Here, don't forget this.
Of course, that's the last thing I could forget.
-Dad. -Dad.
I heard you learned to smoke already.
Here.
You studied well, this carton of cigarettes is your prize.
Dad, this is too fancy. I shouldn't be smoking this.
Aren't you the Lieutenant Colonel? A Lieutenant Colonel can smoke this.
This carton is for you.
Go give them to your comrades, don't go back empty handed.
Empty handed? Aunt prepared everything for us.
All kinds of things, it will make us proud.
Go back and work hard. Make us proud.
Yes, officer.
Be a good girl at home from now on, don't talk back.
You're leaving already, but you're still bullying me.
All right, we won't go any further. We will stop here.
Big brother, take care.
Thank you, brother.
-Big brother, what are you talking about? -Which big brother are you calling?
-Both of you. -No way, pick only one.
Here.
-Take care. -Take care.
We are leaving.
-Have a safe trip. -We are going.
-Goodbye. -Goodbye.
-We are going. -We are leaving.
I want to cry.
So cry, anyone stopping you?
Sister.
Get lost, who is your sister?
-Bye. -We're leaving.
Goodbye.
I'm old now, I can't wash this anymore.
Aunt, why do you wash so much at once?
Why do you have so much dirty laundry?
Why wouldn't you wash it yourselves?
We wanted to wash it, you wouldn't let us, saying we don't wash it well.
If you could wash it well, wouldn't I let you do it?
That mother of yours, when will she be back?
As long as this big brother is here, my mom will never come back.
I know you are right.
Come with me.
He called you, why don't you go?
Go already.
Dad is talking to that guy alone.
-When? -Just now.
No, right now.
What is dad going to tell him?
Didn't you see? Dad looked so intense. It can't be anything good.
So what could it be?
Jiang Yaning, go send a cup of water to dad, and listen to them talk.
I will not… I'm afraid.
Don't look at me, I'm not going either. I'm afraid too.
You are all useless.
Navy, East China Sea Fleet. In Ningbo.
I will go…
After you get there, work hard.
Joining the army is not for fun, you must be prepared.
I know, I am prepared.
Don't interrupt while I'm talking.
Dad, have some water.
Put it down.
What is that attitude?
I came to give you water and look at your attitude?
All right… Thank you. Just put it here.
How was it? How was it?
Did you hear them talk?
I did, dad was yelling at him.
"Don't interrupt while I'm talking."
It felt good.
What are you doing? Why didn't you knock?
I have news for you, but I don't know if it's a good or bad.
What news?
That guy is joining the army.
Is that good news or bad news?
For you, of course, it's good news.
What's the bad about it?
Do you know what kind of army he is joining, and where he is going?
Which army?
East China Sea Fleet, Navy.
In Ningbo, very close to Shanghai.
So take the photo.
That's the only request the kid has, can't you grant it to him?
Okay, so let's take one.
What're you talking about? So sneaky.
This kiddo.
Okay, look here.
Okay, look here, Commander Jiang.
Look right here.
Smile, be happy. Good.
He's finally gone.
It's a shame, though, he went to such a good place to be in the Navy.
That's even more glorious than big brother and second brother.
Is Ningbo good?
Of course it is, it's so close to Shanghai.
Dad is so annoying, he's so nice to him.
He is dad's first wife's son, of course he is good to him.
My gosh, he is finally gone.
Let's go.
Who knows when will dad's second wife come back?
I miss her already.
I've been missing her all this time.
I miss her very, very much.
Aunt is so cheap, only bought so little.
I wish mom was here.
Who knows when mom will be back?
Mom is so determined, she said she wouldn't come back, so she won't.
-What if she really doesn't come back? -That's not possible.
She will come back for sure. But, no one knows when.
-I have a great idea. -What idea?
We send your mom a telegraph, tell her your father is severely sick.
Why don't you say you are severely sick?
Would your mom come back for me?
You kiddo, why would you say I'm severely sick?
Why would you say my dad is severely sick?
You see? You can tell who you are closer to at this crucial time.
Aunt, look.
See? Your father misses your mother.
Dad.
Why do you come up here?
Dad, do you miss mom?
Don't you?
I do too.
Why don't you write to her and ask her to come back?
I did, but it didn't work.
Mom is so annoying.
She is quite annoying.
Every day, when dad gets home,
he climbs up to the roof.
He stands in the scorching sunlight, facing the wind,
looking into the distance with so much love.
