Original subtitles

My father died suddenly.

I only found out last night.

The village chief made a long distance call.

I couldn't believe it at the time.

My home is a small village in the mountains

called Sanhetun.

Years ago, I left to work in the city.

So busy, I haven't been home in years.

My father was the village's primary school teacher.

He taught there all his life.

I am an only child.

The only one from our village who went to college.

Now I am most worried about my mother.

That she cannot accept the sudden news.

Come in and rest a while.

No thanks, I've got to hurry back.

Tell your boss I will thank him in person when I get back.

- You're welcome. - Thank you.

Mother?

- Mother? - Sheng.

Village Chief, Uncle Xia.

I saw the car and knew you were back.

Come in.

It's warmer inside.

Please, sit down.

I couldn't tell you much over the phone.

Now you're here, I can explain everything.

It's the schoolhouse.

Your father had wanted to rebuild it.

For many years there were always reasons we couldn't.

He brought it up again recently

and the village agreed.

We have the materials we need but not enough money.

Your father became anxious because of the lack of money.

He quickly went--

He travelled around, trying to borrow funds.

He went all over the county.

If there was a chance, he'd go after it.

On the last trip, on his way home

he ran into a snowstorm, a big blizzard.

He was stuck in the storm and he got sick.

He got really sick.

He was in bad shape when he got back

so we took him to the county hospital.

They examined him, and said he had a heart problem.

We've known your dad all these years.

No one knew but he had heart disease.

They tried treating him, but it was no use.

At the end, he didn't make it.

Where is my father now?

At the county hospital, in the morgue.

That's why we waited for you to return,

to discuss with you.

Last time we spoke on the phone, he seemed fine.

What happened?

He's old, and this year's storm was bad.

At his age, it was too much for him.

It would have been hard on anyone.

- What do you think? - The village's plan

is to bring your father back.

- It's already been three days. - So that we can bury him.

That's what we planned.

Let's follow the chief's plan. It's fine.

But there is a problem.

Your mother doesn't agree to use a car.

She requests for your father to be carried back.

What do you mean?

She wants the coffin brought back on foot

so your father won't forget his way home.

It's an old superstition.

- Mother thinks-- - And she wants to walk with your father.

- So let's do it. - We agree.

He was our village teacher. Everyone respects him.

But our young people have all left for the city.

They've gone away to work.

Only the elderly and children are left.

In this situation, we thought of using a tractor.

We could make the trip in half a day.

You must help your mother decide.

All right, please don't be embarrassed.

I will talk it over with her.

- Good. - Where is she?

Since your dad died, she sits at the schoolhouse all day,

and no one can make her go.

- She won't listen to anyone. - She just sits there.

- Is she okay? - I think so.

I am only afraid--

- The old schoolhouse? - Yes.

I'll go to her.

- Mother. - Sheng.

It's so cold. Let's go home, okay?

Your father is dead.

Come, let's go home.

You will never see him again.

Get on the bed, where it's warm.

Sheng...

Bring me my loom.

Loom? What for?

- I want to weave something. - Weave what?

A cloth for your father's coffin.

See if this will do?

Don't trouble yourself. I will go and buy one instead.

I don't want to buy one.

That loom is decades old.

It's been broken for years.

Also, who weaves anything themselves nowadays?

Ask Uncle Xia to fix it.

You need rest, Mother. You must be so tired.

I have to make this cloth myself.

Can't I just go buy one now?

No! just do as I say.

There are no looms left in the village.

Your mother kept the last one.

She's guarded it like a treasure.

Looks like she's determined to weave

and to join the walk.

Carrying the dead is an old custom.

"Over the mountains,

"across the river, past the crossroads."

We are to shout along the way.

What do we say?

We tell him this is the road home.

Everyone yells at him so that he remembers his way home.

This is the meaning behind it.

Uncle Xia, is it really so difficult

to do as my mother wishes?

It is actually difficult.

