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[music]
I bought a few feet of green yarn, folded it
and seamed a straight line in the middle...
Tie the left shoulder, let the right shoulder be exposed...
I chose a bright green Qipao,
a contrast to my pink petticoat.
People will get color-blindness starring for too long.
My *** are too small.
I'm afraid that the yarn will fall off.
Make the belt tighter and it should be fine.
Western women need tailors to shape their waists
with steel bars and whale bones.
I'm born skinny and don't need those.
I used nail polish to mend socks......
Mom always said that I am not good at needlework...
I like cheongsams, dresses, and blouses.
It'd be very beautiful if the were made of blue velvet.
The power is off, Shihong~
My tailor is here!
Hello, Mrs. Tong.
Hello, Mr Taylor.
Mrs. Tong, which style of cheongsam would you like?
Which style of cheongsam do you prefer?
Which style? Pick the one you make the most...
Mrs. Tong, you are so smart.
The style I do most often is the most popular one.
Pardon?
The style I do most often is the most popular one...
No, that is not what you said.
Which style of cheongsam do you prefer...
No, no...
Ah, Mrs. Tong, I said, you are so smart...
Really?...No one has ever complimented me like that...
I like the guy living across the street.
It seems like he doesn't talk much.
He can speak with his eyes instead of his mouth.
Mr. Sun is always looking at you;
if he keeps on doing this, I will have to drive him away.
That's crazy.
I am leaving for Singapore.
You should take care of yourself.
You can live a good life, marrying a man you don't love.
The sky is clear. It is wet today.
The tree leaves outside are yellow and transparent.
I would like to learn what is happening across the street.
On a cloudy day like today,
it appears quiet and lonely, with no one living there.
There are a lot of people living in that apartment
just like ours.
Like ours? Our apartment building is so isolated
I can even change my clothes in front of the window
without anyone noticing.
I'm blushing. He made me blush.
Why don't we dare peek into each other's private lives?
The person who is peeked at has nothing to lose,
while the peeker will gain a moment of joy.
I am a lovely woman, pale, thin, and warm,
just like a breath out of the mouth in the winter.
But my husband couldn't realize that, and he left me.
I spat my tears on your face...
You are so nice to me...
I can never get enough of you
Mrs. Tong, you are so young, so smart, so beautiful.
An elegant woman like you is so rare.
I spat my tears on your face, again.......
It is raining outside.
Don't stand next to the window, you will get wet.
You just said your old friend was coming.
He is a Liu Xiahui, a man who could keep perfectly calm
with a beautiful woman in his lap.
His name is Zhenbao Tong.
It was a rainy day.
I went to *** Shihong's house for the first time
I met *** Jiaorui.
She was sitting on *** Shihong's lap
with a cigarette in her hand.
She looks distantly passionate behind the rising smoke
I fell in love with her .
It was not that moment,it was later.
Anyway, I fell in love with her
The other day, also a rainy day.
I went back to my apartment to get my coat
The coat was not on the hanger
I walked to the living room.
The door was unlocked.
She was hanging my coat in the living room.
She was standing in front of my coat,
holding a cigarette in her hand...
It was my cigar. She greedily.......
Smelled it.
She fell in love with me!
It is raining today.
It is a cold, rainy day.
I went back home to get my coat.
I'm married now.
The coat is not on the hanger...
Now, this is my wife.
I am standing in the hallway...
Ten years ago, she was my lover.
My heart beating, I walked over to the living room...
So sentimental!
My heart keeps beating...
So worth commemorating
I have an unusual......
destined feeling.
The doorbell is ringing.
I heard the doorbell ringing......
Your old friend's here!
My husband is back.
Hold on, let me go in first...
You didn't knock.
I'm coming back to my own home, why should I knock?
Did you forget something?
I forgot my coat.
Your coat is in the hallway.
It's raining hard outside
thank you for taking the trouble, Mr. Tailor.
No... problem, I just arrived.
Oh?
Are you staying for dinner?
It's been raining for more than one hour,
but the tailor's bag is not wet at all.
The tailor's bag is not wet at all.
My husband must have suspected something!
The cheongsam was too large
so I'm having the tailor re-measure me so he can fix it.
The tailor is not wearing rain boots either.
I felt dizzy the moment her husband looked at me.
I quickly grabbed my ruler from my bag,
to continue measuring Yanli.
Don't touch it!
Your bag is not wet at all.
My husband must have already known!
Your coat is in the hallway.
Yanli made a strange gesture
but I think she was trying to stop the tailor.
Here, this part is too wide.
You are so stupid. Why did you stop me?
Your husband will figure it out.
You have been here for more than an hour
and your bag is not wet at all.
Dare you take the nasty ruler from your bag!
Dare you give me that disgusted look
when my wife stopped you
you stupid *** bag!
You... you... you come here!
you come here!
you come here!
you come here!
you... you come here!
you come here!
A slap in the face, die!
Nothing has happened...
Let's go over there.
Why are you stopping me? How can she .......
sleep with such a person?
You feel pain? Then why did you stop me killing him?
How do you know that she slept with him?
After a woman had sex with a man,
and he touches her body again,
her eyes, her demeanor will be completely different.
Even the dumbest person can tell! These dirty ***!
It's a pair of inexperienced dirty ***!
Look at the tailor's little pale face, so disgusting!
I have treated Yanli well.
Though I don't love her, I've never cheated on her!
That's right, I do not love her.
I don't have any feelings for her.
honestly, I don't care if she sleeps with someone else.
It just depends on who she sleeps with.
See, a man doesn't care if he's cheated on.
The key is, HOW he's cheated on.
I already dislike her, and now she cheated on me!
With that stupid tailor
She made me furious!
She's too unworthy
That's why she found one who's even worse than her.
Just to comfort herself
Why are you following me? Go over there!
Let's wrap up things here first.
I can't do this anymore, I'm disgusted.
Ok, I'll take care of it
You are back.
It's raining cats and dogs. Thank you so much.
No... problem, I just arrived.
Oh?
The cheongsam is too big.
He is here to re-measure me and alter it...
You'll be home for dinner?
No, you don't have to wait for me for dinner either.
I don't know when i will be back.
Lend the tailor an umbrella
he probably have no idea how heavy it's raining outside
How can he know? It was still sunny when he got here!
