This is great.
I really want to harvest wheat.
Well, that's marvelous. When we get there, there will be wheat for you to harvest.
-I want to harvest wheat too. -All right.
You two can go to the fields and harvest wheat.
And what will you do?
Me?
I'll grab a chair and watch you work.
No goofing around.
What are you? A rich landowner?
Landowners wouldn't sit in the fields. They'd ask their henchmen to do that.
Why do you know so much about class exploitation?
Well...
you do know where she grew up.
Look, this is my old neighborhood!
We're here! Look!
Keep it down. Everyone's looking at you.
So what? I don't care.
What are you doing?
I'm just checking your heartbeat.
-Is it bad? -It's bad. It's really thumping.
Dad, calm down and stop panicking.
Look. It's good to be home.
It's not bad.
Mom, what do you think?
It's better than I expected.
What sort of place were you expecting?
Need you ask?
No doubt she thought it was a barren land full of trouble-makers.
Don't be ridiculous.
That's nonsense!
SHIXIA VILLAGE
Shall we go see Weimin first? Or should we go to the village?
Let's go to the village first. Dad's longing to get there.
Quiet. Let your dad decide.
Let's go visit Weimin.
I've lost my bearings, so, I'll ask him to take us there.
That's a shame. You can't find your way around your old village.
Why do you talk so much?
You're so annoying.
That's enough.
-Let's go... -Let's go.
Grab that suitcase.
I'll take it.
Over there.
-Who are you? -I'm his sister.
Wait a moment.
Jiang Weimin!
There's someone looking for you!
-Mom! -Weimin!
Dad! Why are you here?
Aren't we allowed to visit you?
Of course you can. I just didn't expect it.
Jiang Weimin, I traveled miles to see you and you didn't even say hello.
Too proud to talk to me now that you're a worker?
What do you mean? I'm just the family scapegoat.
Enough. Stop playing the victim.
Clean up and then you can take us back.
We're going to Dad's old home to honor our ancestors.
So you didn't come all this way to see me?
What? The main reason we're here is to see you.
And since we're here, we'll visit your dad's old home.
Since you're here? Do you take me for a fool?
The working class is so petty these days.
Are you jealous of the peasants?
-Go and get changed. -Hurry up.
-We'll be waiting. -I'll be quick.
I'll get changed right away.
Mom.
-Has he put on weight, Mom? -What do you mean?
He's definitely lost weight.
Take care, Mom.
Mom, are you all right?
There's a lot wrong with her.
It's taken you this long to realize that?
What are you two on about?
We're praising how easy-going you are, and how you traveled so far to get here.
-Jiang Yafei, you talk too much. -I thought you knew that.
Dad, whose house are we going to?
Is Second Auntie still around?
Do you mean Wang Yanfeng's grandmother?
She passed away years ago.
Don't glare at me, Dad. Is there anyone else?
There was also someone called... Stick. We were good friends when we were kids.
-What's his real name? -I don't remember.
I only knew him as Stick.
Let's go into the village and ask around.
Mind the puddle.
Why is the village so empty?
It's harvest season, so everyone has gone down to the fields.
That's right! It's the busiest time of the year for them.
So why did you come here now?
-Kid, I want to ask you about someone. -About who?
-Stick. Do you know him? -Nope.
There was someone called Six Fingers. Do you know Six Fingers?
I do.
Where does he live now?
He's... six feet under.
He passed away last year and was buried.
Is Yanfeng here?
I say...
That kid has no manners.
Oh my gosh!
It's Third Uncle and Third Aunt!
-Is it Yanfeng? -It's Yanfeng!
-Didn't you recognize me? -We did.
Yanfeng, you're so chubby again.
What's wrong with that? You told me that I needed to eat and put on weight.
-Why didn't you say you were coming? -We're just dropping by.
You're dropping by...
Well, don't just stand there.
Let's go back to my house. Come on!
Just come and say hello.
Come on! My house is this way.
Here. Is this enough?
Is the water hot? I can warm it up.
Here's a dish I made.
-This is my Fourth Uncle. -Is this Defu?
You look the same as you did as a kid. You haven't changed.
Stick? This is Stick, isn't it?
Long time no see! You haven't changed. Hey, come over here.
This is my wife.
-What's your name? -He's Brother Stick.
I need to learn from you?
Well, we have to go.
All right. Take care!
Why did they leave?
Because of you. You look like a demon. You scared them away.
How do you know them?
We're in the same Mao Zedong Thought Propaganda Team.
