[NORTHWARD]
[Episode 5]
[Qizhi Building]
So what are the two classes formed?
[Uphold virtue, gain knowledge, foster innovation]
Bourgeoisie
and proletariat.
Good, very good.
The chapter on the Industrial Revolution
is essential for the exam.
So after you go home,
review it thoroughly
and memorize it well, okay?
Okay.
Alright, class dismissed.
Stand up.
Goodbye, Madam.
Goodbye, everyone.
[Uphold virtue, gain knowledge, foster innovation]
Ms. Xia.
Siyi, what's wrong?
Why didn't Chen Rui come today?
He is on sick leave.
What happened to him?
He said he accidentally
fractured his lower leg last night.
He's in the hospital now.
[Honghuai No. 1 Middle School]
Pretty little white girl,
let's go home.
Siyi.
Siyi!
You guys go back first. I have something to do.
Don't be like this.
Wanghe just wanted to help you.
It's just that his approach was wrong.
He won't do that again.
Be good and get on.
I really have something to do.
Chen Rui fell last night.
He broke his leg.
I'm going to the hospital to check on him.
You have to solve the problem
immediately.
A ship docked along the shore
contaminated the farmland due to a diesel leak.
Now, the locals have suffered losses.
I contacted the Canal Administration Bureau a few times,
but they can't even find the ship.
I'm going in.
Listen,
if you don't solve it now,
the farmers won't stand for it.
How about this? Apply for some money
from the city.
We'll install cameras at the docks
and along the shoreline.
If it happens again in the future,
either they will be fined
or their ships will be impounded!
My coat.
What took you so long?
Look how busy I am.
I'm at my wit's end.
I had a reception task in my company.
Someone from the City Writers Association came.
The Writers Association or Hairdressers Association?
Look how busy I am,
yet you still had the mood for this!
Alright, don't be angry.
His leg
is in a cast,
and he is under observation in the hospital.
He's fine now.
His leg may be fine,
but what about his studies?
The current period is of critical importance.
What happened last night?
In the middle of the night,
your son wanted to go to the police station to bail out some delinquent teenagers.
How could I let him go?
They're all decent children.
Don't label them indiscreetly.
Why would the police arrest decent children?
Did the police arrest the wrong people?
[Nurse Station]
Here.
Nurse, excuse me.
[Nurse Station]
I want to know if you took in a patient
who had a fracture yesterday?
Which ward is he in?
A thigh fracture or a lower leg fracture?
A lower leg fracture.
[Expert care, thoughtful attention]
Chen Rui, right?
-Yes. -Yes.
Which ward is he in?
That's the patient's privacy.
If you want to visit him,
you need to call him
and ask a family member to come here to take you there.
She is a family member of his.
She's his child bride.
She just came from the country...
[Nurse Station]
Nurse,
we are all Chen Rui's classmates
and good friends.
Just let us go in to take a look at him.
Yeah.
I'm sorry, but it's the hospital's rule.
Without the permission of patients or their family members,
visitors are not allowed to go in.
[Expert care, thoughtful attention]
Fenghua.
Fenghua, what's wrong?
-Fenghua! -Fenghua!
Nurse! Come quickly and take a look at her!
[Nurse Station]
What's wrong, Fenghua? Are you okay?
Feng... Fenghua!
What's wrong?
I'm experiencing chest pain. My heart condition has acted up.
[Cherish life, nurture health]
[Bed 2824, Chen Rui]
Are you alright?
Are you okay?
[Nurse Station]
Hang in there, Fenghua!
-Fenghua! -Fenghua!
What medicine do you usually take?
Indigestion tablets.
What?
I'm sorry about yesterday.
I couldn't be of much help.
It was a false alarm.
Is your leg alright?
I have a lower leg fracture.
Does that sound alright to you?
Let me treat it for you.
Keep your hand to yourself.
When can you be discharged?
It takes much time to recover from a fracture.
So probably in two to three months.
H-How do you use the bathroom with that leg?
You plan to do one-legged squats?
Why didn't you say he plans to do the Thomas Flair?
Then there would be shit everywhere.
Enough, you three. Don't you think it's disgusting?
I'll copy my class notes for you later.
If there's anything you don't understand, just write it down. I'll ask our teachers later.
