Cover Story 1 - 4/2001

[Jackie]

For Chinese transcript:
sunshineruby.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1198#1198

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Transcribed in Chinese by: Man Xin ( 滿心 )
English translation by: Jackie; Comments in brackets [...] are mine.

R= Ruby Lin
G= Gao Yiping

Cover Story April 2001: Part I

"Cover Story: Lin Hsinju" (Joy, Anger, Sorrow, Happiness. Public Notice of True Sentiments!)
Host: Gao Yiping

G: We now welcome today's Cover Story Lin Hsinju!

R: Hello, [sister] Yiping! Hello!

G: Hello Hsinju! This...actually Hsinju is two-sided, b/c when people see you they would think of that.....that.....

R: Princess Ziwei! Ha-ha-ha...

G: Right! With continuous tears, (R: Mmm-hmm!) Then.....but personality-wise there's actually an immeasurably vast difference b/w you & Ziwei!

R: Mmm.....but there is one.....it's that we don't concede/admit to defeat! Moreover I feel that I have a great deal of perseverance.....I feel that Ziwei also has a great deal of perseverance, that's why she was able to go from a far-off place like Shantung to Beijing to look for her father, right!

G: Even though your friendship w/ Zhao Wei is quite good, (R: Mmm) but everyone likes to.....make comparisons, (R: Right, right!) no matter whose performances were better! Or.....(R: Who's more popular!) something similar to this, then the so-called level of fan supports and so on! Have you two discussed about this matter?

R: We...we don't normally talk about these matters, (G: Will not?) Right! Because we both think that it's very ridiculous/nonsense, right! Like.....we all would.....but I admit that when Part I first came out, she really was.....was really well received everywhere in Taiwan. Especially the time when she came to Taiwan, everybody said.....why did you have to go serve as her supporting character [it means to stand next to her & smile/or be in the background].....like that! All the focus was on her when she was in Taiwan. But, I felt that.....she's my good friend & it's her first time in Taiwan, moreover I'm Taiwanese.....I said, when she's being photographed, I can't just run over there & [Ruby sticking her head sideways as if she's sticking her head in the picture] steal the scene! Right! I feel that it's not a matter of serving as supporting cast or not, we were both doing the same thing. Mmm!

G: You two met while filming? (R: Right!) Then initially the two of you.....of course besides doing scenes together, when did it start, when did you discover that a friendship existed!

R: Friendship?.....it was during.....should be during the filming of "HZGG I"! Uh...b/c originally I didn't even know her, so didn't go & talk to her. Then on one particular day the power went off, the entire hotel loss power, right! Then.....I was afraid of being alone in the room, I was really scared that no one was w/ me. I went & knocked on her door, I said, "What are you doing?!", she said, "Nothing, power is off I'm going out to buy some things!" I said, "Can you take me there?"

G: There was a power outage & you two dared to go out to buy things?

R: She's from Beijing she wasn't afraid! (G: Got a point there!) Power was off in our hotel but not outside. (G: Ha-ha-ha) She took me to buy fruits, & whatever! Then.....it was the first time finding out that some people can eat a watermelon like that! She bought a watermelon, I said "how do you eat a watermelon!" It was taking a knife to cut it open & "dig in like this!" I really felt that I.....was really very out-dated/lame. Because I have never seen anyone eat a watermelon like that. (G: So it was taking a sthingy & digging in like this?!) Right...& then also bought some peaches, I never bought them before. She said, "Do you know how peaches are eaten?", I said, "No idea!" With a brush.....a toothbrush, then brush away the wooly part & then start to eat like this, right! She taught me that!

G: I feel that.....when we ate peaches as kids & then will itch afterwards! (R: Why?) Because the wooly part was still there!

R: Oh, you guys didn't use that toothbrush to brush them!

G: It was only after you went to Beijing did you know to use the toothbrush to brush! (R: [rolling her eyes to the right] Ah...yeah! Ha-ha-ha...) Right! What else did you guys buy, Missy? Ha-ha-ha. (R: Ha-ha-ha-) Right! Mmm!

R: Right! You now know the next time you can use a tootbrush to brush away the wooly part!

G: Thanks! Thanks! What else did she teach you?

R: She taught me a lot! Actually she often teaches me how to act! (G: Does she?) Really! At that time I was acting.....I said, "Ai! [sigh] Ziwei was so difficult to play/perform I felt that it was so disgusting that I couldn't play/perform it like this. She said you.....I felt that no matter what, she's a professionally-trained actor, she has certain concepts & a foundation, she would go over the part w/ me. She really is very nice.....would do scenes w/ us everyday, she said she'd perform it once for me! Wow, I said, "You're disgusting! How did you mange to do that?" (G: Ha-ha-ha) Ha-ha. I said, you're a Pisces that's why you could perform it, I'm an Aquarius so I couldn't perform it. I also said, "Hey, can you show me how to turn on the electricity [flirt using eyes]?", Ha-ha...b/c [sister] He [she's Ruby's manager/Qiong Yao's daughter-in-law] said my eyes don't have electricity, she said, [if your] eyes don't have electricity, how can you make the male lead to be infatuated w/ you! I said you teach me how to turn on the electricity. She.....she actually really taught me....."But mine turns on naturally, I don't really know how to show people" Hahaha. (G: Hahaha) Right! Both of us were quite silly during that time! Little kids.

G: How do you do it, can you still do it now?

R: She said, "You just stare like this", I know how she turned it on, b/c at that time she was nearsighted & didn't wear her eyeglasses! (G: Oh! So it was kind of blurry!) She wore contacts later on & I see less electricity from her. Ha-ha (G: Hahaha)

[Jackie]

Narration from on-screen montage:
In the eyes of the audience, always the delicate & touching/pitiable Lin Hsinju, so what kind of personality is behind Pricess Ziwei? Does Hsinju really like to cry, & what's the deal w/ her & Alec's rumors? Let us hear what Ge Ge [princess] has to say!

Chapter I: Ge Ge's [Princess'] Characteristics

G: Then in the aspect of TV series.....like when we first started to talk about it, a princess famous on both shores [HK, TW, CN], (R: Ah-haha...) do you like.....people.....actually when a lot of people see you they would shout: Princess Ziwei! Princess Ziwei! (R: Mmm, mmm, mmm) Do you like this title?

R: Mmm.....I feel that, she made me successful, therefore I will not resist her, moreover I feel that this is a kind of.....I guess, glory/honor! Uh, is it glory/honor? Uh, don't know how to say it!

G: Described it pretty good! A representative work!

R: Right! I feel that it's a corona, perhaps some people would feel that they don't like having this thing on them, but I feel that.....I must let it to become better! Must let Ziwei & Lin Hsinju to become one! Uh...when one thinks of Lin Hsinju, one would again think of Ziwei, and not when they think of Ziwei they'd only then think of Lin Hsinju!

