Dehua, give the key back to him.
Don't you have it?
Damn. What is all this about?
Sorry I didn't talk to you first.
Never mind. It's all right.
Never mind? It's all right?
Then why did you come back crying?
And why are you upset?
Ding,
not that I like lecturing you...
If you don't want Dehua at your place again, you can tell her.
She's not an idiot.
She's not so shameless as to have to work at your home.
And besides,
if you don't want to tell her, it's fine.
You can tell her brother.
You two were schoolmates and now comrades.
Why can't you tell him?
Do you have to hide it with such a stupid trick?
Don't you know it may hurt people?
It's a personal insult, plain and simple.
It's okay if you insult us, but Dehua?
For years, she's been doing chores at your house.
Isn't there credit for her hard work?
If not, at least for her commitment? How could you? Where's your conscience?
Furthermore...
Ding,
I'll be frank with you today.
Since you are heartless, don't blame me for injustice.
From now on,
our families will stay out of each other's way, with no more contact.
Times have changed.
You are not the Ding as in the past, and neither are we.
We should make a clean break,
so we won't get hurt again. We can't afford that.
All right, you can leave now.
Dehua!
Wait. Here's your key.
What do you think you're doing?
You saw him already like that and you just couldn't shut up.
How cold-hearted you are!
-What was he like? -What do you think?
His head hanging, without a word.
Chewing out a guy like that, you must feel so powerful.
You said I was a paper tiger. I'm showing you the real tiger I am.
No need to show me. I've seen it for years.
And besides, you said that about me first.
And isn't that true? Before he came, you were so tough.
Lashing out at someone like that, and not letting go of Miss Ge?
Luckily she's gone.
If she saw you like this, she’d laugh her head off.
She'd laugh her head off? She's got the nerve?
She's been dumped and she has the gall to laugh at me? Please.
Why are you quiet now?
I have no idea what to say to you.
ROARING SEAS AND HIGH TIDES
How was it?
How do you think?
Nothing like I'd want.
You think I could have it my way with your tough wife?
Well, that's good. Now I'm relieved.
-What kind of old friend are you? -An old friend has his priorities.
Old mate,
no need for prioritizing from now on. Don't bother anymore.
Why not?
Our two families are making a clean break, staying out of each other's way.
What are you talking about?
I didn't say anything about you teasing my sister,
and you want a clean break from me?
You are striking first now, huh?
It's not me who wants a clean break.
It's your wife.
That's more like it.
Your wife really got me today.
She made a speech, with every word serious.
I wished I could have found a hole in the ground to crawl into.
What did she say to shame you like this?
Never mind what she said.
Everything she said was right and reasonable.
And she made me completely speechless.
I could only force myself to sit there and listen to her scolding.
I'm telling you, that's just what my wife does.
She makes things serious just by talking about them.
You wouldn't find a word to refute.
See how pleased you are.
How am I pleased?
I am whining about my pain.
Anyway, you got yourself the right wife.
You made a bargain.
When she was lecturing me for Dehua, she was really mad. It was the real deal.
And instead of being mad, I actually admire her.
All right, let's go.
Where's your sister-in-law?
She's in her room, sleeping.
Sleeping? At this time of day?
I upset her.
You did? Why did you do that?
Go and ask her.
All right, stop pretending.
How did you know I was pretending?
I can tell from the way you pant.
Well, well. You are too good to be fooled now.
I am nothing compared to you.
You gave someone a good scolding, and he is sincerely convinced.
He is? He is convinced?
How do you know?
Look at you, can't even resist praise.
Who's praising me?
I am, and so was Ding.
Why would Ding praise me?
He said that your criticism was right, and that he humbly accepted.
He also said that I made a bargain marrying you.
You mothered my children and fought for me.
And you could announce a clean break on my behalf.
That's no humble acceptance.
That's a complaint against me.
This time you really got him.
He has become an admirer of yours,
and has apologized about Dehua.
I say we let this go. Let it end on a good note.
