Original subtitles

(Meiwan Town, 1991)

(Grandma,)

(I'm going to join you.)

(I really can't hold on any longer.)

(I've tried so hard,)

(exhausting every possible method.)

(But I can never escape Meiwan Town)

(or get away from him.)

(I'm so tired.)

(I only have this last bit of strength left.)

(So I chose this path.)

(Right now, I don't even know whom to say goodbye to.)

(Then let it be my nineteen-year-old self.)

(If my life could start over,)

(I wish I could have a chance to choose.)

(To Ye Haitang, September 3, 1991)

(Goodbye.)

(Beixing City, 2026)

Who's it? What are you doing?

Stop!

I can see you.

Listen up.

This pitchfork here won't show mercy.

=Twelve Letters=

=Episode 1= (The Letter Writer)

Sir,

if you come in daily and won't leave,

I'll lose my job.

Have some pity on me, will you?

Just do your work.

What work?

My main job is keeping people from wandering in,

specifically keeping you out.

I need to get you out.

I'm just a security guard.

This job wasn't easy to get.

Go to my supervisor

if you need anything, okay?

Stop torturing me.

What's today's date?

Dunno. I can't remember either.

Want some?

We've known each other

for two months.

That counts as some friendship, right?

Be honest with me.

What are you doing

sitting here every day?

Waiting for a letter.

A letter?

You mean this?

It contains no letters.

Nobody writes letters these days.

It's fake, isn't it?

What are you saying?

It's real!

Okay, it's real.

But they're closing for today.

Come mail tomorrow, okay?

You go ahead.

Fine.

Wait all you want then.

Go see a doctor.

Such a nuisance.

Ma'am, can you please keep an eye on your dad?

They're tearing the place down. No trespassing.

My coworker and I fought him this morning.

Just watch your dad, alright?

Let's go home.

I'm not going.

Let's go home, Dad. It's freezing.

It's not time yet.

What 'time'?

Come home with me.

Why?

Why did you come back here again?

You won't stop until they call the police, will you?

Sir,

you're back.

I'm not moving.

Dad.

Sir, we agreed...

Let's talk.

I'm really sorry.

My dad just came from the hospital.

His heart's acting up bad.

The doctor said it's serious.

Why's he always 'back from the hospital'?

Yes.

Can you move out in the next few days?

My boss said...

We'll definitely move.

I bought the tickets already. We'll move.

About the terms we agreed on,

I've sorted them out. Look.

Thank you.

Then sign here.

- Okay. - The pen.

How about this?

Let me check with my dad first.

Then I'll sign it immediately

and bring it to you.

I know it's been hard for you guys,

coming over here.

It's freezing cold today.

You guys head back to rest first.

Make it quick.

- Sure. - This is urgent.

My dad needs his meds.

It's his heart.

Just wait.

Update me soon.

Absolutely.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

Here.

I need your ID card for the tickets.

Your ID card.

Fine.

Miaomiao,

can you get me a car?

My dad and I are going

to Beijing.

No need to be big.

Tomorrow or the day after.

Make it fast.

Thank you.

I'm not leaving.

Either

we go to Beijing,

or

we'll both stay in this dump

and rot here forever.

I need to call Mingxiao

to have him talk to you.

Why call him?

I broke up with him ages ago.

Why?

Why?

Because he thought I was a burden.

You won't go to Beijing.

If anything happens here,

I have to rush back.

If you keep making a fuss,

I'll even lose my job in Beijing.

I'll take my meds.

Wait.

Why are you taking meds now?

You refuse to see a doctor.

What good are these meds alone?

Yu Zhiyong,

let's settle this today.

You keep saying you're waiting for letters.

Who's actually writing to you?

Not waiting.

I'm sending letters.

I'm sending letters.

I'm done with your nonsense.

Tomorrow,

we're leaving.

No delay.

Nian,

I take the meds.

Go away.

The meds.

The meds.

The meds.

I'm taking the meds.

Miaomiao.

10 AM works.

Send me the driver's number.

Don't come.

We'll move by ourselves.

I'll message you when we reach Beijing.

Dad,

what would you like?

Dad,

you...

Where did you go?

(I don't want to leave.)

(I don't want to burden you)

(or make you angry.)

(For me, this illness)

(is not all bad.)

(I need to do something important.)

(When it's done,)

(I'll come back on my own.)

This is my dad.

Officer, this is my dad.

See? I told you he was still at the factory.

Let's keep searching.

Wait, are you sure it's him

just from that back view?

I'm sure.

That's what he was wearing.

He's been showing up around here a lot lately.

The factory was checked.

He's not here.

How about this?

