A Sign (A Sigh / Yi sheng tan xi) (一声叹息)

For a middle-aged guy born in 1957,

the last half century has been one big surprise.

Some things started with great ceremony,

and ended up as farce.

Some started as comedy,

but ended in tragedy.

As the 21st century began,

I was smack in the middle of a tragicomedy.

A play that opened with a pounding drum,

but closed with a dirge.

Now it seems just a memory,

except for the sigh still buried deep down inside.

Grab your own bags.

He's pretty picky, doesn't eat beef or lamb,

but likes anything wild.

Does he like to write in the morning or at night?

He's not as regimented as other writers.

If he finds a groove,

it's 24 hours straight without food.

If he's blocked, he'll go out with anybody who calls.

That's why I shipped him from Beijing to here,

where he doesn't know the place of the people. Let me carrry that for you.

How's his health?

Do I need get any medicine?

He's had insomnia lately.

He's been writing for 2 months solid writing,

with no one to talk to.

This place reminds me of Hawaii.

Have you been to Hawaii?

No, but it feels like Hawaii.

Look at how the pool surrounds the place,

it's just like Europe.

It's even better.

- Have you been to Europe? - No

but this is how I imagine it.

You sure do things right.

This place must cost a fortune.

Me, spend money?

It's totally free.

All I have to do is mention the hotel in the TV series.

But you can only use the 2nd floor.

This is his room.

- Professor Liang? - In here.

Are you decent? We have a newcomer.

Writing in the bathroom again?

There's a good vibe in here. I get lots done.

Xiaodan.

Xiaodan, come in.

Leave your things out there and come meet Professor Liang.

Nice to meet you.

I read "Blubber All You Want", it was hysterical.

It was supposed to be a tragedy.

Liu Xiaodan is a budding writer.

I brought her down especially to assist you.

Great. Why are we talking in toilet?

Let's go outside.

Do anything he says.

If he wants a book or food,

get it for him.

If he's tired,

take him for a walk on the beach to clear his head.

Professor Liang.

This is also a chance for her to learn from you.

It will be mutual study.

Just tell me if I do anything wrong.

OK, I'll be direct.

Why don't you change out of your long underwear first?

Then I'll just say bye for now.

I've got to head back to Beijing tonight,

to convince Mr.Qiu from Taiwan,

to pre-buy the overseas rights for this series.

So you're on your own.

But try not to spend to much.

If he's hungry,

go out and buy whatever he wants,

but avoid room service...

a bowl of noodles,

costs 300 in these 5-star hotels.

I cancelled the long-distance phone service,

so use these Jitong lP cards to make calls.

Li Xiaodan,

today you are in heaven.

- Did Mr.Liu leave yet? - Yes.

These are all about Empress Lu.

Where should I put them?

Give them to me.

Professor Liang, if you are tired,

you can dictate and I can type.

To tell you the truth, I'm totally blocked.

I've done 10 episodes and still haven't found a groove.

I'm just an average guy.

I don't have a clue about emperors and courts.

Try to loosen up.

Just write about all their intrigues.

Write all the bad stuff you'd have to do,

to get rich,

and the audience will eat it up.

It's what you write best, so you won't lost face.

Besides, you're buying a new apartment, so it's worth the headache.

So you know about the apartment too?

What else do you know?

That you have insomnia and don't eat beef or lamb.

You know all about me,

but I don't know anything about you. It's not fair.

Me. One mom, one dad and a brother.

We're not from Beijing.

After graduating, no official work unit wanted me,

and I didn't want to leave Beijing, so I just bummed around.

Then Mr.Liu started his film company,

and hire me as an editor.

I'm really just a gopher,

but I'm happy.

Li Xiaodan!

- You guys. - I got you on video!

Sorry about this.

They're old college friends. I haven't seen them forever.

Is it OK if you go back first and I talk to them for a while?

Of course, take your time.

- Hurry up! - Come on.

What are you guys doing here?

After my observation,

I think the apartments at Euro Classic are the nicest.

Great layout, but a little bit expensive.

That's OK. Go ahead and make a down payment,

and then we can do it in installments.

I have a friend at the Bank of China.

I already checked with my firend who got a bank loan.

We don't even need a connection,

just a proof of our income.

Then go ahead.

There's no hurry.

Yueyue. I want to talk to her.

She's sleeping. When will you be back?

Soon. I'm dying to finish this thing.

I hate being down here alone.

Mind your health. You know we depend on you.

Sure. I better get back to my writing.

We wish the motherland well, the motherland well.

- We wish... - Had a bit to drink?

...the motherland well.

Nope, I just really happy.

You silly girl, I'm sure your friends made you pound the drinks.

So what?

All they did was rave about you.

And I thank them.

How about I get you some tea to sober you up.

You know I worship you.

I know lines from your novels by heart.

Sure...

If you don't believe me, I can recite some for you.

Definitely not.

You just keep them in your heart. Have some tea.

The great river flows east, stars in the heaven rise north.

It has me, you,

- and everything else... - I wrote that?

I can write phases that good?

Why don't I remember?

Don't be modest. It's great stuff.

I like it too.

But I didn't write it, I swear.

Sit down, please. I'm so impolite.

There's more. "When young, I had a thief's heart, but not a thief's nerve."

"When older, I had both,"

"but the thief was gone".

It's intoxicating.

Admit it, you wrote it!

I wrote that,

but it's missing the grandeur of "big river flows east".

I'm so stupid.

Do you feel better after vomiting? I'll help you back to your room.

I can walk, I don't need your help.

See you tomorrow.

What's wrong?

My zipper's broken.

The zipper's broken. Just wear it to bed. Come on.

I'll be uncomfortable.

You can't sleep like this.

No, don't. I don't feel good.

So you want to act like a boozer?

Mr.Liang,

My school mates think your novels suck.

They think you should stick to TV,

and forget the novel thing.

Are you going to throw up? Hold on, I'll get you a bucket.

Don't move. I don't feel good.

Lie down.

I don't feel good.

Dr.Song, phone call.

Hi, I'm from Euro Classic sales office.

When will you making your down payment?

There are only two homes left facing the sun,

and we can't hold them much longer.

I'm waiting for my husband,

to get back so he can see them first.

I'll call you soon, OK?

That's fine. Goodbye.

Is everything OK?

Just fine.

I dream last night that you fooled around on me.

Then you got mad and threw me out.