Original subtitles

Created & Directed by WONG KAR WAI

EPISODE 15

GINZA NIGHT CLUB RIE

Which one of you is Miss Wang?

You're very popular, aren't you?

Who's Mr. Bao?

She's used to sitting at a desk.

She can't handle manual labor.

Get to work!

You can "learn" in here.

By 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, this room needs to be organized.

I'll come back to check.

YANGPU DISTRICT LOADING PORT

Impossible.

If she did it all by herself, I'll let her kick my head like a ball.

Where's the ball?

How many of her boyfriends were here?

She did it alone.

Alone?

Where's the ball?

-You want to kick a ball? -Yeah.

Follow me.

Move. Stop snickering.

No need to get so heated.

-Here, have a popsicle. -No.

I'm your supervisor.

Everyone's watching.

Don't embarrass me.

Here.

You embarrassed me first.

What a temper. Where are you from?

Yangpu or Zhabei?

-Hongkou. -Where in Hongkou?

North Sichuan Road.

-What street number? -1569. Why?

1569?

You know where I live?

649 Dongdaming Road.

Football star Fan Zhiyi is my neighbor.

Fan Zhiyi?

He's your neighbor?

He used to live right above me.

I call him Brother Yi. He calls me Sister Wang.

Sister Wang?

Of course.

He's my idol.

Don't ask me for his autograph.

I knew from one glance. You're tough.

-You get your hands dirty. -What's that mean?

No, look.

There's a shipment going out tomorrow.

It's for an important client. I'll give you a team.

Get everything ready for the shipment to go out by 4:00 p.m.

-Okay? -Who's the important client?

The Mink King.

Don't laugh.

Stop gawking. Back to work!

Is Mr. Wei's business going downhill?

He used to find the Garden room too small.

Now he's switched to smaller rooms.

Mr. Wei?

He was probably always spending more than he can afford.

Still, to suddenly change?

Keep an eye on him.

Listen, big rooms and fancy meals don't really mean much.

I finally get the saying, "stick to your roots, and less is more."

Just like this Croaker Lo Mein.

The portion is huge. There's no way I can finish this.

Skip the other dishes, fine, but I can't skip Croaker Lo Mein.

This is the soul of The Grand Lisbon.

Your mother had me come check on you.

If she finds out you're stuck in small rooms eating croaker,

she'll make you go back to Haining.

You can go tell her

that this room and these noodles are why I won't leave Shanghai.

Mr. Fan, you're early.

Is Miss Mei here yet?

Not yet.

Mr. Fan's here today?

Yes. Business lunch with the Trade Office.

The Trade Office?

Miss Wang?

-I'll go say hi. Start without me. -Okay.

Mr. Wei.

Mr. Wei.

And you are?

Mei Ping. You don't remember?

And you are?

Mei Ping.

Oh, Xiao Mei.

I've never seen you here before.

Is Miss Wang here?

Miss Wang is no longer with No. 27.

Why?

She got in some trouble.

It's not just No. 27.

I'll doubt she'll be coming here anymore.

I knew it.

She's too stubborn.

which is fine if you're nobody.

But she's pretty, and great at her job.

It was bound to happen to her.

She must have offended some petty fool.

Mr. Wei, are you joining them?

No, thank you. I'm almost done.

Okay.

Miss Mei, this way.

Okay.

Why aren't you eating?

Get Manager Pan here.

Mustard leaf from Yinxian, yellow croaker from Zhejiang.

Nothing has changed about the ingredients.

So what's he complaining about?

These noodles

are not the same noodles

that I had before.

Looks like the problem isn't our noodles.

Then what is it?

What are you doing?

Sorry! It wasn't on purpose.

Let me wipe it off for you.

I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to.

Careful!

Here.

Quick!

Hurry.

Over here.

This way.

Here.

The Mink King is here!

What Mink King?

Mr. Wei bought everyone KFC!

Come here.

What are you all doing? Are you going to starve without chicken?

Mr. Wei is here.

Everyone, thank Mr. Wei.

Mr. Wei came?

You came on motorcycle, not your Ferrari?

The new one isn't here yet.

Gather around.

We're all people of action.

I'll be honest.

This shipment is urgent,

and needs careful handling.

