How to pronounce "空子"

[Footprints of Change]

[Episode 18]

Where has the scholar

gone to?

I've been looking for hours.

I was wrong. Isn't that enough?

You're just...

you...

What are all your names?

My name is Laifu.

My name is Huhu.

My name is Jixiang.

My name is Longlong.

My little brother is called Dabao.

Why are these all boys' names?

Ms. Yi,

I'm sorry for the embarrassment.

My husband Arun

is an honest man

with no opinions of his own.

He listens to my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law

won't stop until she gets a grandson.

But

I had four girls one after another.

When it came to the fifth child,

I finally had a boy.

My figure

has changed because of childbirth,

and it still hasn't recovered.

It gave me all sorts of health problems.

This is their

first time visiting the factory.

Laifu,

who told you to bring your siblings here?

I'm sorry for the embarrassment, Ms. Yi.

It's alright.

Auntie has some fish-skin peanuts here.

Here.

Take these and share with your sisters.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Thank you, Auntie.

Thank you.

Ms. Su,

do you know why Qing and I argued?

All the conflicts between Qing and me

are because of my identity.

I am her sister-in-law

and also a martyr's family member.

But no one considers that

beyond these identities,

I am just myself.

I have privacy that I don't want to share.

Sometimes I just want to

find a quiet corner to be alone.

But everyone's

constant and overwhelming concern

makes me feel suffocated.

It makes me feel exposed

and judged by everyone.

Ms. Su,

I'm not targeting you.

I don't expect you to understand.

I'm just talking.

I do understand.

The fact that you're sharing this with me

means a lot to me.

You telling me about your situation

also touches me deeply.

Auntie, I'm hungry.

It'll be ready soon.

Laifu is hungry too.

Huhu is hungry too.

Jixiang is hungry too.

Dabao is hungry too.

You all...

I don't have enough noodles here.

How about this?

Let's go out to eat.

My treat.

Go out to eat?

Ms. Yi...

Thank you then.

You're welcome. Let's go.

Come, give it to auntie.

Let's go.

Let's eat out.

Come on.

Time to go out for dinner.

Let's go.

It's raining so hard.

Should we take shelter?

Let it pour. It's refreshing.

Let's keep going.

Give me back my hat.

Here.

Take it.

Hurry.

You're finally back.

Where have you been?

I've been looking for you everywhere,

all over the place.

You.

Look at you, you're soaking wet.

Why are you still angry?

Alright.

Don't bother.

You're running a fever.

Change your clothes quickly.

Come on, don't be angry.

It's not a big deal.

You're just...

Just go back.

Let me tell you something.

We've been partners

for over ten years.

I finally figured it out on my way here.

You never kept anything from me before.

Even when you had an abscess in your ass,

you were afraid of surgery.

You told me first,

not your wife.

But now?

You're keeping secrets from me.

You are hiding things from me.

How many things are you hiding from me?

If you don't come clean with me,

we're done for good.

I have nothing to hide from you.

Open the door.

Just go away.

Why did you lock the door? Open up!

I'll tell you everything.

Just open the door!

Change your clothes first!

Stubborn fool.

Yi,

hurry,

come with me.

Come on, hurry up!

Secretary Zhao, what...

Sister,

Sister, find the key to the second floor,

quickly!

Okay.

Go now!

Secretary Zhao,

why did you bring me here?

Wen is dying.

Wen.

Wen.

Look who's here.

Minister Wen.

You're here.

As soon as you arrived,

he came back to life.

It's fine. You don't need to do anything.

Just stay here.

That's the best medicine.

Yi,

take good care of him.

Don't leave.

I won't.

Sister.

Coming.

Sister.

Who is it?

How is he? You took him to the hospital?

Hospital? No need.

Why are you here, Sister Fang?

He's fine. He is in good hands.

Good hands?

Who?

We can't let unreliable people walk in.

Reliable, very reliable.

What's not reliable about it?

They're both willing.

Don't worry about it.

Zhao Hangong, what are you thinking?

They're not together anymore.

Zhou introduced Yi Yi to someone.

They're getting along well.

I'm looking for someone suitable

for Wen.

Why are you trying to push them together?

I'm not pushing them together.

You really have nothing better to do.

They both want this.

Let's not worry about it.

Besides...

you don't understand.

What don't I understand?

I introduced you to your wife!

That's true.

When you first met Jiang,

you couldn't even speak.

You kept running to the bathroom.

And you say I don't understand?

Stop talking about my embarrassing past.

Alright, Sister.

Let's stop worrying about this, okay?

Be quiet.

Is this just my personal business?

I...

Get out!

Sister.

Save him some face.

Sister.

Come out.

