EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN
Hello? Have you eaten? Not yet?
Just throw together some noodles for lunch.
That fish is excellent.
Don't roast it. That would be a pity.
It just needs to be slightly steamed.
Don't add any salt! Whatever you do, no salt!
Salt dries the fish, and it won't be tender.
Just get a pot of boiling water, and put salt around the plate.
If not today, then when will we talk about it?
Small coke, three chickens?
That'll be 100 yuan.
-I ordered chicken! -That is chicken!
I can't cover for you today. Guo-Lun is taking me to the beach.
You have to! Father'll kill me if I'm late for Sunday dinner again.
And I thought you and Guo-Lun broke up!
We did. I just want to torture him a bit more.
Then torture him by keeping him waiting an hour.
-Hurry up! -Great idea!
-Hello? -How's the new boyfriend?
Hi, Jia-Chien. Still working on a Sunday afternoon?
New boyfriend's okay, pretty quiet. Especially after Bo-Kang.
Sounds good.
Let's get together later? Don't work so hard!
-Thanks, but I'm seeing Raymond later. -Raymond?
What does that mean?
The difference between Christians and ordinary people...
...is not only do we have eternal hope...
...but we also rely on God...
...to give us wisdom to overcome our difficulties...
...and to give us joyfulness and peace to settle our frustrations.
You okay?
Yeah. Just a little wound up.
Work, you know, and I just closed on the new apartment.
All my savings...
...but it'll be worth it to get out of that house.
That was wonderful.
-Better than when we were together. -It's much easier like this.
We were a disaster as a couple. All that shouting and fighting.
You want to come down to my gallery now?
A new woman artist. You'd like her work.
I have to get home for the Sunday dinner torture ritual.
Punch your time card.
-Change my Sunday schedule, please? -I'll see what I can do.
Hi, Guo-Lun.
-Hi. -I'm Chu Jia-Ning.
Rachel asked me to tell you she'll be an hour late.
Shit! How dare she!
Don't be angry! It's just an hour, even less now.
It's not the first time she's made a fool of me.
-It's not serious. -What would you know?
Have you loved someone who hates you...
...who hurts you every day?
It's my fault, really. She forgot she was covering for me.
I didn't know I'd cause so much suffering.
You're not to blame. It's me.
I want to end this addiction to love, but I'm too weak.
-Well, I'd better be going. -Bye.
Will you tell Rachel to bring back the red shirt she borrowed?
She can bring it to work.
Whatever.
What are you reading?
Dostoyevsky.
Bye.
-Thank you. -Promise me we'll go to choir practice?
I'll think about it.
Brother Chai is the handsomest man in the congregation...
...and he loves your voice!
Sister Chang, I don't wish to be liked only for my voice!
I'll never find a husband for you!
Then stop trying.
Dear God, please bring luck to our family...
...we are happy to have God in our hearts...
...and thank you so much for this terrific dinner...
...and thank you again for bringing our family together with happiness.
In the name of Jesus Christ, thank you. Amen.
These past two days, l....
-Something wrong? -No, it's fine.
Nothing.
Say it!
The ham was oversmoked.
-It's fine. -Father probably forgot to taste it.
-Or his taste is getting worse. -My taste is fine!
-Yesterday-- -Our school--
You first.
Jin-Feng called from America. Her mother is coming back.
-But her green card? -She just can't stand it anymore.
They fight and fight. Even the police came.
Mrs. Liang is really hell on wheels.
She can't live there.
The language, no companion for mah-jongg...
...her son-in-law isn't Chinese. It's a miracle she lasted that long.
It might be a good thing for Jin-Rong. She can help take care of Shan-Shan.
-She might cause more stress. -lt'll be fine.
And Dad will have someone to chat with.
Like I have time to gossip after taking care of you three?
These past two days, l....
What now?
I have a little announcement to make.
Have you seen the TV ads for "Little Paris in the East"?
That new luxury apartment building in Hsin-Den?
A friend, who knows the contractors, told me how well-built it is.
He was able to get my bid in for a good price.
You're moving out?
Not immediately, of course. It isn't ready yet.
I used most of my savings for the deposit.
That's good.
Real estate is a smart investment today.