Aunt says, because dad misses mom.
I ask dad: "Do you miss mom?"
Dad sighs,
and asks me instead: "Don't you miss her?"
Sister in law.
-Mom. -Mom.
-Come. -Okay.
Come…
You are not nauseous enough.
Brother, maybe you should tell her the truth? Look how upset she is?
How dare you? You can't tell her no matter what.
Here, let me.
You girls walk home.
-Can mom and dad be reconciled? -Of course they can.
Didn't you see dad? He was smiling like a flower already.
Look at you, why did you buy us so many presents?
Try this.
You bought it for me?
Let me try.
Look, how is it?
Alright, I'm leaving.
Sit for a bit more.
Hello, operator? Transfer my call to my brother.
No…transfer my call to Commander Jiang.
What? Say it again?
Haven't I reminded you again and again to hide them properly?
What's wrong with you?
You can't even do that. What are you good for?
Yafei, Yaning.
Come over here.
Where are the photos? Show me.
What photos?
What photos do you think? Bring them already.
How come you are not in it?
You weren’t here, why would I take it with them?
They forced me to take it.
Have you no feet? Couldn't you run away?
Any more?
No.
Only those two.
Alright, you can go.
-Tomorrow at seven in the morning. -Okay.
Dad, listen,
mom seems unhappy again.
I know.
How did you know?
Sitting alone here, what are you thinking about?
Give me.
Give you what?
Give me the photos.
Haven't you seen them already?
I just want to see the ones you are hiding.
I hid them because I didn't want you to see them.
Why don't you want me to see?
I'm afraid you'd get mad.
All right.
Don't be mad, and don't look at them.
Before he left, that was his only request.
How could I reject him? Right?
If you have to look at them, I will go get them.
The photos are in the office.
At the bottom of my drawer, I will dig it out for you.
Do you still want to see?
Hide them well, don't lose them.
1976…
-Miss An, you finished working? -Yes.
Ding Xiaoyang.
Aunt, guess what is this?
Is it a little mouse?
No, it's a little white bunny.
Isn't it a black bunny? And look at you little messy kitten.
Here, let aunt wipe for you.
I've never seen you being so nice to your own children before.
Was I not nice to my own children?
At least you were not so patient.
That shows two things.
First, it shows I am old now, I have become patient to the kids.
Second, this is someone else's kid, so I have to be nicer.
I will go first.
I'm going to the store, do you need anything?
No, thanks.
Let's go, come home with aunt.
Aunt, I want to play for a bit longer.
Go ahead then.
You finished working?
Just two blankets, you are still not done?
Have you been dawdling?
I worked on them for a while, and the sun made me sleepy, so I slept.
Aren't you afraid you'd catch a cold?
I have blankets right here, how can I catch a cold?
You just used them like this?
Of course.
I can't take off my clothes up here, can I?
Look how clean you have to be.
I didn't use your blanket, I used the cotton sleeve.
That's worse, I can't even wash the cotton sleeves.
Go answer it already, I wonder who it is. It rang so many times.
Hello?
How come you came back so late?
Was that you who kept calling?
Why didn't you answer the phone if you were at home?
You call home 800 times every day.
None of them is important. Why would I answer? Waste of time.
This time it is important, do you want to hear?
If you tell me, I'd listen.
Aunt Zhang is dead.
What?
Which Aunt Zhang?
Wang Haiyang's mom, Aunt Zhang Guiying.
-How did she die? -From sickness.
-What sickness? -I don't know that.
How did you know about it?
When Wang Haiyang's father called dad, I listened to it.
You kiddo, why do you listen to other people's phone calls again?
That's our operator's tradition, and our privilege.
And, they all love to listen to your calls particularly.
Especially the calls you make to my dad. You always yell at Commander Jiang.
You girls are so naughty, you should really be disciplined.
You don't need to worry about that, we have lectures a lot.
I didn't finish talking yet, why do you always interrupt?
I have another, more surprising news, do you want to hear?
What's the more surprising news?
Wang Haiyang's father is so shameless.
Aunt Zhang had just died, he already wants to remarry.
And, do you know who he wants?
Who does he want?
I can't tell you that, you have to ask my dad when he gets home.
He even wants you and dad to be his matchmaker.
Hello?
She is quite curious.
Operator? Operator?
Yafei? Yafei?
Who does he want?
Was it Yafei again?
How come my brother is not afraid that it doesn't look good anymore?
