Original subtitles

Careful!

Listen. Don't clash the colours. Thanks!

That's not right!

Follow the line, and sew along like so.

Pull it up slowly, not too tightly.

Excuse me, Third Master. Mrs Hsu's here.

Oh! She's arrived!

Fourth Brother!

Have you heard? Sixth Sister's ex-husband

has died of pneumonia!

Who told you that?

Mrs Hsu.

Ma, can we stay up another half-hour?

No! What are you doing here?

Mrs Hsu's still downstairs.

She hates stairs. Go keep her company.

Let's all go down, Ma.

Go. Seventh Aunt, let's go too.

What are you afraid of?

Wasn't the deceased

a relative of Mrs Hsu?

Yes. That explains it.

His family must have

asked Mrs Hsu to bring us the news.

I think there's an ulterior motive.

They want Sixth Sister at the funeral?

It's only right, after all.

After so many years of divorce

I should now be his widow? People will laugh!

Don't say that!

We all know that in the past

he treated you badly.

Everyone knows it.

But now that he's dead

you should let bygones be bygones.

The two concubines he left behind

won't be around for long.

The dignified thing is for you to return

and preside over his funeral.

Who will dare laugh at you?

Thanks for your consideration, Third Brother,

but it's too late now.

We've been divorced for seven or eight years.

You talk as if all the legal processes

we went through mean nothing!

Don't bandy the law at me!

Don't bandy the law at me!

The law can change from day to day,

But morals and ethics,

kinship, family, these things don't change.

You're his woman, in life and death.

Every tree's leaves return to its roots.

Why didn't you say all this years ago?

You might think I didn't want to take you in.

Such scruples! After spending all my money!

I spent all your money?

How much of your money have I spent?

I've taken you in for so many years,

providing for everything.

Let's not even talk about the past,

it just meant an extra pair of chopsticks.

But have you any idea

how much rice costs today?

That you should bring up money with me!

Money shouldn't come between flesh and blood,

but if you want to make it an issue,

I've been saying to my husband all along,

I said, you should tell your Third Brother,

when you invest and play the markets,

don't ever use our Sixth Sister's money!

It's unlucky!

No sooner than she got married

her husband became a wastrel,

and when she came back, we went downhill.

She's a jinx!

Fourth Sister-in-Law is right.

If we hadn't let you in on the shares deal

We wouldn't have lost everything!

I remember when you came home in tears

screaming about getting a divorce.

It's my own fault for being a man of passion.

Seeing you beaten up by him so badly,

I couldn't bear it,

so I thumped my chest and said,

I may not be a wealthy man,

But I'll always have a place for my sister.

But I'll always have a place for my sister.

Which young couple doesn't have rows?

Which young couple doesn't have rows?

I hoped after a few years

you two would get together again.

If I'd known you were separating for good

I'd have had nothing to do with the divorce.

It brings bad luck to your own offspring!

I have children of my own,

I expect them to support me when I'm old!

Very well, it's all my fault!

It's my fault you've fallen on hard times!

It's my fault you've lost your money!

If your son dies, it'd be my fault too!

If your son dies, it'd be my fault too!

Don't you dare curse my son!

If he dies, I'll hold you responsible!

If he dies, I'll hold you responsible!

Fourth Brother, you be the judge of this!

Calm down.

We'll work this out.

Third Brother has your interests in mind.

Ma...

Your Fourth Sister-in-Law's like that.

Your Fourth Sister-in-Law's like that.

Don't take it to heart.

I'm sure you know

everyone's having a hard time.

A couple of years ago, we could sell off

some land and live on the proceeds.

But things are different today

and I'm getting old.

Soon I'll be gone.

All good things must come to an end.

You can't stay with me forever.

It's better if you go back.

You could adopt a child.

In a decade or so, your time will come.

Who is it?

Ma. Mrs Hsu's waiting downstairs

to talk about Seventh Sister's marriage.

I'll be down shortly.

Fix that lamp for me, would you?

Mrs Hsu's found someone suitable?

A good man, I hear, only a bit old...

Pao-Lo's 24 herself.

I've been worrying about her getting married.

But people still say I neglect her

But people still say I neglect her

because she's not my own daughter.

