw you.
Oh you are here.
Auntie how do you do?
Auntie has Mukan gone to meet the guest?
Yes they should be back soon.
We haven't seen each other for seven full years.
Jianqiu you have been to quiet a lot of places these years.
Yes. Nearly half of China.
I am tired of city life.
That's why I don't want to go to the cities.
This small town Furong town is indeed a Xanadu.
Jianqiu what's your impression of this Furong town?
Quiet peaceful.
If likely I am willing to live here for a few more years.
That' great. I am happy for the children.
Hey who's that?
I've never seen him before.
Maybe he has been sent here to inspect the school.
Let's go.
The town has a small population. Almost everyone is an acquaintance.
Any people from outside the town will attract attention.
This might be a gesture of respect.
There. Let me introduce you to each other.
This is Mr. Xiao XiaoJianqiu who I have often mentioned to you.
I have long been looking forward to meeting you
This is Mr. Qian Qian Zhengxing.
This is
Fang Fang Mou.
Ok Let's go in.
Ok After you.
After you.
After you two.
Don't stand on ceremony.
You first. You first.
A Rong take the luggage to the wing-room.
Go to the school with Mr. Xiao after supper.
Yes.
Mr. Xiao you have brought spring here.
It is especially warm today.
But I think it's ahead of time.
It's the 26th day of February. It's time to be warm now.
No at all. I have changed my clothes twice today.
A raw silk gown in the morning and this grey one in the afternoon.
I am still hot.
I can't wear a shirt at this time can I?
No. No.
Mr. Xiao this is an evil omen.
In my opinion there are going to be disasters this year.
I think the change of the weather is a natural phenomenon.
As to the disasters in the world
Well There is no shortage of disasters every year.
There have been too many disasters in recent years.
Look
Wars between Feng xi's warlord and Zhi xi's warlord.
Earthquake in Gansu.
Bandits in Henan.
Flood in Shandong.
Now the revolutionaries are fighting fiercely in Guangdong
Jianqiu my sister wants to see you.
This is the Queen of my family.
Brother say no more.
Ok Then introduce yourself.
I don't have anything to introduce.
You know all already.
We'll know each other in time.
I don't smoke. I forgot to ask you to.
You?
No still?
Mr. Xiao it seems that I have seen you somewhere.
Really?
It can't be.
Well maybe
Then maybe I have mistaken you as someone else.
Mr. Xiao I am unceremonious in speaking.
If I say anything wrong in the future please forgive me.
My brother often mentions you.
He says that you are a learned man.
And you have been to many places.
I will consult you about everything in time to come.
Will you feel free to teach me?
I simply don't know how to reply.
That is a reply.
How do you think I want you to reply?
How about it Jianqiu? You have been to many places in China.
I am afraid you haven't met anyone who is similar in temper with my sister.
When she is happy she keeps talking.
When she is unhappy she doesn't pay attention to anybody.
They all say that I am eccentric.
In fact I simply don't know much about the way of the world.
Mr. Xiao you must be very learned in philosophy.
I hope you can teach me how to behave in the world.
How to behave. I don't even know where I can learn that.
By experience Mukan should be our teacher.
Not at all. Not at all.
Even my sister doesn't trust me.
Well Mr. Qian what do you say?
Mr. Xiao they say you play the piano well.
Can you teach me?
I haven't played the piano for years. I am not familiar with it any more.
Auntie.
Mr. Qian you must be very hungry.
No. No. No.
I am here to learn from you how to cook
Just some ordinary fish and meat.
Mr. Xiao he has been to many places.
I am afraid he can't eat this.
No he can.
Judging from his appearance he doesn't seem to have tasted any delicacies.
If a youth has no faith he doesn't deserve to be a youth.
Therefore nowadays any youth that wants to save the nation
should believe in Three People's Principles ofSun Yat-sen
I am such a person.
Look at her. Come and have a drink with us.
No I won't. I am here to listen to your talk
To know more.
Three People's Principles. I am not against it.
But why the control of capital?
In my opinion to compete with other countries to save China
we should develop in large scale capitalism.
Well Three People's Principles doesn't exclude capitalism.
Mr. Xiao what's your opinion?
I don't have any.
Nope.
You are too modest.
People like Mr. Xiao must have some ingenious opinion.
When the opinion is ingenious it's useless.
Therefore I don't have any.
Good. Excellent. Excellent.
Hey Miss Tao how about you?
I can't talk as lofty as you can.
I believe in individualism.
I say let's not talk about isms any more.
