Brief History of a Family (2024) Movie Script
1
Are you okay?
It's going to sting a little.
Done. Come back tomorrow
to change the dressing.
How are you getting home?
Want me to give you a ride?
Hey!
Don't be so dramatic.
I'm just making sure you follow
what the nurse said.
Will you give me a ride to the subway?
You can walk, no?
Thank you for helping me the other day.
Hey!
Want to play video games at my place?
So, what do your parents do?
My father is a biologist. He works
at a medical equipment company.
My mother used to be a flight attendant.
Now she just spends all her time
nagging me.
We have a guest?
Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Tu.
Nice to meet you. You are?
A classmate.
Were your parents
at the parent teacher meeting today?
My father... he was busy.
I see.
I should go.
Already?
You are welcome to stay for dinner.
Stay.
Here you are.
Thanks Mrs. Tu.
Food not to your taste?
Mom, let him be!
Don't be shy. Make yourself at home.
Mrs. Tu, can I get some soy sauce?
Sure.
Light soy sauce? Dark soy sauce?
Fresh soy sauce?
Or seafood soy sauce?
Any soy sauce will do.
Thank you.
My father hates cooking.
He said soy sauce is cheap,
and it goes well with rice.
What about you mother?
Are they divorced?
She's dead.
One day when I was ten,
we were having dinner together,
she suddenly collapsed on the table
and never woke up.
The sweet and sour fish is delicious.
Help yourself to more.
It's my father.
What's your friend's name?
Yan Shuo.
Is he always this reserved?
Yes. He reads all the time,
doesn't talk to anyone.
He is peculiar.
Peculiar?
What's so peculiar
about wanting to improve oneself?
Have some soup.
I have to go.
Is everything OK?
My father is drunk, again.
What happened to your leg?
Someone knocked him over
with a basketball.
I took him to see the school nurse.
Take this with you, Yan Shuo.
Thank you, Mrs. Tu.
Want to go home together?
I can't today. Tomorrow perhaps.
Thank your mother for me.
Throw it away. We've got tons at home.
Yan Shuo?
Hi, Mrs.Tu.
Wei needed
to go somewhere after school.
I'm here to return the lunch box.
Thank you.
Wei has fencing practice.
Why don't you wait inside?
I can't.
My father wants me
to go home for dinner.
Rice with soy sauce again?
How about tomorrow?
Come after school with Wei for dinner.
Sure. Thank you.
I should be the one thanking you.
You pick first.
Only one, two or four at a time.
You got the last piece. So you lost.
Got it?
You first.
You lost again.
One more game.
Come on.
This time you pick first.
- Whoever loses picks first.
- That's the rule.
Are you afraid you would lose?
Come on.
Whoever goes second
can always find a way to win.
That's why you want me to go first.
It was you
who hit me with the basketball,
wasn't it?
You are not going to tell
my parents, are you?
Be in sync
with your current state of mind.
Do you feel warm, cold,
numb or tense?
Simply be aware of your feelings.
Do not try to change it.
By focusing your awareness
on your heart,
changes are already underway.
From here you will enter,
a much larger space.
Slow down your breathing,
feel your chest expanding.
let your breath,
reach deep inside your heart,
like a ray of light.
Have you talked to your parents?
They've been busy lately.
Want me to talk to them for you?
No need.
If you don't want to take part
in the city fencing team tryout,
I will go ask Tianjun.
Do you need anything?
Wei asked me to fetch him the juice.
It needs a little more time.
He is playing games
on his phone again, isn't he?
No, he is doing homework.
Already covering for him?
Why are you standing? Take a seat.
What fruits do you like?
Oranges.
They remind me of my mother.
Your mother liked oranges?
She always used
the same orange scented detergent,
so her hands smelled like oranges.
Your mom must have loved you deeply.
Wei prefers fruit juice
to actual fruits.
Wei's father only eats pears.
What about you?
What fruits do you like?
They are all the same to me.
You must have a favorite?
I used to love pineapples.
Not anymore?
Just haven't bought them for a while.
Too busy?
Not exactly.
Why don't we buy some now?
Now?
It's too late, no?
Wei told me delivery
only takes 30 minutes.
Let me order for you.
Take your pick.