Ma, what do you care what people say?

Look at me. I don't care what people say

Even if it's right to my face.

Go get some new tea leaves

And make some tea for Mrs Hsu.

All right.

The green tin is the Lung Ching

your eldest aunt brought back last year.

The tall tin's Pi Lo Chun. Don't mix it up!

Okay.

Wong Amah! Come help mother downstairs!

Seventh Sister!

You gave me a fright!

Where have you been hiding?

I was sitting out on the balcony.

Feeling bashful, are we?

After you get married,

take care and be amenable in all things.

Divorce is no simple affair.

You think splitting up is so easy?

If that's the case,

your Fourth Brother's so useless,

why haven't I divorced him?

I have a home to go back to, too!

But in times like these,

I have to consider their position too.

I have to consider their position too.

I can't go back and be a burden on them.

I still have a conscience!

I can't stay here anymore.

Ma; K

Mama, Mama!

Mama, Mama!

Miss.

Don't be sad. Come.

Mrs Hsu, I can't stay here anymore.

I know they resent me.

They just never said so before,

but now that they have

there's no way I can stay.

You're too good. They take advantage of you.

Your brother spent all your money,

So why shouldn't he support you?

It's my own fault for being stupid.

Now I can't go because I have no money.

You're still young. You'll find a way out.

If I had a way out, I'd have left by now.

I've no education, no manual skills,

what can I do?

I don't mean work.

I mean you should find yourself a husband.

My whole life's over!

Only the rich can afford to say that.

Only the rich can afford to say that.

Life's never over for the poor.

Even if you became a nun,

You still have to depend on people to live.

You should have told me all this years ago.

I know. I'm already 28.

What's 28 for an attractive girl like you?

You have to bear some of the blame.

You've been divorced for 7 or 8 years,

and yet you never made plans for yourself.

Mrs Hsu, you only know too well

a family like mine would never let us

go out and meet other people.

I have a sister who's still unmarried.

Who'd bother about me?

Speaking of your sister, what's their word?

Any chance of nuptials?

What's the man like?

His name's Fan Liu-yuan.

He's 32, both parents deceased.

His father was a well-known Malay-Chinese

who left him with a great legacy.

I told them I'd come up to see you

so they can discuss among themselves,

but I should go back down now.

Why don't you come with me?

They're in the East Wing.

Come with me

We'll laugh off the whole thing.

Otherwise how embarrassing it'd be

when you meet up at lunch tomorrow!

Lunch! Sorry, Mrs Hsu.

I don't feel too well right now.

I'll just let you down

If I end up saying the wrong thing.

I shan't go with you.

Very well then, I'll go on my own.

Very well then, I'll go on my own.

You rest upstairs. Don't think too much.

Mrs Hsu's coming.

You want to spend the night here?

Third Sister-in-Law, what do you think?

They say he's a good man,

but let's wait till we meet him in person

at the dinner hosted by Mrs Hsu; K

What I mean to say is

Someone like him's bound to be choosy.

Remember what Mrs Hsu said?

When Fan returned from England

Women were beating a path to his door

to offer their daughters in marriage.

To offer their daughters in marriage.

If he's so spoilt for choice,

he might not care for our Seventh Sister.

She's the daughter of a concubine.

My eldest daughter, though, is really cute.

She may be petite, but she's smart.

But there's too much of an age difference!

Men like that prefer them young.

And it my eldest one's not right,

there's still my second daughter.

Your second daughter's 20 years younger!

Don't be foolish, Third Sister-in-Law!

Don't keep taking Seventh Sister's side!

What's she to the Pai family?

She's only the daughter of a concubine!

Marrying her off won't do us much good.

Marrying her off won't do us much good.

I'm only doing what's best for everyone.

I'll be bringing my two daughters

to Mrs Hsu's dinner party.

Hasn't Mrs Hsu also found someone

for our Sixth Miss?

What kind of a man is he?

His last name's Jiang,

a widower who works at Customs.

Five children and eager to remarry.

Hsiao Wan!

Coming!

When are they to meet?

The date hasn't been fixed yet.

But; K

Mrs Hsu says she'll take care of Sixth Miss

after she's taken care of Seventh Miss.

