Original subtitles

The Family

You didn't cook the beef right.

It taste too light.

Let me redo it with more soy sauce.

Just leave it there. Don't bother.

Dad, this is Wang Wujun.

Hi!

Wang?

Yes.

Take this seat please.

You sit here. I'll sit over there.

No. I insist.

All right then.

Wang Wujun.

- This is my mom. - Hi!

Sit please.

- Take my seat please. - You sit here. Please!

Mon, anything left to eat?

Just some duck eggs... and some beef.

- That'll do. - Sounds good to me.

- Then let's heat them up. - Ok. Let me take this.

Do you watch TV every night?

I like to watch news.

Didn't you tell me he'd be here after you had dinner?

Or I'd prepare something decent.

It doesn't matter.

Wang, where do you work?

I work in the Commerce and Industry Bureau of Yushui District.

How is your work?

Not bad.

My salary is about RMB three to four thousand a month.

The welfare is good too.

How many brother or sisters do you have?

Four altogether.

Three of us are boys. The other is my younger sister.

- And you're number what? - I'm the eldest.

The eldest.

How old is your kid?

He is twenty-one.

Is he in school?

He's already got a job.

He work in the university from where he graduated.

So where is it?

In Beijing.

How are your parents?

They are both over seventy.

My mother is 72, and my father is 73.

Ligin, do you want some? It taste really good.

No, I'm good. Thanks.

She doesn't eat at night.

Does your kid have a home of his own in Beijing?

We' re planning to buy him one on mortgage.

What about your home?

What about it?

Is it a newly-bought one?

Actually I have two apartments here.

My Bureau built apartments with collected funds and sold me one at cost price.

And I bought a new one recently.

These two.

How much is your kid's salary of month?

Well, currently, it's about fifty to sixty thousand a year.

Because it's not long since he got the job.

Well, I'm full.

Have some more.

I'm full.

It taste very good.

Really good.

Ok.

Do you have any housing loan left to pay?

No. I paid in full.

I bought it years ago.

It's pretty spacious. About 140 square meters.

Have some walnuts.

Have some please.

I don't eat walnuts at night.

You go ahead.

Wang is not reliable.

He didn't tell the truth.

I still prefer the one from the Railways Bureau.

His salary is good.

His job is secure.

And he's got his own apartment too.

But he won't accept Pengpeng!

Lingin has seen more than a dozen.

She is satisfy with none of them.

What on earth does she want?

Lingin is not young...

and has a son live with her.

It's not easy for any woman like her to find someone in the first place.

I've had enough of her.

Just think about it.

When in high school, she didn't like to study, but hanged out with boys.

Graduated with bad grades, I had to pull strings and solicit help to get her

into the Normal college.

We had to pay the full tuition, while other students didn't need to pay.

When graduated from the college, I found a remote public high school for her.

But she insist on taking the job in a private school...

with your support.

As a result, the school closed down after only 3 years.

Then I had to seek all my personal connections...

begging for transferring her to this school, so she could have a decent job.

It is easy to be wise after the event.

The private school paid higher salary. That's why.

Who would know what would happen afterwards?

Besides, it's both of us every time soliciting help for her transfer...

no just you alone.

As for her old apartment, I had told you two not to sell it.

Yet you sold it nevertheless without telling me, and bought this new one.

The loan from the bank is hundreds of thousands.

With the little salary of hers, she could barely pay the interest.

Now comes the decoration. But where is the money?

Again, this problem would have to be left to me to deal with.

The new apartment was bought before the old one was sold, wasn't it?

When buying the new apartment,

Xu said he would pay the first installment.

However when the time due, he couldn't get the money.

But the contract had been signed and the deposit paid.

It left us no other choice but to sell the old

apartment to get the money for the first installment.

I had said in the very beginning that Xu is no good.

His words are nothing but bragging! Nothing he'd said turned out to be true.

In my opinion, among all these people,

the one from the Railways Bureau is the best choice.

Haven't I told you already the guy from the Railways Bureau

won't accept Pengpeng to live with him.

The decorating,

to the end...

would again turn out to be mainly my business anyway.

She has to work and doesn't have the time, while you know little about how to do.

Who else but me?

You are not in good health.

Don't bother with the decorating.

If I don't, who else?

Slow down!

- Have you finished your assignments? - Yes.

Did you remember to drink water at school?

Yes.

You should drink more water.

Look at your lips. You've got excessive internal heat.

We don't want a bathtub.

- We want a shower. - Ok, then a shower room?

Yes, a shower room.

- You want a toilet bowl here, right? - Right.

- This room is for the kid. - For my grandson.

I see.

- Then there should be a desk and a bed. - Right.

- And here we can make a small closet. - Right.

- It could be built inside the wall. - Yes.

No problem.

This room is for our daughter.

Then we can simply make a closet here like in the kid's room.

Right.

- Do you want the balcony tiled? - Yes.

Would you like shower partition for this bathroom?

I'd like get the floor and walls tiled, up to the ceiling.

And I'd like a suspended ceiling.

Sure, an integrated ceiling.

How about a shower partition to separate the wet and dry areas.

Right. That'll be good.

It's better to separate the wet and dry areas.

No suspended ceiling here.

I prefer a plaster ceiling above.

- How about a background wall? - No, we don't need it.

Maybe a suspended ceiling in the hallway?

No, no.

But a suspended ceiling can hide the beam.

That area is for an indoor garden. We want to make it a study.

Now the kitchen.

- I'd like a kitchen countertop here. - Well, it should be U-shaped.

Yes.

Regarding the concealed work, the wires and pipelines has to be of high quality.

Of course! I can assure you.

It would be troublesome to replace if anything went wrong here.

You can be absolutely sure about the quality of the concealed work.

How to assign rooms when kids are back home in the Spring Festival?

When they're back home...

the three of Xiaomin's family stay here in this big room.

That room...

for Xujun and his wife.

And the room over there...

that's for Liqin and Pengpeng.

What about us two?

Us two...

we could sleep in the sitting room.

How convenient is it where we're living now!

It's much more spacious and comfortable for the kids when they're back home.

Look at here. So crowded!

Our place is also close to markets, hospitals, the railway station...