I'm actually a bit nervous.

However, seeing everyone working so--

It's you.

Damn it.

Mr. Wei, you know Xiao Wang too?

Xiao Wang? She's Miss Wang.

The dazzling pearl of No. 27. Everyone knows her.

She's got connections.

Be careful!

All of a sudden, you're "Xiao Wang"?

And you're "Mink King"?

I'm pretty easygoing for this business.

You can still call me Mr. Wei.

Miss Wang.

World famous chicken. Want some?

Careful, everyone.

Miss Wang's known to throw things.

She might just throw a drumstick.

See?

I assume you all have heard why she ended up here.

But if she won't even accept some chicken from me now,

would she really take bribes?

There's no way.

Miss Wang,

I believe you're innocent.

Was that true?

When do I ever lie?

I can never tell.

Eat as much as you want.

Are you the Mink King, or the Mink Statue?

Wait, are you crying?

It's the wind. You wouldn't get it.

This afternoon will change the rest of my life.

-Give me some space. -Oh. Okay.

Move.

Wow, the statue came back to life.

Why are you still here?

I can't leave, Miss Wang.

I should have come sooner.

You're stepping on merchandise.

I think the two of us have complementary talents.

We'd make a great team.

-You refuse to leave? -It's not that I refuse:

My leg fell asleep.

You two, carry Mr. Wei away.

Careful, my leg is numb.

No, it's serious. It's serious!

Wait a minute, Miss Wang.

Miss Wang.

Miss Wang!

I'll give you a ride.

I take the bus.

Don't miss out, you'll regret it.

If you don't go away, you'll regret it.

Wait.

Wait, Miss Wang!

Miss Wang.

Xiao Wang!

Excuse me.

Miss Wang!

Excuse me.

Miss Wang.

Miss Wang.

Miss Wang.

Bring it on, God.

Is that all you got?!

I get it. Thanks for the praise!

Keep working.

Move it.

Mr. Fan, what was so urgent that we had to meet at 7:00 a.m.?

Just tell me.

I'm full. If you won't talk, I'm leaving.

At my age, even small matters keep me up at night.

Be honest with me.

Huanghe Road is full of beauties.

Have any ever interested you?

You're here to talk about love?

Only a fool thinks of love on Huanghe Road.

No matter what, it ends badly.

At my age, I know that very well.

Are you talking about Li Li?

I'm from a small town,

but I've been on Huanghe Road for a while now.

It's okay to have fun.

But get in too deep, and it'll ruin you.

I'll tell you a secret.

When I first came to Huanghe Road,

my eyes and ears were completely overwhelmed.

Every woman I ran into

had the beauty and scent of a goddess.

It almost corrupted me.

The first person I met at No. 27 wasn't Miss Wang.

It was Mei Ping.

I thought she'd be assigned to San Yang,

but Miss Wang had you backing her,

so No. 27 assigned San Yang to Miss Wang.

I'd have done the same.

She'd do the best job.

It's only right.

I saw Mei Ping yesterday.

Miss Wang is a regular on Huanghe Road.

She's made a lot of friends.

Now that she's in trouble,

people might give you the cold shoulder.

Be careful and play nice with people.

I'm no stranger to getting the cold shoulder.

Miss Wang isn't necessarily lovable.

People only played nice with her because she had the export permits.

Now that I have the permits,

they should be playing nice with me.

For that permit for your next shipment...

I won't be like Miss Wang and boss you around,

but you need to do me a favor.

Go ahead.

Mr. Bao is my client now,

he should at least meet me once.

Just as a formality, so I can appease the higher-ups,

and so you can get the permit for your next shipment.

She is not the Xiao Mei she used to be.

She's changed.

Hearing her words felt like sunshine turning into rainfall.

I felt so cold.

But I get where she's coming from.

Doesn't everyone on Huanghe Road want a taste of that power?

To rise to the top and hold your head high?

I was the same way.

After San Yang,

I can't even turn on my mobile phone.

It'll ring until it explodes.

But I know

it's all thanks to you.

You'll always be a part of San Yang.

I know you don't like Mei Ping.

Admittedly, her methods are questionable.

But...

I've been friends with her since the beginning.

