[NORTHWARD]
[Episode 6]
Why did you try to wreck the car?
Crippled Sun didn't pay his debts.
My mom cried all night at home.
I just couldn't take it anymore.
The police's talk with you that day did work.
If this were before,
you'd have smashed the car for sure,
and then been caught on camera,
making your parents pay for it.
Honestly, I was worried about that.
At worst, I'd take responsibility myself.
I just feel that
I'm about to turn eighteen,
and I wanna change the way I live
instead of acting recklessly.
Siyi was right.
I should seriously think about my future path.
Don't worry,
you'll be fine.
You'll make a big fortune in the future.
How do you know that?
I've known it since childhood.
I knew it from the first time
I helped my mom watch the stall
on the street.
Three youtiao.
Three bowls of soy milk.
One yuan and fifty cents in total.
Pay now.
Pay for what?
No payment, no food!
What are you doing?
Give me the youtiao.
Give me that!
Give it to me!
What's wrong, Fenghua?
Madam, he's not paying!
I'll pay.
Mom, you don't need to pay.
Why?
I gave her mom a good idea.
And she said I could eat anything for free.
What idea?
Why don't I know about this?
I told your mom that,
[Breakfast]
with the crowds on Flower Street
and everything being so cheap,
despite a whole morning of her hard work,
she would only
earn a little bit of money.
I suggested
she prepare the soy milk first
and then hire someone to sell it at the school gate.
To sell various flavors of soy milk,
like red bean, chocolate, and such.
The daily turnover is basically
over 100 yuan.
Really?
Yes! It's true, of course.
Just one casual idea from you,
and my mom earned several hundred more each month.
She always praised you at home.
It drove me mad.
That was on your dimwittedness,
not my fault.
Most people are dimwitted compared to you.
Fenghua,
I don't have money.
I'm not asking you for money.
Look how scared you are.
You've never praised me like this before.
It's indeed scary.
I didn't praise you
just to keep you humble.
Then why now?
It'll be too late
If I don't praise you
before we graduate.
How could it be too late?
Well...
Who knows where we'll each end up in the future?
Maybe we'll go our separate ways
right after graduation.
I'm definitely going to Beijing.
So are
Xingchi and Haikuo
What about you?
Depends on my mood.
Do you want me to go with you?
Nope.
Then I'll go!
I'll follow you wherever you go.
You make money, and I'll make money too!
You hit rock bottom,
and I'll sit by and watch the show.
Do I owe you something?
Yes, you do!
You promised to buy me a car when we were kids.
When did I say that?
Do you have any proof?
Fine...
I promise you.
I'll buy you one.
When I get my first paycheck,
I'll buy you a car.
What kind of car?
A three-wheeler.
Then you can drive it to make money.
Five yuan to Flower Street, twenty to Huai'an.
That's so little!
Flower Street...
Five yuan to Flower Street...
If you really strike it rich one day,
can you promise me one thing?
What is it?
Invite Jay Chou to our home
and have him sing a song just for me,
"Cute Girl."
Do you really think I'll make it one day?
Of course!
I've always believed
you can definitely work miracles.
So,
please have faith in yourself too.
Fenghua,
how about I lend you some money?
Why?
To buy new pants and ditch your worn-out ones.
They're embarrassing.
You know nothing
about fashion.
Have you heard of Paris Fashion Week?
How could I not know about Paris?
There's Notre Dame.
And you're that
Quasimodo.
You...
You love talking back, huh?
You look so much like him!
Would it kill you not to talk back?
You're the Quasimodo on Flower Street.
Stop there!
Don't hit me!
You deserve this!
Quasimodo!
Stop there!
Don't you feel cold at night?
What's up?
Nothing,
I just passed by
and wanted to drop in on you.
I got into a fight with someone today.
Did you win or lose?
I lost.
It was a total fiasco.
I was utterly crushed.
I don't think I've ever won
in my entire life.
Isn't it pathetic?
I can't even respect myself.
Hello, who is this?
Hello, Zhimei.
This is Granny Ma.
Granny Ma!
Excuse me, sir.
I need to take a call.
Granny Ma,
hello, what's the matter?
Zhimei,
How are you doing?
