Original subtitles

Created & Directed by WONG KAR WAI

EPISODE 13

1987

Reported me?

For what?

It has to be the ¥26,000.

These two are from Internal Affairs.

You need to go with them.

Being investigated now, of all times?

"Chief Wang" is probably impossible.

It's all thanks to that instigator.

Ling Hong, big trouble.

I've been wronged, Chief.

Ling Zi is the one to blame.

First, get Ling Hong's purchase order

to prove the earrings were cheap.

Understood.

Look at me.

Whatever it is, just tell me.

Enough about the earrings.

Ah Bao,

what if Ling Hong went to No. 27 and explained everything?

Words are not enough.

Where's the purchase order?

Give it to me.

I threw it away a long time ago.

Why?

Ling Zi said to.

She said purchase orders should be destroyed

so that there's no proof.

Since when do you listen to me?

Who dares not listen to you?

Shut up.

Ling Hong.

I don't care how you find it.

I need that purchase order tomorrow.

None of us wanted this!

We'll have it tomorrow.

Okay, that's enough.

Don't embarrass yourself tomorrow.

You hear me?

Wait.

Remember not to say anything stupid.

Okay, okay.

Let's go eat.

Food will make--

Go away.

Fax the contract to me.

Okay.

The Madame is waiting for you.

This way.

Ever punctual, Mr. Qiang.

It's the "Shenzhen speed."

Good investment.

I hope it outpaces the stock market.

In the long term, it will.

Please.

Enjoy the tea.

[speaking Cantonese]

Don't worry, she's from Sichuan.

You can leave us.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

You're careful as ever.

The Shenzhen crew arrives Monday morning.

I've arranged for waitresses who can't speak Cantonese,

and scheduled the meetings you wanted.

When would you like to see--

The person I asked for. Did you find them?

It's closed. There's no one here.

Remember this place.

We'll be back.

Drive.

Yes, Mr. Qiang.

Madame, leaving early?

I have something to do.

Who is it?

It's me, Ling Hong.

What is it?

I can't sleep.

That's your problem.

What are you doing here?

I need to talk to you.

About what?

It's late, and I already washed my feet.

It's about Ling Zi.

What about Ling Zi?

Talk inside.

What is it?

Let me ask you something.

I have a dilemma.

If I take-one step forward, I'll lose my best friend.

If I take one step back, I'll lose my conscience.

What do you think I should do?

First of all,

didn't think you had any friends.

Surely, Ling Zi counts as a friend.

Second of all,

didn't think you had a conscience.

Exactly.

When I realized today that I have a conscience, I was terrified.

got it.

You have something going on with Mr. Bao

and don't want Ling Zi to find out.

Why is your mind so dirty?

That's not what I was thinking.

I meant he's investing in your shop.

Excuse me.

No.

Never mind. Go to bed.

No.

Stop.

I was ready to go to bed.

You got me all curious,

and now you won't say?

How am I supposed to sleep now?

Fine, but you can't tell anyone.

Don't worry. My lips are sealed.

If you tell anyone,

I'll make sure you see your late wife.

I swear.

If I tell anyone,

this very night, I'll go join my dead wife.

Inside.

That purchase order?

I didn't throw it away.

Then why not hand it over?

It only reflects the manufacturer's price, not my sales price.

The sales price factors in

maintenance, utilities, rent,

and other expenses, right?

So can you tell me what the manufacturer's price was?

Come here.

Closer.

What?

What is it?

No, thank you.

No.

I didn't hear anything.

You never knocked on my door. I never opened it, okay?

It was just a dream, okay?

I don't know anything.

I was already asleep.

Don't tell anyone!

My dear wife,

I didn't mean that promise.

Looks like you hid the order at home,

but I found it anyway.

You can't escape.

You can't escape.

I told you. You can't escape.

Is it ready yet?

Coming right up.

One second.

Excuse me.

Coming through.

