Short End of the Stick

The government of the Republic of China overthrows the manchurian dynasty. PUYI and his concubines still live in the Forbidden City and are served by the eunuchs. LEE SUK-KUNG, eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen, prepares rich meals for the emperor every day. TAN TIN, eunuch of the Imperial Pharmacy, has been learning from the imperial doctors for many years and is able to give treatments to patients. The eunuch CHAN SIU-FUNG continues to serve the concubines regarding makeup and beauty matters. In 1923, the palace is on fire. PUYI suspects that the eunuchs have set the palace on fire and so he kicks them out. After leaving the palace, SUK-KUNG, SIU-FUNG and TAN TIN start doing menial works at an ordinary restaurant in town. After work, they discover that CHING-YI of the "Progressive Society" has captured CHUI Gong Gong and two other eunuchs. CHING-YI keeps blaming the eunuchs and asks SUK-KUNG to throw eggs at CHUI Gong Gong. CHUI Gong Gong's foster son CHUI CHUN-SING takes the eggs and throws the eggs at CHUI Gong Gong. He tells SUK-KUNG secretly that they can only help CHUI Gong Gong by not allowing others to throw eggs at him.

KAM HEUNG asks Dr BIDDU to treat both SIU-FUNG and TAI-NAM. The three men follow KAM HEUNG to the job agency to recruit male menial workers. When they return to the village, they hear that Auntie NGAU is urging others to catch the thieves. SUK-KUNG and the others catch LUNG, FU, PAO successfully. The three thieves are the subordinates of TSUI DAI-FU from the adjacent village but DAI-FU denies that he has tried to steal the seed-grains. He even teases Kam's Village for failing to have baby boys for many years already. After TAI-NAM's father KAM CHEONG and his subordinates return, KAM HEUNG scolds him for not taking up his job. KAM CHEONG's wife YIN-WAI learns about her cousin DAI-FU's matter and apologizes to KAM HEUNG.

KAM HEUNG, KAM CHEONG and the others go to TSUI's family ancestral hall and they discover that TAI-NAM is captured by them. DAI-FU's family members urge him to let go but DAI-FU wants to maintain his reputation. Luckily, YIN-WAI arrives to solve the problem. CHUN-SING has got a fever after catching a cold, and TAN TIN brings him to the doctor. TAI-NAM goes gambling, and she forgets to pick up SIU-FUNG. SIU-FUNG goes to look for her at the casino. TAI-NAM has lost all her money and decides to continue the bet by offering SIU-FUNG. CHUN-SING is so ill that he looks very pale.

KAM HEUNG used to learn from her father that the day the boar dies, the male carp keels over and the dog foams at the mouth is the day the KAM family’s posterity is cut off. TAI-NAM brings SUK-KUNG and TAN TIN to a shabby watchtower. KAM HEUNG requests SUK-KUNG and TAN TIN to burn LI LIAN-YING's statue and the statue of the boy and girl attendants of the fairies. Many bad things happen to the villagers. KAM HEUNG and TAI-NAM think that they are being cursed. KAM CHEONG's third daughter TAI-DAI returns to the village after studying. When LAW HAI and YIN-CHO pick her up, there is an ice storm. The villagers gather at the ancestral hall, for they believe that the bad things are a result of the curse long ago

DAI-FU says that KAM HEUNG is 30 years old already and she should get married. KAM HEUNG wants SUK-KUNG to say that she is not getting married for the benefits of all villagers but SUK-KUNG says that she can get married if she wants to. KAM HEUNG therefore decides to organize a husband recruitment event three days later. TAN TIN finds a medicine bottle in the pond and he suspects that the fishes have died because of it. CHUN-SING and SIU-FUNG wait at the reception desk but nobody is signing up.

All ladies in the KAM's family are arrogant. SIU-FUNG tries to change their image so that they could attract more candidates. CHUN-SING introduces the charming man KO KWAN to KAM HEUNG and KAM HEUNG finds him satisfactory. She decides to sign a confidential agreement with him and pretends to get married with him. KO KWAN discovers from the newspaper that TAI-DAI was performing magic in sexy costumes in a dance club. CHUN-SING learns that TAI-DAI was interested in a poet called PAK LONG. Dr BIDDU fails to cure DOR-BO's smallpox. TAN TIN is not confident to treat DOR-BO and he tries to invite a doctor from Beiping by telegraph.

