Original subtitles

=Love Story in the 1970s=

=Episode 24=

(Beijing Souvenir)

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

I'm heading to work.

Everyone, listen up.

(Ensure Quality, Secure Supply) Starting today,

Director Xu will...

I'm not a director anymore.

Just Xu Hongqi.

Didn't expect Director Xu to be back on the floor.

Keep it down.

Let's welcome Comrade Xu Hongqi.

Starting today,

she is a member of Workshop One.

Right.

Li Weihong,

take Comrade Xu Hongqi

and show her around.

No need.

I've been a textile worker for over twenty years.

I know this place

very well.

Alright.

Li Weihong,

take Comrade Xu to your machine unit.

Okay, okay.

Everyone,

back to work.

Back to work.

(Strive for the future of our land. Fang Qingyuan, Mu Shanhe)

Why are you showing me this?

Our parents want us to pick them up in Yunnan.

Did you forget?

I already cut ties with them.

Besides,

the letter was addressed to you,

not me.

But,

they're hoping you'll come.

Cut ties?

That was in the past.

Things are different now.

You don't get it.

You studied art.

I studied math.

If a drawing's wrong, you can fix it.

You can erase it.

But in math, one wrong step

means everything after that

is wrong, too.

I don't know math.

But I know our parents.

I bought your ticket.

See you at the station tomorrow.

(Jiangcheng to Western Yunnan)

Vice Director.

Comrade Ye Feng.

What is it?

I've been hearing rumors around the factory.

They're saying the basketball team

is being disbanded.

Yes.

A notice was issued.

As for which departments you'll join,

that depends on discussions

between you and the department heads.

A two-way choice.

We respect personal preference,

but we also consider organizational needs.

Vice Director,

how can our factory not have a basketball team?

If we can't train every day,

our tactics and teamwork

won't measure up to other teams.

What happens when we lose?

Then we lose.

We're a textile factory,

not a sports academy.

Since when is losing a game such a big deal?

Vice Director,

how can you say that?

Don't you have any competitive spirit?

Comrade Ye Feng,

my competitive spirit

is reserved for meeting production targets,

not winning on the court.

As for you,

either find a division that will take you,

or figure out

your own future.

It's up to you.

Wait...

Which department are you going to?

Logistics.

Lucky you,

you're heading to Transport.

I wish I could, but Director Liu

wouldn't take me.

Captain, what did the Vice Director say?

We may not be full-time players anymore,

but training

still has to continue.

After work every day,

we should at least

maintain one hour of practice.

Can we do that?

What's wrong with you all? Say something.

Captain,

I'm in Transport now.

I'll be driving all over the place.

Yeah, Logistics is swamped too.

Captain, which department are you in?

You seem pretty free.

I haven't secured one yet.

Maybe I'll join you in Transport.

Transport is already full.

Full?

What about Logistics?

Also full.

Maintenance is full too.

Security's full.

They're all full?

So you all grabbed the good spots.

Where does that leave me?

Wang Yaozu,

I set you up

with the most assists in matches.

So,

why don't you give me your slot in Transport?

Transport's already finalized.

Maybe try another department.

You can't grab rebounds,

but you're quick to grab a position.

Captain,

the cafeteria line needs help.

Maybe you...

What did you say?

Serving food?

Do you know who I am?

You want me to serve you?

I dare you to eat the food!

Choke on it.

(Unite and Strive for Greater Victory)

Director Xu,

thank you for the handwritten copy and permission to

go to the disaster area.

Why thank me?

I followed policy and official guidelines.

I favor no one,

and target no one.

If you're grateful,

thank the Party,

and thank the people.

And one more thing.

I'm not a director anymore.

That title doesn't fit.

Just call me Ms. Xu.

Got it, Ms. Xu.

The food looks decent today.

Let's sit here.

There's space.

Fei Ni.

Sit. Eat with us.

Come on, sit. Let's eat together.

Try this.

The greens are good.

Have some vegetables.

Alright, I'll try some.

Go on.

Thank you, Director Xu.

No, no.

It's just Ms. Xu.

- Ms. Xu. - Ms. Xu.

It's really good.

Mom!

What is it?

I don't know what Vice Director Chen is thinking.

He's actually disbanding our basketball team.

So what happens to you now?

We're being

split up into different departments and production lines.

Then, just join one.

Mom.

The problem is,

all the good departments are already taken.

I asked around everywhere.

Only the cafeteria and gate security are left.

