Original subtitles

Manzhi.

Honey.

[Six months ago]

I shouldn't have done that.

Open the door and let's talk.

Okay?

Manzhi,

why is it

so hard for the two of us to even sit down

and talk calmly now?

When we first met,

we were at a casino.

You told me to follow your bets,

and we

won 17 rounds in a row. Have you forgotten?

Back then, you said

I was the most daring man you'd ever seen.

And I said you were my lucky goddess.

Have you forgotten all that?

Tang Yushan, Tang Yushan,

I'm begging you.

Please let me go.

I'm begging you.

Can you just let me go?

You're begging me?

You're my wife,

and you're begging me?

Haven't I been good to you?

If others heard this,

they'd think I was a despicable man!

Manzhi,

open the door! Open the door!

I'm so good to you, and you want to divorce me?

Tang Yushan, you don't love me at all!

Open it!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

What's with all the ruckus?

Open the door right now!

Director Fan.

Director Fan,

what a rare honor

to have you here today.

Mr. Tang,

my men received a complaint

about a lot of noise coming from your house.

When I heard it was about you,

I decided to come over personally.

Are you moving,

or throwing a party?

Fan,

we go way back,

so I won't hide it from you.

Every family has its own troubles.

My wife

is an actress. You know that.

Lately, those reporters are always

looking for something to write about.

She's under a lot of stress and has been losing her temper.

See?

There's nothing I can do about it.

Please bear with us.

Your wife has quite a bit of strength.

Give me a second.

Director Fan,

I'm really sorry

for disturbing the neighbors

and making you and your men come all the way here

so late at night.

Let's play cards together sometime.

Sure thing.

Director Fan.

Could I trouble your men to help me

with one more small matter?

[A Prophet]

[Episode 17]

Second Brother,

Shangguan Chengming didn't care

about your beloved treasure at all.

He smashed it without a second thought.

And the woman you love

has eyes only for him.

I really feel sorry for you.

You came all the way here

in the middle of the night

just to rub salt in my wounds?

A couple of days ago,

I ran into a drunkard.

He shouted at Shangguan Chengming...

Wang Jiaxian!

Why are you here?

If we can prove

that he isn't Shangguan Chengming,

wouldn't that settle

both the Sect Master's matter

and yours?

That's him!

What are you doing?

You're Yang Xiaozhong, right?

Yes.

We've received a report

that you're involved in a fraud case.

Come with us.

Officers, you must have the wrong person.

No.

Move!

Are you just going to arrest me

in broad daylight like this?

Is there no law anymore?

Cut the crap!

Move!

Hello.

Hello.

I'm looking for Mr. Yang Xiaozhong.

Could you tell me which room he's in?

He must've committed a serious crime.

The police just took him away with a hood over his head.

Thank you.

It definitely wasn't the police.

Of course.

How would the police put a hood over a suspect's head?

They did it

so he wouldn't know where he was being taken.

Who else do you think

would be interested in Yang Xiaozhong right now?

Do you know this person?

According to our investigation,

this man is part of a fraud ring.

He scammed a high-ranking official out of over 100 gold bars.

Are you his accomplice?

No.

Bullshit.

Someone saw

you with him last night.

Here's the deal.

I'll give you a choice.

Do you want to be a suspect

or a witness?

Tell me.

What's his name?

Remember,

I'm Shangguan Chengming.

And we didn't know each other before,

got it?

His name is Shangguan Chengming.

Shangguan Chengming?

Shangguan...

that's a pretty rare surname, isn't it?

Is it his real name?

Yes,

it's his real name.

Looks like you still don't want to tell the truth.

Listen up,

this guy's underlings have already confessed.

It's on you now.

Think about it.

Ten years in prison.

Delicate and soft as you are,

could you really survive in there?

I really don't know him.

I only know his name is Shangguan Chengming.

Really.

How did you guys meet?

F-Fortune telling.

Fortune telling.

In our line of work, we believe in that.

Whether a film will be a hit

doesn't depend on the script

but on what the fortune tellers say.