It's okay. Attending classes isn't that important in the third year of high school.
I'll just do more exercises.
You don't need Siyi's help with that.
I have a plan for doing exercises.
I... How about going to my place to do exercises?
What does it have to do with you?
Stop messing around from now on.
Okay?
What if you had been arrested yesterday
and got a record?
Alright.
Enough.
You're behaving just like your mom.
It's for your own good.
Fine.
I promise it won't happen again.
From now on,
I will never act recklessly.
Oh, come on.
Your words are like farts.
Then I won't say anything.
I'll just fart!
What the hell?
I can't stand you!
Fenghua!
Sorry, sir.
It still reeks.
What are you doing? You're in a ward!
We're leaving. We'll visit you later.
Take care and get well soon.
-Okay. Goodbye. -Goodbye.
-Goodbye.
Siyi.
Chen Rui does exercises too?
How are his grades?
Why do you want to know?
Just asking.
Last semester, he was one of the top 10 students in our grade.
His performance is unstable.
How so?
His grades drop when he spends too much time with you.
If you stay away from him,
he can be admitted to Harvard University.
More like Harbin Buddhist Academy.
Would his mother be willing to let him
become a monk at such a young age?
Hello, Auntie.
-Auntie. -Hello, Auntie.
I wouldn't be willing.
Your parents wouldn't be willing either, right?
[Fire Extinguisher Location]
The national college entrance exam is just around the corner.
Pay all your attention to your studies.
Do you hear me?
[Fire Extinguisher Location]
Siyi,
do you have time to chat with me?
-Yes, she does. -Yes, she does.
We're leaving first.
Goodbye, Auntie.
We'll wait for you at the gate.
Goodbye, Auntie.
Here.
Thank you.
Please have a seat.
I should thank you.
You just said in the ward that you'd copy notes for Chen Rui.
I'm truly touched.
It's the least I can do. He's always been good to me.
During Chen Rui's hospitalization,
can you come to live in our house?
Here's the thing.
When I go to work
in the morning,
I'll give you a ride to your school.
After school, you'll come to the hospital
to deliver the notes to Chen Rui and explain them to him.
Then I'll drive you home.
In this way, it won't waste your time
or affect your studies.
And most importantly,
you're in the third year of high school now.
Model students
like you and Chen Rui
should pay all your attention
to your studies.
You shouldn't hang out
with those naughty people anymore.
You should stay away from them
or even
stop associating with them.
Alright, it's settled then.
Auntie.
[No smoking]
Do you have an elder brother?
I have a younger brother.
He's in our hometown.
If you were given a chance
to become the mayor
on the condition
that you sever ties with your younger brother,
would you accept?
Xie Wanghe, Xingchi, Haikuo,
and Xia Fenghua
might not be considered
model students in other people's eyes.
But to me,
they are like my own brothers and sisters.
I understand why you said that,
but I hope
in the future, you won't
speak ill of them in front of me again.
Thank you.
[No smoking]
What did Ms. Gu talk to you about?
Nothing.
She just asked about Chen Rui's studies.
You guys leave without me later.
I need to go to the bank.
To do what?
To transfer money to my mom.
Where did you get the money?
I'm asking you. Where did you get the money?
It's none of your business.
Ma Siyi!
You didn't really go sell your blood, did you?
We agreed before
that we'd face difficulties together.
If you dare to...
No need for that!
From now on, I'll solve my problems myself.
You don't need to worry about me.
And I certainly don't need you to do stupid things for me.
I said I won't take risks anymore. Isn't that enough?
I know you're doing this out of kindness,
but I can't accept it.
I don't want to owe you such a big favor either.
I can't repay your kindness.
I've never asked you to repay my kindness!
Xie Wanghe!
Can you stop thinking about all that nonsense?
If you don't want to go to college,
drop out now!
Then raise funds to start a business.
If you want to go to college,
start your revision from now on!
Please
be responsible for yourself.
You scared me.
Childish.
What?
Are you sad and indignant again?
It's none of your business.
You have never talked back to Siyi,
but you always talk back to me.
Do you treat people differently?
I do as I please. Do you have a problem with that?
Yes.
Just go. Leave me alone.
I want to be alone.
