Since we're destined that we can't develop a romantic relationship
we must face the reality
You've taught me not to submit to the traditional feudal ethical code
You've glorified open-mindedness and bold renovations
I'm adamant that being a woman is better
Getting married? Only a moron will get married
Remember, it's great if you can meet someone you're keen on
You must cherish such an opportunity
Don't back off easily no matter what happens
Love can help you solve every problem
Woman in the past could put up with everything
Like my Great Great Granny
she could put up with a marriage arranged by a matchmaker
She could also put up with an unfaithful husband
She was OK even Great Great Grandpa gambled away all his family fortune
What she couldn't tolerate was his attitude of self-abandonment
Stop throwing a tantrum What's done can't be undone
What you should care about is the future
The insult you've faced isn't a big deal
If you can't get over it how can you stage a comeback in future?
It wouldn't be what the late Old Master had hoped to see
No one looks down upon you You just look down upon yourself
Yuk-lun...Yuk-lun...
Sorry, it's my fault...It's my fault...
Stop throwing a tantrum The insult you've faced isn't a big deal
If you can't get over it how can you stage a comeback in future?
It wouldn't be what the late Old Master had hoped to see
Dad, I know it's my fault I'll rectify my wrong thoroughly
I pray that your spirit in Heaven will bless me
Mom
You're greeting me as mom?
Yes, mom
I'm sorry. I hurt your leg yesterday
Don't worry
Sit down and let me change the bandage
It's really very serious
It's OK as long as you weren't hurt I often got hurt so it's not a big deal
You always care about me but seldom care about yourself
I remember climbed up a tree when I was a small kid
You hurt yourself when you tried to save me
You still remember that?
You seldom came to see me again after that incident
I thought you'd like to keep me at a distance
I also thought later that you were cross with me
I even thought that dad and mom might've scolded you
Actually I'd like to see you, but...
Mom didn't like it?
To the outsiders, only Big Sis is your mom
I'd been rude to you before I knew your real identity
I treated you like a junior maid
I've never blamed you for it
How come I'd become another woman's son?
It's a long story
When Old Master married Big Sis
I was the maid that accompanied her to live in this house
Big Sis became pregnant but unfortunately she had a miscarriage
then Old Master married 2nd Sis and she gave birth to a daughter
Big Sis worried that her status would be at risk
so she married me to Old Master as his concubine
She hoped that I'd bear him a child I really became pregnant before long
Big Sis then asked me to let her become the baby's mother
She said she wouldn't like 2nd Sis to challenge her status
She said she had no other better options
How could she keep everybody in the dark?
It just happened that your dad had to go on a long business trip
I said I had to visit some relatives in my hometown
Actually I spent my time in a small house in the countryside
When you were born
Big Sis took you away and treated you as her own son
Mom, I feel sorry for you
I've been very ungrateful My 2 mothers have sacrificed so much for me
I promise I won't let you suffer in future and I won't let you worry about me anymore
Who said luck comes but once? In my case, luck grows out of adversity
I've got back my son though our family has been devastated
You must behave properly in future. Stop muddling along
Yu-fung is a good wife and daughter-in-law. You must treat her nicely
I got it, mom Actually I've never been nice to her
Since we're in a state of destitution
if Yu-fung wants to leave me I'll be too ashamed of asking her to stay
Mistress, it's good you're here
Somebody by the name of Lin said he'd like to pick up Master Bo and Mistress Sin
Go away! How long do I still need to wait?
Don't be so fierce
Sorry, I've told you already Young Master Bo and Sin aren't at home
Right, this is a tiny place You can't hide them here
Look, you're shabby and the place is tiny and filthy
It isn't a place for human beings
I couldn't imagine you're Old Masters family members
That's enough!
If it hadn't been your wicked brother nothing like this would've happened to us
Stop talking nonsense!
My bro died in your house and I haven't avenged him yet
2nd Uncle...
Young Master Bo 2nd Uncle
I come here to pick you up
My place is big and nice I've got a room for you too
You won't starve in my place
Great! I hate eating stone-like buns here
Sin, I haven't seen you for several years
You're a pretty grown-up I almost can't recognize you
Mistress, I don't want to leave
Are you joking? You're our child bride We'd paid for it. You won't have any say
Great! If they leave we'll have fewer mouths to feed
By the way, Big Madam is your sis You'll bring her with you too, right?
