Original subtitles

- [The story of Chang'e chasing the moon]flew to the moon. It is an ancient story of China] - [saying that Chang'e stole and took the immortal pills that her husband Houyi got from Western Queen after which she flew to the moon and became the Goddess of Moon]

That's why you came to me?

She wrote to me.

I ignored her.

She's dying.

Who would believe that?

She always lies.

I'm warning you.

Just ignore her.

She only remembers us when she's dying.

What about before?

She was looking for fun alone.

She acted like she had never seen a man in her life.

She said

she was alone

and lonely now.

Is the old man dead

or is she divorced again?

She's dying.

As her son, we can't leave her alone.

Has she ever been our mother?

She sent us money.

Is sending us money all it takes to be a mom?

She wanted to come back to see us, but you refused.

I refuse now as well.

Even if you bring her back,

I will drive her away.

I'm warning you.

If you dare to bring her back,

I won't forgive you.

[To Lin Xiasheng]

I heard you don't even have money to rehearse now.

As a man,

why do you have to perform Shaoxing Opera?

What can you achieve by hanging around in women's circles

all day long?

Come work for me.

Even if you just idle around,

it's better than acting.

Who would watch your opera now?

I'm leaving.

Are you still with that woman surnamed Zhuang?

She is old enough to be your mother.

[Yongzhou Theater]

Wait for me here.

[Shaoxing Opera Troupe]

[Off the Stage]

Qiusheng.

What?

Qiusheng.

You brat. How dare you eat my biscuits!

I'll kill you!

Godson.

Come and scratch my back.

Qiusheng!

- Good boy. - Qiusheng.

I'll kill you!

Don't hit my godson!

Don't call him godson!

I almost died when I gave birth to him.

None of you can call him "godson".

Nor can you call him any other kind of son.

Qiusheng,

I risked my life to get you.

Ms. Zhuang.

You're so lucky.

I've been making wild crucian soup for an hour.

Does it taste good?

Aren't you tired of drinking it every day?

I'm an actress, okay?

The beauty soup is my life.

I only have my voice and my body.

What else do I have?

Enough.

Is something bothering you?

Doesn't the chief like that script?

It's not easy for me to get such a good script.

It'll be a waste if we don't stage it.

No matter how good the script is,

we can't stage it without money.

Neither of us

has ever staged a proper opera.

I'll be old

if I keep waiting.

I won't go on stage after finishing this opera.

Let the youngsters do it.

I'll meet the chief tomorrow.

I'll figure out a way to get the money.

I'll go ask him.

Otherwise,

you two may quarrel again.

That's right.

You are the pillar of the troupe now.

Your words are valuable.

The actors nowadays are nothing.

It was better to be an actor in the past.

When Ms. Qi was in the troupe,

the actors were the soul.

It was great to be an actor.

The chief

and the directors

always supported your mother.

Unlike now,

we are worthless.

Is Ms. Qi

really dying?

I don't know.

That's what she wrote in the letter.

Qiusheng

doesn't let your mom come back?

Ms. Qi is really old.

She's been restless her whole life.

Now she's thinking of you.

I'll pay the money.

All I need from you is to be present.

I know.

You're doing good deeds.

You do good deeds anonymously.

Cut the crap.

This is the chief of the troupe.

Go to him.

Tell him you have liked opera since you were a kid

and admired opera actors.

Now you have some money

and want to invest and realize your dream.

Don't make it look like charity.

Got it.

Xiasheng.

Are you going back now?

There's an important dinner tonight.

Mr. Sun.

He is going to invest in us.

You must go.

The bosses like pretty girls.

Besides, I don't drink.

Come on.

Just go.

♫ With such beautiful scenes and a lovely day ♫

♫ With such beautiful scenes and a lovely day ♫

♫ Whose yard has the delightful things to admire? ♫

Bravo!

She sang so well.

I announce

I'll financially back this opera.

Give me a budget as soon as possible.

Great.

Great.

Thank you, Mr. Sun.

I haven't read the script,

but

the female lead

will be played by Wang Jing.

Thank you, Mr. Sun.

I like her.

I like her voice.

♫ With such beautiful scenes and a lovely day ♫

Mr. Sun.

Have a seat.

Bravo!

Mr. Sun.

If those bosses

have refined tastes like Mr. Sun's,

then our opera will be saved.

Wang Jing.

I'll take you to karaoke.

Okay.

Let's go to karaoke together.

I only want to go to karaoke with the female lead.

The rest of you, go back.

Okay.

But Mr. Sun,

you can't bully her.

The female lead.

Do you like being bullied by me?

Don't be like this.

I have something to do. I have to go.

Xiasheng.

Xiasheng.

Sit.

What's his name?

Mr. Sun.

Didn't I tell you?