Why do I feel like

this director is actually telling the truth?

Don't tell me...

you've dragged me into this.

What's in it for me?

Second Brother,

time to get rough.

Tell us!

Still not telling the truth, huh?

I don't know...

Speak!

Enough, enough.

Don't actually kill him.

Boss,

how about

we feed him some steamed buns?

Steamed buns with cold water.

Good idea.

On it!

A steamed bun.

Isn't it great?

Eat up.

Must I feed you myself?

Eat! Eat!

Director Yang,

your industry is associated with

the Fire element.

That's exactly

where so many films flop— chasing the heat too hard.

Yes.

Sir, you're quite an expert.

Hardly.

I just know a thing or two.

But...

we're just discussing, right?

I think

a good director

should at least know when to push and when to ease off.

Stacking hit after hit is dangerous.

You need at least one

you go all-in on,

and one you ease off on,

right?

Having enough is better than having it all.

Spot on.

Here we are.

Sir,

I... can leave now?

Can I?

Sure.

Come on.

Director Yang? Director Yang.

This way.

Let me see you out.

Let's go.

Sir.

No need.

I...

Don't mention it.

Sir.

I've told you

everything I know.

Yes.

I know.

Listen,

calm down.

I know!

Director Yang.

Sir.

Let's get things straight first.

Every debt has its debtor.

When you get down there,

you should know exactly

who to go after.

Sir...

Director Yang,

may you rest in peace.

Sir...

Sir!

Sir!

I'll confess!

-I'll tell you everything! -Stop.

It must've been Master Swindler

who put Second Batou up to it.

How do you know?

Master Swindler

has always been the Sect Master's designated successor,

in charge of maintaining order within the sect.

But he's the most unruly one.

He sure fooled the Sect Master.

You really think the Sect Master can't see through him?

He's just old,

not senile.

He simply chooses not to call him out.

True.

Who could hide anything from the Sect Master?

Not necessarily.

Some people have managed to fool him, right?

A person can be deceived

because deep down,

they want to be deceived.

Who are you two talking about?

You.

They've left.

Not me, right?

Quiet.

Get down here.

They bought it?

Anyway,

I said what was written on that bun.

Must I feed you myself?

Look carefully!

This is a bun!

[Insist that Tang Yushan knows Shangguan Chengming.]

Eat! Eat!

How was it?

More thrilling than making movies, right?

Making movies only costs money.

Your line of work costs lives.

Let's go.

Ever since I entered this business, I've been

working hard in pursuit of my beautiful artistic ideals.

But you people trample on my soul with your money

and use your power to force me to submit.

I'm telling you,

I will never agree.

This is the unfinished half of the movie

that Tang talked about.

It's my fault too.

After the publicity and buzz we got from that cemetery stunt,

he now wants me to finish this movie.

Does he still have money to make a movie?

Actually, he's never had much money.

But this guy really is an expert

at getting something for nothing.

He fools investors

while borrowing from loan sharks.

Then why don't we come at it from this angle

and make him unable to repay his debts?

How do you usually

choose actresses for your movies?

That's quite complicated.

Say...

I'm the director.

Then I certainly have the power to recommend someone.

The investors have considerable sway as well.

Sometimes they insist

that you use a particular person.

Don't forget,

the employment contract you signed with the company

states clearly that

if the company suffers losses

for personal reasons...

Listen up,

I'm giving you two choices now.

Either sign this agreement

or pay compensation and leave!

I will make this movie...

a huge hit.

Tang Yushan is a compulsive gambler.

Only gambling can get his attention.

What does a gambler need the most?

Money.

He was desperately pursuing He Manzhi

because she was rich.

Living off a woman

is his greatest ambition.

Let's go, cousin.

Let's go dance.

Oh my God.

I'm sorry.

Are you blind?

I'm really sorry.

Do you know how expensive this dress is?

Can you afford to pay for it?

Forget it.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Chief Editor Zheng!

Mr. Tang?

It really is you.

Some friend you are.

Going out for drinks and not even asking me along?

