A-Long's Story

This film (drama)Also known as阿龙的故事，is aHong Kong, ChinaProducerwomen sex，At2003Released in year 。The dialogue language isCantonese，Current Douban rating7.9(For reference only)。

In a wooden shack in the countryside of Hong Kong, a mentally challenged young man named A-Long lives with his father Guo Ren and mother A-Jiao. Despite his unclear speech and slightly impaired movements, A-Long's condition is not as bad as people often imagine. In fact, A-Long has an extraordinary memory; he often accurately counts a pile of loose change with his father, knowing not only the total amount but also the precise number of each denomination. A-Long's good memory is also reflected in chess—no matter what strategies his father employs, A-Long always manages to defeat him in the opening, never failing to win. Although Guo Ren earns just enough at the stone processing factory to cover the family's expenses, the days spent together as a family are filled with laughter and joy amidst their poverty. They enjoy happiness in their ordinary lives, especially with their neighbor girl A-Yi frequently coming over to chat and keep A-Long company. A-Long's life, though challenged, brims with the carefree joy of youth. However, unforeseen events occur. Just as they settle into their humble yet happy routine, Guo Ren suffers an injury at work while trying to save a colleague, resulting in a torn ligament in his right leg. With Guo Ren unable to work, the burden of supporting the family falls on A-Jiao's shoulders. During Guo Ren's recovery, A-Jiao takes on every job she can find, from washing dishes in restaurants to temporary work at laundries. Despite her efforts, she contracts pneumonia from overwork, and her meager income makes little difference. Following a suggestion from Brother A-Fei, A-Jiao starts using her special skill: cooking pig bone congee. Thanks to her unique cooking style, the business selling pig bone congee becomes successful, temporarily alleviating their difficulties. However, this good fortune is short-lived, as law enforcement halts her newly thriving business. When it rains, it pours. Guo Ren's leg has not yet fully healed when A-Jiao tragically passes away after working herself to exhaustion. The double blow of losing both parents does not crush A-Long's will to live. Instead, he enters Brother Fei's stone processing factory, relying on his sincerity and cleverness. Just as A-Long gets accustomed to the work and bonds with his father's former colleagues, the factory faces closure due to management issues. Before shutting down, Brother Fei sets A-Long up with a small storefront and encourages him to carry on his mother's legacy by selling pig bone congee. With his exceptional memory, A-Long masters the complete method for making pig bone congee and transforms a small shop into a flourishing business. The income from selling pig bone congee starts improving their life circumstances. However, during this time, Guo Ren, overwhelmed by his grief for A-Jiao, becomes depressed and quietly passes away. Within the span of just a month, both parents are gone, and A-Long experiences the emotional devastation of losing them. Yet he does not succumb to despair; instead, he encourages A-Yi, who has grand ambitions but feels lost. Under A-Long's encouragement, A-Yi reignites her dream of becoming a singer. Shortly after she leaves, A-Long fulfills his father's wish by having their ashes interred together. To the tune of A-Yi's song "Getting Used to Being Wronged," he raises his sails once again, ready to face life's challenges and create a brilliant tomorrow for himself.