I do feel sorry for Sixth Miss!

So do I!

The car's here!

Hurry up!

Why is there only one car?

Ma and Fourth Brother aren't coming.

Get in.

Ma, I've forgotten something.

Where to, Sir?

The International Hotel.

Hurry up and get in, we're late.

I'm waiting for Chin Chi!

There isn't enough room.

Then I'd better not go.

Why not? There's room for five.

Why not? There's room for five.

Forget the girls. Let's go!

We shouldn't keep them waiting.

They're back.

What's the matter, Seventh Aunt?

Let's ask mother.

They knew very well

our Seventh Miss doesn't dance.

Why take her to a club?

To dance?

I blame your husband.

He's been around, he should have known.

He should have said something

when he heard Mr Fan tell the driver

to go to a club!

Shanghai's such a big place,

there are so many clubs, how can he know

which one has dancing and which hasn't?

He's not like your husband,

he has no time to go out on the town.

Then what happened?

We dined and came straight home.

So what's Fan like?

I can't really say.

He didn't talk much at all,

but he's a very good dancer.

Who did he dance with?

Who else but your Sixth Aunt?

Well brought-up girls don't learn to dance!

But she picked it up

after marrying that wastrel!

And even if you're asked to dance,

what's wrong with just saying,

Sorry I don't know how?

And one dance is just being polite,

but to dance a second, third time...

Don't think you can improve your chances

By spoiling it for your sister!

Why would Fan fancy someone like you?

He has so many women to choose from,

would he settle for second-hand goods?

Not so loud! People might hear! Let's go!

What's wrong? I'm speaking the truth!

Fourth Sister-in-Law, call for some tea.

Please make yourself at home...

Amah Wang, some tea.

It's been a few days, I've been so busy.

My husband's off to Hong Kong.

If his business goes well

we'll look for a place

and stay for a year or two.

I've been packing these last few days

I've been packing these last few days

As for Seventh Miss's matter...

Have some tea, Mrs Hsu.

Thank you.

Mr Fan's not in Shanghai anymore

so we'll have to wait and see.

I see. And you're leaving for Hong Kong.

I see. And you're leaving for Hong Kong.

As for the other matter...

I found out that Jiang has a mistress.

I found out that Jiang has a mistress.

I found out that Jiang has a mistress.

That's not good!

If he already has a mistress,

Splitting them up won't be easy!

He doesn't seem reliable.

Let's forget about the whole thing.

My husband has many friends in Hong Kong,

But that's a long way from here;

If only Sixth Miss would come to Hong Kong

she wouldn't lack for prospects there.

In recent years lots of Shanghainese

have gone to Hong Kong.

Shanghainese prefer their own kind,

so Shanghainese girls are in great demand.

So Shanghainese girls are in great demand.

If Sixth Miss is willing to go,

She'll have plenty to choose from.

The only thing is...

Hong Kong's quite a way from Shanghai.

Yes, it's a long way.

A trip to Hong Kong wouldn't be easy.

A trip to Hong Kong wouldn't be easy.

If she's willing to go

I'd be happy to pay her travelling expenses.

I did promise to help her, after all,

so I should help her all the way.

That's too much to ask of you!

It's nothing. It's within my power.

Besides, I need her help too.

With two kids and not such good health

I'll need a travelling companion.

I'll look after her like she's family.

Mrs Hsu, you're most kind,

but we can't trouble you like this.

Sixth Miss, what's your own view?

It would be nice just to see the place.

Mrs Hsu, you're too kind to me.

So are you going or not?

Yes!

Well! Let's get off!

Welcome.

Over here.

Auntie, I want to have cake.

Be good, and I'll have some with you.

Come!

That way.

How are you?

Please sign here. - Thank you.

How long are we staying?

Until we find a suitable place to live.

I could be ready by nine o'clock,

if that's all right with you.

Mrs Hsu.

Mr Hsu. - Mr Fan, how are you?

Fancy meeting friends so far from home.

Didn't you leave for Singapore, Mr Fan?

I've been waiting here for you.

This is Miss Pai's room.

Mr Fan, please take care of her.

Certainly.

These three pieces are ours,

that one's Miss Pai's.

This way, Miss Pai.

