To be honest,
I can't make difficult dishes,
but I can master some easy recipes.
Grandma Xie.
Let's eat out.
I'll take you to Galsang Flower Restaurant
to have braised chicken.
The meal is ready.
Why eat out?
It smells good.
I can smell it in the yard.
Didn't you go look after the patient?
Why are you back now?
Aunt Feng didn't allow me to stay.
What did you cook for Grandma?
Look here.
By eating,
you meant poisoning her?
Leave if you won't eat.
Enough talk.
Listen,
this is the recipe of my hometown.
It looks common, but the taste is good.
Try it.
I have confidence in the red braised fish.
How is it? Is it good?
Did you put vinegar?
It's for the raw fish smell.
How much did you put in?
It's the same as dark soy sauce.
I thought Yunnan people liked sour flavors.
You have sour chicken feet.
Sour papaya fish.
Yes.
I love sour food.
I'll try it.
It's good. Delicious.
-Right? -Here.
It's for you.
Grandma.
Isn't it too much?
Eat more.
-Eat. -Okay.
I'll eat it.
It's yummy.
I should have had braised chicken delivered
from Galsang Flower Restaurant.
It was not that bad.
Though the meat was thick,
it tasted fresh with the starch coating.
Put less dark sauce on vegetables.
Soy sauce and oyster sauce are enough.
Is it sour?
I'll try one.
It's too sour.
Enough. Don't eat them.
It is sour. One more try.
We should stop here.
The grapes won't be sweeter
if we keep eating them.
The shop owner said they were sweet.
And I ate some, they were good.
Was it the same bunch?
-No. -Now you know why.
It's not the same bunch
and they may not be from the same root.
So do we just throw them away?
We can make jam or wine.
All roads lead to Rome.
Do you like plums?
Yes.
How about
we hold an event with our friends?
Event?
Pick fruit at an orchard.
Eat while picking.
What about the fee per person?
Don't worry.
It's on me and so is the lunch.
That sounds good. It's the boss's treat.
When will it be?
There's no time like the present.
What about tomorrow?
Tomorrow?
Are you unavailable?
-Not exactly. -It's a deal then.
But Nana will work at the shop tomorrow.
We'll have a day off.
Boss, you're generous.
-Nice. -Yes.
It's too hot.
Sorry. It's my fault.
My gosh.
Are you ready?
-Yes. -Yes.
Come again?
Are you ready?
-Yes. -Yes.
Here we go.
Sing.
-The sun -The sun
-Brings us -Brings us
-Seven colors of light -Seven colors of light
-It shines the flowers of our hearts -It shines the flowers of our hearts
-Beautiful and cute -Beautiful and cute
-Today, we grow up in the sun -Today, we grow up in the sun
-Tomorrow, we'll create a beautiful world -Tomorrow, we'll create a beautiful world
-Come on -Come on
-Seven colors of light -Seven colors of light
-Is the sunshine -Is the sunshine
-We walk into the future -We walk into the future
-With colorful dreams -With colorful dreams
One more time. Go.
FOR THE KIDS
I left my thermal mug.
We walk into the future…
-The full moon is in the sky -The full moon is in the sky
-The shadow accompanies me -The shadow accompanies me
-Two people are with each other -Two people are with each other
-The wind blows gently -The wind blows gently
-A line is in the sky -A line is in the sky
-The plane leaves the line -The plane leaves the line
The flower blossoms At the end of the rainbow
-Who left there… -Who left there…
-Enjoy. -Thank you.
Thank you.
Nana.
Here is a notification.
We're closed tomorrow for a party event.
What event?
Our people will go to pick fruits in the orchard.
We can eat while picking. It's on Zhiyao.
Really?
That's great.
Mr. Xie deserves to be my idol.
Right.
Remember to wear old clothes tomorrow
with long sleeves.
The orchard is full of mud and branches.
Remember to put on sun protection.
Get them informed.
I'll create a group chat to tell everyone.
Okay.
Xiaochun.
Mr. Hu.
Nana.
Triple-shot Americano.
-Sure. -Thank you.
We're going to the orchard tomorrow.
You're going too?
I'm going with everyone.
Everyone?
Including me?
I'll pass.
Have fun.
Why don't you join us? Do you have classes?
You reminded me of something.
I found a miracle today.
What is it?
You told me
the accordion teacher of the kindergarten left, right?
But do you know?
During the break,
a teacher could play it suddenly.