This is the pillar of our troupe.

Isn't his name...

Lin Xi.

That's his stage name.

His real name is Lin Xiasheng.

Do you have an elder brother named Lin Qiusheng?

I'm drunk.

Mr. Sun.

I'm a little sleepy.

That's all for tonight.

Dismiss.

Dismiss.

I won't act.

I already told the chief

to get the script back.

Are you stupid?

Ms. Zhuang.

It's been so many years.

You have treated me so well.

I can't be heartless.

Don't cry.

If I knew this would happen,

when I was young, I should have gotten with a boss.

Those guys

were crazy about me.

Now I'm old.

I have to endure this.

Ms. Zhuang.

Let's get married.

There you go again.

Are you pitying me?

Isn't it quite good the way we are now?

Why do we need that paper?

I know you're trying to leave me a way out.

I don't want a way out.

I just want to be with you.

Xiasheng.

I didn't spoil you for nothing.

But I can't waste your time.

Ms. Zhuang.

Alright.

You should go back today.

I'll figure something out.

Forget it.

Watch me.

Hello.

Hello, Xiasheng.

You finally picked up.

Take Ms. Zhuang back.

She tore off Wang Jing's hair.

Someone will die.

[Sun Shaobo]

Xiasheng.

Your elder brother is like my elder brother.

You don't know how much trouble he has solved for me.

Why did you come all the way here for just this matter?

I'll call your chief right away.

Thank you.

♫ My father is dead and I feel heartbroken ♫

♫ The weak and suffering girl couldn't stop the torrent of tears ♫

Stop.

Ms. Zhuang.

The Yuyan you're playing

is the daughter of the Prime Minister.

Although she and her father were demoted to a deserted island,

she's a noble lady after all.

When she cries in public,

you should pay attention to her status.

I see.

My actions and expression

should be more elegant.

Yes.

She's a noble lady.

That's what I mean.

Okay.

Wang Jing.

Pay attention and observe.

Why should I?

I'm playing a village girl.

I'm doing well just by sitting here.

What are you talking about?

Aren't you Yuyan's understudy?

When did I agree to be the understudy?

Do you really think I'm a beggar?

Do it when it's time.

It's really true.

Alright.

Don't get carried away.

Just for one day.

We should celebrate tonight.

I'll go home first.

I'll bring the wine we bought

last time when we performed in France.

Okay.

I'll cook first.

Xiasheng.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Ximen Street has changed.

I can't recognize it.

When I came back long ago,

once I arrived at the Ximen Bridge,

it was filled with my audience.

It was crowded.

Look at now.

No one recognizes me.

Why are you walking behind me?

You walk ahead of me.

How would I know where you live?

Xiasheng.

Get me a glass of water.

Hey.

Why did you take such a lousy photo?

Look at you.

Why are you wearing eyelashes?

You play the young male role.

You should look like one.

Don't take photos that look girlish like this.

Do you understand?

Look.

Even the promotional photos are one of the elements to create characters.

Look at your eyebrows.

They are thick and hard.

The eyebrows must be...

The eyebrows must be done with three colors for makeup.

Do you know?

Make the upper end of the eyebrows slightly lighter.

In this way,

the photo will be vivid

and beautiful.

How did you take these photos?

I wouldn't have put it up.

I would have been embarrassed.

If someone sees it...

Ms. Zhuang.

I'm not going.

My mom is back.

It's too hot.

Put it there.

The house is well decorated.

How big is it?

150 m².

The old house was demolished.

We got two new houses.

The other one was given to Dong.

Qiusheng refused to get one.

How is Qiusheng?

Is his company doing well?

Poor Qiusheng.

He had been in prison for nothing for six years.

He's fine now.

But Dong

hasn't improved much.

In a psychiatric hospital,

even good people will go crazy.

I think we should sell the other house.

Do you expect her to come out?

After you rest for a few days,

let's go see Dong.

I'm not going.

She can't recognize me anyway.

It's useless for me to go there.

Besides,

I'm afraid it will trigger my own illness.

What's wrong with you?

I think you're the healthiest one.

My life

is like a dream.

I woke up

after I found out about the disease.

What illness do you have?

I'm not sad for myself.

In life,

sometimes

people can be anchored by one thing.

Let's talk about me.

After the success of "Pursuing the Moon",

I was like Chang'e

chasing the moon.

I kept

chasing.

But in the end,

what did I get?

Nothing.

You won't understand me.

Water.

Who's it?

Who's it?

Ms. Qi.

Lingling!

- Dear Lingling. - Ms. Qi.

Ms. Qi.

Why are you still so beautiful?

You haven't changed at all.

It's you who haven't changed at all.

How much preservatives have you taken?

No, I'm old.

You haven't eaten yet, right?

My treat.

