Divorce is a two-way street.
You cut me some slack and I'll do the same for you.
Divorce is divorce. Don't talk rubbish!
Let's just do it.
Glad you agree.
Then let's find time to get it over with.
The refrigerator, the TV, the washing machine.
Take whatever you want.
You think I'm a junk collector?
I almost forgot, you've struck it rich now.
I don't want anything.
Good, just as I thought.
But I'm taking Xiao Yuan.
What?
You're taking Xiao Yuan?
My daughter can't be happy with you.
Stop playing the happiness card.
Xiao Yuan is very happy.
The Volga River is blanketed in snow.
A troika is rushing across the ice.
Someone is humming a sad tune.
It's the coachman.
What makes you so sad?
Why bow down your head?
What torments your heart?
The passenger asks him.
Dear sir, this old horse is my only companion...
Stop, stop, stop!
Stop, stop, stop.
What's up, brother? What's wrong?
That melody is too painful.
But the Russians always play this tune at funerals.
The theme is pain and sorrow.
That's no good.
The old folks will be trudging their feet to that tune.
Yes, yes, yes.
Yeah, I've got it.
Then we'll get the old folks to hurry it up.
Hurry up to go where?
Who cares?
Then let's play "Rising Higher Step by Step." B flat, okay?
One, two, three, go.
Give me a lift.
Ask someone else.
Hey you, count it carefully.
Don't assume the paymaster will steal.
You can't accuse someone of corruption just like that.
I'm going.
Ma'am, here is the tuition.
We're very grateful to you.
Just right.
Here's some skin care lotion for you.
Save it for your wife.
She can't use it. It's too late for her.
She's not young and pretty like you.
Thanks then.
You're welcome.
Dad, let's go home.
Xiao Ju's come back.
She wants a divorce.
I agreed.
She's now with a guy who sells fake medicine.
She's happy.
She's finally fulfilled her dream of an easy life.
You know how he does it?
He grinds up some biscuits with a rolling pin,
crushes some Tylenol tablets,
then he buys some cheap capsules and stuffs it all in.
Two pounds of biscuits to one tablet.
That crap won't kill you.
It doesn't do anything except bring in a lot of money.
I heard Xiao Ju is back.
Big Liu told you?
Yeah.
Blabber mouth.
He said she treated all the girls in the workshop to a meal.
A real big affair.
She's doing well for herself, eh?
If you can put up with her stay together.
You've got a kid.
Mind your own business.
It's got nothing to do with you.
It's not easy to live by yourself.
But if you do split up
we'll be in the same boat.
What are you talking about?
We're completely different.
I'm separated, you're widowed.
Right? Drink up.
We used to work together.
He wants the kid to become a pianist.
So what?
You can't scare the hell out of people late at night.
Some female teachers are afraid to go to the toilet after dark.
I'm really sorry the teachers
couldn't go to the toilet because of me.
People were saying the school is haunted.
At first we didn't believe it.
But there really is a ghost.
You!
You see, he had no choice.
Enough. No excuses.
You don't need to come back to work tomorrow.
Ma'am, it's not his fault. It's my fault.
Because I want my daughter to practice piano.
It's none of your business.
Just don't ever come back, or I'll call the police.
Yes, yes, we won't come back.
Dad, can I really play that?
Huh?
Of course you can. Just wait for it to dry.
But it won't make a sound even when it's dry.
Didn't daddy tell you about Beethoven?
Beethoven couldn't hear.
He couldn't hear, but other people could.
Really?
Daddy will play something for you and you will hear it.
If you don't believe me I'll show you.
Come here.
Hush, quiet.
Listen carefully.
Hush.
You must listen with your heart, okay?
Do re mi...
Why did you come here?
Where did you get that? Looks pretty good.
It's for the show.
When did you get back?
As if you don't know when I got back.
You look like you're doing well.
Okay.
A little better than you.
The show's about to begin. You can talk afterward.
I saw Xiao Yuan.
Come with me.
I went to Xiao Yuan's school
and chatted with the teacher about her education.