I'm doing well
and out here filming.
What's wrong?
Did something happen at home?
No...
Nothing happened.
I just missed you
and wanted to hear your voice.
Are you sure everything's okay?
Yeah, everything's fine.
When are you coming back?
It should be soon.
I'll be back once I wrap things up.
Okay,
I see.
Well, filming must be quite tiring.
Make sure to take care of yourself.
Thank you, Granny Ma.
Then I'll hang up. Bye.
Goodbye...
Here.
Got it, Granny Ma.
Thank you.
Take care, Granny Ma.
Listen, Xu Peng,
you should either zero in on it
or just quit!
Do you hear me?
Chen Zhen,
tell them all
to go home if they don't wanna work.
Yanlin.
Granny Ma.
Are you here for some water?
Yes, I came to ask you for some water.
Perfect timing.
I just got a new batch of Pu'er tea.
You're in for a real treat.
Don't bother.
-I can't tell the difference in taste anyway. -It's okay!
Come, please take a seat first.
Okay.
Just a moment.
Why are you still standing there?
Get back to work!
Look how beautiful
the tea color is!
Just like amber.
Dry-stored aged tea.
I don't understand what you're saying.
I just find the tea kinda crystal-clear.
You don't need to understand.
Just enjoy it.
Especially at your age,
drinking this aged Pu'er is particularly good for your stomach.
Care for my stomach
and care for your liver.
Are we sick fellows now?
Yanlin,
I'm actually here
to talk to you about Zhimei.
What's up with her?
I heard
she's having a tough time as an actress in Hengdian.
It is tough.
But the thing is, no one forced her to work there.
I called her.
She didn't say anything about it,
only sharing the good news, not the bad.
You know her personality.
Proud and stubborn.
No matter how much she suffers, she won't say a word.
She must be going through a lot.
You've been married for years.
No grudges for too long,
right?
As a woman, she's at her most vulnerable right now.
She needs your care.
Just say something sweet,
and it'll keep her in a good mood all day.
Even just a few words.
[By the Canal]
Damn it.
You won because I let you.
Haikuo,
when will your mom come back?
I dunno.
I hope she doesn't come back.
Why?
My mom will keep bickering with my dad if she's back.
And I don't know how to mediate.
It's just depressing.
I think...
This is still your dad's fault.
Why?
Look at Flower Street now.
So many people have left.
People always strive for better.
What's wrong with that?
I just hope
the two of them can have a good talk
and sort things out.
Don't end up as enemies even if they get divorced
If they really get divorced,
who would you go with?
My dad,
of course!
Why?
My dad
is headstrong
and tends to overthink things.
I need to look after him.
Otherwise, he might be overwhelmed.
I'll wait
♫When the moon hangs in the sky♫
until he
smiles more often.
♫And it's cooling in the yard♫
[Clock Fixing]
Then I can leave.
♫Who is still by your side?♫
That's true.
I've never really
♫As time passes♫
seen your dad smile since I was little.
When I was a kid,
my dad and I
♫Is a lifetime really that long?♫
watched my mom perform Kunqu operas on stage.
When the audience cheered,
my dad would smile
with an undisguised pride
♫When youthful company fades, leaving only small talk and pleasantries♫
on his face.
♫Spring feels short, while autumn lingers♫
♫A gentle breeze carries dreams away♫
Dad.
Welcome back.
♫Of sweet dreams♫
♫Life is long♫
♫No need to dwell♫
♫Like moonlight♫
♫Don't forget♫
How are you doing over there?
♫Life is long♫
Is it tiring?
♫No need to dwell♫
♫Like moonlight♫
♫The old times♫
What are you looking at?
Look at this starry sky.
I've never
seen so many stars in Beijing before.
It's a better place here, right?
From now on,
we can watch the stars here every day.
♫When the moon hangs in the sky♫
♫And it's cooling in the yard♫
♫Who is still by your side?♫
♫As time passes♫
♫Is a lifetime really that long?♫
♫When youthful company fades, leaving only small talk and pleasantries♫
♫Spring feels short, while autumn lingers♫
♫A gentle breeze carries dreams away♫
♫Dreamland and dreams♫
[Select] [Return]
The stars on Flower Street don't look as stunning in the pic.
