John
Here to see me?
I'm here to see my mum
Did she bring you any trouble?
Of course not. She's a great help
She's hard-working and cute
She tells me every day how many fish there are in my shop
Your mum is over there
Thank you
She's pretty like a mermaid
Mum, what are you looking at?
I'm looking at the little fish
Xiong, the mother fish has given birth to many baby fish
There are many baby fish indeed
Do you recognise their mother?
Sure
It's hiding behind the plant
Is that the one?
The one with the bright-coloured tail?
It's pretty
The baby fish's mother is beautiful
They will grow up to be beautiful too
They're like us
I have a capable and beautiful daughter
And I have a wonderful mum
Mum, let's have Peranakan cuisine later
Sure
I can't
Why?
Penang boy is coming to pick me up
You mean, Zhou Fada?
He can't come and pick you up
How come?
His grandma says he's fallen ill
What illness does he have?
Why are you groaning away?
What are you trying to say?
Are you in pain?
You were fine last night
How could you have lost your voice overnight?
It's retribution
You're so full of yourself and go around telling people off
Serves you right!
Stop staring at her
Can't you see what she's doing?
She's grooming herself. She's starting to change
What are you trying to say?
You're stepping on his foot
Sorry
You could've pointed to your foot
Then I would've known I was stepping on your foot
What's the matter?
He can't move his hand
His hand is pinned between the chair handles
Shush. I don't want him to move
I'm checking his pulse
Stay still and let me check your pulse
What now?
He's asking whether your aunt knows how to do it
I also want to know that
My father, who's Fada's great-grandpa,
was a TCM physician
Your father might have been a TCM physician,
but you're not one
You're right. That's why I don't know what's wrong with him
Poor thing. He's passing out
Press his ren zhong point
I know where that is
It's over here?
What are you trying to say?
Try saying it again
He says you'll get him killed one of these days
Youme, you're incredible
You could read his mind
Ever heard of this saying?
Before you destroy your enemy,
get to know him inside out
Auntie, over here
Hi, Auntie
Hello
Mum, remember him?
Yes. Why would I forget him?
I don't have amnesia
What's his name?
His name?
He's the cabby, isn't he?
Mum, Zhentian isn't a cabby
He often drives me home...
because he's my boyfriend
We work in the same law firm
Auntie, I am... - I know
Your name is Zhen...
Zhentian
I remember. You're Zhentian
You're Xiong's boyfriend
That's right
Have you known each other for a long time?
We got to know each other when Weixiong...
was still an intern at the law firm
But we only started dating a year ago
What is your profession?
I'm a lawyer like Weixiong
That's great. Lawyers make lots of money
Auntie, what do you like to eat?
I like Assam sotong,
Xiong's dad likes petai,
Xiong likes ngoh hiang,
Xiong's brother likes satay babi
and her grandma likes chap chye
Really?
Mum, you're amazing
John said the same thing
Who's John?
The boss of the tropical fish shop
Mum, choose the dishes you'd like to have
Ever since Mum started working at the tropical fish shop,
she's become more cheerful
That's because her daughter is thoughtful and capable
You did the right thing in getting her a job
That wasn't my idea
When he got my mum a job at the shop,
I even gave him a tongue-lashing
I said my mum was in no condition to work
Turns out I was wrong
It was Big Brother's idea to let your mum work?
I felt that my mum wasn't normal
But he's always treated my mum like a normal person
Meiyu
Why did you ask him along?
Brother Big Brother asked me to inform him when I'd news of you
You do his bidding every time
Don't you have a mind of your own?
Why did you hit me?
Brother Big Brother is sick
He has a sore throat and he's lost his voice
You also have a fever?
You've a headache?
And he's got a stomach ache
Oh, he's hungry
Get something to eat, then
Brother Big Brother says he's no money
He forgot to bring money
It's OK. I'll treat you...
and my sister to lunch
You think you're made of money?
Have you eaten?
No
I'll get you something to eat
What is he saying?
He wants three portions
You must be kidding!
I'm not getting you anything
Don't do this to Brother Big Brother
He really cares a lot about you
He came along to see you...
although he's seriously ill
He could be faking it
He's a sly one
He's really ill
When I went to his place,
Granny Swordswoman kept asking him to go to the doctor's
OK, OK... I'll get you one portion
You want three portions? Dream on
Brother Big Brother, isn't my sister nice?
