Zhongguancun 中关村

Zhu Kezhen's Diary

2011-09-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

'Shanghai Mayor Chen Yi spoke for one hour, explaining the importance of theory to the Communist revolution. He said that the Communists were humble and willing to listen to advice, that criticism should be penetrating, and that the essence of democracy was both that the minority followed the decision by the majority and that the majority should respect the opinions of the minority.

What he said was very reasonable.

Next Feng Ding from the Party Department of Propaganda spoke of Marxism and Leninism as the highest principles of all the theories in the world. He said that subjective opinions of the proletariat were more objective than the objective opinions of the bourgeois.

What he said was really hard to understand.'

Zhu Kezhen
竺可桢日记
9 June 1949

(Edited slightly from an article by Zuoyue Wang, translated by him, on Saving China through Science)

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 30

2010-04-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

Episode begins with Haiping warning Haizao about having the baby she is pregnant with from Secretary Song. Haizao is optimistic that Song will help her and her child. Haiping says that only pessimists survive, and that she can only rely on herself.

Later in bed, Haiping and Su Chun are discussing Haizao. Haiping blames the city. "This broken city! This broken city! (这破城市！)" she exclaims, it is such that she cannot even take care of her own sister. Su Chun exhorts her not to blame the city, since every life goal and every place one lives is chosen by one's self. There are many people like Haizao, who care only about their short-term gains.

Haiping and Su Chun discuss the fact that they will get the keys to their apartment the next day. Haiping wants to have the apartment appraised both for size and quality. Su Chun says they have bought an apartment off the plan (in advance, 期房) so it is just like making a wager. They will only know about the quality after they live there for a year or two. And their usage rights are only for 70 years, not 80, and by that time the apartment will be worn out.

Haiping and Su Chun run into Grandma Li's son, daughter-in-law and grandson. It turns out that the apartment given to them because of the death of Grandma Li is two floors under Haiping and Su Chun's apartment. They will be neighbors again. Haiping complains that they cannot get away from life of the shikumen.

Secretary Song buys much expensive furniture, imported Italian furniture, for Haizao and her stomach is noticeably large.

The next scene is of Haiping and Su Chun at a cheap market for finishing supplies. They buy some discarded tiles, a kitchen, and building supplies. Haiping is seen lugging heavy supplies up the six flights to their apartment. They put in the floor, a rug, and a table and are putting finishing touches on things.

A man comes to the door of Haiping and Su Chun's new apartment. He says that the apartment they live in, along with many others in the xiaoqu, is 2.7 meters less area than in the contract, meaning they paid 20,000 yuan extra (or didn't get what they paid for). They are asking for all the residents to sign a petition in order for them to weiquan "uphold their rights". The man also has a petition to change the property management since it is an "open system", meaning that the garbage collectors are not employed, and only come when they want. Haiping signs both petitions.

Secretary Song's wife is waiting when he arrived home late. She is angry and he says they can divorce. She cries. Song says he knows that Secretary Sun is investigating him, and he will either become a dragon (master) or will spent the rest of his life in jail. His wife is concerned.

Haiping says: "Gold houses and silver houses are nothing compared to one's own dog-house (金窝银窝都不如自己的狗窝). Today is the most at ease I have ever been in my life."

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 29

2010-04-30T10:07:00.001-07:00

The scene from end of last episode repeats, with the roof the house falling on Grandma Li and the construction workers and cronies fleeing.

Grandma Li's son and daughter-in-law frantically pull bricks off the pile, also unearthing construction hard hats. One of the hard hats has a water bottle inside with the worker’s name painted on it.

Secretary Song receives a call, and the person tells him to look at the newspaper. On the front page, the first story is about a demolition where a 77-year-old woman was killed by a collapsed building. Song is furious. He calls Boss Chen to his office. He curses and yells at Chen. He tells Chen to die. Song tells him to give one of Chen's two remaining apartments to the Li family, and solve all their economic needs. The other apartment should be given to the police, and if the man who organized the actual demolition is arrested, Chen should take care of his family. Chen says that he thinks there might be a problem, because the police "eat vegetarian" (吃素) [are immune to bribery?].

Song goes to Haizao's apartment very late. She awakens and comes to ask him what is the matter. He says nothing. She says she is pregnant. She wants to get an abortion. Song tells her to have the baby. They argue.

Song arranges for a nanny (保姆) to take care of Haizao. He also takes her shopping and buys the dinning room table that his wife had looked at, but was too grudging to buy.

Secretary Sun (Song's superior) arrives back from Beijing to hear the new news.

Secretary Song and Boss Chen are in Song's office. Chen says that he will decorate the apartment for Grandma Li's family, and everything will be okay. Song says: "a life for an apartment". Song tells him to decorate the apartment in a durable way, not a luxurious way. He also tells Chen to give them 20,000 yuan, and not 200,000 because otherwise they will think the money comes so easily that they can rely on Chen for the rest of their lives. He also tells Chen that he will be taking the apartment that Haizao is living in.

Secretary Sun upbraids the investigator. He wants proof, proof of an official's misbehavior, proof the loan from Bank President Xie, proof of the demolition and death of a person. "Let the proof speak." He says that their investigation must continue, despite resistance from people in city police. Beijing is also investigating.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 28

2010-04-30T10:05:00.001-07:00

Secretary Song's wife and daughter are upset because he is never home for meals, and sometimes doesn't come home at night. He comes home late again and his wife tells him to sleep in the den. He grabs her, pushes her down on the bed, and rapes her (apparently). The next day Song calls his wife to say he is not coming home that night.

Boss Chen and his cronies are thinking about a plan to frighten Grandma Li. Chen says putting a dead cat or some feces in her house, but his cronies say that is too low for him, a big CEO. Instead, the cronies say they will use the "thatched boat to catch arrows" [use someone else's offensive to gain the offensive, from Three Kingdoms one of four classics of Chinese literature, I think].

The investigator comes to see the head official, Secretary Sun. The investigator says: "We have learned of a new development. Bank President Xie has borrowed 300 million from the bank and given it to Chen Sifu (Boss Chen)’s company. We have also learned some things about Dajiang Property. Besides the shikumen project that is related to Song Siming (Secretary Song) [i.e. the demolition involving Grandma Li], they found out that all the funding for Chen's company to list in Hong Kong comes from the bank, a Hong Kong businessman, and Tianda Property (the real estate company owned by Song’s other friend)." Secretary Sun tells the investigator to increase their surveillance of activities and not let out any word of the investigation. The next day Sun will go to Beijing to tell his boss in person.

Song has Boss Chen buy a Ferrari and redo his image to look like a CEO.

Song tells Chen to hurry up and complete the demolition. Chen meets with his cronies. They tell him the "grass boat/catch arrows" plan is to first distract Grandma Li's son and daughter-in-law with a first demolition team, then knock a hole in the wall with a second team. Once it rains, none of them will be able to live anymore. Boss Chen says this is a good plan. Then he says: "You idiots! This is not 'using the thatched roof to borrow arrows', it is called 'doing one thing under the cover of another' (暗度陈仓). You never studied!"

4 construction workers go one way, and the rest go the other way. The first group start to knock on the walls, and Grandma Li's son and daughter-and-law come out protesting.

The workers and Boss Chen's cronies pull Grandma's Li son and daughter-in-law away from the building. There is an argument with much pushing and shoving. Meanwhile, two construction workers scale the house and start to cave in the roof. Grandma Li awakes and screams "Help!" but no one can hear.

Grandma Li gets out of bed and crawls for help. It is unclear if she is crawling to get out or crawling to get under the demolition (so that it will intentionally fall on her). The roof falls on top of Grandma Li. Her son rushed inside.

The workers say that even though they knocked in the side where Grandma Li was not staying, she intentionally crawled under the roof so it would fall on her. They run off.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 27

2010-04-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

The last scene from the previous episode repeats again. Secretary Song tells Boss Chen to pay off Grandma Li or solve the problem in order to be involved with the entrance of a Hong Kong businessman into Jiangzhou real estate. Boss Chen leaves.

Secretary Song calls Haizao and says they should eat together with Haiping and Su Chun in the apartment Haizao is living in. Song wants to be a part of the family. Song arrives and they start eating. Haiping and Su Chun are both awkward. Eventually, Su Chun confesses that he wants to quit his job and go into business for himself: opening an online bookstore for children's books. Song promises to introduce a classmate of his who is in the publishing business. Song leaves. Haiping is furious that Su Chun wants to quit and didn't tell her before.

Song tells one of his real estate friends that he needs to find a road out, and he will use Boss Chen's company as a shell for listing in Hong Kong. Without any [political] background, Boss Chen's company will not draw any attention. His friend asks him to explain but Song demurs, saying they will discuss it at dinner.