That guy plays the flute really well.
He's in the Propaganda Team because he plays the flute? And you?
What do you do? What can you do?
I speak great Mandarin, don't I?
I do the announcements and recite poetry.
You can do the announcements?
Come on, make an announcement.
Make an announcement?
Here goes.
The following piece is the flute solo, "Peasants Busily Carting Grain".
-You're such a fool. -You're the fool.
-Stop. I've got something to tell you. -Tell me.
Do you know who Wang Yanfeng's husband is?
Do you know whose brother he is?
He's Jiang Changyi's younger brother.
He's Changyi's half-brother. Same mother, different father.
But isn't Jiang Changyi our half-brother?
Yes. We share the same father, but they share the same mother.
You're so dumb!
In other words, he and Wang Yanfeng's husband are from the same mother.
What's he got to do with us? Is he a relative?
If you keep on talking like this
the villagers will notice. You should call him Second Brother.
-Second Brother. -Why are you here?
Go in. Drink some water.
-We will. Where are you going? -To get liquor from the supply station.
Great. Take care, Second Brother.
You're still such a sweet talker.
Didn't I give you a demonstration?
Have some water.
Mom! Mom! Mom! Come here...
What's wrong?
Ma, what are you doing here?
I wanted to see your Third Uncle. To see what he looks like now.
Ma, listen to me. Ma...
Why don't you understand what I'm saying?
What are you doing?
Zhang Guilan... Zhang Guilan is outside.
Hurry.
This way. Hurry up.
I'm almost 60, in fact.
-That's great. -Time has flown. You're 60 already.
Yeah.
Come here.
-You guys carry on. -OK.
-What's wrong? -Listen...
Jiang Changyi's half-brother is here too.
Do you want to know who it is?
Well, I'll tell you. It's Yanfeng's husband.
Hey, you're back? Come...
That's him.
-I'll clean it up. Dinner is ready. -Okay.
Third Uncle, Third Aunt!
-Let's dish up. -OK.
What is it?
Now I know why Dad got a divorce.
Look at her. She's at least ten years older than him.
Rural people age faster.
Besides, she didn't look that old when Dad married her.
What do you mean? Are you saying that Dad shouldn't have left her?
That's not what I meant.
That's exactly what you meant. I heard you.
Give a dog a bad name...
Since I came to the countryside, I can sympathize with these farmers.
What are you staring at?
How come you weren't born into a farming family?
If Dad had stayed with her, that woman... would be your mom.
How would she be my mom?
-Third Uncle, wipe your hands with this. -Sure.
Hurry up, let's eat!
Dad, the people of your old hometown are great.
Have you seen everyone you need to see? Or have you forgotten anyone?
Such as...
Such as who?
Such as...
Such as what?
I can't remember.
-Allow me. -Sit there.
Six and six means lucky.
They're so lively! Here, let's eat. Dig in!
Third Aunt, stuff your face.
-It's excellent. -You're annoying.
Hey, stop idling about and eat.
Two kind brothers, place one order...
I lost again!
Who knew Dad would turn out to be a well-rounded person?
It appears you like your in-laws.
Why are you sighing? Do you like them or not?
It doesn't matter whether I like them or dislike them.
Mom.
This is a huge step forward for you.
Six and six means lucky. Eight horses.
Hurry up and eat!
I really can't eat any more. One more bite and I'll explode.
You barely eat and you're ready to explode?
You city girls have such small appetites.
She's so funny!
Tell them that all good things come to an end.
I won't... I won't tell them.
Do come back. Take care.
Is that who I think it is?
-Is it? -Yes...
-Go back. -Bye. Do come back.
Mom, look over there.
Look towards the yard. See?
Look!
My old townsmen are so hospitable. Go back home! Go back!
-Go home! -Look.
Do you see that woman over there?
Don't tell me you don't recognize her.
Was that Zhang Guilan?
Mom, why don't you let Dad look that way?
Who's stopping him?
Make an effort and ask him to look that way.
Your daughter wants you to look that way.
I won't.
You won't even look at your hometown?
Cut the chatter. I won't look back.
The water's gone cold. Why are you still soaking your feet?
You seem to be in a bad mood today. Why?
My mood is fine, thank you.
All right.
You think I don't know what's on your mind?
You're thinking about Zhang Guilan, aren't you?
To be frank, I don't really care.
I used to dwell on this in the past.
But today when I saw her face, I actually didn't care.
It's all the same old boring conversation. I'm not interested.
When I saw her face today...
I finally understood.
