Original subtitles

Created & Directed by WONG KAR WAI

EPISODE 17

SLAP IN THE FACE

A single choice can define your life.

Even if you know right from wrong,

you can't escape from destiny.

If Ling Zi doesn't come back,

it means she's found something better.

When it comes to love,

once you turn away,

things will never be the same.

Mr. Ge, make a wish.

Hurry.

I wish that Tokyo Nights will prosper.

Then I wish

we'll all eat together at here everyday.

as a place for love and friendship.

Whether or not Ling Zi is here,

today is still her birthday.

We should have some cake.

Be quiet. People are sleeping.

I'm sorry, Ling Zi.

Please forgive me.

This way.

This place is so nice.

Why did the last tenant leave?

Personal reasons.

I'm just...

I'm just worried

they left because of bad feng shui.

The feng shui is great.

The old Madame was here for a very long time.

Really?

Business was smooth. And lots of regulars.

Really now?

Is this really your property?

Why wouldn't it be?

How else could I rent it to you?

Quietly, please.

Why are you sneaking around?

Do you really own this property?

Of course I do.

Ask anyone on this street.

Everyone knows

I'm the landlord here.

When can we sign the lease then?

Anytime.

I'm so sorry.

Mr. Ge,

you already found a new tenant?

I'm sorry.

A friend introduced her.

She's just browsing.

So even your friends know?

Are you the previous Madame?

I was only renting after all.

Sooner or later,

I'd have to leave.

I was going to stay a few days to help tidy up

before Mr. Ge started giving tours.

Who knew he was so eager to start?

It's not like that, she's just passing through.

In the end, a landlord just cares about money.

You seem like a nice person.

Here, reach out if you have questions.

I was here for such a long time,

I know this place better than Mr. Ge.

And I wouldn't lie to you.

Call me anytime.

Great.

Thank you.

I'll be off then.

-Bye! -Bye.

I'll walk her out.

Mr. Ge.

Uh... I won't walk her out.

Sit down.

I...

was really worried you weren't coming back.

Not just me.

Tao Tao,

Ling Hong,

and especially Mr. Bao.

He said we can't keep going like this.

That's why

I had to think of the future.

Honestly, I didn't even know

if there'd be interest in this place.

I wasn't accusing you.

I even said it was fine.

You can find a new tenant.

Tokyo Nights can move out.

Absolutely not.

Tokyo Nights is Tokyo Nights only if it's here.

It won't be the same anywhere else.

Have Tao Tao and Ling Hong come tomorrow.

I'll do that right now.

Uncle Ye,

could you help cover rent this month?

She chose to leave.

No matter where she is,

the rent is still her responsibility.

She did this knowing you'd take care of it,

or she's planning to quit.

Either way, you shouldn't pay.

She's already back,

and she has new plans.

We're meeting tomorrow to discuss everything.

Demon back to haunt us.

Quick, tell me,

you really saw her? You're sure?

I was scared to death.

-Go see for your-- -I'm not going. You go.

No, you go. Who is it?

The Madame wants you to come to lunch. Come quick.

What does "come quick" mean?

-It means lunch is ready, what else? -She wants us over for lunch?

Could it be...

A trap?

What trap?

What? Revenge?

-Is she going to kill us? -You want to go? Then go ahead.

Go on then.

You go.

Absolutely not.

The oldest should go.

The... longest haired should go.

Why don't we all go?

-We'll go together. -Then go.

-Together. -Fine, let's go.

-Go! -What's there to be scared of?

Ready? Go.

Come on, let's go.

Why aren't you moving?

Honestly, I'm too scared to go.

We could just all stay here.

We don't have to go.

Right, it's just a meal.

What's the big deal?

-It's fine if we don't go. -Hello?

You coming?

I can skip lunch for a day.

Damn it.

Why give it to me?

What's going on?

Are you coming over or not?

I'm not going to keep waiting.

We'll come.

We are on our way.

Come on in.

Go.

Where did you go?

