""XIAO QI:" "Have you arrived?"" ""Have you decided?"" ""THE SON"" "Do you need a ride?" " Excuse me, are you Manager Chen?" " Yes." "I am Bo, Mr Huang's driver." "Nice to meet you." "Just this one luggage?" " Let me help you with that." " It's fine." "I can manage." "Sure, my car is over there." "Sorry I was late." "Traffic was bad." "It's alright." "Sorry for the mess." "That belongs to my kid." "Cars are never tidy with kids around." "First time in Guangxi, Manager Chen?" "Yes, indeed." "Call me Chen." "I'm just an employee too." "Please have some dried mango." "Guangxi is near Thailand and Vietnam." "Fruits here are especially delicious." ""Give me a call when you arrive."" "I can manage." "Let me park the car." "I'll check you in." "Don't trouble yourself." "I'll be fine." "I will be here at 9 am tomorrow." "The number is currently unavailable." "Leave a message after the tone." "Xiao Qi, it's me." "I think it's better not to wait." "Have you set a date with the doctor?" "This is probably for the best." "I've to go now." "Bye." "That vessel over there is ours too." "Mr Chen, this way." "Let me wash my hands." "I'll catch up." "Alright, I get it." "Stop shouting at me." "Don't get so worked up." "I'll dash home when I'm done." "I'm terribly sorry." "Mr Chen, you're quite something." "Pardon?" "You're a general manager at this age." "That's so capable." "Well, it's just a job." "You've made quite a career of this job." "If I had half your talent... my wife would give me an easier time." ""Is this the only way?"" ""Chen Qing Jiang"" ""JIANGHE GARMENT FACTORY FACES CLOSURE"" ""DEBT-LADEN CHAIRMAN CHEN QING JIANG MISSING"" "Mr Chen." "Please let your boss know... we are the best for you in Asia." "Lunch is ready." "Let's head over." "This way, please." " Have you had enough?" " Yes, I'm full." " Cigarette?" " No, thanks." "Heading back to the hotel?" "I can make my own way back." "Don't trouble yourself." "Hello." "Ma." "Are you alright?" "It's so late at night." "I'm fine." "I can't sleep, so I thought I'd call you." "I thought something happened." "You scared me." "Xiao Qi said you're on a business trip." "Where are you now?" "Guangxi." "Ma." "I think I saw..." "What?" "Nothing." "Come back to Foshan when you can." "You haven't been back for a while." "Mr Chen." "My boss is here." "Let's go." "Okay." "Please open your trunk." "Seriously?" "You're checking me too?" "There were several thefts recently." "Just following orders from above." "Sorry about this." "Thank you." "My wife has strict rules." "I can't smoke when our kid is around." "What a relief." "Bo." "Will you follow that bus?" "What's the matter?" "I think I see someone I know." " I'll get off here." " Should I wait for you here?" "It's alright." "I know the way back." "Call if you need me." "I'm looking for my son Chen Junxiang." "Chen Junxiang." "Someone is looking for you." "What's there to look at?" "It's your birthday today." "Happy birthday." "I bought this specially for you." "Have a look." "You got the wrong one again." " It's not right?" " This is from last season." "But I was told this is the latest." "What do you know?" "Pass me the money next time..." "I'll get them myself." "Alright, leave now." "Come home tonight, I'll make dinner." "I'm not free, I'm meeting my friends." " Have you got enough money?" " No." "Go." "What about the laptop I've asked for?" "Will you hurry up?" "I need it badly." "Just go." "Go!" "Mr Chen." "Mr Chen." "It's really you." "What brings you here?" "I was taking a stroll." "Say hi to uncle." " Hello Uncle." " Hi." "My daughter, she just finished school." "Have dinner at mine?" "It's just nearby." "I just had something." "You've eaten?" "Returning to the hotel?" "I'll drive you." "I won't want to trouble you." "Come on, it's hard to get a cab here." "The car is just over there." "How old are you?" "6." "I never used to like children." "They gave me a headache." "Until I had her..." "Bo, drop me off here." "You see someone familiar again?" "In the next few years... we are focusing on Southeast Asia..." "Stop right there!" "Who are you looking for?" "Nothing." "You're early today." "Brought me liquor again?" "You can forget about it." "I was caught." "They fired me." "I've been telling you all this while... you'll get into trouble some day." "You're lucky... they didn't hand you to the police." "I recognize you." "The one taking photos around the port." "Here is your barbecued pork rice." "Thank you." "Are you from Guangdong?" "Yes." "Drink with