Thank you Mr.Tong...
No problem. Just don't forget to return it.
Don't give me a sad face!
Face? I don't even have a face anymore!
Then find ways to get it back.
There are a lot of things in the world can cheer me up
for example, women, I love women.
Do you still dare believe in women?
Why not? I am still young and simple.
I think about women all the time.
For example, my puppy love in France......
No,it was in England.
Right. my puppy love in England.
And, Jiaorui ***.
I was thinking about her on my way home just now.
She was my passionate lover before I married Yanli.
She was my passionate lover before I married Yanli.
But I'm no longer simple
I am married now and have a nine year old daughter.
Her mother just cheated on me with that nasty man.
And I know it!
I am horrified, I do not believe in women anymore!
It was a rainy day, my first time meeting Jiaorui.
Again?
She was sitting in Shihong's lap
with a cigarette between her fingeres.
That moment, I fell in love with her.
It was not at that moment, it was afterwards.
Anyway, I fell in love with her
I am horrified.
So sentimental
Heart racing....
So worthy commemorating. Maybe it's fate...
So disgusting!
Outside, everyone's hurrying about their business.
With the lightning and thunder, I saw Zhenbao!
Excuse me, the door is ajar, I'm coming in
Jiaorui, are you all right?
Zhenbao, my dear friend!
Zhenbao himself is much heavier than the door.
He fell on me, and I'm dizzy.
Baby, does it hurt?
Yes!
Remember, this is our first seeing each other, act well.
Can you stand up?
Sure!
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
I was looking forward to you.
I am leaving for Singapore soon.
and I will be out of town for a long time.
I am worried about my wife. She is young and pretty
She is from Singapore. She can hardly speak Chinese.
I love her so much.
Mr. Sun next door always flirt with her.
It took me two months to get rid of him.
I am so happy you can come.
My heart was racing when I touched her hand.
Her skin is so smooth.
Don't fall in love with her, she is a married woman!
Her skin is as smooth and glistening as silk
Her husband is my classmate, my best buddy.
She's such an attractive woman!
I fell in love with her, every inch of her body.
Of course, I'm a Liu Xiahui!
When did you start seducing my wife?
Was it after I left for Singapore?
It all started before your left for Singapore.
I fell for him first.
That's right, my baby.
It was my fault for introducing my wife to you,
and even providing you two a good hide out.
I am so disappointed.
I'm really grateful to you, buddy.
You are my Cupid. You introduced me to Jiaorui.
I stayed in your place, slept with your wife in your bed.
Frankly speaking, I do feel guilty sometimes.
It's all karma!
I know I should not sleep with my friend's wife.
But I couldn't control myself.
Back then, I was still young.
Too young too naive
It was nothing but irresponsible ***.
I don't want to take responsibilities, not then , not now.
It is raining heavier and heavier......
Raining harder and harder, the sky is dark...
Everyone is rushing in the rain...
I really want to know what happened
in that apartment building across the street.
Adultery, obscenity.
And....love.
Nothing happened.
There are many people living there, just like ours.
Everyone is rushing in the rain...
The lightening flashes...
And I saw Zhenbao
Mr. Tailor......
You are back.
It kept on raining, so annoying.
Your feet are wet.
Let me get some hot water to warm them up.
It's okay
You will catch a cold.
Are you disgusted?
Yes.
I think the tailor is still here.
Get him out of here!
I have prepared Brandy for you...
Don't talk from behind me!
I just want to do something for you...
Go change the couch cover.
It was just changed...
Change it again!
I just want to do something for you...
Change it again.
Some wine?
Yes.
Cheers!
Drinking too quickly is not good for you!
Can you not talk from behind me!
I just want to do something for you...
Turn the light off, time for bed
Time for bed..
my love...
My wife, *** Yanli.
No no, it's *** Jiaorui, and Meng Yanli
My wife Meng Yanli, college graduate,
clean background, and pretty.
The first time we met,
she was standing next to the glass door of the store,
looking down.
She was wearing... what was she wearing?
She was wearing... What were you wearing?
I was wearing a grey dress with orange stripes.
Right, my first impression of her was that she was so pale, everywhere.
She was wearing a GREY dress with ORANGE stripes.
Pale all the same to me
I was twenty-two years old then, graduating from college in two months.
My parents introduced Zhenbao to me.
He just came back from London.
We dated several times. We went to movies together.
She was so timid, never dared look at me,
not to mention my friends.
She even didn't dare look up at the movie screen.
I knew very well that according to modern etiquette
I should walk in the front
let him help me put on my coat and wait for me.
I should joke with him happily.
But it just felt so awkward. I'm so dumb.
Not dumb! but very dumb, to the point of retardedness.
Right, very retarded.
This is Meng Yanli's biggest flaw.
At first, I thought it was fine for young girls to be shy.
She is thin and pale, but her face looks gentle and fair.
I was a good student in school.
I studied hard and didn't social much with classmates.
I found out later, because of her poor performance
she had to settle for a mediocre school.
The dating period was too short.
It was the best time of my life.
Sometimes I feel that it was such a pity.
I am dissatisfied with her for so many reasons.
One of them is she doesn't like exercise.
Especially outdoor activities.
She even doesn't like the best indoor activity between husband and wife
I am faithfully doing what every husband should do
but she just can't turn me on.
He thought I was lovely at first...
Her undeveloped *** feel like tiny birds.
Then the birds woke up and flew away.
She even lost her last bit of GIRL's beauty.
When everything became routine,
she became a very boring WOMAN.
What's that smell?
She changed her perfume.
Why did she change her perfume?
She changed it for "Pasaii" (slap to die)
This scent is not your style.
Zhenbao, you still up?
Why don't you leave her alone?
May I warm a cup of milk for you?
Turn off the light...
Time for bed.
I just want to do something for you....
Baby, my dearest!
Got a new perfume?
Smells so wonderful
The previous one is finished,
but I got this new one just for you.
So cute!
I'm a lovely woman!
Yes, lovely!
Frivolous, maybe she doesn't like this kind of flirting.
Is that your facetious remark, Mr. Tong?
Even a nerd would be witty in front of you.
I'd like to learn more about you and talk to you.
It's better that you tell me about yourself.
Then I'll tell you a story.
And I'll tell you a story.
I am a somewhat odd girl.