Put it over there, please.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr Fan.

Did you know your specialty is looking down?

I don't understand.

Some are good at smiling, some at talking,

some are good at housekeeping,

and you're good at looking down.

I'm no good at anything. I'm useless!

A useless woman is the best kind.

I'll not debate you anymore.

Let's take a look next door.

Next door? My room or Mrs Hsu's?

You live next door?

My room isn't presentable, it's a mess.

Come in.

Let's have tea here.

All right, take a seat.

The children are finally asleep.

I called Chu just now.

He insists on taking us out.

Tonight, at the Hong Kong Hotel.

You two are also invited.

It's been such a long voyage,

wouldn't you need a little rest?

We're going tonight?

The Hong Kong Hotel

has the most historic ballroom I've seen.

The lights, the band-stand,

the stage design

are all in traditional English style.

What was in vogue 40, 50 years ago

is all a bit passe now.

But it's funny seeing these colonial slaves

wear tight northern Chinese trousers.

Why?

It's China chic.

Now that we're here, let's take a look.

Would you two helping entertain people?

Count me out!

Miss Pai dances well.

Do you go dancing often in Shanghai?

I've only been once.

Then you're a born dancer!

Ha! Ha!

If Mr Fan won't help out

we won't be able to clinch the deal.

Why hasn't he arrived yet?

He'll come.

It wasn't easy inviting Miss Pai here.

He'll come for sure

I don't understand

what he sees in Miss Pai.

He's lived abroad for so long

he's fascinated by anything Chinese.

Were Mr Fan and the taipan at Jardines

really fellow students at Cambridge?

Pierre and Louise are here.

How are you, Mrs Hsu?

Where's Mr Fan?

Why are you so quiet?

Everything I can say in front of people

I've said already.

What do you say behind people's backs?

Some foolish things you don't just say

behind people's backs, but your own as well.

For instance, I love you,

I'll love you all my life.

It's all nonsense.

Louise plans to open a Parisian cafe

in Pokfulam Road or Cat Street.

In Pokfulum Road or Cat Street.

Why are they always talking about Paris?

They were students in France, very romantic.

The chap has a French way of thinking:

He's rebelling against conventional morality

by refusing to marry her.

The girl also wants to act French

and rebel against tradition,

but can't quite manage it.

She's keen on getting married.

She's bottling it all in.

Why don't you like women going dancing?

Most men like leading women astray

or reforming a bad woman,

but I couldn't be bothered doing so.

I prefer good women to stay good.

You think you're different,

But you're just as selfish as the rest.

How so?

You want me to be good in front of others

but bad when I'm with you?

I don't follow.

Should I be bad to others and good to you?

You've just turned it the other way around.

I'm getting more confused.

No, you've got it wrong.

Do you understand what I mean now?

Good or bad, I don't want you to change.

It's very hard to meet

A real Chinese woman like you.

I'm just a woman who's behind the times.

A real Chinese woman

is the most beautiful in the world.

She'll never be behind the times.

A modern man such as you...

By modern, do you mean westernized?

I can't claim to be a real Chinese,

but I'm becoming more so these few years.

But you should know

A foreigner who's become Chinese

is more stubborn than any Confucian scholar.

Is more stubborn than any Confucian scholar.

You're stubborn, and so am I,

and you did say the Hong Kong Hotel

has the most stubborn ballroom.

Sorry everyone, Miss Pai has a headache.

I'm seeing her home.

Miss Pai must be very tired.

Please excuse us.

Are you going to the races tomorrow?

I can't say for sure. Don't wait for me.

Louise, shall we dance?

Sure.

They dance well together.

Aren't you going to dance?

I'd love to, but my partner's gone.

I'd love to, but my partner's gone.

We won't stay here for very long.

I've booked a table for us elsewhere.

There the food's probably a bit better.

This is Miss Pai.

This is Princess Siddhartha.

Miss Pai also comes from Shanghai?

Yes.

She doesn't look as if she's from Shanghai.

I'm aware of that?

I'm just a country bumpkin.

You're an authentic Chinese,

so naturally you're not like

the Shanghainese she mentioned.

Don't be fooled by appearances.

She's fond of claiming

that she's the daughter of a king

who forced her mother to commit suicide

and forced her into exile.

