Original subtitles

=Love Story in the 1970s=

=Episode 23=

(Unite and strive for even greater victories.)

I used to think

that Fei Ni just wasn't

reliable enough.

She had a good factory job,

yet

she kept dreaming about college and trying to climb higher.

But now,

she's really changed my mind.

You know what they say, you become who you're around.

Spending every day with a hero,

her political awareness has grown by leaps and bounds.

It's not awareness.

She loves him.

Ye Feng,

have a lychee.

Well, Mom,

our Publicity Division

still has an opening, right?

Ling Yi is graduating soon.

You know how good her writing is.

She'd be more than qualified for the Publicity Division.

Weren't you

planning to work at the newspaper

after graduation?

She told me

staff positions there are limited.

At best, she'd only get a temporary post.

So I decided not to let her go.

Besides,

what's great about that place

compared to Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory?

Mom,

if she wants in,

she only needs a word from you.

The factory has procedures for hiring.

I can't just bend the rules.

As a director,

I can't play favorites.

I'm not asking you to bend the rules.

Just crack them a little.

Ling Yi will handle the rest.

Besides,

when it comes to education and writing,

Ling Yi absolutely qualifies for our Publicity Division.

All right.

I'll speak to Chief Wang later

and see what kind of candidates

our Publicity Division needs this year.

Don't just sit there.

You should thank her.

Thanks, Mom.

Don't thank me yet.

This depends on what Chief Wang says.

If she thinks you're not suitable,

there's nothing I can do.

All right.

Mom,

have a lychee.

By the way,

are the clothes downstairs dry?

Go bring them in.

From now on, if Ling Yi needs a favor from me,

don't speak for her.

Let her tell me herself.

She's my wife.

Isn't it the same whether she asks or I do?

Of course it's not the same.

If she asks,

she owes me a favor.

If you ask, it's just between mother and son.

Do you understand?

Ever since Ling Yi married into this family,

she's been sending you to talk to me.

What does she do?

She hides behind you.

You were right back then.

College graduates

are full of schemes.

I'm off.

You get in first.

I'll hang your bag on the back.

I'm your bag.

I'm going with you.

I want to see if you're living well

at Qu Hua's place.

Relax.

I'm doing fine there.

My brother-in-law takes good care of me.

I just want to see for myself.

Let's go.

Go.

Fei Ni.

I'm not staying at his place.

(Please keep the area clean. No smoking.)

How many beds have we shared now?

First, the bunk bed.

Then that double bed with the railing.

Here's a dividing line.

(The cot in the quake shelter.)

(The bench in the factory office.)

And now this makeshift table bed.

When I think about it,

we've slept on some pretty strange beds.

But looking back now,

everyone feels special.

Fang Muyang,

I'm so lucky to have you.

(Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory)

Chief Wang,

(Model Worker) please don't hold back.

For this year's Publicity Division recruitment,

whatever the requirements are, just tell me.

Ms. Xu,

are you recommending a strong talent

to our division?

Strong?

She's certainly capable.

As for being a real talent,

that's for you to decide.

Ling Yi, Ye Feng's wife.

You know her.

Yes, yes.

A student from Jiangcheng University.

She writes beautifully.

She's hoping to join our Publicity Division.

As the director of the factory office,

I can't play favorites.

I need to understand your division's needs.

Indeed.

Right?

Ms. Xu,

to be honest,

we've been hoping to recruit

a female graduate from Jiangcheng University,

but we haven't found one.

Comrade Ling Yi is exactly who we need.

Chief Wang,

you have to handle this fairly.

No special favors.

That's not a special favor,

Ms. Xu.

Having a Jiangcheng University graduate

is an honor for our department.

Ms. Xu,

when does Comrade Ling Yi graduate?

Could she start right away?

We're short-staffed at the moment.

I'll let her know

and have her onboard as soon as possible.

Great.

Ms. Xu,

thank you for your help.

No, thank you for your help.

Not at all.

I'll get back to work.

Go ahead.

All right.

Here you go, Sir.

Careful, it's hot.

Thanks, Sir.

Fresh roasted sweet potatoes.

Hot sweet potatoes.

Want a roasted sweet potato?

You picked a pretty hidden spot.

Hey, hey.

Don't get me wrong.

I'm in the same line of work.

I used to roast them, too.

Got caught once.