Thank you.

Know how to write a self-reflection?

I do.

Be honest and objective.

Let me show you my examples.

You have this many?

I've marked all the important parts.

If it makes sense, go get started,

and show me when you're done.

Uncle Ye,

I can't go home right now.

At this time of day,

if my dad sees me at home,

he'll know something's wrong.

Then write here.

You have paper? A pen?

I brought them.

That won't work.

Use a fountain pen.

Get started. I'll check back tonight.

You're leaving?

Take care, Uncle Ye.

Okay.

Here, I'll move over.

Thank you.

No worries.

Madame,

rice ball and soy milk please.

Got it. Rice ball and soy milk.

"Letter of Self-reflection"

Morning, Mr. Kong.

No student today?

Figured I'd let you sleep in.

Why are you up early today?

I have things to do.

Mr. Kong, I'm sorry,

piano in the afternoon is one thing, but do you have to sing at night?

I do have to sing.

Why go after me when others sing all day?

I must be too nice.

Do nice people sing all night and keep their neighbors up?

I had nightmares all last night.

Take a break tonight.

Off to work?

I'm going to sing.

You can't stop me.

Goodbye, buddy.

Goodbye, buddy.

How ridiculous.

-What kind of neighbor are you? -What kind of neighbor are you?

Goodbye, buddy.

Goodbye, buddy.

Goodbye.

Hey, you're all dressed up.

You're early, Madame.

Coal?

Want any coal?

Coal?

-You're early today. -Off to work?

Xiao Wen, Xiao Qin.

Madame.

Why are you here so early?

Keep an eye out for Ling Hong.

Go on.

Why are you here so early?

Forget it.

What are you doing?

We'll talk inside.

To be honest with you,

I was up all night.

What, your wife came back to you?

No it wasn't her.

You and Ling Hong,

you two are pretty close, right?

And?

Nothing, never mind.

Come back.

What's the matter?

Remember this? Show me the purchase order.

What?

You charged Ling Zi over ¥2,000 for such cheap earrings.

So tell me. How much is this worth?

Did Mr. Ge tell you that?

Don't you worry about who told me. I sell crabs for a few bucks profit.

You make thousands off of me with one cheap necklace.

Do you know how many crabs that is?

-Here. I'll show you. -Show me.

How could you?

I wrote it all down.

What?

Four rings.

Five necklaces.

Brooches, hair bands, scarves.

How many necks does Fang Mei have?

Those are all for her?

There's something I don't know if I should tell you about.

Tell me.

Stop it, you're killing me.

Perfect!

Just go die!

-What are you doing? -We deserve it.

What?

Great. Let go.

You didn't hear it from me.

I said nothing.

We should both die--Mr. Ge!

Ling Hong.

Ling Hong.

Ling Hong!

Give me the purchase order!

Stay away!

Stop! Give it to me.

Stay away.

You're throwing things at me now?

Mr. Ge, come here. It's an emergency.

You guys try to talk it out.

-Give it to me. -No!

Give it to me.

Let me go!

Get inside.

Come here.

Don't run away.

You're biting?

How can you bite people?

-Give it to me. -Let go of me.

I'm calling the police.

Can you eat that?

Dug it out.

From her mouth.

That's so gross.

-Stay away. -Don't run.

Go stop them.

Go away.

Stop fighting.

Let go of me.

Ling Zi.

Enough.

You're going to kill him.

Great.

Look at this, everyone.

Ling Hong,

the earrings were ¥200.

You charged me ¥2,600 for them.

How could you?

Back in Japan,

when you had no money.

Who took you in?

Who gave you food?

Did you lose your conscience?

My conscience?

What does Miss Wang have to do with me?

If she went to jail for twenty years, it would mean nothing to me.

I was only worried you would feel bad

if something happened to her.

If I had no conscience, I would have burned the damn thing.

Why would I keep it till now?

This whole month, the earrings were the only thing I sold.