Call me Auntie.
Remove your hand.
No.
You're so annoying.
Siyi was right.
You should seriously think about your future.
Why don't you think about your future?
Given my brain, it's pointless for me to think about it.
I want to go to Peking University.
But that's just my wishful thinking.
You're different.
How am I different?
Since you were a kid,
you've managed to achieve anything
you put your mind to and you wanted to do,
including studying.
If there's enough scholarship,
you could be the top student of the class.
Are you saying I only care about money?
What I'm saying is
if I were half as smart as you,
I would definitely study hard
to be admitted to a good university.
Then my parents would be overjoyed.
You're not stupid.
It's just that you always
experience brain farts.
Actually, I totally understand why Siyi was angry.
You're so smart,
but you've constantly wasted your time and talent
and made your parents worried.
It's really not okay.
You're talking about me?
You haven't made your parents worried?
Anyway,
we all hope you can be more reliable
and put your brain to good use.
As for the definition of good use,
it's for you to decide.
When my dad drinks too much,
he would complain sometimes,
regretting he didn't study hard when he was young.
That's why he can only do seafaring all these years.
He's never made any great achievement.
I sincerely hope
when you're at my dad's age,
you won't complain,
regret,
or make those who love you worried
when you drink too much.
Mom,
do you think I can be successful in the future?
Of course you can.
My son
is smart.
You can succeed in anything.
It
runs in our Liang family.
You're better than your father.
Then how about
me starting a business?
What kind of business?
I have a few ideas.
If any of my ideas works,
I can make a lot of money.
But...
I need your support.
What kind of support?
You're trying to cheat me out of money again?
No, no, no.
I want to drop out of school.
Mom! Mom!
Have you lost your mind?
You...
Say that again! I dare you!
I won't drop out!
I won't drop out, okay?
I was just saying.
Don't ever say that again!
Listen,
you can't have
this idea.
The Xie family
is counting on you
to bring honor with a high school diploma.
Do you understand?
But my dad didn't finish school, right?
That's why he's ended up like this!
Apart from seafaring,
he has no other skills.
His business is getting worse day by day,
but there is nothing he can do!
Look how much he's aged
these years.
[Dingsheng Building]
[Dingsheng Building Materials Company]
[Welcome]
[Chairman's Office]
A pair of sixes.
A pair of sixes. Come on.
Pass or not?
A pair of aces.
Sun.
Pass.
Let's talk.
Wait a second.
Let me finish this round.
Pass or not?
Show him a bomb!
I quit.
Take it.
Here.
You must have cheated.
Where are you going?
I'm going to the bathroom.
Am I not allowed to go?
Go ahead.
What good luck,
right?
About the money, today,
can you...
Hold on.
They haven't paid me yet.
How am I supposed to pay you?
Should I rob them?
It can't be.
As far as I know,
Hengtong Group
already paid you last month.
I heard they paid over three million yuan to you.
What do you mean, Xie?
You don't trust us?
That's not what I meant.
You know how close we are.
Sun,
you should at least tell me when.
Let go!
Stop pulling me.
Well,
look.
You know I'm a person who values loyalty and friendship.
Right?
Well...
To be honest,
I wouldn't
care too much
about money normally.
But you should understand
business on the canal
has been really tough lately.
My family can barely make ends meet.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to pester you like this.
You can't make ends meet?
That's right.
Then sell your ship.
That ship
is worth some money.
You're suggesting I should sell my ship?
What am I supposed to live on then?
You already can't make ends meet, right?
Xie,
listen,
it's not that I don't want to pay my debts.
Understand?
There are just too many construction sites.
I need money in all kinds of things.
If I could manage to free up some money,
I wouldn't have defaulted on my debts.
Why don't you come with me?
Come with me and take a look.
Come.
Come and see for yourself.
Come.
Take a look.
[Dingsheng Building Materials Company]
Have a look.
Look around this room.
If there is anything you like,
just take it.
Look at this.
It's Chunghwa.
Fifty yuan a pack.
Take it.
Sun,
what's this about?
Aren't you here to collect debts?
Is there a problem with paying the debts with goods?
Take it.
We're brothers.
No need to be polite.
Listen, Crippled Sun,
you can't bully honest people.
