Time Still Turns the Pages (2023)

[bunniefuu]

Eli Cheng, you rubbish!

Promise yourself!

Study harder!

Get into HKU, okay?

Yes!

We can always talk things out.

There is no need

to get physical.

If something's on your

mind, you can tell me.

You can also tell your

family or your friends,

but you can't just push

someone off the stairs.

Are you okay?

Van Gogh.

This is how your

friends call you,

so I'm also calling

you Van Gogh too.

Sometimes teachers and

students can be friends too.

They are not my friends.

Neither are you.

Please call me:

Vincent.

Okay, Vincent.

What happened here

can get you a demerit.

How about you go write

an apology letter?

Say that you are sorry

for hurting "others".

There's no need to

find my "mother".

She's not in Hong Kong.

Stay focused!

I said you should write

an apology letter.

Say that you are sorry.

I can then tell the

Principal you're regretful,

and perhaps we can

avoid the demerit.

There's no such need!

I'd rather get a demerit.

Bethany, bring him to

the Principal's office.

Honey: "Is the

hippo at your place?

I want it back. Have you

signed the divorce papers?"

"...I want to leave this world"

The janitor said he found

the letter at around 6 p.m.

It was after school hours,

so we couldn't figure

out who wrote this.

Let's find out which student is

struggling with mental health,

and ask that student to

seek help from Halena.

It's hard to teach

the kids nowadays...

They are so fragile and now one

threatens to jump off a building?

"I'm worth nothing to anyone..."

What I'm most worried about is

that students may follow suit.

"I'm worth nothing to anyone..."

Nonetheless, I suggest

we keep this a secret.

Public exam is coming

up in a few months...

If words get spread

out, I'm afraid...

it will affect the

students' emotions

and also their

academic progress.

We must go under the table and

find out who wrote the letter

without publicly

talking about this.

Before we find out who it was,

there's nothing much we can do.

There are times one gets

confused with their emotions.

We've all been there

before, haven't we?

When I was young, I

was a misanthrope too.

Let's hope this was just a...

plagiarized piece of

work from the Internet.

It's actually well written.

Even students from

my elite class

might not be able to

write this eloquently.

Perhaps it's not as

despairing as we think.

Not as despairing as we think?

You f*cking think this letter

was copied from the Internet?

You think it's all a joke?

What if it's real?

As you said, exam is coming

up in a few months time.

What if during the study leave,

the student jumps

off the building?

A student is about

to commit suicide!

How dare you say such bullshit?

You're the vice principal,

for f*ck's sake!

Mr. Cheng?

You've been silent

this whole time.

Any thoughts?

I suggest to seek help

from a trustworthy student.

After all, we

teachers won't know

the students as deeply

as they know each other.

Today, I looked

around the classroom.

There was no one that

I couldn't let go of.

I just want them to

notice that I'm gone

without judging me.

Even my ex-boyfriend

didn't know.

I'm sick of this life

most of the time.

I'd brighten up a

little when I'm in love,

which was the only time that

I could leave this feeling.

But nobody should share

this burden with me.

Some of the classmates

who knew me...

may be upset for a day or two.

Some teachers may

grieve for a week or so.

My mom might find it hard

to take for a few years,

but she has my father with her.

They will pull

through eventually.

Some people

are curious of how

things will turn out.

They are able to persist

in bad situations,

live through it...

and continue with their journey.

I'm not those types.

It means nothing to me how

the world turns out to be.

I'm just exhausted with life.

I can't sleep,

and am drained just thinking

about ending my life.

It doesn't matter how

good a relationship is.

It will deteriorate over time.

Criticizing and hurting each

other are all we are left with.

I'm worth nothing to anyone.

I would be easily forgotten,

and it's for the better.

Understood.

But Mr. Cheng,

Why would you believe

it's a girl who wrote it?

She wrote about her

ex-boyfriend in the letter.

Halena, can we show it to her?

Even so, it could also be a boy.

"I'm worth nothing to anyone.

I would be easily forgotten."

Dear Diary,

my name is Eli Cheng.

I'm your new owner.

I've decided to write an

entry every day from today.

