Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available.]

Chef Fang

Episode 28

Honey.

Honey. What did you pick?

Chinese mosla, perilla, and wild scallion.

Take it, honey.

You eat.

Hey, honey. Give it to me.

It’s ominous to share a pear.

Take this.

Honey.

What do you think of the fire?

It really baffles me.

If you can’t figure it out,

how could I?

Hey, honey. Don’t pull a long face.

Father is the magistrate.

You investigate it out of your curiosity.

So, you should do it happily.

As the saying goes, justice has long arms.

The culprit will be brought to justice.

You are right.

Now that you agree with me,

stop thinking about it

and focus on fishing.

I’ll cook fish for you in a folk way.

Folk way? Not roast it with honey and spices?

No.

How do you cook in a folk way?

Tie a fish captured from the pond with straw.

Wrap it with large leaves.

When the leaves scorch, the fish is done.

Just use coarse salt to season it.

Honey.

Come.

Look.

Mr. Liu is so skinny,

yet he is still fishing.

Wish he wouldn’t be pulled into pond by fish.

Honey, you are bad.

Mr. Shen must be talking dirty to amuse Mrs. Shen.

They love each other so much.

I envy them.

Of course. Mrs. Shen

is one of a kind.

Do not think about it.

I’m just envious,

nothing more.

Go and tell Mr. Shen

to feel at ease.

You noticed it?

What’s the loud noise?

It’s like a marching army.

Easy. Just thunder.

Just thunder?

But it doesn’t look like

it’s going to rain.

It’s called dry thunder.

It happens at this time every year.

Only thunder but no rain.

Really?

Liu. Have you heard of ball lightning?

Do you think the fire’s caused by ball lightning?

It’s a possibility.

When my mother told me the heavenly fire disaster,

I also thought it was ball lightning.

But after I experienced the fire myself,

I’m sure

it wasn’t caused by ball lightning.

What is ball lightning?

In the summer afternoon, when there is thunder

at an open ground,

lightning intertwines, developing a huge fireball

and rolls onto the ground.

Then a fire is caused. That’s ball lightning.

It’s similar to that fire, isn’t it?

Not really.

First, the lightning formed by thunder

is normally in an open area.

Yet the market was in a bustling area.

It’s unlikely to produce ball lightning.

And, it will be extremely overcast

and windy when ball lightning is developed.

But it was sunny when we were at the market.

We didn’t hear any thunder either.

There can be only one ball lightning at a time,

which is enormous in size,

unlike the small

fire balls we saw.

The fire in market could’ve been set on purpose.

Really?

Though no conclusive evidence,

I think the balls we found in the ruins

were used to set the fire.

Why didn’t you mention it before?

Father didn’t want the culprit to be alerted.

The bait is taken! The bait is taken!

We have fish to eat!

Here.

It's done.

Mrs. Shen, it’s so good!

How did you make it?

I roasted fish myself before,

yet it wasn’t tasty like this.

I stuffed the fish’s belly with catalpa leaves,

put geranium on the body,

and then wrapped it in banana leaves.

So, it has an unique flavor.

It’s tasty indeed.

The fish is big and chewy.

It must be from a big river.

What? How do you know that?

Fishes in big rivers have enough space to swim,

so the meat is chewy.

Fishes from small rivers are not that chewy,

but softer.

So,

fishes from big rivers taste better.

There are many fishes in this river.

I was afraid I couldn’t capture anything.

That’s why I said the dam is good.

Since the dam was built

the river hasn’t flooded as it used to.

The water volume is just right.

No floods,

and more fishes can live in the river.

Liu. Were there floods before?

It used to rain heavily at this time of the year.

My mother said small floods were common.

There were also one or two large floods.

And it's said that

there was a huge flood before.

It rained for half a month.

Many people have died from it.

Tons of houses were destroyed.

Did the flood

occur before the fire or after?

It should be before the fire.

I remember they occurred in the same year.

In the same year? Are you sure?

Yes. My mother once said

it was because of the major flood

that they decided to build the dam.

But the fire occurred before the dam

was completed.

And the entire village was ruined.

The poor families employed

craftsmen to build houses about Luan Village.

The rich families

moved to Dongxiang.

Well. Who knows how many families

were in Luan village before?

I’m afraid no one remembers that.

Well. How many families moved from

Luan Village to Dongxiang?

It's easy to know. The government has records,

including detailed addresses,

the livelihood, etc.

Right! Littler Stammer.

Go back with me.

Honey.

You and Liu clear it up

and then come back.

Mr. Shen. Where are you going?

Look up how many people lived in Luan Village

from the records.

Whom are you going to look up?

I have no idea.

We will know when we see it.

Mr. Shen!

What are you doing?

Are there records of residents in Luan Village or

the immigrates in Dongxiang in the past 30 years?