At dinner Song tells a story: "Once there was a place called America. There was an old man with three sons. The oldest and the second oldest were both working in the city. The youngest son and the man relied on each other to survive in the countryside. One day a man came and said, 'can I take your son into the city to work.' The old man said, 'No, absolutely not. Get out of here.' 'If I find a spouse for your son in the city, can I take him there?' The old man said still said, 'No, get out of here.' The man asked again, 'If the spouse I find for your daughter, your future daughter-in-law, is a daughter of Rockefeller, would that work?' The old man thought for a minute. In the end, the idea of his son being the son-in-law of Rockefeller moved him. He agreed. A few days later the man went to the magnate and oil king Rockefeller and said, 'I have a spouse for your daughter, will that work?' Rockefeller said, 'No, get out.' Then the man said, 'if the son-in-law I find for you is the vice-president of the World Bank, would that work?' Rockefeller agreed. Another few days later, the man went to the president of the World Bank and told him to appoint a vice-president. The president of the bank laughed, 'I already have so many vice-presidents, I cannot appoint another one, especially immediately.' The man said, 'If the vice-president is the son-in-law of Rockefeller, will that work?' The president agreed. So this young man immediately became the son-in-law of Rockefeller and the vice-president of the World Bank. This story tells us that the abilities of the young man are not important; what is crucial is how you gather the strings and build the bridge [work as a go between] and operate things. If he [Boss Chen] just shows up at the appropriate time. We will be the brothers and the father, and can ask him for whatever we want. We already have our Rockefeller who will build the bridge with strings. What we lack is a World Bank."

One of the friends at the table says: "Ok, my bank can do it. How much is needed?" Song holds up three fingers. "30 million, alright". "Add a zero," says Song. "Ah!?" Song says he is not alone in this project, and there is no risk. We need an asset form filled out with 300 million. Then, when the company lists, 300 million will become 3.5 billion. The bank's money will be returned." "Okay".

Boss Chen tells his works to frighten Grandma Li to get her out, as all the other households have left, and she is the last dingzi hu/

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 26

2010-04-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

The scene from end of last episode repeats, with Su Chun going into his new office.

The general manager of the factory apologizes to him and says that they may need Su Chun to invite Mayor Zhang out for some events in the future. One of Su Chun's colleagues tells him that he heard Su Chun is the Mayor's wife's sister. Su Chun suspects that Haizao's lover, Secretary Song, is behind this, not Mark.

Haizao is bored. No one has time to eat with her and she has nothing to do: Song is working, Haiping is teaching Chinese, and Su Chun is being taken out to karaoke and banquets by his colleagues.

Song's wife and her friend have a long conversation about marriage, mistresses, and life. Song's wife knows he is back with Haizao.

Haizao starts to practice yoga.

Su Chun's colleagues ask him for a favor over dinner. They also give him a gold Buddha statue. They continue to drink and dine with him. He gets drunk and they take him to a massage parlor. When he awakes he runs out of the room.

Secretary Song calls Haizao and tells her to go look at apartments. If she likes them, he tells her to call him.

Haizao does not like the apartment because it is too far from her work and from Secretary Song.

Boss Chen comes to visit Song. Chen complains again about Grandma Li and her stubbornness in not leaving. He has done everything he could, knocked down all the surrounding buildings and even their roof, polluted water runs through the area, there are cockroaches, mice, and bugs. Song suggests that he give a little extra money to them. Chen says that he is in the business of making money, not losing it. A dozen square meter house demolished in exchange for an over 100 square meter apartment. Song says he must solve the problem, no matter what. There is a Hong Kong businessman who wants to enter Jiangzhou real estate, and it will involve Chen's company if he can finish the job.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 25

2010-04-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

The end of last episode is repeated after the restaurant name, South Beauty, is shown again.

Secretary Song's friend tells him that the real case involves a factory in Fujian Province that manufactures the same product as the one in Jiangzhou. They are asking for help from Song in order to join the two factories together so that they both profit, in which case the Su Chun issue would be meaningless. Song promises to look into the issue.

The executive from the ship-building factory makes a call and demands that the case against Su Chun be dropped immediately.

One Month Later

Su Chun receives a notice that the case against him has been dropped. Then a top executive from the factory comes to tell him that they have joined with the Fujian factory, and to thank Su Chun. He is dumbfounded.

Young Bei takes Haizao's mobile phone to find Su Chun's number and sees a text message from Secretary Song. He is angry, tells Haizao he wants to break up, and strangles her. After releasing her, he leaves.

He returns the next day to get his things and move out.

Haizao goes to Secretary Song's office and waits by his car. When he leaves work, he sees her crying. They drive off.

Secretary Song tells Haizao that he helped Su Chun with his case. Haizao says she accepts her fate and will return to Song's side.

Song tells Haizao to live in the apartment he lent to Haiping and Su Chun. He says that soon they can go look for housing and buy one.

The next morning outside the apartment complex, two people in a car write down in a notebook the department of Song.

At Grandma Li's house, she is still lying in bed. Her daughter-in-law tries to get her to move around. Grandma Li says she wants to die. The daughter-in-law says she can't die because it would be worth anything. Grandma Li says: "Oh, so my life is only worth a hukou".

The head of investigative unit goes to the leader, named Secretary Sun. Sun says to keep waiting to see what their overall scheme is before they act.

Su Chun is congratulated by his colleagues at work. He gets a new office.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 24

2010-04-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

Haiping goes to the police station. They ask her about the blueprints that Su Chun drew, and whether he gave her money. She says nothing. The police say they are giving Su Chun an opportunity for a light sentence, and that her lack of cooperation will hurt him. She remains silent. The police leave the room.

A group walks into the Jiangzhou City Planning Showroom. Secretary Song is among them. He calls Mark (the foreigner Haiping is teaching) to ask about something, and Mark tells him about Haiping and Su Chun.

After Haiping leaves, the police talk about the case. Su Chun has confessed, but they lack other evidence. In particular, they can't find the 50,000 yuan that Su Chun took since it was not deposited in the bank.

Song asks his friend to look into the case -- "to see how deep the water is, so I will know from where to engage the issue". 24 million yuan is the claimed loss, but they only gave Su Chun 5,000 yuan a month in wages. The annual income of the entire output of the company is only 35 million. The company is a ship-building factory. Song’s friend tell him that if he is unfriendly with the man, he can help Su Chun get a light sentence; if he is friendly with the man, he will have to use his guanxi to get the company to withdraw its case. Since no indictment has been made, this will end the case and the involvement of the police.

Haiping goes to her lawyer but he says that the case has been taken over by one of the best lawyers in the city. Haiping is puzzled and calls Haizao. Haizao knows nothing about it.

Mark claims that he helped Haiping. She is very happy.

Su Chun is released from jail. He is at home waiting from Haiping, who is walking home with Mark. Haiping is ecstatic to see Su Chun when she arrives home.

As Secretary Song and the lawyer are leaving, someone is taking photos from the second floor.

Song meets with the right hand man of the ship building factory boss. He asks to have the case ended. The man agrees, but says there will be questions from above and the law may still move forward without them. He then leaves.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 23

2010-04-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Haiping waits in the office. She meets the manager and asks if something happened to Su Chun. He says yes, and that Su Chun is suspected of selling company secrets.

Su Chun has been arrested and is in jail. Haiping goes to the police station. The officer says they are interrogating Su Chun and that Haiping should get a lawyer.

Haiping calls Haizao, who is back at her company. They search the newspaper and online for a lawyer. Haizao calls Young Bei, whose friend knows a lawyer that has experience with economic cases.

Grandma Li's son says he can't live any longer in the house. He wants to take the few hundred thousand yuan and live out his life. Grandma Li admonishes him, and says that in the 1980s, someone with 10,000 yuan was well-off. But now it is nothing. The son’s wife agrees: "We must get an apartment -- they keep their value".

The lawyer tells Haiping that the case involves over 10 million yuan so there is a possibility of more than 3 years in jail. She goes to try and raise 100,000 yuan for bail money. She calls Haizao; Haizao has the money.

The police call and ask Haiping to come to the station for questioning.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 22

2010-04-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

*Apologies for not posting but my access has been limited*

Secretary Song's wife proposes divorce. He rejects her offer. She sobs.

Haizao says to Young Bei that they should break up. They both cry.

The scene changes to Song's wife crying. Song, like Young Bei, asks for forgiveness.

Secretary Song and Boss Chen go to visit Grandma Li. Song introduces himself as the developer of the property. Grandma Li sizes him up and says he is not a developer, but a government official. He smells not of money but of power.

Haiping gets another job teaching a foreign student after her Japanese student scores very highly on a test. She happily tells Su Chun.

Haizao and Young Bei are still together and happy.

