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[DUBBED] Beyond Death, Bound by the Red Veil - Short Drama Full HD 720p #ADB
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Grandpa was used to being spoiled. One day, he visited Dad in a dream and urged him to kill Grandma.
00:07Dad ignored Grandpa, but all our livestock died that night.
00:11The next day, Dad kneels in front of Grandma.
00:14Dad wants you in the underworld.
00:16I quickly stop him. Grandma is alive and well. We can't do this. Dad slaps me hard.
00:22This is what Dad wants!
00:24I freeze as I stare at Grandma.
00:27Grandpa was always mean to her. He'd never done chores in 70 years, and he regularly hit Grandma.
00:34He even made her cook when she was sick, while nitpicking her dishes.
00:38Grandma only enjoyed.
00:39Eight days of peace. Dad is still nagging.
00:43Dad needs you with him. You've been with him for over 50 years. You can't leave him alone.
00:49After our chickens died, Dad wants to cook them, but they don't have blood in them.
00:54Dad thinks Grandpa's punishing us.
00:57Our livestock are dead. It's a warning from Dad.
01:01At this rate, who knows what'll happen.
01:04I can't listen to this anymore.
01:06We need a priest to deal with Grandpa.
01:09Mom covers my mouth, but Dad immediately kicks me.
01:13Mom married Dad.
01:14Dad. She should serve him forever.
01:18I'm doing the right thing by reuniting them.
01:22Dad has me thrown into the shed. Then, he tosses a rope at Grandma's feet.
01:27Mom, it's time to make a choice.
01:29I starve for a night. The next morning, someone opens the door.
01:33Then, Grandma hands me a bowl of rice.
01:37Eat it now. I made it for you in secret.
01:40I'm so moved that I tear up, as I eat a mouthful of rice.
01:44But something feels very wrong.
01:46The rice feels mushy, and falls apart at the lightest bite.
01:50I spit it out, take a closer look, and almost throw up.
01:54I am munching on a bowl of worms.
01:56Grandma inspects the bowl and panics.
01:58It's mostly worms.
02:00It's newly harvested rice.
02:03Why are there worms?
02:05That's when Dad storms in.
02:07He ignores me, drags Grandma to the kitchen, and opens the rice container's lid.
02:13When he sees her freezing, he says in frustration,
02:18Mom, there's no time. We'll starve to death if you don't do it.
02:22The army's requisitioning grain now. We can't support dead weights.
02:27Grandma sheds tears.
02:28She looks up, her gaze pleading.
02:31I don't want to die.
02:34Dad stomps his foot helplessly.
02:36Although war is raging outside, he's just a farmer who doesn't dare to kill.
02:41Mom suggests gingerly.
02:43Let's consult Winnie on this. There might be another way.
02:47Hope stirs in my heart.
02:49Winnie is the best fortune teller around.
02:51She and Grandma go way back.
02:53Surely she'll help her.
02:55She shows up in black.
02:56What she said shatters my last hope.
03:00Your mom has to die.
03:02People will die if you drag this out.
03:05Dad immediately goes pale.
03:06Am I still safe then?
03:08Winnie pauses and says icily,
03:10You're his son, even if Todd doesn't kill you.
03:14He'll blame you for this.
03:16He could easily make you fall sick or break your leg.
03:19Dad looks at Grandma and says bitterly,
03:22Mom, did you hear Winnie?
03:24You've lived long enough.
03:26Why drag me down with you?
03:28Grandma immediately looks guilty.
03:30I'm furious.
03:31I thought Winnie would help Grandma, but she wants Grandma dead.
03:35Dad must have bribed her and made her say this.
03:38I gave Winnie a hard shove.
03:40You're a lunatic.
03:42Get out of here now.
03:43Dad immediately slaps me again.
03:45Mom stands in front of me.
03:47She looks at Winnie, worried.
03:49Can't we make some offering to Dad and appease him?
03:53Winnie sighs and shakes her head.
03:55Petra's cared for him a long time.
03:57He won't accept anything but her.
04:00Then Dad and Winnie look at Grandma with pleading eyes.
04:04Grandma lowers her head and cries harder.
04:07I break free from Mom.
04:08Push Winnie aside and say to Grandma,
04:12Don't fall for their tricks.
04:13It's utter nonsense.
04:16Then Dad locks me in the shed again.
04:19I hear Winnie saying,
04:20Husbands and wives are bound forever.
04:23I'll talk to her and make her see reason.
04:26Then she leads Grandma to the bedroom.
04:29Time drags on in the shed and I never stop crying.
04:32After a long time, I hear Dad's voice.
04:35This is Mom's funeral clothes.
04:37Put it on for her.
04:38Mom nods in response.
04:40Is Grandma dead?
04:41Instead, I bang on the door, begging to be freed.
04:44Eventually, the doors opened.
04:46Mom tells me to say farewell to Grandma.
04:49Grandma is dressed in red.
04:50The red mark on her neck is unnerving.
04:53I break down crying over her.
04:55Mom quickly pulls me aside.
04:57If your tears drop on her dead body, she can't move on.
05:01Let her rest in peace.
05:04Winnie grabs me, wipes my tears and says,
05:07Petra's best days are still ahead of her.
05:10It's sickening.
05:11Then why doesn't Winnie kill herself?
05:14I break free from her grip.
05:17Winnie pretends to stop me.
05:18But she wipes the tears on Grandma's clothes.
05:21I'm alarmed, but before I could scream,
05:26Dad walks in.
05:27He glances at Grandma and freezes.
05:29Where are the burial clothes?
05:31Why is she in a red outfit?
05:33Mom looks at Winnie frantically.
05:35Winnie says calmly,
05:37It's necessary.
05:39Todd asked for Petra.
05:41They have to get married again.
05:43Dad is frustrated.
05:45Put her in a casket so Dad can have a-
05:47Let's end this.
05:49Then everyone looks at Grandma.
05:52Mom yelps and collapses to the floor.
05:54I'm overjoyed when I see what happened.
05:57I dive at her.
05:59She's alive.