Because yesterday,

I went with my parents to watch

my brother perform at school.

Don't blame your

failure on misfortunes.

I was born poor.

But,

I was more hardworking

than the rich kids.

Opportunities favor

the prepared minds.

Hard work might not

bring you success,

but laziness definitely

leads to failure.

Thank you!

Thank you, Chairman of

our alumni association:

Senior Counsel Mr. Hung Cheng.

Please also give a round

of applause to his wife,

Mrs. Heidi Cheng,

who donated a hundred

thousand dollars to

the "Joint School Event:

Walk for Millions".

What a performance, Alan!

I hope he could keep up

this standard academically

and studies at HKU, like Felix.

He's been doing great, always

in the top three in class.

Make sure to keep it

up until University.

Mr. Principal, any advice

on bringing up a bright kid?

Felix has this habit of

writing his diary every day.

It really helped with

his language studies.

He would often show

me what he wrote,

which enhanced our

father-and-son relationship.

Looks like you should

start writing your diary

and share it with us,

okay?

Mom, your cup of water.

Thank you, Eli.

It's "glass"!

Huh?

It's a "glass" of

water, not "cup"!

Don't speak English if you

don't know the language.

What a piece of rubbish!

"PIRATE"

"Hang in there!"

"One day, you'll grow into

the person you want to be...

Don't give up!"

You signed the return slip.

Don't you dare to say

it's not your idea.

Where on earth would

you get the money?

You want your credit

cards cancelled?

I told you it was a

misunderstanding...

Our son has written my

name instead of yours.

I just signed those return

slips as he gave them to me.

You think I'm an idiot?

I know what you're up to.

Would you ever miss chances

to steal the spotlight?

If you don't believe me,

there's nothing I can say.

I'm not done!

Think you are so great?

Remember this,

I own everything in this house!

Don't!

Don't you dare think having

another kid will save you!

Please!

We're lucky to have

one that's smart.

What if you give birth

to another idiot!

What are you crying about?

You think it's easy

to be the breadwinner?

I'm the one making money!

And I haven't drop a tear yet!

Why aren't you asleep?

Reading comics?

Reading comics?

Reading comics!

Reading comics!

Read it!

Read it!

"Hang in there!"

Yes...

Continue to sleep. You'll be more

focused after getting enough rest.

No! I must get up!

Look at you,

looks like you've

got a bad hair day.

Freak!

You want to buy that?

Fat Principal said

writing in a diary can

get me as smart as his son

and therefore into HKU.

Starting today, I will

be writing every day,

and hope my grades will

get better and better.

My dad would then

stop beating me.

Where should I start?

Let me start with

an introduction.

Dear Diary,

my name is Eli Cheng.

I'm your new owner.

I've decided to write an

entry every day from today...

Hang in there! One day, you'll grow

into the person you want to be.

Now that you are

keeping a diary,

soon you will achieve more

than your brother and father.

Is that possible when you're

always distracting me?

Shut up!

You shut up! What

time is it right now?

Go ahead and sleep.

I'll protect you.

The monster under the bed

wouldn't dare to come out.

YOU are the monster!

I helped to make all these.

Omelette is for mom.

Right, honey,

any updates from the new school?

d*ck keeps asking if we'd

be moving to Kowloon Tong.

What new school?

I can switch school? Great!

It's your brother, not you.

Which school? I want

to go there too.

He's going to Wa

Salle Primary School.

You?

You're lucky to be able

to stay where you are.

Mom and dad

I promise

in the next exam...

I would get into...

top ten.

What if I can really do it?

Then do even better.

Getting into top ten

is too hard for you.

How about this? If you get

into top fifteen in your class,

you get the same pocket

money as your brother,

and I'll bring you two to

Disneyland in California.

Alan, you have to help

push your brother, okay?

You can't go either if he fails.

Then we definitely

won't be going.

Great! It's been two

years and three months...

since the last time

we've been to USA.

Your calculation for

these things are so quick.

Why isn't your math

as good academically?

Here are the results

of Eli's last exams.

He did quite well with Chinese,

scored 61. English, 54.

He could do better

with Math though, 48.

So what's his ranking?