So which one do you prefer?

I don't like either of them.

Why should I serve them food

or guard the gate?

Son, that's not the right attitude.

Didn't you say before

that no job is beneath anyone?

The cafeteria isn't bad.

People need food to live.

Miss one meal and you'll feel it.

Go to the cafeteria.

I don't have time for this.

I need to get to work.

Mom!

The cafeteria!

The cafeteria...

You're going on a trip?

My parents are coming back.

Fang Muyang wants me to go with him

to pick them up in Yunnan.

I hear Yunnan's beautiful.

Go if you want to.

I don't.

Is it because

you're afraid to face them?

(Jiangcheng to Western Yunnan)

When they were at their lowest,

you chose to distance yourself.

Now they're coming back,

and you don't know how to face them.

It's complicated.

But you're so smart.

Aren't you good at

solving complicated problems?

Mujing,

do you remember

what you once told me?

You said

your father's surname is Fang,

and your mother's is Mu.

That's how you got your name.

You never really

cut ties with them.

Whether you reconcile or break for good,

you still have to face them.

Whatever you decide,

I'll stand by you.

You'll always have family.

The kind

you can never truly cut off.

(Strive for the future of our land. Fang Qingyuan, Mu Shanhe)

(Learn from Comrade Lei Feng)

(Jiangcheng City)

I don't think your sister's coming.

You should get on first.

Take care of yourself over there.

You haven't seen your parents in years.

If they miss you too much,

stay a few extra days with them.

Go on.

You take care, too.

Don't worry about me.

Go on.

Excuse me.

Stop here.

Dad.

(Fang Qingyuan)

(Mu Shanhe) Mom.

(Mu Shanhe)

Yang.

Dad.

Dad, Mom,

I've come to take you home.

You've gotten sturdier.

Taller, too.

All grown up. That's wonderful.

So wonderful.

This is...

Grandma left it to me.

Does it still keep time?

It does.

It's always been accurate.

Good.

You're married now?

Yes.

Let me show you something.

I drew it.

Fei Ni is very beautiful.

This is our daughter-in-law.

She's waiting in Jiangcheng for you.

How is Mujing?

She's doing well.

She's married, too.

Her husband is a neurosurgeon.

He treats her very well.

That's good.

That's good.

She's just busy with work,

so she couldn't come pick you up.

Come on, let's head home.

We'll start packing.

("Heroes in Earthquake Relief" By Fang Muyang)

("Heroes in Earthquake Relief" By Fang Muyang)

Fei Ting.

Mr. Li.

Another banquet job?

No, no.

I wouldn't dare take that kind of work now.

Here's the thing.

The cafeteria's short-staffed.

They need a kitchen assistant.

Interested?

Of course I am.

But I was dismissed from the factory.

Don't worry about that.

I spoke to the Vice Director.

Told him you're honest and dependable,

and that you're responsible.

He thought it over and agreed.

But let me be clear.

The pay for kitchen help isn't like

what you used to make.

That's fine.

As long as I can cook for the workers,

I'll do it no matter the pay.

Wonderful!

See you at the cafeteria tomorrow.

I'll head back now.

I wonder if Ni's in-laws are easy to get along with.

Stop worrying about nothing.

They're intellectuals.

How hard could they be?

That's where you're wrong.

Intellectuals can be pretty aloof.

Look at how things are

between them and their own daughter.

And this is their daughter-in-law.

Don't talk nonsense,

Comrade Wu Baoying.

That's where you're wrong.

Have you forgotten who he married?

Ni is a wonderful girl.

If our family

had a daughter-in-law like her,

I'd be laughing in my sleep,

waking up from happy dreams.

Dad,

so what you're saying is

I'm not a good enough daughter-in-law?

No.

That's not what I meant.

I'm very happy you married Fei Ting.

I've woken up smiling plenty of times too.

Mom, Dad,

extra flavors for dinner tonight.

What's the good news?

Mom, Dad,

I've been reassigned.

Reassigned where?

The Factory Office?

To the cafeteria.

What?

Who transferred you to the cafeteria?

You're an officer in the Publicity Division.

Why the cafeteria?

Are they sidelining you?

Mom, Dad,

this is

all my fault.

I should've told you.

I left the Publicity Division quite a while ago.

I was fired before the earthquake.

Dismissed?

Mom...

Who fired you?

Xu Hongqi, right? I'll go find her!

Mom, please, just listen to me.

