Kuankuan...
Hey! Kuankuan!
Kuankuan! Kuankuan!
What's the matter with you?
It wasn't my fault!
He just collapsed!
Must be sunstroke!
Kuankuan...
Kuankuan... Is that you, Kuankuan?
Kuankuan!
Ah, it is you!
You scared your aunt to death
Aiya, sorry! sorry!
I've forgotten your leg!
Haven't you grown tall!
What does your mama feed you?
See you, Auntie
Take care!
It's so hot!
Come along this way
Kuankuan
you'll have to get used to that
That woman sings everyday
At the same time, like a rooster
Wretched thing!
Come on
Watch your step
You can't drink that water!
I soak my false teeth in it
It's my fault
Sorry, Kuankuan
Sorry? I've drunk it now!
What's the point of saying sorry?
You're right... Anyway we're relatives
Sorry, I must go to the toilet
Are you alright? Get up
I'm okay! Next time I'm gonna find something weird in your place...
...tell me first!
What? You mean my 14 birds?
I just let them fly free for a little while
They'll go back in the cage in a minute
I used to have...
Stop pulling me, will you?
There used to be 15 of them
One of them just vanished
Feifei must have got it
You know, that cat eats better
than I do
I bought you a big watermelon and some fish
They're in the fridge in the shop downstairs
I'll go and get them... I'll be back in a moment
Alright?
Wretched thing!
Local call: 30 cents
Hello She's not here
Okay... Bye-bye
Are you there, Mrs. Ye?
I'm letting myself in
Are you there, Mrs. Ye?
Who are you?
Are you Mrs. Ye's grandson?
I'm her nephew
She says she has a daughter in Los Angeles...
You know her?
I don't know, ask my Auntie
Come, pat her
Why isn't she home to hear my good news?
I know, when she comes back...
Tell her that her neighbor came by
I've found her a job as a tutor
She has an interview tomorrow... Don't forget!
My name is Shui... Call me Mrs. Shui
The 'shui' that means water
Don't forget, it's very important
Two RMB a cattie OK
Let's go! Kuankuan
Thanks for coming with me to the interview
You're a key part of my plan
If the terms for the tutoring job are acceptable...
...that'll be fine
But if not, I can say you need a lot of looking after
Then I can turn them down
Life is all about planning ahead
The chicken soup smells great!
Who is it?
Mrs. Ye, look at this!
Look at my new wig
Smashing, isn't it?
Doesn't it look good?
Don't you get tired of changing your hair color every day?
I find it rather shocking
Shocking's the word! I'm never tired...
Looking good is always fun
I think the silver wig suits you better
Then you don't understand
I choose the wig to match the color of my clothes
Anyway, how did the interview go?
I'm starting tomorrow
Then it's settled?
Yes
Congratulations!
So you owe me a treat!
I probably do
Congratulations!
Kuankuan, what do you think she looks like?
I don't know
Isn't she like a ribbon fish?
I call her Grey Ribbon Fish
She's the one who sings every day
She's always in a good mood
And you're always in a jealous mood
What? Me? Jealous of her?
The people in this building...
...are all wretches
Very few are college graduates
Unlike me!
I used to win 'Model Worker' awards every year!
Everyone sang my praises
She's just rich!
So what's she good for?
Really!
Singing at all hours...
Pets all over the place...
I've always lived an upright life
Auntie, can I ask you a favor?
Of course! You only have to ask
Can we turn on your air conditioner?
I'm too hot
What do you mean?
Am I not hospitable enough?
Kuankuan, I have arthritis
I can't be too cold...
...or too hot
What a child!
When I was young, I hadn't even seen an electric fan!
I didn't sleep well last night
Insomnia
An earthquake wouldn't have woken you!
This is for my living expenses
From now on, every cent it costs to have me here...
...take from this money
Today we begin our first lesson with a story
It's a story about a bat
Called "The Bat"
Le Bat
No, it's "the"
What is that? Shanghainese?
Don't laugh, try it again
Yes, that's right!
Now, I'll read the story in English
Listen
Kuankuan...
Hello, Rulan?
Has Kuankuan called you?
No, sister, what's up?