She's been living in exile ever since,

but other than that she's stateless

none of her claims can be confirmed.

She was very well known in Shanghai,

and then came to HK with an Englishman.

You see that old man behind her?

You see that old man behind her?

That's the man who now keeps her.

You men are all alike.

You flatter a girl in her presence

and demean her behind her back.

I wonder what you'd say about someone like me

behind my back.

Who'd dare mention your name

with hers in the same breath?

True!

Her name's so long

it's hard to finish in one breath!

Don't worry, whatever type of person you are

I'll treat you accordingly.

I wouldn't make a mistake.

This wall somehow reminds me

of what they say about eternal love.

If one day our civilization should end,

If one day our civilization should end,

should burn down, blow up, collapse,

perhaps this wall will still be left.

Liu-su, if at that time

we should meet beneath this wall

perhaps you might be a bit true to me

And I to you.

You admitted yourself you weren't serious.

Why bring me into this?

When did you ever catch me lying?

Sure, you're such an innocent!

Don't trifle with me.

What's weighing on your mind?

A lot of things.

If a free person like you still has to moan

then I should go hang myself.

I know you're unhappy.

You must be totally fed up

with all the bad things around you.

But when you see it all for the first time

But when you see it all for the first time

You'll dislike it even more.

Like I did myself

when I first came back to China.

I was already 24.

I had certain illusions about my homeland,

I had certain illusions about my homeland,

so you can imagine my disappointment.

It was too much to bear.

I couldn't help sinking low.

If you'd known me back then

perhaps you'd forgive me now.

It's better to be like you.

Meeting them for the first time,

however bad or dirty things may be,

they're still external to you.

But once you become part of them

how can you differentiate between

what's them and what's you?

You may be right. It's just my excuse.

I'm deceiving myself.

Why do I need excuses?

I like having fun.

I have the time and the money.

Do I need any other reasons?

I don't even understand myself,

but I want you to understand me.

I want you to understand me.

I do understand you, I do.

Right. I forgot you're good at looking down.

Some say it only suits teenage girls.

Some say it only suits teenage girls.

After years of looking down

you'll get wrinkles on your neck.

But don't worry, you won't have any.

If you don't believe me; K

Wait till you're alone in your room

and look under your collar.

I wonder if the romance between

Mr Fan and Miss Pai

is spiritual or physical?

What are you saying?

Spiritual love always ends in marriage,

but physical love always gets stuck

at a certain stage.

There's at least some prospect of marriage.

I know she wants to marry.

But there's a flaw with spiritual love.

What flaw?

When a woman's in love

She often can't understand the man's words.

But that's not important.

When they eventually get married

it's the woman who finds the house,

buys the furniture, hires the help.

Are you still angry at me?

I'm not good at expressing myself.

I've offended you, made you unhappy,

so I'm unhappy too.

That's too much for me to be responsible for!

Besides, I'm not unhappy.

So much the better. Good night.

See you tomorrow.

The Shanghainese food here's not bad.

Don't you feel homesick?

It just seems silly to come all this way

to Hong Kong to eat Shanghainese food.

I like doing silly things when I'm with you.

Going in circles on the tram,

seeing the same movie twice.

I must have passed on my silliness to you.

Give it whatever explanation you please.

What is it? Let me see.

Look at it under the light.

It looks like a Malayan jungle.

Let's go to Malaya.

Why?

Return to nature.

There's just one thing.

I can't imagine you running around

the jungle wearing a cheongsam...

or not wearing one.

Stop this nonsense!

I'm being serious.

The first time I saw you

I felt you weren't meant for western dress.

A cheongsam might suit you better,

But the lines are too severe.

Nothing looks good on a plain person.

Nothing looks good on a plain person.

Don't misunderstand.

I mean you seem other-worldly.

You have little gestures

which have an air of romance about them,

like in Peking Opera!

Peking Opera?

How can I sing it all by myself?

I've been forced to become a rogue.

If I don't play along with other people,

they'll take me for a fool

and take advantage of me.

Yes, it's my fault.

I'm accustomed to being false

because everyone around me is false.

You're the only one I've been honest with,

but you don't know it.

