"THE STORY OF QIU JU" "Meizi, it's here." "Stop." "Qinglai, we're here." "Easy, easy." "Meizi, take the bag." "Come in." "Sit down." "Well, what's the matter?" "My husband, he's been kicked." "Kicked?" "Where?" "Between the legs." "Between the legs?" "Take off your pants and let me see." "Take it easy." " Where are you from?" " Xigouzi." "You came all that way!" "That man looks more like a vet." "Meizi." "What did he say?" "He said keep it straight and let air get to it." "I'll be okay in a few days." "Here's his report." "We have to get it stamped." "It was a long trip." "Are you okay?" "I'm fine." "It's you I'm worried about." "If we can't fix your plumbing... we'll be stuck with the single-child policy for good." "Is there a boy or a girl in here?" "Who knows?" "I'll be all right." "Don't worry." "The doctor is a specialist." "If he said I'll be fine, I'll be fine." "It just takes a little while." "It's not that simple." "I'll talk to him when I go back." " Qiu Ju, have you eaten?" " Yes." "I'll bring some food." "Is he in?" "Yes." "Yes, come." "Auntie Qiu Ju!" " Is he in?" " Yes." "Some noodles?" "I'll get you some noodles." "I've eaten." "You go ahead." " Just have a little." " I've eaten." " Just a little." " No." "I've just eaten." "It's cold!" "Chief, Qinglai is wounded, in case you're interested." "Here's the medical report." "Read it." "Tell us what to do." "Do whatever you want." " Read it." "Qiu Ju has brought it to you." " Mind your own business!" "You're the one who kicked him." "So tell us what to do." "What to do?" "Ask him why I did it." "You're the village Chief." "You should know better." "You can't kick a man in his groin." "So I kicked him." "What do you want now?" "You tell us what you think should be done." "If you insist." "But don't blame me for being crude." "I'll stand outside with my legs open... and let him kick me back." "How's that?" "If that's your answer, forget it." "Forget it then." "What kind of justice is this?" "I'm leaving." "Don't bother to see me off." "Don't walk too fast." "Good-bye, Auntie." "Don't walk too fast." "Dad." "Go eat something." "It's in the pot." "What did he say?" "Did you take your medicine?" "What did he say?" ""Nothing to be done." That's what he said." "Nothing to be done?" "How can the Chief say that?" "I'll go into the village tomorrow." "Good idea." "There must be justice somewhere." "Meizi, Qiu Ju is so big now." "Go with her tomorrow." "Careful, Qiu Ju." "The road is slippery." "Meizi, take care of your sister." "The road is slippery." "Father, go back to the house." "Where are you going, Qiu Ju?" "To the village." "The village?" "Be careful." "THE VILLAGE" "He wore a padded jacket." "He took it off." "He said, "What's wrong?"" "I said, "You know what's wrong."" "And we started to fight." "So he started it?" "Did he start it?" "No." "He just took off his jacket." "He didn't hit me." "I took off my jacket and hung it up." "I hadn't hit him yet." "He took off his jacket... hung it up... and said..." ""You, your wife and daughters, all four of you... kicked me and hit me." "What's the idea?" "Why did you do that?"" "I hit him." "He didn't hit back." "I don't think that's possible." "Yes?" "Who are you looking for?" "I want to see Officer Li." "Officer Li." "Go over there." "Have a seat." "I'll be right with you." "What's the problem?" "Wan Qinglai?" "What's happened to him?" "He's been kicked." "Are you Qinglai's wife?" "I couldn't make it to his wedding." "I hear his wife is a beauty." "So, that's you." "You're going to have a baby!" "Sit down." "Sit down." ""Bruises on the right chest... left testicle slightly swollen."" ""Slightly swollen."" "Qinglai is such a gentle guy." "With whom was he fighting?" " With our Chief." " You mean Wang Shantang?" " Yes." " Why?" "We grow chilies, you know." " Hey, Li, I'll take this." " Here." "You know we grow chilies." " I know." " You do?" "Well, we started to build a storage shed." "We got the bricks and the tiles." "But the Chief kept refusing our application." "So, instead... we cleared an area on our allocated land... to make room for the chili shed." "But the Chief still refused." "He claimed it was against the law." "I said, "If there is such a law, let me see it."" "But he refused." ""I am the law," he said." "He wouldn't show it to me." "Mind you, there is such a law." "The land is for growing crops." "If everyone built on it, what would we eat?" "But does this law permit him