This shall be known as The Downfall Of Bit Man (Again). If he survives this, I tell you he is the luckiest bastard. And he will survive this because it's only half way through the series and Bit Man and his mom are the only 2 villains of this series so Bit Man is essential even if it is unfair. Make Ah Mo the villain! And let it be known, I totally agree with what Chai Gau did.
Recap...
Where was it? Ah yes...
Bit Ching wrote letters to his mother and he narrated that "I am happy father is awake but I notice ever since he has awaken from his illness, he has become more ignorant. He has grown closer to brother and it seems he is now blinded to brother's faults" as we are shown Cheung Kiu laughing with an ever attentive Bit Man and "The priest said father may be ok for now but if he suffers from another stroke, he will die". His mother wrote back "Bit Ching, I am happy to hear your father's good health. Promise me, for your father's sake, never tell him how I was thrown out of the Cheung household. He must never know. I am happy he has grown ignorant. Your father has worked hard for so many years, now is his time to relax and take it easy. Let the past be. Isn't there a saying which says it is a blessing to be ignorant sometimes (nan de hu tu)?" and so Bit Ching agreed. Anyway Bit Ching narrated further in his letters to his mom "The business has suffered greatly due to the locusts crisis. 4th mother had to spend a lot of money to buy rice from other towns and our treasury is almost empty. Father heard how the rumours spread about Hing Fung Nin having financial crisis and has decided to hold a birthday banquet for himself earlier than expected, he instructed the banquet must be as big and as grand as possible to show to the public Hing Fung Nin is financially sound. Many big and important officials will be attending. Mother, father has asked me to ask you to attend but I told him a lie; that your returning to your village to pay respect for your father clashes with his luck when celebrating his birthday" and Ah Man was very angry he wrote that and refused to post the letter as she said "How can you be such a coward? You knew the truth and yet you let Eldest master take all the credit for what you and 4th Madam did and now you don't even dare to invite your mother to master's banquet?" and Bit Ching said "Who are you to question my instruction? Just send the letter" and the girl angrily said "Fine! I will send the letter! You're truly a coward!" and left.
Ah Man was alone with Cheung Kiu who suddenly asked her "Ah Man, I wonder why your mother and 3rd Madam suddenly left? Did they really return to pay respect to their elders? I know 3rd Madam's personality. She will take care of me when I am sick, so she wouldn't just leave. Tell me Ah Man, tell me what you know" and Ah Man said "Master it is not for me to tell. Perhaps you should ask 4th Madam and 2nd young master" and Cheung Kiu said "I did and they told me nothing. Don't worry Ah Man, tell me, I have been through far worse, I can handle this" and Ah Man poured out her frustration "Master! Whatever you heard about Eldest master and the business, they're not true! He took credit for what should be 4th Madam and 2nd Young Master's efforts!" and Cheung Kiu looked a bit crestfallen and said "Is that so?" and Bit Ching and Bo Kei walked in and Bit Ching angrily said "Ah Man, what are you saying? Father don't listen to her. She is being dumb!" and Ah Man bit her lips as Bo Kei said "There is not a singular person to be credited for the efforts made as a team. Everybody played his or her part" and so Ah Man left upset whilst Cheung Kiu said "Don't blame her. I asked her a question, she was merely answering me" as Bo Kei smiled at him assuringly.
Pause here.
You know the problem of this household? Cheung Kiu not being told anything. He will find out since servants do talk!
Anyway Man was so upset she packed her bags and when confronted by an apologetic Bit Ching she said "Didn't you hear me? I QUIT! I fire you! And since I have worked 10 days of this month, consider it free work! You don't need to pay me! I am leaving!" but Bit Ching stopped her and said "I am sorry for scolding you! But I don't want to upset father" and Ah Man scolded "But you're letting eldest young master take advantage of you!" but Bit Ching said "Ah Man, I am not being a coward here. In the past I would have told father everything but the person I am now, I have learned so much from 4th mother when she was teaching me the business and I have matured. Father can't take another stress or bad news, I don't want him to die. Which was why I lied. and Ah Man understood what he meant and said "I am sorry young master, I promise I won't tell" and so the problem was settled.
Lucky Bit Man, so many protecting him!
Chai Gau tailed Bit Man and kept sending those anonymous letter, first about how Bit Man and Hoi Tong picked pears and fed each other to how they cavort in open air or something like that. Each time Pang Hang just threw the letters away. Chai Gau knew somehow Pang Hang will follow up on the allegations.
