Original subtitles

Road block ahead? Can't go this way.

No.

Hello? You got a minute?

l'm on Jing Ping Road, at number...260...

I'm in front of no. 262.

My car's broken down,

a red Suzuki,

plate number 2572.

Hold on.

I'm on the subway now.

My car broke down. It went on strike.

What's the hurry?

OK.

I'll be there soon.

Hello?

Can I ask you something?

Is there a bird inside?

No.

Yes, there is.

I'll tell you later.

Can I take a look? -I'll tell you later.

Sure, later.

There must be a bird.

I had one myself. I knew it.

There's nothing in it.

They pack them in this kind of box.

There must be a bird.

- Hello? - Johnny?

Huh?

Put Johnny on the phone.

Sorry, wrong number. There's no Johnny.

Put Johnny on the phone.

- Sorry, wrong number. - Let Johnny answer the phone.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Do you know where lane 484 is?

Down there, first alley on your left.

Thanks.

Mom, I'm back.

Hi.

(Daily schedule)

- Let's eat when you're ready. -(Daily schedule)

Uncle Wei's papayas... put them in separate bags...

There is no time on the note.

- Mom, where's my white t-shirt? - In the laundry.

Same as this blue one but white.

Yes, still in the laundry.

Get ready to eat.

OK.

Mom, it was so unbelievable today.

I ran into your tenant Ms. Hsu on the subway.

She brought a bird with her on the train.

What does this have to do with you?

That bird bothered me so I ran late.

She had a small box,

a small box with punched holes,

I've seen those before.

I know that's how they pack birds.

I asked her if it was a bird. She said no.

I asked what's inside? Can I take a look?

She said she'd show me later.

Anyway, she didn't show me.

Mom...

I've told you two hundred times

don't use note reminders.

And I've told you two hundred times,

if you don't use them, you get lost.

You have tantrums when you lose track of time.

How many birds does Ms. Hsu have? They chirp a lot.

Hi

Hi

Come on.

Come here?

Here. Sweet.

A new friend.

Hello

- Hi - Hi

I'll come to Taipei at the end of the month.

OK.

You staying with me at the hotel or at your place?

I'll also be going to Taichung. You coming?

- OK. - If I stay over at your place,

can you do me a favor?

Can you keep your birds in the cage?

Don't let them fly around, I can't stand it.

OK.

- You listening to me? - I'm listening.

Anything interesting lately?

Not really.

Nothing happened?

You want to know something really weird?

What?

Someone has been calling this number like crazy lately,

looking for this guy named Johnny.

- Johnny? - His mother, his friend...

I told his mom there's no Johnny, wrong number.

She keeps calling anyway.

Today, his wife

or ex-wife, I'm not sure, I think ex-wife,

texted me his daughter's photos.

Don't you think that's weird?

Weird.

Yeah.

Got the wrong number.

If you find it annoying, change your number.

OK.

Can I call you later?

I'm in the middle of something.

I bought a new pet today.

I have a video to show you.

One of those birds again?

Yeah. It's cute.

Don't you like them?

As long as you like them.

We're getting to know each other.

I'll call you later,

- after I've set up the cage. - OK.

Alright, bye Johnny.

Don't call me that.

OK.

Bye Johnny.

Bye.

Hello?

OK.

I'm at Mrs. Lee's place now.

OK.

You're where?

OK...

OK.

Mrs. Lee wants us to clean up everything?

OK. I'll drop by again tomorrow then.

Can you tell her to call me instead?

Yeah, contact me directly.

OK. Bye.

The word "missing" was only invented later,

used to express love, hope and nostalgia.

Mother gave me a map,

so I could go home for the winter break.

Wouldn't it be a pity to still think

about that "missing" thought?

Moonlight allowed me to read the map.

I was distressed and wanted to throw it away.

Suddenly I saw this unusual handwriting,

marking our new home with a star.

Next to it was a streak of ink.

I recognized it was drawn by her sewing pen,

pink-ish

with a touch of light blue.

The sewing pen made a curve behind the new home.

A kind of maternal summon?

How did she know a little creek would drive me crazy?

Two days later, a weekend afternoon,

I walked from Lu-Gang Elementary School,

along Garden Road to Fu-Xing County,

on my journey home.