I can't read your mind.

No. It's my fault.

I went to a lot of trouble over you.

When I first met you in Shanghai

I thought...

you might feel more at ease

away from your family.

I waited so long time for you to come here,

and now; K

I'd like to take you to Malaya

back to the primeval jungle.

The bill. - Yes, sir.

It's really a lovely day.

Sister Mary! - Father!

Thank you. It's orange juice.

So, what do you think?

I don't think the japs will attack Hong Kong.

Even if they did,

they'll be all rounded up,

the little yellow bastards. Just you watch.

I asked little Jimmy

what he wanted for Christmas, and he said

he wanted one of these Chinese paper lanterns.

It's quite ridiculous! The silly boy!

Yes, we must take a vow of chastity,

poverty and obedience.

Chastity? That's one vow I could never take.

No, it's against human nature. - Really?

But how about obedience?

What do you mean by that?

Obedience means marrying Louise.

You enjoy torturing people.

I do?

Who do I enjoy torturing?

Alas my love, you do me wrong

To cast me off discourteously

For I have loved you well and long

Delighting in your company.

I think that's about right.

Everybody say cheese!

Cheese!... All right.

You'll get exhausted swatting like that.

I'll swat for you and you swat for me.

It's been strange these few days.

One's always in her room, pleading a cold,

the other one's always gone without trace.

You never see them together anymore.

Quite! They've known each more then a month,

how could it have come to this?

If only Mr Fan would propose to Miss Pai,

we'd have had the wedding already.

I think that while Mr Fan fancies her,

he doesn't want to marry her.

He's waiting for her to take the initiative,

so that if there are any future problems,

he won't have to take responsibility.

But Miss Pai's serious!

I heard you weren't well.

It was nothing. Just a cold

The weather's been horrid.

I just had picnic on the Englishman's yacht.

We sailed to Tsing Yi Island.

Why don't you go over?

She's already spoken for.

Is the Englishman able to control her?

No, he's not.

But you're able to control me.

Even if I were Governor of Hong Kong

or the city's patron god

I wouldn't be able to control you.

A woman who doesn't get jealous

is ever so slightly abnormal.

Why are you looking at me like that?

To see if you'll be nicer to me in future.

I'll be both nicer and worse to you.

Would you take it to heart?

That's better!

I detect some jealousy in your words.

I've never met anyone like you,

forcing someone to be jealous.

You're not jealous? I've wasted my efforts.

What are you saying?

Never mind.

The rain's stopped. Shall we go out to eat?

Let me change first.

I'll come along and wait in your room,

I'll come along and wait in your room,

to see if you'll be nicer to me.

Wait for me here, I shan't be long.

I love you.

I forgot to ask you:

Do you love me?

You know why I came to Hong Kong.

It's patently obvious.

Liu-su! You don't love me at all.

How do you know I don't love you?

There's a poem in the Book of Songs...

I don't know that sort of thing.

I know you don't.

If you did, would I mention it?

I'll recite it to you.

In life, in death, I swear to thee

I'll take your hand, and grow old with thee.

My Chinese isn't that good,

I don't know if I interpret it correctly,

but for me it's the saddest poem.

Life, death and parting are immense things

beyond our control.

Compared with the cosmos,

how tiny we are, how tiny!

Yet we insist on saying,

I want to be with you forever,

let us never ever be parted,

As if we can decide it for ourselves.

Just say no to marriage. It'd be over.

Why beat about the bush?

What's this about beyond our control?

Even someone old-fashioned like me knows,

marry for your parents, remarry for yourself.

If a carefree man like you can't decide,

who can decide for you?

Liu-su, you don't love me.

What can you do? Can you control it?

If you really love me, you wouldn't care.

I'm not so stupid as to waste money

to get married, just to be bound

to a wife who doesn't love me.

That's so unfair!

It's not fair to you either.

Right! But do you care? Maybe you think

marriage is just long-term prostitution.

Liu-su! Can you see the moon from your bed?

There's some creepers around my side

that blocks half the view.

They might be roses, or maybe not.

Good morning!

Good morning!

Shall we go down now?

Good morning, Mr Fan.

Good morning! Mrs Fan.

It's to sign the contract. It won't take long.

