Original subtitles

Created & Directed by WONG KAR WAI

EPISODE 30

SILENCE REIGNS

The stock market is like a fortress besieged.

Everyone outside wants in. Everyone inside wants out.

Mr. Bao fulfilled every promise he made.

As I left the Peace Hotel, I had once again became Ah Bao.

Falling from the Empire State Building takes 8.8 seconds.

Leaving behind the Peace Hotel took seven years.

Mr. Bao!

Let me call you a car.

No need.

Please store my luggage.

I'll send someone for it.

Mr. Bao,

my grandfather told me you're a magician.

So,

you'll turn back into Mr. Bao.

Definitely.

[Speaking Arabic]

I've learned 26 different languages.

That was also one of your magic tricks.

Meaning in Chinese?

"You'll be back."

Pulling my leg?

No.

I learned everything you taught me.

I'll learn more.

China is home to many dialects.

From now on, start learning those too.

In the future, the Peace Hotel won't just have foreign guests.

I will.

Mr. Bao!

Goodbye.

In the past 7 years,

I and this land's many Ah Bao's

braved the storm, saw the world.

We waded, groping for stones.

We also wanted to be stones groped by others.

We also reminded ourselves that with recklessness comes risk.

MARCH, 1994

Are you looking for someone?

Mr. Qiang, the police are asking you to go with them.

Mr. Qiang's Shanghai Fashion strategy cost Southern Investments immensely.

His head office nails him for negligence of duty,

causing losses to national properties.

It's a criminal offence.

Sentence: 3 years.

They took him away on March 1.

The Oriental Pearl Tower opened 7 months later.

After 3 months of working day and night,

Miss Wang finally completed her company's first order.

In March of 1994, she left Shenzhen and returned to Shanghai.

Miss Wang made it big and got us a cake!

As they say, "Never forget your roots."

Friends even in richness.

Forget us not.

I won't forget. Wherever I go,

I'm still from No. 27, still dream of collecting stamps.

She's right.

I saw her growing up.

-Have some, it's delicious. -You're very generous.

Your order was big.

2 pieces of cake. A bit stingy.

Eat often, let success be your token.

Or else you'll never make it big.

This one is with the flower.

The best piece is for my mentor.

-Right. -As it should be.

I'll take this to her. You guys help yourselves.

Sounds good.

Listen, everyone.

I didn't recognize her as Miss Wang.

She's a boss now.

Same flair as Mr. Bao.

-Come in. -Teacher.

Best piece for the most important.

It was risky.

But I was trained by the best.

I knew that competing with Mr. Bao on costs was hopeless.

My only chance was to bet on exchange rates.

-You had good luck. -I had a good teacher.

You told me, these 2 years, our nation needs to import equipment.

The government devalued the RMB to balance the trade deficit.

Mr. Bao's company is Hong Kong-based and settles in Hong Kong dollars.

He couldn't benefit from the new rates, but I could.

Still,

how could you know the timing?

Firstly, your trip must've been delayed for a reason.

Secondly,

if I didn't have a shot, you never would've given me the order.

Right?

So,

you weren't too dumb.

Where's your partner?

Moving office.

Where to?

You can see it from here.

The Oriental Pearl Tower?

Behind it.

His father has two warehouses there.

It's a good location for moving goods in and out.

Right now, Mr. Fan of docks is working on refurbishing the place.

By the time you move in,

should be gone.

Where are you reassigned?

To service you.

If we secure a favorable GATT treaty, your warehouses will see more use.

Next time I come, you won't be here.

Beijing will send someone to replace me.

In the meantime, Mr. Li will take over.

What about Mei Ping?

She left to start her own company.

Don't come often.

Or they'll follow your example,

and open their own companies.

Who'll work here?

Don't worry,

the flowers that bloom out there always had roots in here.

Our success will make No. 27 proud.

Congratulations.

Onwards and upwards.

Thank you, Chief.

Thank you.

Will you come back tomorrow?

It's my day off.

