What's wrong with a stepmother? What's so bad about that?
Do you think it's easy being a stepmother?
What's that smile for?
Sit down. Tell me what is it?
Can't you just drop it?
No.
-Fine, but don't get mad. -I won't. Tell me.
-You promise? -Just tell me.
I'll tell you when you let go of my arm.
It's because I forgot…
you're a stepmother too.
You little-- Come back here!
Is this your last class?
So… what should I give you as a present?
You don't need to give me anything.
Our friendship is way beyond that.
You have some coffee?
If you do, I could use a cup.
I have some at my place, enough for two.
I don't have a class this afternoon. Just come over.
-Okay. See you then. -I'll be waiting.
Isn't it just coffee? Why go through all this trouble?
What would you know? This will be our last supper.
Isn't it just coffee? She's staying for supper now, too?
It's like talking to a wall.
You educated folks always band together.
Always drinking coffee like you're royalty.
Do I drink coffee all that often? I just invited Ms. Ge this time.
Didn't you invite that painter too? You think I've forgot about it?
That was like eight hundred years ago.
Besides, I only asked him to come over for coffee because
-it was about to expire. -Rubbish.
As if Chinese germs could grow in foreign coffee. You're such a liar.
I think…
you had a thing for that painter.
Look at you. Why are you getting all worked up over nothing?
It's all your fault.
Honestly, did that guy ever show any interest in you?
-A little. -Did you like him?
Let me think.
Fine, think about it.
You better tell me the truth when you decide.
He's so talented.
Look, he captured my expression so well.
Have you reached a conclusion?
Are you still thinking?
I was not interested in him. Not even a bit.
But…
But? But what?
But I like the way he made me feel.
You understand?
Do you get what I mean?
Yes, understood. Here, help me.
I think you just enjoy the attention of other men.
-You think they're all crazy about you. -Not all.
Just those who are intelligent and talented.
Can't believe you just said that. So shameless, utterly shameless.
You asked me.
You wanted me to be honest.
I asked you to be honest but I never asked you to be shameless.
What's so shameless about what I said? Just tell me.
How can you admit you enjoy getting attention from other men? It…
-It what? -It…
It must have come from your evil, dishonorable, capitalist blood.
Don't you move. I won't let you go unless you explain your words.
What is there to explain?
What's in my blood?
What have I done that's so evil, so dishonorable?
Look at yourself.
Who else would be interested in you?
You're lucky to have me in this life.
I'm lucky to have you?
What else do you need?
What do you think?
-Let go of me… -No.
Say it or I won't let go.
You just want me to say…
I love you, right?
Why do you like to hear it so much?
Always forcing me to say it.
We've been married for years now, and you still won't give up.
You're such a bore.
And you're not? Always bothering me with your romantic housewife fantasies.
Commander Jiang, going to work?
Ms. Ge, going for some coffee?
You better hurry. Ms. An's already waiting.
Ding! Ding!
Deputy Ding!
Why did you run away? Why are you avoiding me?
Need me for something?
No. Can't I just be friendly?
My dear comrade, you must keep your head up high.
What are you talking about? I'm fine.
That's good…
I'm just trying to cheer you up in case you weren't fine.
I don't need you cheering up. You can save it for that woman.
She doesn't need me either. She can't be happier.
Smiling like an angel.
Don't be like that. It's no use anyway.
If something's not yours, you must let go.
Otherwise, you must take it like a man, understand?
That's rubbish. Why must I take it like a man?
What's that for?
Drinking coffee feels so good.
Really?
Really.
Is it because of the coffee or because of the way it makes you feel?
To be honest…
drinking coffee does make me feel better.
More at ease.
Don't you think?
It's your opinion. There's no right or wrong.
And you? How do you feel?
Me?
I like coffee, but I also like the way it makes me feel.
It's very relaxing and enjoyable.
That's for sure. You're used to it.
You grew up drinking coffee.
You even taught me how to drink coffee.
It was right here in this yard, with the same flowers
and the same coffee cups. Don't you remember?
Of course, I do.
I was pregnant with the twins back then.
I couldn't fit into anything but my robe.
You wore one of my dresses that day.
We even touched on anti-communism topics.
Then Zhang Guiying suddenly appeared on that roof.
-Almost scared us to death. -Yes.
