[NORTHWARD]
[Episode 16]
Want a haircut?
Taking a look.
At what?
Nothing.
Uncle!
I found him!
He's in that barbershop we just passed.
What's he wearing?
What does he look like?
I didn't really notice
what he's wearing.
He's big and burly,
and wearing a silver earring.
Okay. Go home.
Wait, you're going alone?
Go home.
Was it you who led the attack on Xie Wanghe,
that student from No. 7 High School?
Yes. What about it?
Why did you guys beat him up?
I didn't like the look of him.
What's the problem?
That was a bit brutal, no?
Let me.
Who are you?
Me? My surname is Xie too.
What's your name?
My surname is Tong.
Go ask around sometime.
Everyone in this neighborhood knows me.
Tong as in "child"?
That's right.
One name
and one name only.
Tong San of Flower Street.
Come on!
You and your dad are still not talking?
What's the big grudge between you two?
You talk too much.
This has expired.
Why are you still eating it? Are you stupid?
It won't kill me.
I'm starving.
Here.
Have this too.
Go home after you finish.
I'll take my time then.
Causing trouble for me again!
What are you doing, dad?
What are you...
I'll knock some sense into you!
Why are you beating me?
You're causing trouble again!
Going around causing trouble!
Every single day!
This is what you get
for causing trouble!
Come here now!
Come here!
Come out!
What are you doing?
On your knees!
Kneel properly.
Kneel!
Kneel properly!
[Billiards]
Mr. Xie,
I'm sorry.
I didn't do a good job disciplining this brat.
My wife passed away early.
I've been too busy earning a living.
I didn't have time.
How is your son now?
His ribs are injured.
And his left arm has a fracture.
Well done, you.
How much are the medical expenses?
Just give me the bill,
and I'll transfer the money to you right away.
Money is not the issue.
He needs to apologize.
You heard that?
I did. I did, Dad.
I did.
Have some soup.
My mom made pork trotter soup.
She added eucommia and goji berries.
Great for strengthening bones.
Is it any good?
Try it out.
Not bad.
Let me.
It's okay,
-I'll help myself. -Let me.
I'll help myself.
Don't stand on ceremony.
You got beaten up because of me.
Now you're injured,
I must look after you.
How is it?
A bit higher.
Fenghua,
are you actually happy that I got beaten up?
Or why else would you be smiling?
If you want to laugh, just laugh out loud.
Yes, I am happy.
I'm gloating, okay?
That's what you get for your loose tongue.
Serves you right!
Aren't you the same?
Mine is self-defense.
You're the one who starts it every time.
Fine.
I won't start anything from now on.
I'll avoid you when I see you.
And you'll stop telling me about your troubles.
Fine, fine.
Blabbering non-stop.
Even injuries can't shut you up.
Can't you be a little gentler?
Seriously, you...
Siyi.
Want some soup? Pork trotter soup.
I'm okay.
Are you alright?
My grandma said you were injured.
I'm fine.
He's fine.
It's only terminal cancer. He won't die.
Shut up, will you?
If I die someday, it'll be because of your curse.
Honestly.
Why don't you ever learn?
Can't you say something auspicious?
You...
You've gotten quite bold, haven't you?
-Let go! -Let go!
You do it first.
You first.
Three.
Two.
It's very good. Have some.
You have some more. It's good for you.
Well, I'll...
Hang with us for a while?
It's okay.
I've got homework to do.
Take care.
Siyi.
Good night.
Siyi.
It's just a bone fracture.
Don't worry.
Take good care of him.
Let me know if anything.
How about you take over tomorrow?
No.
I'm clumsy and not patient enough.
You're much better at this.
Keep it up.
Hurry up.
On it.
What do you mean "on it"?
Hurry up!
Hurry!
Listen.
Apologize properly when you go in there.
You'll look after him for the rest of his life if it's serious.
You little brat.
Always up to no good.
Causing trouble for me all the time!
Alright.
Stop shouting.
We're here.
Wanghe,
you have a visitor.
What's going on?
What's with all this racket?
No idea.
You know him, right?
I'm sorry, Xie.
I did wrong.
You beat him up like that,
and you think a simple "sorry" will do?
I won't beat him again.
