Ou.
How about… we have another round of spirits?
-Don't… Don't mention the word "spirit." -You…
Just the sound of it makes me feel sick.
Sorry for making a scene last night.
That was quite a performance.
We'll be going back today.
What's the rush? Stay for a few more days.
No, we can't. Things to do at home.
We've got to pack up before he reports to Qingdao.
Okay, we wouldn't want to cause any delay to your schedule.
-An Jie. -Huh?
Remember to pack two bottles of Wuliangye for Ou as a farewell gift.
-No, no. It's okay. -Sure.
-It's okay. -Thank you then.
My friends have never had Wuliangye before, they'll love it.
Ou.
Jiang suggested enlisting An Ran and An No in the military.
What do you think?
But…
Wouldn't that be too much trouble? I know it's not easy to get in.
He suggested it, so he must have a way.
Why are you still sitting there? Stand up and thank your uncle.
No manners at all.
-Speak. Are you dumb? -Thank your uncle.
-Thank you, Uncle. -Louder.
Thank you, Uncle.
-Sure, sure. Sit down, sit down now. -Sit down.
You girls thanked the wrong person. It was all your auntie's idea.
I'm just trying to save my neck here.
Thank you, Auntie.
No need. It's nothing.
-Let's eat. -Come on, come on.
-Eat some more.
Please.
An Jie.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
-Thank you and your family. -Aren't we also family?
To tell you the truth…
You're the only one who hasn't turned your back on us in all these years.
My husband said, “A friend in need is a friend indeed."
He didn't say that. Some ancient person did.
Who cares, as long as it's true?
Your husband… He is a really good man.
-But you had your doubts about him. -I did.
Luckily, you still married him anyway.
-Come and see us when we're settled. -Okay.
-My brother. -No need for thanks.
But really, my dear brother…
I owe you so much.
Listen, my dear brother, it's really nothing.
-Okay. -Better go now.
-Let's go, let's go. -Let's go, let's go.
-Take care. -Goodbye.
Goodbye.
-Goodbye, Ou. -Goodbye, Auntie and Uncle.
-Okay. -Goodbye, kids.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, goodbye.
-Goodbye, Auntie. -Goodbye, Auntie and Uncle.
Look at those two. They seem so happy.
Of course, they can go back to Qingdao now.
No, they're going into the military. In Guangzhou as well.
Is Guangzhou a good place?
Much better than Qingdao. It's a provincial capital.
Jiang Yafei.
-Your cousins are much prettier than you. -Are you interested?
Such a dirty mind for such a little girl.
You're not little anymore, so why don't you go do something useful?
Let's go. Wouldn't want his germs on us.
Ouch.
Wait for me.
Yafei, why are you running?
What is wrong with that child?
Maybe… she was supposed to be a boy.
Yeah, she's such a handful she might as well be twin boys.
How's a girl like that ever going to find a husband?
-How about my boy? My Haiyang. -What about me?
Your mom wants you to marry Yafei. How about it?
That girl? Not even if she paid me.
-"Dear Auntie and Uncle..." -Such sweet children.
Don't interrupt, or else I won't read any more.
Fine, read on, read on.
"I've arrived in Guangzhou already. It is such a beautiful city
with flowers in full bloom and birds singing everywhere."
Why would she go "humph"?
It's not her, it's me.
What made you go "humph"?
Interrupt again and I won't read it.
Fine, my princess. I promise, not another word.
So much trouble just to read a letter.
"I've been assigned to the communication station as a messenger.
-It's really nice here, and the work--" -What's a messenger?
Someone who sends messages through the telegraph.
Why did you go "humph"?
Because she got lucky with that job. No need to stand out in the sun.
-Auntie, are you going to wash that? -Why? I just wiped it.
Why are you so fussy? Just like your mom.
Why are you criticizing my mom? She's been good to you.
Your mom's... really something. Even your dad has to listen to her.
She got her entire family into the military. Isn't that something?
People from our side have never taken advantage of your dad.
Wow.
Meat bun. Looks great.
Whose letter is that?
Your sister's daughter. She's a messenger now.
What's with you?
Mom.
Junqing's back.
-You're back, my child. -Mom, I'm going to be a pilot.
-You're going to be a what? -A pilot. On the fighter jet.
-Are you out of your mind? -It's true.
Uncle Gao said the air force is coming here to recruit.
Here.
