[English subtitles are available.]
Winter Begonia
Episode 18
Mr. Chen.
Don’t make mistakes again
on the stage.
Rest assured.
You will
be satisfied.
Mr. Shang.
Stop cracking melon seeds
like clock ticking.
None of your business.
How come you are so nervous when rehearing operas?
I may lose my job.
Of course I’m nervous.
I’ve got the headline for the tomorrow.
Liu Hanyun denounced Chen Renxiang.
A famous star from Peking
lost in Nanjing.
You’re laughing?
Not that serious.
I’ve been performing Peking Opera these years.
I forgot the tune of Kun opera long ago.
Let me teach you now.
My master.
Don’t make fun of me. OK?
I’m about to perform.
You teach me now.
I have no time to learn, do I?
How about...
What?
You sing and I perform.
No.
That’s fake and deceitful.
No.
Shang Xirui. If I lose today,
you are also guilty.
You are not capable enough.
How come you blame me?
Hadn’t you come to Nanking halfway,
I’d have gone to the park with my girlfriend.
Would I have to perform here?
Look at the opera Liu Hanyun ordered,
Chaoyuan Song.
Isn’t it Jade Hairpin
you performed on the boat then?
You made this trouble, didn’t you?
You think I can’t deal with you?
You want a fight?
Shang Xirui.
Mr. Shang.
Master Shang.
Please.
Save me. Save me.
Please! Save me!
Please! I beg you!
Save me! Save me!
Save me! Save me! Save me!
♫ Heart is like cloud and water ♫
♫ No unnecessary worries ♫
♫ Spring is coming ♫
OK.
The voice is delicate.
I can tell that
you've studied the melody conscientiously.
It’s rare to hear this now.
I’m flattered, Mr. Liu.
Mr. Liu.
One is on the stage.
The other is behind the stage.
You performed in a pair
and fooled
this old man.
Mr. Liu.
It's my bad idea.
Don't blame Mr. Shang.
You think I can be
easily deceived?
You cooperated well,
but actors’ voicesare different.
I found it out as soon as Mr. Chen performed.
Sir, your ears are keen.
I can’t hide anything from you.
Mr. Shang.
Could it be that
you’re Xirui, the well-known performer in Peking?
Your voice
is quite like Mr. Ning Jiulang’s style.
You are right, sir.
I studied opera from Jiulang.
Are you Jiulang's apprentice?
Not exactly.
He doesn’t allow me to call him master.
Mr. Ning is still stubborn as ever.
It was you on the boat that day, right?
Yes.
Why did you perform Kun opera?
Now few people perform
Kun opera in Jiangnan.
That’s why I performed
on a whim.
Ning Jiulang said
Kun opera nurtures people.
Jiangnan’s elegant rhyme
makes you have the spirit
against the mainstream.
Eat dinner here.
All my children will be present.
Gentlemen.
You may join us.
Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Liu.
Quite like Jiulang’s style.
Brother.
What do you think of my dress?
Does it fit?
Beautiful.
My sister is a graceful beauty now.
Brother.
Have you decided how to tell Mrs. Cheng?
Not yet.
Things come one after another.
I haven’t had time to make up with her.
I don’t think so.
You just feel guilty
and avoid the trouble.
Is your sister-in-law a trouble?
Yes.
It’s one thing.
When it comes to you and her,
you are not talking about the same thing.
I wish my sister-in-law can be generous
and show mercy.
You still need me
to deal with the trouble of your sister-in-law.
OK. Tell me then.
How will you deal with me?
It’s a family dinner.
Make yourself at home.
They are my godsons.
Let me introduce these two gentlemen.
The famous performer from Peking,
Mr. Shang Xirui.
Chen Renxiang.
Mr. Chen.
-Mr. Chen. -Mr. Chen.
You may take care of each other
in the future.
Yes, father.
I know Mr. Chen.
Do you remember me?
When I gave a speech in Peking back then,
I watched your Ascension to Throne.
Minister Li. Of course, I remember you.
It’s a pity I haven’t watched Mr. Shang’s opera.
I have.
But I am just a small businessman.
I don’t think Mr. Shang recognizes me.
You are modest.
