All language subtitles for Xiao Cheng Zhi Chun English

Wenhua Film Studio Presents

Filmed at Chinese Diangong Studio

Spring in a Small Town

Scriptwriter: Li Tianji

Photographer: Li Shengwei
Audio Recording: Miao Zhenyu

Set Designer: Chi Ning
Music: Laohuang Yijun

Editor: Xu Ming, Wei Shunbao
Printing: Xu Hexiang, Du Zhenkun

Director: Fei Mu

I'm living in a small town,

living a life where nothing ever changes.

Every day after buying groceries,

I like to walk for a while
along the top of the city wall.

It's already become a habit with me.

Walking on the city wall,
it's just like I'm floating out of this world.

My eyes see nothing. My mind is empty.

If it weren't for the vegetable basket
on my arm

and the medicine for my husband
in my hand,

I might not go home all day.

Zhou Yuwen 'The Wife' - Wei Wei

In a small alleyway, across a small bridge,

is the back gate of my house.

Now, there's only one servant in the house.

Laohuang always dumps the
medicine dregs out the back door.

This is Laohuang's superstition.

Most of our home, the Dai Family house,
was destroyed by the war.

No one can live in the main house any more.

I live with him in the garden courtyard.

We each have our own room.

Young Master.

Laohuang 'The Servant' - Cui Chaoming

He's gone out so early?

Liyan doesn't see me more than twice a day.

We never say more than
a few words to each other.

I leave in the morning to buy groceries.

He goes into the garden

where no one can find him.

He says he has tuberculosis,
but I think it's a neurosis.

I'm afraid to die.
He seems to be afraid to live.

Young Master.

You came into the garden early again.

Aren't you cold without your scarf?

It's spring.

The mornings are still quite chilly.

Not so cold.

Now that it's spring,
your health should be improving.

I'm afraid my health is like this house,
destroyed beyond repair.

You need to look after yourself
and be more optimistic.

The house can slowly be rebuilt.

Don't we have peace now,
after those eight years of war?

Peace?

Is there a change in your
prescription today?

Dai Liyan 'The Husband' - Shi Yu

No change.

I'm sure my wife
will bring the medicine home.

Yes, she's gone grocery shopping.

Has sis left for school yet?

The young miss? No, not yet.

Sis lives on the other
side of the flower garden.

She's totally unlike Liyan.

She's in her own little world.

Brother! Brother!

Dai Xiou 'The Sister' - Zhang Hongmei

Brother!

I made my own bonsai display last night.
What do you think?

I'll bring it down to show you.

Don't come down here.

Go to school now!

Her brother can never
forget the splendour of the past,

but his sister feels no nostalgia for the past.

The decline of the Dai Family means
suffering and despair for Liyan,

but his sister feels
no sense of disappointment.

When I come home after buying groceries,
I go into the kitchen.

Then I get the medicine
I bought and bring it to Liyan.

When we see each other, maybe we won't
exchange a single word before parting again.

Yuwen!

Now he calls to me...

- Back from buying groceries?
- Yes.

From now on, I can have Laohuang
go out shopping instead.

Isn't he busy enough already?
It's my job anyway.

I'm worried about you going all alone.

What's got into you?

I've failed you.

No, you haven't.

I can't stand it, that you have accepted
your fate as such.

Here's your medicine.
It's the same prescription.

Thank you. I don't want to take it.

Then I'll buy some other.

No, don't go. Let's talk.

Did you sleep well last night?

Not too bad.

- It's good that you are able to sleep.
- Only because of the sleeping pills.

Why are you acting like that, Liyan?

Why so much anger all of a sudden?

I don't know why. I can't help myself.

I'm a failure.

The family fortune handed down
for generations disappeared on my watch.

That's just one thing.

We've been married for eight years,
six of which I've been sick.

And I've lived separate from
you for two or three.

My little sister is still young, you've been
the only one around to take care of her.

I don't want to see you
continue to suffer like this,

spending your days doing
needlework in little sister's room.

Leading such a desolate life, day after day.

I don't know if it's better if
you leave me or if I leave you...

Stop talking like that.

We can't go on like this.

We need to have a real discussion.

What's there to talk about?

All you need to do is
take good care of yourself.

Pushing open the door to my own room,

sitting down on my own bed,

I don't know how I can get
through the days that lie ahead.