At this moment drinking is the most real thing.
Come on. Bottom up.
Hey it's snowing.
See? I have told you the weather was abnormal.
Please. Please.
Ok
Hey Mr. fang don't stand on ceremony with us.
Please.
Come on. Help yourselfwith the food.
Brother they say Sister Wen has come back
She went there in vain and didn't get any pension.
Shanghai is a big city and the heaven ofSun Chuanfang.
How could she find the department of the revolutionaries?
Mr. Xiao did you see a young woman on board today with two kids?
I did.
Oh yes Jianqiu.
Do you still remember back to normal school
there was a certain schoolmate Li who was good at making speeches?
Oh are you referring to Li Zhihao?
Yes. What you saw were his wife and children.
What? He.
Zhihao is a man of ambition. But he couldn't achieve anything all the time.
He went around here and there a few years.
Later he was admitted into the Huangpu Military Academy
Things happen. Just when he was about to rise in the world
he died in battle when they were attacking Huizhou last October.
What? Mr. Xiao and Li Zhihao were schoolmates?
Yes. He was one year my senior.
That year there was the May 4th Movement
Yes. I remember then he led a group of students to search
Japanese stuff and protested on the street.
Weren't you with him too?
That's right.
We haven't heard from each other all these years.
And now he is.
Come on. No more talking about this.
Here. Bottom up.
Excuse me. Is this the Mr. Li's?
Mister you are
I'm Xiao a teacher in Furong Middle School.
Mr. Li and I used to be schoolmates.
He.
Principal Tao has told me everything about Mr. Li.
I am here to see the kids today.
Then come on in.
The house is in a mess.
Please have a seat.
Ok
Cailian this uncle is here to see you.
Little girl do you recognize me?
Yesterday on the boat. Do you remember?
You dropped your tangerine didn't you?
I am sorry I forgot to bring you any today.
I surely will bring you some next time. Ok?
Mister.
You You have a seat.
Ok
May I ask do you have any plans for the future?
No not any.
Oh.
I even don't dare to think about it.
Do you have any fields?
Even that small garden at the back of the house was sold by him.
Any relatives?
Mr. Xiao it's the kids. They have to live on.
Yes. They have to live on.
As the saying goes when God closes one door he opens another.
God?
Mister I don't believe there is God any more.
Where are God's eyes?
I believe one good turn deserves another.
Mister please have a seat. I will fetch you some boiled water.
No. No thanks.
I want to tell you something.
. I am here today for.
I want to take some responsibility for these two kids from now on.
I don't have any burdens.
I can help however little.
Mr. Xiao you are.
Please don't take me as an outsider.
I always have my esteem towards Zhihao.
No.
Now you can go and buy some rice.
Mr. Xiao I can't.
Never mind. For the kids take it.
Ok I am leaving now.
Mr. Xiao.
I have been in your room for a long time.
You don't think I am too presuming do you?
No. Not at all.
I have browsed almost all your books.
Oh. It's a mess.
I haven't got the time to tidy them up yet.
Please have a seat.
Why stand on ceremony with me?
Have a seat.
Ok
I am afraid you don't like these books.
Why?
I hear that you studied science.
I don't have any books on that.
Thanks.
No I am not leaning science any more.
Originally I liked art.
People said that a woman couldn't be a mathematician so I went to study science.
But I am really not interested in it.
Hey. You have a seat.
Oh. Ok
Later I thought the poor would always lose their lawsuits.
I wanted to be a lawyer.
To write legal charges for the poor.
To appear in court and defend the oppressed.
But now I realize that it's impossible.
Mr. Xiao I want to read some philosophy books.
Can you recommend one?
Ok Let me find one for you.
Is this one ok for you?
Ok
Are you going out in the afternoon?
No.
Just now I went to Xicun village.
I went to see Zhihao's kids.
I know.
Oh A Rong told me.
How are they now?
Very poor.
So I want to do something for them.
I know.
I haven't done it. How do you know?
ljust know.
Otherwise why did you go there?
Why didn't we go?
It was snowing heavily. My brother and the others were drinking by the furnace.
Why only you went?
I don't know what will become of me.
I am strange. I always shut myself in the room though nobody tells me to.
How does the outside world look like? I don't know at all.
I am afraid I will never go out there.
Why did you say this?
I thought so and I talked so.
Mr. Xiao I haven't told you why I am here.
Didn't you promise to teach me how to play the piano?
I moved out the piano early in the morning. Then I came to see you.