Nobody taught you to knock?
I'm sorry.
Come in.
Just leave it on the table.
Anything else?
My father never listens to Bach.
What does your father listen to?
My future is not a dream.
How did you know Bach?
I heard that, after losing his parents
at the age of 10,
he often snuck into his brother's room
to copy a manuscript by hand.
I admire him.
You admire him because he would do
anything to get what he wants?
I admire him
because of his perseverance.
When I first heard
The Well-Tempered Clavier,
it sounded like noise.
But one day on the bus,
I put it on against the street noises.
Watching cars and pedestrians
passing by outside the window,
suddenly I felt different,
like I was enchanted by the music.
I'll leave you to your work.
- Did you win?
- Three times in a row.
You should come more often,
so my mom can get off my back.
While I was wondering
whom to ask for directions,
I saw three grannies
waving by the roadside.
What do you think they wanted?
They were hitchhiking
and wanted to share a ride with me.
They didn't speak much English.
So there was a mixture
of broken phrases and gestures.
They told me they owned
a potato field up in the mountains.
They'd hitchhike every day there
to take care of it.
One of them was very interested in me.
She spent the whole journey
trying to set me up with her grandson.
Why isn't Mr. Tu in any of the photos?
These were taken before we got married.
Angiotensin converting
enzyme 2, or ACE2,
is an enzyme
attached to the membranes of cells.
It is found
in lungs, hearts,
kidneys and intestines.
ACE2 lowers blood pressure
by catalysing the cleavage
of angiotensin II,
a vasoconstrictor peptide,
into angiotensin 1-7, a vasodilator.
Mom, go open the door!
Coming.
ACE2 attracts much attention
in recent years as the entry point
for some coronaviruses into cells.
Think of ACE2 as locks,
and the protein on cell surface as keys.
When ACE2 attaches itself,
the cell unlocks.
Why does your father beat you?
Does he beat you often?
"Beating is caring, cursing is loving."
- Who are you calling?
- The police.
What would his father do to Shuo,
after the police leave?
What's your father's number?
Let me talk to him.
If only it was him who died,
not my mother.
Shuo,
why don't you stay the night?
What size do you wear?
What about you?
Large.
Me too.
How about this one?
I don't usually wear white.
How about this one?
What am I going to wear then?
What's wrong?
It's still dark outside.
The class only accepts
the first one hundred students.
I have to be there early
to sign up for him.
Conquer English. Realize you and
your children's dream to study abroad.
Conquer English. Realize you and
your children's dream to study abroad.
Conquer English. Realize you and
your children's dream to study abroad.
What?
Can you pause the game?
It's not a game. It's a video.
Pause the video then.
And the earphones?
Wei,
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Ten years? It's a very long time.
In five years then?
Five years is still a very long...
Maybe at college.
Do you know how many people
from your school go to college?
Why don't you ask my teacher?
Top 30% go to first tier colleges.
The next 50% go to second
and third tier ones.
The rest don't go to college at all.
Do you know how you rank in class?
Lots of successful people
never went to college.
So you think you'll achieve success
by not going to college?
Dad, what do you want from me?
I think you will benefit
from a different education system.
Sports school?
Studying abroad.
But they say China
is where the future lies.
For other people, not for you.
After you get a decent English score,
and get accepted by a decent college,
then we can talk about your future.
- Kai's parents didn't send him abroad.
- His grades are worse than mine.
Do you know how many companies
his parents own?
- What about Geng Hao?
- Do you think his family can afford it?
I already signed up
for the city fencing team tryout.
When did you do that?
A few days ago.
Didn't they need signature
from a parent?
This is not a discussion.
The course starts next Saturday.
Be there at 9am.
He still won't talk to me.
Are we being too hard on him?
We have to do what's right for him.
But he doesn't understand.
He thinks we are suffocating him.
It doesn't matter what he thinks now.
What matters is that he doesn't
throw away his future.
Wei just needs good influence.
Can I help you in any way?
I don't think so. My dad is Voldemort.
Are you Harry Potter?
Did you make peace with your dad?
You have nice handwriting.
My dad forced me to learn calligraphy
when I was little.
But what's the point?
Everyone types now.
Pay attention to the center of gravity.