Once she got married she's a member of your family
It's not reasonable to make such a request
It's a waste to look after a cripple
Take them away Yes
Mistress...No... Don't take her away Walk
Mistress... Sin
Forget it. It's none of our business
They're barbarous. She will suffer
We can't even look after ourselves I wonder how we can look after them
He's as inhuman as his brother How come he could discard his own sister?
I'm more worried if they take Big Madam with them
When she's here, at least she won't starve We'll take good care of her but they won't
Hey! Don't be a busybody
By the way, Chef Yu should've brought us the food
Everybody is waiting for him. I'm hungry
He's busy today. Maybe he'll be a bit late
What if I reheat the buns left over last night?
Let me help you?
You've got nothing else to do? If you're free, take care of my mom first
Look, I've no idea where she is now I can't take care of everything alone
Yu-fung, are you doing the laundry? Would you help me do mine as well?
You know, I'm not used to doing that kind of rough chores
You're just good at bossing around
Yu-fung hasn't complained yet It isn't your turn to say anything
Forget it! Doing the laundry isn't a big deal
Don't pick quarrels because of it
Have you heard it?
Can I use the steamer?
Sure
You're bleeding?
I hurt myself when I was cutting the pork
Come with me. Let me bandage your wound
I'm fine. I'm in a hurry to make the pork dumplings
Come on, you shouldn't do anything
What if I help you do it? Actually I know how to make pork dumplings
Really?
You've too much work to do already How come you still want to help him?
It's just lifting a finger
You're brilliant The customers flock to buy your dumplings
Really?
Your wages
What?
I'll count on you in the next few days
Look
We've got money to buy food for our dinner tonight
We don't have to eat buns and leftovers anymore
Teach me how to make dumplings I hope to learn the skill and earn a living
Sure, I'll teach you later
I've brewed the decoction already Would you give it to 3rd Madam now'?
It's piping hot
Mistress, I've brought some food from Prince Kung's Mansion
Thank you
What's up?
I'd like to discuss something with you but it isn't too convenient to speak here
Let's talk about it outside?
Sure
Do you remember you've used dandelion to draw an analogy?
Yes, I do
Will you stay with me if a puff of wind blows you to me?
What're you driving at?
Master Cho told me last night he'd go and work as the chief chef in Guangzhou
He'd like me to work as his assistant
The current situation is complete chaos
Foreign enemies may
invade the Capital anytime
Everyone is worried about his own safety and is trying to beat a retreat
Right, this is a very good chance Have you decided to leave with him?
Of course I won't leave without you
Tsz...
I'd like you to leave this hellish place
If I work for Master Cho I'll have a stable income
We should be able to make both ends meet
According to my estimate I can run my own business one year later
Yu-fung...
Yu Tsz...Thank you but I can't go with you
The people here need my care and 3rd Madam is very nice to me
I can't just care about my own happiness and sacrifice them
Besides, my husband has just made a fresh start in life
I've decided I won't leave him
He never cherishes you There's no love between you and him
Since I've married him I'm a member of his family forever
This is the reality Stop having any fantasy, please
Why? I really don't understand it
If we love each other why can't we stay together?
Why is Heaven so unfair?
This is destiny. We must accept it Have a good career in Guangzhou. Take care
Yu-fung...
Take care
What're you doing here?
I'm making dumplings Oh clear! I've forgotten to hang the laundry
How come you're so diligent suddenly?
I'd like to show you I can do what you do
I'm a man. I can do what a woman can do
You needn't worry about me
If you want to leave you may leave whenever you like
What're you talking about? Who said I'm going to leave?
Don't lie to me, please I saw you going outwith Chef Yu
We're in a turmoil of war
I won't blame you if you'd like to see your parents in your hometown or run away
Our family is a state of destitution
I'm also too ashamed of asking you to stay with me
I've packed for you already
If you'd like to leave, you may leave
Who do you think I am? Though I'm a woman, I'm not timid
Besides, the family needs me now
Chef Yu and Master Cho will work in Guangzhou
He just came to say farewell so stop thinking wildly, please
Are you sure you won't leave? Great! I needn't do the laundry in future
Look, your face is dirty The laundry is messy too
Really? Well...