What do you know about education?
Don't bicker with me as soon as I start talking.
Shut up. I know all about you.
You can barely read
and you dare to talk about education
wearing flashy outfits like that?
How dare you!
A cardboard box piano.
You call that a good education for my daughter?
Tempting my daughter with a cheap pencil set
you just want to bribe her.
Let me tell you, it's too late.
You don't own Xiao Yuan.
I'm not interested in what you’ve got to say.
I ordered a piano from Germany for Xiao Yuan.
It hasn't arrived yet. Probably still on the sea.
Or in the sky!
If everything goes smoothly
it should arrive in a few days.
Will it kill you to stop lying?
Guilin, I just want to give my daughter a good environment.
Good environment?
You call selling fake medicine
with her step-father a good environment?
Better than singing on the streets with her step-mother.
Cut the crap.
There's no way I'll let Xiao Yuan go with you.
It's not our decision.
Let's see what Xiao Yuan wants.
We want to fly to that faraway place.
To see the bright side of the world.
We will fly to that far away place.
To see the sunny side of the world.
Posture, posture! Don't hunch your back!
Right, posture is important.
Imagine you are playing a beautiful melody,
a slow ballad.
Hey, hey, watch your hands.
They should be as if you are holding an egg.
Like holding two eggs. Did you hear me?
Watch your hands.
You. Watch your hands too.
Pull the yarn straight. Look at the mess you've made.
Look what I've chosen for my kid - calligraphy.
Just get him a brush and some paper, that's it.
Hassle free and doesn't cost anything
except some old newspapers.
My father gave me the name Guilin
so I'd be like the scenery in Guilin, the best in the world.
But I didn't make it, just got halfway.
So I must get her to learn piano.
To fulfill your dreams?
Fulfill what?
If Xiao Ju takes her
what do I have left to fulfill?
Let's toast, my friend,
and let the past flow by.
Look back at the past
as just a hangover.
Tomorrow's glass will not be filled with yesterday's sorrow.
So raise your glass my friend,
and let us toast the past.
My son has gone to granny's.
Do you want to come to my place?
I haven't finished knitting Xiao Yuan's woolens.
Stand up.
If I get a divorce, will you marry me?
Isn't it fine just the way it is?
Each of us gets what we need.
Actually
my father has been wandering off lately.
Someone has to watch over him during the day.
Otherwise, it's unmanageable.
So do you want to marry me?
Or just get me to look after your father?
Caring for our elders is our duty.
So who'll do the duty for my parents?
Both of us.
We have to care for them all.
You're the only friend I've got who has an enterprise.
A pig can make you several hundred yuan.
That's buckets of money.
Who else can I go to?
You call a butcher's stall an enterprise? Stop the flattery.
My little girl Xiao Yuan
is doing well at the piano.
Her teacher says she's got a brilliant future.
There's a piano shop behind the market
but they're too expensive for me.
But for the sake of her future I have to get one no matter what, right?
We're friends
so you can't stand there and do nothing.
You gotta help me.
You've got nothing better to do? Why did you poke the pig?
Don't you have some money hidden away?
Don't poke please.
I'm telling you my wife is real smart.
She even found the stash I hid in the toilet.
Stashed like illegal drugs, eh?
You think I'm making it up?
Keep going with your story.
I had to hand over all my booty.
I should have come to you earlier.
She's in charge of the family finances.
It's a good day when I can get my hands on a pack of smokes.
Well, you're luckier than me.
At least you’ve got a good wife.
Your brother-in-law's factory is going under.
No plan to do something else?
Him? His whole family is like that.
They're too hung up on losing face.
He's a master carpenter, sis.
But he doesn’t want to do that kind of work.
If he doesn't work, then I have to work more.
What else can I do?
Interior decorating would be
a piece of cake for him, sis.
Southerners do all the interior decorating nowadays.
Our northern carpenters can only get odd jobs.
He'd never do that.
He'd worry people would laugh at him.
You can't worry about being laughed at.
