Original subtitles

=Love Story in the 1970s=

=Episode 20=

(Wedding) Did everyone enjoy the food?

Yeah, they did.

Mr. Li,

your cooking is pretty good.

Especially that stir-fried pork,

even better than the state-run restaurant.

Here's your payment.

Alright.

Call us again if there's work.

No problem.

I won't see you off then.

Alright.

- Don't let us keep you. - Alright.

Come on, Mr. Fei.

That's too much, Mr. Li.

Not at all.

Didn't you hear that lady

praising your stir-fried pork?

You helped me out big time.

Thank you, Mr. Li.

There'll be plenty of chances for us to make money in the future.

Old rule.

Get rid of the smell first.

Fei Ni,

is this teacher me?

You've got some nerve.

I look like this, and you still call me

the scenery of Jiangcheng.

Hello, everyone. My name is Fei Ni.

This is my teacher.

She's the best teacher.

The most beautiful scenery in Jiangcheng.

I wouldn't dare say I'm the best teacher.

But the best student

was taught by me!

Good!

(That's it.)

(That's the style we want.)

Keep drawing in this direction.

Pick up the pace.

Alright.

Keep it up.

You've got a bright future.

Feeling down?

No.

No?

No.

Did you read the newspaper?

I did. Writer Fei Ni.

Congratulations.

It's thanks to your encouragement these days.

I have a gift for you.

A gift?

Yes.

Turn around.

Keep closing your eyes.

Okay.

Open them.

Every Chinese New Year,

my dad would make me a carousel lantern.

It may be simple,

but I spent all day on it.

What do you think?

Why is my drawing...

I...

I found it in the trash can at the newspaper office.

How could such a good drawing be thrown away?

Maybe you're the only one who thinks I draw well.

What do you think?

Is this one better,

or the ones in the illustrated book?

This is better.

I want to watch a movie.

During the Chinese Civil War,

on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia,

there was a special unit of the People's Army,

a cavalry troop.

The main character, Wang, was only fourteen

when he was skilled in riding and shooting.

He was exceptionally admitted into the cavalry.

Back then, he was barely taller than his rifle.

Every time he mounted his horse, his comrades had to give him a boost.

But Wang was an excellent rider

and a precise marksman.

He became the youngest soldier

in his company.

Good!

Does it hurt?

No.

I just feel

the thing I made is kind of ugly.

Ugly?

Yes.

Not at all.

I made one for my grandma when I was little.

That one was truly ugly.

Fang Muyang,

I know you're used to being on your own.

So whenever something happens, you carry it yourself.

When you're unhappy, you keep it inside.

But you told me before,

do you remember?

You said the greatest meaning of two people being together is...

To help each other.

And comfort each other.

You're not alone anymore.

Whether you're happy

or unhappy,

you can tell me.

I might not be able to help much,

but I'm a very good listener.

Also,

I'll always stand by your side.

My shoulders aren't as broad as yours,

but they're reliable.

Try it.

Go on.

Let me try.

Come on.

How is it?

You ran off to do side jobs during work hours

and even took sick leave.

Do you know what that is?

That's unauthorized absence

and falsifying reports!

You're brazen!

Speak. Whose idea was it?

No one's answering me?

Fine.

Both of you will be dismissed.

Ms. Xu, please don't fire me.

I'm the only one in my family

with a job and a salary.

If you fire me,

my whole family will starve.

Now you're scared?

Why weren't you scared

when you broke factory rules?

Aren't you good at making extra money?

Go make it.

The factory has no place for you.

I promise

I'll never earn extra money again.

I'm begging you, please.

I...

I've worked in the canteen for so many years.

I'm one of the old staff.

Please don't fire me.

Ms. Xu.

I encouraged Mr. Li to take side jobs.

Fire me.

Let him stay.

Fei Ting, think carefully.

You haven't even been in the Publicity Department for a year.

