Original subtitles

Grandma.

Grandma.

Grandma!

Grandma!

Grandma!

Grandma...

Xi, what is the matter with you?

Do you think I'm a fool?

Every single day I call you

and text you on WeChat,

and you don't answer my calls or reply to my texts,

what are you doing?

Xi,

I'm sorry if I come off as agitated,

it's just that I miss you so much.

What is it?

This isn't working.

You should do it.

Her body's gotten stiff.

San,

quite a haircut you got there.

My head looks like your father's.

What are you talking about?

I'm your father!

Hot water.

Towel.

Don't touch my grandma!

- Don't touch my grandma! - What are you doing?

Don't touch my grandma!

Don't touch her!

Don't touch my grandma!

Put me down!

Don't touch my grandma!

Don't touch my grandma! Put me down!

Look after your sister, Wu.

Let me out of here!

Feet widened, shoes donned, on the main road you go,

safely may you cross the Bridge of Hades.

10 a.m. Chunhui Hall, Qingtian Funeral Parlor.

Mr. Liu is coming. Get there early to find a parking spot.

Your mother just has to pick this time to go, huh?

As if we weren't busy enough already.

Can't we postpone the mourning till tomorrow?

I want to keep her here for an extra day.

I don't think we can cancel today's tickets to Beijing.

I'm not going.

Since when do you have a say in this?

I'm warning you,

this is a once in a lifetime chance for our son.

I don't care how many more days you want to spend with her.

She's gone either way.

How about this?

Let's just be with her a little while longer, okay?

Stop there!

Where's the gold ring on your mother's finger? The heirloom?

What are you suggesting?

You dare steal from the dead?

Are you not afraid of karma?

- What are you talking about? - Stealing?

Stop talking nonsense, we didn't steal anything.

Then how will you prove that you're innocent?

See? We didn't steal it.

The ring is tiny,

you could've hidden it anywhere.

Search me then.

Search me.

Search! Pervert!

Don't run away!

Don't make false accusations against us

unless you catch us red-handed.

This is San. He just got out of prison.

I see that your mouths are running loose,

why don't I tighten them up for you?

San,

the van from the crematorium is here. Shall we go?

I'm done with this job.

We're not even paid yet.

Ma,

have a safe journey to the next world!

Rise!

Your grandma is in that big box over there.

Ma!

She's being taken to the crematorium

where she will be burnt to ash

then buried in a grave.

Rubbish! I'll tear that blabbering mouth off your face!

She's dead, and you'll never see her again.

Don't you dare say that!

Drive slowly.

San,

another one gone.

Sooner or later I'm gonna make you gone as well.

Take this.

Good stuff. A whole pack next time.

Can't you park your van somewhere else? Build some good karma.

My van, my own doorstep. Get off.

You're in the funeral business,

with your van in front of my wedding shop,

how will we attract customers?

Xiaopang, come here.

This is for dead people. Go wash your hands.

Yeah, listen to your mother,

and remember to use boiling water

else your hands will rot!

You should wash that mouth of yours.

Just park your van further away.

And why should I do that?

Who do you think you are?

Have a peach.

Sir, have a peach.

You make the days go by like tasteless porridge.

Somehow you've managed a whole year.

I shall keep my promise,

the store is yours.

Our business…

The able look down on it, the weak cannot stand it.

2.5 books of work notes written by your grandfather,

me, and your older brother.

Learn from them and carry on our legacy.

With each deceased we send off, make notes.

I will inspect the books regularly.

Sure, father.

I know.

Now kneel and pay respects to your grandad and your brother.

Big sister,

surely this isn't necessary?

Just do it. Kneel.

Hurry up.

Grandad, here's your grandson's kowtow.

Why don't we skip the one for my brother?

I've never even known him.

Put that down!

I'll do it in his name.

Here's one for grandad,

here's another one for big brother!

Done. (Text: Let's break up)

Take your ID card, (Text: Let's break up)

let's go change this property's ownership.

I can wait. Let's do the transfer tomorrow.

Where is this?

I have a picture.

Follow this road.

It's over there.

Remember now? That way.

Thanks auntie!

Open the door.

Open the door!

Open up!

I can hear your goddamn ringtone!

Open up!

What are you doing here?

Why do you have the closed sign on the door?

Didn't I text you?

We're broken up.

Believe me or not, I'd smash my way in

if you don't open the door right now.

I got the ownership of my dad's house.

You get out!

What's your stupid house has to do with me?

Didn't you always want to join a big maternal and child goods brand?

I can help you with that.

Don't you know? I've waited for over two months.

I can't wait any longer.

Get out!

It's your turn to shower.

Laoliu,

Sanmei is here.

We just changed the bedsheets

and you've messed it all up.

You!

I...

Laoliu get up!

Dear wife,

he was the first to get physical.

Release me!

Let him go!

I'm pregnant!

I'm pregnant.

The baby's his.

I fought him over you, that's how I went to jail.

I just want to get married, have a child,

a home, someone to rely on,

what's wrong with that?

- Why do you think I can't give you that? - With what?

I just can't see you being mature.

I can't see you being a good father.

Brother, this money,

you should take it.

See it as our way of making it up to you.

It was you!

You're the last one that touched my grandma.

Where did you take my grandma?

What's wrong with you?

Where did you take my grandma?

- Enough. - Where is she?

To the crematorium! Where do you think?

Where is my grandma?

You! What kind of a childhood did you have?

The crematorium was my childhood.

You give me my grandma back!