Secretary Song is at dinner with two others (they are eating at South Beauty 俏江南, a relatively expensive restaurant in Shanghai). The larger one asks the other if the price of real estate in Jiangzhou (Shanghai) will still increase. "It will". "I am silly for asking. This land was bought by you, and the housing was built by one. Half of the city belongs to you. Of course you hope prices increase". Song says he is poor and never cares if prices increase or not. The large man replies that buying property is way to stave off inflation.

Song: "That will be difficult (to stave off inflation by buying property). The price of real estate is the result of governmental factors. Look at Jiangzhou (Shanghai). Every day hot money is flowing into the city. Then look at the area of Xujiawan (an obvious reference to Xujiahui area of Shanghai): how many new banks appear there every day, and how much stored in them is from outside? And this is only what you can see. There is more that you cannot see. If one day all this money leaves, ha! Look at Tokyo and Seoul. It's been over a decade and they haven't recovered. If at that time you apartment is still valuable and worth a lot, there will be no ordinary people who can afford it. No one will take it off your hands. And you will have to pay property tax and other assorted taxes. Perhaps in the end your asset will become a burden (资产变成负担)."

Will there be a property tax? There must be, to police you heartless rich people.

The other man says he has three parcels of land that he is sitting on. If he develops them early and sells them, he will miss out on profits. Song says that making some profit is better than losing money. They drink.

Haizao goes to her company to quit her job. Boss Chen tells her to wait and talk with him, then he calls Secretary Song. Song is in an important meeting, but he leaves. He meets Haizao as she is walking out of the company, takes her things, and leads her away to talk. She cries.

A triple screen appears: in the bottom left, Haizao and Song are together; above that, Young Bei skips happily into work; and to the right is Song's wife and daughter walking along the street. As Haizao gets into the car with Song, the other two screens fade out and the remaining one enlarges. Song drives off.

Haizao and Song have coffee. He gets a call and must leave. As he is leaving, his photo is taken.

[Funny note: when Haizao is sitting at the coffee table, she gets a text message. She opens her phone and it is branded "Coogle" -- with a C instead of a G. A clear instance of shanzhai (see my earlier post from last year).]

That night, Su Chun does not return home. Haiping is very nervous and goes to his workplace but does not find him.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 21

2010-03-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

A new house -- a large, multi-family one, similar to the one from the longtang -- appears and Haiping and Su Chun are living there now. Haiping is trying to find a job but is unsuccessful. Su Chun suggests that instead of studying for three years Haiping should open an online store and sell things from her home.

In a club, Boss Chen and Secretary Song are sitting and drinking wine. Song tells Chen to continue paying Haizao her salary, even though she doesn't come to work, until she quits.

Haiping calls Secretary Song and asks to meet him. He agrees.

Interesting moment in a coffee shop: Song's wife and her friend are out to enjoy themselves a little. Song's wife asks for a drink menu but is told that there isn't one, and that they must order from the counter. The friend says: "For once we go out for some pizazz and we suddenly we are like peasants entering the city" [i.e. they don't know how to behave or the procedures for things]. Song's wife is spending money and treating herself because of Song's affair. Her friend tells her to divorce, but Song's wife says that is not a possibility, since she is over 40, not beautiful, and divorced so no one will want her. They rush off the pick up their children for extra classes.

Haiping returns the visa card and house key to Secretary Song. He leaves.

Young Bei says he and Haizao should get married. Haizao tells Haiping, who says she shouldn't get married just to make up for mistakes in the past.

The investigation team discovers that the apartment Haiping and Su Chun were living in, and the villa where Song and Haizao had trysts, are owned by the same person: Boss Chen. The team says Chen has no background, so there is suspicion about him. They plan to investigate all the projects of his company.

Boss Chen calls Song and says the dingzi hu are more difficult to move than Mount Tai. Chen goes to Song's office. Song has looked into the background of Grandma Li: her grandfather owned the street that they are demolishing but then his relatives moved in from the countryside and didn't return the housing after [1949] Liberation. Song says he will go meet her.

Haizao tells Young Bei they should wait to get married and he is infuriated, chasing her into the bathroom. Then he apologizes.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 20

2010-03-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

Haiping is arguing with Su Chun about her argument with her Japanese students mother. Su Chun says, "You are really someone who likes to eat salty turnips and worries about blandness (咸吃萝卜淡操心) [salty and bland are antonyms, so the phrase is binary contradiction between "salty people" and "bland people"; it means someone who sticks their noses into things that don't concern them and that they don’t really understand]." Su Chun says they have enough money for the end of the year, but when it comes time to pay back their loan, it will be tough (悬).

Young Bei forgives Haizao and agrees to get back together with her. While he is speaking, the doll that Secretary Song gave Haizao is in the background.

Haizao asks Haiping to return a platinum Visa card to Secretary Song. Haizao is afraid to meet him, so Haiping says that Haizao's feelings for Song are still strong.

Haiping tells her mother to take Ran Ran and go back home since she will have to move out (the apartment was given to her to use by Song's friend). Haizao also wants to move.

Haiping stands in front of Hanyu Property (a intermediary real estate company). She looks at papers and through the window at properties posted. She looks melancholy.

Young Bei is cold to Haizao. She remembers their good times together and is sad.

Ran Ran tells Haiping that she doesn't want to separate from her.

One Month Later

Young Bei and Haizao are moving into a new apartment. Later, after losing a computer game, Young Bei smashes his mouse. Haizao asks him what is wrong. He stares at her then grabs her, throwing her on the bed, then chasing her down the hall and strangling her. He screams in anguish.

Haizai is in bed, with her clothes tossed on the floor. She looks hurt, physically and emotionally. Her neck is bruised and she attempts to hide it by applying cream.

Narrator: "Now, the one who is depressed is Haizao."

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 19

2010-03-24T00:02:00.000-07:00

Secretary Song picks up Haizao and is followed by a Taxi. He drags her up the stairs of his villa with her fighting him. Haizao screams for Song to release her. He says, "You have a lover, you want to get married. Playing a game (逢场作戏), I will do it to you in spite." Song rips off her clothes. Haizao sobs, "Why did she [Song's wife] have to talk to me that way?" Song holds her and says he is wrong and will always protect her.

Song and Haizao get into the car to leave. It is raining. Song turns on the headlights and Young Bei is standing in front of the car. The internal car lights are on as Haizao stares at Young Bei. Young Bei is crying; he runs off. Haizao tries to follow him but Song stops her.

Young Bei flashes back to all his happy moments with Haizao. He screams in agony.

Song takes Haizao to look for Young Bei. They go to Haiping's apartment and bang on the door, waking Haiping and Su Chun. Song drops Haizao off and says anything should be left for the next day.

Haizao tells Haiping, who talks to Su Chun. Both Haiping and Su Chun ask, "Did he [Young Bei] block the bed? (给堵床上了)" [appears to mean "find them in bed", netizens (in China) find this phrasing quite interesting.] Su Chun convinces Haiping not to call all Young Bei's friends and colleagues since this would let them all know that Young Bei had been disgraced, and he would have no face -- and perhaps really commit suicide.

At dawn, Young Bei is seen sitting by the banks of the Yangzi (Huangpu), staring at Lujiazui. A song about betrayal is heard. He returns home and sees Haizao. He faints.

Young Bei is sick. Haizao buys him medicine and stays with him. He says, "I am fine". Haizao packs her bags.

Coward: These Colours Don't Run

2010-03-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

More Woju, Wo Ju, 蜗居 is coming. I have done 6 episodes in last two days.

Slant: First report this morning was that Google had pulled its search site from China, instead directing users to Hong Kong Google (which is uncensored, like the USA version, which isn't blocked either).

Second, news reports from U.K. and USA reported: "Google stops censoring (i.e. quits) in China" [their search engine is gone, so they are not here anymore and hence cannot stop or start censoring].

Third, Google.com is blocked in China (around 5 pm in Shanghai). I think it is the end.

It is not. An hour later, back to usual.

Fourth, Bush or Obama, united we stand. And we don't stand down. Google is a coward. A little insurrection and the punch bowl is tipped? Very "French", Google. My distaste is visceral. So arrogant, so correct. Is there not a republic in China? Is there no sympathy for Internet geeks who love Google in China (not "white collars and professionals" as Western market research and Keith Bradsher and David Barboza (new and old China hacks) would have it).

I just lost a bet that American society was more fair. Nevertheless, despite Google, our colors don't run.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 18

2010-03-12T05:38:00.000-08:00

The scene continues from the last episode with Haizao's phone ringing while she is in the shower. It is Young Bei and Secretary Song answers it. He hands the phone to Haizao, who is lying in the tub. Haizao says she is alone, not knowing that Song had answered. A firecracker explodes overhead as Young Bei says he loves Haizao.