My brother runs the biggest soap factory in China.
You must have used his soap.
You’re flattering me, gentlemen.
Alright. No more talk.
The food gets cold. Let’s eat.
Please.
Please. Here.
Is this the way you deal with me?
I knew
you would mistake it
if I give you now.
I specially picked it for you
from the safe in the morning.
Keep it for yourself.
Don’t give it to your cousins.
Chacha’er has grown up.
Do you worry to let her go to school?
When I was fourteen,
I had gone to Britain to study.
Boys can travel around the world.
She is a girl.
So what?
There were also girls in my school abroad,
even in the department of mathematics,
while I studied liberal arts.
I learned English at home,
yet I was like a mute abroad.
Just after one year,
my English was
good enough to perform Shakespeare’s plays.
Am I awesome?
You studied abroad
and traveled around the world,
while I’m a lass from the small place Fan Village.
So you despise me.
How come you talk about it again?
That’s not what I meant.
I’m telling you about my past.
At that time
I not only played drama,
but also wrote scripts myself.
The heroine in my play
is a tailor. She...
I’m not interested in your heroine.
It has nothing to do with me.
You were forced to go home
while you studied abroad.
You are not able to do what you like.
Shuiyun Theater is
the place where you have fun.
Then go ahead.
As long as you have a good time
and you are happy,
I promise you.
But remember this.
You can play anything outside,
but don’t have any other woman
or any bastard.
This family will not accept that.
Although Jiang Rongshou is wicked,
he is an old man.
I can’t beat him on the ground, can I?
So I went out and have fun.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Jiang Rongshou
was bossy and domineering.
Now he is a senior,
and gets more ostentatious.
You have no one to rely on in Peking.
He bullies you.
You need a senior to help you.
Mr. Shang is young.
You need a backer to support you in Peking.
Yes.
My uncle
bullies us for he is
our senior.
Sadly, the former leader Mr. Shang died too early.
I can do nothing for that.
My father picked me up at the roadside,
but I can’t pick up a father at the roadside.
It’s your luck.
You have a father in front of you.
Chen Renxiang, you want to die?
I can be your father.
Don’t.
I dare not be your father.
My longevity will be shortened.
Mr. Shang.
If you don’t mind,
how about you take me as your senior?
You... Well...
What do you mean?
I want you to be my godson.
What do you think?
Don’t hesitate.
Mr. Liu is a big shot.
You call him father today.
Who dares to bully you casually
in the future?
Mr. Shang.
Not everyone
has the bliss like this.
Right.
You called us gentlemen just now.
Now you may call us first brother, second brother.
I’m your third brother.
I’m your fourth brother.
Fifth brother.
Sixth brother.
Xirui.
As an opera performer,
you shall adhere to rules as an artist.
You are my child now.
The world is dangerous.
I will be your amulet
and suppress the evilness for you.
But you have to promise me this.
If you dare to do evil
in my name,
I will not spare you.
Father, thanks for your appreciation.
I will be cautious in the future,
and dare not act rashly.
Good.
This is
my gift to you.
I wish you could be happy and safe.
Why does Liu Hanyun
have so many godsons?
He is old,
yet has no son.
Having some godsons for fun.
You have a powerful father now.
How do you feel?
I haven’t come back to normal yet.
How come I have a father all of a sudden?
When we just arrived in Nanking,
Matchmaker was performed in the theater.
Pa! Pa! Pa!
You answered
‘yes, yes’.
Now,
you are not a father,
but a son of Liu.
It’s a punishment for you.
Didn’t you egg him on?
Don't worry.
My father will talk with you from Heaven.
I am not afraid.
He becomes the peer of a high-ranking official.
He should thank me
for gracing him.
It’s his honor.
You know that?
Alright. You have a father now.
Let’s go to Shanghai.
Let me go to Shanghai with you?
Will you get me a godmother?
Go alone.
Where will you go?
Go home.
The son of chairman of Opera Association comes.
He said he has big news.
What news?
Shang Xirui’s scandal. So...
Let him get out right away.
OK. OK.
Come back.
I don’t want this news
be on other newspapers either.
Understand?
Yes, Yes.
Mr. Du. Satisfied?
Yes.