How can you make money if you're afraid of being humiliated?
Look at me and my little band.
We even perform on the street.
If you worry about being laughed at you'll never make a penny.
Exactly.
I'll have a talk with him.
You have to liberate your thinking
before you can liberate yourself.
Right.
If you have any jobs going remember to call him.
Please liberate him.
I'll liberate him from head to toe.
Sis, I brought you some meat.
Out of the blue giving away meat.
Is something wrong?
Not at all.
My band is doing well.
I just came over to see you.
If something's wrong, just say so.
OK, I'm off.
Stay a while.
Is there anything you won't steal?
You filched a tile.
- Cheating at your age. - Says who?
Says who?
Stop! Don't run off!.
Fat Head!
Don't run away. Stop!
Fat Head.
Come down right now!
No. Come on up, if you can.
Get down now!
Come on up
if you want the money.
If you don't come down where can you go? Fly up to heaven?
Hand over the money.
You want the money, do you?
Well, come up and get it.
Come on.
So you’re not coming down.
No.
We'll see who gets the last laugh.
Then stay there.
What are you doing up there?
See who outlasts who.
Committing suicide? Is it worth it?
He cheated at penny stakes mahjong, is that worth it?
Good thing your friend's here.
Get the table, let's play eight rounds right here.
Play mahjong, huh?
You come down and give the money back.
No.
Listen to me. Just come down.
No.
How much does he owe you?
Twenty or thirty.
I'll pay for him.
Listen Chen Guilin.
I won't thank you even if you do.
Shut up. Have you no shame?
What if someone sees you?
Look, here's twenty. He's had enough bad hands lately.
Really sorry for this.
Well we won't play with him again.
Go back, go.
They've gone. You can come down now.
No.
Don't be silly. Come down.
No.
I want to talk to you.
Then talk.
How can I talk straining my neck like this.
It's hard to talk.
What's hard about it?
You just want to borrow money, right?
How did you know I want to borrow money?
Everyone knows.
Wang Hangmen ran off to the country to avoid you.
I was just tipped off
but didn't have time to hide.
You came so fast.
Come down.
No.
Then give me the twenty I just forked over for you.
Don't have any change. Who asked you to pay anyway?
How can you be such
a good-for-nothing?
Listen.
It's my bad luck to run into a bunch of cheapskates like you?
That's right.
Go tell Sun and Wang to hide.
Tell them I'm going after them now to borrow money.
And tell them to hide their wives and kids as well.
Go, please go.
I know it's not enough, but it's something.
Don't get involved in this.
But I can't bear to watch from the sidelines.
Just put it in your pocket.
Take it back. What do you think you’re doing?
Stop it, don't be silly.
Who else will lend you money?
Don't you get it?
What's next?
Next? One step at a time.
What about Xiao Yuan?
Xiao Yuan said she'll go with whoever buys her a piano.
Well, she really is her mother's daughter.
What a pack of heartless wolves!
Have you heard?
They're going to demolish the two big smokestacks at the foundry.
Directional blasting.
They fall where we want them to fall.
Why demolish 'em?
They're not taking up space standing there.
Those smokestacks are older than I am.
Of course they're older than you.
They're two years older than my father.
Lots of people are crying out against it.
They're writing petitions and signing with fingerprints.
Even my mother joined in.
What's the point of fingerprints on letters?
They're just talking about demolishing the smokestacks.
Blow 'em up, I say! There're more chimneys here than buildings.
Come and sit down. You're the last one.
OK. Everyone's here and the food is ready.
Let's begin.
Pour some for my brother-in-law.
Fill it up.
My sister says you must liberate your mind.
You have to liberate your mind before you can liberate yourself.
Stu Xian, please liberate my brother-in-law for me tonight.
That's a job for Fat Head.
Brother-in-law, let's drink a round.
Bottoms up.
That's about enough.
OK, everybody, I want to say a few words.
Us pals haven't gotten together for a while,
and this is no small achievement.
I'm absolutely sincere when I say that
we're getting smashed tonight.