06:00She has somehow sat up.
06:01And her eyes are fixed at the doorway.
06:04Dad freezes in fear.
06:07I tug at Grandma's sleeves.
06:09But she merely stares ahead, motionlessly.
06:13Winnie eases Grandma back down.
06:15She leans close to Grandma and mumbles,
06:17before closing Grandma's eyes.
06:20Grandma remains still.
06:21Winnie combs Grandma's hair and says,
06:24After death, muscle spasms can occur.
06:27It's normal for a body to sit up.
06:30Dad is relieved.
06:31He says,
06:32All right.
06:33Put her in the casket then.
06:35Winnie says Grandma is already dead.
06:37And that she'll reunite with Grandpa soon.
06:40She wonders if he senses her arrival.
06:42On this night, the animals are quiet and the grains are clean.
06:47We watch over Grandma's casket until dawn.
06:50The villagers lay her casket into a hole next to Grandpa's grave.
06:55Even in death, Grandma has to wait on the man who tortured her.
06:59How depressing!
07:00I burst into tears before going off into the mountain alone.
07:04The sky darkens and I realize I'm lost.
07:08I'm hungry and cold.
07:10Grandma passed away and left me too.
07:12I fall apart and break down in tears.
07:15Someone stops in front of me.
07:17I looked up and saw Winnie, who's in a red outfit.
07:20She reaches out.
07:21Someone's getting married nearby.
07:23I'm the matchmaker.
07:24There's good food there.
07:26I want to shout at her.
07:28But I find myself following her.
07:30Guests stand scattered around in the avenue.
07:33The bride wears a veil, fidgeting with a red cloth.
07:36Winnie steps forward, holds the bride's hand, and asks,
07:40Where's the groom?
07:42Get him out here, so the wedding can proceed.
07:45Then an old man is shoved out.
07:48He's trembling like a leaf, cowering and hiding.
07:51I'm not the groom.
07:53Everyone ignore him and bring him to the bride.
07:57I'm shocked when I see the old man's face.
08:00Turns out that old man is my grandpa.
08:02A white lantern suddenly lit.
08:04I quickly covered my eyes.
08:06Then, Winnie pushes grandpa to the ground.
08:09I need someone younger for Petra.
08:13She grabs someone from the crowd.
08:16It's dad.
08:17He flails his arms, shouting,
08:20No!
08:21Suddenly, he turns around and points at me.
08:23She's what you want.
08:25I jolt awake.
08:26Mom's anxiously by my bedside.
08:28Our relatives are huddled.
08:30Around another bed in the room,
08:31I give mom a confused look.
08:33She says,
08:34You passed out at the grave.
08:36I carried you home.
08:38Trent tripped on grass and broke his legs.
08:41Grandma passed away shortly after grandpa.
08:44Dad's legs are broken.
08:45Mom makes nourishing soup for dad every day.
08:49After he finishes it,
08:51he hits her with anything he can find.
08:53It's your fault my legs are broken.
08:56Dad never stops cursing.
08:58Mom has had enough,
08:59and moves him onto grandma's room.
09:01That evening,
09:03dad turns in early due to a headache.
09:05At night, I go to the restroom.
09:07When I pass by dad's room,
09:09I hear plastic bags rustling inside.
09:11Thinking it's a burglar,
09:13I sneak into the room.
09:14But what I see,
09:15send chills down my spine.
09:17I see two legs dangling midair,
09:19swaying back and forth.
09:21Someone's hanging from above.
09:22Her red shoes hitting dad's head.
09:24That is grandma's.
09:25Even if she's a ghost now,
09:27I still want to see her.
09:29I burst through the door.
09:30Grandma!
09:31At that moment,
09:32the figure disappears without a trace.
09:35Meanwhile,
09:35dad lets out a horrified scream.
09:37Get lost!
09:38I ignore dad,
09:39and search for grandma everywhere.
09:42I tell myself that she might be alive.
09:45Maybe she'd climbed out of her casket,
09:47and hid herself so we won't notice her.
09:50Dad looks like he's been possessed.
09:52His eyes are closed,
09:54and he looks ashen.
09:56He keeps hitting his head,
09:57saying,
09:58Get lost!
09:59Mom rushes over,
10:00and tries to wake dad up,
10:02but nothing works.
10:03In the end,
10:04she wakes him up with cold water.
10:07Dad holds his head.
10:08The pain in his head is unbearable.
10:10I don't tell anyone about what I saw.
10:13I merely listen to dad.
10:15He says he had a weird dream.
10:17In it,
10:18grandpa is chained up,
10:19looking angry.
10:20He lies next to dad,
10:22tears flowing down his cheeks.
10:23He mumbles,
10:24Get your mom away from me.
10:26Dad is irritated.
10:28Pack mom and dad's stuff tomorrow,
10:29and burn all of them,
10:31so they can rest in peace.
10:33Mom's busy,
10:34so it's up to me to do it.
10:36That's when I uncover grandpa's secret.
10:39I finally understand why Winnie worked with grandpa to kill grandma.
10:44It's a ruined wedding picture,
10:46as seen from the background.
10:48Grandma stood next to grandpa in a red coat.
10:50It should have been just them,
10:52but Winnie's in it.
10:54Worse still,
10:56grandma's head was cut out,
10:57and replaced with Winnie's.
10:59This picture,
11:00clues me in on their love triangle.
11:03Grandpa and Winnie must have loved each other.
11:06However,
11:06he married grandma,
11:07and that's why he kept torturing her,
11:10even after he died.
11:11Winnie stayed single for grandpa,
11:14so she worked with him to kill grandma.
11:15I quiver with rage,
11:17and tear the picture apart.
11:19At night,
11:20I see grandma again.
11:22Every night.
11:23She appears at 2 a.m.,
11:25and vanishes at 4 a.m.
11:27I barge in several times,
11:29but she always disappears.
11:31After that,
11:32I stop disturbing her.
11:34As I watch her sway,
11:35I say to her quietly,
11:37Grandma,
11:38if you bear a grudge,
11:39kill everyone who's ever hurt you.