Day of banquet was coming and Bit Man was undecided which expensive gift to give Cheung Kiu when Fung yee said "No need, I have prepared the gift for you that your father will surely love! It took me almost 2 months to get this gift but it was worth all my effort" and Fung Yee showed him a simple quilt which Bit Man was reluctant to give. But on the banquet day, Cheung Kiu loved the quilt as it was made from fabric which contains greetings and wishes from the villagers who Cheung Kiu fed decades before during the last famine. Even some family came to greet Cheung Kiu and Fung Yee credited Bit Man for the effort which of course Bit Man accepted greedily and Cheung Kiu proclaimed "This is the best gift ever! You've done well Bit Man", but of course 3 people just stared at Bit Man, and they were Bo Kei, Bit Ching and a sneering Chai Gau.
By the way Chai Gau's costume got an upgrade!
Next day Chai Gau asked letter writer to write another lesser, a steamier and more taunting one.
That night Bit Man and Hoi Tong were naked in bed when Pang Hang rushed in, asked his men to beat the crap out of them, covered them in blankets (face covered but naked in it) and openly carried them back to somewhere with everyone asking who is it now that offended Master Pang whilst they heard a woman begging to be released and a man's voice begging for mercy. Chai Gau stood by the side and laughed his heart out.
Back at the warehouse everyone was wondering where the heck is Bit Man. Fung Yee meanwhile went to visit grandma at the temple. Guess why? Reveal later.
Bo Kei saw Chai Gau was especially very happy and even invited everyone for a drink to be paid by him after work. Bo Kei did asked him "What is the happy ocassion Chai Gau? You seem to be smiling a lot today" and that is the day after the Hoi Tong-Bit Man incident. Chai Gau said "Well, I heard Pang Hang captured an adulterer on bed with his mistress Hoi Tong! I saw them being paraded on the streets although I couldn't see the adulterer's face" and Bo Kei just smiled and continued to work. It is none of her business.
Cheung Kiu dropped by to discuss business, Uncle Cheung Fatt was there, Chai Gau was there, some workers were there when 2 of Pang Hang's men came to see Cheung Kiu. They were whispering something which made Cheung Kiu slammed the table and Bo Kei looking worried although Chai Gau knew what was happening even if he couldn't hear it as he was standing in another corner. Bo Kei and Cheung Kiu walked out with the 2 men when Bo Kei stole a glance at Chai Gau and saw him smiling happily and she knew he knew and he saw her and stopped smiling and he knew she knew he knew.
Ok, so they knew they knew he knew that she knew that he knew. You know?
The 2 adulterers were still wrapped in blanket, naked presumably, looking dirty and bruised and standing upright and very tired, assuming they stood there whole night. Pang Hang was there looking at them when Bo kei came and Pang Hang snarled "Where is my good brother in law? I sent for him! I wanted him to see what his good son has been up to!" and Bo Kei tiredly said "You know his health is not good. He has sent me, you can speak to me instead, I am given full authority to act on his behalf" and Pang Hang snarled "You know these 2 were caught in bed together!" and Bit Man cried "4th mother, save me! Save me!" and Pang Hang shouted "So when did you 2 started? WHEN?!" and Bit Man said only recently and just this once to which Pang Hang shouted "I received no less tan 4 anonymous letters, each detailing when and where you both had your rendesvous precisely! Don't lie to me! How long?" and Bit Man reluctantly said "6 months, after a party". Bo Kei said "Cut the long story short. What do you want?" and Pang Hang said "You have 2 choices. Either I tell Cheung Kiu and parade these 2 on the streets for all my men and the public to see and surely my good brother in law's face will be humiliated by this useless son of his OR.. you can pay me $50,000 to shut me up! Give me that money and I will not speak a word about this. You decide" and Bit Man cried "4th mother, the 2nd choice! Please save me! Father must not know! He will have anothe stroke and die! Save me!" and so Bo Kei ran back to the shop and told everyone to gather money, ask from creditors, etc. Chai Gau saw how frantic she was and asked guiltily "4th madam, what did Pang Hang want?" and Bo kei stared at him and said "How did you know it was Pang Hang? Did you write the 4 letters?" and Chai Gau refused to answer as Bo Kei asked again and Chai Gau shouted "YES I DID!" and Bo Kei was so angry she just refused to look at him as she tried to gather the money as Chai Gau followed her and said emotionally "4th Madam, he deserves this! No point in saving his ass! He can't be saved! He is beyond help this useless son! Remember how I was almost burnt alive and accused of being a rapist? He was the one who framed me! He did the cat meow and opened the side door! He deserves this 4th Madam!" and Bo Kei stopped, looked squarely in his eyes and scolded "Chai Gau, you know we have no money left. None! Pang Hang wants $50,000. And Cheung Kiu's health is not good. I can't let him have another shock! How could you Chai Gau? How could you be so rash?" and Chai Gau felt rather guilty and knew he had caused another hardship for Bo Kei.