While here, it's far from everything.

When will the decorator be here?

- 5:30 this afternoon. - Ok.

What about the one Leilei arranged?

- 10:00 tomorrow morning. - Ok.

Hello?

- Hi! Is it Teacher Deng? - Yes.

How are you!

Ok, I see. Thank you!

Bye.

Who's that?

It's Pengpeng's head teacher. Pengpeng's grades dropped again in the last exams.

- How much is cardboard now? - 20 cents for half a kilo.

I don't think so. It should be around 40 cents.

Prices dropped. We are not making any money.

At least 30 cents!

Let me see how many bottles here?

- How much is a glass bottle? - We don't buy them.

Then just take it.

� 2 for all these stuff, all right?

That's too little! At least � 3 or � 4.

That'll leave me with no profit!

Well then, I don't feel like to sell to you!

Suit yourself.

The rice is not even worth the time.

Time is all I've got.

It's more nutritious than the rice in the supermarket.

Well, then ask your brother to bring more next time to kill your time!

Liu, it's time to go out for a walk!

You asked for a duck to play with.

But one I bought it for you, you took care of it

only for a couple of days before you left it all to me.

I don't like it when it grew bigger.

Don't eat too much. It'll soon be lunch time.

Ok.

Put it over there.

Good, six dishes! A good omen for today!

Pengpeng.

Pass me a tissue.

I'm done.

- Just had that little? - I'm full!

Have some more meat!

All he thinks about is computer games!

It's no big deal!

He's got just one day off in the whole week.

Why does it take Grandpa so long in the toilet?

Grandpa! Hurry up!

Your mom is an English teacher.

But you failed the English test.

What would that make other teachers think of your mom?

You did very well in the mathematics test, which proves you're very clever.

As long as you work harder, I'm sure you'll catch up soon with your English.

You are five points below the admission score of this high school.

It should have cost extra � 6,000 to get you into the school.

Luckily, your grandma is a retired teacher of the school,

we only need to pay � 3,000.

How expensive these five points are!

Pengpeng, a taxi is coming! Hurry and stop it!

- Why not get in? - You go first. I'll wait for the bus.

Silly boy!

The fare would be the same with or without you!

To ShizhengJiashuDayuan Please.

Hello?

Oh, Xujun.

Let me call you back.

Hey Xujun.

It's Ok!

Your dad and I took Pengpeng up the hill today.

It's good.

My lumbar is feeling pretty good.

Your dad... he's quite well!

It's Xujun for you!

I was reading newspaper in the bedroom.

Not bad.

It's not very cold yet, feels Ok.

Ok.

Hey Lulu!

How are you recently?

Yes, I can hear you. Go ahead.

Yes, I'm fine... it's not cold.

The weather here is not bad.

I take the birds out every morning.

I put them along with others' birds, they would sing together.

Yes, still singing...

Here are the phone numbers of some decorating

contractors that your dad and I collected.

This is a decorating plan your dad made.

If you could find time,

try to get as many contractors as possible to have a look at the apartment

and compare their quotations.

If you are busy, just wait until we come back.

Pengpeng, take a break!

I'm fine. Just a few more minutes.

FUZHOU

Mom, your slippers.

Dad, here're yours.

Pingping, grandparents are here!

Coming!

- Grandma! - My dearest, I miss you so much!

Mom, dad... what took you so long?

The train's delayed.

- What it crowded? - Not that much.

- Well, I've got go back to cooking. - Ok.

Mom, why are you here? Go rest! I can handle it by myself.

I'm no tired.

Mom, you should go get some rest. It's already been a long day for you on the train.

I'm fine!

- It's a sleeper. - That would be exhausting too.

That's nothing to me.

When I was young, there was the whole family for me to take care of...

the three of Xiaomin and her siblings...

as well as her grandparents.

Every day I got up before dawn, cooked them the breakfast.

Then I went to school to teach classes.

And I cooked lunch and supper.

And I did the laundry when they all slept.

Every day, I couldn't went to bed until midnight.

- Now this is really no big deal. - But you were young back then.

Mom, how's your lumbar recently?

Not bad.

Your dad bought me a physiotherapy couch.

I take treatments twice a day...

one in the afternoon and one at night.

It does help!

Grandpa, do you bring me a gift?

You could get everything you want here at home. Why still need a gift?

Where did you come from?

From the hometown.

Then where is it?

In Jiangxi.

What happened next? I'm sure you'll lose your appetite if I tell you.

Well, here is what happened next...

Dad, have some drink?

Your dad don't drink alcohol now.

Really?

A little bit should be fine.

Then... the goose thought...

let me put it in a nicer way...

the thing before the little boy's buttocks...

was delicious.

So it held it in its bill.

The little boy couldn't run fast, but the goose was very fast,

quack, quack... it ran to the boy...

then the boy was very angry and tried to hit the goose.

The goose also got angry and kept biting his... his thing.

So funny, isn't it!

Dad, how come you didn't bring the birds with you this time?

We'll go visit Xujun in a couple of day.

It'd be inconvenient to have birds with us.

Let's eat.

Get me the Chili sauce.

Dad, drink.

Here you are.

Mom, eat.

Let me remove the gills for her first.

Just leave it to Pingping herself.

Mom, how is sister?

Your sister...

She and Xu dated for about half a year.

At first she felt Xu was a nice man...

but later she gradually found out he bragged a lot.

None of his promises was fulfilled.

So your sister decided to break up with him.

She would have told him before the Spring Festival.

But she felt sorry for him living alone with a little daughter.

She didn't want him to have a sad Spring Festival,

and decided to talk to him after the Festival.

After she broke up with him after the Festival...

someone introduced a guy from the Railways Bureau.

His conditions are pretty good.

His pecuniary condition...

Xiaomin.

I've got to go out. Director Yang is drunk again.

Mom, take a rest. Don't over exert yourself.

How come your director always uses you as his chauffeur!

- Drive safe. - I will.

They say Director Yang will be promoted to Deputy Director-General.

Jiangsheng and him are pretty close.

Yang would probably manage to get Jiangsheng promoted to a vice director.

That'd be great!

We would not have bought the car.

