Original subtitles

GINSENG, DEER VELVET, MEDICINE FROM EVERY PROVINCE

Alarm!

Mom!

Let me pass!

Let me pass!

Watch out! Let me pass!

US EMBASSY, HONG KONG, 1951

Don’t just stand there! Work!

Get me some pineapples.

Where’s the turkey?

Hurry!

Take the dishes out.

Calm down. Wait!

What's wrong, Shanghai man?

Are you okay, Shanghai man?

My leg cramped up!

I've been standing for over 20 hours without a break.

Chopping turkeys non-stop!

What’s going on here? Come on guys, go back to work, now. Come on.

Are you all right, man?

Okay! Okay!

No. Take a break now. Okay?

Take care to see if he needs a doctor, okay?

Okay.

Fuck!

So much blood...

The phoenix is stained. Dump it.

Stained phoenix, stranded dragon. So what?

What did you say?

Nothing. You wouldn't understand anyway.

Your Shanghainese hurts my ears.

I told you I’m not Shanghainese. I am from Shandong.

I went to Anhui, then Shanghai.

And back to Anhui again!

There was a war! Nothing but chaos!

Everything was chaotic. People were even more chaotic. Do you understand?

Yes...

There was a war! The world was chaos!

Do you need to see a doctor now?

No, I won’t die.

Bravo!

‎The Consul’s son sings like a bearded man.

So-so. I’d say it's passable.

Right. You're the best, Shanghai man.

Listen, it's out of tune.

Well, it sounds like the cook sings better than me.

Really? Come and join us.

Please come in. Come in.

-Come in. -Hey...

Let’s... sing together.

Please.

Bravo!

Yuerong, thanks to your boss in Shanghai,

I found a job at the US consulate here.

I am making do now.

Good day, officer.

-Who sent this? -Chen Yuerong.

-From where? -Hong Kong.

From Hong Kong.

-Madame Chen. -Officer.

A letter from Yuerong.

-Thanks. -You're welcome.

From Hong Kong again!

Hong Kong… she has a man there.

Some of my former staff not only beg

but beg without a bowl.

They use a newspaper

for begging, eating

even wiping their ass!

Many committed suicide! Fuck!

Sir, sir... we don’t write foul language.

She’s my wife. Does it matter?

Wife?

Without foul language, she would think it’s not me!

Up to you then...

I have your travel expenses to Hong Kong.

Have you decided? Stop thinking.

Staying in Shanghai with the girls is a waste of time.

But you must be careful.

Keep your whereabouts secret.

The bastards who looked for me

may now look for you!

Daolong wrote again?

Yes.

Mom,

I have decided.

That's good.

If I don’t go to Hong Kong now,

there may not be another chance.

Daolong found a job for me there already.

Once I make money in Hong Kong, I’ll send it back.

And the two girls can go to school here.

Mom,

we’ll come home once we earn enough money.

I understand.

You should’ve gone with him.

I misjudged Daolong back then.

He loves you wholeheartedly.

Yuerong, there is not much to eat at home.

Here are ten eggs I cooked for you.

Take them with you.

I asked around.

There are ten stations from Shanghai to Guangzhou.

Shell one egg at each station.

Eat them and you won’t be hungry.

After eating them all, it will be time to get off.

Therefore, you won’t miss the station.

Mom.

Mom.

Yulan, Guilan, come here.

Mama will give you 50 cents each.

Spend it slowly.

And when it’s spent,

Mama will be back.

Really?

Yes.

Good girls.

Yuerong, time to go.

Yuerong, hurry up.

Show me. Let me see.

Daolong, I'll sneak into Hong Kong from Macao.

We'll finally see each other.

I was 15 or 16.

My family made me marry a stranger

and give birth to two girls in a muddle.

I met you when I was in my most confused state.

The war... made everything unreal.

I threw caution to the wind this time.

But... will it be just another dream?

Mama!

Mama!

‎Mama!

Yulan!

Mama!

I want Papa!

Where is Papa?

-I don’t know. -Where’s your papa?

I brought lunch to Papa, then...

he let me play outside and suddenly everything here was gone.

How come? Didn't I ask you to look for your papa?

I did.

-I crawled like everyone else. -Where did you go?

Qiang...

Qiang!

One, two, three.

Qiang!

Mama, I found him!

We only have time for those still alive.

This one is dead.

THE JAPANESE ARE COMING CLOSER. WU HU HAS BEEN BOMBED.

It’s snowing.

It’s snowing.

Just once I sloppily

buried my husband,

my mother-in-law turned against me.

She said I was inauspicious, so her son died,

and that I even gave birth to two good-for-nothings.

She wanted to sell us all for money.

No way. I wouldn't let it happen.

I took my two daughters and fled with the refugees.

