Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available.]

Winter Begonia

Episode 29

How many years past?

Don’t you want to compete against him again?

Ning Jiulang?

OK,

I agree.

I haven’t finished.

Where are you going?

I’ll make new clothes

for the selection meeting.

Dad,

is Sixi’er

our friend?

We are acquaintances at most.

How come you rely on SIxi’er

to defeat Shang Xirui?

Also,

Ning Jiulang always

has a good reputation in Peking.

With this highly respected man,

Shang Xirui may not win

even though his performance is amazing.

Who relies on Sixi’er?

I just want to annoy Shang Xirui

with a performer who plays female role.

When calling out the names of the candidates,

this selection

will be a joke in everyone’s mind.

It will be laughed at.

I’m not closed to Sixi’er.

No one will suspect me if this trick is revealed.

Dad,

how wise you are.

Interestingly, Sixi’er

knew his ability,

but when it comes to Ning Jiulang,

he’s gonna

be crazy.

[List of the Nominated Performers]

Mr. Du,

who do you think will be the winner?

Shang Xirui.

I’m sorry.

I must be insane to ask you.

My apology.

Well...

Mr. Du, could you predict that?

Among the names on the list,

who will enter the final?

There is no suspense about the first one.

Ning Jiulang.

He?

He didn’t perform for long.

Is he still well-received?

In my opinion,

Chen Renxiang must be included.

Didn’t you read the newspaper?

Mr. Chen got huge achievements

in Changchun, Peking and Shanghai.

Achievements? Huge achievements?

In terms of his competition against Shang Xirui,

can you say that he got huge achievements?

He terribly lost.

This writer must be hired by you.

I...

OK.

Let’s read this.

It says that Shang Xirui played a new opera,

leading trend.

It suits what young ones like.

This is a good article.

Mr. Du.

Who wrote this?

I’ll recommend a guy

at last.

Jiang Dengbao.

His surname is Jiang.

Of course he can enter the final.

Is there some information from Mr. Han?

Not yet.

Mrs. Cheng.

Many days past.

But there’s no information.

Don’t worry.

Fengtai is far from here.

And we are not familiar with that place,

so it will cost some time.

Look.

The lad Fan Lian

never came here these days.

He had come very often.

Since Fengtai left,

he’s forgotten his sister.

[Freight]

I think

it’s because Mr. Fan is afraid to be beaten by you.

Really?

Come.

Big mouth.

Show something through your eyes.

-Only with this, can the performance be good. -Higher.

Do you know?

Congratulations, Mr. Shang.

Congratulations, Mr. Shang.

For what? Mr. Fan.

Rui,

you entered the top four for the final

of Opera Association’s selection.

Really?

This is expected. Who else?

Ning Jiulang.

And of course Jiang Dengbao is included.

I’m sure you can’t guess who the last one is.

-Who? -Who?

Sixi’er.

Sixi’er?

He?

When I got this message,

I was more shocked than you.

Why is this incapable guy included?

Why?

He must have a supporter.

No, no, no.

How come Jiulang is included?

But it’s not surprising.

Jiulang has come out,

so he must enter the top four.

I will compete against Jiulang?

How can I win?

Even my dad can’t.

This time, the winner of the selection

must be him again.

Leader, the competition hasn’t begun.

Why do you give in now?

Yes.

Rui.

Cheer up and do your best.

I canvassed for you a lot.

I swear.

I watched your performance

with Ning Jiulang last time.

You were not worse than him.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Right.

You were not worse than him.

Mr. Ning only performs once a year,

and our leader is a hot star.

You are popular now.

The winner must be our leader.

-Yeah. -Yeah.

Our leader will win.

Rui.

What’s wrong?

Everyone.

Please vote for Shuiyun Theater.

Come and see.

The best opera performer will engage in a competition.

Give me one.

Please vote for Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater.

-OK. -I’ll go.

Please vote for Mr. Shang from Shuiyun Theater.

OK. OK.

In the selection for the best performer,

-please vote for Shang Xirui. -Come.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

In the selection for the best performer,

please vote for Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater.

Please vote for Mr. Shang.