If you're fired,

where will you find such a good job again?

Chief Wang,

whether I'm cut out for publicity work,

you've known the answer for a long time.

You just didn't want to say it.

During my time there,

I caused you plenty of trouble.

Sorry.

Since I'm not suited for it,

I shouldn't sit in a toilet stall without doing my business.

Or I wouldn't feel right about it.

Watch your attitude.

Speak properly.

What's with the "toilet stall"?

Is the Publicity Department a toilet to you?

Look.

This is about my level.

Yes,

I really don't have any great skills,

but I still have my pride.

The Publicity Department is a good position,

but I honestly don't feel at ease doing it.

Ms. Xu,

the canteen can't do without Mr. Li.

But whether the Publicity Department has me or not, it's the same.

This matter must be dealt with seriously.

Then deal with me.

Keep Mr. Li.

Please.

Li Xuebing.

One official demerit.

No eligibility for any "Outstanding Workers" evaluations within a year.

Alright.

Fei Ting.

Dismissed.

Fei Ni.

Fei Ting's been fired.

What?

I just ran into Chief Wang.

She asked me to tell you.

I've helped you ask for leave. Hurry and go on.

Ting.

I was told you were fired.

Did they wrong you?

You stopped doing side jobs with Mr. Li a long time ago.

Come on. Let's go reason with them.

You...

I'm sorry, Ni.

I...

I'll be honest with you.

In the Publicity Department,

I always felt like I didn't belong.

I can't write articles.

I don't understand publicity materials.

I even mess up organizing events.

Ni,

these hands of mine

can handle a hoe, a sickle,

a wok spatula, or a big ladle.

No problem.

But not a pen.

Every day I watched everyone running around busy,

and I couldn't do anything right.

That day, Fang Muyang said something to me.

He said

everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

A person should be like a screw,

put in the right place.

I've been sneaking out

to cook with Mr. Li lately.

I admit,

at first, I just wanted to earn some extra money.

But later I realized

I'm actually good at it.

The more I did it, the more energized I felt.

When I heard people praise my cooking,

I was so happy.

I felt capable.

Do you understand, Ni?

I do.

Why didn't you tell me

what you were going through?

I'm a man. I have my pride.

Besides,

I didn't want you to worry.

Now that it's blown up like this,

what are you going to do?

Honestly,

I haven't figured it out yet.

But

I'm a grown man. I can work.

I won't starve.

And I won't let Mom and Dad or Lin Wei go hungry either.

I have faith in you.

But don't tell Lin Mei yet.

Her parents just started treating me a little better.

I don't want to make things hard for her right now.

Alright.

But promise me.

If you ever run into trouble again,

you won't hide it from me.

Okay.

Give it a try.

Like I taught you when we were kids.

Throw it flatter.

You scared me.

Lock the door.

You're reading again?

You've read this many times.

Here. Let me show you something.

(Iron Cavalry Boy)

The comic strip has been published?

Yes.

How come your name is not on it?

I helped Mr. Yuan with the drawings.

Of course it goes under his name.

You drew most of it.

I don't care about that.

What I care about...

is this.

They gave you the payment.

Take it.

Look at you.

Your eyes light up the second you see money.

Of course.

Who doesn't like money?

We can buy you a new short-sleeved shirt

and a pair of rubber shoes.

What about you?

I don't need it. I don't need anything.

Up to you. You manage all the money anyway.

Buy whatever you like.

Keep this.

Pocket money.

Not afraid I'll spend it recklessly?

I'll trust you for now.

Don't disappoint me.

Yes, Comrade Fei Ni.

Don't do this. It's like my brother.

"I don't have pocket money now."

You look just like him.

Look. I'll turn the pages for you.

The scene I performed for you that day was this one.

Let me say a couple of lines.

Today is a happy day.

Fang's comic strip

has finally been published.

Come on, let's celebrate.

Thanks, Dad.

But why didn't you put your own name on it?