Yes.

Where?

Here.

Father, you are looking it up?

Just look through it to see

if any records about the past fires in Dongxiang.

Why do you want this?

I have been investigating it.

It’s weird

and baffles me.

So I came to check the files

for any records.

Maybe I can figure it out.

Tell me the details.

We luckily bought

so many good paintings today.

Which do you think is good for my father?

I think both are good.

My lady. I should

learn from you more often.

My lady, look!

Is it Mrs. Shen?

Who is the man next to her?

He doesn’t look like Mr. Shen.

He seems to be Mr. Liu, the vegetable seller.

She is married. How could she

be so shameless to be so close to another man?

What if Mr. Shen knows it?

Shut up! Don’t say that in front of me,

yet you may say it to others.

To others?

Heavenly fire disaster every 30 years?

Yes. Only Luan Village suffered the fire before.

Now the Luan Village is abandoned.

If the fire disaster occurs every 30 years,

that fire should have occurred in Luan Village,

not Dongxiang.

If I remember it correctly,

about 80 percent of stall owners

in that market were from Luan village,

who also suffered the most in the fire.

It means...

The fire disaster is only against Luan Village.

I also heard of another thing today.

What?

Besides heavenly fire disasters,

Luan Village also suffered floods.

It used to rain heavily at this time every year

until they built the dam.

Now the heavy rainfall

turns to thunder but no rain.

Only thunder but no rain?

I read such weird phenomenon

in historical books before.

There were floods in the Hanzhong area

every ten years,

along with ball lightning

burning down the entire village.

And, since a dam was built,

the tornadoes in the Shuzhong area

haven’t occurred again.

Right. Many disasters are

directly related to the terrains.

And the best way to change the terrain

is to build a dam.

So, in some areas, the disasters disappear

after dams are built,

while in other areas, new disasters may occur.

Mrs. Liu said

that disaster happens every 30 years.

I guess it’s caused by ball lightning.

But just now we heard the thunder by the pond,

yet it didn’t rain. So, I assume

heavenly fire disasters disappear in Luan Village

because of the dam.

The fireballs were found at the fire scene.

We also saw wooden balls and debris at the scene.

So I suspect

someone set the fire deliberately

under the cover of the so-called heavenly fire.

Exactly.

You came to check Luan Village’s records.

Do you think the arsonist

is among the Luan villagers?

Father. I have a theory.

The heavenly fire disaster

means a great loss for most of Luan villages.

But to some people, it may be a fortune.

Fortune? Who enjoys natural disasters?

Mrs. Liu ever said

most Luan villagers had moved out,

so the builders and plumbers had business to do.

They were delighted with it.

And also the candle shops for funeral rites,

and Feng Shui geomancer.

That makes sense.

Jie!

My lord.

Investigate

the builders, carpenters, plumbers, tile makers

responsible for rebuilding Luan Village back then.

And also coffin shops, candle and incense shops,

and Feng Shui geomancer.

Yes.

The investigation is still ongoing.

I’ll come to you every 3 days.

Do not let anyone know about our affairs.

Got it?

Let’s buy some dried fruit, preserved meat, etc.

And...

Yishao!

Yao! Why are you here?

You walked so fast.

I could barely catch up with you.

Yao. How come you come from there?

I just went to your mansion.

Mr. Liu said you went shopping

and just left. So I came to look for you.

I didn’t expect you’d walk so fast.

I am out of breath.

I didn’t know you would come.

I was too occupied to come over these days.

By the way,

I asked Mr. Shen to give you the ointment.

Do you use it?

Yes, I do.

I know you don’t like strong scents.

So I picked that specifically for you.

Thanks, Yao.

Don’t mention it. I’m happy you like it.

By the way, where are you heading to?

The Mid-autumn Festival is coming.

I’m going to buy some bacon,

dried fruit and the like to make mooncakes.

What a coincidence.

I wish you could teach me to make mooncakes.

Sure. I’ll teach you.

Really? If so,

let me pay for the ingredients.

It doesn’t matter. I can just buy some more.

How about we go and buy it together?

Sure.

Shitou. Go home.

I’ll go with Yao.

Mrs. Shen. Let me go with you.

I can carry your baskets.

No need. It's not heavy.

You may go back.

Remember to remove

the core of dates and grind to paste with Lian.

And use tea to boil green beans and lily.

Remember to boil it thick.

Alright.

Let’s go, Yao.

Yishao. The market in the north is more lively.

The market

used to be crowded.

How come it’s so quiet today?

Yeah.

Hello, Mrs. Shen.

Madam.

How come there are few people in the market?

Didn’t Mrs. Li come?

It’s all because of the heavenly fire.

You are from Luan Village?

Yes.

What does it have to do with the fire?