11:41They deserve death.
11:43Dad wakes up with a terrible headache.
11:44He thinks he has a tumor,
11:46and asks to go to the clinic.
11:48Mom flings the cloth,
11:50and retorts to him,
11:51I suffered for days when I was in labor,
11:53but you told me to just bear with it,
11:55so just bear with it.
11:57Then,
11:57she walks away,
11:58leaving dad shaking with rage.
12:00At night,
12:01dad suddenly screams in his room.
12:03Mom and I rush over.
12:04The cast on his leg is shattered.
12:07Dad roars furiously.
12:09If you won't take me there,
12:10I'll get there myself.
12:12Turns out the headache got so bad,
12:14he tried to go himself,
12:16so he fell off the bed,
12:17and broke the cast.
12:18Now,
12:19he needs a clinic.
12:20Mom hired a mule cart to take us to town.
12:22The clinic is over an hour away.
12:24It's too dark.
12:26The mule suddenly kicks,
12:27and dashes toward the cliff.
12:29Dad rolls off the cart,
12:31and hits his head on a boulder.
12:33The driver asks,
12:34Did you guys see an old couple?
12:37Mom and I shake our heads.
12:39The truth is,
12:40I lied.
12:40I saw them.
12:42They were my grandparents,
12:43but I don't get why.
12:45Grandpa's kneeling with a chain on his neck.
12:48My grandparents suddenly appear,
12:50walk through the car,
12:51and vanish.
12:53Mom finally think of checking on dad.
12:55But the mule crashes into a tree by the road.
12:59Luckily,
13:00it's held back by the reins.
13:01Only the cart tips over.
13:03The driver and mom hold onto the cart,
13:05for dear life.
13:07I would have been thrown off.
13:09If a mysterious force hadn't held me down,
13:11dad had it worst.
13:12He was screaming a minute ago,
13:14but now,
13:15he's quiet.
13:16As expected,
13:17he breaks his legs again,
13:18and his head's injured.
13:20The clinic is a chaos.
13:21The doctor do what he can.
13:23After three whole days,
13:25dad finally wakes up.
13:26His gaze is vacant,
13:28words slurring from his mouth.
13:29Get Winnie here now.
13:31Winnie shows up uninvited.
13:33Dad acts like she's his lifeline.
13:35Winnie,
13:36you must get my mom away from my dad.
13:39I think of the picture,
13:40and look at her,
13:41warily.
13:42She's gotten grandma killed.
13:43I won't let her hurt grandma's spirit.
13:46Winnie glances at me,
13:48and ignores my hostile gaze.
13:50She says,
13:51this is tricky.
13:52Todd wanted Petra to die before her time.
13:55Now,
13:56he doesn't want her.
13:57She'll be lost.
13:58Dad pleads.
13:59Winnie,
14:00I know it's not easy.
14:01If you save me,
14:03I'll give you everything.
14:06Winnie sighs.
14:07There's a heinous method.
14:09Your family has to utterly destroy her soul.
14:12Dad says,
14:13we'll do it.
14:14Winnie stands up and says,
14:16will it be Petra or Todd?
14:19He was the one who messed things up.
14:21It should be.
14:22Dad interrupts her.
14:24My mom,
14:24my dad doesn't deserve this.
14:27This again,
14:27grandpa is wrong,
14:28but grandma's punished.
14:30I'm furious,
14:31but I can't retort.
14:32As Winnie said,
14:33it's a heinous act.
14:35She won't do it,
14:36which means I can turn things around.
14:38And I know just how to do it.
14:41As expected,
14:42Winnie says,
14:43this involves digging out caskets.
14:46There'll be trouble if I do it.
14:48I'll just provide the tools.
14:49You will have to do it on your own.
14:52Dad agrees to it.
14:53He looks at mom,
14:54but she quickly turns around.
14:56I volunteer myself.
14:58Leave it to me.
14:59Dad doesn't trust me.
15:01But he has no other options.
15:03He begs Winnie.
15:04Please make sure nothing goes wrong.
15:07I go to Winnie's place
15:09to get the tools from her.
15:10Then,
15:11I grab some gasoline and shovel.
15:13I'm supposed to do it at 2 a.m.,
15:15but I sneak to the mountain at nightfall.
15:17I have to do the switch
15:19before Winnie is here.
15:20I dig grandpa's grave,
15:23open,
15:24chant a prayer,
15:25and burn the seal.
15:26Then,
15:27I douse the casket with the gas,
15:29toss the tools in there,
15:30and set everything ablaze,
15:32watching the flames rise.
15:34I scream into the quiet night,
15:37Grandma,
15:38you're free now.
15:39Rest in peace.
15:40I hope I'll see you again.
15:42After that,
15:43dad gets better.
15:45He gives Winnie a gift in gratitude.
15:48She's so happy that
15:50she found mom a job in town.
15:52There's an old professor in town
15:54who needs a maid.
15:56Let Tess work there.
15:58Hannah can look after you.
16:00Mom wants to leave dad,
16:02but she's worried about me.
16:04I don't want her to suffer.
16:06Plus,
16:07Winnie might hurt grandma again,
16:08so I choose to stay.
16:10Mom,
16:11just go.
16:11I can handle it.
16:13Two months later,
16:14dad recovers.
16:15That night,
16:15I see grandma
16:17hitting his head again.
16:19I thought she's still mad at him
16:20and ignores it.
16:22But the next day,
16:23dad's eyes are blank
16:24and he can't talk.
16:26I get some villagers
16:27to help me out,
16:28but they merely shake their heads,
16:30saying he's in a coma now.
16:32I try every way
16:34to get mom's contact.
16:35A few days pass
16:36and dad gets worse.
16:38One night,
16:39I wake up to weird noises.
16:42I follow it to dad's room.
16:44I peek through a hole in the wall
16:46and see dad with his mouth open
16:48while grandma is hovering close to him.
16:51My jaw drops in shock.
16:54Grandma seemingly notices me.
16:56She turns around
16:57and flashes me a smile.
16:59I somehow got back to my room.