Be extra careful on Fridays.

That's when they caught me.

Nice setup with the barrel.

The clay seal's decent.

Nice and thick.

Wrong sweet potatoes, though.

These won't cook through.

Like this one.

This kind roasts well.

Yours is almost burnt inside.

Let me see your charcoal.

Hey.

What exactly are you doing?

Jianshe,

dig in.

Thank you, Uncle Ting.

Everything's ready.

Come sit and eat.

Come on, let's eat.

Dig in.

Fei Ting,

busy at the factory today?

Yeah, very busy.

Lately,

with

the relief work,

a lot of outstanding workers

have stepped up.

Our Publicity Division

has been swamped.

There's a mountain of reports to write.

Why didn't you

roast any sweet potatoes for them?

What?

Sweet potatoes?

What are you talking about?

I heard you're not even working.

You've been teaching people how to roast sweet potatoes.

Miss it that much?

Going back to your old trade?

What are you saying?

What old trade?

Am I wrong?

Ask your dear Fei Ting.

During the earthquake,

Mom and Dad loved the sweet potatoes.

No wonder.

Fei Ting,

what's going on?

Why are you selling roasted sweet potatoes?

Lin Mei,

what's going on?

Dad,

Mom,

I did sell roasted sweet potatoes for a while.

What about your job in the Publicity Division?

I no longer work there.

But Mom and Dad, don't worry.

Now, whenever I have time, I cook at banquet events.

I'm earning a decent amount every month,

and I can support Lin Mei.

Wait...

Why didn't you tell us? This is serious!

Exactly. Silly!

Jianshe,

your aunt really had good judgment.

We wanted her to marry a guy from the transport team,

but she refused.

She insisted on marrying Fei Ting.

She must have known

he'd be someone who makes big money someday.

If nothing else,

there'll always be enough roasted sweet potatoes.

If you want some, just go to your aunt.

Really?

Are they that profitable now?

Dad, Mom,

I'll go

roast sweet potatoes tomorrow.

Shut it.

You'd better not.

I'd be too embarrassed.

Stop with the sarcasm.

What's so embarrassing about his work?

If Fei Ting hadn't been around these past days,

Mom and Dad

would have starved.

We're talking about Fei Ting's job right now.

Why are you bringing that up?

Mom,

you can't play favorites like this.

Fei Ting and I have been

spending money and doing the work.

The moment they come back,

we're suddenly outsiders.

That's enough.

We said it for your own good.

He's already lost his job!

Stop defending him!

You're too naive.

He can always find another one.

But the way you're acting,

it's like you never saw us as family.

Fei Ting,

let's go.

I'm never coming back again.

Dad,

Mom,

I'll say this again.

As long as I'm still alive,

I won't let Lin Mei suffer any hardship.

This is all on you.

You threw away a perfectly good job.

Now we're being humiliated.

Yeah.

It's on me.

Honey,

go on.

Hit me.

Take it out on me.

Harder.

You've got to let it out today.

Come on.

Don't ever pull something that stupid again.

I won't go easy on you.

Okay.

I promise.

From now on,

I'll run everything by you.

You need to find a job fast.

I know.

I will.

Let's go home.

Worst case, I'll go back to selling roasted sweet potatoes.

Don't you dare.

I'm kidding.

You want another slap?

Uncle Fu.

Mr. Yuan.

Come in.

Have a seat.

Yang,

I spoke with the folks at the publishing house.

They think

your comic

is good enough to publish.

However,

considering you're still young

and new to this,

they're hoping

you and Mr. Yuan

can work on it together,

and then publish it.

What do you think?

Of course, Fang,

you'll be credited as the author.

Don't worry.

Mr. Yuan,

Uncle Fu,

don't worry.

I don't mind the credit.

I just hope

more people get to see their story.

Mr. Yuan, tell us what you think.

Go on.

All right.

Well,

since we're co-creating this,

I'll be frank.

I'm all ears.

Most of the comic's stories

are strong.

But a few of them

don't feel believable.

Take this one, for example.

A female worker from a textile factory

travels alone to the disaster zone,

and then walks 50 km to the epicenter to help.

This can't be true.

It is true, Mr. Yuan.

Those are all real events.

Fang,

you need to understand the difference

between factual truth

and artistic truth.

First of all,

why would a textile worker

go to a disaster zone?