Meanwhile Uncle Cheung Fatt heard everything, stared at Chai Gau and rushed to see Fung Yee at the temple.
Fung Yee was at the temple, on her knees begging grandma "Mother, please don't tell Husband what Bit Man did in the keys incident. It was my fault. Bit Man is still young, he listens to my advice and I have taught him wrongly. I swear I will lead him on the right path, please don't tell husband" and grandma said "Ah Kiu came by a few days ago and I didn't tell him anything. Bit Man is after all my grandson and I will not jeapordise his future. You must however teach him and teach him good values. Guide him well. I will tell Fong when she comes back not to tell, I will also tell Bo Kei the same thing" and Fung Yee practically skipped out of the temple, that was how happy she was clearly no intention to ever guide Bit Man in the right path. Cheung Fatt ran to her and told her what happened. Fung yee said "What? That woman refused to pay?" And again Bo Kei got the blame. Anyway she refused to believe and said "My son would never seduce that Hoi Tong! Never!" which shows how much she knows her son. Uncle Cheung Fatt said "I asked Pang Hang's men and the confirmed young master was caught in bed with Pang Hang's mistress!" and the look of shock on Fung yee's face was priceless.
Bo Kei could only pay $25000 to Pang Hang who said nothing less than $50000 eventhough Bo Kei said "I can take you to our accounts, you can see for yourself we have nothing! Come on, you can't let 2nd sister to become a widow, would you? For her sake, please just accept this!" and Pang Hang roared "For her sake? What about for my sake? When I asked you not to lower down my fee, what did you say to me and my men? No! Nothing less than $50,000 or be ready for the public parade!" and the 2 still begging for help and Bo Kei went to gather more money. Chai Gau saw her on the streets and said "4th Madam, I am sorry! I truly am! I have acted impulsively. Please tell me how much you need? I can ask my brothers to waive their transportation fee for a few months or borrow a few thousands from them. 4th Madam, please answer me!" but Bo Kei ignored him and went her way.
Pause here.
I do think Chai Gau wasn't wrong and Bo kei should be fair to him but I understand's Bo Kei's anger.
Full $50000 given to Pang Hang who laughed and said to Bit Man "Ok, I will forgive you for this indiscretion! You're still my good nephew! As for you slut... you will from now onwards be my slave in my house, washing my feet every night!" and Hoi Tong said feebly "Thank you Master Hang". Bo Kei just waited outside as they dressed and Hoi Tong looking ashamed rushed out and left whilst Bit Man rushed out, held Bo Kei and said "4th mother, promise me you won't tell father! Promise me! He is so old, he just recovered, he can't bear another shock"
Let me just say it clearly; he said these to protect himself, not out of concern for his father.
Bo Kei looked at him sternly and said "I can't do that. You father already knew" and Bit Man accused Bo Kei "You told him? YOU TOLD HIM?! YOU DISGUSTING CRUEL BITCH! YOU WANT HIM TO DIE?!" and Bo Kei angrily said "I didn't tell him. Pang Hang sent him men directly to him" and BiT man now on damage control said "4th Mother, why not we now co-ordinate our stories, making sure ours are the same? Just say... just say she seduced me! Or we can do what you did for Chai Gau! Why not 4th Mother?" and Bo Kei said "If you want to be saved, you must do as I say. Go back, kneel down before your father and let me do the talking" and Bit Man recoiled from that idea and said "You want me to die don't you? You want father to die? You want to do me in!" and he refused to do as she says and ran and said "I will tell father myself!" as Bo Kei shouted "Bit Man! You just need to apologise! Bit Man!" as she ran after him.
Fung Yee on the way back and Cheung Fatt following her and said "Madam, what should we do now? Master values above all else his reputation and if he knows what Young Master did, master will surely kick young master out. Young master will surely be ruined forever!" and Fung Yee closed her eyes, thinking of a plan to save this situation.