You'll never be a pilot with those table manners.
-Dad. -Huh?
Do you really think he's qualified?
I think he just might be.
What are you doing, huh?
Sometimes you fly upside down, so, I'm practicing.
Good. Nice to see some determination.
Don't you think you're practicing a bit early?
Get lost. Don't disturb me.
-Are you talking to our father? -No, I'm talking to you.
-Hey. Where's Dehua? -She took some fried fish to Ding's place.
Why? Why is she still doing that?
She won't stop doing it until Ding gets married.
Such a silly goose.
I think it's cute.
Stop, I need to ask you something.
What is it?
You think Weidong can make it as a pilot?
It's really up to him.
What if he is really qualified?
That'd be good.
It's his fortune and our pride.
But I don't want him to be a pilot.
I'm worried enough with Weiguo gone.
How am I going to live with him being a pilot?
-What's wrong with being a pilot? -What's wrong? It's dangerous.
So is a knife. But you're still chopping.
I won't chop anymore. You can make dinner.
Me? Why would I do that when I have a wife?
-So, I'm just here to cook for you? -Yes, and to bear children.
-What did you say-- -Hey! Hey!
-What's this? Trying to kill each other? -What? What did you say?
Where have you been?
I took some fried fish to Ding's.
Dehua, please listen to me. Can you just stop going over there?
My mom said Wang Haiyang's mom wants him to marry you.
-Who said that? -His mom said it.
No way. Not in a million years.
-Beat the war drum for we fear no one -We're home.
Keep it down.
-Why? -Weidong didn't make the cut.
-Finished already? -I'm full.
But you ate so little? Why don't you have some more?
Let him be. Don't worry about him.
He's so…
What is he so upset for? It's not a big deal anyway.
What can be more important than finishing your meal?
"To be great is to be misunderstood."
What does that mean?
Eat your food. It's cold already.
What is a hernia? Where does it grow?
I don't know. Ask them.
Weidong. Weidong.
Wake up. Wake up, there's a call for you.
-I'm sleeping. -It's from Dad.
It really is from Dad. Go answer it.
-Dad. -Weidong.
Are you interested in being a paratrooper?
A paratrooper?
Yes, a soldier who jumps from a plane.
Of course, of course. I want to go.
I want to be a paratrooper.
Good. We'll talk when I get back.
Dad... Mom.
Something wrong?
Yes.
What is it?
You're a paratrooper. Stop being so timid all the time.
Speak up, or leave right away.
When are we getting that photo?
Photo? What photo?
The family photo. Didn't we get one before my brother left?
But it's still new.
Why take another one?
Dad, Dad.
When are we going for target practice?
Target practice? When have I ever said that?
Didn't you take my brother before he left?
You used up an entire box of bullets.
How come you won't go with me? This is so unfair.
-What? What are you smiling at? -Quite a temper you've got there, kid.
Listen, this won't do in the military. No one takes this kind of crap.
You'd only isolate yourself.
As for target practice…
There's a reason why I took your brother,
and there's a reason why I won't take you.
You have no right to ask me for an explanation either.
You're going to be a soldier soon.
Take my words as your parting gift.
I'll show you what discipline is.
Wow.
What's going on?
Leave it. Let him learn his lessons.
People are not so different from leeks. We grow and we die.
I guess that's the cycle of life.
What are you on about? It sounds so scary.
See, Mom. It's like you're talking to a tree.
Don't be angry with your father.
He was punished by the standing committee after he took your brother shooting.
Why am I so out of luck? I'm always missing out on the good things.
You've had it easy.
How many times did your brother take the fall for you?
I'd rather exchange that... for a chance to go shooting with dad.
You'll have plenty of opportunities to shoot later.
-Maybe even from a fighter jet. -That's not the same.
You don't even understand.
Why won't he show his face from the ship?
-Mom, I think he's quite upset. -Of course he is. He's leaving home.
But at least he should come and say goodbye to us.
I think there's something on his mind. He looked so down.
Weidong, where are you?
Weidong, come out from there.
Weidong, come out. Where are you?
Why? Why are you being like this?
-Jiang Weidong, show your face. -Weidong.
Weidong. Weidong!
I was wrong.
We should have taken that photo.
We'll go take that photo when you
come home next time.
We'll take many, many photos.
Who is it? What do you want?
It's me. I don't want anything from you.
Don't… Don't smash the car.