But you weren't in.
Can you come to my home this afternoon?
Ok I definitely will go.
That's great.
I have fulfilled all my needs. I have no reason to hang on.
Don't forget to bring the music.
Ok
Hesitation melody.
By what composer?
It's not a composer.
Three years ago I scrabbled it on the spur of the moment.
Not a melody at all.
Play this one please.
Then don't laugh at me.
Ok
Do you know him?
No.
Let's stay longer.
You worry that he will commit suicide?
Maybe.
Look we made a show of ourselves.
Mr. Xiao please don't take me wrong.
ljust recalled something in the past.
Three years ago did you live in Geling in Hangzhou?
Yes.
Oh. That night two girl students monitored me.
One of them was you?
Yes. I was silly.
I thought you would
That I wouldn't do.
Then why?
Then the May 4th Movement passed over like a storm.
Quiet a lot of students were expelled from school.
But some became officials and rose in the world.
I was completely at a loss.
I didn't know what the right thing to do was.
Why don't you say something?
You remind me of myself.
Let's not talk about this.
Unconsciously I have exposed my weakness to you.
But later I overcame it.
I am starting to agree with your brother.
Education may be significant.
Furong Middle School.
Coming. Coming.
One. Two. Three.
My fellow students let me introduce to you your new teacher.
Mr. XiaoJianqiu.
Mr. Xiao who has come here from a faraway place
could accept our invitation and come to teach in our school.
Our school is greatly honored. And you are lucky.
Mr. Xiao has been to many places.
He is experienced as well as learned.
Don't embarrass me in front of the students.
Not at all. Not at all.
Beside Mr. Xiao has the virtue of being modest.
He is learned as well as virtuous.
He is model for you in everything.
You should put all your heart in learning from him.
Now let's invite Mr. Xiao to give us the lesson.
Clapping.
Now I will call the roll and get to know you.
Yu Zhixiong.
Yes.
Huang Wenping.
Yes.
Sit down.
Lin Yuexian.
Yes. Ouch.
The student behind please stand up.
What's your name?
My name is Deng Wenhai.
Sit down.
Wang Fusheng.
Has he asked for leave?
He is often late.
He is Wang Fusheng.
Come in.
Why are you late?
Is your home far away from here?
Over three Li.
Then what time do you get up everyday?
Before daybreak
Then why are you late?
Did you go somewhere to play?
Why don't you say something?
Ok Don't be later any more.
Go to your seat.
Oops you are here.
Auntie my father brought these from Hangzhou.
Just some petty presents for you.
I really don't deserve this. Keep them for yourself.
Auntie don't regard me as an outsider.
I am embarrassed.
Nanny Wu.
Yes?
Bring some tea here.
Yes.
Tao Lan is not home. She has gone to return some books to Mr. Xiao.
Mr. Qian have a seat.
Ok
You had much fun with them.
You look younger.
Being with innocent and unsophisticated children makes me feel extremely happy.
Beside this nothing makes you happy?
No not that.
Everything goes smoothly at this place.
This place gives me a feeling of peace and simplicity.
Not all are like that.
There is complexity in simplicity.
There is confusion under peace.
What? You are being philosophical.
Maybe I have been tired of running about.
I had a fresh feeling when ljust got here.
I envy your freedom to run about.
As the bird in the cage envy the wild goose.
I am not a wild goose.
I am only a lonely wild goose.
I mean a lonely wild goose lives alone.
Why did you have to explain?
This is not an explanation.
I will stop here.
Please lend me a book about education.
Ok
Hey why do you want to read books about education?
Hasn't my brother told you?
No.
I will give some lessons in the school.
Oh?
Before today my brother asked me to give some lessons here.
I said "I am home for the rest.
Now he doesn't want me to ljust want to.
He can do nothing about me.
Ok I will find you one right now.
Uncle Xiao you eat.
I don't eat.
Eat. Eat.
Ok I eat.
Mr. Xiao why hasn't you got married?
If I get married I can't have so much freedom.
My parents died when I was a kid.
I have got used to being alone.
You are such a nice person you deserve a good wife.
Maybe in the future.
Do you want more?
It doesn't matter.
No Mr. Xiao don't let her eat any more.
She can't have enough.
Take these few back with you.
I bought the tangerines for them.
Ok I am leaving now.
About Cailian's schooling we have settled.
Sorry to have given you more trouble.
Not at all.
Uncle Xiao.
Hello.
Cailian listen to Uncle Xiao.
Be a good student. Do you remember?