This has nothing to do with her.

It was me.

I just don't like writing articles.

Now the factory's giving me a chance

to help out in the kitchen.

I honestly think it's a good fit.

I can even learn some skills from Mr. Li.

Lin Mei,

you allow this?

Mom,

if I could control him, I would've done it already.

The cafeteria's fine.

At least he has a job, right?

Fine.

Fine.

Nobody says another word.

I'll go cook.

I'll help you, Mom.

You know...

You really do belong in a cafeteria.

Everyone has their own path.

You can't force...

Shut up!

(Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory)

Mr. Qiu.

(Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory) Let me introduce them.

This comrade

used to work in the Publicity Division,

Comrade Fei Ting.

As for him, no introduction needed.

You all know him.

Former captain of our basketball team,

Comrade Ye Feng.

Let's welcome them

to the cafeteria team.

(Unite and Strive for Greater Victory)

Starting today,

we help each other

and learn together.

Let's get to work.

Comrade Ye Feng,

if you're at the serving window

and hear any feedback

from our fellow workers about the food,

pass it on to me.

It'll help us improve.

You've got great energy

with that ladle.

Of course. Food is the foundation of the people.

We have to make sure everyone eats their fill

and eats well.

Don't forget.

Watch it. You spilled the soup.

Meal ticket.

Comrade Ye Feng,

serving food is just like playing basketball.

One feeds the spirit,

the other feeds the body.

So no matter the post,

Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory stands united.

(Jiangcheng No. 1 Textile Factory!)

- Never give up! - Never give up!

- Overcome all obstacles! - Overcome all obstacles!

- Strive for victory! - Strive for victory!

Never give up!

Always moving forward.

Next.

Never give up.

You...

But...

You gave her so many pieces of meat.

Why do I only get one?

Have an issue?

Come serve it yourself.

Next.

More meat.

All right.

Thank you.

Tastes good?

Why are you dressed like this?

I'm now a kitchen assistant in the cafeteria.

I cooked this dish.

How is it?

No wonder today's food tastes so good.

We've got a master chef.

If anyone has feedback on the dishes,

just speak up.

Go on, eat.

All right.

Her old flame serves the food,

and her own brother cooks it.

Comrade Fei Ni

really has connections in our cafeteria.

Yes, I do have connections here.

So, don't eat here.

I heard

Fang Muyang's parents are coming back to Jiangcheng.

His father's a famous painter,

and his mother's a university lecturer.

Looks like the whole family's back on top.

Some people's good days might be over.

Feng Lin,

what are you talking about?

What did I say?

Back then,

Fang Muyang was always hanging around the factory,

picking her up and dropping her off.

Haven't seen him in ages now.

Isn't it obvious?

Fei Ni

finally climbed up high, and now the branch is snapping.

Snapping how?

Fang Muyang's done with her.

He's breaking up with her...

When did you get back?

Just got off the train.

I dropped my luggage at home and came straight here.

Good thing I came.

Comrade Feng Lin,

that's not quite right.

I'm the one

who married up into the working class.

Forget it.

Where are Mom and Dad?

They just arrived.

Their old colleagues picked them up.

Sit down. You haven't eaten, right?

Sit.

Have mine.

Try this. My brother cooked it.

Is it good?

Let's share.

Ms. Liu, you...

I tripped.

I banged my knee.

You two take your time.

Have a bite.

Nice tea.

This house is always running out of stuff.

There's still tea at home,

and you've opened a new tin.

What kind of talk is that?

The in-laws asked Fang

to bring me a local specialty from Yunnan,

some Yunnan tea.

I've never tried it before.

Of course I have to savor it.

Right?

Go on, taste it.

My honey,

I heard from Fang that

since his parents

are now back,

the organization is giving them back two rooms

in their old house

on Kangnan Road.

That's great.

Kangnan Road is close to us.

It'll be easy to visit.

That's wonderful.

Wonderful arrangement.

Come on, go to the market with me.

Aren't they coming tomorrow?

Tomorrow will be too late.

Come on, hurry up.

What's the rush?

Wait, wait.

Let's go.

(People's Hospital Staff Quarters)

You work your brain so hard every day.

You should eat more.

I don't have much appetite.

That's perfect.

I'm off tomorrow.

How about we go out for a walk

and grab a meal outside?

Fang Muyang called me.

He said your parents are back

and invited us

and Fei Ni's family

to have a reunion dinner together.