Let's write together.
Only when you find the center of gravity
will the character stand.
See, now you give it more life.
Try writing yourself.
Still no answer?
It's way past school time.
You don't think anything bad
happened to him?
Hello?
We don't need insurance.
- Shuo is coming for dinner?
- Yes.
He should be here by now.
Call him from your phone.
Hello? Shuo?
You...
Are you sure it's him?
I saw his father picking him up
from school today.
Why didn't you tell us earlier?
- What's wrong with you?
- Are you menopausal?
What if his father did something to him?
Let's call the police.
Calm down.
Do you know where he lives?
No idea.
Stop making things up in your head.
I don't know what got into me.
He found out
that I have been coming to your place.
He was very angry.
He said I betrayed him,
betrayed our family.
He decided to pick me up
from school himself,
so I don't go anywhere I shouldn't.
When we came back home today,
he took my phone away,
and locked me up in my room.
Tonight,
as he was drinking,
he cursed my mother,
he cursed me.
He started smashing things as well.
The more he drank,
the more he cursed,
the more things he smashed.
Suddenly, I heard a loud bang.
It sounded like something hit the floor.
Then silence.
Is Yan Shuo here?
What did the police say?
They said it was an unfortunate accident.
They offered me their condolences.
Look on the bright side.
What bright side?
First of all,
he is not going to beat you up anymore.
Second,
you can do whatever you want now.
Total freedom.
Your wish has come true.
Yan Shuo!
We shouldn't decide on his behalf.
Who should?
The police have a lot of experiences
dealing with kids in this situation.
They'll just send him off
to an orphanage.
Is it really about Shuo?
What are you talking about?
What is it really about then? Myself?
Or the child we shall never mention?
This abortion was your selfish decision.
And you insisted
that I should understand you.
You know very well the policy at the time.
I did it for our family,
for Wei and for you.
So you didn't do it for yourself?
I'm sorry for what you went through.
He is our second chance.
How are you feeling
about the class so far?
What class?
You are asking me?
Great. Shuo is helping me.
I'm making a lot of progress in English.
It's nice of him to tutor you.
But you have to put in the effort too.
I work hard.
If you don't believe me, ask Shuo.
You are up early.
It's not early. I have to go to school.
Shuo,
have some food first.
- You are still going to school today?
- Why not?
Your father...
School will take his mind off his father.
But don't force yourself.
If you find it hard to concentrate,
look for other ways to clear your head.
Let's get you a new shampoo.
It'll be refreshing for you after sports.
Have a taste.
Be careful.
It's hot.
How is it?
Needs a bit more salt.
Shuo, have some fish.
What's wrong?
Are you choking on a fish-bone?
Better now?
Don't chew. Just swallow.
Don't do that. It's too dangerous.
I'll go get some vinegar.
Don't panic.
Swallow slowly. Don't rush it.
Is it working?
Let me have a look.
Flashlight. Open your mouth.
Move the light forward.
There it is. Don't move.
Stay still.
Let me get you some water.
What about Wei's listening test?
And speaking?
Writing?
Are you sure this is his English score?
Did he ask you to take the class for him?
It was my idea.
Why?
He really wants to join
the city fencing team.
Address.
- What address?
- Your home address.
I was only trying to help him!
You call this helping?
You should be ashamed of yourself.
What's so shameful
about wanting to improve oneself?
I couldn't choose
which family I was born into.
But if I could choose
whom I want to become,
I want to be like you.
Do you know how I started
listening to classical music?
When I was your age,
I was always the top of my class.
But I still felt inferior,
because... everyone else had parents.
I didn't.
Kids that age listened to pop music.
But I wanted to show
I was better than them.
So I turned to classical music.
I pretended to enjoy it
even though I understood nothing.
But with time,
I grew attached to it.
It has become a reminder for me.
No matter how well I'm doing,
I have to do better.
8:30, 9:50, 12:05.
8:30 sounds good.
8:30. Three tickets. Saturday.
This Saturday?
Yes. Why?
I can't go this Saturday.
I have a test to prepare for.
What test?
An English Test.
Can you take it after we come back?
Mr. and Mrs. Ma will be there too.
After your father's conference,
we can have a short vacation together.
