Wasn't he willing to help?
Didn't you find him?
Are you dumb? Why won't you talk?
I…
-I couldn't ask him. -Why couldn't you?
Is your pride more important than your nephew's life?
Let me go, I will go beg Colonel Jiang.
Colonel Jiang is kind, he will help. Let me go.
Let me go. My pride is worthless.
Check.
Check, check, check, check, check.
That's enough, stop singing.
You're always repeating the same line, it's so annoying.
Your turn, make a move.
Jiang Defu, someone's waiting for you at the gate.
Again, why?
How would I know why she's here again?
Did the fish take the bait?
Ding, isn't a fellow from your hometown a senior at the hospital?
Yes, the head of the Medical Service Department. Why?
An's child got meningitis, it's very serious
A medicine called penicillin can save him, but only our Army Hospital has it.
Really? Alright then.
-Thank you very much. -Why are you thanking me? For what?
Could it be an excuse, or bait?
What are you thinking about? Using their child's life as bait?
What do you think I am?
A big fat fish waiting to take the bait.
Do you know anyone from here?
No, I don't.
Then why are you here?
-For the medicine, that peni-something… -Penicillin.
Right, right. Remember it, and remind me later.
If you don't know anyone, who do you ask?
Whoever is in charge.
Don't worry, follow me.
Comrade, is the head of the pharmacy here, please?
Yes.
Director, someone is asking for you.
He's here.
-You asked for me, comrade? -Yes, yes. I asked for you.
What is it?
Here's the thing.
I am Jiang Defu, a student of the Advanced Artillery School.
I have a relative...
her relative's child has meningitis, and it's very critical now.
We need a medicine called pen… Penicillin.
-Penicillin? -Yes, penicillin.
We need it, and I heard you have some here.
Who told you we have that medicine here?
Yesterday… I heard it yesterday.
The head of the Medical Service Department told me.
I was going to look for him. I heard he's in a meeting today, right?
We do actually have this medicine. But it's under strict control.
I am not authorized to give you any.
Who has this authority then?
Ask management, the director of the hospital would be best.
Comrade, who are you looking for?
Are you the director?
Yes.
I am looking for you, you.
What is this about?
Comrade Director, here's the thing.
My name is Jiang Defu, I am from the Advanced Artillery School.
That girl is my girlfriend. Someone introduced her to me.
What do you think? Isn't she nice?
Yes, very nice.
Her nephew has meningitis.
And it's very critical now. They need an imported medicine,
called… it's called…
Something... something cillin… something…
-Penicillin. -Exactly, that's the one.
I heard that our hospital has some.
You see, she came to beg me, what could I say?
So you came to beg me?
Don't you think I found the right person?
I guess you did. Follow me.
For your future wife's sake.
Thank you, Director.
-Come on. -Wait.
Come on.
My girlfriend smiled.
Your girlfriend is pretty.
Exactly because she's so pretty, I have to work so hard.
Wu, drive faster.
Your driving skills are terrible.
Can't you go any faster? It's not like it's a plane.
I won't go in, but you go ahead.
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
I get nervous when you thank me. Go ahead, go.
Colonel Jiang, Colonel Jiang, you've got a message.
Okay.
I might board the vessel next month.
Yes, I know, I know.
There's plenty of both food and money. Don't worry.
Okay, I know.
Okay, alright. A friend here wants to use the phone.
Okay, I see. Don't worry.
-I haven't finished yet. -Move.
Have you called back?
How did you know?
It was written on the board, I'm not blind.
What was it about?
Her brother said the child has been released from the hospital already.
And, as a thank you, he'd like to invite me for lunch.
So shouldn't you be happy?
Happy? I'm regretting it already.
-Why? -I turned him without thinking twice.
Why did you do that?
Isn't it something you'd wish for?
Although it's something I'd wish for,
I still feel like I'm taking advantage of the whole thing.
It's such an immoral thing, can Jiang Defu do it?
Then why do you regret it?
I don't know.
Anyway, I regret it so much, my stomach is grumbling.
That's because you want to eat. Such a pity you missed a fancy meal.
He wouldn't come.
Seems like you've upset him quite badly.
Whoever started the trouble should end it, little sister.
How about you go invite him yourself?
It's quite enough that we made the gesture.
Why are we repeating it again and again?
Did we really make the gesture?
Did we get to show our gratitude?
When we needed the medicine, we went to him again and again.
Now it's our turn to pay him back, is one gesture enough?
I'll go.
Alright?