She saw my cups when we first moved here
and she said: "There's enough of those for us to break for a lifetime."
It's like she was hoping to break them all.
Time sure flies by so fast.
Her smile is still vivid in my head but she's not here anymore.
What's weirder is how you're marrying her man.
That is quite funny.
-I was so scared of her too. -Why were you scared?
I was scared of everybody. I was scared of you too.
Really? I never noticed.
Of course not.
I was so nervous the first time you invited me over for coffee.
I couldn't even taste the coffee that day.
I tried so hard
to remember what the coffee tasted like in bed that night.
But the more I tried, the less I remembered. It kept me up all night.
I was so frustrated I almost pull all my hair out.
Really?
You have no idea.
You have better luck than me.
Even though you were born into a capitalist family, you've led a good life.
Sometimes I wonder why you're so lucky.
Maybe I did something good in my previous life.
If so, then I must have been a bad person in my previous life, right?
No… You were only half-bad.
That's why luck has found you now.
That's if Deputy Wang treats me as good as your husband treats you.
Then perhaps I'll consider myself a lucky woman.
Deputy Wang is a nice man.
Besides, he only has one kid so it won't be that much trouble, right?
Where's Wang Haiyang now?
He got into Peking University after the college entrance exam was reinstated.
Really?
That's really something.
And my husband thought he was too "flame-boy".
What… what boy?
"Flame-boy." He actually meant "flamboyant".
Your husband...
"Flame-boy..."
What you laughing at? I could hear it from a mile away.
-We're celebrating. -Celebrating what?
Wang Haiyang got into Peking University.
Really? That "flame-boy" got into university?
What are you laughing at? What's so funny?
This bride-to-be has reasons to laugh. What reasons do you have?
I'm laughing because she's finally taken. I won't have to put up with her anymore.
That's true.
You're…you're drinking this "fee" again?
It's coffee.
Oh yeah… Coffee.
You guys always talk about it. What does it taste like?
Go get me a cup. I want to feel fancy, too.
I'm sorry, Dehua.
It's all gone. We drank what little was left.
I can show you the container.
Your sister-in-law is so scared of you.
Scared of me? Not at all.
Look at her.
She's even getting the empty container to show you.
Of course, I believe her. She's not like that.
-She's always so generous. -See… It's all gone.
Why didn't you save me some then?
How should I have known you'd want to try coffee all of the sudden?
Does coffee make people silly? You guys are laughing like school girls.
Mum.
Mum, your favorite daughter is back. Come open the door.
Mum, I'm back.
Yaning, is it you? Coming…
-Coming… -Mum.
How did you do on the exam? Let me get that.
Don't mention exams ever again. I swear I will kill whoever does.
-Why? Didn't you do well on it? -Would you like me to kill you now?
Fine. I'll keep my mouth shut.
-Where are your bed sheets? -I gave them away.
-To who? -To someone in need.
She gave everything away, except these books.
-Why didn't you give these away too? -I can't. These are novels.
Novels, huh? That's why you failed the exam.
Mum.
Mum, be careful she might kill you if you mention exams again.
No place like home.
Even the bed is softer.
Yafei, I'm going to sleep now.
I need three days’ worth of sleep.
I'll kill anyone who tries to wake me.
How about...
I get you a gun from my base so you can practice first?
That must be our father. For you.
I'm so tired.
Can you get it for me?
Hello?
She said she's so tired that she just wants to go to sleep.
She wouldn't tell us.
She threatened to kill us if we asked.
Yes, that includes you. She's threatening the entire family.
I think she must have done really badly. That's why she's so upset right now.
-I heard she did badly. -I'm really upset.
Why's that?
How come none of my children got into university?
Who says? Didn't Jiang Changyi get in?
-He doesn't count. -Why? Isn't he your son too?
You always run away when I mention him.
Uncle, auntie.
Hello, Xiaoyang.
-Where's my cousin? -Inside. Go see her.
Slowly.
What are you smiling at?
You look like a real farmer.
And your wife, the land owner's wife.
Who's the land owner?
No land owner, just his wife.
-Isn't that right? -I wish I owned land.
You don't want to be a lady anymore? Now you want to be a land owner?
Stop speaking nonsense.
Now who's running?