No one leaves sober.
And there's one more thing.
The amount of booze you down shows how much you can achieve.
After we drink enough tonight.
Let's achieve something really big.
Right Fat Head?
Cheers!
Just one glimpse of him would be enough for me.
But I gaze at flowers in a vase.
To sneak a view of him would be so fine.
But I simply never get the chance.
If he knew he'd think me such a fool.
I must set my eyes elsewhere.
Though I so desire to speak to his face,
there's another there in my place.
You have nothing better to do?
Come on.
One, two, go.
Someone's coming.
Run!
Where are you going?
Come up.
Try harder, come up.
What's wrong with you? Someone's coming.
What are you doing?
The school authorities are not pursuing the matter.
Buyout still have to carry the piano back.
Someone bailed you out.
You can leave.
Let's move it.
Move, move.
One, two, go.
Careful, don't scratch the lacquer.
Careful now.
Could you guys be any fatter?
One, two, go.
Get out of the way.
No wonder it's so heavy.
There's a huge steel plate inside.
So that's why it's called a steel instrument in Chinese.
It's a cast iron frame
to stretch out the steel wires on.
They're called piano strings.
Laminated with elm, and a pretty good job, too.
Shu Xian, give us a tune.
For you guys.
Come on, play something. Come on.
Just for you lot.
What's up?
I want to talk to you.
Talk then.
Mom came to see me yesterday.
I know.
Mom saw you too, right?
That's right.
Mom bought me lots of things again.
I saw them.
What do you think?
What do you mean what do I think?
I'll tell you what I think.
You like your mother?
You like her buying things for you?
Here, take them, and go to her.
Stop pestering me.
Still studying it at this hour.
It's in Russian.
Don't snatch it if you can't read it.
How do you know I can't read?
(Singing in Russian)
Do you want to know what it's about?
Yes.
A girl has a date with a boy
but doesn't go home that night.
Her mother asks where she was.
She says she got lost in the garden.
Rubbish. So what she got lost?
Do you remember that engineer who studied in the Soviet Union?
Of course I remember.
That engineer Mr. Wang was really stylish.
He once helped me with the accordion.
The female workers used to wait
after work at the gate to watch him.
He dressed differently from you guys.
He wore a beige overcoat and a flat cap.
His shoes weren't well polished
but he was very refined.
I loved his intellectual look.
I heard he never married because of a Russian girl.
Whenever I saw him
he had an air of sadness.
It made us want to cry.
That's sad enough to give me goosebumps.
Love that gives you goosebumps is genuine loyal love.
OK, I'll leave you to your goosebumps. I'm off.
Why? My kid's at granny's.
I've still gotta go.
I feel you're good at pretending lately.
I'm not pretending anything.
It's my critical period.
Critical period? Since when do you have your period?
Just go. Go!
Look at you.
Go! Go now!
Don't be silly.
Idiot.
Guilin, have a seat.
You really shouldn't have.
No need to bring me fish.
Don't worry, there's plenty more.
Mr. Wang
you've been researching at home even after retiring?
Ah, I've been helping out
with the two smokestacks at the foundry.
Even my father
signed the petition for the smokestacks.
What use is a petition?
No one will listen to a few old workers like you.
Right?
If you want to stop them being demolished
you have to give them perceived value.
Like two gold bars.
If you
turn them into two missile silos
or rocket launchers
or even two abstract chopsticks
then you've got a worthwhile tourist attraction.
That's got value, so no one would demolish them.
Actually, your ideas are not bad.
I'll look into it.
Mr. Wang, to be honest
I'm here to ask you a favor.
Don't talk of favors, just tell me.
I want to make a piano.
Make a piano?
You mean a model.
No, not a model. A real piano.
Take a look at this.
I got it from the factory library.
"Piano Manufacturing"
Do you have any idea
what a huge job it is to make a piano?
A steel factory is not a piano factory!
They're completely different.
You think you are the only one with a kid?
Just remember
they've got it just as hard as you.
Don't expect any help if there's no reward.
