FOUR COMRADES, ONE ECHO
From Non-fiction To Fiction
From Cinema To Theater
From Collectivity Back To Individuality
FROM NON-FICTION TO FICTION
In the early stages of filming, I mostly used an observational approach. We shot for a long time, with minimal direction, framing things simply, trying to lower the presence of both myself and the camera. I wanted the camera to feel less like a witness, and more like a quiet companion.
Outside of the “games,” we revisited the rural villages where they had once been sent during the Cultural Revolution as “educated youth”. We documented ordinary moments of their naps, meals, and casual conversations. We filmed my nephew coming out to them. We also filmed as they tried, from their own experiences, to define what a “good man” for me might look like.
It became more and more clear to me that they were not just participants or subjects; they were creators with their own unique talents. How can I create space for their talents to land, and eventually invite them to become collaborators of the film?
As part of an experiment, I gave each of them a “character profile”, which has been usually used to invent fictional roles, and asked them to fill it out with real information about themselves. In the section on “personal achievements”, most of them wrote that they’d accomplished nothing. In the section about “what had blocked their dreams”, almost all of them mentioned the Cultural Revolution.
The "character profiles" they filled in for themselves
I wrote a biography for every one of them based on our interviews, and then checked the facts with them.
I also transcribed our two “script writing” meetings, and reshaped those conversations into stories for their imagined characters:
From Liu Yazhuo to Liu Defang
刘亚卓，1951年出生，在兄弟姐妹八个当中排行老三，在姐妹中是大姐。文化大革命开始的时候她15岁，跟同学一起成为红卫兵，还作为“知识青年”下乡到农村劳动近三年。最后在四川卷烟厂当工人近30年到退休。
她曾把在图片从杂志上剪贴下来，压在工厂桌子的玻璃板下面收藏。她从小就爱美，小时候家里穷困，但即使总是穿带补丁的衣服，她也会拒绝穿补丁缝德不够完美的衣服。改革开放之后，她有了更多接触时尚的机会，于是时尚成了她最大的爱好。
她还爱好室内装修设计，每个姐妹的家都是她监工装修的。她还受到过别人的雇佣，设计和监督装修。但她始终没有把这个爱好发展成事业。
她跟丈夫是在文革期间认识的。后来两人在同一个工厂工作。两人养育了一个儿子。
她的性格既温柔又刚强，是一个完美主义者。
The Real Story：
Liu Yazhuo, born in 1951, is the third among eight siblings and the eldest sister. When the Cultural Revolution began, she was 15 and, together with her classmates, became a Red Guard. She spent nearly three years as an “educated youth” working in the countryside. Later, she worked as a factory worker at the Sichuan Tobacco Factory for almost 30 years before retiring.
She used to cut pictures out of magazines and keep them under the glass on her factory desk as a collection. She has always had a love for beauty; even though her family was poor and she often wore clothes with patches, she would refuse to wear anything that was patched imperfectly. After the reforms, she had more opportunities to engage with fashion, and it became her greatest hobby.
She also enjoyed interior design and oversaw the renovations of each of her sisters’ homes. She even took on freelance work, designing and supervising renovations for others. However, she never turned this passion into a career.
She met her husband during the Culture Revolution, and they later worked at the same factory. Together, they raised one son.
Her personality is both gentle and strong, and she is a perfectionist.