One portion is enough
Meiyu is all on her own
She has to provide for herself and pay rent
She needs money
Let's dig in
Thank you
Meiyu, what about you?
I've already eaten
Meiyu, I'm so happy you asked me out
I haven't seen you for two months
I wanted to call you,
but I didn't want you to find me a nuisance
Meiyu, I missed you so much
Don't be corny. Tuck in
Do you still sing?
Every day
Where?
Where do I sing?
When I'm taking a shower,
when I'm cleaning the toilet when it's empty,
and when I'm happy...
or unhappy
If you've the chance to sing to others,
will you do it?
You want me to sing at the hawker centre again?
I don't think that's a good idea. Mummy will kill me
You'll sing at a folk music cafe
But you've to get the boss's approval first
Really?
I think I'd better drop the idea
Why?
Just drop the idea
What do you mean by that?
I'm wasting my breath here
If you don't want to sing, so be it
I'm off
Meiyu
Let go of me
Don't go, Meiyu
I told you to let go of me
I didn't do anything
Let go
You...
Brother Big Brother, you want me to say yes?
I can't. If Mummy finds out,
she'll be so mad that she'll vomit blood
Are you OK?
Did you choke on your food?
He's so maddened by you that he's vomiting blood
Haven't you heard of a song by Jay Chou that goes,
"Listen to your mum..."
I can't hurt my mum
What was that? - You...
He feels like hitting you with a nunchaku
Bingo
Big Brother, forget it
Just my luck...
to have been born a few minutes earlier than her
I can't bring myself to leave her to her own devices
I've been looking for singing opportunities for you
I finally found a folk music cafe that is willing to have you
I go there to listen to their singing every day after work
But I still find you a better singer
I mustered up the courage to ask the boss...
whether she could grant you an audition
The boss finally said yes,
but my sister doesn't care a hoot
I do care about it - Don't give me that
I'm worried about Mummy's response
Don't use her as an excuse
You can be a toilet cleaner...
till you're old and grey
Brother Gig Brother, I do want to help her
But she doesn't want that to happen
Hear me out
Do you want to listen to your mum...
or your sister?
It's your freedom to choose who you want to listen to
No one can make decisions for you...
or sway you
But...
Your decision now will influence the rest of your life
So...
Go to the washroom
Wash your face and ask yourself
What kind of Guan Meimei do you want to be in future?
Mum, any other shop you'd like to go to?
Hello
There's a promotion going on. Would you like to take a look?
Xiong, your grandma has been complaining that her room is very warm
Can I go in and take a look?
Go ahead. I've something to say to Zhentian
Zhentian, I can't go out with you afterwards
My grandma wants to play mahjong
I'm worried about leaving Mum alone at home
Your work keeps you on your toes
You can't relax even though it's your day off
I'm worried you won't be able to take it
I hope you'll seriously consider...
sending your mum to a home
I can't bring myself to do that
Your mum needs professional care
You're too busy to take care of her
It won't do your mum any good
It'll also affect your work performance
Your work performance for the next one, two years...
will determine whether you get to become a partner
I know that
But I want my mum to live like a normal person
If you think she's a normal person,
why are you worried about leaving her alone at home?
It's your day off
You should let your hair down...
and do something relaxing like catch a movie
But can you put your mind at ease?
Mum, take your meds
Mum, I'll be going out with Zhentian later
If you feel tired, take a nap
If anything crops up, call me
I'll stick this piece of paper with my mobile number here
Don't turn on the stove to cook anything
I'm going out
Let's go
Is your mum OK?
She's OK. Come on
I'll make a call first
I'll wait
Hello, Grandma
I'm going out with Zhentian. Mum is alone at home
What kind of Guan Meimei do you want to be?
What kind of Guan Meimei?
What kind of Guan Meimei do you want to be?
Why do you keep staring at me?
Have you had enough?
I know what's on your mind Have you had enough?
You think I've been up to some funny business...
since I live alone now
I left home because I couldn't stand my mum
Don't imagine things
I'm an assistant concierge manager at a hotel
My work keeps me busy
I'm renting a room with my colleague
It's a female
Believe it or not,
I won't do anything juvenile again
You know what I'm referring to, right?