Weaving cloth?

Spinning yarn?

Readers are

going to question that.

So my suggestion is,

you can keep the character,

but change her into a nurse from a hospital.

No.

She's a textile worker.

Mr. Yuan,

Uncle Fu,

hear me out.

In my comic,

every character is based on a real person.

This textile worker

is my wife, Comrade Fei Ni.

I can vouch for that.

Fei Ni really did go to the disaster zone.

Fu,

if she's his wife,

it's even worse.

This comic was assigned by the organization.

And you're putting your wife in it?

That's favouritism.

That is not true.

Mr. Yuan,

my comic doesn't just feature

my wife, Fei Ni.

It also shows

citizens

from every walk of life.

Even if you're not mixing work and private life,

your comic still has major issues.

The character types overlap

with no clear heroic model.

Not just Fei Ni's role,

all the other non-typical characters

and their stories need revising.

Since we're co-creating this,

you need to take my advice seriously.

I can't afford mistakes.

Maybe we shouldn't co-create it.

What did you say?

Mr. Yuan,

if you can't accept my comic,

forget it.

You think I'm after your credit?

Without me,

this comic won't get published.

If Fu hadn't begged for my help,

I wouldn't be here.

Fu, you know

how busy I am.

I only came

for your sake.

Right, right.

You're right, Mr. Yuan.

Please calm down. Let's all calm down.

I'll talk to him.

Yang.

Boy,

listen to me.

Let's step outside.

Yang.

Your work is excellent,

but you're still new.

You don't have a name yet.

Who knows you?

Mr. Yuan has a strong reputation.

He carries real weight in publishing.

With his name attached,

it'll help your comic.

Yang,

this is your first credited work.

If this one makes a splash,

after that, you can draw whatever you want.

You could even

make a whole album

just for Fei Ni.

No one would stop you.

Listen to me.

Go apologize to Mr. Yuan and revise it.

Yang,

be polite.

Mr. Yuan,

I won't change it.

Not just Fei Ni.

I won't change any of them.

Every story in there is real.

They risked their lives.

What they did matters.

It shouldn't be erased.

Why you...

You're unbelievable.

Hold on to your little comic

and keep it to yourself!

Mr. Yuan...

Yuan!

Leave me alone, Fu.

Fang Muyang,

what's the occasion?

You even picked a place this fancy.

I want to show you something.

You finished it?

Yeah.

I was going to wait until it was published.

But I wanted you to see it first.

It's beautiful.

That's Lu Aijun, right?

I remember how strong he was.

Chen Guoqiang.

I never understood him.

Why does he always look like

someone owes him money?

But he's actually a good guy.

And that's our brother-in-law, right?

You even drew the mole by his mouth.

Do I get the look right?

Looking at this brings back so much.

When does it come out?

Soon.

Comrade Fang Muyang

is the most talented artist I've ever met.

His masterpiece

will soon be seen all across the country.

Thank you, Fei Ni, for the praise.

I'll keep working hard.

My treat today.

Order whatever you like.

Excuse me.

We'd like to order.

(Yang,)

(won't you reconsider?)

I've thought it through.

I'm not changing it.

It's such a great piece.

If the publisher won't print it,

and readers never get to see it,

that would be a shame.

It won't be.

The one who matters most has already seen it.

What about running it as a newspaper serial?

Thank you, Uncle Fu.

(Jiangcheng Daily)

("Heroes in Earthquake Relief" by Fang Muyang)

(The Political Bureau of the Central Committee)

(acting on the will of the Party and the people,)

(took decisive measures)

(to smash the Gang of Four in one stroke.)

(Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory)

Now that the notice is out, what will Ms. Xu do?

Hard to say.

(Notice on the Appointment of Comrade Chen Jiansheng)

(Comrade Chen Jiansheng is appointed Vice Director of the factory.)

(Arrangements for former Ms. Xu Hongqi will be announced.)

Welcome, welcome.

(Chen Jiansheng) Vice Director Chen, welcome.

As soon as I heard

the organization appointed a new vice director,

I gathered everyone

to report

on the factory's work to you.

Over the past few years, our comrades here

have worked diligently and meticulously.

From now on,

we will

continue to push even harder.

Everyone, let's welcome Vice Director Chen

to give us guidance.

Comrades,

in line with national development goals,

our factory's focus

has shifted to improving production efficiency.