刘德芳是资阳卓雅装饰公司的老板，也是当地商会的会长。她从小就特别会搭配颜色，看东西一眼就能知道尺寸角度。初中时成绩特别好，可惜文化大革命来了，没能上大学。
她最早就是喜欢翻装修的书看，后来给朋友装了几套房子，大家都说好，就这样干起了装修。现在她的公司可大了，有30-50个管理人员，门口天天都有施工队等着接活儿。她主要就是负责监督，具体活都交给别人干。
她最厉害的是能把不同风格混在一起，比如外面弄个田园风的茅草屋，里面做成欧式风格。改革开放那会儿，她特别机灵，马上跟着旅游团去了欧洲13个国家。还买了个高级的日本相机，走到哪儿拍到哪儿。回来就让顾客看着这些照片选装修风格。
她老公苏城在日报社当副主编，个子高高的，喜欢打排球，字写得特别漂亮。两口子感情很好，苏城经常给装修完的客户送自己写的字画。大家都觉得他们是模范夫妻，但只有她心里知道，她其实并不爱他。
刘德芳对工人特别好，夏天还给发矿泉水。有个重庆建筑学院的大学生来实习，家里人生病没钱治，她二话不说就帮忙。这个学生特别感动，毕业了说什么也不去别处，非要留在她公司。她劝人家去更好的地方发展，人家就是不愿意。
她穿衣服特别有品位，能把地摊货穿出大牌的感觉。但就是这样，她还是觉得没有一件衣服是完美的。有件红黑格子的棉袄和一件破得都是洞的毛衣，穿了多少年都舍不得扔。她办公室里贴满了从杂志上剪下来的画，有放羊的小姑娘，有点蜡烛的女人，还有皮夹克的广告，她觉得这些画特别美。
虽然事业很成功，但她太追求完美了，连摆碗筷、放桌子都有严格要求。她家住的是自己装修的三层别墅加地下室：一楼是厨房、厕所和客厅，二楼是工作间和电脑室，三楼是卧室，地下室是车库。装修得特别简单，就是大白墙，挂着小圆球灯，连台灯都是用刷了漆的管子做的。虽然看着很舒服，但她总觉得还能更好，连装修好的房子自己都不愿意再进去看。
因为这个追求完美的性格，她得了焦虑症，老是莫名其妙发脾气。不光自己过得不开心，连身边的人都觉得压力大，工作搭档也经常抱怨。女儿姝姝现在在南门师范学校当语文老师，是个宅女，喜欢看《荆棘鸟》这样外国文学，家里还装了投屏看电影。虽然母女关系很好，无话不谈，女儿也经常带街拍照片回来看她，但两人老是为发型、穿衣这些事吵架。不过最后总是刘德芳先让步，毕竟她虽然管得严，但从不干涉女儿谈恋爱。
虽然在外人眼里她什么都有了，可她还是经常觉得孤独，就像她收藏的那幅画里放羊的小姑娘，站在羊群里却显得特别孤单。
The Imagined Version：
Liu Defang owns a home renovation company in Ziyang called Zhuoya Decoration. She’s also the head of the local chamber of commerce. Since she was little, she’s had a great eye for color and could tell measurements just by looking.
She did really well in middle school, but the Cultural Revolution happened and she never got to attend university.
She started out just reading books on home design. Then she helped some friends renovate their homes, and everyone loved it. That’s how she got into the business. Now her company is pretty big—with 30 to 50 employees—and construction crews line up outside her office every day waiting for jobs. She mainly supervises while others do the hands-on work.
Her specialty is mixing different styles—like a thatched cottage on the outside with a European interior. Back during the early days of the economic reform, she was quick to catch on. She joined a tour group and visited 13 countries in Europe. She even bought a fancy Japanese camera and took pictures everywhere she went. Back home, she’d show those photos to clients to help them choose styles.
Her husband, Su Cheng, is a deputy editor at the local newspaper. He’s tall, plays volleyball, and has beautiful handwriting. They’re a loving couple—Su Cheng often gifts his calligraphy to her clients after a renovation. Everyone sees them as a model couple, but only she knows—she doesn’t really love him.
Liu Defang treats her workers well. In summer, she gives out bottled water. Once, a college student from Chongqing came to intern and couldn’t afford treatment for a sick family member. She helped right away, no questions asked. The student was so touched that after graduating, he insisted on staying with her company, even when she encouraged him to find better opportunities.
She has great taste in clothes and can make street market finds look like designer pieces. Still, she feels like no outfit is ever truly perfect. She has a red-and-black plaid jacket and an old, holey sweater that she’s worn for years and refuses to throw out. Her office walls are covered with magazine cutouts—pictures of a girl herding sheep, a woman lighting a candle, and a leather jacket ad. She thinks they’re all beautiful.