Mr. Bao,

give her a chance as a favor to me.

I don't really know her.

So there's nothing to dislike.

I have no interest in what you two are doing.

It's just business.

Whether it's No. 27 or Huanghe Road,

When it comes to San Yang,

I only care about one person.

That person is Miss Wang.

I'll always on her side.

If anyone's against her, they're against me.

And in this, my position will not change.

If I lose my distribution rights, then so be it.

That's not what I meant, Mr. Bao.

You misheard.

Without you, I can't--

I'm not joking.

One condition.

You can work with whoever you want,

Li Li, Mei Ping,

I don't care.

It's your business.

But if one day,

Miss Wang needs your help,

you have to help her.

I will, with all my heart.

The money was in the bag.

But you just had to get upset, and throw it all away.

Mr. Bao,

you just started seeing success.

But the winds can change at any time.

It won't always be smooth sailing.

San Yang isn't everything.

I want nothing to do with Mei Ping anyway.

Business should be rational.

You need to use your head.

Your grudge against her is personal,

so keep that out of it.

I need you to see the difference.

Look at the water out there.

Huangpu River is Huangpu River.

Suzhou Creek is Suzhou Creek.

One is clear, the other is muddy. There's a stark contrast between them.

I'm handling business. I have more collaborations with Hulian.

I'm going to help Mr. Ma

build a new brand.

What brand?

-The knock-offs you stored at Tokyo Nights? -They're not knock-offs.

I already registered for an official brand.

Just because San Yang was a success isn't so easy to repeat.

Hulian is changing leadership.

Mr. Xu is getting transferred.

The new head may not be as receptive.

I worked under Mr. Xu for a long time.

For him to leave you in my care,

it's quite the honor.

I won't make things hard for you.

It was a pleasure to work together on San Yang.

We ended up setting an example

for other local brands.

I have faith that Mr. Ma's brand

will do even better than San Yang.

Just like with San Yang,

I'll cover all of the marketing.

Mr. Xu had good judgment.

You two struck gold with San Yang.

As his successor,

I also want to build a Name Brand.

So I'll be honest.

Our strategy this year is already decided.

We're putting our focus on our luxury products.

Local brands will take a back seat.

But don't worry, we still take your projects very seriously.

Even if we can't sell your product here,

we can sell it all over the region.

I promise you,

we'll distribute every shirt you ordered from Mr. Ma

in neighboring cities.

This way, you'll keep your promise to Mr. Ma.

Mrs. Wu,

what I promised Mr. Ma was Nanjing Road,

Name Brand certification, and export permits,

just like San Yang.

Anything less is breaking that promise.

Bad news travels fast.

My failed negotiations with Hulian quickly spread across Nanjing Road.

Upon hearing the news, Mr. Ma came all the way from Zhuji.

Excuse me, Mr. Ma.

I'll get back to work.

I hear Hulian's new leadership won't sell Mr. Bao's new product.

Mr. Ma is at The Red Heron, waiting for an explanation.

Just a few more setbacks,

and he'll have to turn to me.

Mr. Ma, leaving alr--

Young lady, bring Mr. Bao my message.

You tell him,

"there's a heavy price to pay for breaking a promise."

Right.

He has three days.

His name is on the line.

Either he delivers Nanjing Road to me, or it's the end of "Mr. Bao."

Mr. Bao.

Mr. Bao, you wouldn't answer the phone,

so I had to come in person.

Wow.

The Peace Hotel.

It's my first time here.

Now I get to see it with Mr. Bao.

Let's talk inside.

Mr. Bao,

for men like me, promises are written in blood.

I don't know any Mr. Zhang or Mr. Xu.

I only know you,

Mr. Bao.

If you succeed,

you're my saint.

If you fail,

you're my enemy.

Mr. Ma,

I let you in today because I don't plan on failing you.

I already sent you the deposit.

The contract says

"Balance paid upon delivery,"

but I can pay 50% first.

You'll get your money.

So just get me my shirts.

You promised me

"Nanjing Road."

That's right.

And that's what you'll get.

What?

You haven't gotten one shirt, and you're giving him 50%?

The San Yang money only just arrived,

and now it's going to that counterfeiter?

I helped you become "Mr. Bao."