We'll head back to the station,

review the nearby surveillance footage,

and keep searching with patrol cars.

Don't panic.

Officer, here's the thing.

My dad sometimes

gets confused.

I'm very worried about him

now that he's out there alone.

You knew about your dad's condition

and you provoked him?

Yeah, that was my fault.

Head back first.

We'll call you if anything comes up.

(Security Room) Okay.

Bye, officers.

Call me immediately if there's news, officers.

Okay.

Thank you.

Ma'am? Ma'am?

Ma'am?

Do you need something?

Hello.

I'm Zhang Quan,

a security guard.

Do you remember me?

You picked up your dad from me.

I gave him a band-aid that time.

I remember you.

Do you need something?

Your dad's missing, isn't he?

Have you seen him?

Let me be clear first.

I'm not crazy.

I'm telling the truth.

If you believe me, I'll tell...

I believe you. Go ahead.

That night,

I was at my post doing my job...

Fine! You want to play it this way?

Sneaking over while I was asleep.

Sir, you're back again.

Why not come inside for dumplings?

You're late today.

What? Expecting letters again?

I'm mailing a letter.

Mailing now, huh?

Alright. Leave after mailing it, okay?

Go home, okay?

Just go.

Sir?

What now?

Playing hide-and-seek?

I see you there.

Sir?

This is getting creepy.

What? Did he crawl into the mailbox?

So you're saying

the letter just disappeared?

The letter's gone.

And so is he.

Stop talking nonsense, will you?

If you did see my dad,

try to remember which direction he went.

So I can tell the police for them to search properly.

Why are you like this?

Didn't I just tell you?

You said

you believed me, so I told you.

What would I gain from lying?

Ma'am, let's stop talking here.

This place feels creepy. Let's go.

You go.

You won't leave? Fine.

Stay here by yourself then.

You are both nuts.

The letter's really gone?

Dad,

please come home.

I was wrong before.

I shouldn't have pushed.

Come back.

We won't move.

Whatever issues we have,

let's discuss them properly.

Was that the cat?

Ma'am, don't be scared.

The cat meowed, right?

The same cat you mentioned?

Yes.

Don't be afraid.

Hurry.

Get up.

Ma'am,

last time after this happened, your dad disappeared.

There's really a reply letter.

(To Ye Haitang, September 3, 1991)

(Meiwan Town, 1991)

Cha.

Did you check the boat?

Yes.

We're still way short on cash.

Need over ten thousand.

Buying a big boat isn't easy.

Both jobs are west of the bridge.

Don't mess up.

When you're done,

meet Bao tonight.

Get to work.

♪How to climb up♪

♪How to climb down♪

♪Praying to gods is useless♪

♪Min's being delicate♪

(Sunshine Bookstore)

♪I, Min♪

♪Will make something of myself♪

(Granny's Sweet Soup Shop) Granny, three bowls of sweet soup.

We'll drink later.

Did you hear me?

I can hear you. My ears aren't deaf.

No need for yelling.

Ye Yibo!

♪Nine mountain, eighteen bends♪

♪Brother's going out to earn money♪

♪Nine mountain, eighteen bends♪

♪Brother♪

♪Hey♪

Is this Ye Yibo's home?

He's not here.

Who are you?

Ye Haitang?

You're his daughter?

Ye Yibo isn't here.

Your grandma is dead.

Didn't he return for the funeral?

(We'll not see your face again, unless you grant us a dream.)

The funeral's over.

Today's the 7th-day memorial.

My condolences.

This is Ye Yibo's IOU.

(IOU) 1,000 yuan.

We're collecting it.

I don't have money.

So you don't have to pay?

Ye Yibo owes you the money.

Go to him.

Take the stuff.

There's nothing here.

What are you doing?

We'll just take some stuff as collateral.

When your dad comes home,

have him bring the money to me.

Today's my grandma's 7th-day memorial.

Please leave.

No money, you said?

There's over 100 here.

Perfect.

No need to take anything.

It was my grandma's money.

Put it back.

To honor your grandma, we won't take anything.

But tell Ye Yibo

he must pay next month.

Give it back.

What's this?

Give it back!

We're just doing our job.

We want no trouble.

So cut it.

You won't like how this ends.

Xun, time to work.

That girl's actually pretty pitiful.

Having a dad like that.

Aren't you pitiful?

Xun, hurry up.

Sorry. Sorry.

It's fine.

Thank you.

Let me help.

Three, two, one... go.

Thanks.

Mr. Nice, let's go.

What's wrong, Mr. Wang?

Tired?

My legs...

My legs are completely numb.

You're tired? I'm more tired than you.