Yes.
Ok Let's go.
Uncle Xiao are there tangerine trees in the school?
Mom said there were.
There are all kinds of things in the school. You will see soon.
Mom.
Cailian.
Go back
She won't go until you leave.
Ok
Then I am going.
Mom will come to pick you up in the evening.
Ok
Cailian get down and walk Don't let Uncle Xiao hold you in his arms.
Uncle Xiao let me down. I will walk
Ok
There is much fun in the school.
There are big rubber balls.
Many little friends play hide-and-seek there.
Let's go and play with them ok?
Yes.
Sister why did you come here without your breakfast?
I was not hungry.
That's not good.
How can you hold on till noon?
Oh here are some candies.
No thanks. You keep them for yourself.
No no. I have more.
My father bought them from Hangzhou.
Have some.
Thank you. I won't eat.
Now that Mr. Qian has brought them here have some.
ljust won't.
Suit yourself.
Miss Tao is busy in preparing her lessons.
So busy as to forget food and sleep.
That's her.
Oh Principal Tao.
Principal Tao.
She is here.
Mr. Fang.
Mr. Qian.
Miss Tao.
What's your name?
Li Cailian.
Come with me.
Take the candies. It's from Mr. Qian.
Well go ahead. Go ahead.
Jianqiu look She has some resemblance to Zhihao.
Ah very pretty.
There will be another peacock in our Furong town in the future.
Come let's go to play.
Uncle Xiao.
Oh.
Jianqiu my sister is quiet a talker. It's not good now.
I don't know what I should do now.
My sister she once said
Whoever provides her with 3000 Yuan per year to stay abroad
for three years she will marry him when she returns.
Qian Zhengxing had wanted to marry my sister before that.
When he heard this he came to see my mother.
He told my mother that he was willing to provide the money for her to go abroad.
But the conditions should be altered a little bit.
That is marriage first going abroad second.
My mother gave her consent to it.
Ok Today they sent a matchmaker here to arrange the engagement.
She has been yelling since then.
About going abroad it is you who said it in the first place.
That'sjust for fun.
And you took it seriously.
You are not young any more.
But you are still so naughty.
How could you make fun of your marriage?
Even if I had said that he didn't consent to my conditions.
There is no difference whether you go abroad before marriage or after.
Mom how could you be so muddleheaded?
Now she is asking me to deal with it.
Though this is not a divorce in fact it is more difficult to deal with than a divorce.
Sigh.
As soon as Qian Zhengxing learns this he will quit teaching in the first place.
This is not a big deal.
But his father is an important local Four Hundred.
He is very sensitive about his reputation.
He will never consent to this.
Jianqiu you are a shrewd man. Do help me.
Then you can only delay it.
Till they cool off.
Delay. Delay. I am delaying it.
But my sister doesn't want to delay. What am I supposed to do?
Then the brother has to put up with it.
Auntie.
Mr. Xiao sorry. We made a show of ourselves.
You might as well go to persuade her.
Even if I go it won't do any good.
Hey Jianqiu you can go to persuade her.
She trusts you.
No no. What can I say?
Mr. Xiao help us. Have a try.
Yes. Yes. Come on. Go. Go.
Sister Mr. Xiao is here.
Do you still go to pick up Cailian every morning?
Yes.
You want to have her as your stepdaughter?
Who said that?
Then don't ask
Nothing like that at all.
Mr. Xiao word spreads fast in our town.
What?
Nothing.
Mr. Xiao.
Wang Fusheng?
Do you do this everyday?
Yes.
Does your family all depend on you?
No my father.
Because I haven't paid all the tuition fee I have to help my father more.
Oh. Where is your father?
He is still on the mountain chopping firewood.
He was afraid that I would be late.
So he asked me to carry this to the market first.
Ok Then hurry up.
Uncle Xiao.
Cailian why don't you go to school?
Mr. Xiao I don't want Cailian to go to school anymore.
No one takes care of A Bao at home.
How can she take care of A Bao?
I don't think this is the reason.
Cailian is it you that don't want to go to school anymore?
What on earth is it the matter?
To be honest with you Mr. Xiao.
I feel uncomfortable that you have to walk back and forth everyday.
That's nothing.
I can avail myself this opportunity to take a walk and get some fresh air.
No I don't want to trouble you for the sake of Cailian.
If this is the only reason I can ask an older student to wait for her by the bridge.
It's on his way.
Then
It's getting late. Cailian let's go.
Mr. Xiao
Is it that you didn't behave yourself?
