Original subtitles

(U.S. Conpo Computer East China Agent Recruitment Event)

(Users and quality are our top priority. Pick Conpo, technology guaranteed.)

Brother Xiao, it's almost time.

You need to get on stage now.

(Sincere service. Conpo Computer. Extraordinary potential. Good quality)

(U.S. Conpo Computer East China Agent Recruitment Event)

Hello, everyone.

(Adapted from the novel, Our Times by Wang Qiang) I'm Conpo Computer East China Regional Manager.

My name is Xiao Chuang.

Thank you very much.

=Episode 04=

(Breaking Dawn)

=Our Times=

I have a question.

(U.S. Conpo Computer East China Agent Recruitment Event)

Do you know

what's in my hand?

Tang.

Isn't this a Tang drink mix?

Bingo. Here, it's yours now.

You must be wondering

why I bring Tang drink mix with me

when I'm here to sell my computer.

Why?

Let me ask you this question.

Why do we like Tang drink mix?

Because we have seen the ad on Zhengda Variety Show.

Exactly.

The ad from Zhengda Variety Show.

That ad told us

that Tang drink mix

is the first choice of NASA.

And this computer

is the first choice

of China's most prestigious academy, Yanjing University IT Faculty.

Voila, Conpo Microcomputer.

Why Conpo, you asked?

There are three reasons.

First, top-notch quality.

Conpo Computer

might be new in China,

but it dates back

to more than a decade ago in the U.S.

It is ranked among the top five best-sellers during the first two quarters in the U.S.

All thanks to its top-notch quality.

Every single component of Conpo Computer

is state-of-the-art.

Second, budget-friendly.

Another similar product

from Jefferson or IEM

is 25% more expensive than Conpo.

Third, and most importantly,

excellent after-sales service.

The skill we have in our faculty

is second to none.

We also have

a respectable veteran working for us.

I daresay that

there's nothing in this world he can't fix.

Everyone, I'm so sorry.

We only have limited stocks here.

First come, first serve.

Allow me to announce

that this event will begin now.

I'll take 50.

I'll take 30.

I'll take 30.

I'll take 40.

If you wish to place your order, kindly register here.

I'll take 60.

I'll take 15.

Give me 10.

I'll take 50.

(Welcome Home. Registration.) Pei Qing Hua. Buddy!

I finally found you.

Bring the computer along.

Mr. Zhang from Saisheng Store

is very interested in your offer.

You don't trust me?

I'll call him now.

Just wait for me.

Hi, is this Mr. Zhang?

I found him.

Okay, I'll pass it to him.

Pick it up.

Come.

Hello.

Are you selling Conpo Computer?

Yes, I am.

(One yuan per minute. Phone Number.)

Come to my office this afternoon.

Okay. See you this afternoon.

See? I didn't lie, did I?

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Lu.

This is the good machine you talked about?

I guarantee with my reputation.

You will not be disappointed.

Go ahead. Show us.

It should be a loose port.

Hold on. Let me restart it.

Lu, is this the machine

that you said is of high quality?

The last time when I checked it, it was working just fine.

Who knew it'd become like this?

Fix it now.

Okay.

I'll fix it.

Give me some time. I'll fix it.

(CONPO)

Lu, you're just wasting our time here!

But Mr. Zhang.

Mr. Zhang!

What happened?

I'm so sorry, Brother Lu.

I don't know what happened either.

It worked last time.

I'll fix it.

Can you ask him to give me another chance?

Another chance? You embarrassed me.

I'm afraid this is all I can do.

Fifty computers.

Count properly. Don't miscount.

Fifteen.

Twenty-six, twenty-six.

Eight computers.

(U.S. Conpo Computer East China Agent Recruitment Event)

Any more?

That's all.

Brother Xiao, we have recounted several times.

We sold 253 computers today.

(Conpo Computer, technology guaranteed.)

Actually,

I thought you wouldn't come.

For you.

What's this?

Stock subscription certificates.

(Shanghai stock subscription certificates) There are ten of them here.

Why are you giving me this?

Lei Min told me everything

after the dinner.

I've always felt guilty about the Chinese language card

mishap from last time.

I wasn't of great help either.

These certificates will allow you to participate in the share allotment lucky draw.

If you win, the money you gain

should be enough to compensate for the loss you suffered.

It's not a big deal.

You don't need to feel guilty.

Back then...

Back then, I just wanted to clear things up with you.