Nothing
But he wasn't here when I came home this evening
And he's still not back
I'm a bit worried
Should I call the police?
Oh dear, not again!
What do you mean?
It's alright, sis, don't worry
It's not the first time
His disappearing act
He usually comes back around 7 p.m. on the third day
Just be patient
Was there anything else?
I'm in a meeting, let's speak later
Are you Sixth Princess?
Yeah
I'm Seventh Knight
No way!
Are you really 18?
Or are you just malnourished?
Tell me
I'm twelve
And crippled!
Was once enough?
Sit down
Watch this
Oh! A guest!
Mr. Fang?
It's some time since we last saw you
After your promotion, you forgot us!
Important men become forgetful
Okay, go out and play
That's right I still have work to do
My grandma
Where are your parents?
In Xinjiang... They're divorced
They're both remarried they've had more kids
It was grandma who burned my face
It was when I was four
She'd given me a bath
She was just putting me to bed...
...when she let me slip
I fell right on the oven
It was right there
I've always hated her for it
But she's old, she has Alzheimer's
She's forgotten the whole thing
No point hating her now
Mrs. Ye! Thank you for your work
This is a small gesture from my family
Please accept it
I'll explain...
We had experts assess your class
They consider your English ability to be excellent...
...but think you're not right for our son
You speak British English
It's very elegant
But our boy will eventually study in America
So we'd prefer an American-English tutor
We won't take up any more of your valuable time
But British English is more tasteful!
Yes, so is classical Chinese
But who speaks that now?
See what I mean? Alright then...
Goodbye
Please clear up that mess
You're being anti-social
Are you deaf?
I asked you to clear up that mess
Who are you?
Who am I?
A citizen
You're crazy!
I don't care whether you're from a good family...
...or the wife of a gangster
It's everyone's duty to protect the environment
Don't you know that?
Now what are you doing?
Alright, just you wait
Look, here she is
What's wrong?
Your behavior has violated Environmental Sanitation regulations
Officer No excuses
Comrade Police Officer!
I believe that justice can prevail over wrongdoing
You know what you did?
You violated social morality!
You have to understand...
You have to behave in a civilized way!
And not only during 'Politeness Month'
Alright?
I was wrong
I'm sorry
I'm from the countryside...
Comrade Policeman, I...
Write an apology!
Post it on the door!
Understand?
Is that Ye Rutang?
Speaking
I've kidnapped your nephew
I want 50,000 RMB
Bring it this evening to the designated location
Don't call the police
I'll inform you of the drop-off point later
But I don't have that much money!
Auntie! Help!
They're taking their time
Don't worry, they will call
Don't be afraid, ma'am, calm down
Answer the phone
Is that the hoodlum?
No...
I mean, is that the kidnapper?
Put the money on top of the garbage bin...
...by Lane 2, off Suzhou Creek South Road, at 2 a.m.
I'll free him when I get the money
Don't be afraid, ma'am
Just leave the money...
...and come straight back
Come straight back, don't look at us
The hoodlum won't shoot me?
No
Go on...
Take care...
You won't shoot me either?
Of course not!
Kuankuan! Run for it!
I planned the whole thing
You're a senior citizen!
What were you up to?
Why did you do it?
I don't know
It was nothing to with her
It was my idea
Fine, that's the right attitude
What was your motive?
To help Feifei get her face fixed in Korea
Here's all the money that's left
Plus all the receipts for expenses
Except the water and electricity bills
I've kept your share for those
I've bought your train ticket
Your Ma will meet you off the train
Later...
...I'll take you to the hospital to get your plaster cast taken off
Mrs. Ye!
I nearly died of fright!
What happened?
Let me drink some water
Tell us
I'll tell you
The elevator girl went to the toilet
So I operated the elevator myself
But when it got to the eighth floor I heard a bang!
It broke down! And I was stuck inside!
I was scared to death!
Absolutely terrified
Luckily I had my cellphone
So I called 119, er 110 for help!
I might have died! Really!
Scared the heck out of me Aiya, awful!
So I tell you, Mrs. Ye...
Rich or poor...
...you need a cellphone
It's a necessity in life
Like the tracers they attach
to wild animals!
