Original subtitles

Oh yes, this side, right?

How cozy

I stayed here when I was small

Dad, Mom, Wing-shing is here

Wing-shing, you've come

Auntie, Uncle, hello

Wing-shing

Wing-shing is here

Last time I saw you, you're just this tall

You are a big girl now

And so pretty

Auntie, you are too kind

How's your life in Canton?

Very well

How's your uncle and Wing-sing?

They are very well

They talk about the past all the time

Ching-shan?

So I am harbinger of good things to come

Don't just stand here

Come sit down... come on

Sit Sit

This is the most advanced machine and technology for silk reeling and drying

It is powered by steam

This manual has the details

You can read it

This machine is new to me

Wing-shing, you had a long journey

Have some tea

Now that we are at the lp's Leave the hospitality to the hosts

Wing-shing, just make yourself at home

Uncle and Auntie see us like family

When did you come back to Foshan?

Not so long ago

I meant to go to the north

But Mr Sun Yat-sen raised the idea of strengthening the country through industries

And set up a company in Canton

So I came back to Foshan to put it to work

This is of paramount importance to the country

And we should lose no time in its implementation

Right, I am here to talk with the local guild about a textile mill joint venture

We'll pool in our investment for mass production

Like the Industrial Revolution in Britain

To replace the present manually operated small workshops with mass production

That's a great idea

Man agrees with it

How much have you invested into it?

We have not done so yet

lt'll have major ramifications for other operators

Brother Ching-shan, I...

It's alright, I welcome different opinions

They are conducive to improvement

Man raised very good questions at the guild meeting last time

Hence I have spent the last few days studying latest developments

So that I can introduce you all to this new technology

Ching-shan, how is this different from the silk cocoon reeling machine we are using?

Very different

This is powered by steam

Much more efficient and faster than those we are using, times so at least

I have yet to get to the technological details

How wonderful

With Ng Pak-lam now stationed in Foshan

We have to pay much more taxes

This has given me headaches

If the new machinery can double our production

lt'll benefit the lp family Sangyuan and the country

Ching-shan, how clever you are

Auntie, you are too kind

lp Man, learn it from Brother Ching-shan

See? He's been out for several years

He's so much more learned

He has brought us new ideas and new inventions

Mom is right

It is getting late, I have to get a hotel room

Wing-shing, why should you get a hotel room

I...

Auntie, Wing-shing is a modern woman Westernised in thinking

She prefers some privacy

But it is just as convenient here

I don't mean to trouble you

The hotel where I am staying is not bad

You like to take a look?

Alright

Uncle, Auntie, please excuse us

Goodbye

Let me

What is going on?

How would I know?

She's from the Cheung family

Maybe the lp family is not good enough for her

You don't know girls

You saw it, she is a modern woman

Staying in a hotel alone?

I really don't know modern women

You shouldn't have said you're preparing her a room

Now our son is so disappointed

Yes... my fault

Wing-shing, do you know it?

Just thinking about it thrills me

My previous efforts have not been wasted

Those who wouldn't invest in because of lp Man have decided to chip in

Besides textiles, there are other heavy industries and light industries

Developing the industries is the way to turn the country around

Well said, it has been my firm belief that with you on the revolutionary path

It will work out

But...

What? I see question marks in your eyes

The plans you told me on the way are all good

I just don't get it

Why lp Man wouldn't take part in this good venture

You can't blame him

He's not well-read

He doesn't have this vision

He only has martial arts in mind

Goodnight

Wing-shing, why are you here in Foshan?

Reformer Zhang Zhidong of late Qing erred in picking Wuhan for his steel plant

Foshan is nowhere close to iron ores either

China is still backward and transportation is poor

Raw material supply and transportation may easily bring production to a halt

Brother Ching-shan is well aware of these

Why has he still proposed an iron-and-steel plant for Foshan?

Wing-shing said he's a revolutionary fanatic

It's about time to throw cold water on him to sober him up

Silk industry is the path for Foshan

How's Brother Yam-tong doing?

We have not met for years

Thank you for your concern

Uncle is doing fine

He wants me to tell you

He's got your letter

Coming...

Hurry up, Wing-shing is here, come on

Morning

You didn't sleep well last night?

Well, he spent the whole night reading the books you brought him

He didn't have much sleep

I wrote Brother Yam-tong about your betrothal and wedding

And there you are

That's not the only thing I came here for

Sit down first

Have some fruit

Have some fruit...

My parents died early

Uncle raised me up

My parents left me a house some shops and farmland here

Uncle has been taking care of these for me

Now that I have grown up

I should take care of them myself

Very true

You should take care of your family estate

Your marriage is equally important

When do you want it to be?

The betrothal was made by my dad

I came this time... it's to...

To call it off

Why?

Lp Man is not good enough for you?

That's not what I mean

Or you are in love with someone else?

No

It's made by your parents when you were small

It shouldn't be hastily called off

I have to talk about it with Yam-tong

Uncle talked with me after getting your letter

He approved of my new thinking

This is his confirmation letter

Resolving a serious matter like that with just a letter?