This trophy
is made of crystal.
It's worth quite a lot of money.
Take it.
Take them.
Let me find you more.
Just tell me!
Are you going to pay back the money or not?
Don't move!
You should pay back the money you owe me.
If you don't give me the money today,
I'll crack your head with this!
Believe it or not!
What?
Go away!
Don't move!
Nobody moves!
Xie,
I dare you.
You were a bachelor.
You had nothing to worry about.
But now it's different.
You have a son and a wife.
Aren't you worried something might happen to them?
I dare you!
Your son, Xie Wanghe,
is in Class 3, Grade 3 of Honghuai No. 7 High School.
On weekends,
he often goes to the internet cafe on the side street.
How many Achilles tendons does he have for me to cut?
Stop!
Watch out!
Zhen!
Cut! Apply the blood!
Cut! Pass!
Clap the slate!
It's noon. It's time for lunch.
Then have lunch.
Time for lunch!
All departments, hurry up and have your lunch!
I lost my balance just now.
Can we do it again?
Director.
What's wrong with you?
You...
The payment has been delayed for a week.
What's wrong with you?
The money must be paid within the next few days.
I'm telling you. Bye.
Great Heroine,
you're about to wrap, right?
There are still two scenes tomorrow.
I booked a ticket to go back the day after tomorrow.
Why are you in such a hurry to go back?
A new drama is about to start filming in Beijing.
The second female lead
has over 300 scenes.
You should go audition for the role.
Forget it.
My son is about to take the college entrance exam.
They can't manage without me at home.
I've only been away for a few days.
My husband is about to go crazy.
Listen,
the male and female leads are both A-list stars.
The script is excellent.
The director is from Beijing Film Academy.
He's very talented.
You should seize this opportunity.
What drama did he direct before?
A lot.
I'll send you the information later.
How about this?
Call your husband and ask him about it first.
If he's okay with it,
I'll call them.
Then you go to Beijing for an audition as soon as possible.
Okay?
I need to take this call.
Hurry up and call your husband to ask him.
Go ahead.
What's wrong with you? You still want to delay it?
If you do that,
I'll tear up the contract.
Master, you have an incoming call.
From whom?
Madam.
Come on. You do it.
Make it thin.
Don't break it.
Got it.
Okay.
I'm wrapping up filming tomorrow.
So soon?
I just came to help Ai Linlin.
It's not a big role.
How's everything at home?
Everything's fine at home.
So you'll be back tomorrow then?
Right?
I need to go to Beijing.
What are you going to Beijing for?
I'm going for an audition.
The lead actor and actress in this show
are both A-list celebrities.
The script is pretty good too.
Hello?
Go on.
I'm just going to audition for a role.
The second female lead.
If I don't get it,
I'll come back as soon as possible.
What if you do get it?
If I get it, I'll play it, of course!
It has an all-star cast and is set to air on satellite TV channels.
It's bound to be a hit.
Luo Zhimei.
Time to climb the tree.
I have to go.
Okay, okay.
Go ahead, go ahead.
Give it a good try.
Luo Zhimei.
Hurry up.
Time to climb the tree. Hurry up.
Coming.
Hurry up.
What are you doing?
Stop dawdling.
Director,
Luo Zhimei is here.
[Supo Town Cultural Museum]
Have you seen Curator?
He's setting up the exhibition.
Lower it.
Down. Down.
Gently, gently.
Easy.
Down.
A bit to the left.
Okay. No, too much!
Come back a little.
Good, good.
That's okay now.
Curator.
What is it?
Look,
I wasn't eliminated after the initial selection,
so why is my name
not on the final list?
This was all decided by the organization.
Don't overthink it.
Let me tell you,
our cultural museum
submitted two topics this time.
During the final review,
the judges felt that the value orientation of your topic
had some issues.
So, your topic didn't receive
a majority vote.
Value orientation?
What's wrong with the value orientation?
Just listen to your topic. It's ridiculous.
What's that about Su Xiaomei's shoe size?
Couldn't you research something else?
Why would you research Su Xiaomei's shoes?
Don't you find that distasteful?
Some people are even allowed to study the famous courtesans of Qinhuai,
but I can't study Su Xiaomei?
Let me tell you,
what Chen Bo studied was the history of Chinese folk music.