Even though her business is a success, she’s a perfectionist—down to how bowls are arranged and how tables are set. She lives in a self-designed three-story villa with a basement. The first floor has the kitchen, bathroom, and living room; the second is her studio and computer room; the third is her bedroom; and the basement is a garage. The decoration is super simple: white walls, round ball lights, even the desk lamps are painted metal pipes. It all looks nice, but she always thinks it could be better. She doesn’t even like going back into the finished space.
This perfectionism gave her anxiety. She often gets irritated for no reason. Not only does she feel unhappy—people around her feel the pressure too. Her coworkers complain sometimes.
Her daughter, Shushu, is a Chinese teacher at Nanmen Normal School. She’s a homebody who loves foreign literature like The Thorn Birds, and has a projector at home to watch movies. The two are close and talk about everything. Shushu often brings back street-style photos to show her mom, but they argue all the time about haircuts and outfits. In the end, it’s always Liu Defang who gives in. She’s strict, but never interferes with her daughter’s love life.
From the outside, it looks like she has everything. But she often feels lonely—like the girl in her favorite painting, standing in the middle of a flock of sheep, looking completely alone.
From Liu Li to Liu Dechun
刘李， 1958年出生， 是双胞胎姐妹中的姐姐。她从小学习成绩优异，18岁的时候响应文化大革命的号召，作为知识青年下乡劳动。恢复高考以后，但她连续三年都没有考上大学。为了不再增加家庭的负担，她参加了建厂局招工，曾在工地上从泥瓦工做起。
她在单位遇到了后来的丈夫。建厂局是一个流动单位，两人先后在山东，陕西，广东工作和生活，最终在上海定居。
为了照顾家庭，加上建厂局改制等原因，所以她不得不几乎每十年换一个职业。她从事了瓦工、共青团工作、教师。为了从事工程预算工作，她42岁不得不重新考资格证。
小时候受到父亲影响，喜欢上了拉小提琴。后来小提琴被母亲卖掉了。退休以后，她拥有了朋友移民后闲置的一台钢琴，开始在老年大学重新学习钢琴。
她和丈夫养育了一个儿子。
她性格敏感，容易紧张和焦虑，常年失眠。
The Real Story：
Liu Li, born in 1958, is the older of a pair of twin sisters. She had good academic performance growing up and, at 18, responded to the Cultural Revolution’s call by going to the countryside as a “sent-down youth.” After the college entrance exam was reinstated, she failed to gain admission three years in a row. Not wanting to burden her family any further, she joined the Construction Bureau and started working as a bricklayer on construction sites.
She met her future husband at work. As the bureau was a mobile unit, the couple lived and worked across several provinces—Shandong, Shaanxi, Guangdong, before eventually settling in Shanghai.
Due to family responsibilities and the restructuring of the bureau, she had to change careers nearly every decade. Over the years, she worked as a bricklayer, a youth league coordinator, a teacher, and later, to pursue a job in project budgeting, she studied for and earned a certification at the age of 42.
Influenced by her father, she developed a love for the violin in her childhood, though the instrument was later sold by her mother. After retirement, she inherited a friend’s unused piano when they emigrated, and began learning to play at a community senior college.
She and her husband raised one son.
She and her husband raised one son.
She is sensitive by nature, prone to anxiety and long-term insomnia.