The days pass by, one just like the next,
one after another.

I'll take my needlework and
go over to his sister's room.

It seems the sun is especially
nice sitting in this room.

I've long since forgotten the past.

I'll never think about anything again.

Who could have known
that someone would come?

He came from the train station.

He walked through the city gate.

I had no idea that he would come.

How does he know I live here?

Zhang Zhichen 'The Guest' - Li Wei

He recognises the back gate to the house.

He stops.

He steps through the medicine dregs.

That's right, he studied medicine.

He knocks on the door
but no one hears him.

He knows his way around
Liyan's house so well.

He goes around the lane
and into the back garden.

Liyan! Liyan!

He even calls out Liyan's name.

I didn't know that
Liyan was his friend as well.

He climbs through the wall
of the flower garden.

Liyan!

Liyan!

Liyan recognises his voice.

Zhichen?

It really is you!

Surprised you, didn't I?

I knew it was you as soon as I heard
someone call 'Liyan', Zhang Zhichen!

I yelled for a while, when no one answered
I just came through the garden wall.

What wind blows you here?

The east, south, west and north winds!

Let me take a look at you...

It's you all right.

It's me all right.

- It's you.
- It's me.

- Ten years.
- Ten years.

- Ten whole years...
...since we saw each other last.

I had no idea.

Where have you been all these years?

These last years?

Hankou, Chongqing, Changsha,
Hengyang, Guilin, Kunming, Guiyang.

You were moving along with the war.

You must have graduated?

I'm already a doctor now.

Congratulations!

What about you?

Me? I was a refugee from the war.
When I came home

and found the house destroyed,
I just sat and waited for you to come back.

Oh, really? So no big changes in your life?

One thing. I got married.

Oh! Congratulations to you!

Young Master, there's a guest come to visit.

- Laohuang.
- Oh, it's Laohuang!

- Oh! It's Young Master Zhang.
- Yes, it's me.

You haven't even gone grey yet, Laohuang.

Liyan, he watched us grow
up since we were little kids.

Young Master Zhang,
where have you been all these years?

In the interior.

Laohuang, clean up the studio very nicely
so that he can stay with us for a few days.

Tell Yuwen that we have a guest so that
there will be an extra place set at dinner.

Let's have a chicken.

- Yes.
- Don't go to so much trouble.

You really must spend a few days with us.
Our young master has missed you so much.

OK, a few days.

- I'll go and get your things.
- Don't bother about that.

All right, then. I'll go and tell madam first!

I almost forgot to ask.
How's your little sister?

- She's gone to school.
- I see.

- We really can have a long talk this time....
- Right.

Spanning 5,000 years...

...and bridging 900 miles.

Madam!

When Laohuang told me for the first time,

I still couldn't have known that it was him.

- Madam.
- What is it?

We have a guest.
He's come all the way from Shanghai.

The young master wants him to stay
with us and for you to cook a chicken.

All right.

Madam, the young master wants the guest
to stay in the studio rooms.

I've cleaned and arranged the rooms for him.

Does the guest have luggage?

Yes, I've got everything ready
and made the bed.

What's the guest's name?

His last name is Zhang.
He was a classmate of the young master.

Young Master Zhang.

Now, he's saying that
the guest's last name is Zhang.

Maybe it's him,

maybe not.

Madam, the young master wants you so he
can introduce you to Young Master Zhang.

I feel flustered. I maintain my composure.

I don't think it really could be him.

I change my clothes.

And fix my hair.

I'm sure it's just an ordinary guest.

I stand in the covered veranda
and look but I can't tell for sure who it is.

Here she comes.

He couldn't have known that I married Liyan.

Why did you come here?

What point was there in coming?

How can I face you now?

This is my wife, Yuwen.

This is Mr Zhang Zhichen.

A classmate from long ago
and a close friend.

Big Sister. So it's you.

I've become his 'Big Sister. '

You know each other?

We're from the same town.
We grew up as neighbours.

That's great!

Let's go inside and sit down.

- Laohuang, where's Big Sister?
- In her room.

Big Sister!

Big Sister! Why aren't you in my room
embroidering? Is Big Brother home?

- Big Sister?
- Sis, keep it down. There's a guest.

- Who?
- You guess.

- Doctor Guo?
- No.

I'm going to peek.

Ha! It's me! Still recognise me?

Do you recognise him?