Let him decide.
He is a big boy now.
He knows his priorities.
Shuo, do you want to come with us?
Did you say anything to my dad?
Nope.
You've reserved a family suite,
breakfast included.
That's correct.
May I see your IDs please?
Here you are.
Thank you.
The kid hasn't got his ID yet.
Do you have
your household registration book?
Yes we do.
- He is Tu Wei?
- Yes.
Just a second.
Have a pleasant stay.
Thank you.
Let's go.
Add more water.
It's okay.
Pour for Mr. and Mrs. Ma first.
This is Shuo, Wei's best friend.
He happens to be visiting us,
so we brought him along.
Nice to meet you.
Why didn't Wei come?
- He...
- He has a test to prepare.
Let's try the tea.
So hardworking.
Where is your daughter?
We want to spend some time
just the two of us,
we sent her to her grandparents'.
Well,
not exactly "two of us".
- You...
- Right.
- Congratulations!
- Congratulations.
Thank you. We are just
following the new policy.
Haven't you considered
having another kid?
How do you like the tea?
It's nice here, no?
It's ok.
Where is my dad?
Preparing for the conference.
Is that Wei?
Wei!
Mom. What did you do today?
How did your fencing match go?
What did you say?
I said: how did your English test go?
It starts tomorrow.
What did you just say?
What did you do today?
We met with Mr. Ma and Mrs. Ma.
Mrs. Ma is pregnant again.
Don't they have a daughter already?
Why do they want another one?
We'll talk about it later.
We have to go downstairs now.
Thanks.
They are waiting for us.
Take care.
Bye, son.
Bye.
Yan Shuo is a nice kid.
His lost his mother when he was little.
His father also passed away recently.
We took him in
to stay with us for a while.
It is nice of you to take care of him.
Living on his own will ruin his future.
My husband and I
are debating whether to send
our daughter to study abroad.
What's your plan for Wei?
It's his dream to study abroad.
How is Wei's English?
He's quite good at it.
You are so lucky.
You look beautiful in these photos.
Didn't you say
"beautiful" is so overused now
that it loses its seriousness?
Can't you tell I am very serious
when I said it?
Not really.
Why did he repeat the same shot
so many times?
To see how different exposures
can suggest different moods.
Photography is not only an art
but also a craft.
Capturing beauty is not enough.
We should also construct beauty.
Shuo's words.
Oh!
I'm tired.
Good night.
Do you think he feels defeated
after the tennis game?
Don't worry,
I will train him systematically.
Yan Shuo!
Is it good?
It's your turn now.
Shuo, come stand between us.
Closer. Look this way.
1, 2, 3.
Smile.
One more.
1, 2, 3.
Bigger smile!
Perfect!
Where's Wei?
What about Stanford?
But we are talking about the Ivy League.
Isn't Stanford part of the Ivy League?
Would you check?
Harvard, Pennsylvania, Yale, Princeton,
Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell.
No Stanford.
Why do you keep mentioning
the Ivy League?
Are you thinking about
your ex-girlfriend there?
Nonsense.
It really depends
on the major you choose.
In my opinion,
for undergraduate study,
a good university is more important.
They all require perfect English score.
- Don't worry about that.
- Grades for you is not a problem.
I made it into the city fencing team.
I'm so proud of you!
Well done!
That's awesome!
We also have good news.
We are going to adopt Shuo.
Anything wrong?
What's wrong? Tell me.
I remember you told me,
when you were pregnant with me,
I stayed in your belly past the due date.
You and dad were afraid
that I might not make it.
The doctor had to cut your belly open
to get me out.
You were in labor for two hours,
lost a lot of blood.
You were ready
to give up your life for mine.
Don't worry son.
Finally...
Your dad and I
will love you just the same.
Is it a crime
to let someone die without helping?
They thought it was an accident.
But they were both tricked by Shuo.
He said his father beat him often,
but how do we know if it's true?
He said his father's death
was an accident,
who saw it?
My parents,
they are...
too infatuated with him
to see the obvious.
Or maybe,
they knew he did it all along.
But chose to cover up for him.
All this from just a fish?
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you...
...Yan Shuo!
Happy birthday to you
Make a wish.
