[NORTHWARD]
[Episode 2]
What's wrong?
You're so quiet this morning, looking troubled.
It's about the new ship.
He believes we can make a profit.
What if we can't?
But it's been profitable, hasn't it?
On this canal,
Boss Xie is an expert.
He can't be wrong.
Don't think too much.
Have you done the math?
[Breakfast]
Yes.
It's profitable if we can get many clients.
But it's just a small business.
I don't dare take risks.
Besides,
it's just Xie and Lao'er now.
They can handle
a 500-ton ship.
But if they trade up,
I'm afraid
they'll have to hire another person.
The cost
will definitely increase a lot.
Yeah.
How much will that cost?
Coming.
I gotta go.
Coming. Coming.
Stir before eating.
Xie Wanghe, why are you so late?
I forgot to set an alarm last night.
You…
This isn't over!
I'll teach you a lesson after school!
Watch your step!
Wait, wait, wait!
You brat.
You're late!
Class, take out your textbook
and turn to page 54.
May I come in?
Why are you late again?
You don't pay attention in class
and are always late to school.
If this goes on, I'll call your father.
I won't be late again.
Come in.
Come on. Let's continue.
Fenghua!
Madam,
Xie Wanghe is threatening me!
No. She tripped me first!
[Mountain Trip]
We're in class!
Be quiet! Sit down.
Today, we're going to learn a poem called
"Mountain Trip."
Can anyone tell me
what season this poem is about?
Okay, Chen Rui.
Autumn.
Great. Autumn.
Sit down.
Let's read this poem together, shall we?
"Walking up the rocky path in the cold mountain."
"Amid rising white clouds, a village was seen."
"I stopped the coach, drawn by the maple woods at dusk."
-"I stopped the coach, drawn by the maple woods at dusk." -Director.
[Mountain Trip]
She just transferred
from another school.
She lives in our neighborhood.
She's so pretty.
Is she going to study with us?
What's your name?
Ma Siyi.
What? Louder!
I can't hear you.
She said Ma Siyi!
Are you deaf?
I'll get you for this.
There's an empty seat over there.
Go.
Siyi, sit here.
Siyi.
Okay. Let's finish reading this poem.
"Frosty leaves were redder than flowers in February."
Siyi.
"Frosty leaves were redder than flowers in February." Great.
Frosty leaves are…
Siyi.
What kind of leaves are they?
Maple leaves. Yes. Maple leaves.
What color are maple leaves?
Red.
Madam,
Xie Wanghe is disrupting the class order!
What do you want, Xia Fenghua?
Xie Wanghe!
Get out!
Xia Fenghua pushed me first.
Get out!
Xia Fenghua!
You go out too!
Stand on either side of the corridor.
Come on, let's continue.
They're redder
than flowers in February.
The first line: "Walking up the rocky path in the cold mountain."
Going into the mountain in late autumn.
The mountain road…
[Flower Street Dock]
Granny.
Siyi will stay?
I got her into the local school.
She'll stay here.
What is her mother thinking?
Is she really her mother?
If someone
tried to steal Fenghua,
I'd stop them at all costs!
Well,
she remarried
and had another child.
She can't raise two kids at the same time.
It's not easy for her.
Then she shouldn't have had another kid.
How could a mother
abandon her own child?
Don't be so harsh.
She had the right to remarry.
Yes.
Yuling.
What would you do if you were her?
Isn't it obvious?
Children are the most important.
If I remarry,
I must get
Fenghua's permission first,
right?
Mom, who's remarrying?
What did Dad do?
My god.
The adults are talking.
Don't interrupt!
Go away!
Go home and do your homework.
How was your first day at school?
Not bad.
Good.
Are you hungry?
Let me get you a…
Well…
I have sesame balls here.
[By the Canal]
Siyi, here.
Have a sesame ball.
Try it.
Is it good?
It's delicious, right?
Here.
Mom, the braised pork you made is amazing.
Don't just eat meat.
Eating too much meat
will make you fat.
Then Wanghe won't marry you after he grows up.
He wouldn't dare.
Why not?
I just know it.
Don't burn yourself.
Delicious.
Go eat inside.
Wanghe.
Come. Bring the dishes over.
Coming.
Okay.
Siyi.
Here, have another bun.
Here.
I'm full.
Siyi.
Are you feeling unwell?
Tell me.
No.
Then have another bun.
You're growing.
Grandma, I really can't eat anymore.
Enjoy your dinner.
I'll wash the dishes after I finish my homework.
Are you almost done?
One pot left.
Almost done?
It's really not easy work.