刘德春是成都华西医院的心血管内科正教授。她平时开车出行，穿着简单大方得体，是个容易紧张的人，但神奇的是，只要面对患者，这份紧张就会消失——因为这是她最专业的领域。每次手术前，她都会在更衣室里默默向主祈祷（她是基督徒），这个习惯让她获得平静。
她选择当医生有两个刻骨铭心的原因：一是童年时听着生病的妈妈痛苦呻吟却无能为力；二是在她小的时候，曾被一位医德特别高尚的医生所救治。
虽然她学习很认真，但赶上文化大革命耽误了学业，她常想要是生在条件更好的家庭，就能更专心读书了。好在妈妈很有远见，一直鼓励她们姐妹用功学习。
她老公安子是同医院的医生，后来转做行政当上了后勤处处长。两人是在一次学术会议上认识的，安子主动追求的她。安子性格不错，把家务活都打理得井井有条，就是爱抽烟喝酒，两口子常为学术问题吵架，但日子还是过下来了。这里要特别说明：虽然外人看来他们是模范夫妻，但刘医生内心深处最大的秘密是——她其实想换个丈夫。
她有个真正的灵魂伴侣，叫王靖，是医院的麻醉师。王靖经常给她送外卖，像鸡汤面、炖甲鱼汤这些。王靖的老婆在护士站工作，跟刘医生是闺蜜，两家关系看起来很正常。其实刘医生和王靖互相欣赏，只是相遇的时间不对，加上双方都有家庭，所以只能把感情藏在心里。很多人爱慕刘医生，但她都拒绝了。
他们的女儿安逸很有气质，大学毕业后跟同学合伙开了家"安全律师事务所"。因为妈妈工作太忙，安逸跟爸爸更亲，虽然偶尔会抱怨妈妈，但也能理解。刘医生对女儿最大的期望就是"平淡快乐"，虽然以前为女儿不够上进吵过架，后来也想通了。
刘医生的日常特别忙：早上随便吃点牛奶鸡蛋馒头就要赶着上班，中午经常忙得只能在诊室简单休息。因为吃饭不规律，落下了严重的胃病，经常胃疼得只能喝粥。她业余时间最爱弹钢琴和拉小提琴，家务活是真不擅长。
有一台手术让她终生难忘：最开心的是那次半夜抢救25岁研究生黎明。凌晨1点开始做先天性心脏病手术，术前她觉得凶多吉少，但手术异常成功。结束后她直接瘫在地上泪流不止，家属跪地感谢。后来黎明认她做干妈，成了她的"关门弟子"。
退休后她去各地讲学，被医院返聘。
她对亲人特别友善，对妹妹尤其照顾，虽然对妹妹领导朋友的请托有点烦，但都会耐心处理。她的朋友主要来自患者，比如有个农村患者她不仅全力抢救，还给予了经济帮助，两人因此成为多年的好朋友。
The Imagined Version：
Liu Dechun is a senior cardiology professor at West China Hospital in Chengdu. She usually drives to work, dresses simply but neatly. She’s a naturally anxious person—but strangely, that all goes away when she’s with patients. That’s her comfort zone. Before every surgery, she quietly prays in the locker room (she’s Christian). It helps her stay calm.
There are two big reasons why she became a doctor: one, when she was little, her mom was sick and in pain, and she couldn’t do anything about it. Two, she was once treated by a truly kind and ethical doctor—that left a deep mark on her.
She always studied hard, but her education was disrupted by the Cultural Revolution. She often thinks, if she were born into a better-off family, maybe she could’ve focused more on her studies. Thankfully, her mother was forward-thinking and encouraged the sisters to work hard in school.
Her husband, An Zi, was also a doctor at the same hospital, then switched to admin and became head of logistics. They met at a medical conference—he was the one who pursued her. He’s a decent guy, runs the household well, but smokes and drinks a lot. They often argue over academic stuff, but managed to get through life together. That said, here’s the truth: even though people think they’re a model couple, deep down, Dr. Liu has always wished for a different husband.
Her real soulmate is Wang Jing, an anesthetist at the hospital. He often brought her meals—chicken noodle soup, turtle stew, that kind of thing. His wife works at the nurse’s station and is actually Dr. Liu’s best friend, so on the surface, everything looked normal. But Liu and Wang really admired each other. Wrong timing, wrong situation. They both had families, so they buried the feelings deep. Lots of people liked Dr. Liu, but she turned them all down.
Their daughter, An Yi, is graceful and elegant. After college, she started a law firm called “Anquan Law” with classmates. Because her mom was always working, she was closer to her dad. She sometimes complains about her mom but also understands her. Dr. Liu’s biggest wish for her daughter is just “a simple, happy life.” They used to argue when she thought her daughter wasn’t ambitious enough, but later she let it go.
