"Return of the Prodigal Youth"

(Synopsis)

Ho Yung Nien, clever and able, has served as an apprentice of Chen Chien Chin's father. After the death of Chien Chin's father, Ho has been well treated and taken as a member of Chen s family by Chien Chin and her mother, as Ho is without parents.

Ho grows up to become a strong and energetic young man, who works in Chen's little shop and pursues his studies during the evening after working hours, Chien Chin’s mother furnishing him with the tuition earned through her hard savings. Though the shop acquires but little working capital, Ho’s conscientious working spirit has greatly helped the mother and daughter, while Ho appreciates their kindness toward him more than any words can express.

As time rolls on, the friendship developed between Ho and Chien Chin soon matures into youthful love. Chien Chin's mother is delighted with the possible match of her daugher, but meanwhile Ho is spotted by a rich business man Liang. Through the persuation of Ko, Ho's schoolmate, Ho consents to work for Liang. Chien Chin and her mother take this as an exceptional opportunity for Ho to achieve life's success, and they gladly let Ho quit their little shop to take up his new job.

Daili, Liang's daughter, frivolous and rich, soon takes an interest in Ho. Though she means but to make Ho one of her playing toys, Ho falls deeply into her intriguing trap. Acting on the advice of Ko, Ho goes into the real estate business with Daili. They have brought a piece of land in the city's squatters district on which Chen's little shop stands, and plan to demolish all the buildings on the lot, including Chen's Shop, for the errection of modern skyscrapers. Ho is approached by Chien Chin and her mother for help, but being coldly ignored by Ho. Greatly disappointed and broken hearted, they finally learn of Ho's affair with Daili.

Daili becomes tired of toying with Ho and shifts her fancy to Ko instead. Ho is again alleged by Liang for having spent his firm's fund by fraud, and is jailed for the commitment.

During one blue and sad autumn day, Ho walks out from the jail gate after serving his sentence. Badly effected by remorse and the feeling of a hopelessly doomed life, Ho again visits the city's squatters district where Chen's little shop is located. To Ho's great surprise, he finds the shop still stands on the lot uneffected. Through the shop window, he hears the voices of the longing mother and daughter expecting his return. Remorse afflicts him still deeper. He faints and drops to the ground.

Ho’s tears expressing true repentance have won Chien Chin and her mothers sympathy and forgiveness. A new life dawns on Ho. The prodigal youth finally returns to the little shop of Chen's.

— END —