We don't have the manpower.

All our young people have left.

The custom hasn't been followed since the Cultural Revolution.

Who can do it now? No one.

I don't want her to weave this cloth...

but I don't know how to stop her.

The funeral procession

seems all that matters to her now.

Mother, I heard the village chief say that you want to carry father home.

Yes.

I was thinking whether there was any other way.

Don't worry about it.

Your father lived here for more than 40 years.

He taught many generations of kids.

He worked very hard, and long hours.

The town should do something in return.

The village chief agrees with you.

It is just a bit difficult.

I'm just suggesting,

whether we carry him on foot

or on a tractor, isn't it the same?

We're still bringing him home.

It's not the same.

No matter what, I want your father carried back.

If they won't help, we'll find a way...

and get someone who will... bring him back.

Please don't weave anymore tonight.

I have to. I have to finish it.

You've been tired for days. Get some rest, okay?

You sleep in your father's study.

I have to finish this.

This picture was taken the year my parents married.

My father was not from the village.

He came here later.

My parents' love story

was once sensational.

The villagers talk so much about it.

It sounds like a fairy tale.

My mother had just turned 18.

My father was only 20.

My mother told me my father arrived on a horse cart.

This is our new teacher in Sanhetun.

His name is Luo. Luo Changyu.

Is that Di? What's all the racket for?

Nothing.

This morning there was such a crowd.

They say it was to see the teacher.

Has the teacher arrived?

Yes.

That's good.

It's about time we got our own teacher.

What does he look like?

He's a young man.

A young man?

For a young man to teach,

he must be talented.

- Where is he staying? - At the village-council office.

That's good. It's warm there.

What about his meals?

He'll eat with a different family each day.

When it's our turn

we'll have to make a hearty meal.

Di... what are you doing?

Nothing.

Seeing a teacher makes you change into new clothes?

My grandmother was already blind by then.

Mother says when Grandfather died

Grandmother cried until she went blind.

After Grandfather died

there was only Mother to look after Grandmother.

Grandmother's only wish was to find a good husband for Mother.

She had many proposals

but my mother didn't like any of them.

The schoolhouse was not yet built when my father arrived.

The village chief enlisted all the men's help to speed up the work.

According to our village custom

a fed cloth must be hung in a new building,

on the ceiling beam for good luck.

The cloth is called 'Red'.

Usually it is woven by the village's most beautiful maiden.

This task naturally fell to my mother.

Perhaps she was already a little in love...

because the cloth she made was especially fine.

The village had two wells back then.

The old well was called the front well.

The newer well was called the back well.

The new well was nearer the village, so more people used that one.

After my father arrived,

Mother started to use the old well

as she would then pass by the school.

The village had another custom.

When putting up a new building,

each family would prepare a dish for the workers' lunch.

This is called 'public meals'.

Mother prepared all her best dishes,

hoping Father would eat what she made.

According to Mother, back then women were not allowed to do a lot of things.

For example, construction and big tasks like digging a well.

They say it brings bad luck.

When they put up the school

the village women could only watch

from a distance.

- What did you make today? - Mantou and fritters.

- What about you, Zhao Di? - I made scallion pancakes.

I brought rice steamed in lotus leaves.

Scallion pancakes are surely better.

Did you save some for your boyfriend?

Shut up!

Look at them.

They pick up the first dish they see. They don't know who made what.

I don't know who's eating mine.

It must be your husband!

Put them here.

Zhao Di, you brought the banner?

I was going to get it from your house.

Give it, give it to me!

Okay, here.

I shouldn't have saved you the trip.

Zhao Di, this is a beautiful banner.

Class can start once the school is complete.

Teacher said language will be the first lesson.

- Is the teacher happy with the food? - Yes.

- Does he eat what we make? - Yes.

- He eats together with you? - Of course not!

He's a city gentleman.

He can't have messy meals like we do.

So how does it work?

We give him first pick of the dishes.

