Scavengers' Paradise (2005)

TANG WAI CHEUNG comes to Hong Kong from his hometown to look for his relatives but he is cheated on the street. Unexpectedly, the cheater is his young uncle, TANG KING CHAN. CHAN mistakes that CHEUNG comes to recover his money, and he lies to him that the person he looks for is dead. CHEUNG is very sad, as he cannot return the favor to his young uncle, who has given him a candy when they were very young. CHAN then laughs and tells him the truth. CHEUNG pays the rents for CHAN to the second landlord, LO SAM KU, and this makes CHAN think that he has a lot of money. CHEUNG is bathing at home and he is mistaken by the flat-mate, CHENG PIK WAN, to be a lustful man. Hearing the noises, other flat-mates, KWAN TAK SING and LAU SHEK KIN come and hit CHEUNG and they later know that it is a mistake. CHAN suggests CHEUNG to do business, but he says that all his money has nearly spent, to which CHAN angers……

All other people blame CHEUNG fro being irresponsible for the safety of CHEUNG; WAN, who takes money as her life, is unexpectedly willing to lend money to save CHEUNG, to which CHAN feels shameful. CHAN is sad to misunderstand that CHEUNG is killed by loan shark, CHIU KAM LUI, but it turns out to be a surprising result. CHEUNG returns home safely and all are happy. CHEUNG does not get response in looking for KAU. Actually, KAU is also looking for the father of CHEUNG for a long time. Later, his wife, LAM LAN HING, reminds him, who therefore knows that he has changed his name to SING PO. PO is the boss of Man Lai Hong. He discovers that the substandard cologne has flowed out into the market and he tells the factory manager, TSE LO CHUEN, and his son, KWAN MIN, to make thorough investigation. CHUEN finds the female workers as scapegoat. CHAN does not bear to involve CHEUNG into his debt and drives him back to his hometown in anger……

After CHEUNG retrieves the briefcase from the thief and returns it to PO, he supports WAN back home and tells SING to give medical treatment on her. CHEUNG finds a job as rickshaw boy; on the other hand, CHAN finds four part-time jobs to cheat the traveling expenses. HING hires the rickshaw from CHEUNG on a contract system for shopping and causes an accident as a result. She subsequently squeezes the payment of CHEUNG. Feeling guilty of making WAN injured, CHEUNG not only sends WAN to and after work, but also secretly gives money to SING to buy first class medicine for WAN. The evildoing of CHAN is disclosed and he gets sacked from the jobs. He sees the Person Finding ad by PO and is overjoyed to tell CHEUNG, who does not want to see rich people. However, CHAN makes him subdue by Chinese tradition of filial piety. WAN thinks that CHEUNG disrespects old people and pretends to be rich to recognize PO, to which she despises……

CHEUNG and CHAN are driven out of the house. For his dignity, CHEUNG does not want to recognize PO anymore. WAN comes to know that she has mistaken CHEUNG, and she apologizes to him. The only daughter of PO, LING FUNG, is unruly and overbearing, and she has an argument with CHEUNG in the street over minor matter. MIN keeps a watchful eye on PO’s wealth. Superficially, he is always obedient to FUNG but he intends to run away with his girl friend, TIK LAI NA, after taking up the wealth of PO. SIU LUNG, the younger brother of WAN, is enrolled at a famous school, to which WAN is very happy. For revenge, FUNG hires the rickshaw of CHEUNG for three days to play game with him. WAN is set up and gets sacked while LUNG worries that WAN cannot afford to pay the school fee. CHAN tries to play a trick on FUNG as revenge for CHEUNG. After he discovers that FUNG is beautiful and rich, CHAN becomes an admirer……

Reminded by CHEUNG, WAN finally understands LUNG has his own difficulty and the sister and brother become friends again. WAN is encouraged and decides to be a hawker to sell dumplings while CHEUNG comes forward to make a wooden cart for her. FUNG asks MIN to be her model for her painting when PO is afraid that FUNG intends to open a painting exhibition. CHEUNG cherishes the rabbit dumpling that WAN gives him, for which CHAN laughs at him. CHEUNG and CHAN work as waiters at FUNG’s exhibition while the straightforwardness of CHEUNG offends FUNG. When FUNG discovers the true fact of her paintings sold at high prices, she loses her temper to PO. PO mentions again about the arranged marriage, which angers FUNG, who runs away from home. A European comes to buy dumplings from WAN, and they cannot communicate because of language problem while FUNG comes up to do the translation, to which WAN appreciates……