We went back to my hometown.

My arm hurts.

Yulan, we are almost home.

Mom!

Yuerong!

The women in our family have sad lives.

I’ve never seen my parents.

Yuerong’s dad died before she was born.

Now you two are so young, but your dad

is already dead.

Yuerong!

-You are back! -Sister Qiu.

Auntie.

You really can eat!

Yulan, Guilan, greet Auntie Qiu.

Auntie Qiu.

I bought your favorite tea eggs.

Auntie, this is for you.

Look!

Here.

Here are lots of tasty biscuits too!

You’re too kind.

Yuerong, I’ve checked the thing

you asked about last time.

Mom, excuse us.

Sure, go ahead.

Trust me.

Don't do this.

I must. I have no choice.

Even my big brother doesn’t traffic this now.

That’s great. So the price increases.

If it was lucrative, wouldn’t he do it?

The checkpoints are vigilant lately.

They wouldn't suspect a housewife, would they?

Wait here.

-They don’t want them? -No.

Why not?

With the war going on,

‎the Mr. Shanghai Contest ‎has been canceled.

Big Brother, don’t be upset. The war will soon be over.

And the contest will resume right after.

Fuck!

Officer...

You!

Officer?

-What do you do? -Solo trade.

What do you have?

Crystal sugar rice cakes.

I’m selling them on the opposite shore.

Crystal sugar rice cakes?

No wonder the flies swarm around them.

Yes, they are sweet! Flies like them.

But isn’t it strange?

Why do the flies only swarm around the upper layer?

Aren't those in the lower layer sweet?

Open it!

Let me do it.

You over-steamed the cakes. They are dark.

Right! The cakes are dark, so is my fate.

A woman with a kid trafficking in opium?

How dare you!

You can be jailed for this! Do you know that?

A home without food is worse than a jail.

If I get jailed, at least there’s food.

You’ve got nerve and character.

Come with me!

Jail me if you want,

but please jail my daughter too.

One less kid for my mom to take care of.

Mama, where are we going?

Who else is at home?

My younger daughter and my mom.

Are you the only provider?

Who else is there?

Where’s your husband?

Dead.

Recently?

What’s the difference? Dead is dead.

Go.

I said, "go".

Anyway, I can’t even tell right from wrong these days.

Let’s go...

Wait.

What?

Your crystal sugar rice cakes.

Are you hungry?

Don’t be afraid. Get some food.

Come.

Come on...

Yulan, come.

-Yulan! -Don’t be afraid. Go!

-No, don’t take them. -Take more.

Take whatever you want.

-Yulan, let’s go. -Just let her take it.

Don't take. Let's go.

-Let's go, Yulan. -Don’t be afraid. Take more.

Yulan, let’s go.

Hurry!

Yulan, let’s go...

Let's go...

Forget it.

This opium doesn’t work anymore.

Just let me go.

It’s too painful.

You...

just rest well.

Don’t think too much.

Understand?

But opium is too expensive.

You spent all the money on my illness.

There’s a war, so keep the money for the kids.

Don’t worry. I have loads of money!

Twist your fists!

Again, twist your fists!

Taut fist!

Kick!

Firecracker fist!

Dad,

you’re back.

Dad.

Assume the horse stance!

What’s up?

I have to leave on business tomorrow.

Please take care of the family for a few days.

Again? Why so many business trips?

What job are you doing?

The rebels are at the red dot on this map.

They hide in a bamboo grove by the river.

The intelligence said there are only a few men.

You have five people, five guns and 50 bullets.

Killing them all should be a piece of cake!

Is everything clear?

Good, check your time.

Check time.

It’s 11:17 a.m.

-Set off at 12:00 sharp! -Yes.

Hey.

What’s up?

I ran out of money last month.

I pawned my watch to pay my rent.

And you?

My senior hasn't given me a watch.

Then forget about checking time! Set off!

A spy without even a watch! How shameful!

River...

Bamboo grove...

The target should be nearby.

Get ready.

Some wine, please.

Get them!

Run! Run!

Run!

Get them!

You call this "a few men"?

Don’t let them get away!

Catch them!

Up the hill!

We’ll outflank them there.

They should still be in the grove.

Where are they?

Don’t make a sound.

They can’t go anywhere!

Search again!

They should have left.

Let’s wait awhile, then split.

Some are hiding in the grove!

Smoke them out!

Tell them they can't go anywhere.

The Japanese are here!

What's going on?

Come out, you communists! You can’t run!

The Japanese are here for the guerrillas! Damn!

We’ll blow you away if you don’t come out!

We’ll blow you away if you don’t come out!

Let’s surrender to keep our lives.

-All right. -Come out! Now!

-Let’s go! -Don’t shoot...

We're not guerrillas!