Song says that Haizao is his woman, that her first time was his. So he wants her to end the relationships with Young Bei. Haizao is puzzled by this [a strange fact fact about the series Woju is that Haizao sometimes has a voice, sometimes her feelings are narrated by a male]. Song: "I took your first time. But I treasure it like a pearl." Haizao holds him and says nothing.

Haizao and Secretary Song leave the hotel. The host calls the investigator and says he has found an opening: "A woman."

Boss Chen calls Secretary Song to thank him for the Red Star real estate advice -- they (in Wuxi) gave him a deal without him even travelling there. Song tells him to complete the deal with Hong Kong even if it is a loss, and wait on Red Star.

Song returns home and his wife is upset. One of Song's classmates told her about Song having a woman with him at the reunion. Song's wife cries. Song says that his relationship with the woman (Haizao) is "逢场作戏" (playing a game in a chance location, repeated twice in this episode -- the opposite of what "Fatty" told the investigator when Song and Haizao left the reunion). Song's wife says, "After so many days, you have no interest in me." She tries to pull away but Song forces himself on her -- she stares off into the distance as he is on top of her.

Song's wife comes to Haizao's office, and asks her to come outside. They go for coffee. Song's wife: "You are for appearances-sake. There will be no result. He is playing a game with you" (during this scene, Haizao's narrates her thoughts in her own voice, after last sentence violin is dramatic). Song’s wife continues: "I advise you one thing: don't use up your youth (青春) to bet on tomorrow. He will give you nothing. In the end, you will lose. I have everything: a husband who loves me, a beautiful daughter, social respect and position. I feel sorry for you. I hope when you are my age you have what I have, and not like a mouse putting away every crumb. And that after your husband knows your history, he will still treat you like his baby". Song's wife leaves.

Haiping arrives and Haizao is sobbing. As Haiping and Song's wife cross paths, someone is taking photographs.

Song confronts his wife. She tells him that Haizao is "playing a game with him" (逢场作戏, repeated for the 4th or 5th time this episode).

The investigator pastes Haiping's picture on the white board and says this is certainly not a case of "someone playing with someone" (same phrase, again). This is our opening.

Wo Ju (Woju) – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 17

2010-03-09T05:05:00.000-08:00

In the longtang, Grandma Li's electricity has gone out. They plan ways to eat and wash without water, electricity, or gas -- "no matter what, this is better when we were at war with the Japanese," comments Grandma Li.

The demolition team is hammering away at the walls. Boss Chen says he can't believe that the family (Grandma Li's) is still there. The dust will cause them to be kill: "is money more important than life" Chen asks rhetorically.

Haiping and Su Chun are happily preparing for the arrival of Ran Ran, with new clothes and a performance for her. Haiping gets up early to runs out excitedly to meet her parents and Ran Ran at the train station. She calls, and wakes up, Haizao and tells her to hurry.

Su Chun and Young Bei are at home awaiting the arrival of Haiping, Haizao, their parents and Ran Ran. They are in aprons and cooking food: "How the world has changed," says Young Bei.

Haiping wants Ran Ran to sleep with her but she refuses, and wants to sleep with her Grandma.

Grandma Li and her son are lighting candles in their house. Grandma Li says she will bring her grandson home the next day, since she is doing all this for the good of his "marriage apartment" (婚房). Later, they are looking for a bed sheet on which to write characters in order to protest the demolition. They can't find an old bed sheet in the dark so they will wait. Grandma Li remembers that there is one on top of a cabinet. She stands on a stool to reach it but falls.

Grandma Li has broken her hip and is lying in bed while outside demolition continues. Her daughter in law complains about having to bathe her with water that has to be carried in. "I wish I was dead and it was over," moans Grandma Li. No, says he son, because then they would be one less hukou so compensation for relocation would be even less. "Once we get a new apartment, then you can die".

Boss Chen asks how many families have not moved, and the answer is three. After hearing that one of the old ladies (Grandma Li) had broken her hip, and since it was near New Year, Boss Chen says they can put in a water sprout. Then Chen sees a man putting up a banner of protest and regrets feeling sorry for them.

Secretary Song walks into his office and tosses a newspaper on his desk. The title of the article reads "The Most Stubborn Nail Household" (最牛钉子户). He calls Boss Chen and tells him to come to his office immediately. Song tells Chen to arrange for the households for the new year, and that after the new year they will discuss the matter.

A new character appears (it could be the investigator). He passes out documents to a table of people and apologizes for making them work so close to the new year. He announces the official start of the special investigation team's work on a case. He unveils a white paper with photos and lines -- at the center is a picture of Secretary Song. "He is our target, Song Siming", says the lead investigator.

Next scene is of Secretary Song and his family at the airport.

Boss Chen comes to plead with Grandma Li. He says he will return home, and will lend his apartment to Grandma Li. After the new year, they can continue negotiations.

Grandma Li: "Neither gold nest nor silver nest are as nice as one's own dog nest (金窝、银窝，不如自己的狗窝, the "nest" or wo character is same as that in the title "Woju"). Chinese people don’t go to other people's home for the new year. I will stay here. Don't worry about me. Instead, think about how you can relocate us. Wouldn’t giving up one more apartment solve everything? The earlier you give it, the earlier we move." She groans.

Boss Chen leaves. Grandma Li says they can't accept his offer because it will be hard to negotiate with him in they are friends. Her grandson complains that he doesn’t want to stay in the house, and Grandma Li is angry, saying that she and her son and daughter have fought for this to help the grandson out in later life.

Secretary Song is in a massive mansion with his family, including his father. They sit down to eat.

Haizao is going to spend time with Secretary Song so Haiping insists on meeting Song. Haizao gets into the car with Song and they leave.

At the 20th reunion, one of Song's classmates says Haizao looks like someone. Later, he remembers that she looks exactly like an old college classmate “little white bunny”.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 16

2010-03-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

The scene from the end of last episode repeats, with Haiping saying she will quit. Haiping says it is all Su Chun's fault, that she has to work outside the home and be picked on by others. Su Chun says yes, she is right. But it is still a job. The old saying is still right: "If this place doesn't give milk, there is a place (for me) where milk is given" (implies that if a place does not welcome you, you have your own place that does; 此处不留奶自有留奶处). Su Chun tells her not to be angry and she laughs. Su Chun gives her another envelope that he got from drawing blueprints.

Haiping learns that she has been assigned to a desk next to the toilet, and will not be given any work. She daydreams of smashing a vase over her manager's head. She returns home crying.

Grandma Li's neighbors comes to tell her that they are leaving. She says if she could afford the amount that they are paying, she would leave to. She returns to the shikumen

The demolition team is talking and they say Grandma Li is only home left, so they should give her a little extra subsidy. Another responds that they have already given her extra, but that she wants to turn her toilet-house into a golden phoenix.

Haizao comforts Haiping. Haizao says she will take of this issue, and that Haiping should stay home.

Young Bei calls Haizao and says the Haiping should just take it, and not let it interfere with her new year. Haizao hangs up on him. Secretary Song then calls, and instructs Haizao to tell him the whole situation so he can help her analyze it. She tells him about Haiping's company will not give her the several thousand yuan in bonus that is owed her. He laughs and says it is not worth. Haizao is upset, so Song says that Haiping should go to a hospital and have them write out a diagnosis for an illness that will require her to stay away from work for two months. The company would not dare to not pay her the money with this. She can also charge the company for massive medical bills.

The next scene is Haiping walking into the manager's office with her medical certifications and dropping them on the manager's desk. She says he should remember to let her know when bonuses are ready (he can't fire her while she is on sick leave).

Song's wife complains that he doesn't spend any money on housing, on furnishings, or on clothes. He says they have to be careful because of his position. His wife reminds him that their daughter's grades are poor, and he says he knows and has thought about it.

In bed, Song's wife says that Boss Chen has again given money to Song's brother, and he doesn't know what to do with it. Song says he will call him the next day. After they turn out the light, Song's wife says it has been 1-2 months since they have done it. Song says he is tired, and next time she should make an appointment. Perhaps Saturday? You are not a specialist doctor, just forget it.

Haiping is happy that Haizao helped her. They talk about the arrangement with Song will not last long. Then, Haiping gets a call from her manager to come in to you. She goes in, and they pay her the money, so she signs the agreement to quit.

Boss Chen comes to visit Secretary Song. Song tells him to come back on the eight day after new year because there is a Hong Kong businessman who will be in town. Chen asks about the benefits. Song says that you can't always be worried about the benefits. Sometimes when you do ten things right, the other nine have no big reward, but the one will be enough for you to live off for the rest of your life.

Haiping tells Su Chun that on Sunday she and Haizao will go to the train station to pick up her parents and Ran Ran. So he and Young Bei will have to make dinner. Su Chun is upset that he will have to lie to Young Bei about Haizao, but Haiping tells him to get over it.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 15

2010-03-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

Haizao, Boss Chen, and Secretary Song leave the restaurant. Boss Chen drives them back.