And who is this?

Mr. Tang, let me introduce you.

This is my cousin, Jiang Manyu.

Nice to meet you, Miss Manyu.

I'm Tang Yushan.

Cousin,

I came all the way back from overseas

just to avoid all the social engagements

my dad keeps setting up for me.

And now here I am, dealing with the same old song and dance.

You brought me out for drinks,

and I have to deal with this nobody?

Miss Manyu,

you don't like drinking?

It's alright.

I drink a little sometimes.

Any other hobbies?

I like...

looking at beautiful women.

Miss Manyu, you certainly have an unusual hobby.

Well, cousin,

when that beauty walks down the stairs,

how many men do you think will turn to look?

I'd say...

3.

Three?

Men really don't understand men.

Then what's your guess?

If you ask me,

at least 6.

How about we make a bet?

Sure.

Mr. Tang?

Then I'll join the fun too.

That "at least" of yours was very well put.

I bet at least 8.

One,

two,

three, four, five...

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Eleven.

You win.

Here you go.

It's not much money anyway.

Waiter!

Yes, sir.

I'm in a particularly good mood today.

So I'm buying a drink for

every guest here tonight.

Certainly, sir.

Great!

Oh, this is bad.

I'm out of money for drinks.

Miss Manyu,

could you buy me a drink?

It would be my honor.

Cousin,

this friend of yours is quite interesting.

Please.

Miss Manyu,

how long do you plan to stay this time?

I don't know.

My cousin is busy from morning till night,

and my parents don't even know I'm back.

There's no one to hang out with.

So boring.

Your father

must be quite strict with you.

He just wants what's best for you.

Don't mention him.

He's always surrounded by a crowd,

and he lectures me all the time.

He really thinks everyone is his subordinate.

Well, men

sometimes

can't balance career and family.

It's understandable.

May I ask what your father does?

He's just a lousy bank president.

What's so great about him?

Miss Manyu,

I have a presumptuous request.

What is it?

Let me formally introduce myself.

I'm Tang Yushan,

General Manager of Changfeng Pictures.

Movie...

My company is currently casting

a female lead for a movie.

In my mind,

she should be

beautiful, elegant,

well-mannered, and gentle.

And above all, she should have

that independent, free spirit and the strength that comes with it.

To be honest, it's really hard to find.

I was almost ready to give up.

Until I saw you just now.

You know, in that instant,

I...

Acting in a movie, right?

That sounds quite interesting.

I'm kind of interested.

But Mr. Tang,

who would I be acting with?

He Manzhi.

He Man...

He Manzhi?

Oh my God.

Didn't He Manzhi

die recently?

Yes.

Suicide.

I don't want to hide anything.

She was my wife.

And this movie

was also her last, unfinished work.

I must find someone,

someone who can truly take her place,

to fulfill her wish.

Can you do it?

He Manzhi...

But...

can I really do it?

Manyu.

Look at her.

She's so radiant.

Manyu, have you ever thought about this?

Imagine one day

your arrogant father

is walking down the street

and passes a giant movie poster.

And when he looks up at it,

he finds that the person on it is you.

How would that feel?

Have you imagined it?

If you star in this movie,

you're not just

taking over He Manzhi's role

but also her status as a superstar.

A chance to turn the tables

doesn't come to everyone.

Okay.

There are a lot of people auditioning today.

So everyone, let's make the most of our time.

Okay.

Alright.

Action.

Look how beautiful I am in the mirror.

But I know that isn't the real me.

But I know this isn't the real me.

It's only the me they want to see.

The saddest thing in the world is

not even being able to tell for yourself

if you're acting or living.

Maybe...

Have you been here before?

I've long since become

the most successful role I've ever played!

Hello, Mr. Tang.

Good work, everyone.

Hello, Mr. Tang.

Good work, everyone.

How's it going?

Is the audition going well today?

Not bad. We're still working on it.

Mr. Tang,

who is this?

Let me make a proper introduction.

This is Miss Manyu,

my friend.

