Original subtitles

(1981, Meiwan Town)

Tang.

Where did you get the fish cakes?

I know you love fish cakes.

So I bought these.

Dig in.

Careful, they're hot.

Mom, have some first.

There's plenty here.

I'll eat later.

Go ahead.

Okay.

You have an appetite?

Mom.

Ye Yibo.

Get me money.

Go on.

Move.

Mom.

Where's the money?

Where's the cash?

Mom.

Mom.

Where's the money?

We're broke.

Mom.

You've spent every penny.

Don't you have the factory money?

I need it for an emergency.

You hear me?

I need it for an emergency.

Ye Yibo, you've lost it.

This is illegal.

How is it illegal?

I need money...

I don't want fish cakes anymore.

Mom.

Mom.

Does it hurt?

I'll never beg for fish cakes again.

It doesn't hurt.

I'm fine.

Mom,

why does Dad always hit you?

Is it because I'm not a boy?

Tang, why would you think that?

You'll always be my precious girl.

Understand?

Mom.

You can treat me like a boy.

You can call me "Son".

I'll protect you like a son would.

Okay.

From now on, I'll call you "Son".

Whether boy or girl,

you can protect me.

Listen, Son.

Promise me something, okay?

Okay.

In the coming days,

if you hear

me saying,

"Son,

let's have fish cakes at Shiqiao,"

go straight to Shiqiao

and wait for me after school.

Got it?

Got it.

If you say, "Son,

let's have fish cake at Shiqiao,"

I'll go wait there for you.

That's right.

This is our secret.

Tell no one.

Not even Grandma?

No.

Not even her.

Okay.

Should I sing you a lullaby?

Yeah.

♪Moonlight♪

♪Shines on the fields♪

♪My boy, go to bed♪

♪I need to plant rice tomorrow♪

♪Grandpa will herd cows up the hill♪

=Twelve Letters=

=Episode 7= (Xun? I'm Here)

(2026, Pushui) Coming through.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Zhao.

Here.

What's new?

Captain Wang.

The victim is female,

aged between 50 and 60.

Initial judgment: death by drowning.

No identification found.

Burn-like scars on both arms,

old injuries.

There are signs of a struggle on the body.

Alright.

I see.

Yes, sir.

Hello.

Shen Cheng?

I'm Wang Meng.

The body was submerged in water for quite some time.

So, be mentally prepared.

Follow me.

(Morgue)

Calm yourself first.

I'll wait upstairs.

The police said

a man was in my mom's passenger seat.

He's the suspect.

W-Who is he?

Shen Cheng.

Shen Cheng.

Where are you going?

I'm telling the police.

Your dad killed her.

H-How could you say that?

Shen Cheng.

Shen Cheng.

Nothing's confirmed yet.

Shen Cheng.

Who said my dad killed her?

The man in the passenger seat is gone.

It must be your dad.

Shen Cheng.

You have zero evidence

proving that man was my dad,

not to mention that

he killed your mom.

I'll find the evidence.

No.

Shen Cheng.

I swear on my life.

My dad's a good man.

He would never

kill anyone.

You swear on your life?

What about my mom?

Who'll answer for her death?

Listen, Yu Nian.

This is murder.

Your oaths can't fix this.

I'll tell the police

everything I know.

They'll give me answers.

Shen Cheng.

No.

My dad wouldn't

kill anyone.

No.

He wouldn't.

He's not a killer.

He wouldn't.

He wouldn't.

My dad didn't do it.

He didn't kill her.

He didn't kill her.

He didn't.

He didn't kill anyone.

He didn't.

He wouldn't.

He's not a killer.

He wouldn't.

He's not a killer.

Dad.

Dad.

Ye Haitang is dead.

This has nothing to do with you,

right?

Dad,

where are you?

Please answer me.

Tell me what happened.

Just let me know.

We can make things right.

Where are you, Dad?

It's not my dad.

It's not my dad.

No.

It can't be my dad.

It can't be my dad.