Come and see. Please vote for Shang Xurui from Shuiyun Theater.

Please vote for Mr. Shang.

[ First Theater]

Here. Give you one.

In the selection for the best performer,

-please vote for Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater. -Here.

[Shuiyun Theater Shang Xirui]

Please have a look.

This is my own business.

Please support us.

Thanks.

I will.

My business.

Please support us.

OK.

This is my business.

-Please. -Mr. Shang.

-I will support. -Thanks.

[Shuiyun Theater Shang Xirui]

Mr. Shang’s opera.

Please give out the leaflets.

OK, OK. Sir.

OK.

The more you give out,

the more payment will you get.

No problem.

Thanks, sir.

Thanks, sir.

Thanks, sir.

Showing this leaflet,

you can get 20% off in Shuiyun Theater.

OK.

Let’s go to Shuiyun Theater.

OK, sir.

Have a seat.

[Shang Xirui’s news]

You only write articles for Shang Xirui?

This is a meaningless question.

Shut up.

[Shang Xirui’s news]

The selection for the best performer will begin!

Give me one, thanks.

-Give me one. -Give me one.

[The fifth selection of the best performer in Peking Please vote for Shang Xirui]

Sirs, please come and see.

Come and see.

Please vote.

It’s fine.

What do you think, Fengtai?

Thanks.

Have a look?

Look at it.

Take it down.

We don’t hang this.

This is only for canvassing,

not cheat.

I don’t need that.

It’s really your style.

How confident you are.

No.

I won’t engage in.

You won’t?

The competition is held every five years.

Why do you give up easily?

Give me a reason.

Jiulang is the best in my heart.

How can I compete against him?

If I lose,

I’ll be upset

for my imperfect skill.

But in case,

well...

I mean in case I win,

how can I face Jiulang?

You only think about Jiulang?

Why don’t you think about your dad?

You promised

to gain honor for him.

I’m confused.

Is my dad’s deathday coming?

I’ll go back to Pingyang

and apologize to him at his tomb.

That day is in two months.

Why are you hurried to go back?

Please give out the leaflets. Thanks.

Why is my rival Jiulang?

No...

Jiulang.

Jiulang.

You just came back to the stage.

Before your second show,

you were recommended to compete for the best performer.

In our industry, everyone likes to follow the crowd.

Ignore them.

Let it slide.

The winner was always you or Hou Yukui.

Shang Juzhen

was the second for his life.

After Jiang Rongshou became the chairman,

he was the winner once.

All in all,

this was a game among you old guys.

It’s not easy that Shang Xirui engages in this competition.

This is a young man.

It’s rare to see.

Don’t you want to have a look?

Your highness.

Are your lands not enough?

Assart your south garden.

It’s a good place to plant watermelons.

I know you are satirizing that I don’t have things to do.

This time, I will leave other things.

I’ll buy newspapers and vote tomorrow.

OK.

Go.

You don’t stop me?

No.

Please vote for Shang Xirui.

You...

I vote!

I vote for Shang Xirui!

I vote for Shang Xirui!

Yours.

No hurry.

Mine!

Shang Xirui.

10 votes for

Ning Jiulang!

20 votes for

Shang Xirui!

What? Queue up.

I haven’t finished.

How many do you have? I buy them all.

Totally, 100 dollars.

Too much.

Do you have money?

Queue up if you don’t.

Ning Jiulang is old enough.

He should go back to enjoy his twilight years.

How many years can he perform on the stage though he wins?

Do you agree?

Yes.

What are you doing?

Yes.

Fight against young guys for fame.

Doesn’t he feel embarrassed?

Right.

I’ll buy all of them.

All for Shang Xirui.

Mind your words.

I’m here just to buy tickets.

Why did you insult Ning Jiulang?

Look, like star

like fans.

You must learn from Ning Jiulang.

Lad.

Don’t stand here.

Go away.

Don’t be a dog in the manger.

Hey!

I’ll buy all of them!

All for Shang Xirui!

Wait.

Why are you taking the seal?

Will you offer up to your God of Wealth again?

Leader.

I tell you.

This is

the thing between you men.

As a maid, I shouldn’t say much.