me then." "You mentioned you lost your job." "What are you going to do now?" "What can I do?" "I've fired many over the years... perhaps I had it coming." "What's wrong with your leg?" "An accident from years ago." "It looks serious." "I was lucky." "But my wife didn't make it." "Do you still have family in Foshan?" "How did you know I'm from Foshan?" "I guessed." "Have you thought of going back?" "It's been so long." "Not much point anymore." "Maybe there's someone who..." "No one would want to see me anyway." "You're such a young man... you must be good with computers." "My son wants a new laptop." "I'm clueless with these things." "Perfect." "Help me pick one." "Something good but not too pricey." "I'm going to the loo." "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "What are you after?" "Who are you to hit me?" "Somebody help me." "Somebody help me." ""It's done."" ""THE LAKE"" " Mr Chen De Ming?" " Yes." "You've registered mail from Singapore." "Thank you." "I'll be back soon." "Chen De Ming." "You lost." "Let's go." "Taxis to berth 6 and 7." "Taxi to berth 10." " Changi Prison." " Where?" ""Changi Prison"" "Prison?" "Where were you?" "Pa." "I went swimming." "Why are you always at the lake?" "I don't want you going again." "We've approved your visitation rights." "You may see him this afternoon." "Your documents." "The letter?" "When did you last meet Lin Ren Zheng?" "A long time ago." "You were childhood friends?" "Did you know he is here?" "No one has visited him in 4 years." "We're fortunate to contact you in time." "We understand he no longer... has family in Taiwan or Singapore." "When he asked to find someone in Taiwan..." "I was rather surprised." "Does he know I'm coming?" "He is aware." "Mr Chen." "His sentence is at 6 am, Friday." "You still have two days to visit him." "Gate 38, one person." "Step through." "Step over there." "Sir, stand over there." "Face me and raise your arms." "Lift up your shirt." "Remove the belt into the basket." "This way." "Come through again." "Okay, clear." "Take your things." "Raise your arms please." "There was a fisherman who went mad... and killed himself here." "My dad says... the mud in the lake drags you down." "I've decided." "I'll leave this place one day." "Ride off on my bicycle... and not return." "Where would you go?" "It has been a while." "How've you been?" "I'm alright." "You've changed." "You've aged." "I got married." "Have another bite." "Cheers." "Handsome... can I get you another bottle?" "Get ready!" "I hear your boy's been going to the lake." "Come here!" "You went to the lake again?" "I told you before not to go." " It's just..." " What's the matter with you?" "Sit down." "Sit!" "You're my son." "Please sign here." "This confirms that you agree... to take charge of his remains." "You need to identify his body... after the sentence is carried out." "He'll then be sent to the funeral parlour." "This is the funeral parlour's address." "They will take care of the arrangements." "These are his personal artefacts." "Mr Chen?" "Are you okay?" "Zheng." "Lately... time seems to pass so quickly." "Makes me... think of the past." "I didn't think you would come." "Thank you." "Is there anything else I can do?" "Just take me home." "Pa." "He should be back soon." "I can't go to the lake any more." "I know." "I should go." "I'll be at the lake tomorrow." ""Zheng"" "Hello." "It's me." "I'm fine." "Is our baby asleep?" "I'd like to hear his voice." "Let's go for drinks?" "Not today." "I'm heading home." "Another time perhaps." "Next time then." "Chen De Ming!" "Chen De Ming." "Chen De Ming." "Where is he?" "I'm asking, where is he?" " No idea." " You don't know?" "Stay away from my son." "You hear me?" "I..." "Stop pulling." "I'm stuck." ""THE GOODBYE"" "Everyone quiet down please." "This is the first lecture of our" "Contemporary Chinese Culture seminar." "We're honoured to have with us..." "Shanghai Chinese University's..." "Professor Chen Zhibin." "I hope you make use of these lectures." "Without further ado... please welcome Professor Chen." "Hello." "Thank you for the introduction." "Actually... seeing all of you here... reminds me of my younger self." "I was a student just like you." "When I was your age..." "I only cared about three things." "Watching movies, playing video games... and reading useless books." "My parents were worried for my future." "They are surprised now that..." "I'm a Professor of Cultural Studies." "Enough of my nonsense." "Let's move on to the subject