If I break your bones
and casually say "sorry" to you,
will you let me off?
This is a society governed by law.
You've beaten Wanghe to this state.
If we don't accept mediation,
you'll end up in jail, you know that?
Did you hear that?
I did.
From now on, when I see Xie,
I'll keep out of his way.
Get lost!
I'm really sorry about this.
What's your problem?
Seriously.
Mr. Xie,
I'm really sorry.
If you need anything else later, just let me know.
This kid came to apologize.
Maotian.
It's been a while.
I'm sorry.
My son...
Well, if you'll excuse me.
Okay.
Alright, we're done.
All settled.
You can go back now.
Uncle Xie.
Get lost.
Bye, Auntie.
Bye, Uncle.
What are you having?
Home-style tofu.
Tofu.
You had dinner yet?
I've got bread.
Fenghua.
Make sure he takes his meds.
They're paying
all the medical bills.
And that guy,
Hai,
is now in custody.
Let's consider this as settled now.
If we don't accept mediation,
they will have to pay even more.
We could send that guy straight to jail.
That would create a feud.
Not ideal.
You're very generous indeed.
If this happened to me,
my mom would try to kill them.
We used to run ships on the same canal.
There's no need to make things so tense.
Oh, Wanghe,
don't let your mom know about this.
Just tell her
you got injured playing basketball.
I was thinking the same thing.
Why?
Your mom would try to kill them.
So would my mom.
As if things aren't bad enough already.
Give me the meds.
Go home.
Wait.
Can you manage on your own?
I'll be fine.
Remember to take your meds.
Almost forgot my bowl.
Uncle, I'm off!
Dad.
Who is this Xie guy?
Why are you so afraid of him?
It's not fear.
It's respect.
Why?
When we were young and making a living on ships,
the upstream guys
ganged up on us.
Boss Xie decided it was too much
and risked his life to seek justice for us.
He had three ribs broken.
I owe him.
Many people on Flower Street
owe him.
The once much revered "Water Dragon King"
is now
like a piece of driftwood fallen from a ship.
Drifting aimlessly all day long,
without any direction for the journey.
My dad
is dejected.
My mom is sticking it out alone for the family.
I wonder
when this kind of life
is going to end for us.
Seven seven zero nine five.
This is the one.
Who are you
to get in the truck?
Chen has a fever.
I'm his buddy.
I'm covering
for him.
Why didn't he tell me about this?
You're Liang Haihong, right?
Yes.
Then there's no mistake.
So who should I spilt the pay
for this trip with?
Me.
Let's go.
You have the licenses with you?
Yes.
That's him!
What's the big occasion...
Xie Tiancheng!
Mr. Xie.
Our savior!
It was my mother-in-law who jumped into the canal yesterday.
Our kid was misbehaving
and had a little argument with her.
We never thought she would take it so hard
and jump into the canal.
It was nothing.
If it weren't for you,
our family would have been ruined.
We're indebted.
Please, please, don't.
We're indebted to you.
Please get up.
I was just passing by and lent a hand.
It's nothing, really.
Sir.
[To Xie Tiancheng, for his bravery to risk his life to save others]
What are you doing?
What are you trying to do?
Come on.
It's not like you're still a virgin.
We're always out driving around.
I mean...
I wanted something exciting for us.
Get out.
I said get out.
You hear me? I'm asking you to get out!
Don't be unreasonable!
Don't you know
how old you are?
Stop being so pretentious!
I dare you to say that again!
I said what I said.
What are you doing?
I'm going to have my way with you today!
Who do you think I am?
What are you trying to do?
I'm so going to have my way with you today!
You wish!
How dare you!
Who do you think I am?
I'll let you have your way.
Get out, now.
Get out.
Open the door!
You're crazy!
How are you going to get to Changsha by yourself?
Open the door. Come on, open it!
Open the door!
You...
Stop!
Stop now!
Stop!
[To Xie Tiancheng, for his bravery to risk his life to save others]
Hey, son.
Come out and take a look.
Is it beautiful?
Beautiful. Very beautiful.
Honestly,
can you be any more insincere?
You're back.
You're back. Let me.
Mom. You're back.
What happened to your arm?
I'm fine.
How did it happen?
I fell while playing basketball.