Come out.

Zhao Hangong, go home.

Close the door.

Didn't I make myself clear the other day?

I told you to go home and think it over.

You don't understand

what kind of man he is.

You two are completely different.

Although he used to be an intellectual,

he's been in the army for over ten years.

He's been through blood and fire.

He's not the bookish scholar you think.

He was once a military commander.

Do you understand what that means?

You don't understand at all.

Have you thought about it?

Once you two are together,

what kind of life will you face?

Minister Wen is a leader.

He will always prioritize his work.

He can't give you romance.

He can't give you poetry and art.

And he can't satisfy your fantasies.

This surely isn't the life you want.

Then what kind of life do I want?

I certainly know.

But I can tell you this.

Minister Wen absolutely cannot give you.

I've never expected anyone

to provide the life I want.

How do you define your relation with him?

I respect Minister Wen.

I enjoy talking with him.

Even seeing him, hearing him speak

is a sophisticated pleasure.

I won't depend on anyone.

Nor do I ask for anything.

I have my own life.

I have my own work.

Stop beating around the bush. Just say it.

Do you want to form a family with him?

Fine.

If you insist that I take a stand,

I'll tell you.

I like Minister Wen.

I want to live with him.

I want to be with her.

Okay.

Alright.

Okay, Wen Pu.

Fine, Wen Pu.

Then we'll follow the regulations.

The organization must conduct

a thorough background check on her.

Before the investigation results come out,

you two cannot meet.

You're thinking too simply.

I'm sorry for putting you through this.

Don't be.

It's good

like this.

Please list all your social connections

since you turned eighteen,

including relatives, classmates

and colleagues.

Write down clearly

their current occupations,

workplaces,

and other details.

I lost touch with many people for long.

You just need to provide the list.

We'll investigate the rest.

Minister Wen,

this is my self-criticism report.

Minister Wen,

I've reflected seriously.

I made a terrible mistake.

My mistake was

not reading books or newspapers

and not understanding government policies.

I'm still

stuck in old society ways

using methods from the Republican era.

These old mindsets and outdated thinking

are hard to change overnight.

But I had no ill intentions.

Minister Wen, you know me well.

Do I know you?

Fu Zihe.

Suppose I knew you before,

now

I understand you less and less.

Minister Wen,

I'm the kind of person

who just likes making friends.

It's the same with Secretary Zhao.

I just thought

friends could have meals together

and exchange small gifts.

It's nothing.

But now I understand

I was wrong.

You worry about government policy changes,

and you also try to exploit loopholes to

corrupt officials and seek private gain.

No, absolutely not.

I suggest you

go back and

read more books, read more newspapers,

and study Central Government's directives.

Yes.

We won't forget those

who once helped us.

But things

are always changing.

Those who once walked with us

may gradually drift away.

They become strangers,

or even

enemies.

Minister Wen,

not enemies.

We're friends, not enemies.

Get up.

Had enough of this act?

Yes.

No,

not enough.

No, no,

I was wrong.

I was wrong.

Wrong. I was wrong.

Wrong.

Go home.

Yes, Minister Wen.

I'll definitely reflect when I get back.

I'll study hard.

I'll go now.

[Self-criticism]

Your favorite cabbage

with sliced pork and amaranth.

Here.

Eat up.

I know you don't want me and Minister Wen

being together.

I also know why you

introduced Professor Xu to me.

You allow me to find someone to live with.

But you won't allow me to fall in love.

Is that so?

Yes.

Then according to you,

I can't have feelings for anyone again.

Can I still call you Sis in the future?

Of course.

Will you forget my brother?

How could I forget your brother?

He was my first love.

You're all my family.

Eat.

Sis.

I don't eat green onions.

Then I'll pick them out for you.

Sis,

you only ordered two steamed buns?

Hello,

add one more steamed bun.

Make it three.

Sure thing!

Eat up.

Did you forget I don't eat green onions?

How could I remember all that?

But I remember yours.

You don't eat cilantro.

That was your brother.

Thank you.

Hello?

Wen Pu.

Commander, it's me.

What the hell are you doing?

How dare you speak so recklessly

in the interview with the Party newspaper?

Some things

can be said in private,

but not in public.

You're a sophisticated political officer.

Don't you understand this?

I don't understand, Commander.

What happened?

In the Party newspaper interview,

you went on about Western Puritan ideals.

What's all this about worldly asceticism?.

Our Party advocates frugality,

integrity,

and selflessness.

[To Comrade Wen Pu]

All that nonsense you talked about,

once published,

what will the people think?

I remember now.

Well,

they did interview me.

But they should

send me the draft for review.

The comrades at the newspaper said

they already sent you the draft.