Little Sis! You used to be just
six years old and this high, and then whoo!

Oh, Old Zhang. How did you get here?

Hmm. How did I get here?

What a lovely rose

More beautiful than Maria

What a lovely rose

More beautiful than Maria

I was riding and hunting on the mountain

When you were singing down there
lovely as the clouds

Your voice made me lose my way

I rolled down the mountain

Your voice was lovely as the clouds

Young and strong Kazakh
Ivan Doudard

Young and strong Kazakh
Ivan Doudard

I invite you to come to my home
across the river

Feed your horse, bring your tamboura

Wait for the moon to rise up

Play the strings

We lean on each other, sing under the tree

Great!

I sang you a song, now you have
to tell a story like you promised.

- I can't say a word now.
- Why?

I'm stuffed full of the two lotus buns I ate!

Here you are, Young Master Zhang.

These rooms are ready for you.
You probably remember them.

When the old master was still alive, he set
them aside for the young master as a study.

- Young Master Zhang...
- OK.

No need to make tea, Laohuang.
I don't want any tea.

You don't want tea?

I'm not going to wash.

You won't even wash your face?

You haven't retired for the evening yet?

What's this?

It's a pot of orchids.

There's no need to put out flowers at night.

The young madam told me
to bring them for you.

I've been a lot of trouble
for you today, Laohuang.

No, not any trouble at all.

Time for bed.

Please come in.

I had no idea it was you.

You brought water over here by yourself?

He had me bring it over
in case you get thirsty.

I don't drink at night.

I'll leave it just in case you need to wash.

Thank you.

Here are towels and a toothbrush for you.
Everything's brand new.

I have my own. You're too kind.

Keep them anyway.

It's been ten years since
we last saw each other.

Laohuang even found some candles for you.

After midnight the electricity
goes off around here.

When the steam whistle in town goes off
at midnight the electric lights go out.

I'll be going to bed soon anyway,
I don't need the electric lights.

It's terrible of us to make you sleep
in this room.

Nothing here is as it ought to be.

No, I have everything I need.

I didn't know that
the guest was actually you.

Yes, it's me.

Are you missing any bedding?

I don't need anything else.

You ought to have an extra sheet
and a bedspread. It gets cold at night.

I'm not afraid of the cold.

- I'll go and get them.
- No, there's really no need.

I have to get them.

I'll be back in a moment.

Back in a moment.

- Don't bother on my account.
- I'll only be a moment.

Yuwen...

Are you sick?

Do you have a fever?

No, nothing like that.

I brought an extra sheet and bedspread.

Let me make your bed.

You've already gone to too much trouble.

- No problem at all.
- I'll do it myself.

I'll do it myself.

Thank you.

How is his illness after all?

Not too bad.

He's had tuberculosis for so long now,
is he in any danger?

No, there's no danger.

Will he recover?

Yes, he'll recover.

Tell me the truth.

It's just that
his heart isn't in very good shape.

I see.

But you mustn't let him know.

OK.

Why don't you give him a
thorough check-up tomorrow?

No problem.

See you tomorrow.

- Wait.
- What is it?

- Is he already asleep now?
- He's asleep.

Let him enjoy the sunshine every morning.

OK.

These past few days the
weather has been very nice.

Hmm. It's been sunny every day.

It'll be sunny and clear again tomorrow.

Yes, I think it will.

- See you tomorrow.
- See you.

What's that?

The electricity's about to go off.

Sounds like an air raid siren.

So why are you turning the lights on?

Because they are about to go off.

Why don't you sit down for a bit.

That pot of orchids smells really sweet.

Oh, really?

Please sit down.

- See you tomorrow.
- See you.

Thank you.

The next morning.

Brother Zhang!

Come in, please.

So you change into a nice dress
when you don't have to go to school.

What's that you're holding
behind your back?

I want to give you a present.

- What is it?
- Guess!

- Candy?
- No. It's this!

Oh! Great! A bonsai display.

- There's a hill and a tree...
- It's a pine.

...and a beautiful little meadow. Thank you.

Do you like it?

Like it? I love it.

It's been made entirely by me.

Then I like it even better.

Is your brother up?

Yes, he's basking in the sunshine outside.

I see.

Are you going out to make a house call?

I'm going to examine your brother.

My brother's not actually sick, is he?

He's a little ill.