Two options.

Either pay up,

or we take your stuff.

Choose one.

Cha.

Choose!

Xu!

Mr. Wang,

what are these thugs doing?

Xu, they're trying to steal our goods!

Sirs, see,

we're just hired debt collectors.

Debt collectors?

♪I, Min♪

Don't move.

Stay put.

♪The money rolls in daily♪

You scoundrels!

Playing debt collectors?

Do you know who he is?

My boss.

Be good and scram.

Or we'll plant you all here.

♪No need to worry♪

Mr. Wang, you okay?

♪My family♪

I don't want to do this crappy job for one more day.

No one has any manners anymore.

Come on.

♪Come out, come out♪

♪Come out, come out♪

♪Come out, come out♪

♪How to climb up, how to climb up♪

♪How to climb down, how to climb up♪

♪How to climb up♪

♪Nine mountain, eighteen bends♪

What's so hard?

♪Nine mountain, eighteen bends♪

The pole's hard to use?

♪Hey♪

Listen up.

I'm in a really bad mood today.

Don't cause me trouble.

You hear me?

How's your arm?

Need to see a doctor?

I'm fine. It won't kill me.

Then clean your face properly.

Tomorrow you'll be a model student.

Don't embarrass me.

Xin

nags me every single day.

I'm only going to school

for your sake.

Cut the crap.

For my sake?

I have nothing to do with Tan Xin.

Fine.

Then go tell Xin for me

that I won't go.

Just follow Xin's advice and attend school.

When our business grows,

we'll need a computer person.

Right. Otherwise, Cha would have to go to school.

Spend it wisely.

Thanks, Cha.

Xun.

Thanks, Cha.

(Buddies Billiards)

Your skills are so bad now?

You're so lousy at playing pool.

Such bad luck.

Police Story's been on again

this week.

Shrimp chips?

My hands are too dirty.

I'll pass.

Criss-Cross Over Four Seas?

Who's in it?

Chow Yun-fat.

Chow Yun-fat? What's it about?

I don't know the plot either.

The tape arrives next week.

It's definitely about sailing the seas.

A captain's story.

Cha and I are saving up for a boat.

We'll set sail when the time comes.

You can come along.

Put this back for me.

Like this?

I'll go check over there.

Hall 3 is showing A Moment of Romance.

He said the money

he borrowed was for his mom's treatment.

Now she's dead.

Will he repay the debt?

His family is having a funeral.

Not my problem.

As long as it's not his funeral,

get my money back.

Understood.

The moment he shows up,

I'll make him pay.

Qiang,

collect Ye Yibo's debt.

Okay, Bao.

Cha is a thrill-seeker.

He only takes jobs that will

get him beaten up.

Li Chadong,

don't think having

a few tough kids under you

makes you important again.

Without me,

you'd all be rotting in the gutter.

Remember your place.

Now get lost and work.

Thanks, Bao.

(Meiyu Building) Good morning, Miss Tan.

Good morning.

Late on the first day of school?

The first class is over.

Getting you this opportunity wasn't easy.

Why can't you appreciate it?

I understand.

Let's go.

Hurry up.

Stay away.

You didn't finish senior year

at your old school.

This time, focus on completing the year properly.

College is another story.

Get a high school diploma first

so you can find a decent job later.

Are you even listening?

I'll try.

Zhou Peng, enjoying other classes?

It's class time now.

Miss Tan.

Xun.

How did you get hurt?

Now that you're attending school,

stop doing debt collection or fighting

with Li Chadong.

Should I go talk to him?

No need.

Cha's activities

never involve me.

Wait here.

Okay.

Class is starting.

Shen Xiaojun, go back to your seat.

Senior year starts today.

New semester, fresh start.

We happen to have a new classmate.

Let me introduce him.

Come in.

Come back.

Introduce yourself.

My name is

Tang Yixun.

Welcome, Tang Yixun.

Sit in the last row. Textbook.

Ye Haitang,

after class, take him to get teaching materials

and

collect this semester's class fund.

Okay.

Okay, class begins.

Stand up.

Good morning, teacher.

Good morning, everyone. Sit down, please.

Open the book.

Turn to page eight.

'Ahead of'

means preceding in position,

superior to, or taking the lead.

It's different from

our familiar

'in front of'.

It carries

the connotation of excelling in ability.

(Zihua Pavilion)

Let's hang out.

Stop studying.

What's happening?

What do you want?

Where's your old school?

Third High School.

You hang around Old Street, west of the bridge?

I live there.

Know Qiang from Old Street?

No.

I'm Shen Xiaojun.

Come to me if you need anything.