Zhuangyuan Restaurant.

This is for you.

I don't need it.

Take it back.

Just take it.

I don't need it.

Take it.

Then I'll give it a try.

Thank you.

Let me see if your hair is okay.

I'm fine.

It's okay.

Isn't this expensive?

It's effective. Look at me. Here.

Yes.

Opportune timing, favorable location, and help from others.

Look away with your eyes.

Not too high.

Try it.

So,

God is helping us.

At this critical moment,

Ms. Qi is back.

You are so well-informed.

Do you think you can be a leader for nothing?

Xiasheng.

Go back and tell your mom

that tonight,

I'm going to send an appointment letter to your house.

An appointment letter?

I want Ms. Qi

to be the consultant for this opera.

Once we play this card,

we won't worry about not having enough audience.

At least,

those old fans of Ms. Qi will come.

I'm his mother.

Why can't I go in?

What's the problem?

You...

I'm his mother.

Xiasheng.

You're back.

Luckily you came back late.

Otherwise, you'll laugh at me.

How does it taste?

Pretty good.

I know you're lying.

I seldom cook

in my life.

But I know you like sweet food.

I put a lot of sugar in the dish.

Is it good?

Qiusheng likes sweet food.

Not me.

You like it, too, anyway.

This...

This is the first time

you've cooked for me.

If you don't mind,

I can cook for you in the future.

Mom.

Why aren't you eating?

I haven't had dinner for years.

As an actress,

I need to control my diet.

Xiasheng.

I think you should control your diet too.

Look at you.

You should lose at least 5 kg.

Then why did you say

you would cook for me in the future?

Just eat.

Here.

Eat more.

Qiusheng...

Does he hate me that much?

He doesn't even want to see me.

He even told his men

his mother died a long time ago.

Qiusheng

is deep in thought.

He's not like our family at all.

Everyone in our family is reckless.

Only he

keeps everything in his heart.

I went to see him when he was in jail.

I waited for him all day.

But he refused to see me.

Among the three of you,

Qiusheng is the most talented in arts.

You're way worse than him.

Look at your performance in Beijing last time.

What kind of performance was that?

When I was in Yongcheng,

every time I rehearsed,

if I felt uneasy,

I had to show Qiusheng.

He always got to the point.

Pretty good.

How could he know so much

at such a young age?

♫ I stroll around the green embankment ♫

♫ Brush past the willow strands ♫

♫ And pass through flower-lined paths ♫

♫ From an unknown direction ♫

♫ I hear mournful flute sounds ♫

Stop.

What's wrong?

You sang it as if it were very close.

Make it sound more distant.

The flute's sound should come from afar.

Oh.

Okay.

Look at me and I'll do it again.

♫ From an unknown direction ♫

♫ I hear mournful flute sounds ♫

That's right.

That's right now.

Thank you, Son.

Let me kiss you.

I was thinking

if Qiusheng were a girl

and he was willing to act,

he would be famous.

Qiusheng can sing the opera?

I've never heard of it.

He didn't want to sing in front of others.

He was putting on the airs of a macho man.

He was afraid people would say he was a girl.

Once I told him to sing casually in front of others,

he suddenly changed his expression

and turned against me.

He ignored me for a week.

This kid is really...

Who is that?

It could be the chief.

The chief?

Why didn't you tell me?

Coming.

Chief.

Ms. Qi, I'm here.

Ms. Qi.

I'm here to seek help.

Yang.

You're getting old.

Yet you're more talkative.

Mom.

Are you really going to be the consultant?

I have nothing to do.

I might as well go and laugh at you.

After all,

I used to work for this troupe.

But

it's not that I look down on you.

How many of you young people nowadays

are devoted to your job?

Each generation is worse than the last.

But the script is quite good.

Didn't the chief give you a copy?

Read it when you have time.

I don't want to.

I knew the chief had something wrong planned.

Xiasheng.

Can you tell Qiusheng

that I'm dying

and ask him to visit me?

I'll see him when I'm free.

♫ Swallowing the elixir ♫

♫ I attained the grace of flight ♫

♫ And entered the Palace of the Moon ♫

♫ As the morning star fades ♫

♫ Upon the mica screen ♫

♫ By the candlelight, my solitary silhouette reflects ♫

♫ Across the vast Milky Way ♫

♫ The lonely Cloud Robe is bestowed upon me ♫

♫ With regret filling my heart ♫

♫ Residing in the heavens, my thoughts yearn for the mortal realm night after night ♫

Ms. Qi

is Chang'e who flew out from here.

You didn't get to see

how many...

In your words,

"Fans" Ms. Qi had back then.

Ms. Qi is the real big shot.

Yang.

Are you rehearsing or not?

Stop bringing up my past.

Let's rehearse.

Right away.