Auntie, read it first

You the Cheung family is westernised

The lp family is reasonable too

But we are Chinese after all

We still care about face and respect

The betrothal is called off with just a letter

We won't agree to it, Miss Cheung

Auntie

To lp Oi-dor

Mom, you don't have to read it

Let me read it to you

Don't bother

This is not for you to decide

Auntie, this is for us the young to decide

The betrothal took place during the Qing reign

Marriage then was decided by the parents

You have to obey your parents

You can't call it off unilaterally

Auntie, it is stated clearly in the Republic's family law

Marriage is decided by two persons in love

We are no longer in the Qing Dynasty

lp Man, you say it

I am here to hear it from you

You mean to leave it to your parents' decision

Or should young people be bold and fight for our own happiness?

I agree with what Wing-shing has said

lp Man, you know how I felt when I learned that I was betrothed to you?

I don't know

To be honest, I was so disappointed

I even felt sad

Why you, why?

Why it's you that I love?

Now I don't know if you love me

Or it's because of your parents' decision

Now I don't know if we really are right for each other

Fate has tied us together

But I will not know why

You'll never know how wonderful Falling in love is

Hence, I have to thank you

Thank me?

For giving you the chance to free yourself from fate

For giving you freedom

I really am happy

You can complete my sentence

This is mutual understanding

You are happy, that's good

You are not happy?

I can find no reason to be happy

Of course you can

You have taken the first step

It's good that the young can make their own decisions

You have your reasons to be happy

A bird is untied and can fly free

But my feet are on the ground

I don't know where the bird wants to fly to

You don't want to fly with the bird?

You came with Uncle's letter

You came prepared

I respect your choice

The young have freedom of love

You don't know what I am talking about?

I do

lp Man, maybe we really belong to two worlds

Wing-shing is here

But you'd never guess what she's here for

What for?

To call off the betrothal

With whom?

Me

It's a childhood betrothal

I really don't get it

I can tell she loves me

I know she loves me

But... why calling the betrothal off? Why?

You are not right for her?

Not right for her? I'll work hard

She wants to be free

I can be there with her

I just don't know where she finds me wanting

Why do you insist on getting to know about it?

If I know where the problem lies

I'll work on it to change her mind

Let me ask you, what if she's in love with someone else?

It's not possible

I know she loves me

I am sure she loves me

I mean to protect her all her life

Cut it out Why?

You are not worthy

Come again?

You are not worthy

What? You mean to fight me?

Again? Alright

What a fool

Miss Cheung?

Zi, you are still awake?

Yes... be careful

How did you know I live here?

I followed lp Man here

Please sit

Just a moment

Thank you

This afternoon

I saw you two fight amid a talk

What were you talking about?

He's not worthy

Come sit closer

Come on, come sit closer

Why sit so far away?

My clothes are dirty

Zi, we are friends, life-long friends

Why should I care if your clothes are dirty

I am not worthy

You are, you are the truest Most worthy friend in the world

I never thought you would see me as a friend

Of course I am your friend

And your buddy

You saved me when I was in danger

I know it very well

I am impatient and short-tempered

No one will spare me a thought

I don't know how others treat you And I don't care

But lp Man and I see you as our best friend

lp Man loves you, do you love him?

Actually, when I saw you two in a fight

I knew he loves me

But I can't live in the old world

I want to go out to see the new world

So you wanted to call the betrothal off

It's not the end, but a beginning

The beginning of a new journey, you get it?

But you broke his heart

No, you don't get what I am saying

I don't mean to hurt lp Man

I just want... I want him to go see the world with me

Where do you find him wanting?

The man I love doesn't have to be very rich or very good-looking

He has to be an upright, kind and brave man

And a keen learner

He wants to see the world

Most importantly

He has the courage to create a new world with fellow men

I know, you mean Lam Ching-shan

He's not worthy

I won't be with Lam Ching-shan

He's not worthy

Zi, will you tell lp Man what I just said?

Miss Cheung, don't worry, not a word

What a square-head, a buddy indeed

lp's Mansion

Mom, where are you going?

Don't get in my way

I am going to Canton to make it clear with Cheung Yam-tong

Mom...

Listen to me

He's earnest in his letter

His requests aren't unreasonable

I don't care, whoever breaks my son's heart

I will make them pay for it

Don't get in my way

Mom...

Don't get in my way

Mom...

What's wrong with my son?

She called the betrothal off as she pleased

Who does she think she is?

Mom, that's not what Wing-shing meant

She only wants her freedom

I don't care, what freedom?

She can't hurt my son for it

Mom, please don't think this way

Get up first...

Leave me alone

Meow...

Dad, what are you doing?

Meow...

This is my trump card

I used it in my proposal

Whatever her age, a woman can use some indulgence, get it?

You two stop your whispering

When a woman gets mad

It's always because of you men

I got it now!

I know why Wing-shing wanted to call the betrothal off

What do you know?

Get up first

Whenever Mom threw a temper

It's either because of Dad or me

What Wing-shing is doing, it's for me

Silly boy, you have not made things clearer

But Mom, hear me out

Wing-shing did it for me

She must have found me wanting in some aspect

It's a trial for me

Now that I have figured it out

I'll better myself to change her mind

Oi-dor, you tell him

Man, loving a person doesn't mean that you have to do everything her way

Like me

Your mom loves me just as much

Meow...