His older brother works with Qiang.

He's got connections there.

Got it.

Do you play ball?

Let's play for a bit.

I need to go.

Next time.

He's so pretentious.

Where could he possibly need to go?

(Meiwan High School of Fu'an County)

- What's this? - Return the money.

Or I'll call the police.

I don't have it.

You're in cahoots.

You won't escape if I call the police.

Your dad owes money.

And debts must be paid, you know?

If you don't pay,

I'll report to the school

that you robbed me.

Your schooling will be over.

Go ahead then.

It was my grandma's.

You have to return it.

Tang.

If your dad had paid his debt,

nothing would've happened.

What did he say?

Just asked about the schedule.

By the way,

we heard he's a hooligan.

Zhou Peng saw him at the Old Street pool hall.

Doesn't look like one.

I don't go to Old Street much.

Just keep your distance.

(Sunshine Bookstore)

(Your wishes will shine into reality like the northern lights.)

Sir.

These mosquitoes are vicious.

Tang,

here's your last month's wages.

Count it.

Thank you, sir.

No problem.

Since we've

stocked new postcards

and stationery supplies recently,

my wife wants to run an event.

Can you organize it?

What kind of event?

Something like

writing to your future self

to share thoughts.

So you can read it

to revisit those thoughts.

Okay.

Refine the idea.

Think of a catchy title.

I'm on it.

Cha,

got any work today?

You're in school now.

Can you still do it?

I can.

Alright.

Let's go to the dock.

Okay.

(Art Design)

Tang.

Take these cardboard boxes

to sell yourself later.

Thank you, sir.

Sure.

Take a look.

You're done?

Write a letter to your future self.

The title's good.

When people write letters,

how should we handle them?

Should we mail them?

We're just running an event.

Our main goal is to sell products.

My wife learned this

from people in the city.

Consider it like writing a diary.

So it's fake.

You're missing the point.

What's a diary's purpose?

To express feelings, right?

The feelings are genuine.

And we'll properly

store the letters.

They can view or retrieve them

anytime.

I'll write one.

And you too.

Okay.

For those postcards, stationery, and envelopes,

take whatever you like.

Alright?

I'm picking up Hu. See you later.

Thank you, sir.

(Sunshine Bookstore)

Miss.

Miss.

You don't need the cardboards, right?

Do you take cardboards?

Can...

can you give them to me?

Fine, you can have them.

Great, thanks.

I'll put them on your cart.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

No worries.

Thank you.

No worries.

(Buddies Billiards)

It was tough.

You were quick-witted.

Or he would've escaped.

You okay, Xun?

I'm fine.

You know what?

The guy we beat today with the mustache

is from Bao's hometown.

You think he'll tell Bao?

Bao wouldn't have given us the IOU

if he actually cared.

But if Bao finds out

we beat that guy up like that,

he might get pissed.

So what?

Our job was never about

being polite.

I did the math.

In at most one month,

we can buy a boat.

A ten-meter trawler that can sail

at least 50 nautical miles.

Then we'll leave this crap business to Bao

and make some decent money.

Awesome.

I've hated those guys for ages.

Then we can transport

something like clothing or stuff.

We'll make a thousand per trip.

Nice.

But won't Bao think

we're stealing his business?

He's got people

working on boats too.

Don't forget.

We'll run a legitimate business.

Bao doesn't own the sea.

If he does 1,000, I'll do 800.

If he does 800, I'll do 500.

So what if we undercut him?

I'll even do 300.

Come on.

By the way,

forget about Ye Yibo's uncollected debt.

Why?

Nothing particular.

Let Bao's men handle those small jobs.

We only take big deals.

Then Ye Yibo's daughter will suffer.

Bao's crew collects debts with brutal methods.

A bunch of scumbags.

Good morning, sir.

Morning.

Where did this mailbox come from?

No idea.

No idea who left it.

Right.

It has a letter for you.

For me?

Yes.

I found it inside it.

Who'd write me a letter?

(To Ye Haitang) No idea.

Who did this?

Why did they put a crappy mailbox

before my shop?

Thank you.

No worries.

We're running an event.

This mailbox can help.

We can have people put the letters here.

Okay then.

You go get a lock.

Lock this up.

I...

The school.

I'll get it.

You go to school.

(Meiwan High School of Fu'an County)

Didn't we just pay this last semester?

Why are we paying again?

Miss Tan decides class fund usage.

Go to her if you have issues.

Wow.

You're really her pet.

So you're the class monitor.

Do you get a cut from the class fund?

Three yuan for class fund.

Fine, monitor.

How about

I give you ten yuan,

and you make me vice monitor?