Right, Dad?
I'm fine.
I'll go back to my homework.
You're not a kid anymore.
I'm fine, really.
Listen,
it takes a lot of time to recover from a fracture.
Don't mess...
I know.
Alright.
Come on.
[To Xie Tiancheng, for his bravery to risk his life to save others]
Well...
You went into the canal to save someone again?
I just happened to be there
and lent a hand.
Come have a drink with me.
It'll help get you refreshed.
Here.
You promised me before, didn't you?
Do you remember?
Do you remember what you promised me?
It's not winter now, right?
And it was by the canal.
There were lots of people around.
Lots of people?
There was no danger.
Why didn't anyone else get in there?
Only you could do that?
"Those who can swim drown, and those who're stubborn get beaten to death."
Who is that saying meant for?
It's exactly meant for people like you.
Okay, okay, okay.
You know that?
From now on, when I see
someone fall into the water, I won't save them.
I'll just let them drown. Okay now?
Okay.
Do whatever you want from now on.
I won't nag you again.
I mean...
This makes no sense.
It was wrong of me to save someone's life.
It wasn't wrong.
You're a great hero.
I'm the one who's wrong.
If you have time to save other people,
have you ever thought about saving me?
Saving you?
From what?
You think I'm doing fine, don't you?
Are you not?
Every time I come back from a trip, I tell you
how much money I've made.
In your eyes, apart from being a bit tired,
I don't have any other problems, right?
Xie Tiancheng,
come on,
look at me.
Do I even look like a woman now?
Look!
I'm practically a man now!
Why am I
making myself look like this?
This is the only way for me
to be a bit safer out there.
Do you know that?
But I'm still a woman after all!
Now I'm out all day
on the highway from dawn to dusk.
Have you ever worried about me at all?
Have you worried at all?
During the day, when I'm out driving,
I...
I have to keep my eyes wide open like a cow,
not daring to be distracted for a moment.
But at night,
I'm torn between sleeping
and staying awake.
If I'm deep in sleep, someone might steal my gas in the middle of the night.
If I sleep lightly, I might be too tired the next day
to drive safely.
But even so,
when I'm half asleep,
there are still people who can
take advantage of me.
So tell me...
Hold on.
What did you just say?
Someone took advantage of you?
Who was it?
Tell me now.
Who?
Mom.
Mom, are you okay?
You.
Get away.
You get away!
Go on!
What are you doing?
Go on!
Xie Tiancheng, that's enough!
If you're mad, hit me!
Hit me!
Don't hurt my son!
Hit me instead!
Are you even a man anymore?
Do you know how dangerous it is for a woman
to do long-distance truck runs?
Do you know how hard it is?
If you were serious with the supermarket,
I wouldn't say anything.
But look at you.
Occupied with eating,
drinking,
and playing!
One month into running the supermarket and you're losing money every day!
I printed out reference materials on the retail industry for you.
Did you ever read them?
You come home and drink
until well past midnight every day.
You think you're the only one who's suffering?
You're the only one in the world who's suffering?
Mom is out there on the road,
enduring it all alone for this family.
If you can't take care of her,
I will!
I can give up the college entrance exam!
I'll accompany Mom on her truck runs.
I'll protect my mom!
Son...
Haihong.
Breakfast is ready.
Haihong.
It's me!
A nightmare, isn't it?
I've decided.
Starting tomorrow,
I'll accompany you on your truck runs.
For a woman,
this work is too hard.
I'm losing money
running that floating supermarket anyway.
And Maotian and his wife
are arguing about this all the time.
It'd be best if I
got out of this.
I've thought it all through.
At my age,
I can't really
accomplish much anymore.
Why are you crying?
What's wrong?
I don't want you to suffer.
How would I be suffering?
You're the one who's been suffering.
I'll try to get a driver's license too
sometime soon.
We'll bite the bullet for two more years.
We need to earn enough
for our son's tuition, right?
Right.
Let's eat.
I've made breakfast.
I'll go get the rice.
Wait for your mom.
From now on,
take good care of yourself.
Don't make us worry about you.
That would be a great help to us.
Understood?
Understood.
I promise not to upset the teachers.
Stay out of trouble and don't go to internet cafes too often.