Yan Shuo,
we need to talk.
Are you okay?
It's going to sting a little.
Done. Come back tomorrow
to change the dressing.
How are you getting home?
Want me to give you a ride?
Hey!
Don't be so dramatic.
I'm just making sure you follow
what the nurse said.
Will you give me a ride to the subway?
You can walk, no?
Thank you for helping me the other day.
Hey!
Want to play video games at my place?
So, what do your parents do?
My father is a biologist. He works
at a medical equipment company.
My mother used to be a flight attendant.
Now she just spends all her time
nagging me.
We have a guest?
Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Tu.
Nice to meet you. You are?
A classmate.
Were your parents
at the parent teacher meeting today?
My father... he was busy.
I see.
I should go.
Already?
You are welcome to stay for dinner.
Stay.
Here you are.
Thanks Mrs. Tu.
Food not to your taste?
Mom, let him be!
Don't be shy. Make yourself at home.
Mrs. Tu, can I get some soy sauce?
Sure.
Light soy sauce? Dark soy sauce?
Fresh soy sauce?
Or seafood soy sauce?
Any soy sauce will do.
Thank you.
My father hates cooking.
He said soy sauce is cheap,
and it goes well with rice.
What about you mother?
Are they divorced?
She's dead.
One day when I was ten,
we were having dinner together,
she suddenly collapsed on the table
and never woke up.
The sweet and sour fish is delicious.
Help yourself to more.
It's my father.
What's your friend's name?
Yan Shuo.
Is he always this reserved?
Yes. He reads all the time,
doesn't talk to anyone.
He is peculiar.
Peculiar?
What's so peculiar
about wanting to improve oneself?
Have some soup.
I have to go.
Is everything OK?
My father is drunk, again.
What happened to your leg?
Someone knocked him over
with a basketball.
I took him to see the school nurse.
Take this with you, Yan Shuo.
Thank you, Mrs. Tu.
Want to go home together?
I can't today. Tomorrow perhaps.
Thank your mother for me.
Throw it away. We've got tons at home.
Yan Shuo?
Hi, Mrs.Tu.
Wei needed
to go somewhere after school.
I'm here to return the lunch box.
Thank you.
Wei has fencing practice.
Why don't you wait inside?
I can't.
My father wants me
to go home for dinner.
Rice with soy sauce again?
How about tomorrow?
Come after school with Wei for dinner.
Sure. Thank you.
I should be the one thanking you.
You pick first.
Only one, two or four at a time.
You got the last piece. So you lost.
Got it?
You first.
You lost again.
One more game.
Come on.
This time you pick first.
- Whoever loses picks first.
- That's the rule.
Are you afraid you would lose?
Come on.
Whoever goes second
can always find a way to win.
That's why you want me to go first.
It was you
who hit me with the basketball,
wasn't it?
You are not going to tell
my parents, are you?
Be in sync
with your current state of mind.
Do you feel warm, cold,
numb or tense?
Simply be aware of your feelings.
Do not try to change it.
By focusing your awareness
on your heart,
changes are already underway.
From here you will enter,
a much larger space.
Slow down your breathing,
feel your chest expanding.
let your breath,
reach deep inside your heart,
like a ray of light.
Have you talked to your parents?
They've been busy lately.
Want me to talk to them for you?
No need.
If you don't want to take part
in the city fencing team tryout,
I will go ask Tianjun.
Do you need anything?
Wei asked me to fetch him the juice.
It needs a little more time.
He is playing games
on his phone again, isn't he?
No, he is doing homework.
Already covering for him?
Why are you standing? Take a seat.
What fruits do you like?
Oranges.
They remind me of my mother.
Your mother liked oranges?
She always used
the same orange scented detergent,
so her hands smelled like oranges.
Your mom must have loved you deeply.
Wei prefers fruit juice
to actual fruits.
Wei's father only eats pears.
What about you?
What fruits do you like?
They are all the same to me.
You must have a favorite?
I used to love pineapples.
Not anymore?
Just haven't bought them for a while.
Too busy?
Not exactly.
Why don't we buy some now?
Now?
It's too late, no?
Wei told me delivery
only takes 30 minutes.
Let me order for you.
Take your pick.
Nobody taught you to knock?