Help... Mistress, help!
What's up? Sin...
He tried to rape me I'm lucky I was able to run away
He's ridiculous! Don't worry. We're at your back
We'll report it to the magistrate
The government officials are corrupt Besides, we've lost our influence already
Since Sin doesn't live here anymore I'm afraid there's nothing we can do
If we let you stay here we may get into trouble
You'd better leave right off
No, don't drive me away Hey, you...
Bad news! Master Lin is outside
He's fierce He demands us to hand over Sin to him
What should we do now?
Mistress, I beg you to save me I don't want to go back to his place...
Stand up first
Don't worry. We won't step aside and watch you die
Don't be scared
You lousy maid! Go home with me
No...No...
You'd like Sin to go home with you? Do you know what you did was immoral?
Go away! Beast isn't welcome here
Go away! Go away! Hey! What're you doing? Don't be a busybody...
Sin is mine Whatever I do, it's none of your business
You'd better hand her over to me otherwise I'll report it to the magistrate
You'll be charged with abduction
Walk Mistress... Sin... Let them leave
Abduction is punishable by imprisonment and she isn't our family member either
Don't be a busybody
Walk... No...
I'd rather die
We won't hand her over to you
You just need a nanny to look after Bo Why don't you find somebody else to do it?
I'll see you in court if you refuse to hand her over to me
What should we do now? No Don't do it
You...
OK, I'll see you in court
Give me some paper and a writing brush
There're 3 things I'll report to the magistrate
First, your brother had set up a swindle and it devastated Wong Sin-Kai's family
We suspect you were an accomplice
Second, Big Madam had grabbed 3rd Madam's son unlawfully in the past
She's a cripple now so we'll let her off
We suspect you'd known about it but you didn't report it to the magistrate
Sin is Bo's wife Your attempt to rape her is unforgivable
These are felonies All of them are punishable by death
Sin, let's go and report it to the magistrate now
Hold it!
Don't take me at my word
We're in-laws. It's not worth going to court because of a maid
Since you like her so much
Sin, you'll stay here and help them in future
Wait!
Since Sin will stay here she won't return to your place again
You must act on behalf of Bo to divorce her
This will ensure no one will trouble her again
When Bo has become a grown-up you can help him get another wife
I've prepared the divorce agreement already
Once you sign on it Sin won't belong to your family anymore
You're too demanding
In that case, we'll see you in court
Report it to the magistrate Right Let's do it now
OK, OK...Give it to me
I'll get even with you
Let's leave
Thank you, Mistress
If you hadn't saved me today I wonder what my life would've been
I'm helpless and friendless now I'll let you decide what I should do next
Come on, you're not friendless
You belong to this family. In future we'll share our joy and burden together
"Even I can forget the unhappy past"
"my mind is still heavy-laden about both the present and future"
You'd better take a couple of glances because we mayn't come back in future
Master, I...
Don't tell me you've changed your mind?
Sorry, I'm not a good disciple I can't go to Guangzhou with you
So my guess is right
Stand up
I'm worthless. I've let you down
Everyone has his own aspirations
I can read your mind but I hope you've made the right choice
Thank you for letting me do what I want to do
Master, would you stay for a while?
I'd like to bring you to a place
The fresh bamboo shoot in clear soup was the first dish I'd cooked for you
Thanks to this dish we became master and disciple
Since I can't serve you in future
I've cooked you this dish again to show my goodwill
This dish is the tastiest one that I've eaten in my whole life
Actually you're talented
You'll excel me if you stay with me for one more year
Sorry, Master
One should plan for one's future Having foresight is very important
A romantic relationship is rather insignificant after all
Maybe I've overestimated my ability
If she is a bamboo, I'm a small leaf
but I still hope that I can help her withstand the wind and rain
I've seen a lot of people before
but you're the only one who's so mad and obsessive
My master gave me this pair of phoenix jade chopsticks as a gift
I'd like to give it to you now
This gift is too precious for me
Maybe it's fate that we can't be master and disciple anymore in future
Take it. You may find it useful in future
Thank you, Master
Boss Cheung, how come you ask us to move out suddenly?