Japan.

Why Japan?

Vacationing.

Having fun.

Clearing my mind.

Tokyo Nights was open all year round. It never closed for a single day.

After all these years, it was time to take a break.

Breaks are good,

but still, you should have told us.

You all seem to be doing fine without me.

What did you do in Japan?

Mostly just spending money.

How much did you spend?

All of it.

It's time to restart.

I'm starting from scratch,

and so is Tokyo Nights.

I'm looking for new investors so I can renovate the shop.

Don't worry. You're all my closest friends.

If you want in, you'll get first dibs.

Then I'll look elsewhere.

This is a big deal.

Have you told Mr. Bao?

He has to know, right?

I'm seeing him soon.

Coming.

Mrs. Shi.

Your friend just called.

He said he can't make it tonight.

Here's his number.

Wait, take this.

Thank you.

I'll see you.

She's singing her sad songs again.

She even prepared dinner,

but he didn't show.

Poor woman.

How's that your business?

Of course it is. We're neighbors.

We should all...

Are you painting Ling Zi?

Stop dreaming.

You have no chance with her.

Neither do you.

You can tell too?

Any idiot could tell.

Come here.

What is it?

You're here for rent, aren't you?

That wasn't the intent.

Mr. Chen, listen to me.

I wasn't... you...

That's not why I'm here.

-This is all I have. -I have ¥75.

Take this for now.

You'll get the rest next week. Okay?

You misunderstood. Listen to me.

Mr. Chen, you misunderstood.

-I-- -Goodbye.

Who does he take me for?

This place should be called "the house of unrequited love."

Uncle Ye asked for the books.

I never knew how to bookkeep, but now I've learned.

Show these to him.

Enough about that.

I'm not here to talk accounting.

You were gone for so long.

Now that you're back,

I just have one question.

Do you still want Tokyo Nights?

If you want to keep going, we can renovate.

Start over.

Just like before, you won't need outside capital.

However much you need, I'll pay for it myself./

Of course I want to keep going,

but not like it was before.

I would like you to withdraw.

From now on, Tokyo Nights and Mr. Bao

are totally separate.

People always said that

I watched over Tokyo Nights waiting for you to come home.

I never gave an explanation.

I never had one anyway.

But I figured one out.

You'll take your shares back. I'll get new shareholders.

A new Tokyo Nights with new investors will speak for itself.

The old rumors about our relationship

will be buried in the past.

It'll be a weight off my shoulders.

I understand.

Agreed.

With me or without me,

Tokyo Nights will be fine.

Hold on.

Three years ago, I lent you something.

Now I want it back.

What was it?

My luck.

Give it back.

"Protective Talisman from Sensoji Temple"

What was three years of luck worth to you? You decide how much you owe.

I can't put a number on that.

Luck is in everything.

Back then, we both needed all the luck.

Your lending your luck to me

was a sentiment worth my life.

No matter what, I owe you.

I'll give you the money.

If you ever need my help

in the future,

so long as I still have any luck left,

you know where to find me.

Okay.

We'll see whose luck is better then.

Next time you visit, it'll be as a guest. I'll welcome you.

If you never come back, that's fine.

There will be others.

From now on, nobody's allowed to mix

their personal drama with my Tokyo Nights.

-Are you changing the name? -No. I'm keeping it for the memories.

Ling Zi said, "I might as well tear it all down,

and rebuild Tokyo Nights from the ground up."

In the first half of 1993, stock prices started to spiral.

A fiery start to the year was quickly doused in rain.

Facing an overheating economy,

the government responded aggressively.

A tighter monetary policy resulted in the second-ever bear market.

July saw the lowest point of both Shenzhen and Shanghai's indices.

The Shanghai Composite had fallen by 50%.

Still, tens of thousands of new traders entered the market every week.

In September, the Shanghai Stock Exchange amended key regulations,

allowing corporations to trade securities.

This historic change opened a new door, and money poured into Shanghai,

transforming it from a regional market into a national one.