Why should people run around in circles for you?
You just don't get it, do you?
I am the only one, like a dimwit
to go along with everything you do.
You're a dimwit?
You're the only one who doesn't think so.
Let's start.
Well at least one came.
Finally you’ve got some face.
I didn't invite you, so why are you here?
You didn't invite him?
You came to me when the kid needed to practice.
You came to me when you tried to steal a piano.
A passionate adventure like making a piano?
How can I be left out?
The ones who are coming
aren't after rewards or money.
They might even have to front some cash.
And they're all the best in their fields, you know.
The best? I don't see any here.
What's that look for?
Back then I just didn't try hard enough.
If I had, I could have really made it.
Alright, you're welcome to do some heavy lifting.
Shu Xian, give him a glass.
Don't look down on me.
I was an apprentice painter, the real thing.
But I reckoned that work is bad for your health
so I gave it up.
Enough, drink up.
Shu Xian, what are you going to do?
I'll do whatever you do, OK?
BrotherJi...
What's up?
I heard you were here
so I came over to see you.
Sit down.
Get him a glass of water.
How's it going, good eh?
I'm fine.
How's the band?
I make do. Nothing special.
How's Shu Xian?
BrotherJi, there's a fight over there.
Quick, go see what's happening.
What are you waiting for?
BrotherJi, what's happening here?
The factory's been sold. Didn’t you know?
No, I didn't. Being redeveloped?
Who knows.
The scrap metal left over from the foundry is buried over there.
That's right.
The land's been parceled out to subcontractors.
I'm digging to a depth of three feet
for scrap metal to sell to scrap merchants
or small mills.
A lot of people have struck it rich that way.
Even the lunch box vendors are getting rich here.
BrotherJi, I could sell some lunch boxes too, right?
Bullshit. That's not work for men. Shame on you.
What happened?
Found some metal on our section
but half was in their section.
We began to lift it out but they objected
and we started fighting.
Who started it?
About the same time.
For that hunk of
scrap metal?
It's hardly worth anything.
If you've crippled him
no amount of scrap metal will pay for it.
You OK?
Bit dizzy.
You can have the metal
buyout pay for the medical expenses yourself, OK?
OK.
So what are you waiting for?
Take him to get stitched up.
Hurry and help him up.
So why did you come looking for me?
BrotherJi
my wife wants to divorce me
and take the kid with her.
I want to make Xiao Yuan a piano
and maybe she'll stay with me.
Why come to me about a piano?
I don't know how to make a piano.
BrotherJi,
I just want to borrow your place
so I can cast a steel frame.
That's fine.
Just tell me what you need.
I've got everything here.
Thanks, BrotherJi.
I'm not pulling your leg.
Making a piano is a huge project.
Mr. Wang researched the Russian technical literature.
BrotherJi is providing a workshop and materials free of charge.
And Shu Xian will give up her singing career.
Even Wang Hangmen asked for an assignment.
He wants to be the cook. Why?
They all want to help make a piano for Xiao Yuan
so she'll stay with me.
It's very moving.
You think I can't make it
without you lot?
Look at you getting hot under the collar.
Of course I'm angry.
'Cause-we’re friends.
So...
So what?
So you are having a problem here.
Then hurry up and get Brother-in-law.
I'll go and get Fat Head.
I can't get your Brother-in-law.
After last time he's afraid to go to the park.
Think about it,
a guy who’s never been late for work in his life
ends up in the slammer because of you.
We're not going to a damn park,
we're going back to the factory.
Brother-in-law is cultivated, right?
So you have to talk to him in a cultivated manner.
You know what a cultivated manner is?
Nope.
Just bamboozle him.
I know how to do that. I'll try my best.
Right, and your truck has been requisitioned.
Why are you always on about my truck?
You have an enterprise.
You have a vehicle too.
My motorbike will be used too.
It'd be great for us all to work together.
It's a pity you’re not part of it.
After I left the factory I haven't felt like going back.
Lightning Fingers is back.