As Comrade Xu Hongqi

has extensive frontline experience,

the organization has decided

to reassign her to her former post

in Workshop One.

We hope Comrade Xu Hongqi

will continue to contribute

even greater efforts.

Vice Director,

could there be some mistake?

Should we check

with the leadership again?

As Director of the Factory Office,

how can I go back to the workshop as an ordinary worker?

Comrade Xu Hongqi!

Are you looking down on frontline workers?

Vice Director,

I want to report Comrade Xu Hongqi.

While serving as Director of the Factory Office,

she abused her position

and asked Comrade Wang Xiaoman to pull strings

to fast-track her daughter-in-law into the Publicity Division.

I believe she is unfit

to hold a leadership post.

Feng Lin,

what are you doing?

That's a baseless accusation.

When did I ever pull strings?

I only asked her

what the hiring requirements were

for the Publicity Division this year!

That question alone is pulling strings.

Once you spoke up,

would Chief Wang dare refuse?

As far as I know,

Ling Yi was

given special clearance this year.

The paperwork was nearly done!

You...

Vice Director, if you don't believe me,

we can summon Chief Wang

to verify this.

Vice Director!

Comrade Xu Hongqi,

let's stay calm.

Everyone,

rest assured.

The organization sent me here

to straighten out the work culture

and boost production.

Comrade Xu Hongqi,

I will

investigate this matter

thoroughly.

Mom,

please open the door.

You haven't eaten all day.

I made you some noodles.

Just have a bite.

(Certificate of Merit: Comrade Xu Hongqi as Advanced Producer)

Mom,

working on the workshop isn't a big deal.

You always told us,

there's no shame in honest labor.

That's not why I'm upset!

It's not that.

I just can't accept

the false charge Feng Lin threw at me.

Pulling strings...

When have I ever done that?

I only spoke up

for your sake.

Maybe we should just go back.

I've never begged anyone in my life.

Ye Feng,

when Mom was the Director,

you stood behind her.

Now she's stepped down,

it's your turn to stand in front.

But the official notice is already out.

Even if we ask the Vice Director, what can he do?

Mom can go back to the workshop.

But the accusation of pulling strings has to be cleared.

We can't let Feng Lin's smear stick.

This isn't just about whether I get a spot in the Publicity Division.

It's about Mom's reputation.

Vice Director Chen,

I'm Xu Hongqi's daughter-in-law.

The one Feng Lin says got special favors.

This is my portfolio.

Please take a look.

Am I qualified to join the Publicity Division,

or do I need anyone to pull strings?

Comrade Ling Yi,

Comrade Ye Feng,

do you have no political awareness at all?

This has nothing to do with how well you write.

No matter how good your writing is,

Xu Hongqi should never have

spoken up for you.

We came to see the Vice Director,

not you.

The Vice Director just arrived.

He doesn't know the factory well yet.

It's my duty to brief him.

That's enough.

Comrade Ling Yi,

your writing is indeed impressive.

The Publicity Division of Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory

would welcome a talent like you.

As for

the accusation that Xu Hongqi pulled strings,

that's only Comrade Feng Lin's claim.

The organization has not reached any conclusion.

Vice Director Chen,

how can you say it's just my word?

We can ask...

Feng Lin,

constantly reporting

and accusing fellow comrades

is not constructive.

If you have that much energy, use it on your work.

Vice Director,

I did it for fairness and justice.

That's why I reported Xu Hongqi.

Is that so?

Then,

when Xu Hongqi

was Director of the Factory Office,

why didn't you report her to the Party Secretary?

I...

That settles it.

As for recruitment to the Publicity Division,

contact Chief Wang directly.

And one more thing,

please pass a message to Xu Hongqi.

The country and the people still need her.

We hope she will continue

to shine on the production front

and contribute even more to socialist development.

Understood.

Vice Director,

may I request a few more days off for my mother-in-law?

She's had a high fever.

She's still weak all over.

She may need a couple more days to recover.

All right.

Let her rest for now.

I heard

that when Xu Hongqi was young,

she was a model worker at the factory.

Back in the workshop,

she could run more than a dozen looms by herself,

with barely any errors.

Really?

I've never heard my mom mention that.

That just shows

she never bragged about her achievements.

That spirit needs to come back.

Ye Feng,

when you get home,

encourage your mother.