You get up two hours earlier than us every day.
Yeah.
Why don't you do something else?
What else can I do?
When will they come back today?
No idea.
Those men
forget their homes when they're at sea.
They wish they could never come back.
Morning.
Granny Ma, let me help you.
No need.
Go on with your work.
Did you use the herbal plaster I gave you yesterday?
Yes.
Granny Ma.
Morning.
Everything's set?
Be careful.
Okay.
Careful.
Let me help you.
I'm good.
Let me help you.
I got it.
Yan, pick that up for me.
Okay.
Be careful.
Take it down.
Thank you. Please come again.
Fresh-made mung bean cakes!
Come take a look!
Wanghe.
[Flower Street Dock]
Your dad is a real man.
What do you mean?
Come on. Eat your fill.
Last night, when I was sleeping,
I heard your dad snoring.
He snored even louder than Li Yuanba.
Hurry up.
Finish it and go to school.
If you're late again,
you're cooked.
Mom, it's Saturday.
Still, eat quickly.
Then go do your thing.
Don't sit at the table for long.
Mom.
Give me five yuan.
Take it yourself.
Here.
Only five yuan.
Thank you, Mom.
Guys, let's go.
Your breakfast!
You haven't finished it yet!
Those kids ran off as soon as they were full.
He took the money and ran off.
I want one!
Why are you following us?
Aren't you afraid of having a toothache
after eating it all by yourself?
Even if I lose all my teeth, it's none of your business.
Stop following me.
You want a bite?
Five yuan per bite. You can pay in installments.
Are you looking for a beating again?
Hello?
Mom.
I dreamed of you last night.
Grandma said…
Siyi,
just tell me what it is.
Why are you crying?
You're a big girl now.
Mom, how long do I have to stay at Grandma's?
When will you take me back?
I can look after my brother for you.
It won't affect my schoolwork.
I can also do the laundry and cook.
♫Far away, so far away♫
I can do most of the housework.
♫The hometown I can never return to♫
Can't you be more considerate?
Your grandma is getting on in years
♫Sitting quietly in the city♫
and needs someone to take care of her.
Besides,
I've got enough on my plate.
♫Listening to the river flow♫
You'll live with your grandma
from now on.
Mom, you don't want me anymore?
I told you
it's just temporary.
♫Hometown, oh hometown♫
Okay, alright.
Your brother is awake. I have to go.
♫Now a distant place I can't go back to♫
Bye.
♫Sitting quietly in the city♫
♫Listening as time drifts by♫
♫The sunsets in the city♫
♫Hold no poetry, no distant dreams♫
Ma Siyi.
Siyi.
What?
Do you know her?
My neighbor.
What do you want?
Introduce us.
What do you mean?
I want to be her friend.
You?
I'll buy you ice cream.
Any flavor you like.
I'll pass.
Don't come near her again!
She's your neighbor,
not your wife.
Mind your own business.
What did you say?
I said she's your neighbor, not your wife!
I dare you to say that again!
What are you two doing?
Now, let's solve the first equation.
We can see that
it's division, right?
First,
we divide 34 by 4.
Next, we write down the formula.
♫Far away, so far away♫
What is 34 divided by 4?
♫The hometown I can never return to♫
8 remainder 2.
8.
At most,
♫Sitting quietly in the city♫
8,
right?
4 plus 8 is
32.
♫Listening to the river flow♫
Remainder…
Finish your dinner first!
I've finished.
Haikuo.
Come.
Where is Xingchi?
I don't know.
Xingchi.
Come.
What's wrong, Wanghe?
We have a mission?
What's it?
You want me to do your homework again?
No.
Come here.
It's something more important.
What's it?
Well…
I don't know what to say.
It was just a joke, wasn't it?
He's serious.
Don't you know
that idiot
would take jokes seriously?
What did you say?
Go explain it as soon as possible.
Come out.
What?
Just come out.
Don't ask.
And then like this.
Okay. Try it.
How is it?
Not bad.
If you see it on the street,
will you buy it?
No, I think not.
Why not?
I don't like sweet things.
Then what do you like to eat?
Eel noodles
made by my mom.
My mom can make them too.
I'll invite you over when she makes eel noodles.
What is your strongest subject in school?
Literature.
How about writing?
Not bad.
Then you'll help me write essays,
and I'll beat boys for you.
Beat boys?
If anyone messes with you, I'll beat him up!
We'll go to school and go home together.
Then we'll do homework together.
It's decided then?
So hot.
Hot, hot!
Mom.
What?
My dear mom,
can you give me some money?
I gave you money just last week.