"One must be courteous...", say it.

"One must be courteous..."

"And righteous," say it.

"And righteous."

"Living in this world...", say it.

"Living in this world..."

"You must have ambition," say it.

"You must have ambition."

Good, we'll repeat twice.

"Reading expands your knowledge," say it.

"Reading expands your knowledge."

"It's good to be able to write and do math," say it.

"It's good to be able to write and do math."

"Big and small matters, note with your pen," say it.

"Big and small matters, note with your pen."

"Know the present, know the past. Know heaven and earth," say it.

"Know the present, know the past. Know heaven and earth."

When I was young, my mother told me

my father had a beautiful reading voice.

My mother never learned to write and could not understand what was read.

But she found my father's voice to be the sweetest voice on earth.

She went to listen to him every day after that.

For most, the novelty of the new school wore off after a while...

but not for my mother.

For more than 40 years, she came to listen...

and it became part of her life.

"Know respect for your elders," say it.

"Know respect for your elders."

Mother heard that each day after school

my father would walk some students home.

She decided to wait along the way,

hoping to bump into him.

The birds sing with the beautiful sun

Their songs wake the beautiful flowers

Hey!

- Who is she? - That's Zhao Di.

Is she from Sanhetun?

She lives just there.

Sister Zhao Di, our teacher is asking about you!

- You need water? - Yes.

- Let me get it for you. - No, that's okay.

- Let me do it. - I can do it. Thanks.

No, let me. Let me help you!

You're the teacher. You shouldn't bother.

- Let me do it. - No, no.

Come on.

No!

Zhao Di, how come you're fetching water here?

Tomorrow, it's our turn to have you over.

I know.

My father told me,

the first time he went to my mother's house

she stood in the doorway.

Leaning against the door frame

she looked like a figure in a painting...

an image he would never forget.

- Di, is the teacher here? - Yes.

Your heavy footsteps gave you away.

Come in. Come here.

My mother's eyesight is not good.

This teacher is very tall.

Sit down.

Onto the heated bed.

Can't think when we last had a man home for a meal.

The food must taste good to you.

You sound like you're enjoying it.

Have you been in Sanhetun for a month already?

More than a month.

Have you gotten used to it?

- Yes. - That's good.

- Is your family in the county? - Yes, from East Gate.

How did you choose Sanhetun?

After graduation, I couldn't find work.

One day in the street, a man was signing people up.

I didn't know what for, but I signed up anyway.

And I ended up here.

- Do you regret it? - No.

Why?

I like it here.

Are you married?

No.

Are you engaged?

No.

Zhao Di will do it. Sit for a while.

Do you remember this bowl?

This design?

No, I don't remember.

Did you have the public meals?

Yes.

Looks like Zhao Di's hard work was wasted.

She doesn't say but I know all too well.

When you were building the school

she made all her best dishes.

She always used that bowl

hoping you would choose her dish.

Even I wasn't allowed to help.

Public meals! I remember now.

You do?

The bowl and your cooking are familiar.

- So you ate from it before? - Yes.

You did? What did you eat?

Let me tell you.

On the first day, I made scallion pancakes.

On the second, scrambled eggs and onions on rice.

On the third day, mushroom dumplings.

What a shame. Three delicious meals.

And I love mushroom dumplings.

Come more often. I'll cook for you.

- That is too much to ask. - No.

You've hardly finished lunch, and you're planning the next meal.

Zhao Di, show the teacher out.

He must be very busy.

Yes, I should go.

That red jacket of yours is pretty on you.

I remember it from the day I arrived.

Don't forget to come back for dumplings.

You shouldn't make the dumplings.

- Why not? - You may regret it.

- Why? - You know why.

This teacher is a nice man

but he's out of our class.

What are you talking about? It's only dumplings.

Don't play dumb.

I'm just being honest.

You'd best forget about him.

I will not go back!

You've got no choice!

I will not go back!