to beat people?" "He's the Chief." "A few punches are one thing." "But to kick a man where it counts..." "It takes two to fight." "He must have been provoked." "What was the reason?" "Why?" "Why?" "My brother was angry." "He insulted him." " Who are you?" " I am Qinglai's sister." "What did your brother say?" "He said the Chief would have no heirs." "He could only raise hens." "Then your brother was wrong." "Everyone knows the Chief only has daughters." "Your brother's words hurt him deeply." "He'll have no heirs according to family planning laws." "It's cruel to remind him of it." "But he has no right to beat people up." "He's the Chief." "He shouldn't have kicked him there." "I asked him what should be done." "He said, "I kicked him, and that's that."" "I said, "If you won't do something, who will?" "You beat him." "That's not right!"" " Is that why you came here?" " Yes." "The Chief was wrong to kick your husband." "Sure he was!" "Especially where he kicked him!" " If it doesn't heal, we'll –" " Okay!" "I said he was wrong." "For the time being, go home." "Within a day or two, I'll come and sort things out." "I want both of you to do some self-criticism." " Is that clear?" " Yes." "Go home." "I'm busy today." "You can leave this with me." "When will you come?" "In a few days." "Officer Li, please come soon!" "Good-bye, Li." "Good-bye." "Dad." "Dad." "It's you, Li." "Come in and warm up." "Wang." "I want to talk to Wang." "Why don't you go outside?" "What brings you here?" "What beautiful maize!" "Wang..." "I've read the medical report, and I've been to see Qinglai." "He shouldn't have cursed you." "I told him that." "But you were wrong too." "You're older than he, and you're the Chief." "You shouldn't have beaten him like that." "I was just obeying the law." "But the law doesn't say you can beat people up." "If he had any sense... he'd understand why I kicked him." "You're the Chief." "Hitting him is one thing... but you shouldn't have kicked him there!" "It shut him up, didn't it?" "Please, please!" "Go outside, Qiu Ju." "I want to talk to the Chief alone." "So that's how we'll settle it." "Qiu Ju... as I see it... he shouldn't have kicked him." "And I told him so." "But Qinglai does have a sharp tongue." "So, both sides should admit they're wrong." "As mediator, here's what I think." "Wang should pay for Qinglai's medical costs and lost wages." "A total of 200 yuan." "What do you think?" "I'm not after his money." "I just want an apology." "The Chief is obstinate, but he's the Chief." "Don't make him lose face." "Besides, Qinglai isn't hurt too badly." "That's it, then." "He'll pay." "That means you're right and he's wrong." "That way he'll apologize." "All right?" "That's what we'll do." "Tomorrow bring the medical bills to his place." "Bring a receipt along too." "He'll give you the money." "And it will all be settled." "Chief." "You have the bills and the receipt?" "Yes." "It's all here." "Here's 200 yuan." "All yours." "Chief, what is this?" "Do you think it's easy to take money from someone?" "I don't want your money." " I want justice." " Justice?" "You think I've given in?" "It's only because Officer Li came so far." "I can't let him lose face." "Here are twenty 10-yuan bills." "Bow your head and pick them up." "You'll bow your head to me twenty times." "Then we'll be even." "I'll decide when we'll be even." "I want to see Officer Li." "He went to a district meeting." "A meeting?" "When will he be back?" "I'm not sure." "It could all have been settled." "But he tossed down the money... and said those terrible things." "I want to believe that there is some justice." "My family is no good with words." "I can't go myself." "The district is so far away, and in your condition –" "Don't worry." "If I'm going to lose the baby, just a sneeze might do it." "If I'm not, even an earthquake couldn't pop it out." "Take money with you tomorrow." "We don't have much cash." "I'll bring a load of chilies." "It's the wrong season." "You won't get much for them." "Money isn't what I'm after." "I want him to do what's right." "Meizi... be careful." "Don't let the chilies fall out." "Are those for sale?" "How much would you pay?" "3.50 per catty." "3.50?" "No, 4.00." "All right. 