I'm really not in the mood for this. Take her away now!

Give me my grandma back!

I have informed the parents, they'll be here soon.

Let me go!

I'll play a cartoon for you, okay?

How about an ice cream?

We are so sorry to have bothered you.

Some parents you are, letting a child loose like this.

Xiaowen, let's go.

I'm not going.

Come with me.

I'm not going.

I'm not!

What are you doing?

Xiaowen.

I'm not going.

Now. Go home.

I'm not!

That's too much!

Go!

Xiaowen!

I'm not going home!

- Xiaowen! - I'm not!

- Go home! - I won't!

I won't!

Go, let's go.

Your grandma is in the room. Go in and look.

Grandma?!

Of course your grandma's not here.

Let me go!

Let me go!

Open your mouth and stop biting me!

- Stop! - I'll hit you!

Stop!

Let's go! Put me down!

Such a biter, were you born in the year of the dog?

I want my grandma back.

Let me go.

I'm telling you, let me go!

I see that you own the property now?

Why don't you transfer the ownership to me,

we'll join our strengths in the wedding business,

You'll still be the boss,

and I'll give you 15%.

Stop annoying me, why don't you?

Your family… you need to change your ways.

Always dealing with the dead,

it's bad for feng shui.

See you father? Lost a son in his middle age.

Your sister? Married, but spent half her life alone.

Then look at you.

In your 30s now,

struggled to get a girlfriend,

probably won't even marry her.

What the heck is wrong with you?

You...

go away.

It's only a business proposal.

Go away!

San, it's better to send people to wedding beds than heaven.

- Be assured. We'll be back in a few days. - I'll be waiting.

Fine. Take care.

- Thanks. - Your wedding gown is reserved for you.

Bye. (Sign: Go To Heaven)

(Sign: Go To Heaven)

Take care.

Xiaopang, let's go eat a watermelon. (Sign: One Stop Wedding Services)

Rain shall pour from the sky,

widows shall get remarried,

and you guys should think about changing professions.

I'm sick of spending my days like this.

I'm gonna change the way I live.

San, I know you're worried about something.

Why don't you tell us what it is,

and we'll see what we can do to help.

What could be bothering me?

How about… being accused of stealing?

Getting cheated on by your ex?

And the guy she dumped you for

being richer than you?

Or others saying that you make a living off the dead?

Or your inferiority complex

because you've been to prison?

Are you trying to cheer me up or piss me off?

I'm taking down the shop sign now.

In short, you have an attitude problem.

No one's history is spotlessly clean.

I was a thief,

she was an illegal street trader,

if you're sickened, we should all just give up our lives.

Then I'll kill myself, happy?

Will killing yourself solve any of your problems?

The reason you find life so hard

is because you constantly look down on yourself.

You look down on yourself.

How can others look up to you?

Get up!

Get the hell up!

Get the hell up now!

Give me my grandma back!

Let me go!

- Get out now! - Let me go!

- Get out! - Let me go!

Are you going or not? Just go!

I don't have time for this.

Damned bastard bit me.

Xiaowen,

Uncle will take you to Beijing to have some fun, okay?

I'm not going anywhere.

I want to find my grandma.

Your grandma's…

What on earth is taking you so long?

We'll miss our flight!

I know,

but she won't leave, what can I do?

I'm telling you,

if our son misses anything, you won't hear the end of it.

Hurry!

Quit shouting at me, I'm trying!

Sir, could you please open the trunk?

Mister, how about this for a solution:

Can you look after this kid for 3 days?

Absolutely not.

This is for the trouble.

Maybe there is a way.

I said no. No way.

This is a grave clothes store, not an orphanage.

No childhood, and there's no empathy in you either.

Are you coming or not?

Coming, coming.

Can't you see? They're in such a hurry.

Please. Please.

- Xiaowen, be good. - Hurry!

- No problem. - Hurry up!

Take care.

What is the matter with you?

Do you have a problem with money?

Come out now, you can stay here.

Come.

Are you sure you can handle this little devil?

Come on out here!

Have a hot shower, so you don't catch cold.

It's just 3 days with a kid. How hard can it be?

Give me my grandma back!

Eat.

No garlic?

What?

Grandma used to say a noodle without garlic

tastes only half as good.

Have you not eaten in the last few days?

Don't your parents look after you?

I have no mom and dad.

How did you get here anyway?

I took a picture,

showed it to people,

and they showed me the way.

Grandma used to say

the road is right under our nose.

Let's play a game.

Hide and seek.

Not interested.

Then what kind of game did you used to play with your grandma?

Mahjong.

Come on.

How big are the bets?

You stole your grandma's ring!

I didn't steal it!

She gave it to me.

Mustn't let my uncle know.

Put that away.

A child shouldn't gamble with money.

Four bamboos.

Pung.

East wind.

Are we gonna keep playing this one game until dawn?

I win!

Same color, three sequences.

5 cracks makes the winning tile!

Another game.

Grandma says,

quit while you're ahead.

Bedtime.

Is yours human or goat piss?

Such a horrible stink!

Wanna wee? Go to the toilet,

bathroom, restroom, etc.

Your grandma taught you so many things,

surely you'd know something so basic?

Why are you shouting at a child in the middle of the night?

I haven't wet the bed in a long time.

It's just that I'm afraid use your bathroom.

What's so scary about a toilet?

It's fine.

These are all made of paper.

Like that ugly tiger of yours,

all fake.

She has a name: Beans.

Grandma made it.

They have names too.

The man's called

Cucumber.

