Starting a Family

This film (drama)Also known as成家立业，is aMainland ChinaProducerbeauty live，At2009Released in year 。The dialogue language isMandarin Chinese，Current Douban rating7.1(For reference only)。

The story begins in a small fishing village in the 1980s…A kind and hardworking retired worker, Zhao Shulan, lost her husband early. She struggles to raise her three sons in a small Western-style house that has been confiscated from their ancestors. The three brothers grow up freely, deeply bonded yet with distinct personalities: the eldest brother, Xu Zhihai, is honest and diligent; the second brother, Xu Zhiyang, is an idealist who enjoys painting and, influenced by his father, aspires to be a great artist; while the youngest brother, Xu Zhijiang, is rebellious and free-spirited.Living in the same house is the Yang family, who have a long-standing feud with the Xu family. The Cultural Revolution's impact affects both families, with past grievances deeply entangled in the love between childhood sweethearts Yang Xiaoyu and Xu Zhiyang, becoming victims of the conflict between the two families.Liu Hongyan, a colleague at the factory, has been secretly in love with Xu Zhihai. Eventually, the introverted Xu Zhihai cannot resist Liu Hongyan's proactive enthusiasm. However, Liu Hongyan threatens him with "pregnancy" to force him into marriage. After discovering she deceived him, Xu Zhihai becomes exceptionally cold towards his wife, leading to a rift that neither can resolve.While studying at an art academy, Xu Zhiyang, needing funds for outdoor sketching, collaborates with classmates to replicate famous artworks for profit. He is set up by Sun Dalong, who is jealous of Xu Zhiyang's relationship with Yang Xiaoyu. Xu Zhiyang is criminally detained for selling obscene photographs. At this time, the youngest brother, Xu Zhijiang, steals a bead from their father's belongings to pay off debts, only to discover it is a precious天珠 passed down from their ancestors. Mother Zhao Shulan intended to use the天珠 to save the family in dire situations, but it only casts a shadow over their already troubled home…As time goes on, the spring breeze of reform and opening up reaches this small courtyard.Under Zhao Shulan's nurturing, the three sons mature: the eldest, Zhihai, becomes the deputy factory director; the second, Zhiyang, fulfills his father's wish by opening a sculpture studio; and the youngest, Zhijiang, starts a trading company. Aware of their mother's hardships in raising them, the three brothers are extremely filial to Zhao Shulan. Especially Zhijiang, who rides the wave of reform in New China, becoming one of the first private entrepreneurs, expanding from retailing clothes to wholesaling and ultimately becoming the general manager of a trading company, driving a Mercedes and moving to a villa. Their material life improves, and the Xu family finally holds their heads high.Yang Xiaoyu struggles against her father Yang Zhen and Zhao Shulan’s opposition, frequently misunderstanding Xu Zhiyang, ultimately agreeing to marry Sun Dalong to fulfill her mother’s death wish. Sun Dalong, owner of a cultural company, is cunning. One day, Yang Xiaoyu catches him in a compromising situation, finally seeing his true colors. Just as she decides to divorce him, she discovers she is pregnant… The owner of the art salon bar, Yu Lan, enters Xu Zhiyang's life. Yu Lan, being over ten years older, provides him with immense encouragement and support in both art and life. The Xu brothers and their mother, Zhao Shulan, however, struggle to accept Yu Lan, who has a daughter in high school.But good times do not last long; Xu Zhihai and his wife lose their jobs, Xu Zhiyang's project faces funding issues, and Zhijiang's trading company collapses, leaving significant loans unpaid. With no other choice, their mother suggests selling the villa to pay off Zhijiang's debts, and the Xu family moves back to the small house.Mr. Shen, an old colleague of Zhao Shulan, lost his spouse early and lives with his son, often suffering abuse from his daughter-in-law. Zhao Shulan's daily warmth becomes Mr. Shen’s emotional support, leading to a mutual desire for companionship in their later years. All three brothers notice their mother's feelings, with the eldest and youngest opposing the relationship, while only the second son, Xu Zhiyang, understands that their mother deserves happiness after a lifetime of hard work. This leads to conflict among the brothers. Xu Zhiyang defends his mother, but then tragedy strikes: Zhao Shulan is involved in a car accident and dies despite attempts to save her.Decades of grudges and grievances are witnessed by the two neighboring families. Yang Zhen is tearful, filled with remorse for never apologizing and regretting the years of enmity. Zhao Shulan’s passing leaves him with a lifelong regret.Without a mother, a family feels like a vine separated from its tree. The eldest and youngest brothers blame Xu Zhiyang for their mother’s death.In the blink of an eye, over a decade passes. The eldest, Xu Zhihai, still harbors resentment towards his brother Xu Zhiyang.Yang Xiaoyu’s daughter, Yangyang, has grown into a lovely young girl, but disaster strikes: Yangyang is diagnosed with leukemia and urgently requires a marrow match from her biological father. Sun Dalong, who killed someone years ago and has been imprisoned, is now missing after leaving the country. After great effort, Zhijiang finds Sun Dalong, who is too ashamed to face his wife and child. In tears, Yangyang calling him "Dad" pierces Sun Dalong’s deepest wound.The development of the times and changes in society have led to different shifts in people's ideologies. In the face of the scars left by the societal era, all love and hate gradually fade away. Each small family continuously changes with societal development. A happy life can last, and beautiful ideals can be realized. In this vine-covered courtyard, the younger generations of the Yang and Xu families finally set aside past grievances, joining hands to create their own beautiful and happy lives.