G: How do you come about in accepting this series?

R: Because it was our company's own production! Right! And then.....originally.....actually originally Zhao Wei was to play Ziwei and then Li Tingyi [Miki Lee] was to play Xiao Yanzi. But at that time Xiao Yanzi had some.....perhaps.....I'm not too clear on this, probably perhaps it was due to a scheduling problem! Later on the company asked me to try on the costumes, after trying on the costumes, hey.....Auntie Qiong Yao felt that I was more suitable to play the image of Ziwei so she let me play Ziwei, & then Zhao Wei plays Xiao Yanzi.

G: Before that role, I heard that you.....before you were Ziwei... (R: Mmm!) when you got the script.....(R: Mmm...) it looked like you were kind of sad!

R: Uh...ha-ha-ha.....actually.....I got the script only three days before I had to leave! [G: Mmm-hmm.] It was.....finding out that the whole.....I was reading the script & crying at the same time, Huh? Why are there so many lines? Ha-ha...(G: Ah, was it like that?) [Ruby still laughing] Yes! Um..., I was reading & crying at the same time, two pages! The entire two pages were all my lines! (G: Kept talking & talking.) Righ! Well previous.....previous I never had that many lines, probably like about one or two lines or so, [G: Mmm-hmm.] b/c those were perhaps small roles! I saw two pages of lines, moreover.....it was so literary. Good heavens! Hah...tears kept falling & falling, hah-ha...it was all b/c of this. At that time, it was the first time that I cried after looking at the script, hah-ha...too many lines.

G: But when you accepted this role, what type of feelings did you have? From the start...

R: Actually, originally the company already accepted another serial, from another company's production. Then the company wanted to produce its own series, so they said, but I didn't have the time how can I play Se-Ya [she's that Tibetan princess]! I guess there was a bit of a lost feeling/feel kind of dissappointed! Because I felt that you.....I signed w/ the company, & then you were looking for actors you don't look at you own company's actors! So there was a bit of lost feeling. Also complained to my manager about it! Ha-ha-ha-ha...

G: Did you ever think that, usually.....particularly a newcomer.....(R: Mmm hmm...) moreover you were still very young.....(R: Mmm hmm...) & then you go to a person like Auntie Qiong Yao, a very experienced producer, & when you go & say such things.....(R: Mmm hmm...) there's only two possibilities, one is good. You got the part of Ziwei.....(R: Mmm hmm...) the other possibility is you will be forever disfavored/blacklisted, & then.....(R: Mmm hmm...) you probably will not be able to recover for a very long time.

R: Mmm hmm...! Oh! I did not say it to Auntie Qiong Yao directly, at that time.....at that time I didn't know Auntie Qiong Yao that well [or not that close to her]. Back then, I only told Amy, Amy was still w/ our company during that time! [G: Nodding her head] Right! Then Amy spoke w/ .....w/ [sister] He [she's QY's daughter-in-law].....spoke w/ her boss. [Smiling] Ha-ha

G: Back then, when you accepted Ziwei & before you got the script, (R: Mmm...) how did you feel?

R: At that time.....I guess it was like a feeling of regaining something that was once lost! Originally I had no part in it.....then afterwards the company say hey, come quickly for a screen test.....like that! Mmm...it was a very happy thing b/c I felt that I was being taken seriously by the company. Ha-ha-ha

G: Moreover [you] got to try on the costumes! Right? (R: Right, right, right!) Tried on the pricess' clothing! (R: Mm...Mm) Looking at yourself, at that time did you ever think to say, wow!

R: Very beautiful! Ha-ha-ha. (G: Ha-ha! That's right, that's right! Will you?) Ha-ha.....visually.....Mmm.....very beautiful! When Autie Qiong Yao saw it.....Mmm....."Tsk! Really very beautiful!" Then they said, "You must play the role well, this is a very big role, must 'add oil'", the pressure was very, very big!

G: But before this you knew that, you have that many tears?

R: I don't think that I have been in too many crying scenes, before I only played.....(G: You never did before?) somebody's little sister, then daughter, that type, but I don't like to cry.

G: Actually to perform crying scenes well is not easy, because that mucus will come out.

R: [It] Will, will, will! We.....actually people will see in front of the camera we look very beautiful, but did you know how many times we NG? Your nose will first run, then.....[sniffing-sound: Ruby wiping her nose].....otherwise when it starts & you're over there going.....sniff-sniff.....that sound of sniffing the mucus back in would be very funny. Right! Sometimes when I cry, cry, cry, I wanted to laugh, ha-ha...

G: Then during the time of crying, how can one cry so beautifully? Sometimes it's unavoidable.....sometimes when we have a fit at home & cry, it looks quite awful!

R: But would you, when you're crying, would you look in the mirror? I would! If I'm crying, I'd look in the mirror. Hmm...this way of crying looks quite pretty & then would continue to cry, hahaha. (G: Hahaha) When I'm really crying, I want to find out different ways of shedding tears in order for them look pretty, it was kind of ridiculous! Ha...

G: Was it after you've become an actor, or you have this habit since childhood?

R: When I cried as a little kid, I liked to look in the mirror. Actually, the easiest thing that would make me.....cry.....definitely will not be love/relationships, it's family & friends. I can cry very naturally, I feel that love.....perhaps it's b/c I don't have that deep experience, otherwise I would.....I would not.....dissolve into the plot. Right!

G: And with.....um.....w/i the time spent cooperating w/ Zhao Wei.....(R: Mmm!) also have become good sisters....(R: Mmm, Mmm.) and.....also have good friends like Alec Su & Julian Chen.....(R: Mmm...) There were rumors about you guys! Just then.....

R: That one was a mistake, I think! (G: Why?) The one where Julian Chen & Alec Su said they liked me? (G: Right!) At that time when they both were returning to Taiwan, & I was.....I was still in China! I think when they came back they gave me a newspaper to read, I said, "Huh? No way, I never felt it.....I didn't feel a bit that they like me, & wanted to pursue me! At that time I felt that they liked someone else. (G: Who? Zhao Wei?)

[Jackie]

Narration from on-screen montage:
Although personally Hsinju doesn't like to cry, what did happened that would make her cry & laugh altogether?

R: Ha-ha.....back then!

G: Really? Actually w/i the four of you, everyone would all think certainly that there was something going on, that so-called something going on is b/c there's a chance that love would blossomed in the course of time you guys are together.....(R: Mmm..Mmm) Because at that time everyone really grouped you guys like that, & then no matter what the four of you definitely be two couples!