Haiping gets a new student -- the son of a Japanese woman living in Mark's building. Back at home, Su Chun arrives and gives Haiping an envelope of money that he earned from creating a blueprint for a Fujian person he meet in a work meeting. Haiping stays up late preparing to teach the child.

The demolition crew comes to talk to Grandma Li. They say that the demolition will start, and dust will be everywhere, so she should worry about getting ill. Grandmi Li says it is not that she doesn't want to move, but that they are no giving her a place to move to. "If I had in my hands a three bedroom, one living room apartment, I would run from here faster than you. You give me an apartment, but I don't have the money to pay for it; you give me money, but I can't afford to buy an apartment. What can I do?" She laughs as the director of the residents committee leaves in disgust.

We meet two new people in a large office. They are both wearing suits. The one behind the desk is older, and he is reading a report from the younger one. They are talking about the shikumen that Grandma Li and formerly Haiping and Su Chun lived in, and how it was sold at such a low price to the real estate company owned by Boss Zhang. The older man orders the younger man to start an investigation, but to keep it secret until there is enough proof.

Haiping is declines to work overtime to her boss, again, for the umpteenth time, saying she must go home to make food for her sister (actually she is teaching). Her boss is unhappy, and says you can't hire 30 year old women, since they are busy with their lives and should stay at home.

Haiping returns to the office after the Chinese lesson with the Japanese child, who knows very little reading and writing. She works until late, and there are no more buses. So she decides to stay at the office. After Su Chun tells her she must return, despite the 50 yuan fee for a taxi, she goes back home.

Haiping tries to give 10,000 yuan to Haizao to pay back the loan, but she refuses. Su Chun comes in and says there is a property management fee of 2,200 yuan that must be paid that month. Haizao says Haiping should stay in the apartment and pay the property management fee with the money she is trying to return.

Someone (possible the young investigator) meets with a man and tells him to have classmate reunion. Next, the man appears at Secretary Song's workplace and tells him the classmate reunion in the new year will be at a resort in the countryside, and that Song should bring a partner since everyone else is divorced and they all bring someone (Song always "attends the meeting with a single knife", 单刀赴会). He agrees.

Haizao gets a call from Secretary Song who says he has two hours and he wants her. Afterwards, Song is getting dressed and Haizao asks about the 2,200 yuan fee for property management, and if her parents and Ran Ran can live in the apartment for new year's. Song says the fees will be paid, and that it is fine for the parents to come, but he needs Haizao to come with him to the countryside for 3 days during new year. She agrees.

Haiping gets in another fight with her manager about coming in on Saturday, especially so close to new year. She says she does all her work in the allotted time, and this is a socialist country, she will complain to the Women's Federation. The Japanese boss says the manager should put her in the back and not give her any work.

Haiping comes home to Su Chun and she wants to quit.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 14

2010-03-01T23:57:00.000-08:00

City scenes of Xujiahui, one of the largest and most peopled shopping areas in Shanghai. Haizao is browsing in what appears to be Ganghui (Grand Gateway, the most luxurious mall in the area). She buys underwear and coats without thinking. She exits from Pacific Department Store and hops into a taxi.

Haizao visits Haiping and gives her a coat and clothes. Haiping asks who Mr. Song is, and Haizao tells her the truth. Haizao says she is young, and has time for passion and to devour. She doesn't envy Haiping. Haiping lectures her on not being alone when she is old, and that she will meet with misfortune.

Haizao is going to Suzhou to solve a problem with a project. A mistake (on the part of Haizao's company) near the end of the project has caused the client to not pay, and say that they will sue. Boss Chen has confiscated their keys and does not want to meet them for the moment. Haizao's duty is to meet with them and see if she can make progress.

Haizao arrives in Suzhou. She walks around the city and has a meal by herself. When she returns to her hotel, Secretary Song calls her and they flirt over the phone. While she is on the phone, there is a knock at the door. It is Song, but he pretends to abduct her so she screams "help".

The next morning Song sees the new clothes that Haizao has bought and is pleased. He "clothes have a price but youth is priceless". He sees that Haizao will leave so he says he will go with her, since this "bumpkin lass" (小丫头) will never get anything done.

In the meeting room of "Red Star Properties": The man throws done the project packet, "This is what your company has done. Tell your boss I am tearing down the building and finding someone else to redo it." Haizao asks what they can do to solve the problem. "Your behavior is that of a dishonest company (奸商), a fraud. Your company has damaged our reputation and credibility. You want to know what I want? Demolish the entire building and rebuild it." Haizao points out that the interior decoration of the building is already complete, so it doesn't make sense to demolish everything. [We see that Secretary Song is sitting next to Haizao]. The female member of red star speaks, "Who asked you to do this? You think because you get everything done in a hurry we will not object? We will not allow this type of dishonest company behavior. Tell your boss we will see him in court." Song says they will talk to the boss and return in the afternoon.

Song analyzes the project documents. He says that most of the problems are not major, "the demolition of the railing, pollution, surrounding environment, the lack of greenery by 0.1%, verticality off by 0.3% -- these errors are all within acceptable limits. But you are vulnerable on one point, and that is that your boss arbitrarily made the top of the building flat. That is completed different from the blueprint."

Haizao: "Yes. Boss Chen said that he talked to their boss about this and he agreed. They even went out drinking afterwards. But that boss left the company and the new boss has pointed at this as a major problem." Song: "The problem is not major. Money can solve this problem."

Haizao: "But we have sent many people to them to negotiate a monetary settlement, but they will not talk about money. They say we have affected their reputation, and there is irreparable damage that has been done. So we can't make progress on this."

Song asks if Haizao's knows the boss of the company. She gives him the materials, saying that their corporation is very large. Song chuckles as he looks at the materials on the boss. Song says he must go outside and make a phone call. He then takes Haizao to take some photos at scenic areas.

Haizao says: I am on a business trip, not travel. What will I say to Boss Chen. "I am here, what are you afraid of?" says Song [premonition: what will happen if Song is not there? Will Haizao be fired?]

Haiping's boss asks her to put in overtime again, but she says she can't on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, because she is taking classes to catch up with the new waves of college graduates. We learn her company is a Japan-invested enterprise.

Young Bei calls to tell Haizao that he thinks Haiping has another man. He says he loves her.

The next morning. Haizao and Secretary Song are sitting in the room. Song gets a call. He asks how much, then says no problem. He hangs up and tells Haizao to call Boss Chen and tell him to bring the keys in the afternoon. Haizao says they are still owed 2 million yuan. She calls Boss Chen, and Song takes the phone from her. He tells Boss Chen to take the settlement, against Boss Chen's objections. Song instructs him to finish the deal. He adds that Boss Chen shouldn't be rude to his woman (meaning Haizao).

Haizao thanks Song for his help (by saying she likes his thingy). He tells her that everything can be negotiated in this world. The crux is to find the key that unlocks the door to communication between two parties. But he is not a businessman. Businessmen exchange goods for money, and money for goods. It is a one-way street. He is an overpass. He tells Haizao just to be happy. As for the rest, he will take care of it.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 13

2010-03-01T04:51:00.000-08:00

The same scene is repeated. Haiping is furious with Haizao for accepting this much help, and from a man. If Young Bei knew. Haizao says she isn't married to Young Bei, and he is just an ordinary friend. Haiping tells her to treasure love. Haizao asks Haiping if she treasures her feelings with Su Chun, and if this is the life she wanted. Haiping is flustered, and Haizao leaves her and key and storms out.

The apartment is in a beautiful xiaoqu apartment complex. There is green grass, art sculptures, and a playground. The buildings are very tall. Haiping and Su Chun wonder around amazed. The apartment is gorgeous, with wood flooring and finishing, as well as vases and flowers. Su Chun comments that the apartment is worth 5 million yuan.

Su Chun is uneasy about living in someone else's apartment, but Haiping says she has no choice but to accept Haizao's gift. She also wants to invite her parents and Ran Ran to visit for two days. There is a warm-water swimming pool, library, and entertainment area, so Ran Ran won't break things in the apartment. We will move after Spring Festival, after New Year's we move out.

Secretary Song playfully chases Haizao up the stairs. Then seductively undresses while looking at Secertary Song. Song grins. Haizao's life is irregular, and can be described by the title of a book: "Half is Ocean, Half is Flame" [A famous novel by author Wang Shuo, Chinese name is 《一半是海水一半是火焰》, English name given to movie is "Ocean Flame". It was been made into a movie in1989, with significant influence. You can watch here in Chinese. Please note this links works today, and is understood to be legitimate as posted on Youku. I will not update the link if it goes bad -- Trans.] Song would sometimes not call her for a long time, then suddenly say passionate things.

