DEFEND
-Come, Ding. Let's go play basketball. -Okay, you go first.
Okay, Ding.
My, my. This is what they call full of passion.
Look. I've finished three pieces.
Man,
calligraphy takes time.
You can't be a master in one day.
Man, time is limited but the task is heavy.
I don't have much time.
What's that?
You know, they're the Four Treasures of the Study.
I'm not talking about them.
That.
That's burn ointment.
She must have recovered after so many days.
Recovered or not, buying this for her shows my attitude.
And what do you know about it?
Is it just ointment?
What else can it be?
This is my ticket.
A shield that covers for me.
A shield?
Colonel Jiang.
Colonel Jiang, what are you doing here?
Are you unwell?
I was just worried about running into you.
I've been trying to avoid you.
Who knows, I got blinded by your white gown.
Why are you avoiding me?
Didn't you ask me to set things up?
You've already done that.
If I trouble you any more, doesn't it make me useless?
Burn ointment?
Didn't I burn her the other day at your place?
I need to pay for the damage I caused.
Comrade,
open your eyes and see what this place is. This is a hospital.
Do we need you to send over medicine?
What a matchmaker.
Do you wish we work out or not?
You're very ungrateful.
Sis, don't go.
Now that you see me, why not take me to her?
At any rate, there is strength in numbers.
Sis, let's go then.
An.
-An. -Secretary Yang.
Colonel Jiang is here for treatment, and he came by to see you.
Thank you.
You're welcome. It's the least I can do.
Secretary, why are you laughing?
Is there something wrong?
There isn't. You're right.
Didn't you bring medicine for An? Give it to her.
Right. I almost forgot without your reminder.
It's burn ointment.
Is your leg all right?
Yes, it is.
Take this.
It's a nice gesture from the Colonel.
Thank you.
An, you have a phone at home, no? Give him your number.
In case he can't reach you when he's off work.
My home number is 3526.
You got it?
It'd be better to write it down on paper.
Why paper? Just write it on your hand.
I don't have a pen.
An, get one for him.
How dumb are you that you can't even remember a phone number.
How can she like you?
I don't know.
I don't know what's wrong. I'm just nervous seeing her,
I'm a mess in my head.
You're all sweaty. What are you afraid of?
I have no idea.
Do you think I like this?
What did you say earlier?
Why say I was here for treatment?
What's wrong with that?
She might think I'm unwell.
-Colonel Jiang, what can I say about you? -Nothing is better.
-Here. -Yeah.
Well then. I'll leave you two to talk.
I didn't know you were working here. Quite good.
Good for what?
You can get medicine easily.
It's good to take medicine?
No, it's not.
Are you sick?
I'm not.
Then why are you here?
I'm not here for treatment, but to send the medicine.
Then what about Secretary Yang?
I didn't know the way. She offered to take me here.
-Donkey in a lion's skin. -What? What did you say?
Donkey in a lion's skin.
Where’s the cashier?
Over here.
Donkey in a lion's skin? What's that?
What did I say? That Jiang Defu wouldn't give up easily.
Was I right about that?
Giving up or not, it's his business.
For me, it's out of the question.
If he keeps chasing you like this,
you will sway someday.
I'll sway? That’s funny.
It's quite interesting, though.
What is?
Donkey in a lion's skin.
With Secretary Yang at his side, Jiang was the donkey.
And I can be a donkey, and they're my lion.
Seeing a colonel coming for me, accompanied by Secretary Yang,
the whole pharmacy was amazed. They now see me differently.
Especially the supervisor,
even addressing me with honorifics.
It's just ridiculous.
Aside from that, don't you find it quite enjoyable?
Of course.
Surely, it's enjoyable when you're respected.
What's that smile?
Why are you smiling like that?
Evil smile.
Hello?
-Is this An Jie's home? -Yes.
Who is this, please?
I am Jiang Defu from the Navy's Artillery School.
Are you Colonel Jiang?
Yes, it's me.
Colonel Jiang, how are you?
I am An Tai's bro...
I am An Jie's brother, An Tai.
How are you?
Well...
I'd love to come and see An Jie,
if it's convenient for her?
That's great, Colonel Jiang.
The whole family would very much love to welcome you here.
I'll get An Jie right away.
