Ying.
I heard that the marriage ban will be imposed soon.
What about Ying?
What about you?
Do you still have her in your heart?
If not, you can marry Ying when you're 28 years old.
I can't wait.
I'll distribute your discharge pay.
You can retire as a sergeant.
Even the Army doesn't want me now.
Wei-xun.
Qian-yi!
BASED ON PAI HSIEN-YUNG'S WORK A GREAT LITERARY FIGURE OF TAIWAN
You're enrolled in Shier Girls' High.
Your mom is disappointed. I also regret it.
I guess you want to be a factory worker. You don't want to further your studies.
Once upon a time, there was a little girl.
When she was in junior high, she knew that she and her English teacher
came from the same village. Her teacher would never punish her.
So she skipped almost all of her classes.
One day, the teacher was worried so she went to look for the girl.
The girl didn't go far. She was at the factory nearby.
The female workers in the factory had a bunch of newborn puppies.
The little girl skipped classes and played with the puppies.
She was happily talking to herself.
She didn't realize that the teacher was standing behind her.
The girl gave the teacher a lesson.
The teacher had been to many classes
and had taught many students.
But she had never been so calm before.
The teacher didn't want to go back to school
and didn't want to go back to the village either.
This girl grew up in the Air Force Village.
Her friends who used to hang out with her at the airport were all gone.
She finally found a place that could make her happy.
The teacher wanted to tell her,
"Little girl,
just leave.
Go somewhere far away.
You're free to ditch school or run away from home."
But the teacher had never told her
until today.
Why do you lock me up? You also want to leave.
Mo-ting, open the door.
Ying has left.
I'm not going to marry you. But you can't leave this village.
Why would I stay in this village?
The unmarried pilots are terrified of being in an arranged marriage with me.
Think about your child.
If my child knows that her mom used to live a shameful life...
Well, it doesn't matter to me. But he'll be ashamed when he grows up.
Mo-ting.
You're taking the wrong side.
Look at her.
She's already a grown-up.
There's nothing wrong with her, but she doesn't have any friends.
There's nothing wrong with her?
Do you know that she ditched school?
Do you know why she chose to come back to school?
That's because the puppies and their mother dog died.
No one took care of them.
She was crying like a baby. I picked her up from school.
If you leave the village, things will end up that way.
Mo-ting, did you tell her this?
Did you tell her?
Just get married.
Don't wait for Madam Zhou. Just get married tonight.
Mo-ting.
You've even found me a best man.
Let's put up the wedding cutouts. I'm not going out today.
When you were a junior, you taught me a lesson.
Now it's my turn to return the favor.
Let's do it.
Can someone buy me the red papers?
Mo-ting is going to make some wedding cutouts for me.
-Mr. Jiang. -Yes.
Did your commander inform you?
Sir, my commander wants me to be mustered out as a sergeant.
Take a look at this.
The superiors did not agree to your promotion.
So I'm mustering out as a corporal.
I can't do anything.
On your way out, ask an officer to come in and remove the phone line.
We're relocating soon.
Sir, Jinmen has subsidies from the government.
Why don't you bring me and my squad to Jinmen?
I thought the force is planning to build an airport there.
With me?
I'll be relieved soon. Just go home.
The airport must be completed as scheduled.
Court martial will be held for any delays.
I've already shaved my hair and prepared to go to jail.
As for the airport, no one knows how to build it.
Sir.
I know how to build it.
Get the wind direction from the Army meteorologists.
Then, we'll decide how the runway is oriented.
We'll predict the rainy season and build the airport beforehand.
So the aircraft is sheltered from the rain.
Sir, you won't have to be at the court martial if you take me there.
Don't you need to discuss with your wife first?
You'll have to be at the court martial if I go home.
I won't be enlisted anymore if I go home.
To be honest,
I'm indebted for a large sum of rental last year.
I've spent all the money for my medications.
The landlord even said she'll call the police.
Even if I'm promoted to a sergeant, I won't be able to repay the debts.
I'll return the compensation
to the personnel officer.
Sort this map out. We need to give this back.