I understood why you got a divorce.
What do you know? You think I need your understanding?
Yafei? Yafei!
I'm coming, Mom!
What's wrong?
Your father's been vomiting. We should take him to the hospital.
-How did this happen? -I don't know.
Don't panic, Mom.
Thanks.
It's weird. We are all fine, so why has Dad ended up like this?
Your dad's not used to the environment.
How can that be? This is Dad's hometown.
Your dad's no longer used to the food from his old hometown.
That's nonsense.
He just ate too much and has indigestion.
-Deputy Jiang. Where are you going? -I'm going to the pier.
Climb in! I'll take you there.
Don't move.
I'll climb up. I like to sit on top.
You're really something. You can sleep anywhere.
Let's go!
I'm so comfortable here. I feel like singing!
-Shall I sing a song for you? -Sure, sing away.
The wind of the valley
blows through our hair.
The savage rain
scrubs our tents.
The wind of the valley blows through--
Deputy Commander, stop singing! We've arrived!
I know we've arrived, but I haven't finished my song.
Where was I?
Sorry, I missed it.
Really! I sang so well, but you weren't listening.
All right, I'm off.
-I'm off! -Goodbye!
-Weiguo, it's that ship, right? -Definitely.
-You minx! -What are you doing?
-It still hasn't arrived? -Look.
That one?
Drill Sergeant, you're extremely biased.
Your favorite daughter has returned, so, you've come to meet her.
Call me Drill Sergeant again and I won't forgive you.
A returning veteran told me about it.
It turns out my mom has such a well-chosen nickname.
You're so annoying. Your communications network is flawed.
You lack discipline.
Look at you.
Truly worthy of being part of a military family.
You've got a good grasp of military terms and you know how to discipline people.
Anyway, you're pretty good at it, so, it's a great nickname.
And it's our unit's battle cry.
Stop talking nonsense or I'll push you into the sea.
Don't.
Wait till after your 50th birthday. Then you can push me if you want.
She's here.
Look, isn't that Ouyang Anran?
Right? Why has she come?
How did she know about this? Your sister must have told her.
Look at that.
We've rallied the troops for your 50th birthday.
Dad celebrated his 50th birthday without much fanfare.
Hey, is that Jiang Changyi?
Why is he here?
What's going on? Why did he come?
How should I know?
How does Jiang Changyi know about Mom's birthday?
I'm sorry. I'm the one who told him.
Why did you tell him?
I thought...
You thought what? You didn't use your brain.
My mom hates him.
He's basically a thorn in my mom's side.
If he's here, how can my mom enjoy her 50th birthday?
How did the two of them get together?
I heard that they met each other in a bookstore.
I guess it must be fate.
What do you know about fate?
Fate. It's all nonsense.
Fine, I don't understand. I'm not talking nonsense.
Have you graduated?
I graduate this year.
Will you be returning to your old unit?
I don't know.
I might be reassigned.
What's your major?
Engineering design.
What rank will they give you?
Deputy Commander.
Not bad.
You took a shortcut.
How did you meet An Ran?
She was in med school, and one day we ran into each other in a bookstore.
As they say, peace begins with a smile.
He means well. He's traveled all this way to celebrate your birthday.
You need to maintain your poise. Don't drop your standards.
Tell me. How high should I set my standards?
Look.
Mom!
-What's wrong with them? -What do you think?
This is just the prelude. The best is yet to come.
Mom!
What's wrong?
Are you sick?
My stomach hurts.
Your stomach hurts?
Do you want some medicine?
I took some before I went to bed.
I'll give you a massage.
Get some sleep. Why are you getting up?
Mrs. An seems all right this time.
At least she didn't give you trouble.
She didn't give me any trouble, but she gave herself a hard time.
She was up in the middle of the night because her stomach ached.
She has quite a temper. All these years and she still hasn't gotten over it?
You can say that again.
You know, you might as well tell her the truth.
To save her all this misery and worry.
You should shut up. My family affairs are none of your concern.
So, you don't care about our family?
Everything will be fine as long as you don't gossip.
You should tell that to your sister. She might give the game away.
It's fine. She knows the severity of the situation.
If I had known sooner, I wouldn't have let them come.
Why are you saying this nonsense?
It's all Yaning's fault. She acted without thinking.
She did it with good intentions. She didn't know any better.
Why are you sighing? All that moaning and groaning.
Is this how a 50-year-old should act?
They came to wish me a happy birthday?
They're just sending me to an early grave.
It's bad luck to say that.