I came to say goodbye.

Where are you going?

Back to the county.

Why the rush?

Nothing.

I saw you argue with someone. Was that what it was about?

Who was he? Why do you have to go back?

It's no big deal. They just have some questions. That's all.

Can't they ask you questions here?

He says it's not up to him.

Will you come back?

Of course! I have classes to teach.

When will you be back?

The latest will be... the 8th day of the 12th lunar month.

On the 9th, the school holiday starts. I have to be back before that.

- Come in and eat dumplings. - I'm afraid I can't.

I have things to do.

You and your mum shouldn't wait for me.

I really do. That man is waiting for me.

Tell him to come too.

You have to eat in any case.

Okay, I'll come and eat.

I'll wait for you.

I bought this for you.

To go with your red jacket.

I'll be waiting.

What is going on? No more class?

- He's said to be a rightist. - What?

I don't understand it either.

Maybe it's nothing.

Who knows, he might be back in two days.

The teacher has left.

- The teacher's left? - Yes.

- How come? - The village chief just sent him off.

My mother spent a few days...

searching miles of mountain trails.

She wanted to find the hair clip from my father.

Pottery repairs!

Please come in.

I charge for the nails I use.

This will cost you more than buying a new bowl.

just tell me how much, and I'll pay you.

Is it a family heirloom?

No.

It belonged to someone special?

You could say that.

Who?

It's for my daughter.

The man who used it left

and took my daughter's heart with him.

The repaired bowl will be a souvenir for her.

When it's done, it'll be very solid.

I guarantee she'll have good memories.

Pottery repairs!

Di, what are you doing?

Nothing. just getting a drink of water.

One times eight equals eight.

One times nine equals nine.

Two times two equals four.

Two times three equals six.

Two times four equals eight.

Two times five equals ten.

Two times six equals 12.

Two times seven equals 14.

Two times eight equals 16.

Two times nine equals 18.

Good.

Three times three equals nine.

Three times four equals 12.

Three times five equals 15.

Three times six equals 18.

Three times seven equals 21.

Three times eight equals 24.

Three times nine equals 27.

My father told my mother,

when he was teaching the kids

he could always look up and see the red banner.

When he saw that banner

it reminded him of Mother and her red jacket.

The village chief kept insisting

that the classroom needed a proper roof

but my father never let him.

That's why the school ceiling

was never completed.

Mother sat in the classroom until late that day.

The door was open, and the village chief saw her there.

He understood what that meant.

Once he knew,

the news got round the village quickly.

Back then...

autonomous marriage was a novel idea.

My mother was the first in Sanhetun.

On the day my father promised to return...

my mother was waiting from first light.

She remembered his promise

that he would surely return on the 8th.

School vacation began on the 9th.

He had to be back before that.

It's so cold out there.

Where have you been all day?

Get warm on the bed.

You're burning! Don't get sick!

I know you went to wait for the teacher.

Everyone says he's in trouble and won't be back.

You've got to let go.

I'm going to the county to find him.

Are you crazy? You're ill!

Di! Come back! Come back!

My mother didn't reach the city that day.

She fainted on the way.

A passerby saw her, and they got word to the village chief.

The village chief and Uncle Xia brought her home on a cart.

I remember the village chief once told me

my mother's hands were like ice that day.

While on the cart, they wrapped her in a heavy blanket

but couldn't warm her hands.

I don't think it's too serious.

It's a bad cold.

She'll recover with rest.

Village chief, is the teacher able to come back?

I don't know the answer.

He should have been back by now.

Maybe someone can write to him.

If he doesn't come back, I can't stop her.

It'd be great if he can visit her once.

"Spring is here."

"Spring is here."

"It melts the snow."

"It melts the snow."

"The grass turns green."

"The grass turns green."

"The farmers sow."

"The farmers sow."

"The oxen plough the field."

"The oxen plough the field."

"The wild geese return."

"The wild geese return."