The news Cao Guixiu made troubles in Jiang family on New Year’s Eve
and Jiang Xirui relied on backer and disrespected his seniors
are all withdrawn by me.
Should you hand in your manuscripts?
You occupy many pen names
and pages.
You must write for us.
Those editors are crazy.
I want you to know
between me
and news,
which is more important.
Yes, yes.
Without me,
your news is nothing.
It’s all my fault.
But if you had told me
that you are Mu Shuang’er
and you are Lin Zhengyang,
this wouldn’t have happened.
This is interesting.
I
like your serial martial arts novel
Sword Seeking in Mount Hua very much.
And the critical article about Zuo Yidong.
That is also good.
Are my articles good?
Yes, of course.
Mr. Du.
I’m wondering
to open a special column
in the society page for you.
You may write about
essays about civil life.
Do you have interest?
Depend on your performance.
OK.
The payment isn't a problem.
You are loyal
to Mr. Shang.
I haven’t seen any writer
who is so devoted to a performer.
You are no ordinary.
Not to mention Mr. Shang.
Mr. Shang is no ordinary for sure.
My eyes are keen
like searchlights.
If I work in glaze factory,
all the business in this street
will be mine.
I can’t agree more.
Mr. Du.
I am sincere.
What do you think?
OK.
One article a week.
One thousand words in one article.
No one word more.
As you said.
Mr. Du.
I’d like to treat you for dinner
to learn some literal arts.
Mr. Xue comes for meal?
Fine.
Give me the payment first.
This meal is on me.
Well...
You have no money
just after New Year?
Fine. Fine.
You treat me for meal,
but the money is still mine.
As it goes, nothing comes for free.
I didn’t see that collar button before.
New?
From my brother?
An old trick.
When he makes me upset,
he’ll give me flowers, candies,
or jewelry.
That’s called romance. You know?
You have new jewelry.
Go shopping with me.
No one sees your beauty at home.
The mall
is too crowded.
I was forced
to go out the other day.
I don’t like to be seen in public.
You may go alone.
Do you need a car, ma’am?
Mr. Cheng drove the car away.
I never use car in the daytime.
Is it today?
Is the date wrong?
My gosh.
You scared me.
Why are you dressed like this?
Mr. Cheng. I’m hungry.
Let me tell you when eating.
I reserved meal in the tavern for you.
The men of Shuiyun Theater have arrived there.
I volunteered
to come and be your driver.
Let’s go.
What?
Did you regard Liu Hanyun as your godfather?
I have no idea
why the news spread so fast.
People in the train saw me like a clown.
They even surrounded me.
So I disguised.
I can’t believe you are also deceived by me.
Hey, who is Liu Hanyun?
Who is Liu Hanyun?
Right.
Who is Liu Hanyun?
Don’t you know Liu Hanyun?
No.
He is an official beside the president
in charge of life and death.
Really?
In that case,
our leader is the son of the high-ranking official.
Congratulations, leader.
-Congratulations, leader. -Congratulations, leader.
No one dares to bully Shuiyun Theater anymore.
-That’s right. -Right.
Right.
Mr. Cheng.
What do you think of this matter?
Liu Hanyun is in Nanking all the time.
I don’t know much about him.
As for his godsons,
they’re successful young men in all industries
who have no backer.
Liu has gathered almost all of them.
From this point,
I don’t believe Liu Hanyun
isn’t ambitious.
Politicians are complicated.
You should stay out of it, Mr. Shang.
I didn't think so much.
We talked and then
became his godson.
I don’t want to be bullied by Jiang family.
The telegram and phone call are convenient.
You should call me
and talk with me first.
Leader. You missed a good show
these days.
What show?
Mr. Du told me
Mr. Cheng avenged you
and made a scene in Jiang family on New Year’s Eve.
You didn’t see it.
Jiang Rongshou was
frightened the life out of him.
He dares not to bully you again.
Right. Right.
Is it true, Mr. Cheng?
I’m happy. Great.
You should have gone there yourself.
Disgrace him face to face.
That would be exciting.
-Come on. -Go ahead.
I won't. It's annoying.
What’s wrong?
I recognized a father in vain.
Not in vain.