The current situation is complete chaos
I'd planned to sell the shop and retire in my hometown a long time ago
Since somebody is wining to buy it there's no reason Hum down the offer
The buyer will pay me tomorrow You'd better move out immediately
Your concern is we can't pay you the money
This is a lousy shop. In the past we could afford to buy at least 10 of them
Right
I'm good at cooking. Let's buy it and we can run a small restaurant
At least it can help us make a living
But where can we get the money to buy it?
It's very affordable. Just 30 taels I'll let you have first refusal on it
You know our situation very well I wonder if you can be a bit flexible
We'll pay you back after we've made some profits
Don't bargain with me. I can be flexible if you can show me the money
otherwise it's a waste of time talking to you here
We're sincere and serious You may charge us interest for it
You must show me the money first otherwise don't expect me to be flexible
Please move out immediately
I've got a pair of phoenix jade chopsticks
It's worth more than 30 taels It should be enough to buy your shop
I'll sell them the shop
if you're willing to leave this pair of jade chopsticks as a pledge
here you are
Great! We needn't move out anymore
Yu Tsz...
I thought you'd gone to Guangzhou with Master Cho already?
If I'd left, I wouldn't have been able to help you
The chopsticks are very valuable I wonder what your real motive is
Yuk-lun...
I'd just like to help Lady Ngai
What're you going to do if you don't go to Guangzhou?
I'll stay and look for a job in a restaurant here
What if you stay here?
You're a brilliant chef and we're looking for such a chef
What?
Stay and help us We've no idea how to run a kitchen
If you're here the customers will flock to us
It's a deal, OK?
Hold it! Hold it!
Don't tell me you've an objection?
We don't accept others' favor without cause We just borrow your phoenix jade chopsticks
I'll give you an IOU
When we've money in future we'll get them back and return them to you
We won't owe each other anything by that time
OK, we won't owe each other anything by that time
I stay here because of Lady Ngai She's my boss and I just listen to her
So you've agreed to stay and help us?
Thanks to Yu Tsz's phoenix jade chopsticks
Great Great Granny could open a restaurant and feed the mouths of the 8 family members
Under Great Great Granny and Yu Tsz's leader
ship
everyone was united and in high spirits to face this new start
Why was the restaurant called the Phoenix House?
Apart from the phoenix jade chopsticks
phoenix is also the king of birds and it means rebirth and an auspicious future
But I think the most important reason is phoenix is also my Great Great Granny's name
There's no fun!
Mom...Mom...Be careful...Where're you going?
What's up? There's no fun Be careful...Where're you going?
There's no customer for the whole morning It's pointless even our food is excellent
The situation is undesirable
We must do something about it
Come and try it
Hallo...
The Phoenix House is open Please come and try our food
The Phoenix House?
Yes, our food is good and inexpensive The poached red big eye is fresh and tender
It's different from the steamed fish you used to eat
If you'd like something light you may try our stuffed zhusheng tofu
Tofu will be thinly sliced and stuffed with zhusheng
Shredded Jin Hua ham will be placed on the surface
It's really very appetizing too
Are you sure the food is good?
How come there's no one inside? Right?
It's so quiet inside I doubt whether the food is really good
We'd better go to the Yue Yea House
It's OK. See you next time
One will win every battle if one knows oneself and one's enemy well
I've asked Sin to check it out for me
The Yue Yee House is very popular Let's go and see what we can learn from it
What do you think?
The menu and flavor are just so-so I'll give this restaurant a bare pass only
Like the diced chicken with paprika
though it was sweet, sour and hot the chef had added too little water
and it'd been cooked over high heat for too long
The sauce had become too thick
that the chicken's fresh flavor and the peanuts' crisp aroma were sacrificed
Its taste had become a bit monotonous
I'm confident that I can outdo it
Besides, the decor is also so-so It's not as spacious as the Yue Garden
The furnishings aren't as elegant as those of Tin Fook Tong
Many bowls and plates are chipped so everything is far from satisfactory
The waiters aren't very polite They aren't hardworking either
Since nothing is desirable how come its business is so good?
Hallo, Uncle Kau
Congratulations! Where will you host the full moon banquet for your baby boy?