"The frogs end their hibernation."

"The frogs end their hibernation."

Di, you're awake.

You've been sleeping for two days.

You don't know yet... the teacher is back.

The teacher is back!

He came back last night.

He came straight here.

He sat with you for a long time.

Di, isn't it such good news? He's back!

He came back for you.

"Full of energy."

"Our spirit comes alive."

"Our spirit comes alive."

"Full of new hope."

"Full of new hope."

"Full of new dreams."

"Full of new dreams."

"Spring is here."

"Spring is here."

"It melts the snow."

"It melts the snow."

"The grass turns green."

"The grass turns green."

"The farmers sow."

"The farmers sow."

"The oxen plough the field."

"The oxen plough the field."

"The wild geese return."

"The wild geese return."

"The frogs end their hibernation."

"The frogs end their hibernation."

"Swallows start to sing."

"Swallows start to sing."

"Spring is the season to sow."

"Spring is the season to sow."

"All starts to grow again."

"All starts to grow again."

"The world is full of life again."

Mr. Luo!

Mr. Luo, Zhao Di is here to see you!

Sir! Sir!

Zhao Di is here!

That evening, my father was summoned away again,

because he left the county without permission.

When he heard about my mother, he couldn't stand it

so he sneaked back.

For this disobedience...

my parents were kept apart for a couple of years.

Later I learned from the villagers...

that on the day my father finally returned...

my mother put on her red jacket, my father's favourite,

and stood by the road to wait for him.

From that day on, my father never left my mother again.

This is the story of my father and my mother.

Their love story was connected to this road...

an ordinary mountain road that leads from the county to our village.

Maybe because of the hope it held for her

as she waited for my father to return...

she wants to walk with him one last time.

Village Chief?

Village Chief?

- Who is it? - It's me. Sheng.

- Sheng, you need to see me? - Yes.

Quick. Come in. It's cold out there.

How can I help you?

I think I understand my mother's wishes.

- Let's carry him back. - Really?

It's still a problem, though.

The problem is not enough men, right?

How about this? We'll hire men from the next village.

That's a good idea.

But how do we pay them?

That's okay.

just tell me how many men we need.

For a short distance, only ten

but this is a long trip.

I think we need about 16.

We will need two shifts. That's 32 men.

And we'll need others to carry chairs

so people can rest along the way.

That comes to about 35, 36 men.

How much per person?

One hundred yuan each should do. That will do.

Right, 35, 36 people.

How much in total?

That's 3,500 or 3,600 yuan.

We need to buy cigarettes for those who smoke.

And wine too. Got to ward off the cold.

We'll also want some extra for emergencies.

Altogether, around 4,000 yuan should be about right.

Village chief, here's 5,000 yuan.

- Enough? - It's more than enough.

Mrs. Luo, come and see Mr. Luo.

Please don't cry.

Don't let tears fall on him.

Mr. Luo, we are going back to the village.

That day, over 100 people came to the ceremony.

The village chief told me they were my father's students.

They heard about his death, and they all hurried back.

Many came back from other towns.

Some drove from the city.

The village chief said the furthest came back from Guangzhou.

Some got caught in the snowstorm and didn't make it in time.

I didn't recognise most of them.

Some were much older than me.

I don't know when my father taught them.

I didn't know how to address them.

Anyway, the village chief said they are all Mr. Luo's students.

Sheng, take this money back.

Why? Didn't we agree on this?

They won't take it, not even the ones we hired.

No one wants the money.

Take it back.

At my mother's request...

my father was buried next to the old well.

The village has running water now, so no one needs a well.

No one has used it for a long time.

My mother says, from here,

my father can look down at the school every day.

She also asked

to be buried next to him when the time comes.

After my father's funeral

the village chief came to talk about rebuilding the school.

The county has granted funds

and the village families have donated money.

He says no matter what, we must fulfil my father's wishes.

The money you brought back, give it to me.