The country's existing regulatory systems

could no longer handle the rapid growth of foreign trade.

"Silks"

To better support that growth, the government modernized

"Textiles"

"Knitwear"

the structure of state-owned enterprises like the Foreign Trade Office.

"Apparel"

The era of the "Five Jin Hua," queens of the textile industry,

"Home Fabrics"

became history.

Chief Jin.

Chief Jin, congratulations. I hear you're being sent abroad.

I am.

Don't forget to come back to visit. We'll all miss you.

I will.

Hold on, wait a moment.

Chief Jin,

an elderly gentleman left this for you.

Said it used to be yours.

For me?

Your name's on it.

"To Chief Jin"

Mr. Zhu of the courier company called me.

He received a bunch of stamps, extraordinary ones.

I went over, recognized her stamps.

This album has a story. It was a gift from my mentor.

When Jin Hua was young, she was just like me.

So blunt.

A drawback.

Is he still here?

He just left.

I gave it to her as a wedding gift.

She filled it with stamps her husband brought back from overseas.

She treasured them so.

Even so, she gave it to Miss Wang.

One album, decades of shuttling.

Quite precious.

Sorry, Miss Shen, we're fully booked.

Please call ahead next time.

-Bye. -Madame.

-Is it our turn yet? -Should be. Let me check.

Madame, Miss Wang called to reserve a table.

-Who'd you say? -Miss Wang.

Miss Wang? Tell her to come. I'll make it work.

Got it.

Madame.

Ling Zi, dear!

-Hello, Miss Wang! -Hello there, President Wang!

-Long time no see. -Hi.

Your place is so different now.

You're different too.

Friends are still the same.

Right.

I'm treating two Singaporean clients to dinner.

They specifically requested Tokyo Nights, so I had to inconvenience you.

Nonsense. You'll always have a seat here.

I hope the spot I found for you is okay.

Of course.

-This way please. -Watch your step.

Right over here.

Wow, a table in the kitchen.

Watch your step.

I didn't know it was for a birthday.

If this doesn't work, I can ask to see if anyone will swap tables.

Don't worry. This is great. Thanks.

Please, make yourselves at home.

Is this spot okay?

This spot is specifically reserved for Madame's family.

And Miss Wang is family to me.

Give Miss Wang's table two fish-roe onigiri per person.

-She loves rice balls. -Got it.

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you.

Perfect.

Fine. I'll sing.

But my whole life, I've only known one song...

What is it?

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you.

-No way. -It's on the house.

No, they're my guests. I'm paying.

Next time I come by myself, it'll be on you.

There is no next time.

What do you mean?

I had these two guests from Hong Kong.

They loved the place. Said I should open one in Hong Kong.

I decided I'm going next month.

-Hi Madame. -Hi, your table's ready.

Watch your step.

-Where's Ling Hong? -Beijing.

Then you're closing this location?

Not at all.

Mr. Ge will run it with Xiao Wen, Xiao Qin, and Monk.

-For table four. -Okay.

I never thought that after just a few months in Shenzhen,

"For Rent"

I'd return to find people retired or gone.

All those old friends have scattered.

We have two legs for walking back and forth.

Done right,

5 to 10 years' absence changes nothing.

Done wrong,

3 to 5 days and 10 days feel like 10 years.

Miss Wang, your guests are leaving.

-I'll be right back. -Sure.

Ling Zi,

-give me your business card. -What?

-Business card. -Oh, sure!

Newly printed.

-Give me more. -Why?

Nowadays I get a lot of Japanese guests. I can send them your way.

Maybe you'll expand to Singapore next.

Good point.

Just in case, right?

-Thank you so much. -Bye.

-Happy Birthday. -Thanks.

-Come back anytime. -Thanks.

-Bye! -Bye!

-Bye! -Bye!

Those two are important clients.

Mr. Fan introduced them to me.

-Where's Mr. Fan now? -Back in Hangzhou.

-Retired. Grows flowers now. -What flowers?

Roses!

And, Mr. Wei?