You have to catch up with the times
Don't be a stick-in-the-mud
Now, my daughter and son-in-law...
...are flying to South-east Asia
I'm joining them, to get over it
I'll take Feifei
And I've given the maid time off
Please keep an eye on the place for me
Just in case!
Thank you so much
Alright, but I can't be responsible if anything goes missing
Between you and me,
that nephew of yours has roving eyes
Watch out!
Don't let him out too often
Too many bad people out there
I'll be off now
Call me if anything happens
My cellphone works abroad
Yesterday when I watched the doctor...
...taking the cast off
It was like a chick coming out of an egg!
I can't walk very well yet
It'll take a while
Oh, Auntie...
Can you do me one favor? It's important
Take this CD to Feifei
Not the cat! I downloaded it for her
I was too ashamed to see her myself
And I stole one of your paintings
I'm giving it back now
You can keep it
Your aunt's work has some artistic value
Okay
Auntie, you'll have to eat alone from now on
Never mind, don't worry about us old ones
I won't wait for the train to go
(It must be a newly-wed bride)
(She should be smiling in this golden hour)
(Why does she shed pearl-like tears?)
(Now is the moment to understand")
(The happy and fortunate are not alone in the world)
(There are also the hungry, the cold and the sad)
(The disappointed, the sorrowful those who cry their hearts out)
(Lady in the sedan, play another tune!)
(There must be a secret in your heart!)
Bravo!
Fine accompaniment!
Maybe that lady would also like to sing?
Come on!
I don't sing well
Don't be shy
I learned a little
But I'm out of practice
Never mind, come on!
Fine
I'll hold that for you
Thank you
Farewell, My Concubine
Excuse me...
Let's do half of the interlude
I'll recite some lines first
(The king is drunk, asleep in his tent)
(I can't stop myself...)
(...from taking a stroll nearby)
I do many things
So it's hard
to define myself
I've taught I've studied the classics
I dabbled in medicine
I studied inkwash painting for years
I'm interested only in beautiful things
Beautiful food, beautiful people beautiful views
I can't bear anything that's not beautiful
For example, Qu Yuan's poem Li Sao...
is all about his pursuit of beauty
He compares a beautiful woman...
...to lush and fragrant foliage
When I was young, I wrote two lines myself
(Only two things can make me shed tears...)
(The transience of life and the fate of a beauty)
In character, I probably take after my mother
My father was a silk merchant
My mother was his concubine
When I was small...
...I was scared of empty rooms
Very dark, very gloomy
My mother fell out of favor
She was lonely and hot-tempered
So my childhood was quite depressing
Was any other mother as stern as mine?
Other than forcing me to study...
...she paid me no attention
My aunt was the only one who really cared
When I was little I gave her one of my poems
You know what she said?
(Your poetry is like beauty itself)
She felt my poem was like a beautiful woman
Of course I was overwhelmed with joy
Waitress! The bill, please
It's hard to find someone to talk to
My treat
You're too kind
But look, I'm a man
It's a man's duty to take care of women
(Li Sao) is a great poem
...precisely because it's centered on women
In my opinion...
...only lesser poets look down on women
That includes Li Bai!
Li Bai is not a great poet!
But Du Fu is
And so is Qu Yuan
Sorry...
I have a trachoma
Let me carry those for you
My home was once right behind that apartment block
It's all gone now
You know that old saying All things must pass
We're just shadows on the journey of life
Nothing is really ours in this world
As Su Dongpo put it...
(To my regret even this flesh is not truly mine)
We don't even own...
...our own bodies
Can you lend me 300 RMB?
I need to buy some medicine at the pharmacy down there
No problem
Here you are
Mrs. Ye, you're late!
We were about to go
Has Pan Zhichang been here today?
No
Do you know where he lives?
No
That last time, when you met him...
It was his first time here
What's wrong?
He borrowed... it's nothing
I have to go
Sing a song
No, see you next time
Alright...
Let's call it a day
You want to go to hospital?
Perhaps I'm too nosy...
...but may I ask what happened?
I work at a restaurant
They owed me some back-pay
When I asked for it...
...they beat me
I'm not afraid of anyone!
So I fought back, of course
Come on, in this day and age...
...there's law and order
Shall I go and talk to them?