I know I owe you a thank you
Remember what you said to me?
Every decision you make,
no matter how big or small,
will make up the future Guan Meiyu
"The decisions you make now...
"will affect your future"
I didn't forget what you said
Although I'm not making big bucks,
I'm proud of myself and I feel content
I use my abilities to earn a living
I don't need to sell my body
Thank you for your advice
You mean, my home?
You want me to go home?
No way
My mum and I don't get on well
We bicker all the time
She and I cannot stand the sight of each other
I moved out for the good of everyone
Anyway, I still do my part as her daughter
I transfer money to her account every month for the household expenses
I don't give her a single cent less
I've done my part,
both as a daughter and a sister
What more do you want me to do?
You think it's irresponsible of me to abandon my family?
It doesn't bother me what you think
Ye Xiaoying, where are you going?
Long time no see
Come here
Another day, perhaps. I have something on
Just come over here
Potty Mouth, it's been so many years
I didn't force you to buy the cosmos beads
- You bought them of your own accord - Stop talking about those beads
I've long forgotten about that incident
Come here
I can go over,
but put down the durian first
You think I want to throw this durian at you?
Dear, come over here
What's the matter?
Ye Xiaoying thought I wanted to throw this durian at him
That's because people fear your menacing look
Don't be afraid, Xiaoying. Let's have a chat
Sure. Put down the durian first
What's taking her so long?
I'll go check on her
Why were you gone for so long?
Sorry, Meiyu
I did as Brother Big Brother said...
and went to the toilet to wash my face
Then I asked myself in the mirror,
"What kind of Guan Meimei do you want to be?"
But I had no answer
Then why were you in the washroom for so long?
I thought Brother Big Brother's question was important
What kind of Guan Meimei do I want to be?
I've never asked myself that question before
I thought it was an important question...
because it'd determine my future
So I kept asking myself that question
In the end...
In the end, I still didn't have the answer...
to that question
But then I asked myself...
Guan Meimei
If you could only do one thing...
for the rest of your life,
what would you do?
I do a good job of cleaning toilets
Everyone praises me for keeping the toilets clean
Although many people think...
it's embarrassing being a toilet cleaner,
I don't think the same way
Everyone has to use the toilet
If no one cleans the toilet,
it will be filthy
That's right, some toilets are downright filthy
I'd rather hold it in than use the toilet
You're a strange one
What's the point of telling us...
you're a good toilet cleaner?
That's not it
I want to tell you...
I do like cleaning toilets
But if I could only do one thing for the rest of my life,
I wouldn't choose to clean toilets
I want to sing
Meiyu, take me to the audition
Thank you, Meiyu
Thank you so much
Did Fada ask you to come?
Exactly. He said he'd recommend me a good job
He tricked me
He didn't trick you
You really have a great job offer
I need a delivery man to deliver snacks
I need a worker to tend my durian stall
You'll deliver snacks in the morning
And sell durians in the afternoon
I was a CEO, you know
Selling durians is a decent job
But it won't be nice if others see me doing it
Ye Xiaoying, you old tortoise
You don't know what's good for you
Your saliva is getting on my face
If I didn't care about you,
I wouldn't have bothered myself about you, jerk
Stop calling him names
I have nastier names for him
- Ye Xiaoying, want to hear them? - No, thanks
You've just been released from prison...
and you already have a job offer
Any idea how lucky you are?
Don't you put on airs
Are you taking on the job or not?
- I've to think about it - What's there to think about?
You think you're good enough to choose jobs?
Give me your answer now - yes or no?
Quick!
Yes
Good
I'll treat you to some Mao Shan Wang
Happy Birthday to me
Yay!
Happy Birthday - Thank you
Mummy, I don't have a gift for you
But I'll give you a kiss
Let go of me
I know you can't stand the sight of me
You think I caused Dad's death
You caused Dad's death?
OK, fine! I'll move out
Kang...
Kang, where are you going?
Come back, Kang!
Kang
Come back
Come back, Kang!
Come back...
My bladder's going to burst
Brother Big Brother, I'm so happy today
I thought Meiyu wouldn't bother herself...
about my mummy and me after she moved out
Turned out I got the wrong idea about her
Meiyu still cares a lot about me
You heard what she said
She helped me look for singing opportunities...
and eventually found a folk music cafe that would have me
And...