He put his own daughter right by his side.
That shows your brother is getting old, he protects his own kids now.
That's true.
Whenever he sees Xiaoyang, he is so happy, he always teases her until she cries.
Dehua, let me tell you something.
What?
Zhang Guiying died.
Really?
She's dead? How did you know?
Yafei just told me now.
How did Yafei know?
Deputy Commissar Wang told her.
Deputy Commissar Wang? Which Deputy Commissar Wang?
Are you silly?
Zhang Guiying's husband, of course.
Wait, what?
Wang Haiyang's mother died?
Which Zhang Guiying did you think?
I thought it was Jiang Changyi's mother, wasn't she also Zhang Gui something?
She is Zhang Guilan, not Zhang Guiying.
Look at you, can't even remember your sister in law's name, how mean?
Who is my sister in law? You are my sister in law.
I only have one sister in law, you. Don't try to give me more.
All the blandishments.
Back to the topic.
How come Zhang Guiying died? What did she die from?
I don't know, Yafei said I have to ask your brother.
What a shame, such a kind person.
I miss her a lot.
Yes.
Yafei said,
Deputy Commissar Wang wants someone from here,
and he wants me and your brother to be his matchmaker.
Who could it be? Who do you think he wants from here?
Who? Miss Ge, of course.
It's her?
It must be her, who else could it be?
What a shameless guy. Back then, he wouldn't let Ding marry her.
Talking about different classes and political stands.
How come he doesn't talk about classes and stands anymore?
What a jerk.
Are you silly? If he didn't stop Ding, could you marry Ding later?
Would we have Xiaoyang now?
That's two things. Even so, I wouldn't appreciate him.
That's true.
Come over here.
What is it?
Let me ask you, who does Deputy Commissar Wang want?
Are you KGB? How come you…
How did you know?
You don't need to know.
Is it Ge Meixia he wants?
Tell me, how did you know? Who told you?
Not only I know that,
I also know that he wants us to be his matchmaker.
Right?
I was worrying about how could I tell you about it?
He is the shameless one, why do you worry?
I knew you'd be like this, so I was worried.
He wants your best friend, are you okay with it?
So what if I wasn't okay with it? We have to see if she's willing to.
Years ago, he was so mean to her, made her so miserable.
Now he just turns around and wants to propose to her?
How can anyone be so shameless?
And he is a high-level officer in the Party,
I think he is humiliating the Party and the Army.
You are quite righteous, his spirit is good.
We've destroyed the "Gang of Four",
so now everyone cares less about people's family background.
Not like it was years back, everyone was so cautious about it.
Ding was the same.
In the end, didn't he decide to give up by himself?
If he could be like me when I wanted you, not afraid of any difficulties,
he would have married Miss Ge so long ago.
That's true, Ding was not decisive himself.
But you also have to know,
in this world, how many people can be like me, chasing after you like that?
I just risked everything, I gave up everything, I just wanted you.
Where can you find someone like that?
Exactly, someone like you who is so good at keeping secrets.
-A living older son just suddenly appears. -Stop right now.
Why do you mention it again? Didn't we agree not to mention it?
I can't mention it because you said so? You told me to forget it, so I can forget?
Alright…don't forget it, you don't have to.
Can we not talk about this today? Can we talk about being matchmakers?
Come, listen to me.
How can we?
I think,
tomorrow, you should mention it to Miss Ge.
At least we should do our part, he asked us after all.
We should help him.
What if she's still mad at him and says no?
So try to persuade her.
Move her, reason her. Try your best to convince her.
Yes, she is quite a pretty woman.
But her age is there, time doesn't wait for her.
After this one, she will have no chance.
How many wives would die to make room for her?
Don't go yet.
Is it appropriate for us to be the matchmaker?
What if Ding found out, and got upset about it?
How does he get to be upset?
He doesn't own Miss Ge's body or her soul, how does he get to be upset?
Even if he is upset, he wouldn't show it.
Think about it, if he shows any bit, would Dehua be happy?
Besides, it's good that Miss Ge gets married sooner.
So she doesn't wander on the island all the time,
and when Ding sees her, he always feels bad.
No wonder.
I thought you were thinking for Miss Ge, you are only thinking for your own sister.
Both…it's good for both of them.
You finished the lesson, Miss An?
Miss Ge, is it your class next?
No, it's not mine.
So let's go for a walk?
Sure, shall we go now?