The 29th in class, through

the same grade he's...

Forget it, I know he didn't

do well in his exams.

Eli, do you normally

feel a lot of pressure?

I'm sorry.

Miss Leung is asking if

you feel a lot of pressure.

No... I don't.

What you are studying next year

will be the same as this year,

but you still need

to study hard.

Okay?

Miss Leung, what do you mean...

by next year being

the same as this year?

Eli said he has

informed his parents...

He has to repeat a year...

and cannot proceed

to the next grade.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Thank you for your help.

Don't mention it. We've

known each other for so long.

Thank you.

Alan, I'll be seeing

you next week.

You guys are back?

Come here, Eli.

This is Principal Yeung from Wa Salle

Primary School. Come and say hi.

Hello, Principal 'Leung'.

Eli, Lina will take you

out for dinner tonight.

We will be spending time

with Principal Yeung.

What about Alan?

Principal Yeung would like

to know more about Alan.

You go for dinner first.

Lina, take him to dinner.

Take a bite.

I'm sorry... please don't.

Please don't... I'm sorry...

Running away?

Please don't... I'm sorry...

Running away?

I'm sorry...

Running away?

I'm sorry...

Listen to what you just played.

Do you hear the

difference from Alan?

Do you hear it?

Yes...

Mr. Cheng, It's not

like what you think.

This song is hard to

play even for adults.

The left hand has to

play the eighth notes

while the right has

to play triplets...

How come Alan can do it then?

Different people have

different capabilities...

You have to play the

entire song next time.

Take it easy.

"Rverie" is really hard.

Not everyone can play

it right from the start.

But dad has already paid for

so many months for me to learn.

A few months are not that long.

It's very long.

Amongst all my students,

You're one of the

most hardworking kids.

So what if I'm hardworking?

I'm not like my

brother, who is smart.

Everyone's different.

I want to be just

like my brother.

If I can properly

play the entire song,

does that mean I can

be a teacher like you?

I will be a good

teacher in the future.

Even if my students hand

in their homework late...

or play the piano badly,

I would not punish them.

I will ask them...

Is there anything

upsetting you? or...

What stopped you from

doing your homework?

Like that.

I'm not a teacher at school,

but I do think Eli...

will grow up to

be a good teacher.

Why?

Because...

you care about your students.

You believe yelling

is not the only way.

Your students will

listen to you,

because you treat them well.

Let's do this again.

You play the left hand.

I'll play the right hand, okay?

I really like Miss Chan.

Although I still suck

at playing the piano,

with her encouragement

and support,

I believe I can play the

entire song by myself soon.

Just like her,

I can become a good teacher.

Weren't you really

brave last time?

Are you mute now?

Eat the mud, van Gogh!

Why are you so quiet?

You got a little fight in you!

Your mum gave birth to

such a piece of trash!

Running away?

Trying to run?

Stop!

Stop!

Van Gogh, get up!

I was always fighting at

school when I was young.

Switched schools three

times in four years.

I was not a good student.

It is normal to have emotions,

but van Gogh,

we must learn to deal with

these difficult situations.

Do you understand?

Mr. Cheng,

mind your own business.

The entire school

knows you got divorced.

Why are you still

wearing your ring?

"I'll continue to talk to the

students. Do you have any news?"

"No..."

I heard from Mr. Lai that

you haven't participated

in PE class for a year.

You were either having your

period or were not feeling well.

Bethany,

we have discussed

about other students,

but you seldom talk

about yourself.

Why are you not

joining PE class?

I know what you guys are doing.

I didn't cut my wrist.

Really, I skip PE class

because I'm always ill.

How long has it been since you

last let yourself out freely?

You can spit out anything,

especially things you

can't say at home.

Halena, it's your turn.

Emm... I'm good.

I think I'm not as

stressed as you both.

I'm okay.

Bethany?

My scars are not new.

The problem I had was resolved and

I don't want to bring it up again.

I also don't want anyone to

know that I cut my wrist.

But that doesn't mean...

you didn't write that letter.

It really wasn't me,

but I like hanging

out with you both.

Maybe I just want

to talk to someone.

Thank you for spending

time with me today.

