Like a Flowing River (Da Jiang Da He / 大江大河)

You're here for your daughter's job, right?

- Sit down. - Yes.

I saw how you've been going around for your daughter's matter.

Let me be honest with you, too.

For this matter, I don't think that I can decide. It's no use speaking with me.

You must talk with the higher ups.

But with your family situation,

I reckon that it will be useless no matter who you speak with.

How are our parents' health?

Don't let them tire themselves too much. They are old already.

You're home!

Dad, Xiao Hui wrote us a letter.

What did he say?

He said that he did well for this semester.

He said that he misses you two. He asked that you take good care of your health and not to tire yourselves too much.

Okay. Okay.

Husband,

what did the medicinal material office said?

Can they give Ping Ping a job?

I've went there so many times and said everything that can be said,

but they won't even give her even a temporary post.

I've also been to the health center a few times.

They only have a few open job spots there, just one to two per year.

It was also hard for them, that they haven't replied until now.

Ping Ping,

we really are so incapable; hence, unable to help you.

Mom, what are you saying?

I know that

those educated youth that returned to their hometown and those decommissioned soldiers

are all falling in line to get a job.

It's fine. I'm able to provide for myself no matter what job I take.

But what can a lady like you do by yourself?

I can knit clothes or paste paper boxes.

I'm even fine doing rushed clothes.

Father, Mother, I also have given it some thought.

I shouldn't keep staying home and being a free loader.

I should go out and look for a job

to help with our finances.

A few days ago, I delivered some medicines to Auntie Li.

I saw that her whole family, both old and young ones,

is knitting clothes for the county factory.

She said that they earn a lot from it.

Ping Ping,

jobs like knitting clothes and pasting paper boxes are too tiring.

If others can do it, why can't I?

Why don't I go to the county now and look for any job opportunities?

Ping Ping.

Taking a job is not a small matter.

You must think about it well before deciding.

I'll go look at the situation first. It's not as if I'm pasting paper boxes now.

- Be careful. - Yes.

- Husband. - What is it?

Our Ping Ping

must earn money by herself to live now?

Didn't the child already say

that she's just going to check first.

This child has such a difficult life.

She feels aggrieved, but can't say it.

Xiao Hui!

Sister? Why are you here?

I miss you, so I came to visit you.

Look at you.

You've traveled very far to come here alone, so why still bring so many things?

Dad and Mom both miss you.

They were worried that you were not eating well. I brought a lot of delicious food for you.

If you're unable to finish them, you can share them with your classmates.

With such delicious foods, I don't want to share it with them.

- Sister, are you tired? - No.

Xiao Hui, your school is so big.

I had to ask so many people before I could find your dorm.

Wait for me for a while. I'll just put these things down.

- I'll take you to look around. - Okay.

Sister, this is our classroom.

Xiao Hui, your classroom is so huge.

If you look from here, it's like a small mountain.

Xiao Hui, where do you usually sit?

Sister, this is the university.

There's no designated seat. You can sit anywhere you want.

So free.

Really great.

Is college life interesting?

Very interesting.

We frequently discuss things.

Of course, we also argue to the point of our faces and ears turning red.

But we also are able to gather for wine and brag.

Oh, right, Sister.

I usually stand here to read the People's Daily to everyone.

And my current English level has become exceptional.

Even my professor said that I've improved very quickly.

Everyone is praising me.

I'm thinking

that if I'm able to read the newspapers in English, that's what really is on a different level.

Sister.

Sister, what are you thinking?

I'm happy for you.

I'm proud.

It's true.

Guests and friends,

all the members of Dormitory Room 209 of Anyun University

welcomes Comrade Song Yunping, who has traveled far to come here.

Okay. Let's do some introductions.

For this one, I think there's no need for it.

You probably know him better than any of us.

Third in senoirity, Yu Shanqing.

If we're going to talk about a person that's cold on the outside, but warm inside, he surely will be the perfect example.

How do you talk?

This one...

pass.

Oh, wrong. This is the oldest person

among us here in our room, with the most virtue and prestige.

However, he doesn't behave as one.

He is usually inferior to Xiao Hui in terms of being unfettered. Our big boss,

Ding Jianguo.

You're talking wildly!

That... Comarade Song, don't listen to his rubbish.

Among us, he is the most shameless and unruly.

I'm Tian Jiachang.

In this room, I ranked second in seniority. Little Song and I

are like brothers.

Whenever he writes letters back home, does he usually praise me?

He does.

Whenever Xiao Hui wrote me letters, he would say a lot of interesting things about all of you.

I usually would laugh nonstop.

I finally get to meet you all personally.

You all are more welcoming and interesting than I imagined.

I love hearing those words.

If you're not family, you won't be going inside the same room.

Xiao Hui is like family to us. You are his family.

Then, all of us is one big family. No need to be courteous with us.

Yes, it is our Xiao Hui's good fortune to meet all of you.

Thank you for taking good care of him.

If you're going to thank anyone, thank the good policy of the country.

It's because of it that we're all able to enter the university and gather together.

Comrade Song,

I heard that you also passed the college entrance exam.

But because of some reasons,

you handed the opportunity to your little brother.

Was it like that?

This... I also heard about it.

Comrade Song, for that, you're really

outstanding. We all are expressing our admiration.

Okay already. Stop saying it.

That...Third Uncle, drink one by yourself first.

- Right, drink. - Huh?

- Right. You drink by yourself first. - I can't drink that much.

Drink by yourself. Come... Let's have a toast!

I'll drink one first, bottoms up.

Sister, where are we going?

Here.

Let's go.

Sister, why did you bring me here?

I'll be taking the ride back home tonight.

It's rare for me to be able to visit you. Let us buy some stuff for you.

I don't lack anything. No need to buy.

Xiao Hui, come here and look.

Doesn't this shirt look nice?

What about this?

Sister, don't buy any more.

I think this one looks nice.

Comrade, can you let me see this shirt?

Look at how nice it is.

Comrade, how much is this?

¥6,29.

So expensive. Moreover, I won't be able to wear that.

Why not?

I saw your classmates wearing this kind of shirt.

See, you surely will look good on this.

I'm taking this shirt. Wrap it up for me.

- ¥6,29... - Pay at the cashier.

Where is it?

That way.

Thanks.

Sister, I haven't had a good chat with you yet during this visit of yours

and you're already leaving.

There's a hostel near our school.

How about you stay for the night and just go home tomorrow?

I won't anymore. Hostels are quite expensive.

Moreover, I'm still needed at home.

If you want to say anything, just write them to me.

Xiao Hui, turn around and let me see.

It fits.

- It fits? - Yes, you look good.

I'll be wearing it then.

When I read novels before,

the leading men would wear white shirts like that.

I will then think that one day, I would let you wear one, too.

In my eyes now, you have pizzazz, are calm, bold, and elegant.

Beautiful. A young handsome man.

Sister, how could you praise your little brother like that?

I'm saying that you're a grown up now. You're now a man.

I'm a man to begin with.

I'm saying that you look good in anything you wear.

You must bring that out often. Bear to wear it, okay?

Oh, right, Sister. You've brought me so much stuff.

You even bought me clothes and are buying a ticket back.

Where did you get so much money?

I have my ways. Don't bother with that anymore.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I don't do illegal or profiteering acts.

Where did you get the money?