He's a locksmith on Conger Street.
Nah, he's not good enough.
If he can copy the key to the finance department's strongbox,
a few piano pins should be a piece of cake for him.
You know,
time really flies.
When he left, the factory hadn't gone bust yet.
He's a good guy
but what a wicked temper he has.
He'll smash half a dozen bottles on someone's head
then look for more bottles.
And it was usually my head he hit!
Not a word from you since you returned.
Everyone's busy.
This place is pretty good.
I get by.
So you really
do need different keys to open different locks, right?
Get to the point.
I've got something I need your help with.
Illegal?
No, I wouldn't ask you to do something illegal.
I sell my skills. How much will it pay?
Nowadays you get paid for work done, right?
How many keys do you make a day?
30?
About that.
One yuan a key so you make 30 a day.
That's 30 yuan.
We're old buddies so a 20% discount is 24 yuan.
Rounding to the nearest number.
Let's make it 20 yuan?
25 a day. If that's OK with you, I'm in.
Then 25 it is.
Not a problem.
Just promise me one thing.
Go on.
Don't tell anyone about this.
Strictly confidential.
My hometown was at the foot of Heaven Mountain.
When I left home
I was like a melon broken away from its vine.
Under the white willow was my sweetheart.
When I parted with her
I was like a lonely guitar hanging on the wall.
Broken from its vine, a melon is still sweet.
When the musician returns, the guitar can still play.
When I said goodbye to my comrades
I broke down like an avalanche.
Oh my dear comrades,
I cannot see your powerful shadows
and your lovely faces any more.
BrotherJi.
Brother-in-law.
Take one.
Now pipe down.
Now pipe down, Mr. Wang has a few words to say.
Pianos originated in France during the reign of Louis XIV.
They produce a beautiful sound.
They're the king of musical instruments.
Pianos have 8,000 components.
A piano is made of the following parts:
Strings, the frame,
the sound box, a sound board,
the casing, the action.
Oh my goodness.
Big and small battens, and laminated boards.
Need a ton of wood for that.
Listen carefully first, we'll go look for the wood later.
Why haven't Shu Xian and I been given blueprints?
Yeah.
You're the cooks, what do you need blueprints for? Stop babbling.
Hangmen, where will we reheat the lunch boxes?
No need for that, we've got our own kitchen.
What goodies did your wife prepare for you?
Stewed eggplant.
Have you finished?
Shu Xian, put that away.
BrotherJi.
Don't see you for a few days and you've got a new look.
They broke my arm for filching mahjong tiles.
Really?
Can I still join in?
Too late.
You're crippled. What work can you do?
You can't play mahjong, you can't dance.
What can you do in that condition?
A busted arm doesn't make me useless.
I could be the bench coach.
Who are you going to coach?
You're not here for rehab, are you?
Everybody's here, I can't just stand on the sideline.
Sit down and welcome to the team.
Move over.
Let him sit down.
Enough fooling around!
Good, we're all here.
More people is good. Strength in numbers.
Not much else I can say.
Now let's look at the blueprint.
OK. If you don't understand anything then ask Mr. Wang.
Let's set these off to create a bit of atmosphere.
OK.
Pry it open.
BrotherJi,
if you pry it open the lock will be destroyed.
Lightning Fingers, you give it a go.
He opened the lock of the finance department strongbox.
This should be child's play for him.
Don't bring that up again.
Breaking and entering is an art.
Not just anyone can do it.
Let's see you do your stuff.
Don't say that again.
Didn’t you hear me say don't bring it up again?
What do you think you’re doing?
Both of you listen to me.
When you work, behave reworkings.
Any more of that and you can get lost.
I don't think we'll be able to use any of this wood.
It's all useless junk.
Why didn’t you say so earlier?
I saw you two in such high spirits
I couldn't bring myself to.
Come on, try it.
How's it taste?
Not bad.
I just don't like to work,
but I am actually a decent guy.
I can tell.
Really?
Let's eat.
We don't have the materials to make the wooden framework.