So... who could have written it?

Could it be van Gogh?

Mr. Cheng, please stop

calling him van Gogh.

Do you know how Vincent

got this nickname?

Vincent has hearing impairment.

Although it's quite mild,

he and his family don't

want anyone to know it.

People call him "van Gogh"

because Vincent van Gogh

only has one ear.

Van Gogh

Can you hear today?

You have to use sign language,

or speak louder!

You f*cking deaf...

Do I need to speak even louder?

The monster is enormous this

time, but I'm not afraid!

It's your turn to think

of what to eat tonight.

Wait a minute.

Oh no, I'm suddenly

really sleepy.

Why are you mimicking

a man's voice?

I forgot to tell you, I'm cast

as the male lead this time.

Really?

Yes!

Congrats!

But do you mind changing

back to your own voice?

Stop interrupting my sleep!

Prepare to die!

He even arranged them

by date and country.

I've never seen this kid this

organized in his homework.

Do you need to talk

to his parents?

Yes, he was caught selling

porn videos at school!

It's too loud.

You're turned on?

I'm sorry.

Stop telling me you're sorry!

Why?

Why are you still

keeping secrets?

Even we're married?

Now you say you

are not ready and

it's not the right time yet.

I thought you'd be happy...

I thought you will

be a great father.

I'm sorry...

You will never be ready.

I'll go to the doctor tomorrow.

Dear Sherry,

It's been a while.

Are you still working

as a voice actress?

I hope I can still

hear your voice

on television.

There's something

I want to tell you.

Recently, a student of mine...

wrote a suicide note.

I've been trying to

find out who wrote it.

There's a sentence in

the suicide note that

"I'm worth nothing to anyone..."

reminds me of what happened

when I was a child.

Which tankbon are you on?

I'm really studying!

Reported by Scarlet Nip.

Local news: A man jumped off

a building in this morning

and was declared

dead at the hospital.

The deceased is popular local

manga artist Tse Wing To.

He was known for his

best-selling manga "PIRATE" which

has a record of two hundred thousand

books sold for a single issue.

The manga industry was

stricken by the death of Tse,

as peers praise "PIRATE"

as an inspirational work.

Hurry up!

Hey, hurry up!

It's now 2 p.m.

You have forty-five minutes

to finish the test...

starting now.

Are you alright?

What's going on? What

took you so long?

Are you okay?

Are you feeling better?

If you feel better, go

back and do your test.

Mrs. Cheng, I think Eli...

He's fine.

Miss Leung, please

give him another chance

and let him retake the

test, say tomorrow.

Mom, I can't sleep at night

and I feel very tired in class.

You fell asleep

without noticing.

You're not tired.

Miss Leung said you're

easily distracted.

No, mommy...

I saw on TV that 8 hours

of sleep is a must,

but I can only sleep for

less than 5 hours lately.

Maybe you can take me to one

of those... psychiatrists?

You feel tired and so you

want to see a psychiatrist?

Son, that's not what

psychiatrists are for.

Psychiatrists treat people

who have mental issues.

It's for the nutcases!

Are you a nutcase?

When I'm upset,

I'd read "PIRATE".

"PIRATE" always says...

"You'll grow up one day...

and become the person you want."

"Don't give up!"

I'd feel better when I read it.

But now, "PIRATE" will not

have another issue anymore.

I always thought the manga

artist was a happy man.

Why would he k*ll himself?

Did he not grow

into the person that

he wanted to be?

Eli Cheng,

for heaven's sake!

You're already repeating a year,

and you still sleep in class?

I'm sorry.

Eli Cheng, stand up!

Stay standing till

the end of the class.

Miss Leung, I can't

see the blackboard

with him standing

in front of me.

Eli Cheng, go stand

at the corner!

Quiet down!

His dad's gonna

beat him up tonight.

I wonder if he can

sleep while standing.

How can you learn with

your face to the wall?

Turn to face the class!

Do you remember what

you promised mommy?

Why are you crying?

You'll have a new one

if you get good grades.

I don't want a new one!

Lina.

Thank you.

Heidi.

Uncle.

Simon.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Eli Cheng?

Hello.