Brother Big Brother!
Are you OK?
Why are you so pale? Do you feel unwell?
Brother Big Brother, you're scaring me
I... I'll go get help
Weixiong
Weixiong, help Brother Big Brother
What happened to Lazy Bum?
He's very ill. He's going to pass out
I'm frightened
He's over there. Let's go
Lazy Bum, what are you up to?
Weixiong, Brother Big Brother isn't up to anything
He's so ill that he's lost his voice
Yet he still accompanied me to meet my sister
Brother Big Brother, you OK?
Teddy
I'm dying
You must be happy
Brother Big Brother, don't die on us
Brother Big Brother!
She should be the one wailing over me
You're seriously ill, yet you're still cracking jokes
He's running a high fever
Zhentian, let's help him to the doctor's
Meiyu wanted me...
to go for the audition behind my mummy's back...
and only let her know...
if the boss is pleased with my performance...
and wants me to sing at her folk music cafe
But if I do that,
Mummy will hit the roof
I'm not saying I'll pass the audition for sure
But I just don't want to keep her in the dark
You're doing the right thing
You're not doing anything shameful
No need to do it on the sly
I think the same way
But Meiyu said,
"I guarantee if you let Mum know,
"she'll object vehemently to it"
Will Li really do that?
My mummy constantly worries that I'd be duped by others
When I was in school,
she didn't even allow me...
to go sing karaoke with my classmates
She said karaoke joints are seedy
Meiyu will be waiting for me...
at the folk music cafe's entrance at five
If I don't turn up,
she won't help me again
Lazy Bum wanted to go to your place...
to convince Li?
How is he going to do that? He's already lost his voice
That was what I told him
But Brother Big Brother insisted on being self-sacrificing...
to help me achieve my dream
He made himself out to be so noble
How shameless
Weixiong, I was the one who said he was being self-sacrificing
Saying something profound...
will make others think I'm smart
No!
What's going on?
Ms Zhang, could you come with me?
Let me talk to him - OK
You're a man, yet you're screaming before you get the jab
You're not a kid anymore
I... - Shut up
You're still running a fever
If you want to recover, you've to get the jab
I... - Doctor, ignore him
Give him the jab
Let go
Big Brother, I'm going to pull down your pants
Do it
You're a grown-up man
Fancy screaming away when you got a jab
How embarrassing
Stop laughing
Sorry, Brother Big Brother. I'll keep it a secret
Why apologise to him?
It's hilarious that a grown-up man was terrified of getting a jab
Why, you!
Yes?
Are you unhappy?
You got a good look, didn't you?
What do you mean?
You...
Brother Big Brother said you got a good look...
at his bum
Am I right?
I've to wash my eyes
You Teddy...
Zhentian, you'd better go back first
I've to settle something for Meimei
You're busy enough as it is
You're still helping others?
She's my neighbour after all
Come on. I'll call you later, OK?
OK - Bye
Bye
I feel miserable
No way
Your sister is really something
She left home...
and doesn't even come back to visit me
Now she wants you to leave as well?
I'm not going anywhere
She wants me to sing at a folk music cafe
Don't listen to her and sing at that sleazy place
You're naive
You won't even know if someone takes liberties with you
Meiyu won't let anything bad happen to me
She cares about me and knows that I love singing
That's why she asked me to sing at that cafe
Li, I've been to that folk music cafe
It's not a sleazy place
The clientele is mainly made up of young people and office workers
It's a decent place
Say no more
I forbid her from going
Li
Sorry, this is our family affair
Thank you for your concern. You may go
You should leave as well
I won't allow Meimei to sing in public You should leave as well
I won't allow Meimei to sing in public
Mummy, Brother Big Brother has fallen asleep
Wake him up and get him to leave
Sing...
Brother Big Brother, my mummy wants you to go home
Li
Meimei is already 21
She has the right to make her own decisions
She's not asking for your permission...
but informing you of her wish
Everyone has dreams
I do, you do, and so does she
So does Brother Big Brother
That's right. Everyone has dreams
Meimei's dream is to sing
Even though you're her mum,
you can't stop her from pursuing her dream
How simple you put it
As you said, it's a dream
If you dreamt that you struck lottery,
would you really strike lottery?
