Smells great
It's so greasy. What did you fry it with?
I used lard
No wonder it tastes so great
Don't eat so much. You already have a paunch
Make two pieces of toast for me
-I'll do it -No, let me
Let her do it. Sit down and have breakfast
Daddy, I want some noodles
Don't eat so much lard. You're stupid enough
You got 60 marks for English and barely scraped through your maths exam
That's not too bad
Not too bad?
You're too easily satisfied, and your daughter is just like you
It's great that I'm like Daddy
Really? It's thanks to him that you have such poor grades
Don't you regret it if she turns out to be a failure
Jieying, get the door
I told you to get the door. Are you sulking?
I'll go, Mummy
Your brother is more obedient
Peixin, is my toast ready?
Grandpa, Grandma!
Good boy. You've grown taller
Dad, Mum, this is a surprise
Dad, Mum, you didn't tell us you were coming
Auntie, Uncle, you're here
We only decided last night to come and pay you all a visit
You should have called. I'd have gone and picked you up
It would also have given us time to make the necessary arrangements
My sister just moved in with us. We have no spare room
I can bunk with Peixin
That won't do. Her room is not big enough for two
Mummy, I'll sleep with you
Good idea. Mum and Dad can have Jielun's room
Very well. You won't be staying long anyway. I hope you don't mind
Not at all
Peixin, get the room ready for them
You must be hungry. Come and have breakfast
How could your mum and dad drop in on us like that?
Do they take our place for a hotel?
How long do they plan to stay?
My home is also their home. They can stay as long as they like
You've left the nest. How can they come and go as they please?
Not unless they're helping to pay the home loan
What does it matter if they come and visit us occasionally?
We have to share our room with Jielun. It's so inconvenient
Our home is cramped enough as it is
They're family. Besides, they only come once in a few years
That's often enough. Familiarity breeds contempt
I have first-hand knowledge of their ways and habits
They're drying salted fish and belacan on the balcony again...
though our neighbours had complained about it the last time
Tell them to remove them before we get another complaint
All right
The same thing again? I told the doctor I ache all over
How will these vitamin pills relieve the pain?
You're to come back for a follow-up visit after you finish them
I asked the doctor to give me a jab for my pain but he refused
Neither would he give me any pain-killers
You're not ill. That's why he didn't give you an injection
Would I be here if I weren't ill?
Take your medication for high blood pressure and the vitamin pills
Exercise more and cut down on greasy food as well as salt and sugar
I can't take sugar and salt and all the nice food?
What's the use of living then?
No, what I mean is...
Save it. I might as well die if I can't enjoy my food
Tell the doctor to give me poison!
He says the same thing every time. I can be a doctor too!
You're back. I bought roast duck rice for you
You didn't cook again?
Why bother when there's just the two of us?
I didn't feel well and went to see a doctor
That's why I didn't cook
Go on, eat
No thanks, it's too greasy. I'll make myself a cereal drink
I'll do it for you
There's no hot water
I forgot to refill it. I'll do it right away
I'm not eating!
Here's your cereal drink
Writing another application letter?
Didn't you go for an interview today? What are your chances?
The firm's located in an HDB estate and has only two employees
I might turn it down even if I'm offered the job
Jobs are hard to find. Don't be so choosy
You've never worked in a big firm. You wouldn't understand
I'm not going to stoop so low
Is the drink enough for you? Want me to cook you some noodles?
I don't want anything! Can't you see I'm busy?
I went to see the doctor today
He really ripped me off
He gave me a few vitamin pills and charged me $30
I want you to write to CASE and lodge a complaint
Can't you let me type my letter in peace?
Why are you so grouchy?
I show you such concern, but you don't even care that I'm ill
Your illness is all in your mind
No, it isn't. My whole body is sick
I have hypertension and high cholesterol levels...
You've always had hypertension
Cut down on oily food if you're worried about your cholesterol levels
Enough! Don't be so long-winded!
You find me long-winded?
My blood pressure has shot up because I'm worried about you...
not being to find a job
I can't sleep at night for worrying
I haven't found a job and I'm fed up enough
You've already driven Keke and Keli away. Do you want me to leave too?