Simon will be

teaching you piano.

Can I take a look

at the piano, uncle?

Sure.

Where's Miss Chan?

Miss Chan just graduated

for a few years.

She can't teach.

No, she's a great teacher!

If she's good, you'd

be able to play.

Wrong note. Again.

Wrong note. Again.

Again.

I want Miss Chan!

Heidi, learning piano is tough.

Let's continue after

he stops crying.

I want Miss Chan!

It's all my fault.

If I can play better,

Daddy wouldn't have

sacked Miss Chan.

I miss Miss Chan so much.

I'm afraid that I

won't see her again.

Secretary Zoey: "Mr. Cheng

fainted two days ago.

Please come to the hospital

ASAP. He wants to see you."

Is it you,

Zoey?

son?

You came.

Have a seat.

Mr. Cheng? Mr. Cheng.

Come sit.

It's okay, don't bother.

I bought dim sum.

This is dim sum

made out of fish.

It's young people's favourite.

This is dim sum with shrimps.

This is dim sum with quail eggs.

Be careful, it's hot.

How have you been lately?

Nothing much.

Stop causing trouble at school.

Every time you get expelled,

I need to take a day-off

to come to your school.

I'm very busy and you...

Thank you.

Have a dim sum.

I'm not hungry.

I ordered Pu'er tea!

You mixed up such

a simple order?

I'm really sorry,

it's our fault.

We'll change it immediately.

It's not "we", it's just YOU!

I'm sorry.

'Yeung Chung Yiu'

I'll remember your name!

I'm sorry.

Mr. Cheng, have a bite!

Thanks. I'm good.

I'm not hungry.

Was it really serious

the other day?

- Yes.

- No.

Since you're fine,

I'm leaving.

So soon? Can you stay

for a bit longer?

I've got work to do.

Mr. Cheng,

Mr. Cheng, can you

wait for a sec?

The doctor said your father's

condition is in a critical stage.

He shouldn't eat

anything greasy.

He ate only because

you're here today.

He looks okay to me.

Normally he doesn't

look as good.

If anything happens to him,

he still has you around.

Pardon me,

I really do have

things to settle today.

I'll be back some other time.

"Student, 17-year-old,

found dead."

"...he studied at a traditional

elite boys school..."

"Young people nowadays

can't take any stress!"

"Has he thought of his family

before k*lling himself."

"You b*stards."

Depression is not a choice,

he couldn't look

after himself already,

and you still want

him to take care...

of others' feelings?

Don't you think

that's too harsh?

I don't know how to

do. Can you teach me?

No, I need to sleep.

If you teach me,

I'll take you to a secret place.

I found this place...

where we can shout

and no one cares.

What? How is that fun?

Have you tried yelling

from the top of your lungs?

No and I'm not interested.

Not interested?

You can spit out things

that you can't say at home.

Let's buy it secretly

and don't let mom

and dad find out.

Wow, you've got that

much pocket money?

My name is Eli Cheng!

Look, meteor!

No, it's a star.

It's a meteor!

A star!

Meteor!

I'm a piece of rubbish!

I don't want to study

anymore. It's so boring!

What? You don't like studying?

I'm good at studying,

doesn't mean I like it.

What are you both doing up here?

It's a rooftop!

What if something happens

to your little brother?

How did you get so

much money for toys?

Did you steal it?

I didn't steal it!

And your brother would steal?

Why can't you give

this family some peace?

Do you know how

hard it is for me?

How should I explain

this to your dad?

If I get divorced,

it is because of you.

We've been treating you well.

I told your dad to

take you with us to LA

even though you have

to repeat a year.

It's all gone now.

You're staying behind to study.

You're grounded!

Mommy, if I have to

repeat again next year,

what should I do?

Then don't call me mommy.

I finished my homework.

So?

I'm sorry.

You're already twelve years old.

Have you ever thought

about your future?

I'm only ten...

It's okay not to

get good grades,

but what other

talents do you have?

None. Well, you

look cute, for now.

Your name is Eli,

meaning "high" or "uplifted".

If I knew better, you'd be Alan

("precious") and your brother Eli.

What now?