You weren't there.

Fang said you were sick.

What convenient timing to be ill.

Li was going to send it,

but according to procedure,

it was first submitted to

the Municipal Propaganda Department.

That's when they said that some content

hadn't been confirmed by you.

I understand, Commander.

Perhaps during the interview,

Yang and I didn't understand each other.

If you haven't thought it through,

don't communicate at all.

The responsibility for this matter

still lies with you.

I understand, Commander.

Scholar, let me tell you.

Yang Xue'an

is full of dirty tricks.

I just don't understand.

We all came from the same trench.

Why is he always up to no good?

Even if

he saved the political commissar's life,

he can't just do whatever he wants.

Don't be angry.

I'll handle this.

I'll teach him a lesson.

You'll teach him a lesson?

How exactly?

I'll beat him up.

Come on.

I knew you'd say that.

Will beating him up help?

It might just lead to another article.

The headline would be:

Party Secretary Zhao Hangong

stands up for Minister Wen Pu

and brutally beats reporter Yang Xue'an.

Wouldn't that just complicate things?

Right?

He's not our enemy.

You have a point.

What do you want to do then?

Just swallow this insult?

I'm not swallowing any insult.

I know him.

If he doesn't change his ways

and continues like this,

I believe he won't go far.

Alright, you fool.

Let time take care of this.

Come, let's drink.

Fine.

I'll listen to you this time.

If Yang Xue'an does it again,

I'll beat him up

even if I make a headline.

Good.

I agree.

Secretary Zhao,

who are you planning to beat up now?

For the past decade or so,

all we hear is you

beating someone up.

As the old saying goes,

heaven sees what you do.

How should I address you?

Comrade is clearly not appropriate.

Ms.

or Madam

sounds too formal.

Let me just call you Yi.

It sounds like a tagalong.

That is completely unlike you.

This morning,

I watched the sky from the balcony.

The dawn colors were unusual.

There are pink

and purple.

Neither was bright,

as if washed with water.

It reminded me of

you painting by the river.

Your colors, compared to reality,

were always a bit lighter.

I didn't quite understand then.

This morning,

standing on the balcony,

watching the clouds gradually fade,

I suddenly somewhat

understood the artistic realm you pursue.

Okay, thank you.

Minister.

I'll head out first.

Okay.

Comrade Zhou,

let's find some time

to visit your brother's grave

together with your sister-in-law.

Zhaoyuan was a revolutionary martyr.

He lost his life for liberation.

I remember the Central Committee

sent a congratulatory telegram

for Shanghai's liberation, ending with:

The revolutionary martyrs

who sacrificed their lives for

Shanghai's liberation will live forever.

We will never forget him,

and neither will the people.

Minister,

you must treat my sister-in-law well,

treat my sister well.

Your biological father's surname is Lin.

Why did you change your surname to Yi?

I was born into a feudal family.

My father was corrupt

and backward.

You have an aunt.

Are you still in touch with her?

[1949]

My aunt and uncle went abroad

for business before the Liberation.

Their address changes frequently.

I've received a few letters from them,

but couldn't reply.

We haven't been in contact recently.

Auntie, are you really leaving?

Your uncle has been urging me to go.

But I must settle things at the hospital.

If I don't leave soon,

my ticket will expire.

You're going to such a faraway country.

Are you not coming back?

It's hard to say.

At least in the near future,

I won't be coming back.

Auntie,

you've put so much effort

into building this obstetric hospital,

and now you're just leaving.

Don't you feel sad?

Of course I do.

Then why?

Some things

are difficult to explain to you.

Yi,

perhaps we'll

see each other again.

This watch

is given to you now.

I hope it brings you luck.

When you miss me,

just look at it.

You should be aware

that foreign connections are sensitive.

You must report to us promptly.

I understand.

When you were at

Shude Girls' School in Chongqing,

who were you close to?

Liu Zhuyun,

Huang Yiling and Gao Qiongqiong

were quite close to me.

But they all married and moved far away,

and we lost contact after the liberation.

What about Qiao Xiaolan?

Qiao Xiaolan and I weren't that close.

She didn't go to college

after high school.

She also married and moved away.

Since 1945,

Qiao Xiaolan

worked in the KMT's Central

Investigation Department in Chongqing.

Did you know that?

No, I didn't.

Qiao Xiaolan claims

that she has contact with you all along.

Between 1949 and 1952,

she says you and she were in Shanghai

and lived together.

She's lying.

I can confront her face to face.

So cute.

Mr. Yang, did you like playing soccer

when you were young?

I didn't have time to play soccer.

When I was his age,

I could already write the

Thousand Character Classic.