Isn't it a miracle?
No.
It has nothing to do with me.
It's Zhiyao's idea. You can ask him.
I know it's not you.
What did he do it for?
Why didn't he tell me directly?
Why?
He felt pity for me?
So others won't make fun of me?
I don't need it.
What?
What do you mean?
He felt pity for you?
It was you who locked yourself at home.
Your room was dirty and you didn't write any songs.
Your mental state is getting worse.
We are worried about you.
So Zhiyao had this idea
to help you overcome it and get some fresh air.
But I have artistic pursuit.
I taught kids to sing.
I did it for a change of pace.
And I can go to--
What's wrong with the kids?
They are pure.
They don't care about your age,
salary, and social status.
They only feel that Mr. Hu is excellent.
Can you drop your pride and stop being utilitarian?
As adults, we can learn a lot from kids.
That's enough from you.
Get out of the way.
MESSAGES
NANA: I MADE A GROUP CHAT, STOP IGNORING IT.
YOUFENG YARD GROUP CHAT
TOMORROW MORNING AT EIGHT.
DON'T FORGET OLD CLOTHES AND SUN PROTECTION.
YOUFENG YARD GROUP CHAT
NO PROBLEM.
GOT IT.
I'LL BRING EVERYONE BREAKFAST.
GOT IT.
Zhiyao.
Nana.
What's in your hand?
A tent.
When we get tired, we can play card games.
Mr. Hu.
Why do you have a guitar?
If I have a sudden whim,
I'll sing a song.
Zhiyao.
Won't you stop him?
It's good.
We can relax with it.
How could you accept it?
Don't come to me for help.
I don't take the side of bad things.
See you later.
What did she say?
Take the side of bad things?
What did she mean?
-What was it? -What was it?
The orchard is ahead of us.
Enjoy the plum harvest today
and the daily country life.
What's wrong with him?
Something is wrong with his brain.
I can hear you.
His ears are good.
Come on.
Mr. Hu, why did you bring your guitar?
I must be crazy.
Nana brought her tent.
We'll find a space to put up the tent
and put our stuff in.
We can take a break there.
I'm not lying to you.
We will be picking fruits in the orchard.
You can eat while picking.
Lunch is on me.
It's really true.
Your game of words.
It's just for fun.
Rest if you're tired.
Is it for us?
-Yes. -Yes.
-I'll choose one. -Yes.
My head may be too big.
Thank you so much.
It's so hot today.
Zhiyao told you
what happened to my family,
so you came to help us?
You have yet to try orchard work.
It's exhausting.
You don't have to pick too many of them.
We can do it.
Damai and I want to have a try.
Thank you.
Okay. Aunt Feng.
I'm going to pick with you.
Zhiyao will take care of those he brought here.
-Basket. -Don't mind us.
I'll teach them.
-Okay. Thank you so much. -It's not a problem.
Let's go.
You know me.
I am so considerate that I prepared ice silk arm sleeves.
Xu Hongdou.
Pink is for you.
You can use it.
I thought you had snacks in your bag.
You can eat whatever you like here.
There's no need for snacks.
Besides sleeves,
I also prepared sun protective clothing
for you, kind and gorgeous ladies
in case of sun damage.
Choose one.
How nice of you.
Here is the last one. The prettiest one.
Hongdou, let's do it together.
Don't be shy. Take it.
Don't you have work today?
I'm working now to solve villagers' problems.
Okay, I will put up the tent first.
Mr. Hu.
Do you need me to put your guitar in the tent?
Mr. Hu, let's go.
Mr. Hu, here.
Try it. It's sweet.
I'm curious.
This thing tastes sour.
So why did they plant it?
You have no idea.
This kind of plum is not eaten directly.
It's to make alcohol,
fruit preserves, or dried fruits.
But you asked me to try it.
Because I've tasted how sour it is.
I can't be the only victim.
Mr. Ma, Mr. Hu.
Hurry up.
You should pick it quickly.
You were just talking.
What? Who needs to be quicker?
Have you heard a story called The Tortoise and the Hare?
Endurance makes the man.
You will see it in the end.
I will see it.
Do you think we healthy young ladies
can't fight against a middle-aged man
who drinks every day and doesn't exercise?
What did you call me?
Don't you know I am a teenager?
I can't see the teen in you.
If the wind comes, you will be blown away.
Xiaohuang.
You should bring people together.