What are you talking about? How come I don't understand a word of it?
You shouldn't butt in other people's conversation in the first place.
Mum, help me. Help…
What's going on?
That must be Yaning.
So, when is the acceptance letter coming?
Don't you worry. It's not coming.
But what if it does?
Then I'll buy you dinner with all-you-can-drink Maotai.
All-you-can-drink my foot. You know I can't drink much.
Then what would you like?
I'd like… two bottles of Maotai.
Fine, no problem.
What if she didn't get in?
Dad.
Why are you cursing me?
What are you looking for?
Just wondering where Weiguo's going to sleep.
There are plenty of rooms for the two of them.
Why haven't you cleaned it up?
The bedding is clean and the room itself is clean. What else is there to do?
His girlfriend's coming for the first time.
You at least need a red bed cover. It's more celebratory.
Why? They're not even married.
Besides, they're only dating. Who knows how it will end?
You don't seem to like Weiguo's girl much.
What's to like? I haven't even met her.
-But… -Enough. Stop worrying.
Come have some tea.
What were you arguing about?
No one argued.
I was just asking how she plans to welcome Weiguo's girlfriend
and she said nothing.
It's like she's not too keen about that girl.
You're right.
She's not only less than interested in that girl,
she's actually quite annoyed.
She's so strange, it's beyond me.
Who's strange?
-Bad-mouthing me again? -No one's bad-mouthing you.
We just think it's a little strange
that you're so unhappy with your future daughter-in-law.
How can you be so cold?
This is a big occasion where we're from.
-It's something to celebrate. -Yeah.
What's there to celebrate? That I'm getting a daughter-in-law?
It just means we're getting older and soon I'll be a grandma.
It kills me just thinking about it.
So, you're only worried about getting old?
What are you laughing at? I'm not the only one getting old.
What's wrong with getting old? It's a natural part of life.
Besides, what's wrong with being grandpa and grandma?
Having grandchildren running around is such a wonderful thing.
You just don't get it.
I wonder what she looks like.
They met on a train. She's a Peking opera singer or something.
Can that be any good?
Did they really meet on a train?
Didn't I tell you?
They sat facing each other on a train for an entire day.
-That's how he met his wife. -She's his wife yet.
Fine, girlfriend. That's how he met his girlfriend.
Why must he date an opera singer?
That's your problem.
All jobs are of equal importance since the revolution.
So what if she's an opera singer? That's a proper job, too.
You just watch your mouth. I don't need your lesson.
I'll get it…
Okay, Xiaoyang can get it.
Hello? Who's speaking?
I'm speaking.
Yafei, what's wrong?
Nothing's wrong.
Why did you call then?
Why did you hang up on your cousin?
Come to auntie.
I can't believe she'd hang up on me. She's dead now.
Don't answer. Let it ring.
She's only calling home because there's nothing to do.
Eight out of ten calls are from her ever since we got this phone.
Deputy Ding. You're her superior officer.
Take Jiang Yafei off phone operator and make her climb a post or something.
Drive some common sense into that girl.
Listen to him. Is he really her biological father?
Why isn't my dad here?
Why should your dad come?
Are they not qualified?
Stop “humphing.”
Yeah, why are you like this today?
You'd better not do it when they arrive.
Do you have something against opera singers?
My dad said auntie is not ready to be a mother-in-law yet.
Correct. Round of applause.
Don't look at me. I didn't say anything.
You always bad-mouth me.
No one is bad-mouthing you, okay?
Is this really that bad?
Of course not. It's the truth.
Look, that's my brother.
I'm a little nervous.
What?
-I'm a little nervous. -Don't be.
You don't need to be nervous here.
But it's my first time here.
Look, that's the singer.
I said that for you.
That's my mum. Next to her is my auntie.
That girl with her hand on her forehead is Yafei.
And then there's Jiang Yaning.
My brother's too good for her.
Your mum doesn't look too happy.
Where are you getting that from?
She's not smiling. There's no expression on her face.
Why would she smile now?
I assure you, she'll start smiling when we get off the ship.
Her smile is so pretty.
That's because she's the daughter of a capitalist.
Listen carefully.
Do not mention the word "capitalist" from now on,
or else she'll get mad.
You think I'm that dumb?
Good. We're almost there.
I'm back!