Miaomiao.

Something bad happened here.

Can you look for my dad again?

What happened?

I have no time to explain.

Please look for my dad again.

Something's wrong.

What do you mean?

Don't scare me.

Listen to me.

Go check our house first,

then search the neighborhood.

Then find

the shipyard guard

Zhang Quan.

Keep watch over the mailbox.

What mailbox?

Stop asking questions.

Go find Zhang Quan.

He'll explain everything.

And remember.

If you find my dad,

contact me.

Don't inform anyone else.

And the mailbox.

Don't tell anyone

about the mailbox.

Did you get that?

Understood?

Got it. I'm heading there now.

I'll go alone.

Don't worry.

When will you be back?

Yu Nian, right?

We need your cooperation in an investigation.

Please come with me.

My dad

didn't kill anyone.

(Police Station)

Here, have some water first.

Don't be nervous.

We simply

want to clarify some details.

Is this man in the passenger seat

your father?

No.

That's not my dad.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

He wasn't wearing

that hat when he left.

He doesn't dress like that.

The body shape doesn't match his.

Do you know

how he knows Ye Wanru?

No.

I've never heard him

mention Ye Wanru before.

Also, my dad has health issues.

He

sometimes gets confused.

He can't even travel long distances.

No matter what,

he has no reason to kill anyone.

Yu Nian, tell me.

Did he ever

do anything to you?

What do you mean?

Here.

Take a look.

Your real father Yu Zhiyong

died of illness in prison back in 2004.

This man impersonated Yu Zhiyong

and lived with you for years.

(Died during incarceration) We don't know his motives.

So, we can't

rule out any possibilities.

This is the mailbox?

What's it for?

Ma'am.

I don't mean to scare you,

but you're pregnant.

You shouldn't mess with it.

Take this peach wood sword

to ward off evil spirits.

This is ridiculous.

What evil could I attract in broad daylight?

So what if

I'm pregnant?

I'm not afraid of anything.

It's fine during the daytime,

but it gets fishy at night.

That's good.

I'd like to see

what magic this mailbox can produce.

A pregnant lady like you

shouldn't meddle in this.

Why do you mind me being pregnant?

It's none of your business.

Step aside.

I'm pregnant. So what?

I'm just concerned.

I promised Yu Nian I'd watch it,

and I'll see it through.

Stay if you want,

or go guard your shack instead.

Totally decent.

True friend.

Very honorable.

Fine, stay here then.

I have to go.

Get back here.

What?

Come back.

Told you to take the sword.

That's not it.

What's your daily rate?

That's private.

Holy cow. Must be loaded.

Private? Really?

I'll give you 300.

Post these around.

(Missing Person) We would've found him if he were here.

This is useless.

Don't be so rigid.

We can try it when all else fails.

Maybe we can find him.

What's the problem?

Want more money?

It's not about the money.

Then I won't pay you.

Want the money?

Yes. Transfer it via WeChat.

I'm going now.

Text me if anything comes up.

This is ridiculous.

Bye, ma'am.

Post them everywhere.

Bye.

Say bye to me.

Bye.

What a nice place.

But the house is too old.

Liu.

Tear it all down.

Who are they?

No idea.

Rebuild the foundation.

We can totally build a nice three-story house.

Those are not Bao's men.

Probably some debt collectors.

Ye Haitang.

The environment...

Ye Haitang.

The weather...

Who are you?

You are...?

This is my house.

Ye Yibo owes me money.

This house is collateral.

Look at this.

He signed this IOU.

(IOU) It's clear.

Young man.

Trying to snatch it?

Where are you from?

I don't answer to you.

At most,

I'll let you take your stuff out.

You're claiming the house with a scrap of paper?

In broad daylight,

you dare to rob us?

Don't be so rude, young man.

Ye Yibo mortgaged

this house to me.

I'm just following the procedure.

It's not Ye Yibo's house.

He had no right to mortgage it.

Has he ever

shown you the house deed?