First of all,
I should make the ladies stay together.
Say something back with facts
to accusations that are not true or logical.
Not true nor logical? Accusations?
Mr. Ma, do me justice.
Accusations?
What did I accuse?
Xiaohuang is right.
Hu Youyu.
You are a black sheep.
"Yu" means a free fish.
"Ma" means black sheep.
It's a homophone joke.
I know it.
Here's the water.
You need water.
Thank you.
Easy. Take your time.
It's fine to rest.
This plum field is all planted by Uncle Chang?
Yes.
Aunt Feng has hypertension.
Her heart is not good,
so she can't work here.
On his own, he watered and fertilized the field,
and sprayed pesticide.
He also planted scallions and potatoes.
In all, it's about 4.67 sq km.
After working in the field,
he would cut reeds to make brooms
or use the husks for baskets.
He has never rested.
That's why he is sick now.
Didn't he hire anyone?
It costs money to hire people.
For example, to pick plums,
the labor payment is high.
It's at least 80 yuan per person.
But productivity differs.
And meals are included.
So when the villagers knew of their situation,
they would come to help when available.
It's interesting.
Just experience the happiness of harvest.
But it takes work.
In short,
let's try our best.
-Try our best. -Thank you.
Try our best.
Feng, here comes the food.
-They must be hungry. -You're here.
Are we good?
-It's time to eat. -Easy.
Why did you come?
Baoping doesn't know how to drive an electronic tricycle.
So I have to come.
Gui cooked all the dishes.
I only helped her.
I can't cook well.
I can only cook these easy dishes.
But they're delicious.
Uncharacteristically nice of you.
Did I hear you compliment me?
You're being too humble,
so I have to say something good to you.
Enough now.
Same as old times for half of our lives.
Gui's mouth is like a canon shooting every day.
It's only shut when Feng comes.
I care about her heart.
Why does it taste so delicious?
It's great.
More rice? Anyone?
Damai. Here.
Here.
Spare ribs.
-We've had too much. -Here.
-You need to rest. -Yes.
-We will add it ourselves. -You should eat more.
Aunt Feng.
Where are my mom and Aunt Gui?
They are picking plums there.
Make yourself at home.
Thank you.
-Thank you. -It's fine. Just eat.
I've been working all day.
I can't move at all now.
The old couple
is elderly now.
How can they be so energetic?
If you have a goal, there's motivation.
You have motivation,
so you have the energy to work.
Though your life is tough,
you can seek joy from it.
Frankly,
it is all for their son, Xie Qiang, to live an easy life.
That's why they work so hard.
Right?
They should lessen the burden.
The children have their luck.
Only if they can think it through.
This is how their generation lives.
Yes.
This is where the grassroots movement comes in.
It helps them and makes their lives better.
We'll help as many people as we can.
Here, Xinxin.
It's enough.
The ribs are amazing.
Really? Here's more.
I have one more to eat.
I'll eat this one later.
Why are you sitting here?
The wind feels good.
You must be tired.
It's fine.
So…
What are you thinking about?
I'm thinking about Aunt Feng.
Aunt Feng?
Her life is truly tough.
No one said it's not true.
Everyone lives under pressure now.
It's different.
When you still have other choices,
it's manageable.
We can say it's hard.
But the words mean the same thing.
No, they are not.
Like us, we are common people.
Our life is hard.
We can still cross the bridge when we come to it, right?
Some people
eat hot pot and sing while crossing the river on a ship.
Their lives are easy, right?
But for Aunt Feng and Uncle Chang,
they are on the way to cross the river,
but they got a rising tide suddenly.
They were swept away by the flood
like ups and downs in their lives.
They almost drowned.
But they don't know where to go.
As you said,
it should be tougher.
But it is tough now.
Don't you think so?
I feel
it's not that tough.
It's not tough? Really?
As you said,
what they've been through was tough.
But now,
it's just hard.
Our measurements seem different.
So what is your standard based on?
You put everyone on an axis
and compare the difficulty of their lives.
Easy,
hard,
and tough.
There's a standard recognized by most people.
Everyone is born at different levels.
Someone is born at the next level
where others can't reach.
If they don't live with a silver spoon,
it's torture for them.
It's truly tough.
People feel and think differently about pain.
So how can you put them on the same axis?
No matter which level you are,
there will be someone who suffers more than you
and someone who lives better than you.
So as humans,
you should put yourself
on the axis to compare.