Village Chief, we've saved over the years.

Take it to rebuild the school.

I can't take it. Changyu is no longer here--

You have to take this money.

All right. I'll take it, then.

You are the first, but surely not the last, to help.

I am leaving tomorrow.

Mother asked me along to the schoolhouse one last time.

My mother says the next time I come back

the school we know will be gone.

Sheng, your father helped build this school.

He taught here so many years.

He spent more time here than at home.

Changyu, can you hear me?

The village chief will build a new school...

on another yard...

a tall, shiny...

sturdy...

wonderful school...

just as you wished.

They will start building next spring.

You won't have to worry anymore.

When the new school is completed...

I will hang a lucky red banner there.

You can rest easy now.

Look at your dad.

He told me all the time,

he always wanted you to become a teacher...

to take over for him.

He sent you to the teachers' college...

but you never taught a day of class.

If you could teach for one day...

teach for one day...

that would make your dad happy.

Then...

you can go back to your life.

Look, there's no teacher now...

no sound of children reciting their lessons.

The village chief said

the county might send a new teacher soon.

No new teacher...

would sound as good and loud as your father.

After more than 40 years, I still love that voice.

His reading voice was beautiful.

Mother, I've been thinking.

Why don't you come and live in the county with me.

No, I won't.

Your dad is here and I won't go anywhere.

How can I leave you here alone?

Don't worry about me.

I can take care of myself.

Are you doing all right in the city?

Yes, very well. Don't worry about me.

Do you have a girlfriend?

Let's play it by ear.

You're not young anymore.

Don't be so picky.

Listen to me.

Find yourself a nice girl

and bring her home to meet me.

However,

your dad is gone.

Your dad used to worry about you.

When children grow up

you can't keep them.

When they are far away

you can't see them.

As parents...

we let you go

but we never stop worrying.

Your dad...

had always...

missed you lots.

- Please don't cry. - You see, he--

If you keep crying, you will fall ill.

With your father gone, it's hard not to feel lonely.

I know.

You...

must work hard out there.

"Know respect for your elders," say it.

"Know respect for your elders."

"One must be courteous and righteous," say it.

"One must be courteous and righteous."

"One must have order in life," say it.

"One must have order in life."

"Reading expands your knowledge," say it.

"Reading expands your knowledge."

"It's good to be able to write and do math," say it.

"It's good to be able to write and do math."

"Big and small matters, note with your pen", say it.

"Big and small matters, note with your pen."

"Know the present, know the past. Know heaven and earth," say it.

"Know the present, know the past. Know heaven and earth."

"Spring, summer, fall, winter. Four seasons in a year," say it.

"Spring, summer, fall, winter. Four seasons in a year."

"East, west, south, north, everywhere," say it.

"East, west, south, north, everywhere."

"Wind, frost, snow, and rain. In everything, there is a Purpose," say it.

"Wind, frost, snow, and rain. In everything, there is a Purpose."

I gathered the students early that morning.

I told them I would teach them for one day.

The village chief asked me why.

I said it was for my mother and for my father too.

I stood in my father's place,

where he stood all his life.

In that moment, I felt sure

my father could hear my voice and those of my students.

The book I am using is the same one he used that first day.

Actually, it is not a textbook.

It is a song he wrote himself.

"It's good to be able to write and do math."

"It's good to be able to write and do math."

"Big and small matters, note with your pen."

"Big and small matters, note with your pen."

"Know the present, know the past. Know heaven and earth."

"Know the present, know the past. Know heaven and earth."

"Spring, summer, fall, winter. Four seasons in a year."

"Spring, summer, fall, winter. Four seasons in a year."

"East, west, south, north, everywhere."

"East, west, south, north, everywhere."

"Wind, frost, snow, and rain. In everything, there is a Purpose."

"Wind, frost, snow, and rain. In everything, there is a Purpose."

"Know respect for your elders."

"Know respect for your elders."

"You must have ambition."