Woman's called Aubergine.

The same thing. Don't be scared.

Sleep. Let's all go back to bed.

I'm tired,

gotta sleep now.

Where the hell am I supposed to sleep then?

Hello,

San,

your father and I will be waiting at the hall for the transfer.

Take the ownership certificate and come.

All the important information's gone, washed off.

I'm afraid we can't proceed with the transfer now.

How many days will it take to get a new one?

First you need to file a statement explaining the loss,

and that can take at least a month.

There's no need to be so dogmatic about this,

it's only a father giving his son a house, does it need to be this hard?

Why can't you wait a month then,

are you planning on something?

Relax,

what could I possibly be planning?

Hello, what are you doing at the hospital?

I've been very clear about this,

I'm closing the business,

I'm done.

Stop going against everything I want, will you?

I think it's you who's going against me all the time.

What are you doing? Ouch, that hurts!

The house is about the store, the business.

Don't you dare close up shop without my say so!

San,

I'm watching you.

Where's my grandma?

You promised,

when I wake up, you'd take me to find grandma.

Liar!

We are the...

I was here first.

My condolences.

You people have been waiting outside even when my girl's still alive,

and the moment the doctor pronounced her dead,

you're onto me like crazed, starving dogs.

Do you not have kids of your own?

Think about your karma, if nothing else.

Is it a little girl?

She's been sick for over a year.

Probably died of heart failure.

Hello,

the old man's really fed up this time, I'm telling you.

Behave yourself if you still want the house.

I didn't do it on purpose.

Where's my grandma?

Stop bothering me, damn it!

I'll take you to find your grandma

if you listen to what I say,

hear me?

You guys really don't know when to quit, do you?

Brother.

May I borrow a minute of your time please.

I just saw you

over there in the hallway telling them off,

and I want to tell you that I understand. I really do.

However, there has to be someone

to help you with the child's funeral arrangements.

At a time like this,

everyone in the family must stay strong.

This is my daughter.

My wife's never happy with the fact that I'm poor,

so she ran off with a man who owns a maternal goods store.

So I have to bring my daughter along when working.

But if you think I'm trustworthy,

please allow me to make the arrangements.

I'm not doing this for profit.

It's like you said. Good karma, for my daughter.

Cremation first thing tomorrow morning,

so it's urgent.

I'm leaving the paperwork to you.

Wait.

What are you doing?

I'm taking a picture of this contract

and sending it to my father,

to cheer him up a little.

Go.

Shut up.

Don't move.

Remember,

your grandma is in that big box over there.

She'll be taken to the crematorium

and burnt to ash.

Have a safe trip to heaven. Rest in peace.

All in attendance, time for the 3 ceremonial bows.

The first bow.

The second bow.

Rise.

Where's my grandma?

My grandma's inside this big box!

- How come there's a child? - Isn't she yours?

Did you burn my grandma as well?

Get out!

Give me my grandma back!

Give me my grandma back!

Where's my grandma?

Give me my grandma back!

Give me my grandma back!

Of course.

Of course.

Rest assured, sir.

I will carry it out to the letter.

You two,

remember to

pay the fines later.

You brought a child into this place,

and let her create a scene at someone else's funeral.

I don't even know this girl!

She's the daughter of a friend.

Then you're letting your friend down,

you're letting your father down,

you're letting your sis…

How is your sister, by the way?

Don't mention her please.

You two divorced, why bring her up?

It was all because of you in the first place!

Pay the fine, or your van

won't be allowed in the funeral parlor.

What now?

Were you sent by God to destroy my life?

Perhaps you don't think my life's bad enough.

Go ahead. Poke and poke some more. Stab me to death.

I don't wanna live anymore. Just stab me!

I thought Grandma was in that big box.

Grandma.

Always her.

Come. Down here.

Do you see that,

that big chimney over there?

You grandma was burnt,

turned to ash and smoke,

drifted up into the sky, then disappeared. Gone.

You won't ever see her again.

Do you understand?

Do you understand now?

Grandma!

Grandma!

Grandma's not gone,

she just went to another world.

She was burnt, became smoke.

Even if she's burned to ash,

it's not the same as disappearing.

It went up to the sky,

Right?

Right?

Yeah,

went up and up into the sky and…

Became a star.

Turned into a star, yeah.

San,

this is the stuff you asked for.

Customized, just like you ordered.

See? Hand carving at its finest.

Good. Thanks.

I'm leaving then.

Is this girl also going to become smoke?

Yes,

she's just like grandma,

she'll become a star too.

Xiaowen, where have you gone to now?

Xiaowen, I made you lotus roots with pork ribs.

It's ready to eat.

Come home soon,

and be careful on the way.

Remember to drink lots of water when playing outside.

Stand in the shade while you play.

A girl won't look pretty

with tanned skin.

Baby, I got you a watermelon, come back.

Xiaowen, it's your birthday today,

don't spend too long playing outside.

Come home soon,

I only asked you to get some garlic, what's taking so long?

What are you doing?

Why on earth would I ever want that?

What happened?

What's going on?

What happened?

What did I tell you about her?

This little devil is my arch nemesis.

I take it you won't quit until you have me

crushed beneath the five-fingered mountain, right?

Drawing on a cinerary casket,

what on earth were you thinking?

Say it!

Hello,

the urn I ordered yesterday… how long will it take to get another one?

Tomorrow morning.

That's no good. Cremation's 9 a.m. today!

Mommy came to see you. Mommy's here.

Mommy is here.