Don't smoke inside the house. Put that out.
Have you thought this through?
I have. I'll bring her here.
I urge you to be cautious.
You've seen how Mom is. She's in a foul mood.
What girl would want to see that?
She's not in a bad mood because of her.
Would she want to meet her?
You don't understand.
I told her about it in advance so that she would be mentally prepared.
She wouldn't make a fuss about it.
Even if Mom doesn't like her, it wouldn't be because of her.
She won't be that nervous, for starters.
Secondly...
What if Mom does like her?
That would be a good thing, right?
It would cheer her up and make her relax.
It would be a great birthday gift for Mom.
That makes sense.
You're so lucky, kid.
Unlike me. Mom's not mentally prepared for me to bring a girlfriend round.
Tell me, what do you call this?
It's called "The first step is the hardest."
Pave the way for the rest of us and we'll be grateful to you.
If you want to be grateful, don't rush to get married.
Don't you dare get married before I do.
Fine, I'll wait my turn. Relax...
But you need to hurry up. I can't wait that long.
Finding a woman to marry... is something that happens by chance.
Did you break up with that opera singer girlfriend because of Mom?
No, it had nothing to do with Mom.
Maybe not. But you could say it's connected.
How so?
Think about it. Mom already broke up a couple.
Would she have the heart to break up another?
Fine, you little brat.
Want me to pave the way for you?
Help me, help me...
Who are you listening to?
What's this?
Campus folk songs? Let's listen to it.
Let's listen to Sally Yeh.
An Ran.
Go help out in the kitchen.
How come she obeys you?
She also obeyed you when you told her to go that time.
Sis!
Sis...
Sis.
Tell me. Could something go wrong during this banquet?
Even if nothing major happens, we won't have a good time.
I can live with that. As long as there aren't any mishaps, it's fine.
You're a troublemaker.
Why are you blaming me? I didn't ask Jiang Changyi to come.
Don't you think it's odd? There must be more to it than meets the eye.
How so?
Think about it.
An Ran took some time off to come here for Mom's birthday.
It's because she's grateful to Mom.
If it weren't for Mom, would she be where she is today?
Mom helped her whole family but none of the others came. Only her.
Is she more conscientious than the rest?
I don't think so.
So, what do you think?
Could they be in love?
They...
Anyway, that's the situation. You need to be mentally prepared.
What do I need to be prepared for?
A frosty reception from my mom.
What does that have to do with me?
It has nothing to do with you, but you can still expect a frosty reception.
Will you be all right?
I don't mind. Since it has nothing to do with me anyway.
I'm not that sensitive.
Besides, a woman needs to meet her parents-in-law sooner or later.
I'd rather not meet them on my own.
It's better if I go now and blend in with the crowd.
-Why are you staring at me? -I can't tell.
That's smart of you.
-I may need to reconsider. -Don't you dare.
-Xiaoyang. -Who is she?
You can call her... Sister-in-law.
Come on, call her "Sister-in-law."
Sister-in-law.
-Hello. -Come in.
Let's go.
Why didn't we think of asking someone to come and do the cooking?
You've been working yourself to death for no reason.
When have we ever seen such a spectacle?
Don't be so sensitive. I didn't mean anything by it.
I don't care if you meant anything by it.
You can think whatever you want.
Are you throwing your life away?
You're in a good mood.
Well, here's the icing on the cake.
Mom, I have a surprise for you. Here's your birthday present.
What kind of birthday present?
Come...
Dad, look. It's Tiemei.
This is...
This is my brother's girlfriend, and my sister-in-law.
Why do you look so familiar? Where are you from?
I work at the drugstore and gave you some medicine. Do you remember?
You know, Dad...
She played Li Tiemei in a Propaganda Team play, so maybe you saw her on stage.
Brother, Sister-in-Law...
Why aren't you surprised? Did you already know about this?
How did you know about this?
No secret is safe from me.
Xiaozheng, come and sit over here.
Thanks, Auntie.
Auntie, happy birthday.
Thank you.
Here, have a tangerine.
Thanks.
Mom, how did you know about this?
You call each other nearly every day.
Remember? We know someone in the communications company.
No wonder...
-Happy birthday! -Mom, happy birthday!
-We wish you happiness and health. -Thank you.
Now, let's hurry up and eat.
Mom, here you go.
-Eat this crab. -I don't want it.
It's too much effort.
-Help yourself. -Thanks.
Thanks.
What do you want to eat?
-What does she want to eat? -Mantis shrimps.
