[NORTHWARD]
[Episode 13]
You know what?
Wanghe's trip to Beijing wasn't in vain.
He's actually changed his ways.
Really?
He's studying so diligently now.
He's been studying until midnight every day.
I don't know what's gotten into him.
He went to Beijing and
visited Zhongguancun,
which was eye-opening.
Now he feels he's not good enough.
How do you know?
Did he tell you that?
Why does he tell you everything?
He rolls his eyes whenever I ask him anything.
He needs a good beating.
But you always start arguing with him before he can say much.
Who would want to confide in you then?
He listens when you talk,
and you listen when he talks.
It's a different scenario with me.
Whatever I say,
he always argues back.
He's really nice to you, don't you think?
How is he nice to me?
All he does is piss me off.
Didn't she go out of town to film a movie?
♫At moonset cry the crows♫
Grandpa, you scared me.
What? Did you go to the Internet cafe again?
Wow, you got a lot of nice stuff.
♫Streaking the frosty sky♫
There's a lot more.
Alright, you carry on then.
I'll head inside.
Don't go yet.
Stay here and chat with me for a while.
What happened?
♫Dimly lit fishing boats♫
Your mother just came home.
♫Sadly lie beneath maples♫
Why didn't you tell me
you were coming back beforehand?
I would have picked you up.
You haven't eaten, have you? I'll make you a bowl of noodles.
I ate on the plane.
You've eaten?
What delicious food can there be on a plane?
I heard that
you didn't pass the audition for that show, huh?
The director has no taste.
He cast some young vixen.
I can tell she can't act at a glance.
Once they start filming,
I guarantee he'll regret it.
What kind of director is that?
This show is definitely not going to be good.
When the time comes, I'll inform everyone on Flower Street
not to watch it.
We'll make sure it gets low ratings.
So you're not leaving again this time, right?
Are there other shows you're auditioning for?
No.
It's Ai Linlin.
She has a friend
who left the TV station
and started his own film production company.
They need a producer.
What does that mean? So...
You're going to be a producer?
But you're an actress. You...
Zhimei.
Look.
You love acting,
and I support you.
You can go act, right?
But being a producer
is not something you can just do casually, right?
Think about all the money spent,
with such a large crew
and so many people involved.
What if it can't be aired?
What if the company loses money?
We won't be able to bear that responsibility.
So you...
You can't be a producer.
It's not that serious.
Let me just give it a try.
Maybe it'll work out.
A producer needs social experience.
I think I can do it.
As long as I stay in this industry,
there will always be opportunities to act in the future.
Don't worry about it.
♫Streaking the frosty sky♫
Grandpa.
Tell me,
why does my mom always want to leave home?
Don't you also want to?
♫Dimly lit fishing boats♫
You're so young, yet you're already thinking about
going to Beijing
or Shenzhen.
♫Sadly lie beneath maples♫
Your mom is the same.
Everyone has the desire and right
to change their fate.
So you support my mom leaving here and going out into the world?
As the head of the family,
I'd rather your mom stay,
♫Beyond the city wall♫
supporting her husband and raising her kid.
It's better for family stability.
But as an elder,
♫From Temple of Cold Hill♫
I also hope she can pursue her dreams.
♫The sound of bells in the midnight♫
My mom once said
she felt suffocated
in this house.
Did she say that to you?
To Granny Ma.
♫Bells break the ship-borne roamer's dream♫
When I was little,
I heard her complaining to Granny Ma.
Now there's less water
in the canal,
and the river has narrowed.
In the past, the canal was full of water,
with many ships and people coming and going. It was so lively.
No matter how good it is, it's just a river, isn't it?
Even a river knows to flow,
let alone people.
Granny Ma.
You've lived here your whole life.
Don't you ever feel stifled?
You know,
I often feel so stifled that
I can barely breathe.
Zhimei.
You've been to big places
and seen the world.
Why don't you talk to Yanlin again
about going out to explore some more?
I don't have the energy to venture out anymore.
As we go through life,
more and more things get in our way and tie us down.
Actually,
even in my dreams,
I think about going out to see the world again,
and to have some more adventure.
But if I leave,
what about this family?
What about the kid?
Alas, life.
It's too difficult.
You're right.
It's not easy.
Since then,
I've been hoping
that my mom could
muster the courage to leave this place one day.
I hope so too.
But
it's tough for your dad.
After all, you have a family.
You have a husband and a kid.
Yet you're constantly
out and about, not coming home.