But Mr. Cheng is a spendthrift.

Look, he has imported cigarettes and

imported alcohol.

And his child

needs milk powder.

When he went to the restaurants, he ordered expensive dishes.

Also,

he lost when gambling.

And he bought clothes

and watches.

During almost one week,

he spent more than 100 thousand.

No, only 80 thousand.

Don’t you think it’s much?

How much do you have?

80 thousand for one week,

and 160 thousand for a fortnight.

If he lives here for a year,

our Shuiyun Theater will go away.

-Do you believe? -So what?

Our yard

and land were bought by him.

Look at your words.

Is Shuiyun Theater his saving pot?

You made me confused.

This is not for Mr. Cheng.

Don’t try to cheat me.

I’m almost late.

Leader!

Wait and see!

You’ll regret!

[The fifth selection of the best performer in Peking]

[Shuiyun Theater Shang Xirui]

[Spring Theater Jiang Dengbao]

[Yunxi Theater Sixi’er]

Mr. Niu.

Time to start.

Why hasn’t Chairman Jiang come?

Of course the chairman

will keep up appearance.

Chairman Jiang is here.

-He arrives. -Pleased move.

Give us a way.

-Thank you. -Chairman Jiang.

Please move.

Chairman Jiang’s here.

Please move.

Give a way.

-Chairman Jiang. -Chairman Jiang.

Chairman Jiang. Chairman Jiang. Chairman Jiang.

Chairman Jiang.

Is everyone here?

Yes.

Let’s start.

Please.

[The fifth selection of the best performer in Peking]

Now,

the selection for the best performer starts!

Nice!

Next, I’ll call out the names.

Ning Jiulang from Qinyan Theater, one vote!

Good!

Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater, one vote!

Good!

♬ I am ♬

♬ Twenty-eight this year ♬

Nice!

It’s not easy to hear your voice.

I shouldn’t

have come in.

You won’t go to the Theater of Opera Association?

It just began.

It’s not too late if you go now.

Thanks for thinking for me.

Someone went for me.

Don’t you want to go?

Is it good that you don’t take the award yourself?

Why are you sure that I’ll get the award?

I think

Shang Xirui

is better than me.

Do you think Jiang Rongshou

can make Shang Xirui the winner?

Let’s go, your highness.

Let’s

go to see the watermelon seedlings.

The sprouts haven’t come out.

How can we see the seedlings?

Ning Jiulang from Qinyan Theater, one vote!

Good!

Jiang Dengbao from Spring Theater, one vote!

Good!

Shang Xirui, one vote!

Good!

Why hasn’t Ning Jiulang arrived?

Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater, one vote!

Good!

Today is your important day.

Why are you walking with me here

instead of going to the theater?

Last time when I was here,

I fell down due to my carelessness.

I didn’t perform for many days.

Your staff must be worriedly looking for you.

And you just left without informing them.

Mr. Cheng.

Look at that tree.

There’s a cut.

It is said that Duke Qi cut it under anger.

He didn’t cut me.

It has nothing to do with me.

Be serious,

won’t you go to the theater?

No.

Are you scared?

Yes.

I’m scared of victory.

I used to

think my dad was so strong.

He chased me all over the street.

I was not his rival.

Until one day,

when I looked back,

I found he leaning against the bamboo stick,

and watching me, out of breath.

At that moment, I found that I was taller

and stronger than him.

I wouldn’t worry that he hit me.

But I was not happy.

Was he really slower than me?

No.

He was slower to his age.

Then tell me.

Who is faster than his age?

Who can make the time stop?

So,

the God gives everything deadlines.

When the time’s up,

they will fade.

Ning Jiulang is no difference.

But this happens all of a sudden.

Jiulang is still far higher from me in my mind.

I’m not ready.

Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater, one vote!

Good!

Everyone.

Only one vote is left.

Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater!

Good!

[Yunxi Theater Sixi’er]

[One vote]

Leader. Leader. Leader.

Is it good that we just go?

Do we need to stay? To be laughed at?

At least one fan voted for you.

Stop. That fan was me.

Leader.

You are really here.

Why do you know I’m here?