Thank you, sir.
Sir, it'll be done soon.
Sir.
I didn't greet you just now.
I thought I got the wrong guy.
So it's really you,
Lieutenant Colonel.
Zhi-jian.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Zhi-jian.
Are you a lieutenant colonel now?
You've been promoted, right?
Yes, I'm a lieutenant colonel.
So, did Qian-yi call you?
Yes.
The communicator found the noodle shop
after the investigation by the communication bureau.
-So the airport has a communicator now. -Yes.
Gong is going to lose his job.
Sir.
Give it to me.
Thank you.
After I got sick, I've become so stiff.
I'm such a burden to Qian-yi.
That's why you want to go to Jinmen.
People in Jinmen receive government subsidies.
The commander said, if a sergeant is killed on the island,
he'll be granted 6,000 TWD.
I'm not that smart, I didn't think that much.
Right.
I want to treat you and Wei-xun to a meal later.
It's been a long time since we last met.
All right, it's your treat.
All right.
My vice-captain is now a lieutenant colonel.
You're a captain now.
I came here to rent a house,
the one near the alley next to a noodle shop.
We own all the shops along the street.
But all their leases are not due yet,
except for that one.
The tenant hasn't paid the rent for a year.
She offered to work here.
Meanwhile, she'll be my daughter's English teacher to settle the debt.
Excuse me.
Hello.
She said she's a university graduate.
Regarding her identity document,
you need her husband's too.
-All right. -I wanted to borrow some money from you.
But I think it's fine now.
I'll just teach English here for money.
Thank you for pretending that you don't know me.
Come here, I have something to ask you.
Is your husband a captain or a platoon sergeant?
He's a sergeant now, a platoon sergeant.
My husband works at the Garrison Command Center.
We want housekeepers with a clean record.
Which university did you go to?
Huanan Normal University.
Do you have your graduation certificate?
No.
Was your husband part of an engineer troop?
He was transferred from another unit.
Which force and division was he from?
From which unit was he transferred?
Firstly, you don't have your graduation certificate.
Now you don't even know your husband's unit.
As for her house
I'm going to rent it.
Yes.
I'm going to throw you out.
I'm sorry.
How should I address you?
Qian-yi Qin.
I'll move in tomorrow.
Please move out
if you have a place to stay.
You know what?
Her husband is the lieutenant colonel of the 11th Wing.
Her name is Qian-yi Qin.
If you dare to give orders,
I'll tell the 11th Wing to bomb your house!
Who do you think you are? Let's go.
Go! What are you doing?
You can't be my husband.
Don't ruin yourself.
In Nanjing,
you came to the 11th Wing only after Qing was married.
In Taiwan, you wanted to marry me only after I decided to leave.
You're always too late.
You have to be here at the right time.
You should marry a university graduate.
Don't settle for the dropouts.
They were your superiors' wives, my little pilot.
Sir, I want to take the day off.
-Again? -There's a wedding in my village.
Mo-ting.
I got divorced.
This is the alimony from Zhao-jun.
He gave me all of his savings.
He's crazy.
Can you do me a favor?
Please give this back to him.
All right.
The girls from Air Force Village can't cry.
It's bad luck.
That's it. You should go now.
Let me know if you're getting married.
When you grow up,
don't get married into the Air Force Village.
Ask Qian-yi for help.
Your mom will surely ruin your wedding.
I can't do this.
-Bring them back. -Keep it down.
The Captain is treating us to a meal. We'll discuss it afterwards, understood?
-Lady Qin. -Let's go, captain.
-Wei-xun. -What are you hiding?
-Wei-xun. -Close the door.
Qian-yi.
Do you want to come with me?
-I'll talk to Wei-cheng after the meal. -You'll be eating alone soon enough.
-Do you know? He's going to Jinmen. -Stop it.
It's a battlefield, he'll get 6,000 TWD if he dies. You can repay the rent.
If you don't come with us, he'll leave anyway.
Come with us. I can help you to keep an eye on him.
You can come with me if you want.
But I definitely won't lend you money.