Then I'll move when the apartment is ready?
-Hello? -I need to speak with your dad!
Dad, it's for you.
-Hello? -Hurry here, I need your help....
What? Right away!
There are crab dumplings in the steamer!
Get them out when you're ready to eat them!
Master Chu, how are you?
Hello, Master Chu.
-Serve the sea cucumbers first! Hurry! -Master Chu is here!
Thank God, you're here!
-Where's Old Wen? -Over here! What a mess!
The boss wanted the banquet to be perfect. Now look at this mess!
-The menu? -Here.
What's going on? Hurry up!
It's all right. The last four courses are stews.
We'll make the Whole Shark Fin, and problem solved.
With you here, I can relax. You can take charge here. I'll be up front.
The guy who bought the fins didn't know anything.
It looked genuine, but it fell apart when we cooked it.
Fake fins don't have elasticity when boiled in hot water.
There's no flavor, no matter how long you cook it.
What will we do now? It's a wedding for the General's son!
This is only good for gravy.
The Whole Shark Fin dish will look like a porcupine.
We'll make Joy Luck Dragon Phoenix.
-Abalone? We'll lose money on this! -Money is not important now.
We'll first settle the situation, and I'll explain this to the boss later.
Let's get ready, everyone! I need lobsters, abalone and jade prawns!
On the 10th floor, and the windows face south.
Central air conditioning?
Of course. There's also a guest room for you to stay when you visit.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
I don't know why I'm upset.
I should be happy for her.
No, I understand. I should be the one apologizing.
I shouldn't leave Father in your hands...
...but I just can't live here with him any more.
Even though I'll be just a few miles away, it's like being in another world.
-I don't blame you for being upset. -Why should we be upset?
It's just a matter of time before you or Jia-Jen gets married and moves out.
What's the difference?
I'm acting upset because I worry how Father will take it.
He can barely stand the sight of me these days.
We hardly speak to each other. It will be a great relief for everyone.
Anyhow, Dad doesn't need us around.
What he really needs is a companion his own age...
...like Mrs. Liang.
That's not even funny.
We've tried setting him up, and it's been a disaster.
The only true love in his life was our mother.
-You call bickering and fighting love? -What do you know?
Maybe it's not romance to you...
...but it was founded on real old-fashioned respect and values.
It was an old-fashioned war that ended only when Mom died!
How would you know? You were a kid when she died.
I was old enough to know her better.
Stop it, you two.
Try it.
This is how it's done.
Jin-Rong is here!
Hi.
You're all here. Where's Uncle Chu?
Something came up at the restaurant. He went to help.
Jia-Chien is busy in her room. Have you eaten?
-It's 8:00! Of course we ate. -Today, Mom burned the fish.
I didn't bring you along to complain.
I'll give you some of Grandpa Chu's crab dumplings to take home.
-You got a haircut. -Yes. I run around like crazy every day.
I don't have time to care for it. It's easier short.
-You look younger. -Really?
I wanted to look more professional.
Can we go draw now?
Can we draw Grandpa Chu today?
-Was it really that bad? -Who knows?
They were both crying and fussing. Mom said Jin-Feng wasn't being filial.
Jin-Feng said if Mom stayed with them, she'd end up divorced.
If Jin-Feng got a divorce, too, my mother really couldn't take it.
I still feel that Jin-Feng should care for her.
With your current situation, you have a job, take care of a child...
...take care of an elder person, and deal with your divorce?
Which just got worse. He hired a private investigator to have me followed.
Really?
He'll do anything to take Shan-Shan away from me.
I can't wait for the final decree.
-Why don't you tell her to come back later? -Forget it.
You and Jin-Feng were old schoolmates. You know her.
Mother always wanted to be with me instead of her.
Same thing here.
Father wants to live with me.
It's not the same.
Uncle Chu is much stronger than my mom. He takes care of himself and others.
Unlike my mother, who needs constant attention.
My dad needs attention, too.
How many more Sunday dinners can we have?
Jia-Ning is young, Jia-Chien is independent...
...so I'll have to take care of Dad for the rest of my life.
I'm sure he doesn't want that.
Mom, look. Auntie's drawing of Grandpa Chu.
It's time to go home.