You don’t know.

It’s widely rumored that

Luan villagers bring bad luck.

They’re reluctant to buy vegetables from us.

Not only do they not buy from us,

but we can’t even sell at other markets.

Why? Your vegetables are good.

Exactly. But they said

Luan villagers are cursed

by the heavenly fire.

Wherever we go, the fire will go with us.

They even said not to marry

Luan villagers.

They are afraid to be cursed

and die mysteriously.

Who is so wicked?

How could he say such vicious words?

I heard that from others.

The gossip is from the Shangyuan Street.

Shangyuan Street?

Yes. I played with friends there yesterday.

Their parents said I’d bring bad luck to them

and didn’t allow them to play with me.

Could it be those sellers’ business was taken up

so they made it up on purpose?

Dealers there mainly sell meat.

Why would they frame the vegetable sellers here?

They are not competitors.

It’s not the meat sellers who framed us.

I witnessed

a fortune teller spreading the rumor.

Fortune teller?

He’s a blind man on Shangyuan Street.

I went to reason with him.

But he shouted that

I meant to bring bad luck to Shangyuan Street

and to set heavenly fire there.

So a bunch of butchers punched me.

Look. My arms got hurt.

The fortune teller is wicked.

Darn it! I’m going to confront them.

Mrs. Shen. You can't go.

They are violent.

No! I hate

those who bully the weak.

I must teach them a good lesson.

Mrs. Shen!

Yishao! Yishao!

Yishao!

Yishao!

Yao, go home first.

I’ll go see you after I punish that blind man.

Listen.

Yishao, stay out of this mess.

How could I? They made up the rumor.

I must teach him a lesson

and let him know what pain is.

You know that blind man always talks dirty.

What if he speaks ill of you

and ruins your reputation?

Rest assured. I do nothing wrong.

I don’t fear his gossip.

I know you don’t.

But you should take Mr. Shen.

and Lord Shen into consideration.

You are right.

I’ll go and check it out.

If the blind man is really spreading rumors,

I’ll tell my father to arrest him.

How could he be so lawless?

Yao, go home. I’ll go see you tomorrow.

Take care. Do not act rashly.

Yes, I know.

Hi, Miss. You came back so early today.

Yishao said she was going to the market

and told me to come back. So I came back.

Going to the market again? It's weird of her

to frequently go to the market.

She takes care of Shen family’s meals alone,

so she often goes there.

I think she must go there

to meet that Mr. Liu.

Don’t talk nonsense.

Madam. Don’t listen to her.

She is talking nonsense. It isn’t true.

Yes, yes. You are right.

Jing.

You mentioned Mrs. Shen and Mr. Liu...

I didn’t say that! I didn't say anything.

There’s nothing going on between them.

Do not tell others.

Dried fruits! Dried fruits! Sweet and tasty!

Dried fruits!

Miss. Want some dried fruits?

Miss. Want some dried fruits?

Sure. I’ll buy some.

Some of each fruit, alright?

Sir. Is there a blind fortune teller

in the Shangyuan Street?

Yes. Do you want to buy paper charms?

Miss. Go straight and head west.

You’ll see a long alley.

All the roofs there have unique patterns.

The blind fortune teller’s stall

is under the roof

of chrysanthemum pattern.

I never heard about

giving directions by patterns.

Miss, you don’t know it.

The houses here are densely built.

The alleys are long and like a maze.

It’s really hard to locate a single house.

Then a resident thought up an idea.

He carved a pattern on his roof

so people could recognize it when looking up.

Then other residents

also carved patterns on their roofs.

The colors are various.

Residents here can easily know the location

by looking up at the patterns.

It’s quite fun.

Indeed.

Yong. Let’s call it a day.

No, I want to stay longer.

Do not always come to my place.

You should spend more time with Yishao.

You are a man.

Father.

What did you say?

Don’t you understand? She is a young

and pretty girl. You don’t accompany her now.

You want to do it when she is old?

Father?

It’s improper to tell me that, isn’t it?

No, it’s not. I’ve been through it.

Your mother gave birth to you at a young age.

What about you?

Good for nothing.

Father.

I want to hold another wedding once with Yishao.

No problem.

You agree?

Why not?

Hurry up and pick an auspicious day.

Paper charms to ward of evilness are very effective.

Want some? Want some?

I want one.

Sure.

Fortune Telling: Foresee the Good and Bad Fortune

Madam.

What charm is it?

It’s to ward off evilness.

It can prevent the mansion from fire.

May I have a look?

Alright.

Order to Luan

Why is the character Luan on it?

The character Luan is against fire.

It’s said the western market was burnt down

because they didn’t believe in

Deity Li’s paper charms.

I’ve never heard of this Deity Li.

You are not a familiar face.

You came here to buy paper charms?