In that case,

all the more reason to take this.

We don't want to owe you anymore.

"We"?

I suppose

we won't see each other anymore?

I guess so.

Sure. I'll take them.

Memorabilia.

See you.

If you sprinkle rosin on this bolt,

you can prevent others from disassembling the computer case or changing the accessories.

(Silky noodles with white soup)

Hi, Madam.

(Conpo Computer) Do you still remember this computer case?

That day,

I was sitting right there.

This case was next to the stool.

I had an upset tummy, so I needed to go to the toilet.

And I asked you to look after this.

Do you still remember?

More or less.

Did you see the RAM card?

What RAM card?

I have never let this box

out of my sight for once.

I even hug it to sleep.

Except for those 10 minutes.

Madam, can you try to recall?

Are you sure you haven't seen it?

I honestly don't know what RAM card you're talking about.

Madam, please return the RAM card to me.

It's my life.

If I can't sell 100 computers,

I'll be back to the cement plant.

My life will be over.

- Leave now! - Madam.

Calm down.

Could you please check if it's here, Madam?

Off you go.

Don't bother my customers. Brat.

Beijing Station is close!

Passengers who are to get off at this station, please get ready.

Please take your belongings.

(Shanghai stock subscription certificates)

(Stock exchange could be risky. Buy at your own risk.)

- Here. - Xiao Chuang.

You did well this time.

Great job.

Brother Xiao, you're good at this. Here, for you.

Let's have a toast.

Brother Xiao.

Xu, how's your head doing?

It's nothing serious.

Congratulations. You even went beyond your sales goal.

I wonder how Qi and Pei Qing Hua

are doing.

Only Brother Xiao came back victorious.

I tried to call

Pei Qing Hua these few days,

but he never picked up.

What happened to him?

Ever since Pei's order

got snatched by Batong,

he has been feeling down.

He's a good kid.

Resilient and determined.

What I'm worried about the most

is that he would get to a blind alley by being stubborn.

Director Tan.

If Pei Qing Hua cannot finish his mission,

then any hope of his returning will be...

Regarding this issue,

I talked to President several times.

He doesn't want to be

mocked by the other labs,

so he refuses to back down.

Here.

Okay.

Let's go.

You guys leave first.

Director Tan.

I know you want to say something.

Speak.

Director Tan.

I want to go to Guangzhou.

I knew it.

I wanted to let you rest for a few days,

but this is a special case.

Sorry for the extra work.

When will you leave?

Tomorrow morning.

I'll leave tomorrow morning.

When will you give me back my screwdriver

that I lent you?

Sorry. I forgot.

Sorry.

Do you know how many days it has been?

I forgot.

You stole my RAM card.

Yours? Is your name on it?

Why are you here?

Did you watch Once A Thief for nothing?

How can you win without me?

He's got a helper.

Two people will die today.

The first one will be me. And the second one...

Any volunteer?

You're just bluffing.

Junior, I'll deal with the fat one.

The skinny one is yours.

You guys asked for this.

(Homegrown watermelons. Ripe and sweet.)

It's just a misunderstanding.

Give it back to him!

Misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding.

Let's go.

We're not done yet.

Stay back there.

I already gave you the item. Let us go.

So? Still useable?

It should be.

Just let it be.

It's just a misunderstanding. Sorry.

Misunderstanding.

Get lost.

(Guangzhou)

(Plastic Industry Company)

(Welcome)

Two beef chow funs.

Thanks.

Done.

Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?

I'm fine.

I sweated a lot

during the fight. I feel much better now.

I told you to use rosin, didn't I?

Yes, you did.

The business card is a good trick, isn't it?

By the way,

thanks.

If you weren't there, I wouldn't be able to get my RAM card back.

I came in the nick of time. No need to thank me.

Why did you come here?

I was worried about you,

so I came to visit.

Coincidentally, you were in danger.

I suppose this is what they call "intuition".

Say something nice, please.

Guangzhou is huge,

but no one has bought

my computer.

Perhaps

you can do what I did in Shanghai?

Organize a trade show.

But I don't have enough time now.

Besides, I don't think I can do what you did.

What's wrong with my plan?

Junior,

in this day and age,

you have to be bold like me to be successful.

Are you sure?

Of course.

Just like in the movie, I'm Mark. [* A character played by Chow Yun-fat]

I'm Hui Man-keung.

I

want to be a man like him.

A hero.