Don't you think you are being a bit selfish?
Who are you calling selfish?
You're the selfish one, okay?
What did you tell me
when we got married?
You said when the kid got a bit older, you'd have your father take care of him,
and we'd return to Beijing to start our own business.
Have you forgotten what you said yourself?
What's so good about Beijing?
What's not good about Beijing?
Look at Flower Street.
Look at the canal.
How many people are still here?
People always strive for better things.
Big cities offer better opportunities.
Do you know how many ring roads Beijing has built so far?
Even if it had a hundred ring roads, it wouldn't matter to me.
I was born and raised here.
I just like it here.
I think the air here
is better than Beijing's.
Is that not okay?
Since I came back from Beijing,
I've been like a completely different person.
I've also been more energetic here.
Of course you feel different.
It's because you're in your element here.
But what about me?
I'm an actress.
I need a stage.
Is there a stage for me here?
I've been learning opera since I was little.
Opera is particularly demanding.
My teacher said I had no talent.
I was very unwilling to accept that.
I got up at four in the morning every day,
rain or shine, to practice.
I had only one belief in my heart,
and that was to perform on stage.
I have to go on stage no matter where it is!
I want everyone to see me,
to like me and admire me.
As soon as I get on stage,
I want there to be applause and flowers.
Only then would I truly be alive.
Only then could I feel alive.
Do you understand?
You don't understand me at all.
I'm sorry, Zhimei.
I indeed failed to provide you with
a stage that's big enough.
If you feel that
this family is a burden to you,
we can get a divorce.
Let's get divorced.
♫Stepping on the old time♫
♫The wind blows gently♫
♫Blowing through the forest and the city♫
♫Blowing through your face♫
♫And my heart♫
♫The wind blows gently♫
Siyi.
Here.
I made chicken soup for you. Have some.
♫Blowing through summer♫
I'm not hungry yet.
♫Blowing through the eaves♫
Grandma, you eat first.
♫It blows past me♫
Well...
Siyi.
♫Warm love♫
Take a break, will you?
♫How many years♫
I want to discuss something with you.
♫Have you changed?♫
What's wrong, Grandma?
Are you feeling unwell again?
♫How many years♫
No, I'm perfectly fine.
♫How far has the old times♫
Don't be nervous.
I just want to
♫We miss gone♫
talk to you about your mother.
♫I was lost in a distance♫
What about her now?
She came to see me.
♫I couldn't forget♫
She said
she still wanted to go south and explore.
♫The first growth♫
Some of her friends are going with her.
Let her be.
I don't care about her business.
She said
she wanted to let your little brother stay here with us.
Is she crazy?
That boy isn't even related to you by blood.
And he has his own father.
Well, as for Ge,
she said he was arrested and sentenced
for organizing gambling.
And with your mother going south,
there's no one to take care of your little brother.
Then let his own grandmother take care of him.
You're my grandma.
Why should you take care of someone else's grandson?
Do we owe him anything?
It's only for a year.
Not even for a month.
I absolutely disagree with this.
Siyi.
Your mother has had it tough too.
So do I or you have it easy?
She knows very well that I'm preparing for the college entrance exam,
yet she pulls this stunt.
What does she want?
Is she my real mother or not?
Don't yell.
Look at you.
I'm just discussing with you.
Look at us.
We have rent to collect,
and I can work at my stall,
right?
Grandma, you've had a stroke.
How can you still work at the stall?
Kind people are always taken advantage of.
It's not that big a deal. Just an extra pair of chopsticks on the table, right?
It's fine.
It's not fine by me!
I just can't accept it!
She dumped me here with you back then.
All these years, she has barely
ever come back to see me.
How could she have the nerve to ask you this favor?
Siyi.
I'm uneducated,
and I don't know many characters,
but I do know the character for "person."
One stroke leans left, and one leans right.
It means a person can't stand alone.
We need to support each other.
Your mother is also unlucky.
When she was little, her brother didn't care for her,
and her mother didn't love her.
She finally married your father,
had a few good years,
but then your father passed away too soon.
You are her own daughter,
and I was once a mother-in-law who loved her.
So tell me, if we don't help her now, who will?
Grandma.
I'm also annoyed with her,
but I have to thank her.
She gave birth to
the best granddaughter in the world.
I owe her.
So I have to pay her back.
Why should we?
Son, I'm home.
Did you bring me a gift?
I was in too much of a hurry this time.
Maybe next time.