All right, I won't bother you anymore
I'll go out
Keke... Don't forget to take your cereal drink
These are all natural products not available in the shops
We don't advertise. Our members sell them directly to the customers
One member gave up a job with a 4-figure salary...
and went into sales and recruiting full-time
In 6 short months, he became a blue-diamond supervisor,
earning tens of thousands of dollars a month
You too can join our ranks and be your own boss
Why be an employee?
Make your decision now and a successful career shall await you
With your qualifications, you can easily become our top salesperson
Here's a tip
Begin with your family and friends and build up your recruiting network
Let me explain about the products...
No need. I did marketing when I worked in the bank
I can read up on all the details
I have my own operation method
I've been in banking a long time. To me, time is money
You want us to become their members?
It's another form of pyramid selling
I helped to sell lingzi once. But the profit went to my supervisor
I'm not forcing you to join. I'm telling you a good way to make money
You can make use of the human traffic in this shop to generate profit...
without having to work so hard
I'm trying to help you
We can be your recruiters
But first can you give us some products to try?
These are very expensive,
unlike other cosmetic products which are freely given away
How will I know they're good without trying them?
These aren't toothpaste - buy two and you can get a free bar of soap
These are upscale natural products. They're different
Oh really? Our customers are always asking us for freebies
If we don't give any, they won't buy from us
Aunt, you only have to apply a little at a time
I bought this with my own money
You have to let me try the product if you expect me to buy it
You should also explain everything to me in detail
For example, this one...
I've explained everything earlier
Refer to the brochure if you're interested
Contact me if you decide to join
Direct selling?
More like pyramid selling, using us to make money for herself
If you're not interested, why ask so many questions...
and try her product?
She's family too. It's not nice
She wants to use us to make profit for herself. Isn't that worse?
If it's really so lucrative, I can approach the company itself...
and recruit my own members
Why should I let her profit?
Peixin!
Why didn't you discard the leftovers?
Aunt wants to save them for tomorrow
They're leftovers from yesterday!
What is it?
Mum, please don't eat leftover food anymore
If you fall ill, I'll have to take you to a doctor
Doctors in Singapore charge a lot of money
I'll throw the food away
The salted fish and belacan can still be eaten
As for the rest...
Let me smell it. I'll throw it away if it's bad
Dad, remember to lock the door next time!
Peixin, how long hasn't the toilet been cleaned?
What are you doing?
I washed the fish tank earlier and saved the water for the plants
What if the dirty water drips all over my rug?
Keli, what is it?
Dad saved the dirty water from the fish tank for the plants
Water is so expensive in Singapore. We should try to recycle it
You don't have to. I can afford to pay for it
We should save wherever possible
Please, throw the dirty water away
Just enjoy your stay here. Don't bother about anything else
Why did you raise your voice at Mum and Dad?
You might frighten them
I was the one who got frightened. You saw your dad and the dirty water
They're thrifty and were only trying to save water for us
There's more
Your mum saves every scrap of leftover food and...
keeps her salted fish and belacan in the fridge
It now stinks like a garbage can!
These are small matters. Why must you get so angry?
Your dad didn't lock the toilet door. It was so embarrassing
He has heart trouble. I told him not to lock the door just in case
Tell him to be careful not to pee on the toilet seat
And they're supposed to sit on the toilet seat, not squat on it!
The seat can be washed. Why blow the whole matter up?
They can't stay longer than a week. You know what my temper is like!
Keli, listen...
Whatever it is, they're your parents-in-law
You shouldn't shout at them even if they're at fault
It puts them and Xueliang in an awkward position
You know my temper
I give Xueliang money to send to them once every few months
Why do they have to come here uninvited?
I wasn't referring to you
You don't know the problems between a married woman and her in-laws
Enough about them. Let's get back to work
Keke, what brings you here?
Have a seat. I'll get you something to drink
Were you just passing by?
I'm here with a business proposition
Business proposition?
You've gone into direct selling?
This beauty product is all the rage now
I've heard about it. But I can't help you if you plan to sell it here
Why not? Give it a try
I'll pay for them first. By rights they should be paid for up front
Don't make it sound as if I were taking advantage of you
I'm in the slimming business, not make-up
All the more you should include it to expand your customer base
I plan to do that at a later stage
But first I have to ensure the products are of good quality
This is definitely a good product. I can set up a counter here
If your customers become my recruiters, they won't go to other beauty salons
No wonder Fat Mama says she's smart
But I'm no fool either. You're after my customers
I've built up my own clientele. Now you want to recruit them
My franchiser won't allow it
I will pay you rent
I'm just trying to build up my recruiting network
Won't you help me?