I'm sorry.
Come in.
Just leave it on the table.
Anything else?
My father never listens to Bach.
What does your father listen to?
My future is not a dream.
How did you know Bach?
I heard that, after losing his parents
at the age of 10,
he often snuck into his brother's room
to copy a manuscript by hand.
I admire him.
You admire him because he would do
anything to get what he wants?
I admire him
because of his perseverance.
When I first heard
The Well-Tempered Clavier,
it sounded like noise.
But one day on the bus,
I put it on against the street noises.
Watching cars and pedestrians
passing by outside the window,
suddenly I felt different,
like I was enchanted by the music.
I'll leave you to your work.
- Did you win?
- Three times in a row.
You should come more often,
so my mom can get off my back.
While I was wondering
whom to ask for directions,
I saw three grannies
waving by the roadside.
What do you think they wanted?
They were hitchhiking
and wanted to share a ride with me.
They didn't speak much English.
So there was a mixture
of broken phrases and gestures.
They told me they owned
a potato field up in the mountains.
They'd hitchhike every day there
to take care of it.
One of them was very interested in me.
She spent the whole journey
trying to set me up with her grandson.
Why isn't Mr. Tu in any of the photos?
These were taken before we got married.
Angiotensin converting
enzyme 2, or ACE2,
is an enzyme
attached to the membranes of cells.
It is found
in lungs, hearts,
kidneys and intestines.
ACE2 lowers blood pressure
by catalysing the cleavage
of angiotensin II,
a vasoconstrictor peptide,
into angiotensin 1-7, a vasodilator.
Mom, go open the door!
Coming.
ACE2 attracts much attention
in recent years as the entry point
for some coronaviruses into cells.
Think of ACE2 as locks,
and the protein on cell surface as keys.
When ACE2 attaches itself,
the cell unlocks.
Why does your father beat you?
Does he beat you often?
"Beating is caring, cursing is loving."
- Who are you calling?
- The police.
What would his father do to Shuo,
after the police leave?
What's your father's number?
Let me talk to him.
If only it was him who died,
not my mother.
Shuo,
why don't you stay the night?
What size do you wear?
What about you?
Large.
Me too.
How about this one?
I don't usually wear white.
How about this one?
What am I going to wear then?
What's wrong?
It's still dark outside.
The class only accepts
the first one hundred students.
I have to be there early
to sign up for him.
Conquer English. Realize you and
your children's dream to study abroad.
Conquer English. Realize you and
your children's dream to study abroad.
Conquer English. Realize you and
your children's dream to study abroad.
What?
Can you pause the game?
It's not a game. It's a video.
Pause the video then.
And the earphones?
Wei,
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Ten years? It's a very long time.
In five years then?
Five years is still a very long...
Maybe at college.
Do you know how many people
from your school go to college?
Why don't you ask my teacher?
Top 30% go to first tier colleges.
The next 50% go to second
and third tier ones.
The rest don't go to college at all.
Do you know how you rank in class?
Lots of successful people
never went to college.
So you think you'll achieve success
by not going to college?
Dad, what do you want from me?
I think you will benefit
from a different education system.
Sports school?
Studying abroad.
But they say China
is where the future lies.
For other people, not for you.
After you get a decent English score,
and get accepted by a decent college,
then we can talk about your future.
- Kai's parents didn't send him abroad.
- His grades are worse than mine.
Do you know how many companies
his parents own?
- What about Geng Hao?
- Do you think his family can afford it?
I already signed up
for the city fencing team tryout.
When did you do that?
A few days ago.
Didn't they need signature
from a parent?
This is not a discussion.
The course starts next Saturday.
Be there at 9am.
He still won't talk to me.
Are we being too hard on him?
We have to do what's right for him.
But he doesn't understand.
He thinks we are suffocating him.
It doesn't matter what he thinks now.
What matters is that he doesn't
throw away his future.
Wei just needs good influence.
Can I help you in any way?
I don't think so. My dad is Voldemort.
Are you Harry Potter?
Did you make peace with your dad?
You have nice handwriting.
My dad forced me to learn calligraphy
when I was little.
But what's the point?
Everyone types now.
Pay attention to the center of gravity.
Let's write together.
