Early Spring in February, China's Centennial Film Classics, Text and Images

Author: Yao Kang (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: October 1, 2006
Features: After the New Year, the weather gradually warms up. Everywhere in the fields, new sprouts push through the soil, and from a distance, it truly is a scene of "green grass seen from afar but invisible up close." The willow branches also begin to turn green, and with the mist over the river adding to the effect, it takes on a somewhat "exquisite misty willows" atmosphere. However, these views are not visible on the general deck of the ferry heading to Furong Town. The general deck is a completely different world, crowded with people. Most of them are merchants and peddlers traveling between cities and towns, as well as village women and elderly women who come to the "Women's Mountain" to pray and worship. The entire deck buzzes with talk about the weather, harvest prospects, market prices, and business conditions, as well as random discussions about Buddha and Bodhisattvas, occasionally punctuated by the laughter or crying of children. Adding to this is the thick and thin smoke from the endless pipes and water pipes, making the general deck so crowded that there is no space left. Despite the smoky and stuffy atmosphere, almost everyone seems content, as if this is how traveling by boat should be. Only a young man squeezed against the left side of the deck stands out from the surroundings. He is in his late twenties and dressed like a Western-style student. The old suitcase at his feet is covered with shipping labels from places like Beijing, Wuhan, and Shanghai, indicating he has traveled to several locations. He endure the crowd with a composed demeanor, only occasionally turning his head toward the window in search of some fresh air.
Next to him, a fat merchant-looking man keeps dozing off, his round head repeatedly resting on the young man's shoulder. Though not snoring loudly, his heavy breathing, especially the occasional trickle of saliva and the muffled "hah" sound he makes while exhaling, becomes increasingly unbearable for the young man. He keeps shaking his shoulders or bending down to try to avoid the weight and the drool. When the fat man's head falls off, he is briefly startled, his eyes opening with a hint of surprise. It seems to him that resting his head on the shoulder is perfectly normal, while avoiding it is inconsiderate. Thus, the fat man dozes off even more boldly, justifying his actions with the shoulder as his pillow while also exhaling more saliva and making continuous "hah" sounds.
Finally, the young man reaches his limit. He struggles to pull himself free from the crowd and pushes his way out of the general deck. On the deck, the scent of spring and the pleasant views on both banks fill him with a sense of renewal. He greedily breathes in the fresh air and stretches his stiff body, his mood gradually clearing. His name is Xiao Jianqiu, and he has been invited by the principal of Furong Town Middle School to teach there. The tranquil and peaceful spring atmosphere and scenery evoke the beauty he had long been separated from, making him feel that this journey was the right decision.
A small orange rolls to Xiao Jianqiu's feet. He bends down, picks it up, and looks up to see a girl of about seven or eight standing before him. Her gaze is pure and untainted, like the spring in his heart. The spring looks at him, reaching deep into his soul, stirring up an inexplicable sense of emotion and pain. He gently places the orange in the girl's hand, his eyes following her as she runs toward her mother, and finally settles on the mother herself. The mother sits facing the river, resting on her luggage, still holding a two-year-old boy in her arms.