And after six years, we're back at square one.

We both need to do some reflecting.

Was I a bad teacher,

or are you not cut out to be Mr. Bao?

Clothing is only 10% of Hulian's Business.

We should go after should be a different store entirely.

Are you thinking of Shanghai Fashion?

On Nanjing Road, Shanghai Fashion

is the only store that specializes in clothing.

In terms of scale, it can't compete with the likes of Hulian.

But that made them eager for a deal.

Mr. Ma's product is high quality.

Take a look, Mr. Cai.

Mr. Bao.

We've all heard that Hulian turned you down.

How about this,

why don't you go to the other department stores first?

It's okay if you come to us last.

What do you mean?

I'll be honest with you.

First, our store is small.

Second, we're not a department store.

Truthfully,

we may not be up to your standard.

Mr. Cai,

I specifically came here because you're the one I want.

Mr. Ma makes T-shirts.

You're Shanghai Fashion.

There's no better fit.

If we can agree on the terms, they're yours.

Mr. Bao,

I must say,

seeing what you did with Hulian made us all jealous.

We were just dying to work with Mr. Bao on something.

With the right holistic strategy,

we'll sell just as well as San Yang.

We'll do even better.

Wonderful, Mr. Bao.

Let me show you something.

"Initial Public Offering Prospectus"

Don't laugh at me.

You want to go public?

It's just a thought.

Right now everyone in Shanghai wants to go public.

Top tier companies already took every upcoming IPO slot

except one.

My biggest goal is to get Shanghai Fashion listed.

I know foreign trade is just a side job.

You came up in capital markets.

Take a chance on me.

Work with me on the IPO.

I'll always be a small fish in a big pond unless we pull this off.

To be honest,

I was a small fish myself.

Small fish should stick together.

Pleasure doing business with you.

After my setback with Hulian,

Shanghai Fashion was my last chance to get on Nanjing Road.

I thought small fish would be safer in a group.

But fate had other plans,

and I was swept into the rapids of financial reform.

You don't think it's too good to be true?

Don't be naive.

He'll get a few big investors at best.

The 414 incident

is how most people remember you. It wasn't pretty.

I know.

They're using me to get to The Club.

Mr. Bao,

I'm well aware we're not powerful on our own.

That's why we need a powerful advisor.

I was hoping you might bring along members of The Club.

If you introduce us and get a meeting with The Club,

I'll take as many shirts as you and Mr. Ma want.

Would The Club meet with you?

Pal,

don't wait any longer.

Doctor Wu called and told you to go home.

He's not coming.

Leave.

We're closing.

I didn't expect them to meet with me.

But I went, and that's what matters.

I honored my promise to Shanghai Fashion.

If The Club really became their advisor, they'd have no use for me anymore.

I need The Club to pass on the offer.

If the IPO is successful, The Club will be the ones coming to me.

Do you believe it?

You and The Club are not the only ones trading stocks in Shanghai.

That's why I have to act fast.

And do what?

Yes, stocks are the future.

But the future of retail lies

in brands and international joint ventures.

Look at Isetan, that new store from Japan.

Our department stores are doomed if they can't follow suit.

I'll go to Hong Kong

and procure some imported brands.

If we sell "Hong Kong Luxury" at Shanghai Fashion,

customers will flock, and domestic brands will benefit too.

It'll even help Mr. Ma's brand once it launches.

Who did you call in Hong Kong?

Shanghai Fashion's angel investors have all moved there.

They were pioneers in the retail industry.

And they're sworn brothers

with two of your old business partners.

They'll definitely know you.

I'm not going to Hong Kong.

It's too far.

Your aunts will be worried.

I'm not asking you to go.

Just contact them for me?

Don't embarrass me.

Before going to Hong Kong, I still had something to take care of.

Mr. Bao?

Who suffers more? Men or women?

If you ask me,

caring people suffer more.

What do you mean?

I'm saying,

women care for you, and you care for them.

That's all.

You insulting me?

Stop that.

I'm trying to say that you and I are the same.

Ling Zi ran Tokyo Nights for you.

Miss Wang faced punishment for you.

You didn't see that place, man.

The supervisor is terrifying.

The place is hell.

Are you trying to rub salt in my wounds?

