The Big Boss (唐山大兄)

THE BIG BOSS

- Is it over there, Uncle? - Yes.

This place is different from China.

Brother Xu lives over there.

Let's go.

We're not far.

We should be there in ten minutes.

Remember, you'll be living here alone.

Take care of yourself and don't look for trouble.

I know.

- You must be thirsty after walking all day. - I am.

- Let's get some drinks. - Sure.

Two bowls of that, please.

- So, what do you think? - It's not bad.

Come on.

Do you have any hot ice?

Do you have any? I'll pay anything.

- She's pretty. - Come, let me have a look at you.

Not bad at all. Nice complexion, too!

Go away!

- Stay out of this. - Let go of me!

You made a commitment.

Leave me alone!

Don't be afraid.

Dumplings! Hot dumplings! They're fresh.

Not bad. Try them!

Here you go.

- You need to pay me. - What?

You can't eat without paying.

What money? Get out of here!

Get out!

- What happened? - They refused to pay and beat me.

- Why would you hit a kid? - We'll hit you up, too!

It's Xu Jian.

- Brother Xu? - Yes.

Let's get out of here!

Where are you running to?

Stop!

Not many men are a match for Xu Jian.

Xu Jian!

Third Uncle!

When did you arrive?

Just got here. I'm here to see you.

I got your letter. And this is...?

- Zheng Chao-an. - Nice to meet you.

- Let's go back to my place. - All right.

I'll take your castle.

That was sneaky of you. You should've warned me.

No second moves allowed.

- Have you made your move? - Yes, I have.

Then, it's too bad!

- No quarter? - None.

- You won't regret that? - I won't.

Check!

Check? I was totally unprepared, it's unfair!

Why's that? You said no second moves allowed.

You didn't expect that, did you?

- This game doesn't count! - Hey, don't chicken out!

- We'll play another game. - Hey! Come out here, we have a guest!

Third Uncle!

- Hi! - Third Uncle!

Hey!

Third Uncle, how are you?

This is my nephew, Zheng Chao-an.

- My name's Ah Shan. - I'm Ah Yi.

- I'm Ah Wang. - I'm Ah Bi.

- I'm Ah Qiang. - And I'm Ah Kun.

I'm the big brother and the one with the brains.

I'm Zheng Chao-an.

- Come in and sit down. - Make yourselves at home.

- Take Uncle's luggage. - Thank you.

It's been two years since your last visit.

- Tell me, Uncle... - Yes?

How are things back at home in Tangshan?

Life's been hard.

We've had terrible floods over the last two years

that have led to crop failures.

Times are hard.

Have some tea, Uncle.

Oh, my, how you've grown!

You're getting more beautiful each time I see you.

This is our little sister, Qiao Mei. This is Zheng Chao-an.

- Please, have some tea. - Thank you.

And how's Uncle Zhang?

He was ill, but had no money to see a doctor. He died five months ago.

- What about the Chen Yu-fang? - Yu-fang?

She left three months ago because of the floods.

Wang, who used to live around here, left over a month ago to return home.

He's apparently gone to find a wife.

- Did you see him? - Wang?

- Yeah. - I didn't see him.

Life's hard at the moment. Who can afford to get married nowadays?

There was a tea house next door to us, now they've closed for lack of business.

More and more young people are heading for the cities.

They can't stay in the countryside.

- You've been away a long time now. - A very long time.

It's changed a lot, and everyone now wants to leave.

- My letter explained why I'm here. - I know, I know.

There was no work for Chao-an in the countryside.

Don't worry, I've already talked to the factory manager.

- I'll take Chao-an to see him tomorrow. - That's great, thanks.

Qiao Mei, go buy us some wine. We're celebrating tonight.

- That's right. - We're celebrating Uncle's arrival.

Thank you.

MANLI ICE FACTORY

Good to go!

Remember, don't talk too much.

Just answer whatever he asks, understood?

Hey, Third Uncle's here.

- Hi, Uncle. - Uncle, you're here.

- I'll take him to see the manager. - Great, thanks.

- You guys stay and chat. - Let's go over there.

My father said it's an important load and must be delivered immediately.

Don't worry, it'll be finished tonight and will be delivered tomorrow.

- Take care. I'm off. - Yes, sir. Don't worry.

Please.

Goodbye, take care.

Xu Jian, is this your friend?

Yes, his name's Zheng Chao-an.

This is our factory manager. Hello, sir.

Perfect. We need hardworking people.

He looks like a hard worker. Have him start tomorrow.

Great. You can start tomorrow.

- Thank you. - Don't mention it.

We're all trying to make a living away from home.

We'll show you the town afterwards.

That looks like Mrs. Ma.

Why are you alone and crying, Mrs. Ma”?

Have you been harassed by someone? Tell me and I'll take care of it.

- Where's Mr. Ma? - He's out gambling. We're already broke!

Stay here. I'll go in and take a look.

COME IN AND GET RICH

Six.

Mr. Ma”?

- Mr. Ma? Have you lost everything? - Yes.

- Do you have any money? - You still want to gamble?

Have a look first.

It's a pair! Sorry, the banker wins!

- Not again! - Banker wins!

What are you doing?

Look. How could you not lose?

A loaded dice?

Forget it. It's your own fault. Nobody asked you to come here.

Don't be a sore loser. Come on.

Nine out of ten games are rigged. You should stop gambling.

Here's $200 to cover your debts.

- I can't... - I have nowhere to spend money anyway.

- Pay me back when you can. - Thank you so much.

- Head home now. - Thank you.

It's cramped, and the work is hard.

Working here is tough, but the income is steady.

You could make enough in five years

to start a small business back home.

Hey, you!

Please step aside, Chao-an.

If they're looking for a fight, I'll give them one.

Where do you think you're going? You should mind your own business!

I'm going to teach you a lesson!

So, is it just the six of you?

Come on, then, try me.

Get out of here! Go!

You're pretty good.

I learned some Kung Fu back home.

My mother gave me this to stop me from fighting.

- Where did you learn to fight? - I didn't really.

I bought some books and taught myself.

Speed and strength are the secret.

- Forget it. - That was a close call!

It's taken all the fun out of it.

Brother Xu?

- Did you get into a fight again? - Oh, they were a useless bunch.

- Who were they? - Tell me all about it!

Get up and switch on the lights!

- What's the matter? - Brother Xu got into a fight.

What happened?

Well, I was just walking with Chao-an,

and we saw Auntie Ma crying.

Oh? Why?

You know all about old man Ma's vice.

He wouldn't leave the gambling den, so I went in to look for him.

And I discovered a loaded dice.

Why didn't you close the joint?

I didn't make any trouble for them, but they came looking for me.

I want to hear this, too! Who did you fight?

You weren't there to see it.

- How many were they? - Six of them.

- Tell us, what happened? - Well, it was like this...

I was walking with Chao-an, and somebody yelled, "Hold it!"

- I looked back and saw six of them. - Six?

Yes, six of them.

So I told them to make their move.

They charged toward me...

So, I spun around... and threw two of them.

- Threw two of them? - Then another charged at me...

I gave him a hefty whack, and that was another one gone.

Just then, I saw one of them diving at me,

so I ducked and struck upwards at him.

Eh? Struck upwards?

And Chao-an? Did he get in the fight as well?

No, no. But Chao-an did almost get hit.