I can't get into more trouble
If anything else happens to me...
...it'll be worse for my daughter
She's in the hospital
I have to pay for her treatment
Auntie, you're a living Buddha!
Can you give me some money?
Why are you asking me...
...instead of demanding your rightful wages?
I beg you! I'm not a beggar...
But I beg you!
Don't touch me!
I've seen enough of your kind What a to-do!
Even if it's all lies I have to see for myself
Come on, take me to the hospital Wait...
Let me see if your daughter is really there
Just a moment, let me gulp this down
Come on!
Excuse me...
Where's her father?
He works on a building site in Pudong
He has to earn money
What's wrong with her?
She can't breathe properly
Auntie, I'd rather she died!
Look, she suffers so much!
And we all suffer with her
If she died I could have another child
How can I help you?
I don't have much income either
How about this?
Come and work for me... I'll give you bed and board
And 200 RMB a month
Actually there's nothing much to do at my place
But at least you'd have enough to live on
I need some company, anyway
What's your name?
Jin Yonghua
Who is it?
What's going on?
You're supposed to be doing your chores
I'm asking you...
I went to buy vases
Why are you buying those...
...when you're short of money?
Why this sudden rush of good taste?
Auntie, I need them
I'm not wasting money
And it's none of your business
None of my business? You...
I need to go out
Don't wait for me for dinner
Are you giving someone a gift?
That doctor?
Tell me! Hey!
Hey! I'm...
If you want to kill yourself do it somewhere else!
Are you picking a quarrel you ignorant peasant?
You want to die? Tired of life?
Pay me for my vase!
It cost me 800 RMB! Pay me back!
You broke it it has nothing to do with me
Shut up and clear off!
You're a scam-artist!
You thought I wouldn't realize?
Get lost!
I have the receipt! You can't get away with it!
I won't let you go!
Run me over if you dare!
Call the police!
Your 200 RMB!
You're getting off lightly!
(Jin Yonghua don't you dare come in!)
(I call police if you harass me, Ye Rutang)
Give me two Coming right up
Enough? I think so
I can't believe you!
I... was about to pay you back
But my mother passed away
I haven't had a chance to see you since
Can I have dinner with you tonight?
In my home?
May I?
As you wish
I'll buy some fruit
How much is that?
You'll have to climb the stairs
There's no elevator?
Yes, but we can't use it
No male stranger has ever visited my home
If a man suddenly appears...
...people will gossip
And I can't have that
I understand... Which floor are you on?
The twelfth
I give up!
It's impossible, I can't make it
I can hardly move
Let's forget it, I won't visit you
Only three floors to go!
Can't we pretend we're hikers climbing hills?
Like being on the Long March!
Hey, you're a man
You can't keep up with a woman?
Come on, buck up!
Darn!
Careful I'll leave this
I feel like throwing it away anyway
No, no that's like throwing away money
Goodness!
It's the choicest kind
Very sweet!
Really?
Let's eat it right here
It doesn't matter where we eat
More... slowly
There's the other half
Come, Feifei
Come and eat
Feifei...
Let's run!
Hang on, why are we doing this?
Do we have to be so stealthy?
You can say I'm your cousin
Why didn't you suggest that earlier?
Then we wouldn't have needed to climb all those stairs
Mrs. Ye, why are you coming up from the tenth floor?
I'm showing my cousin around
He's in real estate
Mrs. Shui!
This is my cousin
Cousin?
Also from the US?
Hello... I got back not long ago
Let's eat
Your bowls...
...are like those my mother had
Really?
It's as if I were dining at home
Your mother lived to 87
She died of ill health
It was actually a blessed release
Don't be sad
Come on, try my spare ribs
I will
How's the taste?
Good?
Your ribs taste just like the ones my mother made
Very sweet!
Don't cry
Old people like to cry
I've never been successful in life
All three of my marriages failed
The last fifty years have been so depressing for me
Now things are better
You're free of worries
Didn't you quote Su Dongpo?
(To my regret even this flesh is not truly mine)
Right?
In this world...
...nothing really belongs to us
Right?
Don't be sad
If you're sad, I will be too
I didn't think I could do that any more
I'm surprised too