WAN thinks that CHEUNG did not keep his promise because he went to have a drink with CHAN. She throws away the rabbit dumpling with a broken heart. CHAN presents himself to move the new bed-cushion for FUNG. Nevertheless, he breaks SING’s medicinal wine bottle and KIN’s God KWAN statue. Both of the two look into the matter. FUNG frankly admits responsibility and only pays money for compensation. CHEUNG forces her to apologize but she refuses. On seeing that the compensation goes busted, SING and KIN blame CHEUNG for being too nosy. MIN and NA make an appointment but they come across PO. MIN makes excuses while NA is making sheep’s eyes at PO. For FUNG, CHAN makes up his mind to be a big star, but putting too much effort into the show makes CHAN get the negative result. On behalf of LUNG, WAN takes an umbrella to CHEUNG in the studio but eventually both CHEUNG and WAN are trapped in it……

After CHEUNG twists his ankle when acting as the stuntman, WAN pays money for the medical expense, to which CHEUNG is grateful. On seeing that CHEUNG does not dare to show his love to WAN, CHAN encourages him to write instead. For paying the gambling deft for his father, MIN asks NA to seduce PO. WAN misunderstands that CHEUNG loves FUNG, and she refuses his love on behalf of her, to which CHEUNG feels a sense of loss. To win FUNG’s heart, CHAN plans to play the role of hero, but FUNG sees this through and teases him. CHAN goes home with injuries. When CHEUNG comes to know that CHAN uses the saving money, which is meant to pay back the loan shark, to buy necklace to pursue FUNG, he scolds CHAN, who leaves home unyieldingly. CHEUNG entrusts SO KAN, a good friend of CHAN, to return the necklace. He even gives the ancestral jade tablet to CHAN to pay the debt……

Using PO to pay his debt, CHAN decides not to correct the mistake. HING and MIN do not trust CHAN and they suggest using NA, who will play FUNG, to test his character. NA lies that her mother is very ill to cheat PO’s money, to which PO is not aware of the plot. After CHEUNG discovers that it is WAN has always encouraged him to write for publication, they fall in love. CHAN lives in LING’s house, where NA entertains and seduces him, but CHAN dares not to walk past the limit. Because WAN does not want to expose their love, CHEUNG is unhappy and WAN comforts him by words while SING hears it. HING and others test CHAN again but with negative result either. PO and CHAN inspect the business in Man Lai Hong where MIN sees that PO listens attentively to CHAN. He needs to find a solution to this. CHEUNG is asked to perform solo for the opera in an emergency, where his funny performance is greatly welcomed……

Because of cholera, WAN is unable to continue her dumpling business. CHEUNG then encourages her to sing with him. They both are very popular and WAN is even appreciated by her old colleague, LAW SAU LAN, who invites her to sing in a ballroom. FUNG knows that LUNG is upset about his fees for textbooks and she is generous to sell her bangle and lend him money. CHAN gains the favor of HING, who decides to find FUNG home, but fails. CHEUNG and WAN are given movie tickets, but is discovered by KIN. To keep their love in dark, WAN is helpless but to let CHEUNG and KIN to see the movie. On seeing that HING accepts CHAN, MIN conspires with NA to set CHAN up. Things do not turn out perfect; CHAN even discovers that FUNG is CHEUNG’s fiancee. When FUNG’s asthma turns worse, SING provides a unique recipe. CHAN, CHEUNG and others go to a brook to find the main medicinal ingredient, but the plan is spoiled because KU slips out of her tongue……

WAN and CHEUNG discovers that FUNG continues to buy new dresses. FUNG is unhappy when CHEUNG comments her not having any skill in work, and she goes out on the street to sell old clothes. This is discovered by WAN. PO assigns CHAN to be the factory manager while CHUEN is miserably reduced. Under the pretext that he does not know the English on the proposal, CHAN comes to FUNG for advices. On seeing that he is ambitious, FUNG changes her bad attitude to CHAN. A rich merchant from Southeast Asia, LUK KUNG, is surprised to meet WAN outside the ballroom. The long-term singer in the ballroom, Sister SHAN, feels sick and KUNG asks WAN to sing for her, to which WAN becomes popular overnight. NA lies again that her mother has died of illness to cheat PO’s money. CHAN and FUNG go to support WAN in her singing and they are surprised to see CHEUNG play orangutan and is thrown at with tomatoes for appealing for donation……

