A Hong Kong-style ensemble story, also known as Cantonese Classics: The Hits
Main couple: A novice woman auctioneer x a down-and-out Chinese expatriate returning home
Secondary couple: A caged bird who refuses to accept her fate x a powerful strategist who always stays one step ahead
The prominent figure Mrs. Gan used to support has fallen from grace, so she turns to the Ye family to curry favor. Using two damaged antiques from her private collection as a foot in the door, she sends the inexperienced Yuan Fei to knock on Ye Heting’s door.
When discussing compensation with Ye Heting, Yuan Fei argues her case and refuses to give an inch, with all the determination of someone who won’t return until she has conquered Loulan.
Ye Heting finds her fearless ignorance both amusing and admirable, and, in a rare show of kindness, warns her: “They’ve used you as a favor, and you’re still helping them count the money...”
To his surprise, Yuan Fei not only fails to appreciate his concern, but glares at him fiercely.
If there was anything that set Yuan Fei apart from everyone else, it was that the one time she got mad at him, she snapped at him and even threw away his ring. She hopped into a random taxi and drove off, leaving him to lower himself by rummaging through a foul-smelling garbage truck for the ring she had thrown away.
Later, he thought about it for a long time and still couldn’t understand why he’d willingly rummaged through a garbage truck that day, or why he’d even enjoyed it.
*The title comes from Zhou Bichang’s song “Flowers in a Flower Vase.”
Theme: Working people have tempers too