A new market brought new possibilities,

and I saw an opportunity to pave the way for Shanghai Fashion's IPO.

No. 101 XIKANG ROAD Captain Cai is here!

Stock 378 is garbage.

Buy today, and the price crashes.

Buy tomorrow, and it crashes again.

It's crazy!

Don't get so worked up.

-It's bad for your health. -Mr. Bao?

Fancy seeing you here.

How's it going?

It's a mess.

Shanghai stocks aren't for locals anymore.

We made the cake, but other people ate it.

Isn't it good that the cake is growing?

Back then I was a big shot, and you were nobody.

Now I'm nobody, and you're the big shot.

Where's Stamps Li?

Everyone's scattered.

He went back to selling stamps.

A question for you.

Are you familiar with brokers in other cities?

What's the matter?

Shanghai Fashion wants to go public.

I'm their advisor.

You and I are the same. We're always up to something.

Times are changing fast.

I don't want to be a spectator.

An advisor is not a spectator.

You're the navigator.

I want to ride this wave.

I'd love your insight.

Don't kid around.

You're Mr. Bao.

What do you need me for?

I'm going into battle.

How could I win without a Captain?

Be serious.

I am serious.

Why would you need me?

These days, I'm a shell of my former self.

I'm useless.

This is where it all started.

On that fateful day when you pulled me through the gate.

Hurry!

We went from Zhapu Road to Huanghe Road.

Now I'm taking on Nanjing Road.

You want in or not?

I thought you would never ask. What's the plan?

Most people just tell you what you want to hear.

I'm going to be real with you.

They only want you to help them get to The Club.

If it wasn't for that, they wouldn't insist on you.

Why else would they pick someone with no IPO experience to be their advisor?

What did Shanghai Fashion say to you?

Mr. Bao, I'll be frank with you..

I mean no disrespect,

but do you have what it takes?

I can still muster up some funds.

Any IPO requires huge sums of capital.

We are a hundred-year-old company, nationally recognized.

we need a large ship, not small boat.

We'll do whatever it takes.

Great, other than the funding,

we need the right underwriter

to guarantee victory over Luwan Retail.

Our chairman says,

whoever can get us listed

is who we're partnering with.

So they made it very clear.

The market only recognizes results.

If you want in,

first you build your war chest.

Only then can you obtain the listing.

How's the money coming along?

Why do you think I came to you?

I knew it.

You weren't here to ask about brokers.

What's the situation?

Ning Bo found a lead.

Help me figure out if it's solid.

Okay.

I'll call you.

Don't give up!

Let me.

I got this. Just watch!

Cheers!

It's not like I work on Huanghe Road. Every dollar I make already goes to you.

It's not like I work on Huanghe Road. Every dollar I make already goes to you.

You two are so annoying.

Fine, I got it!

Miss Wang, come here.

You trying to break a record? Managing four warehouses alone...

So the Mink King told me your situation will be resolved in two weeks or so.

I never believed those rumors anyway.

I know you wouldn't do all that.

What do you want?

Listen.

My mother-in-law turns 70 on Saturday.

She's dead set on Mei Lin Garden,

but it's too busy on Saturdays. I couldn't get a room.

You were popular on Huanghe Road.

Can you help me get a reservation?

I can try.

Hello?

Madame? It's Miss Wang.

Miss Wang?

Can I reserve a room for Saturday?

Saturday?

Our rooms are all booked.

But is it for you or for your friend?

It's for my friend.

If you're coming yourself, I'm sure we can make it work.

Will you come with me?

I'll be there.

How many people?

Ten.

Ten people. Thanks for the help.

Bye.

I'll come for the beginning, okay?

Okay.

I'll make a toast to your mother-in-law.

Perfect.

It's a deal.

You're incredible.

Jiangxi.

Jiangxi,

call Xiao Er and ask him for a favor.

Move the Saturday reservation out of the private room.

We're reserving it for Miss Wang.

I thought she had a problem?