Who are you?

Don’t shoot!

Who are you?

-What are you doing here? -Don't move!

-Speak... -Kneel down!

If you don’t speak today, you won’t be able to speak tomorrow.

Speak!

By then...

you'll be able to keep your mouth shut, but your head will be gone!

FUNERAL

Kowtow!

Enough!

Stop fooling around!

What do kids know?

Crystal sugar rice cake?

They’re innocent and naive.

How long can these happy days last?

Why are you here?

Officer Fang,

I've known Yu for 20 years more than you have.

I’m just as surprised to know you’re her husband.

Third cousin?

So you have come back!

Great Uncle.

You two come here.

Greet your third aunt.

Third aunt...

Good boys.

Yu,

I’ve always said I would...

visit you when I have time.

Now I have time, but you are gone.

People…

What are they waiting for?

Guns… are all gone.

Bullets are used up. All missions failed!

Five of you went, three returned.

How can I explain this to my boss?

Just fire me!

Blame it all on me! Okay?

What?

-Are you quitting? -Yes.

I don’t want to be a spy anymore.

Want to quit?

In our trade, there is no such thing.

I say I am quitting!

Fine.

Try it if you dare.

Of course, I dare.

Return the arrears owed to my brothers.

When we get money from above, we’ll pay them.

Besides, we’ve already spent a lot to rescue you.

-Rescue us? -Of course.

If we hadn't paid the Japanese,

would you have escaped decapitation?

You’d have been beheaded!

If your intelligence wasn’t a mess,

all five men would’ve returned instead of three!

And one of them died of fear!

Shut up!

Up to you.

But remember,

once you go out of this door,

no matter who does what to you,

be they the rebels or the Japanese,

we will not protect you.

Protect me?

You can't even protect your dick!

Yuerong, I'll wait for you by the Hong Kong shore.

Don't think too much.

The best thing about this troubled time

is that everything passes quickly.

There are always chances to start anew.

Defeat the various powers

Wipe out the warlords

Strive for national revolution

Fight together

Papa!

Here they come!

Papa, here they come!

-Welcome. -Come greet Officer Fang.

Sorry, we’re late.

-I spent too much time doing things. -What did you do?

My dad says we’re both bereaved families.

Other families would turn their backs on us.

Our two families should meet more.

You are right.

But I should really thank you for

what happened at the pier.

Don’t mention it.

-Allow me. -That’s okay.

What is this?

Crystal sugar rice cakes.

It’s the winter solstice.

-The kids should eat sweets. -Right...

-Come, sit down. -Dinner time.

Kids, come!

Daolong, you sit too. If you don't sit, she won't sit.

Sit down.

Cheers!

-Yes. -Yes, cheers.

You cheers by drinking it all. Awesome!

You are even more awesome.

Here.

Let me tell you. My grandpa ran a winery in Shandong.

-Okay. -When I was four

I fell into a big brewing barrel!

I almost drowned.

You have the nerve to mention it.

-What happened then? -Then...

After I climbed out, I was unconscious for days.

After I woke up, I loved drinking.

I haven’t stopped drinking ever since.

Such a bum.

-Really? -Yes. How about you?

How did you start drinking?

My father died before I was born.

They thought I would be a boy.

So my name is Yuerong, a boy’s name.

But I turned out to be a girl.

Everyone was disappointed.

Most of all, my mother.

She raised me as if I were a boy.

So you see, I have a man’s life.

My life is rough. I’m ill-fated.

Being a human...

don't talk about fate!

Don’t believe in fate, but in yourself. Understand?

Come on, cheers!

Little bastards, look!

This is sorghum wine, Pegasus brand.

Good Shandong wine!

Let’s add some chili.

Spicy food makes you feel great.

Here. Try it.

Well?

You too.

It's too spicy!

They’re only kids.

Why do you make them drink?

You want them to grow up like you?

Full of bad habits?

There are two types of bad habits:

good-bad habits and bad-bad habits.

Men should learn good-bad habits while they're young.

Understand?

Here, girls, try it.

Here, Yulan.

Just a little dip with a chopstick.

Yuerong,

it may be okay for boys to drink young,

but they are girls...

How could you teach them to drink?

Girls should try it,

so they can tell a bad-bad man

from a good-bad man.

Bravo!

Well-put!

Here.

Let's...

see who drinks faster. Okay?

-Ready? -Yes.

Ready?

Start!

Come on!

You put so much chili in it!

I quit my job.

I will go to Shanghai to start all over.

You're a man of determination.

If you're a dragon,

you should swim out to sea.

Dragon? In this troubled time?

I'm only a worm, but it's fine.

I shouldn't even be alive anyway.

Hold the gun tight.

Stand firm.

Shoot instantly.