Ms. Hsu

These papayas are from my mom.

Thank you.

Uncle Wei from Taitung grew them.

Sweet?

- My mom says they are. - Oh, really.

I'll take them, thank you.

What are you doing?

I'm washing their things and giving them a shower.

They like to bathe.

Black headed caique.

I've had them before.

You play with him like this...

He's playing with you, like this...

Hey, Cutie-pie...

- They like to swing on this, back and forth. - Yeah.

She likes water. Comfortable?

- I had some before but gave them to my uncle. - Oh, really?

My mom doesn't like birds.

Drink some water.

Did you drop this?

Yeah, I'm making bread crumbs for them.

I'll clean it up. It's all over the stairway.

I can clean it up later.

No worries, I'll clean it up.

Thank you.

Mr. Yeh...

Mr. Yeh...

Mr. Yeh...

Mrs. Lee?

Where's Mr. Yeh?

He couldn't make it.

Hi, I'm Feng.

- You're Chang Yi Feng. - Yes.

- You can contact me anytime if you need anything. - OK.

I cleaned up here earlier.

There's nothing I need anymore.

Help me double check, in case I missed anything.

This closet is fixed,

- you know, old furniture. - This?

Easy, we'll just tear it down.

l don't think we need it anymore.

So nothing here will be kept.

That's about it.

Were you smoking? I can smell it.

- Yeah. - I'm sorry.

- Sorry. - I'm only telling you,

you're still young and probably won't listen,

but smoking's really bad for you.

OK.

Your respiratory system's really important.

I didn't know when I was young,

when people talked about health issues.

You'll know when you're over fifty.

It's really hard to catch your breath.

Smoking is bad for bronchitis.

Watch out, there's broken glass.

- I'll take another look. - Let me walk with you.

- Mrs. Lee, we can begin now. - OK.

Please join us.

- You don't hold the incense? - No.

Cutie-pie.

Here.

Come here.

Good girl.

Here.

Don't bug her.

Want some apples?

Want some apples?

Want some apples?

Silly.

Silly Cutie-pie.

Get up.

Small one for you.

Take it.

Greedy pie, take the small one.

You don't like it?

Don't bug her.

Don't bug her.

Stop bugging her.

No!

Cutie-pie.

Shit!

Excuse me...

Can I borrow this ladder?

- The ladder? - Yes, the ladder.

Feng, this hottie wants the ladder.

Hi Mrs. Lee.

- I need to borrow it. - What for?

- My bird flew away. - Flew away?

Birds fly. Chang Yi Feng...

Can you help her?

- No problem. - Her bird flew away.

- I am coming too. - You're coming too?

I'll get it.

Come on, it'll be gone.

- How did it escape? - I don't know.

Don't worry, the bird'll wait for us.

- Will the ladder help? - Have to try.

Can you get it? This's OK.

- Watch out. - Let's go.

- This... - OK, I will do it.

Please help me with the offering.

She was over there.

- What colour is it? - Multicoloured.

- Multicoloured? - You mean the roof?

No. My bird.

The whole roof is multicoloured.

Roof? It was here?

She was.

How to find it?

There!

Put the ladder there.

Alright, I see it.

The phoenix, on top of its head.

Yeah...

Do I use this to catch it?

- You sure? - Yes.

- Shake it like this? - Softly.

Shake it when you go up there.

- Let me do it. - You want to catch it?

- Be careful. - Hold that for me.

OK.

Gently.

Watch your step.

It flew away!

To the other side.

You guys see it?

Isn't it for birds?

Yeah, you use it as bait.

How's the taste?

Not bad. Do you want to eat?

See how they keep jumping to the top perch?

A good bird will stay on the top perch.

I remember her.

The oldest one.

Mei Yun is back.

Hi brother.

How come you forgot again?

Didn't I write the note?

- I forgot. - It's OK.

I brought it all...

Mom,

how many bananas have you eaten?

- One. I just ate this one. - One?

Zhao Hui, mom's eating bananas again

Mom, let's eat it later ok?

I'll cut it for you.

Into smaller pieces.

Nobody wants to eat them.

- Chuan doesn't eat bananas... - I haven't eaten breakfast yet.

Have you had breakfast?

Yuan?