The expenses are much higher with the car.

More than � 1,000 a month just for the petrol.

But Jiangsheng said some of his inferiors had even bought an Audi,

It would be embarrassing if we didn't have a decent car.

It's good to have a car. More convenient.

What plus eight equals sixteen? What is it supposed to be?

Eight.

Eight plus eight equals sixteen. It should carry I here, right?

Yes.

So seven plus the one equals...?

- Eight! - Eight!

Right, eight. What plus eight equals ten?

- Two. - Two.

Right, two. You should fill in the blank with a two here. And carry 1.

And three plus the one equals...?

- Four. - Yes, four.

So what should we write here to get five?

Two!

What should it be? We've just carried 1 to the 3 here.

Wait a minute. Let me get the phone first.

Hello?

Yes, we've arrived.

This afternoon.

Yes, we've dinner.

Your mom... let me get her.

Xujun is on the phone!

Who is Xujun?

Xujun is your maternal uncle.

Your mom's younger brother is your maternal uncle.

Your mom's elder sister is your maternal aunt.

Your dad's younger brother is your uncle.

Liu, are you all right?

I'm ok.

Pingping, get up! Time to go to school!

Hurry...! Good girl.

Give me a hand.

Be quick, or we'll be late for school.

The teacher will scold you.

Still cough?

Take some medicine in a while.

Come on!

Xiaomin!

Hurry up!

You're running late!

You've gotta hurry!

Mom. this money is for the food shopping.

It's not safe to carry too much cash. Let me know if the money runs out.

- No you keep it! I have the money! - Just take it.

How is the back field equipment?

Something's wrong with machine # 2.

It's already been pulled into the workshop.

What's the problem?

Oil leakage.

Could this container be placed somewhere else?

Yeah sure. I'll let the driver know shortly.

Today I became the first beauty of my class!

How great is my Pingping!

However, when Wen Linlin recovers from her illness,

I would have to fall back to the second.

Because she is a bit thinner.

What's the good of being thinner?

Grandpa, you don't understand a thing about us girls!

I don't even want to talk to you!

It is still pretty good to be the second beauty!

Grandma!

Grandpa has occupied the toilet for such a long time!

Grandpa is old. It does take him longer in the toilet.

Just hold on a little longer, will you my dear?

All right.

Grandma! Grandpa is using my computer again playing the card game!

Let's go talk to him!

Liu, go buy some steamed buns!

3-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8, 4-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8,...

You said you wanna lose weight, but still eat these kinds of stuff!

Lin Yusheng won the first place again in the running race today!

Oh, really?

He's not only good at sports but also good at Chinese Literature.

Ok.

His deskmate is very jealous of him.

Because his deskmate could only get B in exams, or C, while Lin always gets A.

Many of my classmates worship him.

Even those kung fu masters are no match for him at sports.

Wow! He's good at sports too!

Some classmates even acknowledged him as their guru.

Really?

Yes, to learn kung fu from him.

He knows kung fu too?

Just that he sometime punches people, otherwise he is great!

When your sister bought the apartment with Xu...

Xu said he would pay the first installment.

When it's the time to pay,

he said he hadn't got back the project payment others owed him,

but it'd been soon settled.

Your sister trusted him...

and sold her old apartment to cover the first installment.

Now came the decoration, but we don't have enough money for it.

Do you have some spare money to lend her?

It'll be easier for your sister to find a partner with the apartment decorated.

Jiangsheng and I just bought the car. We are pretty hard up too.

How much money is she short?

About seventy or eighty thousand.

What about Xujun? How much could he lend?

I'll ask him when I get there.

This hairstyle looks pretty good, doesn't it?

It does look good.

According to your face there's another one that suits you better.

May I show you?

Actually... his one suits you better,

and will make you look much more elegant and fashionable...

Do you like it? If you do, I can show you right now how it looks.

- Is it popular? - Yeah sure! Lots of ladies choose it.

It's the trend of this year.

It looks very dynamic.

- All right? Shall we give it a go? - Ok, let's try this.

Give me a second.

(Talking about how he would do the hair and how it would improve the looks...)

Good day, ma'am. Sorry for intruding.

I'm showing my client the apartment downstairs,

but the owner is not at home.

His apartment is of the same type as yours.

Could you let us have a quick look at yours?

- Well, wait a minute. - Ok, thank you!

Jiangsheng!

Yes?

- What is it? - There's someone at the door.

Good day, sir. Sorry for intruding.

I'm showing my client the apartment downstairs...

What selfish people! They never consider others!

Mom, next time before you open the door,

make sure it's someone you know. Never open the door to a stranger.

So many bad people nowadays. Who knows if they're frauds or not!

Ok, I got it.

Why don't you stand behind me?

How splendid his balloon is!

How... brave his hands are!

How... weak his hands are!

You're messing with the wrong guy!

You're messing with the wrong girl too!

How horrible his mouth is!

Why won't you learn from behind me?

It doesn't hurt at all. Come on!

How easy you are to handle!

He said, surely I am.

How plain his shoes are!

How ugly his five-pointed star looks!

How small his head is!

You're so wrong taking me as a fool!

How despicable!

Look at his running! How could he beat us?

We're definitely faster!

You're wrong!

Mom, where have you two been? I called you so many times, but no one answered!

- What? You called? - Of course!

Liu, Xiaomin made so many calls, why didn't you answer?

Oh, I didn't hear them. How come you didn't hear either?

It's you who carried the phone! I asked you to give it to me, but you wouldn't!

Never mind, mom! Xiaomin,

I told you it must be noisy outside and they didn't hear, right?

Next time I'll carry the phone!

Mom, did you get the salt?

Oh, I just had a vague feeling that I had forgot something.

How terrible my memory is!

I'll go again.

Let me go get it.

You've been out all day. Must be tired.

Pingping, my mobile phone.

Mom, there was a sales event at the shopping Center.

I got you a jade bracelet.

Wow, it must be very expensive. You don't have to do this.

It's on sale, not expensive.

Dad, I bought you a jacket.

It's on sale too. Off-season.

I've got plenty of jackets back at home. I don't need any more.

It's cold there at home.

Come on. Try it on.