But you can't deny that...
it's possible for some people to fulfil their dreams
How many people actually fulfil their dreams?
It's good enough to have 1 out of 10,000 who can do that
Meimei could just be that person
I'm her mum
I know how far she can go
She's not intelligent like you
She's an ordinary girl
She just needs a job...
to put food on the table
If she's lucky,
she'll find a man who loves and treasures her
She'll get married, start her own family,
and live her life in peace
Li, that is your wish
It's what you want for her
I know you're worried about her future
You want her to have...
a plain sailing life
But have you ever asked Meimei...
whether that is what she wants?
Some people live an ordinary life
But some people want to live a spectacular life...
with no regrets
Even if they run into a storm...
or any difficulties,
and get hurt in the process,
they still go forth to give it a try
Meimei, be brave. Tell everyone...
what kind of life you want
I...
Meimei, don't be afraid
Tell us the truth
Meimei, you'd better think carefully before speaking
You're trying to inﬂuence her
Meimei, listen to no one
Close your eyes and listen to your heart
I want a plain sailing life
But...
a voice in my heart keeps telling me...
I can do it
Do what?
I can do it
So long as I think I can do it,
I can
I can finish reading a dictionary
I can also do a good job of cleaning toilets
Similarly, I can also sing
I fear storms
But as they say in drama serials,
storms will make me stronger...
and tougher
I can do it
You're so weak
I bet you can't even cut open a papaya
Use this knife
- What happened? - I got pricked by durian thorns
That's common for first-timers
You'll get the hang of it soon
What's wrong with you?
You can't even open a durian
- You should go eat... - You're being potty-mouthed again
I'm not
I was asking him...
to have a bigger bowl of rice
I quit
Show him this, quick!
Papa-Daddy
Papa-Daddy, I want rice with chicken drumstick, please
There's another one
Uncle, from today onwards, I'll only provide for Grandma
You're responsible for your wife and your son
You're on your own
If you want them to starve,
I won't say you're a heartless...
and cold-blooded jerk
Xiaoying, Fada sent me these clips
He knew you'd quit
We've no right to stop you from quitting
But you have a wife and a son now
We've prepared a sum of money for you
Won't you cooperate with me?
This $500 is an advance on your salary
You'll also get...
a box of plasters
It's inevitable to get hurt when you open durians
Apply a plaster and you're good as new
Be a man
It's embarrassing to quit...
because of a minor injury
That's not all, dear
Tell him yourself
Work hard and you'll win at life
If you don't work hard, the loan sharks will do you in
I used the leftover red paint from the loan sharks to write this
I hang it up at home...
to serve as a reminder
That's how I cleaned up my act
I'm giving this treasure to you now
All the way
Brother, go for it
Work hard and you'll win at life
Remember that! - Go easy on me
How ill-fated I am
My daughter-in-law is sleeping while I'm cooking for her
You can't find a better mother-in-law anywhere
My head is spinning. Won't you hold me up?
Don't take liberties with me
- Stop clinging to me - Who took liberties with you?
Scumbag!
How dare you be so audacious in broad daylight!
Grandma, don't hit him
He's really ill
He was feeling dizzy
Xiong, he's a cunning fella
Don't be taken in by him
You tried to kill me
Keep quiet
Grandma, he's running a fever
I took him to the doctor's
His fever subsided a little after he got a jab
There's herbal tea in the fridge, right?
There's some left
You're cooking?
I can't count on your mum to cook for me now
Mum can still cook
But you've to remind her she's added salt
I know she can still cook
But she's forgotten that she needs to cook
It's already so late
Yet she's still sleeping
Oh?
When I received your call,
I came home without playing mahjong
She's not stepped out ever since I came back
I wanted to wake her up,
but I figured since I'd cooked for her before,
I'd let her sleep
It's been hard on you, Grandma
Herbal tea for you
Mum
Mum?
Grandma, Mum's not in her room
Impossible! When did she go out?
She's not in the bathroom either
I locked the door when I came back
I locked the door when I went out earlier as well
She doesn't have the keys. How could she have gone out?
You...
What are you looking for?
What is he doing?
What did you see? - She...
What did he see?
What is that?
Subtitles: Youshi, Mediacorp TV