- Do you buy these? - Yeah.

Yuan hasn't eaten the bananas.

Here comes Yuan.

Did you eat bananas?

Grandma, I'm Lee.

Lee? Who's Lee?

I'm her son.

Mei Yun's son?

Who's Mei Yun?

She's your daughter.

My daughter?

Grandma, breakfast time.

- Breakfast time. - Where is Miss Yu...

- Hello? - Say happy birthday when Johnny answers.

- Happy birthday! - Hello?

This is Hsu.

Sorry, is Johnny there?

Wrong number. This is not Johnny's.

Sorry. Thanks, bye.

It's OK. Bye.

Is there belt noise when you start the engine?

- A little. - See, it's loosened up.

- I'll adjust it for you. - OK.

When I drove your car earlier,

I heard a noise from the exhaust pipe.

It's not it?

- Didn't you notice? - No.

It's the catalytic converter.

The noise is caused by the converter.

Hao.

- Hao. - Coming.

Mom, it's so hot, can we have the air con?

Not yet, after I finish the last dish.

Auntie.

- Sorry, not allowed. - Why?

We've got to stand the heat.

- Wait until she's done cooking. - OK.

- Another? - No.

I'll have one.

Deal.

Busted?

- No. - Busted.

Yes, busted.

- By half a point. - Only by half a point.

Deal.

Stick.

Hold on.

Hello?

- Can Hao come down to help? - OK.

Feng needs your help.

- What? - I don't know. You go check it out.

It's heavy. Wear shoes.

I can't move it by myself.

Move what?

- Wait until you see it. - What?

Careful.

Thanks for the help.

- What's up? - I can't do it by myself.

What's this?

Auntie.

What the heck did you bring back?

A battleship.

- A battleship? - Awesome isn't it?

Xiang, look at what uncle Feng brought us.

Be careful.

- A big toilet. - Yeah.

What is it?

- A display item on sale. - Really?

So I carried it back myself.

Yes, but what is it?

Can we unwrap it?

- A toilet. - A toilet, I see.

Try to sit...

I'm back.

How much was it?

- Cheap. - Cheap?

Where did you get it?

I carried it back myself.

It's really heavy.

How sweet of Feng.

How much? Get one for me next time.

Ok, I'll get you one.

I need a new one too. Mine is pretty old.

No problem.

Come on, let's eat.

Go wash your hands.

And change your shoes.

This is for you.

- Take the full one. - It's really full.

Your gift today was so hefty.

- And this one? - It's mine.

Thanks brother Chang.

How are you Xiang?

Cheers, Hao.

Cheers for taking care of the family.

Xiang, you have a girlfriend?

Nope.

Any girls fond of you?

You mind telling us?

Nope.

No girlfriend?

- No? - Nope.

Your dad's not too happy about it.

Xiang, your dad told me

- you're learning street dance? - Yep.

He dances really well.

Really?

We haven't seen him dance.

Dance for me later?

- Ok? - No.

Ok?

My mom's been hysterical again recently.

Why?

She fought with dad over a light bulb.

Yelling and smashing as usual.

Afterwards, dad left.

He was gone for three days.

Where did he go?

Uncle Jiao's place. Where else?

Not so bad.

Were you really in Taichung?

Yes.

Really?

What are you getting at?

Their problem's getting worse.

They shouldn't be living together.

They argue over tiny things.

Changing bulbs, dad mopping the floor

and mom's cooking.

Tiny things over and over again.

After the fight, either mom wants to move out

or dad wants to move out.

It's driving me nuts and I...

You want to move out?

Yes, I want to move out.

Want to stay at my place?

No, because I...

What's mom going to do if I move out?

- What's with the cigarette? - It's kind of musty.

They're expired. You're not meant to smoke them.

Look at the box.

- Not meant for smoking? - No.

They look like smuggled fakes.

Look at the warning.

It says smoking is bad for you.

- Where did you get this pack? - From a site.

It doesn't have warning photos.

From a site? Fuck.

Is it smokeable? This is bad luck.

I didn't take the open pack.

Oh shit, the unopened pack is bad enough!

- A whole pack was there. - Gross!

You should trim your hair. It's a bit too long.

It's so hot. Can you turn up the air con?