♫ Howbeit he's already matched with a fair spouse ♫

♫ I don't want to separate this couple ♫

♫ Although I'm already married ♫

♫ After I met her, I fell in love with her ♫

♫ I don't want to break up with him ♫

♫ I just want to grow old with her ♫

♫ It's hard to say what I really think ♫

♫ It's on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't say it ♫

♫ I'm in a dilemma ♫

♫ I'm in a dilemma ♫

♫ For his mind ♫

♫ For her mind ♫

♫ How can I guess it correctly? ♫

♫ In an instant ♫

♫ I was entangled by love ♫

♫ I was entangled by love ♫

♫ I miss you so much ♫

♫ I miss you so much ♫

Ms. Zhuang.

The movements of the water sleeves should be smaller.

The movements shouldn't be so big.

They should be smaller.

This script is good.

Your role is also good.

Do your best to play the role well.

Your current level is not good.

You might act well in the play if you study hard.

Men in life are not as good as those in the play indeed.

I would rather live in the play.

That's strange.

I thought Mr. Sun would continue to harass me.

He seems to have forgotten about this matter.

What's wrong?

Do you refuse to accept the fact?

Of course not.

He should chase me.

He should chase me crazily.

Then I can reject him proudly.

This is the proper drama.

But he just flirted with me

and then ignored me.

It was as if

I wasn't attractive anymore.

You're really capricious.

Come here.

Ms. Qi.

Ms. Qi.

After my observation in these two days,

I've found that your acting is not good now.

Just think about it.

How cruel your destiny was.

How complicated the relationship between the three people was.

But how do you perform the role now?

Just do it like this when you walk.

This is what we used to do, isn't it?

We have to sing with the singing tune when we walk.

It's like this.

But it's not okay now. You have to strengthen it three times.

Look.

Raise your eyes again and look at the audience.

Then you should move your body like this.

See?

Got it.

That's it.

If you understand, just do it now.

You only watched me doing it.

Do it now.

Don't twist your wrists too much.

Just dance. Look. You're only turning from side to side.

You just can't overcome your old problem.

You were like this when you were a kid, and now you're still like this.

Practice hard.

Besides,

when you first show up and say, "Father",

you should say it with intense emotions. Understand?

You should sound sad.

Your father died. Right?

Don't do it like this.

Father.

What are you doing?

Are you walking on the road?

As an actress,

you need to make your emotions explode at once.

You heard that your father was dead.

Father!

See?

Then my feelings...

should keep up.

Your emotions should

go up at once.

You must do it like this. Understand?

Otherwise, who will come to see your play?

The audience even bought the tickets

and might give you flowers.

Just waste them?

What kind of play will they watch?

Got it.

Seize the chance.

It's a good chance.

The script is good.

Practice hard.

I'll scold you harshly if you don't act well in the play.

Ms. Qi,

I'm used to it.

If you don't scold me,

I'll be very sad,

and I won't know what to do.

Ms. Qi,

scold me, too.

Okay.

Stop.

Lingling,

you are a famous opera actress.

Why haven't you mastered the most basic things yet?

You have big breasts.

Why are you sticking them out so high?

Aren't you embarrassed?

Your mom is so scary.

I regret asking her to scold me.

Chinese traditional culture is about being reserved.

Women should be gentle,

elegant and reserved.

Being reserved. What is being reserved?

You can't act like this.

You have to act like this.

This is...

the Lonely Wild Goose.

Not a Lonely Wild Goose like this.

Is it ugly?

It's ugly, isn't it?

Is it ugly?

Guys, listen.

Her problem is your problem.

Do it again.

♫ I'm like ♫

♫ A lonely wild goose separated from the big crowd ♫

Yang!

Where's our chief?

Look. Just look at this yourself.

Ms. Qi,

calm down.

- Mr. Sun. - Ms. Zhuang.

The market for the Shaoxing Opera is not good now.

It's not easy for us to have a boss who is willing to invest money.

You have to seize this opportunity well.

Look.

I'll show you what sorrow is.

Mr. Cao.

Let's do it again.

Who is this?

She's so scary.

She's Xiasheng's mother.

She's a big shot.

♫ My father is dead and I feel heartbroken ♫

Mr. Sun,

you made a promise to me.

But this female lead

♫ I keep shedding tears ♫

still belongs to someone else now.

♫ When my father was demoted and on the way to somewhere else, my mother died ♫

♫ My father died unfortunately with unjust accusations against him ♫

♫ I'm like a lonely wild goose separated from the big crowd, and I have no one to depend on ♫

♫ I'm like the rootless duckweed that floats with water ♫

Ask Xiasheng to come here.

I have something to tell him.

The expressions in your eyes.

Show the expressions in your eyes.

You should look sad

and determined.