I always shoot instantly.

-Try it. -Sure.

I shoot even faster than "instantly".

You shoot so fast.

Let me give you this gun then.

Give it to me? How about you then?

I have another one.

Look.

These two guns...

are a pair.

Bravo!

Bravo!

Come, kids!

Daolong...

Daolong, I'll take the kids back.

Daolong!

Go with your grandpa.

There is someone in my heart

With a smiling face

He brought me spring light

In the late autumn

The person in my heart

Don't be sad

You bring me sunshine

At night

I won't let anyone snatch

My only spring light

I won't let anyone blow out

The fire of my sun

There is someone in my heart

With treasures

May your smile

Be there forever

Take care.

Really, Mr. Fang?

Yes, Mrs. Chen.

Why do you think that way?

I think...

My wife and Yuerong's husband are both gone.

I have two sons. She has two daughters.

If our two families live together,

we can take care of each other no matter what happens.

Mrs. Chen, please take a look.

This is my family's treasure handed down for two generations.

Now I give it to you as a token of my proposal.

I’ve also brought you rice, oil,

Sichuan chili oil.

And a pheasant I just hunted.

Look! Isn’t it beautiful?

Mr. Fang,

can you tell me the words behind me?

You can’t read, can you?

I can. I can read.

Really?

How many characters do you know?

Six.

One, two, three, big, small...

mouth!

Our Yuerong is well-educated.

She can read novels like Three Kingdoms and Water Margin.

Well...

I was a naughty kid and didn’t study much.

But I am smart.

I am good at music, workmanship and kung fu.

I know.

I've asked around.

You work at the checkpoint in the daytime.

It’s said that good men would not be soldiers.

That’s okay, but I also heard that

you’re not engaged in honest work.

Your whereabouts are mysterious.

You somehow always fight with others.

How are you going to feed my daughter

and my two granddaughters?

What will happen to your family of six?

-Mrs. Chen-- -Mr. Fang.

Please go home,

before Yuerong finishes frying her fish.

Please leave with your gifts.

All right.

But I'll give this jade pendant to Yuerong.

Please...

give it to her.

Thanks.

Mom, why are you so stubborn?

You made me marry a stranger! Now I found one I love, but you disapprove!

What do you want?

Not only six characters! Nine characters!

I can read nine characters!

I can also read Fang Daolong!

Fang Daolong!

He can tell right from wrong.

And he treats me well!

You understand, Mom? He treats me well!

Done!

Go report it. Let’s split the reward.

Go find your grandpa!

Dad.

Daolong, what happened? Who did this?

Must be one of our own men!

Your own men? Did he want to kill you?

I know too much! They don’t wanna pay me!

They fear I’d expose their dirty work!

Damn! Who knows?

What do you do exactly?

Dad.

Take this.

Take the two boys to my uncle’s.

-How about you? -When it’s over, I’ll come and find you.

Dad, if I disappear, don’t look for me.

If I die...

the two boys...

will rely on you.

-Is it that serious? -Yes, it is!

Dad, I’m going now.

Don't tell Yuerong I am in trouble.

Just tell her I’ll come and find her once I finish my work.

Ask her to wait for me!

Remember, ask her to wait for me.

She must wait for me!

I’ll remember.

Little bastards.

Don’t cry.

You are men. You have no fear.

Understand?

Trading and bartering!

Trading and bartering!

Trading and bartering!

Trading and bartering!

Hey, bro.

Hello, there.

Say, which road leads to Nanking?

This is the road.

I thought this one leads to Shanghai.

No...

This one goes to Shanghai.

I know Shanghai well.

I often do business there.

Luckily I bumped into you,

or I’d have taken the wrong way. Thanks.

Hey,

what’s wrong with your leg?

A scrape. It’s okay.

Your leg is bleeding badly.

Wait. I’ll get you some medicine.

There’s no need, bro.

No problem.

I’ve got everything on my cart.

It’s just messy.

No need really. I have no money anyway.

What money? I’ll give it to you.

It’s really a mess.

But there is order in the mess.

Knife wound medicine... Nope.

Gac doesn't help.

Maybe some herbal medicine?

Yes...

I bought a lot of ixeridium laevigatum last week.

Is your body dry or...

Bro?

Bro!

Strange... Where did he go?

Bro, aren’t you going to Nanking?

Little boy, I didn’t mean to hide it from you.

Never mind...

Your leg injury is serious.

Indeed. My leg was shot.

-I’ll take you to the hospital. -No, never!

I can’t go to the hospital.

All right. I see.

Is the bullet still inside?

Damn it. I think so.

Do you trust me?

What do you mean?

I’ve read many books.

I know how to find a bullet

and how to pull it out.

Really?

But I’ve never tried it.

Go ahead and try then.