No I did.
Then why did your mom cry?
I went out to play this morning.
Some kids called me names.
I told mom back home.
Then mom started to cry.
What did they say about you?
They said I had an illegitimate father.
Mr. Xiao my brother asked me to invite you to our home for dinner.
No thanks. School meal will be ready in no time.
Then should I fetch my brother to invite you?
It seems that you are worrying about something.
Is it? I don't feel that myself.
Is it because of Qian Zhengxing?
I don't mind him at all.
What? He has quitted teaching?
Humph he had a letter delivered to my brother today.
It writes that he will resign his position in the school because of me.
It has something to do with you too.
Me?
But my brother didn't want me to tell you this.
I promised my brother that I wouldn't tell.
But I must tell you.
Qian Zhengxing writes in his letter that I have fallen in love with you.
That you are a man who doesn't understand love.
That it is unfortunate that his family is one of high status and wealth.
That if he was as poor as you are I would have fallen in love with him.
I prithee don't be upset no matter what happens.
I don't think I can stay in Furong town long.
Don't say that.
It's all my bad.
My brother told me again and again not to tell you this.
But I don't know why.
I can't hide anything at all before you I can't hide anything from God.
I knew you would be upset if I was to tell you this.
But I can do nothing about it.
Don't worry about me.
About Qian Zhengxing I don't mind him at all.
Ok then.
Hey Jianqiu your capacity for liquor is not small at all.
Look your face is not reddened a bit yet.
You fooled me in the past.
Come on. We will drink to our hearts' content tonight.
Let's use larger cups.
Brother.
In life one should get drunk when there is liquor.
Never let the goblet face the moon with nothing in it.
Hey here.
Brother he doesn't drink
He is muddling himself.
Yes. Muddling.
What can conquer your anxiety? Only Dukang... good wine.
Come on.
Brother.
Lan don't worry. I won't take liquor as medicine.
Why should I muddle myself?
I only want to revivify myself to make myself braver.
Right. Come on.
Stark impropriety.
No that's a sign of civilization
It's so hot.
Come wash your face.
You wash. I am going home soon.
Here you are.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Because I haven't ever looked at you like this.
Here you are.
Mr. Xiao.
Thanks.
What is it?
Magazine.
From a friend in Shanghai.
New Youth.
Jianqiu.
I didn't sleep last night. I have finished it.
How do you like it?
I can't totally agree with you yet.
Ok Then let's go on with our discussion.
Ok
From whom the letter?
I have no idea.
There is a poem.
Oh?
Hibiscus flowers come into blossoms in February (The Chinese Pinyin Furong means Hibiscus flowers)
Ateacher came to Furong town from other place at this time.
Hibiscus flowers come into blossoms in February.
Ateacher came to Furong town from other place at this time.
With two firing eyes he is like a hungry hawk
In his mind he has a scheme.
Holding in his left hand the little widow.
He wants to pluck the Hibiscus Flower (suggesting Tao Lan).
If the man is not to be expelled there will be no decency in our town.
Scum!
Give it to me. I am going to my brother.
Oh no.
Don't bother him.
We must look into this.
It won't do any good even if we know who wrote it.
If he was an aboveboard person he wouldn't have written this.
It seems that I will definitely be killed by backstabbers in Furong town.
Don't say that.
Jianqiu I love you.
I want them to see that we are in love.
Let them deride and taunt. Let them begrudge.
Let them bump into the wall and die.
You are a strong-willed man.
Take courage.
Indeed. We have nothing to lose.
But what I worry about is Sister Wen.
obody pities her.
On the opposite they hurt her non-stop with these rumors and gossip.
What should she do in this kind of situation?
They are too brutal.
Hey look is that Cailian?
Yes it's her.
Cailian why didn't you come to school this morning?
Mom told me not to tell Uncle Xiao.
She told me to come to school.
My brother is sick He's got a fever.
Mom doesn't want Uncle Xiao to know.
Ask A Rong to borrow a thermometer. We will go to have a look
I don't have the nerve to go anymore.
Why?
There are too many rumors.
Fang Mou.
Yes?
How do they in the school take my resignation?
Mr. Qian since you left the colleagues have been feeling lonely.
So we all hope you will come back
Humph unless the Xiao guy leaves I won't go back
Hey who is the Xiao guy?
That teacher in Furong Middle School.
Oh I see.
In my opinion what this sorehead likes is not the Peacock but the Mallard.
The mallard?
The young widow in Xicun village.