Wait, I'll get the dumplings.
Please, don't. We're always taking food home.
Don't worry, you're like another daughter in this family.
So you really are like Dad's granddaughter.
-I want to show this to Grandpa Chu. -Don't, Shan-Shan!
I want to show this to Grandpa Chu!
-Stop running. -Okay.
I lied, I lied!
Those dumplings are fresh. Take them home to your kids.
Do you want this to go?
Old Chu, don't get upset.
Girls eventually leave home. It was bound to happen.
I'm not upset.
I hope they all move out, so I can have a quiet life.
Quiet life? I know you.
What you want, you can't get. What you don't want, you can't get rid of.
You're as repressed as a turtle.
That old maid of yours, Jia-Jen, will stick to you for life...
...unless you marry her off!
Marry who?
Since she lost her asshole college boyfriend...
...she's never looked at another man.
You know that.
And now she has the perfect boyfriend:
Jesus Christ.
Don't make fun of her religion!
How is it that for 30 years I have put up with this kind of talk from you?
The truth is...
...you should be thankful someone's around to tell you the truth.
That Jia-Chien's temper.... She was spoiled as a child.
I can't take it anymore.
That girl just didn't come from nowhere.
Jia-Chien's a perfect blend of you and her mother.
Her mother's stubbornness and willfulness.
And the pickiness and pomposity...
...come straight from you!
I think I know her better than you do.
I don't understand any of them, and I don't want to know.
Let them grow up and leave.
It's like cooking.
Your appetite's gone when the dish is done.
That's not the worst thing. At least people like your cooking.
Honestly, I'd have to give that up if it hadn't been for you lately.
My sense of taste is getting worse and worse.
My food is only as good as the expression on your face.
Don't be silly.
You rely on your feelings when you cook, not your taste buds.
Like that Western deaf composer, called Bee--
-Beethoven. -That's right, Beethoven.
Good sound is not in the ear, good taste is not in the mouth...
...and good sex...
...God knows where.
You're drunk.
Eat, drink, man, woman. Basic human desires.
Can't avoid them.
All my life, every day, that's all I've ever done.
It pisses me off. Is that all there is to life?
We should be thankful that we're still alive and cooking.
By the way, when will you have your recipes written up?
What recipes?
Didn't you say that you wanted to write down the great recipes from your memory?
I'm just afraid that one day, you'll....
God damn you!
Are you counting the days to take advantage of the opportunity?
Here, taste this!
Little daughter?
It's 6:00.
Get up, lazy-bones.
Jia-Chien, get up!
How many times have I told you not to fall asleep at your desk?
It's bad for your posture.
And didn't the doctor tell you that jogging was bad for your back?
-Shan-Shan! -Good morning, Grandpa Chu.
Morning! Off to school? Why are you eating your breakfast here?
I don't have time for breakfast.
Look! Your dumplings from yesterday.
But Mom squeezed the juice out, so I wouldn't get my hands all greasy.
Come to my house at noon, and I'll make lunch for you.
-I have school all day. -All day?
Then where's your lunch box?
Here.
The bus is here!
The valence electron of a typical element...
...is equal to its groups.
And its valence electron in turn is equal to its groups. Understood?
Okay, let's look at the periodic table of the elements again.
The Group A elements:
1A...
...2A...
...3A....
Pay attention.
...4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8....
Okay, let's use the color red for Group 1A. Let's take a look.
-Who will return the ball? -I'll go!
Very well, then I'll do it.
Hey, where'd it go? Give it back.
Sorry!
Sorry! We missed!
It's okay.
-I'll come up and get it. -I can throw it down.
She's throwing the bouquet!
Let's continue!
What's going on? What's in your hand?
Nothing, Teacher.
-Bring it here, let me see it. -There's nothing to see.
Bring it here!
Sit down!
Give it to me.
Writing love letters in chemistry class?
Love letters are a kind of chemical catalyst.
-Someone wrote it to me. -So what?
What is this doing in class?
Showing off? Who hasn't received love letters before?
"A la fin tu es las de ce monde ancien
"Bergère ô tour Eiffel le troupeau des ponts bêle ce matin"
The American airline industry is going through a recession.