Her daily schedule is packed: breakfast is usually just milk, eggs, and a steamed bun before rushing to work. At noon, she’s often too busy to eat properly, just rests a bit in her office. Because of this, she developed serious stomach problems and now often has to stick to porridge.
Outside of work, she loves playing piano and violin. But she’s really not good at chores.
There’s one surgery she’ll never forget: a late-night emergency for a 25-year-old grad student named Li Ming. It started at 1 a.m.—a tough congenital heart case. She feared the worst, but the surgery went incredibly well. After it ended, she collapsed on the floor, crying. The patient’s family knelt in thanks. Later, Li Ming called her his godmother and became her final student.
After retiring, she kept giving lectures around the country and was rehired by the hospital.
She’s always kind to family, especially her younger sister. Even though she finds it annoying when her sister’s friends ask for favors, she still helps out patiently. Most of her real friendships come from her patients—like one rural patient she not only saved but also helped financially. They’ve been close ever since.
From Li Liu to Liu Delan
李刘， 1958年出生，是双胞胎姐妹中的妹妹。她因为身体健康状况，没有参加知识青年下乡劳动，留在家里帮助母亲照顾家庭。她是姐妹中受教育程度最低，却被认为是“情商”最高的。她曾在国营的饮食服务公司担任餐厅的服务员，代表资阳参加“端碗”和“包饺子”等技能比赛，赢得了第一名。
后来她成为了一名幼儿园老师直到退休。她即亲和有严格的教育方法，受到了学生和家长的喜欢。
她的丈夫是一名司机，两人养育了一名儿子。
她性格直爽，在外遇到不公的时候不会软弱，面对自己的姐妹却更多的是隐忍和照顾。
The Real Story：
Li Liu, born in 1958, is the younger of the twin sisters. Due to her health, she didn't join the educated youth movement to the countryside, staying home to help her mother with household chores. She had the least formal education among the sisters, but was always known for having the highest “emotional intelligence.”
She started out as a waitress at a state-owned restaurant service company. She represented Ziyang in competitions for skills like "serving bowls" and "making dumplings," winning first place.
Later, she became a kindergarten teacher and stayed in that role until retirement. She was warm but firm, known for her strict yet caring teaching style. Both students and parents adored her.
Her husband worked as a driver, and they raised one son together.
She is outspoken and never shies away from standing up for herself when facing unfairness in public. Yet with her own sisters, she is often more patient, quietly caring for and supporting them.
刘德兰是个整天笑呵呵的人，看电视看到感人的地方却准会掉眼泪。她个子不高，身材胖胖的，但一点不在乎，穿衣服特别敢穿，什么时髦穿什么，完全没有身材焦虑。
她在川师学的学前教育，教的是学前班数学。对学生特别有耐心，活泼开朗，和同事关系都很好。虽然得过不少教学奖，发表过很多论文，但就是有点安于现状。
她老公大同是学生家长的哥哥，因为接孩子认识的。那时候刘老师晚上要上夜班，大同经常来接她。后来学校排节目，大同也来帮忙，就这么好上了。大同长得特别特别帅，一米七的个子，大眼睛高鼻梁，皮肤白白的。在公安局当副科长，以前是连级干部。
不过大同有个毛病，爱存私房钱，还特别喜欢喝酒打麻将。有次儿子要考高中，刘老师让他在家陪孩子，结果他撒谎说加班，其实是去打麻将。刘老师从同事家属那儿知道后，直接冲到麻将馆把桌子给掀了。
最惊险的故事跟一桩制毒案有关。一伙外地人租了农民房子制冰毒，用电量特别不正常。大同带队去蹲守，发现他们半夜开工，还把化学废料偷偷排到农民地里。那段时间大同天天不着家，电话也不接，刘老师以为他又去打牌了，急得去找领导告状。后来才知道老公是在执行秘密任务，最后破获大案立了集体一等功，升任缉毒支队队长。
两口子感情特别好。大同情人节会买花买红酒，还经常帮她布置幼儿园。两个人都喜欢徒步，装备特别齐全，帐篷、登山杖样样都有。大同有脂肪肝，徒步是为了养生。他们经常出去野营，围着篝火又唱又跳。
刘老师特别喜欢当红娘，成就了好几对姻缘。不过也有看走眼的时候，人家过得不幸福，她还去劝和。连自己儿子的对象都想介绍，是她幼儿园同事，可惜儿子不干。
她儿子在电子科大本硕连读，现在是程序员。母子俩关系特别好，儿子都叫她"胖子"。儿媳妇在人力资源部工作，特别会来事，刘老师生病时照顾得可周到了。
她养过一只泰迪狗叫珠珠，是姐姐送的。有次没拴绳子过马路，被车压死了，全家都哭得不行。从那以后她再也不养狗了，受不了这种离别。
她最好的朋友李小梅是个摄影爱好者，因为刘老师介绍医院治好了不孕症，两个人成了铁哥们。李小梅性格比较胆小，和刘老师正好互补。