An Xin, go with her.
I comprised every step of the way. Who'd know it'd bring me here?
Actually, I don't think it's important if he's been married before or not.
What do you think is important then?
Compared to the divorce, his level of education is more important.
Right.
But it seems like you've already accepted this about him.
Besides, from what I've seen,
he is a capable man, which is very important.
And he seems to be funny and smart, which is even more important.
Plus he is nice, honest and kind too.
Think about it.
If he hadn't told you about his divorce, how would you find out?
Even if you found out after you got married, what could you do, right?
Besides, after you broke up with him, he never came to bother you.
Now our family is in trouble, we went to beg him. It's so embarrassing.
But he didn't say anything.
That medicine is indeed very difficult to get hold of.
He was even willing to beg this one and beg that one.
Of course, it's also for your sake.
But that simply shows how much he cares about you and likes you.
He never said he likes me.
When you like someone, it's not about saying it, but doing it.
Those men who only talk about it aren't reliable, you shouldn't marry them.
When did you become such a fan of his?
Did our brother and sister-in-law influence you?
We're not the same, I think differently.
How different?
He's here.
Go on.
Where did you get those from?
Are you really that blind?
Can't you see they're from the flower bed in front of the club?
Good for you.
You are using all the skills you've got, even stealing is helping now.
Why do you have to be so mean? How is this stealing?
I'm just borrowing them. Are you going to return them then?
You sound even cheaper now. Are a few flowers worth returning?
What if she doesn't like flowers?
Like it or not, this is it.
Even the blind squirrel can find an acorn.
Colonel Jiang did us such a big favor, he is a savior to us.
I've made up my mind.
If my little sister won't marry him, I will make him An Chen's godfather.
Stop it, don't make it more complicated.
How am I making it complicated?
This is the reality for us now.
Haven't you found that everyone out there is so nice to us now?
Before, when I went out, no one was willing to talk to me.
And now? They greet me first.
And they ask about Colonel Jiang, if he's going to become our in-law.
-What did you tell them, then? -What could I say?
I couldn't say yes, and I couldn't say no.
What if it doesn't happen in the end?
So I thought about it,
and if little sister isn't going to marry Colonel Jiang,
I've decided that I'll make An Chen ask him to be his godfather.
In any case, that would be better than not being related at all.
Aunty.
-Aunty, Aunty, Aunty. -Hey.
Uncle-in-law has come, he's brought flowers.
Stop calling him that.
Why are you laughing? What's so funny?
Because he brought flowers?
Stop laughing. Is he not allowed to bring flowers?
Thank you, thank you.
Here, take these. Please come in.
My gosh, how can he bring chrysanthemums? They're even white, what bad luck.
-This is… -Colonel Jiang.
-This is Nanny Sun, she's our-- -She helps us at home.
Sorry for bothering.
No bother at all.
Here, Colonel Jiang. Come through, please.
Colonel Jiang, the seat of honor.
Come on, everyone sit down.
You guys are too nice. It makes me a bit nervous.
Colonel Jiang, why are you nervous? In the future, consider this your home.
Come anytime, we'd welcome you anytime.
Yes, yes.
See, someone's keeping her lips sealed. She's not welcoming me.
Fill the glasses already.
Colonel Jiang, I don't know how good you are at drinking. I might not be as good.
I don't drink that much. Sometimes I can drink a lot, sometimes not so much.
Sometimes one bottle can't get me drunk, sometimes two glasses can knock me out.
-I don't know why that is. -Drinking depends on your mood.
When you are happy, you can drink a whole lot.
When you're upset, one glass can finish you.
Really? That's the first time I've heard that.
-I hope today we can all drink a lot. -That'd be the best.
I will drink with you to the end today. It's okay even if we get drunk.
But it would be better if we didn't. Otherwise it'll be embarrassing.
It's okay. Come on. Let's all…
-Here… -The first toast is to say thank you.
-I am-- -Let's not say thank you.
It's barely worth mentioning those two words for what I did.
How can you say that? You were our savior.
Our whole family should repay you with everything we have.
Exactly, Colonel Jiang.
-We are planning to let our-- -We should thank you.
Brother, hurry up, my arm is getting numb.
Right. Colonel Jiang, we all toast you.
To, Colonel Jiang.
Welcome, welcome.
-Thank you. -Cheers.
What were you thinking? Why did you make him drink so much?
Haven't you laughed at him enough already?
What do you know?
I'm doing this for you.