When I was nine,
I dreamed of the performing arts as my life career.
But then, I watched a movie about a poor painter.
The painter died so miserably.
I cried for him.
I decided to be a pianist playing in a grandeur theater.
I am sensitive to colors, musical notes, and characters.
I love playing the piano.
I believe the 8 notes have different characteristics.
Wait a minute, there are only seven musical notes.
do re mi fa so la xi
(octave higher) do.
Now there are eight.
That's where the name "Eight Notes Box" came from.
Actually, 'eight note box' is how we Chinese call it.
Foreigners call it...
Music box
Really? You foreigners are so smart.
My wife always believed that Shanghai is foreign.
I like to write in words with strong colors and tones.
I especially like the characters of your name.
Tong, sounds like metal. Zhenbao, sounds very strong.
She's such a cute girl!
My wife has always been so simple.
Mr. Tong... have I said too much?
NO. NO. NO...
I'm really sorry. Now it's your turn.
What would you like me to say?
Anything is good.
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Tong Zhenbao.
I just finished my studies in England.
I just came back to Shanghai.
I'm working at HY Textile Company, owned by British.
I feel like I'm standing in the window of the world.
My first impression of Shanghai when I returned was:
traditional Chinese views
Everyone says Shanghai people are foxy.
They are the natural results of a distorted collision
between old and new culture.
But they are not so bad.
At least they know how to suck up to others
and get away with things.
Just like the good guys always enjoy hearing stories
about the bad guys.
But the bad guys do not want to hear the good stories.
No society is perfect.
Yea, no one is perfect.
Just like my opinion on women.
Not a single woman is ideal
but as long as she is beautiful, then she is perfect.
Sorry, Mrs. ***.
Don't call me Mrs. ***, please.
Jiaorui
Oh, Jiaorui, can you understand my foreign language?
No, I can't
see, she cannot understand
But I like your voice.
Let me say it a different way.
just like my opinion on women
not a single girl is ideal
The kind and compassionate are usually not pretty.
The beautiful ones are usually ***.
However, beauty is still the most important criteria.
- Snow White is always better than Cinderella. - I like your earrings.
- Snow White is always better than Cinderella. - I bought them for you.
-Same thing goes for my love of Shanghai people. - I bought them for you.
-Same thing goes for my love of Shanghai people. - I've never seen a girl as pretty as you.
-Same thing goes for my love of Shanghai people. - Everyone says so.
- Although they are selfish and sometimes calculating, - You are so pure. You are such a doll.
- they are pretty. - Shihong always called me a silly girl.
Your ***...
Wait, what are you doing?
I'm flirting.
I'm complimenting her clothes, accessories, ***...
And then?
And then turn off the light and go to bed.
To bed? With her?
Of course!
She has a simple mind and a mature body,
which is the most tempting ideal kind of woman.
Don't you want to sleep with her?
Yes, but I can't
Why?
she's Shihong's wife.
Here we go again...
I am Shihong's classmate, his old friend.
I'm Tong Zhenbao, I'm Liu Xiahui!
Exactly!
Shihong is in Singapore now!
See? His coat, suitcase and he himself are all gone.
I know, I knew it two weeks ago.
But still, I can't.
She has a husband.
A married woman is the easiest to get in the world.
You don't have to take any responsibilities.
But I need to be responsible for myself.
You think too much, you will make this uninteresting.
It is already not interesting.
I'm moving.
My heart is like an apartment building.
Any room for rental?
Frivolous, poor flirting.
Then what'd you say?
I can't stay in an apartment
I want to stay in a single family house.
As you wish, you can tear it down and rebuild me.
I love her voice, sweet and soft, tinkling my ear.
Oh my goodness, how can I be so cheesy?
I feel the temptation of her body.
It's just the temptation of her body.
When a man wants a woman's body,
he pretends to fall in love with her soul
However, have you ever realized that
in order to learn her soul,
you have to conquer her body first.
You are trying to find every reason to
justify you sleeping with this woman.
Isn't this shameful? Shihong is your old friend.
Shihong is already at Singapore.
Why are you holding her so firmly then?
Look at yourself. Why are you taking it so seriously?
Am I serious?
Yes, you are taking it too seriously.
Do you know how many men she calls everyday?
Tim...
I want to speak to Tim.
Is that Tim?
I will wait for a boy friend instead of going out today.
Haha, who is he? Why should I tell you?
Socialization is a skill.
You see, she's never gonna stop it after mastering it.
Anyway, I would like to have tea with him at 5.
Just him. Please do not disturb us.
I am too serious.
This is simply physical temptation
Shihong and I aren't really best friends either.
Timmy, I am so sorry.
I have something to deal with right now.
So don't waste your time coming.
She is hooking up with you.
If I fall for her, she think I am not an upper class man.
If you don't fall for her, she will think you are not a man.
So, we have to be a man first.
Don't be angry. Women have the right to change minds.
See you.
She has lots of boyfriends besides her husband.
She is married and still flirts with others, flirts with me.
So...
She is a woman that I can sleep with.
It has been two weeks since we last met.
It seemed like you just evaporated into thin air.
Aren't you afraid of being home alone?
Afraid of you?
I am not afraid of being together with a gentleman.
I won't pretend that I am a gentleman.
Real gentlemen do not need to pretend.
It's been two weeks. Even the weather's getting warm.
Turn off the lights, please.
Sleep.
Cigarette!
I'm falling in love with ZhenBao, the first time in my life.
We are sitting on the top of a double-decker bus
towards the setting sun.
The dusk reflected brightly against the windows
as the bus roared toward the sun.
Zhenbao is much heavier than the door itself.
Driving farther and farther...
- He fell onto me. - Hotter and hotter
Towards happiness.
I'm so dizzy...
Towards my shameless happiness....
I am falling in love with ZhenBao, Shihong.
Shihong...
I have fallen.
I have fallen. So good.
Stop singing, I should go home.
Today is raining.
I went back home to get my coat,
but the little tailor's bag was not wet at all.
I saw adultery, obscenity, and I am disgusted.
You'd better leave now.
If my husband finds out, my life will be over.
This is my wife.
Zhenbao!
Zhenbao is looking forward.
But his face under the shadow of the light scares me.
Although her eyes are big, they are never focused.
Please leave now.
You scared me!
You made me fall, and you are scared?
