The scene opens with the family sitting in the living room, and the father tells his son that he has been away from the house for a year to attend school. The father asks his son if he is doing well in school, and his son tells him that he is, but that he feels ashamed to see his mother and aunt there. He tells his father that he should concentrate on his studies now, because the college entrance exam is coming up, and he says that he will apply to any university that he likes, including yanjing, university, andzhonghai. His father tells him to be realistic and not to be too ambitious, but the father reassures him that his son will be able to get into any university he likes. He also tells him not to worry about his father's foot, which is badly broken, and that he can cure it.