It fits you perfectly. Mom, look!

Have it returned.

They don't return discounted commodities. And it fits you so well!

Then give it to Jiangsheng.

But the style isn't for him.

The bracelet is already good enough for us.

Just leave it to me and your dad to return the jacket tomorrow.

Mom, did you get anything for me?

Hello, Xujun.

Today is Pengpeng's birthday.

Find time to give him a call, would you?

We're both fine. Don't worry about us.

Bye.

(The photographer is adjusting their positions.)

Grandma, sit up straight.

She is your granddaughter, isn't she? Let's sit next to grandpa, okay?

Beautiful girl!

Grandma, come to them, please.

Let's take the perfect picture!

Who will you send the photos to? Your grandma, aren't you?

Come on, joy!

Let's fix the hair.

Sit up straight. Arms relaxed.

Grandpa, bring your knees together, please.

Right! Just a little closer together.

Show me your hands, please. Right!

Well, now... it's your father, isn't it?

Why don't you sit next to your father?

Now, sit next to your mother-in-law, please.

It's her mother!

- I'm her mother. - Sorry! I was wrong.

It's her father.

Girl, let's straighten your skirt

You don't want them to see your underwear, do you?

Go, sit right!

Sir, can you please turn your legs out a little?

Perfect, so yes.

Let's go get your skirt... Great! Thanks!

Put your hand on your mother's shoulder, please.

Now, done!

Grandpa, feel right!... Great!

Perfect!

Madam, look here, please.

OK, let's go! Madam, fix your hair, please... Perfect!

OK! Ready?

One, two, three... Smile!

One more, please! Perfect!

Girl, joy! Imagine grandpa watching this picture.

Wow! How happy you'll be to see how you grew up!

SHANGHAI

Lulu.

It's time to make the bed. Hurry!

Coming!

Hey, you're back!

What took you so long?

Hey, Mom! Dad!

We're supposed to change our shoes, right?

Right... let me put the stuff here first.

The slippers...

Just a minute.

Here they are!

They're newly bought.

Why not sit down first and change?

Ribs should cook with cold water.

Put the ribs into cold water...

and wait till it boils.

Then pour out the water.

- Ok, so have the ribs scalded first. - Right, exactly.

Then put some oil in the wok.

Do you need another wok?

Ok, that'll be good.

I also bought a fish today.

How do you wanna cook the fish?

Um, let's steaming it.

- Ok. - Steamed bass is very delicious.

Ok, then let's have it steamed.

Get me the other wok, please.

Excuse me, mom.

Let me wash it first.

There you go.

The detergent bottle should be placed over there.

Or the fire may melt it.

These are ready. Shall I put them on the plate first?

Sure, go ahead.

- Then wash these, would you? - Ok.

How much is the lettuce per kilo?

It's 5.2 Yuan.

Oh, even cheaper than in hometown.

- Really? How much is it there? - 6 Yuan.

Would you peel the yam when you finish washing?

Sure.

We don't often eat yam.

You should eat it more. It's very good for your health.

Do you like scrambled eggs with tomatoes?

Yes! But I'm not very good at cooking it.

Let me show you how.

Put a few drops of cold water into the egg.

Cold water... got it.

Mom, your phone is ringing.

Hello...

Xiaomin! Yes, we've arrived.

Good.

Fine... fine...

Here your brother wants to talk to you.

Hello... yes...

She's at home too.

Yeah, fine...

Ok...

Bye.

Just pour me a little bit.

Here you are.

Maybe not too much for mom too.

I should've cooked the bamboo shoots too.

Then it would make it six dishes! (Six is a lucky number in China)

You forgot the cold dish.

Should be fine. have a try.

It would be salty if you put more than enough in it.

Too salty?

Really?

It might not be mixed well.

It does taste a little too salty.

Does it?

Too salty!

You didn't cut it?

Yes.

Truly very salty.

You should've cut it.

I did forget to cut it.

So salty.

Yes, a little bit... not that terrible.

Just have some rice with it.

- I shouldn't have rushed. - Even saltier than the tomato.

Really?

It taste just like kelp.

What a failure...

Salt is essential for the taste. No salt no taste.

Then have a salted duck egg to ease it.

Like our team head, his technical expertise is really incompetent.

He does nothing but pretends to be busy.

He couldn't offer any real solutions regarding our work.

The only thing he's good at is to kiss his superiors asses.

However, the Director likes him anyway.

Why do you care? As long as he doesn't do anything jeopardizing you...

You think he's no good and sycophantic, but his superiors are no fools either.

I don't think they would use someone who knows nothing but ass-kissing.

He truly is no good, professionally.

Don't say anything like this to your colleagues.

Or they would it's just sour grapes.

Your temperament is still not changed.

That's the social reality.

You should not keep criticizing.

You should learn to adapt to the society.

And try to get along with others.

Xujun is a man of principles since he was very young.

When he was in university in Wuhan,

your dad had a meeting there and traveled there by the car of his Bureau.

When the meeting's over, Xujun's university vacation happened to begun.

Your father asked Xujun to ride home together with him in the car,

but he refused no matter how, resolutely!

He said that one should not take advantage of the government,

and insisted on going home by train alone.

Wow! Really?

How selfless!

It's true that I was kind of naive back then.

However, since this is so-called the real world,

why were we educated otherwise when we're kids?

Hello...

Ok.

Lulu!

Lulu!

Time to get up.

Xujun called asking me to wake you up. You're running late for work.

Get up, will you?

Mom!

Yes?

Did you see my toothbrush?

Your toothbrush... I put it here on the windowsill.

Over here.

Don't put toothbrushes in the bathroom.

It's full of germs there. Unhygienic.

Stay away from the microwave.

Be careful of the microwave radiation.

What's this for?

I keep forgetting thing recently. I must practice my brain more.

Let's go over there now.

You don't bother. Just leave it to me.

Xujun.

Yes?

Are you busy now?

No. Just watching TV.

What's up, mom?

I'd like to have talk with you both.

Sure. What's it about?

Well, it's been over three years since you two were married.

Do you think it's time to consider the next step?

You mean having a baby?

Sure! Right now your dad and I are not too old yet to take care of the baby.