KAM CHEONG discovers that KAM HEUNG and SUK-KUNG are not dressing properly. He believes that they have intimate relationship. When KAM HEUNG is speaking to the four elders, TAN TIN and the others try to rescue SUK-KUNG but they fail. SUK-KUNG reveals that his relationship with KAM HEUNG is very pure. KAM HEUNG lies that she has known SUK-KUNG ten years ago in Beiping and they love each other. KAM HEUNG is no longer trustworthy to the villagers. She is willing to resign from her position and get punishments. SUK-KUNG requests KAM HEUNG to give him the dowry.

SUK-KUNG tries to support KAM HEUNG's lies and he says that he can finally reunite with the one he loves. KAM CHEONG has done bad things and he is no longer the leader of the family. DAI-CHI's wish comes true and she becomes the family's leader eventually. She calls for a meeting at the shop and invites everybody to voice out their suggestions for Kam Fook Lung to earn more money in the future. In fact, she has got a comprehensive plan already. KAM CHEONG and TAI-NAM are in discord. SIU-FUNG persuades them to join hand together. Both of them try to voice out their ideas to fight against DAI-CHI. KAM CHEONG and YIN-CHO go to the new bathhouse for massage.

The four men discuss the ways to get rid of CHING-YI. They finally decides that SIU-FUNG will try to seduce CHING-YI by pretending to be a maid. When they carry CHING-YI away, they discover that CHING-YI is still alive and they throw him down from the Dragon Head Hill. After the incidents, the four men feels regretful and they return to the cave in Dragon Head Hill. TAN TIN discovers that CHING-YI has turned blind. CHING-YI thanks the four men for rescuing him and he sends them his heirloom, the "Yip's sauce", as a gift. KAM CHEONG goes to listen to music at Half Moon House. A strong man arrives and urges WONG LIN to return her debts and KAM CHEONG tries to speak for her.

CHING-YI recovers. He feels that TAN TIN and the others are treating him sincerely and he decides to forgive them. On the other hand, DAI-CHI asks KAM CHEONG to find evidences to prove that KAM HEUNG and SUK-KUNG are not real couple. DAI-CHI is dissatisfied that TAI-NAM is not reporting to work on time. She wants to transfer her to the barn to work with LAW HAI. KAM CHEONG discovers that WONG LIN is going to be a prostitute at Red Chambers and he decides to rescue her. TAI-TZI envies KAM HEUNG and SUK-KUNG for having a close relationship. She wants to be intimate with CHUN-SAI but CHUN-SAI rejects her by saying that he is ill.

KAM HEUNG discovers that KAM CHEONG is with TAI-NAM. After questioning them, she brings WONG LIN home. WONG LIN reveals her pitiful background and TAI-DAI asks her to be her maid. CHUN-SING learns about WONG LIN's background and they become friends. WONG LIN discovers a note on the ground while delivering food. KAM CHEONG believes that YIN-WAI has left the note and he discovers the word "I love TSUI DAI-FU" hidden in the poem. CHUN-SAI brings SUK-KUNG to eat and drink. He then brings him to watch movie.

After learning that TAI-DAI has lost 500 dollars, KAM HEUNG is enraged and she is speechless. TAI-DAI runs away but she returns afterwards. She looks sad and she asks KAM HEUNG to find a man for her to get married. CHUN-SING visits TAI-DAI secretly to find out why she has returned. DAI-CHI suspects that the account record is wrong and she tries to investigate it. She asks KAM CHEONG to carry out investigation. TAI-NAM starts a quarrel with KAM CHEONG and she decides to leave Kam Fook Lung. DAI-CHI praises KAM CHEONG for being impartial and she gives him the key of the shop. KAM CHEONG finds YIN-WAI's jade pendant and he believes that DAI-FU has sent it to her. YIN-WAI thinks that KAM CHEONG is unreasonable.

The KAM's family invites a Taoist to perform ceremony for the dead person by the river. They hope to find CHUN-SAI's dead body. SUK-KUNG and DOR-BO apologize to KAM HEUNG. KAM HEUNG keeps criticizing them. SUK-KUNG decides to make amends for his faults by actualizing CHUN-SAI's dream. CHUN-SING helps WONG LIN to wash the clothes. WONG LIN drops a jade Buddha pendent accidentally and CHUN-SING finds it familiar. TAI-NAM passes by the casino and she cannot resist to gamble there. Brother TAM threatens that he will cut her hand and SIU-FUNG arrives to rescue her. TAI-DAI asks WONG LIN to perform many works.