Su Xiaomei is just a starting point.
I'm actually studying the history of ancient customs.
To know what shoe size Su Xiaomei wore,
we need to study whether she had bound feet.
Regarding the issue of foot binding,
there are currently many theories.
The relatively authoritative one is that
it began in the Northern Song Dynasty, flourished in the Southern Song Dynasty,
and reached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
About foot binding,
Su Shi held the correct attitude.
He wrote a poem saying,
"The delicate beauty is hard to describe; it must be seen in the palm."
But Su Xiaomei
had an outgoing and bold personality,
and a large frame.
Wait...
A large frame?
How did you know about that?
Su Shi once teased her,
"Before she steps out of the courtyard,
her forehead has already reached the main hall."
You see, if a girl like this
didn't want to bind her feet,
even Su Shi couldn't do anything about it.
Su Xiaomei
didn't bind her feet,
so her feet were
larger than those of ordinary women.
Therefore, I conclude that
she wore size 38 shoes,
or at least size 35.
These are all unofficial histories.
Whether Su Xiaomei even existed in history
is impossible to verify.
Sima Guang
recorded in the epitaph for Su Xun's wife,
"Her young daughter had her demeanor,
could compose essays, and at nineteen years old,
got married and then passed away."
That was about Shiniang, who married into the Cheng family.
It has nothing to do with Su Xiaomei.
Look, Mr. Shao,
as scholars,
we should make bold guesses but seek careful verification.
In my opinion,
you're only left with boldness.
Well, if you don't like me, so be it.
Can you tell me
who got the special grant this time?
Chen Bo.
Just as I expected.
It's exactly as I thought!
Let me tell you,
Chen Bo's research topic
is about the dialect changes in the Honghuai region,
and through these dialect changes,
examining the role of the Grand Canal
in our country's economic and cultural exchanges.
Well, his topic doesn't seem anything new, either.
It sounds so boring.
Well, why don't you come up with an interesting one
so that a publishing house would reach out to you?
A publishing house?
No, no, no.
Curator, wait a minute.
What do you mean by "a publishing house"?
A publishing house
was interested in Chen Bo's research topic.
They said his materials are substantial,
and the visual materials are also abundant.
They planned to publish his book.
Which publishing house is it?
It's from another province.
The contract is almost signed.
They say the first print run
will be 8,000 copies.
8,000?
[No smoking]
Him?
Is the publishing house crazy?
If you're so dissatisfied,
why don't you submit your work to a publishing house too?
Look, Mr. Shao,
we're both in the writing business.
Whether you're truly capable or not,
you've got to take the test.
You're back.
How was the meeting?
Not so good.
Congratulations.
Are you talking to me?
What are you congratulating me for?
Aren't you going to publish a book?
It's just an intention.
It's far from certain.
How did the publishing house
reach out to you?
A schoolfellow of mine
works as an editor at the publishing house.
One day, he asked me,
"What are you up to these days?"
So, I sent him
my manuscript.
Unexpectedly,
they liked it at first sight.
For this kind of subject matter,
they'd do an initial print run of 8,000 copies?
Yeah.
I was worried.
The topic is too niche.
Not many people are interested in it.
Don't worry.
Isn't your wife there to help?
What does this have to do with my wife?
It's a book about canals.
The government can buy some as gifts.
It can sell no matter how many copies are printed.
Eight thousand is even too few.
It's not like they're spending their own money anyway.
Let me tell you,
my wife doesn't interfere with my affairs at all.
She can't be bothered.
She doesn't need to interfere with it.
As long as her subordinates have some sense,
they'll take care of it themselves.
The district chief,
although not a high-ranking official,
can still be useful at crucial moments.
Take
the special grant this time for example. Right?
Shao,
make it clear.
What does the project grant have to do with my wife?
Whether there's a connection or not,
don't you know in your heart?
No, no, no.
I don't know.
This needs to be clarified.
Help!
With my wife...
Help!
-Why are you yelling for help? -He's hitting me!
Explain clearly!
Can you explain clearly or not?
What's going on here?
What's happening?
Is that how you talk to people?
Let go!
You tell him
about the project grant,
did my wife interfere or not?
You know well whether she interfered or not.