You must have got a gift from him.
You’re right.
Liu Hanyun gave me such a big Ruyi.
You still call him Liu Hanyun?
Call him father.
You take advantage me.
Braised fillet in brown sauce.
Roasted goose.
-We have more? -Who ordered these?
-No. -Who ordered these?
Braised pork shoulder?
Mr. Shang. Mr. Cheng.
Hello, everybody.
Mr. Niu. Mr. Niu. Mr. Niu.
Mr. Niu. Here.
Sit here.
Let’s drink.
Mr. Niu.
No, thanks.
You know.
Those gentlemen from Opera Association
are also here.
They hear that you are here,
so they come to visit you.
Would you like to meet them?
Yes, of course.
OK.
Gentlemen, come in.
These old men?
How come they are here?
What are they doing here?
Look.
Such a big worm.
Mr. Shang.
We feel sorry for what happened
in the Opera Association
before the New Year.
We didn't see you at your home.
We heard that
You went to other places for the New Year.
Jiang is a senior.
In that situation,
we couldn’t say anything.
Mr. Shang. Don’t blame us.
We all know well
you did nothing wrong.
Yes.
My troupe
will be changed into the contract system too.
Right. We didn't say anything,
but we all support Mr. Shang.
Yes.
Sorry, Mr. Shang.
Not at all. You are
junior to Jiang indeed.
You can’t speak up for me,
but I clearly know your kindness
to me.
Thank you, gentlemen.
You tolerate us.
We feel much relieved.
Yes. Yes.
Well... Well...
Mr. Cheng. I’ve heard a lot about you.
Mr. Niu.
I’m here for meal,
not for operas.
So many performers are here.
Sorry, Mr. Cheng.
We’re leaving right now.
See you.
See you. See you.
Help yourself. Help yourself.
-Go. -See you.
Ridiculous.
Right.
Ridiculous.
Isn’t it too late?
Eat. Eat.
Slowly. Slowly.
Mr. Cheng. Are you alright?
He’s short, but heavy.
Back then
they stood by in the Opera Association.
I thought you’d scold and drive them out.
In that case, they should protect themselves.
I don’t blame them.
They didn't scold me.
They are friends.
They said nothing
and didn’t offend Jiang.
Now they apologize to you,
and don’t offend you.
The performers
do know manners.
That’s easy for them.
This is the opera circle.
You must be considerate
and pay great attention to connections.
So,
the stage is small,
and the youth is short.
As a result,
no one can leave another.
People hate each other.
Here.
Xiao Lai has a point.
So,
even if leader is reluctant,
he should learn to be polite.
If he can’t really bear it,
then hide and don’t see them.
Who knows
Jiang Rongshou
can’t even be avoided from.
Avoiding from him
is even guilty.
Considering Shang’s temper,
it’s hard for him.
I'm leaving.
Mr. Cheng.
Don’t leave.
He...
Chacha’er.
Wake up. Wake up.
We arrive in school.
So soon?
Let me see.
If you’re still sleepy,
get more sleep on my shoulder.
You still have 20 minutes before the class.
No.
Well, you go first.
OK. Bye.
Chacha’er.
Let's be in one team
for the English recitation class. Alright?
OK.
Deal then.
I’ll come to you later.
Bye.
It’s just a few days
and you have friends in school.
Awesome.
Brother.
You can deal with the chairman.
Can you let go of his family?
Who told you these?
Is the boy
Mr. Zheng’s grandson?
I went to the bandits' place.
You see me as a bandit?
I accepted modern education.
Even if that chairman is wrong,
I won’t let his son
pay the debt. Right?
Alright. Go ahead.
Go to school early.
OK.
I’m going.
Check all other people in the school.
I even don’t know Zheng’s grandson
is the classmate of Chacha’er.
OK. I’ll arrange it right away.
What about the thing I asked you to do?
The guys you asked me to watch over
behave well lately.
The things recorded here
are trivial matters.
Take them as gossips.
If they are gossips,
it means you’re incompetent.
I have to fire you.
Please fire me.
I’m just a driver.
Driving is good.
I can work less in the future.
I’m looking forward to it.
This guy is still in Peking?
Interesting.
Fine.