No need for a clean break or staying out of each other's way. That's too much.
What do you say?
I say there’s every need for that.
Break from him, otherwise Dehua will never give up.
We've been comrades for over 20 years. We can't just break like this.
If you don't break up with him, we have to.
He is getting married in a couple of days. How do we get along with that woman?
Not to mention her asking Ding to change the lock,
just for the sake of Wang Xiu'e.
We shouldn't have any dealing with her.
Quite right. You break up with him then.
How can you be sure that she asked Ding to change the lock?
If she didn't, then Ding offered to do it.
That’s even more reason for you to break from him.
An Jie, you are really good.
You are just like Mussolini, always being in the right.
I am, and always will be in the right.
I'm always right.
Yafei, where's your aunt?
On the roof.
It's getting cold. Let's go back down.
Sister-in-law...
Tell me.
Why can't Ding like me?
Go and talk to your sister. She might get a cold up there.
As if she would listen. Does she ever listen to me?
Ding must have had his head kicked by a donkey.
Of all the women, he has to pick one who’s dated so many.
If they ever get married, it wouldn't be good for him.
Ding!
Slow down.
Aren't you making a clean break from me?
Look at you, sensitive like a girl.
Stop it. I didn't just meet you.
Let it out. What do you want?
What can I want? I just want to congratulate you on the coming wedding.
Please. You are that kind?
See, this is your mistake now.
I saw the files of you two today, at the political division.
Guess what? You two are a good match. Both going for a second marriage.
What's wrong with that? Weren't you the same?
Ding, there is some difference.
You and I having married once was a fact known to the ladies when dating.
We are men with honesty and integrity.
Whether they want to be with us or not, we can’t hide the fact, can we?
If we don't tell the truth, there's an issue with our personality.
To make it more serious, it is a matter of our Party spirit.
I'm not speaking ill about Wu, though.
You guys are the ones who will live together.
Even if she has issues,
you will need to put up with her.
And looking back,
it was lucky I didn't take your advice.
I told An Jie about my divorce.
If I waited until things were settled, as you suggested,
what kind of a man would I be?
Who would've known that the trick you had for me is now being used on you?
By the way, don't forget to invite me to your wedding.
Over here.
What's wrong? You called me?
This is...
Come here, let me see.
Who did this?
Who do you think?
-Wu? -Who else could it be?
What a bitch.
What happened exactly?
It's a long story. I don't know where to start.
Okay then. Forget it. I'm going to a meeting.
Don't go!
I'll tell you.
Well, shoot then. Make it short. Get to the point.
Yesterday afternoon, I got anxious thinking about it.
So I thought I'd ask her.
Guess what happened?
She turned into a shrew!
She went berserk when I'd just started.
She jumped at me, and smashed whatever she could reach at my place.
Even the thermos bottle.
My child came over, asking what happened.
She just threw him to the floor. He couldn't get up for a while.
I snapped and slapped her in the face.
Things got out of control.
She pounced at me like a lunatic, biting and scratching.
I couldn’t strike back at her, but only try to ward her off.
That's how I got these.
It serves you right.
Right, I deserved it. I didn't do enough checking.
I surely deserved it.
Break it off with her, and hurry.
A woman so rude and unreasonable,
with such bad manners... why have her? Leave her. I'll have your back.
My meeting is about to start. I have to go.
And what are you doing here? Aren't you embarrassed?
Go home now.
You can't stay here.
What if I go home, and she comes for trouble again? I'm not going.
Why don't you join the troops then? Lay low for a few days.
Siyang can stay with us.
-Put that woman on hold. -Yes.
Well, then.
I'm going.
Good for you. You seem to know what you are doing.
Enough now. Don't pretend to be something you are not.
Why are you against new things?
Tai Chi is new? It's old-fashioned, okay?
Tai Chi is for old people.
You're too young for it.
Your brother does it too. Why didn't you say anything?
Who is he to me? Why would I care?
He's your brother.