Unless you repay what he owes me

plus interest,

you'd better stop making trouble.

Here's the deal.

Let us get our things.

Okay?

No problem.

Get to work.

Xun.

Go in. I'll handle this.

Go inside.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Even hooligans need principles.

Ye Yibo owes you money.

This house doesn't belong to him.

If you want to take it,

kill me first.

Who are you?

None of your business.

Try and take one more step.

Who are you trying to scare?

You can take us all?

I'll take down as many as I can.

Go ahead. Cut me.

Xun.

Come on.

Come on.

Keep going.

Kid,

I'm here for the house.

I won't lower myself

to fight kids.

Go back and tell Ye Yibo.

This is not over.

Let's go.

Get out.

It's okay.

We scared them off.

Those people are like that.

Cowards.

Tang Yixun.

(Property deed) I'm giving up the house.

Why?

You're afraid they'll come back?

Don't worry.

I'm here for you.

I won't let them take the house.

But I can't let you fight them with a knife

every time.

Another gang may come

to bother us any day.

I don't know

how much debt Ye Yibo owes.

But as long as I hold the deed,

he'll never stop coming after it.

Why should we be scared?

Ye Haitang, trust me.

As long as I'm alive,

nobody takes this house.

You matter more.

Please page 9223 for me.

To Mr. Ye.

It's about the house.

Return immediately. Ye Haitang.

Will he come back?

Rest assured.

Sir, I left the money on the table.

Alright.

(Relationship Severance Agreement Ye Haitang, September 5, 1991)

Are you crazy?

You called me back to sign this?

Where's the deed?

Sign and fingerprint it.

Then you get the deed.

Who taught you this?

Was it that punk?

I'm not buying it.

The house deed.

Where did you hide it?

Sign and fingerprint it.

Then you get the deed.

Tang.

I'm not trying to sell our house.

I just want to mortgage it

to pay off the debts first.

We'll reclaim it once I make money.

The house will be here.

You'd sever ties over this house?

That's unnecessary.

Remember what you did to me

for this house?

Tang.

Tang, I failed you.

I had no choice.

I made a stupid mistake.

Can you forgive me?

You can't cut me off.

You're my only family.

When you were young,

I treated you well.

I took you out every day

and bought you treats.

Right?

I raised you through hardships.

Grandma raised me,

not you, Ye Yibo.

In primary school...

When your debts pile up,

it can be fatal.

Take the deed.

Pay off your debts,

and we're square.

If you don't do as I say,

you'll never get the deed.

No one will ever claim this house.

Xun.

You okay?

I'm fine.

It's all set.

That's good.

Where's your luggage?

I only brought Grandma and my books.

Nothing else matters.

I'm leaving them behind.

Yeah, nothing else matters.

Alright.

Let's go home.

Let's go home.

(I went to)

(the store and bought this.)

It's their new stock.

It has a filling.

It must be delicious.

Let's try later.

Okay.

♪We've walked the winding roads♪

♪Remember the pain of thorns♪

♪Whose life hasn't faced♪

♪Wind and rain♪

♪What's next after tomorrow♪

♪What kind of answer did we hope for♪

♪Too many fantasies♪

♪In a fleeting moment♪

♪Did they take root and grow♪

♪Growing up♪

♪Shall we accept or resist♪

Grandma.

I'm not alone anymore.

I have family now.

I'll live well,

study hard,

and get into college.

Grandma.

My name is Tang Yixun.

From now on,

I'll protect Tang with all my heart.

Rest assured.

♪Dreams beneath neon lights♪

♪Winds that swept through old streets♪

♪Who still remembers♪

♪They are long forgotten now♪

♪Where are the stories of yesterday♪

♪Do lamps still glow in memories♪

♪Some night♪

♪There are things♪

♪I wanted to tell someone♪

♪Growing up♪

♪Shall we accept or resist♪

♪Tears♪

♪Can they heal the sorrow♪

Xun?

I'm here.

Let's buy another bed tomorrow.

Okay.