Would it be better if you moved in here?

Yes.

I won't lease your old place.

You can move back if you're not comfortable here.

Why would I feel uncomfortable?

I said if.

You think I can't be by myself?

I'm not saying you can't.

- I'm worried. - I will be fine.

You really don't need to do this.

I'll keep supporting you, as always.

But I don't know what you want.

What are you doing?

I'm fixing the window for Mrs. Lee.

Are you stuck?

- Do I look stuck? - I can help you.

No.

It's heavy. Don't want you to hurt yourself.

What should I do?

Can you find someone to help?

Wait for me.

Anyone here?

Just hold on.

Han?

Han?

What?

Come and help me.

- Are you ok? - Yes.

A little to the right.

- Sorry. - No problem.

Thank you.

Sorry. I was loud.

- Ok? - Thank you.

First time fixing a window?

Yes.

You're pretty shy.

No. Not really.

Do you need Han again?

This window really scares me.

No, I can do it.

A nail was bent.

Let me move this.

That should do.

Done.

How about that one?

Look, it's still stuck.

You're so stupid.

Han!

14,15,16...

364

365

1

2

3

What's wrong?

I'm checking for leaks.

- Leaks? - Yes.

Is it leaking?

- Isn't it? - I haven't noticed.

A typhoon is coming.

Some of these joints are worn out.

See this?

- Is it bad? - Not too bad.

I heard a noise.

Was I bothering you?

I didn't know anyone was up here.

Why are you wearing a raincoat but not a hat?

It fell off.

I was wearing one.

- You live here? - Yes.

- For how long? - A year.

See this?

See this? This one is worn out.

- What to do about it? - I'll come to fix again.

- What were you doing? - I was eating noodles.

- Did dust fall in your noodles? - Yeah.

I'll buy you another one.

Don't worry. You watch out for yourself.

OK.

- Wear your hat. - OK.

- Like this? - I don't think you need it. You're soaked.

Yeah.

I'll keep the noise down.

Thanks. Be careful.

- Bye bye. - Bye bye.

It's raining.

Hsu, watermelon for you.

Thanks.

How come you're working today?

What do you mean?

What do you mean?

Because...

Tissue please.

Thank you.

- Your boyfriend's back in Taipei right? - Yeah, so?

I didn't think you'd show up while he's here.

I want to work, ok?

Do you have to say stuff like this?

It's very strange.

- Nope. - Yes.

I can spend time with him after work.

Keep that attitude up.

Sure, no problem.

- Can you get the door. - OK.

Hi, welcome.

Amanda and Ehren.

Nice to meet you.

Here you go.

- And I need your passports. - Here you go.

Here's my ARC.

- What's the date? - The first.

OK.

Where are you guys from?

- United States. - Nice. And you?

- New Mexico. - I'm from California.

Cool.

How long are you guys staying here for?

About a week.

- A week? - Yeah.

I just took a job.

Really? Congratulations.

First week here so...excited.

Push on this thing now.

OK.

- Here you go. Thank you. - Thank you.

That's the kitchen right there.

- You guys can use anything you see. - OK. Cool.

- And we have a recycle bin out there. - Alright. Very nice.

And here are your keys.

Here you go.

- Thanks. - Enjoy.

Toto, show them downstairs.

- I'll let Toto show you guys. - OK. Thank you.

Enjoy.

- Think about it. - Try another day.

This is really good If I were a bird I must eat.

Take this pill four times a day.

Can you vacuum after I leave?

Can you vacuum after I leave?

Want some?

You've been very busy.

Got no time for me.

You didn't even want to go to Taichung with me.

How come you're so busy?

I don't like you living alone in Taipei.

You know how much I care about you.

I've supported you all these years.

Helped you with the yoga center, the hostel, okay.

You wanted to move back to Taipei. Fine.

I'll keep supporting you. No questions asked.

I don't know what you want now.

What? What do you want me to do?

Before I came to Taipei,

I had dinner with some friends.

- Some of them you know. - What do you want to say?

I want to say someone told me,

they saw you out with a guy.

Impossible. Out with who?

Walking intimately.

I don't know what to say.

- You've nothing to say? - I don't know what to say.

What do you want me to say?

- Explain. - Explain what?