The present

is like a tidal wave.

If you want to overcome it,

you first need a big ship.

Whether it's high tide or low tide,

you have to be at the forefront.

That's how you become a trendsetter.

However, I think that

the one who can overcome a tidal wave

is the skerry.

Regardless of the era,

many people want to be the ship.

But few want to be the skerry.

I want to be the skerry.

Junior.

A skerry is no good.

A big ship can travel far.

It can go wherever it wants.

But a skerry stays underwater

most of the time.

But if the wave is too huge, the ship will capsize.

And in low tide, the ship will be stranded.

It's a different story for the skerry.

A skerry finds its root amidst the waves.

As the waves crash in, it stands its ground.

As the waves retract, it admires the sky.

Also...

Why are you laughing?

Also, I'm your biggest enemy.

What can cause a ship to capsize?

What?

A skerry.

I'll be frank, Junior.

I'm here

to bring you back.

Now?

I've sold more than enough computers

for both of us.

But I want to try again.

With my own strategy.

Have faith in me.

Have faith in us.

Yes.

Have faith in us.

This is the place you reserved?

The current fad in Guangzhou now

is spa treatments. You strip down and hide nothing.

Spa treatment?

Isn't this inappropriate for business negotiations?

What do you mean?

We're all men here. What's there to be ashamed of?

Brother Lu.

Brother Lu. Greetings.

- Hello. - I'm

Pei Qing Hua's senior.

I'm Xiao Chuang. Let's go.

He mentioned you.

Come.

A bit stronger, please.

Okay.

Another spot, please.

What do you think, Brother Lu?

This place is awesome, isn't it?

It is.

You know how to enjoy life.

This is all for you, Brother Lu.

It's okay.

We can stop here.

Thank you.

Brother Lu, I'll be honest with you.

We're here to ask

if you can give us a second shot.

Since you offered me

such a good spa treatment

and fixed my computers too,

I can only say yes.

I'm not saying that you can't meet with Mr. Zhang again.

But you know our rules,

don't you?

I think you two should make up your mind first.

Brother Lu, we really can't

offer rebates.

Junior,

let's make an exception.

We can apologize to Tan when we head back.

No, it's a line

that we cannot cross.

What else can we do then?

I have an idea.

Brother Lu. We used to develop a kind of Chinese language card.

Have you heard about it?

It's very useful.

The one sold by your faculty?

Yes, that one.

Of course, I've heard about it.

People come to me to ask for it.

Why did you stop selling it?

It's a long history.

I'm glad that you've heard of it.

What if the Conpo Computer

comes with

a free Chinese language card?

I think that's not bad, Brother Lu.

Free Chinese language card that comes with the computer? What a bargain!

But I heard that one language card

is worth at least 1,000 yuan.

It's okay.

Those are handmade.

It's not too troublesome.

Can I take your word for it?

Yes, you definitely can.

Yes, no problem.

All right. Bring the sample computer with you.

I'll make another appointment with Mr. Zhang.

Deal.

Thanks, Brother Lu.

Come.

Have another drink.

Really?

Serving drinks is so boring.

Come.

♪Why not just walk away gracefully?♪

Mr. Zhang.

Here, have a drink.

Mr. Zhang. Look.

This is the main model of Conpo Computer.

It's 386.

It has a 16MHz

processor,

4MB RAM memory,

320MB in hard disk storage,

a 3'5" by 5'25" floppy disc drive,

and a color monitor

with a 16-inch cathode ray tube.

Of course, the one you see here

is something that I just assembled.

A proper one will have

a much higher refresh rate.

Hey, cutie. Drink with me.

- Mr. Zhang. - Mr. Zhang is not free.

Keep me company, please.

I'll drink with you.

Mr. Zhang. Do you have any questions?

Did I not explain clearly?

Let me explain again.

Come. Let's have a toast

for Mr. Zhang. All right?

Come. Cheers.

- Here. - Mr. Zhang.

Let's have a toast.

No alcohol?

If you negotiate without drinking,

it means you're not sincere.

Exactly. Show your sincerity.

Come on. Mr. Zhang.

They will give you Chinese language cards for free.

This deal here? You're the biggest winner.

Don't be too tough on them.

I love those Chinese language cards.

I want to take up their offer

but Mr. Pei here won't give me the honor.

Mr. Zhang. I didn't mean to offend you.

Mr. Zhang.

You know what? I'll do it.