Alcohol is the touchstone, the best way to test a man's virtues.
We say time will show you a man's true colors,
but can you wait that long?
Alcohol is the shortcut. It saves you a lot of effort, you understand?
I don't understand.
But anyway, if he gets drunk later, you can't laugh at him.
Why do you care if I laugh at him?
Of course I care, he's my guest.
Just a guest?
For now.
If he gets drunk later, I'm not sure.
Here, brother.
-Jiang. -Come on.
-Okay.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
What type of alcohol is this?
It tastes sweet, but feels quite strong.
I told you to drink less, but you wouldn't listen.
Now you know it's strong. You deserve it.
What's that attitude toward Colonel Jiang? How dare you?
Who are you pounding the table at? How dare you?
Jiang, do you see now? How tough she is?
If you knew, if you knew…
She's so tough, would you still take her?
Even so, I'd still take her.
But she might not want me.
Why wouldn't she want you?
She's upset…
upset about…
about… my divorce.
Right?
You… are pretty, even when you are mad.
Why did you get divorced?
-Why did you get divorced? Divorced? -What did you say?
Why are you asking about that?
No reason, I'm just curious.
What's… what's there to be curious about?
It's just a divorce.
Here.
-There must be a reason, right? -Reason… Of course there's a reason.
The reason...
is…
it was a feudal marriage.
It was arranged.
That's a pretty good reason.
You are not drunk. Why are you pretending to be drunk?
Who says I'm drunk? Who's drunk?
If I am not drunk, why would I… pretend to be?
Brother. Brother.
It's fine. He's fine.
Here, drink.
Go back to your own seat, I'm fine.
Go back, I'm alright. I'm fine.
I'm happy, very happy.
Do you think he's really drunk?
Look at him, he can't even straighten his tongue.
Whose… tongue…
can't be straightened?
Who's drunk? You… can ask more.
Okay, let me ask you, then.
Why did you get a divorce?
Was it because she wasn't pretty? Not as pretty as she is?
Not as pretty.
Huge difference.
Sister, what are you doing? Why did you have to ask that?
Alright, alright. Don't ask any more. Look how drunk he is.
I... I…
I am probably really drunk.
I… I can't handle any more.
He seems really drunk.
Even if we asked, we probably couldn't dig anything out.
What's there to ask about exactly? Always asking about his divorce,
or if she's pretty or not. All the useless questions.
So what's useful, then?
You should ask him if he has any children back at home.
Right, how did I forget about that?
-Hey, hey, hey. -You… you can relax.
I…
have no children.
Not even…
one. You… don't need to worry about that.
We've all been fooled by him.
Nanny Sun, Nanny Sun.
Are you awake?
Where am I?
In my house.
Why did I sleep at your house?
You really don't remember anything?
I remember now.
Your family invited me, you invited me for lunch.
And we drank that special something… Brandy.
It's such strong alcohol.
You all tricked me together,
saying it was mild, that I wouldn't get dunk.
And look how drunk I got.
Were you really drunk or were you faking it?
How can you act like this?
Look at me, do I look like I was faking it?
Thanks.
You really confused us.
We don't know when you're sincere, or when you're faking it.
I can't let you all figure me out completely, of course.
How annoying.
You are so bad.
Am I bad?
Yes.
Let go of me.
What are you doing? Let go.
I'll shout.
Go ahead, it's your home.
So shameless.
Holding hands, hugging each other. Isn't that shameless? Unbelievable.
Are you mad again?
How can you always be mad at me?
Alright. Here, take my arm.
Who would want to take your arm?
Let's sit down for a while.
Didn't you brag about walking more than 100 miles per night?
Yet you're tired already? How could you walk that much, then?
Don't you run if the enemy is chasing you?
You've been chased before?
In the movies, you guys always chase the enemies.
That's just in the movies.
When it's a real battle, it's either you chasing me, or me chasing you.
So the movies were just bluffing. I thought you guys always won.
What are you saying, huh?
It just slipped out.
An Jie, you can't talk like that.
Especially with your background. You have to be more careful.
This is about your political opinion.
I can easily make them doubt you, because of your background.
Do you doubt me as well?
Look how scared you are.
An Jie.
There's no need to be so nervous.
Especially after you marry me.
Who's nervous?
And who wants to marry you?
You're not marrying me? Are you not marrying me?
Who wants to marry you? You haven't even proposed.
Alright. I propose.
I propose, okay?
How do you propose? Just like that?
I've never done it before, tell me what to do.