This is a golden opportunity for us to bid for the Sydney to Bangkok routes...
...which the British are also eyeing.
They will be our toughest competition, and the fight will be fierce.
I'll be able to put a price on these routes within two weeks...
...and I feel that there is significant potential in all of them.
Good.
Thank you, Deputy Director Chu, for that report.
Obviously, this plan poses real opportunities...
...for the growth of our company.
The question is, "Do we have enough airplanes to handle all these cities?"
Be quiet. What do you know?
That kid. My son just graduated.
He'll get it slowly.
That's right.
Our chief negotiator!
Everyone, please welcome Mr. Li Kai.
He was the one who single-handedly...
...fought to get us our Amsterdam routes.
I'm very happy to see him as a part of our team.
My apologies for being late. My flight was delayed.
Always kidding.
We have a big battle to wage.
I want to announce that Li Kai is our general in charge.
We are to give him the manpower and assistance he needs.
By following this order, one observes the energy...
...of the chemical element rising.
-Go home, study hard. Class dismissed. -Attention.
Stand straight. Bow.
Thank you, Teacher.
Over here, over here.
To the left, to the left!
-Got it! -Good!
Is it broken?
What happened?
-Coach dislocated his shoulder. -Dislocated?
My right shoulder always goes.
-We need to rush him to the hospital. -They're getting Coach Chai.
What for?
What's up? Out again? Come on!
Thanks, Coach! It's as good as new.
-C'mon, let's keep going. -That's it for today.
Break it up.
Please hurry, and leave for your lunch hour.
Teacher, I'm bringing Shan-Shan her lunch box.
I didn't have much time to make you more than a few small dishes.
Spareribs, crab with vegetables...
...shrimp with green peas, bean sprouts and sliced chicken...
...and your favorite, spareribs and bitter melon soup.
It's not much, because I was afraid you can't finish.
Come on, eat while it's hot.
-Sorry. -Are you catching a bus?
-Your shoulder? Can you ride? -No problem.
Tomorrow, I'll spike the ball again. Next week's the big tournament.
-I haven't seen you before. -I'm the new volleyball coach.
-I'm Chou Ming-Dao. -Chu Jia-Jen.
-Where do you live? -Her-Ping East Road.
-That's a nice area. -It's an old house.
I would have given you a ride if it were on the way.
-The bus is convenient. -Well, I'm off.
Come and root for the team next week.
Why are you here?
Guess. I'm here for Rachel...
...who will no doubt keep me waiting for another hour again.
-I doubt it. -How do you know?
She got off work an hour ago. She said she was going home.
Try this. It tastes great.
The smell is making me sick.
You're just feeling sorry for yourself.
No, I feel wonderful. Love is torture.
I know that deep in her heart, she truly loves me.
But she told me she doesn't love you at all.
If she doesn't love me...
...then why is she wasting her energy torturing me?
That's not true love. You hardly know each other.
You two hardly even talk.
Tell me, when was your last real conversation...
...about your thoughts, feelings and life?
I can't remember. It's all a blur now.
I'll tell you what's a blur: your idea of love.
True love is being with someone who loves you.
You can feel free to express your feelings.
Next to her, you can feel free to talk about anything.
But I feel free to talk about my feelings around you.
Is that true love?
Don't be silly!
Here's your Stinky Tofu.
Bye.
He's still jet-lagged. He flew in and came straight to work.
Cute, isn't he?
The best way to increase sexual prowess...
...is to mix 3 ounces of ginseng, 3 ounces of aloe vera...
...and 8 ounces of dried sea cucumber.
-What are you doing? -That cat's driving me crazy.
At least someone's having some fun around here.
Here they are. No wonder I couldn't find them.
I'm sorry about that crack.
-I'm sure you'll find someone-- -Oh, please!
Why does everyone think I'm looking for a boyfriend?
I already found someone, thank you.
Sis, it's been nine years. You can't still be heartbroken--
-None of your business. -Fine, then.
It's agreed, then. I'll make you a lunch box every day.
But sometimes Mama makes me a lunch box. Then what?
We'll trade. I'll eat your lunch, and your mom won't find out.
Can you make one for Chen Pei-Hsin, too? She's my best friend.
We had to eat hamburgers every day.