I trust you.

Okay, please wait.

Scissors...

What's this?

A magnet.

To find the bullet.

I found it...

Want some wine first?

Sure.

Ready?

Yes, do it.

Ready?

Now!

Daolong!

Daolong!

Daolong!

Grandpa!

Daolong, since you've been gone,

the Japanese have come here to the countryside.

The villagers need to cover their windows with black fabric.

Women need to cover their face with ashes before going out.

Stop!

Where the light is, there is danger.

Yuerong,

why don't you come with me to Shanghai?

It's more and more unsafe here.

Is it worth waiting for him?

Of course.

Yuerong, please smile.

Do you know what?

You get more tips when you smile.

Here comes Sister Qiu!

Place your bet now!

Hands off after betting.

Open!

One, two, three, small!

Everyone knows Daolong has lots of women.

You are just one of them.

That was the past. Now I’m the only one.

Every woman thinks she can change her man.

Every man thinks he’ll win next time.

Hey.

How’s business today?

It's difficult now.

The poor don’t have anything to sell.

And the rich don’t need to sell anything.

Huge wealth gap means an unstable society!

I need to change professions.

Here, have one. Here.

We’re strangers meeting by chance.

I have nothing to repay your kindness to me.

Here, try one.

No need to thank a stranger.

Keep the scorpion for yourself.

Open the door!

Who’s this? Coming!

Who are you looking for?

Your Miss High and Mighty.

Why are you looking for our Yuerong?

We came to marry her!

Marry her?

My brother fancies her, which is lucky for her!

No way!

Our Yuerong is married. She even has two daughters.

Her husband is dead!

-What are you doing? -According to our village's customs,

this kind of woman can be dragged home by anyone and treated as a mistress!

Yuerong...

Damn your custom! I’ll never be your mistress, you pig!

Brother, is this the girl we saw the other night?

How come she has become a shrew?

Yuerong!

Men don’t like women who aren’t ferocious.

This one is fun!

-Don’t you dare come up! -Good, Little Chili.

Your new groom is coming.

You fucking bitch!

He hadn’t even done anything and you shot!

I always shoot faster than "instantly"!

We are not done with you. Wait and see!

Yuerong.

Yuerong?

They’re gone. Are you okay?

Yuerong.

Put the gun down.

Yuerong.

Put the gun down.

Put the gun down.

Yuerong.

Put it down.

You can't...

stay here anymore.

We can't keep you.

Give me your children.

Tomorrow morning...

take the ferry to Shanghai.

Okay?

Mom!

Did you find anything?

Daolong, listen to me.

What happened? The kids are in trouble?

My dad?

No, your dad and two kids are fine.

They are with your uncle.

How about my woman?

-Is your woman Chen Yuerong? -Yes, Yuerong. Why?

Some local tyrants tried to kidnap her as a bride.

Kidnap her as a bride?

God damn it!

The government presses me, and so do the bandits!

-Where are you going? -To kill them!

But I also heard that she has fled to Shanghai.

Shanghai?

I’ll go to Shanghai then!

Shanghai is very big! How can you find her?

I know Shanghai well. Let me take you there.

Slow down!

You...

You're short-tempered.

Too short-tempered...

SHANGHAI DURING JAPANESE OCCUPATION

INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT

MISSING: CRYSTAL SUGAR RICE CAKE CONTACT THIS ADDRESS IF YOU SEE HER

FROM MISTER SHANGHAI

Starved to death.

-How do you know? -I’ve seen more corpses than you have.

The eyes of the starved are matte.

The ears of the frozen are withdrawn.

Those scared to death have bite marks inside their mouths.

The beheaded's neck...

will clam up

without a drop of blood.

When the executioner kicks the body down,

his blood will gush out.

I've killed people from different parties.

Perhaps one day one of them will appear in front of me

or behind me.

Chief,

when a man like Daolong goes crazy,

he is a daredevil that money can’t buy.

Sparing his life will bring trouble.

Daolong, I couldn't wait for you.

I took the night ferry to Shanghai.

I was terrible with water.

I was seasick and puked badly on the boat.

Xiaoling and I are working for an expatriate family in Shanghai.

We adopted English names too.

I am Lily. Xiaoling is Rose.

Do you like it?

Yuerong.

Master Zhou, here you are.

Sister Qiu, you look busy.

Yuerong.

Delivering the cheongsam to Mrs. Barr?

Yes, on the road every day. I have a tough life.

I have some oil and rice here.

I live alone and can’t eat them all.

I'll give you some.

No, thanks.

Take them.

Master Zhou’s giving them to you. Take them.

Yes, take them.

Perhaps I’ll keep them for her first.

Sure, they are for you both.

Xiaoling!

Thank you then.

Stop it now! Shut up, you!