Why not have one?

Our salaries are not very good now.

There's not much left after the mortgage payment, living expenses, and the like.

How could we afford to have a baby?

You don't to worry about the money.

Your dad and I both have superannuation.

Leave it to us.

Mom, you and dad should go traveling with your money.

You've been working hard all your lives. Don't save money for Xujun anymore.

We do travel every year.

My school organizes us retired teachers to travel every year.

I can take your dad with me too.

Who covers dad's cost? the school?

The school covers the most of his cost.

We have lived through almost everything, hardships or happiness.

The only expectation left is just that you two have a baby.

Then we'll be satisfied.

We'll be so satisfied!

My current job is not ideal.

I'm preparing to take the engineer qualification examinations.

If I pass, I'll be able to find a better job.

I don't want my life to be the same as others', having babies when very young...

then having to spend most of the time every taking care of them,

and leading a life without any achievement.

I'm with you on taking the exams.

But having a baby won't affect it.

Just leave the baby with me and you focus on your exams.

Have a baby?

What if my kid turned into someone I don't like when he grew up?

Nonsense!

When you have a baby, you would know how much you'd love it!

Like myself. When I was in high school, you remember how I treated dad, don't you?

I don't even know how he managed to put up with me.

If I had a baby, if, when grew up, he treated me the way I treated me dad,

how would I be able to accept that?

Don't be silly! When kids mature, they won't be like that anymore! Look at you now.

You're a good person, aren't you?

But mom, we do have a son!

Damao!

Ah, it's Xujun's pet name too!

Damao, here's you granny.

Show Granny what you got!

(Shops) Yida Real Estate Naughty pet, Wang's Aluminium door and Window,

New Decoration, Yunfeng Hair Salon, Fujian Hardware, Yule Billiard

Ok, let's make it 8:30 tomorrow morning.

82.5 cm.

And the height is 87cm.

Let me double-check.

- Ma'am, only this one window? - Yes.

- Do you wanna have this wooden window removed? - Yes.

There would be an extra charge for the removal.

Extra charge? But you didn't mention that before in you shop.

But you didn't mention it's removal either.

Then, how much would it be?

Without the removal of the wooden window,

it's 240 Yuan per square meter.

The removal costs an extra 100 Yuans.

It's a fair price!

Both the labor and the equipment cost money.

- What's going on? - Nothing, it's fine.

- Please make it a bit cheaper. - The price is pretty reasonable indeed!

And if you need a screen window, there would be an extra charge too.

Please make it cheaper.

No, really there is no room for reduction.

Then, how much is it in total?

If you need a screen window... then 240 plus 100

is 340... and plus 80 for the screen window...

the total is 420 Yuan.

And which do you prefer for the installation, foam or silica gel?

Foam.

Then there'd also be an extra of 50 Yuan.

That's too much!

The price is the same everywhere in this business.

Foam would cost more.

All right, whatever he says. So be it.

Didn't you already know there is an old wooden window here?

She didn't tell me that.

Shouldn't the foam be included in the package deal?

Of course not, it cost extra!

How could you do business like this? Everything cost extra!

It's the common practice. I'm no different!

- How could it be? - Please give us some discount. Please!

It's such a small window...

Just leave! If you wouldn't do it at the agreed price!

Call me if you change your mind please, Ma'am.

- Alright, thank you. - Just leave!

We compared several shops this morning, and his price is the lowest one.

You shouldn't compromise with these people.

They've already been used to taking advantage of others.

We'll pay for it. We've already brought the money.

It's not about the money. And what�s wrong with the window?

Why do you have to change it?

Don't keep yourselves busy for something meaningless from now on!

This window is outdated. A new one would look better...

since the other window have all been changed.

Well, well... so be it.

It should be the time to pay gas and electricity bills.

Don't forget.

How is Pengpeng's study lately?

Ask her how the birds are.

Your dad wants to know how his birds are.

She says the birds are still pretty lively.

And do not forget to water the flowers.

Pengpeng...

still very busy in your study?

Listening...

as to your English...

don't forget to memorize words everyday...

and to read the next text aloud just like what you did before.

As to physics and chemistry...

You must pay attention and listen carefully to the teachers in class.

And after class, remember to review and do exercises.

Once you have questions, go ask your teachers for help. Don't be shy.

You head teacher called me yesterday.

He told me something about you.

He said that one day on your way home from school...

you saw an old man lying on the sidewalk and his leg was bleeding.

You asked him what happened. He said one cyclist knocked him down and ran away.

Then you helped him and took him the hospital together with your classmate.

You did great!

I'm so proud of you.

Keep doing this.

You yourself should be more careful of the traffic too on your way to school.

Are you all right?

Thirsty...

Look, I punched a hole through the wall in here.

And the inlet and drain hoses of the washing machine

are led to the bathroom through the hole.

Here was a cold water valve.

I replaced it with a T-valve, and installed a water tap to it.

The inlet hose is attached to the tap.

Just turn on the tap when you use the washing machine...

and turn the tap off when you're done. That's it.

- Really, that's it? - Yes.

Wow, how convenient!

Isn't it convenient!

The kitchen is now more spacious too!

It's so unlikely that Xujun come up with something like this!

There's so much for him to learn from you.

It's nothing. No big deal.

Xujun is just a little too lazy to do this.

It does look much more spacious here!

It's always your dad who deal with the stuff like water,

electricity and the like back at home. We never need to ask for help.

I can actually see all mom's cards from here.

Your cards have all been exposed. How are we supposed to win?

You should hold pairs with pairs, and singles with singles.

I remember I've got one, but how come I can't find it now?

A small pairs?

Big or small, I just can't find it. But I do remember I've got it.

Do you have a pairs of 2?

She's got a pairs of Ace. I've even seen it!

Right here!

Right, I do have it.

All right! No more hesitation!

I pass. You continue.

No one would waste a pair of 2 now even if he's got it.

One, two, three, four...

- Four cards cannot make a straight. - Then how many?

Five. At least five. Do you have enough cards for a straight?

One, two, three, four...

Well, forget it, I pass.

5.

7. Now she's just put us all back to the game.

You pass?