Your partner. Still together?

Stuck.

NEW MINGZHU, LUJIAZUI, PUDONG

Please, grant me success.

Win-win for romance and business.

-Excuse me. -Want to join, Miss Wang?

You guys go ahead.

All done, Miss Wang.

-You're leaving? Take some drinks. -No thanks.

Come on, just take one.

Business is good.

Romance, not so.

You pray every day, but it hasn't helped.

You don't understand. Faith can move mountains.

Come, take a look.

You've found your own wharf. Dock?

Not bad, huh?

-Is it too noisy here? -Not at all.

These are sounds of the times.

-Take this. -What is it?

We made ¥80,000 from Walmart.

After operation costs, moving costs, utilities,

and paying the contractors for renovations,

we have ¥10,000 left to split fifty-fifty.

This time, I participated in spirit, but not in person.

My share should be smaller.

Just consider it next month's pay.

Then wait until next month. I'm leaving it here.

Even friends should keep clear accounts.

Hold on. Just so we're clear,

I didn't partner up with you to make money.

And definitely not to be "friends."

I partnered up with you to do business together.

That's it. There's nothing else.

If you can accept that, we can continue being partners.

If you can't accept it, this company should come to an end.

Sounds mean.

But the truth needs to be laid out.

Better than confusion down the line, wasting both time and feelings.

I made that mistake before.

But never again.

Enough of that kind of talk.

Why open old wounds?

Not every fish lives in the same ocean.

But we have the same goal.

Long live Mingzhu, right?

That being said,

if you do happen to change your mind one day,

please tell me.

What's that?

Long live Mingzhu.

Still waiting for Mr. Bao?

Have you seen him?

Just once since I came back.

Wait here.

-Monk, are the desserts ready? -Yes.

Madame, I'm off.

-Come in early tomorrow. -I know.

Xiao Wen, Xiao Qin, close up.

Sis, do you know where Mr. Bao is?

No. Have you looked?

I went to the hotel.

He had checked out.

"Closed"

If he hadn't tried to help me, Uncle Ye wouldn't have left.

And if Uncle Ye didn't leave, then he wouldn't have fallen.

Sooner or later, he would have.

You know, I had a chance to warn him.

But I decided not to.

Why not?

Everyone said,

Mr. Bao did well because he borrowed my luck.

I didn't believe that.

But I stayed by his side,

for fear it might be true. might be true.

Now I think otherwise.

One cannot always rely on luck.

Right?

Alright, Miss Wang, I need to close up.

We'll call it a night.

-I wish you success. -You too.

Hard to let go?

To me,

nothing's hard to let go.

See you, Miss Wang.

See you.

I'll be back, you know?

You may be back on the same day.

I'll buy you a drink then.

Ling Zi,

See you around.

See you.

In Ling Zi's world, it didn't matter what comes and goes.

Only "business as usual."

She believed in doing more to get more,

like a passionate flame.

Our restaurant's just up ahead.

The car was Mr. Bao's gift to you for starting your company.

It's not borrowing.

It is. I'm going to give it back.

-Hi. -Is Lucy in?

Lucy quit.

Miss Wang? Miss Wang!

Miss Wang!

Jingxiu!

I thought you were gone.

I'm renovating.

Nobody uses public phones anymore.

They don't buy lighters much either.

I'll sell fresh fruit and flowers instead.

Still called "Jingxiu"?

"Passer-by." What do you think?

Great name.

-Want a soda? -Sure.

Here.

Thanks.

still open. The Red Heron's still open.

But Lucy's gone.

Lucy, Min Min, and Jiangxi left Huanghe Road and started their own place.

They're Madames now.

You'll pass them on Dingxing Road.

You must have heard what happened at Mei Lin Garden.

I've heard.

Something like that even made the papers.

The Grand Lisbon though...

I never would have guessed.

Mr. Qiang was going to take over,

but then he got arrested.

Made things easy for that Mrs. Lin.

Where's Manager Pan?

Okura Garden Hotel.