I asked Mr. Ge to tell her.

Hurry.

Go to the theater with me.

I said “no”.

The members of Mansion Qi arrived.

You can’t be absent.

Has Jiulang arrived?

Jiu...

May... Maybe.

Someone saw his servant.

Mr. Shang,

you may not certainly be the winner.

Ning Jiulang has arrived.

So you must go.

Yes.

I should go.

But...

I need to change my robe.

I asked Shijiu to take.

Go with me now.

Thanks for the support of friends from all walks of life

and our peers form opera circle.

Up to now,

the selection for the best performer is finished.

Now, I’ll

publish the result.

Nice!

Ning Jiulang from Qinyan Theater.

3586 votes!

Nice!

Sir,

Ning Jiulang has been popular for almost 20 years, right?

He’s paid by the Opera Ministry.

He’s the minister appointed by the empress dowager.

An important guest of Duke Qi.

Though he didn’t step on the stage for years,

he can’t be underestimated

in terms of relationship,

experience and ability.

Seems that he’ll win.

Don’t be so sure.

Shang Xirui from Shuiyu Theater,

3586 votes!

Nice!

I said it. Don’t be so sure.

Jiang Dengbao from Spring Theater,

1257 votes!

Nice!

Sixi’er from Yunxi Theater,

one vote!

Only one?

Only one?

We didn’t even

expect this result.

Man proposes, and God disposes.

Now that

this is out of the God’s will,

we can’t break it.

Now, let me announce the result!

The winner of this selection is...

How come the young guy Shang Xirui got so many votes?

Who believes?

Don’t cheat us.

Right.

We want to check the votes again.

Yes!

Check the votes again!

Once again! Once again!

This is not convincible!

Check the votes again!

Not convincible! Check the votes again!

This is not convincible!

It must be fake.

-Everybody. -Shang Xirui must play tricks.

Shang Xirui cheats us.

You must make it clear today.

Bastard!

I’ll tear your mouth if you say one more word.

Bastard!

How dare you provoke me?

How dare you? Let go of me.

Come out if you don’t agree with me!

Have a try!

Come out!

Shang Xirui is a liar!

This is obvious!

How dare you?

Everybody!

I still have a vote!

He still has one?

Is he Ning Jiulang’s servant?

Mr. Jiang.

Mr. Tong,

long time no see.

How are you doing?

Thanks for your care.

Very well.

But Mr. Ning didn’t perform for long.

And I

rarely walked out.

I was even lost

on my way to the theater in dark.

Sorry that I’m late.

My apology.

Luckily, you don’t miss it.

I don’t.

Mr. Niu is right.

This is out of God’s will.

Mr. Tong.

Please vote for the one you support.

OK.

Leader.

Hurry.

If only we had music with quick beat now.

Everyone who’s important has arrived.

What did you say?

I said

if only we had music with quick beat now.

Mr. Tong,

this...

This is under Mr. Ning’s order.

Please announce the result.

OK.

Now, I announce

the winner of this selection

is Shang Xirui from Shuiyun Theater!

Brilliant!

Shang Xirui! Shang Xirui! Shang Xirui!

Nice!

Nice! Nice!

[The fifth selection of the best performer in Peking]

Everybody! Everybody!

Everybody!

Nice!

Other than this vote,

Mr. Ning has another gift

for Mr. Shang.

Now.

What’s this?

Ning Jiulang from Qinyan Theater

gives Shang Xirui a horizontal inscribed board.

The young’s voice is clearer than the elder’s.

Congratulate Shang Xirui on winning.

[Best Performer]

Nice!

Amazing!

Nice!

So good!

Mr. Shang deserves it. Good!

Good!

Move. Move.

Let my father go.

Look at the board.

Mr. Ning must have prepared for it long ago.

What do you mean, sir?

What do you mean?

The king of opera has been changed.

Good!

Mr. Shang.

Mr. Ning gave you a horizontal inscribed board.

You don’t take it?

Jiulang

is not old.

Mr. Cheng.

You haven’t slept?

Your leader is thinking about things,

but why must he take my room?

He is still at here.

And he doesn’t blink.