I think he's mentally ill.
Always in such a bad mood.

- Hey! Brother Zhang, you...
- Oh, so little sis is all grown up now.

Those orchids smell a little too sweet.
That's no good.

Really?

- How am I doing?
- You just need to sit in the sun and rest.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

How strange. Yuwen told me to sit in
the sun today, too.

- Is it really good for me?
- Yes.

Even better, you shouldn't spend
too much time just sitting at home.

Big Brother, today's Sunday.
I want to go out and do something fun.

- Go where?
- I want to go walking with Big Brother Zhang.

- What do you say?
- Sure.

You really should go out and look around.

- You haven't been back in ten years, after all.
- I had been wanting to anyway.

Big Sister!

- Will you come along?
- Me?

You can go out with us?

Can I go with you?

Of course you can.

Great! All four of us can go together!
Go and change your clothes, Big Sister.

Let's all go together, Yuwen.

Yes, you two haven't gone out
together for a long time.

Let's go together.

Let's go! Hurry! Hurry!

We wander around aimlessly.

We somehow end up on the city wall.
I walk behind the rest of them.

He... They stand and stop and wait for me.

We go rowing on the little river.
Little sister sings a song.

In a faraway place

There's a good girl

When people pass her

They will turn around and look at her

She has a pink smiling face

Like the sun

Her eyes are beautiful

Like the shining moon at night

I would like to be a little lamb

Following along beside her

Let her keep swinging her whip

Flipping tenderly on my body

The third morning.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

After breakfast, make up some excuse
so that we can take a walk together

to talk things over.

Where to?

The city wall.

A feeling of helplessness

atop this broken-down and
hollowed-out old city wall.

How long do you feel like spending up here?

The way I feel now,
I could spend all day here.

Would it be better
if we walked somewhere else?

Whatever you like.

How come you never have an opinion?

You're the one who asked me
to go for a walk.

I'll go wherever you say.

You're not the same person you used to be.

Have I really changed?

No.

Before the war, whenever I asked you to go
with me, you'd say, 'Whatever you like.'

And whenever I didn't ask you,
you'd still say, 'Whatever you like.'

Isn't that what I just said?

But I didn't wait for you.
I didn't do 'whatever you like.'

If I asked you to come away with me,
would you still say 'whatever you like'?

Do you really mean that?

How's my pulse? Is it OK?

It's fine.

It's fine.

Do you think I really can get better?

Of course you can get better.

What kind of medicine
do you think I should take?

Rest and taking good care of yourself
are the most important.

Medicine is secondary.

And you mustn't get angry.

You mean, at her?

Not necessarily at her.

I don't know why, but my temper
has got worse and worse.

That's because of your health.

My wife is as good a woman
as you'll ever find.

But all because of my health,

our marriage has become abnormal.

There's nothing abnormal about it.

You don't know.

All the things a wife ought to do, she's done.

Grocery shopping, cooking,
taking care of the house,

taking care of me...

I'm grateful but also ashamed.

Of course, I'm unable to cry. Nor can I laugh.

And she?

She cries all alone in her room

and never smiles in front of other people.

She just does her duty to me.

She's cold. The kinder she is to me,
the more I feel that she's cold.

Do you understand what I mean?

I understand.

But I disagree with you on one point.

What's that?

She's not cold.

We've been friends for so many years now.

Can you talk to her for me?

I had no idea that you two
actually knew each other.

It would have been better
if she had married you instead.

Don't say such sad things.

I'm not this way with him because you came.

I know that Liyan is good to me.

That year we got married,
I forced myself to like him.

Later, after he got sick,
he became more and more eccentric,

and I felt empty, at a loss.

All I could do was think of you.

After a year or two,

Liyan became something
like a responsibility that I had inherited.

He became my husband.

I serve him. I have to serve him faithfully.

My heart is yours.

But I feel sorry for Liyan.

What would you have me do?

What would you have me do?

What are we going to do?

Unless we...

...leave.

I leave.

Unless he dies.

I regret it.

I've never even thought that to myself,
so how could I actually have said it?

Big Brother Zhang!

Big Brother Zhang!

Big Brother Zhang!

Big Brother Zhang!

Big Brother Zhang!

Big Brother Zhang!

Another Sunday,

the ninth day since he arrived.

Big Brother Zhang!

- Sis.
- Brother.