She knows Huanghe Road so well. Why didn't she stay?

I asked her the same thing.

She said that from day one, she knew things would end this way.

What does that mean?

ONE WEEK AGO

This is our restaurant. It's great.

Just up ahead.

Come check out our restaurant, right over there.

Manager Pan!

Manager Pan, you heading home?

You're really leaving?

The new Madame will be here soon.

What if she wants you as manager? You'd have a third term.

Why not wait a bit?

No.

I only agreed to stay two years before going back to Okura Garden.

Two years?

Back then, your Madame already knew it'd end like this?

She probably knew since the first day we opened.

I heard...

she's actually known Mr. Bao for a long time now.

The one she knew might not have been "Mr. Bao."

Manager Pan,

you were the closest to Li Li.

If people asked you about Li Li's relationship with Mr. Bao,

what would you say?

I know nothing.

Even if I knew, it might not be real.

Even what Li Li and Mr. Bao would say might not be real.

She always said, "No rest until I reach Huanghe."

So it wasn't all for nothing.

So,

what existed between Li Li and Mr. Bao,

heaven knows, earth knows

and Huanghe Road knows...

But Huanghe Road never speaks.

Right?

The unsaid is deafening.

Goodbye.

I came to return the car.

Now that Manager Pan's gone,

I don't know who to return this key to.

Didn't Mr. Bao give you this car when you started your company?

You already drove it to Shenzhen.

Why won't you accept his kindness?

He gave me this Cadillac...

So that I wouldn't be looked down upon.

But my PRIDE...

is for me to fight for.

Huanghe Road spans just 755 meters.

I know what got me here...

and what made me leave.

Now, the restaurants are closed, and the people are gone.

But I lived by my words.

I don't want this car.

What I wanted

was never a Cadillac.

I'm leaving you this key.

When Mr. Bao comes back, return it for me.

Mr. Bao!

Mr. Bao's here!

Mr. Bao's here!

Mr. Bao's here!

Mr. Bao's here!

Only this fool

still remembers Mr. Bao.

Miss Wang!

To me, you'll never be just a passerby!

Good evening, Shanghai. Huangpu River, our Shanghainese mother river,

opens its passionate arms to welcome guests from 5 continents.

Visitors will now be delighted to see,

between the cables of the Yangpu Bridge,

the elegant light of the Oriental Pearl Tower.

OCTOBER 1ST, 1994

5 years ago, I made a date with Miss Wang.

5 years flew by.

Miss Wang didn't come.

I thought she'd forgotten...

Later I found out she'd gone elsewhere.

In five years, when you're section chief, and the Pearl Tower's complete,

we'll watch its opening ceremony together.

Watch from where? Let's decide now.

Right here! Rooftop of the Peace Hotel.

Where could you get a better view of the tower?

Right in front of my workplace.

A date then.

Don't forget.

We never would've guessed that her workplace would be across the river.

That night,

Miss Wang and I both witnessed that historic occasion.

But separating us...

was the vast Huangpu River.

JUNE 30TH, 1997

In 1997, I attended Hong Kong's handover.

As the Chinese flag was hoisted, marking the end of British rule,

endless crowds at Hong Kong's biggest night market

celebrated this moment from dusk to dawn.

China was electrified.

"July 1st, A New Chapter in History"

Countless people witnessed history.

But the one I had made a date with didn't live to see it.

After 1997, a new millennium loomed.

New opportunities.

And new challenges.

"Welcome to Pudong"

This plot of land in Pudong... Your father and I each own 50%.

I believe land in the East will soon rival land in the West.

Give it your all.

The past is in everything.

The people we've met, the things we've experienced,

are etched in our hair, skin, breath, and heartbeats.

Rise or fall, life comes in seasons.

Every spring, we know which flowers will bloom.

Every fall, we know which fruits won't ripen.

Still we brave the winters, anticipating spring's arrival.

Blossoms shimmer like brocade.

The earnest heart endures.

What's left unsaid, heaven knows.