Please wait a second.
Little Sis.
Hello?
Do you need anything?
Nothing much.
Just to see how you are.
Thank you. I'm well.
Did you eat?
I did.
What did you eat?
It’s not a good question, is it?
Hello?
Hello... are you there?
I'm listening. Is there something else?
Dinner's ready.
Oh, you haven't eaten.
Go ahead then. I'll hang up.
Damn.
She's not a rabbit at all. She's a tiger!
What a fright I got.
How could you be so rude?
How was I rude?
Cold as ice, unapproachable, that's not rude?
It's none of your business.
Our parents are gone now. I must mind your business.
This Colonel Jiang seems nice to me. I can tell from his voice.
Aren't you a genius.
You can tell if a person's nice by his voice?
Not just the voice. It's an overall judgement.
At least he's a colonel.
Do you think anyone can be a colonel?
And he's at the Advance Artillery School for further studies.
What does that mean?
It means he's highly regarded.
He will be in important positions.
Do you think he's there for further studies?
He's illiterate and uncouth. He's there for literacy education.
He's illiterate. So what?
You think the illiterate or the uncouth can't be in power?
There were plenty illiterate emperors in China's history.
Illiteracy doesn't mean a lack of talent.
An illiterate and uncouth fellow like him is a colonel.
That's evidence enough that he's capable and talented.
You don't need to frown.
Even if he's illiterate, as you said,
a comrade like him, if removed of illiteracy,
wouldn't he be like a tiger with wings?
His prospects will be boundless.
Little Sis, I suggest you think about it.
Here, Little Sis.
Look how slim you are. Eat more meat.
I've had bumps on my face these days. I can't eat meat.
Make some green bean soup. It'll decrease internal heat.
Okay, I'll make some tomorrow.
Why wait till tomorrow? Do it today.
-Drink it as water. -Okay.
Why are you laughing?
I'm glad.
You're so nice to me now. How can I not be?
When is Nanny Sun coming back?
She just sent a message.
Her little son broke his leg. It will be a while.
Then it'll be hard for Big Sister-in-Law,
having to cook meals and make green bean soup.
See?
Not only those at the pharmacy,
but the family treats you differently now.
You are not.
When you change as well, it'll be fun.
That's hard to say.
When you are Mrs. Colonel, maybe I'll change too.
Who's Mrs. Colonel?
Stop the nonsense, kid.
What Mrs. Colonel? What are you talking about?
Little Aunt is Mrs. Colonel. Don't you think I don't know.
Nonsense. What do you know?
Little Aunt is Mrs. Colonel.
-Jiang Defu. -Here.
Principal.
When are your wedding candies due?
What wedding candies? Nothing's going on yet.
I hear you were at the hospital showing affection.
How come nothing’s going on?
You two are to blame.
You found me such a hard bone to chew.
Now I understand what my wife said.
You are good at deflecting.
What do you say? Would you like her to do something?
Sounds good to me.
Now it's like we are begging you?
Did I startle you?
Do you need anything?
Of course. I wouldn't have come otherwise.
No need. Just a few words.
Our Youth League branch would like to ask Colonel Jiang to share his heroic stories.
Isn't he a first-class combat hero?
I hear his stories are quite touching.
Who told you that?
Secretary Yang did.
She told me to ask you to invite Colonel Jiang.
She also said that this was a political task.
Me?
How will I get him here?
Come on. Who doesn't know you are now dating him?
Well then. This task is yours. See to it.
Sis.
Writing to brother-in-law?
Yeah.
How nice, exchanging letters from afar like you two.
His handwriting is so nice.
Whose isn't?
Stop teasing me.
Give me some ideas.
What? Jiang Defu is bothering you again?
No.
After that phone call, he didn't show up again.
Isn't that good? What are you fretting about?
Well, he's not coming for me now,
but I'm afraid I'll have to go for him.
Why?
Our league branch secretary wants to invite Jiang to give a speech.
You know, he's a first-class combat hero.
So what? What does it have to do with you?
The whole hospital thinks I'm dating him now.
They all say I'm his girlfriend.
You have a mouth. Can't you tell the truth?
I did, but they don't buy it.
That's because you weren't firm enough with your explanation.
See, they'd believe if you said no to her.
