Hi.
How did you get in here?
What do you want to do?
It was you, wasn't it?
What are you talking about?
You took the pictures.
You told my mom.
Please get out of my house
or I will call the police.
I gave damning photos of you
to Ms. Rose.
That's why you gave damning photos of me
to my mom.
You are clever.
What exactly do you want to do?
What do I want to do?
I don't know either.
I wonder when your retribution will come
for the things you have done.
When people do bad things,
they always get what they deserve.
Right?
They always do.
Sooner or later.
SEPTEMBER 13TH, 1988 ONE MONTH BEFORE THE INCIDENT
Mr. Nakamura.
Please come in.
Sue, are you okay?
I'm fine.
I went to the club
and heard you weren't feeling well
and have been resting at home for the past few days.
I thought
I would visit you.
Thank you.
I'm sorry. Is it too late at night?
No. Come in.
Good evening, Mr. Nakamura.
You are here too, Aiko.
Yes.
I'm here to see Ms. Sue.
Ms. Sue is so lucky.
She is kind and considerate.
Everyone likes her.
Go for it.
Right.
I don't want to keep you.
Ms. Sue, get some rest.
Get well soon.
Come in.
It's okay.
I can do it.
Thank you for your concern.
You even came all the way here. I'm so sorry.
It was rude of me, but I was anxious to see you.
I hope I'm not interrupting your rest.
Of course not.
You will be going home in a few days.
Have you finished packing your things?
I'm in the process.
But there are some matters that haven't been settled yet.
Mr. Nakamura,
if there is anything I can help you with,
please don't hesitate to tell me.
When I first arrived in Taiwan,
I was all alone.
I was quite lonely.
An unfamiliar place
and unfamiliar people.
I was missing a connection to home.
Sometimes,
I forgot who I am.
Then I met you at Light.
I don't know why.
When I'm with you,
I always feel comfortable and at ease.
It seems as if
you always understand what I say.
Do you also understand
what I'm saying now?
I'm not seeking anything sensational.
Right now,
I only wish for a steady companion.
Such is life.
Who hasn't collected scars along the way?
The past
is a part of who you are now.
Sue,
would you be willing
to consider becoming the one who accompanies me?
Thank you.
OPEN
STUDENT DORMITORY
Thank you.
What do you want for lunch?
I don't know yet. I'll decide later.
You don't know yet…
By the way, I passed by the Academic Affairs Office.
I saw Wang Ai-lien from your class.
She is taking a leave of absence.
Of course.
She is making big money in Tiaotong.
She doesn't need a degree.
Wang…
Are you moving?
Did something happen? I heard you're taking a break.
Now you're moving too?
It's because I'm sick.
What do you mean?
Didn't you say that I'm sick?
Because I'm sick,
I'm being punished now.
What are you talking about?
You're speaking in riddles.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Thank your beloved Su Ching-yi.
She let my mom know that I was working at Light.
She doesn't want me anymore.
I don't have a home or a job.
I don't even know where I will get my next meal.
Yes.
I was too sure of myself.
I shouldn't have challenged Su Ching-yi.
I brought this upon myself.
Are you happy now?
You probably find this funny.
Just laugh if you want to.
What are you waiting for?
Someone is here.
Who are you?
Ya-ya?
Why are you dressed like that?
Ms. Rose said
I can start working today.
Does this look weird?
Your makeup is too heavy.
And what is that on your head?
Isn't it better to tie your hair up high?
No…
Well, there is still time to change it.
I'll fix it for you.
Who taught you to do this makeup?
-Hsiao-hao. -No wonder.
He said the darker the eyeshadow, the better.
Why is it so messy?
This…
When I left with Rose yesterday,
it wasn't like this.
Was there a break-in?
Should I call the police
or wait for Ms. Rose to come back?
I'll call Ah-ta.
Check if anything is missing.
I'm sorry, but something came up at the club today.
We will be opening at a later time.
How much later?
About two hours.
Two hours?
Forget it.
Let's go somewhere else.
The Mamasans here are better.
But…
Let's go somewhere else.
We're sorry!
Damn, it's no use taking pictures.
They have already tidied everything.
It's not like we get robbed every day.