She's just started. Let's help to sell her products
I have my principle. I will only bring in products that I know about,
or I'll risk ruining the name of my shop
Fat Mama is always saying how smart you are
I'm sure she will succeed even without our help
I have faith in you. Go for it
Forget it then. My time is very precious
Keke! I'll become your recruiter
You'll really help me?
I know your time is precious, so don't bother explaining the details
I'll buy anything you want me to
I know you need a lot of recruiters
I'll give you Lion King's and Yuzhu's phone numbers
They can introduce you to more people
Thanks, but I'll manage. There's no need to trouble you
Third Aunt
Your rheumatism is troubling you again?
That's right
Let me, Uncle. You take a rest
-That's all right -I don't mind
Let me do it
I feel much better now
It's all right
Did I press too hard?
No
Bear with it
That's enough
Enough
What happened to you, Aunt? What's this?
It's nothing
What happened?
What's with you? How could you treat Mum this way?
Your wife hit Mum and pushed her, causing her to fall
You live in a big house
Mum has to wash and cook for you and take your child to school
She was only 5 minutes late,
and you let your wife treat her this way. Some son you are!
He hung up on me!
I'll go to KL and confront him!
No, don't blow the matter up
You've already told him off. Let it go at that
How can I, Mum? I must have it out with him
Don't be rash. It won't help matters
That's right
Mum, why didn't you tell me?
Were you planning to keep it from me forever?
I'm fine now. Let the matter rest
I must have it out with him!
Keli, go and talk to him. I've never seen him so angry
Go and talk him out of it
Is it any use for you to go?
I won't let anyone bully my parents. Don't try to talk me out of it
I just want to remind you...
the problem doesn't lie with your brother and his wife
Maybe your mum is the problem
Why is she a problem?
There'll always be problems between a married woman and her mother-in-law
What's more, your mum is stingy, dirty and long-winded
Then there's your dad
I'm just saying a word in fairness
Your mum's way of looking after children leaves much to be desired
When the pacifier drops, she simply puts it back into the baby's mouth
She often gets down at the wrong bus stop...
and is late picking up the older boy from school
What if something happens to him? Who should be blamed?
She's old. Whatever her failings, Cai shouldn't push her
You weren't there. How can you be sure that Cai pushed her?
She may have fallen by herself and blamed it on Cai
My mum never lies
Cai put up with her for so long. I'd have blown my top long ago
You promised me you'd never lose your temper with my parents
I didn't know at the time what a pain they are
Still, you must put up with them
What if I can't? Will you hit me?
Don't blame Xueping for defending Cai
Who's he going to spend the rest of his life with -
your parents or his wife?
The same goes for you. Think about it
Familiarity breeds contempt
Our ways are different. Why stay together and end up as enemies?
It's better that we live apart and visit one another now and then
We'll be happier that way
Our apartment is too small to accommodate so many people
Go see your brother by all means. Tell him to take your parents home
It's delicious
No, enough. You eat
Is it enough? I'll order some more
No, we're full
We'll come here again tomorrow
We have something to tell you
We've discussed it between ourselves
What is it?
We've decided to go back tomorrow
Is it because of something Keli said?
No, we just want to go back. We're not used to it here
Are you going back to Xueping's place?
No, we're going back to our house in Kelantan
It so happens that the tenant has moved out
You're both unwell. I'll worry about you being on your own
Set your mind at rest
The air back home is very fresh. We'll be less likely to fall sick
That's right
Remember how I used to rear chickens and grow my own vegetables,
and no rheumatism ever bothered me?
Don't worry about a thing
We'll be fine
Sis, are you ready?
-Let's go have dinner -Let's ask Xueliang to join us
He's been pulling a long face all day. Let's not bother about him
What about Peixin?
She hasn't finished tidying up. Xueliang can take her home later
Cousin... It's nearly 10 o'clock
Let's go and have something to eat
I want to go drinking
I'm so useless
My parents are old, but they still have to look out for me
I can't do anything for them
I can't bear the thought of leaving them all alone in the kampong
They're not very strong. How can I not worry?
