I Not Stupid 3 (2024) Movie Script

1
How dare you snatch my parking lot?
Social media is so cheap
but they're complaining.
What's wrong with them?
Yes?
How dare you?
I was here first!
How dare you snatch my damn spot?
Sorry, I was on the phone
and didn't notice.
On the phone?
So many primary schoolers here.
And you're driving while using the phone?
Could you please talk softer?
I was in my damn car
sounding my horn so loudly.
Yet you couldn't hear.
If I lowered my damn volume,
would you be able to hear?
Can you stop swearing?
That is none of your damn business.
I'll speak my damn mind.
Who are you to tell me what not to say?
My friend, it has already been 21 years.
I'm already a grandpa
and you're still stuck on "dad."
Right.
Your grandpa is talking now.
Your grandpa says...
Don't become a grandpa now.
Can you not say that?
I'll say what I want to say.
I'm saying, who are you to say
that I cannot say what I want to say?
- Listen to me.
- Listen to your grandpa.
I am "your dad." I am also "your grandpa."
Four-eyed monkey.
After 21 years,
you have not changed one bit.
You have not changed either.
You've snatched my parking lot yet again.
- Stop filming.
- Stop filming.
Don't shoot "your grandpa."
Don't shoot "your dad."
PRIMARY 6 PARENT-TEACHER MEETING
Did you know?
Last year, two students from this school
got into Hwa Chong through DSA
and another two
got into Raffles Institution.
More than those
who used their PSLE results.
But the DSA for good schools
either takes in those from GEP
or the Math Olympiad.
Actually, nowadays,
DSA is looking for students
who are good at sports and arts.
So if they're naturally gifted
at sports and arts,
they'll stand a higher chance.
Do you mean sports and arts?
So through sports and arts DSA,
they can directly enroll
into a top school?
How high must their standards be?
If my child starts learning now,
can he make it?
You're only going to start trying
to get into a top school now?
- Is it too late?
- Not much time left.
That means it's not too late.
As long as we can get into a top school,
we will do our best.
Don't you need his opinion?
My mom will never ask for my opinion.
I just have to abide by her decisions.
And she will say
- "This is for your own good."
- "This is for your own good."
Yes.
This is for your own good
and your children's own good.
Good morning, parents.
Today's briefing is to urge you all
not to force your children
to aim for elite schools,
but to choose schools
based on their abilities.
You see, every school has its strengths.
Just like every child has their strengths.
Just like in the movie I Not Stupid,
you must understand
that time and resources can be wasted
if you put them into the wrong things.
So I urge you today.
Your child may be a valuable asset.
But you must teach them
how to identify their strengths
so that you can put your time
and energy in the right place.
So your children can flourish.
To flourish.
Still has to do with grades, doesn't it?
Of course. Let me tell you.
Do not worry too much about grades.
I'll help all of you.
- Thank you.
- That's nice.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Jayden, I want you
to finish this bird's nest
and take the supplement.
Your exam is coming.
This is good for your memory and focus.
Didn't Aunty Su give us
some bottles of bird's nest last week?
Why prepare it yourself?
The one I prepared is my secret recipe.
How can you compare it
to the mass-produced stuff?
Of course mine is better.
I only want the best for you.
Mom, you promised to bring me
to an awesome burger place.
When are we going?
Behave yourself
and I will bring you there.
Drink up.
It's expensive.
Why do you always ask me
to drink this stupid bird's saliva?
Jayden, you mind your language.
Sorry, can I have my water?
Maria.
Maria!
Yes, ma'am.
Water, please.
Next time when he's taking supplements,
please bring water along.
He can't possibly take them
without water, right?
Yes, ma'am.
Maria!
Yes, Jayden.
- I need my water now.
- Coming soon.
Jayden! Where did you learn that from?
That's very rude.
- Thank you.
- Sorry, ma'am.
It's okay.
Say thank you.
- Thank you.
- Hey, Jayden.
- Hey.
- Hey, so how's the speech script?
Did you manage to improve it?
As you wished.
Jayden, don't use the last script.
I have found the best lawyer
in the company to improve it.
Use this instead.
Don't be stressed.
Yes, this one is a lot better.
You're going to shock
the school again, my little champion.
We'll practice this later.
Finish this first.
- Wen Ting.
- Hi.
It has been a while.
It has been a while.
You look as pretty as ever.
Same to you.
Are you still working at this company?
The China division sent me
to the Singapore HQ.
Let me introduce some of my friends.
- Sure.
- Let's go.
Are you used to it?
You look so good.
Thank you for taking care of Zi Hao.
I'd be lost without you.
It's no trouble.
Don't mention it.
I'll do it for you later.
Let me introduce my good friend, Wen Ting.
- Hello, I am Wen Ting.
- Hello.
- Come, take a seat over here.
- Okay.
You too.
You are all so pretty.
You are very elegant too.
Yes, such disposition.
Wen Ting, how old is your son?
- He's 12 years old.
- He's 12 years old.
So Primary 6.
PSLE this year.
Could he enter
a government school at Primary 6?
He came here last year
and stayed alone for a year.
He came alone?
Why didn't you come along?
I had some affairs at home
so I couldn't leave.
But thanks to Xiao Hui who recommended
this company that specializes
in overseas education.
This is the one.
From arranging visas
to finding a homestay family,
enrollment, and tuition classes,
they do it all.
Primary 6 is crucial.
The mom should be around for all of it.
To build a strong foundation, right?
But your son arrived just a year ago.
I guess he just needs help
in Science and English.
No issue with the rest?
His English is poor,
so it has affected his math too.
This is a headache for me.
You need to build his English foundation.
Expand his vocabulary and reading.
For math, word problems are key.
Make sure every step is clearly written.
If the answer is wrong,
he doesn't get any points.
For Science, focus on keywords
and make a mindmap.
Sweetie, why are you such a professional?
I am a mom of two after all.
And one-on-one monitoring.
What does that mean?
Eat, drink, learn, and sleep with them.
Sleep with them? Isn't that too much?
No. If you don't monitor him,
he'll wake up in the middle
of the night to play games
and sleep in school the next day.
That's right.
Zhan Rui, move.
Go left.
Zhan Rui, I'm dying. Come save me quick.
Hey, enemy beside you.
Do you need me to assist?
Wang Zi Hao, open the door.
Mom, I'm almost done.
Give me five more minutes.
Wang Zi Hao, open the door.
I'm almost out of stamina.
I'm almost done! Just a while more!
Wang Zi Hao, you have three seconds.
If you don't open the door,
you'll face the consequences.
I'm almost done!
- One.
- Give me a moment.
Two.
I'm almost done, Mom.
Mom!
You're even shouting at me? What?
You even have the guts to lock the door.
Now I know the reason
for your declining results.
It's because of your gaming, isn't it?
You made me betray my friends.
How could you be so heartless?
Betray? Do you even know what that means?
You betrayed me by playing games.
Do you know?
No wonder everyone says
that video games turn kids into monsters.
I have finally witnessed it for myself.
How dare you cover your ears.
Remove your hands.
Wang Zi Hao!
Fine. I will call your dad.
Don't.
Sit properly.
Wang Zi Hao.
Do you know why you came to Singapore?
You are here to study.
I came all the way from Shanghai
to accompany you while you study.
Can we just perform
our own roles as best we can?
You're not a kid anymore.
Don't make me fret over you.
You made me betray my friends.
Finish this book by tonight.
These words dance.
Dancing words.
And pigs can fly.
No dinner for you tonight.
We'll see if the words still dance.
- What are you eating?
- There's a sunny-side up.
Yes.
- What are you drinking?
- Milo.
You also have prawns.
I want my prawns.
Let me ask you.
Does your mom scold you when you game?
No.
Will she make you do homework?
No.
My mom just tells me to try my best.
In the worst-case scenario,
I can sell noodles with my dad.
Sell noodles?
Is your mom's expectation that low?
Low? It doesn't feel that way.
Is your goal to get into a top school?
Do you think
I'll praise you for stating the obvious?
Come on.
How about you?
I'll go with the flow.
- And you?
- I'd like to but I don't think I can.
- You?
- Not with my poor grades.
How about you, Fatty?
Which school do you wish to get into?
Nanyang Girls' School.
- Girls' School?
- Just imagine.
As the only guy in the school,
everyone will be fighting over me.
It's because I'm not there.
Bro, what is wrong with you?
You sabotaged us!
Yesterday, you suddenly went offline.
And now because of you,
all of us lost our equipment.
You made us lose a lot of money.
What now?
I'm sorry.
It's because my mom suddenly came in.
Still trying to find an excuse
for yourself.
Your mom today, your dad tomorrow,
and your grandparents the day after.
Anyway, you are a burden.
Confirm plus chop.
It really wasn't intentional.
My mom switched my computer off.
You can't be trusted.
You're out of this group.
Boys, he has already explained
his reason very clearly.
So please be understanding.
Can't you just shut up?
Why are you such a busybody?
We weren't even talking to you.
I can report you guys to the
Principal's office and settle it there.
We lost money. Real money.
Because of this guy,
all of our money is now gone.
Let's go to the Principal's office.
No.
Come on, guys. Let's just go.