CHEUNG holds his anger to listen to the explanation of CHAN. CHEUNG is surprised to know FUNG is his arranged fiancee, but he does not agree to what CHAN has done. CHEUNG hesitates whether he needs to disclose the real face of CHAN. When he further knows that CHAN refuses the offer of a flat by PO who trusts him very much, he becomes more frustrated. CHEUNG mistakes that CHAN is going to commit suicide by jumping off from rooftop, and he promises him to keep the secret, to which CHAN is overjoyed and tries to retrieve the letter that CHEUNG meant to be send to PO to reveal CHAN’s real face. PO misses NA. He visits her in his spare time and gives her capital to run business. The love affair of MIN and NA is nearly exposed by PO, and they are seized with fears. CHEUNG takes FUNG to see a family morality film, hoping that it may help convince her to return home, but it does not work. SHAN is angry about her place being taken by WAN……

CHEUNG and CHAN dress up as waiters to save WAN, but LUI recognizes them. It is lucky that LUI’s wife comes and catches LUI for his evildoing and WAN is finally saved. FUNG prepares to confess her love to CHEUNG while WAN advises her not to do it in such a hurry. The next day, FUNG finds out the true relationship of CHEUNG and WAN. She presumes that they make a fool of her intentionally and she leaves the flat angrily. FUNG is unwilling to wander in the street and she returns home, only to know that CHAN is her arranged marriage husband, to which she finds it hard to accept. KUNG appreciates WAN and he goes and finds the record producer, NG PAK KO, to arrange her a vocal test. WAN becomes famous overnight. On the contrary, the performance of CHEUNG loses customers. Encouraged by WAN, CHEUNG takes his songbook to KO for self-recommendation but he is rejected. To win the heart of FUNG, CHAN is willing to be made a fool of by her……

After scolding WAN, FUNG vents out her anger on CHAN. To help KIN, WAN promises to be a guest-performer for one day in the movie; KUNG even arranges reporters to cover the event on spot. Because the songbook of CHEUNG is rejected, WAN goes and asks the help from KUNG and she therefore does not attend the school graduation ceremony of LUNG. But CHEUNG does not accept the offer. CHUEN and MIN fan the fire on workers to take a strike when the factory is in tight production schedule so that CHAN can be driven out because of the problem. PO accepts the suggestion of CHEUNG and successfully solves the strike problem. PO therefore invites CHEUNG to be the deputy factory manager. CHEUNG lives in LING’s house as guest, where he apologizes to FUNG and cares about her, who is very much appreciated. CHEUNG decides to work in Man Lai Hong. FUNG prepares the meal and sends it to CHEUNG personally, to which CHAN admires……

CHEUNG is at loss when FUNG forces him to question WAN face-to-face, but fails. Actually, KUNG has a hidden illness while WAN tries to apply ice to alleviate the pain, to which KUNG is grateful. CHEUNG demands explanation from WAN regarding the matter in the hotel room, for which WAN does not want to disclose the privacy of KUNG and she is very much angered that CHEUNG does not believe her. Because of short supply of rose-oil, Man Lai Hong falls into crisis. By this chance, MIN and CHUEN make bad thing worse while CHEUNG and CHAN look around everywhere for roses. CHAN sees WAN is together with KUNG and scolds KUNG for taking away the love of someone. CHEUNG and CHAN later even get into conflict with YUNG, the bodyguard of KUNG. KUNG knows that CHEUNG mistakes WAN and he goes to see CHEUNG for explanation; CHEUNG apologizes to WAN……

CHEUNG’s aunt, TANG CHIU CHEE, comes to Hong Kong to look for him. On hearing that CHEUNG is going to get marry, she mistakes WAN to be the daughter of PO. CHEUNG does not correct the mistake and tells everyone to keep the secret. WAN feels deeply unsettled after learning that FUNG is the arranged wife of CHEUNG. CHAN spares nothing to suffer the physical pain inflicted by FUNG as a means to vent out her anger, to which HING and PO cannot bear. Through introduction of NA, PO signs a contract with Mr. WONG, the alleged overseas Chinese, to buy his plantation. CHEUNG lies to CHEE that WAN makes her living by singing classical songs. CHEE is very much interested and wants to see the show. To patch up the lie told, CHEUNG and others arrange WAN to sing for the old folks in a home of the aged……