I seldom come to Shangyuan Street.

I often go to the market in the west.

Oh, no! Miss!

Hurry up and buy paper charms for your room.

People in the west market are jinxes.

Madam. How about this?

I’ll pay you more money

to buy your charm. Alright?

Miss. You look kind.

I’ll sell it to you.

Thanks

I’ll go and buy another one.

Mhmm.

Order to Luan

Shitou. Lian.

What are you doing?

Mrs. Shen is going to cook date paste.

We are preparing for it.

Why does she make date paste?

Because Ms. Fang

came over to learn how to make mooncakes.

Where are they?

To buy vegetables.

Mrs. Shen said we don’t have ingredients at home.

She went to buy bacon and dried fruits.

The Mid-autumn Festival is approaching.

This year I don't have to eat mother's mooncakes.

Be careful not to be heard by her.

Bah.

Shitou. What filling do you like?

Sweet bean filling. At the Mid-autumn Festival,

my master makes a lot for temple visitors.

What’s good about sweet bean filing?

The best filling I’ve ever had

is a mixture of abalone, scallops,

seaweed, and egg yolk.

That taste is...

Mr. Shen. It makes our mouth water.

It’s impossible for us to eat such luxury food.

Right. It doesn't matter.

With my wife here, you are in luck this year .

How long have they gone?

Could it be the blind man

set the fire to prove his fortunetelling skill

and make money?

No, that’s too blatant.

Ridiculous.

Open it.

I seem to have seen it somewhere.

Xu’s Paperwork Shop

Xu’s Paperwork Shop

Shen Mansion

Mr. Shen.

Hasn’t Yishao come back?

Are you going to look for her?

I’ll go with you.

Xu’s Paperwork Shop

This place is terrifying.

I’d better go back and discuss it with my husband.

Xu’s Paperwork Shop.

What?

What do you want to buy?

A paper house or paper man? Wreath or candle?

None. I just pass by.

No, I’ve never been here.

How do you know me?

Crap!

Mr. Shen. Let’s have a look ahead.

Grandma, look.

Mr. Shen.

Madam. Have you seen my wife?

Yes. She just bought something here.

Didn’t she go home?

She was with this lady just now.

Did she really go to the Shangyuan Street?

Shangyuan Street?

We talked about the rumor on the Shangyuan Street

that Luan villagers brings back luck.

She was furious and meant to reason with them.

Is it true?

I was worried that she would

get into trouble to go there alone.

I persuaded her not to go and she said yes.

But she might still went there.

I’ll go with you. Keep an eye on my stall.

What’s wrong?

I’m fine. Perhaps I walked too fast

and feel dizzy.

Well.

Mr. Shen, may you take me home?

Help me take her home.

Sure.

I’m going to look for my wife.

Ms. Fang. Let’s go.

No, thanks.

Madam. How can I get to the market?

Market? At the end of this road.

Thank you, madam.

It’s a dead end!

Fortune Telling: Foresee the Good and Bad Fortune

Sir.

Have you seen a young lady?

Sorry to bother you.

Madam. Have you seen a short girl

with big eyes

and fair skin, carrying a basket?

There was a girl passing by with a basket indeed.

She also held a yellow paper.

She seems to be looking for something.

Yellow paper? What’s that?

The charm from the blind fortune teller

to ward off evilness.

Thanks.

Fortune teller, wait.

Do you remember a girl

bought paper charms from you?

Many girls came. I don’t remember.

Then I want to buy one.

There’s none left.

You must have some at home. I’ll go to your house.

I said there’s none.

What are you doing?

I’m from the government. A girl is missing.

Someone said the girl

held your charm.

You think I believe you work for the government?

Do you believe I’m the deity from heaven?

Fine. You don’t believe me? Come with me.

What are you doing? Let me go. You...

You...

Slow down, you...

Where are you taking me?

Let me go, or I’ll report you to the authority.

Report me? Alright.

Mr. Shen.

Where's Shen Jie?

What's wrong?

I want to report a case.

What's the matter?

I want to report a case!

What?

Lend it to me.

Touch it yourself.

What are you doing?

Yishao is missing.

What?

She went to the market and hasn’t come back.

I looked for her everywhere but didn’t find her.

Someone said

Yishao held the blind man’s charm

and was looking for something.

I went to that blind man

and he didn’t believe me. Now you believe it?

Give me.

Well...

I’m sorry, Mr. Shen...

Cut it out. Stop that.

Listen up.

Is there anything special with your charm?

Well...

And what’s inside your charm?

I don’t know.

You made the charm.

Don’t you know it?

I dare not lie.

I didn’t make the paper charms.

I’m just a seller.

Alright. Take us to the charm maker.

Go!

I will go with you.

Let's go.

Slow down, please.