I can't tell people

it was you

who drew it.

Well, that's alright.

At least now you're earning your own living

and supporting the family.

That makes you a real man.

Come.

Thank you, Dad.

Fang, if your drawings do well,

is there a chance

they'll give you a permanent position?

Mom,

things are fine as they are.

I didn't say they weren't.

It's just that it's not stable.

Look at your brother. His job in Publicity doesn't pay much,

but it's a formal position.

He brings his wages home every month.

You'd feel more at ease,

right?

The dishes are here.

Mom, Dad, you eat first.

I'll wait for Lin Mei.

Fang, have a drink with Dad.

Mom, I'm going to oil my bike chain.

At least eat something first.

Mom.

Let him go.

About work,

I'm different from Ting.

I'm not suited for something too stable.

Right. Everyone has their own ambitions.

Here.

To those with ambition. May you succeed.

Slow down. Easy.

Ting.

What brings you here?

Not bad. You've polished the bike so well.

You've kept it in great shape.

My dad

bought this bike.

Later, he gave it to me.

When I was sent down to the countryside, I passed it to Ni.

It's been almost ten years now.

How have you been lately?

Pretty good.

Mr. Li has been decent to me.

The factory's been strict lately,

so he's passed some of his work over to me.

I can scrape together a bit of income each month.

You look better

than when you were at the factory.

Really?

When I'm not cooking,

I roast sweet potatoes.

It helps make ends meet.

You'd better be careful.

Cooking is one thing.

Sneaking around selling sweet potatoes is profiteering.

Don't get caught.

Relax. I'm careful.

So, when are you going to tell Mei?

I don't even know how to start, to be honest.

I'll keep it from her as long as I can.

What are you doing?

I can't take this.

If you don't want her to find out,

you'd better turn in every cent of your salary

for the next few months, right?

Have you saved enough for this month?

Don't turn me down.

We're always comrades on the same side.

Alright.

I won't refuse then.

I'll pay you back.

Finish up and come upstairs to eat.

Okay.

Wu.

Our project team made a major breakthrough this time.

Also, we were commended by the Ministry.

Your team deserves the highest credit.

Come on, say a few words.

Zhou,

you flatter me.

The progress we made

belongs to every single member,

especially

Fang Mujing's group.

Fang,

you didn't let Professor Zhou and me down.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

I'll work harder.

Let me toast you.

I've never seen you drink before. Don't push yourself.

Not at all. Today's a celebration.

I want to drink.

Good.

Right, drink a few more.

- Come. - Come.

Fang can hold her liquor quite well.

Right?

Come. Eat the dishes.

Sure.

I'd also like to toast all my coworkers.

In the past, I wasn't qualified

to participate in any national-level research project.

But now, not only did I take part,

but I also made my own contribution.

Thank you for your tolerance and support.

Here's to everyone.

Come.

Everyone here is a good comrade of socialism.

Be that as it may,

we mustn't rest on our laurels.

The chief said

they expect even greater achievements from us.

Professor Zhou is treating today.

Let's all toast him.

- Thank you, everyone. - Come.

Alright.

Don't just drink.

Eat the dishes.

Spit it out.

It's fine once you throw up.

There were many leaders just now.

I couldn't stop you.

You can't drink.

Why drink so much?

Throw it up again.

You don't understand.

I've waited eight years

for this one toast.

Eight years of hard work

just to have my name

listed alongside theirs.

Every glass I drank

was earned

with countless efforts.

I deserve to drink more.

Why should I drink less?

Alright, alright.

Jing,

I understand

what you went through.

You worked so hard

to get into this project team.

You even settled

for marrying someone you don't love.

I admit it.

It was my fault.

I was cowardly.

But things are different now.

You've proven yourself.

Even without him

or his family background,

you could still stay on the team.

So Jing,

I hope you can think it through...

How do you know I don't love him?

And what makes you think I still love you?