Yes.

That's right.

Something wrong happened to your elder brother.

Tell him

to be careful when he goes out.

What happened?

That's all I can say.

He will understand.

Good. That's very good.

Once more.

Next scene.

♫ I only see her standing in a graceful manner ♫

Your mom scolded me.

Then I'll teach her son a lesson.

It looks like

she's really serious.

She took away all the tasks of the director.

But she was right when she scolded me.

I was really convinced by what she said.

She's so energetic.

It looks like

she just tried to scare me

by saying that she was sick.

What are you doing?

I'm going to practice.

I can't let her scold me again.

Stop!

Your father is dead.

Your mother is dead.

Your enemies are going after you in order to kill you.

Why are you so slow?

Do you want to die?

Your gait is not okay.

Give the cloak to me.

Mr. Cao.

Let's do it again.

Go!

Lingling.

Do it by yourself again.

Mom.

Are you okay?

Mom.

I'm fine.

There's nothing wrong with me.

I won't die.

I will live until your play

is put on the stage.

Mom.

You're the consultant.

You don't have to go there every day.

How about I go to the hospital with you tomorrow morning?

You want me to go to the hospital?

You might as well ask Qiusheng to come back to see me.

Let me tell you something.

Look.

When you two meet each other in this scene,

there should be one more stimulation of emotions.

Strenghthen it and portray it.

Look.

When you come out from the entrance of the stage,

you'll be like this.

Do you think this is good?

Please forgive me for not entertaining you well.

You don't need to pay the bill if you come again.

Take care.

Boss.

This is so cowardly.

If we can solve a problem with our intelligence, just don't fight with others.

Go.

Clean up that private room.

You want to bribe me with just a bottle of perfume?

It seems that

she's really sick.

Don't lie to me.

I heard that she's quite healthy,

and she's the consultant of your play now.

She was full of energy while scolding people.

What are you looking at?

She said that

you are a genius.

You can sing operas.

You can sing very well while playing a female role.

If you were a girl,

you would be famous for your singing.

What are you talking about?

I don't believe it.

But she said you sing well.

She said that, compared with you,

I'm just a little finger.

Whatever she said isn't trustworthy.

She just wants to talk to you.

She misses you.

When will you visit her?

Just once, and it'll be fine.

Okay.

I just want to see whether she can

really come to see me without feeling ashamed at all.

Mr. Sun asked you

to be careful when you go out.

That's all that he can say.

Mom.

Hearing your voice,

I know that you didn't bring Qiusheng here.

Aren't you sick?

What disease do you have?

It's true that I'm sick.

Can you stop acting?

Do you think I'll trust

the words of an actress?

You're even a famous actress.

Qiusheng.

I understand.

I didn't care enough about you and Xiasheng.

I've been feeling very guilty all the time.

I can't believe that you forgot it.

The person whom you've disappointed the most is Dong.

Dong?

Are you so forgetful?

That's right.

It's not your own business,

so you can't remember it.

You can't even say your children's names.

How would I be unable to say your names?

You only know my name.

As for Xiasheng and Dong,

don't you just call them Second Child and Third Child?

After our father went missing that year,

you were so successful in the provincial capital.

You didn't care about us at all.

When you thought of us, you just sent some money back to us.

You didn't ask about anything else at all.

We had to depend on ourselves just like that.

Later, Dong got pregnant.

I didn't know what to do.

So I took Dong to the provincial capital to find you.

But you were going to perform in Beijing,

and you were about to go to the airport at that time.

Do you remember

what you said?

Find a hospital and have an abortion.

The surgery is not complicated.

On the way back to Yongcheng,

Dong kept crying.

Later, in front of Dong,

I beat that man and he got disabled.

That night,

Dong had a miscarriage.

I...

I didn't ask you to take her back home.

I wanted you to

find a hospital for her so that she could...

I didn't ask you to beat that man.

You can't blame our mother for everything.

It was your fault that Dong became crazy.

She still had feelings for that man.

How could she bear it while seeing you beat him up like that?

But that man was married.

He didn't admit that the child was his at all.

He said Dong had so many boyfriends,

and no one knew whose child it was.

I didn't know

all these things.

You didn't tell me, either.

If I had known about these things,

I wouldn't have asked you to beat him.

You were in jail for six years because of this matter.

Dong...

What was the use of telling you?

You were so busy.

What else did you give us besides money?

Do you know what the members of the Shaoxing Opera Troupe said?

They said we were

just three eggs you laid.

Qiusheng.

Are you here today

just in order to humiliate me?

It was you who begged me to come here.

You've never been a good mother.

I've never seen

an irresponsible mother like you.

Never?

Only after I

went to the provincial capital did I leave you.

I also wanted to visit you, but you didn't let me...