You want to stay on the beach alone?

Mr Fan, Mrs Fan, good morning!

Good morning.

I wonder what they're thinking.

Ignore the people who call you Mrs Fan.

It's those who call you Miss Pai

that you should consider what they think.

Don't let their suspicions be for nothing.

I haven't see Louise or Pierre for awhile.

Liu-yuan!

Have you seen them lately?

I only know they've separated.

I spoke on the phone with Mrs Chu

and she told me about them.

What happened?

Pierre said he was returning to France alone.

So Louise has now moved

to a single flat in Wanchai.

Luckily her father left her some money,

so she has no financial worries.

But she...

She smokes opium?

Yes! I think she's just bored.

If she gets married and settles down

she'll have no time for opium.

Let's not gossip about other people.

Let's talk about ourselves.

Mr Fan, we're moving the day after tomorrow.

Miss Pai will come with us, of course.

We're moving to Happy Valley.

Come help out if you can spare the time.

That goes without saying.

I've decided to return to Shanghai.

Miss Pai, you're going back?

Yes.

Then I'll go with you.

No need. Weren't you going to Singapore?

I already left it late, so it doesn't matter.

I have a lot to do in Shanghai too.

Come on! Let's eat!

Dig in!

Mother-in-law's tired, she's not coming down.

Take her a bowl of congee.

Where's Sixth Sister?

She says she's not well

so she's not coming.

Our Sixth Sister is really precious!

Being unwell every other day

just to avoid us.

But we can't avoid her!

She lived a month with someone in Hong Kong

and returns as if nothing happened!

Does she care what people say?

But we still have to take her back.

What a disgrace to our family!

And I even went to friends and relatives

to ask them to keep it to themselves,

but it's already spread everywhere!

What can you do to stop the gossip?

Try this.

I'm so ashamed to have such a sister,

It's such a loss of face.

Poor Sixth Miss!

She's been back for three months,

and still no news from Hong Kong.

Has she been deceived?

That Fan's to blame.

It's not his fault.

Isn't that right?

She came on to him in the first place.

It's bad enough for a woman

to be deceived by a man,

but it's worse if she baits him.

If a woman baits a man

and ends up being deceived herself,

then she's a whore twice over!

Then she's a whore twice over!

Execution would be too good for her!

Hurry up and clear the table.

Third Master! Madam!

What is it?

A telegram for Sixth Miss.

Read it out loud for us.

Come to Hong Kong. Ticket with Thomas Cook.

It's from Fan Liu-yuan.

Let me see it.

Ma!

A telegram for you.

If he's asking, you should go.

Rickshaw!

Excuse me, has the boat arrived?

It arrived ages ago.

Your raincoat looks like a medicine jar.

You're my medicine.

Good night.

Don't be afraid.

It's my shoes.

I've wanted to watch the moon from your room.

You can see it more clearly from here.

I must return to England next week

to look after business.

Take me with you.

I can't.

I'll rent a flat for you in Hong Kong.

I should be back within the year.

If you want, you can live in Shanghai.

It's up to you.

No! I prefer my family

to be as far away as possible.

Sedan chair, Miss?

Babington Road, please.

Whether things will change between us

after you return

will be all up to you.

How can I entwine your heart

How can I bind your heart?

After just one week together?

You're a restless soul.

A week together is such a rush

you don't have time to grow tired.

That one week is more memorable than a year.

If you do come back for me

you may find I'll have changed.

A woman at 30

may well still be unusually youthful,

but she'll fade before long.

Without marriage as a guarantee

it's hard to bind a man's heart.

It's a sad and difficult thing,

and almost impossible.

Miss.

Miss? Miss?

Ah Lu, can you hear it?

Is it an air raid drill?

No! The war's started!

I just heard!

The Japanese have bombed Kai Tak airport!

Don't cry!

Ah Lu! Where are you going?

Miss, we can't stay here!

I'm taking her to a shelter!

Are you mad? You can't go out now!

Miss, she's my only daughter!

I can't let her die!

You can't go out now!

Let me go! Let go!

Ah Lu! Ah Lu!

Did I scare you?

Pack up quickly. I'm taking you

to the Repulse Bay Hotel.

Is it safe there?