When are you leaving?
Aren't you going to Beijing to work?
Your dad told you everything?
No.
You two had a fight,
and I assume it could only be because of this.
I'm not leaving for now.
Not before your college entrance exam.
You should go.
Don't use me as an excuse.
Even if you're here, I won't get into Tsinghua.
And without you here, I won't fail either.
You don't object to me going to Beijing?
You're my mom.
If you're happy, I'm happy.
If you feel suffocated
in this family,
then go somewhere else
and get some fresh air.
Grandpa is right.
Everyone
has the wish and right
to change their own fate.
Thank you, Son.
Mom.
Even if
you two get divorced,
you'll always be my mom.
When I was little,
I was afraid of you leaving
because I feared you would abandon me.
Now,
I've grown up.
So,
feel free to fly, Mom.
Fly to the highest sky.
Thank you, Son.
It's easy to get drunk
drinking alone.
You're off work.
Your wife's back?
But she's leaving again.
Again?
Where to?
Beijing.
She said a film production company
asked her to work there as a producer.
What does a producer do?
In charge of all sorts of things in the production crew, I guess.
I don't know the details.
Can she make money from it?
Our family's problem isn't about money.
So... What is it about?
Let's not talk about it.
I'm filled with anger
that I can't vent.
Come on. Cheers.
The past two years have been suffocating.
I'm also feeling suffocated these days.
What's wrong?
Did something happen to your family too?
You've been to big cities,
and you're more educated than I am.
Help me analyze.
Do you think there's still hope
for this canal?
There is.
How so?
The Grand Canal
is nominated for World Heritage status, you know?
W-What does 'nominated for World Heritage status' mean?
Being nominated for World Heritage status
means it's applying to be included in the World Cultural Heritage Protection List.
Once it makes it onto the list,
the Grand Canal, as a World Cultural Heritage site,
will be protected.
This way, it'll prosper again.
Are you serious?
Of course.
Look.
Last year,
the Grand Canal has already
been included in our country's tentative list for World Heritage nomination.
But of course,
whether the Canal can make it to the final list
depends on our own efforts.
Really?
Sure.
Look.
I'm so lucky to have come to see you
and asked you that question.
Fortunately,
I haven't sold my ship yet.
You'll have to sell that ship of yours.
Why?
Isn't the canal being nominated for World Heritage status?
It's exactly because of the World Heritage nomination.
If it really makes it onto the list,
the Grand Canal will be protected, right?
In the future, ships like yours that burn diesel
and those that cause severe pollution
will all be phased out.
Think about your ship.
It's seven years old.
You still want to keep it?
I'm telling you,
you could be fined to death when the time comes.
I...
This... This...
Boss Xie, I know you feel upset.
I'm upset too.
Look at our Flower Street.
In these past few years,
it's lost its vitality.
Life is getting harder and harder.
But I'm just unwilling to leave.
Do you know why?
Because this is our home.
Our root!
How can I leave, right?
But of course,
as humans,
we must keep up with the times.
So, Boss Xie,
you should come ashore first.
Watch over this Grand Canal,
and wait for it to revive again.
When that day comes,
you can go back to the river.
That'll do, right?
Can we really go back?
Yes, we can.
We can make it back.
[Striving unceasingly with steadfast integrity]
Furthermore, with the general term formula for the geometric sequence,
what can we derive?
Alright, class dismissed.
Let's raise a toast to Liang.
Cheers.
-Come on. -Let's drink together.
I'm sure everyone will pass.
Come on!
Xie Wanghe!
Xie Wanghe, come on!
[Yunqi Driving School Registration Hall]
She should be able to pass this time.
Right? This should be it.
[Yunqi Driving School Registration Hall]
[Yunqi Driving School Coach Truck]
I think she's definitely going to make it this time.
It's not been easy.
[Yunqi Driving School Coach Truck]
How is it?
No problem.
Thank you.
Well done!
Impressive!
How was it?
Impressive.
I'm the first one to pass, right?
Yes, you are.
Good job.
Good for you, Liang. Well done.
A bet is a bet.
Come on.
Time to pay up. Come on.
Alright, alright.
I was just joking with you guys earlier.
I should be thanking you.
Thank you for taking care of me during this time.
Great job, Liang!
Well done!
Coach Du.
Thank you very much.
Good job.
You passed on the first try.
That's because you taught me well.
Before this,
you really had never learned to drive?
I'm just a quick learner.
If you don't believe me, get a plane.