Is a brother closer than a husband?
Nice point.
Good. Commendable.
Is Ding really breaking up with that woman?
At this point, he has to.
Why are you always on Ding's back?
Let's invite him over for dinner.
Why invite him?
To celebrate for him.
Are you crazy? You are being ridiculous.
He hung up on me! I haven't finished.
The east wind is blowing, the war drums are sounding,
who fears who in today's world?
It's not the people who fear American imperialism,
but American imperialism who fears the people!
A just cause gains great support, an unjust cause finds none!
The laws of history can't be broken, they can't be broken!
The east wind is blowing, the war drums are sounding,
who fears who in today's world?
It's not the people who fear American imperialism,
but American imperialism who fears the people!
A just cause gains great support, an unjust cause finds none!
The laws of history can't be broken, they can't be broken!
What are you laughing at?
I'm laughing at Dehua.
She's so thrilled at Ding's break-up.
Stop it, you two. Don't even think about it.
Ding's not even into her. And even if he was, I wouldn't agree.
I just wouldn't.
Sitting there like a substitution,
waiting to be called to the field. Isn't that insulting?
That's quite a vivid metaphor.
It is insulting.
But you can't help if Dehua is keen.
It is a different time now.
Even parents can't decide their children's marriage.
You're just her brother. You think you can decide for your sister?
You'll see if I can.
Good then. I'd like to see you try.
As long as you stay out of this and remain neutral.
I do find it tricky, though.
What's tricky about it?
What if we stopped her from marrying Ding? She is so obsessed with him,
having waited for him for so many years.
I can't bear to do this.
But if we let her,
then we are officially a substitution, and that sucks.
And besides, Ding is that kind of a guy.
I wouldn't feel relieved if Dehua married him.
What kind of a guy is he that'd make you unrelieved?
First with Miss Ge, and then Miss Wu.
Such rashness with who he's seeing. I wouldn't count him as decent.
And the dentist? Is she decent?
Lying about being married once, that makes her decent?
Well, Ding is surely not a virgin.
How can he ask for that from others?
At least Ding has been honest about it.
And the dentist, she claimed it would be her first marriage.
And then? Was it?
Don't ask me. How would I know if it was?
Was it her first?
And yours?
It always ends about me.
Sister-in-law,
why do you hold such a grudge against Ding?
Dehua, why are you so into him?
It's just the two of us. Your brother's outside tending to his vegetables.
I don't know.
I just think that I should marry him.
Why?
I can't explain why.
I just have this feeling that he's the one I should marry.
What if he's not?
It will happen, no matter what.
You are so sure, aren't you?
When did you start liking him?
I don't remember.
Was it at the Artillery School?
Don't say that. There was sister-in-law Xiu'e back then.
I would be damned if I even began to think about it at that time.
Relax. I'm just joking.
What kind of joke is that? You scared me.
Sister-in-law, cook some first. I'll send some to Siyang's place.
What for?
We’ll cook all together, and then you can send some over.
I don't want my brother to know. He'd lecture me again.
You are afraid of that?
Do you listen when he lectures you?
Just forget it then. Damn it.
Why is it so hard to discuss something with you?
-Is that how you discuss thing? -Then how do you discuss things?
Dehua, boil the water. Let's cook the dumplings, shall we?
That's what discussion sounds like.
What are you waiting for? Go light the fire.
Add a few more.
All right.
-Okay, okay, enough. -Two more.
-Enough now? -Yes.
Sister-in-law, my brother's outside.
You're such a chicken. Are you so afraid of him?
I'm not. I just don't want to hear his nagging.
Okay. Hide somewhere. I'll get him inside.
Jiang, come in and do some tasting for me.
Don't you see I'm busy? You taste it yourself.
It has to be you. You have sharp taste buds.
I do? Coming.
Come.
For a tasting, you have to get me.
Of course. It has to be you.
I'm coming. I'm coming.
What is this?
They are cooked already. What am I tasting for?
And you are a military leader? And the First Chief?