I'm saying I know your pain, my friend.

We're the same.

It's been a while, but it's nice to be back here.

Some places

are for the good times.

Some places

are for the hard times.

The former is a restaurant.

The latter

is called a home.

Get it?

If one day, Tokyo Nights is gone, what are you going to do?

What?

You'll be like a stray dog, you know?

Nonsense.

Tokyo Nights isn't going anywhere.

Okay, good. That's good.

Mr. Ge, make a wish.

-Stop messing around. -Hurry.

My wish is simple.

I wish that Tokyo Nights will prosper.

Then I wish

we'll always be together, sharing meals here every day.

I wish...

Tokyo Nights will last forever.

Well said!

Don't forget me.

Forever.

Here's to forever.

Cheers.

Please give us a hand.

Okay.

Careful.

Listen to me...

-I know. -Listen!

We are brothers for life.

What are you doing?

Get in the car.

For life!

I didn't know if Tokyo Nights would last forever,

but there was only one way to keep these friends together.

It's only been a few days and you already want to close the shop.

People say you're heartless.

I guess they're right.

-Let go of me. -Be nice.

I opened Tokyo Nights

to thank Ling Zi for helping me in Japan.

Without her,

what purpose does it serve?

It's all your fault.

It's all your fault.

What you said was too hurtful.

What did you just say?

-What did you just say? -Enough.

-Say that again. -Enough!

Stop it, you two.

What's the point?

It's all our faults.

Ah Bao, that includes you.

Would she have left if you didn't fight?

My relationship with Ling Zi aside,

we have to be realistic about Tokyo Nights.

If Ling Zi doesn't come back,

how long does this shop stay vacant?

What about Xiao Qin, Xiao Wen, and Monk?

What about their pay?

What about the shop's expenses?

Mr. Bao,

you make so much money.

But all of a sudden, when Tokyo Nights is in trouble,

you're counting every penny?

It's not even that serious.

We had a fight, so what?

She'll get over it and come back, right?

And what if she doesn't?

You really are heartless.

Are you all hearing this?

He's worse than Mr. Ge.

Exactly.

I'll always be here, waiting for her.

When she comes back, I won't even charge her rent.

That's what it means to be friends. To not give up on each other.

Mr. Ge, well said.

What do you say?

Xiao Qin, Xiao Wen, Monk, get to work.

Prepare the store. We're open tomorrow.

All the kitchen expenses are on me.

And you?

What?

What will you do?

I don't have any money or seafood. All I have is me.

But I'll do whatever it takes.

Talking is easy, but how long can you last?

We won't stop until Ling Zi returns.

What if she comes back just to see her shop's gone?

Sure, we argue and bicker, but that's how we show we care.

Fighting is our love language.

You won't take care of Tokyo Nights?

We will.

That's right. We will.

Then let's see.

Let's see if you can pull it off.

What's wrong with him?

Let me go scold him. That jerk.

I played my part well, right?

You genius.

It worked so well.

We're back together like the three musketeers.

Listen, don't skimp on the seafood.

Get the good stuff.

I'll cover the costs.

What's that supposed to mean? You think so little of me?

Don't mess around. Spend time with Fang Mei.

Where are you going?

Hong Kong.

Hong Kong?

Should I come with you?

I can only blame myself.

If I hadn't said that last bit, it wouldn't have been so bad.

Watch your mouth next time, you hear me?

What's going on?

Why are you fighting again?

We just stood up to Mr. Bao together.

If we keep fighting, how will we keep this place open?

Fine, forget it.

Forget what?

We've been friends for years.

One fight's going to break us up?

Make five people unhappy?

What for?

Okay.

The past is in the past, let's just move on.

How about this?

Sis,

what I did was wrong. I apologize to you.

Let it go.

Stop buying things from my store.

Nonsense. I won't stop.

We buy from each other

-to support each other, right? -Right.

Friendship is priceless, you hear?

Exactly.

What about you?

I'm sorry to you too, okay?

-Stupid. -Sorry.

An apology isn't enough.

You're a traitor, you know that?

In the old days, you'd be beheaded.

Sure, that's fine.

You can have my head, but let me borrow it for now, okay?

No thank you. Just keep your head.