Let me tell you,
stop acting all upright every day.
Be careful, or I'll report you and that wife of yours
for abusing your power for personal gain
and suppressing your colleagues.
Curator, he's…
Stop right there!
I said stop!
Stop!
Come back here!
Did you hear how he was talking?
You're an educated person,
but you were fighting here.
Aren't you ashamed?
He threatened to report me. Did you hear that?
What's he reporting you for?
Sit down.
Calm down, calm down.
Come on.
Don't bother with people like that.
Just calm down.
What kind of person is he?
[Heaven rewards the diligent]
Drink less.
Drinking too much is bad for your liver.
Drinking harms the liver,
but if I don't drink, my heart hurts.
Isn't it just a project grant?
Is it really worth getting so upset over a few thousand yuan?
It's not about the money at all.
This is about dignity!
You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you.
We're both writers.
Why does he get the project grant?
Isn't it just because he has a well-connected wife?
District chief.
The head of a district.
She dares to abuse power for personal gain
and seek benefits for her family members.
Doesn't she fear divine retribution?
You shouldn't say such things carelessly.
Mind your words to accumulate virtue.
They don't even accumulate virtue.
Why should I be the one to watch my words?
Do you know how much effort
I've poured into the topic of Su Xiaomei?
Do you know how many trips I made to the library?
To put it bluntly,
even if I don't deserve credit,
I should at least get credit for my hard work, right?
Yes.
Ouch, ouch, ouch.
If it hurts, then stop talking so much.
It's not such a big deal.
It's not a big deal?
Isn't this a big deal?
What would you call a big deal then?
Abusing power for personal gain.
Swindling and plundering.
If I don't speak up,
I'll be bullied to death by them!
Dad,
could you please keep it down?
Adults are talking. Why are you butting in, kid?
Shut up!
Alright.
Why are you yelling at him?
He didn't say anything wrong.
And you're a graduate of a prestigious school.
You're as petty as…
I'm petty?
I can't even criticize him now. Is that it?
Alright, alright.
What do you mean "alright"?
Mom!
Yuling.
Don't touch my mom!
If you get drunk and act crazy again,
I'll report you to your workplace for domestic violence!
Xingchi, Xingchi.
Don't yell at your father.
Mom's fine.
I'm okay.
Can you move?
[Midnight Eats]
Bro.
Lao'er.
Come, have a seat.
Yue'er.
Get us another glass.
Okay.
You're drinking?
Of course.
Come on.
I... I'll pass.
My liver's been hurting these past couple of days.
What do you mean your liver hurts?
At most, you've got a fatty liver.
It's not like you have cirrhosis.
What's the matter?
Getting all delicate now, are you?
She... you know...
You mean Yan?
Just tell her
that I make you drink.
What's the problem?
Al... alright then.
Well...
Have you gotten the money back?
What should we do?
In a couple of days,
I won't even have money for gas.
Cheers!
How about some stir-fried river snails?
Ri... river snails.
Bring us some river snails.
Right away.
Extra spicy, okay?
Okay.
Yes, yes, yes.
Fill it up.
You're back.
You've been drinking again.
Well, on my way home...
I ran into Lao'er.
I just took a sip.
I'm going to bed now.
Son,
do you know someone called Jay Chou?
Yes, I do.
He's quite popular now.
His songs are played everywhere on the streets.
One of his songs is pretty good.
It's called... "Listen…"
"Listen to Mom."
Go out and learn it.
When you've learned it, sing it for
your mom.
Okay, okay, okay.
You should listen too.
Listen to my mom
You should drink less.
What is this?
I'm asking you, what is this?
This little brat.
You little brat.
What are you doing?
You're not even fully grown yet.
What are you doing?
Don't wrongly accuse our son.
It's yours!
It's from your pocket.
No way, no way.
I... I never use this thing.
You... don't falsely accuse me.
Am I falsely accusing you?
If it's not yours, is it mine?
Our son can testify to it.
It's yours.
Xie Tiancheng.
What have you done?
Mom.
What did you do outside?
What have you done?
Stop it, Mom.
Get away.
Explain it to me clearly.
If you don't explain it to me clearly,
let's just separate!
Tell!
Whose is it?
Don't pinch me here. Not here!