Didn't I say Bit Man will dig his own grave? No worries because he will dig deeper in the next scene...
At home, Cheung Kiu's hand was shaking as he took his medicine and he looked pale. Bit Ching came in and said "Father I have heard about what eldest brother was accused of. But I have checked and it is not true. There was a misunderstanding and I think 4th mother will be in better position to explain when she comes back. Don't worry about brother, it isn't true, what you heard" and Cheung Kiu feebly said "Really?" and then Chai Gau came in and said "Master, I have heard a little about eldest young master's predicament. Master let me assure you it must be a mistake. This is not the first time that Hoi Tong has caused problems. Remember my problem? I was almost burnt to death after her accusation. That Hoi Tong is mentally ill! She loves accusing people, I am the prime example. Moreover why would eldest young master want to seduce a mentally ill woman? It's not true master" and Cheung Kiu said "Is that so? If that is true I am glad to hear that and I hope it is true" and both Chai Gau and Bit Ching looked at each other, hoping what they said now will appease Cheung Kiu's worries.
Bit Man reached home, looking dirty and cried FATHERRRRR when Bit Ching stopped him and said "Look I already told father it was a mistake" but Bit Man refused to listen and pushed Bit Ching aside who was still trying to hold Bit Man as Bo Kei rushed home and cried "Bit Man, listen! Bit Man!".
Pang Kiu and Bit Mo were all there when Cheung Kiu walked out, held by Chai Gau and Bit Man rushed to Cheung Kiu and urgently said "Father! You must help plead my innocence! I was drunk last night and someone knocked me out cold. When I opened my eyes, I saw uncle Pang Hang and he stripped me naked and put me in bed with his mistress Hoi Tong accusing me of having an affair with her! He then demanded $50,000 ransom money!" and he stood accusing Pang Kiu that her brother was cruel, greedy, evil and heartless and Pang Kiu said "That's can't be true! Brother is not that sort a person!" which for once Pang Kiu is right and Bit Man continued "I told 4th mother not to pay the ransom money because my innocence will forever be tainted but she refused and she paid the money anyway!" and Bo Kei angrily said "Bit Man, that is enough!" and even Chai Gau said "Young master, let's not say anything more" and Bit Man angrily said "Who are you to speak?!" and Chai Gau sneered at him and shut up whilst Bit Man continued "I don't know what is her intention. She seemed more interested in proving Chai Gau's innocence than mine! She seems more interested in Chai Gau than me father! I don't know what's her motive! This woman, she refused to prove my innocence and in fact made me look guilty in the eyes of everyone!" and Bo Kei said "Don't you overstep your boundaries Bit Man!" but he said louder and louder as he finally said "She! This woman! Why is she so concerned about Chai Gau? I tell you father, she is probably having an illicit affair with Chai Gau!!"
Oops, wrong move!
Bo Kei's eyes was wide with shock at the accusation and Fung Yee just arrived when she heard Cheung Kiu calmly said "That is enough. Bit Man, you are now banished from home! Leave now!" and everyone was shocked and Fung Yee just quietly left to somewhere as Bit Man cried "Why father? How can you not trust me? I am not satisfied!" as Cheung Kiu said "Do you really think I am in ignorant old fool? It isn't that I have become foolish after I woke up but I chose to believe you have changed when you didn't, you have become worse! I asked around and I knew you didn't put any effort into that blanket, and you tried to take the keys away from Bo Kei and you falsely accused Auntie Hing for stealing, causing her to be beaten severely for a crime she didn't do! " and Bit Man shouted "It wasn't me alone! Mother and 2nd mother did too! 2nd Mother said her jewelry were stolen and I just reported on that! Why I alone am being punished? Why?!" and Pang Kiu was lost for words since she did accused Auntie Hing whilst Cheung Kiu said "I have heard enough. (he called out 2 servants and said) escort this man out of my house. I will gather the elders and inform them of my decision later. Meanwhile your name will be struck off from the family registry. Get out of my house!" and Bit Man wanted to say something when he howled in pain and it was Fung Yee who hit him with a huge and I mean HUGE stick. Bit Man fell in pain whilst Cheung Kiu refused to look as Fung Yee said "Husband, it is my fault I have given you this useless son. I will beat him with this stick and I will continue to beat him until you tell me to stop!" and she said "Hold him down, now!" as Bit Man begged to be released and she began to beat him really hard with all her energy (on his buttocks, like those punishment in court) and Cheung Kiu refused to look and said "Do as you wish. He is no longer my son" and he wanted to walk into his room when Bit Man was about to faint and Mo ran and knelt before Cheung Kiu and said "Father, please ask eldest mother to stop! Brother will surely die if she continues! Father!" and even Bit Ching begged Cheung Kiu and Ah Kiu also begged him and he was unmoved whilst Bo Kei too begged him "Husband please tell her so stop! Husband!" and without looking at Bit Man Cheung Kiu curtly said "Stop!" and he walked inside and Fung Yee stopped, huffing from all her effort as Bit Man fainted and Bo Kei looked at Fung Yee who stared at her with hatred in her eyes.