Only when you find the center of gravity
will the character stand.
See, now you give it more life.
Try writing yourself.
Still no answer?
It's way past school time.
You don't think anything bad
happened to him?
Hello?
We don't need insurance.
- Shuo is coming for dinner?
- Yes.
He should be here by now.
Call him from your phone.
Hello? Shuo?
You...
Are you sure it's him?
I saw his father picking him up
from school today.
Why didn't you tell us earlier?
- What's wrong with you?
- Are you menopausal?
What if his father did something to him?
Let's call the police.
Calm down.
Do you know where he lives?
No idea.
Stop making things up in your head.
I don't know what got into me.
He found out
that I have been coming to your place.
He was very angry.
He said I betrayed him,
betrayed our family.
He decided to pick me up
from school himself,
so I don't go anywhere I shouldn't.
When we came back home today,
he took my phone away,
and locked me up in my room.
Tonight,
as he was drinking,
he cursed my mother,
he cursed me.
He started smashing things as well.
The more he drank,
the more he cursed,
the more things he smashed.
Suddenly, I heard a loud bang.
It sounded like something hit the floor.
Then silence.
Is Yan Shuo here?
What did the police say?
They said it was an unfortunate accident.
They offered me their condolences.
Look on the bright side.
What bright side?
First of all,
he is not going to beat you up anymore.
Second,
you can do whatever you want now.
Total freedom.
Your wish has come true.
Yan Shuo!
We shouldn't decide on his behalf.
Who should?
The police have a lot of experiences
dealing with kids in this situation.
They'll just send him off
to an orphanage.
Is it really about Shuo?
What are you talking about?
What is it really about then? Myself?
Or the child we shall never mention?
This abortion was your selfish decision.
And you insisted
that I should understand you.
You know very well the policy at the time.
I did it for our family,
for Wei and for you.
So you didn't do it for yourself?
I'm sorry for what you went through.
He is our second chance.
How are you feeling
about the class so far?
What class?
You are asking me?
Great. Shuo is helping me.
I'm making a lot of progress in English.
It's nice of him to tutor you.
But you have to put in the effort too.
I work hard.
If you don't believe me, ask Shuo.
You are up early.
It's not early. I have to go to school.
Shuo,
have some food first.
- You are still going to school today?
- Why not?
Your father...
School will take his mind off his father.
But don't force yourself.
If you find it hard to concentrate,
look for other ways to clear your head.
Let's get you a new shampoo.
It'll be refreshing for you after sports.
Have a taste.
Be careful.
It's hot.
How is it?
Needs a bit more salt.
Shuo, have some fish.
What's wrong?
Are you choking on a fish-bone?
Better now?
Don't chew. Just swallow.
Don't do that. It's too dangerous.
I'll go get some vinegar.
Don't panic.
Swallow slowly. Don't rush it.
Is it working?
Let me have a look.
Flashlight. Open your mouth.
Move the light forward.
There it is. Don't move.
Stay still.
Let me get you some water.
What about Wei's listening test?
And speaking?
Writing?
Are you sure this is his English score?
Did he ask you to take the class for him?
It was my idea.
Why?
He really wants to join
the city fencing team.
Address.
- What address?
- Your home address.
I was only trying to help him!
You call this helping?
You should be ashamed of yourself.
What's so shameful
about wanting to improve oneself?
I couldn't choose
which family I was born into.
But if I could choose
whom I want to become,
I want to be like you.
Do you know how I started
listening to classical music?
When I was your age,
I was always the top of my class.
But I still felt inferior,
because... everyone else had parents.
I didn't.
Kids that age listened to pop music.
But I wanted to show
I was better than them.
So I turned to classical music.
I pretended to enjoy it
even though I understood nothing.
But with time,
I grew attached to it.
It has become a reminder for me.
No matter how well I'm doing,
I have to do better.
8:30, 9:50, 12:05.
8:30 sounds good.
8:30. Three tickets. Saturday.
This Saturday?
Yes. Why?
I can't go this Saturday.
I have a test to prepare for.
What test?
An English Test.
Can you take it after we come back?
Mr. and Mrs. Ma will be there too.
After your father's conference,
we can have a short vacation together.
Let him decide.