她大大咧咧的，活得很洒脱。见不得别人受苦，对条件差的人特别同情。整天乐呵呵的，笑起来"嘿嘿嘿"的，特别有感染力。
The Imagined Version：
Liu Delan is always cheerful, but whenever she watches something touching on TV, she can’t help but tear up.
She’s short and chubby, but couldn’t care less—she wears whatever’s trendy, without any body anxiety.
She studied “early childhood education” at Sichuan Normal University and now teaches preschool math. She’s patient, bubbly, and gets along great with her coworkers. She’s won a bunch of teaching awards and published several papers, but she’s pretty content with where she is.
Her husband, Datong, is the older brother of one of her student’s parents. They met when he came to pick up the kid. At the time, Ms. Liu had night shifts, so he often came to walk her home. Later, when the school needed volunteers for a performance, he came to help—and that’s how they fell for each other. Datong is very, very handsome—around 1.7 meters tall, with big eyes, a high nose bridge, and fair skin. He works as a deputy chief at the police bureau, and used to be an officer in the army.
But he has a bad habit: stashing away secret money. He also loves drinking and playing mahjong. Once, when their son was preparing for high school exams, Ms. Liu asked him to stay home and help. He said he had to work late—but he was actually out playing mahjong. When Ms. Liu found out from another teacher’s spouse, she stormed into the mahjong parlor and flipped the whole table.
The most thrilling story has to do with a drug manufacturing case. A group of outsiders had rented a farmhouse to make meth, and their electricity use was off the charts. Datong led the stakeout and discovered they worked at night and dumped toxic waste into nearby farmland. During that time, he was never home and didn’t answer calls. Ms. Liu thought he was gambling again and even went to his boss to complain. She only found out later that he was on a secret mission. The case turned out to be a major bust—they received a collective first-class merit, and Datong got promoted to head of the anti-drug unit.
They’re a loving couple. On Valentine’s Day, Datong brings flowers and wine, and often helps decorate her classroom. They both love hiking and have all the gear—tents, trekking poles, everything. Datong has fatty liver, so hiking is part of his health routine. They often go camping, singing and dancing around the fire.
Ms. Liu also loves playing matchmaker. She’s successfully paired up several couples. But she’s made mistakes too—when one couple she introduced wasn’t doing well, she even stepped in to help patch things up. She even wanted to introduce someone to her son—a colleague from the kindergarten—but he wasn’t interested.
Her son is doing a combined bachelor’s and master’s at UESTC and now works as a programmer. They’re super close—he calls her “Fatty.” His wife works in HR and knows exactly how to take care of people. When Ms. Liu was sick, her daughter-in-law looked after her so well.
She used to have a toy poodle named Zhuzhu, a gift from her sister. One day, the dog crossed the street off-leash and was hit by a car. The whole family cried their hearts out. Since then, she’s never had another dog. The pain of losing one was just too much.