I brought her here today

mainly so she could get a feel...

a feel for the atmosphere here.

This is my team.

Man...

Manyu, right?

Hello, I'm the director of this movie.

My name is Yang Xiaozhong.

Manyu.

Actually, I'd still like you to do an audition.

I have to audition?

Of course.

You'll do this one scene in a bit.

Don't be nervous.

Just go with your own feelings

and say these lines, okay?

I can't.

Um...

You, step down.

Step down.

Right now?

Of course, now. Come on.

Please don't make me do this.

I say you can, so you can.

Come on.

I'm not doing it. It's too much trouble.

Go away.

Mr. Tang.

So many people are watching.

I feel quite embarrassed.

What's there to be embarrassed about?

Trust me.

Take your time.

Prepare yourself.

Look how beautiful I am

in the mirror.

Look how beautiful I am...

Manyu.

You need to

let these lines sink into your heart.

Treat the stage as your home

and enjoy it.

Understand?

Got it.

Look how beautiful I am in the mirror.

Look how beautiful I am in the mirror.

Does she look the part?

Yes, very much so.

Director, what do you think?

I think...

her age...

She's younger.

She looks like a younger He Manzhi.

Don't you think so?

Mr. Tang, her potential is absolutely incredible.

Of course. You think she's some country bumpkin like you?

Her father is a banker.

She just returned from studying abroad

in America.

Got it?

Uh...

Have you acted before?

No, Director.

Having no acting experience is the best.

What we need is a blank slate.

Why all the questions?

If she already had acting experience,

why would I need you as a director?

Shoot 10 takes, and one of them will be usable.

You guys, step aside.

Step aside.

Look how beautiful I am in this mirror.

Look how beautiful...

-Okay? -Okay.

Alright. Come on.

Attention, all departments.

Lighting.

Scene 3, Shot 3, Take 2.

Rolling.

Ah.

Look how beautiful I am in that mirror.

But...

B-But...

But I...

But I know

that's not the real me.

That's just...

That...

What was it again?

Sorry, Director.

Okay, cut.

That's just...

You need to relax.

Don't be nervous.

Don't let all those words in the script

hold you back.

When the light hits you...

I think you were really good.

Very, very good.

What do you guys think?

Didn't she act adorably?

So adorable!

It's like this...

I can't do this.

I really don't know how to act.

How hard can it be?

Look at Mr. Big Shot.

What did He Manzhi ever see in him?

That's

what you call the power of capital.

Got it, got it.

That's right!

That's it!

This is exactly the state I want you in.

You're smiling.

Don't move.

Costume, makeup, and props teams.

Costume, makeup, and props teams!

Coming, coming!

I'm paying you all

because you're professionals.

If you don't put the auditioning actress

in the character's costume,

give her the character's hairstyle,

and put the character's jewelry on her,

how do you expect her

to get into the role?

Do you have any respect for the actress?

There he goes again.

Do you respect your profession

and this stage?

Sorry, Mr. Tang.

What good is sorry?

Hurry up!

Not good.

This one.

Alright, Mr. Tang.

Pick one you like.

I think this one is nice.

It suits me well.

Okay.

Here, let me help you.

Looks great on me.

When you put on this necklace,

you remind me of someone.

Who?

I'm sorry.

Mr. Tang,

are you okay?

Why doesn't she say anything?

She's a newcomer, after all.

Can she really do this?

What's going on?

Look...

how beautiful I am

in the mirror.

But I know

this isn't the real me.

It's only the me you want to see.

A movie star who is always smiling,

always graceful,

and always perfect.

Sometimes,

I can't even tell...

which one is the real me.

Is it the glamorous me

on the screen,

or the me...

crying secretly

late at night?

You all say

I'm the most beautiful woman in Republican China.

But who knows

that even a beauty's tears...

are bitter.

You love me for my beauty,

but beauty is fleeting!

You chase after my fame,

but fame is nothing but an illusion.

I've played so many roles,

yet I've never managed to play myself.

I've fooled everyone,

yet

I can never fool my own heart.