See?

Wing-shing

What do you mean?

A little celebration

For your breaking away from a traditional betrothal

What you did was wonderful

Ching-shan, could you do me a favour?

Sure

You know it, Wing-shing

Whatever you say, I will not say "no"

I called off the betrothal

Because I want lp Man to court me the modern way

I want a passionate courtship

I want lp Man to change himself

I want him to go see the world with me

It's not possible

He won't go see the world with you

He has written me many letters

They are filled with his desires to see the world

I can tell

Wing-shing, you don't know him

He only has martial arts in mind

The best he can do is to become a first rate martial arts practitioner

He'll never become a big man with the world as his oyster

I don't care about big men

I just want him to keep abreast of the times

You want to change him

It's not possible

Hence I want you to tell him

I got it, you don't have the nerve to tell him face to face

Would you do me this favour?

Wing-shing, I love you

I'll do anything for you

Even if it brings me stabbing pain

I'll do it

Let's not talk about such things

I have broken up with Chu Mei-tung

Wing-shing

I know you are a brilliant man

But you should know, I only have lp Man in my heart

No, whether in learning or insight

He's not my par

If I had picked up martial arts

I would have become the greatest practitioner alive

But I wouldn't do that

I won't do things that are against the tide Against progress

Maybe you are right

But love is a strange thing

I only love lp Man

Wing-shing, I... have to say it

I want you to know

Whoever you marry in the future

I will still love you all my life

Thank you

I am hungry, let's get a bite

Alright

Please come in

I mean to show her

No girls in town will refuse lp Man

There they are

Man, let's sit here Yes

Dad, that's him?

Don't be impatient

Master lp

Master Choi, it has been some time

So this is your daughter?

Mei-kuen, greet Uncle lp

Uncle lp Hello

He's my son lp Man

Mr lp Hello

What a coincidence, let us join you

Sure, come on

Have some tea

Mei-kuen has had private tuition for several years

She has also been to a modern school

But she didn't fit in

Now she spends her time on needlework

What books have you read?

Peony Pavilion, Western Chamber

Wang Baochuan Awaits Her Husband for Eighteen Years in a Cave

They are all plays

They are my favourite, about love

Yes, love is good...

Master Choi, I'll visit you some other time

Sure

Mei-kuen, let's go

Come on...

Let's go somewhere else

No, I find it interesting

When I was small

Mom had my fortune read

That I am destined to be a queen

I am not superstitious

But... nothing is worse for a girl than marrying the wrong man

I am not demanding

Wealth for three generations

Shops in the city, farmland in the countryside

An ancestral house half a block long

That's good enough

Life is short

We love her very much

We mind her every step

We won't raise our voice in her presence

What do you think?

Last time you talked about the industrialisation of silk production

I agree with you

Maybe we should talk about it at a guild meeting

The topic should be Silk Resources in Foshan

Actually, I think not just silk...

I want grapes...

Sure... come on

Spit it out

More... Sure

Let her

Foshan's silk...

Why are you so quiet?

Dad, he ignores me

Carry on

Are you with me?

Why are you so quiet?

Foshan...

Who do you think you are?

How did you bring up your son?

Please...

Miss, please...

Dad, they're bullying me

Let's go

I won't marry him

I am sorry

Let's go I don't want him

Oh, you are here, what a coincidence

Uncle, hello

Uncle

Sit...

Let me go over

Man, have some tea Thanks

What? Blind dates? No...

No? The girls looked at you with love in their eyes

Of course, the heir of the richest family in Foshan

No girls will say "no"

They all want to be Mrs lp

Unlike Wing-shing

A modern girl who is independent

She called her betrothal off so that she could be free

She has my admiration

To be honest, I was taken by surprise

But Wing-shing must have her reasons for doing so

She is a very different girl

Why are you so impatient for blind dates?

I...

I think it's Uncle lp's idea

He did it to show me

So you didn't know the arrangement?

I...

Uncle really likes those girls?

No... he likes...

The girls were all pretty

Just as good as Wing-shing

You enjoy your chat

Uncle, join us

No, you enjoy, don't stand on ceremony

It's easier to climb to heaven than to take the Sichuan Road

Li Bai was all talk and no action

The endless river eastward flows

With its huge waves are gone gallant heroes of bygone years

Su Shi

Of yore... all he could do was spinning yarns

While drinking, I'd hold the lamp to view my sword

When I awoke, I'd hear the sound of horns ringing through the camp

Sin Qiji, a mere military man not worth mentioning

I'll show you my clever mind and my skills of manipulation

Country bumpkin, you are not my par

Could you spare a minute?

Brother Ching-shan, what is it?

Wing-shing wants me to talk with you

About... calling off the betrothal?

You have guessed it

She is a woman with independent thinking

I understand why she wanted to break away from old customs

You really think so?

Or it's a superficial reason

Just an excuse?

She has other things in mind?

She's too embarrassed to tell you face to face

Hence she wants me to tell you

She found you lost in Canton

She thought she would find you a changed man in Foshan

But you have disappointed her