With the old you,
future you.
There are many versions of you
to compare with.
Do you think Aunt Feng have the good days now?
She has gone through the most challenging chapter of her life.
So her life
will be better.
Fruit desserts.
Zhiyao asked us to do
the online agriculture live streaming.
In one night, we sold 10,000 kg.
Xiaohuang introduced the program
and Zhiyao got the contract.
The pre-sale of our shop
is 1,000 kg.
The rest was driven away by the truck.
Great.
If it was in the past,
it wouldn't have been sold at that price
or would be thrown away.
Right.
The past is the past.
Everyone has hard days.
My family was the same.
Dayang and Xiaoxi went to universities.
Life expenses and tuition fees
drove me and Zeqing anxious.
Mom.
We've done eating.
Could you clean the table?
We're going to pick plums.
I'll join you later.
It's too heavy.
I'm coming.
I'll do it. Come on.
Together. Hold it together.
Slow down.
Take a break.
Feng.
What are you doing?
It's for Chang.
It's for the patient, not you.
Don't take him as a patient.
He's not seriously sick.
He passed out from anemia.
Isn't it serious?
You're wired.
I have too much to comment on.
You raised chickens.
You couldn't bear to eat them.
So you sold them all.
You could make money from the field
and from part-time jobs.
You paid your debt a long time ago.
I can't understand
why the two of you cut down so much
on your living expenses.
We save money to live better when we are old.
We don't need money now.
As you just said, live better when you're old.
Here's the point.
You have to live old enough
so you can use the money you've saved.
If both of you get sick before it,
you'll have to spend more money.
Don't you feel sad about the loss of money?
You are so clever,
but you can't see the truth clearly.
Why are you crying?
I didn't say anything harsh.
It's nothing.
It's the wind.
I see.
It's because of the wind.
Now you stand where the wind comes from.
Come here.
I'll clean the wind for you.
How are you?
Clean the wind.
Take a break.
Have a seat there.
Come on.
I haven't said thank you.
You took me to the hospital
and came to help me today.
In the past, I wasn't friendly to you.
I am sorry.
Now you admit it.
You were really bad to me.
Feng.
We've been like sisters for more than 30 years.
Don't you know me?
I can't think before I say.
I always talk nonsense.
More than half of our villagers hate me for it.
But you know,
I have no bad intentions.
You kept saying
I like showing off.
It's right.
Sometimes,
I do like showing off.
But I have a reason to show off.
In our village,
my family was penniless years before.
We're not the poorest, but we are the second poorest.
It's true.
We could only build a new house
after Dayang found a job after graduation.
I know.
No matter how much I wanted to show off,
I've never done it to you.
It's true.
You know me well.
I had outworn underwear inside my pants.
You should tell me
what you think.
How would I know if you didn't tell me?
You're smart.
But I have a one-track mind.
Do you think I am good to you?
If I harvest a pumpkin from my field,
I'll definitely cut half for you.
Whenever you harvested scallions,
potatoes, apples, and plums,
didn't I come to help?
I know you are nice to me.
Don't say sweet words.
I don't know if you're lying or not.
You said we've been like sisters for over 30 years.
You know what kind of person I am.
I prefer to say nothing rather than lie.
Right?
You're right.
Last time, you said I was jealous of you.
I talked nonsense because I was angry at that time.
But I was jealous of you.
Why?
Dayang and Xiaoxi are outstanding.
I didn't do anything wrong.
But my life is full of pain.
I lost my daughter when she was a teenager.
Now I only have one son.
I am scared.
I'll try my best to get whatever he wants.
Right?
He finally found a job.
Being a warehouse guard is all right.
If the salary wasn't enough, I could send him money.
But I never expected that he would go to steal.
I didn't teach him well.
So he was jailed.
All this while,
he must have learned his lesson, right?
He'd become a good man.
But once a man has made a mistake,
everyone won't think better of him.
No one in our village will take care of him.
But if anyone loses anything or it gets stolen,
they will think he did it.
Am I right?
Well…
It's really possible.
So my husband and I are thinking to make more money
to make a down payment for a house in the city.
He can be a driver or run a grocery.
He can't stay at home anymore, right?
Feng.
Your life is tough.
For your whole life,
you've been living for your children.
Who doesn't live for their children?
Don't you?
When you were going to Qingdao,
you packed so many bags
that you could even open a shop.