Liu Wei, you're full of yourself.

Don't think it was you who abandoned me back then.

That was my choice, too.

So

know your place.

There can never be anything between us

beyond colleagues.

By the way,

since you know I have a husband,

you should also understand

that what you said just now

is an attempt to undermine our marriage.

If I report this to the organization,

the one who leaves this time

won't be me.

Jing.

Don't follow me.

You're here.

Wipe your mouth.

I dreamed about you again.

I keep dreaming about you lately.

Why don't you speak?

You never speak in my dreams.

It's always me talking.

Are you also this quiet with Yan?

What do you want me to say?

Do you love me?

I love you.

Liar.

You can't even tell whether I'm Yan or me.

I can.

Actually, I've always felt you two are different.

Very different.

Really?

How are we different?

It's okay if you lie.

I should thank you, Qu Hua.

If it weren't for you,

my name wouldn't have appeared

in the commendation notice.

Thank you.

Am I

just a label

from a military family?

You're so nice.

You're wonderful as a person,

more than your background.

Why is my head suddenly full of you?

Why?

Mine, too.

You're everywhere in my head.

Ding Yang, you're back from your trip?

You're awake.

When did you get here?

You drank quite a lot.

You don't remember what happened yesterday?

You're here.

It wasn't a dream.

Drink less next time.

Don't give others an opportunity.

What do you mean?

You heard everything?

I'm sorry.

It's not my fault that I have good hearing.

I can explain.

Forget it.

You wouldn't care anyway.

Says who.

If it weren't for what you said yesterday,

I might've made a mistake.

What mistake?

I might abuse my authority

and force a core team member to leave the project.

You wouldn't.

I would.

If you two still had feelings for each other,

I definitely would.

So tell me,

the great Dr. Qu,

how long are you planning to stay this time?

Given the unstable factor around you,

I've decided

I'm not leaving.

You're not leaving?

I've applied for a transfer

to Jiangcheng People's Hospital.

Why?

Because your husband

is highly skilled.

And this place really needs

a young and promising doctor like me

with great skills.

Alright, get up.

After breakfast,

come with me to the hospital to report in, okay?

Okay.

You should reflect on yourself.

Don't do this kind of profiteering again.

Understood?

Fei Ting.

Fei Ting.

Lin Mei.

What's going on?

Officer.

You're his wife?

Yes.

What did he do?

He illegally sets up a street stall selling roasted sweet potatoes.

He was even playing cat and mouse with us.

You actually think you can outrun us?

No, it can't be, Officer.

You must be mistaken.

My husband works

in the Publicity Department of Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory.

How could he be selling sweet potatoes?

You've got the wrong person.

Fei Ting, were you set up again?

Hurry.

Explain to the officer.

Tell him what happened. Were you framed? Speak!

I...

was fired.

When were you fired?

Why didn't you tell me?

What happened?

Why were you fired?

Enough. Don't hit him.

Stop hitting him.

You can talk this out.

Officer,

I'll discipline him properly.

I'll let this go this time.

Afterward,

you have to listen to your wife.

Don't engage in profiteering again.

Got it?

Yes.

Alright, go.

I'm busy.

Let's go.

Officer,

my cart...

What?

You want to stay here?

Go.

Sorry for the trouble.

What's going on?

(Hongxing Supply and Marketing Cooperative)

Are you going to escort me all the way to the counter?

Do I need you to walk me in?

Don't you want to explain?

I...

There's nothing to explain.

You already know everything.

Come here.

I really don't get it.

Is the chair in the Publicity Office burning your bum?

Why can everyone else sit there just fine, but you can't?

It had come to that point.

If I didn't leave, Mr. Li would've had to.

You think that makes you noble?

If he hadn't kept egging you on,

would you have lost your job?

It's not entirely his fault.

I really wasn't cut out

for Publicity work.

Fei Ting,

why can't you understand me at all?