Before you went to the provincial capital,

you already failed to be a good mother.

One summer,

when you got home,

you felt very hot.

You asked Dong, Xiasheng and me

to fan you.

You would give us five cents for every one hundred strokes.

At that time, the price of

an ice-cream stick happened to be five cents.

So, we tried our best to fan you.

Our hands were so sore, but we didn't stop.

You fell asleep on the deck chair.

When you woke up,

you didn't give us any money at all.

You refused to give us money.

I don't even remember it.

What else do you remember?

You still remember how our father,

namely, your husband,

went missing, right?

Qiusheng,

What do you mean?

I love your father.

♫ At the ends of the world ♫

♫ I've been searching for my soulmate ♫

♫ I'm singing while you're playing Guqin ♫

♫ Dear, we're of one mind ♫

You two are a pair of clowns.

Shameless clowns.

I really don't know why our father

insisted that you should develop your career in the provincial capital.

He wrote "Pursuing the Moon" for you.

It seemed that his lifetime career was to make you famous.

Which man would be

willing to live separately from his wife

and sacrifice himself to help a woman realize her dream?

But you still betrayed him.

After I was admitted to a university in the provincial capital that year,

I had been living in school.

That day, I skipped class to go back home to get my clothes.

You haven't forgotten

what I saw accidentally, have you?

Qiusheng.

Qiusheng!

Qiusheng! Qiusheng!

Don't tell your father.

Don't...

Qiusheng!

Qiu-, Qiu-...

Qiusheng.

I wasn't going to tell my father,

but you didn't restrain yourself at all.

So I went back to Yongcheng

to tell our father about it.

It was you

who told your father in the end.

Do you know what my father said?

You...

Your mother is a good woman.

You can't

insult her like this.

I despised him.

I thought he was a blockhead.

I didn't expect that

he would disappear after your "Pursuing the Moon"

became a success.

Only until today did I realize that

in your minds,

I'm such a bad woman,

a bad mother

and a bad wife.

I'm nothing.

You're a good actress.

Only in the play can you be a normal person.

Do you know how hard it is to be an actor,

especially an actress?

Your father can write operas.

What else can he do

except for writing operas?

He can do nothing else.

I had to perform his work "Pursuing the Moon"

on the stage.

But I needed to find a way.

However, I tried all my best to find a way.

But we still couldn't find a way.

I'm an actress.

I'm an ordinary actress.

- I'm... - You're just greedy for fame and wealth!

You're unscrupulous!

I wanted to be on a bigger stage.

What did I do wrong?

What did I do wrong?

Besides, this "Pursuing the Moon" is your father's work.

Stop making excuses.

I started to learn operas in a drama school when I was a kid.

I didn't get much love from my parents.

I don't know much about family love.

For me,

except for acting,

nothing is important.

Later, I met your father.

He loved me

and doted on me.

He gave me all his love.

Later, your father went missing.

My sky collapsed.

You only saw me

change my boyfriend one after another.

Actually, I can never find

a man like your father who treats me well.

They all lied to me.

Alright.

Today,

I've said all the things that I should say

and I shouldn't say.

Let's stop talking about it.

I'm tired.

Dong.

Dong.

It's me.

Your elder brother.

Who are you?

Dong.

Our mother is back.

I saw her yesterday.

I told her all the resentment

I had felt all these years.

But I still feel quite sad.

I'm even sadder now.

Dong,

I should say sorry to you.

I'm the one

who destroyed your life,

ruined our family,

and ruined everything.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

[Yudai Flower]

Gosh.

Why did you put me in the middle of the actors?

I work behind the scenes.

I don't think

this is appropriate.

Ms. Qi,

in our minds, you'll be an actress forever.

- In our minds, you're also... - Alright.

We'll have a rehearsal tomorrow.

Let's get focused and do it again today.

All departments,

get focused.

Let's begin.

Let's seize the time.

You don't want to play a supporting role, do you?

Alright.

If the first performance is successful,

and the audience like it,

who can replace you?

But Ms. Qi,

I didn't pay much attention to the leading role's scenes.

There are so many lyrics.

I'm afraid I don't have enough time.

It's up to you.

But in one's lifetime,

there are not many good opportunities.

Why are you helping me?

How could you ask such a silly question?

Forget it.

I don't think you are a promising person.

Ms. Qi!

It's settled then.

Think carefully before making a decision.

What?

Is Ms. Zhuang not here yet?

She hasn't answered the phone.

I'll go to her home.

My goodness.

How dare you leave at this time?

It's the first performance today.

Wu.

Yes!

Do you know where Ms. Zhuang's home is?

Yes, I do.

Take a taxi to go there.

Remember to call me.

Okay.

How many pills did she take?

As you said.

Two pills.

She won't die, will she?