I don't care if I get injured, but just don't damage the car.
Hey, where are you going? I'll drive you.
I know, you're going to the wharf.
You're going to see your cousin.
I also know that both your cousins are in the military.
One is a messenger in Guangzhou,
and one is at the local hospital, right?
Just go away.
Jiang Yafei, just out of curiosity…
Who'd want to marry a tough girl like you?
She looks so good in a uniform.
Take a look in the mirror.
What's there to look at? It's just a uniform.
Keep it down. Don't let your mom hear you, huh?
-She won't hear as long as you don't talk. -You think I'm stupid?
See, no one from our side of the family got into the military.
Says who? What about Jiang Weiguo and Jiang Weidong?
They don't count. I mean relatives from our side of the family.
That's because
there are many more relatives in the An family than in the Jiang family.
There must be someone from our family who's also eligible, right?
Well, why don't you find one?
Fine. I'll find one for you. I'll go through the entire family.
Dear Auntie, I'm Dehwa. Do you still remember me?
I'm the daughter of the seventh Jiang brother.
Auntie, slow down. I can't keep up.
Okay, I'll slow down. You just write.
My brother, the third one, and I
miss you very much.
We hope you can come and visit us on the island.
Lift your feet.
Dehua is kind of quiet tonight.
She's not being quiet, she's just not at home.
Where is she?
Where do you think?
I think we need to talk to her.
She's only embarrassing herself going over there.
You talk to her, don't drag me into it. I don't want any trouble.
-You're her sister-in-law. -You're her brother.
You go first, then I'll back you up.
You think you have a better shot at it than me?
No, that's why you go first.
-What are you staring at? -Your pretty face.
Go get my towel.
Yes, Commanding Officer Jiang.
Dehua.
-Oh, Xiaoji. -Hey.
-Newspaper. -Any letters?
No.
When we do get a letter, make sure you deliver it fast.
-See you later. -See you.
You've been asking about letters for the past couple of days. Who is it from?
No one in particular. I'm just curious if there's any letter.
And there I was thinking you were waiting for a letter from Weiguo or Weidong.
Of course, I'd love to hear from my nephews.
But they can't write every day. Didn't they just write to us recently?
I think they do write every day.
Just not to their parents, that's all.
Who else could they be writing to?
What's the matter with you?
Nothing's the matter with me.
Why won't you just admit something's wrong with you?
Fine, fine. Something's wrong with me.
I miss Weiguo and Weidong. I wish they'd write to me every day.
You just dream on.
-Yaning, have some more food. -Telegram, telegram. There's a telegram.
-Who's it from? -Don't know.
Give it to me.
Who's it from? What's wrong?
Second auntie? Who the hell is that?
Isn't that Wang Wu's mother?
Oh, yes. It could be Wang Wu's mother.
-What's wrong with Wang Wu's mother? -She's coming here in a couple of days.
-Dehua, -Yes?
you must go and take a look at the wharf every day from now on.
Why are they coming? Why are they coming to our house?
How would I know? I just read the telegram.
Maybe they're coming because they miss us.
What's their relation to us?
Are they even relatives?
Of course, they are. Have you forgotten?
Wang Wu's auntie married the nephew of our fifth auntie.
Does that even count? Not even connected by blood.
What was that humph for? Isn't my family welcome?
-I didn't go "humph." -You did. We all heard you.
Why did you go "humph" too? Eat your food.
Geez, you… You scared me. Why were you staring at me?
Listen, I know all about it. You can't fool me.
What do you mean? What do you know?
You invited that family to come, didn't you?
Why would I do that? It's not like I can control people's minds.
Why won't you just admit it?
Who do you think you are? How can you talk to your auntie like this?
Just be honest with me then. Was it you?
Fine, fine. Maybe I did.
-What do you mean "maybe"? It was you. -Fine, fine, my princess.
I can't hide anything from you. I give up, okay?
Don't tell your mom about this.
-Can I tell my dad? -Of course not.
Your dad has no power over your mom. He'd tell her straight away.
Are you this scared of my mom?
Who's scared? I just don't want her to nag me.
Does she nag? I think you nag a lot more.
Let me, let me.
Here.
It's fully loaded.
I prefer my tractor any day. That thing makes me sick.
-So sick. -We're here.
-I'm so dizzy. So dizzy. -Come and rest inside.
You're here.