No problem. It's a simple job, just more ingredients.
Thank you, Grandpa Chu!
Chief.
-Your plant is dying. -I always forget to water it.
-You can't take it with you, anyhow. -Am I fired?
Let's not jump to any conclusions.
Of course, it's premature to tell you this. I still need approval from the board.
I've recommended you to be vice-president of our Amsterdam office...
...in charge of all our operations.
Chief, l....
Frankly, you're much too young for the position...
...and too beautiful.
But all the men I've sent over are idiots...
...so you'll have to do.
But, Chief, l....
Everyone wants this job. What are you waiting for?
-I just purchased an apartment. -Rent it out.
You'll probably make a profit.
Then again, let's wait until the board confirms your appointment.
I felt like cooking.
The kitchen is all yours.
This is Tsu-An Tofu.
Unfortunately, you don't have a bamboo steamer, but taste it anyway.
-Where's the tofu? -The tofu is blended in with the chicken.
It's steamed in the pot until it looks like a beehive...
...which is then cut into pieces and stewed with ham in an old hen broth.
You shouldn't have rewarded me like this.
I like cooking elaborate dishes. I wish I could do it at home.
-You can't cook tofu at home? -No, I can't cook at home.
-Doesn't your dad have a big kitchen? -Yes.
But it's off-limits to me. If I cooked there, he'd come and stop me...
...as if I'd be stealing his thunder.
Carp with garlic sauce, the first dish Uncle Wen taught me.
And this is duck-oil sautéed pea sprout. One duck, two dishes.
Duck sautéed with garlic. A perfect balance.
It's an ancient philosophy: food balanced with energy, flavor and nature.
This I understand. Like balancing yin and yang.
Take your time. There's also a tofu dumpling coming up.
There's enough for 10 people.
I always cook in large servings, because I learned in a large restaurant.
-That kitchen.... -What?
It's strange, I don't have any childhood memories...
...unless I cook them into existence.
I can't remember a thing from my childhood.
You wouldn't believe how fun and warm my father used to be.
Back then, after school, before the dinner rush...
...he'd bake me bracelets made of bread.
I used to have a ring...
...full of spices and sugar diamonds made from dough.
He enjoyed letting me play in the big kitchen.
Jia-Jen was so jealous.
-Here, wear this squid ring, and then eat it. -Don't play.
How about nibbling my earring?
Stop playing.
I'm sorry I got so sentimental tonight.
No, I just had too much to eat.
The pepper smells good.
How is it?
Too spicy?
Say something! Don't make me guess your expressions.
Old Wen!
Name, address, social security number, family status, relatives.
If he needs special care, please fill out this bottom section.
-Dad. -You're here. It's okay now.
They ran some tests in the ER. He feels better now.
-Was it a heart attack? -We'll have to do more tests.
-Do you have a pen? -I'll fill it out.
Uncle Wen.
Jia-Chien.
Just like me to be practically killed by a fart.
Blame your father's cooking.
His cooking is getting worse and worse these days.
You had too much of it.
Come on, give Uncle Wen a hug.
-Why'd you grow up to be so pretty? -To be courted by men.
It seems like only yesterday, you were a little girl...
...following your father and l around the kitchen.
Back and forth.
You were so smart. You learned everything just once.
-What a talent. Right, Old Chu? -Of course.
What's the use? You still banished me from the kitchen.
It was for your own good. You should learn something useful.
You just can't accept a woman being a great chef.
Don't start again, you two. Jia-Chien...
...if you wanted to be a chef, you would've been one of the greats.
But your father was right to send you to college.
You should thank your father...
...for throwing you out of our smelly kitchen.
Otherwise, you wouldn't have what you have today.
No one ever asked me if I'd appreciate this.
Don't hold a grudge against your father.
He's getting old and just as confused as I am.
But I know that in his heart, he's extremely proud of you.
Just look at him.
He keeps all of his feelings and emotions bottled up inside him.
Someday, he'll have to express himself to you...
...or he'll end up in a hospital with something...
...worse than an upset stomach.
There's 10 yuan in change. Why didn't you ask for it?
We're lucky he got us here through the traffic in the rain!
The meter was running! If there's money to be made, they'll make it!