R: But everyone feel.....I guess the fans or audience.....they feel that I should be w/ Zhou Jie! And then Alec Su is definitely w/ Zhao Wei! Even during shooting of.....the rumors of me & Alec went wild during the time filming Part II. (G: Mmm...mmm) Then during the 2nd part.....there were rumors about us. Auntie Qiong Yao also made a phone call to inquire about it, "tsk...are you really together w/ Alec Su? You must honestly tell Auntie! I said, "Ah, Auntie..., I'm really not!" Hah...she said b/c.....right! Because.....everybody thinks that Alec & Zhao Wei are a couple! If you guys are really together, you must let me know ah, she knows how to go from there in the future. Ha-ha, she's so adorable!

Narration from on-screen montage:
First time Lin Hsinju is the lead, first time leaving her native place for far-away China to shoot HZGG, in overcoming the challenges of being in an unfamiliar surrounding, but never thought that rumors were spreading from Taiwan of being replaced. To a 20 year-old young girl, such a setback is really too heavy, & at that time, how did Hsinju get through it?

Chapter II: Behind the Fame

G: Which scene.....uh.....in recollection.....left the deepest impression for you?

R: Mmm...Oh, there's one scene in which we.....jumped into a big tub of water, it was very, very cold during HZGG 2! It was already around November in Beijing! (G: Very cold already.) Things were already frozen on the outside, & then we started to shoot that scene from 5:00 p.m., a very, very, very huge tub of water in which two people can take a bath in. And then they.....didn't even prepare any hot water, b/c it was too late to boil any, filming had to start.....must quickly be done w/ that scene. Both of us jumped from a ladder into the tub & then also must uh...struggle...and then Rong Mama had to press down on you like such.....Ziwei was to be very delicate & will not fight back! (G: That's right.) But I was very mad, [Ruby swung her left arm out & laughed] so I kept hitting them, ha-ha-ha...(NOTE: Ruby turned her head towards the crew members & said...) Staff members don't laugh so loud! Hahahahaha

G: Haha..., they want to be in the mix, they're so pitiable, (R: Hahaha) they go w/ you on your promotions, (R: Hahaha...) they need to have some fun! (R: Hahaha....NOTE: Everyone couldn't stop laughing) Come, we start from Ziwei should be very delicate, but...

R: Hahaha...yes, that's right! (NOTE: Sounds of laughter can be heard from different directions) But.....she kept pressing down on me, I was very mad.....I swung vigorously like this [Ruby swinging her left arm], did you know that? (G: Uh huh.) And then it was already so cold that my tears intuitively just started shedding, (G: Tsk, tsk, tsk...!) Both of us were so cold we embraced each other for warmth, b/c if you come out of the water.....(G: It's even colder.) it will be even colder, right! I still feel cold when I think back to that scene. When thinking of Ziwei.....I'd think of b/c.....in Part II, I actually felt a bit.....have that certain psychological factor, b/c in Part I, I felt that I was like a young wife, had not been recognized, still not a princess yet. Therefore when others bully me, I'd... I'd just meekly accept everything that came my way. In Part II I felt that I'm a princess & you still dare to bully me?! Hahaha...I will get mad, you know that? Hahha...at that time I felt.....I got yelled at by the director, b/c...uh...there was this scene they were burning Susu, there were a lot of extras, about 300 encircling on one side, we had to.....hahahah.....I want to laugh just thinking about it right now, the extras rushed out & then rescue that person. I was Ziwei, moreover I was suppose to be sick in the series, I didn't know what happened I forgot it, so I ran, ran, ran, but I couldn't fight through the crowd, that extra was very aggressive, so I would use a lot of strength to knock them like this [Ruby swinging her elbows outward], (G: Hahaha) hahaha....., finally the director saw it, he said [Ruby pointing her index finger straight at the camera] "Ruby"...uh...no...he said "Hsinju, what are you doing?! You are Ziwei, don't think of yourself as Lin Hsinju! Another take." I was like this, "Oh, sorry!" Haha (G: Oh, that poor extra!) I hit that extra like this! Because he wouldn't let me go through so I was very mad! Hahaha...

G: I don't think he did it on purpose! The extras they.....(R: They are really in character) hahaha...it wasn't easy for them to wait for a whole day.....(R: Hahaha...) waited for days, hahaha...and you hit them like this, hahaha...also caused them to have internal injuries. Hah...

R: Hah...I used the elbows to hit them like this [Ruby swinging her elbows]! How come Ziwei have so much strength, when Yong Mama poked me w/ needles, I also struggled very fiercely, because I feel that I'm a princess, how can you treat me like this? [Ruby looked up at the ceiling] Haha...

G: But that was the real Lin Hsinju not Ziwei! (R: Right!) If Ziwei, at that time would shout "[I'm] wronly accused, your Honor!" (R: Ha...right!) Then.....which scene caused you to have the most NGs!

R: Uh...there's one scene.....it was during the shooting of Part I, I had to be w/ the Emperor.....I was playing my mother Xia Yuhe, then the emperor had to leave, I had to recite a very long.....tsk.....very literary.....[Ruby scratching her head] shoot, I forgot how that poem go, it was very a literary style poem, just when I got to a certain line I was supposed to shed tears, but at that time I felt that the emperor was my father, & [they] had me playing my mother, & also wanted me to cry! At that time I couldn't cry at all, I shot for two days. (G: Huh?) Lastly, [we] had to use eyedrops, uh-ai...really had no choice, just couldn't cry. Mmm!

G: But.....if eyedrops were used, wouldn't it be.....a person like you who's very good in crying scenes, wouldn't be like some kind of a humiliation/insult?

R: I will definitely feel humiliated/insulted! Because I feel that.....moreover if eyedrops were used I would have a problem acting! (G: Why?) Because I feel that it's fake, it's very fake, right!

G: And besides the eyes will be especially clear, haha..."Xin Yi Dian Ling"!

R: Right! Will feel.....we used saline solution (G: Oh...) Ahh, and then I had to constantly control at what moment can the tears shed, this will cause me to divert my attention/lose focus...mmm!

G: That scene was the biggest setback!

R: That scene was the beggest setback, spent two days on it, I really felt embarrassed [or to lose face]!

G: How did the director scold you?

R: Afterwards.....he didn't scold, he just called it a day! Ha...I was really scared! A newcomer at that time, was really very scared, whenever the director gets angry I would get really nervous, everyone there was very nervous! I felt that it was pretty strange, when I was in school I was not that much scared of the teacher. But, when I saw that the director at that time I was very scared, right!