No, she won't.

I also take these pills when I don't sleep well.

It'll be too late when she wakes up.

Just wait and see.

The chief will beg you to play this role on the stage soon.

Wang Jing.

Change your style of makeup now.

Wu called me.

Ms. Zhuang isn't at home.

Chief.

I'd better play the role of a village girl.

I'm still not familiar with Ms. Zhuang's lyrics.

You always fail at the crucial moment.

What should I do now?

It's not easy for our troupe to have such a performance.

The tickets are sold well, too.

You...

You have to go up there even if you can do nothing on the stage.

You're just bullying me.

If I sing badly,

the audience will blame me.

I'm more nervous now.

My dear Madam,

don't be like this.

I beg you.

If you really don't know what to do,

how about I play this role?

But let me tell you.

I'll only act in this one performance.

In the future, this role

will only be played by Zhuang Lingling.

Why are you still standing there?

Help Ms. Qi put on the makeup.

♫ I just want to grow old with her ♫

♫ It's hard to say what I really think ♫

♫ It's on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't say it ♫

♫ I'm in a dilemma ♫

♫ I'm in a dilemma ♫

♫ For his mind ♫

♫ For her mind ♫

♫ How can I guess it correctly? ♫

♫ In an instant ♫

♫ I was entangled by love ♫

♫ I miss you so much ♫

♫ I miss you so much ♫

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Zhuang Lingling.

You can take over from now on.

I just filled in last minute.

Thank you, Ms. Qi.

We'd have been doomed

without your help.

[Yudai Flower]

All the information is inside,

including the deposit.

We'll pay the rest when it's done.

Ma'am.

One latte.

Who's this enemy?

It's none of your business.

I need to know

if he deserves to die.

Of course he does.

He should've died years ago.

He crippled someone else.

Your selfish mom remembers her kids

now that she's old!

This is ridiculous!

Alright, Ms. Zhuang.

What's done is done.

Calm down.

You have a show tomorrow night.

How can you perform

like this?

But

I'll hand it to her.

Look.

She has many flaws.

But once she's in her opera costume,

in front of an audience,

she sparkles.

Her flaws

seem to become trivial.

She's so charming

that it's hard to stay mad at her

indeed.

Ms. Zhuang.

You're better

and kinder than her.

But

not on stage.

Only one thing

matters to her.

That's opera.

That's not

a level I can reach.

Why's your makeup still on?

It's late.

Aren't you sleepy?

Is Qiusheng

in danger?

How'd I know?

What's wrong?

You...

Don't you care about Qiusheng at all?

Is it up to me to care?

Today's premiere

was better offstage than on stage.

I'm tired.

Xiasheng.

I want to

visit Dong tomorrow morning.

She doesn't recognize you anymore.

It makes no difference.

Just like your brother,

your words

are like knives.

We're approaching Daqing Road Station.

Please get ready to get off.

We're at Daqing Road Station.

Mom?

Mom.

What's wrong?

Are you going or not?

I'm scared to go.

I'm scared.

When she was first admitted in 1991,

I went to see her.

You did?

She was on a bench

acting like a pregnant woman,

rubbing her stomach

and calling it her baby.

Baby.

When you get out,

I'll buy you delicious food.

I won't be like my mom,

only buying good food

for Qiusheng secretly

and telling him to keep it from me

because I'll hold a grudge.

Dong.

Dong.

You recognize me?

Dong.

It's all my fault.

What do you want to eat?

I'll buy it for you.

I'm too ashamed to see her,

my daughter.

I'm too ashamed to see you guys.

Boss.

Your mom's here

again.

She didn't wanna come in.

♫ Although I'm already married ♫

♫ After I met her, I fell in love with her ♫

Xiasheng.

Come.

Mom.

I'll take you to the hospital.

No need.

I have something to tell you.

Xiasheng.

Listen.

I killed someone.

Mom.

I came here to talk to you.

Then you can take me to the police

to turn myself in.

Logically,

your mother should be unconscious.

But she looks to be

in good spirits.

She can even...

It's a miracle.

Go see your mom at the hospital.

She's dying.

Oh, right.

The man your mom killed was saved.

Thank you.

I knew you'd come to see me.

I lost all my hair

from chemotherapy.

The police won't let me wear a wig.

I'm so ugly.

I'm an actress.

You still look good.

Even actresses

have to get treated

for illnesses.

I do want to live.

When I saw a doctor in Beijing,

I asked the doctor

how long

I had to live.

The doctor was tired of me asking

and said

I had three months at most.

When I heard that,

I blanked out.

I asked him if it was true.

He didn't answer.

But I thought

it must be true.

So I escaped from the hospital

and went back to Yongcheng.

I wanted

to see you all

before I die.

Mom.

You risked your life

to save me.