It's your turn! Can you beat it?

It's my 7.

Jack.

- 2. - Pass.

It's my turn?

He's got only one card left! Only one left!

Only one left?

Should I save him or not?

Remember! The loser must pay the tribute to the winner from now on!

He must be able to follow any cards.

That's right.

Well, the smallest one!

No! I played a 2!

All right, pass.

You pass? Then I win.

Look at you! How badly you played!

You shouldn't have passed.

Right... I should've...

You shouldn't have passed.

Wait! What was it?

It was 8.

8 is what I just played. It was a 2!

2? I can beat it!

But you didn't!

All right, the past is past.

10? Queen.

- King. - Pass. -Pass.

Pass? Then it's still my turn.

- I might lose. - 4.

Jack.

King.

So high!

Pass.

Why haven't the Jokers show up yet?... 2.

2?

I won't pass this time. Beat it!

I pass.

6.

Pass.

10!

No, mom, you should play after me.

10?

Guys, now I only have one card left.

How many cards do you have?

- Three cards. - It's mom's turn.

Should I play or leave it to you? Ok, I'll play.

Good, Queen.

Pass.

What? You only had one cards left?

- I've just told you. - Red joker... a pair of 7...

- You lost. - I lost.

I've still got a 2 left.

It doesn't change anything.

Mom, now you'll have to pay the tribute to Xujun.

You shouldn't have played a pair of Ace.

You had three Aces altogether.

You should have played the three Aces singly.

Does the second last get punished? Only the last one gets punished, right?

Right.

I draw first.

It's be a problem if you didn't get the tribute cards.

No tribute cards, then don't pay the tribute.

Then you'd definitely lose. How could you win without tribute cards?

Not necessarily!

You can't first if you don't pass the tribute.

Not necessarily!

Wow, very good cards!

- No more cards? - No.

Which cards should be the tribute?

- The biggest one! - The biggest one!

Don't hesitate. The biggest one it is.

No need to pay the tribute if none of your cards are bigger than 2.

If you have a 2, then 2 could be the tribute.

- What about Jokers? Will they be the tribute? - Of course they are.

Of course they are.

I mean if you don't even have a 2...

So in that case, you don't bother to pay the tribute.

And I would be the first to pay.

Well, I do have a 2. Here you are.

Let me return you a 7.

Keep it if the card is useful. Otherwise you can give it back.

Here is a 7.

Well, I don't want it. You keep it.

No, you've got to take it!

- No, she can refuse. - I can refuse.

- Really? - Yes.

But he'll have one extra card!

Yes, and he'll have one extra chance too.

So he is the first one to play, right?

No. She'll the first one as she paid the tribute.

It doesn't sound reasonable.

She can choose to accept you card or not. She can reject it if she doesn't need it.

No one wants to exchange a 2 for a useless one.

Supposing she gave me the red Joker, and I gave three cards back,

she could choose one out of the three. Would that really be allowed?

Alright, alright, I'll take it!

- Take it if useful, reject it if not. - Oh, dear!

Alright! I said I'll take it!

If you gave her three cards, she might keep all of them or maybe just one.

I'll take it!

Got it? Why keep it if it's useless?

Dad, you didn't make it up, did you?

Of course not! And this rule makes sense.

It's not fair that you give your useless cards to others.

But that's why it's called a punishment!

No. If she's paid the tribute,

she'd have the right to keep or reject the cards you give her.

- I seriously doubt it. - But that's the way it is.

I kind of doubt it too.

It truly is the rule. Otherwise it'd be unfair.

The one pays the tribute loses a good cards and gets a useless card.

What a burden it'll be!

Absolutely a big burden to me!

Right. The punishment shouldn't be that much.

She's already given you her best card.

Ok... Alright then.

This policy applies to everyone.

Later, if you're the one who pays the tribute, you'd have the right too.

All right. Then let's play.

1 Yuan for 2 feet.

It's made of ox-tendon... Very good quality!

It's real ox-tendon.

The rubber band is...

This one is wider and that one is narrower.

How much is this?

The same, 1 Yuan for 2 feet.

1 Yuan for 2 feet.

What about elastic band?

This one?

2 Yuan for 1 foot.

Here is a needle.

Put the needle in it.

Then...

here is thread.

Pass the thread through here.

Then pull the needle down. That's it.

Isn't it very easy?

- Now get the needle out and it's ready. - Let me have a try.

Sure, go ahead.

- Pass the thread through here? - Yeah, right here.

Still difficult for my eyes.

Yes, take the needle out.

Well, I did it.

Right, that'll do.

How much is it?

2 Yuan.

50 Yuan.

See you later.

Can I help you?

Get me two duck wings.

10 Yuan.

- Pardon? - 10 Yuan.

- 10. - Yes.

Mom.

You're back.

I bought a roast duck.

How big is it!

Lulu is working overtime.

She'll be home a bit late.

About what time will she be home?

She didn't say.

I don't know. But she won't be too late, I guess.

Well...

then I'd better cook the fish first.

- Ok. - It takes longer to cook the fish.

- Let me finish the broccoli first. - Ok.

Dad.

Did you press the wrong button when you used the bathroom?

The big button is broken and will cause water leaking.

You should press the blue one.

I didn't use the bathroom.

Maybe your mom did.

Mom.

Did you use the bathroom just now.

No, I didn't.

Why ask?

Nothing, I'm just asking?

Do you need any help here?

No. Almost done here.

You go have rest.

We'll have dinner as soon as Lulu's back.

Ok.

Dad.

Was it you or not?

No.

Mom would put the toilet seat down.

But it was left up.

Who else could it be?

Me! It was me!

No, Mom! It was not you!

You lied about such a small thing, and even blamed it on mom.

Stop it!

- You call yourself a man? - Stop it!

What's the matter with dad?

What could it be?

He pressed the wrong button again when using the bathroom.

The toilet leaked.

I asked him but he wouldn't admit it, and even blamed it on mom.

So I told him off.

What did you say?

I said he wouldn't even admit such a small thing, that he is not a man.

How could you say something like that to dad?

That's what dad truly is.

He's always like that.

Whatever goes wrong, he blames it on mom.