DAI-CHI reveals her tragic memory in Shanghai when she was pregnant. KAM HEUNG asks DAI-CHI to accompany DOR-BO to study in Shanghai. KAM SHUK persuades KAM HEUNG to have a baby with SUK-KUNG. Otherwise, the bane of the family, KAM FAI, will return to take charge of the family. CHUN-SAI decides to leave the medical center. When TAN TIN and CHUN-SING chase after him, COWGIRL reveals that TAI-TZI has jumped into the river. TAI-TZI is rescued but she loses her memory of the past five years. CHUN-SAI decides to pursue her again. DAI-FU learns that WONG LIN's grandfather is seriously ill and he agrees to help him. However, he wants WONG LIN to frame KAM CHEONG up so that KAM CHEONG will lose all standing and reputation.

SUK-KUNG pretends that he is in love with someone else and he refuses to have baby with KAM HEUNG. KAM HEUNG is very shocked. After passing the shop key to KAM CHEONG, KAM HEUNG celebrates at the restaurant. TAI-NAM knows that SIU-FUNG is hiding away from her. She tries to please him and they reconcile with each other. KAM HEUNG cannot let go and she asks SUK-KUNG to introduce his lover to her. SUK-KUNG reveals that his lover is TAN TIN. KAM HEUNG feels that SUK-KUNG is actually interested in her. She tries to spread rumors that TAN TIN will get married soon. TAN TIN discovers that TAI-DAI is interested in Chinese medicine and he decides to take her as an apprentice.

SUK-KUNG brings TAN TIN and WONG LIN to the hospital to visit WONG LIN's grandfather. They discover that he is a eunuch from the palace as well. SUK-KUNG returns to the medical center and he discovers that CHUN-SING has ran away by leaving a letter behind. WONG LIN says that she is willing to wait for him. TAN TIN wants SUK-KUNG and the others to leave the village as soon as possible. He suggests SUK-KUNG to terminate his contract early. KAM HEUNG discovers that TAI-DAI is eating a lot and she suspects that she is pregnant. When everybody urges TAN TIN to marry TAI-DAI, FAT-TAT suddenly arrives with PAK LONG. TAI-TZI tries to join the fight by beating PAK LONG but she suddenly collapses.

KAM HEUNG discovers the real identity of SUK-KUNG and she is puzzled. TAI-NAM believes that TAN TIN and SIU-FUNG will leave as well if SUK-KUNG leaves. KAM HEUNG consoles TAI-NAM and she cannot bear to reveal SIU-FUNG's real identity to her. Being challenged by Tsui Hing Tai, KAM CHEONG gathers everybody for a discussion. TAI-NAM visits SIU-FUNG. SIU-FUNG speaks rudely and he finds a prostitute to displease TAI-NAM deliberately. TAN TIN gives TAI-DAI the key of the medical center but TAI-DAI wants to leave with PAK LONG. SUK-KUNG uses CHUN-SING's soy sauce to make pork offal in brine and everybody finds it tasty.

KAM HEUNG and the others learn that there is an accident at the train station. SUK-KUNG and the others suddenly return and everybody is relieved. TAI-NAM announces that she will marry SIU-FUNG. Everybody agrees but KAM HEUNG objects it. KAM HEUNG begs SUK-KUNG to stay and SUK-KUNG finally agrees. TAN TIN and Dr BIDDU try to treat WONG LIN's disease together. They conclude that she has got marrow disease. CHUN-SING decides to make his own soy sauce without depending on the Japanese merchants. SUK-KUNG discovers that the villagers are addicted to the soy sauce and he tells KAM HEUNG. KAM HEUNG asks him to find out the ingredients of the soy sauce.

Captain SHEK says that Mr HO is poisoned by the poppy in the soy sauce and Mr HO has lost his consciousness. Captain HO wants to arrest the person in charge and CHUN-SING tries to run away with WONG LIN secretly. Captain SHEK tries to arrest KAM CHEONG but KAM HEUNG says that she will take the responsibility. CHUN-SING doesn't want to surrender himself to the police and he decides to wander around. WONG LIN agrees to go with him. However, CHUN-SING is injured by a trapper on the way. On the next day, WONG LIN returns to Kam's Village to buy medicine but SUK-KUNG and the others discover her. Captain SHEK and the others arrive to capture CHUN-SING. CHUN-SING believes that SUK-KUNG has reported him to the police and he swears that he will break off relations with them.