You can visit them in Kelantan
Kelantan?
How can I possibly get away?
There are 365 days in a year
Our shop is open 364 days
My parents are already in their 60s
They had to scrimp and save to bring me up
They've had a hard life
I just want to take care of them in their old age
But I can't even do that
Before our marriage, I told her that...
I would take it no matter how she treated me
I only asked that she was good to my parents
She agreed
But she didn't keep her word
Sometimes I feel like blowing up
But I stop myself when I think of my two children
I'm a wimp, aren't I?
I'm a wimp
I'm a wimp, aren't I?
I'm so useless
You came home drunk last night and made a mess of our room and toilet!
Was it a protest? A display of your manliness?
I didn't drive your parents away. They left of their own accord
They have a temper. But so do I
Let's talk in our room
Feel embarrassed? Then you shouldn't have gone drinking
You're afraid to let others know? I'm not!
Keli, don't be like that
Keli, I won't go drinking again
You can jolly well sleep on the sofa in future!
I won't sleep with a stinking drunkard!
You can drink yourself to death for all I care!
I'll put your pillow in Jielun's room
She'll be OK once she's cooled down
You had too much to drink last night
You can't blame Keli for being angry
But she'll be all right once she's cooled down
Come and have some breakfast
No, I don't want any
Keli feels bad about Aunt and Uncle leaving too
It's never easy for people to get along
It's hard to say who's wrong or right
What's happened has happened. Don't take it to heart
I shouldn't have got drunk
But you've seen for yourself what a temper Keli has
She blows up for the slightest reason
I have to give in to her all the time
There should be give and take between a couple...
if their marriage is to last
I remember coming to Singapore with Aunt and Uncle to attend your wedding
15 years have flashed by since
15 years. How time flies
Your marriage has lasted so long. You should treasure it
Don't throw it away the same way you throw away the fliers
It may seem extravagant, but women like to receive flowers...
and be humoured
It's your wedding anniversary next week
Get her a gift and send her some flowers to cheer her up
Give her a pleasant surprise and everything will be all right again
Remember, you're happy if she's happy
What's important is for a family to be happy together
I just put the kettle on. Wait a while
Please don't think I'm a busybody. Marriage is for life
The fact that he's upset about his parents shows he loves his family
He went drinking in an act of defiance. He's never done that before
If I give in to him, he'll take it to mean I was in the wrong
His parents left of their own accord. I didn't say a word
Did he expect me to beg them to stay?
But they came here because they quarrelled with Xueping's wife
They were already upset enough
It takes two to make a quarrel. If they were easy to get along with,
would they have fallen out with Xueping's wife?
He was trying to stand up for his parents
For that, he got kicked out of his room. How will your children think?
You wouldn't want to set a bad example to them
You'll want them to be as filial as Xueliang when they grow up, right?
I know it was wrong of him to go drinking
But you're husband and wife
If you show him you care, he will do the same
It's not so hard to make him a cup of tea now and then, is it?
Take this cup of tea to him
Yes?
We've run out of brochures
You can order flowers on-line?
Yes. I haven't picked one yet
You're incorrigible
Work gives you headaches,
but when it comes to computer games, you're full of energy
Actually, I...
You what?
Would we be making any money if it weren't for me?
We'd have starved to death if we relied on you!
You were supposed to give him the tea
What for? A good-for-naught like him is not worth caring about
All he does is play on the computer
I'm the one who's making money. He'll never amount to anything
I know that nothing I do pleases you
Fine then. I quit!
You can't stand being criticized, eh?
You were playing on the computer. I didn't wrong you
By all means, strike out on your own
You only have an O-level cert
What can you work as? How much money can you make?
Money, money! You like money so much?
Fine, I'll make money for you even if I have to wash dishes...
or sweep the roads!
At least I'll get back my dignity!
Let him go!
Don't say any more
I'll sack you if you say another word!