What are you shouting for?

It's Sunday. I want to ask
Big Brother Zhang to have some fun.

So, you like spending time
with Big Brother Zhang?

He's inside.
Why are you shouting for him here?

How should I know where he's gone?

Don't shout so loud. It doesn't sound proper.

Well, if you run into him,
tell him I was looking for him.

- Sure.
- Thanks.

Liyan.

Oh, so you are out here after all.
Didn't you hear my sister calling you?

Liyan, I'm leaving.

You say you want to leave again?

I've been here too long already.
It's too much trouble for you.

No, that won't do. You have to stay.

Come on inside. My sister's looking for you.

Why don't you take
her out to have some fun?

OK, let's begin.

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

Good, good.

Zhang, I can't dance to this.

I had no idea you were so
good at singing and dancing.

You don't seem like a
product of the Dai Family.

Does your brother approve?

He doesn't approve
but he doesn't disapprove either.

But I think he really wants me to be a
bookworm, studying at home all day long.

It seems you all like to go walking
on top of the city wall. Why?

This is the only interesting place in town.
You can walk along the wall forever,

and when you look so far into the distance
that you can't see anything at all

you start to realise that the
world isn't so small after all.

You know, in a small town like this,

and especially with a family like ours,
you could suffocate to death.

When Big Sister is done with the
grocery shopping, she walks on the city wall.

Maybe that's the only way
she can let go a little

and find the courage to go on.

What are you thinking about?
Did you hear a word I just said?

- Yes, I heard.
- So what are you thinking about?

I was just thinking that maybe you'll become
a poet or a philosopher when you grow up.

Nonsense! Who knows what
you were really thinking about.

But I was thinking that after I graduate,

I'd like to go to Shanghai and
study in a high school there.

Could you help me find a school,
Big Brother Zhang?

- What?
- Do you think you could help me?

Oh, OK, OK.

- Let's go back.
- Let's go back.

We had a great time. I'm all sweaty.

- Really?
- See you, Zhang.

You didn't go out?

No place to go.

Are you a little bit angry?

No.

Let's talk about it.

I'll come tonight.

Promise me something.

Never come to see me again
behind Liyan's back.

OK?

I have something to ask you.

- What?
- Where did you two go today?

To the top of the city wall.

Was it nice?

You're the one who showed it to me.

It seems that you and sis
are getting very close.

I watched her grow up.

- She's 16 this year.
- Still a child.

She's a child and yet you take her
with you to all sorts of places.

Do you two think you're fooling anyone?

What's that supposed to mean?
I don't understand.

She's Liyan's little sister. I'm his wife.
I'm responsible for her.

Then I won't take her out any more.

After I go back, I'll tell Liyan
that I came to talk with you.

I wouldn't want to do
anything behind his back.

See you tomorrow.

I was just playing with you. Don't be mad.

Sit down. We have to talk.

What do you have to say?

What do you think of Zhang Zhichen?

What do you mean by asking me that?

Don't ask questions.
Just tell me what you think of him.

Any friend of yours must be a good man.

Oh, no. He's a much better man than I.

Why bring him up?

Sis is 16 this year....

- I see...
- You understand?

I want her to wait a couple
of years for Zhichen.

You mean, you want to have
Zhichen wait a couple of years for her.

Right. Let Zhichen wait a
couple of years for sis.

But is sis willing?

That's why I wanted to ask
you to talk it over with her.

I'm her big brother. It would be a little
awkward for me to bring it up.

You mean, you want me
to play matchmaker?

Just talk it over with her first.

- What about Zhichen?
- I think...

- Do you want me to....
- I'll talk to him, of course.

Zhichen might not want to wait that long.

Does he have someone else in mind?
He seems to get on very well with sis.

- This will be a good marriage.
- You think so?

Your little sister is still young,
though, still in school.

Do you really want to fill her head
with this kind of notion now?

I don't want to talk to her about this.

Just test the waters.

There's always time later.

All right.

It's getting late. Go to bed.

You're really not taking
the sleeping pills any more?

No, not any more.

Then I'll see you tomorrow.

Please don't go.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

When you finish breakfast,
come up with an excuse

so that you can meet me on the city wall.

What for?

What do you mean?

You....

You're going grocery shopping now?

Yes.

He wants me to play matchmaker for you.

Matchmaker?

Don't you get along quite
nicely with his little sister?