The factory still needs her.

Okay.

We will.

Thank you, Vice Director.

We'll take our leave.

Comrade Feng Lin.

Vice Director.

A young backbone like you

is best suited

to support the production front line.

Starting tomorrow,

report to the sizing workshop.

(Jiangcheng Daily)

Yang.

Since your comic

started running in the paper,

the response has been overwhelming.

We've received piles of letters from readers.

Take a look.

They're all praising your work for being

vivid, moving, and real.

That many?

Read them when you have time.

I will.

I'll read every one

and reply to them all.

Wait.

This letter

was sent from Yunnan.

(Editorial Office, Jiangcheng Daily, 125 Kangping Road, Jiangcheng)

(Forwarded by Fu Boquan to Fang Muyang. Fang Qingyuan, Mengqing Farm, Yunnan)

Your parents will be back soon.

At last,

your family will be reunited.

(Editorial Office, Jiangcheng Daily, 125 Kangping Road, Jiangcheng)

(Forwarded by Fu Boquan to Fang Muyang. Fang Qingyuan, Mengqing Farm, Yunnan)

Editor Liao, Fang,

I'm heading out.

Okay, Ms. Wang.

Heading out, Fang?

Not yet.

My wife's picking me up.

Lucky you.

All right. I'll get going then.

Comrade Fang,

I'm here to take you home.

Perfect timing.

I was just reading letters from readers.

Come here, take a look.

That many?

Yes.

Especially this one. Let me read it to you.

It's from Comrade Tian Xueying.

Sounds like a woman.

Listen to this.

Since the disaster struck,

work on earthquake relief

has poured out in waves.

Yet most only skim the surface.

Yours alone

carries real feeling in every stroke,

tears in every frame.

The figures pressing forward through storm and gust,

their exhaustion,

and their unwavering eyes,

move the heart.

Your brush

captures not only the cruelty of disaster,

but also

the brightest light of humanity.

Beautifully written, right?

It is.

It shows

your work truly resonates with the people.

So,

Comrade Fang, you have to keep going.

I will.

Fei Ni,

could you help me reply

to this Comrade Tian Xueying?

The president wants to start a column

to publish readers' letters.

They'll pick the best ones

for me to answer personally.

You know how I am with words.

Maybe you could write it for me.

If she wrote to you,

she might not even be expecting a reply.

And if you are going to reply,

it should come from you.

It'll mean more.

I want to write back myself.

But I need to go to Yunnan first.

Yunnan?

Why?

My parents are coming back from Yunnan.

I must pick them up.

Mom,

Ye Feng and I went to see the Vice Director today.

Why did you go see him?

Don't plead for me.

We didn't plead.

I just showed him my writing.

He said it was impressive.

That I qualify for the job on my own.

And the leadership hasn't labeled you as pulling strings.

Because I didn't.

Vice Director Chen also looked into your past.

He knows you were once a model worker.

You ran over a dozen looms by yourself,

with the lowest error rate.

He said the country and the people still need you.

He hopes you'll return to the production line

and keep shining,

contributing even more to socialist development.

Mom,

you haven't eaten in two days.

Please have a bite.

I'll go back to my room.

(Beijing Souvenir)

(Serve the People)

(Certificate of Merit: Comrade Xu Hongqi as Advanced Producer)

(Beijing Souvenir)

(Serve the People)

(Serve the People)

(Serve the People)

(Serve the People)

(Serve the People)

(Serve the People)

(Serve the People)

(Standing with Comrade Xu Hongqi in the development of socialism)

(Standing with Comrade Xu Hongqi in the development of socialism)

(Standing with Comrade Xu Hongqi in the development of socialism)

♪After the laughter, I think of you♪

♪After the storm, I think of you♪

♪In the little courtyard, there you are dancing♪

♪That earnest you, smiling so innocently♪

♪In spring, I stay by your side♪

♪When summer comes, I watch over you♪

♪In the light of dawn, you belong to me♪

♪At the edge of the world, I will still hold you tight♪

♪There is a small place♪

♪Where they carry big dreams♪

♪Every lovely face♪

♪Shines brightly in the heart♪

♪Even when we collide, we hold our course♪

♪Even when we stumble, we keep our resolve♪

♪My you, walking toward the distance♪

♪Please carry our dreams and let them soar♪