[NORTHWARD]
[Episode 8]
Are you home?
Haihong, come in, come in.
Have a seat. Sit.
Come on.
Sit, and I'll pour you some tea.
Please don't fuss.
Don't bother.
I just drank a lot of water.
Sit down. I have something to tell you.
I'll leave right after.
What is it?
You know I have a middle school classmate who sells insurance, right?
He just told me
there's a free health check-up slot available.
I've already had my check-up earlier this year,
so I'm giving this slot to you.
You should go.
No need.
I just saw a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.
I'm fine.
Listen to me. Don't be lazy about it.
Just half a day at the hospital, that's all.
Really, it's not necessary.
You can just give this spot
to someone else.
I don't need it.
It's a free health check-up.
Don't worry. It won't take half a day.
It won't interfere with anything important.
Take a look at it.
Later, let Yuling take you to the hospital.
She's familiar with it.
Yuling!
Everything...
Okay.
It's all in here. Take it.
Okay.
What about the vehicle?
Go to Qian, who sells vegetables at the entrance,
and borrow his small three-wheeler.
It'll be quicker that way.
Okay, okay, okay.
Ride slowly.
Be careful.
Then we're heading over now.
Granny Ma, don't rush.
Get a thorough check-up.
Okay.
Don't worry.
There's a cat over there.
Here.
[HZ Vision]
Smile a bit wider for me.
Show your teeth.
Yes. Nice!
Very nice!
Give me a smile!
Yes, like a star!
Think of yourself as a star!
One, two, three, go!
Let's take another one.
Beautiful.
One more shot.
Sprinkle.
Behind that shirt.
Yes, yes, yes.
Come on, one, two, three.
So modeling is that simple?
The money seems way too easy to make.
Keep your voice down.
Move a little to the right.
That's it.
That's a digital camera.
It costs tens of thousands of yuan.
Abroad,
only top photographers use this kind of camera.
You're here.
You see.
I'm busy right now.
I'll be done after taking a few more shots.
You can wait for me at the café downstairs.
Okay, you carry on then.
Okay, okay, great.
See you in a bit.
Come on, come on.
Let's take two more.
Don't be nervous.
You're making me nervous too.
I'm not.
Just now, when we were watching him take photos,
you were so nervous that your hands were trembling.
That was excitement.
I was too.
Just now that scene
with the flashing lights going off
made me feel like I was walking down the red carpet.
Hello, friends over there!
I love you all too!
You're already getting into it?
Hello, Hai.
This is my classmate, Ma Siyi.
Oh, your surname is Ma too?
You have the same surname as my sister.
What a coincidence.
Please, sit down.
Have you done any commercials before?
No.
It's the first time for both of us.
We have no experience.
Hai, please give us more guidance in the future.
No problem, no problem.
No shoots, and you haven't signed with an agency?
Sign with an agency?
What does that mean?
Professional models all need to sign with agencies,
and they need managers too.
I thought only celebrities needed managers.
Models have managers as well.
Why don't you both sign on as my models?
Don't be nervous.
I just think your conditions
are very good.
You'll definitely have great development in the future.
So I sincerely invite you to join my company.
How about this?
I'll get you a contract first,
and you can take a look at it,
okay?
We can discuss if you have any questions.
Okay.
Wait for me.
Look at you, acting like you're so new to everything.
What now?
He mentioned signing a contract, and you got all flustered.
Was that really necessary?
I just think
it's a bit strange that he wants to
sign a contract with us
at our first meeting, right?
Let's look over the contract first.
We'll decide after that.
If anything seems off,
we'll just walk away.
Hai.
We have new girls?
I met them in town.
Fresh meat.
One of them is a real gem.
Fair skin, a beautiful face, and long legs.
[Radiology Department]
Are you nervous?
I'm fine.
It's okay. Let's have a check.
It's okay. Don't be afraid.
[Registration; Special Examination Appointment; Report Collection]
No. 73, Qi Meiyun.
Here, she's calling us.
She's calling us.
Don't be afraid. I'll wait right here for you.
I'll wait for you here.
Okay.
Don't be nervous, Granny.
Right, right, this, take this.
I'll be waiting right here for you.
Okay.
Call me if you need anything.
Don't be nervous. Just listen to the doctor.