4.00." "Is it a deal?" "4.00?" "All right." "Meizi, unload the chilies." " Eleven catties." " Eleven and a half!" "All right." "Eleven and a half." "Here's 100, 122 all together." "Yes." "The fare to town is 7.50 each." "That much?" "There's a cheaper fare." "If we can get six people... then it's 2.50 each." "Let's go that way, then." "THE DISTRICT" "When I came back from work..." "I found the door had been pried open." "So I came here to report it." "Those papers – what are they?" "Complaint letters." "I don't have one." "You don't?" "Go to the post office, by the entrance." "Look for a guy named Zhang." "Tell him your case." "He'll write the complaint letter for you." "He'll help you." "Can you write a letter for me?" "What sort of letter?" "A complaint letter." "How strongly do you want it worded?" "What do you mean?" "If it's worded mildly, your opponent saves face... and can back down if necessary." "But a merciless complaint letter would leave him no way out." " He'd be cornered." " Oh, no!" "Give him a chance to back down." "That will cost you less." "Just twenty yuan." "Twenty yuan!" "Why is it so expensive?" "I've helped over a dozen people win their cases." "Like you, they wanted mild letters." "I've also written six merciless ones." "The result?" "Two were shot." "The four others got life sentences." "I only asked for twenty yuan." "That's not expensive." "All right, then." "Go ahead." "Good." "Tell me your case." ""The Chief has four daughters." "He not only let down his ancestors... but he also violated family planning laws." "He cannot have a son... so he takes out his frustrations on us." "My husband merely said that the Chief raises hens." "But when the Chief heard 'hens'... he thought it meant his daughters." "So he kicked my husband, causing serious injury." "We cannot tolerate this travesty of justice." "For this attempted homicide... the Chief should be punished."" "Who wrote this?" "I asked someone to write it." "I paid twenty yuan for it." "Couldn't you write it yourself?" "Can you write?" "I went to school... but I couldn't write anything like this." "Officer Li has already dealt with this." "Why come to us?" "Officer Li might have favored the Chief." "I want the District to handle it." "Then leave your papers with us." "According to the regulations of Article 39... a decision will be made on your case in five days." "If you find the decision unsatisfactory... you can apply to a higher level for a review... within five days of receiving the decision." "Do you understand?" "What it means is, go home now... and the District Public Security Bureau... will give you a decision in five days." "If you're still unhappy, you can go even higher... to the city PSB, and ask for a review." ""It was decided that the Public Security officer of said village... should help both parties make self-criticism... and to achieve harmony and stability... while forgetting minor differences." "As for financial compensation, the said village authorities... have made a sound proposal for settlement..." "Wang Shantang to pay plaintiff's medical bills and wages lost."" "The same as the last decision!" "All that way to the district for this!" "I thought I'd be executed." "Don't gloat!" "Officer Li, is that all?" "First get the meat." "All right." "Give me the meat." " How much?" " Five yuan." "Officer Li, come to my place for a drink, and we can talk." "No." "Listen." "Take my advice." "Say some kind words to Qinglai and Qiu Ju... and let it rest." "Kind words?" "How kind?" "What words?" "You must make an effort." "I've made several trips here just for this case." "You heard the decision of the District." "You won't lose face." "Tell me, Officer Li... why did she go to the District?" " Just to smear my name?" " Certainly not!" "Besides, I'm an official." "I have to run this place." "She meant no harm." "She just wants an apology." "Go, speak to her." "That'll pacify her." "I'll cough up the money, but as for apologizing..." "I did nothing wrong." "There you go again!" ""It was decided that the Public Security officer of said village... should help both parties make self-criticism... and to achieve harmony and stability... while forgetting minor differences." "As for financial compensation, the said village authorities... have, at the first attempt at mediation... made a sound proposal for settlement." "Wang Shantang to pay plaintiff's medical bills and wages lost."" "That's it." "What do you think?" "Isn't this the same as the last decision?" "Let's eat first." "Meizi, set the table." " What are you having?" " Noodles." "That sounds good." "Dad, the noodles are ready." "You're a busy man." "I haven't seen you