Well, I didn't say no.
And besides, I didn't dare.
Secretary Yang said it was a political task.
Political tasks wouldn't be assigned to people like us.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
I've come to you for advice.
Little Sis,
if you're into him, then go to him.
But if you're not,
I suggest you stay out of the trouble.
I'll just ask him to make a speech. It wouldn't mean anything.
And how do explain why it’s you instead of others?
Exactly.
I don't know how to do it.
Find your league branch secretary and tell the truth tomorrow.
Just say you can't do it.
But I...
I'm a bit afraid of her.
-Besides... -Besides what?
You think being seen as his girlfriend
feels good, don't you?
Yes or no?
A little bit.
Does it feel nice?
Yes, it does.
Just like that?
Sis, what are you doing?
Are you questioning me?
I'm not. I'm trying to help you get this straight.
Would you like any more contact with him or not?
I...
Sis.
Can I just meet him once more?
Wait.
3526
What is this number?
The number of the tiger's den.
The tiger's out.
Pick it up.
Sis, you pick it up.
I don't know what to say.
Why should I? What will it look like?
Pick it up, and hand it to me,
so he won't know I was expecting it.
Go with you little tricks then.
See, I told you to pick it up. Now he's hung up.
Don't worry.
It may not be him.
It could have been someone else, right?
Relax. Let's just wait.
Hello?
Hello? Is that An Jie?
Yes, this is her. Hello.
Hello.
You...
Do you need anything?
I see.
Is it okay? What do you think?
Okay, I'll wait for your call.
So it's settled?
He says he'll think about it.
Sounded like he doesn't even want to come.
He's teasing you.
Is he though?
He sounded bewildered to me.
An Jie,
just because he's illiterate, it doesn't mean he's unsophisticated.
There's difference between those two.
Now you put it like that, I need to see him differently.
He doesn't seem that simple.
And I need to see you differently.
You're not that simple either.
You are being sarcastic, aren't you?
Who am I to be sarcastic with you?
To be honest,
sometimes, like brother and sis-in-law, I also wish you'd marry someone like him,
so we'd have someone to rely on.
But then...
Then what?
It'd be hard for you.
Nice mood you're in.
You've figured out the speech?
What's with the guilty look? Are you really a hero ready to make a speech?
What do you know? I'm being humble.
Look,
I don't want anyone to know about my speech thing.
-Keep it a secret. -Rest assured.
The secret's safe with me.
But I’d first need to check what's in your speech.
I'm going to divide it into two parts.
First,
about the pain and suffering I went through in the old society.
The capitalist lady thinks that I'm illiterate.
And uncouth.
Why couldn't I afford education? And why am I illiterate?
It was because of the exploitation and suppression by the likes of her.
Wasn't it?
I need to make her realize
that my loss of education and my illiteracy as a result
were directly caused by the exploiting class.
Quite right. Make her feel guilty.
Trigger a strong sense of guilt,
so she'd be ashamed before you.
I'd settle if she wouldn't bite me.
Mate, you'd settle for just that?
Bro, I'm not even sure if this will be the case.
Please also sign one for me.
Okay...
One for me please.
And me please.
So you've finished your job now?
Thank you for that.
That makes me nervous.
It sounds like I'd be torn apart by your thanks.
I mean it this time.
So you admit that you didn't mean it before?
Stop it.
That's his writing?
His very own.
He wrote it before the eyes of the crowd.
Why are you irritated?
Why don’t you believe me?
Someone's changed her mind.
Just because of the nice writing?
Not just the writing.
What else then?
There's also...
There's also the heroic stories.
Was he brave?
His deeds were touching, weren't they?
He didn't talk about himself,
but all about others.
About his comrades in arms, those who bled and sacrificed.
His eyes teared up when telling the stories.
He really cherishes ties of comradeship.
So you're deeply touched?
If you were there, you'd be touched as well.
I smell admiration.
Looks like something's going on.
What are you talking about? Who do you mean?
So you're kind of together now?
Nothing's going on yet.
He's coming to our house. That's nothing going on?
That's because brother invited him over the phone.
Then he asked me. Could I really have said no?
What are you doing?
I got a little excited.
I'm finally getting to see this Jiang Defu.
Quite a house for a capitalist family.