Kneeling in front of the pioneer,

he keeps muttering.

It’s too scary.

How can I fall in sleep?

Why don’t you sleep in his room?

His room is like a doghouse.

I don’t.

Mr. Cheng.

My room is clean.

How about sleeping in my room?

I’d rather sleep in a doghouse.

Mr. Cheng,

my room is really clean.

How about I sleep in your room?

Take a hike.

Go back to your room.

Hurry.

Buns! Steamed buns!

Warm buns!

Buns!

Excuse me?

Mr... Mr. Ning?

Did Mr. Shang get up?

He slept in the pioneer’s room last night.

I’ll ask him for you.

No, thanks.

Mind the steps.

Let me show you the way.

Wake up.

Jiulang.

I just talked about you with the pioneer,

and now you showed up.

What a good dream.

I feel that I’m in a real world.

This kid

can’t even

distinguish the dream and reality

after performing many plays.

You are born to be a performer.

Just take it that I’m saying in your dream.

But I don’t know how much

you remember when you wake up.

Rui,

no matter you admit or not,

I am old.

I can’t even bend down

or sing a high pitch.

I was

adopted by eunuchs

in the palace.

I just

imitated the eunuchs.

For my life,

I only experienced the life of master

and servant.

I don’t know other lives.

How can I experience the feelings

of my roles?

I just learned from my master.

And I was afraid of learning badly

and annoying the empress dowager,

not to mention putting my ideas in the roles.

So I can only

perform those classic operas,

no matter how many times that I’ve played.

Even though I’m tired of them.

But you perform well.

Yes.

But I’m already at my top.

If I can’t get over this wall,

I can’t be better.

But God is good enough to me.

I met you.

Me?

You are never disciplined from your childhood.

No matter what opera you learnt,

you always asked every detail

and played as what you want.

You were not afraid of making mistakes

or getting punished.

When you grew up,

you came to Peking.

Since then, you’ve gone further.

You adapted every opera

as you please.

It makes me think of

the revolutionary party rushing to the palace.

I admired their spirit.

But I was also scared.

They ruined the world where I live.

They pushed me to a place where I don’t know.

Luckily, Duke Qi let me stay here,

otherwise

I couldn’t survive.

But I knew

that the future belonged to them.

Rui,

you are like the sky outside.

Though it’s blocked by the thick wall,

the sunlight

can come in after all.

I need a person like you so much.

Peking opera

also needs you.

Jiulang. What did you say?

Revolutionary party?

Spirit?

I’m confused of your words.

Don’t worry.

Remember what I said.

You’ll understand in the future.

You've gotten carried away.

You make me sleepy.

Jiulang.

It’s a dream after all.

Let me hold you and sleep for a while.

I’ll talk to you

after I wake up, OK?

OK.

I’ll make your bed.

Come in.

[Best Performer]

Come on.

Lift your legs.

Jiulang.

You really have gray hair.

Mr. Ning goes out.

Look at Mr. Ning.

Look at him. What a gentleman.

[Best]

Gosh.

How magical it is.

How come the board came here itself?

What’s the matter?

How did it come?

What?

Are you muddled after sleeping?

Mr. Ning just came.

He sent it to you.

Liulang?

Was it not a dream?

Come on.

Seems that you’re really muddled.

Wait.

You also

had a long talk.

[Best Performer]

Did Jiulang really come?

Be quiet.

Babies

-sleep much. -Take care.

So cute.

-Leader. -Move.

What’s the matter?

What happened?

Here.

Shijiu. Hold him.

Leader. Leader.

[Best Performer]

Lie down.

I just got up.

I’m not sleepy.

Cut your crap.

Follow what I say.

-Lie down. -OK.

How do you feel?

Very uncomfortable.

I’d rather lie on the ground.

Mind your words.

Jiulang gave me this board.

How honorable I am.

Not everyone can get such a credit.

Listen.

Mr. Cheng.

The most valuable things of Shuiyun

are all in this room.

The pioneer, my dad,

Jiulang’s gift and you.

What?

I’m moved.

Don’t be moved.

As long as you don’t always lecture me.

Have a rest here.