lately." " How are you?" " I am well." "I feel fine." "Qinglai, do you feel better?" "Yes." "I just have this lump in my chest." "And not much energy." "That's because you feel wronged." "Relax and you'll be all right." "You're still young!" "See if you like the taste." "Eat." "Tell me if it's too bland." "Wang Shantang is stubborn." "Everyone in the village knows it." "He asked me to bring you these." "Making this gesture wasn't easy for him." "Qiu Ju... you said you wanted him to do right." "Consider this his apology." "Help yourself." "You'll be fully compensated." "Your expenses will be paid." "You won't have suffered financially." "Besides, this is a case for mediation." "It's not a case for a court." "The District handed down a decision... and that's that." "Officer Li, did he really buy this?" "Of course." "Who else?" "I spent all day yesterday persuading him." "Don't expect too much of the Chief." "Sending you these snacks... is his way of saying he's sorry." "If that's the case, then all is well." "He's the Chief." "What can I do to him?" "We all live in the same village." "Let's put this matter behind us." "The District has made a decision." "So be it." "Yes, if that's their decision." "And in this case... the Chief has already apologized to us." "As for the money, that's not important." "It's your compensation." "He should pay it." "Then let's consider it settled." "I'm glad I came." "You two go sit in the back." "There's a line, see?" "There are many marriage applicants today." "Go and get in line." "You two are in love?" " Where did you first meet?" " At my place." "Was it love at first sight?" "Did you like her right away?" "Yes." "And you?" "Do you love him?" "Miss, did you propose to him?" "He proposed to you." "What did you say?" "Yes." "Speak up if you want this license." "Will you still love him tomorrow?" "Was it love at first sight?" "Li..." "Qiu Ju asked me to return these to you." "Once you sign this... it's love forever!" "Hey, Wan." "Come and get warm." "You're next." "Get ready." "Why are you returning these?" "What's wrong?" "Qiu Ju said the Chief didn't buy them." "You did." "How did she know?" "The shopkeeper told her." "So what?" "What's the big deal?" "You shouldn't have wasted your money." "She's as pigheaded as the Chief." "This has dragged on too long." "I want it to end." "It's a stupid squabble, isn't it?" "Qiu Ju said she wanted an apology." "That daughter-in-law of yours!" " Where is she?" " Off to the city with Meizi." "THE CITY" "Where do you want to go?" "Comrade... are there any cheap hotels?" "Hotels?" "Yeah, sure." "Hop in." "I'll take you." "How much?" "Forty-five yuan." "Forty-five?" "Too much!" "What can you get for 45 nowadays?" "Besides, mine is a three-wheeler." "Jump in." "I'll take you." "You'll get the sightseeing tour for free." "I won't even charge you for that." "It's too expensive." "All right." "I see you're from the countryside." "You'd have trouble finding it." "I'll make the sacrifice." "Thirty will do." "Give me your bag." "Well, then, let's go." " Is this it?" " Yes." "Meizi, the bag." " Thirty yuan." " Right." "Comrade... are there any cheap hotels around here?" "That one is cheap." "Is there a cheaper one?" "Yeah." "The cheapest one in town... is straight ahead, just around the corner." "I see." "How much did that man charge you?" " Thirty yuan." " From the bus station?" "Yes." "From there it's worth no more than five yuan." "He drove us around for half an hour." "They're crooks." "They pick the longest route just to rip you off!" "You're from the countryside, eh?" "Yes." "You'd better get some different clothes." "Why?" "In those clothes, you're an easy target." "Crooks will spot you immediately." "You need a room?" " Is it cheap?" " Yes, yes." "Come and look." "It's neat and tidy." "How much per night?" " With a receipt?" " A receipt?" "With a receipt, it's six yuan per night." "You pay four yuan." "When you get reimbursed, you keep the difference." "Without a receipt, it's four yuan per night." " Is there something cheaper?" " There's the communal brick bed." "It's one-fifty per night." "We'll take that." "You've come to make a complaint?" "How did you know?" "The PSB is just around the corner." "All the country folk who come to make complaints stay here." "Over the years I've seen quite a few cases." "If you need help on legal matters... just ask me." "I see." "Would you charge me?" "No, it's free." "I had someone