Boys can be so petty.
It's all my mom's fault.
Lost my friends and Mom is still mad.
What else can I do?
I have a solution about your mom.
- As long as you follow my instructions.
- Really?
I have a good strategist behind me.
- Can you teach me too?
- Can you teach me too?
- I want to know.
- I want to know.
Am I dreaming?
You are actually doing housework for me.
Have you finished your homework?
Done. I have finished both.
So quickly?
You are behaving weirdly today.
Fess up. What do you want?
One, two, three.
- May I play games?
- May I play games?
I can read you like a book.
If you are always so obedient,
I'll let you play every day.
Of course, this is my motivation.
Is two hours enough?
Yes, of course.
Thank you for your grace, Empress Mother.
Rise.
Thank you, Empress Mother.
Bye. I'm off to play.
See? The contents are quite different.
But the structures are all the same.
And the grammar is too perfect.
You see that?
Looks like
it's all copied from one person.
Exactly.
Agree?
Let me call them in.
Come in, students.
Come in faster.
Close the door behind you.
- Good morning, teachers.
- Good morning, teachers.
Say it together.
Together and louder.
- Good morning, teachers.
- Good morning, teachers.
All your essays are well-written.
I should be very happy, right?
But I am not. Why?
In the past,
your essays were full of mistakes.
But there were none at all this time.
Is this magic?
Ladies and gentlemen,
tell us the truth.
Did your tutor teach you how to do it?
Or did you copy from someone else?
Look up.
Be brave and admit it.
All your essays are too well-written.
It's not that we look down on you
or don't believe you.
We just want to know how you did it.
Speak up.
Tell us the truth.
Come on.
Listen.
As long as the writing
didn't come from your head
or your brain,
that means it's cheating.
C-H-I-T-I-N-G.
It's C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G.
Did I spell C-H-I-T?
Either you tell us the truth or
I will tell your parents.
Your choice.
Good morning, teachers.
I am your new colleague.
Mr. Lee. Their new form teacher.
New teacher.
I think I may have an idea
of what's going on.
Allow me to share it with you.
Madam Ye,
what is the topic of the composition?
The proudest moment of my life.
Okay.
The proudest moment of my life.
Yes.
- Here you go.
- This new technology.
How could I not know?
Yes, this is actually
the latest AI technology.
It's called AI-GPT.
AI-GPT?
Yes, so what it does
is that you key in the topic
and the AI generates
the essay for you instantly.
What you mean is,
computers can write essays
for everybody now?
- Yes.
- So fast?
Instantly.
So students,
you copied directly from AI-GPT, right?
Gosh, no,
teachers will be out of job soon.
The few of you have cheated.
If the school informs your parents,
you'll be in deep trouble.
Let me ask you again.
What is AI-GPT?
AI-GPT is only a supplementary tool.
Whether it's AI or GPT,
if you're copying word for word,
then you are just deceiving yourself
and also the teachers.
Do you want AI
to replace all of you in the future?
No.
No, right?
Then you need to be creative
and have your own style of writing.
Nice to meet all of you. I'm Mr. Lee.
Your new math teacher
and your new form teacher.
Good morning, class.
- Good morning, Mr. Lee.
- Good morning, Mr. Lee.
Students, I am not saying
that you can't use AI for your homework.
But you need to use your brain, okay?
You need to use your brain
and have critical thinking.
And do you know how to achieve that?
By studying harder.
So do you guys have any questions?
- Mr. Lee, pick me!
- Me!
Are you married?
Do you have a girlfriend?
What's your favorite food?
What's your favorite color?
Do you like gaming?
Okay, students.
I'm only going to answer questions
that are related to your schoolwork.
Hello, Mr. Lee.
I am Jayden.
- Top student.
- Top student.
- Top student.
- Top student.
Hi, Mr. Top Student.
What can I do for you?
Mr. Lee, since you're our math teacher,
you should be great at it.
I'm not bad at it.
I have a math question.
Could you solve it for me?
Can I have your permission
to use my phone to share the question?
Okay.
Thank you.
High school math.
Yes?
Mr. Lee, about the AI-GPT incident.
It's actually my fault.
I was the one who introduced it to them.
I should have reminded them
to not copy it into their homework
word for word.
So can you please not tell their parents?
Okay.
But this will be the last time, all right?
- Okay!
- Okay!
All right, let's start the class.
We don't normally provide
one-to-one home tuition service
for our students.
Well, because...
We can pay more.
It's not about money.
It's not an efficient use of resources.
- Our teachers...
- We'll pay double.
It's not about the money, really.
Using one teacher
for one student is very selfish.
Five times more.
But looking at your son,
he really has the talent
that requires one-to-one tuition.
So sometimes being selfish is good.
It's important.
These are some of our packages.
We have the "One To One" package.
We have the "Turbo" package.
What type of teachers do you have?
- That's important.
- We have three types.
We have a gentle teacher.
We also have those who are very good
at teaching their students
with clear instructions.
No, I want the tough kind.
That's the "Commando" package.
- Okay.
- We have a Commando teacher,
who's very good at handling
difficult students and parents.
Tough love.
Okay, but are your teachers discreet?
I need them to be discreet.
We can be discreet
with our "Keep It a Secret" package.
You have a "Keep It a Secret" package?
Don't worry, you're not
the only parent using this package.
Okay.
Mom, who told you that I cheated?
Does it...
Does it matter who told me?
I know about your every action in school.
This is not considered cheating.
I promise it will
never happen again, okay?
Why are you bringing me
to the tuition center to punish me?
You think I am punishing you
by bringing you here?
Giving you tuition is a punishment?
What is in that head of yours?
Don't think you're not at fault
just because
your teacher didn't inform me.
Your Mr. Lee
hid such a major incident
from the parents.
He's such a weirdo.
Don't blame him.
It has nothing to do with him.
Don't get him in trouble.
Get the teacher in trouble?
Fine.
I won't get him in trouble.
But with such a major incident,
I need to tell your dad.
Don't tell Dad.
Are you scared now?
I'm worried that he might be unhappy
and blame you for not teaching me well.
Zi Hao, for my sake,
can you try your best and study hard?
Get good grades for Dad, okay?
Okay.
The cheating incident
can never happen again.
Fix your strap properly first.
- Hey, Sophia.
- Jayden.
Are you here for tuition too?
- Actually...
- She's not here for tuition.
She's an "old kampung" friend.
"Kampung"?
Village.
- Old neighbor.
- I see.
- We'll leave first.
- Bye-bye.
Okay.
Bye-bye.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye. See you.
Mr. Lee, I don't mean to be difficult.
But this is a very difficult situation.
You may not see it from your perspective.
But your students took the answers
and copied them wholesale.
That is plagiarism.
That is cheating. That is an offense.
And then, you covered up for them
and hid it from the parents.
Now all the other parents
think that you're biased.
That you're favoring these students.
Today, you cover up for these students.
Tomorrow, another student
makes a mistake and you cover it up.
Bigger mistake, bigger cover-up.
Then you cover, cover, cover
In the end?
Mr. Lee, your job is to teach,
not to cover up.
I'm not saying this
just to cover my own backside.
I know you are a young teacher.
I'm going to retire already.
So everything I say is for your own good.
Do you understand?
If you understood what I said,
can you give me a nod?
For your own good, right?
What we swore to keep a secret
became known to all the moms.
If they became investigators,
they'd definitely be indispensable
to the country.
Just like that,
tough times are ahead for me.
When it comes to education,
her circle of friends
always comes up with weird ideas,
making me their guinea pig.
Goodness.
After all that effort,
you still got a score of six.
Can I please get
a score of four out of you?
Do you know that with the same scores,
a Singaporean would have priority?
If you want to be 100% confident,
you need to put in 200% of effort.
I did my best.
Don't say that.
That's just an excuse to be lazy.
I really did my best.
You did not.
But I discovered your potential.
In the past month,
the pressure I put on you
gave exemplary results.
Even though it's just a six,
it's still an improvement
from a score of eight.
What does this mean?
If I continue to press you
and you keep pushing
to unlock your potential,
we will get a four eventually, my son.
Mom, before we came here,
you said it's not that competitive here.
And we have a good foundation
to outshine the locals easily.
You're still behind despite that.
What does that say?
I'm a pig.
You're a pig? What does that make me?
You're not a pig. You're just lazy.
Tell me.
- Have you ever been top of the class?
- No.
There's someone in your class
who has been top student
for the past five years.
Jayden, right?
Mom, how did you know all of this?
Don't interrupt me.
What was I saying?
Jayden.
From today onwards,
Jayden needs to be your goal.
Goal?
With a goal comes motivation.
Motivation is what gets you to the top.
Son, I know studying is not easy.
But I'm here, right?
I'll be by your side.
We can conquer every difficulty together.
We're not locals.
We don't have any second chances.
If you don't do well this time,
how am I going to face your dad?
And what would he think of you?
Everything is in English here.
I suck at it.
It's just English.
I have a solution.
Check the dictionary?
That's too slow.
Memorize the dictionary.
Where did you get this?
I was too complacent
and underestimated the competition.
He improved so rapidly
on all four subjects.
You're from the same tuition center right?