17:01When I wake up,
17:02the sun is up.
17:03I'm drenched in sweat
17:04and I doubt what I saw.
17:06Maybe it's all just a bad dream,
17:08but then,
17:09I hear footsteps at the door
17:10and my heart skips a beat.
17:12Dad can't walk.
17:13So,
17:14who's out there?
17:15I stay quiet.
17:16The door swings open.
17:18Dad's holding a bowl of porridge.
17:20He walks over
17:21and gives it to me.
17:22You're hungry.
17:23I made this for you.
17:25Eat it now.
17:26I missed grandma dearly,
17:28but it's still frightening.
17:29When she shows up in dad's body,
17:32that's when the door opens again.
17:34When Winnie walks in with a smile,
17:37I was completely dumbstruck.
17:39A scary thought
17:40takes shape in my mind.
17:42Grandma died,
17:43but she possessed dad's body.
17:45What about Winnie?
17:46She's also in her 70s.
17:48Can she possess bodies?
17:50I'm the only young person
17:51left in this house.
17:53I look up in fear
17:54and catch the knowing look
17:56in her face.
17:58Even though she's grinning,
18:00it looks like a sly smile to me.
18:03Winnie approaches slowly,
18:05her shoes scraping
18:06against the ground.
18:08I shut my eyes
18:10and feel around for something.
18:12I grab a broom and say,
18:14I'm not scared of you.
18:16Winnie stops
18:17and bursts out laughing.
18:18She turns and looks at dad,
18:20her tone dripping with mockery.
18:23Look how terrified Hannah is.
18:27Dad shakes his head,
18:28his expression unusually warm.
18:30He puts the bowl on the table,
18:33clumsily wipes his hands
18:34and walks over.
18:35It's me, Petra.
18:37It is still dad's hoarse voice,
18:39but his tone and demeanor
18:41are unmistakably grandma's.
18:43I look at him,
18:44confused and unwilling
18:45to put the broom down.
18:47You're lying.
18:48Grandma's dead.
18:49You're an evil spirit.
18:51Dad sighs.
18:52He doesn't get mad.
18:53Instead,
18:54he points at the bowl of porridge.
18:55There's baking soda
18:56in the porridge.
18:57The way you like it.
18:59When you were sick.
19:01I made it for you.
19:02Remember?
19:03I stare at the bowl of porridge
19:05on the table.
19:06The baking soda
19:08and the yellowish soup
19:09tells me grandma made this.
19:11Only grandma knows
19:12I like my porridge this way.
19:14Not even mom knows.
19:16I drop the broom to the floor.
19:18Tears blur my vision at once.
19:20I ask in a trembling voice.
19:23Grandma?
19:24Dad's eyes redden.
19:25He steps forward
19:26and clumsily pulls me
19:28into his arms.
19:29I'm right here.
19:30I'm sorry I frightened you.
19:32Winnie takes a seat,
19:34pulls out her cigarette pipe
19:36and taps the table.
19:37Enough.
19:38This reunion is very touching,
19:40but we still have work.
19:42You should calm down.
19:43I'm not interested
19:44in possessing you.
19:46I wipe my tears
19:47and pull away from dad.
19:49I know it's grandma,
19:51but seeing dad with tears
19:53still makes me feel uneasy.
19:56Winnie seemingly reads my mind.
19:58She exhales.
19:59Don't worry.
20:00Trent owes Petra this much.
20:02He got her killed,
20:03so this is the price.
20:05I glance at dad.
20:06He's walking over
20:07to pick up the broom.
20:09His demeanor is exactly like grandma's.
20:11I can't help but ask,
20:13where's dad?
20:14Winnie grunted coldly,
20:16her eyes darkening.
20:18He's with Todd now.
20:20Winnie points at grandpa's grave.
20:22Todd is mad no one's waiting on him,
20:25down there.
20:26Trent loves him, right?
20:27So, I give him
20:28a chance to be with his dad.
20:30I'm startled.
20:32Dad is dead?
20:33Winnie walks over,
20:34sits next to me,
20:35and explains gently,
20:37not entirely.
20:38He can't return.
20:39His soul is driven out
20:40and locked next to Todd's grave.
20:42He can stay with Todd
20:44as he wished.
20:45I'm stunned.
20:46Dad and grandpa
20:47have gotten their comeuppance.
20:49Grandpa tortured grandma,
20:51both in life and death.
20:53Dad enabled grandpa's wrongdoings,
20:55and now,
20:56he'll know how grandma feels.
20:58What comes around,
20:59goes around.
21:00Winnie taps off the ash,
21:02stands up,
21:02and says solemnly,
21:04Hannah,
21:04only you and I know the truth.
21:07To others,
21:07Todd merely recovered
21:09and became a different person.
21:11Okay?
21:12I nod solemnly.
21:14I'll keep it a secret.
21:15As long as I can stay with grandma.
21:18Dad ruffles my hair tenderly.
21:21Sweetheart,
21:21I'll get cooking.
21:22Let's enjoy a meal together.
21:25I watch as dad walks into the kitchen.
21:27The abusive,
21:28short-fused man
21:29is all but gone.
21:30Now,
21:31it's grandma,
21:32who is gentle
21:33and hard-working.
21:34Despite his looks,
21:35he's soft
21:36and loving now.
21:37However,
21:38a subtle worry
21:39creeps into my mind.
21:40This is just not natural.
21:42Can the peace really last?
21:44Suddenly,
21:44someone knocks on the door.
21:46Trent,
21:47are you home?
21:48Some higher-ups
21:49want to see you.
21:50I'm stunned.
21:51It's Liam,
21:52the village elder.
21:54Dad is friends with Liam.
21:56They often hang out together.
21:58There'll be trouble
21:58if Liam sees through him.
22:00I look at the kitchen.
22:02Dad clearly heard Liam.
22:04He's standing in the kitchen,
22:06feeling helpless.
22:07Winnie is completely composed.
22:09She gives me a look
22:10and says,
22:12Tell them Trent has just recovered
22:14and he's still weak.