Xue'an,

I want to talk to you about something.

Go ahead.

Don't get angry when I tell you.

Why would I get angry about it?

Speak.

It's about my sister-in-law.

Well then,

I have even less reason to be angry,

right?

Look.

Yi Yi,

is someone we're helping,

and your sister-in-law.

Both officially and personally,

I shouldn't get angry.

Go on.

I'm really going to say it now.

Don't get angry.

I won't get angry.

After you finish, I'll buy you a popsicle.

Alright, here goes.

I think

my sister-in-law and Minister Wen

are actually quite good together.

I'm starting to change my thinking.

Maybe my previous perspective

was too narrow.

See, you're angry.

How am I angry?

Then why are you glaring at me?

I...

glared at you?

I...

Glare?

Did I glare at you?

Yes.

Continue.

They truly love each other

and respect each other.

Look, even

Director Fang

can't keep them apart.

My attitude is why not let them try.

Try?

Try what?

Comrade Zhou Yunqing,

how could you think like this?

What's Yi Yi's background?

She's petty bourgeois.

She needs to improve herself.

She needs

to change her way of doing things

to integrate with the people,

not thinking about vanity all day

and climbing up to Minister Wen.

Your unstable position is one thing, but

Minister is an old revolutionary comrade.

How could he be like this?

What kind of thinking is this?

This is dangerous.

Today,

I'm clearly telling you right here that

they cannot be together.

It's dangerous for them to be like this.

Now that I've talked about them,

let me talk about you.

Comrade Zhou Yunqing,

your position

is too unstable now.

You've changed.

I don't know you anymore.

You used to be

a simple girl.

I admired that.

And now?

How could you do this?

You've become a two-faced hypocrite,

a fence-sitter,

bending whichever way the wind blows.

Why are you crying?

You...

you start crying?

Not only is

your position inconsistent,

but your willpower is also weak.

Your behavior today

has completely

ruined this pleasant atmosphere.

Such a blue sky.

Such

tall trees.

Isn't it

heartbreaking?

You...

if you cry like this,

you'll scare kids.

You said you wouldn't get angry,

so I spoke up.

Am I angry?

You...

don't want popsicles?

I'll buy it myself.

The people and environment around me

all require me

to put in great effort to change them.

It's truly heartbreaking.

I know

we can't meet in private.

Just two minutes, okay?

Be careful.

Where's your bicycle?

My bi...

My bicycle!

Well...

you...

I'm fine. You go ahead.

Then I'll...

Run quickly. Don't lose it.

Let's go back to our previous question.

What's your relation with Qiao Xiaolan?

We were classmates at Shude Girls' School.

We have no relation.

After the liberation, are you sure

you haven't contacted her again?

No,

not even once.

Come in.

Qiao Xiaolan is here.

Let her in.

She's not Qiao Xiaolan.

Qiao Xiaolan,

do you know this woman?

No,

I've never seen her before.

During your investigation, you stated

you graduated from

Chongqing Shude Girls' School

and had close contact

with a female classmate who married

a high-ranking KMT official surnamed Yi.

Madam, I didn't go to

Chongqing Shude Girls' School.

I attended Jinan Shude Girls' School.

How can this be?

Then what's the name

of your classmate with the surname Yi?

She

actually doesn't have the surname Yi.

She took her husband's surname.

Her maiden name is Hu.

Well, here's the thing.

Your political background check

have results now.

Everything is fine.

Thank you, Director Fang.

If there's nothing else,

I'll be going now.

Wait.

I'm not finished yet.

Although you may not want to hear this,

there are some things I must say.

Do you know

what Minister Wen's job

actually entails?

The special nature of his work is that

he must deal with three forces

to negotiate,

balance,

and interact with them.

We live in peaceful times now.

Our enemies are often invisible.

Do you know how many people are watching,

waiting for us

to make mistakes,

to show weaknesses

and

commit errors?

But now that he's with you,

these uncertainties have multiplied.

What you must bear

is not just your personal fate,

but also Minister Wen's

political career.

You're thinking too simply.

Go back and think it over.

How is it?

Ms. Fang told you, right?

Your political background check passed.

Is what we're doing

really right?

What's wrong with it?

What did

Ms. Fang tell you?

You're a veteran revolutionary,

a high-ranking leader.

Now you have me,

an uncertain factor,

a major weakness.

I'm just an ordinary person.

I can't bear the weight of your

grand political destiny.

Ms. Fang told you this.

She wasn't trying to make it hard for you.

She doesn't know you.

She doesn't know how independent you are,

how strong you are inside.

Besides,

how could you possibly be my weakness?

Having you by my side

is like having a mirror

that shows me sincerity

and the human heart.