Her best friend, Li Xiaomei, is into photography. They became close after Ms. Liu introduced her to a doctor who helped her overcome infertility. Li is a bit timid, so the two balance each other out perfectly.
Ms. Liu is open-hearted and carefree. She can’t stand to see others suffer and has deep sympathy for people in tough situations. She’s always laughing—her giggle goes “hehehe”—and it’s totally infectious.
From Li Yulan to Liu Delan
真实人物：
刘毓兰，1962年出生，是姐妹中年纪最小的一个，也因此受到文化大革命的影响最少，顺利进入大学，学习体育教育专业。毕业之后在中学教书，最后安顿在了资阳市教育局，在教研室当教研员。虽然她工作能力很强，但因为对政治不感兴趣，也只想专心做母亲，所以一辈子从未争取过工作上的晋升机会。
她通过别人介绍认识了军人丈夫，28岁的时候生下四姐妹中唯一的女儿（我）。丈夫在外地工作，她一边上班一边照顾女儿直到女儿12岁那年，丈夫才转业回到她身边。
在一个崇尚和谐的社会，她心直口快，性格坚毅，不甘示弱。她最大的遗憾是不曾到更大的城市去发展。
The Real Story：
Liu Yulan, born in 1962, is the youngest of the four sisters. Because of her age, she was less affected by the Cultural Revolution and was able to go to university, where she studied physical education. After graduation, she taught at a middle school and later worked at the Ziyang Education Bureau as a curriculum researcher. Although she was capable at work, she wasn’t interested in politics and only wanted to focus on being a mother. She never sought promotions.
She met her husband, a military officer, through a matchmaker, and gave birth to the only daughter among the four sisters, me, at the age of 28. Since her husband was stationed elsewhere, she raised me on her own while working full-time. He only transferred back to be with us when I was twelve.
In a society that values harmony, she is known for being blunt, strong-willed, and unwilling to bend. Her greatest regret is never having the chance to build a life in a bigger city.
虚构版本：
刘德辉从小就是家里最受宠的小女儿，没吃过什么苦头。大学读的是体育教育，毕业后当了体育老师。那个年代体育老师基本都是男的，女体育老师特别少，但她特别有本事，课教得好，人又机灵，很快就让那些男同事都服气了。领导们也都挺看好她，觉得这姑娘是块当官的料。
刚工作那会儿，她住在学校分的公房里。因为工作能力突出，没几年就被调到省教育厅了。后来一路往上爬，当过教育局的中层干部，最后当上了副局长。她办事特别干脆利落，说话快，做事雷厉风行，在单位里说一不二。当上领导后有了专车接送，在她家四姐妹里就数她工资最高，日子过得特别风光。
她老公高洋是成都警备司令部后勤处处长，两人是通过工作关系认识的。高洋是四川本地人，毕业于石家庄军事学院，家里是军人世家，父亲是1942年参加革命的老干部。高洋自己也很能干，在部队里管军用物资，特别会钻政策的空子，总是踩着红线办事但从来没出过事。不过两口子都忙，经常见不着面，感情慢慢就淡了。
随着官越做越大，找她办事的人越来越多，都是些升学、升官的事儿。连她三个姐妹也经常往她别墅跑，带着土特产来找她帮忙。她经常让保姆开门，自己坐在沙发上看文件，连身都不起。有时候忙起来，姐妹连她面都见不上，只能把礼物交给保姆。
她生活特别奢侈，穿香奈儿的皮衣，背五六个LV的包，脚踩普拉达的鞋子。在成都买了栋三层的大别墅，还带地下室。后来查出来，她还在另一套房子的地板下藏了好多金银财宝，连她老公都不知道。
她儿子高兴就是个典型的官二代。大学读得马马虎虎，后来送去新西兰留学，结果连毕业证都没混到。整天就知道打台球、骑摩托车到处耍，还仗着爹妈的势力欺负人。打着父母的旗号搞房地产，靠着关系轻松拿项目。还开了个建筑公司和洗浴中心，洗浴中心涉黄，建筑公司是挂在别人名下的。
她在健身房认识了个体院学生邓聪，小伙子长得帅，身材好，在健身房当私教。俩人一来二去就好上了，她给人家买跑车、摩托车、名牌衣服，还开了个健身房。不过邓聪就是图她的钱，俩人经常开总统套房。
后来东窗事发，是因为邓聪要钱越来越多，她就开始挪用公款，连救灾款都敢动。收到风声后，她主动投案自首，认罪态度好，退赃也退得痛快。被抓的时候，发现她还有一套房子，地板下面全是金银财宝等。这些她老公都不知道。
最后被开除公职，判了十二年。那些名牌包包、衣服都被没收了。
有意思的是，出事之后她老公高洋不但没怪她，还安慰她，帮她还赃款。她儿子也因为这事改邪归正了，把洗浴中心关了，专心做建筑公司。后来还遇到个贵人，是她以前帮忙安排进省教育厅的一个女人，这人的老公是搞建筑的，帮了她儿子不少忙。
十二年后，刘德辉出狱回到资阳。
The Imagined Version：
Liu Dehui was the youngest daughter in the family, loved and spoiled since childhood. She studied physical education in university and became a PE teacher after graduating. At that time, most PE teachers were men, but she was sharp and capable, quickly earning respect from her male colleagues. Her superiors saw leadership potential in her.