Mommy failed.

Failed to look after you.

I failed. I am so sorry.

Can't get rid of the drawing.

Dish wash,

disinfectant,

gasoline,

alcohol. We've tried everything.

Maybe we can talk them into

changing it?

Changing what?

They wanted a custom urn.

Not an ashtray.

Then what are we supposed to do?

Open your eyes wide and look carefully.

Watch how I'm about to be ruined because of you.

Brother,

we both fathered little girls.

Looking at sister-in-law here sobbing this hard,

I…

It breaks my heart as well.

My daughter, she…

Wanted to express her grief for a fellow child, so…

Just take a look yourselves.

We can see there's a lot of love put into this.

Our daughter, she…

She loved to draw..

Where's your girl?

My daughter

is over there.

We were concentrating on our careers,

and it wasn't until after our child fell sick

did we realize what the most important thing is.

Be with her.

Take this.

No no,

can't do.

Can't do.

It's for the child.

Eat.

It's all yours.

Still think she's

bad luck,

a nemesis, eh?

I think she's Lady Fortune.

She's not so annoying

when she's not looking for her grandma.

Don't eat stuff that's fallen on the floor.

There's still a lot left in the bowl.

What is this?

(Bouncing Balls: Do Not Eat)

It's not for eating!

Spit it out!

Spit it out!

Spit it out!

Open you mouth.

Now!

Where is it?

Did you swallow it?

Grandma says:

every grain is the fruit of hard work.

Someone actually took this or food and ate it?

You're irresponsible parents.

Can we take it out?

Take some medicine first,

eat Chinese chives or bananas,

monitor her bowel movements in the next two days.

See if it comes out with the feces.

Have you found it yet?

Nope.

Your turn now.

She pooped it out.

Well done Xiaowen!

Pooped it out.

Pooped it out.

Hello?

You're back.

No need,

I'll bring her back.

They're back.

Pack up.

Okay.

The whole family went to Beijing for you,

the trip cost me several months' wages,

and look at you,

stone dead last in the competition.

How dare you?

This child is getting ruined because of you.

I think you've been paying too much attention

to other people's kids.

We're sorry for troubling you.

Mister, about this receipt from the hospital.

You can transfer the money to me on the phone.

Your mother didn't leave me a single cent,

why is this my burden? Why should I have to raise her?

If you want to keep her,

I suggest you bring her back to Sichuan and raise her there.

You want me to look after her, he wants me to look after her.

Why? What have I done to deserve this?

Are you kidding me?

It's bad enough you don't earn much,

it's exhausting for me.

Why are you back?

Can you…

Be nice to the child?

If you want to be nice to her,

keep her.

Go, before you mess up our floor.

What are you saying?

How dare you swear at me!

Such a jerk.

- Say that again. - I'll call the cops.

- What did you say? - Out of the way.

I'll give you a good, hard slap!

Wait!

Uncivilized creature.

You've come this far already,

how about…

You look after Xiaowen for a few more days?

You've seen what it's like here.

I still need to work on my wife about this.

Mister,

you really are treating us like an orphanage.

We sell funeral clothes.

I'll pay.

Xiaowen,

are you willing to

stay here,

or would you like to go with them?

What on earth got into your head this time?

You don't think our last few days have been crazy enough?

So we're keeping her here again, fine.

But you refused to take the money?

You said it yourself,

"she's my arch enemy, my nemesis."

Are you the Monkey King? Changing your form daily?

You're right,

I am the Monkey King,

and I don't like seeing those devils bully her.

What are you doing here?

What's going on, what's wrong with you?

Your brother-in-law came and said you were with a child,

and made a whole mess at the parlor.

That stammerer is also a snitch.

You've learned to swear, huh?

Your old man's gonna teach you

a good lesson in front of the crowd here.

Do it then.

Hit me.

Hit me here. Do it!

You can't hit San!

This is the child.

Send her back, hurry!

The crematorium is no place for a kid.

When I was her age,

you'd already taught me how to dress the dead.

Nonsense.

Don't forget, you're trial period isn't over,

if you still want the house.

Fine. Fine.

He's been threatening me with this stupid house for over a year.

He never wanted to give it to me.

You shut up!

How about this?

This house…

I'll buy it from you.

You can't afford it!

Give me a quote.

300 grand?

500?

A million?

San, are you crazy?

300 grand,

in 30 days,

or get out of my house.

Sir...

Sir!

There's a child to look after,

and a house to buy.

Definitely gonna have insomnia tonight.

Tell me your cellphone number.

Stop bothering me.

Just tell me.

1738

6037884

Crushed beneath the five-fingered mountain, for real.

I wouldn't have been crushed beneath the mountain

if you hadn't done what you did at the funeral parlor.

No matter how stuck I am underneath the mountain,

you won't get any closer to finding your grandma.

Do you have a hole in your jaw where food leaks out?

It's fallen out, don't eat it.

It's less than 3 seconds, it's still safe to eat.

Grandma told me.

I'm gonna have to lay some ground rules here.

First,

when eating, chew and swallow slowly and carefully;

Second,

food on the ground is dirty, don't eat.

Not exactly clean

but won't exactly get sick.

Grandma told me.

Third,

stop mentioning your grandma.

Forget about her from today.

Fourth,

no biting people.

So jumpy.

Where are you going?

I'm taking a shit!

Fifth,

stop talking like that!

Goodbye.

Take care.

300,000 in one month.

It's like you suggested, why don't we just give up?

I got us into this, I'll handle it myself.