22:16I take a deep breath
22:17and try to calm myself.
22:19Then,
22:20I open the door.
22:21Liam stands at the door,
22:22trying to look inside.
22:24How's Trent?
22:25I heard he's no longer bedridden.
22:27I stand in the doorway
22:29and grin.
22:30Mr. Lane,
22:32Dad can walk now,
22:33but the doctor said
22:34he needs more rest.
22:35He's on the bed.
22:37Then,
22:38Dad calls out weakly and irritably
22:40from inside.
22:42Who is it?
22:43What a ruckus.
22:45I need my sleep.
22:46I turn around in shock.
22:48Dad stands at the door in a coat.
22:50Although he's pale,
22:51he looks every bit like a grumpy old man.
22:54Seeing Dad,
22:55Liam grins.
22:56It's the election.
22:58Are you coming?
22:59Dad waves and frowns.
23:00I can't.
23:01I'm in a lot of pain.
23:03Can't really walk.
23:04Go without me.
23:05Then,
23:06he even coughs a few times.
23:08His body swaying,
23:10as if he would fall.
23:11I hurry over and steady him.
23:13Dad,
23:13go back to bed.
23:14Liam doesn't push Dad,
23:16and leaves soon after.
23:18When the door closes,
23:19I let out a long sigh,
23:21feeling relieved.
23:22Dad immediately relaxed,
23:24looking absolutely nervous.
23:26It's exhausting to speak like a man.
23:28My throat hurts.
23:30Winnie looks at him sarcastically.
23:32Well done.
23:33Your decades of suffering paid off.
23:35You looked just like Trent.
23:37Grandma grins,
23:38but stays quiet.
23:39She heads over to the kitchen.
23:41At mealtime,
23:42there are several plain dishes,
23:44and the delicious porridge.
23:46Our home has never felt this peaceful.
23:49Winnie gets some food,
23:50and suddenly says,
23:52This place isn't safe long term.
23:54Trent might have recovered,
23:56but there'll be trouble.
23:58If people notice him behaving differently,
24:01my heart clenches.
24:02I ask,
24:03What do we do?
24:04A cunning glint flashes in her eyes.
24:07Move to the old place in the mountain.
24:10It's quiet and secluded.
24:12I'm all for moving.
24:13The old place is left by our ancestors.
24:16It might be shoddy,
24:17but it's remote.
24:18No one lives there.
24:20That said,
24:21we need a solid reason to move.
24:23Dad thinks it over and says,
24:25Tell them I'm done with it all.
24:27And wants a quieter place to rest and recover.
24:31The excuse is a bit thin,
24:33but nobody asks on account of Dad's eccentric nature.
24:36It's settled.
24:37The next few days,
24:38we begin packing up stuff,
24:40but it feels more like we're escaping.
24:42I want to leave this house and the bad memories behind.
24:46When I'm packing,
24:47I found Grandpa's cigarette pipe.
24:50The copperhead's worn to a gleam.
24:52It symbolizes his power and Grandma's nightmares.
24:56Dad walks in,
24:57and his eyes turn dark.
24:59He reaches out,
25:00takes the pipe,
25:01and touches it.
25:02Suddenly,
25:03he snaps it,
25:04with a crisp crack.
25:05It feels like the shackle-restraining Grandma
25:08has finally been broken.
25:09We don't need this filthy pipe.
25:11Dad tosses the broken pipe into a trash can,
25:14as if he's discarding something unimportant.
25:18The day we move is overcast.
25:20The villagers muttered,
25:22wondering if Dad's gone crazy.
25:24Because he chooses
25:25to live in a run-down shack.
25:28Only Winnie walks behind us,
25:30carrying some light stuff.
25:31At the old place,
25:33I stare at the grass
25:34and the broken windows.
25:36Yet,
25:36I feel relieved.
25:37No Grandpa's portrait.
25:39No,
25:39Dad's furious roars.
25:41Just peace and freedom.
25:42We spent the whole day cleaning.
25:45Dad wipes the windows quickly,
25:48much unlike an injured man.
25:50I feel a little bitter as I watch him.
25:52Dad used to make Grandma suffer so much,
25:55and yet this is where her soul is now.
25:58By evening,
25:59the place looks better.
26:01Winnie scatters seeds in the yard
26:03and dusts her hands.
26:04All right,
26:05that'll do it.
26:06We can live our own life,
26:08without any worries.
26:10At night,
26:10the winds howl.
26:11I lie on the strange bed,
26:13unable to fall asleep.
26:15Then,
26:16I thought I heard scratching at the door,
26:17and low,
26:19beast-like whimpers.
26:21I'm so frightened,
26:22I fell absolutely silent.
26:24Is it a wild dog?
26:25Or something from our past
26:27that won't let go?
26:28The next morning,
26:30I woke up feeling tired.
26:32Winnie is standing at the entrance,
26:35with a stick in her hand,
26:37staring at the ground.
26:39I look at the muddy ground outside,
26:41and the strange claw prints.
26:43They were huge,
26:44unlike any dogs.
26:46They seem like handprints made by humans.
26:49I feel a chill down my spine.
26:51Winnie,
26:52this is...
26:54Winnie kicks the mud and sneers.
26:56They were lousy as both humans,
26:59and spirits.
27:00They followed our scent.
27:02Then,
27:03Dad exits his room.
27:04He sees the handprints,
27:06and his face goes pale.
27:08He instinctively hides behind Winnie.
27:10The fear is so deeply rooted,
27:12that Grandma still can't shake it off.
27:15Winnie looks at Dad.
27:17Relax,
27:18you're a man now.
27:19Solid and strong-willed.
27:21Also,
27:22I won't let him get past this door.
27:24Then,
27:24Winnie pulls out some cinnabar powder,
27:27and spreads it along the wall,
27:29chanting something as she goes.
27:31After that,
27:32she puts up a warding mirror.
27:35All right,
27:36he can't hurt you if you stay inside.
27:38Winnie sounds confident,
27:40but I still feel uneasy.
27:42To break the tension,
27:44I suggest we get a dog.