She started out living in school housing. Thanks to her strong performance, she was soon promoted to the provincial education department, and eventually became deputy director of the education bureau. She was fast-talking, efficient, and decisive—what she said went. Among her four sisters, she had the highest salary and lived the most glamorous life.
Her husband, Gao Yang, was head of logistics at the Chengdu Garrison Command. They met through work. He came from a military family, graduated from a military academy, and was good at navigating the system. But both were busy and barely saw each other, and their relationship faded over time.
As her position rose, people constantly came to her for favors—school admissions, promotions, etc. Even her sisters often visited her villa bringing gifts. She would stay seated reading documents, letting the housekeeper open the door. Sometimes she was too busy to meet them at all.
She lived lavishly—Chanel leather coats, multiple LV bags, Prada shoes. She owned a big three-story villa in Chengdu with a basement. Later, it was discovered that she had hidden gold and jewelry under the floor of another house—her husband had no idea.
Her son, Gao Xing, was a typical privileged kid. He studied abroad in New Zealand but didn’t graduate. He played around—billiards, motorcycles, showing off. He used his parents’ influence to get into real estate, started a construction company and a shady bathhouse. The bathhouse was involved in illegal activity; the construction company was under someone else’s name.
At the gym, Liu Dehui met a young personal trainer named Deng Cong. He was good-looking, fit, and they started a relationship. She spoiled him—bought him a sports car, motorcycle, designer clothes, and even opened a gym for him. They often stayed in luxury hotel suites. But Deng Cong was only after her money.
Eventually, things fell apart. To keep up with Deng’s demands, she started embezzling public funds—even disaster relief money. When she sensed she’d been exposed, she turned herself in, confessed, and returned the money. Authorities found yet another house of hers, also hiding treasures. Again, her husband knew nothing.
She was dismissed from her position and sentenced to 12 years in prison. All her luxury goods were confiscated.
Ironically, her husband never blamed her. He comforted her and helped repay the stolen money. Her son also turned his life around—closed the bathhouse and focused on the construction business. He even got help from a powerful couple—people Liu Dehui had once helped get into the education department.
Twelve years later, Liu Dehui returned to Ziyang.
They emboied their characters and started acting.
Both the scriptwriting and acting process become a reenactment of their sisterhood, a space where they speak up or compromise, filled with joy and pain. Most importantly, they support each other, both on set and in real life.
This way of working gave their individuality and creativity space. It became an organic, collaborative process, in which the characters they made up started talking to each other, like they’d always lived in the same world. Soon it wasn’t clear where the performance ended and the real person began. In that blurry space between non-fiction and fiction, they claimed their own agency of their own story. Imagination wasn’t just escape; it was empowerment.