CHEUNG denotes that he and WAN truly love each other, but CHEE refuses to accept WAN and even asks WAN to return the ancestral jade. CHAN is expelled from LING’s house after his true identity exposes. After heart searching, CHEUNG decides to go and see PO with CHEE; CHEUNG apologizes to PO, saying that he only treats FUNG as sister, to which FUNG feels like heart broken. CHEUNG takes up his old profession as rickshaw boy. CHEE pretends to commit suicide to force CHEUNG to marry FUNG, but LUNG exposes the plot. In the record press conference, WAN introduces CHEUNG to everyone, where the reporters make a huge implication that the status of the two is a world apart, but this does not shake their relationship. CHAN goes and drinks his sorrow away and comes to know that CHUEN and MIN conspire together to cheat the money of PO. At this moment, PO is also aware that he has been cheated and he collapses in the street……

WAN announces in public that she will take her career as the first priority and she intentionally let LUNG know her relationship with KUNG. She further moves away from the flat and declares separation with CHEUNG. CHEUNG receives a big blow, but in fact WAN is very painful at heart. PO pretends to show his last radiance of the setting sun before death and he requests CHEUNG to marry as his last will, to which CHEUNG promises helplessly. CHAN finds WONG to be witness to prove the evildoing of MIN and CHUEN, hoping that this will bring credit to compensate his guilt. Unexpectedly, PO gives the credit to CHEUNG. After learning that CHEUNG promises the marriage with FUNG, CHAN blames everyone but himself all day long. CHUEN becomes lunatic while MIN shifts his anger to CHAN and PO, and he later finds the photo that contains PO and CHAN’s father, he then sets a trap for CHAN……

The unfulfilled contract brings huge cost compensation, to which PO collapses and CHEUNG blames himself. The whole family of PO moves to live with KU, but HING does not forgive PO. PO ventures into the house to retrieve the fragrant-grass pillow for HING and is beaten severely. Then HING pardons him. Finally, CHAN discovers that he has been cheated and used by MIN. In remorse, he commits suicide. KIN and SING make an appointment to have a competition in martial art by their respective pupil, to which LUNG worries something hidden may be disclosed. FUNG is happy to know that CHEUNG has a different manner to her and may even accept her. CHEUNG and FUNG find out that CHAN is down and out on the street, and they advise him home. On the other hand, on seeing that CHAN decides to correct his wrongdoing, coupled with the requests from others, PO finally forgives him. PO ventures back to the house again; the others all know his heart……

CHAN gives the lottery money to PO to set up an eau de cologne factory. YIN suggests a plan for LUNG to settle down the martial art competition for the two masters, but fails. CHEE appears to dissolve the struggle of KIN and SING and they both discover LUNG has a talent for martial art. When PO worries about the revolving fund in the cologne factory, CHAN denotes that he has won the lottery again. At last, FUNG knows everything behind the scene and she is frustrated that CHEUNG still loves WAN. After CHAN scolds CHEUNG for being ambiguous in his love affair, he promises FUNG he will foster the feeling with her, to which FUNG is overjoyed. Inspired by KU, CHEUNG figures out a sale strategy, which is to use the “Ma Che” (female servant) image to sell the cologne for PO. The strategy is very popular. MIN sends people to damage PO’s factory. PO faints……

Using the signed contract, MIN threatens WAN to entertain himself. WAN feels helpless, but she has to follow what is told in order to save KUNG’s career. The machines in the cologne factory have been damaged. CHEUNG decides to launch mini eau de cologne to solve the problem. CHEUNG and CHAN make a performance on stage where MIN provokes the audience to make catcall. WAN suddenly turns the fight against MIN while KUNG even takes out the contract that MIN has signed. MIN is paid with his own coin. CHEUNG tries to say something to WAN, but the words just cannot come out. WAN points out that what she does is against what MIN does. On the opening day of a new shop, PO announces the wedding news of CHEUNG and FUNG while KUNG offers WAN a proposal of marriage. When CHEUNG comes to know this, he feels a sense of loss, to which FUNG sees with her eyes. FUNG scolds CHEUNG and CHAN in anger……