I even bought gifts.

Just think of it as a trip with me.

As their son-in-law,

I should meet my in-laws at least once.

Otherwise, it would be improper.

If you start feeling uncomfortable,

we can leave anytime.

All right?

Let's eat first.

What's on your mind?

I should go back tomorrow and change my clothes.

Do you think my mom's cooking is good?

Should we buy a couple more dishes?

No need.

What your mom usually makes is great.

Your parents just got back.

They probably haven't bought anything yet.

I traded for these industrial coupons.

Get them a few things later.

We're seeing them tomorrow.

You can give them in person.

All right.

For this first meeting,

should I call them Mr. Fang and Mrs. Fang,

or Mom and Dad?

Of course, Mom and Dad.

We've been married for ages.

Calling them Mom and Dad right away?

Won't that feel a little strange?

Don't worry.

In their hearts,

they've long accepted you as their daughter-in-law.

And they'll probably feel guilty.

Why?

In my parents' eyes,

someone as useless as me

didn't starve to death in Great Northern Wilderness

and even found a wife.

They'll think I'm a burden to you

and your whole family.

Tomorrow,

make sure you tell them

you've been living well.

Fang Muyang,

I'm finally going to be part of your family.

Would you like to move in with us?

The organization reassigned us two rooms

in our Kangnan Road house.

My parents will take one. The other's empty.

It's not luxurious,

but it's better than here.

If your parents are okay with it,

I'd love to.

Good.

What are you two dawdling for?

Hurry up. They'll be here soon.

Ni,

why haven't you changed yet?

Mom, how does this one look?

Fine.

Go change.

Come on, they'll...

Let me look at this a bit more.

I'm telling you,

I need some common ground with our in-laws.

What if they start talking about Zhang Daqian

or Qi Baishi?

I won't get a word in.

I need to study up.

They'll be here any minute.

What's there to study?

You've been at it

the whole night.

So what did you learn?

I figured it out.

Look at this painting.

See?

That's a mountain, right?

And the resemblance...

is done right.

Right.

Oh, give me a break.

Get downstairs.

Don't embarrass us when they arrive.

Ni, hurry up.

We're heading down.

Coming!

Mom, Dad, this is Fei Ni.

These are my parents-in-law.

Hello, hello.

Hello. You must be exhausted, coming all this way.

- Hello. - Nice to meet you.

You've had a long trip.

In-law,

a girl as lovely as Fei Ni

married our boy.

She must have made some sacrifices.

Not at all.

These are mushrooms we brought back from Yunnan.

They're incredibly delicious.

Mom, Dad,

before leaving Yunnan,

my parents had someone pick these from the mountains.

They carried them thousands of miles back.

Oh, this is something special.

These must be expensive.

Not only have I never tasted this.

I've never even seen it before.

Mushrooms and tea leaves! You've brought so much.

You're making us feel embarrassed.

We didn't prepare anything special.

You raised such a wonderful daughter.

Let's not stand around talking.

Head home. I've got everything ready.

I'll make a soup with these mushrooms.

Come on, let's go.

Yes, yes, let's eat.

Come on, come on.

We can have a drink.

I've got good liquor.

Let's go.

(Promote Production)

Look at this factory...

Where are you going?

My mom just called. Grandma's unconscious.

She may need surgery.

I can't

go with you to see your parents.

I'll go back to Jiangnan with you.

No.

Your parents just got back.

I can see them anytime.

I want to go with you to see Grandma.

I'll help you pack.

No need to wait.

She's probably not coming.

Everything else aside,

Fang and I

have failed

as parents.

Since Yangyang was little,

we were rarely there for him.

Especially in these past years,

he was sent down

as a boy.

Looking back now,

we feel so ashamed.

But after meeting Fei Ni

and you two,

we know that while we were away,

Yang had a home.

An even warmer home, in fact.

Yes.

These past two years,

Yang must have caused you trouble.

Not at all.

Now that we're back,

we won't ignore the young couple's matters.

Fei Ni, Yang,

if you run into difficulties,

you can always come to us.

Speaking of difficulties...

We actually do have one.

What is it?

Fei Ni and I

would like to move back in with you.

That would be wonderful.

You're welcome to move back anytime.

You can take Yang's old room.

How about that?

You're welcome.

That's great news.

The young couple finally has a home of their own again.

Right?

Then let's raise a glass.

Gather around.

I'm not much of a speaker,

so please bear with me.

♪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♪