Your handling caused this.

Why did you have to fight your dad like that?

So he didn't like seeing you with Xiaowen,

just send her back home for a while,

wait till he calms down a bit

and that'll be it.

Kowtow, apologize, case closed.

He won't allow me to have her, then I absolutely will.

I'll look after her so that he can watch me do it.

Xiaowen.

Xiaowen.

Little Nezha

Hello,

San,

come to the park.

This is Grandpa Liu,

he used to dance with my Grandma.

This is San.

He's the one that turned my grandma into a star.

Now you two, talk.

I want to hold a funeral.

For whom?

For myself.

Grandpa,

a little girl can be excused for being a child,

but at your age, you shouldn't talk nonsense.

What is your problem?

Let's go.

Talk with him a little more, San.

Don't grab me like that!

I don't really have much to live for,

so I just want to see my funeral with my own eyes,

I'll pay if that's what you're worried about.

How much can you pay?

How much can a funeral cost?

Well that depends on the type of funeral you want.

In ancient times, when a poor person dies,

you pack him up in a bamboo sleeping mat and that's it.

But when an emperor dies,

the entire nation mourns with their tears,

might even cost half the gold in the treasury.

Then I think I'll have the emperor's funeral.

Are you crazy?

I will pay you 300,000.

If you guys can do it,

I'll put the deposit down right away.

Of course we can.

Deal.

Deal.

Cheers!

Cheers!

Success!

So it has come full circle.

Our Xiaowen may have done something wrong

and got us into trouble in the first place,

but in the blink of an eye, she's made up for it.

I think we should probably think more carefully about this.

Why would anyone want to spend so much money

to hold such a ridiculous funeral for oneself?

There are all kinds of birds in a big forest.

Costume.

Setting.

Baixue, look for it at your theater company.

Jianren,

I'll leave you to find the extras.

Don't miss this! Roles for a period production.

Paid work.

Our general principle is:

Save every penny we can.

Come,

drink.

It's 100 yuan for a day's work, unc...

100 bucks.

Paid work, wanna take a look?

Xiaowen, San understands you the best.

I didn't have a happy childhood.

Cheers! Empty the cup!

How much for a day's work?

Tears pour down

from the Heavens;

Mother Earth

wails in lamentation;

The mountains are rocking,

the rivers shaking;

Dimmed are the sun

and the moon;

and the Emperor

is with us no more.

Play the music!

Cry, cry louder!

Louder!

Cry, like you're heart broken

and look sad.

No tears, no pay.

Louder!

You cry as well.

Your majesty!

Father?

I can't believe my eyes.

You bring shame upon our family name.

Which one of you is Mo Sanmei?

Which one?

It's him.

- See? - Run!

Go get them!

They are here!

Get our money back!

- Go! - Let me go!

Let me go!

What are you doing?

Grandma taught me this.

Relieves the pain and prevents inflammation.

Alright.

Put your signatures down.

You can go now.

A moment please, San.

Do you think

that I was being ridiculous?

That I was out of my mind?

Two years ago,

our old house got demolished for re-development,

we received a compensation package.

Since then,

the family hasn't seen a single day of peace.

Do you mean,

that's why you came up with an idea

to spend all that money?

That day, when Xiaowen came to me,

she wanted me to withdraw her late grandma's money from the bank,

she said that you were in trouble,

and she wanted to help you move the five-fingered mountain.

Xiaowen told me that

from now on,

she's going to live with you.

I really wanted to help you.

Her grandma had a hard life,

didn't have a lot of savings.

Young man,

please be good to Xiaowen,

I give you my thanks on her grandmother's behalf.

Don't break things.

Dad.

Dad, please stop breaking things.

Today, your old man's going to destroy this place

once and for all.

I'd rather burn the place down

than see you disgrace it any further.

A funeral for someone still breathing?

No one in our line of business has ever done such a thing.

Well there has to be a first in everything, right?

So I'm the first. Now there's an example to follow.

Old man,

I accepted the job, not San.

If you must hit someone, then hit me.

Look at you.

Look at you.

Pack your things and move out before the month's end!

Sir,

please calm down. We'll change. We'll definitely change.

How am I supposed to change?

How do I change? Into what?

No matter what I do, it's always wrong in his eyes.

When I was a kid, I wanted to stay home and watch cartoons.

I didn't want to follow him to the parlor to mournings.

He beat me up for it.

When others mocked me about how I make money off the dead

and I had a fight with them,

what did he do?

He watched from upstairs,

then he turned around and headed inside. He didn't do anything.

San!

Dad,

I just want to ask you this one thing:

I know you prefer my older brother.

He's your favorite son.

Then how about this: you beat me to death,

and I'll swap places with him. He'll come back and be with you.

San!

What are you crying about?

Did I get you in trouble again?

See,

San fixed your red-tasseled spear.

It's not your fault.

It's San's.

I don't have what it takes to make it.

It's alright. Stop crying.

Sleep now.

When you're fast asleep,

the star in the sky

will come down and appear in your dreams

as your grandma

and chat with you.

Really?

Try it.

My watch is broken.

Can you fix it for me?

No problem.

Could I borrow your pen?

Give me your hand.

Alright,

wear this watch for a few days as a replacement.

Sleep.

We don't play with the uncultured, son.

Come, let's recite a Tang poem:

"On the Stork Tower"

by Wang Zhihuan, Tang Dynasty.

The sun beyond the mountain glows.

The Yellow River seaward flows.

Louder.

