Up The Yangtze

I used to work in the old city

as a coolie.

I used a pushcart

to carry luggage

from the boats

that docked next to the shore.

After the old city moved

across the river

they took down your old house,

no matter who you were.

I had to find a place on my own

so I built a hut

next to the shore.

Right here where no one lives

I can plant some vegetables.

There are dots in this one.

That doesn't look so good.

Let's move on.

I think my family is living

a pretty good life.

I think the downside would be

that the house we're living in

is not in very good condition.

But the good side

is that we have good food.

Because I know

that many of my classmates

don't eat as well as we do.

I want to go to high school

after middle school.

High school?

Where's the money for that?

Many of my classmates

are going to high school.

Now we're in a socialist society

that demands knowledge.

We need to go to high school.

Besides, the country needs

well-educated talent.

So middle school is not enough.

It's not that

I don't want you to go.

Because if you go alone,

do we just forget about

your little brother and sister?

It's better

if you go and earn some money.

Then you can afford to go later.

How can I make that much money?

We'll see then,

if you can't make that much...

The water will soon rise

when the Three Gorges Dam

closes.

I'm really worried.

But even if my heart worries,

there is nothing I can do.

The Three Gorges Dam is

a national project, not private.

The higher level of government

distributes the money.

But when the money trickles down

through the hands of the people,

like corrupt officials,

it just disappears.

My father was

a minor village official

for the old government,

so after liberation

he was labelled

a counter-revolutionary.

Our farm collective

persecuted my family,

so we fled from my hometown.

My mom starved to death in

the Great Famine of the 1960s.

It was like this

during Mao's time.

Before I think my dream

was to go to university

and be a scientist.

But now i think it's impossible.

I'd say maybe let Yu Shui...

...go to work.

I think that's what

she should do.

We can't make enough money

for her to study.

How can she go to school

when she only scored 400 points?

She can only go to work.

Let her go to work first...

Of course

I'm worried that

if we let her go study

then we'll be short of money.

But if we don't

she may blame us later.

When the water rises and

the Three Gorges gate closes,

where can you farm?

You can't even have a life.

She'll be fine

working on the boat.

Some of her classmates

are working on the Fengdu boats.

Let's go dance!

Hello?

If you have nothing to do,

Chen Bo Yu is leaving.

Come and join us.

The mood's not right!

Let's go to Wild Cat to dance.

Don't be like this,

lingering in my mind,

you'll find out how lonely I am.

In my dreams, I've kissed you

a thousand times...

When the boat managers

came to our school,

they told me they hired me

because I have two advantages:

First I'm good-looking,

and second I'm good at English.

I am abitious, I'm never

satisfied with what I have.

I don't want

a flat and tasteless life.

Tonight's about having fun.

Tomorrow will be about

my career.

Career is the top priority!

When I come back

in the New Year,

I guarantee you guys

more fun than you can handle!

In my opinion

you are still students.

Whenever you have difficulties

in your life, give me a shout.

Soon I'll be earning

my own money.

I'll have more than you guys.

Let's fill it up.

Drink up to show that we share

the same passions, right?

Okay, brothers forever!

Whoa, what the f***?

Remember when you leave

to listen and obey.

Otherwise, it's no good.

Go get me some more rice.

Go get it for your father.

C'mon, be quick.

Be good.

Mom, can you see me off?

See you off?

There's no need.

You know your way.

There's no need.

You know you way.

Besides, you're a grown-up now.

You're a middle school graduate.

I don't read. I might take you

to the wrong boat.

You're not a real mother!

It's not worth it!

Stubborn temper!

Come and collect the plates!

It's your responsibility!

Hurry up!

You're having too much fun,

It's your turn to clean!

Remember to

clean the table later.

Remember that.

You know our family is poor.

You can't compare us to others.

You understand

the situation, no?

We don't even

have anything to eat.

How can we

afford to rent a house?

I know you don't want

your parents to suffer.

Your hard work will pay off.

I know it's because your father

and I don't have the skills

that we have to exploit you.

If we had a choice,

how could we do this to you?

You know your father

isn't educated. He can't read.

Whatever clothing you need

buy a little bit.

The rest of the money

send back to your parents.

We'll put it aside.

In your daily life, eat well.

Don't save money on that, okay?

When you spend money on food,

don't worry about us too much.

I'm going to give you

an English name.

We'll call you Cindy.

- What's your name?

- Chen Bo Yu.

- What's you English name?

- Jerry.

He's Jerry. Cindy.

This is our operations manager,

Michael.

You have two long-sleeves,

two trousers and two t-shirts.

Here are two long trousers.

Here is a tie and apron,

one for each.

Here is a tie clip.

How do you like it?

Eyes front!

Stand to the right!

Who's still moving?

You can't hold still

for a short time?

Quality service.

Do we have the confidence?

Yes.

I can't hear the confidence

in your voice.

- Do you have it or not?

- Yes!

That's better.

Let's talk about

studying English.

Twenty years ago,

when I first brought

foreign tourists,

people in Hong Kong

would call them

"foreign devils".

So now, let's invite Cindy.

You can try speaking slower.

My "University of Life"

has just begun.

You should greet guests

wherever you meet them,

even by the staircase.

No! Don't say, "Hello"!

Normally you say:

That's the proper way.

Most of the tourists are French

this time.

At lunch you let out the water.

When you come back at dinnertime

you add water.

You have to

keep plates and bowls seperate.

Otherwise, you damage them.

Here's the daily cleaning fluid.

Press that to wash.

If you don't do this properly,

the water leaks out.

It'll be messy.

Have a look.

This is the sink.

Here's the electricity switch

The first thing you do

every morning is switch it on.

The whole place will light up.

Plates with a blue circle

belong to the kitchen.

When the time comes,

I will set you up

with more complex work.

Okay.

So tired!

Pay attention

when talking to Americans

to not be overly modest

or polite.

Too modest

or a even little bit humble,

they might think

you're a bit fake.

Don't compare Canada to

the United States.

Don't talk about

Quebec independence.

Avoid the issue

of Northern Ireland.

Don't talk about this issue.

Don't talk about monarchies,

royalty or royal families,

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