Since when has he had a fever?
Since yesterday. It is getting more and more serious.
You should have sent for a doctor earlier.
I thought he would recover by himself.
Grandma Chen came to exam him at noon.
She thought the kid had hyperpyrexia. She has gone to send for a doctor.
Sister Wen the doctor is here.
You have sent for somebody else. Then
No they are not doctors.
Don't misunderstand us.
We are teachers in Furong Middle School.
Oh you are Mr. Xiao. My honor. My honor.
Please attend to the child right away.
Ok
39.80C. It's very high.
It's not pneumonia is it?
It is not serious. He will get well in a few days.
Not serious?
The kid has a fever. No need for medicine.
If he doesn't take any medicine how can the fever come down?
Ok Then get a dose.
Mr. Xiao.
It appears to be serious.
Don't worry.
When the fever comes down he will be fine.
We have paid.
I am going to buy the medicine.
Doctor.
Don't do this.
Sister Wen don't worry.
He will get well when he has taken the medicine.
I will come back tomorrow.
Thank you Miss Tao.
Are you hungry?
You eat first.
I am not hungry. Where is brother?
He came backjust now. Then he hurried to the school.
The alcalde sent for him in the afternoon.
What? Are you sick?
No I am tired.
Has something happened in the school?
Nothing.
What has brother told you?
Hejust scowled and didn't say anything.
You didn't tell me anything.
Mom don't worry. Nothing serious.
Mai.
Dong.
Dong
Mai Dong. (dwarf lilyturf)
Ban.
Xia.
Ban Xia. (Rhizoma Pinelliae)
Gui.
Zhi.
Gui Zhi. (Cassia twig)
A Bao. A Bao. A Bao.
The medicine works.
A Bao hasn't uttered a single sound for two days.
A Bao.
Little child are you better now?
Mr. Xiao you have done so much for us.
We mother daughter and son owe our life to you.
How should we repay your kindness?
Don't say that.
So long as you can live on well everybody will be happy.
It's getting late. I should be off.
No stay with us for supper.
Not much food. I will cook some for you.
No thanks. When it gets dark it's not convenient.
Well
Uncle Xiao don't go.
Live at our home.
Cailian Uncle Xiao will come to see you tomorrow.
I won't let you go. I won't let you go.
Cailian Uncle Xiao has something to do. Listen to mom.
No I won't. No I won't.
Mr. Xiao principal Tao has been looking for you everywhere.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Please go to see him at his home right now.
Ok
Change the hot pack from time to time.
Don't let the wind blow on him.
I am only reminding you of it.
I am not a fogey.
But your behavior is too avant-garde.
The teachers in the school hate to see that.
ljust loveJianqiu.
It's none of their business.
It's not that I don't allow you to loveJianqiu.
But you should respect public opinion.
Gossip is a fearing thing.
Not to mention that the alcalde has heard about it.
I don't care whether he is the alcalde or not.
Let the derision and taunt be.
I will go my own way.
You are too self-willed.
Jianqiu you have come.
You haven't had supper have you?
I will have Nanny Wu prepare some for you.
No no.
Tell me first.
Otherwise I can't eat anything.
Well in fact it's nothing important.
Well it's
The gossip and rumors bother you. Is it?
No. I am sorry that you suffer those slanders.
Jianqiu you have been languished these days.
Maybe you should go to Nvfoshan Mountain to have a few days off.
Come back when the cold spell in spring is over.
I wanted to send in my papers a few days ago and leave this place because
Don't misunderstand me.
Our contract is due in three years from now.
But I changed my mind later.
I have made up my mind to put up with it.
I won't go even if you push me.
Going away like this with a bad name will cause more derision and taunt.
Ok Ok
Mr. Xiao.
I am late again.
No you are the first today.
I will give lesson to you one to one.
Go to your seat.
Hurry up.
My students today we are going to learn lesson 23.
Tyranny is fiercer than a tiger.
Once Confucius together with several students of his went by Taishan Mountain.
He saw a woman kneel down in front of a grave wailing.
Confucius asked "Why are you cryin your heart out hiding here?
The woman answered
Did you bring these students?
How about the negotiation?
No results at all. They said this was a gesture of protest of the parents.
Nonsense.
I went to some of the students' homes.
Some parents were informed by certain people that the teacher was sick
That they would have a day off.
Oh? Obviously some people are doing thing behind our back by base means.
Humph but we won today.
For the sake of sacred education and my friendship with Jianqiu I can't mind anything else.