You can enjoy a grander sight

by climbing to a greater height.

Come, Xiaowen.

Time to eat.

It's time she goes to school.

I should be paying the fees.

You see,

this is my sister's,

and this is my mother's.

Xiaowen is such a poor child.

It's all because of my sister's bad relationships.

We still don't know who the father is.

My sister's dead,

so is my mother,

I should be the one raising her.

But look at me,

no one listens to me, not even in my own house.

Enough.

Grow a pair. A grown man shouldn't cry like a baby.

Just tell me what you want.

Why don't you just adopt her?

According to Article 9 of the Adoption Law,

in the case of single males attempting to adopt females,

there should be an age gap between the two parties

of at least 40 years.

What does that mean?

He's unmarried, therefore ineligible for adoption.

San,

how come you're here?

I've brought some late night snacks.

Here.

I want to adopt Xiaowen.

That's great!

But the Civil Affairs Bureau says that

since I'm unmarried,

I can't adopt.

I can smell perfume on you.

That obvious, huh?

So perhaps you and I, we should…

You can wash up now.

When did you get here?

Well, since you've seen us together now,

there's no need to hide anymore.

We got the marriage certificate.

From now on, we're family, Xiaowen.

Right, hold it up.

Take a picture.

Come on.

One, two...

Three!

- I'm not going in! - Be a good kid, Xiaowen.

- Listen, kindergarten is fun. - I'm not going!

- School's no fun! - Let go!

- You let go first. - You let go!

You let go first!

Fine, I'm letting you go.

You first!

Well I guess it can't be helped.

I never went to kindergarten, right?

Fine, if we're not going, then we're not going.

Come,

let's go home and play mahjong.

Let's go home and play mahjong.

I'm not going in!

Let me go! I'm not going in!

See,

It's pretty messed up in there.

Normally we couldn't fix it.

You're better off with a new one.

This property benefits greatly from

excellent lighting conditions and soundproofing.

Take a look at this bed

and this desk,

ready for use.

Later, after your child finishes the school day,

bring her here.

I guarantee she'll like it.

I'll call you back.

Don't worry, he's coming soon.

The latest model.

Try it on.

Does it have grandma's voice?

Your grandma's voice…

Was in the old watch.

Can't the old watch be fixed?

I will never hear grandma's voice again, will I?

That's nonsense,

tell me, who is San?

He's the Monkey King.

That's the spirit.

I cast a spell,

and your grandma's voice will magically come back.

Keep drawing.

What are you doing here?

Laoliu is gone.

Gone? Go find him then.

He crashed into a 10-wheeler truck.

The man and car were smashed together.

Since he was drunk and on the wrong side of the road,

it was entirely his fault, his responsibility.

So I had to sell the store to pay compensation.

I have no money now. All spent.

His family wants to pay last respects,

but I don't think they can

because…

Because his body was crushed so badly,

it was horribly disfigured.

Repairing his appearance at the parlor is simply too expensive.

You're in this line of work.

What line of work do you think I'm in?

- Sanmei. - Leave me alone.

Please help me.

Stop calling me Sanmei.

There's nothing I hate more than hearing my full first name.

And I'm very busy now,

I don't have the time to argue with you, just leave.

Wait.

I know who you are.

Don't say that.

You're the one on San's cellphone!

Whenever he looks at your picture, he would cry.

Don't say things like that!

Why are you still here?

With our relationship, I was in the wrong.

I admit it. We hurt you.

No you didn't.

I was over you a long while ago.

Go.

On behalf of Laoliu, I apologize.

San,

I'm sorry.

Get up,

it's not good for the baby in your belly.

Then will you help?

It's not that. This job is not something I can do.

My father can,

but I messed up, so we're not on speaking terms lately.

I'll go.

I'm not afraid of him.

Old man,

San wants to tell you something,

but please don't scold him.

Why should I listen to you then?

You have to.

Then call me "grand dad"

and I'll listen to you.

Grand dad.

Louder.

Grand dad!

My granddaughter wants me for something,

you guys carry on.

Let's go then.

No arguing.

Just tell him.

I don't drink your counterfeit alcohol.

This is genuine.

Cost me over 2,000 yuan.

Don't let your big sister know.

So even you're afraid of someone.

Tell me then,

for what business do you seek your father's help?

You do it.

I can't, father.

I can't do this.

You can do this.

I taught you when you were little.

Go get the tools.

The what's his name…

Jianren,

go take that graph out.

First, rebuild the skeleton.

Step one, straighten out the tendons;

Step two, put the bones back where they belong,

from toe to head, backwards we go;

limbs come first,

then the torso,

where the internal organs

must be in order;

the face and the skull,

23 pieces in all;

brows, eyes, nose and mouth

are firmly in the middle.

Stitch up.

Done.

That's my son.

Dad!

Sir!

Dad!

Sir!

Why did you let him drink?

Are you trying to get him killed?

I've been keeping this to myself for a long time,

but all those years

when you weren't happy with how things were going,

you were blaming dad for everything.

So selfish.

Dad,

you're awake.

You scared us to death there.

I'm fine.

Same old problem.

Hello?

Got it.

What is it?

Something came up at the kindergarten.

Well, hurry up then!

I'll live.

Then I'll come back as soon as I can, okay?

Finally,

he truly cares about something.

Thanks everyone!

Excellent.

Now, the next item

is a performance

by Xiaowen and Xiaopang.

Let's welcome them. Give them a round of applause.

He's my son.

Kneel.

The filial son breaks the bowl, and Paradise in the West opens its gates.