G: Actually.....after you've become famous, (R: Mmm...) thinking back, actually I feel that certain path, although talking about it now might uh...feel very happy about it, but it certainly contained many hard work & sadness, (R: Mmm) And over here, lets us first take a look of what's behind the fame.....(R: Mmm) and of course your good friend Amy, has some story to share w/ us, OK? [R: Ok]

[Jackie]

Montage: "The Crisis of Being Replaced"

Amy: Her appearance for the part.....was more suitable to play Ziwei, therefore Auntie Qiong Yao allowed her to play Ziwei [Note: Amy's about to cry], & then during the time she went there to shoot, at that time our pressures were enormous, really huge! Because we were afraid she won't be able to undertake it. And just then her previous CTV[China TV] series "Fei Chang Ren Wu", that CTV series didn't do a good job on her w/ the lighting, looking at her, she didn't looked that good! It felt like something has changed.....a CTV executive/senior official felt like fainting the minute he/she saw her, so said, "Qiong Yao, how could you utilize this kind of a girl to be the leading lady? She's not even a bit attractive/pretty, not even a bit of talent, how how could you use her", so the CTV executive gave.....the CTV executive gave .....Auntie Qiong Yao a lot of pressure, demanded that she immediately replace her. The company informed me, said , "Amy, prepare to go to Beijing tomorrow, & then.....you accompany Hsinju to have some fun in Hong Kong, all expenses will be paid for by the company. At that time I kept thinking in my heart.....why? I initially didn't know why! But my intuition told me that something definitely was wrong, did you know that? I was very scared, so I asked the company, I said, what happened, tell me the truth! The company said, CTV insisted on replacing Lin Hsinju! [Amy's crying] I didn't know how to tell it to Hsinju, you know? I called her on the phone.....I didn't know how to tell it to her.....then Auntie Qiong Yao came over & I was just upstairs, I saw Auntie I.....I cried.....to the point, really w/o a sound you know? Auntie got so frightened & said,, "Amy, why are you crying like that?", she asked me, "Are you very worried?", I said, Auntie.....really, I said if you've decided to make this type of a decision, I know that Hsinju's acting career will be destroyed. I said, if all of you wanted to make such a decision before, you all shouldn't have allowed her to be in this serial, I will still have opportunities to let her acting career to slowly ascend, that's not a problem, but you all shouldn't destroy a newcomer's opportunity like that. And when Auntie saw me crying like that, so Auntie said, Amy....she saw me crying so profusely, she said, "Amy, don't worry, no matter, I know that I can convince CTV, don't you worry, I will do it." I'm really thankful to Auntie Qiong Yao, you know that? Actually, if it wasn't for her carrying this load on her shoulders, there definitely won't be a Lin Hsinju today, & if it wasn't for the whole company standing united to help Hsinju, also will not have the Lin Hsinju of today. Actually.....actually I feel that Hsinju's path, I feel that the path she has traveled was very rough/rocky/meeting hard luck, she's really very pitiable! But what can you do, b/c the Taiwan TV environment back then was, if you're not a "card" they will not help you or give you such a good opportunity!

[Slight pause from R & G after watching the video, then a little laughter...]

R: Haha...everytime I see her cry.....I would feel very bad, right! Mmm...it's that thing about being replaced!

G: About this matter, how did you find out about it afterwards?!

R: I.....I didn't know! Sixth sense, right! I was.....at that time I was.....she called me, that day she call me was a Saturday, & then she called me, she said.....on that day when I went out to shoot, no one said anything, b/c a lot of people knew, the photographer, the executive producer all knew, & then I even said to them, Hey, after work let's go to.....go walk around or something! Talked to Zhao Wei & others & they just looked at me & didn't say anything, they felt.....very badly! Then when I got back.....I got Amy's phone call, she said, "Uh, the day after I'll.....be coming to see you, I said, "what for?", she said, "Nothing! I'm going there to be w/ you! And then we.....go to Hong Kong to try out for a movie or something", I said, "why? Do I still have time to accept another project?", she said, "Mmm! I think it's possible, let's see what happens! I will give you.....I will call you again." I knew.....I knew that there's a possibity that there was something happening w/ me! I felt that perhaps I might be replaced. I don't know, but my intuition.....intuition [haha, Ruby had a problem saying intuition in Chinese], ha-ha, intuition...intuition was pretty accurate! Then afterwards I went.....I knocked on the executive producer's door & asked him to book a ticket for me, & then.....book a round-trip ticket, Ahh...he said to me you only need a one-way ticket, no need for a round-trip ticket. (G: Haa...aaah...) I thought, book a one-way ticket? Why? (G: So obvious.) Right, it was quite obvious!

G: Because the next time we have to come back by paddling a boat, hahaha...

R: Hahaha...yeah! He said you only need to book a one-way ticket, & then I said I had to go buy a hairdryer, & then the executive producer said, "what do you need to buy a hairdryer for?", "I have to blow dry my hair each day! Otherwise, my hair will be very.....very wet! I said the hotel does not have a hair dryer. He said.....he told me later on, when he heard that I have to go buy a hair dryer, he felt.....he felt really terrible! Buying a hair dryer would be useless now, ah-ha...afterwards I told Zhao Wei, I said, "Mmm...uh, I feel that I might be replaced! She came to my room, she said, "how can that me?", I said, "Really, I have a feeling about it." She said, "You shouldn't think so much", I said, "I'm really going to be replaced", she said, "Hai-hai-hai...come, let us go out & walk around." And then we walked around & had coffee, & talked along the way. She said, "No way! I don't want...", she said "I don't want you to be replaced, if you're replaced, then I have to act w/ another person, what am I going to do I can't perform it? During that time only the two of us have a very good relationship. Probably.....about two weeks! (G: Already shot for two week?) Right, right, right! But we were together everyday! Afterwards she took me to Tiananmen Square. She asked me, she said "Where do you want to go?" I don't know! The taxi just happens to pass by Tiananmen Square, she said, "then we'll go to Tiananmen Square", we also took a photograph, both of us were so lame, haha...there were these Polaroids for $10/each, we had two taken, & then in the evening...Oh, & yeah...just so happens that that executive producer & that photographer, we were to meet them at some statue in Tiananmen Square, (G: Mmm...) & then they said they want to take us to dinner. Actually, they knew that I.....both of them knew that I would be replaced, I guess it felt like a send-off meal, so we had dinner, then after dinner they took us singing, went to a KTV to sing, while we were singing I received a call from Amy, I was very strong throughout! Seemed like there were ulterior meanings w/i their speeches, he said, "Sometimes a little setback doesn't mean much! Afterwards, can just start over again, don't b/c of a little setback, especially a newcomber, & so on". But he didn't expose the fact that I was going to be replaced, so I just went along w/ what they were saying, I said, "Yes, I won't be defeated by these little setbacks, etc., etc.", each of their speeches have ulterior meanings! Haa...

G: Haa...then on that evening, a bunch of people were murmuring about!

R: Yeah, each one of them!

G: Hahaha...[they] were hinting, but not dare to say it out!

