Original subtitles

Jiao-rui. Don't be like this.

Stop that crying.

Jiao-rui, if you really love me,

you must think about my future.

I cannot hurt my mother.

She relies on my support.

Nobody will accept us.

Ze-hong is my friend.

We cannot be lovers.

It was all my fault.

I'm sorry.

But you must solve the problem you've caused.

You wrote to him without consulting me.

Jiao-rui...

When he returns... tell him you were only teasing.

...because you wanted him to come back sooner.

I think he'll believe you.

I think he'll.

Who is using my fan?

Mr. Tang. Let me introduce you...

to the famous Miss Mi Mi Sze.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Please have a seat.

Mr. Tang. My life is miserable.

If it could be made into a film,

I guarantee the audience would cry.

I didn't realize that...

you'd already suffered so much, so young.

You, you must have considered me

a woman without soul.

No, no. You are such a wonderful person.

Perhaps you would like to share your story with me.

I'll tell you. But please keep it to yourself.

Of course.

You have to promise to keep it a secret.

I...

I have never told to anybody beofre.

Please welcome our former graduate,

an M. Sc. From Britain,

Mr. Tung Zhen-bao, our weaving engineer.

My friends and colleagues,

I would like to

take this opportunity,

to talk about how industry will help our country.

China has a proud history...

Zhen-bao has two women in his life,

one is his white rose,

the other his red rose.

Perhaps every man has two such women...

at least two.

The red rose eventually becomes no more than

the spattered blood stain of a mosquito on the wall.

The white rose shines in the dark.

After marriage the white rose is

no more than a grain of rice that sticks to your shirt.

But the red is really a mole on your chest

...close to your heart.

Zhen-bao is a man with moral and social grace.

He is very organized.

And a perfect model for

the modern man of China.

He's in charge of over 100 staffs at a British firm.

He speaks English like an Englishman.

We should combine the technology...

of both east and west.

Zhen-bao came from a poor family.

If he had stayed in this dull backwater

instead of studying business abroad,

he would not be where he is today.

He has worked hard.

For everything he has today.

It was a right move from the very beginning.

Zhen-bao got his degree in England

and returned to Shanghai to take up a high position...

in a foreign firm.

His young colleagues think he is old fashioned

but still respect him.

Because of his attitude towards work and life.

Nobody is more attentive to their mothers than he is.

Nobody is as considerate to his brother.

Nobody is as meticulous and scrupulous with work.

Friends can trust

and rely on him.

He is a practical man.

And doesn't believe in reincarnation.

But if there was a second life,

he would be happy to start over again.

Today is the wedding of Mr. Tung Zhen-bao

and Miss Meng Yen-li.

With the presence of our guests and the lovely sunshine,

I am honoured to be their wedding witness.

The wedding couple are young, beautiful and educated,

with a good career.

They have been going out together for some time now.

Their relationship has a strong foundation.

I believe they are going to make

a perfect and happy couple.

And they will both work

together hand in hand,

and continue to contribute

towards a better future...

As we all know the world is changing everyday,

I think a marriage is the most important time of life.

In recent years, wedding ceremonies are changing as well.

Some prefer Group Weddings,

others prefer Flying Weddings,

there are even Automobile Wedding

and Liner Weddings.

All these are nothing extraordinary.

I was shocked having recently heard about...

a new sort of weding in Kwangtung

called a Short Wedding,

this is a sinful and shameful attitude towards marriage.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Today we are honoured

to have professor Chun Yu witnessing...

Mr. Tung Zhen-bao and Miss Men Yan-li's marriage.

The matchmakers have made their speeches

before many friends and relatives.

I thank you all on behalf of the bridegroom's family.

We sincerely wish the newly-weds

an everlasting marriage,

My friends,

I met my wife through Mr. Chiao and Miss Wang.

We are very happy witness them.

To be united in marriage today.

I'd like to thank the Professor

for acting as our wedding witness,

and most of all to thank you all

for attending his celebration.

We shall love, respect and cherish each other.

Love our family and our country.

Please now join us for a meal.

And good health to you all.

I'm off.

Don't forget to bring dessert next time!

From the vegetarian restaurant.

OK.

Zhen-bao likes status, but he's careful with money.

Most of his salary goes on entertaining.

There's not much left for the household.

Madam, Mr Tung is home!

All you care about

is playing around and spending money.

It wasn't easy getting you into that college.

What are you doing?

Acting as though you're in a fashion show?

What about Tu-bao?

You should go and pick on Tu-bao,

you always pick on me

just because I buy a couple of dresses?

Please stop arguing.

Poor Zhen-bao has to work so hard for this home

and he doesn't need all these arguments.

Why can't you all be quiet and give him some peace?

I'll get a lighter.

Stop wearing those slippers in future.

Yu ma...

Yes, sorry?

Stop asking questions all the time.

Yu ma, I want a word with you.

Since you've start working for us.

Can't you see I'm on the phone?