Mom!

Have a safe journey to the next world.

I...

On your feet.

So basically this is what happened.

This child's problem is merely

a symptom, a reflection of a bigger issue:

there must be a bigger focus on education from the parents.

Our parent-child class

is only once per month.

Someone's gotta be here for her no matter how busy you are.

This is a drawing she made in the art class yesterday.

Take a look.

Funeral wreaths and urns.

The drawing looks

so scary.

So I asked her,

what do you parents do for a living?

She said: My mom and dad

plant stars.

Plant...

To be honest, I had a pretty good guess already.

So be careful with how you handle this, alright?

Don't hit the child!

Sorry.

We apologize.

It will be your brother's death day

in a few days.

Don't forget to burn some spiritual money for him.

Father,

my older brother

must have been much better than me, right?

Every new year,

after we have kowtowed to our ancestors,

I would order you to kneel and do the same for your brother.

That's why you've always hated him,

so you never really asked me about him.

Dad!

It's just a sniff.

It was

the summer of 1988.

I took your bother

to the Yangtze River to retrieve a body.

It was a teenage boy

that sank into the water.

His mother

was standing by the river weeping uncontrollably.

We went down

three times

but couldn't find the boy's body.

When I finally got out of water,

your brother was nowhere to be seen.

He secretly went underwater again, by himself.

Your brother managed to find the missing boy,

the boy's body was retrieved,

but your brother didn't come up.

For someone already dead,

our family lost a living soul.

Life...

is like a book,

each one has to reach the last page somehow.

In some books,

there's a full stop at the very end;

in others,

there's only an ellipsis.

In life,

nothing's bigger

than death itself.

Fame, wealth,

all smoke and mirrors.

He who does our line of work for a living,

must have the heart of a saint.

We're not moving.

Are you the Monkey King?

Changing forms every day?

Thanks.

Thanks.

Hello?

Curly,

it's me,

San.

So this is the situation here,

there's data on my cellphone that can't be retrieved now

but I'd like to recover the data, so...

Do you happen to know anyone that

can fix cellphones and smart watches?

What,

he changed jobs?

The sun is setting.

It's the old man's last day before cremation,

has everyone done their parts?

Has the filial son been keeping vigil?

Why am I the only one chanting here,

how about we all make some noise?

Bro,

it's me,

San.

So it can't be done?

Look at this scrawl, like a dung beetle did it by crawling.

If these guys can't do it,

then no one else can.

Masters, please. I'd really appreciate it.

Well done.

It's done.

3, 4, 5, 6, 7…

1, 2, 1…

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Hey look,

does Beans seem a bit different?

It has ears

and eyes now,

also the tail's different.

Give it a squeeze.

Xiaowen, there's lotus roots with pork ribs, already made for you.

Where have you gone?

Come back soon and be careful on your way.

Remember to drink lots of water when playing outside.

Stand in the shade while you play.

A girl won't look pretty

with tanned skin.

Baby, I got you a watermelon, come back.

Our Xiaowen is the prettiest.

Our Xiaowen is the best.

Let's come home together.

We'll get your favourite gluttonous rice cake in brown sugar.

Xiaowen, it's your birthday today,

don't spend too long playing outside.

I bought a new dress,

come back and try it on, see if it fits.

Xiaowen, lock the door from the inside,

and don't open it no matter what.

My big baby, please be patient.

I'll be home soon.

Grandma

is great at making braids.

I'll make the prettiest braid for you tomorrow.

My baby is the prettiest of them all.

- Take another bite. - Morning.

Xiaowen, wait.

One moment,

your water bottle.

Morning.

Don't forget to drink water!

How come you're here?

This is my little sister, Haifei.

She's Xiaowen's biological mother.

Over here.

Didn't you tell me that her mother's dead?

So the death certificate you showed me was fake?

I...

The certificate's real.

This is a very complicated situation.

It's like this…

Oh you tell him yourself,

I'm done.

He's not lying, San.

Where did you come from?

So you say you're the mother, and I'm supposed to just believe you?

You want us to de-register, and we're supposed to just go and do it?

Xiaowen

was born at 9 a.m. on July 6th 2015.

The whole birthing process took 27 hours.

She wouldn't come out no matter what,

so I had to have a C-section in the end.

There's a diamond-shaped birthmark on her left foot.

And if you still don't believe me, we can do a DNA test.

I'm not letting you doing any silly tests.

Xiaowen,

have you ever met your mother?

I have no mom or dad,

I jumped out of a crack

in a stone.

Sir,

I've been waiting out here all these days.

None of us can sleep it seems.

Where the hell have you been?

Where the hell were you, when her grandma died?

Where were you when she was causing trouble all over the place?

Where were you when her aunt kicked her out of the house?

Finally she has a place she could call home,

and you're trying to take her away?

Who gave you the right?

You're right, I deserve so much blame.

Are you out of your mind?

I left home when I was only a teenager.

Followed some classmates and stepped straight into society.

Didn't achieve anything, and gave birth to a child.

Boyfriend ran away when he saw I was pregnant.

I refused to give up my dreams, so I went abroad.

Did something bad, ended up in prison.

Mom couldn't contact me, so I was presumed dead.

But even in prison,

I thought about Xiaowen every day.

I know I'm a bad mother,

I've been a terrible mother,

but

but she's still my child,

I...

and I'm still her mother.

She came out of me.

This is not a decision I can make by myself,

there's also my buddy Jianren, and Baixue.

I can't make their decisions for them.