Who are the four teachers?
Sorry, I don't know who they are.
What do you mean?
You're colleagues, you should know.
But we have so many tutors.
Then go find out for us, please.
Sorry, Madam Chew.
I don't think I'm going
to do that for you.
Anyway, today is my last session.
What do you mean?
Your son is fine but I am very stressed.
I really can't put up with you.
I quit.
What? How can you just quit?
We have a "Commando" package!
Can you please go and find out
who the four tuition teachers are?
Mom, it's not about the tuition teacher.
It's the mom.
The mom?
What do you mean?
Ever since his mom came over,
she has been supervising his studies.
His mom was also a top student.
So his results improved over time.
Top student?
She's only been here a few months
and there's so much improvement?
Jayden, you can't underestimate your foes.
Okay? If you do,
you won't get full marks.
Jayden.
I'm talking to you. Are you listening?
Also, I feel that
you should stop tutoring Zi Hao.
The more you tutor him, look.
He's about to surpass you.
Do you still take him as a friend?
Dear.
It's just tutoring a fellow student.
What are you teaching here?
Teaching children
to turn friends into foes.
Is that what you want to achieve?
Come on.
They are just Primary 6 kids.
Primary 6 kids?
And so you think it doesn't matter?
91, 83.
That's still okay.
Look at this math paper.
92, 91.
Do you appreciate
the lack of a difference here?
How come I'm the only one who's worried?
The both of you.
You're his dad. Why aren't you worried?
Okay.
The script your dad got for you
is very well-written.
If you perform well,
you'll definitely be number one.
Have you looked at Zi Hao's script?
Mom, what are you worried about?
It's an English speech competition.
English speech competition,
so you think that it's completely fine?
I want you to go and find out.
Look at his script. Do you understand?
Well, can you do me a favor?
What?
My phone.
No.
Do you remember your mission?
Good.
Mommy, can I get my phone?
So you can find me.
No, you already have your watch.
I can locate and call you anytime.
You don't need your phone.
You're always like that.
Yes?
Mommy, please.
No, you'll just play games on your phone.
I will not.
You see your friend, Jia Yao? Turn around.
Turn around.
You see your friend, Jia Yao?
Mommy, I see my friend.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye-bye. Love you.
She has the same watch as you.
She doesn't need her phone, does she?
Off you go.
Remember the mission I told you, yes?
I love you.
When you meet Jayden and the rest,
remember to discuss your scripts.
I will pick you up at 2 p.m.
Zi Hao, we're here!
I'm going.
Get back here.
What now, Mom?
Give me a kiss.
Mom, I'm grown.
And my friends are all here.
It's so awkward.
Scram.
Okay, I will.
- What took you so long?
- We waited for ages.
Come, Jia Yao. This is for you.
Their cheese dip is a must-try.
Come, Jayden. This is for you.
You all must try their cheese dip.
Zi Hao, this is for you.
Thank you.
Zi Hao, how's your competition script?
I'm pretty slow at writing it.
Did you write it yourself?
Of course.
Didn't you?
Of course.
Zi Hao, show me your script.
Edit it for me. Thank you.
Jia Yao, why are you only
helping Zi Hao and not me?
It's not fair.
Top Student,
your English is so much better than mine.
Are you trying to be sarcastic?
No, your English isn't bad either.
Are you jealous?
Do you want a beating?
I wouldn't dare.
Jayden, have a look for him.
You've helped him every time.
Are you afraid of losing?
What's there to be scared of?
- How is it?
- How is it?
How is it?
It's okay. Not bad.
You can definitely get second place.
Why?
Because I am first.
It's okay.
We'll take first and second place.
I will just continue improving.
Tuck in.
Pass me the phone.
It can't be helped.
I have to take care of my son and husband.
I'll settle the bill for that table.
I'll leave my card with you.
Recently, my daughter
You're here.
- Sorry, I'm late.
- Hello.
Gosh.
Such a sumptuous spread.
Is this pork ribs?
- Bak kut teh.
- Bak kut teh.
Let me tell you.
The specialty dishes in Singapore include
chili crab and Hainanese chicken rice.
And the bak kut teh here
is very special. Try it.
So delicious.
My husband would love this.
Your husband.
It's always about him.
I've prepared two packets
for you to send over to him.
When he drinks the soup,
he'll think of you for sure.
Thank you.
Forget your husband.
Your child scored well
in Weighted Assessment 1.
Many parents have asked me
how you achieve such rapid improvement.
Yes, can you teach us too?
We want to learn.
Share your tips.
Just like what she said,
a personal one-on-one monitoring.
Eat, drink, and sleep with them.
Strictly limit the usage
of electronic devices.
No game.
- No game.
- No game.
Did you teach him yourself?
- Yes.
- No tuition classes?
Yes. How could he
not be attending tuition?
Has he improved in English?
He has improved a lot.
I got him to memorize the dictionary.
And I signed him up
for the English speech competition.
It's very useful.
Memorizing the dictionary?
My dear, that's what we did 30 years ago.
And you're doing it now.
What do you mean?
Is there a better way?
Yes.
Have you heard of Hally Peter?
Hally Peter? No.
It is a very famous novel.
Look it up online.
Watch some short videos.
Some Primary 4 kids have it memorized.
Memorising a novel?
Yes.
Not only Primary 4,
but even Primary 1 students are doing it.
- Is it effective?
- Of course.
I was in the English stream, right?
Listen, when learning a language,
context is crucial.
No point in just memorizing words.
Stupid idea.
S-T-U-P-I-D I-D-E-A.
- Stupid...
- Son.
No need to memorize the dictionary.
What did you say?
No need to memorize the dictionary.
Are you serious?
Mom, I'm the only one in school
memorizing the dictionary.
You've finally come around!
Yes...
Hally Peter?
Is this for me to read?
To memorize.
Memorize?
Novels are for reading, not memorizing.
Son, I learned something new today.
All my friends are experts in education.
They told me
that the quickest way to improve English
is to memorize Hally Peter.
Even students back home
are great at memorizing it.
There are so many videos of them doing it.
From today onwards,
forget that and use this.
Memorize it fully.
Once you are done, I will record a video
and send it to your dad.
I'm sure he'll be so happy.
What attitude is that?
Hurry up.
Quick, time is money.
Start after your shower.
Whose dumb idea was it
to memorize such a thick dictionary?
Hello, are you not able
to answer a video call now?
I video-called you.
It's not convenient now.
What is it?
There's something I need to tell you.
Our kid's PSLE is coming up.
We won't be able to return
to Shanghai during the holidays.
I was thinking,
could you find time to come over?
He misses you a lot.
Do you think I have the time?
Can't you free some time up?
I can't.
He has had exemplary results recently.
You know he needs his dad's encouragement.
The landlord came
and said he wanted to raise the rent.
Is the lease ending?
You know
that he's taking his PSLE this year
and can't afford to move houses.
When you signed the lease,
why didn't you...
You were here at that time.
Did you forget?
You said once the lease is up,
you'll move us to a bigger house.
Cut to the chase.
How much is it?
Three thousand dollars.
What? That's daylight robbery.
Have you tried negotiating?
This is after negotiation.
That's a lot. I can't afford that much.
Cut your expenses.
At this rate, I'll run out of money.
Do you think it's for me?
It's for our child.
Hello.
Hello?
You're reading an English novel now?
What about your dictionary?
My mom wants me
to memorize Hally Peter now.
What the heck is she doing?
She's hopeless.
I can see that.
Let me tell you, this horrid
Hally Peter.
You should set this Horrid Peter on fire
and drink the ashes.
That way, all the information
will be downloaded into your stomach.
And you don't have to memorize it anymore.
So funny, right?
Yes.
Why did your mom do that?
Every time my mom comes back
from meeting her friends,
it's as if she's gotten a secret manual.
She's as excited as if she were in heaven.
But for me, it's hell.
My goodness.
Thankfully, she's not my mom.
Let me tell you.
Those are not your mom's good friends.
They are "pig and dog friends."
Pig and dog friends? What's that?
Bad friends.
They are out to make your life worse.
You're studying very hard.
Have you tried telling your mom?
I tried, but our communication
is a one-way street.
Did you speak English with her?
That's why she doesn't understand?
No, I spoke to her in Mandarin.
Perfect Mandarin.
Why can't you communicate with her then?
Jayden, come join us.
Jayden, join us.
Jayden!
Our recent communication with him
has also been one-sided.
Yes, why is that?
How would I know? Why is that?
How would I know? Why is that?
I wouldn't know either.
"If you're not capable,
you'll fail in the job you're in."
Failing one job
means failing all other jobs.
"Failing all other jobs
means failing every job."
Any volunteers?
Jayden, give it a go.
"If you're capable,
you'll flourish in any job."
Finish it.
"If you're capable,
you'll flourish in any job."
Good at being good means very good.
Very good means any job is good.
"If you're not a job"
That's enough. Stop laughing.
Take a seat.
Take a seat.
You give it a go.
"If you're capable,
you'll flourish in any job."
Good at one job means good at any job.
Good at any job means good at anything.
If you're not capable,
you'll fail in the job you're in.
Failing one job
means failing all other jobs.