You're very happy.

I've been assigned a task.
I'm going to do my best to carry it out.

I've told you the proposal,
are you willing to go through with it?

Think about it and let me know later.

You're joking, right?

- I'm perfectly serious.
- This whole thing is a joke.

Has Liyan considered just
how young his little sister is?

Today is her 16th birthday.

The year I left, weren't you just 16 years old?

But we didn't have anyone
to act as our matchmaker.

You seem to be implying a 16-year-old girl
really is old enough to be engaged.

Are you willing?

No, I'm not. I'm telling you that I
am not willing. Are you satisfied now?

Yuwen, I'm begging you. Stop pushing me,
stop torturing me. I've had enough.

How I regret that back then I didn't even
know to arrange for a matchmaker.

Why didn't you know? Weren't you
willing back then? Why didn't you?

- I was willing.
- Then why didn't you?

Wasn't it that your mother disapproved?

But she's dead now.

But you already have a husband.

I suppose if Liyan gives you his sister,
it'll be the next best thing.

I have my own conflicts. I don't know if
I want to go away with you anyway....

Yuwen!

It's your sixteenth birthday.
You should drink some wine.

- You're toasting me?
- Yes, I'm toasting you, drink.

- I don't want to drink. I'll just eat more food.
- No.

Big Sister made so many
nice dishes for me today.

What about playing guess-fingers?

Big Brother tried to teach me
but I still don't know how.

- Go ahead, try it out.
- OK. I'll play.

Ah, I lost.

- You lost, hurry up. Drink up.
- Brother!

- OK, I'll drink for you.
- No, you can't drink.

I'll drink it for you.

- Let's play rock-paper-scissors instead.
- OK.

Rock, paper, scissors.

Ah, now you lose. You drink!

Liyan, you've been to Sichuan.
Let's play the game Sichuan style.

- You mean like this?
- That's it!

Oh, I lost.

- I can't drink.
- Oh, yes, I'll drink.

I drink.

- Laohuang.
- Yes, Laohuang can drink for you, too.

Yes, pour some wine.

Laohuang,

please drink this cup of wine instead of me.

The young miss knows how to drink.

- Can you drink?
- Of course she can!

Come on! Laohuang, let's play.

- Are you sure?
- Go on have a game!

You are a fool, drink it all.

Laohuang wins! Laohuang wins!

This is your birthday.
I should toast you properly too.

Then I'll have some too.

Big Brother...

I'll play a game with you.

Not guess-fingers or rock-paper-scissors,

but the one that goes
like this, and this, and this.

- I know this game too!
- We always played it back home.

Zhang loses again! Drink!

Hold on. Let's switch to bigger cups!
Laohuang, bring bigger cups!

Laohuang, bring bigger cups!

This time we'll play three rounds.
Whoever loses has to drink three cups.

Three big cups!

You lose.

Let's go again.

Zhang loses again!

Drink up!

What a lovely rose
more beautiful than Maria

What a lovely rose
more beautiful than Maria

I was riding and hunting on the mountain

- Big Brother Zhang! You're drunk....
- Laohuang, bring some more.

- Big Brother Zhang is getting drunk.
- I am OK.

Lovely as the clouds

Big Brother Zhang is drunk!

Big Sister! Big Brother Zhang is drunk!

Your voice was lovely as the clouds

Young and strong Kazakh
Ivan...

Oh, so that's where you are.

Young and strong Kazakh
Ivan Doudard

I invite you to come to my home
across the river

Big Brother Zhang!

I invite you to come to my home
across the river

Wait for the moon to rise up
then play the strings

We lean on each other
and sing under the tree

As if drunk,

as if in a dream.

Now the moon rises high in the sky

and there's a slight breeze.

Let me in.

Go back.

Don't go in there.

Thank you.

He needs to take a sleeping pill.

He's thinking to himself that
maybe I will commit suicide.

All I have is regret.

I want to die.

I can no longer face the world.

He remembers that Liyan
has some sleeping pills.

Who's there?

It's me! Zhichen!

You're still up?

My head hurts.

You had too much to drink.

I can't fall asleep.

I have some medicine over there.
There are still eight tablets left.

I only need one.

Help yourself.

If you can't see, I have some matches.

No need.

I found them.

I want to take another one.

Another one wouldn't do you any more good.