I spent it all.
Mom.
How much do you want?
How much do you have?
You want every penny I have?
So little?
Do you want it or not?
Yes, yes.
What are you looking at?
How would I give you fake money?
I'm afraid you were careless
and received fake money.
You brat!
The basin!
Thank you, Mom.
I can tell fake money.
I have 12 yuan and 6 jiao.
32 yuan and 5 jiao.
How much more do we need?
80 yuan.
What should we do?
Let's go.
What?
Let's go make money!
A new one.
Got it!
You're productive today.
Let's go.
Be careful.
Make way.
Make way!
Dad!
You went swimming?
Come out.
You guys collected them?
They're quite big.
They're for sale.
What do you mean?
You want to sell them to me?
Okay.
How much?
80 yuan.
Are you trying to rob me?
80 is the market price.
If they're not enough,
we can go back and get more.
But you need to pay us first.
Pay…
In cash.
You're really smart, aren't you?
Pay in advance, right?
Okay.
Be careful when you're in the river.
Wanghe.
What are you doing here?
Wait. It's…
Why are you running away?
Brat, put on your shoes!
Don't hurt your feet.
These…
They collected them?
Yes.
Well…
They sold them to me.
You can't spoil them like this.
It's fine.
It wasn't easy.
Naughty boys.
Alright.
Well…
Hurry up.
Let's eat them for dinner.
For dinner.
Those kids
are quite business-minded.
Business-minded?
They can make money already.
They ran away
without shoes.
What if they hurt their feet?
Siyi, Siyi, Siyi.
Do you like your new schoolbag?
My new schoolbag?
-Yes. -Your new schoolbag.
Look. We all have new schoolbags.
We all do.
If you don't like that schoolbag,
we can switch with you.
I like my new schoolbag.
Siyi, let me fill it for you.
Let me do it!
Siyi, put it on.
Let's go to school.
Let's go.
Let's go to school.
Go to school!
Siyi, slow down.
Grandpa, I'm back!
Coming.
They're coming.
The kids are back from school. Slow down.
Go to your grandpa.
[By the Canal]
Come on.
Sit down.
Slow down.
Tell the chef
the food for children can't be heavy.
Got it?
Kids nowadays love fried food.
Just do as I say.
Okay.
Thank you, Grandpa.
Okay.
Eat up.
Master Zhou.
Nice to meet you.
Let me introduce someone to you.
This is the new district chief,
Ms. Gu.
Hello.
Hello, Master Zhou.
He's the owner of By the Canal.
Zhimei.
Let me introduce you.
This is my wife.
This is Ms. Gu.
Ms. Gu.
-Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you.
I heard many kids come to eat here.
-Yes. -Yeah. Yeah.
It's convenient for them to eat together.
School has started.
I'm too busy with work
to cook for him.
So I want him to eat here.
Is it okay with you?
Sure, no problem.
That'll be great.
Chen Rui.
Your classmates.
Chen Rui!
You know each other?
Chen Rui!
You all know each other.
Dad, he's my classmate, Chen Rui.
You're in the same class?
Yeah.
Come, come.
Sit down.
Sit here.
Come, sit here.
Sit here and eat.
Sit.
Yeah.
Well,
how much should I pay you every month?
You don't need to pay.
Take the money.
If you don't,
I can't let my son eat here.
Ms. Gu!
You're doing me a favor.
Ms. Gu!
Mr. Shao.
Well, you're Mr. Shao, right?
Yes.
Ms. Gu's husband is my colleague.
We work in the same office.
What a coincidence.
Chen Bo told me
that you're writing "The Story of the Canal."
Yes.
Don't forget to highlight
Shuipu District and Flower Street.
Of course.
If that's the case,
I'll apply for a special
cultural grant for you.
Ms. Gu.
No masterpiece
was written for money!
Mr. Shao.
You're a man of noble character.
I admire you.
But
if you take my book
as a cultural project,
it'll be very necessary
to apply for a grant for it.
If you say so…
I understand.
Grandpa,
tell us a story.
Sure. What story should I tell?
The story behind this monument.
This monument
is quite old.
I'll tell you what the inscription
means later.
As for who erected it,
you all know his name.
Do you know Prime Minister Liu Luoguo?
Yes.
Back then, Flower Street
was very famous along the canal.
Ships coming and going all had to
pass through the lock here and fill out official forms.
Liu Yong
erected this monument to thank the people
of Flower Street,
wishing for the Qing dynasty's
long-lasting prosperity.
But didn't the Qing dynasty end long ago?
Yes.
Do you know how the Qing dynasty ended?
