Ai Zhu 爱珠

Description:

A young cameraman-reporter from a television station in southern China, on his first assignment, captured a news story with great propaganda value: Niu Jun-Qi, director of the diversified economy office of the Zhenzhuhu Commune, known as the "Pearl King," was sharing his experience in artificial pearl cultivation with visitors from various places, and the local people had become poor or rich because of pearl farming. The station director thought it could be broadcast as headline news, but the reporter then produced a note that read, "Don't put rouge on that little shrimp." He had found it just before leaving. To ensure the news was accurate and truthful, the director sent Wen Jian, a text reporter who had been sent to work in Zhenzhuhu ten years earlier, to investigate. Wen Jian's real name was An Xiao-Bing. Ten years earlier, while laboring in Zhenzhuhu, the harsh natural and living conditions had become unbearable, and he was desperate to return to the city, but in a storm he missed the last boat, leaving him stranded. Ai-Zhu, dressed as a village woman, took him into her home, cared for him, and comforted him, so he stayed. While herding cattle, An Xiao-Bing saw Ai-Zhu with a baby on her back pulling a boat and working, living alone by the lake and never associating with anyone, which struck him as strange. Later he learned that Ai-Zhu's parents had died, that she had been bullied and violated by a wicked man and had given birth to a daughter, and that she worked desperately to raise the child. He deeply sympathized with Ai-Zhu's misfortune and often helped her gather water chestnuts and pick up shells. Unexpectedly, their association became evidence that Ai-Zhu had "seduced" an educated youth, and she was branded a "female hooligan" and publicly denounced. One night An Xiao-Bing went to comfort Ai-Zhu, but the commune secretary, Niu Jun-Qi, led the militia in breaking down the door to "catch them in adultery." Ai-Zhu, disregarding her own safety, protected An Xiao-Bing, blocked Niu Jun-Qi, and said, "You ruined me, and now you want to ruin him too!" Only then did Xiao-Bing realize that Niu Jun-Qi was the wicked man who had violated Ai-Zhu. In a fury, he seized a clay pot and smashed it against Niu Jun-Qi's head, then fled. With no way out, he leaped into the lake. From then on, the people of Zhenzhuhu believed An Xiao-Bing was dead. When Wen Jian arrived at Zhenzhuhu, the one who came to meet him was none other than the former Secretary Niu, now Commune Director Niu Jun-Qi. Director Niu also felt that the bespectacled Wen Jian looked familiar, but did not dare acknowledge him. He accompanied the reporter at all times, making it impossible for Wen Jian to investigate. While dining at the guesthouse, Wen Jian unexpectedly met Uncle Xi, who worked there as a cook. While visiting the artificial pearl cultivation site by the lake, he saw Ai-Zhu again, but could not speak with her. Later, he finally recognized Uncle Xi, and through him clarified the truth about the "little shrimp." It turned out that after An Xiao-Bing fled, Ai-Zhu was in despair, but was saved by a fisheries expert undergoing "reform through labor" on a farm, who taught her artificial pearl cultivation. Ai-Zhu cultivated a "night pearl" and passed on the craft to her poor sisters. After the downfall of the "Gang of Four," Niu Jun-Qi transformed himself into a commune director, but continued to persecute Ai-Zhu and stole her pearl cultivation achievements, engaging in fraud. The truth came to light, and Wen Jian and Ai-Zhu reconciled. Returning to the television station, Wen Jian was about to report the investigation results when the director received a document exposing Wen Jian for having had illicit relations with a woman in Zhenzhuhu years earlier and fleeing after committing a violent act...