Okay.
If you have any questions, you can ask me.
Because these are all standard agency contracts.
That's the way it's done in the business.
If you sign the contract today,
I'll pay you in cash directly.
10,000 yuan for each of you.
Really?
800 yuan per ad
and at least one ad per week.
For students like you,
I think these terms are probably the best you can get.
Give me a pen.
Okay, looking forward to working with you.
One pen for each of you.
Wait, wait.
Let's take the contract back first
and discuss it with our families before signing.
There's no need to discuss it.
My parents don't understand this industry anyway.
It's pointless to ask them.
There's a penalty clause,
five times the signing bonus.
If we take 10,000 yuan, we'd have to pay back 50,000 yuan if we cancel.
[Once there is a breach of contract, the breaching party needs to pay the other party a penalty of 50,000 Chinese Yuan (RMB).]
[After the contract is signed, Party A shall pay Party B a signing fee of 10,000 Chinese Yuan (RMB).]
It's like this.
If you don't deliberately break the contract,
you won't have to worry about penalties.
[7. Party A guarantees that it possesses the legal qualifications and the capacity to conduct business.]
Check the next clause.
Party A guarantees
that the work arranged for Party B
will fully adhere to
all laws and relevant regulations
of the People's Republic of China.
If it doesn't, Party B reserves the right to refuse.
This clause is enough then.
At least let Wanghe and the others take a look at it.
Give it to me.
Signing a contract is not a joke.
Give it to me!
Hai, if we don't sign today,
can we still sign later?
Yes,
no problem.
You can sign anytime.
It's just
that the 10,000 yuan today could... drop to 5,000 yuan
and then...
3,000 yuan in the end...
Give it to me.
Don't...
Can't we just sign it in a few days?
No!
[Party B: Xia Fenghua]
Here you are.
Okay.
[Medical Ethics and Mutual Support]
Granny.
What are the results?
The doctor said everything's fine.
Are you relieved?
I'm relieved, really.
[Medical Ethics and Mutual Support]
Guess who I just ran into while picking up the results?
District Chief Gu.
When she heard that you came here for a check-up,
she hurriedly
[Medical Ethics and Mutual Support]
had me bring you the health supplements
that were meant for Chen Rui.
I can't take them. Aren't these for the child?
District Chief Gu said
that Chen Rui
grew up under your care,
so this is the least she could do.
She specifically asked me to tell you
that prevention is more important than treatment.
Well, where is she now?
I should thank her in person.
She left already.
She's very busy.
Just take these since she's given them to you.
Her husband, Chen Bo,
often visits our Flower Street when he's free, right?
[In Rescue]
You'll have a chance to thank her eventually.
If you still feel uneasy,
[Payment Collection] [Registration]
Shao shares an office with him.
We can have Shao arrange it.
Okay.
Are you still angry,
Miss Grudge-holder?
I'm not.
You clearly are.
I know you too well.
Don't be mad.
Come on.
Give me a smile.
To you, this may seem like a huge risk,
but to our parents' generation,
it's nothing at all.
Oh, please.
Both of your parents are honest people,
unlike you, so daring.
Do you know what my mom was doing
at my age?
What?
Stealing coal to sell.
Back then,
my uncle wanted to go to college,
but the family couldn't afford it.
So my mom and other girls from the village
would row a small boat to the canal to steal coal.
But once,
they accidentally stole from Uncle Xie's and my dad's ship.
They got caught red-handed,
and that's how she ended up with my dad for life.
That's really sad.
She's really been through a lot for her family.
After she had me,
and I'm a girl,
my grandmother has looked down on her.
She's always throwing little jabs at my mom.
So, I've always had this urge
to make my mom proud
and give her something to brag about.
Unfortunately, I'm really not that bright,
and my grades are terrible,
always embarrassing her.
Doing commercials
is my only chance right now.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be in such a hurry.
[Haizi Model Agency Contract]
I can already imagine
how happy my mom will be when she sees the money.
I'll sign next week too.
First, I'll pay off the debts,
and then I'll give the rest to my grandma.
She'll definitely say,
"I won't spend a penny of this money."
"I'll save it all for your dowry."
How much has she saved?
I don't know.
She has an account book, very thick.
The first page still records my dad's bride price.