Qian-yi.
I just want to get involved in the construction of the airport.
There'll be subsidies for us.
-So... -Lady Qin.
My husband saw the medicine shop's owner. Do you want to hide in my house?
Lady Qin.
We may be able to repay the rental, but what about this?
IOU
I'm talking to you.
Are we going to follow Wei-xun?
Thank you.
Captain.
Come with us.
Thank you.
You've grown taller.
That man is your godfather.
You should greet him.
Mo-ting.
I'm Uncle Jiang.
When you were a kid I used to take you to the airport.
But I guess it's your turn to take me to the airport now.
I've been transferred
to the Army now.
Captain.
Here's your trunk. We brought it from Nanjing.
I've been meaning to give this to you.
It contains the photos of our companions, right?
I was thinking of leaving this behind.
I'm not a good instructor.
Lady Zhou, you're the village head...
Qian-yi, let us do it.
Ladies.
This woman used to be in charge of the old village.
I was looking all over for her.
Please take good care of her.
Is it the old 11th Wing before it was restructured?
Come on.
Thanks for your help.
I'm not the person in charge.
Just call me Lady Qin.
Give me some time.
I'll visit all of you with my husband.
Ying has cleaned this house.
We'll take care of the rest.
Should we remove the wedding cutouts?
Whoever put them up can take them down.
Darn.
Okay. I've just found Qian-yi, but Ying has left.
Tomorrow, your dad is getting his pay.
I'm going to visit Ying with your dad.
The ladies in the village will clean the house.
Did Ying say where she is moving to?
I don't know. She didn't want me to send her off.
Lady Qin.
Zhao-jun.
The flight jacket suits you better.
Are you a first lieutenant now?
Yes.
-Good day, sir. -Zhao-jun.
It's been a long time.
You've been promoted.
Lady Qin, do you need any help?
Yes.
Remove all the wedding cutouts in this house.
After all, Ying ran away. These things are useless now.
Zhao-jun, you can go back to the airport now.
Join us for dinner after the captain settles in.
-Okay? -All right.
Where could Ying go with a sick child?
I'm in charge now.
No one wanted the wedding cutouts I made.
You refused to marry her. You gave her your savings.
Was that your discharge pay?
She lost her dignity. That's why she ran away.
Why did you give her...
I also wanted to get married!
But it's always too late.
No one wants me.
We tried so hard to track down Qian-yi.
Why are you making a fuss here? Pick it up!
Zhao-jun.
Go back to the airport.
Go.
Tomorrow, we'll have a welcome dinner for Qian-yi.
Get the mahjong and candies ready. If it goes bad, we'll depose the chief.
Qian-yi.
I'm the person in charge. The village is such a mess.
I'm sorry you have to see it.
Mo-ting, talk to your mom.
Captain, Lady Qin.
I'm sorry.
I failed to discipline them.
Nowadays, the pilots are quick-tempered.
Times have changed.
Ladies, come and help me out.
She's still the same.
Wei-xun hasn't changed a bit.
Should we keep this?
CERTIFICATE OF GRADUATION
No.
I'm too ashamed to face them.
I'd rather not face them.
Just burn them all.
Burn this too.
We should at least keep something.
There's a dress in the case.
This flight jacket will keep it company.
-Pass me the sleeve nut. -Sleeve nut...
Ask Lady Qin if she has met Qing.
If Lady Qin says
that she knows Qing's whereabouts,
are you going to take care of her?
The enemy hasn't shown up.
The situation on the battlefield remains unknown.
A tug-of-war is kicked off only when I find her.
Are you going to win?
Both of us will get hurt.
We both lost once.
Where is my jacket?
I've washed it for you.
It was worth waiting for you.
-Send her back. -Yes.
The day when we were watching a movie in the village,
the light from the screen reflected on your face.
It looked familiar.
I've just realized it.
You're just like the airport, waiting for the pilots to return.
I didn't dance with you
at the last prom. I must dance with you this time.
Next time you want to make a landing, don't come to my airport.
You have such bad eyesight.
Do you mean your schoolmates?