write a complaint letter for me." "That cost me twenty yuan!" "Meizi, have you seen the reply letter?" "No." "I don't see what's wrong." "You don't?" "He still hasn't done right by us." "What will you do now?" "They told me if I'm not happy with the decision..." "I could go to the city PSB and ask for a review." "I'll go tomorrow." "You might as well forget it." "Just think." "There are a million people in the city." "If one in a hundred has a dispute, that's 10,000 cases." "To you, this is a big deal." "To them it's nothing!" "Hey!" "Have you got a room?" "Go and see." "If that's true, then I've come all this way for nothing." " You're due soon?" " In January." "Sister, do you want to wash?" "Later." "You go ahead." "You've come from so far away!" "I'll tell you what to do." "Go talk to the director of the PSB." "He's a nice man." "Here's his address." "Go and see him." "Don't get me wrong." "I'm not trying to keep you here." "After all, I only charge you one yuan fifty per night." "But in your condition..." "I want to help you." "Don't tell anyone else." "I'll give you his address." "Over here." "Meizi, we're going to see the director." "What should we bring him?" "Let's take him some candy." "No." "City people don't like plain things." "What shall we bring?" "Some fruit?" "Meizi, this is not enough." "Something else?" "How about candy?" "Candy!" "Candy!" "Fruit is not enough." "People eat it, and it's gone." "Let's get the director something special for his house." "He'll see it every day and remember our case." "Meizi, wait." "I'm going to the toilet." "I'm here!" "Where have you been?" "I couldn't find you anywhere!" "Where were you?" "It's so crowded." "Someone could have stolen you." "I saw our taximan and ran after him." "I wanted our money back." "Don't go running around!" "It's a big city." "What would I do if you got lost?" "What happened to the painting?" "I ran into a telegraph pole." "A telegraph pole?" "See?" "You could have been hurt." " Are you all right?" " Yes." "Look." "The painting is broken." "Let's get another one." "Don't run off, do you hear?" "Let's go." "Be careful." "Stay well." "I'll get back to work." "You rode in the director's car?" "Many of my guests take their cases to the PSB... but none were ever escorted home before!" "The director is such a nice man." "I brought him fruit and a painting... but he wouldn't take them." "You keep them, please." "Back home, I have no use for them." "You eat the fruit." "I'll keep the painting." "Your case is in good hands." "You won't need any other help." "Relax and enjoy yourself in the city." "It fits!" "It's perfect!" "There's one for Qinglai too." "Qinglai, try it on." "You rode in the director's car?" "Is that true?" "What an adventure!" "That must have been exciting!" "He gave me a lift, that's all." "Are you better?" "What's wrong?" "You're still angry?" "It's called "A Man's Treasure." They say it's good medicine." "Win or lose... this is the last time, okay?" "Why?" "What did you hear while I was away?" "He's the Chief." "The higher-ups calmed him down." "Who knows what he'd have done otherwise." "We haven't suffered financially." "There's no point in continuing this." "It hurts less now, doesn't it?" "He's the Chief." "So what?" "Can he kick a man in his privates?" "Meizi... take this for me." "Here." "If we continue, people will say we're difficult." "They can say what they like." "I want an apology." "Qinglai, where are you going?" "The Chief wants to see me." "Keep your legs locked tight." "If the family jewels get kicked again..." "Qiu Ju will head straight for Beijing!" "Shut up." "Qinglai, have some water." "Help yourself." "Drink." "It'll warm you up." "You're back." "Qinglai is waiting." "Chief." "I asked you to come because... the city PSB has made a decision." "Here's the reply." "Take it home and show it to Qiu Ju." "It says that... the first settlement... and the decision of the District are basically correct." "But I'm to give you fifty yuan more." "They agreed on this amount after careful thought." "I'll do as I'm told." "It comes to two hundred and fifty." "Take it." "Mark my words, Qinglai." "Qiu Ju rode in the PSB director's car, right?" "All that fuss... only got you fifty yuan more!" "Sue me, if you want." "I work for the government." "I work hard all year long." "My bosses know that." "Don't you think they'll back me up?" "I'll see what Qiu Ju thinks." "You take orders from your wife?" "Have