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

Song Yunhui!

Song Yunhui!

Song Yunhui! Song Yunhui!

Da Xun?

What happened?

Your family called and said your sister hemorrhaged.

They ask that you immediately go back.

Little Song! Little Song!

What happened?

Secretary Shui, their family had an accident. His sister hemorrhaged.

Something might happen to him if he goes there alone.

Wait a while. I'll ask the driver to send him.

Thank you, Secretary Shui.

Sit, Little Song.

It's impossible.

I don't believe it.

It's impossible.

Why?

Why?!

When I handed my sister to you, what did you promised me?

Why did this happen?

How did you protect her?

What had you promised me?!

Xiao Hui.

- Xiao Hui. Xiao Hui. - What did you promise me?!

Xiao Hui...

- Xiao Hui. Xiao Hui. - I'll kill you!

Xiao Hui, enough. Xiao Hui!

Xiao Hui, enough. Xiao Hui.

Stop fighting...

Dongbao have been crying for a night.

He couldn't even say any word anymore.

What did my sister say before she died?

Before she died,

my wife was beside her.

When she was still awake, she said...

She said she is not at ease.

She is afraid that after she left,

what would do Dongbao do by himself?

Xiao Hui!

Sister!

Xiao Hui!

You're back.

Have you eaten? What do you want to eat? I'll prepare it for you.

No, its fine.

- You're here. - Do you have anything to eat?

- I didn't get any food. - What's that?

- What is it? - Come.

- What is it? - What good food is in there?

- Red braised pork. - Red braised pork, give it to me. - I haven't eaten. I'm hungry. - I'll pay you back next time.

- What's going on? - Do you have any good food? Get me something delicious.

- Bear Ear! - Who is it?

- What's wrong, brother. - Song Yunhui is back. Get me some delicious food. - Song Yunhui is back.

- And wine. - Dried shrimps. Just wait. - Hurry. Hurry.

You are fortunate today.

Look at what food we have today. Red braised pork.

Quickly get up. Drink with me.

I don't have the appetite. Thank you.

It's fine.

I'll drink by myself.

I'm not good in consoling people.

I also don't know how to do ideological work.

What I hate the most is bullshit like, "It's fine. Everything will pass."

When my father died, someone told me that. I then hit him.

Only the person who encountered it can truly understand how unbearable the pain is.

And they coming to tell you these kinds of words are surely just there to laugh at you.

But sometimes, I would also contemplate. People's hearts are also not that evil.

A few days ago, during the Qingming Festival, (tomb sweeping day)

I went to clean my father's tomb.

I even saw some offering from people from the factory.

Those were the people he once saved.

Hence, I thought,

this heaven is really blind.

Good people always have short lives.

People like me who's so heartless and ungrateful is able to live quite well.

That's my glass. You drink this.

Hey, we only have this bottle. Save me some.

Since I was little,

you can say that it's my sister that raised me.

When the breakfast money that my parents gave would have some spare changes,

should only brought herself some salted olives once.

For the rest, she bought me glass marbles.

Or else, with my family reputation being that bad, which child in the village will mind me?

But they did because of those many glass marbles in my hands.

My sister is easily frightened, but whenever I get bullied,

she would courageously stand up for me. One time,

I got hit. My sister saw it and rushed to protect me.

She doesn't know how to fight.

She then just protected me.

I can hear the punches hitting her body.

How come good people don't live long?

She would always think for my sake, share the burden of our parents.

In looking for a husband, she still considered if he'll be able to support our family.

But what have I done?

- Tell me, am of any use at all? - You totally are.

All the parents in Jinzhou want a son like you.

You're a college graduate.

A technician.

You're so outstanding.

Your sister is happy for you.

Knowing how good you're doing now, she's at ease.

When I was in college, my sister still kept worrying.

She kept worrying that my money wouldn't be enough.

She saved the money she earned from selling rabbit furs and mailed them to me.

When the work here in the factory is frustrating me,

I also didn't like telling anyone about it.

It was my sister who noticed it by herself.

She took the initiative to chase after me and guide me.

Be contented, bro.

When my father left, I'm still in technical school.

I would be on fights and drinks every day.

Not going to school.

Every three to five days, I'll get detained in the security office.

My father had to go fetch me.

After getting me out, he would give me a beating.

No use. I didn't change. I would get in again.

Every time I go in, my father would get me out.

But afterwards,

he left. I...

He didn't even see me wear this laborer uniform.

Nor drink wine that I bought for me.

- It's not the same. - How is it not the same? - My family's status was not good.

After graduating from middle school, I couldn't get into high school.

My sister was so sad. She kept saying that she took my studying slot.

Afterwards, we took the college entrance exam.

She also passed the required grade. When she saw that the commune is hindering our college slot,

she immediately yielded hers to me.

I should have let my sister study college.

I still am so young.

I just need to review for a year and I could still get in the next year.

My sister is different.

If my sister went to college,

she wouldn't have met that bastard Lei Dongbao.

I'm happy for you.

I'm proud of you.

It's true.

If I insisted on my stand,

if I use our sibling relationship as a stake, I'm sure that my sister would yield.

How come I didn't persist until the end?!

I caused my sister's death.

My sister was dead because of Lei Dongbao.

But the more it is my fault.

I'm the one who should die.

It's me.

I'm the one who should have died.

Sorry, sister.

From now on, I'll take care of you.

Thank you for letting your car take me that day.

An effortless help. No need for thanks.

After my parents knew that it was Party Secretary Shui who organised a car to send me home, they said that I must express thanks.

They also said we must be grateful for kindness towards us.

Come, sit.

Have things been settled at home?

It has been settled.

How are your parents?

Not very good.

White haired people sending off black haired people is a the most sorrowful thing in this world.

Would you like to take a few days off to be with them?

Mother and father was afraid I'll worry and didn't dare shed a tear in front of me.

If I weren't there, perhaps they would be able to freely cry.

They won't need to keep holding their emotions in.

Your parents have good intentions.

But for you to be able to consider this

is also a form of comfort to them.

During this time, don't overtire yourself.

As for your work, just finishing it is okay. No need to be acting tough.

Thank you Secretary Shui, I will keep this in mind.

Your mouth says this, but once you work,

you will put your life on it.

What are you looking at me for, am I not right?

You are right.

Once I start on a task, I will forget everything else.

I just want to finish it as fast as possible and do it well.

Fine.

The No. 1 Workshop needs you right now.

Little Min even said a couple of days ago,

that while you were gone, he noticed how important you were to the company.

Is that so? Never would have thought Director Min would have said that.

Do you...

feel that Little Min has a bureaucratic demeanor and do not like him?

Don't underestimate Little Min. He is a big apprentice I had trained myself.

Back in the days at Jinzhou, he was one of the "Three Brave Men".

In 1973, when No. 1 Workshop entered the Japanese market,

he worked as hard as you are right now.

Then I should reacquaint myself with Director Min.

Alright it's getting late, go back and rest.

Since you do not know how to care for yourself,

then this old man will not stop you. Go back and have a good sleep.

Tomorrow, go back to the factory to put your life on the line.

Brother Xiao Hui.

Yang Xun? What brings you here?

I happened to pass through Jinzhou, so I popped by to see you.

Come. Come in and sit.

Come, sit.

It's a bit messy. Make yourself at home.

I brought something over for you. You have to accept it.

You shouldn't have.

Steamed buns.

And also this...I just learned this at Dongbei, braised pork belly.

Wrap the pork belly in the steamed buns...delicious!