He is a big boy now.
He knows his priorities.
Shuo, do you want to come with us?
Did you say anything to my dad?
Nope.
You've reserved a family suite,
breakfast included.
That's correct.
May I see your IDs please?
Here you are.
Thank you.
The kid hasn't got his ID yet.
Do you have
your household registration book?
Yes we do.
- He is Tu Wei?
- Yes.
Just a second.
Have a pleasant stay.
Thank you.
Let's go.
Add more water.
It's okay.
Pour for Mr. and Mrs. Ma first.
This is Shuo, Wei's best friend.
He happens to be visiting us,
so we brought him along.
Nice to meet you.
Why didn't Wei come?
- He...
- He has a test to prepare.
Let's try the tea.
So hardworking.
Where is your daughter?
We want to spend some time
just the two of us,
we sent her to her grandparents'.
Well,
not exactly "two of us".
- You...
- Right.
- Congratulations!
- Congratulations.
Thank you. We are just
following the new policy.
Haven't you considered
having another kid?
How do you like the tea?
It's nice here, no?
It's ok.
Where is my dad?
Preparing for the conference.
Is that Wei?
Wei!
Mom. What did you do today?
How did your fencing match go?
What did you say?
I said: how did your English test go?
It starts tomorrow.
What did you just say?
What did you do today?
We met with Mr. Ma and Mrs. Ma.
Mrs. Ma is pregnant again.
Don't they have a daughter already?
Why do they want another one?
We'll talk about it later.
We have to go downstairs now.
Thanks.
They are waiting for us.
Take care.
Bye, son.
Bye.
Yan Shuo is a nice kid.
His lost his mother when he was little.
His father also passed away recently.
We took him in
to stay with us for a while.
It is nice of you to take care of him.
Living on his own will ruin his future.
My husband and I
are debating whether to send
our daughter to study abroad.
What's your plan for Wei?
It's his dream to study abroad.
How is Wei's English?
He's quite good at it.
You are so lucky.
You look beautiful in these photos.
Didn't you say
"beautiful" is so overused now
that it loses its seriousness?
Can't you tell I am very serious
when I said it?
Not really.
Why did he repeat the same shot
so many times?
To see how different exposures
can suggest different moods.
Photography is not only an art
but also a craft.
Capturing beauty is not enough.
We should also construct beauty.
Shuo's words.
Oh!
I'm tired.
Good night.
Do you think he feels defeated
after the tennis game?
Don't worry,
I will train him systematically.
Yan Shuo!
Is it good?
It's your turn now.
Shuo, come stand between us.
Closer. Look this way.
1, 2, 3.
Smile.
One more.
1, 2, 3.
Bigger smile!
Perfect!
Where's Wei?
What about Stanford?
But we are talking about the Ivy League.
Isn't Stanford part of the Ivy League?
Would you check?
Harvard, Pennsylvania, Yale, Princeton,
Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell.
No Stanford.
Why do you keep mentioning
the Ivy League?
Are you thinking about
your ex-girlfriend there?
Nonsense.
It really depends
on the major you choose.
In my opinion,
for undergraduate study,
a good university is more important.
They all require perfect English score.
- Don't worry about that.
- Grades for you is not a problem.
I made it into the city fencing team.
I'm so proud of you!
Well done!
That's awesome!
We also have good news.
We are going to adopt Shuo.
Anything wrong?
What's wrong? Tell me.
I remember you told me,
when you were pregnant with me,
I stayed in your belly past the due date.
You and dad were afraid
that I might not make it.
The doctor had to cut your belly open
to get me out.
You were in labor for two hours,
lost a lot of blood.
You were ready
to give up your life for mine.
Don't worry son.
Finally...
Your dad and I
will love you just the same.
Is it a crime
to let someone die without helping?
They thought it was an accident.
But they were both tricked by Shuo.
He said his father beat him often,
but how do we know if it's true?
He said his father's death
was an accident,
who saw it?
My parents,
they are...
too infatuated with him
to see the obvious.
Or maybe,
they knew he did it all along.
But chose to cover up for him.
All this from just a fish?
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you...
...Yan Shuo!
Happy birthday to you
Make a wish.
Yan Shuo,
we need to talk.