The saddest thing in the world is

not even being able to tell for yourself

if you're acting

or living.

Perhaps...

Perhaps...

Perhaps I have long since become

the most successful role I've ever played!

See that?

That's what you call the most sincere performance!

She's our lead actress.

No objections, right?

Manyu,

let's have dinner tonight

to celebrate!

Manyu?

Manyu.

Manyu?

What's wrong?

Still in character?

Manyu.

Someone,

quick!

The actress has collapsed!

Who told you...

Take all these accessories off her!

Why are you all...

Why are you all crowding around me?

Why am I sitting on the floor, Mr. Tang?

Come on,

help me up.

Just now, I was...

Just now, I was standing here by myself,

and suddenly, my mind went blank.

Then I...

Then I blacked out.

What does she mean?

Oh my God.

Did you hear that?

Did you hear what she said?

That's what you call getting into it.

That's what you call being in character.

That's what you call becoming the role!

Many actors

never reach that state in their entire lives.

Manyu,

you're the most gifted girl I've ever seen.

You have to be an actress.

You're the future of cinema itself!

Mr. Tang.

Are you crazy?

There's no overtime pay here.

I know, but didn't we audition a whole bunch of people?

I think we should keep looking.

What's there to consider?

Isn't Miss Manyu already set to play the role?

What else is there to consider?

Right, I was just about to talk to you about that.

I think this new girlfriend of yours

did quite well in the audition.

Right?

But she's a newcomer after all.

Do you know

how many stars

want to be

in this film right now?

I think

it's still too risky to use a newcomer.

I think you have a point.

Using a newcomer really is too risky.

And it just so happens

that many famous directors

have been calling me non-stop these days.

They say they're very sincere

and want to direct this movie.

Do you think I should consider them?

Have I wavered?

Mr. Tang, let...

let me pour you a cup of coffee.

I've quit coffee.

As for you,

I understand that you artistic types have your pursuits.

That's only natural.

But don't forget

who

art is supposed to serve.

Alright, it's fine.

Since I'm here,

play Miss Manyu's audition footage

from today again.

Put on Reel Six.

Scene 3, Shot 3, Take 3.

No, wait a minute.

Run that again...

Run that again from the start.

Look.

This is what you call talent.

Something's wrong.

Did you forget to clean the lens before playing it?

Come on, play it again from here.

Mr. Tang, look.

What am I supposed to look at?

How can I see anything with you standing there?

You're not wearing your glasses, so you can't see clearly.

Come up here and look.

Right.

Right, here.

What's wrong?

Look.

You mean

He Manzhi is back?

She never left.

Well, she has to go!

Didn't you perform a ritual last time?

I'd persuaded Ms. He to let go of her resentment

and move on to her next life soon.

And she'd agreed.

But have you been talking about her again?

If you don't let go of your attachment,

how can she let go?

I didn't really talk about her much.

Do you really think I don't read the newspaper?

The whole country knows

you're making a movie.

Wouldn't the underworld know?

After Ms. He's soul

became a vengeful ghost,

she had to attach herself

to something she'd used in life

in order to remain in the human world.

Have you touched any of her belongings lately?

Think carefully.

Something she wore often when she was alive.

I think this one is quite nice.

There's a lot of her aura on it.

Take all these accessories off her!

The necklace.

I shouldn't have touched that necklace.

It was the one Manzhi loved to wear most.

You must give me the necklace as soon as possible

so I can perform a ritual to suppress her spirit.

Otherwise,

Miss Manyu is

very likely to be possessed by He Manzhi.

You mean,

as long as Manyu wears that necklace,

she'll be...

possessed?

Once the possession succeeds,

Miss Manyu's three souls and seven spirits

will be scattered,

and she can never be saved.

Remember,

never let Miss Manyu

touch that necklace again.

But I did it with her.

Am I in danger?

You did what with her?

I...

just...

Just some simple physical contact.

You're in danger now.

Remember,

do not go near Miss Manyu again.

Or you'll be tainted by the resentment

and end up torn to pieces!