♪How long is time's tunnel♪

Xun?

I'm here.

Xun?

I'm here.

Go to sleep. I'll be right here.

♪Where does the tunnel end♪

♪Keep walking and find our way♪

I have a home now.

♪Like a lost child♪

♪Believe there's a guiding light♪

♪Don't be afraid♪

♪I'll stay by your side♪

Grandma, I have a home now.

♪How long is time's tunnel♪

♪Where does it take us♪

♪Those wishes left behind♪

♪Will they be fulfilled♪

♪Where does the tunnel end♪

♪Keep walking and find our way♪

♪When confusion grips your heart♪

♪Believe there's a guiding light♪

♪Don't be afraid♪

♪Forever shining by your side♪

Rat.

Why did you come in the middle of the night again?

Do you really like

coming this late to watch videos?

Rat.

Quick question.

Where do you get those imported clothes?

You finally grew a taste

for some fine clothes?

What are you looking for?

I want to buy

some women's outfits.

When

did you start having ideas

about cross-dressing?

What are you thinking?

It's for her.

You finally came around to it.

You're dating her?

Shut up. Don't talk nonsense.

She left home without packing anything.

I'm getting clothes for her.

Alright.

No problem.

Leave this to me.

I'm the trendiest guy

in Meiwan, let alone on Fenxiang Road.

Here's the plan.

Come with me after school tomorrow.

Alright.

Move over.

Why are you lying down?

I'm going to sleep.

Go sleep at your own place.

You have a bed at home. Go home.

Leave me alone.

There's someone at home. It's inconvenient.

Zhenzhu.

Ye Haitang is sleeping at his place.

Ye Haitang is sleeping at his place.

Ye Haitang...

What are you doing?

(Sunshine Bookstore)

Kitty, come out.

Hu.

What are you doing?

It's dangerous. What's wrong?

I saw a kitty crawl inside.

I must save it.

Look.

This gap is so narrow.

Kitties can't get in.

Is there a kitty?

Nothing, right?

Let me check.

Let's open it and see.

Where's the kitty?

I saw it crawl in here.

It probably went somewhere else.

There's just a pile of letters, right?

Come on, let's check inside the house

and see if the kitty's there.

Let's go.

Where's the kitty?

The letters go here.

(Zihua Pavilion)

This school might as well be their family business.

They come and go

as they please.

Exactly.

How arrogant.

Take a look.

What is it?

Look at this.

(Expel Tang Yixun) Joint petition.

Class 1, Grade 12.

Who wrote this?

What is this?

It's nothing. Go back.

I got this.

Like my outfit?

Yeah.

It's from Hong Kong.

Don't worry.

Alright.

Did you write this?

Ye Haitang.

This petition voices everyone's concerns.

I did nothing wrong.

Step aside.

Is this how you all feel?

You dare sign but not admit it?

Signing shows our collective opinion.

If you won't sign,

nobody's forcing you.

Stop disturbing everyone.

Okay?

Shen Xiaojun.

Who's been disturbing everyone?

Wake up, Ye Haitang.

You're the class monitor.

Your grades are decent.

But since he arrived,

look at what you've become.

It's embarrassing to watch.

Ever since

someone joined us,

our entire class

has become the laughingstock.

Just think about it.

Who's disturbing our innocent classmates?

Who's ruining

our entire class?

Those are my personal matters.

They can laugh at me

if they want to.

Why does it concern you?

What right do you have to expel him?

The petition claims that Tang Yixun beats his classmates.

Who's been beaten by Tang Yixun?

Please step forward.

He harasses female students.

Which female student

has been harassed by him?

Please step forward.

He severely disturbs people's studies.

Whose grades dropped because of Tang Yixun?

Please step forward.

Since nobody's coming forward,

it means our fellow classmates

still know right from wrong.

We can't expel someone

just for poor grades.

I'll tutor him myself.

We can improve together.

Even if he gets tutored, he'll still be the black sheep.

Who's been bullying and mocking classmates all along?

