The Nightingale (夜莺)

Breathe out.

Steady.

You're doing great. Not too tense.

The figure of the orchid, as if you were holding a flower.

Head up a little. Good.

Listen to nature.

Mr. Zhu, the clients are here.

I'll be right there.

Okay.

THE NIGHTINGALE

He sings well.

But a little sadly.

I never asked you...

how old is this bird?

- Eighteen. - Eighteen!

Eighteen.

Mine...

didn't get past nine!

He was full of life.

And one fine day, when I got up...

he was dead.

You've often told me

you wanted to go traveling with him.

When will that be?

I haven't decided yet.

Don't dawdle.

For birds, and for us too,

it may be later than you think!

It forms a harmonious whole.

The main body is composed of four elements,

rather like the extended wings of the Louvre.

Seen from outside, they're like boats on the quayside,

ready to leave.

Building One faces west.

Building Six faces east.

They are linked by Building Five.

And between Buildings Three and Five, a hanging garden.

The number you have dialed is busy...

The number you have dialed is busy...

Up you get, lazybones.

Hurry, or you'll be late for school.

Papa, we're on vacation.

She's on vacation?

You didn't know?

What have you planned?

I enrolled her in an art class.

Next week I'll take her to see her grandfather.

She hasn't seen him in four months.

I'm late. Gotta run.

Wait! I'll come with you.

- Ian! - Yes?

The calligraphy teacher's coming at 10:30.

So I'll wake her at 9:30.

Did you invite Li Zhao?

I told you, he's not free on Sunday.

You didn't tell me.

I told you as we left the concert.

You don't listen.

I'm off to Hong Kong on Monday.

For how long?

Two days. Then on to Tokyo.

Why do you always tell me at the last minute?

No problem, Mr. Blanc.

I can come to Paris.

See you at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

A big hand for the star of the show,

our little princess, Renxing!

Chongyi and Qianying are my best friends.

To me, they're the perfect couple.

Today is their daughter's birthday.

We are all gathered here

to present this exceptional family

with our most heartfelt wishes.

Best wishes!

Father! Why won't you come in?

I'd rather not.

It's been four years.

Father and son shouldn't fall out.

I am not the one who's angry, he is.

He says that it's you.

Fine. He can say what he likes.

Renxing never stays still, just like me as a child.

You turn around and she's already gone.

It wasn't your fault.

And it's so long ago...

Stop blaming yourself.

However you spin it, it's still my fault.

I should never have taken her to the bird market.

But we found her. That's all in the past.

Forget it and come in.

No, I won't come in.

Give this to my granddaughter.

- What is it? - A present.

I made it myself.

A little bird!

Father,

I can't bring her to you on Tuesday.

I must go to Paris.

It's a work emergency.

You should all live in a plane.

You're right.

When I'm in Paris, Chongyi will be in Tokyo.

If you're both leaving,

who will look after Renxing?

Ian will take care of her.

I'm going on a trip too, you know.

- Where to? - To my village.

Three to five days.

A week at the most.

Oh. Very good.

If you don't know what to do with my granddaughter,

maybe I could take her along?

She'd see my village and the house where her grandmother lived.

I don't think Chongyi would...

It's all right. Forget I said it.

I'll be going.

- I'm going. - Take care of yourself.

The new train is very fast.

I'll be home in just eight hours.

Home?

You're going home?

I told you two months ago.

I don't remember that at all.

You're too busy with work.

I'd have said yes two months ago

but now it's not possible.

Can't you postpone your trip?

I really can't.

Why not?

I can't just postpone my son's wedding.

I gave you good warning.

If you go,

what will I do with Renxing?

Fengshu!

Hey! Zhigen.

I have a favor to ask.

Tell me quickly. I'll be late for work.

It's a big favor, my friend.

- Let's talk on the way. - Sure.

I want you to help me

carry something.

I don't want to go.

You have no choice. It's the only solution.

You have 10 minutes to pack, then we're leaving.

No! I don't want to go!

Father.

Traffic jams!

- Were you worried? - No problem.

Won't little poppet say hello?

Compartment Six. It's further on.

Here we are. It's here.

There.

- It's here? - Yes.

You want to sleep on the left or the right?

Say something. Left or right?

Can't you decide?

I'll go on the left, then.

No!

I'll go on the left.

Okay. I'll take the right.

Zhigen.

Thanks very much.

If the boss finds out, I could lose my job.

Don't worry,

there's no danger.

Good. But be careful.

Thanks again.

See you later.

Do you never say hello?

That's my side!

You're on the left.

Not a bit!

This side is right. That side is left.

Look.

Look, look.

When you come in,

your side is the left,

and mine is the right.

Wrong! Dead wrong!

From where I am,

this side is the right and that side is the left!

Do you want my bunk?

It's not yours, it's mine.

Hand me my bag.

Get up.

I'm taking you to eat.

I'm not hungry.

You'd rather be hungry tonight?

Come along.

I'm not hungry.

No matter. Shoes on!

Why take that?

What's it to you?

Thank you.

Not eating?

I'm talking to you. Will you listen?

Grandpa.

I'm hungry.

What? What's the matter?

My tummy. I feel sick.