Qiu Ju come here for the money." "Take it." " Take it!" " No, no." "You keep it." "Good." "It's settled, then." "Fix dinner." "I'll have a drink with Qinglai." " I'd better leave." " First, a drink." "I'll talk to Qiu Ju." "It'll be all right, Chief." " It'll be fine." " Good." "See you." "Don't go yet." "Well, then, good-bye." " Chief, you're busy?" " Who's there?" "Ah, it's you." "Auntie Qiu Ju, come in." "No, thank you." "I want to see the Chief." "You want to see me?" "Come after you've warmed up." "Chief, the decision of the city PSB... why was it sent to you?" "How come?" "It's just a reply." "It came to me." "So what?" "Qinglai wasn't clear just now." "About what?" "The money you gave him." "What's it for?" "It's what I owe him." "It's in the letter." "Look, Qiu Ju, let's put this behind us." "I can't take this money." "I won't take it back." "Won't you call it quits?" "Listen, Qiu Ju." "Take your case to the gods in Heaven." "The results will be the same." "Damn!" "She won't fucking give up!" "Bitch!" "Beast!" "Bloodsucker!" "Come on." "Don't cry." "It's not good for you or the baby." "Let's just forget it." "Don't be upset." "Meizi!" "Meizi!" "Load the chilies into the cart." "What?" "You're at it again?" "You went as far as the city!" "What good did it do us?" "What next?" "Will you go to Beijing?" "We have almost no chilies left to sell." "All for nothing!" "What will people say?" "They already talk plenty about us." "Go!" "Go ahead!" "Go, and don't come back!" "Comrade, I'm looking for Director Yan." "Director Yan is out." "He went to a meeting." "When will he be back?" "I have no idea." "Meizi, let's wait outside." " Director Yan?" " Qiu Ju?" " Director Yan." " Why are you here?" "I've been waiting all day." "It's about your case?" "Have you eaten?" "Come." "We'll talk as we eat." " No, I'll wait." " Let's go." "Take the car back." "Pick me up later, as usual." "Let's go." "Is that so?" "The decision should have been delivered to you, not the Chief." "I'll look into the matter." "Let's eat here." "Sit down." "The benches are too low." "I'm too big." "Fine." "We can stand." "I meant to ask... are you happy with our decision?" "No." "You see..." "I took my case to the village, then to the district... and finally to you." "But the results are the same." "The Chief doesn't admit that he was wrong." "I don't care for that extra fifty yuan." "Why can't you make him admit... that he was wrong?" "I'm just an ordinary citizen... and you're all government officials." "Maybe you're all sticking together on this?" "You have a right to be suspicious." "And we could make mistakes." "You do have another option." "Take your case to court." "How?" "Let's see." "I can recommend a lawyer." "He's Wu, a district lawyer." "He's a nice man." "He can help you." "Then it's settled." "I'll be your attorney." "I'll handle your case." "I'm very busy now." "Good-bye." "I'm leaving." "Lawyer Wu." "Are you sure about this?" "Yes, yes." "Leave everything to me." "Will the right thing be done this time?" "Of course the right thing will be done." "You see... this winter I've gone everywhere – to the village... the district and the city... but none got it right." "We've only spoken once, and you can make it right?" "Before, it was mediation." "Now it's a lawsuit." "That's different." "I don't care, as long as you can do it." "Didn't you hire me as your attorney?" "I've agreed and accepted your money." "I'll represent you." "That's my job." "I do it every day." "You mean, you take money every day... and every day the right thing gets done?" "I still don't get it." "We pay him money... and he'll get us an apology?" "Then we wasted our time before!" "And you fought with my brother for nothing!" "Why didn't we go to him sooner?" "Is that Qiu Ju?" "Officer Li!" "You're just coming back from the city?" "I'm going home." "Someone gave us a lift, but the thing broke down." "Will it work?" "Qiu Ju... this thing is getting more and more serious." "I'm getting heat from above." "The decision should have gone to you." "My clerk was careless." "I'm sorry." "Forget about it." "Officer Li, why do you have that cow?" "Dan Dan lost it, and I found it." "I'm a lousy officer." "I mishandled your case." "I'm only good at finding cows." "Who's there?" "Is that Qiu Ju?" "So late?" "The engine broke down." "Help your sister." " I'm leaving." " Thank you so much." " Don't mention it." " Thank you." "It's nothing." ""Little