They don't have a prom date.
I'm going with my classmates.
Let me walk you home.
I'll go back alone.
This table is better for mahjong.
Qian-yi, the one at your house is too shaky.
Place it properly.
-Wei-cheng fixed it yesterday. -Fix it again then.
It's not balanced.
He's bad at doing house chores. Now he's in the Army, he should learn.
Lady Qin, the dress looks great.
She found it in the case.
I brought it here for her. Otherwise, she couldn't afford to buy it.
Now we can play it. Come on.
Lady Qin, where did you find this?
Behind the village.
Someone left it by the roadside.
It looked fine so I brought it back.
It belongs to the ground crew. We've never greeted each other.
No one wants to greet them.
They've been complaining about the housing shortage.
I know they want to invade our areas.
They were okay. I nodded at them.
They're quite courteous. We're living in the same village anyway.
I didn't know you before. Otherwise, I would've moved to your village.
I bet you managed your village very well.
What?
Are you saying that I don't manage the village well?
Center tile.
You're early today.
-I want to keep Lady Qin company. -Aren't you on duty today?
Did you skip your duty just because she's back?
Where are you supposed to sit?
Qian-yi.
Don't hang out in the ground crew's area.
You're not living in the slums anymore. Don't collect rubbish.
Lady Qin, where's the tea?
The tea is too expensive. I don't have money.
I can't afford it.
Wei-cheng, it's too noisy.
You have some boiled water, right?
Yes.
How did you get here?
By boat.
Here you go.
What are you doing? Play mahjong.
My English teacher also came here by boat.
She said only the blessed ones could come to Taiwan.
She said if anyone died on the boat, their bodies were thrown into the sea.
Some people killed one another on the boat.
There are too many stories of refugees.
Let's wrap it up for today, Wei-xun. We'll play at your place next time.
You're the head of the village now. We should do this at your place.
Wei-cheng.
Move our table.
Move Lady Zhou's table back.
Qian-yi.
I've always been honest with you. Don't you know me well enough?
Have you stayed in the slums for too long? You're so sensitive.
No.
I've known you so long that I forgot where I stand now.
Mom, it's time to get the provisions.
A bucket for each family.
-Thank you. -Come on.
What are you doing here?
I thought Qian-yi is going to play mahjong with us.
Everybody is here for Qian-yi.
-Remember to hide the photos. -Why should I?
That's the 11th Wing after the restructuring.
Captain Jiang doesn't want to see them.
Okay. We'll keep them in the washroom.
-Mom. Uncle. -I'm bringing this to Qian-yi.
She has no access to the provisions. What should they eat then?
-Slow down. -Hey.
-Come on. Keep going. -What are you doing?
Don't do it like you're feeding the needy.
Give it later. People are watching.
Things are different now. Think twice before you act.
-Be considerate of them. -You're insane.
I'm not a thief. I'm not smuggling it by night.
What do you mean I should think twice? We're close friends.
We've always been honest with each other.
Who's sensitive now?
You're crazy.
Qian-yi, this is for you.
Wei-cheng, don't bend down.
Wei-xun, Zhi-jian, thank you.
You should go home.
I didn't do it on purpose.
I'm sorry.
That's fine.
Your mom has always been like that.
After some time, she'll be fine.
You should go.
Mo-ting.
It's fine. Go back now.
Uncle Jiang.
Mo-ting.
We've been waiting for you.
The guards don't recognize us.
Let me tell my mom.
It's fine.
Don't disturb her.
They are still new here. Just let them go in next time.
-Thank you. -No problem.
Just settle Captain Jiang and Lady Qin's residence documents.
No, I'm too busy.
What do you mean?
You snuck out of the readiness training,
For dinner with me or to argue about those outsiders?
Who are the outsiders?
Hurry and settle the documents.
I left my stamp at the post office.
I sent some cash to Qian-yi's landlord.
Qian-yi has owed over 10,000 TWD. I'm her guarantor.
Or else how would she let them go? How can they be redeemed?
Okay, keep it down.
You're always like this.