You didn't knock!
Why should I knock on my own door?
No wonder my friends all dislike her
she never makes any sense.
Home for dinner?
Dinner at midnight?
Why are you still here?
And Look at your tiny face, it's so yellow.
You two look like a couple.
May I warm some water for you to wash your feet?
Not necessary.
You didn't wash yesterday...
Turn the light off, sleep.
Zhenbao is a really a good man.
He is really nice, too nice. Don't you think so?
You are right.
You just can't do things like this these days.
People are so ungrateful and selfish, even
his own brothers and sisters, not to mention friends.
They will come to you only when they need your help,
everyone acts this way.
I have seen so much of this.
but Zhenbao just couldn't learn from it.
You can't be too nice these days.
Mr Tailor, don't you think so?
Today is a rainy day, the street is wet and cold.
Yanli, she scared me.
But my red rose, she is warm.
Oh why do I think of you, on such a sad day?
Stop thinking about it. It's already gone.
You gave her up.
Perhaps, every man had two special women in his life.
At least two
Perhaps, every man had two special women in his life.
More than two.
One is the wife.
The other is the lover.
One is the pure wife.
The other is the passionate lover
white rose
red rose.
Marry a red rose and eventually she'll be
a mosquito-blood streak smeared on the wall.
While the white rose is still the 'moonlight '.
Marry a white rose, and before long she'll be
a grain of sticky rice stuck onto your clothes.
The red one, by then, will be a scarlet beauty mark
right on top of your heart.
Shihong, you are back!
This is a letter for you. You can read it there.
Zhenbao...
To Shihong,
it feels like I'm in love for the first time in my life.
Shihong, thanks for marrying me in England.
Actually, the reason my family sent me to England was
to marry a foreign man.
I was a social butterfly.
Three years passed, and I suddenly remembered that
I should find a husband.
I am sorry. I was just desperate for a husband.
I really want to know what happened
in the apartment across the street
Adultery, obscenity.
And love.
I am falling in love with your old friend.
He is excellent. He is a very good weaver....
Engineer!
Engineer.
He is so special, and his eyes are so shiny.
He likes to push his bangs backward.
I even like the creases on his suit.
They are like laugh wrinkles.
He is very hardworking and smart.
These you of course know already.
His name is Tong Zhenbao. He is the famous Liu Xiahui.
That's what you guys called me.
I've never said this before.
I love him!
Everyday, my heart rises like the rise of the elevator.
Sometimes, I feel like I have stopped breathing
when the elevator stops in the middle.
There's an elevator in her heart.
So, her is still an apartment.
Then write a "heartwarming" card for her.
Perfect!
Today, Zhenbao sent me a sentence.
Happy heartwarming!
He's truly in love with me.
You told him your heart is like an apartment?
Shihong, Zhenbao is so cute.
And he said he didn't want to live in an apartment?
I want to live in a single family house.
You said......
I said, please rebuild me if you can.
He is so good at flirting.
He is truly good at flirting.
He knows exactly what women are thinking!
He knows women so well!
I am totally in love with him.
Jiao run, this is the first time you ever
wrote so many Chinese characters.
What I have been worrying about finally happened
You fell in love.
My dear friend, you are such a Liu Xiaohui.
Never knew you are so good at flirting.
It is rare to flirt so well.
My wife, she is pretty, kind-hearted,
and she is also good at flirting.
But she is innocent, because she really believes you.
She is from Singapore, she is not good at Chinese,
and she cannot write Chinese.
But I love her silliness.
The last resident, Mr. Sun always glanced at her.
It took me two months to get rid of him.
Bye!
Shihong, I am really sorry.
But my heart is not on you anymore.
I cannot spend your money,
live in your house and use your last name.
I have fallen in love with Zhenbao. I want to marry him!
I love you so much, but I can't forgive you for cheating.
I agree to the divorce.
I'm going back to Singapore. I'll keep you in my heart.
Do you think Jiaorui seems different?
Seems a little bit more shy.
Why is she a bit more shy?
I don't know...
Zhenbao, I wrote to Shihong.
I want a divorce. I will marry you!
Thanks, Shihong.
The road to a man's heart goes through his stomach,
while way to a woman's heart goes through her ***.
Zhang Ailin said it.
I just want her body. I've never wanted to own her heart.
You should talk to a lawyer about this,
or you might lose out on a lot of things.
Run.
Zhenbao, I love you!
It feels like I am in a covered test tube.
I jump higher and higher, to knock off the cap, to future
Life is so good now, and it will only get better.
I just came to Shanghai, my future is uncertain
I'm from a humble family. My brother is still in school.
If I marry her, what am I going to do with our mother?
I did not think of getting married. I was just playing.
I did not want to take the responsibility.
I did not and do not want to take the responsibility.
I am still young. I'm still a boy. I'm still naive.
I'm dressing up today,
a regular Chinese traditional dress.
Is this because you want to go to the movies with me?
If you have a car
then what are your legs for.
To pursue you!
stop calling my office.
you sent her the "heartwarming" card.
But that was your absurd idea.
How was I suppose to know things will be like this.
isn't she a social butterfly?
Zhenbao, I will change.
i'm sick
I am terrified.
I am seeing the lofting skyscrapers falling towards me.
i feel dizzy
I am seeing the outlines of the taupe colored building,
like a humongous train
running towards me, blocking out the sun
blocking out the sun.
Women have to get married.
i'm really sick
I am really terrified.
I think I'm a man with good judgments and discretion.
But I really did not imagine things will turn out this way.
We love each other, and it's supposedly always like this.
But I never thought about marriage
She divorced for me, which is not accepted by society.
It'll ruined my future.
However, as things unfold
it is extremely clear, she wanted a divorce for me.
Zhenbao...
Zhenbao...
Zhenbao...
I, Jiaorui ***, is so young, but I already have a lot.
But they do not mean anything.
I am just like a native little girl,
picking up a lot of red roses, putting them in a bunch
Then, I throw it away!
But, Zhenbao, I canot throw you away!
All my safety and future depend on you.
You have recreated me!
I l love you. I would like to settle down with you.
Listen to me, I cannot be with you
this world is full of underlying crises.
She cannot understand your arguments!
She is too heavy, I am suffocating.
Shihong, why don't you give me a hand?
We are already divorced.