You you are my good brother.
What is it?
A mouse.
A camel.
Yu Jianming.
Mr. Xiao this is mine.
Ok
Wang Fusheng.
Li Maoyi.
Hey Wang Fusheng got an A.
Teacher we are going.
Good bye teacher.
Good bye.
Lan when did you come?
What happened?
The child died.
Died?
Two hours ago I arrived at her home and the child was dying.
His throat wasjammed.
His eyes couldn't see anything.
I held his hands and watched him.
It has become history now.
Don't think about it anymore.
Sister Wen think more about the future.
Mr. Xiao I I am thinking.
What are you thinking about?
I should do this. I am over with it.
Why do you think like that?
Maybe this is too much for you.
The child has died so let it go.
It wouldn't do any good even if you as a mother died with him.
Sister Wen so long as we are alive we should fight for our fate.
Never should we give up.
Do listen to me.
Mister thank you for your kindness.
I hope A Bao would pay you back when he grew up.
But now the child is gone. I don't know how I can do that anymore.
Don't talk like that again.
You should think more about Cailian now.
Cailian.
Can you take her as a servant girl?
How can you say that?
A Bao is dead.
But for the sake of Cailian you should live on.
But live on how should I
Sister Wen you are still young. You can remarry.
Sister Wen take my advice.
Life will get better one day.
So long as you can find some suitable man.
Jianqiu.
I am coming down there.
Jianqiu are you writing to me?
Why stopped?
I couldn't continue.
It's nothing.
Write as you think
I am here. Can you tell me?
If you still think it better to write then write to me.
No.
Then talk to me.
I think you will agree with as well as understand me.
Because we think the same.
Tell me.
About Cailian and her mother we must resort to the basic way to help them.
I have decided to marry her.
Make her my wife.
What? Do you really want that?
Yes.
She she is in great despair.
I really can't think of another way better than this.
Lan forgive me.
If you consent I will tell her tomorrow.
Do you love her?
Yes.
No this is pity. This is not love.
Lan.
Excuse me Mr. Xiao. Sorry to bother you.
What do you want?
Nothing much. Just want to talk with you.
Mr. Qian do you have any news to tell me?
News?
Such as public opinion.
No public opinion.
Town folks here have much respect for you Mr. Xiao.
Though you have been here less than two months your noble name is known even to children.
Humph.
So according to you I am having a happy life here?
If you think you are having a happy life here I hope you can live here forever.
Live here?
Yes.
Can I?
Of course.
So I want to ask if you want to establish a family here.
What do you mean?
Nothing. Just ask
Then don't ask
Why do you hide it from me?
Everybody knows that you have fallen in love with Sister Wen in Xicun village.
I love another.
Then who is it?
The sister ofTao Mukan Tao Lan. Tao Lan.
Don't go.
You
Mr. Xiao don't you often say that we should show mercy to the poor?
Show some mercy to me will you?
Humph.
Let me have Tao Lan.
Absurd.
Mr. Xiao.
I beg you Mr. Xiao.
My lifetime sorrow or happiness is in your hand.
So long as you consent I will definitely pay you back
If you want to marry Sister Wen I am willing I am willing to help you with 1000 Yuan.
Shut up. Go away.
You go yourself.
Good bye.
Cailian.
Uncle Xiao.
Why are you here?
Mom told me to come to school.
And changed new clothes for me.
Does mom cry still?
Not any more.
Attend to your lessons.
I will go home with you at noon to see your mother.
Ok
If the revolutionaries launch the Northern Expedition
there will be wars in Jiangsu and Zhejiang in less than one year.
In my opinion Jiangxi will stand in the breach.
Sun Chuanfang's troops cannot withstand a single blow.
lfJiangxi falls then Jiangsu and Zhejiang can't hold.
Mr. Xiao.
And our Furong Town
Look Mr. Xiao is here.
We want to hear your brilliant opinion.
Yes.
Mr. Xiao look the Guangzhou Government is going to send an army to launch Northern Expedition.
Oh?
Mr. Tang do you think Sun Chuanfang will defend Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the last?
Even if he wants he can't.
This gang of warlords is too corrupted.
They don't have the will of the people.
Jianqiu.
Let me ask you something.
My sister cried all night last night.
I asked my mother why.
My mother said that my sister had said that she would never get married because Mr.
Xiao wanted to get married.
Isn't it strange?
You wanted to get married and my sister said she would not get married all her lifetime.
What on earth is this all about?
I don't know either.
Then who is Mr. Xiao going to marry?