When I was kid, once he was making steamed buns.

Mom prepared him a bowl of alkali water. He poured it all into the flour.

No surprise that the steamed buns were incredibly yellow and tasted awful.

But when Mom asked him,

he complained instead that mom prepared too much alkali water.

Yes, mom gave him a bowl of alkali water, but she didn't ask him to use it all.

Before, when mom worked at school,

teaching lessons the whole day was already very exhausting.

She still had to cook for the family when back home.

A big dinner on the table.

But when dad came back home in a bad mood,

he would probably overturn the table without any hesitation once he lost his temper.

Even so, you shouldn't have talked to dad like that.

I just saw his eyes were red.

Looks like he has cried.

Mom.

Dad.

Mom.

- Shall we have supper now? - Ok.

- I'm starving. - Ok.

Dad, have some fish.

Mom.

Dad, let's play cards after supper!

No, not tonight.

Come on, please!

I have been thinking about playing cards even on my way home.

What about you, Xujun?

Sure, let's play.

Come on, let's play, alright?

Ace.

2.

Pass.

Should I beat it?

We're partners. You'd better not beat me.

But if you can follow, just go ahead.

You can't beat a pair of 2 anyway, unless you have four of a kind.

But I do have four of a kind.

- But you shouldn't beat me. - Right.

You two are partners.

3.

Should I beat him? Yes, I should.

Ok, Jack.

Queen.

- Queen? How many cards left? - Two cards.

Mom. I pass. Your turn.

- My turn? - Yes.

- She played Queen. - I played Queen.

- It's your Queen? - You card's got to be bigger.

Well, let me see...

It has to be a pair, right?

- No. I played one Queen. - She played one Queen.

She played Queen, but what about you?

- I passed. - He passed.

You pass too?

- Then, how about this one? - Good!

No one can beat me?

Then my turn again.

Don't play a pair, Mom. She's only got two cards left.

You've got two cards left?

Don't keep reminding her!

Of course I must, you only have two cards left.

Only two cards left...

which card should I play?

I really couldn't figure it out.

Whichever you'd like.

Are your two cards a pair?

Maybe I'd better show them to you, to make it easier.

Well, two cards...

- Can I play four cards? - Sure.

Then I'll play four cards... No, not these four.

Or it'll be a waste.

Mom, if you can win, just go ahead.

But she might win after I play it.

Well, just give it a shot!

No! No! Don't play a pair!

Leave it to me, mom.

Your dad is old.

Don't be so strict with him.

I know.

I shouldn't have lost control today. I don't know why...

He has a kind heart even though he doesn't sound like it most the time.

He cherishes you so much in his heart.

The Sage Confucius, we sincerely pray that...

you bless Pengpeng and Pingping to make big academic progress...

and be admitted into top universities...

and contribute to the country in the future...

The incense is lit!

The incense is burning vigorously!

Vigorously burning incense implies successful studies.

Vigorously burning incense implies prosperous careers.

The more vigorously the incense burns, the more successful!

Studies and careers, both will be successful and prosperous!

Tang Shiyin devoutly worships the Sage Confucius...

sincerely pray that the Sage Confucius will bless

Tang Shiyin to succeed in the college entrance examination...

and enter her ideal university.

Now starts the ceremony of worshipping.

Hold up the incense. Straighten the arms.

First bow to Kuixing, the god of literature. May the god bless you!

Bow.

Get up.

Second bow to the Sage Confucius. May all your wishes come true!

Bow.

Get up.

Third bow to... May your study and life get better and better!

Bow.

Get up.

Success!

Liu...

I think we might as well tell Xujun and the daughters.

Look at you, why bring this up again?

You want them to know that I'm dying, so that they would pity me?

Why do you have to think that way?

Zhao died after only two chemotherapy treatments...

and suffered so much.

If he had chosen not to have chemo, maybe he would live longer.

Then let's just talk things out thoroughly with Xujun and the daughters...

and have them understand your decision that you don't want to have chemo.

Do you really expect they would support me if they know I don't want to have chemo?

Do you really think they wouldn't mind being judged by others?

Hello?

Sorry I didn't hear. It was too noisy downtown.

We are on the bus now.

We've already eaten. You two go ahead and have supper. Don't wait for us.

About half an hour.

Thank you!

When at home, I took treatments everyday with the physiotherapy couch.

But I don't have the chance to do it recently due to this travel.

Also, I was out the whole day yesterday.

I had tried to finish cooking supper for you.

But my lumbar pains didn't allow me to.

We should go to hospital.

No need. I know what's going on with my lumbar.

I just need to lie in bed for a couple of days.

Dad, leave it to me.

- You go stay with Mom. - Let me finish this fist.

Give me a chance to cook today, so I can practise my cooking.

Over there it's for shredded pork with carrot.

Here is the bok choy to be fried.

Ok.

The dish over there is already cooked.

- How does it feel? - Very comfortable.

When I studied in Gannan Normal College...

during the summer vacation of 1963...

I went to visit my classmates in Nanchang...

and met Liu who was studying in Jiangxi Institute of Technology.

Through our conversation...

I learned that he's of a very good family origin, a poor peasant family.

And I felt he's an also an honest man...

so I had a good impression of him.

Later on, we starting writing each other.

During the July and August of 1968...

the government resumed assigning jobs

for the college graduates of 1966 and 1967.

I was assigned to teach in a middle school in Shangyou County.

As to Liu...

he had said something sensitive politically before.

Instead of getting a job...

he was shut in the "cowshed", and underwent reform through labour.

During my work in Shangyou County...

I mailed him 10 Yuan every month.

My salary was 42.5 Yuan a month at that time.

When the winter of 1968 came...

I got worried about him a lot.

So I asked for a leave to see him.

When I got there, he said to me...

just forget about me.

I would get you into trouble.

His words touched me, and my heart ached for him.

I made my mind and said to him, let's get married right now!

I then talked to the head of the Worker's

Propaganda Team in Liu's college about my decision.

The head of the Worker's Propaganda Team said to me...

They thought, given Liu's family origin, his nature should be good.

and he approved our marriage.

So we got married.

It's the February of 1969...

Liu finally got assigned to job too.