Twice.

It's worth it.

Qiusheng.

Qiusheng.

Is your dad...

still alive?

The script

is good.

I feel like

he wrote it.

Many nights,

it felt like he's back.

But when I opened the door,

there was nothing.

If he's dead,

I can...

meet him.

When I see him,

should I

apologize to him?

Xiasheng.

Mom.

Get Zhuang Lingling here.

I want to talk to her.

Don't worry.

I'll apologize to her

properly.

Nonsense.

I don't blame you.

I've always wanted to visit you.

But Xiasheng said

it's troublesome to apply for a lawyer.

I really appreciate your guidance.

Otherwise, I couldn't have pulled off

such a complex scene.

Xiasheng.

Give us some

alone time

to talk.

Okay.

Lingling.

Thank you for

taking care of Xiasheng.

I'm not a good mother.

I don't even remember

Xiasheng as a kid.

When you came to the provincial capital,

you had a tough time

and were indeed busy.

I just tried my best

to take care of the three kids.

Xiasheng

is quite obedient.

Unlike Qiusheng,

who makes everyone an enemy.

Xiasheng

used to cling to me.

I remember that.

Xiasheng liked to

sleep in your attic when he was little.

As

He grew up,

I didn't let him come.

But he made a fuss under the window every night

for a month.

I couldn't take it anymore.

At first,

nothing happened.

But later...

Actually,

I've been feeling guilty.

I introduced another girl to him.

She

was lovely.

But Xiasheng

didn't like girls he has to take care of.

Once he heard I got a new boyfriend,

he came to me like a lunatic

and refused to leave.

It's been

ten years since then.

Why don't you have a child?

I'm old.

Xiasheng's still young.

One day,

he'll get sick of me.

Have a child.

You'll be a good mother.

Unlike me.

It'd be

a loss for Xiasheng

to be tied to an old lady.

Can you bear that as his mom?

You're not old.

I was still feisty

at your age.

Lingling.

Xiasheng really likes you.

When I just arrived in Yongcheng,

you invited me

to dinner.

I could see

your bond with Xiasheng.

He looked at you with such love.

It made me jealous.

Except Xiasheng's father,

I haven't seen

such a loving gaze.

I'm going to reunite with his dad.

Lingling.

Please

take care of Xiasheng.

♫ Swallowing the elixir ♫

♫ I attained the grace of flight ♫

♫ Entering ♫

♫ As the morning star fades ♫

♫ Upon the mica screen ♫

♫ With regret filling my heart ♫

♫ Residing in the heavens ♫

♫ Night ♫

♫ Night after night ♫

♫ My thoughts ♫

♫ Yearn for ♫

♫ The mortal realm ♫

Forgive me, your mom.

Do you remember?

I came to the provincial capital

to learn opera from your mom

for a period of time.

After "Pursuing the Moon" took off,

your father

came home drunk one day

and yelled at me.

He's usually so refined.

It's my first time seeing him throw such a tantrum.

He bawled his eyes out,

saying he saw the man who bullied your mom.

But he held it in.

He was helpless.

Now "Pursuing the Moon" is a success

and his mission's completed.

He couldn't hinder Ms. Qi anymore.

After that,

he went missing.

So

He disappeared because of Mom.

In your family,

I think Qiusheng's

like your mom:

tenacious.

You and Dong

are like your father:

kind

and fragile.

Mom.

Bye.

You should pray too.

This is our dad.

How did you know

Dad came here?

He told me about this island.

He and Mom

fell in love here.

Probably during the Down to the Countryside Movement.

It popped up in my mind,

so I came here to look for him.

Kid.

He's here.

But he's renounced the material world.

Don't bother contacting him.

He won't see you.

Amitabha.

Ten years later,

I received a mail.

The letter inside

said Dad has died.

There was also a script.

It's the opera

you're performing now.

So it was you.

No wonder

Zhuang Lingling wouldn't say who wrote the script

or how she got it

despite me pestering her.

I sent it to her.

I said to keep it anonymous.

To think

Mom would

end up

acting in it.

You also paid for the sponsorship, right?

I got Mr. Sun to help me.

You acted well.

Brother.

Thank you.

I feel relieved now.

Come on!

Hurry!

Hi! Hello!

♫ Swallowing the elixir ♫

♫ I attained the grace of flight ♫

♫ And entered the Palace of the Moon ♫

♫ As the morning star fades ♫

♫ Upon the mica screen ♫

♫ By the candlelight, my solitary silhouette reflects ♫

♫ Across the vast Milky Way ♫

♫ The lonely Cloud Robe is bestowed upon me ♫

♫ With regret filling my heart ♫

♫ Residing in the heavens ♫

♫ Night after night ♫

♫ My thoughts yearn for the mortal realm ♫