They're more breathtaking in reality.
♫Life is long♫
♫No need to dwell♫
♫Like moonlight♫
♫Don't forget♫
♫Life is long♫
♫No need to dwell♫
Hope you, our son, and Dad all take good care of yourselves.
♫Like moonlight♫
Remember to take your meds on time.
♫The old times♫
♫Pear blossoms bloom in spring♫
♫Life is long♫
♫No need to dwell♫
♫Like moonlight♫
♫Don't forget♫
Hey, let's get right to it...
♫Life is long♫
Leave that alone!
♫No need to dwell♫
♫Like moonlight♫
♫The old times♫
Let's go. Bye.
♫Every emotion in my life♫
What are you drawing?
Take a guess.
Chūka Ichiban?
Screw you.
I'm drawing Chris.
Which Chris?
The Chris in my heart, of course.
Zhou Bichang's a better singer than her.
Say that again.
Sorry, I apologize...
Your Chris sings the best.
However, Fenghua,
some people are colorblind
due to genetic deficiency.
And you
are tone-deaf.
You can't even sing well.
You're still a fan?
Shao Xingchi!
Hit him! Hit him!
Get him...
Stop laughing.
You're such a fool.
Why did you mess with her?
I didn't!
She wouldn't have hit you if you hadn't messed with her.
Whoever marries her in the future
will be so cursed.
So long as you don't marry her!
Why do you care about the others?
Nice ride. Whose is it?
No touch!
Don't touch my bike.
Move, make way...
Step back.
Nice bike, but the owner's a bit lame.
Just a crappy little bike.
It barely hits 160 horsepower.
An original import from Japan.
Can't even find parts if it breaks down.
Liang,
would it kill you not to show off?
I'm just too lazy
to ride a bicycle to school anymore.
My dad was originally going to buy me
that Cadillac.
I thought it was too flashy.
So I got this small motorcycle instead.
Not that expensive. Just two months of pocket money.
If you can, just try to use
your family's money for your entire life.
Funny you should say that. I actually plan to do so.
Living off your parents isn't sad.
What's sad is not having parents to live off.
Fenghua,
Have you watched "A Moment of Romance"?
Come and chase me!
You little brat!
You're asking for it again, huh?
Fenghua!
[Honghuai No. 7 High School]
Serves you right!
You really think you're Andy Lau?
Just keep showing off.
Fenghua!
San Liangzi.
Let's go.
Do me a favor.
Help me get the bike up.
Please!
How much is that bike?
Don't buy one even if you can afford it.
The first batch of motorcycle riders are all dead now.
Hurry up.
[Cyber Surfing Café]
Fenghua!
You go back first. We three will play some games.
I'm in.
Then go ahead.
We three will go somewhere else.
Xie Wanghe, what do you mean?
Did I offend you or something?
Well, we three just need space to talk about something.
Talk about what?
What's so secret that you can't even tell me?
It's men's business, not for a woman like you.
Online dating, huh?
Who is it?
Is it a guy or a girl?
Good-looking?
Any photos?
It's bad enough that you're not trying to improve yourself.
Why are you dragging Xingchi and Haikuo down too?
You're being so selfish, you know?
Xia Fenghua!
Do you think just because you're a girl, I won't...
That hurts!
Are you nuts?
Can't you be even a little ladylike?
You guys just keep messing around.
Your dads won't let you go when the grades come out.
Whatever!
How can she say we're messing around?
Get out of my way.
Even my dad can't control me. What makes you think you can?
Do you know who Fenghua's idol is?
Who is it?
Chris.
She's crazy about her.
I made a snarky comment today,
and she beat me up like this.
She's still so obsessed?
She was voting like crazy during the competition
and even forced us to vote.
So she's being a fangirl, huh?
Let's give her a surprise then.
What kind of surprise?
Are you still the admin of the school forum?
Yes. What's up?
Listen...
Will it work?
It must work.
[Chris Lee's QQ account was revealed by her life assistant.]
Post it like this?
Yes, just post it...
[Chris Lee's QQ account was revealed by her life assistant.]
Fenghua.
You startled me.