Sir.

Please.

I beg you.

Give her back to me.

Please, I'm begging you.

How about

you give me 3 more days?

Look at you, San,

now that is a rare sight to behold.

I learned it on the Internet.

Try it, hope it's not too bad.

Why do you look unhappy?

What?

No.

I don't look unhappy.

Do you have a hole in your jaw where food leaks out?

Your grandma was right,

every grain is the fruit of hard work.

Teacher says there's another parent-child class tomorrow.

A parent needs to be present.

Which one of you wants to go?

I do.

Only one though.

I'll go.

Go!

Go!

Mom, dad, thanks for everything.

I know

that you've been lying to me.

I'll never see my grandma again.

But...

I'm not afraid anymore,

because

now I have a father.

What is your father's name?

Mo Sanmei.

Where does he live?

Up Sky, No. 73 Huai'an Road,

Yuhua District, Yanjiang City.

What is your father's cellphone number?

What are you doing so late at night?

I'm so sleepy.

You won't…

Forget about me in the future?

I'll find a small mirror for you.

These are things that she'd use regularly.

- Her clothes, her favorite snacks, - Okay.

Her school backpack.

She doesn't like drinking water,

so you have to pay attention, make sure she drinks plenty.

This cloth tiger is called Beans.

Her grandma sewed it for her. It's her favorite thing in the world.

She likes grabbing the arm of an adult when she sleeps.

She likes putting her mouth here.

She eats too fast, food is just gorged.

Also you have to remind her that

food on the ground is dirty and shouldn't be eaten.

I'm warning you,

you have to be good to her.

I've been to prison, I don't mind going back again.

Here's some money. It's not much, but you should take it.

- I can't take this. - Take it.

I can't take this.

Take it! It's not for you,

it's for Xiaowen.

San?

What is this?

Who are you?

Child, I am your mother.

- Mom is taking you home. - I don't have a mom.

How can that be?

Xiaowen, listen to San,

she really is your mother,

and she's come to take you home.

- I'm not going with her. Let me go! - Xiaowen.

Let me go!

- I'm not going with her! - Be good.

- Be good. - I have no mother! I'm not going with her!

Please let us go.

Just let us go.

I'm not going with her! Let me go!

- Go. Drive! - I'm not going with her! Let me go!

San!

Back here.

San!

- I'm not going with her! - Be good.

- Be good and come home with mom. - San!

San!

Stop shouting, Xiaowen.

San!

- San! - Back here.

Stop hitting and screaming.

Dad!

Dad!

You are always so full of yourself.

Did you ask Xiaowen what she wanted?

Did you ask us what we wanted?

Technically, we're her parents!

She's registered under my household.

You're so selfish.

You're so selfish.

You're so selfish.

You wanna give up the business? Fine!

Let's do it now!

Pack our things.

You are a heartless beast,

small wonder your father looks down on you!

Small wonder your girlfriend cheated on you!

You don't deserve to be called human!

Bastard!

San,

your father's gone.

My children,

sooner or later this day would come,

so I've prepared a letter for you two.

You shouldn't feel sad about my passing.

Everyone has to face this inevitability.

San,

I'll leave the funeral arrangements to you.

Don't give me that big ceremony crap.

I've seen enough of that in my lifetime.

I want to leave this world clean and pure,

just like how I came into this world.

Keep the spending low,

and remember:

I'm watching you.

I'd like a customized funeral

that's both dignified and inexpensive.

Instead of splashing on a ceremonial casket,

I'd rather you spend that kind of money on a family feast.

After the cremation,

put me in that can.

And the dispatching of my remains,

I'll leave that to you.

Think of this as a test from your father.

If you can't think of an answer,

I'll just stay in the can

and go nowhere.

Sister, how should we do this?

How should we do what?

How do we handle father's remains?

Buried together with mom's, of course.

No, Dad was very clear in his will.

He said he wants a special funeral that's different.

Well how special can a funeral be?

Where else can we put it if not underground,

in the sky?

San!

Stop!

Stop him!

- Go after him. - Leave now!

Quick.

- In the car. Quick. - Okay.

Faster. Faster.

San, I can't believe you left me out of something this big.

Do you not think of me as your brother?

Well, here I am, aren't I?

- Quick! - Go.

San, stop!

Stop now!

San!

- Hurry up! - Quick!

Hold my sister up!

San!

Stop!

- Madam. - You, stop right there.

- Don't come closer. - Stop!

Take this.

San!

Don't go.

- Alright. - Quick.

Stay back.

Here, it's dangerous over there.

Father,

how's this for dignified?

Xiaowen is missing.

I have a dream.

I want to be an...

Is she with you?

Xiaowen!

San!

Where the hell have you been?

I'm asking you, where were you?

What were you thinking, running around in the middle of the night?

What if you're kidnapped by bad guys?

What if you got lost?

My father's name is Mo Sanmei,

My home is Up Sky, No. 73 Huai'an Road,

Yuhua District, Yanjiang City.

I won't get lost.

Daddy promises you,

he'll never leave you behind again.

Play the music!

Dear friends and neighbors, brothers and sisters,

let's please give a round of applause

and also some cheers

and some screams.

Into the chamber of joy they go,

together until their heads have turned silver,

even unto the next life they shall be united,

may their marriage be blessed with children.

Kiss!

One more!

This is for Xiaowen.

Are you interested in our line of work?

- East - Hey!

Okay, I'll give it to you.

Funding provided to promote and develop the Shanghai Film Industry.