27:46Winnie's mood lifts.
27:48Good idea.
27:49Get a black dog.
27:50It'll ward off evil and protect us.
27:52So,
27:53I leave the mountain alone,
27:55and go to the market.
27:56I pick the smartest-looking dog.
27:58On my way home,
27:59I run into Ruby,
28:01our old neighbor.
28:02She pulls me aside,
28:03mysteriously,
28:04and says softly,
28:05Your old house hasn't been right.
28:07I freeze and ask,
28:09What happened?
28:10Ruby looks around and speaks softer.
28:13We heard chains and a man crying,
28:16during midnight.
28:17It was terrifying.
28:18People say it's your grandpa's spirit.
28:21I chuckle quietly.
28:23It's clearly Dad,
28:24chained up along with Grandpa.
28:26They were both overbearing in life.
28:28Now they found a place to be.
28:30I bid Ruby farewell,
28:32and hurry home with the dog.
28:34At home,
28:35I tell Grandma and Winnie about everything.
28:37Grandma falls silent.
28:39Then,
28:39she sighs and says,
28:41Leave them be.
28:42I'm finally freed from them.
28:44The dog seems to like this place.
28:45Running across the yard,
28:47seeing how joyful it is,
28:49I instantly feel much better.
28:51When night came,
28:52I hear the same noise.
28:54This time,
28:55it's more desperate and aggressive.
28:57Aside from the scratching,
28:59a hoarse voice drifts in with the wind.
29:02Open up.
29:02It's me, Dad.
29:03He sounds hoarse and broken,
29:05but I know for a fact that it's Dad.
29:08More accurately,
29:09it's Dad's tortured soul.
29:11I curl up under the cover and tremble.
29:14The dog keeps barking in the yard,
29:16its voice sharp.
29:17Suddenly,
29:18a shout came from next door.
29:19Get lost.
29:20That is Dad's voice,
29:22full of energy,
29:23and a newfound determination.
29:25Then,
29:26something crashes against the door,
29:27followed by silence.
29:29The next morning,
29:30I open the door warily.
29:32Outside the walls,
29:34there's blood on a boulder.
29:36It's unnerving.
29:37Winnie is inspecting it.
29:39When she sees me,
29:40she says calmly,
29:41The mirror worked.
29:42They'll stop coming.
29:44Dad sits on the doorstep,
29:45stitching a shoe sole.
29:47He looks calm,
29:49as if he didn't get mad last night.
29:50He waves at me.
29:52Try on this shoe.
29:54I made it for you.
29:55I walk over,
29:57seeing the rough hands move so deftly.
29:59I feel conflicted.
30:01Days pass quietly.
30:03Life in the mountain isn't easy,
30:05but it's peaceful.
30:07Dad and Winnie plant vegetables in the backyard,
30:10including eggplants and chili.
30:12Seeing them together under the evening light,
30:15it feels like this is what life should be.
30:18A month later,
30:20William tells me,
30:21Mom sent a telegram.
30:22The message carry.
30:24A rare sense of relief from her.
30:26Hannah,
30:27life is good here.
30:28The professor is kind and considerate.
30:32I can almost see Mom leaving the old memories behind,
30:36and living a new life of happiness and dignity.
30:40My chest tightens.
30:41Mom,
30:42take care of yourself.
30:43In her reply telegram,
30:45she hesitates.
30:46Her words still carry the same self-doubt.
30:49How's Trent doing?
30:51I saw Dad walking the dog this morning.
30:53But I lie.
30:54Dad's changed.
30:55He doesn't drink anymore.
30:57He tends to the vegetables.
30:58He's healthier too.
31:00Mom fell silent,
31:01finding it hard to believe.
31:03The last telegram seemed to carry a relieved sigh.
31:06That's great.
31:07I can't go home for now.
31:09Tell Trent that I want a divorce.
31:11If that's okay.
31:13I feel relieved.
31:14Grandma wants this.
31:15I tell Grandma about Mom's intention.
31:18Dad puts the shovel down.
31:20And grins in relief.
31:22Let's get divorced.
31:23I've been a burden to her.
31:25Let her find happiness.
31:27That night,
31:28Dad writes the divorce agreement.
31:30His writing is uneven,
31:31but he means every word.
31:33After he posted it,
31:34I feel the weight over our family lift.
31:37However,
31:38just as I thought life is finally better,
31:40A sudden visitor breaks the calm.
31:44A cultivator holding a divine compass
31:47is standing at the door,
31:49frowning.
31:50The evil energy is strong.
31:52The cultivator has a goatee,
31:54his gaze sharp as an eagle.
31:55He's staring straight at Dad.
31:57My heart skips a beat.
31:59I stand in front of Dad.
32:01What's up?
32:02He ignores me.
32:03The compass needle whirls
32:05before fixing on Dad.
32:07He sneers,
32:08bringing back the dead.
32:10You'll pay for this.
32:12Dad's hands tremble,
32:13spilling the grain.
32:15Winnie hears the commotion
32:16and runs outside
32:18with a stick in her hands.
32:19She frees when she sees the cultivator,
32:22but she quickly calms down
32:23and shouts at him,
32:25You foolish cultivator.
32:26Do not spout nonsense here.
32:29Leave or I'll break your leg.
32:30The cultivator eyes Winnie.
32:32You're also a cultivator,
32:34and yet you help the spirits.
32:36You'll pay for twisting the natural order.
32:40Winnie laughed.
32:41Helping the innocent is what matters.
32:44The wicked goes unpunished,
32:46while the virtuous suffers.
32:48Since no one cared,
32:49I handled it myself.
32:51He bellows.
32:52How stubborn.
32:53I'll do the world a favor
32:54and get rid of it.
32:56Then,
32:57he takes out a talisman
32:58and rushes at Dad.
33:00I scream in fear
33:01and try to stop him,
33:02but I'm held back.
33:05The cultivator is about to slap
33:06the talisman on Dad's head,
33:08but Winnie bites her tongue
33:10and spits blood on her staff.
33:12Then,
33:13she strikes his wrist with it,
33:15fast and precise.