R: They all didn't dare to say it out loud, & then I also.....I also played dumb! Afterwards when we went singing, I received Amy's phone call, she said, "Ruby, you're OK now. Everyone in the company was cheering & screaming on that side, did you know that? And then they clapped & said, "Ruby, you're OK now! You.....you will not be replaced, just do a good job filming or what have you", just like that.....tears started flowing immediately.....hahaha...

[Jackie]

[Note: Both R & G are teary-eyed]

G: What the heck does this thing got to do w/ me?! What am I crying for? Haha...

R: Hah...at that time I felt.....(G: Full of pity!) Mmm...felt very badly! Hah...[Ruby's covering her face up & laughing/crying]

G: Haha...this is so ridiculous! Haa...(R: Aah...haha...) quick some tissues. (R: Aaah...!) I'm happy for you.

R: Mmm, I also felt very happy! [G: Here, here...] Uh...thank-you, thank-you! [Note: Ruby accepting tissue from G & wiping her tears] I was originally very strong, when I heard them on that side.....screaming & cheering! I felt.....mmm.....there are some people who still love me very much! Hah-haha...

G: I just.....b/c you just said a moment ago, I felt that your story is really like something. (R: Huh...like what?) Have you ever seen the pig from "I'm Not Stupid, Therefore I Have Something to Say". (R: Pig? Hahaha...) Hahaha.....you know that pig.....it was the time of Thanksgiving Day.....oh...Christmas! (R: Uh-huh) Then its master wanted to kill him, you know?! And then.....but it didn't know that, everyone else all knew. And then, that farmer in particular, when he saw it he felt especially sad. Ha...(R: Mmm...) but.....but, actually others like the cat, duck, dog, or whatever, all felt really bad for it, but as it entered the beheading field, [the pig] was going.....lalala-lalala-lalala...(R: Haha...really? Hahaha...) and also sang that Christmas song! And then.....I feel that you're that.....(R: Pig! Hahaha...) hahaha...and you're saying you want to buy a hairdryer? (R: Yeah! Haha...) And then... it was.....hey, what should we do after work?! You are that pig! (R: Right!) Because everyone already felt bad for you & swallowing their tears, (R: Right) and then you're over there by yourself & celebrating Christmas.

R: Actually everyone knew about it, except us actors. And then I was very happy & also went out w/ them. (G: [wiping her tears & laughing] Haha...) Haha.....yes! When I received their phone call, my tears started flowing, the result afterwards I said.....I went in afterwards & said, "I don't have to go back!" And then we were drinking to celebrate, hah-ha...and then we started reveling. Right.

G: Oh, and...but if you think about it, actually I felt if one hasn't gone throught such a path, one will not especially treasure all the things that one has right now!

R: Righ, right, right! I think that I haven't had any major setbacks since entering this business, except for that one thing! (G: But you were a newcomer then.) Right, right, right! But if a newcomer were to be replaced like that, I think.....I probably would not continue to be in this business! Because I feel that it was a matter of face/honor, this is too disgraceful/lose face.

G: Right! That one is very difficult to rebound, (R: Right!) Moreover I feel that, in one's own.....(R: Dark shadow!) Right! Will have a dark shadow w/i your mind, [R: Mmm...mmm] I feel that it might be forever impossible to erase. But, it was fine. But, this thing.....afterwards, did you ever find out why you didn't have to return? To continue to shoot.

R: There was Auntie Qiong Yao, also [sister] He, they pulled for me constantly & they also think that, if it went like this I would really be full of pity. Hah-ha...

G: But from this situation, what did you feel you have learned from this? Or.....

R: Me? I only learned that I must.....b/c Auntie Qiong Yao pulled for me today, & then I cannot let others to think & say, Auntie Qiong Yao you have pulled for the wrong person, Lin Hsinju will not amount to anything, I must let her to have face, and to this I think I have achieved it now!

[Jackie]

Chapter III: The Road as a Singer

G: How does it feel to have a CD out?

R: Uh...very excited! It's quite different from the first EP! Because that EP I felt.....in any case someone came knocking & asked me to do a CD, & then I released one & felt very happy. But this time around I was really.....I wanted a very, very good product to give to people, [G: Mmm-hmm] & then I spent a great deal of time & rejected a lot of other projects to concentrate on this CD.

G: Acting & singing, are they quite different?

R: It's an extremely, extremely huge difference! (G: Which one is harder?) At the moment I feel that singing is more difficult! Haha...(G: Hahaha...) Because acting is more of my specialty! (G: Mmm-hmm) Because I have lines & scenes w/ other people, & then I can use body language to increase some of my stuff. But w/ singing you can't see anything, can only feel from hearing your own voice. Tsk! I had a tremendous feeling of setback when I first started!

G: Did you cry when you went into the recording studio? This particular time.

R: I didn't cry for real.....tears did not fall, but I was already.....I was very mad.....why can't I sing what the teacher is asking me to do, & then.....whenever I was singing I had to turn the light off, [G: Mmm] so I can see the teacher's face very clearly, as a result I was singing & sneaking a look whether he has any expressions on his face & I would start to feel nervous/tense. Haha...(G: [Oh no] I'm done for, sang it wrong again!) [I'm] finished, didn't sing it too well.....and was, was, was.....off-keyed, I would feel very very nervous/tense, right!

G: During that time.....we know producer's demands were very strict, do you want to tell us how absurd/off-based it was? Ha-hehe...(R: Hahaha...) How inhumane!

R: Actually.....ai...let's put it this way.....he really.....the teacher was very nice to me, moreover he always wanted to relax the atmosphere by telling bad/unfunny jokes, hahaha...(G: He provided unfunny jokes?!) He would say each time.....say "I get stomachaches easily if I eat spicy hot pots, & then can't drink this", "Oh, really?! What a pity!" Haha...& then he would feel....."How can this child be like this, I'm being serious w/ you", & then each time would dampen his enthusiasm, & then he would tell a lot of not-so-funny matters, & then during the recording.....

G: Not very funny, right! Even if you said again it still wasn't very funny, hahaha...(R: Haha...), & then the recording?

R: And then.....during the recording.....tsk! Because that time when we just started he felt that I was.....b/c I stand while I was recording! Two hours into the recording he asked me whether I was tired or not! Come out & rest for a while. When I went out & would be on the phone, & then chat w/ other people & eat some stuff. He said, "OK, can go in now", I said, "Wait a minute, my stomach hurts, I have to go to the restroom", haha..., in any case I took advantage of it & dawdled on the outside for quite a long time, eating stuff!

G: Therefore he wouldn't let you use the restroom afterwards?

R: (Shaking her head) To go to the restroom I had to.....(raising her hand.) "Teacher, I have to go to the restroom", Hmm...tsk...after completing this do it again.....then you can go!