[Footprints of Change]

[Episode 18]

Where has the scholar

gone to?

I've been looking for hours.

I was wrong. Isn't that enough?

You're just...

you...

What are all your names?

My name is Laifu.

My name is Huhu.

My name is Jixiang.

My name is Longlong.

My little brother is called Dabao.

Why are these all boys' names?

Ms. Yi,

I'm sorry for the embarrassment.

My husband Arun

is an honest man

with no opinions of his own.

He listens to my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law

won't stop until she gets a grandson.

But

I had four girls one after another.

When it came to the fifth child,

I finally had a boy.

My figure

has changed because of childbirth,

and it still hasn't recovered.

It gave me all sorts of health problems.

This is their

first time visiting the factory.

Laifu,

who told you to bring your siblings here?

I'm sorry for the embarrassment, Ms. Yi.

It's alright.

Auntie has some fish-skin peanuts here.

Here.

Take these and share with your sisters.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Thank you, Auntie.

Thank you.

Ms. Su,

do you know why Qing and I argued?

All the conflicts between Qing and me

are because of my identity.

I am her sister-in-law

and also a martyr's family member.

But no one considers that

beyond these identities,

I am just myself.

I have privacy that I don't want to share.

Sometimes I just want to

find a quiet corner to be alone.

But everyone's

constant and overwhelming concern

makes me feel suffocated.

It makes me feel exposed

and judged by everyone.

Ms. Su,

I'm not targeting you.

I don't expect you to understand.

I'm just talking.

I do understand.

The fact that you're sharing this with me

means a lot to me.

You telling me about your situation

also touches me deeply.

Auntie, I'm hungry.

It'll be ready soon.

Laifu is hungry too.

Huhu is hungry too.

Jixiang is hungry too.

Dabao is hungry too.

You all...

I don't have enough noodles here.

How about this?

Let's go out to eat.

My treat.

Go out to eat?

Ms. Yi...

Thank you then.

You're welcome. Let's go.

Come, give it to auntie.

Let's go.

Let's eat out.

Come on.

Time to go out for dinner.

Let's go.

It's raining so hard.

Should we take shelter?

Let it pour. It's refreshing.

Let's keep going.

Give me back my hat.

Here.

Take it.

Hurry.

You're finally back.

Where have you been?

I've been looking for you everywhere,

all over the place.

You.

Look at you, you're soaking wet.

Why are you still angry?

Alright.

Don't bother.

You're running a fever.

Change your clothes quickly.

Come on, don't be angry.

It's not a big deal.

You're just...

Just go back.

Let me tell you something.

We've been partners

for over ten years.

I finally figured it out on my way here.

You never kept anything from me before.

Even when you had an abscess in your ass,

you were afraid of surgery.

You told me first,

not your wife.

But now?

You're keeping secrets from me.

You are hiding things from me.

How many things are you hiding from me?

If you don't come clean with me,

we're done for good.

I have nothing to hide from you.

Open the door.

Just go away.

Why did you lock the door? Open up!

I'll tell you everything.

Just open the door!

Change your clothes first!

Stubborn fool.

Yi,

hurry,

come with me.

Come on, hurry up!

Secretary Zhao, what...

Sister,

Sister, find the key to the second floor,

quickly!

Okay.

Go now!

Secretary Zhao,

why did you bring me here?

Wen is dying.

Wen.

Wen.

Look who's here.

Minister Wen.

You're here.

As soon as you arrived,

he came back to life.

It's fine. You don't need to do anything.

Just stay here.

That's the best medicine.

Yi,

take good care of him.

Don't leave.

I won't.

Sister.

Coming.

Sister.

Who is it?

How is he? You took him to the hospital?

Hospital? No need.

Why are you here, Sister Fang?

He's fine. He is in good hands.

Good hands?

Who?

We can't let unreliable people walk in.

Reliable, very reliable.

What's not reliable about it?

They're both willing.

Don't worry about it.

Zhao Hangong, what are you thinking?

They're not together anymore.

Zhou introduced Yi Yi to someone.

They're getting along well.

I'm looking for someone suitable

for Wen.

Why are you trying to push them together?

I'm not pushing them together.

You really have nothing better to do.

They both want this.

Let's not worry about it.

Besides...

you don't understand.

What don't I understand?

I introduced you to your wife!

That's true.

When you first met Jiang,

you couldn't even speak.

You kept running to the bathroom.

And you say I don't understand?

Stop talking about my embarrassing past.

Alright, Sister.

Let's stop worrying about this, okay?

Be quiet.

Is this just my personal business?

I...

Get out!

Sister.

Save him some face.

Sister.

Come out.

Come out.