You think I'm seeing someone?

You should know me.

I don't think I know you anymore.

You're so cold these days.

What's wrong with you?

Am I not generous enough?

Not caring enough?

Not enough money?

- Is it so difficult to explain? - What do you want me to say?

- You know what I want you to say. - What?

You found another guy like me?

You think someone will treat you like I do?

- You think you're still young and attractive? - Wang Zhi Wei!

Who do you think you are? What do you do for me?

All you talk about is money. What's love to you?

You married Pamela for money, didn't you?

Xiang, stop playing. Eat first.

Good boy. Eat some carrots.

Auntie, it's so frustrating.

He keeps whining, making everybody paranoid.

Hao, today's your dad's birthday.

Can't you put up with it? Have a peaceful day.

It's not about his birthday. He's always like this.

You should talk to him.

Okay. I'll talk to him when I grab a drink with him.

Not while drinking, he won't get it when he's drunk.

Come on, we grew up together.

He'll listen to me.

At last, finally he's arrived.

Brother Chang, Feng's here.

Where do you work Ms. Hsu?

l teach yoga part-time.

My other sister takes yoga classes.

Very fit and healthy.

Nice.

No wonder you look great, and pretty.

Dad, aren't you a bit chatty today?

Let's drink.

Hao, lately Xiang hasn't been behaving.

How many times have I told you

not to play in grandpa's room?

Didn't I tell you that?

What's in his room?

Let's eat. Meal time ok?

Eat your dinner.

Stay out of the room then.

No big deal.

- How's the food? - Very delicious.

- Eat. Don't be shy. - Thank you.

Visit us when you have time.

- What's your star sign? - Taurus.

Taurus. I'm Cancer.

Will you stop playing with your food.

Cheers brother Chang.

No wine.

- Come on. - Happy birthday. Stay happy everyday ok?

Everyone is happy.

- To health and happiness. - Happy birthday.

Hao doesn't have anymore wine.

- Let me add more for you. - Thanks, auntie.

I'm done. So full.

Time for cake.

I take...

Hold on.

Get Hao to clear the table.

I can do it for him.

You drank too much.

Hold it!

I said let Hao clear the table.

Chang Zhi Hao, do you hear me?

All let go...

Do you hear me?

Let me tell you something.

Today is your father's birthday.

I'm telling you to do something.

- Do you hear me? - Mom, can you put away the wine?

Fuck you, Chang Zhi Hao.

Brother Chang calm down.

Is it so hard to get you to do something?

Come on. That's enough.

Who's fucking who here?

- What do you want? - Calm down.

I told you to clear the table.

Clear what? Wash the dishes?

Besides washing dishes, what don't I do?

What have you done?

Who are you to ask me?

Who are you?

That's enough. Stop arguing.

Let me ask you something.

Why are you so pissed off?

What's annoying you?

Let me tell you then.

I raised you here. Paid for all your shit.

Your education, college and...

I even paid your alimony with my pension.

Do you remember?

I'm fucking divorced right?

I work my ass off, taking care of mom.

Does that ever occur to you?

What do you do?

Apart from hanging out with uncle Jiao?

- That's awful. - Chang Zhi Hao!

You're sick, what did I say wrong?

Brother Chang.

- What kind of birthday is this? - Very good.

This is hard to swallow.

Too close.

This is what happens when people are too close.

Uncle Chang was my high school teacher.

He was great at telling stories.

Any kind of story.

I left my family to come to Taipei for high school.

Why?

My parents divorced when I was small.

My mom hugged me, tightly.

It was a summer day.

She hugged me so tight I couldn't breathe.

I could smell her sweat.

She said,

you must stay with mommy.

She had a breakdown or something.

I forgot for how long. Maybe a week.

She said, Feng.

She was calling me, so I went to her.

I was ten years old.

Are you staying with me or your dad?

Though I wanted to stay with dad,

but I could only say mom.

Actually, I have a...

daughter.

She's in elementary school in Hong Kong.

That's pretty grown up.

Seven years old.

Do you miss her?

Sometimes.

We talk to each other sometimes.

Casual talks.

What are you doing? How's school?

How's grandma? How's your dad?

Not real interactions.

It's alright.

I feel when people are too close,

they forget how to love each other.