With you barking like this, Yuerong can't chat with Master Zhou.

You know that?

YUZIANG SPINNING MILL

Move faster!

Don’t mess around! Move faster!

Move faster!

Hua, no matter how I look at you,

you don't look like a used goods dealer.

You're an intellectual, aren’t you?

Life is a sojourn. The wars have been waging for years.

Fate bought me. I bought used goods.

You sound so damn artsy-fartsy!

Artsy-fartsy?

And you?

How did you become a…

Fate bought me.

I bought... nothing in my entire life!

You laugh!

Now even my woman disappears!

Be patient. You’ll find her.

You haven’t yet sent a letter to Anhui this week.

Is there anything you want me to write?

Please write: "Auntie Chen,

You probably won't tell me where Yuerong is.

I try taking different buses every day, hoping to bump into her.

I used to fool around.

But now I only want to be with Yuerong.

And start over.

I'll take good care of her.

RELIEF CENTER

Auntie, I am a brute.

But in turbulent times, brutes survive better than others do."

Yuerong,

it's been so long.

I think you shouldn't wait.

You are still young.

You have wings. You can fly.

There is someone in my heart

With a smiling face

He brought me spring light

In the late autumn

No wonder they say having wings doesn't mean you are a swan.

There are birdy fools like you.

There is someone in my heart...

Daolong,

I asked around in vain for your whereabouts in Anhui.

Some said you were missing.

Some said you always come and go like a ghost.

Some even said you’re dead,

and I should forget you.

CRYSTAL SUGAR RICE CAKE

Should I keep waiting for you?

Or should I give up?

Where are you, Daolong?

Are you...

still alive?

English go to the left.

AFTER THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, THE INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT CAME TO AN END.

American go to the right.

THE JAPANESE SENT EUROPEANS AND AMERICANS TO A WORK CAMP.

-Bye, Emma. -Bye, Lily.

-Goodbye, Mrs. Barr. -Bye, Rose.

Hot water, please.

33 Rong Hua Road, Fourth Floor.

Okay, thank you.

-Water delivery! -Coming!

-What a waste. -Where to?

33 Rong Hua Road, Fourth Floor.

Master Zhou, wait.

No, Yuerong.

Thank you, Yuerong.

You must be tired, Master Zhou.

33 Rong Hua Road, Fourth Floor.

33 Rong Hua Road, Fourth Floor.

Victory crutch! Come buy Victory crutch!

VICTORY CRUTCH

Victory stick!

Victory melon seeds! Come and try!

Go fuck yourself.

I’ll never smoke cigarette butts again!

I want…

I just want…

to go home!

NO. 32, HOT WATER SUPPLY

Yuerong!

Cigarettes...

Give me a pack of cigarettes.

Yuerong!

Yuerong!

Yuerong!

Damn you!

Just kill me!

If you still wanna kill me, do it!

Killers!

Call the police!

Calm down...

Go on!

Do it!

Get him a doctor!

Someone must have hit him on the head.

Poor guy.

Doctor, you must save him!

Only 30 beats per minute?

He needs a blood transfusion.

How do you comrades handle such cases?

-Buy black blood. -Black blood?

Black market blood, but it's very expensive.

Two million, or go somewhere else.

Adding this, it should be enough.

One glass toy, some scrap metal…

And nine pieces of rags… six million.

Hey,

this clock is my heirloom. It has been working for decades…

From Qianlong to the Republic to now.

Always punctual.

It witnessed history.

Right!

Such a historical clock…

should be worth at least four eggs.

One clock, two eggs.

Two eggs?

Look carefully! It’s a clock, not a watch!

What’s the use of a clock in such times?

I told you, it’s not a clock. It’s history!

History?

That’s even more useless!

Why are you so cold-blooded?

You wanna watch me starve to death?

You’ll starve to death?

Come on!

Fine...

Here.

I say four. Give me four.

Let’s go.

All the men here have been smitten by you.

Who can be better than you at taking them in?

Yuerong.

Yes, Master Zhou.

Try this cheongsam on and see if it fits.

This material is so delicate.

It’s the quilt cover my mother sewed when she was young.

I know you pawned all your clothes.

So I thought...

I should use it to make a cheongsam for you.

Look, do you like the style?

Try it on.

Master Zhou,

you had better keep this cheongsam.

Perhaps one day you can sell it for a good price.

Yuerong...

I'm an understanding person.

No matter what you decide,

I'll accept it.

This cheongsam...

Just accept it.

Take it as a souvenir.

I’ll leave you to your work.

There is someone in my heart

-There is someone... -in my heart

There is someone...

in my heart

Water delivery!

Two barrels for Mrs. Wang.

Water delivery!

-Do you know where to go? -Yes.

