The Golden Path

In 1982, a number of street-food vendors discuss their business. Xiao-gu reminisces about her late husband and his dream of opening a restaurant, and she worries about her children.

Xiao-gu struggles to escape a fire with her son and after finding safety, runs back into the fire to save another person. She criticises her son for saying she should have saved the money instead of a woman.

Xiao-gu struggles to escape after being tied up by someone covered in oil and pleads for help. Her son chases the man through the streets, apprehending him. He tries to discover the man's identity.

Ying pleads for leniency after Lim is arrested for swinging an axe, but Officer Cai takes him away. Ying shouts at Xiao-gu, accusing her of seducing Lim. Xiao-gu tries to maintain order among her children.

The Boss tries to get away with not paying for some curry puffs, but receives a threat. Officer Cai pursues someone trying to kill him and who can't be reasoned with. A witness sees a death.

Xiao-gu demands Leng Ng go home and hide after he gets into trouble with some thugs. They storm into the restaurant and she tries to reason with black-faced Qing, but he wants justice for his injuries.

Xiao-gu talks to a young woman who is accused of wanting to eat free food. They discuss luck and marriage before an expensive car drives up to the front of the restaurant to deliver her something.

Lim arrives in the restaurant with two tanks of gas. He tells Xiao-gu that he let her down. She attempts to reason with him and protect her children, who soon overpower him.

Loan sharks flee from a food stall when they're attacked. A new employee learns about the restaurant's strict rules, and Xiao-gu deals with a thug looking for money owed to his boss.

A street brawl leads to serious injuries. A couple at a camp ground threaten to call the police after their clothes are stolen. Xiao-gu asks her son if years ago he got Ying to inform the police about Kim.

An attempt to grab an insect leads to an accusation of inappropriate behaviour. An interesting proposal arises following a talk about money. Leng rushes to save his grandfather, who emerges beaten from a coffin.

Director Wu takes advantage of Feng, who has been drugged and lies incapacitated in a hotel room. A bit of trickery allows her to be rescued. Leng disputes claims that he has stolen money.

Leng runs across a familiar face in the street and performs an act of kindness. He goes to a seemingly abandoned building and finds a bag full of money, which turns out to be from a recent robbery.

Mr Lin talks about giving his daughter Fei freedom and the hopelessness of her condition, but receives a generous offer. Leng confesses his family's history to Fei, including the actions of his father.

A man assaults Fei and drags her away into the bushes. She fends off the attacker as Leng rushes to her rescue. A trip to the bowling alley turns into an awkward situation between two rivals.

A conversation about an apartment leads to a discussion of the importance of money. A slap causes problems on a film set, escalating until Feng collapses and is taken to hospital.

Xiao-gu chastises her oldest son for what happened to Feng, but someone steps in to take the blame and explain why information was kept from her. She can't understand why her children would help Feng get an abortion.

On a cruise out at sea Feng becomes jealous of the attention directed towards Fei. Feng announces that she wants everyone to know about her relationship and a compromise offer isn't accepted.

Fei confesses to her immoral past abroad and is lectured during her attempt at seduction. She takes rejection surprisingly well and offers an explanation for her behaviour.

Fei greets Kay Kiat as he emerges from the police station in his new uniform. He explains that he has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department and Fei suggests he look into the death of Feng.

Mr Hai accuses Leng of being rude to Alba, but an apology isn't enough for her and a scuffle ensues. Hai assaults her for going too far after someone intervenes. Fei ponders why she doesn't like Kay Kiat in the way he likes her.

An attempted murder has unexpected consequences for the attacker. Leng seeks a hiding spot and receives some improvised medical care. Police investigate a body found dead on the pavement.

Fei gets a little too exuberant while celebrating her engagement. She explains the fortune her mother left to her in her will and the fact that she can only access the money once she's married.

Leng states that he plans to plead guilty when he's told that police will charge him with manslaughter. Fei tells Xiao-gu that Leng refused legal counsel, his decision possibly related to Xiao-gu being the one to hire the lawyer.

Leng asks Mr Biao why he lied to him about a death. Biao attempts to explain Hai's actions and how in the end he managed to get one over him. He makes an enticing proposal to Leng.

Kay Kiat confronts Leng in the hospital, unaware that Leng knows his culpability for Feng's death. Xiao-gu receives disheartening news from the doctors about her son. Leng broods on the secret he now holds.

Fei tries to assist at the restaurant but her family tell her to go home. She goes to a bar to spend some time alone. Kay-kiat witnesses her flirting with another man and gets into a fight.

Kay-kiat asks Fei to bring home the briefcase he left in the car. Going through the contents of a disk on her computer she sees pictures of Kay-kiat with Feng and has a startling revelation.

Kay-kiat disputes claims that he played a part in setting up Leng by involving him in drug trafficking. He says that Leng has been missing for three days since killing Mr Biao, and tries to find out where he's hiding.