Right.

Don't I have a shop to run?

Don't I have utilities to pay?

Enough..

You have an investor. I don't.

Don't try to play the victim. An investor? How is that relevant?

Everyone is here today.

Let's lay it all out.

Tell us.

How much money have you ripped off from each of us?

That's right. Tell us.

You old piece of...

You've said enough.

Stop.

Stop.

Stop running, tell me the truth.

What?

I usually charge everyone fairly.

I only overcharge in special cases.

What special cases?

Like when he pesters me for rent.

No one believes you anymore.

That was for last year's rent.

I haven't even asked about this year's. I treat you so well,

others probably think there's something going on between us.

-Let me tell you. -What?

Don't act like the victim here.

My rent is double what you charge Tokyo Nights.

She has a point.

What a shameless thing to do.

-Look who's talking. -What did I do?

He gives Aroma House a 50% discount.

You want to die, old man?

-Great, Tao Tao. -No.

-Don't you forget now. -No.

I'll tell Fang Mei to kill you!

That's impossible. I always give you the lowest price.

You stupid old man, I'll rip your tongue out.

Mr. Ge, you're always talking about your late wife

like you're so devoted to her.

When really, you're always staring at Ling Zi.

Yeah.

All you think about is her.

You think we're blind?

Are you crazy?

You have a lot of nerve.

You're my tenant.

How could you say that?

Well you know what? I'm done renting from you.

I've had enough.

I want nothing to do with your weird fantasies.

What fantasies?

You know.

She's way out of your league.

You want Mr. Bao to give up Tokyo Nights so you can take his place.

Right?

Right.

I'm too old to take anyone's place.

-"Ling Zi's getting old too." -Ling--

What did you say?

Mr. Ge said it.

Why would I say that? Don't believe them.

You're denying it?

You say it all the time.

"Ling Zi isn't young anymore, but she still acts like a girl."

"Why would Mr. Bao ever want her?"

Stop talking.

You said that?

I said the first half.

Tao Tao said the second half.

Old bastard,

you've got some nerve. No wonder your wife died.

Ling Zi, I never said anything like that.

You know me, would I really say that?

-You would. -Enough, I'm warning you.

-Last week. -What?

We were eating lamb. You were on my right, it was you--

Screw you!

When we had lamb, I was on your left.

Ling Zi, it was like this.

I was here, he was there, she was there.

We clinked glasses, remember?

Which hand did you use?

-My right hand. -Who was on your right?

You said it.

Don't touch me.

You said it?

And if it was?

So what?

Here.

You get out.

Don't let me see you here again.

I'll die before I come back.

Ling Hong.

Get out of the way!

Ling Hong!

Ling Zi, you--

Get out!

-I had nothing to do with it. -Nothing?

You're a freeloader and a kiss-ass.

Go cry to your Mr. Bao.

Screw off!

What are you looking at?

Go away!

What are you doing?

You're asking for it.

What do you want?

You want to fight?

I work here.

Why are you touching my car? Don't you know who I am?

You won't kick me out, will you?

You're the landlord. I can't kick you out.

But I make the food.

From now on, don't count on eating here. Not even one grain of rice.

I'd throw my leftovers in the street

for the dogs to eat before you get a bite.

I'll happily watch you starve, you old turtle.

I can't believe you'd say that.

I'll remember this.

I don't want to rent from you anymore.

Get out of here!

People can say what they want to me.

How could she call me an old turtle?

Mr. Ge,

I'm going to kill you!

Get back here!

I'll kill you.

Get back here.

Tao Tao!

Mr. Ge.

Mr. Ge.

Mr. Ge.

Stop, he's out cold!

Mr. Ge.

Sister.

Wake up. What's wrong with you?

What?

Mr. Ge.

This is bad.

Mr. Ge.

He might die.

A knife? What were you thinking?

I didn't even touch him.

Damn it.

Why are you back?