Oh, I am sorry.
- Zhenbao... - She fell...
Don't go over there.
Zhenbao.......
She is in pain.
You can't go over.
Zhenbao...
babe, does that hurt?
yes, it does.
Remember, this is the first time we meet, behave well.
Can you stand up?
Of course.
If the door wasn't ajar that day,
I would not have met *** Jiaorui.
How are you?
I can't take this anymore.
Her skin is as smooth and glistening as silk.
She's such an attractive woman!
I fell in love with her, every inch of her body.
Come. come. Come here.
what's up?
Do you remember the old English lady we met
when I went to the movies with Jiaorui?
The one you met while studying in England.
Right, the one who currently lives in Shanghai, Mrs Ish.
You two, please come up and help.
Who is it?
I don't know!
Then she must be his lover.
Look!
What a bad girl!
Listen, she's speaking English.
She forgot I came back from England.
Don't gossip behind people... People.
Hello,how are you?
pretty good
Are they talking about me?
Yes, they are talking about you.
But I thought Jiaorui was behaving properly.
Honey, talk to her in English.
Hello! Nice to meet you.
Oh my god.
Good job, babe
stop, stop! Look! Look at their eyes!
Didn't you see how the society is judging you?!
You think these few people can count as a society?
Even the foreigners are judging me like the local do!
so what?
[crying]
what are you doing?
I'm your Mother!
why are you crying?
I'm crying hysterically!
The world is all of your mothers with tears in their eyes!
That's it.
Why would I give up my love just for these tears?
You are not brave. Oops, sorry mom.
You are not brave
What does this have to do with bravery?
Hello, aunt.
Look!
Do you think it's appropriate she stand with Mother?!
Baby, come here.
Mom, why don't you stay there for a while.
Madam, please come here for a rest.
Do you mind coming over, Shihong?
Look! This is Shihong, a rich and noble man!
Only this kind of man can afford such a wife!
Thanks, Shihong, now you are dismissed.
I was born poor and under-privileged
I worked hard to earn my way up on my own!
It's not easy for me to find my place in Shanghai!
So what?
So what?! shall I commit adultery
marry such a woman, somebody else's wife,
and let that ruin my reputation?
I'll lose all my co-workers, my friends, my classmates,
and my hard earned reputation from UK!
If I married her, the entire Shanghai will know that
I committed adultery with my friend's wife.
My good reputation would all be history!
You are so fake
I can only keep on fooling myself.
Why did you lure her at the beginning.
Because she's hot, she's irresistible!
then why did you leave her?
Because she's hot, she's irresistible!
oh, Honey, does it hurt?
Look! Look at her! Clean background and nice looking!
Jiaorui, make a post too.
Look at her.
I like this. I don't like her blanched persona.
I like passionate, lively, woman.
Then marry her!
Go ahead and marry her!
She's now filing divorce papers because of you!
So what do you think?
Let's get rid of her!
excuse me?
We have to get rid of her!
Throw her away? She'll come back!
then let's...
Kill her?
No, bury her!!!!
It doesn't mean anything.
I had someone saying he would commit suicide for me.
When I was still in England,
I didn't have time to wash my face or put on makeup
before rushing out to see my boyfriend
they said, "I did not sleep last night.
I was walking under your window the whole time"
But all these mean nothing.
Although I am a cute woman, it is still rare for a man to
truly suffer because of me.
Where are you going?
To get married.
The wedding is set in Dongxing Hotel.
The wedding is set in Dongxing Hotel.
I was still a little sleepy in the morning
I was still sleepy combing my hair....
Looking at myself in the mirror, raising my elbow,
I had a strange feeling
t feels like I am in a covered test tube.
I jump higher and higher to knock off the cap,
to jump into the future.
Life is so good now, and it will only get better, right?
Zhenbao likes to make a good impression,
He is also careful with money
Wedding will be held well.
He rented a new apartment near the company
he said he will bring his mother over to live with us
Zhenbao is really good at making money.
He told me that he would spend most of his earnings
on work-related socialization
so the household budget would be very tight.
I don't expect him to love me.
I only wish we could get along as friends.
I just graduated from college, and I am already married.
I am going to marry him before I step into the society.
I am going to marry him before I even know him.
Women have to get married!
I stretch my arms out of future's window,
and the wind gust through my hair.
I remember the days when I was studying in Edinburgh,
how my poor family supported my living abroad,
how my Mom sent me packages of homemade food.
Now it's time for me to pay back!
I should always push myself harder!
First, I shall get higher positions on professional ladder;
then, I shall give back to society.
For example, starting a school for poor kids
or establishing a clothing factory in my hometown.
Good!
Though these dreams seem quite vague....
Take your time!
I am vaguely starting to feel the external pressure
pushing against me
not one Mother, but a world full of Mothers
with tears in wide open eyes staring at me, just me.
Zhenbao!
What are you doing here?
I've already run out of things to say to the bride.
There was nothing to say to begin with.
Pardon?
I'm not in that mood
Not in the mood? Didn't you choose the bride yourself?
that's YOUR choice
Isn't it the same?
I don't like her paleness, her girlish ***,
and her jutting hip bones
But she has a clean background
her family used to be rich and prestigious
before her father passed away...
ok, of course I know that.
Her family is a good match with ours.
In school, she received some letters from the boys
Yanli never wrote back.
Exactly! That's why she's the perfect wife.
The wedding is set in Dongxin Hotel.
Did you hear that?
The wedding is already reserved in the Dongxin Hotel.
I can't calm myself down, I can not get married.
It's unfair to Yanli if you act like this
It's fair to her only if I calm down.
How?
you were too rash when burying Jiaorui.
she still had words to say.
So you will get married if she finished her words?
should've let her finish first.
The wedding is set......
I know! the wedding is set in Dongxing Hotel.
Jiaorui, wake up, tell him what you want to say!
Jiaorui, I'm sorry, please continue.
Don't be afraid, I have already corrected everything.
You know you cannot live without me, Zhenbao......
Babe, don't cry, or you will not be pretty.
Why are you covering her mouth, she is not done yet.
We have to stop her before I change my mind.
Jiaorui, we can live perfectly lives without the other.
The thing is, you are in love with me
while I'm only attracted to your body
you are holding me back now.
Disgraceful! How can you say such things to a girl?