What the rush? Let me rest for a bit.
Think about it thoroughly.
What's to think about? What can I think about?
I will listen to you, and take him.
Why do you listen to us? It's about your whole life.
You have to decide by yourself.
What's about my whole life?
Half of my life is already gone.
What's left to think about?
Why don't you talk anymore?
I completed my mission, what else can I say?
So… let's go back.
I feel it's a bit weird.
What's weird?
Ge Meixia, she's a bit abnormal.
How is she abnormal?
How come it felt like she was waiting for me to talk to her?
What do you mean?
It felt like the two of them were already in a relationship,
they were just informing us this way.
That does sound like Wang Zhenbiao's style.
See? I wasn't wrong?
This Deputy Commissar Wang is so tricky, playing these tricks with us.
It's a pity, though, Ge Meixia is too naive.
She ruined his act immediately, I saw right through her.
Who are you? You are the famous Miss An, who could trick you?
A crafty fox can't fight a good hunter.
Enough, don't get so cocky.
Go home already, I have some good news for you.
-What good news? -Go home, I will tell you then.
Jiang Weimin…come out now.
What is it?
Something good, come in here.
I was wondering what good news it was, that's it?
Is that good news?
That's not good news?
Go back to the hometown to be re-educated by the people.
Don't go, I'm not done yet.
You guys talk, I have to cook.
Weimin, are you okay with it?
How can I be not okay?
Wherever I go, I'd be a farmer and work in the field.
That's not a good attitude.
The countryside, such a broad space. You could achieve a lot there.
I know I can achieve a lot.
Achieve a lot… How come you ran away from it?
How can you compare with me? I was in that evil old society.
Wasn't I starving there?
Dad, you joined the revolution because you were starving?
That motive is quite questionable.
What are you saying?
Dad, don't be mad. I was just joking, joking.
I am going to the countryside anyway, wherever I go, I don't mind.
Going to the countryside of our hometown is good to you.
We have a lot of relatives and friends who can take care of you there.
And it will be easy to come back to the city.
Dad, you see?
Your motive is not right again.
What's with all the motives? You are such an opportunist.
Can't he just go the countryside along with his classmates?
Why does he have to go back? What's good about our hometown?
Who knows what's good about your hometown.
Probably, your brother wants Weimin to sweat on the fields of his hometown.
How come whenever we mention our hometown you sound so weird?
Did I sound weird?
Did you not sound weird?
"Sweat on the fields of his hometown…"
How come such a nice sentence could become so ugly from your mouth?
I'd say, let Weimin stay with Zhang Guilan.
Even if she wouldn't consider us,
considering her own son, she'd have to be nice to Weimin, right?
Right my ass.
How come you just can't let go of it?
Whenever you get a chance you have to mention it, does it make you feel good?
It doesn't make me feel good.
I don't feel good about it no matter what. Whenever I think of it, it makes me mad.
Do you have to be like that?
It's not like you didn't know my brother was married before.
I didn't know he had a child.
If I knew he had a child already, I'd never marry him.
What is this now?
Me, An Jie, became a stepmother.
I became a stepmother.
What about stepmother? Am I not a stepmother? To four kids!
You are not the same. How can you compare with me?
Why can't I compare with you?
Because you are from the city, I am from the countryside.
You were educated, I was never educated, right?
-I didn't mean that. -So what did you mean?
Back then, I was never married before.
I was still a virgin back then.
Although I was married before, I was still a virgin too.
What are you laughing about?
You… how come you…
How come you are so silly?
I've always wanted to ask you, what's wrong with you guys exactly?
What do you mean what's wrong? We weren't educated, we didn't know.
It has nothing to do with education.
Those villagers also have children, and so many children.
Stop talking about villagers.
Alright, your son is a villager now too, let's see if you will judge more.
Right.
Not only I am a stepmother now, I am also a villager's mother.
-She's here? -Yafei's here.
You came?
I had a nightshift yesterday, I didn't even sleep, I came straight here.
-Alright…Thank you, thank Comrade Yafei. -Look how happy you are.
I am the only farmer in this family, of course I'm happy.
I also feel proud of you.
With this uniform, you look like a soldier.
-Look at this. -Your weapon?
How come it sounds like you are laughing at me?
When did I laugh at you? I'm jealous of you.
-Alright… jealous… -Enough… stop with the nonsense.
Go talk to your mom and dad. Don't you see your dad is sad?
-Okay. -Go.