What are you so happy about?
How can you study well like this?
Chris added me on social media.
What?
Chris Lee!
She just accepted
my QQ friend request.
How did you get her QQ contact?
It was posted on the school forum.
Some of us have already verified it.
It's real.
After she added me,
she even said hello to me.
So what?
She added you and said hello.
Can that get you into Peking University or Tsinghua?
Try them on.
I've altered the pant legs for you.
Mom,
this hole...
I cut it
and then used a brush to fray the edges.
This style is just like the one in the fashion magazine.
How's it? Looks chic, right?
Not bad!
Mom,
with these skills, you could even do great in Paris!
If I go to Paris,
I can easily outdo your father.
I'm glad you like it.
We saved 200 yuan.
I'll buy you a pair of shoes later.
Just go try them on.
Okay.
Mr. Zhou!
Here come your ingredients!
[Flower Street]
What did you bring me?
Eggplant, green peppers, and tomatoes.
I got 20 kilos of each.
And 25 kilos of celery.
Is that enough?
Yes... That's plenty.
Well, next week,
cut them in half.
Got it.
I'm taking my leave.
Okay...
Let me give you a brief introduction.
This is our second apprentice.
He's in charge of preparing and organizing.
He cuts ingredients.
This way, please.
This one,
the slightly chubby one,
is our third apprentice.
He also does the chopping.
Say hi.
Hello.
And look this way.
This is our Master Ma,
specifically in charge of wok tossing
with outstanding skills.
Master Ma,
are the fish noodles ready?
Yes!
Be quick,
or the noodles will get soggy and won't taste good.
-Okay? -Yeah, yes.
This one
needs to be tied tightly.
Here, make sure to tie it tightly at the bottom.
Okay.
This one too.
Alright.
Just deliver it to this address.
Okay...
Got it.
Here you are, hold it carefully.
Yes...
Be careful.
I will...
Alright...
Take it slow on the road.
Okay!
Rice wine! Who wants some rice wine?
Studying?
If you have this much spare time,
you might as well memorize a few more English words.
I've finished that.
Have you done your math homework?
I finished it yesterday.
Siyi hasn't come lately, has she?
No,
she hasn't shown up since that day.
What's wrong?
You should spend less time with her from now on.
Why?
Why so many questions?
But...
I just suggested
she move in with us.
It's for her own good.
Don't you understand that?
Those kids around her
don't care about studying.
I'm creating an opportunity for her
to keep her distance from them.
Mom,
-are you crazy? -Calm down.
I'm doing this for your own good.
I don't need it.
Mom, I don't need it!
Watch your mouth.
Chen Rui, I know you're rebellious in puberty.
You won't listen to your parents.
But let me emphasize this again.
From a farm girl with no background,
I've fought my way to where I am today.
What got me here?
It was my incredible perseverance and self-discipline.
You've gone too far!
She's coming...
There she comes...
Chris,
are you busy right now?
It's okay.
I'm recording songs
for a new album.
I'm looking forward to it.
She's even acting cute.
I'll be holding a concert in Chengdu next month.
Can you come?
Yes.
Seriously?
That's great.
See you in Chengdu then.
I'll be waiting for you.
That scared me.
It's a date.
This girl will definitely come to borrow money from us soon.
Do you believe it?
[Cyber Surfing Café]
You're laughing too loud!
I don't have any money anyway.
He has money!
I don't.
You don't?
Look at your Max sneakers.
Don't wear them anymore, okay?
The heels are high.
What are you doing?
What's the matter?
I've been curious about something.
Go ahead.
How many bones do you think a person has?
If they're broken,
how long would it take to heal?
You...
What do you mean?
Stop...
Fenghua...
Let go!
[Chatting with Fenghua]
Do you think I'm a fool?
Fenghua.
He was just joking with you.
How did you find out?
Are you making a fool of me?
I know.
None of you like Chris.
It's okay.
No one is forcing you to like her.
But you have no right
to mock someone else's choices.
Yes,
I may not have the money
to afford a concert ticket today.
But one day,
Chris will
hold a concert in the world's
largest stadium!
And I,
I will be able to afford
a front-row seat by myself.