I didn't say it out loud. These are my thoughts speaking
Disgraceful just the same
Then you give it a shot.
Jiaorui, you've made a mistake
Right, you've made a mistake.
You shouldn't write to Shihong without telling me.
If you love me, you should consider my situation.
*** Shihong, after all, is my old classmate, old friend.
When Shihong is back, go tell him that it was just a joke
in order to coax him into coming back early.
I'm sure he will believe you.
This is inhumane! Your words are even harsher.
This is to help her find a way out.
That's naïve! It's not a game, don't fool yourself!
Shihong will never buy it.
It was a beautiful affair, now you totally ruined it!
you are so selfish and fake!
Ok, ok, I'm selfish and fake, it's all my fault.
Are you happy now? Let's go get married.
After all, you made mistakes.
- Selfish! - disgraceful!
wait, is getting married interesting?
I don't know
but, is it fun worshipping dead love?
no
Then go ahead with 'I don't know'.
The neon lights are on though it's not dark yet.
They look so fake, just like the actress' jewelry.
In the store, there are numerous lights shining.
In the bakery, the waitress is bending down
Her cheek is colored yellow by the rouge
just like the fresh bread she is getting.
Now I'm on my way to the wedding
There was a line of nails pinned on the road
They are shining under the light. The road seems dark.
The road I'm walking on is soft and bouncy.
I, Zhenbao Tong, walk effortlessly,
though I'm not sure if it's the road or my footsteps
Small white clouds floating in the blue sky above
Oleanders are blooming over the walls
it is my wedding day. It is a beautiful day.
Every apartment is filled with warm sunshine.
A flute vendor was playing the flute
a sharp, oriental tune that twisted and turned in the ear
just like a dream from a picturesque novel
Don't cry. Tears are merely worldly possessions.
I was fooled.
She fell
Stop thinking about her! We are at our wedding!
she's in pain
Get married!
You never notice me unless you are cheated on, or hurt.
Don't always change clothes near the window
They don't like that, I've told you this long time ago
From now on, you should put on thicker clothes,
even better, armor and spear.
Don't always try to learn the truth. Men don't like that.
Stand up straight, and don't fall again.
Hey, the tailor, could you take a picture for us?
Master and mistress, step closer.
Mistress, look up.
Look here. Attention. Click!
Not good.
Hold some flowers then
Mistress, lower down, lower down...
I mean lower the flowers!
Attention. Click!
Still not very good...
Never mind! Forget it!
Return the flowers!
Hey hey, I'm getting married
what are you doing running around me?
How can you blame me while I am in such great pain?
you are in pain?
I'm in such great pain that I'm marrying myself off!
Turn off the light.
Time for bed.
This is hopeless! She is hopeless!
Sometimes it's not bad for a young girl to be a little shy.
Try again.
I'm sorry, but the door is ajar. I'm coming in...
it brings back my memory of Jiaorui
I'm coming in
Did I hurt you, babe?
This is the first time we are together, treat me nicely.
Could you get up?
I really miss Jiaorui.
The door was open, I knocked her down and I asked,
"are you in pain"?
She said "yes"
I asked "can you stand up?"
She said 'Yes'.
She got up quickly
She got up immediately.
I miss Jiaorui.
You can't think about her any more, it's unfair to Yanli.
then what should I do?
Let's try again!
I'm sorry, but the door is ajar, so I'm...
Did it hurt?
Yes.
Can you get up?
Lights off, time to go to bed.
Don't always stand behind me
go and listen to the radio, learn some Mandarin.
What are you muttering there?
Oh, learning Mandarin.
Zhenbao...come, give me a hand.
Shihong, my old friend, I know I did you wrong,
but I always want to play Mahjong with you.
The more guilty I feel,
the more eager I am to play Mahjong with you.
Me too. Even though I hate you,
I still want to play Mahjong with you.
After all, we are old friends.
Do you still carry Jiaorui's photo with you?
Yes, after all, we used to be a couple.
But I heard she got married again, to a Mr. Zhu.
Two Wan.
Eight Circle.
One Bamboo.
It's your turn now.
White Board!
White Board.
I love Zhenbao.
Among all the people, God appointed him to me.
White Board.
Zhenbao is all I have, but I'm an idiot
I always make mistakes.
I heard you changed servants again?
I wasn't my idea, it was my wife's.
Changing your servants every three days or so...
So unlucky!
It's not so bad.
Changing servants is much better than changing wives.
Three circle.
Your turn! Still the White Board?
Red Target!
My wife doesn't know how to behave appropriately.
I always criticize her in front of the servants.
So even the servants look down upon her
and she is forced to change servants from time to time.
He scolds me in front of the servants.
I can feel my authority crumbling away beneath me.
I hate the disdain in the servants' eyes
I can only deal with them by knitting my brow
and pouting before I even speak.
But Zhenbao is unhappy about this.
He said I am just like a maid or a concubine
who is used to occupying the bottom rung.
Are you all right?
It's too noisy here. This is not a good place to play.
Who are you, by the way?
I'm the tailor.
You are very welcome to play Mahjong with us anytime.
Thank you.
I heard you are seducing his wife?
I just got to know her. Haven't had a chance yet.
I see. Take your time.
Thank you...
The only time I manage to be the mistress of the house,
is when the servants are new,
that's why I change servants as often as I can.
I am so happy that I'm fertile.
But why does it have to be a girl, not a boy?
I suffered a lot in the pregnancy and labor
but my mother-in-law isn't happy because it is a girl.
But I now believe I have the right to be angry for once!
Mom and her were irritated with each other all the time.
Fortunately, I was able to play peacemaker
and avoid the embarrassment of a direct confrontation.
I married her thinking she was obedient.
Now I found out it was not truth.
Mother sullenly insisted on moving back to hometown,
making people think that I'm not a good son.
That's why I'm starting to hate her now too.
That's my daughter, Huiying......
Huiying!
Papa!
So tall already?!
She's asking for you, over there!
come here!
This is my... Up up, too short for a nine -year-old.
Now it's too tall. Shorter!
This is my daughter, with little chicken arms and legs.
There should have been no such child.
I created her.
Enough, don't be silly.
Dubao gave some candies to this girl.
She covered her face with her silk skirt,
exposing her underwear.
So embarrasing.
Again?
She's never ladylike, just like her mother.