-Hello, Auntie. -This is my sister-in-law.
-Who? -Defu's wife.
-You're Defu's wife? -Yes, Auntie.
My goodness. You're a beauty, aren't you?
Dehwa, she's so much better than Guilan.
How did Defu find such a pretty wife?
Auntie, please go inside. You must rest now, hurry.
-Come inside. Wang Wu, do come in. -Fat Ya… Hurry.
-Come and have some water. -Come in, come in.
Mom, who's Guilan?
Who's Guilan?
I'm talking to you. Who's Guilan?
My brother's ex-wife.
Oh.
So, her name's Guilan, huh? What's her last name?
Her... last name…
I can't remember.
Stop it. How can you forget her last name?
Why would I lie to you about it? I really can't remember.
I only remembered her name when Auntie mentioned it.
I always just called her "my sister-in-law" back at home.
How many of them have you got?
I called all the married women in our village that.
Not like you city folk,
-so distant and cold-- -Enough already.
Stop talking about the good old days.
Do you miss your hometown that much?
That's for sure.
I thought I was used to city life, but seeing people from our village
brings back so many memories.
Yafei.
-She's over there. -Go get some water.
Jiang Weimin, you go.
Auntie asked you. Why should I go?
Just hurry up.
What are you…
Quickly.
Always ordering me around.
Dad.
Dad, your auntie… that old lady is here.
Oh, I know.
-Dad, who's Guilan? -Mm?
Guilan?
Yeah, that old lady said Mom is better-looking than Guilan.
What else did she say?
Tell me, what else did she say?
Go ask my mom. I'm sure she'll tell you.
Why should I ask her? I'm asking you. Tell me, what else did she say?
When did you get back?
Hey.
Just now. Sorry about this.
-Making dumplings? Good. -Have you seen our aunt already?
Not yet. I came straight here to see you first.
Why are you staring at me?
-What's wrong with her? -Nothing.
Nothing? She looked angry.
She was fine just then.
Why would she mention Guilan?
-It's… It's because… -Because what?
Tell me, what did she say?
-I can't remember, just some nonsense. -What did she say? What?
She said Guilan is better-looking... than me.
That's… That's nonsense.
Are you saying your auntie is lying?
Of course. It's an outright lie.
Our aunt didn't say that.
-Your wife made it up. -What?
Our aunt never said Guilan is better-looking than her.
Our aunt said she looks much better than Guilan.
What… What are you on about? Can you just shut up about Guilan already?
What else can I call her then?
Call her whatever you like.
-How have you been, Auntie? -Oh! It's my boy.
I left home straight away after I got your letter.
Letter…
Here. Sit down, sit down.
-Okay, you sit too… -Dear brother,
sorry for intruding on you.
You must be Wang Wu, right?
How do you do?
My goodness, I wouldn't even recognize you anymore on the street.
How have you been?
-Good, good. -Here, here. Sit, sit.
-You sit first. -Come and sit.
Okay.
This is…
My youngest daughter, Yanfeng.
How old are you?
Twenty-two. Born in the year of the horse.
Such a big girl now. Is she spoken for?
Not yet. We brought her here so that you could introduce her to someone for us.
You want me to find someone for her? Who would I know?
My dear brother.
I don't want to marry her off. I want her to get into the military.
That's right.
-My brother. So? How about it? -What?
What are you talking about? Don't you know his rank?
He's a commanding officer. It's nothing to do with him.
You're so naive.
Isn't that right, my boy?
Yes, yes.
Child, come bow to your uncle here.
No, no.
-You mustn't. Get up, get up. -She must.
Here… Sit… No…
Get up… Here… Please sit…
Just sit down.
-Just… sit down. -Okay.
Are you going to do it?
Do what?
Stop playing dumb. You know what I'm talking about.
How would I know what you're referring to?
I'm referring to your aunt's granddaughter. Can she make it like that?
Like "that"? Like what?
Are you blind or something? She's not only ugly but way over the age limit.
She's not running for beauty queen, so why would she need good looks?
I guess I can get her into the service department.
But she's 22 already.
That's her nominal age. She's actually just 20.
Jiang.
I feel so sorry for you.
Stop making fun of me.
So, who wrote that letter?
I almost forgot about that.
Who wrote that letter to our aunt? Who invited them?
-It wasn't you? -Why would I dig such a hole for myself?
I've got it.
I know who wrote it.
Who?