That's why Qian-yi would rather wait at the gate instead of calling you.
Lady Zhou, someone is going to raid the village.
They're on their way to Lady Qin's house.
A dead soldier's family used to live here. They're the Wangs.
My fellow officer, it's been hard for all of us.
-Just let it slide. -Yes, please.
Sir, do you have graduation certificates from the military school or other orders?
Is there any proof of identity for registration?
You can fill in the residential form later.
We've burned them all.
-Hold on... -My fellow officer.
Can we give you the proof later?
Yes.
We received a complaint letter. about trespassing in this house.
Now, even the lieutenant colonel of 11th Wing is here.
I also want to let it slide.
But they don't have the proof of identity.
Please move out of this house within three days.
Can't you do us a favor?
Captain.
There are ground crews in this village. They're not military officers either.
They are actually refugees.
But thanks to their friends, they're acquainted with the Army.
Then, they stay here as temporary workers.
Or...
Can you recall anyone
who might have helped you when you fled the country?
When I fled the country,
the Army banished me to penal servitude.
I was too anxious at that time. I was worried about Qian-yi.
-So... -Forget about that.
He did the servitude for just a few days. He escaped and came back to me.
Nothing actually happened.
No military-related record was left.
No connection to the Army can be traced.
I'll take the responsibility for occupying this house.
I'll try my best to let the captain return to the Air Force.
My fellow soldiers who died in Dongbei
weren't even buried at the Air Force mausoleum.
I was the only one who survived.
I'm too ashamed to return to the Air Force for the sake of a house.
Take a good look around.
We're leaving soon.
Let's leave this place.
We're going to put Zhi-jian into trouble if we stay longer.
Okay.
Mo-ting, ask your dad to come here!
-Don't do this. -Lock Qian-yi up.
Otherwise, she will leave again.
What happened?
He wants to borrow money from us.
Zhi-jian, can you give some of it?
-Sir... -Listen to me.
The captain and his wife should be in charge of this village.
Qian-yi and I are the extras. This is not right.
We can't let them raid this village.
Did we say anything?
How could I know it would turn out like this?
Ask Qian-yi to come here if you want to borrow money.
Wei-cheng.
Let's go home.
We're moving out tomorrow.
Things have changed now.
We owe you enough as it is.
If we borrow any more we'll never be able to pay you back.
Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you.
We're moving out tomorrow.
Come on. Let's go.
-Lady Qin... -Write me a bill of debt before you leave.
Or Wei-cheng will be detained in my house.
I paid the rent for you. You must repay me.
You can't leave until you repay me.
I didn't do it on purpose.
I didn't realize that you two were standing at the entrance.
You're right.
I'm a woman who speaks her mind.
But I've always been like this.
You've changed.
You're too sensitive.
You used to be the person in charge. How could you take this personally?
Didn't you say you want to be a teacher?
I've even found you a job. You'll replace Ying.
I bribed the principal.
I spent another 500 TWD just for you. You must repay me!
When you and Wei-cheng were standing there,
I went to see the principal. He was trying to avoid me.
I waited outside his house the whole day. He didn't even bother to come out.
When have I ever been that genteel?
I was holding a box of kaoliang wine. I felt like throwing the box at him.
I'm sorry.
I can't find Qing. Now, you're leaving me.
I don't want to be in charge anymore. I want him to wash my dishes.
All right.
I'm not leaving.
Wei-cheng might break the dishes and owe you more, though.
But I just called the Dependent's Bureau.
They said a family is moving
into the captain's house the day after tomorrow.
Zhi-jian.
Take me to the chief tomorrow.
Get me the car. I need to go to the hospital.
Yes.
How is he?
Sir, the captain of the 9th Wing has passed away.
What...
What about the vice-captain?
He fell into a coma again. He's in the operation room.
How did this happen?
I don't know, sir.
Hello, what's the progress? Is he awake?
This is 11th Wing. Please go ahead.
Sir, this is Zhi-jian.
-Zhi-jian, we will discuss tomorrow... -I found the lieutenant colonel.