G: This wasn't your first time releasing a CD! Previously, we just talked about coming out w/ that EP in Hong Kong, but that didn't go too smoothly.

R: Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm! That one was b/c of.....actually in Taiwan.....really at that time I put more time in Hong Kong, & only spent three days to promote it in Taiwan, therefore I felt that there's a bit of regret that we didn't manage the Taiwan market well enough. And this time it's in Taiwan, a Taiwan company, produced in Taiwan, & then will introduce it to Taiwanese even to all the people of Asia, I hope that they like it.

G: Moreover during that time, whenever people listen to Hsinju's songs, it's unavoidable for them to have some.....certainly they'd say, mmm...that's pretty good! But in reality, from some professional point of view.....(R: Mmm, mmm!) would think.....(R: Can't sing.) Cannot sing, (R: Mmm hmm.) when you hear that, how do you feel?

R: I never.....I will not deny that I do not sing that well, but I feel that at that period of time I worked very hard on it. Perhaps there were some professionals they would say that I haven't reach that particular standard. But this time around, I have progressed a lot, I feel that improving each time is the most important!

G: It was like avenging a former insult/humiliation! (R: Right!) Besides the improvement in your singing, but during the time of the release of the previous CD we knew.....(R: Mmm...) something happened, on this let us first watch this clip, please take a look.

[Jackie]

Onscreen montage: The Path to Releasing a CD in Hong Kong

Amy: In the contract w/ the record company, actually I feel.....to speak the truth, I feel that we have been deceived, being in this.....this business for this many years I feel that it was the biggest mistake I have ever made. I didn't, at that time, investigate beforehand whether or not there were any problems w/ the contract! It was very scary/frightening, he could design such a big trap to snare you into it, you know that? I can, for the sake of a performer.....I can sacrifice everything for that actor, I even thought of.....if it was b/c I had helped Hsinju, if anything happens to her.....I had already told my parents, "Don't worry, that insurance policy had already been setup/guaranteed", my parents got scared to death & said, "Daughter, why do you do this?", I said no, I have to be responsible to her, I made a mistake & I must be responsible for it. I thought that that person was a good person, but found out later on he was actually a very bad person, but it was too late for you, did you know that? And then, I had to discuss things w/ the Hong Kong underworld organization/gangsters, I had non-stop meetings w/ the Hong Kong attorney to see how I can win this lawsuit, after we collected all the evidence, I felt that I could win this lawsuit, but I knew that filing a lawsuit in Hong Kong will cost HK$600,000.00, it might perhaps cause a misunderstanding b/w me & the company, or you can say that to Hsinju's parents.....perhaps it was very hard for me to give them a proper account [of what happened], since we cooperated w/ Hsinju all these years, the one thing that I didn't help her to manage the situation well, was the recording contract.

G: Came across gangsters? (R: Uh.....) Can you considered them as underworld gangsters? (R: It was all right.....) Should be quite ruthless! Because.....actually.....

R: Because I...I...[G: Let's just say it like that]...psychologically/in my mind I didn't feel threatened! [G: Yes. Your former manager Amy...] I think that b/c after all.....I'm an actor, & then they were still pretty polite towards me! Then after that, they.....I wasn't very clear on these matters.

G: Actually, Amy blamed herself for this, b/c when we interview her, when she got to this part.....you can see that she's.....(R: Yeah, she still feels very badly!) [She] Was crying constantly. (R: Uh-uh-uh) She said when she discovered it, (R: Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm.) there were actually threats! How did you find out that you all had been deceived?

R: Actually, b/c she would definitely not want to tell me about this matter. Because she felt that she didn't want to increase my burden, b/c she felt at that time.....she helped me to look for a record company to release a CD, b/c it was my wish to release a CD. And when she was able to find one, we were all happy that I can make it come true. And then we held a press conference & the CD was released, then later on there were some problems w/ our cooperation, I think that none of us wanted this to happen, that's why she especially blamed herself!

Narration from montage:
Lin Hsinju looks delicate, but actually have a strong character, the audience might not know, a childhood attitude of standing-up for the weak/against injustice", even during her rebellious stage, once provoked a slap from her mother [to teach her a lesson], once caused a school teacher to be dismissed b/c of her. After all, she was young once.

Chapter IV: The Growing-up Years

G: In the family aspects, you are extremely dependent on your mother. (R: Mmm..mmm.) So in reality you grew up in a single-parent family (R: Uh, correct), & you were brought up by your mother since you were little?

R: Correct, since I was little. I think my parents...probably when I was in the 1st grade...they got divorced when I was in the 1st grade. Right. And then.....they didn't tell me why they got divorced! I think perhaps it was that their personalities didn't match, & I knew afterwards...it was I went w/ my mom to live w/ my maternal grandfather, right. But, I will not think, during this period of time, I have lost something. Because I felt that I have obtained more instead. My mom loved me, & then my dad also looked after me, even my dad's girlfriend at that time was very nice to me. So I feel that I have gotten more in return! My father often came over to the school to take me out to eat, I felt that...Hey, that is so great! I got a father who takes me out to eat stuff in the afternoon, the others were looking all envy. They didn't know about our family situation.

G: Like your maternal grandmother, your relationship w/ your grandmother was also great?

R: [My] relationship w/ my grandmother was the best, I was raised by my grandmother since I was little. My grandmother extremely, extremely, extremely loved me. Because.....I don't know, my mother.....gave a girl.....I was the only girl, handed me over to be raised by my grandmother, & then my younger brothers were handed over to be raised by my paternal grandmother. Perhaps b/c on my paternal grandmother's side they like boys more! Right. Since I was little.....moreover, I was w/ my parents since I was little, b/c my parents work in Taipei, my dad works in Taipei, therefore I lived in Taipei w/ my maternal grandmother's family. Frequently went out to play w/ her on Saturdays & Sundays & what have you.

G: Then, later on, of course your maternal grandmother passed away.

R: Right, right. I think my grandmother passed away when I was in th 5th or 6th grade. Right! That day was just.....I was playing at my aunt's house, my aunt said, hey, let's go back to check on grandma. Because at that time grandma already had bone cancer, & then we said let's go back to see grandma. And then afterwards.....my aunt said she wanted to eat some Yenoh brand cake & asked me to go buy some, I was all happy & running, running, running out to buy it, when I got back they told me that grandma died! I was like "Huh!", shocked/frozen! Because it was the first time experiencing that kind of life & death situation. I didn't cry or anything, just stood there, & then.....I was very scared! I don't know, at that time when my grandma died.....my grandma loved me very much but I was very scared, I was afraid to sleep by myself, I was afraid.....b/c before that I slept w/ my grandma, was afraid while sleeping alone will my grandma come back to look for me, haha...