It's because Dayang and Xiaoxi are in Qingdao.
So I just…
I didn't tell you, so you don't know.
Dayang is really terrible.
Every time he invited us to Qingdao
saying to come to eat seafood,
but when we were about to go,
something always happened to him.
This time,
we've even booked flight tickets.
But he said his boss sent him on a business trip.
What's wrong with a business trip?
It's common.
Isn't it?
What do you know?
Dayang has to travel to work, but Xiaoxi doesn't have to.
She has never invited us to go there first.
She is also terrible.
She thinks it's better to go to Qingdao
when her brother is around.
I've made up my mind.
If they invite me next time, I'll never go to Qingdao.
It's fine if they don't come home.
They're always sending us money
whenever there's a festival.
But who cares about money?
We would save the money
and give it back to them when they're home.
Yes.
Don't drink this tea.
Look.
The tea leaves are not fresh.
Dump it out.
Try my tea.
Look.
Xiaoxi bought the tea for us.
This is high-grade tea. It's expensive.
Enough. It's enough.
Why did I talk about the bad girl again?
The aroma.
It's good, right?
I'm fried now.
What can you record?
Are you tired?
No.
Are you coming again tomorrow?
Kill me.
I won't come even if you kill me.
Mr. Hu.
He teaches us to sing.
Mr. Hu.
Hello, kids.
-Hello, Mr. Hu. -Hello, Mr. Hu.
Hi, guys.
-See you, Mr. Hu. -See you, Mr. Hu.
See you, kids.
-See you. -See you, Mr. Hu.
They are so lovely.
That's great, Mr. Hu.
You are a real teacher now.
In a few days,
I'll ask for an official position there.
A man like you can get it? In your dreams.
I can't join you tomorrow.
I have to see a tea plantation in Fujian.
Have you found a partner?
He's from college.
A buddy I shared a room with.
But my budget is lesser.
And you're so annoying,
but he didn't abandon you.
You should be nice to him.
What is that supposed to mean?
As it is widely said,
"A son never thinks his mother ugly,
a dog never thinks its home is shabby."
As it is widely said,
your words are pointless.
A man like you will never get an official position.
But I have my students.
Good morning, Damai.
Mr. Ma.
You're up so early.
Aren't you leaving today?
Yes.
I got up early
to meditate and clear my mind.
I saw your lights on in your room.
Didn't you sleep?
I was exhausted when we came back yesterday.
So I fell asleep immediately
and woke up around three in the morning.
Then I kept writing.
How is it going?
The periodical fiction is about to end.
Then you can take a break for a while.
I can't.
Are you in a rush to look for a job?
It's not about the job.
I've decided to start a new book.
Really?
Yes.
I think I like writing novels.
Sometimes, it's tough.
But the pain can inspire you.
It's hard to write a good novel.
But it seems that
it is hard no matter what you want to do.
If you find a job,
you have to be worried about the KPI.
So I set myself free.
Right.
Never choose an easy path.
Choose the path you want to go.
I learned from you, Mr. Ma.
I know.
You had successful start-ups,
but you also had failures.
You made a lot of money,
but now you have to start from zero.
But you haven't given up.
You have the courage to start your journey again.
I…
am disturbed easily by the world.
And I am utilitarian.
I'm worried every day
about what will happen in the future.
People like you
are fighting different challenges.
I'm worn out already
though I am only fighting with myself.
I am not supposed to be like this.
It's not about how you look now.
You know, on the battlefield,
warriors are worn out too.
Right?
It's not important.
What matters is
if you can stand up again in the end.
Only if you stand up to fight back, you're a real warrior.
So I think
we should learn from each other.
Though the wind is roaring,
the sun will always come out.
All we have in the future
are good days.
Good morning.
Isn't it Mr. Hu?
Are you going too?
I have nothing else to do
and there's free lunch.
Let's go.
Nana bought us some meat buns.
-What's wrong? -My arms.
Girls.
Girls are weak.
Mr. Hu is putting on a funny show.
-Let's go. -I'm asking Zhiyao if he's joining.
No need to ask him.
He headed for the Old Town with Xiaohuang.
The owner of that unfinished guesthouse is afraid to get into town
though he's back.
I know.
That guesthouse is ruined.
It is.
But what to do with it?
Find someone to take over.
Hurry.
Or we'll arrive late at noon.
EARTHEN HOUSE
Subtitle translation by: Zhao Yue house is afraid to get into town