People nowadays are all about writing blogs.
For their generation,
their account books are their blogs.
All this fuss
has taken up half the day.
I do feel a bit tired now.
Right?
How about this?
You should go back to your room and rest.
Don't worry about anything.
Well, when Siyi gets back,
have her come to my place for dinner.
Okay.
Okay?
Okay, okay.
And when you wake up, just call me.
I'll bring your meal over.
Okay, just leave it here.
I've put it here for you.
Yuling.
How did the check-up go?
Her blood pressure and cholesterol levels are a bit high,
while other indicators are normal though.
The doctor said
that she can't overexert herself,
has to avoid getting angry,
and has to stay away from high-fat,
high-calorie, and greasy foods.
Just the usual advice.
What did they say about the stroke risk?
They didn't mention that specifically.
But to be honest,
I don't think she's in very good health.
Think about it.
Before, she could be on her feet all day,
full of energy,
and still walk briskly too.
But today,
the check-up only took half a day.
How much walking could we have done?
Yet she was worn out.
See? She lay down as soon as she got home.
She is not that energetic anymore.
So,
just in case,
we still need to do a drill in advance.
A drill?
If she has an episode at home,
from our compound to where we can get a car,
it's at least 300 meters, right?
Yes.
Plus, we'll have to cross the bridge.
After crossing the bridge, we need to have a car prepared in advance.
Once at the hospital, she'll need emergency treatment.
With this illness...
it's all about time.
Start.
Hurry.
One, two, go.
Easy now. Watch your step.
Watch the road.
An uphill.
Mr. Zhou!
What happened?
Make way, make way!
It's nothing, just a drill.
Don't worry.
We'll explain later.
Slowly.
A drill?
Are you tired?
How about... I carry you instead for a while?
You... stop talking.
Save your energy.
Actually, I'm fine.
Let me tell you,
before, I could carry a sofa on my head
from the South Gate Market all the way back,
easy peasy.
Really?
There are steps ahead.
Mom!
Careful now.
What happened?
Mom?
Get out of the way.
What's wrong with you?
Hurry up, go, go.
Don't waste our time.
What's wrong with my mom?
What's really wrong with you?
Mom!
The three of us were playing cards.
Your Aunt Liang lost.
This is her punishment.
Are you crazy?
Who are you trying to scare this late at night?
Cut the crap.
Just go away now.
Everything is fine. Everything is fine.
It's fine. Hurry up and go home now.
-Here, here. -Okay.
My goodness.
Is your waist okay?
It takes at least three minutes to get here.
Then, adding the time to find a car and drive there,
it'll take another ten minutes or so to get to the hospital.
The key is the car. We have to have it ready at all times.
If we only start looking for one when we get here, it'll be too late.
We can have a tricycle ready at all times,
but where can we find a car to keep on standby?
Granny Ma... almost weighs as much as the two of you, right?
That's true, true.
That won't do.
We need to get a stretcher.
Right.
I'll make one.
I'll help you.
Just in case.
We need to have one prepared.
Okay.
It's settled then.
Drill's over!
Let's go home.
Let's go.
Hold her, hold her.
I'm holding her.
Fenghua, dinner's ready!
You startled me.
What's going on with you?
Mom, sit down first.
What's going on?
What's all this about?
Open it and take a look.
Where did you get it?
I earned it.
How did you earn it?
Guess.
Stop teasing and just tell me.
Wasn't there a photographer at the stall the other day?
I signed a contract with him
to be an advertising model.
This is the signing bonus.
[Haizi Model Agency Contract]
This is the contract.
Don't worry.
I've gone through it carefully.
Everything's legitimate.
You stay put.
I'll deal with you when I get back.
Mom, where are you going?
Haizi Modeling Agency?
[Haizi Model Agency Contract]
They must be out of their minds.
Is there...
is there something fishy with this contract?
See? I knew
there had to be something fishy with this contract.
They signed Fenghua as their model
and gave her a 10,000 yuan signing bonus?
They must be either crazy or blind.
Auntie.
Don't say anything else.
To each their own.
We're asking you to look over the contract
and see if there are any traps in it.
Take a close look at it.
Auntie, Fenghua is quite pretty.
Come on, take a look.