boat..."" " "Narrow at the ends." - "Narrow at the ends."" ""Sitting in the little boat..."" ""I only see the sparkling stars..."" " "And the blue sky..." - "And the blue sky..."" "Read the rest yourselves." " Teacher Wei!" " It's Qiu Ju." " You're looking for me?" " Yes." "Wait a minute." "Qiu Ju." "Teacher Wei, could you read this to me?" "Please read it." "It's about the trial date for your lawsuit." " That's it?" " Yes." "Good-bye, then." "I won't do it." "I'm suing the Chief." "I can't drag Director Yan into this." "It's the same thing." "You didn't accept the decision of the city PSB." "So we must start with the city PSB." "We'll take it step by step until we can sue the Chief." "That's the normal procedure!" "I don't care." "I'm only after the Chief." "Director Yan is a good man." "I can't sue him." "I won't!" "Sue him yourself." "We've gone this far already." "You'll have to appear in court." "Otherwise, what will happen?" "We agreed." "You left everything in my hands." "I don't care!" "I'm only suing the Chief... not Director Yan!" " Listen –" " Qiu Ju." " Director Yan." " It's time to go inside." "I won't." "I will not sue you." "I've explained to you... how things work." "Your Chief beat up your husband, so the PSB mediated." "You didn't accept the District's decision... nor the City's decision." "So much for mediation." "Now, legal action has been taken." "I have filed a suit on your behalf... against the municipal PSB." "Why?" "Because you think our decision was unjust." "It's the legal process." "As the director of the PSB, I must appear in court." "Qiu Ju, in civil and administrative suits... the defendants are not necessarily bad people." "Do good people sue each other?" "Of course!" "Director Yan... if you lose, what will happen to you?" "Nothing bad will happen to me if I lose." "Your case will just be examined again." " Will the right thing be done?" " Of course." "Fine." "Then I'll go." "Here's Lawyer Wu." "You bought so many things!" " Thank you." " Don't mention it." "Qiu Ju, the way things went just now... it looks very good." "I think you'll win." "How do you know?" "Lawyer Wu, you're the legal expert... but I do know certain things." "Isn't administrative litigation a new law?" "In this trial, a citizen is suing the government." "This law will receive plenty of publicity." "If Qiu Ju loses, who would trust this new law?" "You have a point." "I'm sure of it." "If that's true... we're sure to win?" "Certainly." "If you lose, you won't have to pay your hotel bill." "The case has been heard by this court... and has been carefully deliberated." "It was found that... the decision that was made... by the city Public Service Board... regarding the plaintiff's application for a review... in the case of the alleged assault of Wan Qinglai... is right and proper... and should receive the full support of the court." "To safeguard the proper legal and administrative relationships... and to protect the rights of all parties... the court, in accordance with the administrative law..." "Article 52, Paragraph 1, and Article 54, Paragraph 1... now upholds... the decision of the municipal Public Service Bureau... with regard to the plaintiff's application for a review... in the case of the alleged assault of Wan Qinglai." "If the plaintiff wishes... she may appeal to the Intermediate People's Court... within fifteen days after delivery of this judgment." "The case is closed." "Qiu Ju, we lost." "Lost?" "Qiu Ju, did you understand what the judge said?" "If you're not happy with the judgment, you can appeal." "I'm not happy." "I will appeal." "Meizi, who just came?" "I don't know." "They're from the city." "You're walking too fast." " Drink some water." " Thank you." "Hello." "You're Qiu Ju?" "We're from the Intermediate People's Court." "We've come to investigate your case." "This is Comrade Lu." "I'm Wang." "Have some water." "Are you feeling better?" "Much better, but heavy work hurts my chest." "You'd better get an X-ray." "No." "That's not worth the trouble." "I'll be all right soon." "But an X-ray of your injuries... would be considered legal evidence." "If a rib was broken... the law would consider it an assault." "We're going to examine your case." "We hope you'll cooperate." "Our chief is taking your case very seriously, believe me." "We do hope you'll cooperate." "He's taking it seriously?" "Will the right thing be done now?" "The court will give your case a fair trial." " Have