"Failing all other jobs
means failing every job."
Okay, please be quiet.
Although you did well,
you were reading
an English novel in class.
That shows that you're disrespecting me.
A Chinese novel won't do too.
I will hold on to this book for you.
Your mom can collect it later.
I'm not reading a novel.
Is Hally Peter not a novel?
I need to memorize
this chapter of Hally Peter.
So have you memorized it?
Recite it for the class.
"As he crept into the library,"
his heartbeat echoed
the ticking of the grandpa clock.
Standing sentry at the entrance
Magic was potent here.
crackling in the air,
"making the hairs on his
neck stand on end."
What's wrong with Jayden?
What is he so upset about?
I don't know when he became like that.
Forget him.
I have something awesome for you.
Awesome stuff.
- Thank you.
- Here, enjoy your meal.
Get ready to start mixing.
Go.
One, two, three.
It's good.
It's so delicious.
Zi Hao, you've been in Singapore
for so long.
Have you tried our other local delicacies?
I have not.
What delicacies are there?
- There's a lot.
- There's a lot.
Listen up.
Lontong, chwee kueh, char kway teow.
Nasi lemak, stir-fried noodles.
Rice noodle roll and bak kut teh.
Laksa, rojak, chili crab.
And of course, Hainanese chicken rice.
I need to share it with my mom next time.
Wang Zi Hao!
Oh my God. Your mom is omnipotent.
It's omnipresent.
More like she's haunting me.
What's haunting you?
We were planning our next meeting
at our usual haunt.
Really?
Did you forget
that you have English tuition today?
And yet you're having noodles here?
It's very nice. Do you want some?
Do I look like I want to have noodles?
I thought it would be quick
since it's next door.
Aunty.
I think Zi Hao doesn't need tuition.
His English is already super good.
You know in school today,
he recited a full paragraph
of Hally Peter.
- It was so impressive.
- Yes.
Really?
Don't you have
supplementary classes today?
Their supplements
are through this nourishing soup.
My treat.
Hi, Andy's mom.
I don't want to let our fatty
be too stressed.
Just has to pass his exams, right?
Kids deserve a happy childhood.
Totally true.
Right, Fatty.
Do you want to invite Zi Hao
to your birthday party?
Yes. Zi Hao, can you come?
Of course.
Who said you could go? Did I agree to it?
You can tell
just from looking at that Andy.
He lacks ambition
and is happy with just a pass.
Look at his mom.
She doesn't care about his results.
For your own good,
cherish your life and stay away from Andy.
Don't let his dislike for studying
infect you.
Or all your efforts will go to waste.
If it reaches that point,
I can't save you.
Understand?
Also, there is no way
I'm letting you attend it.
So don't come begging.
Son, did you get the address right?
I remembered correctly.
Sir, can I check
if this is the correct address?
Yes, it's the address you gave.
You don't believe this is Fatty's house?
No, but they sell noodles.
How could noodle sellers afford
such a huge mansion in Singapore?
Pretty lady, it's possible.
Not just Singaporeans but anyone can.
My time is coming too.
Hello, put down 100 on big
and 100 on small for me.
I can feel it today.
Mom, why don't I quit studying?
I'll sell Shanghai wonton noodles instead.
And we might just be able
to afford this house.
Wait for me.
This is so lavish.
Mom, they are my gaming friends.
Please explain to them.
I still want to befriend them.
Get back here.
Greet the owner first.
When did you become so rude?
Let's go.
Very good performance.
That's my child.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- Hi, we meet again.
- Hello.
Andy's house is so gorgeous and large.
But
aren't they fishball noodle sellers?
Yes, they are.
They have many outlets too.
- I should have done the same.
- Me too.
So they started from scratch?
Yes, we did.
Welcome to my house.
Thanks for the invite.
Your fishball noodle business
is so successful.
Fatty's mom,
do you have a few dozen outlets?
No, probably a few hundred outlets
in Singapore and Malaysia.
A few hundred?
Gosh, what's your secret to success?
We have none.
I grew up in the village
and knew nothing
but how to make fishball noodles.
We started with a stall.
Then we entered shopping malls.
Our business has expanded now.
Like including pastries,
food courts, and fried chicken.
I'm curious to know.
With your success,
which university did you graduate from?
University?
I didn't even graduate from Primary 6.
Thankfully, my grandpa left behind
his fishball noodle recipe
which worked well with my talent.
And I was lucky enough to earn some money.
So I continued.
You're so lucky to have this talent.
I think we're just like a computer.
When we are born,
we're all pre-programmed with an app.
The one in my husband
is definitely for making fishball noodles.
So he took to making fishball noodles
like a duck to water.
That is my youngest son.
I got it.
Your youngest son
has got the music app installed.
By that logic, our children
already have an app installed.
Then why do we still force them to study?
But if we don't,
how would we know what their app is?
And if this person has more than one app,
what do we do?
Well, that's why you need
to push your children
in order to find out
which one is the best app.
I agree.
- Hello.
- Hello, Sophia.
Uncle, Aunty.
This is Fatty's gift.
Where is he?
- Over here.
- He's there.
Fatty, this is your gift.
Happy birthday.
Thank you.
This is for you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Let's go.
Let me introduce you.
This is our company's senior management.
He graduated from Harvard University.
That's right because I am uneducated.
So I hired someone well-educated
to help manage the company.
So the state of society now
is the well-educated
working for the uneducated.
See? No studying is required.
Do you see that?
You can't say that.
Those who are even more highly educated
own even bigger companies.
Yes, you need to know
not many people
are as lucky as Andy's dad.
To me, paper qualifications
are the best assurance.
That's right.
All right, let's give him a big one.
This is disgusting.
It's going to stink. I can smell it.
Zi Hao, once you drink this,
all our problems will be resolved.
- Come.
- What is it?
Just drink. it's very nice.
It's a spiced-up drink, right?
A little bit.
When Zi Hao played games with you,
it was Aunty's fault that he went offline
and caused you to lose your equipment.
Today, I will finish this
to punish myself.
But can we make a deal?
If I finish this,
all of you let bygones be bygones.
And from now till PSLE,
do not play games with him, okay?
Aunty, stop.
It's okay.
No problem.
Mom, don't drink it!
Deal?
- Deal.
- Deal.
Thank you.
Let's go.
See you.
Don't worry. I'm fine.
Mom.
Thank you, Mom.
Are you okay?
I'm just fine.
I just want to say
I didn't know you spent so much money
just to get the equipment in the game.
I would like to apologize for that, okay?
Did you use the money I gave you
to buy in-game items?
Not with that minuscule amount you gave.
Even better.
Hello, pretty lady. You're finally back.
Let me ask you again.
Are you still renting this house?
Yes, of course.
Landlord, the increase in rent
is so drastic.
We're not quite able to afford it.
Can we...
Ma'am, at this price,
other agents would be after my life
if they learned about it.
It is already very cheap.
We can't rent at this price of yours.
You finally said it.
Looks like we're done here.
Landlord, let's talk.
Just give us three months.
Once my son is done with his PSLE,
we'll move out instantly. Okay?
Three months?
The rental is my source of income.
What am I supposed to do for three months?
Do me this favor.
My son is still studying. Please.
Do me a favor too.
Last reminder.
- You have two options to hurry.
- What?
Hurry and pay the rent
or hurry and move out.
Why not ask Dad to send more money over?
Don't bother about that.
Mom, are you all right?
It's coming out.
Close the door.
You take a shower.
I'm in favor of removing examinations.
Having examinations
will also cause
unnecessary competition among students.
Our parents will always be asking
how we did on our exams.
Therefore, I think
examinations are redundant.
No more examinations in primary school.
Examinations are actually good.
It keeps students on their toes
and focuses on their work.
So I do not agree with people
who said that
we should remove examinations.
Good afternoon, everyone.
I believe that exam results
are definitely helpful
in assessing a student's progress.
While some may find
this perspective a little extreme,
in today's world,
quantitative standards have become
an important representation
of modern society.
Although scores
can't completely measure a person's value,
as of now,
there's no other method that we can know
how much a student has absorbed
and whether they are able
to apply what they've learned.
If not for exams,
in what other ways can we prove
who is the most outstanding?
Thank you.
Actually, exams are just one of the ways
to test a student's ability.
Some students are better at hands-on
while some are better
at creative activities.
It is unfair to use exams
to measure everyone's ability.
Therefore, I think
we should use different methods
to assess students' abilities.
Thank you.
Mom, are we staying here from now on?
The room is so small
and there's only one bed.
Did you not see
the hidden feature of the bed?
See that? It's a double-layer bed.
You can sleep next to me in the future.
How long has it been
since we slept together?
Also, do you know why you were shortlisted
for the English speech competition?
- Why?
- Because the feng shui here is good.
The moment we moved houses,
you were shortlisted.
You can't find such feng shui anywhere.
Why don't we move back to Shanghai?
The house there is much bigger.
Does Dad not want us anymore?
Who said that?
Who said that he doesn't want us anymore?
No one.
Then why are you overthinking?
Remember.
You are the most important to your dad.
He will never ever abandon you.
Don't overthink, your little head.
Does he really want us?
Yes, of course he does.
Okay?