[Haizi Model Agency Contract]
At face value, there doesn't seem to be any problem with this contract.
The contract states that the work arranged by Party A must be legal.
With this clause,
Fenghua won't be at too much risk.
Is that so?
Then I can rest assured.
However...
there's a...
50,000 RMB penalty clause for breach of contract.
If we ever breach the contract,
then we'll have to pay the penalty.
Here.
50,000 yuan?
50,000 yuan...
Where am I supposed to find 50,000 yuan for her?
Auntie,
as long as she doesn't actively terminate the contract with them,
she won't need to pay any penalties.
If Fenghua can really make money from this,
then she should go ahead and do it.
800 yuan per ad.
With Fenghua's qualifications,
where else could she earn that much money?
What if they're scammers?
We need to look into that.
When Fenghua goes there next time,
I'll go with her.
Let's see how it goes and then decide.
That's great.
I'm so glad you'll be with her.
You don't need to worry.
I'm going to do my homework now.
Okay, okay.
See?
Wanghe never gives us anything to worry about.
What's wrong?
Are you scared by this?
Leave me alone. I'm annoyed.
Alright, then.
Then, I'll spend...
this money myself.
In your dreams.
What?
Can't I spend the money I earned myself?
What do you want to buy?
A phone.
The latest model.
Is that really necessary?
For my dad.
Your dad already has a phone.
He's been using
that old Nokia for years.
It's embarrassing.
Get him a new one
so that he'll have face wherever he goes.
And I'll get you a new watch too.
Your old one keeps breaking down and needing repairs.
And the case is all worn out.
What about yourself?
I want a lipstick,
150 yuan.
Anything else?
That's all.
The watch and phone already cost several thousand yuan.
There's not much money left.
We're not buying anything.
I'll save all the money for you as your dowry.
No way!
I finally have a chance to prove myself for once.
Can you just let me have my moment?
Later, when you're out on the street
and someone asks you,
"You got a new watch?"
"My daughter bought it for me."
How wonderful is that?
Okay.
I'll get a new watch then.
But we don't need to buy a new phone for your dad.
He doesn't have much business to do.
He doesn't need it.
No, we must get him a new one.
Later, when my dad gets a new phone
and shows it off in front of Uncle Xie.
"Look, look."
"My daughter bought this for me."
"Let your son buy you a new cell phone someday, huh?"
Then Wanghe will get another beating.
You bad girl.
Remember.
In the future, for any matter,
always discuss it with your family first.
I'm afraid you'll be taken advantage of.
Did you hear me?
I'm being serious here.
Your dad is here to support the family.
We don't need you to do that.
I know, I know.
Boss.
Come on.
Are you out of your mind?
Your liver doesn't hurt anymore?
Not afraid of your wife scolding you anymore?
Let her scold me if she wants.
Well, let's drink first.
Come on, come on.
The heck with it. I'm already like this.
Have you lost your spirit?
It's just the beginning.
All of these setbacks...
are all temporary.
It's okay if we just can't
get the money back.
We can always earn more, right?
These days, I keep feeling that... the...
the Grand Canal...
is finished.
Have you noticed?
These days,
there are fewer and fewer ships on the river,
while the cars on the highway
are increasing day by day.
I'm getting...
really anxious.
I'm in a complete panic.
Let me tell you.
This is all... all temporary.
It will pass.
Right?
Mr. Zhou said
that this Grand Canal
was dug since the Spring and Autumn period.
It took over two thousand years to complete it.
It's witnessed so many dynasties
and supported so many people.
As long as we don't give up on it,
I firmly believe
that this canal will also not give up on us.
I hope it's like that too.
Right?
You know, I've been following you since we were kids.
Well, whatever we do, you've always called the shots.
You make all the big decisions and major ideas,
and I just follow your lead.
I'll do whatever you say.
But...
but now I'm really starting to feel...
feel like I can't hold on much longer.
Just think about how many days we've fallen behind
on paying the dividends we owe to each family.
We all live in the same compound,
seeing each other every day.
My family's living expenses are about to run out.
Next year, Fenghua will be taking the college entrance exam.
If she doesn't get in, that's fine.
But what if she does?
Where will I get the money for her tuition, Tiancheng?
You also want to sell the ship?
But...
we bought this ship to make money, right?