The Eight-Nation Alliance.
Nonsense!
They only invaded Beijing.
Empress Dowager Cixi fled,
but the empire didn't fall.
Back then,
the troops of the Alliance came here.
There was a foreigner
from Italy
whose name was something
sounding like Little Polo.
According to the county annals,
he came to China from the South Sea
and rented a big ship in Hangzhou.
He hired several servants
and went all the way north.
Siyi.
Was he your ancestor?
No, Grandma said
my ancestors went south from the north.
That guy went north.
The locals
said he carried a soul absorber with him
and took people's souls.
Really?
It was just a camera.
Here, eat it.
Siyi, it's really sweet.
I don't want it.
Take a bite.
I don't want it!
Just a bite.
I don't eat ice cream.
Try it.
Don't touch me!
Liang!
Eat it.
What are you doing?
Did I hit you?
Liang, stop it!
Liang!
Beat you up!
Beat them!
Stop!
Stop fighting! Stop it!
Let go! Break it up!
What are you doing?
Break it up!
Get up. Let go!
Let go!
Kids, what happened to you?
Did you…
Did you get into a fight?
-No! -No!
Nothing happened.
Don't deny it!
Look at you.
What happened?
It was…
It was self-defense.
Shao Xingchi!
Come home with me!
Wanghe, let's go.
Mom, wait.
Mom...
Mom, it's not like that.
Mom, listen…
H-Hold on.
What's wrong with you?
Let me walk you home.
Come in.
Mom, I didn't start it!
They started it.
Mom.
Can't you stay out of trouble
for just one day?
Let's go take a look.
You taught me to be righteous!
Righteous?
Go ahead. Hit me!
Hit me all you want.
What? You feel aggrieved?
You wanna hit me again?
Go ahead!
Fine.
Fine. I won't hit you.
Tell me
what happened.
Who did you fight with?
Siyi was bullied
by a bunch of punks at school.
How could I just stand by?
Sorry,
I was wrong.
Alright?
But no matter what,
in the future,
don't fight again.
Understand?
Also,
Siyi
is sensitive.
She's not as strong as you guys.
Help her more.
Treat her like your sister.
Look out for her.
Got it?
Yes.
Siyi,
you're Wanghe's sister from now on.
Are you hurt?
No.
Grandma,
how long have our neighbors been living here?
Very, very long.
The Zhou family in the front yard
moved here right after this place was built.
I was there when Haikuo was born.
He was such a sweet baby.
He barely cried or threw tantrums.
He was also smart.
Before all his baby teeth came in,
he could already recite many poems.
♫When the moon shines in the sky♫
Grandpa Zhou
is an educated man.
♫And it's cooling in the yard♫
The children raised by educated people
♫Who is still by your side?♫
are different.
♫As time passes♫
The Shao family next door…
It's been eight years, I think.
♫Is a lifetime really that long?♫
When they came, Xingchi was only two and a half years old.
He was always hungry.
♫When youthful company fades♫
He cried when he was hungry,
and it was impossible to shush him.
♫Leaving only small talk and pleasantries♫
♫Spring feels short, while autumn lingers♫
What about Wanghe?
His family
moved here with Fenghua's family.
♫A gentle breeze carries dreams away♫
They're all kind
and very righteous.
♫Dreamland and dreams♫
Back then,
when your dad was sick,
I went to the provincial capital for treatment with him.
♫Life is long♫
I didn't know anyone there.
Your Uncle Xie helped us a lot
♫No need to dwell♫
and was always there for us.
♫Like moonlight♫
He lost over 10 kilograms.
♫Don't forget♫
They're all good people.
♫Life is long♫
My mom's neighbors were like strangers.
They didn't even say hi when they met.
♫No need to dwell♫
As the old saying goes,
♫Like moonlight♫
good neighbors are more helpful than distant relatives.
But it's rare for neighbors to see each other as family.
♫The old times♫
You should cherish them.
I will.
Good girl.
All right. Do your homework.
♫When the moon shines 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?♫
Mr. Zhou, let me tell you.
The new ship
is a good bargain.
You know why? Because
the main engine of this ship
is imported.
A foreign engine.
It's fuel-efficient
and makes less noise.
Hey.
Have a seat.
Hello.
We're talking about the engine,
the latest model.
We've found a buyer
for our old ship.
He offered a fair price.
Right, Lao'er?
As for the new ship,
we've contacted
the shipyard.
As long as the payment is made,
we can get the ship in one week.
So fast.
So, I've explained
everything to you.
If you think it's feasible,
chip in.
If you're not interested,
drop out.