Uncle!
Never knows the right thing to say.
Uncle......
Go to your mother.
Thanks.
Stop crying, here!
I'll beat you! Bad girl!
Bad girl!
This is my marriage.
No, this is the marriage you chose.
The choice I picked was "I don't know"
Now you know?
Yes, I do.
Is this interesting?
Nothing. Let's go out and have some fun.
Besides work, home and Mahjong, what do you know?
What do you suggest?
Come with me.
Are you coming?
For what?
We're going to do something men only.
Wait, wait, three times a week?
One time every three weeks!
How can we hide it from her?
Do you expect her to notice? She's so stupid.
Right, one of her biggest flaws.
Sometimes, also a merit.
Zhenbao, don't forget the umbrella.
You are stupid! He was looking at the mirror, not you!
I am not stupid!
You are! You couldn't peel an apple at the age of 16!
You use nail polish to mend your socks!
Mom says you're rubbish.
I am not rubbish.
You are! Zhenbao doesn't love you.
Why doesn't he love me?
I take care of Zhenbao and his family day after day.
I try my best to please him.
The harder you work the more nervous you get,
the more nervous you get the worse you are.
Zhenbao has gone to prostitutes already.
You saw it? This has nothing to do with me.
No matter how stupid I am, I am still his wife! HIS WIFE!
You are so stupid. Don't drag me down anymore.
Look at your blanched persona, your fuzzy little face.
Look at your undeveloped ***, your bony hips.
It is all your fault. I hate you. Zhenbao doesn't love you.
You are so stupid. I am a useless, stupid girl.
I am useless, stupid girl.
I am useless, stupid girl.
Zhenbao doesn't love me...
Zhenbao doesn't love me...
Zhenbao thinks I am stupid...
Zhenbao thinks I am stupid...
But Mr. Tailor said I am smart.
Shut up.
He said I am beautiful.
"An elegant woman like you is so rare."
You're so cheap!
No one has ever complimented me like he did.
You can't think of him.
I love Zhenbao, he is all I have.
Don't drag me down anymore.
Zhenbao does't love you.
Mr. Tailor...
Don't go.
Mr. Tailor...
Come back!
Mr. Tailor...
Don't open the door.
I love Zhenbao. God appointed him to me.
Please go away Mr. Tailor.
I am the mistress of this house.
I can't recall your face.
The only things I can remember are your shoulders.
They are the shoulders of a man.
It's only been a few days, done already?
She has no feelings for him
This woman is so calculating.
She found a way to cover up her affair.
She is the wife you chose
The choice I picked was "I don't know".
You do not know what marriage is,
but you know who your wife is.
You said that she's pretty and from a good family.
Right, but now I totally have no clue.
I'm so pissed. I want to beat my wife
It's not right to hit your wife.
Who says it's not ok to beat one's wife?
It's shameful for a man to hit his wife.
I beat her at home. No one else has to know.
I've wanted to beat her for a long time.
Stop sleeping, get up!
Do you want to use the bathroom?
No.
Oh...
Don't sit there. Go and fetch me two silver vases.
I have to prepare a gift.
Silver vases?
Quick!
Is she too clumsy?
And also get a ribbon, a long one.
Ribbon?
Too short?
The ribbon you got is too short to wrap the gift.
Get the newspapers from the top of the kitchen closet.
Newspaper?
Careful! Don't tear them!
They're torn!
I told you to call my brother after dinner, did you?
She forgot.
Call him now!
Get off me.
Hi, is it Zhenbao?
It's Dubao!
Oops...
How come you hung up before he answered?
Don't give me your sullen face!
or that silly smile;
it's very scary, do you know that?
Don't you know you are a very strange person?
We've been married for 9 years,
how can you still act like a moron?
I gave birth to your child...
Other women become curvy after giving birth,
but you are still so skinny.
White board (words of "majiang")
And, two sticks
"two sticks"?
Chopsticks, two chopsticks
Do I have to stuck with you for the rest of my life?
How did I become like this?
What have I become?
An uncultured citizen.
Don't forget that you were educated in the UK.
Even if I was educated in the UK,
I still have to manage the household affairs.
Chopsticks!
What?
The vases!
Look at your vulgar philistine face.
Do you know what the progressive men say about you?
Tacky!
I'm western style tacky. Vase!
The vase......
It seems you and Yanli are becoming a better match!
It says "Tong Zhenbao, Meng Yanli ..."
Wipe it off!
Take it to the shop and let them wipe the carvings off.
Instead, put "Safe Journey Mr. and Mrs. Hilton!
From the Employees of Hongyi Textile Factory"
...Congratulations on Your Wedding."
Wipe that off too.
Stupid woman!
Luckily the vase is silver, or it'd be in pieces by now.
Why are you always following me?
I cannot destroy it, the home I built with my own hands.
My home...
It is small western-style house, facing the street.
One in a long row of identical houses.
Grey cement walls.
Like a coffin.
Oleander peaking over the walls, just blooming.
Inside the courtyard, though small, there's a garden.
I have everything in his house. my home...
I cannot destroy my home I built with my own hands.
I cannot destroy my wife, my daughter
but I can destroy myself.
Why do I want to destroy myself?
Because I am desperate, I am depressed.
No, you are vulgar, philistine
No, I'm sad, I want to cry.
Why do you want to cry?
Because I've lived in such an ice-cold place for 9 years!
Because I've been living such a boring life!
So why didn't you marry the red rose and have a warm place?
I told her that I was only attracted to her body!
I told her it was only ***!
You're wrong! Love and *** are inseparable.
You are cowardly; you want to be Liu Xiahui.
Because she's Shihong's wife, you dare not marry her.
You worried too much about what society will say.
You worried too much about your mother's tears.
Exactly! I must take care of my mother.
I was born poor and under-privileged
I worked my way up the ladder with my own hands.
I finally stay in Shanghai, the window to the world
You finally admit it!
You did it just to earn a bright future.
Of course!
I cannot let *** ruin my career and my future.
You are just a textile worker.
No, an engineer!
In any case, you're selfish.
No, I'm not selfish.
Tong Zhenbao, don't be afraid to face yourself;
everyone is selfish.
I am anything but selfish!
for my mother, for my family and society
I sacrifice my desire, my freedom, even myself
This is what you get for your sacrifices?