He doesn't drink alcohol. I'll drink for him.

But I don't need you to give me the honor.

Xiao Chuang, it's my mission.

I'll do it.

Mr. Zhang.

For you.

Look. Mr. Zhang.

We chugged it.

Can you feel our sincerity now?

I'll buy

Conpo Computers.

Thanks, Mr. Zhang!

Thanks, Mr. Zhang.

Nice one.

Thank you, Mr. Zhang.

How many computers will you buy?

In this room...

The more you drink,

the more I order.

Isn't this a done deal?

Come. Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Zhang.

It's all in the alcohol.

Mr. Zhang.

For you.

Good. Good. Chug it.

Another one.

Hello.

Director Tan, please.

Hello. Is this Pei?

Where are you? It's so noisy.

Director Tan.

The Chinese language card that you confiscated.

Can I give it out as a gift

to my client?

Can you repeat that?

I was saying,

for each computer the client buys from me,

I'll hand out one Chinese language card for free.

If I agree to this,

how many computers can you sell?

How far off are we

from our goal?

Xu and I sold more than 90 computers.

We're still 50 computers shy.

Director Tan.

I'll do the final sprint.

Thirty-two.

Thirty-three.

Thirty-five.

Forty-two.

Forty-three.

Forty-four.

Wait.

Did you have fun?

Just tell us if you had fun.

It's not bad.

Careful.

Not bad.

Hang in there, Junior.

You did well, young man.

Come to my office with the contract tomorrow.

Thanks, Mr. Zhang.

We'll be there tomorrow morning.

Good.

Bye.

Mr. Zhang.

Bye, Mr. Zhang.

Bye.

Come again next time. Bye.

Wait!

Are you okay?

I didn't know

you were a good drinker.

There's no deal you can't strike then.

I have never seen him drink before.

Really? No alcohol?

Probably.

Impressive.

How many glasses did I drink?

Fifty-five computers.

You sold 55 computers.

How many?

Fifty-five.

Fifty-five.

That's enough. That should be enough.

All right.

You just drank. Don't catch a cold.

Come back in.

No! No!

Where do you want to go?

Back to the faculty.

I can finally go back to my faculty.

Finally.

I don't want to work in a cement plant.

I want to do research.

I don't want to mix cement.

No cement mixing.

All right. No cement mixing.

Look at you.

You're like this when you're drunk.

Cheer up! We got a huge deal.

Cheer up!

I'm very happy.

That's your happy look?

I'm very, very happy.

Senior.

Thank you.

All right.

No need to thank me.

We can all go back now.

Back to the faculty, please.

No, no. Back to the hotel first.

Faculty? We're in Guangzhou!

(Pop Music)

Can you stop here, sir?

Mister! Wait for me!

- Mister! - What are you doing?

Hold on.

Wait here for a bit, Sir.

Sir, what do you want?

Do you have

Rivers of Babylon?

What "long"?

Cheng Long? Sure. [*Jackie Chan]

No, no.

Babylon.

What?

♪By the rivers of Babylon♪

♪There we sat down♪

Rivers of Babylon?

- Yes. - I have it.

Rivers of Babylon.

I have it.

Rivers of Babylon.

This one here?

This is the one.

Wait! We have to pay.

Can you play it? Just in case.

Be patient.

You're right.

Play it.

Ten yuan for three tapes.

Are you for real?

I'm sorry.

This is not the song I want.

Rivers of Babylon!

- Sorry. - Find me Rivers of Babylon.

I think it's here...

Play it.

Play it.

♪By the rivers of Babylon♪

This one?

Yes.

Okay.

We'll get this one then.

This one.

This one, please.

Buy two more.

Ten yuan for three tapes.

Pick some.

Do you have new songs from Alan Tam?

I do.

Hold on.

What about Leslie Cheung's?

Leslie Cheung's?

Yes.

New songs.

Careful, Junior.

New songs from Alan Tam.

Do you have Walk Gracefully Once?

Walk Gracefully Once by Sally Yeh.

Sorry. Occupied.

It's still occupied until now?

Can't you hear he's puking?

He's sick.

I can't even go to the toilet.

I'm sorry.

- He's puking. - What's wrong with him?

Are you okay?

Come.

(Save Water) Have some water.

- Wait! - Mommy, I want to go outside.

- Oh my god. - I want to see the butterfly.

- Prop yourself up. - And the fruits.

Sorry.

Your smell scares people away.

The contract!