Do you want to work

at McDonald's or 7-11?

Or just hold on to us for life?

I don't have hopes for you

to study at Ivy

League Universities,

but you will be a total loser.

I'm sorry.

There are many ways

to raise a kid.

One is punishment by beating,

all the other ways are futile.

One has to suffer and

endure to be successful.

This is why I make much more

money than your mother.

If you wish to be

a piece of rubbish,

that's fine by me.

You're not talented,

but forgive me,

I'm not an educator either.

I will study hard with Alan

and get into top

fifteen in class.

Whatever.

I won't beat you anymore.

It's a waste of time.

Good news: Daddy

won't beat me anymore.

Bad news: They seem

to be very upset.

I think...

If I leave this

family one day...

Daddy and Mommy

won't get divorced.

The three of them

including Alan will...

live happily ever after.

Alan...

can we talk?

No, I need to sleep.

I need to wake up early

for the flight to USA.

I'll ask Mommy to buy you

some toys when we arrive.

Are you done?

I really need to sleep!

"PIRATE" always encourages

me to hang in there...

but I know for a fact that...

no matter how much effort

I put into studying...

I still can't move

on to the next grade.

I can't play the piano properly.

Even if I become a

teacher when I grow up,

I won't be as

successful as Alan.

I knew a long time ago...

I won't grow up to be

the person I want to be.

I'm worth nothing.

No one will remember...

who I am soon after I'm gone.

Goodbye, Diary.

I'm sorry.

"Hang in there."

We need to bring Eli

with us on our next trip.

Sherry, I never told you

I have an elder brother.

He committed suicide

when he was ten.

I was so focused on studying and

didn't spend much time with him.

I actually don't have

much memory about him,

but I remember he once said he

wanted to be a good teacher...

because he wanted to

be like Miss Chan.

I saw Miss Chan at the funeral.

She was devastated and guilt-stricken.

But she shouldn't be...

She was the only person who

treated my brother nicely.

I started to think...

maybe I can be like

her in the future...

to be a teacher who

cares about students.

From that day onwards...

I stop caring about

Daddy's expectations.

It's no longer important

whether or not I can be

the lawyer or doctor

he wants me to be.

Sometimes, I feel

Eli is still around.

When I can't sleep,

I would read his diary and...

imagine what he was thinking.

"I'm worth nothing to anyone..."

After a while,

Daddy and Mommy

started to avoid mentioning Eli.

Perhaps this was their

way to move on and

leave it all behind.

Just like what Eli has said,

everyone would forget

about him quickly.

I did the same.

From that day onwards I

secretly kept his diary,

but I wouldn't dare

to read it again.

I guess I probably wanted to...

leave this behind as well.

Daddy told everyone

Eli died of illness.

If people knew he

committed suicide,

it would imply we have

treated him badly.

What a pity, Hung

loved him so much.

No. That's not the one who died.

Oh, the one who's stupid?

Keep it down.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

Come, son.

Mommy, what about me?

Mommy...

Mom didn't say a word to me

when she left.

I really wish she

would tell me how

I could go on with my life.

We used to have breakfast

as a family of four,

and go on trips together.

But in the end...

I felt I had been left alone

in this family.

When I was in high school,

I met your brother.

Everyone treated me well.

We always hung out together

But I never believed

we could be friends for life,

because there's no

such thing as forever.

Everyone will eventually

walk out on you.

I'd rather isolate

myself and live alone...

than have people

abandoning me again.

I thought I would

be lonely forever...

until the day I met you.

I need to go pee.

Why are you crying, hippo?

I'm very hungry.

How about we have some

chips? Just two though!

The way you voiced hippo

reminded me of my brother.

He used to love

voicing his doll too.

But unfortunately,

he didn't have the chance to

study and hang out

with friends...

and meet girls.

At that moment, I felt...

I should cherish

everyone I meet.

There're only a few

more chips left.

You're really just having two.

Don't be embarrassed.

I have a friend

who also talks with his doll.

I'm not embarrassed.

Apparently it's you.

The "friend" you

mention, is that you?

My name is Sherry.

Do you remember...

I used to always come

pick you up from school.