Yu Ma. Things you have broken in our home,

all cost money to replace.

Thank you supervisor.

You must keep an eye on Tu-bao for me.

I rely on you guiding him to success.

It's OK. It's OK. Relax.

I can't.

I can't.

Mr. Tung.

It's better because she will bring a brother.

A brother will follow next year.

Girls are much easier to look after than boys.

Boys mean more to the family.

Zhen-bao, she is a pretty girl.

And she can help look after her brother.

Mother and daughter are doing fine.

We will have a big celebration net time with your son.

Hello. Who's that?

Yu Ma, I've told you a hundred times before.

Not to call me at the office unless it's very urgent!

What? They were fine this morning!

It was peaceful after breakfast.

But your mother was angry

over the naming of the baby.

Young madam insisted on one name.

But your mother felt that further children

would have to follow this name,

and that the name was only

suitable for more daughters.

But after that little scene, I know when I'm not wanted.

Old madam. Don't be angry.

I must leave this instant.

Old madam. Don't be angry.

And I'll bring get Tu-bao to bring you back.

Poor son.

People will think

you've mistreated me and that you're a bad son.

Mom.

Brother... I will take care of mother.

Mom, take care!

You're off to HangZhao on business soon?

Are you going in the next couple of days?

Should I do your packing?

Get me a couple of desserts

from the vegetarian restaurant.

The boys like them.

Hello, is your master home?

Yes, and you are...

I am little Wei Ying's uncle.

You must be the new maid.

What's your name?

Ah Hsiao, is it the tailor?

Sister-in-law. It's me, Tu-bao.

Brother!

Hi!

Have you eaten?

I have.

Have you got a gift for the supervisor?

No luck finding anything so far.

I received this silver candleabrum

as a wedding present.

You can have the inscription altered,

and that will do.

I'll get it.

Give the boys back their share.

And tell them this is my contribution.

Hello Mrs. Tung.

Mr. Koo, how are you?

Follow me.

Yen Li!

Wait for me inside.

OK.

Go and re-wrap this for Tu-bao.

Brother, I met someone yesterday.

Mrs. Wang Ze-hong.

She is now Mrs. Chu.

She remembered you?

She sure did.

She has a little boy.

He had toothache and she was taking him to the dentist.

She looks much older,

quite worn-out.

Pretty tawdry with

all her make-up

She is not young anymore.

I'm not saying that she is not longer beautiful,

but she wears a lot of make up to hide her age.

She asked me about the factory!

I told her the English boss went back home

and you were made assistant manager.

She thought that was great!

How can you teach an idiot?

Sorry to have kept you waiting!

Don't worry, it wasn't long.

Bustline.

28 inches.

What if the color is not right?

You can change it.

We have the latest chemical wash techniques

to overcome that problem.

Mama...

Hey Wei Ying,

come and give me a hug.

Have you been a good girl?

Mama.

You're home.

Tu-bao, stay for dinner.

No thanks, I have things to do.

Long time no see.

How are you doing?

In Shanghai all these years?

What are you talking about?

Listen to the radio when you have time.

Listen to the news. You can learn from it.

Maybe it can broaden your mind.

The police charge ten dollars for each crossing.

If they refuse to pay.

They take them to the police station.

The pullers rent their rickshaws for only half a day.

And the money they earn

has to feed many hungry mouths.

If they have to spend two or three hours

at the police station.

They cannot make up for the losses.

For all the good things he does for others.

He's always giving.

It won't work these days.

He paid his brother's debts off.

It wasn't easy for him to get his sister

a teaching post at he school.

She couldn't stick with it,

threw a tantrum and left before her contract was up.

And his mother depends on him totally.

I don't know how he can stand it,

he's not a charity.

They want to squeeze him dry.

Ah Hsiao... go and buy some roast chestnuts.

Mrs. Tung, I must be going.

It's so late.

Ah Hsiao...

You really must go now?

It's so late already.

Come and talk to Zhen-bao when you have time.

Thanks for your hospitality. Good night.

Do drop by whenever you have time.

Mrs. Tung, good night.

None of Zhen-bao's friends like Yen Li.

Yen Li hasn't got any friends of her own.

So she never realises

how unworthy her position is in this home.

Zhen-bao doesn't encourage

her to mix with the other wives.

He knows all she will do

Is expose her own inability

and become the focus of gossip.

Zhen-bao doesn't mind Yen Li

talking about him to his friends.

Women are all the same,

narrow-minded but with good intentions.

But,

there was one time...

The fortune teller told me that...

I am the reincarnation of Ksitigarbha-Buddha.

I msut avoid your father,

who is the reincarnation of the Heaven-Dog.

If I anger him,

we will have to be a couple again in our next life.

My life will really be miserable then.

He will mistreat me

and not give me any money...

Shortly after,

Zhen-bao sent Wei Ying to boarding school.

Ladies,

Do you think you can still playing around

and having parties?

Do you think of contributing to our society?