We'll still be friends either way.
Don't feel pressured.
No pressure.
I told you.
We'll chip in, right?
Dad, I've brought the money.
Cut me in.
No, no, no.
Granny Ma.
Don't do this.
You don't have much money,
and now you have a granddaughter to raise.
You don't have to invest,
but you can keep your shares.
Exactly.
No way.
I'd feel terrible.
No, no!
What's wrong with you?
Tiancheng, listen.
Don't feel pressured.
We all made money
from your ship in the past.
Whether this is profitable or not,
with the canal still operating,
I don't believe you, Boss Xie,
can't make ends meet.
Yeah!
Okay.
We'll keep your money.
No need to ask us.
We all listen to you.
This is our money.
We're also in.
Look.
Yes.
Here's the money.
Is the money enough?
I think it's almost enough.
Later, Lao'er and I
will count…
Count the money.
Count the money, and then decide
how many shares you get based on the amount of your money.
We'll do it the old way.
Okay.
Are we clear?
Yeah.
Don't worry. After we make the payment,
we can see
our new ship
in one week!
Let me have a look.
I'm not done yet.
Let me take a look.
Give it to her.
You bad boy.
Can I have a try?
You want to have a try?
Okay.
Son, after a few years,
when the Grand Canal is dredged,
we'll sail this ship
all the way north to Beijing!
I want to go too!
No problem.
Alright.
Let me take over.
Dad.
I've never seen the sea.
When can we sail this ship
to the sea?
Sail this ship to the sea?
Yes.
It may look big,
but on the sea,
it's just a small ship.
To withstand the winds and waves on the sea,
we need a much bigger ship.
You know what a 10,000-ton ship is like?
After I grow up,
I'll buy you a 10,000-ton ship,
and we'll sail it to the sea.
Good boy. You've got ambition!
I'll wait for that day.
You've got ambition.
A 10,000-ton ship.
Grandma, I'm taking Siyi for a swim.
Grandma, can I go with them
for a swim?
Be careful.
Okay.
Wanghe.
We're leaving!
Take care of your friends!
Fenghua, keep an eye on Siyi.
Don't swim too far into the deep water.
Fenghua, you're as slow as a turtle!
Hurry up!
I want to be a captain in the future.
I'll buy a big ship
and sail all the way south.
I'll go to Sanjiangkou, then out to the open sea,
and onward to the Suez Canal.
I'll go with you.
No women on board.
I'll buy a ship myself and be a female captain.
Can you even swim?
I swim better than you.
Stop bragging.
Let's find it out in the water.
No problem.
The one who gets there first wins.
Okay.
-Come on. -Come on.
Ready?
One, two, three, jump!
Slow down!
[2007]
Fenghua!
Jump in!
I told you my mom washed my swimsuit.
So what?
Just jump in.
Jump in!
Siyi, how can you side with them?
Jump in. Come on!
Come on.
Jump in!
-Jump in! -Come on!
I'm warning you.
Stop splashing,
or you'll have to go home naked.
Jump in!
Don't make me come up there and push you.
Are you too scared to jump?
Why would I be scared?
You think I'm scared?
Don't take away our clothes!
Leave something for me!
There's nothing I don't dare do.
Go home naked!
Fenghua!
Xia Fenghua!
-Fenghua! -Fenghua!
Help!
That's what you get for messing with me.
Help!
Someone fell into the river!
Let's go.
You can't die!
We're in so much debt!
How are our kid and I going to live?
Watch your step!
What happened?
Mom.
What's going on?
Wu, the seafarer,
couldn't pay his debt
and took his own life.
Didn't he just buy a new ship?
How is he in debt?
He gambled?
He borrowed money to buy the ship, but it was hard to get orders.
He shipped coal last month
and counted on it to pay his debt.
But he overloaded the ship
and was fined a lot of money.
There are more and more highways
and fewer and fewer ships.
What should we do?
The tide of change
is unstoppable
and leaves its mark on everyone.
Seven years ago,
the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, which spans the Yellow River
and leaps over the Yangtze River, was put into operation.
Since then, it has greatly promoted
the development of areas along the route and even the national economy.
The cars on shore are running faster and faster.
The seafarers who make a living on the water
find it harder and harder
to feel a sense of honor and accomplishment.
Business is getting smaller and smaller.
Profits are dwindling.
The shipping business on the canal
seems to be moving forward
with this fast-paced world,
but actually, it's going in the opposite direction.
However, the spirit of the canal
is already flowing in the blood of the canal people.
The new era has presented new challenges
for the young generation
living by the canal.