You were not surprised and

were excited every time.

It made me want to

see you more often.

I'm a quiet person,

but I feel like I

can talk anything

when I'm with you.

I once said I was raised in a single-parent

family but it didn't affect me.

"I'm all good."

I'm not sure why I

would tell such a lie.

Later,

your family decided to

leave Hong Kong permanently.

I never told you

how much I like you.

Because I think you

deserve someone...

who can make you happy. Not me.

The night you left,

I kept thinking...

that we will probably

never meet again.

I won't be in touch with you.

My brother apologized

to me one day.

He said he told you

where my school is.

He didn't tell me voluntarily.

I forced him to.

He always asks me if

you're treating me well.

What did you say?

I said,

you treat me really well.

But you are not happy at all.

You have to let me know...

once you're ready.

Years later, I found out you

came back to Hong Kong...

but at that time we were

both seeing someone.

When I saw you in the street

I knew...

you remembered me.

It took me a long time

to gather up the courage

to reconnect with you.

You said no matter

who you were seeing,

you kept wondering how I was.

I told you the same.

(from secretary Zoey)

Dim sum?

Yes.

Dad...

I'm here.

Mr. Cheng always told me

to fix this cassette tape.

But as it's been

played so many times,

it can't be fixed.

Did you learn piano

when you're small?

Yes.

I remember when I

first took this job,

the cassette tape can

still be played properly.

I heard it once.

I guess it was you playing

the piano for your dad.

You said...

"Dad, you listen...

I can finally play

the entire song."

You played really

clumsily though...

but Mr. Cheng listened

intently to the entire song.

That was...

the only time I

saw Mr. Cheng cry.

I think...

he loves you so much.

Thank you...

Thank you for telling me this.

How are you feeling?

If you need to go to toilet,

I can take you.

The doctor told me

about your condition.

Is there anything

you want to tell me?

Anything on your mind?

I might not be able

to help, but I...

I will stay by your side.

Take your time.

You... still remember...

Eli?

I already forgot how

he looked like...

I only remember he

always said to me...

"I'm sorry"...

I always dream of Eli.

I would ask him:

"How's your study going?"

How's work?

"Are your students

giving you any trouble?"

There's a lot I wish to ask him.

There's a lot I

wish to tell him.

I wish to apologize to him.

Why didn't I talk to him?

Why didn't I let

him hug me longer?

You're smoking again?

Yes.

Picked up a while ago.

So now too.

Yes.

Sherry.

I remember after Eli passed on,

I hated my dad.

But what had hurt Eli the most

was not that Dad

beat him everyday.

It's that none of us ever

treated him as a family.

As a little brother, I would

only pretend to be good.

I never tried

lending him a hand,

because I too

looked down on him.

Joke's on me... I

didn't grow up to be

a successful person either.

I'm not a good teacher and...

I'm a terrible husband.

You once asked me

why I was still keeping

secrets to myself.

I dared not say

it out back then.

I don't think I could

bring you happiness.

I don't even know what

a proper family is like.

How can people like

me be a good father?

We're ready.

Okay.

A teacher from a nearby

school told me...

they found a suicide

note written by

an anonymous student.

They're not sure who wrote it,

and are very worried.

Today is our last class

before the public exam.

I know it has been

tough to you all

as these examinations

create a lot of pressure.

Even if I'm no longer your

teacher in the future,

I still wish every one of you

safe and sound.

I myself didn't grow up

in a proper family.

I always hoped that

there will be a teacher

who notices that

I'm unhappy, and

sends me love and support

from time to time.

But this teacher

never showed up,

because at that time I

often shut myself off.

Thinking back now,

I was pretty dumb.

As long as you're

willing to open up,

there must be someone who cares.

I'm your head teacher.

I remember all twenty-five

of your names.

Each and everyone.

Besides being your teacher,

I can also be your friend.

This is my number.

If any of you need

to talk to someone,

you can always contact me.

Goodbye, Tania.

Goodbye, Mila.

Goodbye, Bethany.

Goodbye.

Vincent.

Goodbye.

See you.

"Mr. Cheng, can we talk?"

"Of course. Do you want to

text or talk face to face?"