The screen breaks into three, as happened in an earlier episode. The right screen continues Haizao's strip tease, and her naked finger beckons Song. The left side is Young Bei working hard to prepare a meal, and below that Song's wife opening a safe and putting money in it.

Haizao liked getting love without putting anything into it. Young Bei would always be love with too many feelings.

A sultry maiden in a club bar one day, and cooking in the kitchen the next, she felt a double personality like Gregory Peck as Dr. Edward [reference to Albert Hitchcock's Spellbound]. Before, she found it difficult to be a slut; but now, she and Secretary Song had solidified their roles. Scene is of Song passionately kissing her neck.

A scene in Song's house. First, he objects his wife not closing the bathroom door as she sits on the toiler. The next morning, she asks him to help her with a girdle; "you are not a 20 year old; growing old together, neither one notices," comments Song. That night, he tries to be amorous, but as he kisses his wife, she remembers that Ting Ting, their daughter, has an exam the next morning and she doesn’t know where she put the booklet. Song sleeps.

Song gives Haizao money for clothes and she takes it.

Su Chun and Haiping are moving. Su Chun wants to throw everything away but Haiping says everything costs money, and there are sentimental things too -- like the underwear she wore to visit Ran Ran -- that she wants to save.

Haizao and Young Bei go to Yonghe Soybean Milk to eat. [This is a popular chain restaurant, and given the attention to detail of the place, it is most likely a product placement]. Their food has just arrived and a child yells that they are almost done. Her mother comes over and stands behind Young Bei -- it is Secretary Song's wife, and daughter Ting Ting. Haizao and Young Bei look at each other. Then Secretary Song comes over. Haizao pulls Young Bei away and they leave quickly.

Haiping gets paid by Mark for all her help in teaching him. She is happy with a big envelop full of money. She learns that Mark is friends with Song, a man she doesn't know.

Haiping and Su Chun will move on Saturday.

Secretary Song asks for a weekend with Haizao, but she says she must go to Wuxi on business, and that Song should spend his time with his wife and child. Song then calls Boss Chen and asks where Haizao is staying in Wuxi.

As Haizao is getting ready to leave the office, she notices the envelope of money that Song gave her. It is almost exactly the same as the envelope that Haiping got from mark [symbolically]. She can't deposit it, otherwise Young Bei will know. She was going to return it to Song, but after seeing him with his wife and child, she wants some revenge. The best solution: Spend it as quickly as possible.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 12

2010-02-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

Young Bei gleefully comes home and takes off his pants and turns off the light. Haizao says she is reading, and spurns him. She feels grimy like a toothbrush that had been used by two people. Haizao is reading a book called Hearbeat, by Nora Ephron [There is no such book in English or Chinese. However the title, 《心动》, is the title of a work of fiction by author Hai Cheng. Perhaps the connection is there. Also, the Chinese characters used to write "Ephron" are different from the typical way: compare 伊弗龙 and 艾佛朗 as very similar transliterations of Ephron; the one used in "Wo Ju" (i.e. the latter) is more typical of "Efron"; the name Nora is the same in both. Might just be error.]. Young Bei sleeps and Haizao flashes back to Secretary Song kissing her on the floor. [From the language, she was clearly not a virgin before her encounter/rape by Song, so the blood came from his violence].

Su Chun returns home and finds the 60,000 yuan. He thinks it is not right and Haiping should ask Haizao about where she borrowed. Haiping says that not everyone is like him with poor friends.

Su Chun wants to return the money, but his colleague is unhappy since they had an agreement.

Haiping picks out a special outfit and goes to meet the foreigner. "Delicious, food, money". They only speak English. The foreigner's name is Mark, a (white) American with a beard [he is a news presenter from CCTV channel 9, and speaks Chinese with a thick accent]. Haiping claims to have learned new English phrases.

Haizao flashes back to Secretary Song again, but this time she remembers him saying that he wants to help her, that he cares about her. Does she want call him to thank him for her sister, or for her own reasons. Haizao accepts Song's invitation to meet the next night.

Haizao is walking on the street with Young Bei, thinking about how Haiping is getting kicked out of her apartment for demolition. She says she will go to an intermediary, 中介 [there are literally thousands of these in Shanghai, and they compete fiercely, even violently, for business. Their front windows are papered with ads for sale and rent in the nearby area]. Standing in front of a window for an intermediary, they see signs for 1800, 2000, and 2500 yuan per month. Too expensive. They leave.

Secretary Song doesn't call Haizao, but eventually he does. He tells her to come to his office, since he needs to finish something right away. She arrives and tells him about Haiping not having a place to live, and looking for rentals. Song says that the area they are looking in is too far from Mark, the foreigner, so there will be no bus at night. Song offers to lend an apartment to Haiping for a short period, and he hands her the key. Song says: "Of course, you don’t get love with money, but many of the roads that lead to love are material."

Song takes Haizao to a restaurant that looks like someone's house. It has no sign on the door, and customers are only people have been introduced to it. The food is extravagant, and Haizao loves it. She says it is the first time she has even gotten full at the banquet table.

In a different scene, Su Chun's colleague returns the money to his aunt, who stares at the envelope since it has a small, strange drawing on it [remember, the money came from Haizao, who got it from Secretary Song. Foreshadowing dire events, no doubt].

Haizao leaves the restaurant with Secretary Song and says "Goodnight [in English]". He grabs her forcefully by the wrist and says her night is too short, and his is just starting. He drives to the place he took her before, a private townhouse residence. She feels trapped and unable to flee. He takes her to the bedroom and takes off her clothes. He asks her to look at him but Haizao refuses.

Secretary Song returns home. It turns out his wife is the aunt of Su Chun's colleague. She says the mark on the envelope was one that she drew herself. Song says the world is small.

The scene changes back to Grandma Li in the longtang. They are talking about the grandson who never comes back to visit. Grandma Li says, "the entire hopes of this family in this house. In the rest of our lives, will we drink water or drink soup? We’ll what comes of this gamble."

The episode ends with Haizao giving Haiping the key to the apartment of Secretary Song's friend.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 11

2010-02-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

Haiping pulls out a book and dusts it off -- it is an book on English.

Haizao gets call from Secretary Song, who says the English lessons will start next month. Haizao tries to invite Song out on Christmas Eve, but he says he doesn't celebrate, and is busy.

Haizao tries to get Young Bei to go with her to a movie on Christmas Eve, but he prefers to buy counterfeit and watch it in bed. She rejects his ideas and says she will visit her sister, Haiping.

Haizao surprises Haiping, who is studying English. Haiping has nothing to eat except dried and instant noodles, so Haizao criticizes her for endangering her health. Su Chun is not there, and they are still apart. Haizao is wearing a fashionable scarf while Haiping is wearing a jacket from the planned economy days.

Secretary Song and Developer Zhang are having wine in a club with jazz playing in the background. Zhang says that he did as Song asked with the riverside project: he built a wall and left it there. It can't sit for longer than 3 years, but the plot ratio is too high for villas, so he doesn’t know what to do with it. Song says that the city government has a new plan: they want to use the experience of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) to build a culture and travel industry development area. Song: "That area of land that, you say, is only slightly larger than a sesame seed, is next to the center of this area. There will be a library and a theater. I think it would be very appropriate to develop high-rise luxury apartments. I will help you think of a way to figure out how to solve the problem of height. If I can get them to construct a TV tower there, I can make your project part of the overall plan, so it won’t be restricted by the regulations for apartments next to the river." Song is the Zhuge Liang of the real industry (地产界的诸葛亮, Zhuge Liang is a hero from one of the four great novels of China's history, Three Kingdoms. See Wikipedia entry on Zhuge here).

Song replies: "Get the project in the shikumen done well, and now [Shikumen are another type of old housing in Shanghai. Here are some old pictures of them by Liao Yusheng. The "Xintiandi" area in Shanghai, developed by Hong Kong's Shui On real estate, and exorbitantly expensive, has a museum to Shikumen]". Song tells Developer Zhang that if he doesn't get that old city-center project done, Song can't speak for him on the riverside project.

Developer Zhang: "You only see me eat meat, not being beaten. Real estate does have high profit. But if things go awry, I have nothing. That area looks like the fat on the bone, but it isn't: everyone wants to get a taste. The rich fear the poor; the poor fear those who care less whether they live or die. As for me, I am the donkey in Guizhou without any tricks left [good explanation of this idiom, 黔驴技穷, here].

Song tells him he must find a way. In the Asian financial crisis, some developers were left out in the cold.

Developer Zhang retorts there is a cycle. In those days, Zhongcheng Plaza was bankrupt, but in 2002 it was bought and developed [this is a fascinating story of real estate. Read about some of the malfeasance and history from an investigate report by Caijing here]. In the hands of an expert, there is no such thing as a "rotted-tail building" [i.e. a building that is started but not finished, 烂尾楼].