My dear cousin and his wife.
Xiaoyang.
Mum. Auntie.
Mum, auntie, you're all here.
All the girls are here.
Best in the family.
It's such an honor.
So…
You're not going to introduce us?
Let me introduce my girlfriend, Bai Hongmei. You can call her Bai.
Bai, this is my mother.
Auntie.
-This is my auntie. -Auntie.
That's it? That's all? How about us?
-I'll introduce you when we get back. -No, do it here.
Fine. Bai.
This is Jiang Yafei. The chatty one that I told you about.
-Hello. -And Jiang Yaning.
-Hello. -What about me?
I forgot our dear Xiaoyang. Here.
She's my youngest cousin, Ding Xiaoyang.
-Hello. -Hello.
That's enough. Let's go home.
-Let's go. -Let's go.
Sorry, Officer Jiang. No car, you must walk.
Family members are not allowed to ride in cars, anymore. It's a new rule.
Sorry about that.
Do you think she's pretty?
Average.
She's quite good-looking at a glance,
but not so much when you look at her closer. Right, mum?
Stop “humphing.” Say what's on your mind.
Mum doesn't like her.
Do you like her?
-And you? -Of course…
-Of course, what? -Of course not.
I don't get what he sees in her.
Especially her name.
Bai Hongmei. Sounds like some sort of flower.
Even Bai Taohua sounds better.
Who's Bai Taohua? It sounds so familiar.
Have you forgot? The female agent in that Korean film, Invisible Front.
I remember now.
Even a female agent's name's better than hers.
What are you laughing at?
-What are you laughing at? -Nothing.
But I heard you laughing.
What's it to you? Move.
Fine, I'll be quiet.
Shut up.
Commanding Officer, home already?
No manners at all.
Is she here?
Of course.
What's she like?
Look for yourself.
Very average.
Why are you looking at me? She's inside.
Hello. Welcome…
Dad. This is my father.
-Hello, uncle. -Hello…
I couldn't meet you at the wharf today because of a meeting.
That's okay.
Are you hungry? Let's eat then.
Hey you, get dinner ready.
Sit…
Bai, eat something with your rice.
Don't be shy.
Weiguo, give her something to eat.
Here. Have a prawn.
And this.
What's wrong with you?
Nothing.
Did I do something?
No.
Eat your dinner.
Don't talk at the dinner table.
I don't think your mum likes me.
And your sisters.
That's nonsense.
My mum's like that. She doesn't really show her emotions.
Don't lie. I can tell when someone doesn't like me.
You're way too sensitive.
You'll be fine in a few days.
A few days? How many days is that?
You don't look too happy.
Are you not happy with that girl?
Are you?
I can't say either way.
You have Such bad tastes
Bad taste? What bad taste?
Your eyes. You must be blind.
You're so picky.
What's wrong with Bai?
For a start, her name.
Bai Hongmei. It sounds so ridiculous.
And she's not that good-looking either.
The more you look, the uglier she is.
Then there's her personality…
Look at the way she was eating. So pretentious.
No wonder she's just a singer.
What's wrong with the way she ate?
Didn't you see?
She didn't open her mouth and she made no noise at all.
Like a cat. Only cats eat like that.
Why are you so mean? Are you picking on her deliberately?
You don't like it when people eat with too much noise.
Now you think she's pretentious because she doesn't make any noise.
Where are your standards?
Who cares about my standards, anyway?
Can't I have an opinion?
Don't I have the right?
You do… Of course, you do.
However, don't forget,
you're Jiang Weiguo's mother, the host.
Even if you don't like her,
you must treat her as nice as you would any other guest.
Haven't I been nice?
I went to greet her at the wharf and I made her dinner.
I'm more than nice.
She's not here to eat.
You think just making her dinner is good enough?
You must act like a respectable parent by greeting her with more warmth
and stop putting on that face.
It made me uncomfortable as well.
I'm struggling here.
I have to put on a smile and…
and I don't even like her.
An Jie, he's a grown man now. He's soon to have his own family.
You can't punish your own kid and other people's kid with your menopause.
Jiang Defu, what did you say?
When have I punished my child and someone else's child with my menopause?
Who do you think I am?
I just don't like her.
I don't like her at all. What can I do?
How can I pretend to like someone? Isn't that a bit deceitful?