We didn't know to not touch anything.
Do you know how much money was here?
About one to two weeks of revenue.
What else is missing other than money?
That is probably it.
Wen-cheng.
No signs of forced entry.
No broken doors or windows.
Only that transom window was open,
but it's an unlikely entry point.
Have you considered that it might have been an inside job?
Don't make absurd suggestions
without proof.
Were any other places ransacked?
No.
So they had a clear goal.
We don't usually leave anything valuable
in the lounge room or the lockers.
Why didn't they just crack the safe instead of going through our stuff?
They were afraid of being suspected.
So they made it look like it was done by an outsider.
But they were either stupid
or didn't have enough time.
That's why they only ransacked the lounge room.
Apart from Ms. Sue, there should be two more ladies.
An old one and a college student.
Where are they?
Aiko doesn't work here anymore.
Ah-chi had family matters, so she took the day off.
Well…
I think Ah-chi owes money to the triads.
They even came to the club recently.
Was I not supposed to tell?
I needed to eat.
What?
Don't be so anxious.
Don't worry, we will get that money back for you.
Do you think I care about the money?
What is it, then?
I don't like to suspect the club's employees.
Others might not have a clear conscience like you.
That's enough.
This must be a bad year for me.
Things just keep happening.
Come on! Can't I catch a break?
I'll take you to Hsing Tian Kong later.
It will also help settle your nerves.
I'm not frightened.
I'm coming in!
Mr. Nakamura isn't back yet!
I know.
Hold this for me.
He and I agreed on it before.
I'm cooking him a farewell dinner
before he leaves for Japan.
Whether three years or five years
Wind or frost, you must endure
My beloved, if you understand
Please bear with it
Women are not lacking in mettle
They swallow their tears
Their pain is unbeknownst to anyone
Lisa, are you still here?
Welcome home.
Ah-chi, why are you here?
Lisa let me in.
Didn't you say you liked my pickled radishes?
I brought over several cans.
Try it first.
Here.
I also made late-night snacks.
I thought I would see you off.
You don't have to do this.
We are friends.
Why are you being so polite?
Relax.
It's a dinner between old friends.
Is it good?
Yes, it's good.
Here, have some shrimp.
This shrimp is my specialty.
You won't find this in Japan.
Here.
Thank you.
You finished your soup?
Have another bowl.
I have had enough.
I will fill it and leave it on the side.
You can have it whenever you want.
Eat the shrimp first.
Why is it so hot?
I know. It's hot.
It might rain tomorrow.
Mr. Nakamura, you are sweating so much.
Here, let me wipe you off.
It's okay.
I'll wipe it for you.
Why are you sweating so much?
Look, even this part is wet.
It's hot, isn't it?
It's dripping inside. Come.
You're so sweaty.
Your clothes are wet. Let me wipe it off.
Here.
Mr. Nakamura.
I really like you.
It smells good.
You're awake?
Do you want coffee?
Sue?
You…
Mr. Nakamura left for work.
He told me to ask you to leave
when you wake up.
But last night--
He apologized to me
for last night.
Apologized?
You threw yourself at him.
Mr. Nakamura couldn't control himself.
He apologized to me.
But I understand.
I have also forgiven him and you.
He can do whatever he wants with me.
Why does he need your forgiveness?
Don't you know he is taking me to Japan?
What?
Mr. Nakamura confessed his feelings to me.
He said he will accept everything about me.
I was touched.
So I agreed.
I came today
to help him organize
the things we are going to send there.
You're kidding me, right?
Am I kidding?
You will see.
Luckily, we took the money that day.
The police are treating it as a burglary.
What should we do?
It's not here either.
Who am I?
If I weren't clever,
how could I have gotten you to fall for me?
However,
I'm still worried about Ms. Sue.
She wouldn't be stupid enough to throw it away, would she?
I know what she is like.
If she really has something on me,
she won't leave me alone.
So it should be at her house?
I'll get it.
You're here on time. That's rare.
Hello, Aunt.
-Hi. -Dad.
-Uncle. -Hi.
-Grandpa. -Hi.
It has been a while. Tzu-wei has grown taller again.
-Grandma. -Good boy.