I’ll go now.

Sister Qiu.

-Some water, please. -Okay.

Come here.

Water, right?

Chen Yuerong.

From now on, I’ll quit smoking, drinking and sleeping late.

Are you okay? What for?

I hear that these habits…

age people!

-Come, I want to tell you something. -We survived a war. Everyone aged.

Come here.

Let me ask you.

Am I older, or is he older?

He?

Who?

-He! -Who are you talking about?

Hua.

Hua.

Of course, you’re younger.

Look at you. You’re like a young girl now.

-Be serious. Okay? -I am serious!

Xiaoling, it's hard these days to meet

someone you like who likes you too.

And you still want to pull his sleeve

and ask, "Mister, how old are you?"

Am I right?

Qiu Xiaoling.

Qiu Xiaoling, I can’t believe it’s finally your turn.

Who was it who usually...

Who used to call me a stubborn crow?

-Wasn’t it you? -It’s different.

-How different? -He is my first love.

Is it different?

Daolong...

is also my first love.

PAWN SHOP

-Don’t move! Get in! -Help!

-We must grab more! -Why?

If we don’t grab more,

they’ll know the people who pawned these things did this.

You intellectual! You’re smart even as a thief.

This is a thief’s best revenge on robbers!

Let’s celebrate the return of our assets.

Let's go dancing!

Saville Hotel, here we come!

Come, everyone!

Here, Xiaoling.

Come... Ganbei...

No...

Today we should say "cheers"!

-Ganbei! -Cheers!

Still here?

Why is it here?

It’s always been yours.

I thought...

I thought I'd never see it again.

I didn't know I'd have to wait so long.

From Shandong to Wuhu…

From Wuhu to the Huangpu River…

before I could finally put it on you.

It's so nice.

I didn’t realize you speak English.

How else could I muddle along in Shanghai?

Can you teach me then?

I often buy English books,

but I can’t read them.

Of course.

I know you like reading.

-Thank you. -My pleasure.

Do you know how to say "xie xie"?

No.

Thanks.

Thanks.

When you say this word…

there are three steps.

First, put your tongue between your teeth.

The next step is…

to blow and then withdraw your tongue.

Thanks.

Fank?

-Thanks. -Shanks.

Thanks.

-Thanks. -Th...

Do you understand?

-I don't. -You don't?

You don't...

Fifteen, fourteen...

Daolong!

Twelve, eleven...

Yuerong, come!

...nine, eight, seven, six,

five, four,

three, two, one!

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

New year, new start!

Everything is new, now.

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

Do you think it's warm inside?

When we have money, I'll take you there.

Let me.

After you.

Are you tired?

Freeze! Or we’ll shoot!

Go!

Walk!

The Communists are closing in.

The Nationalists are purging the party before leaving.

Let’s go.

I didn’t expect them to be so unrelenting.

We must flee before their mass action.

Where can we go?

Tomorrow we’ll go to Anhui for the kids.

Then to Hong Kong!

Hong Kong?

Now we are many people. We need a car.

How can we afford a car?

When the thieves took revenge on the robbers, I also stole some things.

I stole some gold coins.

Officer Fang, you’re really something!

Grandma...

Mama is back, look at her gifts!

Look!

Mom.

Mrs. Chen.

We can go now.

Hua.

You packed so quickly?

Don’t know how long we’ll be away. Let's travel light.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

What are you doing?

Hua, it has already come to this point.

Is there anything you can't tell me?

Okay. I'll tell you,

but you must not leak a word,

especially to Daolong and Yuerong.

TO MR. FANG ZHENGWEN

Dad!

Little Flower! Little Tiger!

Come out!

Come out!

Daolong, don't be sad.

We'll find them, okay?

Trust me.

I don't want to drink it.

There’s a train to Guangzhou at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.

You should be able to catch it.

Why "you", not "we"?

Aren’t you coming to Hong Kong with us?

Hua...

What is it?

I am not going.

Why not?

I need to stay. I have things to do.

Hua.

Yes, Big Brother?

Do what you need to do.

When you are done, we’ll have a drink.

Deal!

Xiaoling...

Don't tell me you’re not going either.

Why is the road blocked?

Looks like we can’t arrive before 6:00.

Get off here then.

Follow the crowd. Maybe it’ll be faster.

No, let’s go together.

What's going on? I don't feel right.

The Nationalists are retreating. There’s a blockade.

Hua is right. We had better walk.

I’ll stay with you then.

No, you help them carry the luggage.

If you miss this train, you'll have to wait for a week

or even a month.

Hua,

take care.

-I’ll see you at the station entrance. -Sure. See you there.

Hua, station entrance!

Be careful.

Stop. Engine off for inspection!

He is on the list. Take him!

What?

What? It's not me!