at hand." "Chinese Youth in Today's Internet Age 1, 2, 3..." "Are you a teacher or a celebrity?" "We never had such a response before." "These students organised the seminar." "They want to welcome you with dinner." " A Thai-style welcome." " Thai-style?" "Thai-style, Chinese-style, same style." "Would you like to rest before?" "Yes, I shall do that." "Pim will take you so you don't get lost." " Pim, take care of him." " Yes sir" "I must go." "See you tonight." "Bye Professor." " Ping?" " It's like this, "Pim"." " Pim, what year are you?" " Second year." "I'm sorry." "My Chinese isn't that good." " It's fine." " Thank you." "I started learning two years ago." "Really?" "Are you Chinese then?" "No, I'm Thai-Chinese." "My parents want me to learn Chinese... so I can work in China." "They say it's a better future than here." "Even though we are born here... we are still Chinese after all." "Yes." "Oh, do you know Professor Xie Hong?" "Xie Hong?" "She's from China too." "Yes, I know her." "The old professor." "She will not be pleased to hear that." "She's not even 50." "She hasn't taught me, but I know her." "Do you think... she is in school today?" "Yes, that's her." "She might not be in today." "Let me check her timetable." "Thank you." "Professor Xie has a class tomorrow." "I left her a message." "She was my professor in Beijing." "I haven't seen her in a while." "Let's go." "We learnt in class the phrase..." ""1000 drinks aren't many for a true friend"" "In Thailand... when we drink, we are brothers." "There are no secrets between us." "Stop being a smart alec." "Professor... you talk pessimistically... about modern relationships." "You said as technology advances... relationships become more distant." "What's this nonsense?" " Stop showing off." " I'm not." "You belong to the internet age, right?" " Yes." " And you still look quite young." "Well, yes." "In that case, I've a question for you." "Do you have a girlfriend?" "Silence means he isn't denying." "My apologies." "Please ignore him." "Pim, thank you." "You're welcome." "What time do we meet tomorrow?" "I'll pick you up at 9 am." " Here?" " Yes" "Good night." "Professor, are you alright?" "I'm fine." "I was in the shower." "I called but there was no answer." "I woke up late." "Give me ten minutes?" "Okay." "Sorry." "You're waiting here?" "No, I'll wait at the lobby." "Thank you." "Our world today has changed entirely." "Compared to our forefathers... we live in a world without borders." "Globalisation has... bridged the gaps of language and education." "High-speed rail and low-cost airlines... have shortened the distance... the distance between us." "In this globalised digital age..." "Even in Beijing, you can access content from London or New York." "The Internet has shrunk our world." "Many of our forefathers... spent entire lives in China." "Some had never left their villages..." "When I came here to speak..." "Chen Zhibin." "Hello Professor." "I enjoyed your lecture." "Was it alright?" "Yes, it was interesting." "Thank you." "It has been so long." "All of a sudden I'm at a loss for words." "Hello." "I'm Pim." "I left you the message." "Thank you." "What year are you in?" "Second year." "That's why we've never met yet." "You'll be in my class next year." "Professor Chen told me... he was your student too." "That's years ago... when he was about your age." "It's been 12 years." "That long?" "Jia Jia." "Do you still remember her?" "Your daughter?" "Say hello." " Hello" " Hi." "Last we met, you'd just begun to talk." "And now you're already in university." "No." "I'm only 15." "Where are your manners?" "Her school is just next door." "I'm still in high school." "It's my mistake." "The uniforms here all look the same." "Ma, shall we go?" "Hold on, we are still talking." "What's the matter?" "Nothing..." "She wants to go to the phone shop." "We'll pass it anyway." "Let's go together?" "Kids these days..." "Phones seem dearer than their lives." "Always looking at their phones... but never at themselves." "I felt proud listening to your lecture." "I never thought you'd be a teacher." "My parents said the same thing." "That they are proud of you?" "No." "That I'd lead my students astray." "You weren't the best of my students." "But now you do look like a teacher." " Really?" " Yes." "You've grown into the profession." "I may have changed... but you still look the same." "Have you been teaching all this time?" "Not at first." "When we moved here..." "I only thought of my daughter." "As she grew