Secretary Song: Don't forget, Zhongcheng Plaza in 2002 is still Zhongcheng Plaza. But the owner is not the same. It's just like the Titanic. A ship sinks, you can rebuild it and copy it. And the story can become a legend. But the people that died, they have long ago become food for fish and shrimp.

Song drives to Haizao's apartment in his Range Rover [do not know if product placement]. Haizao knew from the day she walked into Song's office and asked to borrow money that she could not repay that there would be this moment (when Song takes her away). It would happen sooner or later, and she was not scared or nervous. Nothing is said.

Song is on top of Haizao. She struggles, protesting. They are on the floor. Song tries to open her coat. They stare at each other. Song uses his hand to close her eyes. He opens her coat and unbuttons her blouse. Her hand falls limply to the floor.

Song increases his speed as he mounts her. The shot breaks into three, showing Song's wife, Young Bei, and Song-Haizao. Young Bei is trying to call and Song’s wife clears the table.

The shot becomes two, showing only Song's wife clearing the table and Young Bei calling and looking at his watch. Song's wife goes into her daughter's room and tells her to get offline. She makes a call from her daughter's room. [fade black]

[fade in to flowers]. Haizao is staring outside, getting dressed. The shower is on in the background. She puts on her scarf and clutches it.

Song drives her home. When they arrive, Haizao looks at him, but he looks at the door, so she flees the car. Narrator: "Song had now sobered up. He felt shameful. Because of the liquor, he had exposed his old body on top of a pearly, transparent girl. He likes her. So why, because he likes her, he must have her?"

Haizao runs into her apartment and starts the shower. Young Bei comes and knocks at the door. Haizao says, her cellphone ran out of battery. And that her period came. Young Bei brings sanitary napkins, underwear, and her pajamas. She takes them, crying. Young Bei knows that Haizao's period has come early, and asks if she has cramps.

"I am certifiable, I am certifiable, I am certifiable. A man so tender... How could I do this to him?"

Haizao is sick. "It must be from the cold. It is chilly, and my clandestine affair happened on the floor. God is punishing me, since I owe him."

Secretary Song goes to get his cellphone the next morning and finds blood on the passenger’s seat. He has done this to Haizao [She was a virgin? Not impossible, but not clear at this point -- Trans.]. Last night, he committed a true mistake, or the truth of what a mistake is. Writing his name on a blank sheet. She is the first women who belongs to me. Completely. To the core. [Seems to be his (and the narrator’s) thinking].

Song calls Haizao, but Young Bei answers. After Young Bei identifies himself, Song says he is "Secretary Song of the Municipal Committee". "Sorry (what) Nothing, I bothered you".

Song comes to Haizao bringing fruit and medicine. She refuses him. He thought she was confused between acceptance and refusal, but now she is headstrong. Haizao knows Young Bei will know one day.

Song has been rejected by Haizao again, what can he do?

Su Chun returns home to find Haiping studying English. He jokes about her becoming a graduate student. He wants to say that he opposes her teaching a foreigner, but doesn't want to start a fight.

Boss Chen brings Haizao a packet from Secretary Song. In it, is 60,000 yuan. Haizao is relieved. It is not like borrowing in the past, when it felt like a stone on her back. Now, it seems deserved.

Haizao gives the 60,000 to Haiping. Seeing her sister so relieved, Haizao feels her body is clean.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 10

2010-02-23T06:51:00.000-08:00

Haiping is talking about how everything is for the child. "We are not peasants. We graduated from university. We are city people. City people should live by city. You can ensure a little more bitterness, a little more exhaustion, in order to provide things for the child." Haiping says that marriage is a tomb, and the longer it goes on the more you dig. But she will not divorce Su Chun, because she can't. She has nowhere to live. Even with more arguments, more cursing, more hitting, she can't divorce with no place to live. If, one day, she makes it, she will leave him in less than a minute.

Su Chun arrives at Haizao's apartment as Haiping decides to go home.

Haizao runs back to her apartment. She tells Young Bei that she wants his money to pay back the loan. Young Bei sits down, with the doll given to Haizao from Secretary Song noticeable on the table behind him. Young Bei refuses to give the money. Haizao is upset, and wants to leave. Young Bei races after her and forcibly grabs her, not allowing her to leave. She thinks, "He is right. Where can I go in the city?"

Haizao goes to Secretary Song's office. She asks Song to borrow money, and feels ashamed since she stood defiantly only a short time before and paid money back, and now is begging for it again. Song’s only demand is that she tell him why she needs the money. Song holds Haizao's hand as she cries.

They go to a private club, where someone named Mr. Liang has left word to treat Song well. Haizao explains the situation. She talks about how Haiping, 7 years older than her, always taken care of her. She brings up the "tomb". Song asks her what Haiping's tomb is. Haizao responds that her tomb is her apartment. Song smiles. After a discussion about family values and the importance of money, Song is astonished to learn that Haizao only need 60,000. He promises to lend it to her whenever she wants it.

On the ride back to Song's office, Song suggests that Haiping teach Chinese to Song's foreign friend. Haizao says that Haiping has forgotten all her English. If they are together, it will be like "a chicken talking to a duck" (鸡同鸭讲, implying incommensurability). They laugh.

Haizao goes to Haiping's apartment to ask her about being a Chinese teacher. Haizao overhears a massive argument about Su Chun losing 1 yuan because of a machine malfunction at the market. Su Chun says "I want to divorce you!" and storms out. Haizao comforts Haiping, who agrees to be a Chinese teacher for foreigner.

Haizao returns home and Young Bei comes home after her to celebrate. He brings a reed that only cost 1 yuan. Haizao thinks about the significance of 1 yuan in life. Young Bei says, "Come eat, little piggy. There is meat". Narrator: "This is Haizao's future. There will be meat".

Young Bei was happy with meat. Haizao wanted more. A happy life is: one mu of land, two heads of cattle, and the wife and kids in a warm bed (a saying: 一亩土地，两头牛，老婆，孩子，热炕头). But you first have to have land and cattle, then you get a wife, then you have children. No one says: the wife and kids in a warm bed, then one mu of land and two heads of cattle. Even old peasants know this. Haizao laughs at herself in thinking of this after only seeing the beef that Young Bei brought home.

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 9

2010-02-21T06:55:00.000-08:00

Haizao comes to visit Secretary Song to give him an envelope from Boss Chen. She sees the doll, called "Dream Journey Baby" (梦游娃娃, again unknown if this is product placement; apparently, the dolls are from Japan and designed by Yoshitomo Nara, a Japanese pop artist). [Note: Haizao knows that this doll is a work from Yoshitomo Nara, something I wish I knew before I spent 15 minutes trying to look up the product -- Trans.] [Note2: Haizao explains (since Song asks) that Yoshitomo Nara is very cool, a Japanese cartoon designer and painter, also very good looking, and the products he designs are very "Q" (cute). I am feel very 土, un-Q]. Song gives Haizao the doll and she leaves.

Their argument over, Haiping and Su Chun make up. She is happy, because she bought a lottery ticket, and will soon become a millionaire. Su Chun says she is acting like "the little people of the town (市井小民)". Haiping says when she hits the jackpot and takes home 5 million yuan, she will buy a 200 square meter apartment in the city center. Su Chun says she is dreaming. Thom--something, their apartments (Thomson golf, mentioned in earlier episode), the ones next to the river, are 110,000 yuan per square meter. With you 5 million, you can only buy a kitchen. Haiping says those apartments are a ruse (噱头). She paid 10 yuan for the lottery tickets and Su Chun is a little exasperated since she won't buy vegetables or let him smoke because of the cost. She says she is buying hope, and that she will win.

Grandma Li is sleeping in the longtang alley. Her son sneaks past her, looking like he has been roughed up. He reveals to his wife that he was beaten by a mother whose child was in the game room and brought a bunch of people with her. Grandma Li eventually discovers what happened and says that they will get 1 million yuan. The demolition and relocation people came to see her again and she cursed them. She says they must give her a 2 bedroom, 1 living room apartment, or she will make sure they never demolish the area.

Haiping doesn't win the lottery, so she is depressed. She vows to continue buying. Su Chun rues the noodles that he must continue to consume.

Haiping loses again, even with the numbers she dreamed of. Su Chun makes dinner.

Boss Chen visits Secretary Song in his office. Chen says the work of relocating people is a big pain. He calls then diaomin, "crafty people" 刁民. Chen has tried threatening, cozying up, and ignoring, but whatever he tries, they don't move an inch. Song replies: "Profit will never be at the maximum. If you pursue the absolute maximum profit, you will close off your own road. You should work for a reasonable profit. Give the troublesome people a little more, and you won't mess up the entire situation". Chen says you can't exchange a chamber pot for an apartment -- it is infuriating. Song continues: "You are in a hurry, they are not. What is important is the overall situation (daju, 大局). Do you play Chinese chess (围棋)? In the game, you try to win by allowing small battles to be lost, if necessary. The earlier this is done, the earlier apartments can be sold. Tell this to Executive Zhang and Executive Xu. There may be some controlling measures that are issued from above. The future is uncertain, and it might have a negative impact on Jiangzhou (Shanghai). I don't want that to happen, since this area is covered with my own blood [he means the projects and apartments all involve him and his people]. Don't haggle with these ordinary people". Boss Chen leaves.