I'm taking a break.

I have to deal with Miss Wang later.

She's not done with her reflection yet?

Not even close.

She has a lot to learn.

Where are you going?

Tokyo Nights.

Something happened.

Don't forget the purchase order.

That's what matters.

I know.

The end of the world is coming.

Weren't things great just last week?

Now look.

We're pulling out knives,

trying to kill each other.

We've gone crazy.

I don't get it.

Hello, Uncle Ye. Careful.

-I'll take the umbrella. -Okay.

Take care.

-Uncle Ye. -How could you sleep

under these circumstances?

Everyone is trying to help you.

Mr. Bao is pulling every string he can.

It's late,

and he's out getting the purchase order.

I'm almost 80.

Watching you eat ribs and rice cakes

when I can't have any.

Can you take this seriously?

Uncle Ye,

did you want to try the rice cakes?

Thanks, but I can't chew them.

Say what you need to say.

I don't know what I need to say.

This is my first time. I don't know how.

You need to admit you were wrong.

They haven't punished you yet.

They must still be deciding.

If you admit fault,

you'll at least get some pity points.

Even Chief Jin won't even talk to me.

I don't get to explain myself.

That's why you need to write the letter.

Write!

I, Wang Mingzhu...

I...

Wang Mingzhu...

And then?

Write down

everything that happened,

what you did wrong,

how you'll change,

and make up for it.

Write.

I, Wang Mingzhu,

was

negligent

and careless,

forgetting to...

Careless?

I was careless.

Get rid of this.

Start over.

How?

Copy what I say.

I, Wang Mingzhu...

I, Wang Mingzhu...

...with a heavy heart...

Are you closed today?

There's no one here.

What do you mean?

Am I no one?

What about Tao Tao and Mr. Ge?

Don't play dumb with me.

No way Tao Tao didn't tell you.

Listen, what happened is none of your business.

Don't lecture me,

or I'll yell at you too.

Go lecture whoever sent you here.

Alright.

You've been friends for years. It can be sorted out.

I have no time for them, I'm very busy.

They're just a couple of old customers.

Except they don't even pay.

I get plenty of business.

They're nothing special.

Table for two? This way.

Use the private room.

We just want a quick bite.

Don't worry.

It's first come first serve.

No reservation needed. Come on in.

That's okay. We'll come another time.

Let's go.

You're leaving?

You're not eating anymore?

I'll give you the purchase order. A promise is a promise.

Here you go.

Are you joking?

Do you know how serious things are?

Internal Affairs is not stupid.

They'll see through such an obvious fake.

You want the real one?

Take it.

What is this?

The order. What you wanted.

I dug it out of Ling Hong's mouth.

Fine.

I made this mess.

I'll fix it.

I'll go to No. 27 tomorrow

and clear things up.

I won't leave until it's all straightened out.

If Miss Wang faces charges, I'll face them with her.

You're just stirring up trouble.

What trouble? They're just earrings.

What's the big deal?

I'll pay her the ¥26,000.

I'll pay back any other losses she's suffered.

If that's not enough, I'll give her Tokyo Nights.

Money can't solve everything!

Well I just happen to believe it can.

Not only do I believe it,

I live by it.

I, Ling Zi, only care about money.

You've known this since day one.

You regret it?

Just say you regret meeting me, and you can have your money back.

You can have Tokyo Nights back.

What I care about is her reputation and her future.

Say one more word.

Either you leave and never return,

or I will.

Only one of us can stay.

Take Tokyo Nights and give it

to the one you care so much about.

Thank you, Uncle Ye.

I didn't just learn to write an apology.

I also learned

all the ways I need to work on myself.

We never see our own flaws.

We only see others' while others see ours.

I'll work hard to fix what I can.

Anything I can't fix,

at least I'm aware of now.

Now we just need that purchase order.

With this new attitude, I'm sure

it'll all work out.