Ask him.
Please ask the future.
Good answer.
I the brother am totally confused.
Don't be. I will tell you in the future.
As for now I don't know either.
My old friend I think you have changed recently.
You will be doomed if you do it like this.
My sister is like this. Why do you have to learn from her?
Maybe I will be doomed.
Maybe I am doing thisjust because I will be doomed.
I am totally confused.
Mr. Xiao somebody wants to see you.
What's the matter?
Mr. Xiao hurry. Cailian's mother hanged herself.
Mr. Xiao where is Cailian?
Go to find her so she can see her mother for the last time.
Oh is that necessary?
Ok I will go with you.
Ok
Mukan please take Cailian to your home when school is over.
Ok Go.
Ok
Uncle Xiao I want to go home.
I want mom.
Your mom has gone to a faraway place.
You will live at Mr. Tao's.
Cailian is a good girl.
I am not drinking.
You can drink a lot. Why not drink today?
Drink Get drunk Maybe you will feel less distressed.
Come on.
We want tojoin you and have a drink
Ok Come on. Welcome.
No thanks. I have had my supper.
Just a drink
Come on. Have a seat.
Thank you.
It is said that Mr. Xiao has a capacity for liquor.
Today we will have a contest.
I am no rival for you.
Mr. Fang here you are.
Ok Thanks.
Here you are.
Help yourselfwith some food.
People are talking about what happened in Xicun.
Everyone is saying that Sister Wen is a virtuous woman.
Yes.
She was a decent woman. The society wouldn't let her live on.
Indeed.
On hearing the sudden suicide of Cailian's mother everyone admires her very much.
As a wife she died for her husband. As a mother she died for her son.
Mr. Xiao I will be honest with you.
Before today many people misunderstood you.
But now I know they all understand you now.
Why so?
Isn't it obvious?
If there was
If there was something between you two then was a good opportunity as her son was dead.
Then why should she have committed suicide?
Judging from this you and Sister Wen are completely innocent.
Humph.
Everybody knows that you are their benefactor.
Here Mr. Xiao I will propose a toast to you.
Now people in our town men and women old and young all want to meet you.
Then you can ask the school to make an exhibition of me.
So people can come to see me.
Mr. Fang let's not talk about this anymore.
Come on. Bottom up.
I admire you much.
You took great pains to help them. It's indeed admirable.
But you couldn't have expected what had happened.
I thought I could save them. But on the opposite I killed them.
But what I didn't expect the most is that the sarcastic scum would come to celebrate it for me.
Come thank you for your kindness.
Flunky! Flunky!
How do you feel now?
It seems that I had a bad dream.
Don't think of what has passed.
Lan.
Yes?
I am sorry.
There is no need for this.
What are you thinking about?
Nothing.
I am not feeling well.
I will get some medicine for you.
No thanks.
There is medicine on the desk
In the inner drawer.
Mr. Xiao. Miss Tao.
Wang Fusheng?
Why aren't you in class?
They say you are ill. I am here to see you.
It's not serious. I can give you lessons tomorrow morning.
What's the matter?
I can't go to school anymore.
Why?
Is it because you can't afford the tuition fee?
About the tuition fee I can talk with the principal.
I will ask my brother to exempt him from the tuition fee.
No thanks. My father broke his leg yesterday.
The family will depend on me from now on.
Sister are you sleeping?
Have a rest here. I will bring you some snacks.
No thanks. I am going back to school in no time.
Stay longer.
Are you better now?
I am fine now.
I am here to see Cailian.
She cried for a long time.
It took me a long time to lull her into sleep.
Poor child. She is still in the dark
I am afraid I can't take care of her for now.
You will have to take full responsibility for her in the future.
What do you mean?
I am feeling depressed these days.
I want to go to Nvfoshan Mountain to have a few days off.
Mukan has consented to it.
That might as well be. I will go with you.
No that's not necessary.
I will return in a few days.
Jianqiu I will never let you go alone.
I will be freer by myself.
Lan wait.
We will have a bright future.
The moment I stepped into Furong Town it seemed that I had fallen into a vortex of troubles.
I almost got myself drowned in this vortex.
Sister Wen's suicide and Wang Fusheng's quitting school struck me like two iron bars.
It made me dizzy as well as woke me up.
It terminated my hesitation and found me a way out.
I will throw myself into the tide of the decade.
Hey he told me he was going to Nvfoshan Mountain.
What. he didn't bring anything with him.
Sister you.
I am going to find him.