-Here, hold it for me. -Okay, go.
Dad, mom.
When did my dad become so vulnerable?
Don't always make your dad angry.
When did I make him angry? I'm always trying to make him happy.
Kiddo, work hard in the hometown, take initiative.
Be smart, don't be lazy.
Dad, don't worry. I have nothing else but strength.
Yafei, after Weimin leaves, you are the only child left at here.
You have to visit home more often, otherwise your parents would be sad.
How about you ask uncle to allow me to stay at home?
You kid, can't you be serious?
Go. Go now.
It won't take even three days, you'd be exhausted.
Mom.
-Why do you stare at me? -Why do you say that?
I just want to prepare him in advance, so he doesn't cry for mom or dad.
Mom, don't worry, I promise I will only cry for dad, not mom.
You kiddo.
Give me.
-Go. -I'm going.
I'm leaving, dad, mom.
Write to us.
-Careful. -Mom.
-Don't stand there. -Careful.
Go back, go home.
Don't worry, I will be just fine.
You can take a friend a thousand miles, yet the parting will come eventually.
Why do you laugh? Is he not right?
This child. Who knew he was so poetic.
A new villager in socialism, how can he not be poetic?
Why do we have kids? Just to send them away like this?
Isn't it quite meaningful?
You can take a friend a thousand miles, yet the parting will come eventually.
I didn't know, Jiang Minqing is also quite interesting.
What's interesting? Going to the countryside is not interesting.
Yes, why do kids on the island have to go to the countryside?
Isn't this already the countryside? Why do they need to go somewhere else?
You are right. But it's small here, not an open space.
Don't be too sad.
All your kids are soldiers,
only one became a farmer, which is not bad, right?
I think you are right.
All my hope is on Yaning now.
I hope she can get into college, a good one.
So we'd have a college student in the family.
Yaning studies so well, she must be able to get in to a good college.
I wish she could get into a high school sooner.
Who knows Miss Ge could become Wang Haiyang's mother.
Do you think Wang Haiyang would call her mother?
What do you think?
I don't think so.
Why not? Why wouldn't he?
Why are you laughing?
I forgot, you are also a stepmother.
You also forgot your mother is also a stepmother.
What are you laughing about? Get up...
Yafei, what's wrong with you?
Her belly hurts, don't mind her.
Belly hurts?
Why does your belly hurt?
I'm fine, my aunt said something, it made my belly hurt.
-What did she say? -You kiddo, so naughty.
Miss An, can I make a suggestion?
Sure.
How come the dishes you make are getting simpler and simpler?
It's almost like it's for a monk, no meat at all.
Why did you have to get coronary heart disease, not my fault.
-The doctor doesn't allow too much meat. -The doctor doesn't allow too much meat?
But he didn't ask you to make such simple and plain dishes.
Coronary heart disease won't kill me, lack of nutrition will kill me.
What are you having? Let me…
It's worse than our food in the canteen, who'd believe it?
Ask your mother. Eat…
Let me use them.
Why did you come home again?
You always come home, your supervisor's okay with it?
He's okay with it.
If I don't come home for two days, he'd ask me,
"Jiang Yafei, how come you don't go home?"
Which supervisor is that? I have to reward him.
All right, why did you come back?
Miss Ge is getting married soon, she's leaving soon.
Whose phone call did you listen to this time?
The bride, of course.
She went to the little hostel to call the old groom.
She asked "should I bring anything?"
So what did the old groom say?
"Nothing at all, you just need to come by yourself."
Why do you always listen to people's phone calls?
I have nothing to do.
Look how you are taught? What have you become? A spy?
-Where are you going? -I will go get some meat from Ding's.
The doctor doesn't allow it.
Mom.
Do you think Miss Ge is like Cinderella?
Stop with that nonsense.
Think about it.
Back then, Miss Ge was carrying manure,
walking on the side of the road like a timid mouse.
Would she have thought she could become an officer's wife today?
You never know what could happen, and life is like a dream.
Who knows how it's like in a dream?
Who knows who created that dream?
Who cares who created that dream? At least the ending is not bad.
Miss Ge finally will have some good days.
But Wang Haiyang is poor, though. A big boy suddenly gets a stepmother.
So what he gets a stepmother? Why is he poor?
You think everyone likes to be a stepmother?
Why are you laughing?
Don't go, not before you tell me.
-Can I not say it? -No.
Subtitle translation by Lynn Lee