Just the way it is.

So fucking depressing.

Sorry.

You leaving?

I'll show you a place.

Mom, I'm back.

My shoes are dirty.

Did you check today's note?

I did.

Did you really?

I told you I don't want these notes anymore.

If you don't have them,

what do I do when you disappear for days?

Where have you been?

The road under the bridge.

Why did you go there?

Remember to check your notes ,okay?

Don't go there anymore.

Brother's gone,

but the road is still there.

We're going to the zoo, let's see how much it is.

Can you press it?

Okay.

Let mommy put the coins in.

Can you help mommy?

Get the change.

Thank you.

Hey Cherlyne. It's mommy.

What are you doing?

How's school?

Yeah.

How's grandma?

That's good.

How about you?

How's everything going with you?

You okay?

Can you tell your daddy to call me back?

Yeah, I need to talk to him.

The signal's not good, speak later, ok?

Love you. Bye.

What are you doing?

Feng.

Can I ask you something?

Is a flying bird in locomotion or motionless?

A flying one?

A flying one is moving.

Everyone can see it's moving.

The bird occupies a fixed point at every moment right?

Seems so.

Is the bird moving at each point?

No.

Motionless at that point.

How about the next?

It's still for every moment.

Hello?

Wrong number.

The number's correct but no such person.

No problem. Bye.

- Wrong number? - Yes.

Every now and then.

They dialed wrong?

- No? - It's always for the same guy, Johnny.

Different people keep looking for him.

- Keep calling your number? - This guy Johnny.

- You don't know him? - I don't,

but I think I'm getting to know him.

His wife, his mother, colleagues keep calling.

- You never met this guy? - No idea.

Who's Johnny?

Thought of naming myself Johnny once.

- You? Johnny? - Not good?

Not really.

What do you suggest?

- You? - Yes.

You look like a...

Danny.

- Danny? - Lawrence.

Lawrence is good.

- Peter? - Peter? No. I don't like that.

Doesn't sound like you.

- Tommy? - No.

What?

- What's wrong? - It's broken down.

Down? There are cars behind us.

I can't start the engine.

- So? - Stay put. Calm down.

- You're in the middle of the road. - It won't go.

- There're cars behind us. - It won't go.

Do something.

I can't get it to start.

- What should I do? - Sorry. It's broken down.

- What should I do? - Just wait.

- It's not working. - What can I do?

- What should I do? - The car's stopped.

Release the handbrake.

- Go. - You sure?

- You sure? - Yes.

What's the problem?

Sorry, it's down. Pull the handbrake.

That's very dangerous.

- Sorry. - Can you push?

- Or shall I push? - I don't think you can.

Do you want to try it again?

Come on. This is dangerous.

I want to move it to the side.

You really can't start it?

I can't. Look.

- Let go of the handbrake. - OK.

We can push it to the side.

- Can you help us? - Ok, let's try.

Push! To the side!

Yes.

Keep pushing.

To the side.

Come on.

- Keep pushing. - This should do.

- Almost... - Can they pass?

A lot of cars.

- What should we do? - Pull the handbrake.

I pulled.

Can we push it over more?

- Call someone. - Where's my phone?

- Let's get it to the side first? - OK.

There's a big line of cars.

Sorry, our car broke down... Where are we?

- We are at... - You're blocking the road

- We are at... - Where?

Zhong Xiao bridge heading to Citizen Boulevard.

Our car broke down, lots of cars behind us.

On the bridge.

You talk to him.

Is he still there? Nope, he hung up.

- Is he coming? - Yes.

Okey...

- And a bird? - What should we do?

Just wait?

Try to push again. Just try.

Push it to the side or else they can't get through.

This is dangerous.

I want to push it to the side first.

- To the right... - Thank you.

Okay, right here...

You sure?

My father hurriedly sent me back the next morning.

He worried my absence would upset everyone at grandpa's place.

He dashed on his bike.

Later I knew that road

was eight kilometers long.

For a ten year-old kid that was a huge distance.

How did I manage to walk home?

I couldn't remember.

I only remember I didn't cry.

I moved eight times during my elementary years,

each time further away.

Like passing a bucket of water at a fire scene,

when it finally reaches the flames,

you've already spilt half of the water.