Tell it!
No…
Whose is it really?
Wait…
If you dare lie to me, you'll see the consequences.
Speak!
Take it easy.
No need.
Just a slap.
It's not that bad.
Hurry up. The ice pack will help.
What happened to your face?
He stood up to his father
and got put down.
Here, do it yourself.
Did he hit your mom again?
My mom's back is injured.
It's all bruised now.
I don't know if she can even walk tomorrow.
Sometimes I really want to...
Don't do anything rash.
No matter what, he's still your father.
You know what?
In this regard,
my dad is a model example.
Listen.
No matter how badly he's beaten,
he never fights back.
When will this kind of life end?
If today is unbearable,
just think about tomorrow.
In a few years,
when we've all made it,
earning millions a year,
by then,
every family will have bought a new house.
At that time, when our parents gather every day,
they'll just play mahjong and chat about their kids.
Our biggest worry then
won't be making money,
but our parents being extremely bored
and hence
pressuring us to get married.
Just imagine that life.
I'm telling you,
Siyi definitely won't be pressured to marry.
She'll definitely marry early.
Why?
She's beautiful and smart,
and sensible too.
By then, she'll get into a good university.
I bet she'll be
snatched up before she even graduates.
That's how it was with my parents.
My mom
graduated from the Opera Academy,
specializing in qingyi roles.
The first time she performed on stage,
my dad spotted her.
At first, she really looked down on my dad.
But you know what?
On their first date,
my dad cooked a meal for my mom.
He won her over just like that.
Hello?
Linlin,
I watched that TV series.
It was so well made.
It was okay, right?
Not just okay.
It was excellent!
It didn't feel like a TV series,
but more like a movie.
That play you mentioned before—
can I still audition for it?
Of course you can.
Then please help me get in touch with them quickly.
As soon as I finish shooting tomorrow,
I'll head to Beijing right away.
Wait, has your husband agreed?
For such a great director,
I have to give it a shot no matter what.
Don't you think so?
Alright, I'll ask about it.
Okay, okay.
I'll wait for your news then.
And about the Liu family…
Dad, you're back.
Dad.
Have you been drinking?
I just had a little.
With whom?
Just by myself.
Well...
I'm going to my room.
It's not like Zhimei isn't coming back.
Dad,
she
only comes home a few days a year.
What's the difference between that and not coming back at all?
She's contributing to the family.
You call that a contribution?
Her contribution should be
taking care of this home for me.
She should be looking after Haikuo.
He's already in his final year of high school.
What are you waiting for?
Go study now.
Go take a shower quickly.
I really didn't lie to you.
I really went to collect the debt
from Crippled Sun.
That thick-skinned brute refused to pay me.
He tried to pawn things off to settle the debt,
stuffing anything he grabbed into my pockets.
I gave back everything to him,
but I didn't notice it because it was too small.
Don't be mad anymore, okay?
Alright?
That money—
we won't get it back forever, right?
Well,
that's not possible.
I must get it back from him.
What can you do?
If he doesn't pay me back by the end of the month,
I'll fight him to the death.
Don't do anything reckless, you hear me?
Money is not important.
You can't get into trouble.
If something happens to you,
what will our son and I do?
Do you understand?
Don't worry.
Rest assured.
I won't do anything illegal, I promise.
Just now,
did I hurt you?
What do you think?
Have you practiced the Nine Yin White Bone Claw?
You scratched, pinched, and clawed.
I was just feeling anxious.
We haven't had any income for months.
We still owe several families their dividends.
I'm too embarrassed to face them.
You know,
if it were just our own business,
even if we lose money,
I could accept that.
At worst, we'll just
spend less.
We'd get through it somehow.
But I'm afraid of letting down our neighbors.
The other families are fine,
but considering Granny Ma's situation...
I feel guilty.
I'm really sorry.
We should blame that Crippled Sun.
He drives a Mercedes to the nightclub,
blowing thousands in one night,
but he doesn't pay back the money he owes.
What kind of person is that?
You're smart enough.
Why are you here?
I saw you leaving home earlier, and you seemed upset.
I was worried something might happen to you,
so I followed you all the way here.
What could possibly happen to me?
Let's go.
What are you hissing at? Come with me!