Let me go! It's not me!

Stop!

Get off!

WANTED

Move...

Move faster...

Move faster!

Sit!

Stop!

Stop. Engine off for inspection!

Sir, good day.

Go!

Wait...

Turn off the engine!

Quiet!

Quiet!

Keep quiet!

Hua, what are these watches for?

-Transporting for my communist friends. -What?

Do you remember the doctor who saved Daolong?

He is a communist.

They need to check the time before acting,

but they lack watches.

I support them.

Time bomb!

-That’s Hua! -Xiaoling! Come back!

-It’s Hua’s car! -Go!

-Go! -Let me go back! That's Hua!

-Hua! -Trading and bartering!

Hua! Don't you hear Hua?

Go!

You guys hurry up!

Don't you hear Hua?

Let go of me!

Hua!

Hua!

Let go of me...

Hua!

-Yuerong... -Xiaoling...

What is it?

Aren't we meeting Hua at the station entrance?

Aren't we?

Yuerong,

go with Daolong.

-Let me take care of her. -Mom.

And the girls can stay too.

Anyway, I've decided not to go.

-Mom, why? -What can I do in Hong Kong?

I... I don't want to go anywhere.

Mom...

Mom, why are you doing this

-at this exact moment? -I am old.

I've been running my whole life, nonstop.

I don't want to run anymore.

And I can't run. Do you understand?

I'll take care of them.

We'll be fine. Go!

Please go. You're almost late.

Useless good-for-nothings!

Next one!

They’re coming. Go now!

Go! You don't have time.

Hurry! Go!

Auntie, I’m taking her with me.

Take care.

Go!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

What is it?

Daolong.

What?

You go first.

Daolong.

Don't worry.

After they are safe, I will come and find you in Hong Kong.

It will take a week... a month at the longest.

Don't lie to me.

You must come.

You must come.

Okay? I'll wait for you.

I'll wait for you in Hong Kong... Okay?

We will start over.

I will marry you. Okay?

Have children. Spend our lives together.

Go!

Go!

Go!

I'll wait for you.

-Be careful. -I'll wait for you.

I'll wait for you.

Don't go in!

Please...

Yuerong, I know you're afraid of water.

But however rough the sea is, be brave.

Just think of me. I'll wait for you.

I’ll wait for you on the other shore. You must come.

You must come!

Hurry!

Hurry up!

Hurry!

Hurry! Wanna die?

Hurry!

My daughter, where are you?

Mom, I am here!

Hurry!

Boat ahead, attention!

We are the Hong Kong Marine Police!

Stop right now!

Shit, cops!

Throw them away. Throw the dead away.

What are you doing?

Damn you!

Stop the boat right now! Stop now!

There! It's shorter there!

There! That direction...

Thank you!

Thank you, Daolong!

I'm not Daolong. You’re mistaken.

That direction is closer!

Hurry! Dump them all.

Yuerong!

Yuerong!

There is someone in my heart

With a smiling face

He brought me spring light

In the late autumn

Yuerong!

There is someone in my heart

With treasures

He brings me sunshine

At night

I won't let anyone snatch

My only spring light

I won't let anyone blow out

The fire of my sun

The person in my heart

Don't be sad

May your smile

Be there forever.

DAOLONG AND YUERONG FINALLY MET IN HONG KONG

‎DAOLONG CHANGED HIS NAME ‎BY TAKING YUERONG’S SURNAME, CHEN

IN 1954, THEY HAD A CHILD

WORKER COUPLE AT THE CONSULATE HAS 13 POUND BABY

THEY NAMED HIM GANGSHENG,

‎WHICH MEANS "BORN IN HONG KONG", ‎AS A MEMENTO

MISS QIU WAITED OUTSIDE THE RAILWAY STATION FOR THREE YEARS

BEFORE SHE FINALLY CAME TO HER SENSES,

‎LEFT THAT SAD PLACE, AND SPENT ‎THE REST OF HER LIFE ALONE IN HONG KONG

-How much is one egg? -Eggs? Three for ten cents.

-Four for ten cents. -No...

Come on!

Thank you.

All right, I’ll give you four.

Trading and bartering!

Trading and bartering!

EVERY TIME A TRAIN PASSED BY,

‎THE MISSING CHILDREN ‎OF DAOLONG AND YUERONG WOULD HOPE

IT WAS THEIR PARENTS COMING HOME,

‎BUT THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED EVERY TIME

DURING THOSE TURBULENT TIMES, MANY FAMILIES WERE TORN APART

AFTER MANY DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO SEARCH FOR THEM,

DAOLONG AND YUERONG FINALLY MANAGED TO FIND THEIR LOST CHILDREN...

THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS LATER

Subtitle translation by Hsinju Lee