If she really has a problem,

she wouldn't come to Huanghe Road.

Mr. Bao must have taken care of it.

Mr. Bao is going to come?

When?

Saturday.

Madame,

Mr. Bao hasn't come here in a long time.

It's obvious that Li Li next door is competing with Miss Wang.

Miss Wang won't go to The Grand Lisbon.

If she's coming to Mei Lin Garden, Mr. Bao will definitely be here.

I looked into Ning Bo's lead.

It's a clothing company in Zhejiang.

They invest their cash flow in stocks, but it hasn't gone well.

They have ¥30 million tied up in shares of Zhejiang Phoenix.

They don't know what to do.

They want you to take over and salvage what you can.

Money's no use if it's not liquid,

even if they only charge me 70%.

I need cash, not shares.

I'd be better off taking out a cash loan.

How about a counteroffer?

I'll take their stock taking out a cash loan.

I'll pay 10% interest on all of it.

In one year, they they'll get back ¥34.1 million.

They stand to profit, and I buy some time. How's that sound?

Are you free to talk to them tonight?

You talk to them first.

I'm meeting a Walmart representative at the Red Heron tonight.

I'll call you tomorrow.

Sounds good.

Miss Wang.

I knew you'd be back.

How are you?

-Your dad looks so young. -Don't be silly.

I'll come find you later.

Over here.

Hello!

How much is a lighter?

On the house.

Why so generous today?

Thanks.

She's going to Mei Lin Garden?

Miss Wang.

Lu Meilin.

You're here.

Mr. Fan.

Hello.

He's here for his mother-in-law's birthday.

-Take good care of them. -Of course. See how packed we are?

I still saved a room just for you.

Jiangxi, take them in.

Quickly.

Madame,

what's the plan with Miss Wang?

Don't give her the room if you don't see Mr. Bao.

Okay.

ONE HOUR LATER

Excuse me, young lady.

What's going on? The room is still occupied?

-We've been waiting for an hour. -It's yours as soon as it's free.

-Hello, Madame. -Lu Meilin.

-Wait a minute. -What's going on?

It's already six, why can't we get the room?

Relax. Wait a second.

How's the food?

Great.

Hurry up with the orders.

I don't understand what we're waiting for.

Mr. Bao.

I figured if you were coming, Mr. Bao had to be here too.

I put the reservation under his name.

Madame, do you have a room?

Hold on, I'll be there. Jeez.

See how popular my rooms are?

Still, I saved one for Mr. Bao.

I made the phone call.

I reserved the room under my name.

Mom, why don't I go in and check?

Okay.

Mom, there is an empty room here.

Come on.

There's a room?

Quick.

There's a room.

Quick.

Let's go inside.

You hear how my stocks are doing? Not bad, right?

What's going on here?

This isn't your room.

You need to leave.

Why are you in here?

Who are you?

Who am I?

-I own this restaurant. -So what?

We're just here to eat.

This isn't your room.

Get out.

-Don't touch her! -I didn't touch her.

You all need to leave.

You hit me!

I hit you? Don't be ridiculous.

When did I hit you?

-Honey! -All of you, out.

-What do you want? -He hit me.

Take this.

-What the hell? -What?

Why did you hit her? You know who this is?

-Your wife. -That's right!

-So what? -You want to fight?

-What do you want? -You want to fight?

What's going on?

Meilin.

My head is bleeding.

Let me see.

Excuse me.

Who hit you?

This asshole.

I did.

Weren't you acting all tough?

Didn't you hit my mother-in-law?

-Did you hit him? -Yes.

-You hit him? -That's what I said!

Don't move.

You too!

Call the police!

There's no need.

He didn't mean it. It's a misunderstanding.

Look at his head.

It's covered in blood.

Let me explain--

He hit his head himself. Who knew your man was made of tofu?

-You stay right there. -I will.

Unless I say so, nobody leaves Mei Lin Garden!

Oh yeah? Just stop me.

You can't leave.

What are you doing?

Stop that!