But...

You saw it that day too.

With all those reporters there, I already put it out there.

I have to see Manyu again.

Do you really have to make this movie?

I have to.

This is my last chance.

That necklace...

Possession.

Master.

I have an idea.

Miss Jiang,

what's that in your hand?

A script.

Tang Yushan's ending.

You guessed right.

This isn't over yet.

Tang Yushan will come looking for me again.

The first time I met that man,

I knew exactly what kind of person he was.

Incredibly greedy.

After He Manzhi died,

he got himself into even more debt.

So he definitely won't

let this opportunity slip by this time.

Master,

this is a donation

I've prepared for your Yunhe Temple.

Please accept it.

Of course, I also have a presumptuous request.

To be exact,

only you can help me with it.

I want everyone to witness

He Manzhi's return.

You want me to summon her soul?

It shouldn't be hard, right?

Tang Yushan will come to you again to summon her soul,

because he's seen you perform that paper effigy ritual

and knows you have the real skills to protect him.

So?

So play it cool

and ignore him.

Movies

sell spectacle and dreams.

Alright.

Let's hold a press conference

and announce a film

starring a ghost.

Won't the public be curious?

Won't they be surprised?

Won't it sell tickets?

This movie is bound to be a hit.

That's a brilliant idea.

It really is a selling point.

Even Hollywood

hasn't come up with a stunt

like using a ghost in a movie.

Master,

you heard him, right?

Not even Hollywood has done it.

The future of cinema

is counting on you.

I...

can't do this.

Even if he begs,

you can't agree immediately.

Of course,

money can't sway me.

But enough money

can.

Body possession is no small matter.

Miss Manyu has been possessed several times.

She could drop dead at any moment.

As a Taoist,

if I let some innocent girl lose her life for no reason,

it'd damage my cultivation.

We can compensate for

all the harm done to everyone.

If she dies, how can the film be made?

Wouldn't the whole project fall apart?

I think

we should discuss it carefully.

You can't

go to any lengths just to make money, right, Tang?

Nonsense!

Who said I'm doing this for freaking money?

Have I ever cared about money?

Even if you refuse him,

he definitely won't let you go.

Because Tang Yushan is determined

to make a fortune off the dead this time.

Of course.

He'll definitely use love as an excuse,

telling you everything he does

is for love.

Master, now I'm asking you

to reunite my wife and me

in another way.

Wouldn't that be a good deed on your part?

It's not entirely impossible.

However,

the ritual isn't that simple.

It'll have to be double.

Understood.

Double the effort.

I have something else to take care of.

I'll take my leave.

Hearing that the investment needs to be doubled,

some investors will surely pull out.

What if he wants to pull out too?

See you.

What then?

Talk to him about gambling.

That's the only thing he truly understands.

Actually, playing cards is just like life.

Most of the time, you're just drawing from the deck.

Whether you win or lose in the end

comes down to those one or two big hands.

Master,

then please

help us read the fortune of this movie.

Now Tang Yushan

is facing the most important card game of his life.

He needs someone by his side to make him go all in.

Spring thunder has rolled in.

After the three signs of Jingzhe,

new shoots will break through the soil.

What does that mean?

Do you play cards often?

You've played

your share of card games, big and small.

This time,

what you're holding

is a strong hand.

You're absolutely right.

I've had my share of wins and losses,

but I've always felt like I was just one hand away from the big win.

I can feel it.

This time, I've drawn the big hand

that can change my fate.

No one can talk me out of it.

Even if I have to borrow from loan sharks,

I'm making this movie!

I'm going all in.

[In the next episode]

Where there's a female ghost,

there has to be a Taoist sorcerer.

But has anyone ever thought about

the possibility that this sorcerer

is in cahoots with the female ghost?

Everyone, out.

I need to help her quickly understand

what the character was feeling at the time.

Let me tell you a secret.

Have you ever thought

that He Manzhi might not have killed herself?

Let go of me.

Smile.

Smile, and I'll let you walk out of that door alive.