But Always

1

Hi

Hi

Nice to see you, you're back.

Yes.

It's me, Anran.

When I was 4, the Tangshan earthquake affected many areas.

Almost everyone

slept on the streets in Beijing that summer.

To an innocent child,

those were the happiest days of my childhood.

No school,

I played with other kids

in the neighborhood all day long.

Whose kid is this?

Sit down, Anran! I want a word with you.

People are sick in Tangshan,

they need Mommy's help.

What about me?

You must learn to take care of yourself,

be a doctor when you grow up

Like me, understand?

Yes.

Listen to Daddy.

Attention, members of the rescue team!

Gather at the east gate, we'll be leaving soon.

Attention, members of the rescue team!

We're leaving,

please meet at the east gate right away!

I'll do it...but I'm not very good.

Mommy can fix it when she comes home.

But I knew she wasn't coming home.

The rescue team had an accident in the earthquake area.

Dad didn't want to admit it.

Tongjia Lane,

please get off here.

Dad transferred me to a new school far away from home,

because he didn't want the neighbors to gossip

about me not having a mother.

Hey! Girl!

Are you from Hong Kong?

Where is that? Does King Kong live there?

Stupid! You don't even know where it is?

She's wearing leather shoes!

Give Anran a big cheer!

Sun Yuejin, be quiet!

Give Yongyuan a big cheer!

Give Yongyuan a big cheer!

Go

- Well? - I gave it to her.

"Anran, I hear you have good grades,"

"can you help me with my homework?"

"Salute, Sun Yuejin!"

Anran, our assignment is Questions 4-6?

- Yes. - What about the last one?

- No. - OK, thanks.

Yongyuan, keep an eye on Anran for me.

Hurry up! Go!

Since that day,

this Zhao Yongyuan started to follow me around.

I was so annoyed with this filthy bugger,

I decided never to speak to him.

But it happened,

I was the one

who initiated our first conversation.

I recall that day was extremely cold.

Why do you wear such a small hat?

None of your business. My Mom bought it for me.

Why didn't she buy one that fits?

My Mom...

is dead.

Close door, go.

Zhao Yongyuan, you're late again!

And no red scarf, write him up!

I can see. The electric bill won't pay itself, you wastrel!

What are you looking for?

Look at this...

See the holes you made in this blanket?

Even Grandma can't fix them.

Wait till next spring,

if I have extra money,

I'll get someone to fix it for you.

Come here!

Come here!

Change your scarf!

Change it!

I don't want to write you up,

or for the teacher to punish you.

Change it!

My turn!

- Four! - One!

Zhao Yongyuan, you're not playing?

Mom, hawthorn fruit candy.

OK, I'll buy it for you

Grandma, want some?

Where did you get that?

A classmate gave it to me.

A classmate?

Those kids always bully you.

Who would buy you fruit candy?

You steal it?

No!

I didn't steal it!

No?

Did you steal it?

You're getting out of hand!

You'll end up in jail some day.

I'll be letting your parents down if I let you off easy.

It's not easy for me taking care of you.

Don't be mad, Grandma! I really didn't steal it.

Just tell me if you want something.

Here, pay your classmate back.

Money for the fruit candy.

Why?

Grandma said only a loser would take things from someone.

It's OK, you can keep it.

If you won't take it. I won't ride the bus with you.

Don't worry, just take it.

From now on, I'll follow you wherever you go.

Come on!

The sun shines and the rooster sings.

Flowers awaken while birds groom their feathers.

Birds build new nests while bees make honey.

The happiness of life

comes from the fruit of labor.

Anran, let's play a game.

I'm not leaving.

Why? You can't stay here!

Grandma is gone, understand?

Who's going to take care of you?

I'll spank you if you don't behave!

Anran...

I've to get off!

What for?

Come back!

I won't spoil you like Grandma! Sit down!

Anran...

I'm so used to the sound of his footsteps.

I thought he would never leave me.

But then he disappeared

without a trace.

Years have gone by,

each time I pass by this bus stop,

I would think of that little bugger.

What happened to him?

What does he look like now?

Excuse me...

Sorry! Kid...

You little punk!

You stole the shoes!?

No, people will buy them when they see how nice they look on me.

How dare you! Here, carry this for me!

They look nice, I should wear them too.

No, you'll only mess it up.

The dry air,

the sound of doves whistling through the sky,

the different dialects I hear on the streets...

In my dreams,

I've returned to this city many times.

Now I'm finally back,

I see more skyscrapers,

and less of the familiar lanes.

Except for Grandma,

there was a girl who was nice to me.

Is she still here?

The goods are ready

Excuse me...

Let me do it.

No, Ill get it.

I go from south to north, walk from day to night.

I want people to see me without recognizing me.

Please give me some water if I look tired,

Please kiss me if you're in love with me.

My days in medical school went by quickly,

and I was about to graduate.

I followed my Dad's wishes

getting ready to continue my graduate school in the U.S.

The thought of leaving Beijing

leaves me feeling a bit melancholic.

I didn't want to leave the city I grew up in,

despite its gradual changes.

You know how many millionaires

come from this street.

Make deals, understand?

You just won't listen.

Money is everything, no money no talk.

Reality is harsh, right?

Except your parents and me as your uncle,

nobody in the world will be nice to you.

Hey girl, come on! They're $10 each.

This one... let me see.

We don't have your size.

How much is this?

$200 for you, our first customer,

$150, OK?

Take it for $150.

$130!

$100 and a scarf!

Take a look, $10 each

Why should I learn English?

"Because what", use that to create a sentence.

Why are you learning English?

Because I... I want to

...earn foreign exchange certificates.

I want to work for a foreign corporation.

I want to marry a foreigner.

Quiet!

Quiet!

Why do you learn English?

Because I want to study abroad.

Perfect! I like that!

Anran...

Mr. Yibai!!

With your talents and my private tutoring,

passing the GRE and TOEFL will be easy.

- You're gifted in linguistics, - Thank you!

But talent alone is not enough.

You need overseas connections.

Which school did you apply for?

Columbia.

That's great!

I've a friend in L.A.

Who can help you.

That's a bit far, Columbia is in New York.

That's still part of the U.S.

No, thanks. I should go.

Anran, this reference book is quite useful.

I already have it, thanks.

Anran, I just want to say...

- Hey you! Don't...touch her! - You little punk!

Which class are you in? What do you want?

Which class are you in?

You're a pervert!

Don't touch her!

Zhao Yongyuan!

Zhao Yongyuan!

The rain...

You look so different!

Before you were only this tall...

No one calls me Zhao Yongyuan anymore.

What happened to you?

I haven't heard from you all these years.

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