I'm not asking you to achieve anything extraordinary.

But can't you at least try to do better for my sake?

You shut down like this every time.

There's no point in talking to you.

I'm giving you two choices.

Either

you go find Chief Wang

and get your job back.

Or...

we part ways here.

Ms. Xu,

Fei Ting

was fired from the Publicity Department.

Yes.

A couple of days ago, Chief Wang reported

they're short-staffed.

Considering

the factory is about to compete for the Advanced Production Unit,

they're under pressure.

They hope to recruit someone.

She didn't mention that to me.

Because you've been busy lately.

What does Chief Wang suggest?

She wants to recruit a university graduate.

I see.

Ms. Xu, Wang Defa from our factory

is studying at Jiangcheng University.

Chief Wang

wants to have him intern first.

Feng Lin,

is that Chief Wang's idea,

or yours?

If she wants Wang Defa,

she can tell me herself.

You don't have to be the messenger.

University spot for Wang Defa,

and now the Publicity Department for him, too.

What?

Are you pulling strings for him?

No.

All the good things here go to him alone?

It's not that, Ms. Xu.

Just focus on your own job.

Stay out of other departments' business.

Yes.

Ms. Liu, hanging laundry?

Yes.

In ancient times, the husband studied

while the wife sewed.

We're the opposite.

Dear,

sewing and studying both strain the eyes.

Let's take a break.

My eyes are just fine.

I don't need a break.

Hey.

It's broad daylight.

What do you think?

Close the curtains.

Okay.

Fang Muyang.

Ting?

Ting.

Ting.

Take it easy.

I'm telling you,

roasting sweet potatoes takes skills.

How thick you plaster the mud

on the oven

and how strong you keep the fire...

Ting,

your problem isn't the sweet potatoes.

It's how to convince Mei.

Maybe I should go beg Chief Wang.

No need.

No one's going.

Even if they asked me back, I wouldn't return.

A man

has to know his limit.

I'm just not cut out for that.

I'm meant to wield a ladle and roast sweet potatoes.

What's wrong with that?

I earn money honestly

with my own hands.

There's no shame in that.

No one said you're shameful.

Lin Mei isn't wrong to be angry.

You hid this serious matter from her for months.

Who wouldn't be mad?

I regret

helping you.

I wanted to tell her.

And it has ended up like today.

But...

Hey.

Say less.

If you can't change yourself,

then you have to convince her.

Convince her of what?

To accept the real you.

You're not some

polished Publicity officer.

You're Chef Fei,

who can cook a feast

and roast sweet potatoes.

The real me.

The real me...

That's right.

That's who I really am.

Ting,

one more thing.

If she still won't forgive you

after you see her tomorrow,

let me teach you a trick.

Childish.

It works wonders.

I'm leaving.

I'll walk you home.

No need. Don't need to see me off.

No one sees me off.

Let Fang Muyang take you.

You're drunk.

Don't.

- Go to bed early. - Be careful.

Slow down.

What did you tell him?

You wouldn't let me hear.

I'm not telling you.

I'll save it for when I deal with you.

Shall we continue?

Sure. Let's have a drink.

Let's go.

Hey. Close the curtains.

Not this side.

The other side.

You're lying on my hair.

Move a little.

What are you doing?

♪After the laughter, I think of you♪

♪After the storm, I think of you♪

♪In the little courtyard, there you are dancing♪

♪That earnest you, smiling so innocently♪

♪In spring, I stay by your side♪

♪When summer comes, I watch over you♪

♪In the light of dawn, you belong to me♪

♪At the edge of the world, I will still hold you tight♪

♪There is a small place♪

♪Where they carry big dreams♪

♪Every lovely face♪

♪Shines brightly in the heart♪

♪Even when we collide, we hold our course♪

♪Even when we stumble, we keep our resolve♪

♪My you, walking toward the distance♪

♪Please carry our dreams and let them soar♪