For this life? Then your 9 years of sacrifice is ridiculous.
What is ridiculous? Mine is called sadness!
Tong Zhenbao, those are complaints.
When a man starts complaining, he becomes nobody.
I am nobody! without a privileged background...
I worked my way up with my own bare hands....
Shut up!
I'm full of desire; I long for love.
I don't want this life, so different from everyone else's.
I walk home in the darkness everyday after work.
I see the warm light slipping out from other's windows.
It looks warm inside.
Why do I, Tong Zhenbao have such bad luck?
Because we use florescent light.
Don't argue just for the sake of it!
Even if you let the sunshine directly into this apartment,
the house is cold because you made the wrong choice.
I miss Jiaorui, I really miss her.
It's been nine years; even Huiying is grown-up now
ow can you still miss her?
Before I married Yanli, I only had one lover.
After the wedding, I still only had one woman to miss.
I finally understand now my feelings for Jiaorui are love,
not just desire!
I repeat, love and *** are inseparable.
It is this love that carried me through these nine years.
You are being unfair to Yanli.
You're unfair to Yanli!
You don't love her, but you're still with her.
You think she's happy?
Look at her fuzzy face; anyone can tell she's not happy.
Otherwise why would she have an affair with the Tailor?
Shut up!
It's only because she's too unworthy.
Even though I don't love her,
I've been taking care of her for nine years
and I'll continue taking care of her my whole life
because she's the wife;
wife is the husband's responsibility
You were just being naïve. Let me tell you something.
You walk in the darkness every day after work,
The warm light slipping out from other's windows
make you think it's warm inside.
But it's not!
The warm light only comes from the light bulbs.
It has nothing to do with life.
Now what do you say?
Stop hitting me, it's starting to hurt.
I never hit myself like this.
Tong Zhenbao you're such a ***!
You just killed my only warm hope.
Want warmth? It's easy. Just find a chubby one.
Let's go find a ***.
How could you stifle your innocence and deprave ...
What did you just say?
Go find a ***.
Let's go!
Hang on, it's no good. That's ***, not love
You just said that *** and love are inseparable.
Who said that?
You did, and everyone heard you say that, didn't you?
Then... I don't know. I choose "I don't know".
It's been nine years, I hate this "life like a coffin".
Nothing happened.
Why did nothing happen?
We have to do something.
Make something happen now.
Make something happen now, immediately.
How?
Let's beat Yanli.
Wait, didn't you say go find a ***?
Let's beat Yanli first.
Wake up please, I can't stand it.
You only remember me now?
What are you doing over there, we're already tired.
Is this still an Ailin Zhang's story?
Isn't it? Get the book.
The book says, "Either he doesn't come home,
or if he does, he beats people and smashes things."
You are exaggerating.
I'm not.
I only broke a thermos...
And a light bulb.
"Yanli Meng finally became a brave little wife,
at the age of nearly thirty."
Brave? How are you brave?
I picked up the lamp and iron base, the wire hanging.
And threw them at you.
I beat you off.
I beat you off.
There was only a pair of Yanli's embroidered slippers
like a ghost that doesn't dare to show his face.
"Tong Zhenbao was on a bus, sitting next to a woman,
not paying her much attention."
You skipped a line.
No, I didn't.
"I sat there and looked over. Then I recognized that it..."
Jiaorui...
Mrs. Zhu, long time no see...
Long time no see.
How are you doing these days?
Fine. How are you?
Good. Have you always lived in Shanghai?
Yes, always.
Do you often get up so early?
Yes. I had to take my child to the dentist.
He had a toothache, and couldn't sleep well last night.
Where do you get off?
The dentist is at Waitan.
Are you going to Zhenbao's company? Any news?
Hilton is returning to the UK,
and Zhenbao will become deputy manager soon.
Congratulations!
Thanks!
Hi... long time no see, how are you?
Fine.
Do you love Zhu, your husband?
I learned to love because of you; how to love sincerely.
Love is hard, but worthwhile, and...
Are you happy?
I just walked forward, no matter what I confronted.
All you confront is men who admire you.
Yes. When I was young and beautiful,
I always met men who admired me wherever I went.
But later, there was always something else ...
How about you? How are you?
I'd like to describe my perfect life in 2 simple sentences
but I did not say anything.
Zhenbao didn't bring back money for the family
his daughter's tuition went unpaid
and the daily groceries were a problem too
How can we go on like this?
It's enough to kill me-the whole family depends on him!
At this rate he'll lose his job at the factory
It's as if he's gone mad, he doesn't come home
and when he does he hits people and smashes things.
He wasn't like this before!
Oh, Mr. Liu, can you imagine?
Can you tell me what I should do?
How am I supposed to cope with this?
Here it is. This is my stop.
I'd like to summarize my perfect life into 2 sentences.
I'm thinking about how I should phrase it.
Looking up, I saw my own face in the right side mirror.
Very peaceful
With the bus shaking, the face in the mirror is shaking.
A strange calm trembling
As if someone is lightly massaging my face.
My face is actually shaking.
In the mirror, I see tears running down my face.
Why? I don't know.
In the mirror, I see tears running down my face.
Why? I don't know.
At this meeting, if someone should cry, it should be her.
This whole thing is not right.
This is absolutely not right.
However, I couldn't stop myself.
It felt like this was meant to happen.
Zhenbao didn't bring back money for the family
his daughter's tuition went unpaid
and the daily groceries were a problem too
How can we go on like this?
It's enough to kill me-the whole family depends on him!
At this rate he'll lose his job at the factory
It's as if he's gone mad, he doesn't come home
and when he does he hits people and smashes things.
He wasn't like this before!
Oh, Mr. Liu, can you imagine?
Can you tell me what I should do?
How am I supposed to cope with this?
I Zhenbao, was born and raised in a decent family.
I got my degree abroad,
by working hard with my own hands.
I'm at a high position in a famous foreign corporation.
My daughter is only nine years old,
and we already have her college tuition prepared
No one is as considerate as I am in serving my mother
no one is as thoughtful as I am in promoting brothers
at work, no one is as serious and passionate as I am
with friends, no one is as loyal as I am.
I don't believe in an afterlife.
If I had a second chance, I would choose a different life.
The next day, Zhenbao rose and reformed his ways.
He made a fresh start and went back to being a good man.