I have one more dish to make.
It will be ready soon.
Look.
You are so tall.
You are getting taller than me.
Did you come on your own?
Yes.
-Dad. -Tzu-wei.
Father, I'm here.
I'm sorry, everyone.
I was looking for parking.
That made me late. I'm sorry.
What is happening?
Isn't this a farewell before you return to the US?
Why is there an outsider?
It is a farewell for me indeed.
But there are no outsiders.
Yu-nung, don't blame him.
I set up this gathering today.
You wouldn't come if you knew the truth,
so I asked him not to tell you.
Come on, let's eat.
-Let's eat. -Let's eat, Dad.
Mom, Shao-chiang is here. Let's eat.
Mother, this place is famous for its chicken soup.
It has to be reserved.
-No, you drink it. -Try it.
Right, Father.
Is the cane convenient to use?
Yes.
Was the cane expensive?
At first, he was reluctant to use it.
It wasn't much.
All that matters is that Father likes it.
Shao-chiang, the last time we talked,
what did you say your company imports?
Our company's most profitable business
is the import of daily necessities.
We also make some high-tech products
such as integrated circuits and chips.
By the way, our company recently took on some OEM orders
such as shoes
and sporting goods.
I found a factory in the south that does quality work.
Let's work together sometime.
Of course. We're a family.
No, I have to ask you to take good care of me.
Yes, of course.
Come, drink a bit.
What are you doing?
What exactly do you want?
Nothing. What do you want?
You stood me up at the divorce meeting,
sucked up to my family on the sly,
and tricked me and Tzu-wei here.
You must be after something.
Okay, I'll tell you. I'm after something indeed.
I told you. I want to make it up to you and Tzu-wei.
I also told you.
You don't deserve it.
You spoiled the best years of my life.
How will you make up for that?
I did you wrong.
That's why I'm trying really hard.
I came back with money.
If you want,
you can live comfortably
for the rest of your life.
Yu-nung.
If someone makes a mistake,
is he not to be forgiven for the rest of his life?
Not in this life.
I deserve to be punished.
I completely understand
why you're doing this.
I can accept it.
If you really want to make it up to us,
then stay out of our lives.
Give me some time.
I will prove it with time.
We will have many opportunities to get along anyway.
What do you mean?
Who would want to be with you?
Shao-chiang, come and have some tea.
Let's go.
What reason do you have to suspect me?
What is going on?
Does having debt make someone a thief?
Then there are thieves everywhere! Why aren't you arresting them?
No, Ms. Chi.
It's like this.
Everyone in your club
was asked the same questions.
You happened to be absent that day.
That's why we asked you to come.
Do you think I'm stupid?
You obviously suspect me.
Why else would you ask me about loan sharks?
I'm telling you.
I might be poor, but I'm not that shameless!
Watch your attitude.
It's just a procedure. Everyone has to do it.
Just a procedure?
What are the police doing?
Instead of questioning the person who should be arrested,
you're suspecting a good woman like me.
Here, have a smoke.
I'll take that one.
Okay.
Here.
You mentioned a person we should arrest.
Who should be arrested?
Wang Ai-lien.
She is the suspicious one, okay?
She was fired.
Have you considered
the possibility that she came back for revenge?
How can you call yourself a police officer?
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
OCTOBER 6TH, 1988, THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT
Do you know
if your daughter was in close contact with anyone recently?
I only found out recently
that she worked at a club.
I really don't understand
what on earth she is thinking.
If sex work is better than poverty,
how will we teach kids what is right in this society?
Well, we will contact you
as soon as we hear anything.
Thank you.
Our colleagues will take your statement.
Okay.
Have a seat.
Hello? This is Zhongshan Police Station.
Yes. Okay.
I will be right there.
Wen-cheng,
the preliminary autopsy report is out.
SEPTEMBER 22ND, 1988 TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE INCIDENT
Ching-yi.
Is everything okay?
Pretty good.
I will be released next month.
Congratulations.
You finally made it to this day.
After you get out,
start a brand-new life.
Okay?
Ching-yi,
you gave me my life.
If it weren't for you,
I would have died a long time ago.
When I get out, let's have a nice meal together.