I know. You're the Little Uncle-in-Law.
Uncle-in-law is here. Little Uncle-in-Law is here.
What's that he's yelling?
Don't look at me. I didn't teach him that.
Don't just stand there. Go welcome the guest.
See? Someone's more excited than I am.
Are you excited?
I'm more than excited. I'm extremely flattered.
A liberation army comrade is here. Doesn't it glorify our humble house?
Welcome, welcome. Distinguished guest. We're all honored by your presence.
Colonel Jiang, you're very kind. Come. Please come in.
-Please come in. -Please. Thank you for coming.
Here.
What are you doing?
I’m going to serve him coffee.
-Is that appropriate? -Why not?
You want to embarrass him?
Why not see it as a kind of test?
A test? What if it goes too far and you embarrass him?
Should I keep something that's easily embarrassed?
You... Enough is enough. Don't make things awkward for everyone.
I won't. I got it.
What a willful girl.
That's just rude.
No. I have to check on her.
There's no rush.
He can have fruit after coffee.
Please.
Good God. You're playing rough on me.
If you think like that, I have nothing to say.
This is coffee, right?
Can you teach me how to do it?
You can either add sugar or not.
You can either add milk or not.
-It's up to you. -Is it?
Is it really up to me?
It's no different from Chinese medicine.
Never mind, Colonel Jiang.
Leave it if you don't like it. Not everyone is used to it.
Go get tea for Colonel Jiang.
No need.
I'll finish it. We don't want to waste it.
I need some seasoning.
Listen to him.
"Seasoning,” he said.
It's not wrong. Just like soy sauce and vinegar.
-Do I put this in? -Suit yourself.
Is one piece enough?
Suit yourself.
What kind of teacher are you?
Can you say anything other than "suit yourself"?
Did I do it wrong?
Of course you did.
Coffee should be tasted, sip by sip
Not taken the way you did.
Sip by sip? It tastes terrible!
Isn't that a torture?
And besides, who says you have to taste it sip by sip?
What sense does that make?
Colonel Jiang, please don’t mind.
She's used to willfulness.
Not bad.
What's not bad?
Quite funny, and quite smart.
Neither cringing nor arrogant. And he's a gentleman.
A country gentleman at most.
Country Gentleman Jiang Defu.
How uncouth! I just...
I don't even want to say his name.
Change it after marriage.
What did you say?
At least something's going on now.
The rest should be easy.
Although...
Although what?
This country gentleman is not simple.
You're not necessarily his rival. You need to be careful.
Careful with what? Why should I be?
See.
What we thought was impossible, is now realized little by little with him coming.
And our family, flattered and overjoyed,
serving tea and coffee...
The whole house is glorified.
Just listen.
See how well he's doing.
Looks like it went great.
He's humming a song.
I wouldn't say great.
But it was not bad.
Look how pleased you are.
You just said not bad.
Why are you sighing?
I haven't told her about my divorce.
I feel uneasy about it.
I feel like a liar.
What will you do then?
I'm going to confess to her.
That won't work.
Jiang,
are you carried away by the success for now?
You can't tell her. It’ll crush you.
Take my advice. You mustn't tell her about your divorce.
Wait till you get married, when everything is settled.
If you don't listen to me, this will be ruined.
I didn't expect you'd be in it so soon.
What am I in?
A relationship.
Sis, really, he's not uncouth at all.
He's interesting and humorous.
And he's quite smart.
He learns fast with anything.
Where are you having coffee this afternoon?
At the exchange center of their school, where Soviet experts have coffee.
He also said he had something to tell me,
something important.
Something to tell you? Something important?
He can't be proposing, can he?
He could try. I wouldn't agree so soon.
You know that, right?
I don't know about that.
Shut up.
You have such a fancy place at the school.
We have plenty fancy places.
But of course, this is the fanciest.
Andre.
Comrade Jiang Defu. Hello...
Why look at me like that?
I didn't expect you could speak Russian.
What do you think the school is for?
We're the Advanced Artillery School.
The literacy education is also advanced.
-Excuse me. Your coffee. -Yeah.
Very nice. Freshly made coffee is the best.
Is it good? If you like, we can come often in the future.
Great. Thank you for that.
Why don't you have some?
I won't. I'll save it for you.