Here's to you.
I'd like to wish you a happy birthday.
I wish you all the best.
Thank you.
Don't sit there gawking. Come on, eat.
Don't get involved.
Thank goodness nothing happened. Here.
You don't really understand Mom.
Mom takes the bigger picture into consideration.
Besides, she wanted her 50th birthday party to go off without a hitch.
She didn't want any arguments.
You're right.
But you saw what Jiang Changyi was like.
That made me uncomfortable.
The phrase "sitting on pins and needles" was invented for this exact scenario.
Sis, tell me.
What did he do to deserve this?
He brought it on himself.
We shouldn't give him the time of day.
-You're so mean. -That's the way it is.
Well, hurry up a little. I have stuff to do this afternoon.
All right.
There's so much...
What are you doing? You're so careless.
How can you break things on a day like this?
I did it on purpose. Don't you get it?
It's for good luck all year round.
Jiang Yafei...
I heard you saw his mother.
You lie in ambush and make everyone's business your business.
You truly are a university student. You're so good at mocking people.
Of course.
Well...
I'll leave it to you.
Good girl! Promise me you'll finish your chores!
There's still so much!
Hey, Birthday Girl.
What are you thinking about? You're lost in thought.
Yafei...
When you look for a partner, learn as much about them as you can.
Find out everything you can before you commit.
Mom, you know how it is. Once bitten, twice shy.
Don't worry.
I'll dig up information on his family going back eight generations.
Whose family?
My boyfriend's, of course.
You have a boyfriend?
What do you think? I'm saying there's always a chance in the future.
I can help you find a boyfriend.
No, thank you.
It's kind of you, but I'll find one myself.
I want to choose my own partner.
Choose your own partner? What good is that?
-Look... -All right.
Spare me the lecture. I understand what you're saying.
My company has target shooting practice this afternoon, so I have to go.
Happy Birthday again, Birthday Girl.
Go.
I'm off.
Who is it?
Mom, I'm sending a car to pick you up.
-You and Yaning must come. -Where are we going?
Never you mind. You'll find out when you get here.
Hello?
What is my sister up to?
Who knows? It's all so mysterious.
Why did we come here?
You got here quickly.
-Deputy Jiang, I didn't dare delay. -I'll give you a verbal commendation.
Deputy Commander Jiang, this seems unnecessary.
You think so? Let's go.
Why did you ask us to come here?
Don't get angry and don't worry.
I'm going to show you something exciting. Here, take this.
Look over there.
It's so beautiful.
-Who is that? -Let me see.
It's your beloved Ouyang Anran with your despised Jiang Changyi.
It's been a fruitful time for our family. Love is definitely in the air.
Be quiet.
Should I ask for a transfer to the Reconnaissance Company?
You should become a special agent.
Take us back right now.
This is all your fault. You're stirring up trouble.
Stop!
EMANCIPATE THE MIND
You can go, thanks.
How can you cheat like this?
It's not like you've never cheated, so, why can’t I?
But I never cheated like you just did.
In any case, it’s cheating. Who cares how?
Stop arguing, you two. Look, who's coming?
That’ll teach you!
It's a catastrophe! A storm is coming this way.
What's wrong now? Who provoked her?
Who provoked me? You should know!
How should I know? That's why I'm asking you.
You tell that son of yours to beat it!
Sister-in-Law, there's no rhyme or reason to this.
Which son are you referring to?
My brother has many sons, so which son is it?
Just leave me alone! This is none of your business.
What are you doing? Why are you getting angry?
Dad?
It looks like my big brother is in love with An Ran.
Who are you calling your big brother?
It's perfectly normal for young people to fall in love.
How can they be in love?
Why not? They're roughly the same age.
They're an ideal couple.
Don't you know how they're related?
Of course I do. They aren't related.
They aren't related?
One is his son and the other is my niece. Of course they're related!
My point is, they aren't blood relatives.
This is none of your concern.
Mom!
Dad...
Go chase after your mother.
Dad!
Stay here. Whatever you do, don't go home or you'll make matters worse.
Don't worry. Your dad doesn't have the guts to go back.
How can you spout nonsense all day? Would it kill you to keep quiet?
If you hadn't said all that to her, she wouldn't be so angry.
Brother, is that really fair?
You're scared of offending your wife, so, you offend us instead?
We got involved out of the kindness of our hearts.
And what? We still got caught in the crossfire.
You think you're being a man? You're a coward.
What are you doing?
Subtitle translation by Kelly McGuire