It's not like you've never been married.
Don't bring up unpleasant things.
How many times have I told you?
My parents arranged it, I didn't want to marry her.
So this time you do want to?
If I didn't want to, would I chase after you so hard?
You're so annoying.
It's so weird.
Before, I used to hate it when people said I was annoying.
But when it comes from you, it feels different.
And…
it sounds... particularly nice.
Happy now?
Yes, happy now.
Great. While you're still happy, I'll propose.
Comrade An Jie.
I beg you. Please, please marry me. Please be my wife.
Is that enough?
You only propose with words?
How else should I propose?
Get down on your knees.
Bullshit.
A real man wouldn't kneel down easily. You know? You really need to be educated.
Educate me, then.
Marry me, it'll be more convenient to educate you.
You are boring.
Boring?
I'll show you how.
-What are you doing? -Am I boring, or not?
Boring.
-Boring? -Boring.
Boring? Boring, or not?
-Boring. -Boring, or not?
You're killing me. You're killing me. Let… let go of me.
-Reporting. -Come in.
-You asked for me, Commissar? -Yes, I want to talk to you.
What is it? You look a bit serious.
It's more than a bit serious.
It's quite serious, very serious.
What is it? What's going on?
Comrade Jiang Defu.
I'm afraid this marriage is not going to happen.
You're back?
Look at you, why did you introduce such big trouble to Jiang Defu, huh?
Why? Has the girl changed her mind?
"Has she changed her mind?" How is she qualified to decide?
But our party wouldn't let Jiang Defu go through with it.
Why is that?
Jiang Defu's marriage application wasn't approved.
He won't be able to marry her.
But for what reasons exactly? You have to make it clear.
This girl's family has all kinds of relatives abroad.
All her aunties and cousins are either in America or in Hong Kong.
Did you know that?
No, I didn't.
Her sister-in-law's family is a landlord, didn't you know?
I didn't know that either.
Her brother-in-law has a brother who is an officer in the Nationalist Party.
-He ran off to Taiwan, did you know that? -No, I didn't. Anything else?
Isn't that enough?
-Isn't that serious enough? -Oh my god.
Hearing that has messed my head up.
How can god help you on this?
Jiang Defu must be very sad now.
His cooked duck has flown away.
He is determined to have this duck.
-Basketball, Jiang? -Come on, Jiang. Let's play.
-I'm busy. -Come on.
Colonel Jiang.
Sister.
You look like you've lost a lot of weight.
-Really? -Yes.
Right, it's not easy these days, is it?
And it's not easy on your mind either, right?
I really am so sorry...
for getting you into such big trouble.
You have nothing to feel sorry for. I am not afraid of trouble.
Why not?
-You really won't give up? -I won't give up.
That will make it easy then.
What do you mean? Can you help me?
If you won't give up, we'll help you to get through it.
If you decide to give up, we'll try to get you out of it.
Tell me, what's your decision?
I will not give up, so tell me.
Well, if you think it's simple, it's quite simple.
If you think it's complicated, it's quite complicated.
It depends on whether you have the courage it takes.
What method is it that requires courage?
Go look for the Commissar of Base Area.
Why do I need the Commissar of Base Area for this?
Because the Commissar of Base Area
has experienced the exact same situation as you.
His wife was from the most famous capitalist family in Shanghai.
And her social relations are very complicated as well.
You should go find the Commissar, and let him know about your situation.
Maybe you'll succeed.
He'll put himself in your shoes.
Alright, I'll give it a try.
This is a risky step, so think it through properly.
If you mess this up, you might not have a backup plan.
I've already thought of my backup plan.
If the worst comes to the worst, I'll go back home and be a farmer.
What kind of a backup plan is that?
You'd forsake your party membership and military identity for a woman?
Besides, if you lost everything, and became a nobody,
who would marry you then?
Stop daydreaming.
Right, right. I'm also anxious about this.
-What does she think, then? -Who?
SECRETARY OFFICE
Come on in.
Secretary Yang, you asked for me?
Yes, I want to talk to you. Take a seat.
-I've been sitting all day, let me stand. -No, you have to sit down.
Otherwise people will think I'm not being nice to you again.
Let's keep it brief between the two of us.
We should both be straightforward.
Are you aware
that the Party does not agree to your marriage to Colonel Jiang?
I'm sure you understand why.
Why are your social relations are so complicated?
Why didn't you let me know earlier?
But we're already past that, so it's too late to talk about it.
Colonel Jiang really cares about you, very much.