Zhao Hangong, go home.

Close the door.

Didn't I make myself clear the other day?

I told you to go home and think it over.

You don't understand

what kind of man he is.

You two are completely different.

Although he used to be an intellectual,

he's been in the army for over ten years.

He's been through blood and fire.

He's not the bookish scholar you think.

He was once a military commander.

Do you understand what that means?

You don't understand at all.

Have you thought about it?

Once you two are together,

what kind of life will you face?

Minister Wen is a leader.

He will always prioritize his work.

He can't give you romance.

He can't give you poetry and art.

And he can't satisfy your fantasies.

This surely isn't the life you want.

Then what kind of life do I want?

I certainly know.

But I can tell you this.

Minister Wen absolutely cannot give you.

I've never expected anyone

to provide the life I want.

How do you define your relation with him?

I respect Minister Wen.

I enjoy talking with him.

Even seeing him, hearing him speak

is a sophisticated pleasure.

I won't depend on anyone.

Nor do I ask for anything.

I have my own life.

I have my own work.

Stop beating around the bush. Just say it.

Do you want to form a family with him?

Fine.

If you insist that I take a stand,

I'll tell you.

I like Minister Wen.

I want to live with him.

I want to be with her.

Okay.

Alright.

Okay, Wen Pu.

Fine, Wen Pu.

Then we'll follow the regulations.

The organization must conduct

a thorough background check on her.

Before the investigation results come out,

you two cannot meet.

You're thinking too simply.

I'm sorry for putting you through this.

Don't be.

It's good

like this.

Please list all your social connections

since you turned eighteen,

including relatives, classmates

and colleagues.

Write down clearly

their current occupations,

workplaces,

and other details.

I lost touch with many people for long.

You just need to provide the list.

We'll investigate the rest.

Minister Wen,

this is my self-criticism report.

Minister Wen,

I've reflected seriously.

I made a terrible mistake.

My mistake was

not reading books or newspapers

and not understanding government policies.

I'm still

stuck in old society ways

using methods from the Republican era.

These old mindsets and outdated thinking

are hard to change overnight.

But I had no ill intentions.

Minister Wen, you know me well.

Do I know you?

Fu Zihe.

Suppose I knew you before,

now

I understand you less and less.

Minister Wen,

I'm the kind of person

who just likes making friends.

It's the same with Secretary Zhao.

I just thought

friends could have meals together

and exchange small gifts.

It's nothing.

But now I understand

I was wrong.

You worry about government policy changes,

and you also try to exploit loopholes to

corrupt officials and seek private gain.

No, absolutely not.

I suggest you

go back and

read more books, read more newspapers,

and study Central Government's directives.

Yes.

We won't forget those

who once helped us.

But things

are always changing.

Those who once walked with us

may gradually drift away.

They become strangers,

or even

enemies.

Minister Wen,

not enemies.

We're friends, not enemies.

Get up.

Had enough of this act?

Yes.

No,

not enough.

No, no,

I was wrong.

I was wrong.

Wrong. I was wrong.

Wrong.

Go home.

Yes, Minister Wen.

I'll definitely reflect when I get back.

I'll study hard.

I'll go now.

[Self-criticism]

Your favorite cabbage

with sliced pork and amaranth.

Here.

Eat up.

I know you don't want me and Minister Wen

being together.

I also know why you

introduced Professor Xu to me.

You allow me to find someone to live with.

But you won't allow me to fall in love.

Is that so?

Yes.

Then according to you,

I can't have feelings for anyone again.

Can I still call you Sis in the future?

Of course.

Will you forget my brother?

How could I forget your brother?

He was my first love.

You're all my family.

Eat.

Sis.

I don't eat green onions.

Then I'll pick them out for you.

Sis,

you only ordered two steamed buns?

Hello,

add one more steamed bun.

Make it three.

Sure thing!

Eat up.

Did you forget I don't eat green onions?

How could I remember all that?

But I remember yours.

You don't eat cilantro.

That was your brother.

Thank you.

Hello?

Wen Pu.

Commander, it's me.

What the hell are you doing?

How dare you speak so recklessly

in the interview with the Party newspaper?

Some things

can be said in private,

but not in public.

You're a sophisticated political officer.

Don't you understand this?

I don't understand, Commander.

What happened?

In the Party newspaper interview,

you went on about Western Puritan ideals.

What's all this about worldly asceticism?.

Our Party advocates frugality,

integrity,

and selflessness.

[To Comrade Wen Pu]

All that nonsense you talked about,

once published,

what will the people think?

I remember now.

Well,

they did interview me.

But they should

send me the draft for review.

The comrades at the newspaper said

they already sent you the draft.