You're the only one

who's disturbing our classmates.

You are the real black sheep in our class.

Say that again.

Cut your usual act.

We came here to study,

not to be bullied by you.

If you keep causing trouble,

forget about attending school.

What's wrong with you?

You're scared by a lunatic?

For real?

What did we agree on?

Shen Xiaojun.

What are you doing?

Class begins.

Stand up.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning. Sit down, please.

Turn to Unit Three.

Still no reply?

It's okay.

We always had to wait a few days.

I wonder when we'll get the reply.

Let's go buy a bed

and tidy up the house.

Forget about

the bed.

Leave it to me.

I've got some things to do.

I have to go.

What is it?

Well, Rat asked me

to go shopping with him.

Buddies Billiards is reopening soon.

I have to go.

Go ahead then.

Alright.

See you back home.

I'm off.

Even the most handsome guy needs nice clothes.

This is the place.

I'm a regular here.

(Clothes shop) Come again soon.

Let's not be shy about it.

Excuse me.

Madam.

Do you have

any trendy women's clothes?

This one looks nice.

It's from the movie...

What was it called?

Never mind.

What matters is that Joey Wong wore this.

Joey Wong!

Well...

This isn't appropriate for school.

Says who?

Who says students can't dress like Joey Wong?

It looks great.

Joey Wong doesn't even go to school, dude.

It really looks nice.

You...

So what do you want?

She didn't bring anything

when she left.

I just want to buy her some nice outfits.

She's never worn dresses.

This is too flashy.

She won't feel comfortable.

We need something subtle and plain.

The schoolgirl style.

Got it.

Keep it plain.

This one's plain

and rustic-looking.

Wrap this one up first.

Alright.

It's okay.

First-time shoppers should

get everything.

Come on.

Let's look around.

Tell you what.

Tang will definitely love these.

So many styles.

Such a nice gesture.

It's impressive.

Listen,

after you go back,

hang all these clothes on the wall.

Match the colors.

It'll be romantic.

That's way too much.

No way. Girls love this stuff.

Alright, that's it.

I'm done here.

I still have things to do.

Hurry home and set it up.

Alright, see you around.

Get going.

That's way too much.

I'm not doing that.

Hang them up.

Please, sis.

Knock off just a little more for that dress.

I really can't afford it.

I just brought you

a decent client.

We didn't haggle over anything.

Right, sis?

Have some candy.

This dress was expensive to begin with.

This is not even the wholesale price.

Is this how you treat

your regular customer?

This won't do.

Give me a better discount.

Give me a break, kiddo.

I'm buying it.

No bargaining.

Wrap it up, ma'am.

Alright.

Why did I even call you "sis"?

I never call anyone "sis".

Your change.

Okay.

Tang.

I'll pick up Hu.

Remember to lock up when you leave.

Sir.

What's wrong?

Do you still need that old bed

in the warehouse?

It's broken. The support rod's snapped.

It's useless now. Why?

Can you sell it to me cheap?

But it's broken.

Just take it if you need it.

Don't bother paying.

Thank you, sir.

No problem.

Can you carry it?

Yeah.

Be careful.

It's messy in there.

Okay, thank you, sir.

What's so romantic about this?

Xun.

Look what I got.

Does it look nice?

Yeah.

I find it pretty, too.

Aren't these shoes too big?

No, they fit perfectly.

How are they fitting?

They look way too big.

This was

the only size left in the shop.

I was worried.

It's fine. I'll add insoles

and stuff some paper in them.

Let me try this on, okay?

Okay.

Why's it raining all of a sudden?

Let's wait here.

Why are you smiling?

I just think

this is kind of fun.

Look.

What're you doing? Come here. It's raining.

Come on, join me.

But I'm wearing the new dress.

I bought three in total.

Wear a different one tomorrow.

It's already dirty.

Come on.

Let's have some fun.

Come on.