Not for sentimental reasons, right?
But if we don't do seafaring,
what are we going to do?
Tiancheng,
look...
your destiny is tied to the water.
Can't we find a place by the river...
and do some fish farming or something?
My brother-in-law knows an expert from Shanghai.
He said
that raising eels or turtles can make money.
At the very least,
we could set up a fish pond
and start a farmstay.
That's still better than this
half-dead state we're in now, right?
Mom.
Your waist hasn't recovered yet. Why are you running?
See? You're in pain again.
You need to wear this back brace even when you sleep at night.
Won't that give me a rash around my waist?
That's still better than a sore back, isn't it?
The doctor said...
that if you don't rest,
your waist will be easily affected by the cold.
Stop worrying about me.
If you have this much spare time,
go hit the books.
Are you feeling better?
Much better.
It's just that I can't do
any heavy work for a while.
I'll need to rest for a while.
Come and eat.
Alright.
Then you should rest.
Take it as a break.
There's not much business on the streets lately anyway.
You drink first.
There are more dishes coming.
How much money do we have left at home?
Not much.
Why do you ask?
Didn't Chen Bo publish a book?
So, I'm planning to self-publish one.
Self-publish?
I was just thinking...
you see...
our son will be going to college next year, right?
Shouldn't we save more money for him?
Forget it.
I'll go chase Boss Xie for our dividend.
No, no, no.
If he hasn't given it, it means he's in a tough spot.
If he is earning money,
hasn't he already given us?
Don't go.
No, but he can't always be in a tight spot.
How long has he owed us now?
If he really had no business, I wouldn't say anything.
But Boss Xie,
he's shipping trip by trip.
If he's not making money,
why is he bothering with all of this?
He might as well sell the ship.
Listen to me.
I've thought it through.
I'll learn embroidery.
Once I get the hang of it, I can earn money.
How long will that take?
I've asked around.
There's a big demand in the market.
As long as the quality is good,
we won't have to worry about selling.
I need cash now!
Besides, it's Xie who owes us!
Since when did the debtors get to call the shots?
It's ridiculous, isn't it?
You...
Come...
Mom.
You've strained your back again?
Go sit down, quick.
Easy, easy.
Pay attention. What's on your mind?
You're spilling it everywhere.
What are you thinking about?
About Fenghua's contract,
the more I think about it, the more it doesn't feel right.
Why does it not feel right?
If Siyi signed a contract to be a model, I'd believe it.
Fenghua...
What about her?
Are you saying Fenghua isn't beautiful?
She's frumpy.
As if you're so fashionable.
Then why didn't they sign you?
I don't make a living off my looks.
Then what do you make a living off?
Your ability?
Haihong.
Uncle Shao.
Wanghe,
is your dad home?
He's not.
Do you need to see him for something?
No, no, no.
Mr. Shao.
I'll have our Xie find you when he gets back.
Okay.
I'll be off then.
What's the matter?
He came for his dividends.
We can't really blame him.
This time...
it's really been dragged out for far too long.
If I were your father,
I'd be too embarrassed to come home.
Don't always be at odds with Yan.
Alright, alright.
Right?
Yes, yes.
Boss.
Mr. Shao.
My dad is back.
Well...
Light-headed.
Boss?
Well...
Lao'er?
You go back first.
We... we'll chat for a bit.
Please... please go ahead.
It's...
about the dividends.
I'm a bit tight on cash recently,
and I urgently need it.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought this up with you.
I understand.
I understand. I understand.
Give me one more week.
I'll definitely... resolve this issue.
One week?
You...
you're... in such a hurry... for money?
It's not that.
I heard
that Crippled Sun even sold his own car
and then ran off.
I'm afraid you'll get scammed.
Then, can you still get back the money
he owes you?
I...
Be careful, be careful.
I... I...
I'll do my best to get it back.
If not,
I still have a backup plan.
You've finally decided to sell the ship?
I've said this before.
The canal business is finished.
If we don't cut our losses now,
we may really end up losing everything.
Are you all...
just waiting for me to sell the ship?
It's just a suggestion.
Whether you take it or not
is up to you.
But I think,
now that we're in a market economy, after all,
doing business still needs to follow market principles.
We can't do things recklessly.
What do you think?