I'm just so touched by your high moral standard.
Don't be so harsh on yourself.
Even if you don't like her, you must try to hide it.
After all, you need to worry about Weiguo's feelings.
Be nice. Be a good host.
Fine. I'll try.
Don't try. Just do it.
Fine. I'll give it a try.
What's she doing? Such a country girl.
Good morning.
Did you see that? I'm like a fool trying to be nice to her.
I got it now. You two don't go well together.
Yes, we're totally different people.
Completely different.
So awkward.
What can we do? Our son likes her.
Not for long.
They're not the same people either so they won't be together long.
Long or short, it's none of our business.
Even if they break up, we don't want to be the reason for that, right?
We just mind our own business and stay out of theirs.
I know that.
But it's not easy to do.
I don't know what to do around her.
Just a couple more days and they'll be gone.
Fine, I'll be patient.
I'm off to work.
What the hell is that?
What is that? Who's making that noise?
-Mum, you're back. -What are you doing?
-She's practicing. -I wasn't talking to you.
Auntie, I was just practicing.
This is not the theater. Do you have to screech like that?
If you must sing, at least do it properly.
All that "arrrrrr" and "eeee" is so annoying.
Auntie, what would you know?
Fine, I know nothing
and you know everything. Please do go on with that "arrrrrr" noise.
Yafei, you got all that?
Storm is brewing here at home.
Storm is not only brewing, it's already coming down strong.
Jiang.
I want to go. I want to leave here.
Must you do that?
Maybe this seems normal to you but I can't handle it anymore.
Your mum has been looking at me funny ever since I got off the ship.
That disapproving and disgusted look in her eyes
is making me very uncomfortable.
I tried to ignore it.
I thought maybe she's just not used to me yet.
But you saw what she's like, right? Look at her.
How can I stay any longer?
How about this, I'll go talk to her.
Mum, I think you overreacted a little back there.
Overreacted? How did I overreact?
She was just practicing. Did you have to yell at her like that?
Why practice here? Is this a theater?
It's like she's proud of being a singer.
People in that kind of business are all hopeless show-offs.
They long for attention.
I need to talk to you.
About what? Tell me.
I need to speak to you alone.
We're all family. Can't you just talk here?
Fine, I'll talk to you alone.
So…what is it?
Mum, why must you act like this?
-Like what? -Don't you know what you've done?
If you're going use that tone then this conversation is over.
Why must you treat her like that?
Weiguo.
I'll be honest with you. I don't like her.
I really don't like this girl that you brought home.
She's my girlfriend. So what if you don't like her?
What do you mean? It has everything to do with our future relationship.
You know me well.
Do you think I'm capable of pretending to like someone?
What has she done to you? Why don't you like her?
She hasn't done anything. I just don't like her.
If she's only a house guest then I wouldn't care so much,
but she's your girlfriend.
If you get married, she's going to be part of our family.
How do you think I feel?
Well, how do you feel?
Very upset. Very upset indeed.
Weiguo.
Please forgive me. Forgive your mother.
I just can't pretend to like someone.
I can't be nice to her when I really don't like her.
I just can't, so what should we do?
Are you going to take my side or her side?
Hello, who are you calling?
Hello. This is the wharf, please connect me to Commander Jiang's house.
Okay, please hold.
-Hello, is this the Jiang residence? -Yes. This is Jiang Yaning.
I'm Du from the wharf.
That girl who came with your brother yesterday, she's his girlfriend, right?
She's boarded a ship alone and it's leaving soon.
The ship is leaving, you won't make it.
-Why are you so stubborn? -I'm going to the guest house.
Why must you go there? Why must you be so stubborn?
Enough…
Let him go. He'd better never come back again.
Weiguo, you must give your mother some time.
Your uncle's right.
She's not ready to be a mother-in-law yet
so she's really struggling inside.
Why is she so hard to get along with? When is she ever going to be ready?
Are we not allowed to fall in love before she's ready?
Does that mean we can't get married before she's ready too?
Of course not. Is she that unreasonable?
She'll be ready one of these days. Just give her some time.
Why must mum be like this?
Everything always has to go her way and to her liking.
Dad.
How did you survive all these years? I feel sorry for you.
Subtitle translation by Lisa Lai