Such good coffee. I'd be happy to have two.
Are you happy?
Good. Glad to hear you are.
I'm relieved.
Don't you have something to tell me? Go ahead.
There's no rush. It can wait till after the coffee.
What is it? It sounds mysterious.
Make haste with it. I'll tell you then.
How can I make haste with coffee?
Right, right. I forgot.
Tell me then.
A talk over a cup of coffee is actually quite nice.
Go ahead. What do you want to tell me?
Well...
What is it?
Is it so hard to start?
Yes, it is.
It's quite hard to say out loud.
Are you hiding something from me?
Yes, there is something.
Well, what is it?
An,
I'm sorry...
that I didn't tell you this before.
Actually, I...
I am a divorced man.
What? You were married once?
I... I was.
But I'm divorced already.
An Jie, listen to me. Please sit.
You liar.
An Jie, don't leave.
Comrade, you haven't paid.
You haven't paid.
I'll come back and pay.
An Jie.
Come on. Get up for a game of chess.
Maybe play by yourself.
Comrade, you may lose a relationship, but you can't lose morale.
There are other fish in the sea.
Don't be obsessed with the one with capitalist poison.
Aren't you in high spirits!
Still protective of her even when you're dumped?
It's Cerebritis. Hospitalize him immediately.
Doctor, it's not serious, is it?
How is it not? It's very serious.
-Chenchen... -My boy...
Doctor, my boy... Please come and see.
What's wrong?
I don't know. He's having a fit.
Doctor, please, save my boy.
-Please go out. -I have to be here. Please, let me stay.
-My boy. -It's okay. It's okay. Let's wait here.
Okay...
-Brother. -You're here.
What's going on?
Your nephews having a fit. He's unconscious.
The doctor asked us to wait outside. Let's wait another minute.
The fit is over. He's awake.
-I'll see him. -Listen to the doctor.
We'll go in if she agrees.
You know anyone from the army?
-The army? -Yes.
There's a foreign medicine, Penicillin. It is helpful with Cerebritis.
My son used it, and his fever was soon gone.
But it’s in short supply. If you know someone from the army,
-you'd better do something. -Okay...
-Don't worry. Relax. -Thank you...
Little Sis, talk to Colonel Jiang, please.
Ask him for help.
Or I'll go. Tell me where he is.
I'll go find him. Okay?
Please.
Little Sis, I'll go with you.
No need. I'll go by myself.
No. Take it back.
Playing shameless, are we?
Your turn. Go.
Check.
Jiang, you have a visitor at the gate.
-Okay. -Don't.
Not before you finish the game.
It's not good to keep someone waiting.
Why not? Who would come at this hour?
Come on. Let him wait.
Forget it. Wait till I'm back.
What a scoundrel. Who'll play with you when you're back?
MILITARY FACILITY REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR VISITORS
-Who's asking for me? -That woman.
Colonel Jiang.
You're back so soon. Who was it?
-Guess. -I won't.
Never mind. You wouldn't have got it anyway.
It can't be your lost girlfriend, can it?
You're good.
Some brains you've got.
Seriously, it's her?
What's she doing here?
I don't know.
When I went out, she was running away. I just got a sight of her back.
A mare looking back, it's a good sign.
You make it sound so ugly. A good sign is turned sour by you.
Jiang,
the way I see it, you guys will work out.
Why do you think she ran away after she got here?
She's fishing.
She threw the fish wire and ran away, waiting for you to bite the bait.
-Where's the wire then? -The view of her back,
with her little waist wiggling.
Could you hold yourself when you see it? Could you not bite the bait?
Don't underestimate me. Not for me.
I saw her back, without taking one step ahead.
Nice one. Well done.
How can a dignified colonel fall for a bait so easily?
At least you could keep your mouth shut and play a few games with her.
-Listen to you. I'm a fish now. -The way I see it,
you need to keep cool.
Play a good one with her.
He won't help?
You didn't find him?
Are you dumb? Say something.
I...
-I couldn't. -What do you mean you couldn't?
Is your pride more valuable than your nephew's life?
I'll go then. I'll beg Colonel Jiang.
He's a nice person. He'll help. I'm going.
No. I'll go...
My pride is worth nothing.
Subtitle translation by Christine Huang