They say they're not going to land there!

And there'll be plenty of food.

Your ship...?

It had to turn back before long.

It wasn't easy getting hold of a truck.

Go pack quickly!

Master!

Ah Lu, take this money.

Are you going or staying?

I'm taking her to a shelter.

Come look after the house when it's safe.

Understand?

Yes.

Go!

Hurry!

Let's go!

Hurry!

Lord knows how many stories

had their endings blown away by the bombs.

If you had died, my story would be over.

If I had died, your story would still go on.

Do you plan to be my widow?

Come on, get in there

Sir, we lost Lt. Grant

Oh, God! Very well, Smith.

Anything else?

We rescued the prisoners

from the barracks, sir.

Good show! What about the Japs?

All dead, sir.

All twenty of them.

Excellent, Smith. Carry on.

Yes, sir.

Ladies and Gentlemen, owing to circumstances

beyond our control,

I have to tell you that

we're running a little low on provisions.

From now on,

we'll have to make do with what's available.

This means that we're going to offer

two biscuits and butter per person,

and either 2 cups of tea or 1 cup of coffee.

And we also have a limited supply of sugar.

If you have any questions

please do not hesitate to consult me.

Thank you.

Our boy's are not

enjoying this one bit!

Well, we're surrounded by the bastards!

I wish there was something we could do.

Aren't you afraid of all this too?

Afraid? I suppose I am a little

but I'm also a little excited.

I suppose you're going to write about us all.

Miss Pai, Mr. Fan

Don't you work upstairs?

There's just a few of us left,

so we have to look after everything.

Have some tea.

No thanks.

They say the Japs will cut off the water.

I say if we're not going to have water

then let's have some tea now.

Very well. Thank you.

Quiet please, ladies and gentlemen.

Please pay attention. My name's Templeman.

Major, with Coastal Command.

I've been sent to take care of this area.

First, I want all women and children

and non-combatants to proceed to the tunnel

beneath the hotel.

Please, you'll be much safer there.

Do as I say, as quickly

and as quietly as possible.

Corporal Waller? - Yes sir.

Get these people into the tunnel immediately.

Yes sir.

The situation here

can't be compared to Hungary; K

Seems it's soon going to collapse!

Calm down.

I don't want to die here!

I don't want to die!

Mama!

Don't be afraid. Don't cry.

Mummy's here. Don't cry.

Sir, we can't just

leave them to the Japs!

Couldn't they all take a ride

with the lorries going to Stanley?

Yes sir. I understand, sir.

I'm sure they're sorry too, sir.

Talk to me.

Wait.

Do I normally talk too much?

Look at the beach!

The wall...

Yes, we forgot to look.

You're hot, let me carry it for you.

It's you?

It's you?

You've come to buy something?

I can't even get the daily rice ration.

I can't even get the daily rice ration.

You got oysters!

Yes. We haven't had soup for a while.

You can cook! You must teach me.

Certainly.

I heard you live in Babington Road.

I've yet to visit your new place.

We're going home to cook.

Would you care to join us?

That's very kind. Thank you

Fresh pak choi!

How's Mr Davis?

He's in an internment camp.

So where are you living now?

L; K live with an Indian watchman.

L; K live with an Indian watchman.

He used to help around the house.

I haven't eaten so well in a long time.

Miss Pai, your soup tastes so good.

She's my wife now. Congratulate us!

Really? When did you get married?

We put an announcement in the paper.

Marrying in wartime,

you have to keep things simple.

That's great! Congratulations!

Thank you.

The soup tastes so good.

We seldom have soup ourselves.

Thank you, Mr Fan.

Don't mention it.

Thank you, Mrs Fan.

So, when did I say we're getting married?

Let's put a notice in the paper today.

Let's put a notice in the paper today.

Or if you'd rather wait

till we're back in Shanghai

we could have a huge banquet for relatives.

They don't deserve it!

Look at you, laughing and crying!

The fall of Hong Kong was her making.

In this incomprehensible world,

who can say what's cause and what's effect?

Who's to say if,

perhaps for her sake,

a city had to fall,

millions had to suffer,

and a momentous revolution had to follow?

Liu-su didn't feel

that she had any special place in history.