I don't want it.

Enough.

Let me speak from the heart.

The way I see it, after all we've been through,

no matter what, we'll always

our friendship will always be a part of each of us.

We may fight, but we need each other.

All taken care of?

They're good people who just needed a little push.

These two women seem like they were bound to you by fate.

You met Ling Zi because of Miss Wang.

Now your fight with Ling Zi is also because of Miss Wang.

If it hadn't been for Miss Wang's honest mistake,

you would never have met the debt demon Ling Zi in Japan.

In the second half of 1988,

foreign exchange rates were volatile.

Miss Wang worried that the price of sewing machines would rise.

Without consulting Uncle Ye,

she called a few Japanese vendors to compare prices for us.

That was an industry taboo.

There are rules among Japanese vendors.

The supplier suddenly gets all these calls about pricing.

Of course they'll know something's up.

Now they won't sell to you at all.

They're saying they're out of stock.

How was I supposed to know that?

My mom told me, "always compare prices before you buy."

Isn't that normal?

Do you know why your mentor had you work with stamps?

It must be because I'm useless.

I'm bad at negotiation,

and worse at accounting.

Stamps are the most I can handle.

It's good to be humble, but you're not as useless as you say.

Your mentor is teaching you a mindset.

Being a sales rep takes patience.

If you're hasty, you'll get into trouble.

This is a good example.

You meant well. Wanted a good price for Mr. Bao.

Exactly.

But you didn't think ahead.

Now he has no choice but to go explain himself.

What?

He went to Japan?

1988

GINZA, TOKYO

My visa expires tomorrow.

If I don't take care of this, I can't go home.

I'm out of options.

I only know one person in Japan, Mr. Yamamoto.

I know he's very busy.

I only need ten minutes. Please let me see him.

Do you understand me?

You don't speak Chinese.

I'm screwed.

He gave me this business card.

Give it to him.

He'll remember me.

My name is Ah Bao.

Did you know?

He met Ling Zi originally

because of me.

How's that?

By a stroke of fate, I caught hepatitis A.

At first I thought it was odd. With my body?

I should be invincible.

How could I get hepatitis?

Yet I was one of the first.

Later I realized,

the universe was giving me a mission.

1987

Why do you look

healthier than me?

Are you really sick?

How could you say that?

I only got it because I checked on Fang Mei for you.

Plus, this medicine is already sold out.

It was two bucks a pack.

Now, thanks to those hoarders,

it's over ¥20 a pack.

Then let's get some more.

Make some money.

I'll slap you.

I bought this to save lives.

We have friends and families.

I bought extra to prepare for the worst.

Shameless.

How much did you spend?

I traded a TV voucher for it.

Good idea. I should do that too.

I have a TV voucher at home.

Why didn't I think of that?

I already traded it for you.

Wait.

-What? -You traded away my TV voucher?

-You-- -Don't pull.

How could you trade my TV voucher?

Settle down.

Stay under the blanket.

I don't have a TV voucher,

so I had to use yours.

-Who does things like that? -Enough.

Wait.

How did you know where I put the voucher?

Wrapped it in paper and put it in a fish.

It's your only trick.

How could you do this?

-Don't pull. -At least ask me first.

How could you just do it?

Quiet down. You're disturbing others.

I'm sorry.

Where's the medicine?

Give it to me.

If it's so valuable,

I better drink it.

Who's that? He keeps glancing around.

The bald guy?

Yeah, how'd you know?

He's been doing that the whole time.

He's Japanese.

Came here for business.

Instead, all he got was an infection.

He's been here for a while.

Alone in Shanghai. No friends, no family.

Poor guy.

What a precious pack of medicine.

Thank you.

Take it.

I have more.

Here they are.

Here.

Take it.

Get well soon.

Share it with everyone!

Everyone gets one.

Here.

Pass it back.

Pass it.

I'm already feeling better.

Okay, enough jumping.

I'm almost done.

You're leaving?

Ah Bao,

you're a good person.

m not good I'm not good until I recover.

I leave you with this:

"Never take lightly your journey as we shall meet again."

Mr. Yamamoto is an executive?

Impressive.

What goes around comes around.

That small act of kindness floated across the sea

and years later became a lifeline.