Are you okay?

I...

My contract...

Oh, your contract.

Did I sign the contract?

Here.

(Conpo Computer Sales contract) I went there early in the morning to sign it.

(Excellent Unit)

Brother Xiao is back. They are back.

Thanks to your deal in Guangzhou that sells more than 50 computers,

we beat Batong.

- We can sign with Conpo now. - Put it down.

Let me do it.

You're back.

Did we get the right to distribute?

Almost.

Director Tan will tell you the details.

By the way,

I bought all of you specialties from Guangzhou.

Everyone will get some.

Sweetheart cake.

- Pei Qing Hua. - Water chestnut cake.

You're quite good.

You managed to sell

more than 50 computers in the end.

Remember to teach me.

There's no special trick.

Not like you guys can do what he did anyway.

Go eat.

Take this.

Xu. Come!

This is yours.

Thank you for being so thoughtful.

My hometown sent some dried persimmons over.

They are very sweet. Have some.

I can't

face them right now.

Save them for yourself.

These are for you.

Thank you.

Director.

Director Tan.

Director Tan.

How's everything? Good?

Everything is going well.

I need to talk to you, Director Tan.

Pei, you did well this time.

You didn't let us down. Good job.

Thanks, Director Tan.

Now that we managed to beat Batong,

can I be reinstated back into the faculty?

If you can be reinstated,

what's your plan?

I want to be a researcher.

I don't think being a salesperson suits me.

The way I see it,

Pei,

you should think twice.

This time,

you made a huge contribution.

You increased our value.

What you did are meaningful works.

I think

it will be a shame if you

don't want to be a salesperson.

Director Tan.

We all have our calling.

No need to persuade me otherwise.

Okay then.

You know what?

I will talk to the faculty

and apply for your reinstatement.

Just wait for my news.

Thanks, Director Tan.

(Retail: melon seeds, snacks, drinks, instant noodles)

You're back from your business trip.

(An Autumn's Tale) Did you like it?

No, thanks.

Chow Yun-fat is still the Chow Yun-fat.

But romantic movies

are not for me.

I quite like it.

=Our Times=

♪The vicissitudes of life♪

♪Treacherous like the weather♪

♪Is this true or fake?♪

♪Who can tell me?♪

♪My youthful passion♪

♪Fuels my bravado♪

♪Who can understand♪

♪How I feel now?♪

♪The waves are choppy♪

♪But I will not settle for the ordinary♪

♪The tower might be high but I can climb♪

♪My ambition is as loud as the ringing bell♪

♪Reverberating in my chest♪

♪Facing the gusty wind♪

♪It cleared the thoughts in my heart♪

♪Ups and downs, I'll face it with a smile♪

♪The faraway light calls for me♪

♪So I brave the wind again♪

♪The wind that signals the changing of time♪

♪My undying faith shall be reborn♪

♪Only with love and integrity that you can get to the end♪

♪After this long journey♪

♪Who will remain as a hero?♪

♪That gusty wind♪

♪Oh, that gusty wind♪

♪The thick mist♪

♪Is like the doubts in my heart♪

♪It feels so real♪

♪It can't be fake♪

♪Let the naysayers be♪

♪They mock my stubbornness♪

♪Success or failure♪

♪They serve a purpose♪

♪The waves are choppy♪

♪But I will not settle for the ordinary♪

♪The tower might be high but I can climb♪

♪My ambition is as loud as the ringing bell♪

♪Reverberating in my chest♪

♪Facing the gusty wind♪

♪It cleared the thoughts in my heart♪

♪Ups and downs, I'll face it with a smile♪

♪The faraway light calls for me♪

♪So I brave the wind again♪

♪The wind that signals the changing of time♪

♪My undying faith shall be reborn♪

♪Only with love and integrity that you can get to the end♪

♪After this long journey♪

♪Who will remain as a hero?♪

♪That gusty wind♪

♪Oh, that gusty wind♪

♪Oh, that gusty wind♪

♪Facing the gusty wind♪

♪It cleared the thoughts in my heart♪

♪Ups and downs, I'll face it with a smile♪

♪The faraway light calls for me♪

♪So I brave the wind again♪

♪The wind that signals the changing of time♪

♪My undying faith shall be reborn♪

♪Only with love and integrity that you can get to the end♪

♪After this long journey♪

♪Who will remain as a hero?♪

♪That gusty wind♪

♪Oh, that gusty wind♪