Of course I'll host it here
I've been a regular customer since I was a kid
I won't look for another restaurant
It's like the habit of drinking tea In my case, I drink daffodil every day
I won't drink dragon well suddenly
My mom will celebrate her 80th birthday 2 days later
We host birthday banquets here every year We never consider going to another place
Right, this is an old restaurant Every relative knows where it is
To be frank, the quality of food and service has deteriorated a lot already
The birthday buns are stiff and tiny
Shing, my mother will host a birthday banquet here 2 days later
Would you ask the chef to make some bigger and more puffy buns?
Right, for my son's full moon banquet
make sure you won't skip any ingredients in the ginger vinegar
Sure, I'll tell the chef about it
Mistress, you've found out something?
I understand finally why its business is so good
The ginger vinegar is aptly flavored
We can give it to Uncle and Auntie Ngau for their son's full moon celebration
The birthday buns are ready too
We can give it to Uncle Kau for his mothers birthday celebration
What's the reason for doing it?
They must hate money very much
They've taken leave of their senses Maybe they've eaten too many dumplings
Maybe they've inhaled
too much smoke in the kitchen
We're losing money every day
You took the money to taste the food in the Yue Yee House
You sent gifts to others' full moon and birthday celebration
Do you know our money is just enough for us to stand 2 more days
Don't discourage us Mistress must've a reason for doing it
In that case, tell us about it
Have you noticed why the Yue Yee House is so popular?
It's not because of good food good service or beautiful furnishings
It's because it's an old restaurant
There're some old customers who refuse to try something different
What we need to do is giving them a better choice
Their tongues can tell the difference
I'm confident of changing their habits and they'll be our customers before long
How long? 1 or 2 days or years?
Stop messing about The restaurant is doomed
You'd better look for ways of getting out of it
I'll go and deliver the ginger vinegar and birthday buns
I'm thrumming the lute before a buffalo
Look, what can we do with the leftovers?
Throw them away. They're a real eyesore
Are you sure? Don't waste it
I know how to deal with them
Thank you
No problem. Feel free to get some more
Thank you. Thanks
Enjoy
Who's she? She's pretty and kind-hearted
Our boss is really a nice person
Come and get the buns
No need to hurry!
Wai...Wai...
Don't be scared. It's OK
Are you OK?
Are you all right?
I'm fine
Great! Our restaurant will close down tomorrow
I can get rid of an eyesore
What're you talking about?
You back off when there's a setback I wonder whether you're a man
Have I said anything wrong?
You don't do what you should do and you go on doing what you shouldn't do
Others' birthday or full moon celebration is none of your business
The Phoenix House will close down tomorrow I wonder who should be responsible for it
Do you know what you're talking about?
Let's try our best even today is the last day of business
Even 1 customer praises our food or service
it's a proof that we haven't wasted our efforts
By the way, I believe in miracles
Mistress is right. We must be persistent
In any case, we must try our best
Right, I couldn't agree more
Great! Try your best
I thought there was one buffalo only I'm thrumming the lute to 3 buffalos now
Come and try our food
Come when you've time
Have a cup of tea first?
Thank you No problem Thanks
It's miracle if there's business
This is the Phoenix House that sent us the birthday buns?
Yeah
Uncle Kau, Auntie Kau...
Chef Yu, you're a nice guy We come to thank you and your boss
We also come to thank you and your boss...
Uncle Ngau, Auntie Ngau
The birthday buns you made are big and delicious
All my relatives and friends have very high opinion of them
Right, we haven't eaten such tasty pig knuckles in ginger vinegar before
That's why I bring my relatives and friends to try the other dishes here today
Welcome!
Please take your seat inside Sure Please...
Madam Wong, though we're poor
we'd still like to celebrate the opening of your restaurant
We're grateful to you for giving us the buns
I'm also grateful to him for saving my son
Don't mention it
You're very nice to the people in our neighborhood
We should come more often in future
Please go and be seated inside
Hold it! It's full inside
Let's set up some tables outside
We're fine
No, I cherish everyone who comes here
We must try our best to serve you
Sin, brew a few pots of good tea
10 pork dumplings for each table, on the house
Yes, boss
Please go inside
Thank you...
I'm sure I'll be worn out today
Let me help you? Great!
What she said is right. There's miracle
The business had been prospering
Great Great Granny's generosity of giving out the dumplings was an innovation
By word of mouth customers were flocking to the restaurant
Everybody in the dining hall and kitchen was working in full swing
but some guys in the inner hall were leading an easy life
One “Man“...