How silly. You're taking the whole bottle.
Don't take too many!

He pours out Liyan's sleeping pills
and replaces them with vitamins.

- Is that Zhichen?
- No, it's me.

Are you still up?

What are you doing?

What about your medicine?

Zhichen took it.

You can't sleep either?

That's strange.
None of us seems to be able to get to sleep.

Go to sleep.

Sit down. Sit down.

Please light the candle.

What for?

I just want to see you.

The moonlight is nice.

Light a candle.

Yuwen! Come here! Come here!

Do you know how much I envy Zhichen?

He's young, vital and healthy. Since he's
been here, the house has been full of life.

These last few years I've made life
miserable for you, a life of despair.

But today, for once, I saw you happy.

I was watching you when you were drinking.

You're still so young!

I almost forgot that you are my wife
and I thought I'm not fit to be your husband.

I have to get better! I have to keep living.

Otherwise, I might as well just go ahead
and die early

and stop making you suffer.

Tell me, are you still in love with Zhichen?

Tell me the truth.

What happened with your hand?

I burned it boiling water.

How could you be so careless?

Why are you saying all these things to me?

Yuwen's out.

Liyan, I've decided to leave today.

I was going to leave
a letter for you last night.

But I couldn't just leave
without saying goodbye.

But why?

I have to leave.

You can't go!

Last time you wanted to leave,
I convinced you to stay.

I still need you here.

Your illness isn't that serious.

Just make sure to take care of your heart.

I'm of no use to you here.

It's not about me. It's Yuwen.

If you're here, she'll be happier.

Yuwen... What Yuwen needs is you.

I almost did something truly inhuman.

But please trust her.

The responsibility for everything
that happened is mine.

Thanks for the medicine.

I hope you'll stay on with us one more day.

I need to change my life.

I won't go over to little sister's room.

He told me not to go once.

Master, will you take your meal?

OK.

- Please close the door.
- Yes.

No, just leave it open.

Young Mistress, would you like your meal?

I want to live.

I have to continue.

The first time he's been
inside my room in years.

Young Master, would you like a snack?

Young Master?

Young Master?

Young Mistress!

Young Mistress, come quick!
Something's wrong with the master!

- Go and get his sister!
- Yes.

Liyan! Liyan!

What on earth happened?

Laohuang!

- Go and find Young Master Zhang, quick!
- Yes.

Liyan! Liyan!

Zhang! Zhang!

- The master has passed out.
- What?

Come quick.

- Get me my doctor's bag, quick.
- Yes.

- When did you find him like this?
- Just now.

Was he lying on the bed at that time?

Yes, Laohuang discovered him here
when he came in to bring him a snack.

Is there hope?

You have to save him for me.

Thank you.

Young Master.

- Go and tell his little sister.
- Yes.

Brother! Brother! Brother!

Is he...

Big Sister, what's wrong with him?

He was just fine.
What could have done this to him?

You're with him all day long. You should
know what disease he's suffering from.

Tell me! Tell me!

Brother.... Brother...

It's OK.

Big Brother Zhang, you're a doctor.
You have to save him.

You can't just let him die like this.

I won't.

You're his best friend. You have to save him.

I've already given him an injection.

What's wrong with him?

Brother! Brother!

I never knew he was this ill.

Laohuang, what can I do now...

Why didn't you come and get me sooner?

Zhang!

Liyan!

We're all here.

We're here.

What were you thinking?

What's wrong?

Why did you....

Don't talk with him so much.
Let him rest quietly as much as possible.

Sister.

Big Sister...

How is he doing?

He wants to eat.

I already gave him something to eat.
Try not to worry so much.

Big Brother Zhang is leaving tomorrow.

- But when your summer vacation starts...
- No!

Big Sister.

Big Sister.

Big Sister.

You and Big Brother Zhang are in love, no?

Yes, we are.

Big Sister!

All right, stop here.
Why don't you two go back?

I want to see you off.

It's still a way to go.
Let us walk you to the train station.

That's exactly what I meant,
it's too far for you.

Are you afraid we won't make it?
I can carry your luggage for you.

Oh no.

Still as mischievous as ever, eh? Try
not to make your brother angry any more.

It wasn't me who provoked him!

Do you think the young master will recover?

He'll be fine.

Zhang, when will
you come back to see him?

Next spring.

No, come this summer vacation.

THE END