I'll sit in the closest position to her,
listening to her sing.
This is the most serious promise
I make to my future self!
Fenghua.
Fenghua!
-Fenghua! -Fenghua!
Stinky tofu.
What's wrong?
Did you cry?
No.
Then why do you look so dejected?
What happened?
Really, it's nothing.
Tell me.
Mom,
I just saw Siyi.
I think she's working at Uncle Zhou's shop.
What kind of work?
It seemed to be food delivery.
I hid and didn't dare to ask her.
What's wrong with delivering food?
Do you think it's a shame?
Not at all.
That's it!
If she's not troubled,
why didn't she tell me?
You're so young,
yet your mind is full of twists and turns.
You've watched too many TV dramas.
Siyi always thinks too much
and keeps everything to herself when she encounters difficulties.
I really don't want to add to her stress.
Madam, I want some mung bean cakes, please.
Coming right up!
If you're real besties,
you'd better show some sincerity.
Avoiding it
won't fix anything.
How old are you?
None of your business.
What are you doing?
You really are photogenic.
Siyi.
This is our homemade salted pork.
Use it to make a dish for your grandma tomorrow.
No, thanks.
It's for your grandma,
not for you.
Just take it.
Thank you, Uncle Zhou.
I'll head back now.
OK.
Be careful on your way.
OK.
Fenghua,
you really scared me!
Where have you been?
The library.
Nah,
it doesn't smell like the library.
It smells more like kitchen grease from a restaurant.
Huaiyang cuisine.
Go away.
Is it worth working part-time at the cost of your studies?
Don't worry,
I won't tell your grandma.
How did you know that?
Your hair smells like kitchen grease,
and your hands smell like dish soap.
And this.
Did you buy it at the library?
Don't tell anyone else, anyway.
I won't say anything.
Aren't you afraid Uncle Zhou will tell your grandma?
He won't.
I made him promise to keep it a secret.
I have a better idea
to make money.
Want to give it a try?
Not interested.
Really?
We received a photographer at my mother's stall.
He said being a model makes money really fast.
Model?
Come on, let's go to my place.
I'll show you.
This guy takes photos for ads.
He saw me and said I was photogenic enough
to be a print model.
A set of photos can be done in just a few hours.
Eight hundred yuan, paid in cash.
Sounds fishy.
Fine, you'll see.
Look, he took these random photos of me.
What do you think?
His skills are pretty good.
The skills are not the key.
It's all thanks to my good looks.
I look great in anyone's camera.
Are you really planning to try?
It doesn't hurt to try.
He has a studio in the city.
I'll find time to check it out later.
Would you go with me?
He invited you.
Why should I go?
I'm a bit scared to go alone.
What if it's a scam?
Then ask Wanghe and the others to go with you.
No.
I'll have to pose for the photos.
If those three see me like that,
I'd die of embarrassment.
Go with me, please.
Let's go together
and earn 800 per week.
That's over 3,000 a month!
Isn't that better than working at the restaurant?
Don't worry.
He even thinks I'm pretty.
So imagine how he'll see you.
You can take
a few more sets and post them online later.
You might become a famous model!
Then you could charge several thousand for a set
with your photos all over those websites.
People might ask for your autograph on the street.
Even Jay Chou might want you to star in his music videos.
I'll think about it.
Ms. Liang.
Siyi.
Let me help you.
No, thanks. It's too heavy.
So don't bother. I'll handle it.
It's okay.
You...
Let me take it.
Goodbye, then.
Wait...
Come in and have some water. C'mon.
Take a seat.
Where's Wanghe?
Who knows?
He's hanging out all the time, never at home.
Here.
Thank you.
If he were as sensible as you,
I would wake up laughing from my dreams.
He just doesn't like studying.
He'd surely score high if he were into it.
Let him be.
As long as he can graduate from high school.
What about you?
Have you decided which university to apply for?
Honghuai Normal University.
Is it a key university?
It's second-tier, but close to home.
I can come home every week to be with my grandma.
Good girl.
But...
Being too sensible isn't always good.
You might suffer a lot in your life.
Just drink it.
Thank you, Ms. Liang.
I'll take my leave.
Bye-bye.
Have a good rest!