Besides you and your sister, who else would know this family?
You think it's her?
Why would she do that? She doesn't even know how to read.
Who else could it be?
She's not happy about my nieces getting into the military.
She thinks that the An family has taken advantage of your position,
while the Jiang family has got nothing out of it.
As for that letter…
She knows a lot of people who can read and write.
I bet she asked Siyang.
Women are so hard to understand. I give up.
Give up? You should go talk to your sister about this.
What for? I'll just do what they want.
Fine.
Seeing my aunt today has brought back so many memories.
She was my mother's best friend.
We were so poor one time that my aunt had to bring us baskets of buns.
It's just some buns...
they can't be that memorable.
You people who were born into money wouldn't even understand.
Don't you know that we must return even the smallest favor?
Don't lecture me.
All this talk of morality…
You think you poor people are the only ones with a heart?
Lecturing me? As if you're qualified.
People like you really need a good beating.
Yeah? Are you going to hit me?
Come on. Try and hit me.
Enough, enough. Get out of here. Go on.
Back already? Realized your mistake?
Dream on. I'm here for my pillow.
Why would the daughter of a capitalist need a pillow?
Pillows are made for daughters of capitalists. What would you know?
-Mom, what's wrong? -Go sleep with your sister.
Have you guys had a fight? Did he kick you out?
-Which one of you wrote that letter? -Letter? What letter?
Don't look at me. I didn't do it.
So, you know who did, right?
I don't know who wrote it, but I do know that Auntie asked someone to.
Just as I thought.
Mom, just stay out of it.
Your family has sent many into the military
while dad's family hasn't sent any.
-Your favoritism is way too obvious. -Who said that? Your aunt, right?
Would she even know the word "favoritism"?
-Yanfeng, what are you doing? -Oh!
Auntie, who's in the toilet? I can't hold it any longer.
I think it's your grandma.
Yafei. Yafei, come quickly.
Come here, come here.
-What is it? -Yanfeng needs the toilet.
Take her to the public one.
-Hurry up. -There's a public one?
-Hurry, hurry up. -Come on.
Why is it so far?
Here you are. It's just there.
-Yafei, come back, come back. -What?
Come here. Which one's for ladies?
That one. Can't you read?
I can't. Please tell me.
-The first one. -Okay, I'm off.
Hey! Jiang Yafei, who's that?
My cousin.
-Your cousin… -Isn't she pretty?
Sure. What's she doing at your house?
She's 22 and looking for a husband.
Has she found one?
Soon. My auntie is setting you up with her.
-Is she mad? -She's going to your place this afternoon.
Make sure you're in.
Don't go anywhere.
Why did you come back alone? Where's Yanfeng?
My job was to take her there,
-I'm not obliged to smell it too. -You're so childish.
As if you're not, getting us into all this trouble.
-Did you know she's illiterate? -She's what?
She's illiterate, can't read a word.
Really?
Really. She can't even tell "men" from "women."
Really?
You're in big trouble this time.
Not only is she fat and ugly, she's also illiterate.
Imagine what my dad would say.
How would your father know? If you don't talk, he'll never find out, right?
You think you can hide this from my parents?
My mom already figured it out last night.
She knew Siyang wrote the letter for you. Was it Siyang?
How did she figure it out? How did she know?
It doesn't take a genius to figure this out, you know.
Why can't you stay out of trouble?
How would I know? You think I don't regret all of this?
-Auntie, here. Take this with you. -Yes?
Wow.
My dear boy, you're too kind to me.
Not only have you treated us to good food,
you've even prepared all these gifts.
But you really shouldn't have. We must have cost you so much, right?
Don't even mention it, Auntie.
You're like my own mother.
It's my duty to make your stay here as comfortable as possible.
Don't say that.
I know you just miss your mother so much.
It's a shame she's not around anymore.
If she were still alive, how happy would she be seeing you like this?
Earning enough to give me new clothes and new shoes.
That's right, when I get back
I'm going to visit her grave and tell her all about it, huh?
I'll tell her you married someone nice.
Your wife is so pretty and virtuous.
She knows "virtuous"?
-Yeah, better than her granddaughter. -Please forgive us
if we haven't been the best hosts.
You want me to wear the new clothes? But this is new.
She said you must come again, and she'll be a better host next time.
Of course, of course I'll come.
My dear children…
Subtitle translation by Lisa Lai