You weren't there.

Fang said you were sick.

What convenient timing to be ill.

Li was going to send it,

but according to procedure,

it was first submitted to

the Municipal Propaganda Department.

That's when they said that some content

hadn't been confirmed by you.

I understand, Commander.

Perhaps during the interview,

Yang and I didn't understand each other.

If you haven't thought it through,

don't communicate at all.

The responsibility for this matter

still lies with you.

I understand, Commander.

Scholar, let me tell you.

Yang Xue'an

is full of dirty tricks.

I just don't understand.

We all came from the same trench.

Why is he always up to no good?

Even if

he saved the political commissar's life,

he can't just do whatever he wants.

Don't be angry.

I'll handle this.

I'll teach him a lesson.

You'll teach him a lesson?

How exactly?

I'll beat him up.

Come on.

I knew you'd say that.

Will beating him up help?

It might just lead to another article.

The headline would be:

Party Secretary Zhao Hangong

stands up for Minister Wen Pu

and brutally beats reporter Yang Xue'an.

Wouldn't that just complicate things?

Right?

He's not our enemy.

You have a point.

What do you want to do then?

Just swallow this insult?

I'm not swallowing any insult.

I know him.

If he doesn't change his ways

and continues like this,

I believe he won't go far.

Alright, you fool.

Let time take care of this.

Come, let's drink.

Fine.

I'll listen to you this time.

If Yang Xue'an does it again,

I'll beat him up

even if I make a headline.

Good.

I agree.

Secretary Zhao,

who are you planning to beat up now?

For the past decade or so,

all we hear is you

beating someone up.

As the old saying goes,

heaven sees what you do.

How should I address you?

Comrade is clearly not appropriate.

Ms.

or Madam

sounds too formal.

Let me just call you Yi.

It sounds like a tagalong.

That is completely unlike you.

This morning,

I watched the sky from the balcony.

The dawn colors were unusual.

There are pink

and purple.

Neither was bright,

as if washed with water.

It reminded me of

you painting by the river.

Your colors, compared to reality,

were always a bit lighter.

I didn't quite understand then.

This morning,

standing on the balcony,

watching the clouds gradually fade,

I suddenly somewhat

understood the artistic realm you pursue.

Okay, thank you.

Minister.

I'll head out first.

Okay.

Comrade Zhou,

let's find some time

to visit your brother's grave

together with your sister-in-law.

Zhaoyuan was a revolutionary martyr.

He lost his life for liberation.

I remember the Central Committee

sent a congratulatory telegram

for Shanghai's liberation, ending with:

The revolutionary martyrs

who sacrificed their lives for

Shanghai's liberation will live forever.

We will never forget him,

and neither will the people.

Minister,

you must treat my sister-in-law well,

treat my sister well.

Your biological father's surname is Lin.

Why did you change your surname to Yi?

I was born into a feudal family.

My father was corrupt

and backward.

You have an aunt.

Are you still in touch with her?

[1949]

My aunt and uncle went abroad

for business before the Liberation.

Their address changes frequently.

I've received a few letters from them,

but couldn't reply.

We haven't been in contact recently.

Auntie, are you really leaving?

Your uncle has been urging me to go.

But I must settle things at the hospital.

If I don't leave soon,

my ticket will expire.

You're going to such a faraway country.

Are you not coming back?

It's hard to say.

At least in the near future,

I won't be coming back.

Auntie,

you've put so much effort

into building this obstetric hospital,

and now you're just leaving.

Don't you feel sad?

Of course I do.

Then why?

Some things

are difficult to explain to you.

Yi,

perhaps we'll

see each other again.

This watch

is given to you now.

I hope it brings you luck.

When you miss me,

just look at it.

You should be aware

that foreign connections are sensitive.

You must report to us promptly.

I understand.

When you were at

Shude Girls' School in Chongqing,

who were you close to?

Liu Zhuyun,

Huang Yiling and Gao Qiongqiong

were quite close to me.

But they all married and moved far away,

and we lost contact after the liberation.

What about Qiao Xiaolan?

Qiao Xiaolan and I weren't that close.

She didn't go to college

after high school.

She also married and moved away.

Since 1945,

Qiao Xiaolan

worked in the KMT's Central

Investigation Department in Chongqing.

Did you know that?

No, I didn't.

Qiao Xiaolan claims

that she has contact with you all along.

Between 1949 and 1952,

she says you and she were in Shanghai

and lived together.

She's lying.

I can confront her face to face.

So cute.

Mr. Yang, did you like playing soccer

when you were young?

I didn't have time to play soccer.

When I was his age,

I could already write the

Thousand Character Classic.

Xue'an,

I want to talk to you about something.