Good for Xueliang. He's shown some backbone this time
You shouldn't gloat
Their marriage will run into trouble if they go on this way
Stop worrying
Xueliang is now doing renovation work. That's not such a bad thing
He used to keep everything to himself
Now he's opened up. Keli will get to know him better
How? They now sleep in separate rooms
He heads straight for Jielun's room when he comes back
Keli either stays in her room or makes a lot of unpleasant remarks
But Xueliang just keeps quiet. How will they resolve their problem?
Keli is more bark than bite, actually
Could you find a way to help Xueliang?
How? Keli is just like your mum
I can't even handle Fat Mama, much less help Xueliang
Why drag your problem into it?
Xueliang is not the only one who's unhappy. I am too
Seriously, when can we get married...
so we don't have to come here and feed the mosquitoes?
See what I mean?
You're back, Cousin. Have you had dinner?
It's too hot. I have no appetite
All you do is guzzle water after being out in the sun all day
-There's barley water... -No, thanks
I'll make you some beehoon soup then
Are those your dirty clothes? I'll wash them
Go take a shower. The beehoon soup will be ready by then
Eat it while it's hot
How could you mix my clothes with his?
I'm washing the bed sheets now
I'll wash the clothes separately later
His clothes are dirty and smelly. What if they soil my branded wear?
What he earns is not even enough to buy me a pair of branded jeans
In future, keep my clothes from his and wash them separately
And tell him Jielun will sleep with me from now on...
or he'll start smelling of paint
Keli is in a bad temper because of her busy work schedule
Don't take it to heart
I'm used to it
Fat Mama, what are you doing with all those products?
You've been duped
You said they contained no alcohol. But see, they caught fire
Mind your own business. I'm no longer selling this stuff
But why?
Sale hasn't been good, but at least it's a job
Try to stick to it
Being jobless can really get one down
I pace up and down at home, not knowing what to do
And when I go out, I wander about feeling sad and at a loss
I'm not jobless. I choose not to work
It's not easy to find a job. Try to be more tolerant
Are you embarrassed that I have no job?
I'm concerned about you
You're concerned about your loss of face, more likely
I know you used to brag to Aunt about me
But you can't do that now since I'm unemployed
How could you talk to your mother this way?
You vent your frustrations on me because you can't find a job
I have no job either. Who should I vent my anger on?
I have qualifications. I can find a job anywhere
You find me a burden and a nuisance? Fine, I'll leave!
You can't get a job, so you take it out on me
It's you who finds me a nuisance
You want to leave? By all means, if you have a place to go
Fine, I'll leave right away!
Keke! Keke!
She's really left?
Among the 2,000 applicants, you have the highest qualifications
Because of the recent retrenchments,
there's a slew of job-seekers with your experience
You ask for $4,000...
You have banking experience but none in our line of work
Are you prepared to go for training?
High qualifications don't necessarily mean high competency
Sorry, we can only offer you $2,200
You want me to go for training when I already have an MBA?
Even people with PhDs are jobless. You only have an MBA
Keke, are you coming home for dinner?
I'll go back when I want to
Are you going for another interview?
I called the company where you went for an interview yesterday
They haven't filled the post yet
You're letting them know I'm desperate for a job by calling them
They'll look down on me
Mind your own business
What is it now, Fat Mama?
Ruisheng?
What did you want to see me about?
You still haven't found a job?
I have a few offers. But the pay is not satisfactory
I'm still considering
Times are bad. Don't be choosy
The companies take this opportunity to lower salaries
They're also very stand-offish. It's really too much
You're not the only one facing this problem
You have to learn to adjust mentally
Lower your expectations, and there'll still be opportunities out here
I have a friend working abroad. His company is recruiting a manager
Is it the States or Japan?
It's China
But the country is very backward
Some toilets don't even have doors
It's not like that everywhere. You shouldn't generalize
Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen are highly-developed
Don't look down on China. It has immense potential
But I don't want to work abroad
The government's been encouraging us to go global
The work pressure shouldn't be a problem to someone like you
The whole work environment and concept are changing
You should step out of your comfort zone
Since China joined the WTO, a lot of people have been eager to go there...
to work and do business
Why don't you grab this chance?
Many people are eyeing this job
I asked my friend to give you a chance
But I'll be lonely being on my own in a foreign country
Tell you what. I'll visit you whenever I can
I'll hold you to that
Go for the interview first
Don't worry, I'll breeze through it
Subtitles: Lilian Sim