-What? -Wei-cheng Jiang, the lieutenant colonel.
He's with me now.
I want to bring him to you.
But he feels guilty about his dereliction in Dongbei.
-I'm not sure if you're ready to meet him. -Zhi-jian.
Many soldiers from the Army have been defeated.
They're not blamed for their failures.
Tell Wei-cheng to come and see me.
He'll make contribution to atone for his mistake.
We can start over again.
Yes. Thank you, sir.
Shanghai is haunted.
Your enemy is here.
You can wear this to meet the chief.
I'm no longer in the Air Force. I shouldn't wear this.
Captain, the chief is in the Air Force Bureau Center now.
You can't wear the Army uniform.
-Zhi-jian, stand beside Wei-cheng. -Yes.
Okay.
Come here, Qian-yi.
Look.
Who said everything has changed? It's still the same.
The captain and the vice-captain of the 11th Wing.
-This is your captain. -Good day, sir.
This is your captain.
-Good day, sir. -Good day.
Qian-yi, don't worry.
Wei-cheng had similar experiences before.
It's not like he's never been in jail.
-Really? -Yes.
He blew up someone's ship.
About ten million dollars fell from the ship.
I should've picked up some of it.
I got the fortune tile.
Wei-xun.
Do we have any news of Qing?
It seems like you're not the only one who is worried.
Captain Jiang went to see the chief.
While we're waiting for the good news, here's a bottle of wine.
We'll drink them tonight.
I'm back from the training. I run errands for Lady Qin. Just like old times.
Just like old times?
You say you're running errands, but we all know you actually came here for Qing.
Zhao-jun.
Since going our separate ways in Nanjing, I haven't seen Qing
until now.
I'll remove the wedding cutouts.
Your captain is not around. You should watch over the force.
You've ruined the wedding.
Don't mention it again. It makes me angry.
-Two bamboos. -Zhao-jun.
For Qing's sake you were disciplined by the 9th Wing .
I'm sorry about that.
Lady Qin, it's okay.
I deserved it.
Qing was just married to Mr. Guo at that time.
It's your turn.
Four Characters.
It's okay if we have no news of Qing now. Just wait for the good news.
Do you want the Four Characters? Draw the tiles if you don't.
-Sir. -The captain of 11th Wing is here.
He's here. Send him in.
Please go in.
-Sir. -Wei-cheng.
Good day, sir.
I've been meaning to visit you.
But because of what I did in Dongbei,
I was afraid it might implicate you, so...
All right.
You are bad.
You're bad, Zhi-jian.
Are you kidding me?
Look at Wei-cheng now. How can he fly an airplane?
How can he contribute?
You are doomed, and so am I.
Sir, it's time for the strategic planning meeting.
How can I conduct this meeting?
-I've saved a seat for the captain. -There's no need. He is useless now.
Thank you.
We'll take up the gliders next semester. It's a custom in the Air Force Academy.
We need a letter from a female student before flying the plane.
My classmates have found theirs. I haven't got any.
You're not flying a fighter plane. Why do you need a letter?
I'll write you letters to teach you math. Then, you can avoid the punishment.
This pain is nothing to me.
Short-term pain is better than long-term agony.
They're just some formulas in the letter. Why is it agonizing?
You should ask my schoolmates for help. You went to the dance for nothing?
That was organized by your classmate, Mai-yan Xin.
She asked for my address at school as soon as I reached there.
I've made myself clear.
I introduced her to Da-gou and left.
How did you explain to her?
I said I had already given my address to you.
My car will be here soon. Uncle Jiang is coming over for dinner.
-I'll write you letters. -Thank you.
Okay, you can post the letters to the instructor's office.
I want you guys to find out
if MiG15's are based in Shanghai.
As a squadron leader,
don't you even know how to check?
Please don't participate in the operation of the wing.
Don't touch the airplanes any longer, sir.
If anything happens,
I'll come over to your place.
I don't want to return to the village. I don't want to wait for the hearse.
Zhao-jun, wake up.
Go look for Qian-yi!
Hurry!
Subtitle translation by Gwen