some water." " Have some water." "Chief!" "Open the door!" "Open the door, Chief!" " Who is it?" " It's Qinglai." "It's New Year's Eve!" "What's wrong?" "Qiu Ju is in labor, but something is wrong!" "Why come to me?" "Let her ask the court for help!" "We need help!" "Qiu Ju can't get the baby out!" "She's lost so much blood." "Buckets of it!" "It's flowing like a river!" "It's very serious." "We need help, fast!" "Please, Chief!" "Chief, her life is in danger!" " Chief." " Take her to the hospital." "Everyone's in Wang Village, at the opera." "Who'll help me?" "You remember me when there's trouble?" " She's in a bad way." " I can do nothing!" "I can't get the baby out!" "Too much blood." "It's like a river." "Go." "Get a stretcher." "I'll go to Wang Village." "Decheng, come with me." "Hurry!" " What's up?" " It's urgent!" " It's my turn!" " Hurry!" "It's serious!" "Gently!" "Be careful." "Let me carry it." "No, I'm okay." "I'm all right." "You rest." "I'll take a turn." "No." "It's all right." "I'm fine." "Let us through!" "Qinglai, you're lucky." "The gods are kind to you." "It's a boy!" "He's quite small." "Not quite six catties." "Still, it's a boy!" "Qinglai... they told me you went for an X-ray." "What did the doctor say?" "Qiu Ju wasn't doing well when I left... so I didn't wait for the results." "I came straight home." "You know, don't you?" "This isn't the first time... that I helped a pregnant woman." "This has nothing to do with the lawsuit." "When Qiu Ju is well... let her sue me if she wants to." "If I lose, I lose." "If you lose, you lose." "Let's forget the past." "I can't offer you much today... but come celebrate with us in a month." "We will." "Qinglai, go back to the hospital." "We'll head for home." "Meizi, could you take over?" "I'm out of breath." "How's the baby?" "Fine." "He slept all day." "The Chief really helped us." "What an awful night that was!" "We'll have to thank him properly." "Of course." "Qinglai, the baby will be a month old tomorrow." " Did you invite everyone?" " Everyone." "Except the Chief." "What should we do?" "We certainly have to invite him!" "But I'm afraid he might not come." "We'll invite him anyway." "He helped us so much." " Shall I go, then?" " Yes." "Go ahead." "I won't go." "Did Qiu Ju send you?" "Qiu Ju said..." ""I don't care about the others, but the Chief must come."" "She said that?" "It's you who said it." "I know." "Chief, there isn't any doubt." "You saved the baby's life." "I was so scared." "The Chief saved him." "That's right!" " Is he here?" " Yes." "Oh, you've come!" "With the baby too!" "Auntie Qiu Ju." "Sit on the bed and stay warm." "Ai Ling, stoke the fire under the bed." "Chief, here's our baby." "You haven't seen him yet!" "Look at Qiu Ju." "She wanted a son, and she got a son." "And you... you open your legs and you get girls every time!" "Girls, every single time!" "You drive me crazy!" "Don't start that again!" "There you go again!" "We're so grateful!" "I didn't do much." "It's you who gets things done." "Chief, our baby... without you, we'd have lost him." "He'll be one month old tomorrow." "Come help us celebrate." "My family will come." "But I – I probably won't." " You really must come." " Please, come." "Granny, you too." "The whole family." "Chief, even Granny said you should come." "We'll see." "We'll see." "Everyone's here." "Let's cook the noodles." " Where's the Chief?" " He's not here." "Let's wait until he arrives." "Be careful." "Here comes the steamed bun." "Go through the loop." "Here we go!" "Good health!" "Long life!" "Let's eat the bread." "Eat up!" "Here they are." "And presents too!" "You shouldn't have." "Where's the Chief?" "Isn't he with you?" "He's still home, washing and shaving... as if he was getting ready for the new year!" "Have a seat." "Qinglai, let's cook the noodles now." "Cook the noodles!" "Officer Li is here." "You're busy." "Officer Li!" "What a surprise!" " Have some wine." " No, I've come to tell you something." " First, have some wine." " No, I'm in a hurry." "Meizi, get some water." "Qinglai... the X-ray shows one of your ribs was broken." "Although it has healed... it changes your case." "Wang Shantang has now been found guilty of assault." "The Court has ordered that he be detained for 15 days." " Detained?" " The police took him away." "The police?" "I just wanted an apology!" "That's all I wanted." "Nothing more!" "They just came for him." "I thought you ought to know."