How do you direct the troop if you are so gullible?
Why are you doing this?
Dehua wants to deliver dumplings for Ding.
To avoid you nagging her, she asked me to trick you away.
Who knew you were so easy to trick?
Didn't I tell you to stay neutral? Why wouldn't you listen?
I am a scale that tilts to whoever treats me well.
Be nice to me, and I will tilt in favor of you.
If I am any nicer to you, you will climb over my head and poop.
Ugh! Don't say that at lunchtime!
Let's eat dumplings...
Look, Sis, there's a movie tonight.
Siyang, save a seat for me.
Sis, Siyang told me the other day that he'd like our aunt for a step-mother.
Really?
Why would I lie to you? Does that make me rich?
I know that Auntie likes Uncle Ding and wants to marry him.
Who doesn't know that?
Unfortunately, he doesn't like her that way.
And there's nothing we can do about it.
Uncle Ding is so blind.
Auntie is such a nice person, and he prefers a dentist.
Yafei! Yaning!
I have saved two seats for you at the center.
You should eat early and arrive early.
If you come late and they're taken, don't blame me.
We won't blame you.
Come, I have something to ask you.
What is it?
I heard you would like our auntie to be your step-mother?
-Did you tell her? -Didn't you say that?
I did.
-Who did you tell? -No one else but her.
There’s no use telling her.
You need to tell your dad, preferably crying.
Or roll about when you do.
That's not necessary, but it's better if you cry out loud.
What if I can't make myself cry?
Pretend. Use your saliva.
Go away. I'm being serious.
Siyang,
just think about your late mother. You’ll cry.
I can't, even if I do.
I never even met my mother, how do I think about her?
Exactly. Poor thing.
PEOPLE'S DAILY
I'm going.
Dehua, come in.
-You mean me? -Yes. Come on in.
-What do you need me for? -Come.
Dehua, you've worked hard.
Dehua,
are you in your forties this year?
I was born in the year of the Horse. I'm now 43.
Forty-three...
That's not very young.
Did you think about your personal issue?
What personal issue?
The important issue in your life. Your marriage.
No, never.
How can you not think about it? That's impossible.
I never did. How is that impossible?
See, that's more like you.
What do you mean?
Nothing. I'm just asking.
Did you think about starting a family?
Why would I? It's no good.
How is it no good? We're in a new society now.
We should make our own decisions.
Of course I know it's a new society, and I should make my own decisions.
But can I decide for anyone else?
-Who do you want to decide for? -Everyone. Is that possible?
That's not possible.
Then, there it is. Why did you say that?
Why are you laughing?
Dehua,
I find you very smart, and quick to respond.
Is that sarcasm? Are you playing with me?
Listen to you. How is that sarcasm?
Why would I play with you?
Who knows what's going on in your head?
Why are you laughing again?
Did... did I?
Did you not?
How can I not know if I laughed?
I can't help if you want to deny it. I can't point a gun at you for that.
This time, I really laughed.
This time I saw nothing.
Dehua, don't leave!
Why would I stay? So you could play with me more?
Who's playing with you? Don't leave.
Why do you drag me?
Dehua, come in.
Let's go in, okay?
I have something to tell you.
If you want to say something, say it here.
Dehua,
I say...
How about this?
We get married and live together.
Why are you staring at me?
If you'd like that, let's do it. If not, just forget I said it.
What did you say?
Didn't you hear me?
Not clearly.
I said maybe we should get married, just to save the trouble for others.
Brother Ding, how can you tease a person like that?
I teased someone?
-Who did I tease? -You teased me.
I've worked here for a half day, doing all the laundry,
and you tease me like this! Where's your conscience?
Jiang Dehua!
If you'd like it, good. If not, forget it.
Never mind it. Just pretend I farted. Okay?
Go home then. You don't need to come back to work anymore.
You don't need to do my laundry anymore. Go ahead.
So you were serious just now? Not fooling with me?
Why would I fool you?