You know very well I need a Sok Jee to complete a matched set
Sok Jee is the phonogram of asking for a son. Are you craving for a son?
Why do you ask me to give you a Sok Joe?
Stop thinking wildly, please
Don't get me wrong Mom, your turn to pick the tile
I've many Sok Jees. Take mine? Great!
Don't discard Sok Jee Let me check your tiles first
3rd Tung! Discard the 3rd Tung
Big Madam would like to match a sequence?
Forget it! Draw another tile first It's Bak! I don't think you'll take it?
Declaring a win! Hey! Don't ask me to play with you again
Hey! Don't throw a tantrum because of a Bak tile
This sort of dispute always happened
Since they'd got nothing to do they always played mahjong together
Regarding Great Great Granny the job of being a cashier was boring
He'd rather do something more exciting
Your “Thunderstorm“ is in high spirits
Of course! It can kill Master Kau...Master Kau's cricket easily
I'd taken my “Great West Ocean“ with me on a big ocean liner before
It's used to facing all sorts of challenging situation
How come you're so crazy about foreign things?
People of the Corps of Righteousness and Harmony will beat you if they know about it
I wonder who really have the edge
The story goes that the foreigners will invade the Capital pretty soon
You're right! The “Great West Ocean" is much more formidable
I'm afraid "Thunderstorm" will surrender
Great Great Grandpa had a good wife but he'd never cherished her
Yu Tsz hadn't had that luck
but he was happy as long as he could look after and protect Great Great Granny
Examining recipes with Great Great Granny was deemed his biggest blessing
There was a tacit understanding between them
It was something that'd never exist between Great Great Grandpa and his wife
It was also something Great Great Grandpa would never understand
What do you think?
It was cooked with the right heat
but the skin needs to be a bit crispier and the meat needs to be a bit more tender
How can we do it?
Sugar! Sugar!
You're shouting in unison. What's up?
Nothing. 2nd Madam likes eating duck lag
Would you give this to her?
Wow! It's roast duck leg. I'll try it first
We're working on a signature dish
You should seek my advice
Roast duck is a bit monotonous
I suggest a dish with an assortment of chicken, duck, goose, pigeon and quail
I'll name it“ A Big Bite of Birds"
What's up? Have I said anything wrong?
No, would you give this to 2nd Madam?
Lunch is over but they still stay in the kitchen
They'd whisper quietly but burst into laughter suddenly
Their job is cooking so they must stay in the Kitchen
But they've behaved as if I weren't there
I really don't understand Yu Tsz He isn't young. He should get married
If he isn't gay, he must be keen on my wife
Don't make wild guesses
They stay in the kitchen because they're working on a signature dish
Sin
What?
It smells very good
Listen, I'm the boss of the Phoenix House and I care about the restaurant's interest
From now on, Sin will be Chef Yu's helper and Yu-fung will work in the dining hall
No way! Sin hasn't got the skills
Let her learn the skills We can't just count on Chef Yu
If he's ill one day at least we've a substitute
But...
You're also the boss You shouldn't always stay in the kitchen
OK, my decision is final
But I know nothing about cooking
Chef Yu is willing to train you Be humble and learn from him
You'll be a master very soon
OK, show him the cutting skills What?
Cut this turnip
Are you all right?
Are you OK? You're bleeding
You're lucky the wound isn't too deep The medicinal powder will stop the bleeding
If you don't wet the wound it'll recover a few days later
Thank you, Bro Yu
Look after her for me. Fung, let's go out
I still have to make some sauce
Don't play gooseberry, please
We still have turnips in stock but we'll need 10 catties of cabbage
How about various kinds of meat?
10 catties of pork and chicken
20 catties of beef and mutton Sure
It's very late Continue your discussion tomorrow
We mayn't have enough time to do it tomorrow
If you're tired, you may sleep first
No, I'm full of energy I can even kill a few tigers
There's no tiger here There may be a few stubborn mules
If Mistress hadn't been so persistent the restaurant would've been doomed already
If I hadn't got your...everyone's support I don't think I could've been so persistent
I won't claim full credit for the success
She's right. As devil's advocate I spurred you on the road to success
Fung, you've been working for the whole day
You must be tired What if you call it a day?
Let me give you a massage so you can relax a bit
I'll take care of everything
Right, you should go to bed now