This story was originally included in the script for Dust in the Wind, but Hou Hsiao-hsien felt that it didn't fit in the film's plot and cut it out. Its story remained in Wu Nien-chen's brain until he became a director and had a chance to put it up on the silver screen himself.
這個故事其實早寫在《戀戀風塵》的劇本中，後來因為侯孝賢覺得融不進劇情，大刀一剪；存在吳念真腦中好久的故事，等他自己當導演，終於有機會再上銀幕。