older... more Thais wanted to learn Chinese... so I decided to teach again." "Jia Jia is all grown up now." "How time flies." "She says she is Thai, not Chinese." "Only mosquitoes can... hear her speak Chinese." "And you?" "Married?" "I was married, yes." "But we split up last year." "I'm sorry." "It's fine." "My marriage may be over... but I still have my son." "He is three." "The best age." "We tried to stay together for him." "In the end, it just wasn't possible." "Pim, do you want anything?" "No thanks." "Xie Hong..." "Can we go now?" "Stop whispering." "I have to go." "How long will you be here for?" "I leave the day after tomorrow." "I'll go to your lecture tomorrow then." "Okay." "You should say goodbye." "Bye." "Would you like to return to the hotel?" "It's still early, shall we take a walk?" "Where would you like to go?" "Anywhere." "Like it?" "It is good." "You've asked me so much." "My turn now." "Do you have someone?" " Someone?" " A boyfriend." "I did, but not anymore." "What happened?" "I hardly have time for myself... much less someone else." "Is that funny?" " How old are you?" " I'm 20." "Finally..." "I'd like to leave you with this." "Modern relationships are... more horizontal than vertical." "As the world gets interconnected... we're able to reach across borders... to stay in touch." "However, relationships between us... have become more superficial." "As relationships expand horizontally... they gain breadth but lose depth." "Social networks are a good example." "How many of you use social networks?" "I thought so." "Weibo?" "WeChat?" "We don't use Facebook in China... but it doesn't matter." "Who has over 1000 friends on Facebook?" "This is what I mean by "horizontal"." "We have many friends from all over." "But the friends whom you care for... who really matter... and truly love... how many are there?" "100?" "50?" "How about 10?" "At least 5?" "So out of 1000 "friends"... there are only 5 who you really love." "We are surrounded by people everyday... but in the end, we are mostly alone." "This is the state of our society... the plight of relationships today." "Do you have plans tonight?" " I'm planning to meet Professor Xie." " Professor Xie?" "I haven't seen her today." "Don't think she was at the lecture." "I haven't seen her either." "I'm surprised she was your professor." "Just like you said, it's a small world." " Pim, give her a call?" " Sure." "She might be busy." "I'll wait here." "I'm planning to buy everyone drinks." "I assumed you'd be free." "Thai-style again?" "Thai-style, Chinese-style, same-style!" "How can we not have you?" "Try and join us if you can?" "I'm off." "Hope to see you tonight." "Professor Xie isn't in her office... and there's no answer on her phone." "I'll go back to the hotel then." "I'll walk with you." "It's alright, I can make my own way." "Get some rest." "Enjoy yourselves tonight." "Alright, I'll call you later." "One more?" "No, thank you." "Zhibin." "I'll have water instead." "It was with you when I first drank." "We won a literature prize in second year." "You took us out to celebrate." "I was at your lecture on the first day." "I thought enough time had passed." "But when I saw you again..." "I agreed to speak here because of you." "How did you know I was here?" "With the internet... nobody can hide in today's world." "Who is it?" "Pim, the girl you met yesterday." "She just added me on WeChat." "See, it is not hard... to find someone these days." "Someone has an admirer in Thailand." "You once had an admirer too." "I didn't think you'd actually come." "Just like the last time." "I didn't think I would come either... but I came anyway." "Zhibin." "How have you been?" "Why did you leave Beijing without a word?" "My husband was posted here." "At first..." "I thought you'd gone on vacation." "It was only later on that I found out... you'd resigned from the university." "I thought it would be better if I left." "Is he coming?" "I texted him." "I'll try calling too." "I'd like to use the bathroom." "It's just inside." "Zhibin." "Do I really look the same?" "Yes, you still look the same." "It's good I've my daughter with me... or what would I do with these years?" "Will you ever return to Beijing?" "Yes, when my daughter is older." "Did he ever know?" "Nobody knows." "I never told anyone." "I should go." "Do you really have to go?" "This is yours." "I've been keeping it." "It's turned yellow." "I've no idea why I kept it for so long." "But I knew I just had to." "Zhibin." "I'm sorry."