♪If I think of you three times♪

♪The dark clouds will part a little♪

♪When sunny spring days arrive♪

♪We'll meet again♪

♪If I think of you thirty times♪

♪The stars won't fade anymore♪

♪When sunny spring days arrive♪

♪We'll meet again♪

♪I'll think of you three hundred times♪

♪Then storms and winds will cease♪

♪If we hold on until that day♪

♪We'll love without restraint♪

♪In the new world♪

♪Having thought this way a thousand times♪

(Grand Opening) Put this on, Cha.

Is it necessary?

Yeah, put it on.

It's hot.

No, it's not. Put it on.

Alright.

They're here.

Xin.

Welcome,

Tan Xin, major shareholder of Buddies Billiards,

to inspect the business.

You'll pay me back.

We will. Definitely.

Come on.

Madam, help us unveil the sign.

Let's go.

Cha, come on.

Together.

Here's the red ribbon.

For good fortune.

Grab it.

Come on.

Both of you, grab it.

Alright.

Follow my count.

Three, two, one.

(Buddies Billiards)

We wish Buddies Billiards a grand opening.

♪If we could stay in that moment♪

♪That glance you gave me♪

Come on.

Come on, handsome.

Move toward the center.

Best wishes for our opening.

Another one.

Another one.

Come on.

Here we go.

Come on.

Look here.

Come on.

Three, two, one.

♪About reuniting♪

♪About you and me♪

(Buddies Billiards) Do you know how to teach me?

So flustered.

So flustered.

Do you know how to teach her?

Go watch a movie.

♪Time passes silently♪

The ball dropped right in.

Nice!

♪We bloom in♪

♪The season of spring♪

Smells so good.

Great chef.

Home-made dishes.

Your squid dish is impressive.

Why don't you open a restaurant?

Soup's ready.

Cheers.

Cha.

Can we open officially tomorrow?

Yeah.

So let's do one final check later

on the balls and cues.

Make sure everything's perfect.

No problem.

Best wishes on your opening.

Cha.

Wishing you prosperity.

Cha.

Why didn't you tell me the good news?

I could've sent flowers.

Bao, our small business

doesn't really need

your concern.

Even a small business makes money, right?

At least show me your devotion.

It would be a shame

if this place

got trashed again.

Bao, why are you trying

to intimidate us again?

Don't run a business if you're so timid.

Don't be scared.

I've got your back.

Qiang.

Bao.

Starting today,

tell the boys to keep watch here.

Got it.

What do you want?

This billiard house

is mine now.

Let's see.

Well-renovated, huh?

Cha.

Yeah, nice work.

Check this out.

Huge sofa. I love it.

(He's been my dad since I can remember.)

I also grew up

with my grandma.

It can't be wrong.

He can't be someone else.

Yu Nian.

Records show you were born in 2002.

Yu Zhiyong was imprisoned in 2001.

When

did that man first appear?

My dad used to drive trucks.

I don't remember

when he came home.

But my grandma couldn't have been wrong.

She always called

my dad "Dayong".

Everyone in our hometown knows

my dad is Yu Zhiyong.

How could he be someone else?

Alright, keep thinking.

Captain Wang.

Yeah?

The fingerprint match from his house came back.

So fast?

Just as you suspected.

Ex-convict.

(Criminal file: Tang Yixun) This is Tang Yixun,

convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 1991.

He served 13 years.

Involuntary manslaughter.

♪Moonlight shines on the fields♪

♪My boy, go to bed♪

♪I need to plant rice tomorrow♪

♪Grandpa will herd cows up the hill♪

♪Moonlight shines on the fields♪

♪My boy, go to bed♪

♪I will catch fish and shrimp tomorrow♪

♪Grandma will weave nets till dawn♪

♪Grow up quickly, my boy♪

♪You'll become skilled at boating and casting nets♪

♪Moonlight shines on the fields♪

♪Pick areca nuts on New Year's Eve♪

♪Granaries overflow with harvest♪

♪Old and young all rejoice together♪

♪My boy, close your eyes now♪

♪Sleep until the morning♪