Ah Hsiao...

Yes, madam.

I thought you'd died!

Who told you to switch off the radio?

Master ordered that you only listen to the radio

outside the bathroom.

He said you must drink up your medicine

and do some exercise so you'll recover soon.

Who said I was sick?

Even if I was,

don't expect me to drink that poison.

I hate the smell.

Now go and turn on the radio and leave me alone.

Yes, madam.

Military nurses should have strong,

healthy bodies and adaptable minds.

Ah Hsiao...

Yes, madam.

What was for breakfast?

Did you save some for me?

Porridge.

It's unhygenic to serve you breakfast in there.

Whatever I eat stays inside my body.

It's extremely clean in here.

Go and bring me breakfast.

Yes, madam.

Yen Li,

Yen Li,

come out immediately.

I need to use the bathroom,

don't be so selfish.

Yen Li, come out.

Yen Li... come out.

I'll take you to a doctor tomorrow.

Talk to me.

Yen Li...

I won't be long.

Mr. Tung.

Are you better now?

Must better.

If you don't want a doctor,

you must get some medicine

from the pharmacy.

Are you staying for lunch?

No. I'm having lunch with a client.

It's still raining.

I just came home to pick up my raincoat.

It's on the rack in the kitchen.

Mr. Tung, as I've told you we can easily fix the colour.

We have the latest technique.

I was good to her.

She has everything, what more does she want?

Although I don't love her,

I didn't do anything to harm her.

How could she do that to me?

I don't know what time I'll be back.

Don't wait for me.

Zhen-bao

goes drinking

and whoring more and more each day.

Yen Li always makes up excuses for him

his unavoidable entertainment because of work.

It becomes obvious to everyone

what Zhen-bao is up to.

But

Yen Li still protects her husband

and lies to herself,

and she never admits that she's part of the problem.

Though he fools around, he still gives

the impression of being a perfect gentleman.

He might lose his job

if he continues this way.

I don't see him for days,

or he creates hell and beats me up when he comes home.

This morning,

he scolded me for not mending a hole in his sock.

It was tiny.

Nobody can see it with his shoe on.

I just can't manage.

Perhaps

a divorce is the only solution.

Yen Li.

But I really don't know what to do.

I have suffered for so long and I am used to it.

He is actually a good man.

It will do his reputation great harm

if we have a divorce.

But I really can't think of any more excuses for him.

Brother!

You're here!

What were you talking about?

Nothing... in particular.

I was just telling her about

this Russian war documentary.

The bodies were piled up like a mountain.

I was telling her about that.

The Chinese war seems minor

in comparison to the Russian War!

I'll get some tea.

How cruel and terrible!

Where did you see it?

A friend took me to the Russian Club.

What time is the show?

Showing everyday?

8 o'clock.

Do you want to see it?

If you like I'll get you tickets.

I'd have to be dressed up,

to pay respect to the dead.

How terrible.

I am very tired

and must go to bed.

Yen Li, look after Tu-bao.

Thank you every one present today for celebrating

the wedding of my brother Tung Tu-bao

and his wife Cheng Man Li.

They are today joined as a couple in marriage.

I am very happy to have the honour

of being their wedding witness,

and take this opportunity to wish them

all the happiness marriage can bring,

and that they love,

respect, cherish

and share with each other

for the rest of their lives.

It's terrible now.

The police charge ten dollars

each time a rickshaw crosses the bridge.

If they rfuse to pay,

they take them to the police station.

The pullers rent their rickshaws for only half a day,

and the money they earn

has to feed many hungry mouths.

If they have to spend two to three hours

at the police station.

They cannot make up for the losses,

that's why they pay every time.

It's cheaper than refusing.

I didn't realise Zhen-bao's wife

had become so eloquent.

And pretty too.

Even prettier than the bride.

But she is the exciting Coming Soon trailer.

I have already been screened.

I'm around 30, you know.

According to you, we in our 40s and 50s

don't stand much chance of attracting attention.

I'm almost 30, but look 40.

You're over 40,

but if looks like age has give you a 50% discount.

It's really been a long time.

How are you doing?

Well. Thank you.

You didn't leave Shanghai?

No! Did you?

Never.

Tu-bao told me you are now married to a Mr. Chu.

Do you love him?

Yes.

I learned how to love from you.

You also taught me who to love.

It's very useful.

And it makes me feel good and very

So...

Very happy?

I'm taking life easy.

Whatever comes your way?

Has to include men!

Yes.

When you're young and beautiful.

You can easily...

pick any man you fancy.

Old women like me...

Don't get men anymore.

And anyway,

there is now more to life than just men.

And...

how about you?

I'm happy,

I'm doing well at work,

I have a perfect wife at home.

My daughter is Nine. Going to high school soon.

I am getting off here.

This is ridiculous.

In a reunion like this, someone should cry

and it should be her.

It should be her.

She should cry and he should console her.

Dad, good morning.

Good morning.

Let's have breakfast