Optimism is good,

but always prepare for the worst.

Anything can happen.

Understood. I'll take you home.

No need.

Just get me a taxi.

Let me see you home.

No thank you.

My ears have suffered enough today.

Am I too loud for you?

Hello?

Hello? Mr. Bao?

It's Monk.

Madame hasn't come in two days.

What if something happened?

Don't be silly.

I'll go find her.

You focus on work.

Haven't seen you in a while.

-Have you had breakfast? -Yes.

Good morning, Mr. Chen.

Morning.

Looking for Ling Zi?

So early.

Wrong.

How many times do I have to show you?

Look.

Like this.

Ling Zi?

Open up.

Better.

Mr. Bao?

Long time no see.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Mrs. Shi.

Why are you here so early?

Did Ling Zi leave early this morning?

Ling Zi?

Mr. Kong.

She's usually up by now.

Exactly.

She's probably just asleep.

Well,

maybe wait a bit longer?

Sure.

I'm off to work.

Of course.

I'll see you.

See you.

Mrs. Shi,

your door's open.

I'll close it for you.

Sorry about that. Thank you.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

See you.

Good morning. Going to work?

Leaving?

I'm going to see Mr. Ge.

He's got too much time...

I came to check on Ling Zi,

but she's still sleeping.

Why are you eating cold rice?

It's from the neighbor.

She just dropped it off.

I can't eat this.

Would you pour me some hot water?

I'll make it a porridge.

Thank you.

Ling Zi

is starving me.

Ling Hong is driving me crazy.

These two women drive me crazy.

When they fight,

they have no boundaries.

Don't take it too seriously.

You've been friends for years.

You know their tempers.

It's never been like this.

This time was different.

It's my fault.

All this because of my little purchase order.

It's not all your fault.

The men always get hurt.

Can you get the fermented tofu?

In the fridge?

In the fridge.

-This is bland. -Too much sodium is unhealthy.

Don't worry.

It'll all work out.

Ah Bao.

I'll be honest.

Ling Zi?

I'm not mad at her at all.

But Ling Hong?

I'll never,

ever forgive her.

Ling Hong says mean things, but she doesn't mean them.

Nonsense.

You never know with women.

Ah Bao,

please visit whenever you can.

If I die in this room,

no one will even know.

If someone knocks and there's no response,

they'll just think I'm sleeping.

Oh God...

You're back?

Ling Zi!

Since the restaurant opened,

Ling Zi had said countless times, "Only one of us can stay."

I was always the one to leave.

This time it was her.

The roof at Ling Zi's place seemed unfixable.

This time every year, it would leak.

Since the day she moved in,

I'd already repaired it three times.

Betty's old piano was like a majestic black horse—

trusty, weathered, and gleaming dimly like aged satin.

FOUR YEARS AGO

Watch out.

Ma'am.

-I'm cooking. -Excuse me.

Okay.

Close the door.

Mrs. Wu, cooking?

Yes.

Looking for someone?

I may have the wrong place.

Looking for the new tenant?

Yes.

Ah Bao.

Over here.

That's her.

-Watch your head. -It's steep.

Shoes off?

Later.

Hang your suit jacket there.

This is the dining room?

Not bad, right?

Ceiling's a bit low.

Not bad.

Oh yeah,

these are from Tao Tao.

A dozen crabs, all 200 grams,

if not more.

More like 150 grams.

Don't be like that.

They're a gift.

Be grateful.

It's not the same thing.

What about you? What did you bring?

I brought me.

This apartment is nice for one person.

The landlord put in some effort.

I did all of this.

You know how stingy the landlord, Mr. Ge, is.

Can you take a look here? It's leaking.

Where?

Here.

It's a big leak. Can you help fix it?

Am I a guest or a handyman?

It'll take a while to steam the crabs.

Help me out.

How do I get up there?

Follow me.

Climb up from here.

Be careful!

Don't fall and end up on the news.