Let's see
how soon I can learn to fly it.
You're really something.
Liang,
for long-distance driving,
besides the truck,
there's something else you need to prepare.
What is it?
Good to go?
Mr. Chen.
Let me drive. You should get some sleep.
Okay.
Here.
Alright.
Dad.
Can't you drink less?
Your snoring is too loud.
Even your mother can't stop me.
You think you can?
I'm saying this for your own good.
It would be fine if you drink some good liquor,
but what kind of alcohol have you been drinking?
It's bad for your liver.
I feel uncomfortable if I don't drink,
but I feel worse after drinking.
Do you really want to sell that ship?
I do!
Tell me the truth.
If you don't want to sell it,
I'll figure something out and
try my best to keep the boat for you.
I can't keep it anymore.
You know,
one can't fight against fate.
Let me tell you.
Your father is a hero on the river,
but on land,
I'm no coward either.
Alright, let's sell it then.
I've found a buyer for you
online.
120,000.
Really?
The buyer is in Linqing.
He's engaged in earthwork business,
and he's in urgent need of second-hand ships.
There's only one condition:
payment upon delivery of the ship.
But what if he changes his mind
when we deliver the ship there?
I've checked the buyer's transaction history.
Last month alone,
they bought eight second-hand ships.
How about you give it more thought?
If you really decide to sell it,
I'll ask Uncle Xia
to go to Linqing and hand over the ship.
[Smooth Sailing]
Come on.
♫Girl, you sit on the bow♫
♫I tow the boat on the shore♫
♫In deep love, tow rope dancing♫
♫Dancing♫
Don't worry, Boss Xie.
Go back.
Go back, Boss Xie.
♫Girl, you sit on the bow♫
♫I tow the boat on the shore♫
♫In deep love, tow rope dancing♫
Have some of this.
Okay.
You don't want some beer?
We have beer.
Beer is perfect for summer.
Come on, come on.
Let's have another bottle.
You're getting more?
Yeah.
There's enough.
Today we must
drink our fill.
Today, this...
Here.
Beers and drinks.
Come on.
Yanlin.
What's the special occasion today?
Everything's so lavish.
There's both wine and meat.
Indeed.
So extravagant.
Boss Xie bought all this meat.
As for the specific reason,
you can ask him yourselves when he comes back.
Is that so?
Let's eat.
Let's help ourselves.
Take it slow.
We should start drinking after Boss Xie comes back.
That's right.
You've started without me?
Boss Xie, you're back.
Come on, have a seat.
Eat.
We were just talking about it.
What's the occasion?
You've bought both wine and meat.
I'll say a few words then.
Um...
Well...
As you all know, over the past years,
seafaring hasn't been easy.
The longer we stay in the business,
the more we'll lose.
So
my wife and I decided to sell the ship.
We sold it.
But it didn't sell for much.
Only 120,000.
The two of us
thought we'd give
the money to you
according to your share.
Mr. Zhou, here's your share.
Thank you.
Well,
we've calculated carefully.
Plus the dividends from previous years,
fortunately,
you all
didn't lose money in this investment.
Well, that's already a blessing.
That's great.
What about yours?
We...
We won't keep any.
That won't do.
That's not acceptable.
This won't do, Boss Xie.
You've worked the hardest all these years.
That's right.
You were the one taking care of the business.
You're the one who's been making all the money.
Boss Xie.
We all know what kind of person you are.
You are loyal
and dignified.
Everyone knows
you never owe anyone a penny.
You only shortchange yourself.
You've worked extremely hard
for us all these years.
So we can't let your family suffer losses.
That won't do.
Yes, right.
That won't do.
See?
I told you
they'd definitely disagree.
So,
as I said before,
when we make money, everyone's in it together;
and when we lose money, everyone is still in it together.
Right.
Exactly.
It's a business matter after all.
It's about fairness.
The fairest way is to divide the money according to shares.
No more, no less.
As for this money,
we'll take
what belongs to us.
But we won't take
any money that we don't deserve.
That's right.
Listen, Boss Xie.
With the two of us here,
it's not your turn to speak.
Here's our family's share.
This... This isn't appropriate.
What's not appropriate?
Exactly.
This really is inappropriate. This...
I agree.
Let's divide the money according to shares.
Those who agree, raise your hands.
♫When the moon hangs in the sky♫
I agree.
We all agree.
♫And it's cooling in the yard♫
I agree.
♫Who is still by your side?♫
We all agree.