We have a beautifully decorated washroom.
Come take a look later.
AFTER CONSIDERATION, I FEEL THAWE HAVE IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES
NO POINT HOLDING ON, LET'S GET A DIVORCE
TAKE THE CHILD, HE'S CLOSER TO YOU
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to Yuzher Primary School's
English Speech Competition.
This is a really challenging competition
as our topics will be chosen at random.
Now, let us give our judges
a warm round of applause.
Let's welcome
our first contestant, Indina.
And your topic is
"My Mother."
A warm round of applause.
Mothers are like
the superstars of our lives.
They love us more than anyone
and anything in the world.
Their sacrifice is unconditional.
And nothing is expected in return.
They celebrate our victories
no matter how big or how small
and always make us feel special.
Mothers demonstrate great strength.
My ambition is to become a teacher.
I think being a teacher is not easy.
Mothers are the best.
They are like superheroes without capes.
This is the type of love that inspires us
to become our better selves.
This is the type of love
that helps us overcome every challenge,
every obstacle, and every hardship.
This love is like a gift
and this gift is special.
Because this is a gift
nobody can take away from them.
Let's welcome
our next contestant, Jayden Lee.
A warm round of applause.
Gosh, again.
"My mother."
Excuse me, teacher.
Can I choose my own topic?
I'm sorry, you cannot.
My mom is a great mom.
She loves me a lot.
And she
She loves me a lot.
She also asks our helper
to cook many delicious meals for me.
And she
She always asks our helper
to cook many delicious
and expensive meals for me.
And she
She
And she always buys
many expensive shoes for me to wear.
And
She
Perhaps you can share more on
how you feel
about your relationship with your mother.
She
- Jayden!
- Jayden!
- Jayden!
- Jayden!
- Jayden!
- Jayden!
Gosh, again.
"My Mother."
A big round of applause.
Last year, my mother worked very hard
so that I could come to Singapore
to study in Primary 5.
At first,
I hated her for sending me here.
Taking me away from my close friends,
my classmates,
and a lot of hometown food.
After many things,
I saw her love for me.
And it's beyond my imagination.
Once,
my friends forced me
to drink chili and wasabi.
My mother found out
and she drank it for me.
My mother gave up her high-paying job
to come and be with me.
Over here, she doesn't have a job.
And our expenses are dependent on my dad.
But lately, something happened.
I think my dad doesn't want us anymore.
My mother hid it from me
because she didn't want it to affect me.
I don't know why but I guess,
I'm not good enough.
I will work harder
and hope that my dad will see my value
and come back to us.
I hope this will make my mother happy.
I love you, Mother.
Thank you.
See? This is the burger you wanted, right?
Mommy kept her promise to you.
Try it.
Such a big bite.
Dear, come and see the way he's eating.
Gosh.
Is this his reward?
Good job.
Hey, the whole burger is yours.
Eat slowly, okay?
Well done.
What did you say about me
during your speech contest?
Where's the medal?
Trying to surprise me, right?
Okay, where is it?
Where's the medal?
Where's the medal?
Swallow your food first.
I
I
I didn't win.
You didn't win?
Why are you eating then?
What happened?
He didn't win.
He tried his best.
It's okay.
What about that Zi Hao?
How did he place?
Fifth place.
He should've been in ninth place.
And you?
Ninth place.
How many contestants?
Nine.
Is it that hard to talk about me?
I can only recite from memory.
If Dad had written a script for me,
I would have recited it.
I would have gotten first place.
Do you need a script
to talk about your mother?
I have so many good memories with you.
After all that I've done for you,
and you can't
Maybe what?
He just doesn't know
what you want from him.
What do you mean? I don't know.
I don't know
what you want from this marriage.
I don't know. I have never, ever known
what you want from this marriage.
So I know what I want.
I want that divorce.
You suggested it. I'm taking it.
- Let's just get the divorce.
- Is that the only way
- we can solve this?
- Yes, that's the only way
we can solve this.
Let's go and get a divorce.
All right, class. Eyes on me.
- Eyes on you.
- Eyes on you.
Your math test is next week.
Are you guys ready for it?
- Yes!
- Yes!
I want all of you
to achieve a special result.
- What?
- What?
100% passing rate.
Teacher, if 100% of our class passes,
what is our reward?
Reward?
Aren't you guys supposed
to do it for yourselves?
Mr. Lee should follow us to swimming.
Swimming?
Why swimming?
Everyone, look. Mr. Lee's swimming photo!
Class, sit down.
Go back to your seats.
Pass me the photo.
Go back to your seats, guys.
Hey.
How did you get this photo?
- Social media.
- Social media.
Social media.
Okay, fine.
I'll go swimming with all of you.
- Yes!
- Yes!
But every single one of you, okay?
Every single one will have
to pass your math exam.
- Okay!
- Okay!
Promise?
- Promise!
- Promise!
All right, class.
Get into your groups now.
I heard you promised
to take the students swimming.
I told them I'd bring them
if everyone passed.
Do you think it's possible?
We'll see.
But at least it will motivate them, right?
When Wen Ting comes,
don't talk about the divorce.
What?
All of a sudden?
- They seemed so blissful.
- It's so sudden.
It's no surprise.
They've had marital issues for a while.
That's why she brought
her son to Singapore
to give her husband some space
and try to save the marriage.
Now, her husband not only wants a divorce,
but he's also dumping them here
and turning his back
without paying a cent.
- My goodness.
- What can we do?
What a person he is.
Should we think of something
to help her out?
It must have been tough on them.
We have to help.
What was Wen Ting's job in China?
Accountant.
Accountant? Good.
That's good.
Wen Ting.
Have a seat.
- Sit.
- You look nice today.
I heard you were
an accountant in China, right?
They are well-regarded in Singapore too.
Speaking of, I have a friend who's looking
for an accountant.
But he hasn't found a suitable candidate.
Why don't I introduce you?
You can do his accounts.
Thank you.
But I don't think I can work on this visa.
I will be deported if I get found out.
You can get paid through necessities
instead of money.
Excuse me. I'll be right back.
Relax.
A lot of people are doing it.
Getting necessities as compensation
is also probably prohibited.
Sophia.
These are the test papers you wanted.
It's a whole ten years' worth
of PSLE exam papers.
It's okay. If your friend needs help,
I can do it for free.
You are too careful, Wen Ting.
She is right to do that.
If anything happens here,
she'd have nowhere else to go.
I know.
- I'm going.
- Hold on.
Do you know that woman?
Wen Ting? I do.
She's a friend of a friend.
She has
some financial difficulties lately.
So she is looking for a job.
Has she found one?
Probably.
There are so many people trying to help.
I'll take my leave now.
Keep in touch.
Hi, I'm home.
Sorry, it was a busy day.
Maria, coffee.
Yes, sir.
Let me ask you.
Are those study mamas
not allowed to get a job here?
Not in the first year.
But they can in the second year.
As long as the company
applies for the permit,
they will be allowed to work.
Why do you ask?
I saw Zi Hao's mom at a caf today.
She seemed to be looking for a job.
Actually, she's a study mama.
Also, Singapore is an expensive city.
Trying to earn some extra cash
is no big deal.
As long as she's not doing it
out in the open,
I think that's fine.
You sure know how to take pity on others.
What about me?
I am talking to you.
What are you talking about?
I always offer help
yet you never accept it.
Really?
If I did, your mom would say
I don't know how to raise my son.
- Why did you get my mom involved?
- And I'm an incompetent woman.
She tells me
that I am an incompetent mother.
I am just tired.
I'm tired of always being the only one
- in charge of this entire household.
- Stop.
Stop what?
Can you please just help out
in the family?
- If you do, I'll very gladly stop.
- Stop, please.
Stop, we are both tired.
And I don't know
how to communicate with you anymore.
I do think that
I'm a lot more tired than you,
given all the responsibilities.
Why are you walking...
You call yourself a lawyer?
Jayden.
Come back, please.
Sit down.
I have been busy
and didn't have time for you.
That's why your results
have fallen below Zi Hao's.
You've lost five times.
Will you keep on losing?
I'll do my revision.
Will you lose again?
Will you be number one?
Good. I don't care how you do it.
Just make sure that you do it, understand?
The number you called
is currently unavailable.
Please try again later.
The number you called
is currently unavailable.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Today is your first preliminary exam.
I know you've been working hard.
Don't be stressed. Just do your best.
Cheating is a very serious offense,
let me remind you again.
If you have any questions,
please do raise your hands.
The duration of the exam is 50 minutes.
And the time right now is 8 a.m.
You may begin now.
Focus, please.
I don't know. This isn't mine.
Teacher, that slip of paper
really isn't mine.
I know.
Science is very stressful for you,
especially since your mom
cares a lot about your grades.
But this is not the right way.
Mr. Lim, it's not me.
That paper isn't mine.
When things happen,
it's very easy to say that it's not me.
Sorry, but I have to inform your parents.
Mr. Lim.
Let me handle it.
Your model student cheated.
Zi Hao, tell me.
Why did you cheat?
Teacher, I did not cheat.
Do you not know why this slip of paper
was in your pencil case?
Yes, I don't know why.
I know you have your own reasons.