Haiping is very happy as she walks out of the apartment sales office. She is talking about decorating the apartment and buying furniture. Su Chun reveals that he didn't ask his mother for the 60,000, but instead borrowed a high-interest loan (he hints that the rate is 10%). Haiping hits him, cries, and walks off.

The narrator speaks as Haiping wanders the city: a hole has been ripped in her soul.

Haiping goes to Haizao's house in tears: "I am going to divorce [Su Chun]". Haizao learns of the loan and promises Young Bei's money plus her own to pay it back. Haiping is sobbing. Haizao says, "this is what blood relatives do for each other".

Young Bei takes Su Chun back to Su Chun's apartment to talk. Young Bei says he though it was absurd that Su Chun and Haiping were buying an apartment, with the prices so high. "Why not rent a big apartment for 2,000 yuan a month?" Su Chun replies, "Not only is that practical but it is reasonable. The practical situation is that: no matter how high the price of apartments is, there will be people racking their brains to find a way to buy an apartment. The reality is, around you, all the people by your side, are all talking about apartments, are all speculating in apartments, are all hoarding apartments. And if you don't have an apartment, you will feel you have been marginalized (边缘化了). You will be struck with feelings of dread and instability. Like a drifter. Paying rent is always helping someone else buy an apartment. Psychologically, it is hard to accept this. Haiping is over 30, and around her all these people have apartments. She does not. Haiping is very unhappy."

Young Bei: "So, in order to live up to unrealistic expectations, you take on a snail's shell that large (套那么大一个蜗牛壳, "take on" or tao has other meanings, especially in the housing and stock markets. It means to "be stuck", as an article I wrote for WEF explained -- basically the object of investment falls below the value you bought it for, thereby making it impossible for you to sell (so you are stuck with it)). Isn't it exhausting? Good thing Haizao isn't like that".

Su Chun: "Haizao has not grown up and become self-aware yet. Every little girl wants a Barbie doll; every maiden wants lipstick; and every woman wants an apartment and a man." (Young Bei laughs).

He continues: "A man possessing is like in a war. You occupy the territory for a while, then leave. A woman possessing is different. It is like germs spreading, a spider web expanding, or cotton candy swelling. A little at a time until eventually you are completed possessed, and can’t escape, completely swallowed. Men are bronze, women are rust. In the end, rust will completely cover the bronze."

Young Bei: "At least you still dare to speak. There are people worse off than you: Abraham Lincoln. His wife was so fierce that he didn't even dare to fart. He even had to flatter her. Think about it, who lost everything? It is not you. Ok, don’t think too much."

Wo Ju – Snail Space 蜗居, Episode 8

2010-02-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

Haizao calls Haiping and tells her that the apartments being developed by Haizao’s company are for sale. Narrator: "Although the infrastructure was not yet developed, and although the transportation was not yet developed, Haiping knew that this was her future home" [while this is said, the scene is of standing apartment buildings but with ground filled with discarded building materials and ground pock-marked with small holes].

The sales woman shows the apartment, 120 square meters, to Haiping and Haizao. They say how an un-enclosed balcony is a good thing, and hard to find these days, because it is not included in the price of the apartment (where total price = price/meter * number of meters, not including (or only 1/2 including) the balcony)).

Haiping already imagined the furniture and furnishings for the apartment, with the room painted in ocean blue and ocean white with some wallpaper, and Ran Ran running around in beautiful clothes.

The apartment will be handed over to the buyer in 10 months. Haizao thinks it is far, but Haiping says she can get a new job nearby. The cost is over 900,000 RMB ($130,000). Haiping wants to buy it, so she calls Su Chun to come have a look right away. "Otherwise someone else will run off with it (抢走了)." When she looks at her phone, Haiping laughs. They look at her phone: "Jiangsu (Province) Mobile Phone Company welcomes you". [She is so far from Shanghai that the neighboring province’s mobile phone transmitters detected her as crossing the border, and sent her a text message].

A real estate developer is having tea with Secretary Song. The developer claims he is in the doldrums, since two of his properties are not selling, and if he loses money on the third, it will be the end of him. The government policies from the center are having an effect. Song tells him that price is just an indicator of economic growth. If the market can't be made hot, made attractive, then it will crash like a mountain. Song tells the developer to collaborate with other big-wigs (龙头) and make the market exciting, hot, popular, attractive.

The developer talks about how they paid a bunch of migrants 50 yuan each to come in the middle of the night and stand in line to buy. It didn't work because there were few real customers who followed. Another developer asked him to collaborate and buy each other's apartments with mortgages but he was afraid: what if the other developer doesn't hold up his end, or if the apartments are not great and he is stuck with them.

Song: "Since you fear the wolf from behind and the tiger from ahead, why don't you just buy your own [apartments]? Raise the price and borrow money from the bank. It's just a few down payments anyway. What you can pay back, you pay back. What you can't pay back, let the bank take it. But if the price rises again, you will make everything back."

Developer: what if the bank won't loan? Song: "Why wouldn’t they? 羊毛出在羊身上, "without a sheep, there can be no wool", (on the surface, something appears as a gift, but in reality the value of the gift has been paid for in the cost of the gift-giving opportunity) [a popular phrase]. It is not enough to be hard-working, you also have to be clever. You must learn about how to move around capital. Understand?" (The developer nods enthusiastically.)

Haizao makes fun of Haiping on the bus because it will take 3 hours to get back. "Like foreigners, it's fashionable: live outside the city and commute to work".

Secretary Song offers the developer a redevelopment project in the old city district. Although it is a "public tender", Song gives the developer materials and tells him to prepare a good bid. The developer balks, saying that demolition fees are high and the people living there are the lowest level of city residents (he calls them diaomin, "crafty people" 刁民, a derogatory term). Even if I take this, let’s talk about the plot ratio. The materials specify it is 1. Is this a joke?

Plot ratio, 容积率, is the total floor area of built apartments divided by the land area. So if there is a 2 acre plot of land, the total amount of housing that could be built (albeit in apartments which have a base area much smaller) would be 2 acres, and still yield a plot ratio of 1.

Song explains further that the current project, based on the city plan, is to build a park. But the plan is from 5 years ago. He will change it. But he can't change it until the land is taken by a developer, otherwise everyone will see that he is behind things. So, once the developer (named Zhang Hongsheng) gets the land and starts the project, Song can use his government position to influence city planning bureau, which will reduce the size of the park, and the remaining land will all be for Developer Zhang to build on. Also, Song will increase the plot ratio, and thereby allow Zhang to make money. If this leaves your lips, says Song, it's your own fault. When you are relocating residents, say you are building a park. The developer agrees enthusiastically, and says he will call an emergency meeting to succeed in his bid no matter what.

Haiping and Su Chun are in the sales office to buy the apartment. If they going to pay back the loan in 10 years, with current interest rates, the monthly mortgage payment is 10,800 yuan/month ($1,600). 20 years, just over 6,000 yuan/month. 30 years... They are too old. They make the down payments.

Su Chun: Our incomes together are 9,000 yuan. We must pay back the loan in 20 years. We will sleep soundly. If it is 30 years, it is like being an employee of the bank, and the interest will be equivalent to a whole extra apartment.

Secretary Song buys a doll that he thinks looks just like Haizao. Finding himself outside Haizao's apartment with a gift, he doesn't feel like a 42-year-old. He decides to go home.

Haizao returns home and the apartment, that she and Young Bei share with others, is in the midst of big party. Haizao is pissed off. She asks Young Bei, "When will we have an apartment of our own?" She is envious of her sister, and the apartment they picked so she won’t have to fight for the toilet and have to endure loud parties.

Haiping and Su Chun have a fight because Su Chun is still smoking -- and it is because the cigarettes cost money.

Secretary Song gets a document from Boss Chen's company and he asks the girl who brings it if Haizao is still employed there. The girl tells him that Haizao has been promoted, and no longer does work outside the company. Secretary Song calls Boss Chen to invite him to collaborate on a project.

Scene: a partially demolished building. Boss Xu (we haven't met him before) is instructing an employee on how to deal with the people who are not leaving for demolition. He says, wait for them to come to you, and they won't get as much money. Boss Chen walks in. The employee that Boss Xu was instructing was not an employee, but the director of the residents' committee. Boss Xu says that if the relocation is done well, he will give extra fees and projects to Boss Chen.