33:16At the next moment,
33:18the cultivator drops the talisman
33:19and his wrist swells at once.
33:22He cries out in pain
33:23and looks at Winnie in shock.
33:25Are you serious?
33:27You used your life force for a spirit.
33:29Winnie's face goes pale,
33:31sways slightly,
33:32but she stands firmly in front of Dad.
33:34She's my family,
33:36not a spirit.
33:37I won't let you hurt her.
33:39Dad regains his senses
33:40and quickly steadies Winnie.
33:43He shouts at the cultivator in tears.
33:46I'm not afraid of you.
33:48I'll die again if I have to.
33:49Don't hurt Winnie.
33:51The cultivator looks at both of them.
33:54Grandma's crying in a grown man's body.
33:56While Winnie's risking her life for him,
33:59the hostility in his eyes fades,
34:01his expression softening.
34:03The cultivator picks up his talisman
34:06and fixes his gaze on Winnie.
34:08Forget it.
34:09Karma will take care of this.
34:11Since you two are this stubborn,
34:13I'll stop here.
34:14He turns around and leaves.
34:16Then he looks over his shoulder.
34:18But this violates the natural order.
34:21This body won't last long.
34:22You've been warned.
34:23As the cultivator walks away,
34:26Winnie can't hold on anymore.
34:27She throws up blood and collapses.
34:30Winnie falls ill.
34:31That fight took a toll on her.
34:33And she's already old.
34:35We watch as she grows weaker.
34:37Dad is frantic and looks after her all the time.
34:40Feeding her water and medicine.
34:42Watching a big, rough man.
34:45Being this considerate.
34:46Doesn't feel odd at all.
34:48Only heartbreaking.
34:50Winnie lies on the bed.
34:51Her face sallow.
34:52But her eyes still bright.
34:54She holds Dad's hand and says weakly,
34:56Petra, just stop.
34:58My time's up.
34:59Dad's already in tears.
35:01Holding on to Winnie's hand tightly.
35:03Winnie, stop it.
35:05You'll get better.
35:06We said we'd spend our lives together.
35:08Winnie grins.
35:09A trace of contentment in her smile.
35:12I'm glad I got to protect you.
35:14Let's be family again in the next life.
35:17I'll find you.
35:19Tears run down my cheeks.
35:21Their lifelong friendship.
35:22Feels especially precious.
35:24During the final moments of life.
35:27Winnie looks at me.
35:28And pulls out a book from under her pillow.
35:31Hannah.
35:32This is something I picked up.
35:34Learn it and protect yourselves.
35:36I accept the book.
35:37It feels heavy.
35:39It's more than a book.
35:40It's Winnie's last blessing for me.
35:42In the next few days.
35:44Winnie seems to be doing better.
35:46She can even take a stroll in the yard.
35:48Yet we all know her time has come.
35:50One afternoon.
35:51The sun was warm.
35:53Winnie's sitting on a recliner.
35:55As she looks at the mountains.
35:57Dad's sitting next to her.
35:59Feeding her orange slices.
36:01It tastes sweet.
36:03Winnie mumbles indistinctly.
36:05Her head tilts and rests on his shoulder.
36:08The orange slipping from her hand.
36:10The wind stops.
36:11The leaves stop rustling.
36:13Dad's hands pause mid-peel.
36:15He doesn't cry.
36:16He remains still.
36:17And lets Winnie lean on him.
36:19As if she's just sleeping.
36:21After a long time.
36:22He rubs his cheek against Winnie's hair.
36:25Saying softly.
36:26Sleep Winnie.
36:27Sleep well.
36:28I saw tears running down.
36:31Dad's weathered face quietly.
36:33Winnie still has that.
36:35Contented smile on her face.
36:37As if she slipped into a dream.
36:39Maybe she's dreaming about two young ladies in dresses.
36:42Holding hands.
36:44Running across a field.
36:45No arranged marriage.
36:47No abuse.
36:48No agony.
36:49Only freedom.
36:50And a lasting youth.
36:52Winnie passed away peacefully.
36:54We respect her wish.
36:55And bury her next to an old ash tree.
36:58There's a wide view.
36:59Of our courtyard.
37:00And the distant village.
37:02Dad has sat at her grave.
37:04For a whole day.
37:06Staring at the tombstone.
37:07I'm worried about him.
37:09And tell him to go.
37:10But he refuses to leave.
37:12Hannah.
37:12Let me stay with Winnie.
37:14From now on.
37:15It's just the two of us.
37:17What she said broke my heart.
37:18And I stay there with her.
37:20Dad loses much of his spirit after Winnie's passing.
37:24He still cooks.
37:25Gardens.
37:26And feeds the dog.
37:27But the life in his eyes faded.
37:29Sometimes I see him talking to himself.
37:32As if chatting with Winnie.
37:34I know this is his way of keeping her memories alive.
37:38But time never stops for anyone.
37:41Three years have passed.
37:42In these years.
37:43I left and studied at the school in town.
37:46Every time I went home.
37:47I could feel dad getting weaker.
37:50The cultivator was right.
37:52We have to pay the price.
37:54Dad's body is showing signs of rejection.
37:56Stiff joints.
37:57Skin damage.
37:58And frequent faintings.
38:00Yet.
38:00Grandma never complains.
38:02She always keeps herself neat and tidy.
38:04Welcoming me home.
38:06And making me my favorite food.
38:08The year I graduate.
38:09I come home to a yard full of Winnie's favorite flower.
38:13Blooming brightly.
38:14Dad's lying on a recliner.
38:16A blanket over him.
38:18Holding tightly onto a repaired wedding picture.
38:21It's Winnie's old picture.
38:24The groom's head is cut out.
38:26Replaced by grandma's picture.
38:28When he sees me.
38:29His eyes light up.
38:31And he sits upright.
38:32Hi Hannah.
38:33I quickly run over.
38:35But dad's body is as light as a feather.
38:37I say sobbing.
38:39Grandma.
38:39He raises his hand.
38:41And touches my cheek.