Right.
What you say... makes sense.
Makes sense.
Wanghe has reviewed the contract.
He said there's no problem with it.
Does shooting commercials
really pay that much?
Still, not just anyone can make money from it.
It means our daughter has good conditions.
They came to us.
If it were someone else, they wouldn't even come to them.
If she can make money from it, let her do it first.
Let her earn the tuition fees first.
With her brain,
though, I'm not sure she'll even get into college.
However,
I think modeling is just a career
that expires with youth.
While she's still young,
she can earn as much as possible.
Once she has enough saved up,
we can open a restaurant.
What restaurant?
With the current economic situation,
anything you open will end up losing money.
But we can't just sit around and do nothing.
I've already tried to persuade Boss Xie...
to sell the ship.
Sell the ship?
What would you do then?
Let's talk about it then.
Anything would make more money
than seafaring.
The canal business is done for.
We need to get ashore as soon as possible...
at any cost.
Is it really as bad as all that?
The fuel prices are rising more and more sharply now.
And labor costs...
are getting more and more expensive.
If there were even a way out,
I wouldn't have tried to persuade Boss Xie...
to sell the ship.
[Haizi Model Agency Contract]
Uncle Shao also advised you to sell the ship?
Now, everyone hopes
that I'll sell this ship.
This ship used to be a golden goose...
but now it has become
a hot potato.
Grandpa Zhou and Granny Ma don't think so.
They support you.
This is also what I feel most guilty about.
They trust me too much.
Actually, back when we were buying the new ship, Haikuo's father...
warned me.
He said that once the highway opened,
it would definitely impact the business on the canal.
I didn't listen to him.
I should just sell it.
I shouldn't let myself alone
affect everyone's interests.
Wait a little longer.
Wait for what?
Give me another year.
I'll make money.
If you want to keep running the ship,
then you run it.
I'll cover the shortfall for you.
Look at how things are now.
Can we afford to wait that long?
Besides,
when your grandfather was alive,
he never took a penny from me.
And now I should take money from you?
The men in our Xie family
all have broad shoulders.
No matter what big trouble comes...
we'll have to bear it ourselves.
What?
This.
How come I have that?
You really don't have it?
No.
I couldn't trick it out of you.
Childish.
Now, the question has already told you
the radii of circles O1 and O2.
It asks you to find the trajectory equation
of the moving point P after the gap.
Alright, have I made this clear for you?
-Yes. -Yes.
Let me remind you once again.
This is a typical trap question.
If any students still...
[Striving unceasingly with steadfast integrity]
Do you understand?
I understand.
What are you doing?
Taking notes.
Are you drawing me again?
No.
Give it to me.
Mr. Xu, Mr. Xu.
No, no, no.
One, two...
Don't tear it up.
[Striving unceasingly with steadfast integrity]
[82,000 Students in Our City Take the College Entrance Examination]
What's all this mess?
[College Entrance Examination Underway]
Isn't it written there?
[Test Prep Center Business Plan]
Test prep center?
Business plan?
You're really serious about doing this?
Mr. Xu.
I also want to become the richest person in Honghuai.
[Striving unceasingly with steadfast integrity]
I'm confiscating this.
Don't, don't.
Mr. Xu!
Sit down.
Mr. Xu.
I need to discuss something with you.
What are you doing?
Why are you holding my arm again? Get off me.
Take a break from school?
Just for one year.
I'll start a business this year,
and once I make money,
I'll come back next year to continue my studies.
Don't worry.
I'll definitely get my high school diploma.
No, no, no.
You can start a business anytime.
Why does it have to be now?
Mr. Xu,
time waits for no one.
Once you're ready, you have to do it.
And I'm sure I can make it.
You've read my business plan too.
Do you think there are any problems?
I think there's a big problem.
Xie Wanghe, you're now a student.
You should just focus on your studies.
As for everything else... you... you...
What exactly
do you want to do all day long?
Our family's not doing so well right now.
I have to go back and help.
Would your parents agree to that?
My dad doesn't object at the moment.
I object!
You...
Yes, a high school diploma may not be worth much,
but if you don't have it,
when you enter society in the future,
you'll find it hard to get anywhere, boy.
I'll be my own boss in the future.
I won't need any diplomas.