So you need to tell me.
Otherwise, your mom would be devastated.
Please don't let my mom know.
She has been very sad lately.
I don't want to cause her more sadness.
What happened?
My dad doesn't want us anymore.
You'll be okay.
Zi Hao, did you write this?
The words are so small.
I can't find the keywords.
You see?
I need to highlight to see the keywords.
Otherwise, the words would fly around.
They fly?
Isn't it the same for all of you?
Okay.
I will admit it if I have to.
But please don't tell my mom, okay?
All right.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.
Come, let me tell you. Words can fly?
What rubbish.
He admitted, right?
- The truth won't escape me.
- He didn't write this.
The handwriting is totally different
and he can't read it.
Is that so?
Mr. Lim, can you work with me
to find out who wrote this?
This.
This should be it.
I think so too.
- Yes, definitely.
- This is the one.
Did you write this slip of paper?
No, I did not write that.
Can you rewrite whatever is on the paper?
I wrote this but I did not plant it.
Why did you do that, Rachel?
Are you jealous of Zi Hao's grades?
Why should I be jealous of Zi Hao?
When compared to his, my results
are the difference between night and day.
Why should I be jealous?
Okay.
So who told you to do this?
It's
Don't be afraid and just tell us.
If I do so,
my life might be in danger.
Seriously?
Have you watched too many dramas
and are afraid of him taking revenge?
No.
But I don't want him to hate me.
- Why?
- Why?
Because I like him.
I see.
Man, your student.
It's not romantic.
It's purely platonic.
Friendship.
Okay, why are you helping him then?
My results have always been poor.
And my family can't afford tuition.
Jayden has helped me time and time again.
So I was willing to do him this favor.
- So it's Jayden?
- Jayden?
Oh no
Jayden must hate me now.
Please keep it a secret for me.
Please.
Summoning Jayden
It's not me, Mr. Lee. Not me.
Jayden, we already have evidence
that you're the one who did it.
Just tell us.
Let us know why you did it.
Be a man.
If you did it, you'd better own up.
Sabotaging others is a very bad thing.
Jayden, tell us.
So we can understand what happened.
Just tell us. Don't worry, okay?
My mom forced me.
I can't lose to him again.
If I lose to Zi Hao again,
I'll be beaten and scolded by her.
You are a liar!
Why did you lie to me?
I had no other way to win him.
I was left with no choice
but to sabotage him.
How does your mom beat you?
Sometimes bare-handed
and sometimes with a cane.
Every time you promise me
You promised!
You'll be the death of me!
What I fear most is her verbal abuse.
What did she say?
She said
she regrets giving birth to me.
She calls me stupid.
She calls me useless.
She says
Other than scolding and caning you,
has she used a wooden pole
to hit you anywhere?
Like your head?
No.
The abuse from your mother.
Have you told anyone?
No.
She told me not to tell anyone.
As it is for my own good.
But if it is for my own good,
why am I in so much pain?
I don't understand.
I'm so confused.
Is that why in the speech competition,
you were unable to talk about your mom?
I don't know what I could talk about.
I didn't know what could be said.
But I didn't want to tell a lie.
Teacher,
if you hate someone to the core,
could you bring yourself
to say you love them?
Is she your biological mom?
Mr. Lim.
I have to make sure. It matters.
Yes, she is.
I love you.
See how much Mommy loves you?
So I am even more confused.
They quarrel often due to my results.
Sometimes to the point
of wanting a divorce.
I
I feel like a sinner.
I feel unwanted. Am I unwanted?
- Should I not exist at all?
- No.
No, Jayden.
You're not a sinner.
It's not your fault.
And you're not unwanted, okay?
You have a value in this world.
I don't want to end up like Zi Hao,
with my parents apart.
I can't live without either of them.
I don't want to live in a broken family.
Teacher, I know I made a mistake.
But can you please not tell my mom?
Promise?
- Confirm plus chop.
- Plus chop.
Okay, you may go out.
Bro, from my experience,
this is not family violence.
It's a very normal family education.
I don't think so.
She's clearly verbally abusing him.
We don't even know
how hard she's hitting him.
I think Jayden is under a lot of pressure.
What pressure?
My dad used to hit me like I was a thief.
Belt and wooden sticks,
even throwing chairs.
He'd grab my hair
and hit me against the wall.
- And your mom?
- She'd add on to it.
Pull me to the room for another round.
From singles to doubles
and yet I came out fine.
Is she even your birth mom?
Mom, I'm back.
Come in.
Eat.
Look at your face.
Were you scared to death?
You look really happy, Mom.
Of course I am happy.
Didn't you see what I made for you?
Try the cowpea omelet.
Is it salty?
And there's herbal tea too.
Drink some to cool down your body.
Son, dig in.
- No need to feed you, right?
- Thank you, Mom.
Son.
I know our current situation
is not as good as before.
But I will work as hard as you.
I'll try my best
and take good care of you.
In a year's time when I can work,
I will get us a bigger house.
Are you confident in your mom?
Yes.
Eat up.
You don't have to worry about anything.
Just focus on your studies.
There's something very important.
Next week.
- Math exam?
- Yes.
This time, can you try your best
and surpass Jayden
to get top of the class?
Aren't test results not important now?
They just look at our rating.
Jayden and I have very similar standards.
Sometimes he gets a point higher.
Other times I get a point higher.
It's only a one or two-point difference.
Why are you guys
being so nitpicky about it?
What do you mean by nitpicky?
Every single point is important.
Sometimes the difference
between first and second place
comes down to one or two points.
To me, even half a point is important.
Understand?
Son.
Work hard
and surpass Jayden.
Surpass Jayden.
Surpass Jayden.
Okay.
Surpass Jayden.
So are you all ready
to slay for your prelims?
- Yes!
- Yes!
So confident. Okay.
So what's our target for this prelims?
- One hundred percent passing rate!
- One hundred percent passing rate!
Can you tell me?
Explain to me. Why can't you understand?
Answer me!
Give me your hand.
- You'll be the death of me!
- No, Mom! No!
Every time you promise me
- and it's always a lie.
- I'll get first place.
You are a liar! I tell you!
A bloody liar!
All right, students. Two minutes left.
All right, class.
Time's up. Pens down.
Students.
I see all of the hard work you have placed
into this test.
Now, I'm going to reveal your results.
How much? Tell us what it is.
The passing rate for this test is
Come on, tell us.
What is the percentage?
Hundred percent!
- Swimming!
- Swimming!
Wait, how about this?
I'll treat you guys to a meal
instead of swimming, okay?
- No!
- No!
Mr. Lee, you can't back out.
You promised us!
You can't go back on your words.
- Yes!
- Yes!
Okay, fine.
I'll go swimming with all of you.
Jayden.
Zi Hao.
- What did you get?
- I don't know.
Look at it.
Let's see the marks.
Oh my God, Jayden got 48 marks.
Almost full marks.
How many marks did you get?
Gosh, you couldn't even solve
these simple questions.
Jayden, you are first again.
You won again.
He only got 45 marks.
He couldn't even solve this easy question.
You won.
First place again.
He only got 45 marks.
Look, he couldn't solve
these simple questions.
The answers were correct.
Why did he cross them out?
How was your math exam?
Did you win Zi Hao?
See?
I told you.
If I hadn't asked that of him
and pressured him
and banned him from playing games,
do you think
he would have been in first place?
Kids are like that.
You need to force them.
How else would
they unlock their full potential?
I was like that too.
My mom pressured me when I was young.
Eventually, I managed to get my Masters.
Olympic gold medalists are the same.
They are pushed to do grueling training
in order to get the gold medal, right?
Mommy.
Actually, I got first place
because Zi Hao...
Jayden, all that matters
is that you got first place.
No ifs and buts about it, okay?
Sit back. Buckle up.
Why are they so slow today?
Mr. Lee, sorry to disturb you today.
I would like to show you
Zi Hao's exam paper.
Look, he had the right answers
for these questions.
But he crossed them out
before submitting them.
He wouldn't tell me why.
I'd like to ask.
Do you know why?
Nothing. I just thought
they were the wrong answers.
So I crossed them out.
I didn't know what was the correct answer.
And it was time to submit the test.
No big deal. Let's go home.
Stop.
Come back.
Did I say you can go?
Have you calculated it?
How many marks did you lose
because of this?
If you don't get a score of four,
you can't enter a top school.
So every mark is vital
and you need to maximize it, understand?
I really didn't know how to do it.
Don't talk back.
I have asked your tuition teacher.
He taught you these questions.
You can solve them.
Even your answers were correct.
And yet you handed it in like that. Why?
Calm down.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Mr. Lee.
I am really at my wit's end.
Sometimes, I look at my son
sitting there with a book.
He's not focused at all.
I really want to turn into a worm
and crawl into your brain
to see what's inside!
Okay, I understand.
Zi Hao, I've gone through
the questions in class.
And you knew the answers.
You've even written the answers down.
Why did you cross them out?
Mr. Lee, since the answers are correct,
are you able to add the marks back?
No, I can't.
- Why not?
- Sorry, but this is the school's policy.
But this...
I really can't do that.
Zi Hao.
You crossed the answers out
to intentionally lose to Jayden,
right?