Go ahead.

Don't get angry when I tell you.

Why would I get angry about it?

Speak.

It's about my sister-in-law.

Well then,

I have even less reason to be angry,

right?

Look.

Yi Yi,

is someone we're helping,

and your sister-in-law.

Both officially and personally,

I shouldn't get angry.

Go on.

I'm really going to say it now.

Don't get angry.

I won't get angry.

After you finish, I'll buy you a popsicle.

Alright, here goes.

I think

my sister-in-law and Minister Wen

are actually quite good together.

I'm starting to change my thinking.

Maybe my previous perspective

was too narrow.

See, you're angry.

How am I angry?

Then why are you glaring at me?

I...

glared at you?

I...

Glare?

Did I glare at you?

Yes.

Continue.

They truly love each other

and respect each other.

Look, even

Director Fang

can't keep them apart.

My attitude is why not let them try.

Try?

Try what?

Comrade Zhou Yunqing,

how could you think like this?

What's Yi Yi's background?

She's petty bourgeois.

She needs to improve herself.

She needs

to change her way of doing things

to integrate with the people,

not thinking about vanity all day

and climbing up to Minister Wen.

Your unstable position is one thing, but

Minister is an old revolutionary comrade.

How could he be like this?

What kind of thinking is this?

This is dangerous.

Today,

I'm clearly telling you right here that

they cannot be together.

It's dangerous for them to be like this.

Now that I've talked about them,

let me talk about you.

Comrade Zhou Yunqing,

your position

is too unstable now.

You've changed.

I don't know you anymore.

You used to be

a simple girl.

I admired that.

And now?

How could you do this?

You've become a two-faced hypocrite,

a fence-sitter,

bending whichever way the wind blows.

Why are you crying?

You...

you start crying?

Not only is

your position inconsistent,

but your willpower is also weak.

Your behavior today

has completely

ruined this pleasant atmosphere.

Such a blue sky.

Such

tall trees.

Isn't it

heartbreaking?

You...

if you cry like this,

you'll scare kids.

You said you wouldn't get angry,

so I spoke up.

Am I angry?

You...

don't want popsicles?

I'll buy it myself.

The people and environment around me

all require me

to put in great effort to change them.

It's truly heartbreaking.

I know

we can't meet in private.

Just two minutes, okay?

Be careful.

Where's your bicycle?

My bi...

My bicycle!

Well...

you...

I'm fine. You go ahead.

Then I'll...

Run quickly. Don't lose it.

Let's go back to our previous question.

What's your relation with Qiao Xiaolan?

We were classmates at Shude Girls' School.

We have no relation.

After the liberation, are you sure

you haven't contacted her again?

No,

not even once.

Come in.

Qiao Xiaolan is here.

Let her in.

She's not Qiao Xiaolan.

Qiao Xiaolan,

do you know this woman?

No,

I've never seen her before.

During your investigation, you stated

you graduated from

Chongqing Shude Girls' School

and had close contact

with a female classmate who married

a high-ranking KMT official surnamed Yi.

Madam, I didn't go to

Chongqing Shude Girls' School.

I attended Jinan Shude Girls' School.

How can this be?

Then what's the name

of your classmate with the surname Yi?

She

actually doesn't have the surname Yi.

She took her husband's surname.

Her maiden name is Hu.

Well, here's the thing.

Your political background check

have results now.

Everything is fine.

Thank you, Director Fang.

If there's nothing else,

I'll be going now.

Wait.

I'm not finished yet.

Although you may not want to hear this,

there are some things I must say.

Do you know

what Minister Wen's job

actually entails?

The special nature of his work is that

he must deal with three forces

to negotiate,

balance,

and interact with them.

We live in peaceful times now.

Our enemies are often invisible.

Do you know how many people are watching,

waiting for us

to make mistakes,

to show weaknesses

and

commit errors?

But now that he's with you,

these uncertainties have multiplied.

What you must bear

is not just your personal fate,

but also Minister Wen's

political career.

You're thinking too simply.

Go back and think it over.

How is it?

Ms. Fang told you, right?

Your political background check passed.

Is what we're doing

really right?

What's wrong with it?

What did

Ms. Fang tell you?

You're a veteran revolutionary,

a high-ranking leader.

Now you have me,

an uncertain factor,

a major weakness.

I'm just an ordinary person.

I can't bear the weight of your

grand political destiny.

Ms. Fang told you this.

She wasn't trying to make it hard for you.

She doesn't know you.

She doesn't know how independent you are,

how strong you are inside.

Besides,

how could you possibly be my weakness?

Having you by my side

is like having a mirror

that shows me sincerity

and the human heart.