I would like to have a meal with you too.
Unfortunately, when you get out,
I might not be here anymore.
Where are you going?
Japan.
You are going to Japan?
After more than 30 years here,
I think I should move somewhere else
and live a different life.
However, whether we meet again or not,
we must take care of ourselves.
That's great.
Welcome!
-Welcome! -Welcome!
Why did you come in from there?
It's for you.
Thank you.
Hello, everyone. Sorry to bother you.
It's a very important day in my life.
It's because
I'm going to propose to Ms. Su Ching-yi.
I would like you all to be my witnesses.
I couldn't be a part of your past.
But in your future,
be it happy or sad,
I will be there.
Sue,
will you marry me?
That diamond ring is so big!
Say yes!
-Say yes! -Marry him!
Say yes!
Say yes.
Yes.
Open the best wine in the club.
Every table gets a bottle on me.
Mr. Nakamura is treating everyone to drinks!
Congratulations!
-Congratulations! -Congratulations!
Congratulations!
-Congratulations! -Congratulations!
Congratulations!
-Congratulations! -Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Typhoons mixed with torrential rain are frequently followed by disaster,
so the fire brigade has called for
residents living in lowland areas or areas near rivers
to be aware of the water level.
If there is an emergency, call 911 and request help immediately.
Every year, heavy rain brought on by the rainy season and typhoons
delivers over 450 mm of rain to the northern regions,
turning Taipei into a flood zone.
The people of Taipei have also
paid a huge price for the deluge.
After Typhoon Lynn last year,
the city took measures to prevent flooding
by opening, widening, and clearing gutters
on streets where water often accumulates,
such as Minsheng East Road, Fujin Street, and the like.
They also reinforced floodways for rivers
such as the Tamsui River and Keelung River.
City Hall pointed out
that flooding every year
is mostly caused by the failure of embankments,
retaining walls, and pumping stations.
So this year's…
What happened?
I'm soaked from buying cigarettes.
The cigarettes are ruined too.
It's raining so heavily.
Are we expecting any guests today?
We should close in this weather.
What's more important? Money or your life?
Today is Ms. Sue's last day at work.
Aren't you sad?
What is there to be sad about?
It's better that she's gone.
I don't ever want to see her face again!
Stop taking my meat!
The lounge room is so crowded.
It would be nice to have more space.
Ms. Rose.
I don't think any customers will come today.
Maybe we should have fun on our own
as a farewell party for Ms. Sue.
What do you say?
It's up to you.
I don't mind.
It's rare not to have any customers.
It's like we're renting the whole place out.
Yes.
Let's take a group photo first.
I happened to bring my camera today. Okay?
-I'll go get it. -Okay.
Welcome.
-Welcome. -Welcome.
Hi.
What brings you here, Aiko?
This is Ms. Sue's last night.
I had to see her off.
A glass.
Since we are all here,
there is something
I want to say to everyone.
Six years ago,
when I first came to Light,
I also started as a hostess.
In the end, I became a Mamasan.
In the process,
hostesses came and went.
The club has come a long way to look like this.
So I hope that after I'm gone,
you can all work together
and get along with Ms. Rose.
Make Light even more prosperous.
Here's to everyone.
I'm leaving Light behind to go to Japan.
I know that upsets you.
But life
is not a never-ending party.
You should understand that's the best, right?
Here's to you.
My best friend.
Thanks to you for taking care of me
for the first half of my life,
I am who I am today.
Come, everyone. Quickly.
You are here too, Aiko?
It's a big reunion.
Let's take a photo together.
Today is Ms. Sue's last night.
We should keep a memento, okay?
Come on.
-Ms. Rose too. -Aiko.
Ah-chi, come on.
Get closer to each other. Here we go.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
OCTOBER 6TH, 1988 THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT
Based on rigor mortis
and body temperature,
the time of death was
between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. yesterday.
As for the cause of death…
The preliminary conclusion is
traumatic intracranial bleeding.
The deceased was hit in the back of the head
with a hard or blunt weapon.
I suggest
investigating it as a homicide.
Su Ching-yi.
Su Ching-yi…
Subtitle translation by: Renee Luk