Intentionally lose to Jayden?
Wang Zi Hao.
What are you doing?
Are exams a mere game to you?
I'm sorry, Mom.
It's my fault.
I wanted to save Jayden
because he was in a dire situation.
If he loses to me by one or two marks,
he'll get beaten up by his mom.
Beaten up by his mom?
And it's very bad so I wanted to save him.
Zi Hao's mom, what happened was,
regarding Zi Hao's cheating incident
from before,
Jayden was actually the culprit.
He said if he lose to Zi Hao,
he'll be severely punished by his mother.
Zi Hao, did you overhear from outside?
So you intentionally lost to him
in order to save him?
Wang Zi Hao.
Zi Hao's mom.
Please don't punish him.
Wang Zi Hao.
You silly child.
Okay.
Let's take a seat.
Mr. Lee is telling us to sit.
Come on.
- Sit.
- Please sit.
Zi Hao's mom.
There's something
I'd like to share with you.
Do you know that
Zi Hao may be suffering from dyslexia?
Dyslexia?
Yes.
You're talking about Zi Hao?
Zi Hao, when you are reading,
do the words float
and look like they are flying?
It's tough for kids like him to study.
So his results are commendable.
His grades
have always been consistently good.
He is very strong mentally.
Why are you so silly?
Why didn't you let me know?
I thought it was the same for everyone.
You silly child.
He didn't know
that it wasn't the same with everyone.
I'm sorry, Mom.
I didn't tell you.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Mr. Lee, wait.
Yes, Madam Mok?
I already told the Principal
about Jayden's sabotage case.
- What?
- Yes.
Madam Mok, I promised him
I won't tell anyone about it.
That won't do.
Sabotage and cheating
are serious offenses.
It's my job to let the school know.
And it's your job to let the parents know.
When such things happen,
the parents must be the first to know.
If they are the second to know,
they will let the Principal
and the MOE know.
Then you'll be in trouble.
Don't underestimate
the parents' complaints.
I understand, Madam Mok.
But the thing is,
Jayden is a special case.
I need to think properly
about how to tell his parents.
If not, we wouldn't know
what they'd do to him.
Have you forgotten about your "GPS" case?
My "GPS" case?
Yes.
You mean the GPT incident?
Yes. You tried to cover up for everybody.
What did you get in the end?
Nothing.
But if we break
our promise to the students,
the students
will not trust us in the future.
Have you heard of the saying
"No good deed goes unpunished"?
I don't understand.
What does it mean?
No good deed goes unpunished.
You're still young and have a long way
to go for your career.
If you want to be a good teacher,
you must first know how to survive
and do the right thing.
Actually, I urgently need to poo.
But I think your case is more urgent.
That's why I came over to tell you.
You go and talk to the parents
as soon as possible.
All I said was for your own "poo".
I mean, for your own good.
Hey, what are you doing here?
Go back to your classrooms.
What time is it already?
What is this?
You're accusing my son
of framing his classmate
just based on
the statement of one student?
Ms. Sophia, we have evidence that
Jayden was the one who did it.
And he admitted to it as well.
And how would I know
you didn't coerce him into saying that?
In fact, I strongly suspect
that you threatened my son
into giving a false testimony.
Don't forget, my husband is a lawyer.
You will go to the Principal.
And you will make sure
that this is not on Jayden's record.
We can't do that.
Wait.
Ms. Sophia.
To me, this is actually a very small case.
A very small warning.
The school has been very lenient.
For Lee and I,
our duty is actually to keep you informed.
If you have any objections,
we'll be very happy
to refer her to another department.
Right?
Ms. Sophia.
I need to talk to you about Jayden.
And I think it's a really serious matter.
Based on my conversation
with him the other day,
he told me that you mistreat him at home.
Mistreat him?
I cane him, yes.
But caning is not a crime.
Caning is used in schools as well.
This is just the way
that I discipline my son.
But you don't just cane him.
You verbally abuse him as well.
Do you know
that your quarrel with your husband
are actually affecting Jayden a lot?
He's under so much stress and pressure
because he's afraid
you guys might get a divorce.
And that affected him in his studies.
"Verbal abuse"
is a very strong term, Mr. Lee.
Are you married?
Do you have children?
How dare you sit there
and tell me how to raise my child.
How to run my marriage.
Even your Principal would never.
No.
You're getting me wrong.
All I'm saying
is that we need to look out for Jayden
and his mental health.
Based on my conversation
with him the other day,
it is so obvious.
He can't take any of this stress anymore.
He's on the verge of breaking down.
And as his teacher,
it's my responsibility to let you know...
As his teacher,
your responsibility
is to teach my child trigonometry,
not sit there and judge me
and tell me how to run my household.
Yes, correct, Ms. Sophia.
You are right.
Lee, we have another meeting to attend.
If you'll excuse us.
Lee, let's go.
Wait, I'm not done.
Ms. Sophia.
I think your anxiety
is causing too much stress to your son.
So if I may,
I would suggest
you look for a psychiatrist
or maybe a counselor
to deal with your anxieties.
And I think that's going to help solve
the issues you're facing at home.
And it will help
to make Jayden's life easier.
I think you have completely
lost the plot, Mr. Lee.
I'm going to lodge
a formal complaint against you.
We'll see how far you'll go.
Mr. Lee, not that I want to be difficult,
but this is another difficult situation.
And now, the parents
have written all the way to the MOE.
And so I have to find out the truth
and write a report.
Tell me what happened.
I simply told the parents
that the way they handle the kid
is adding a lot of stress to them.
Parents like to treat their children
and teach them their own way.
They don't want to be interfered with.
How can you tell parents what to do?
We're only teachers.
There's nothing we can do.
I understand, Mrs. Tan.
I'm just afraid
because Jayden is already
on the verge of breaking down.
If we don't help him in time,
he'll be in trouble.
Okay, I understand.
No, you don't understand, Mrs. Tan.
Why don't you come here
and be the Principal instead?
You know, I've been a teacher
for more than 30 years.
You think I haven't met
all the different kinds of parents?
You have to trust me on this.
Every time I tell you
not to hide anything from the parents,
you nod and say you understand.
I understand. That's why I didn't hide it.
I told them the truth.
The truth? Then
Then why is it written here
that you are interfering
with their marital affairs?
I didn't interfere
with their marital affairs, Mrs. Tan.
All I said is that
the quarrels in their marriage
are causing a lot of stress on Jayden.
See, you even interfered
with their marriage
by talking about their quarrels.
No wonder she was so upset
and wrote such a nasty letter.
But it is the truth.
I don't see what's wrong with this.
Let me tell you what is wrong.
It could be the tone of your voice,
the structure of your sentence,
the words you chose,
or your body language.
You see?
Your body language is making me angry now.
You must have made them so angry
until they wrote to the MOE.
Okay.
Mrs. Tan.
I think I really don't know
how to handle the parents.
And I sincerely apologize
for all the trouble
I caused you and the school.
I just hope that you understand.
Jayden is in a very
vulnerable situation now.
And I hope that
you can do something to help him.
I've made my decision.
I'm going to resign.
Resign?
Wait
Hey, I
This is for your own good, Mrs. Tan.
No good.
Cool down.
Mrs. Tan, you're not going
to accept his resignation, right?
He's one of the best
and most responsible teachers
I've ever seen.
His students genuinely like him
and trust him.
Look at Jayden's class.
They have always scored below average.
But after Mr. Lee took over,
they managed to achieve
a passing rate of 100%.
You know it's not easy, right?
To be honest,
a few of us have been learning from him.
I really don't know what is happening.
These youngsters nowadays.
We just say a few words.
And then, they resign.
- Mr. Lee, don't go.
- Mr. Lee, don't go.
- Mr. Lee, don't go.
- Mr. Lee, don't go.
Students, don't cry. Okay?
I'm not leaving. I'm just taking a break.
- Don't go.
- Don't go.
Class, you must all continue
to help one another
and do well for your math, okay?
- Mr. Lee, please don't go.
- Don't go.
- Mr. Lee, please don't go.
- Don't go.
- This is good.
- Hello.
- Wen Ting is here.
- Hello.
- Sit there.
- Okay.
Help yourself.
- Gosh, another sumptuous afternoon tea.
- So exquisite.
How have you been, Wen Ting?
Not too bad.
I'm sorry, Wen Ting.
But there have been
a lot of rumors circulating.
I thought it'd be better
to ask you personally.
I heard Zi Hao lost to Jayden recently?
Don't listen to rumors.
Zi Hao did it on purpose.
He wrote all the correct answers.
But he was worried if Jayden lost,
he'd be beaten up by his mom.
I've heard that she's very fierce.
Good for Zi Hao.
He's definitely better than Jayden.
Who said that?
My child got first place
solely by his own effort.
Who said Zi Hao gave in to him?
Sophia.
Have a seat, Sophia.
- Sophia.
- Cool down.
I'm investigating
the source of the rumors.
I hope it's not your fear of losing
that caused you
to create a rumor to slander my son.
Sit.
Sophia, I feel that for kids,
the difference of a few marks
shouldn't matter.
Jayden is a talented kid.
And you brought him up well.