You can keep your new job.
OK. Thank you, Mr. Cheng.
What do you think of the matter
I told you on the phone?
What do you mean?
Why do you want to perform Kun opera?
I met a fan in Nanking.
He incurred my addition to the opera.
Capricious.
Have you told
the big investor
or not?
I haven’t told him.
I come to discuss with you as soon as I get back.
Don’t let Mr. Cheng lose money.
Nonsense.
My script is good, isn’t it?
Yes, yes.
You are Star of Wisdom.
Your script is good for sure.
Don’t. Don’t.
I have to put this first.
Say it.
First,
no one listens to Kun opera now.
Singing Kun opera now
is unrewarding.
Take the Palace of Eternal Life as the example.
That’s an old play for hundreds of years.
Viewers are willing to pay,
but that’s it.
Thank about it.
Only about 50% seats are occupied.
You let me write you a new play.
No matter how good the play is,
it’s useless.
Kun opera
is the enlightenment of performers.
Everyone has deep feelings
to it.
You know what it is?
The original of all operas.
How come no one likes it now?
Listen.
Performers
know that is good,
but others
only watch it for fun.
Kun opera
is too classic and profound.
It isn’t fun and energetic.
That’s why
I come to discuss with you
and find a way
to make it energetic.
It has passed
for hundreds of years.
If it’s lost in this generation,
it shows I’m incapable.
Well said.
Leader. Lord comes.
Lord An.
Long longevity.
Don’t call me that.
The emperor left the palace
in a hurry.
The edict for lordship inheritance
was submitted to the study.
It just needed to be signed by a jade seal.
I
have to be the lord for a lifetime.
Anyway, you are the royal descendant.
A distinguished guest.
Be seated.
Lord. Please sit.
OK.
Shijiu. Let Xiao Lai serve tea.
Xiao Lai is out. Let me.
Don’t bother.
Taste my good tea today.
OK. Come with me.
OK.
Sit. Sit.
Mr. Shang.
Two years ago,
my mother watched your Peony Pavilion
when Sixth Princess got married.
She loved it
and praised it.
Thank Her Ladyship.
I heard what you said
just now.
Well said.
I listen to
Kun opera from our childhood.
But now,
it declines.
Audiences don't like it.
Whether Mr. Shang sings it or not,
you can be called master
by your words.
Lord. Don’t say that.
I don’t deserve that title.
Given your generosity,
you’re a good performer indeed.
It’s my mother’s birthday next week.
A famous Performer who plays old men
is invited for the banquet.
I need a good Performer who plays female roles.
I won't give you two
invitations.
I come here myself.
Mr. Shang. Would you grace me?
Lord. It’s abrupt.
I don't have time to prepare.
Don’t prepare.
I have
all kinds of costumes
at my home.
You just need to take an assistant.
My mother
used to watch operas with Empress Dowager.
Her ears are keen.
The ordinary performers
were driven out during performance.
No one dares to perform anymore.
Well.
She is an expert.
The Performer who plays old men
is bad-tempered.
Other performers
fear to cooperate with him.
So,
I need to invite courageous Mr. Shang
to cooperate with him.
Who is it?
More bad-tempered than Shang?
Who else could it be?
Hou Yukui.
I will be glad to be scolded by Mr. Hou Yukui.
It’s my honor.
Lord. I will go definitely.
If that’s the case,
it’s different indeed.
OK.
I’ll send someone to pick you up.
Mr. Du. Come with Mr. Shang by then.
My mother
likes Du Hanlin’s poems.
If she sees his son who inherits his teaching,
she will be happy.
Thank you, lord.
Then I will come with Mr. Shang.
OK.
Let’s make a deal then.
See you around.
Tea is coming.
You may
try my tea.
Alright. No need to send me out.
I’m leaving.
-Take care, Lord. -Take care, Lord.
OK.
Take care.
Leader, have a taste.
Mr. Du. Try it.
What taste is it?
What tea is it?
Should I
have a try?
Xirui.
Put off
the Kun opera.
The election will be held in two months.
You want to avenge for your father.
If you sing Kun opera,
we may lose money.
If your reputation is impaired
and your election is affected,
are you willing to wait another five years?