Here's your seven yuan.

Ask the teachers about becoming the monitor.

She gave you seven yuan.

Does that mean a 'no'?

Why are you so nosy?

Three yuan for class fund.

Come out.

What are you doing?

Unlike you,

Ye Haitang surely did her homework.

Stop messing with her belongings.

What's wrong with studying her math paper?

Shen Xiaojun, why are you so annoying?

She'll scold you when she's back.

I don't fear her.

What?

I'm warning you.

Don't think

you can bully me freely.

If you write me that stuff again,

I'll just

call the police.

What did I write?

What are you saying?

I'm not afraid of you guys.

Explain yourself clearly.

Tang,

we're both people who crawled out of the muddy pit.

No one understands better than us

how pathetic and insignificant we were.

Stop laughing.

The next part's even cornier.

I can't even read it aloud.

Tang, no matter how much time passes,

I still deeply yearn for you.

I've never forgotten

our time together.

Shen Xiaojun!

I haven't finished!

Wait, there's more!

Give it back!

Tang, I'll never forget you.

Xun.

Who's Xun?

You can guess.

Look, Xun's here.

- Xun! - Xun!

Why did you kick me?

What is this?

Tang Yixun, can't you read?

You wrote this love letter.

Don't you know?

Don't tear it.

Are you feeling shy?

What are you doing?

Tang Yixun,

you came here days ago.

What did you promise me?

I didn't write it.

Then who did?

How would I know?

I definitely didn't write it.

Tang, you speak.

Don't be afraid. Just say the truth.

He gave it to you, didn't he?

Explain quickly.

Hand off. Stand still!

Say something!

Tell her

who wrote this to you.

You go back first.

Tang Yixun,

I enrolled you here to study,

not to get involved in this nonsense.

I didn't do it.

Isn't this

your handwriting?

The writing looks like mine.

But I didn't do it.

You didn't?

Then who did? Me?

What other 'Xun' is there?

Still refusing to admit it?

When did you become like this?

Go and write a self-criticism.

I won't write it.

I didn't write this letter.

Why self-criticism?

(Zihua Pavilion)

Class dismissed.

Stand up.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye.

Leaving first.

Bye.

What are you doing?

Where did the letter come from?

Ye Haitang's backpack.

Did you do this?

It wasn't me.

Your name was on it.

Besides, I can't write that well.

Listen to me.

If I find out you're involved in this,

I'll break your arm.

Tang Yixun,

what are you doing?

Let go.

Let go.

Let go!

When I arrived at noon today,

I heard several parents discussing this matter.

How could you make such a mistake at school?

Thankfully Miss Tan caught it in time.

Tang,

you've made me and Miss Tan worry.

It isn't Tang's fault.

As her homeroom teacher,

I'm responsible too.

No.

The responsibility lies entirely with me as her father.

Because of my job,

I've neglected Tang's upbringing.

I've failed the school

and failed her.

Please don't say that.

We're not here today to blame

anyone for responsibility.

Miss Tan, as you know,

Tang's always been sensible.

Her grandma's passing

hit her very hard.

And I've been away from home so long.

Given their age,

I believe

they're just trying to make friends.

Right.

I hope you

can give them a chance to correct this.

I'll talk to her properly at home.

This won't happen again.

But please don't be hard on her.

This really isn't Tang's fault.

Senior year is stressful.

And girls are more sensitive.

She might need more attention at home.

We appreciate your kindness.

Not at all.

So he is the...

the boy?

Stand up.

What's your name?

His name is Tang Yixun.

Tang.

Look at you, such a fine young man.

Focus on your studies.

I'm not against you making friends,

but don't let this affect your schoolwork.

And you mustn't do anything

that goes against student ethics.

Don't you agree?

Who are you to lecture me?

And that letter

has nothing to do with me.

Tang Yixun!

Miss Tan.

Haven't we already settled this matter?

I'm not trying to give you a hard time.

I just hope that this incident

can be treated as a joke this time.

But you have to promise me

there absolutely

won't be a next time.

Don't worry. There won't be a next time.

Miss Tan,

where's that letter?

It was a joke.

I've thrown it away.

Let's just let this matter pass.

Okay, let's drop it then.

Thank you for coming.

Let me walk you out.

Alright.

Let's go home, Tang.

(Tang,)

(I wanted to free you from this endless suffering.)

(But I never imagined)

(I was opening another abyss.)

(The abyss is worse than a pit.)

(Because demons)

(lurk in the abyss.)

♪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♪

♪This sorrowful planet♪

♪Has turned halfway again♪

♪When sunny spring days arrive♪

♪We'll meet again♪