G: Then during this period of time, were you a bit like the movie "C'est la Vie, Mon Cherie" [Xin Bu Liao Qing]? (R: Hahaha...) Returning after going out for something & then.....but at that time you were still little, & don't quite understand this kind of distinction.

R: Right, right! If I were older, I would feel very badly!

[Jackie]

Narration from montage:
Hsinju is one who likes to to stand up against injustice, during her school years, she was also a problem student causing people a lot of headaches!

G: Actually you.....if we were to talk about your childhood, actually your childhood was pretty rich/full, [Ruby nodding her head] & then you were like a little boy, & you also stood up against injustice.

R: At that time I like to be chivalrous (G: No, to be righteous!) I like to do the right thing & meddle in other people's business, right. We saw this old lady/granny, she was out on the street & came asking us to give her food.....b/c felt that we was so full of pity we gave her $100, & then said, "Are you OK?" She said she had been bullied/mistreated by her daughter-in-law. (G: Mmm) I said, "How can your daughter-in-law treat you like this?" It was like she didn't give her food to eat, gave her little to wear . She took us to where she lives, just so happens that her house was next door, it was a very broken-down/tattered house, there was a very old blanket. We were very angry! And then saw that her daughter-in-law's scooter was parked outside, haha..., pretty bad as a kid, we slashed the seat [of the scooter], felt that it was a way of helping her get revenge. Don't know what happened next.

G: Moreover, actually a teacher almost lost his/her job b/c of you! (R: Hahaha...ahh) We all know about it, let us look at the footage. (R: Aahh...hahaha!)

From on-screen montage: "A Carefree Hsinju"

Demi [Ruby's friend]: At that time, we were taking a history or a math test.....I forgot, & then in front of us sat the good students who have good grades. Then both of us got off our seats to take a look, & then.....at that time we were nearsighted & wore glasses, only put them on to cheat, & then I remembered our teacher came up behind us, patted both our backs & said something like, "You tarsiers, when it's time to study.....when it's time for test you didn't study, looking at other people's! And then we were like "Oh...", but the result was we still did pretty good [on the test]. And then there was one.....I think it was a biology teacher.....b/c the kind of scores we got were.....because we didn't have any concepts of it, & then I think the teacher hit.....hit us, I remembered. Actually, he hit us very lightly, I think he used a pen or some kind of a small ruler.....and then afterwards she & I both ran to the principal's office to complain, & then that teacher was gone the next semester!

R: Hahahaha...

G: How could there be this type of a student!!!

R: Because we.....I went to Blessed Imelda¡¦s School. [FYI: To see pics of Ruby's junior high school, go www.bish.tp.edu.tw/index91.htm, then click on the light yellow link--3rd one] (G: Ah.) Our school uses a love-based education, cannot hit students at all, & then the teacher.....b/c our class was really.....our class was not terrible but very mischievous, [we] liked to talk, eat things, the kind that would go, "Teacher, I have to use the restroom", then would go down to the school cafeteria to buy dumplings to eat, right. And then the teacher couldn't bear it anymore, "So, no one dares to hit you all, it that right? Fine, I don't believe in curses!" He actually only used this very small.....like some kind of a comb to hit us like this [demostration by Ruby: hitting her hand], after hitting us he dismissed us immediately. We went to the principal's office to complain, "Teacher, just now that.....oh, uh....."Principal, just now that teacher hit us", I said, "Is it not true that our school use a love-based form of education? How can they hit students like this, what if we get scars from this & what have you...", we knew how to put up a good talk at that time, said all those things...

G: You were pretty eloquent! (R: Tsk...speech competion. Hahaha...) Well put!

R: Hahaha..., right. (G: Pretty good, then what?) Then.....afterwards the teacher was dismissed. (G: Was it really like that?) We.....approximately three years.....others get a new teacher every three years, we change teachers every half-semester, moreover each time will have a different division/homeroom teacher, even our subject teachers were different! (G: Why?) Because we were too mischievous.

From on-screen montage: "A Slap from Mom"

Amy: During the time of her second advertisement.....she was in high school during that time. Then she got a a chocolate bar adverrtisement, what happened was.....b/c it was during her class time! What to do? Because the advertisement had already chosen her, she must go & shoot it. But, she had to attend class during that time. And then we, me & her, we told a very big lie, lied to her mother.....ah, no.....we lied to the school. We said that there was a problem in Hsinju's home or something.....said something like.....in any case she already has died or whatever, a person very, very, very far away, some sort of a funeral or something! Haa...& then Hsinju sneaked off secretly to shoot the advertisement. What happened was her schoolmate had called her house to look for Hsinju, said how come Hsinju didn't attend school! Her mother only then found out that her daughter did not attend class, only knew afterwards when she returned home that she secretly went to shoot an advertisement. It was her mother's, in her whole life, the first & only time that she slap Hsinju, it was that she felt why did she deceived her! And then that person who brought harm to her was me. Hahaha...(R: Hahaha)

G: Ho! She disguised as your mother & then said to the school.....

R: It really doesn't matter to the school that much, as long as you make the call.....I think to the school administration office. (G: Just say you have to be excused[from school].) Said you want to be excuse from school, just say.....at that time I said my paternal grandfather.....b/c my grandfather had already died, so said my grandfather fell ill, and then have to go whatever & so on, in any case anything similar to that will be fine, right. Then when I returned home, my mom said: Where have you been? "I was attending class! There was counselling today...blah blah blah...didn't even get to finish talking, "Pah" [Ruby made a slap gesture] a slap already came flying across!

G: [Your] Mother knew that you were lying!

R: Right! Because my schoolmate.....moreover she was from the class next door, not even from our class. Ha. (G: At that time your...) At that time, I.....I felt.....I felt pretty disgraceful, b/c I felt that I got exposed for lying, right! Actually, at that time there was no regret.....didn't say: "Aiya! Sorry, I didn't go to school or whatever". I felt that getting caught for lying was very disgraceful! Haa...

G: Can we talk about your first love? (R: I guess it was freshman year[1st year of high school]) The first time you had a crush on a guy was your freshman year?

R: Actually I had a secret crush on him from the start! It was he who first wrote a letter/note to me saying he wanted to be friends w/ me, only then did I like him. (G: Really?!) Because at that time I just entered the school, & then I got this haircut, it was suppose to look like Sakai Norika's, but the cut turned out ugly, turned into Yang C.C. Haa... (G: HAHAHA...well Yang C.C. is not that...) I don't mean to say that Yang C.C. was ugly! (G: Right, right, right!) It was b/c she wore this hairband.....& my my haircut was too ugly, so I put on this hairband to wrap/cover this thing up.....wrap/cover up that level. Moreover, the thing I wore was white, as soon as I walk into the school it looked so obvious. Our school doesn't have any rules for this thing, & then everyone would say, Hey, that Yang C.C. younger classmate, so on & so on...! Each day I would receive a lot of letters from the guys. Got this particular letter, & then looked towards him....."Oh, good-looking guy! Hahaha...finally a good-looking guy pursuing me! And then felt.....like I liked him a lot b/c he's so good looking, pretty superficial back then, hah.