38:42Smiling weakly.
38:44This is it for me.
38:45I shake my head.
38:46Tears spilling out.
38:48No grandma.
38:49You'll live a long life.
38:51He shakes his head.
38:52And looks at the ash tree.
38:54I've lived long enough.
38:56I'm able to live longer because of Winnie.
38:58It's time to find her.
39:00She's waiting for me.
39:01A breeze sweeps by.
39:03The tree's leaves rustles.
39:05As if responding to her.
39:06I hold his rough hand.
39:08Feeling the warmth in it slowly slip away.
39:10My sorrow grows beyond words.
39:12Suddenly, as if seeing something.
39:15His eyes light up.
39:16And he stares blankly.
39:18Hi Winnie.
39:19And grandma passes away.
39:21There's no pain when grandma passes away.
39:23Only the joy of reunion.
39:25She sees Winnie in the red floral dress from her youth.
39:29Waving at her.
39:30This time, no one can separate us.
39:33I follow her wish.
39:34And bury her next to Winnie.
39:36Their graves sit tightly together.
39:38Like two sisters whispering in the wind.
39:41And, as for dad's body.
39:42Once grandma's soul left.
39:44It quickly withered and rotted.
39:47As if it had aged decades at once.
39:50This is how it ends when you defy the natural order.
39:54Afterward, I sit in front of their graves.
39:57Mourning them.
39:58In the firelight.
39:59I thought I saw grandma and Winnie's retreating figures.
40:03Looking free and content.
40:05No more illnesses or restraints.
40:07As I leave, I give the old place one last look.
40:11Sunset bathes the yard in gold.
40:14It holds three generations of conflict.
40:17And a redemption beyond death.
40:20Years later, I returned with my new family.
40:23The old place has collapsed.
40:25But the graves are still intact.
40:28Winnie's favorite flower spread across the mountain.
40:30I point at the graves.
40:33And say.
40:34They're the people I love the most in my life.
40:37My daughter asks.
40:38Are they friends?
40:39I nod with a smile.
40:41Yeah.
40:42They are.
40:43They promised they'd be together forever.
40:46Petals drift across the sky.
40:47For a moment.
40:49I thought I'd smell grandma's porridge.
40:52And hear Winnie's playful voice again.
40:54That silly girl looks so adorable.
40:57I smile in relief.
40:58Then, I leave with my daughter.
41:00As for grandpa and dad.
41:02They say they can still hear mournful wailing.
41:05When they walk past that old house.
41:07But that's not my business.
41:09Bad people get what's coming for them.
41:11They have to redeem themselves.
41:13No matter how long it takes.
41:15But I do wonder if they regret what they did as they suffer.
41:19My husband holds our daughter close as we leave.
41:22I can't help but look back.
41:24Amid the blooming flowers.
41:26I thought I saw two figures sit together.
41:29They're no longer hunched or look sorrowful.
41:32They have thick braids.
41:34Wear washed out floral dresses.
41:36Whispering secrets and gossips.
41:39I've never seen them like this.
41:41So vivid.
41:42So free.
41:43When we walk by the entrance.
41:46Several old men crouching by the wall stop smoking and stare at us.
41:51One of the old men says to me.
41:54Don't go back to your old house.
41:55One of the lanes drove past it on a mule cart.
41:59And he saw two hairy figures in the mud.
42:02Slapping and cursing each other.
42:05I smile faintly and say nothing.
42:08I pick up my pace.
42:09Leaving the chill and chaos behind us.
42:13Back at our home.
42:14I make myself and my daughter some porridge.
42:17She says as she downs it.
42:20Mom.
42:20This porridge smells like the wind on the mountain.
42:23It feels warm.
42:25I ruffle her hair.
42:26The burden in my heart.
42:28Is finally lifted after all this time.
42:31Before sleeping.
42:32I leaf through the book Winnie gave me.
42:35On the back cover.
42:37There's a delicate yet deeply pressed writing.
42:40Grandma wrote it after she took over dad's body.
42:43Fate may be cruel.
42:44But we're strong.
42:45We don't owe anything to anyone.
42:47We live for ourselves.
42:49Turns out they didn't just swap lives.
42:51They also achieved an awakening.
42:53The moon glows softly outside.
42:56In my dream.
42:57I'm not the trembling lady in the shed anymore.
43:00Instead.
43:01I'm a bird.
43:02Soaring across the mountains.
43:04I see two red figures under the old ash tree.
43:07Entering the next life.
43:09They don't turn back.
43:10The road ahead's full of flowers.
43:12No more suffering.
43:13No more hunger.
43:14No more grain with worms.
43:16I close my eyes and murmur in my heart.
43:18Grandma.
43:19Winnie.
43:20Leave the suffering to the wicked.
43:22And be happy in your next life.
43:25After settling things.
43:26I go on a trip with my daughter.
43:29It's a place grandma always wanted to see.
43:32She's playing at the beach.
43:34When she suddenly stops and points at two young women.
43:38Mom, look at them.
43:39They're beautiful.
43:41I look over.
43:42And my heart skips a beat.
43:45Two women in their 20s are wearing trendy floral dresses.
43:49Holding hands.
43:50And playing in shallow seawater.
43:52One of them has a beautiful smile.
43:55And wears a high ponytail.
43:57She looks just like Winnie from the picture of her younger days in the book.
44:01The woman beside her looks gentle and quiet.
44:05Dodging the waves.
44:08Then the more spirited woman picks up a shell from the beach.
44:11And gave it to her friend.
44:13Her bright laughter drifted over.
44:16Winnie, look at this.
44:18Does it remind you of the stone we found by the river?
44:21Winnie freezes.
44:23Then her frown eases.
44:25Her voice is crisp.
44:26This shell is much prettier.
44:29I freeze and tear up at once.
44:31In this life.
44:32They'd become sisters.
44:34I stay where I am.
44:35Reluctant to disturb them.
44:37I hold my daughter's hand.
44:39And quietly bid them farewell.
44:41The wicked should redeem themselves.
44:43While kind souls reunite and find happiness.
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