I see nothing wrong with going for metal framework instead.
They're strong.
They'll rust easily.
We won't waste all this wood, we can use it for cooking.
Right.
After all, we know more about steel than wood.
Who's for changing over
to a steel piano frame?
What's the point of voting?
It's your project.
We don't care if it's steel or paper-mache.
As long as you're happy it's fine.
Well it still has to be technically feasible.
Ask Mr. Wang.
Mr. Wang, what do you think?
As I said,
we workers can do anything
if we put our minds to it.
That's right.
What is a piano?
It's just a machine that makes sound.
We will overcome all difficulties.
If we don't have enough difficulties we'll create them!
If we can't make a piano
I'll jump off the smokestack.
Who'll join me?
Where is the spoon?
Xiao Ju has started the divorce proceedings at court.
What do you think?
What does it matter what I think?
I know everyone feels bad that
it's come to this.
So you actually know what feeling bad is.
Got to hurry.
Have to finish the piano before the hearing.
Otherwise it'll be too late.
Even if you can make it
do you really think Xiao Yuan won't go with her mother?
What do you mean?
It's thinkable Yuan will be better off with her mother.
Better than with you.
I get it.
You're worried if Xiao Yuan stays
it'll be a burden for you.
So that's what you really think of me?
Of course that's what I think.
You're all the same, calculating.
Me calculating?
Right, I'm so calculating that
I was the lookout when you tried to steal a piano.
I lent you money when you wanted to buy a piano.
I dropped
my singing career
and came to the damn factory to be with you
and even cook for you.
Me, calculating?
Chen Guilin, let me tell you something.
Even if you make a piano.
Xiao Yuan won't stay with you.
Bye bye.
BrotherJi,
is it OK that there's no one watching the workshop?
Remote control,
how else can I manage?
We can't use any of this?
We'll keep the pine and cedar and the spruce.
The rest is firewood.
Pity.
Have some water.
We need to make 176 pins.
Fat Head, you do 50.
I'll give the rest to Lightning Fingers.
What? What do you mean? Why so few for me?
Just because I've only got one hand
I'm still just as good as him.
Pour me some water.
Good. So you two are competing.
So get cracking.
If you don't like what I'm doing, just say so.
I know plenty of other welders.
Once the plan changed we discovered how good you really are.
Just do your work.
You need to go faster.
Who are you hurrying?
I've already unloaded all the spokes.
Stripping the copper wires is beyond the call of duty.
Why are you late?
So what? Is it a crime?
Can you work in that outfit?
No.
If you can't work, why did you come?
Are you the foreman? You're overdoing it.
Just cut my bonus.
What's up, Shu Xian? Did you have a fight with him?
No.
Wow.
I see you in a new light now.
You look great in that outfit.
Look, you don't need to do any work.
Just sit here and I'll do it all.
Hurry up and start cooking. I'm starving.
Right. Stewed meat.
I followed the manual closely.
This connects to the keys.
If they don't move the mallets won't strike the strings
and there won't be any sound.
That's right.
What's the good-for-nothing's name? Where are you now?
An Changye, right? I'm on my way.
It should be really easy for you.
Just look at it as copying a key and I'll pay you for it, OK?
It's not about money.
I don't break and enter any more.
It's just helping out a friend. Help your buddy Guilin.
- What's wrong with you? - Don't hold me back.
Get out of the way.
- Where are you going? - Get out of byway.
Where are you going?
Don't hold me back.
Tell us what's going on.
- Where are you going? - Don't hold me back.
Let go.
- What's wrong? - Don't hold me back.
What are you doing, Fat Head? Where are you going?
Don't hold me back.
Of course I'll hold you back.
You're not going anywhere until you explain.
A hood slept with my daughter.
She's already several months pregnant
and the guy still won't take responsibility.
He had his fun and now just wants to run away.
What can a father do?
You think you are the only one who loves his daughter?
I can't just stand by and watch.
I'll go with you.
Stop! Seize him! Stop!
Nobody moves!
Which one is An Changye?