For meals,
go eat at Fenghua's place.
Don't upset her.
I'm not a three-year-old.
You can rest assured.
I actually wish you were three years old.
Dad.
What's this?
If you get bored,
have a listen for some amusement.
Well?
Are we ready?
Don't rush me.
We have everything now.
Son...
Let's go, come on.
Be good.
Come on, let's go.
Be good!
Be safe.
Drive slowly in the rain. Don't rush!
I know!
Take care of yourself!
What's wrong?
Nothing.
All good.
Just keep driving.
What's that?
Before we left, our son
gave me this tape.
He said I could listen to it on the road.
Why didn't you take it out earlier?
I forgot.
Okay, next up,
Xie Wanghe, a student from Honghuai No. 7 High School,
has dedicated a song to his father.
This song is called
"Love You Dad."
Let's listen together.
♫Dad, you've got a big belly♫
♫A bad temper and no hair♫
♫You do not bend easily in life♫
♫You grow the hard way♫
Am I bald?
♫I'll be by your side♫
Isn't my hair still
right here?
♫Even though you're getting balder every day♫
♫I love you, Dad♫
It's just a song.
That's just one of the lines.
Don't take it so seriously.
♫I love you, Dad♫
♫Love your hair♫
♫I love you, Dad♫
♫Be sure to come home soon after work♫
Not bad.
Out of 17 calculation questions,
you only got two wrong.
Wanghe,
if you work a little harder,
you might really have a chance.
Remove the "might."
I definitely have a chance.
Do you think Siyi
is acting strange lately?
Remove the "Do you think."
Something's off with her.
Right?
Even though she's never been talkative,
she used to talk back when we teased her.
These past couple of days, she's been gloomy
and hasn't said a word.
I hope it's not because of her mom again.
Should I ask Fenghua to check on her?
That works.
Go get her.
I'll talk to her.
I, I, I...
Go, go, go. Hurry up.
Wanghe,
your math and English should be fine.
But your Chinese needs some work,
especially the writing part.
How do I work on that?
Maybe you could ask Xingchi's dad?
No way.
Uncle Shao can't speak without using archaisms.
It gives me a headache.
What?
Fenghua,
is something wrong with Siyi lately?
What's wrong?
She seems a little down.
She's not talking
or smiling.
Isn't she always like that?
Well,
I feel like it's been worse these past couple of days.
Go ask her if everything's okay.
If there's anything wrong, we can work it out together.
She shouldn't keep it to herself.
Go now.
Hurry up.
Mind your tone.
Go, go, go. Just go ask her.
Fenghua,
just go ask her.
Busy?
Not really.
Can we talk somewhere else?
Wanghe
asked me to ask you
if there's something going on at home.
Like what?
He thinks your mood has been off these past couple of days.
He's a bit worried.
Oh.
Just "oh"?
What do you want me to say?
Why don't you come up with an excuse for me?
Actually, I'd like to know as well...
what's on your mind.
What can be on my mind?
I just want to focus on the college entrance exam.
Nothing else matters.
What about after the exam?
We can leave that for later.
I don't have time to think about anything else right now.
I see.
What exactly do you want to ask?
Just say it.
So... do you like him?
The word "like"...
is too much of a luxury for me.
At least for now...
I don't deserve it.
As for you,
whether you see me as a rival or not,
I don't care.
I've always seen you
as my closest and best sister.
Other than my grandma,
you're the person I'm closest to.
If one day
we really fall out,
I hope it won't be over something so trivial.
What else then?
You really want to fall out with me?
Fenghua,
I have only one piece of advice for you.
Work hard, and then harder.
Always look straight ahead.
Don't look up to people.
Being humble is a disease,
a terminal one.
You'll understand when you're older.
Why are their lights off?
Come on now. Let's figure it out tomorrow.
You've been brushing your teeth there for half an hour now.
Your teeth must be smoking.
Fenghua,
I waited for you till midnight last night.
Let me get that for you.
How did your chat go?
Come on, tell me what you two talked about.
Don't bother me, I'm so tired.
Just tell me.
Fenghua.
Siyi!
Wait for me!
Siyi.
I haven't got my backpack yet.
Move aside.
What did you talk about?
Are you not going with me?