It was in Southern City.

In mid-August of 1969...

I traveled... from Shangyou to Southern City to see him.

You know what, it took me two days to get there!

At that time...

I was Already heavily pregnant with your sister, Liqin.

With a big belly.

It's a long bumpy journey.

I... was totally exhausted.

The due date was in mid-September.

Maybe because of the journey, I gave birth ahead of time in late August.

One month later...

I went back to Shangyou to work, taking Liqin with me.

About... more than a year later...

I finally managed to transfer to Southern City...

and reunited with Liu.

There was no room for us at first.

Liu managed to build...

at a corner of a workshop in the factory...

two walls with bricks...

about two meter high each...

and turned it into a small room.

That became our home.

It's where Xiaomin was born.

When two years had passed...

The factory assigned us a thatched cottage with two rooms to us...

right behind the factory.

That's where Xujun was born.

SOUTH CITY

Room 607.

Ok.

The room is fine.

Right. Pretty clean.

The bedclothes are clean too.

DEPARTMENT STORE

N� 1 Middle School

May I have your surname, please?

It's Deng.

Teacher Deng... Yes, I know her...

Teacher Huang, thank you so much for that!

No problem!

Teacher Deng, when did you work here at this school?

It's... in 1971 that I came here...

and I left the school in 1989.

Right, that's why I couldn't recall you.

I work here only from 2007.

Teacher Deng, just go ahead and have a look around the campus.

I have to rush to my office.

Ok.

- Excuse me, Teacher Huang. - Yes.

Do you happen to know Headmaster Luo?

Headmaster Luo...

I kind of remember that he dies of cerebral hemorrhage about four years ago.

Sorry I've got to go.

We just finished ascites tapping.

Then two matters need to be paid attention to.

One is to supplement nutrition,

and eat foods high in protein such as meat, fish and eggs.

The other is to have more rest,

perform appropriate exercises, and get more sunshine.

However, I still think it's such a pity to give up on Uncle Liu's treatment.

The treatment would help prolong his life, and ease the pain as well.

Besides, health care could covered the expenses.

Would you talk with Uncle Liu and reconsider?

Ok, I'll talk with him.

What do your children think of it?

We haven't told them yet. They're very busy.

Maybe sometime later.

After all, it's up to Liu himself to make the decision.

All right.

Uncle Liu is in poor health now, should avoid getting overtired.

Long travels like this should be avoided.

Next time he experiences abdominal distension,

just come to do ascites tapping again for some relief.

Ok.

Truly.

- More and more. - More and more.

- Similar. - Similar.

- S-I-M-I-L-A-R. Similar. - S-I-M-I-L-A-R. Similar.

- Similar. - Similar.

- Around the World. - Around the World.

- Have in common. - Have in common.

(Talking about some restaurants they've been to.)

Here comes the payslips! It's the payday, great!

Every month I just look forward to this very day!

(Talking about the salaries)

� 2,320 deducted to � 2130

- How much? - � 2,090.

Go get the gold iPhone!

How could I afford it!

- What a lousy salary! - How much is your, Teacher Zhang?

Here you are. Have a look.

Let's see how much we could get when we were at the age of Teacher Zhang.

- � 3,290. - Sad, isn't it?

About � 1,000 more than us.

But I'm soon to retire. Only two years away.

Even street vendors make more money than us!

They could make hundreds in one day!

In Xinjiang, a construction labour carrying bricks could make � 300 a day!

Let's go carry bricks.

We should buy the decoration materials on our own...

instead of asking the workers to buy for us.

They would tell you what they bought are good stuff and thus more expensive,

but actually they'd use much worse materials instead.

The disparity in price could be by several times.

Tomorrow I will go with your mom to the building materials market to have a look.

You shouldn't run around for this at the age of yours.

I myself will go have a look this Sunday.

You don't know a thing about the materials.

I'll still have to go with you anyway.

We've got plenty of time. And we'd take a walk as our exercise everyday anyway.

I had expected to borrow enough money from your brother and sister,

but they are not well off either.

Xiaomin could only spare...

� 30 thousand.

The cost of living is very high where Xunjun lives.

He's got a heavy mortgage too.

We shouldn�t expect him to offer any money.

Your dad and I still have � 20 thousand left.

So, the decoration would have to be simplified.

I see. It's ok.

I just wish to finish decorating as soon as possible, and move out.

So dad and I won't have to put up with each other any longer.

You don't have to buy us any more nutriments.

We could buy for ourselves if we do need them.

You should save the money for Pengpeng's college education.

I buy you the nutriments is not the same thing as you buy for yourselves.

I can manage the money for Pengpeng. You don't have to worry about it.

Later when you decide on your partner,

don't value his money too much.

Just find someone who really likes you and really treats you well.

We only need part of our retirement pension for the living expenses.

The rest could be saved for Pengpeng.

How is it going between you and Wang?

We broke up last week.

I found out he is heavily addicted to mahjong gambling,

and often plays all through the night.

- Have washed your face? - Yes.

What would you like to eat?

Instant noodles.

Keep away! It scares easy.

- Grandma! - Yes?

Where is the duck?

In the pot.

It grown up.

(Liu and the decoration worker is talking about the electrical wiring.)

I will make two circuit connections.

One is just for the fridge

and the other for all outlets.

There will be a floor air conditioner in the living room.

There will be a 4 mm diameter connection

just for him.

There will be air conditioning in each room.

The master bedroom will be 1.5P.

Those of the other two bedrooms of 1P.

Well, each air conditioner will have a unique connection.

For TVs,

one in the living room and one in the master bedroom.

Will there not be TVs in the other rooms?

Do not.

I suggest at least one more.

No, just these two.

- Are you sure? - Yes, OK.

This is your room.

The bed will be here... and a nightstand on either side.

The desk should be here. The light is good.

And the closet... here in the corner.

What so you think?

Well... whatever you'd like.

Grandma, I'd like to take off now.

All right.

Pengpeng!

Here's some money for the bus.

- Be careful. - Ok.

The Second Hospital of Xinyu City

Dad, where have you been? How come you're back so late?

Why haven't you eaten yet?

The food is cold. Let me heat it up for you.