There's a lot that I
need to learn from you.
I have finally seen
your true colors today.
You are such a hypocrite.
To think my son was so kind
that when he saw
Zi Hao struggling at school,
he tutored him out of goodwill.
And how does Zi Hao repay Jayden?
By going around his back
and spreading a baseless rumor.
And you sit there doing nothing about it.
You're even pretending
to eat humble pie now.
You are so cunning, Wen Ting.
Aren't you going too far?
Better than being two-faced like you.
You don't practice what you preach.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Like mom like son.
Sophia, say what you want about me.
But leave my son out of it.
I am no pushover.
I don't fear you.
I don't need you to fear me.
All we needed
was a little bit of gratitude
and for you not to stab us in the back.
Now everyone is saying
that my Jayden
had to rely on the marks Zi Hao gave up.
Yet you said nothing.
Aren't you lying through your teeth?
I am not.
Let me tell you the truth.
The truth is that Jayden got first place
only because Zi Hao
gave him that advantage.
This was what Mr. Lee told me.
Ask him if you don't believe me.
I don't have to.
No matter what,
my son is always number one.
Of course.
Your son is always number one.
But you know how he got first place?
You forced and beat it out of him.
Do you know how awful he feels inside?
He didn't dare to tell you anything.
And that's why in the speech competition,
he was unable to speak
on the topic "My Mother".
Look at yourself.
Do you think you're a good mother?
You're not fit to be one.
Do you think you're better off?
Just to get your son into a top school,
you pressured him
to get four distinctions.
You also forced him
to memorize the dictionary,
learn to swim, and memorize a novel.
What sort of teaching is that?
Who are you to criticize me?
Look at yourself in the mirror.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
Yes, I'm not one bit ashamed.
As for you, you don't like losing.
You fear losing.
You want to win in everything.
You even had to buy
a bigger birthday present than ours.
What kind of person are you?
What is wrong with you?
What's wrong with me?
- What are you doing?
- You're asking what's wrong with me?
You not only beat your child
but an adult too!
I'm going to the police.
I'll report you for child abuse!
Child abuse?
What are you talking about?
Are you insane?
Let's go.
Stop fighting.
This is ridiculous.
Don't you think Sophia was too much?
She said I was just like her.
How's that possible?
She hits her child.
I don't hit my child.
Say, she usually acts all refined.
But she's terrifying when she gets mad.
I was very shocked
that you both quarreled.
Remember what you criticized Sophia?
That she gave her child pressure?
I have given you
a lot of ideas in the past too
and told you to do
all sorts of ridiculous things.
Like forcing him to go for tuition
and memorizing the dictionary and novels.
As well as one-on-one monitoring.
How different are we from Sophia?
Do you mean that I am just like her?
"We."
Don't say that.
That's just an excuse to be lazy.
Memorize the dictionary.
Once you are done,
I will record a video
and send it to your dad.
He will be so proud of you.
Was I treating Zi Hao the same way?
Why didn't I realize it?
I did not either.
Xiao Hui, you know the situation I'm in.
What choice did I have?
Zi Hao and I left Shanghai to be here.
If he doesn't enter a top school
and make a name for himself,
how can I return to Shanghai?
How can I have the cheek to go back?
Is that why you forced him to study?
Other than forcing him,
what else can the both of us do?
We're now in Singapore
with nowhere to go, not even a home.
What do you think I should do?
Wen Ting, I know
you're under a lot of pressure.
But the stress is for adults
and not the kids.
Zi Hao is still so young.
How can he withstand so much pressure?
The world is so big.
You'll always have a place.
You always told him,
"It's for your own good."
Was it really for his own good
or for your own good instead?
Yes, it was for my own good.
Xiao Hui, did you know?
Zi Hao never wanted to come to Singapore.
He didn't want to leave Shanghai.
He doesn't like it here.
It was me.
I forced him to come here.
And I forced him to study
to get into a top school.
I just wanted
I only wanted
my husband to see
how hard I am working for this family.
Now I know how selfish I was.
I forced him to study here.
I forced him to get into a top school.
I was just using him to save my marriage.
But now
I've lost everything.
I am the one.
I'm the one
who isn't fit to be a mother.
Let me show you what I am capable of.
Mommy, what happened?
Zi Hao's mom is bullying us now.
She's talking behind your back,
saying that you got first place
because Zi Hao gave in to you.
She even said
that I forced you to get good grades
and I'm not fit to be a mother.
How could I take that lying down?
So what are you going to do?
I'm going to report her.
She can't work in Singapore
without a permit.
I'm going to report her to ICA
and get her deported.
So we're no longer threatened.
Mom, no one is being threatened.
We are good friends and classmates.
Why are you ruining our friendship?
There are no good friends
or classmates in the world.
Everyone just stabs you in the back,
in the end, Jayden.
No matter what,
I've had enough of Zi Hao's mom.
I'm going to report her.
I'll bring chaos to their home
so he can't focus on his PSLE.
So he won't be in the same school as you.
You'll top the class wherever you go.
Mommy is trying to help you.
Hello, hi, yes. I've been trying
to get a hold of you for days.
I've been trying
to report this lady to ICA.
Mommy, that's enough.
Don't do such things anymore.
Listen. My mom isn't like that.
My mom doesn't go behind people's backs
and use such underhanded means
to harm them.
The more you do that,
the more you're telling people
that your son is a sore loser.
That I am incapable.
And I have to rely on
my mom's dirty tricks
to be the top student.
Mommy, this is enough.
When you do that,
I really hate you.
I don't have a mom like you!
Jayden, wait.
Jayden!
Jayden, stop!
Jayden, please stop!
It's really dangerous.
Please stop.
Jayden, please don't run.
I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry.
Jayden, please stop running!
Jayden!
That should have been me.
I did all those bad things.
Why did it hit him?
Sorry.
I really am sorry.
I didn't mean for it to go so far.
I never meant for it to go so far.
I'm sorry.
Oh God, what have I done?
What have I done?
- Aunty.
- How is Jayden?
Is he okay?
Sophia.
I'm sorry.
THREE DAYS LATER
You can begin now.
Jayden, your friends are here.
Jayden, wake up.
We're all waiting for you.
Jayden, we miss you.
Jayden, we're here.
Faster, Jayden. Let's go play.
Wake up, Jayden.
- Wake up.
- Wake up.
He was born in this very hospital
at 2.8 kg.
I held him in my arms.
And looked at his little face and hands.
I thought
that all I wanted was for him
to grow up healthy and happy.
But I changed
over time.
I stopped caring about his feelings.
I wanted him to be
the first in everything.
For the sake of his results,
I even wanted to tear your family apart.
But my son is a sensible child.
He stopped me from reporting you.
But I refused to listen to him.
And he said
that he doesn't have a mom like me.
He said he hates me.
I was so shocked, you know?
But he was right to hate me.
I pressured him.
I turned his beautiful childhood
into hell.
You were right.
I am not fit to be a mother.
I turned my own flesh and blood into this.
I owe him an apology.
And I owe all of you an apology.
But it's too late for regret.
I'm so sorry.
THREE MONTHS LATER
FATTY, ZI HAO, JAYDEN, JIA YAO
GOOD FRIENDS FOREVER.
Jayden, our PSLE is over.
We all went to a school of our choice.
Please, wake up.
We're all waiting for you.
Yes, Jayden.
When you wake up,
I'll bring you
our homemade fishball noodles.
Do you remember, Jayden?
On my 1st day in Primary 5,
the teacher came into the classroom
and assigned us homework.
But my English wasn't good then.
And I could not understand much.
You were the only one
who translated for me.
You may have forgotten.
It was a trivial thing.
But I have never forgotten.
Because in my heart,
you're always my friend.
His hand moved.
- Did it?
- It moved!
- Aunty Sophia!
- Doctor!
What happened?
- His hand moved!
- His hand moved!
They're all here.
Hi, Sophia
couldn't come.
Thanks everyone for your care and support.
And thank you, Wen Ting,
for your graciousness and understanding.
I'd also like to thank you
for helping me find such a great job.
Zi Hao and I will continue
to be in your care.
All right.
Thank you, Mr. Lee,
for going above and beyond.
What matters most
is everyone learned and grew from this.
All right.
It truly is one blessing after another.
Let's welcome back Jayden.
Despite being out of action for a year,
he managed to score
an impressive four distinctions.
Amazing.
Jayden, with your superb results,
I'm sure many schools
are clamoring to accept you.
Jayden's mom,
which top school are you planning for him?
- Hwa Chong.
- RI.
NUS High.
Nanyang Girls'.
About that,
I'm going to leave it up to Jayden.
I'd like to thank everyone
for your continued support
and encouragement.
Regarding my choice of secondary school,
I've made my decision.
I've decided.
I've decided to go
to a neighborhood school.
- Why?
- What?
Because no matter
which secondary school we go to,
we'll still have to study hard
and get good grades.
Also,
the grades we attain
in Singapore are recognized
across the board.
So,
I think there's no difference.
You've got that right.
Then let us wish Jayden and everyone here.
Fortune, luck, and prosperity!
THE END
Subtitle translation by:
Ray Tan, Daniel Tay, Soh Jia Hui