Chai Gau I believe was busy watching the entire show by the sideline.
Next episode, Hoi Tong looked like she was suffering as she cried to Chai Gau to give her funds so that she can go home which he did and next thing Pang Hang again threatened him with bodily harm and mutilation and Chai Gau had only a small knife to fend for himself.
Ohhhhh exciting stuff!! Poor Hoi Tong though.
Bit Man dug his own grave, didn't I said so? He shouldn't have accused Bo Kei of anything. Hasn't he learned his father will always take Bo Kei's side? For all his mother's brilliance, she didn't teach him one good value; that is whatever Bo kei says, follow! Stupid Bit Man.
And why was Fung Yee staring at her anyway? Didn't Bo Kei tried her damnest best to raise that money? Haven't she done enough? What must she do other than running into burning flame to save that idiot? Even then she will be blamed anyway.
I think Chai Gau was impulsive but he was right. Everyone can't expect Cheung Kiu to live in a lie and moreover Cheung Kiu is an adult, he is smart, he will ask around and he will find out eventually. Question now is when he will die? But I know Bit Man will get another break! That lucky bastardo!
SAFE GUARD SAMENESS
Not quite the same but still from the same "intestine".
Story wise, exciting. Dialogue wise, pretty good. Logic wise, I can't understand why Bit Man would be so stupid as to accuse Bo Kei of ill intention. Dumb kid. At least in Safe Guards, Ben Wong's character who is innately cruel but is smart cruel, he lacks what his father calls integrity. Bit Man is just pure stupidity. And I think Kok Fung did better in showing his utter disappointment in his once brilliant and 2nd favourite son, the way he just sat there silently crying as Ben was crying loudly and begging for forgiveness, because the father knew his son has changed or rather has been such a pretentious bastard from the start. That was a brilliant scene. In here, Elliot Yue did not show that disappointment because Kok Fung is a better actor and moreover in Safe Guards, we can clearly see why he was so disappointed in his 2nd son since he started out as a nice guy whilst Bit Man has been rotten from the beginning. But it was a sad scene when he said he had hoped Bit Man was a changed man but in his heart he already knew the answer to his own question; Bit Man is just useless.
Performance wise, Pierre Ngo did very well as that stupid Bit Man. There was desparation, accusing tone, etc. Very explosive scene that last scene. As for everyone else, what more can I say? Very very good.
Ron Ng, same old Ron Ng and I am beginning to think there is not a funny bone in him. His flirtation or so called flirtation scene with Ah Man the actress falls flat for lack of chemistry.
Elliot Yue did well in the last scene despite my comparison with Kok Fung in Safe Guards in light of the entire scene seen together. All fathers should be that way when dealing with stupid sons.
Kiki Sheung, totally and utterly wasted. She is like a ke-le-fe or very special guest star. I mean the actor playing Uncle Cheung Fatt has more to do than she does.
One question though; shouldn't Lau Fong be rushing back to see Cheung Kiu? After all she was so damn concerned about him and yet didn't bother to rush back to see him. I know she is afraid or is tired of all the back stabbing but when will she be back? When he is dead for his funeral? She should come home because that is so unlike her.
And what I learned from this episode? Always tell the old man everything. If not he will find out anyway. Why protect a bastard? Will only hurt the bigger picture.
Anyway favourite line...
"Do you really think I am in ignorant old fool? It isn't that I have become foolish after I woke up but I chose to believe you have changed when you didn't, you have become worse!"
- Cheung Kiu to Bit Man
June 3, 2010 at 12:18 PM
I remember watching the scene and my jaw almost dropped to the ground, Bit Man was unbelievably stupid. Should learn from his mother when to keep his mouth shut.
That Uncle Cheung Fatt is also another blood boiling character. Kinda waste him by offering him this role. I still remember his role as main villain in TVB 1994 Against the Blade of Honour.