I said, which one is An Changye?
Me.
I'm An Changye.
Everyone else get lost.
Get lost.
Wind and rain bid adieu to spring.
Snowflakes plunge down from the sky.
Marrying on this icy day.
Love melts the ice away.
Look, the bride in her wedding gown, so pure.
Look, the groom in his well-pressed suit, so handsome.
Look, to the strains of solemn yet joyful wedding music,
hand in hand, side by side,
smiles on their faces, dreams in their hearts,
now on the red carpet, they walk toward us.
What's going on? So many bikes.
I don't know. Maybe a union meeting.
Did you get a notice?
Why would I be notified? Let's go in and see.
For some, they represent memories of growing up.
For some, they are a signpost on the way home from work.
For some, they are just two smokestacks.
For me,
they are like a long forgotten old friend.
One day you hear that they are leaving,
and it occurs to you
that they have always been close to you.
You don't know whether to persuade them to stay,
or silently watch them depart.
Suddenly, you feel indescribably sad,
as if there's something you should say,
buyout don't know what it is.
Time passes imperceptibly.
Society changes,
and the current march to development requires them to go.
But we should always try,
and if we succeed,
they will be transformed into a beautiful attraction.
If we fail,
they will become our most treasured memories.
Keep it confidential.
I'll tell you another one.
Sure.
Stop giggling. Do you want to hear it?
Yes.
There was a baby
who could speak as soon as it was born.
The kid said, "Grandpa,"
and grandpa groaned and dropped dead.
Why?
Just listen.
Then the kid said, "Grandma,"
and granny groaned and dropped dead.
Then the kid said, "Daddy."
His father...
His father groaned and dropped dead.
No, Old Wang next door groaned and dropped dead.
Get out of here, you old wolf.
"Notice of Dissolution of Marriage."
Who is it?
What's the matter?
Your son's back?
We'll talk tomorrow.
Is someone in there?
I have to talk about it today.
What do you want?
Who do you think you are?
You come when you feel like it and leave when you feel like it.
Have you ever thought about my feelings?
Old Wang from next door?
You go first.
Come here. Don't go.
What's going on?
What do you want?
- What are you doing? - I'm telling you to stop.
What are you doing, Chen Guilin?
Chen Guilin, let go of him.
Let go of him, let go!
What are you doing?
Chen Guilin!
What are you doing?
You men are all the same, good for nothing!
BrotherJi.
What's the matter?
Someone ratted on you for selling stolen goods.
You'll have to come with us.
I've gotta finish something and then I can go with you.
Guilin.
BrotherJi.
There's no problem with the sand mold.
I've finished my part.
We're not making the piano any more.
Go home.
You can take Xiao Yuan.
Why?
I don't know how to explain.
You won't blame me, will you?
Time goes so fast.
She's grown up so quickly.
Just like it was yesterday.
When she was born she was
only six pounds.
Six pounds four and a half ounces.
No, it was six pounds four and a quarter ounces.
Six pounds four and a half ounces.
You're wrong.
How could I be wrong? It was me who gave birth to her!
It was definitely six pounds four and a quarter ounces.
I was the one who delivered her!
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it stomp your feet.
Come on. Light them all.
Hangmen, it still hurts where you hit me.
I'm fine now.
Brother-in-law, light up.
Come on, light up.
The guys at the back, take one, and light up.
How have you been lately?
The same.
I can marry you now.
OK?
Tighter, a little tighter.
I got a friend to give my daughter a scan.
It's a girl.
Girls are good.
They know how to look after their fathers.
Where is that no-good father?
Why bother asking? He's run off, hasn't he?
To see the world.
Just another fugitive.
Every single thing is fake. Just the kid is real.
Are you a real grandpa?
That might be an issue.
There is another issue.
What are you going to do about household registration
if the mother is not married?
Can't register.
Guilin's here.
They came.
You came.
Yeah.
Daddy, can the piano you made me make a sound?
Yes.
Shu Xian.
Daddy, what would you like to hear?
The simpler the better.