G: Let us take a look at this clip of Hsinju's first love.

[Jackie]

From on-screen montage: "Hsinju's First Love"

Demi: Because at that time she has this upper-classman boyfriend, & she liked that upper-classman a lot, & then she was a freshman & that guy was a junior. But afterwards that guy got expelled or transferred or something, I didn't even know exactly what happened. It was like one of those Japanese comic book kind of secret crushes, & then will feel that that upper-classman is so tall & handsome, everyone in the school also thought so & she has some face that this guy likes her! In any case, it just so funny thinking about it right now! Ruby.....Ruby's personality back then was.....at that time that guy told her that he got expelled/forced to leave school, & I think Ruby replied him like "So what?" She was like really cold, "So what?!" In the end that guy didn't see her again. He wrote her a letter, he felt that a normal girl shouldn't have that kind of a reaction, ha..."So what?!" Hah..., right! And then I guess she felt that it was so sudden! And then she cried & cried & cried that her contact lenses fell out! (R: Hahaha...)

G: What fell out?

R: Contact lenses! (G: Oh.) Right! Just so happened [we] were in school. The last time he came to look for me was.....uh, I borrowed a videotape from him, at that time we had already broken up the day before, so I said.....I will return the videotape to you tomorrow.....Oh, I think I had the tape & then told a friend to tell him that I wanted to return the videotape to him. And he came up. And then the both of us were looking at each other & didn't say anything, I said something like[Ruby said it in a low voice] "Why don't you like me?" And then at that time.....actually I felt a bit.....tsk.....b/c I was very strong, will not cry. It was a bit like.....sniff-sniff, hurry-up, why cry.....holding in the tears! Afterwards I cried & cried & cried.....it was fine that he didn't say anything, but when he started to talk.....perhaps still feel bad. So I cried, cried, cried & the contact lenses fell out, then our Chinese teacher, an old lady about 60 something years old was helping me to look for my contact lenses. Hahaha, it was very funny! And then I called her[Demi], she was in summer camp at that time, she was my schoolmate from junior high & I was in high school at that time. She was in summer camp, I didn't dare to use the phone at home, I had to use the public phone outside of our building, we spoke on the phone for quite a long time, talking & crying at the same time, my feet were were so sore so I borrowed a chair from this old lady next to me, sat there & continued talking & crying. Hahaha...b/c I was telling my schoolmate about my miseries! Hahaha...

From on-screen montage:
Hsinju was almost forced to leave the school, & how will she get pass this dark time?

G: Actually in regards to your studies, actually you almost got kick out. (R: Haa...right!) Is it correct? (R: Cheh-Heh-heh) You're the kind that cheats on tests, & then.....

R: Not that one, never got caught for that.

G: I know. But when the school bell rang to start class, you might not necessarily be entering the classroom. After the bell for the end of class rings, perhaps only then did you slowly enter the room.

R: Right! Because our school.....our school is very small, if you're late then you're punished to stand during the hoisting of the flag, & well the school is very small, therefore the entire school will know that you are being punished. If we enter after 7:40 then we have to stand there until the flag is done raising at 8:10 & then will go in! Well, I felt that it's very embarrassing to be punished to stand. Back then we lived very far, each day I had to hurriedly take a taxi [or public transportation--not sure] & was already very tired & have to be punished to stand, & then afterwards I would...in any case, if I it's after 7:40 then I will not enter the classroom, I will go.....[Ruby was talking so fast & calm, suddenly she got this "Oh-no, I'm dead" look on her face. Very funny.]...Oh, I'm done for! My mom's watching. Tsk! (G: Hahaha...) Hahahaha...

G: No matter, you have long graduated. (R: Hahaha...) In any case, your mom already.....

R: She already got used to it. She was at the school on my behalf a lot of times. And then I would go next door to eat breakfast, moreover will run into familiar people -- a lot of classmates from our class, ha heh...after we finish eating breakfast we would then go in. Because we were in very good terms/friendly with that security guard uncle. He was the one who registers the latecomers/tardy students. Therefore, would bring him breakfast to eat when entering, "Uncle, I'm going in now, bye-bye.", "OK! Hurry, your Drillmaster just left." And then I would just go in! Ah-hahaha...

G: Actually we also know.....actually personally Hsinju also helped played matchmaker to her parents. (R: Hahah...) Because we had just discussed that your parents separated when you were in first grade, (R: Right, right!) But they are now back together.

R: Right! I guess it was during the time I had just entered this business. First time going to film in Hong Kong, then at that time.....my mom...at that time...she said my dad is very bored living by himself, I came back from shooting in Hong Kong, the first time going there to shoot, & then my mom said, "Your dad said he's bored living by himself, [he] asked you whether or not you want to go live w/ him." I said, "Why should I go live w/ him? You going there is fine." And then my mom said, "Why would I want to go?!" I felt that I actually really wanted to go! Hahahha...(G: Hahahaha...) And then was too embarrassed [to say it]!

G: Hahaha...unfilial daughter. And then what?

R: Right! I won't be watching this episode together w/ them. Haha.

G: Ok, let's agree on that!

R: Right! And then.....afterwards.....when it was time to eat we would go out to eat together. And then afterwards I had to go film again, & then both of them were together. I think that this is quite good, (G: I think so too.) Mmm, b/c [they were] separated for over 10 years & then can be together again.....in any case, will need a partner in old age, right.

G: Mmm. Do you want to say to your parents?

R: Aye...hah...nothing...actually, I know you guys...[Ruby said softly: "Oh, how annoying/bothersome" lowers her head w/ hand on her forehead]...it's that I feel it's very tiring...& then...[Ruby got teary-eyed & covers her mouth] thank-you! [Ruby shaking her head & tears already started shedding] Uh...nothing...it's to say...Thank-you, Mom & Dad for waking me up each morning! Hahaha...(G: Wake you up every morning..) right...[Ruby wiping away tears w/ Kleenex] sometimes when I'm at home...will have bad tempers...asking me about things...the contract situation...what have you...b/c I have been out working all day & feel very tired, sometimes my tone of voice is not very good. In any case, you both know, I'm just saying them & I don't mean anything by them...so...in any case, you both had already raised me this long, haha...

G: Hahaha...continue to bear/endure it!

R: Just bear/endure it a bit longer, nothing in particular...just thank-you very much/very greatful!

End.