Let go!

You lowlifes don't belong on Huanghe Road.

-Watch your mouth! -You're pathetic.

-What did you say? -All you bastards.

You want a fight? I'll give you one.

-Let's see it. -I'll make sure you

spend this birthday in jail.

Bring it on.

Your mother is going to pass out.

-Is my guest here yet? -Upstairs.

What's happening?

Miss Wang is fighting...

What's going on?

Miss Wang and Lu Meilin are fighting.

I'm sorry, Mr. Jin.

He's not usually like this.

Don't touch me!

Lu Meilin.

Why don't you let them go? I'll go with you to the police station.

Young lady, that's a good joke.

What is this?

A negotiation?

Well then, I slap you as payback, and I'll let them go.

-Don't you dare! -Stop, settle down.

Don't be angry.

Say it nicely.

Mr. Bao is here.

What's all this excitement about?

What's going on?

This has nothing to do with you.

You should go.

What happened to your hand?

I hear someone reserved a room for me.

Mr. Bao, you're finally here?

This is perfect.

You can be the judge.

Miss Wang

brought this thug to my restaurant,

who kicked my husband around.

What do you think we should do?

Who knew your man was made of tofu?

Hey pal, can you pipe down? Save it for the police.

I'm not scared.

Mr. Bao,

Miss Wang doesn't want me to call the police.

Fine by me. We go way back.

But Huanghe Road has its rules.

This is a slap in my face. I have to return the favor.

Enough.

She wasn't who hit your husband.

It's someone's birthday.

Why make a scene?

Do me a favor, and let this go?

I'd love to do Mr. Bao a favor.

But look, see how badly he's hurt?

What about my dignity?

What about the dignity of this place?

-You want to slap me? -That's right.

Enough.

How about this?

I'll take the slap. That should suffice.

What? You have nothing to do with this.

You must be joking.

I don't joke.

On Huanghe Road, who would dare hit Mr. Bao?

For real?

Happy?

How dare you? How dare you hit him?

That's enough.

It's okay.

Stop crying.

I didn't...

I didn't want to always rely on you.

I didn't want people to always associate Miss Wang with Mr. Bao.

But somehow, you still got hurt because of me.

When you're in trouble,

you can come to me for help.

It's normal.

If you overthink it and hesitate,

people will take advantage of you.

To think that after all this time,

I can't even book a private room under my own name.

You know Huanghe Road.

You're seen as a wallet, not a person. You know that.

One day,

people will recognize a Miss Wang who doesn't depend on Mr. Bao.

Who reserves rooms for her own business.

She slapped you today.

When I come back to Huanghe Road,

I'll make her pay.

I don't need that.

I do.

I'm sorry.

The towers of Shanghai sank further into the black of night.

Their silhouettes grew short and dim, until they no longer shined.

It's pouring.

You're really not going back?

Nope.

Why not?

At first you were itching to leave.

Now that your name's been cleared,

you won't go back.

I don't care.

I've always been innocent.

There was nothing to clear.

Miss Wang, let me tell you.

My grandfather used to say, "Everyone has his own dock."

Here in Hongkou, the port is our arena.

Understand?

Most of us can barely read, but you're a person of culture.

You arena isn't here.

It's at No. 27.

No. 27 is not my dock. Why can't I be my own dock?

-What about Mr. Bao? -No!

I am my own dock.

Careful not to let it slip!

Harder.

Pull! Almost there.

That's good.

Careful.

You okay? How's your hand?

I'm fine.

"Wang MingZhu"

What are you doing?

Don't slack off.

-Is that good? -Further in.

How about now?

Good.

Are you sure?

Go ahead.

Hurry up over there.

-It's all here. -Thank you.

-I'll walk you out. -No need.

Listen,

I've met all sorts of people.

Miss Wang, you're special!

Don't call me Miss Wang. Call me Wang.

Wang of Hongkou.

I'll be back to visit you.

Wang of Hongkou, remember, don't embarrass me!

Thank you!