Tell him to get out and help with the luggage!
They're supposed to carry the luggage for tips!
Just like your sister, you throw out tips like water.
But how much does your sister make compared to you?
Let's go.
You're all alone now. Save as much as you can.
Who are you gonna depend on when you get old?
I'll be depending on whomever you're depending on!
What? No elevator?
He hasn't come by in a week. He didn't even call me.
Maybe he's busy with exams.
Weren't you ignoring him? Didn't you want to break up with him?
No. I was just playing hard to get.
I love him, you know.
I think I really love him.
That's strange. Is it because....
Why is he ignoring me all of a sudden?
What should I do?
You honestly think we can pull that many out of Sydney?
Why not Bangkok? Or Osaka?
I showed you the projections yesterday. Do you still have questions?
That's right.
Sorry.
I'm not used to working with someone who's not a certifiable idiot.
Or maybe you're a little too smug?
Probably, but you know what I mean.
Maybe it's because I sometimes get a flash...
...about how meaningless all this crap is.
Or maybe I'm just tired.
-You want some tea? -I want liquor.
I sense a bottle of scotch in the vicinity.
-How did you know? -Educated guess.
I figured you spend so much time in here.
Am I really that much of an old maid?
No, far from it!
You remind me of when I was a student.
The smartest were often the wildest.
We used to make liquor in chemistry lab and hide it behind the blackboard.
So you were a chemist?
That's what I studied to be in a prior lifetime.
-Then why this? -Business? The airline business?
-The same way you did. -Well, I didn't really plan this.
Exactly.
To your health.
Why did the two of you turn in your homework so late?
Take a look at your work. Practically identical.
I better not see this again.
You appeared like May sunshine with your rose smile
Spreading love and warmth
Torturing yourself again?
Actually, I'm waiting for you.
-Do you live here? -Nobody lives here. I just sleep here.
-Your parents? -ln China, eyeing real estate deals.
They stop by once in a while to check up on the place.
Busy making money.
-Do they stay downstairs? -No.
Just a tenant downstairs. My grandma used to live there...
...but since her stroke, my parents put her in a nursing home.
-Would you like something to drink? -Some ice water.
lce water.
It's very quiet here.
-Do you want to hear some music? -No.
-Are these yours? -Yeah.
I didn't know you were into photography.
Not really, I only take pictures of my grandmother. I visit her every week.
The camera seems to be the only thing she responds to...
...you know...
...with her eyes.
Probably the flash.
She can't talk?
Maybe she doesn't want to be photographed.
I had the same thought but....
Here she comes.
I'm on the 10th floor. There is a window view overlooking Taipei.
-Why can't we go in? -lt must be dangerous.
Oh, no! It's a big fraud.
The police shut it down.
-What do you mean? -This land is a toxic waste dump.
Can't you smell the poison?
I don't smell a thing.
Hope you weren't one of the suckers who bought it. The company's bankrupt!
The company took the money and ran.
I told you you should have invested in art.
Sorry. Bad joke.
Just wanted to cheer you up.
If you don't want to stay at home...
...l can help you find a place.
You all right?
Oddly, I feel light and free.
-Free enough to fly to Amsterdam! -Exactly.
Where is Mr. Wen in Room 22?
He checked out this morning against his doctor's advice.
-Are you his relative? -He's my father's associate.
Miss, which way is the elevator?
-Straight down, turn left. -Thanks.
This way.
Excuse me.
Paging Cardiovascular, Dr. Wang Tze-Chen, please report to room....
-Sorry. -May I help you?
-What department is this? -Cardiovascular.
Thank you.
Jia-Ning?
Wake up, sleepyhead.
Morning.
Morning, Dad.
Thanks, Dad.
Dad forgot to add the shrimp paste in the flat mushroom.
Mrs. Liang is back.
She repeatedly tells Jin-Rong what happened in America...
...driving her crazy.
Shan-Shan said Mrs. Liang's cooking is worse than her mother's.
I have an announcement to make.
It's about my work. Lately, my company is--
You don't need to tell us. We read about your apartment in the paper.
What are you going to do?
Can't you get your money back?
Did you put all of your savings in that apartment?
Of course...
...you may continue to live here.