I agree.
♫As time passes♫
Agreed. Agreed.
I'd like to thank everyone.
♫Is a lifetime really that long?♫
Thank you all.
It's only right.
We'll go home and divide it up again.
♫When youthful company fades, leaving only small talk and pleasantries♫
Give us a minute.
Eat first before you go.
Let's eat first.
No, no.
I won't feel at ease until this is sorted out.
♫Spring feels short, while autumn lingers♫
Let's go, Honey.
Then be quick.
Alright, no problem.
Haihong.
♫A gentle breeze carries dreams away♫
Hurry up. We're waiting for you.
We'll wait here to drink with you.
Boss Xie. Boss Xie.
♫Of sweet dreams♫
There's something I'd like to talk to you about.
Go ahead.
Well, earlier,
I forced Maotian to open
that floating supermarket.
It was my fault, not his.
♫Life is long♫
No one's to blame.
As long as it's profitable,
♫No need to dwell♫
it's a good thing.
We've indeed made some
money recently.
Really?
♫Like moonlight♫
That's great.
I wanted to ask,
if you don't mind,
why don't you join us?
♫Don't forget♫
Look.
He has been with you since childhood.
♫Life is long♫
You're his backbone.
Look.
Without you around lately,
♫No need to dwell♫
he's been feeling lost
every day.
Just look at him.
It's like he's lost his soul.
♫Like moonlight♫
So I was thinking,
if you
have nothing else to do,
♫The old times♫
why don't our two families open a floating supermarket together?
We can support each other.
Wouldn't that be great?
Alright.
So it's a deal.
I'm off then.
Have some.
Eat it while it's warm.
In the future, if there's anything you want to say,
talk to me yourself, okay?
Having your wife relay messages for you?
Is this how you do things now?
♫When the moon hangs in the sky♫
♫And it's cooling in the yard♫
Go on. I'll be there right away.
Okay.
♫Who is still by your side?♫
Let's start dividing the dividends.
♫As time passes♫
♫Is a lifetime really that long?♫
Tell me, why do they
like seafaring so much?
I went seafaring with them a few times,
♫When youthful company fades, leaving only small talk and pleasantries♫
but I didn't find it that enjoyable.
Maybe
♫Spring feels short, while autumn lingers♫
they were born in the year of the fish in their previous life.
That's it?
♫A gentle breeze carries dreams away♫
She drove me out.
Boss Xie.
She said I'm innumerate.
♫Dreamland and dreams♫
Come on.
Seafaring used to be a good profession.
They used to make good money from it,
and they enjoyed the freedom.
People would carry things
♫Life is long♫
to their homes, begging them to make a trip.
In that era of insufficient transportation capacity,
♫No need to dwell♫
ship owners could walk with their heads held high.
So during that period,
♫Like moonlight♫
they felt respected and needed.
Unfortunately,
♫Don't forget♫
times have changed.
But they're still living in the past,
in the glory and honor of the old times.
♫Life is long♫
♫No need to dwell♫
Seeing them like this,
I feel discouraged too.
♫Like moonlight♫
I want to help, but I'm at a loss.
I feel really bad.
♫The old times♫
Then work hard and improve yourself.
Make them proud of you.
Maybe you can do it, but I can't.
Why can't you?
Fenghua.
You have an advantage that others don't have.
What?
You're thick-skinned.
I'm serious.
Look at other girls.
They're all pretentious
and aren't sincere at all.
But you're different.
You've been very genuine since you were little.
You are what you are,
never pretending.
With your personality,
when you do things in the future,
you'll be more easily accepted by clients,
and it'll be easier for you to make friends.
You just lack experience now.
When you figure out
what you want to do in the future,
you'll have an advantage.
You'll be faster than others
in gaining resources and connections.
Are you serious?
Don't lie to me.
Of course. Why would I lie to you?
You know what?
When you come to Beijing in the future, come work with me.
It's not because we're close,
but because I think you have potential.
Then what about Siyi?
Her?
With her personality,
she's suitable for academic work,
not for starting a business.
Will she be in your future?
What do you mean?
You won't start a business with her,
but what about other things?
What other things?
Like relationship and such.
Fenghua.
You watch too many soap operas.
Your IQ is not high in the first place.
You'll become an idiot if you keep watching them.
Who are you talking about?
Say that again.
-Who are you calling an idiot? -I'm wrong. I'm wrong.
-Are you wrong or not? -I am. I am.