Are you that easy to fool?
-Then... -Then what?
Then does it still count?
Does what still count?
Just forget I said anything. Go home.
I want to sleep.
Why do you come in again?
I want your honest word. Does it still count, what you said?
No.
That won't work.
It came out of your mouth. You want it to be unsaid?
Tell me, when do we do it?
Dehua, maybe you should go home and ask your brother.
-Why ask him? -He's your brother.
And there's your sister-in-law. Can you not ask her?
Why not?
You did say it's a new society and we should make our own decisions.
Why are you quiet now? Are you regretting it?
Why would I regret it?
You should go home and talk to them both.
I'm tired. I'm going to sleep.
You are tired when we talk about this?
I get tired talking about anything.
Go ahead then.
I'll go and talk to them.
Yaning!
Your aunt's crying.
-Sis! -What's wrong?
Auntie's crying.
Take this for me. Come.
Auntie, are you all right?
Auntie, what happened? Someone bullied you?
Mom.
-Was it you? -Was what me?
Did you bully Auntie?
How would I dare?
Then what happened to her?
Something big and joyful. She's crying with joy.
Something big? What does that mean?
It means she's getting married.
Aunt, are you getting married?
To whom?
Whom else? It must be Siyang's dad.
Is that true, Auntie?
Didn't Uncle Ding say no?
He... he says yes now.
He says yes now.
He says yes? I say no.
Are you pulling her leg?
What good does that do? History can’t roll backwards, can it?
Stop with your sarcasm.
How is that sarcasm? These are true and honest words.
Come on, stop pacing.
Ding can’t see you. Come on, sit.
I suggest you marry Dehua to him with delight and pride.
Don't ruin it by complicating things.
I am just mad.
Why is the initiative always with someone else?
They can do whatever they want,
and we have to be at their mercy, being ordered around?
Thankfully, this is none other than Ding.
It'd be better if it was someone else. I hate that it's him.
It makes me really uncomfortable.
You two are tied together.
Back in the day, Ding gladly took your place at the school,
thinking it was a bargain. It turned out to be a huge setback.
Had you stayed, you would now be Vice-Chief of Staff Jiang,
instead of Commander Jiang.
Unexpected things happen.
Now he's your subordinate. Your cover would save him so much trouble.
And once he marries Dehua, he becomes your brother-in-law.
Aren't you two destined for each other?
Now you put it like that, it sounds quite true.
I feel more comfortable now.
I didn't know, aside from being a wife, you’re as good as a political commissar.
You are good enough for ideological and political work.
Let alone a divisional political commissar,
I'm more than capable of being an army political commissar.
Wang Zhenbiao can be Deputy Political Commissar in the army, why can't I?
Brother, Sis...
do you both agree?
What if we don't?
-I will marry him even if you don't agree. -Then why ask?
I have to ask, just to be polite.
No need for that. We are a family.
Then when can I go?
When would you like to go?
The sooner, the better. I fear any delay may cause trouble.
You are that unwilling to stay here?
I won't be far away. I can come back any time.
It's better if you don't come back. Stay out of my sight, and out of my mind.
Do I annoy you that much?
Then I'm leaving today. Right now.
Don't be like a child.
Your brother's sad that you're leaving. Can't you tell?
I'm sad too. But I’ll have to go anyway.
I can't just stay here forever.
Did you see that?
A mother has no control over her grown-up children.
Please. Are you even her mother?
More or less. A big sister-in-law is just like a mother.
I should prepare a nice dowry for her, so she can marry joyfully.
That's more like it. That's what a good wife and mother does.
I need to talk to you.
About what?
Can you advance a month's salary, so I could arrange the wedding for her?
Are there no savings at home?
Do you ever see a bankbook in the house?
I don't even remember what a bankbook looks like.
There are two gates that I won't get close to in this life.
The gate of the Party, and the gate of the bank.
Why do you stare at me?
Aren’t you a squanderer!
Subtitle translation by Christine Huang