For you, he is willing to go back home and become a farmer.
We are all worried for him. But, so what if we worry about him?
He's made up his mind,
and you can't change his mind, no matter what.
As your matchmaker, I had to bring you here today,
and ask about your real intentions. An,
if Colonel Jiang really ditched his military identity,
took off his uniform, and went to farm at home...
would you go with him, and live such a poor and tough life?
Why are you crying?
No one is forcing you.
Would you or wouldn't you? It's your decision, why do you need to cry?
I would.
How scary is this?
Just to get married, we have to be investigated so thoroughly.
Do you think it's possible?
That the Communist Party will make Colonel Jiang take off his uniform
and go home?
-Maybe it's a test for our sister? -Why test her?
It's not like she wants to be a member.
Is our little sister really going to the countryside with him, then?
What do you think, then?
Well I… I think never mind.
I thought it was our little sister who didn't want this marriage,
but now it seems like he is looking down upon us.
When did he look down upon us? When did he say he didn't want it?
According to you, we are the ones that don't want this marriage.
Why would we want this marriage?
Why should she go to the countryside with him?
Isn't going to the countryside clearly going to the depths of hell?
We thought that
Colonel Jiang would join our family, make us look decent and strong.
Well, now it's great.
Not only will we not look decent, but he's dragging us into hell itself.
To be precise, we're dragging him into hell.
He is willing to go to hell itself for our little sister.
Can you both stop it? You're so annoying, you're giving me a headache.
You really look like a martyr like this.
Why?
Are you really going to go to the countryside with him?
Even if it's hell?
Is it hell?
Isn't it hell?
I'm going... even if it is.
Why aren't you saying anything?
I don't know what to say. Really, little sister...
I want to support you for going through with it,
but it kills me to see you jump into it.
Do you understand my feelings?
I do.
So you have to prepare yourself.
I am prepared.
Why are you sighing?
Such a beautiful moon.
The fair Chang'e is watching us from up there.
How I wish she could help you out.
STRIVE FOR A STRONG CHINESE NAVY.
We have to make it clear to them,
at such a time,
we have to learn the thinking of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong.
We have to keep our spirit of hardship and simplicity.
TOILET
What if the Commissar doesn't come to the bathroom?
I'd be smelling all this for nothing
How is it possible? Wouldn't he drink after talking so much?
After drinking so much, wouldn't he need the bathroom?
He'll come to the bathroom for sure.
But…
How can I just wait for him like this?
How can I have so much urine?
-Commissar. -Yes?
-Has the meeting finished? -Yes, it has.
Commissar, did you come to the bathroom by yourself?
Can anyone do this sort of thing for me?
Exactly. It's such a pleasant thing to do, why would we ask others to do it?
Which department are you from?
I'm from the Artillery School. My name's Jiang Defu.
I want to report something to you, Commissar.
You've been waiting for me in there?
Yes, it wasn't easy to squat in there.
Are you done?
Yes.
Be honest with me.
Who gave you the idea to come ask me?
What... what... what idea?
Who told you to come to me?
I… I can't tell you.
Why not?
I'd be telling on my comrades, and I can't do that.
I just want to beg the leaders for understanding.
What if I don't understand?
If you don't understand…
then my only option would be to go back to my hometown and farm.
Great.
I will approve that right now.
You can go home and farm.
Comrade,
don't play games with me, okay?
You know my wife has a complicated background,
but do you know when she joined the Revolution?
Her revolutionary experience goes back further than mine, comrade.
Is she the same as your girlfriend?
For a woman, you would disregard military discipline?
Can you even be counted as a soldier?
Just for that, I can't even keep your party membership for you.
Go back and think about it.
Yes, sir.
You've lost weight.
So have you.
When do we leave?
Leave? Where to?
Aren't we going to the countryside? To your hometown?
Are you really coming with me?
Did you think I was lying?
I thought you were just saying it.
An Jie.
Thank you.
Why are you thanking me?
An Jie.
No matter if it works out or not,
I want to thank you anyway.
Because you have shown me that... being in love... is such an amazing thing.
It's so amazing.
So amazing.
What do you mean by that?
An Jie.
An.
How could I make you go to the countryside and suffer with me?
I couldn't, no way.
So you're saying…
if the Party doesn't agree eventually,
you'll give me up?
It's not the last minute yet, how can I give up?
When will it be the last minute?
The last minute is when I take off this uniform and quit being a soldier.
Subtitle translation by Lynn Lee