Thirteenth Uncle of the South Sea
The first episode of "Thirteenth Master of the South China Sea" tells the story of Thirteenth Master, the thirteenth son of Mr. Jiang Taishi from Nanhai County in Guangdong Province at the end of the Qing Dynasty. From a young age, he displayed remarkable intelligence. In order to uphold justice for his classmate, Thirteenth Master set fire to his teacher's mosquito net and was expelled from school. Mr. Jiang Taishi, realizing how difficult it was to discipline Thirteenth Master, sent him to study medicine at the University of Hong Kong.
In the second episode, Thirteenth Master meets Lily, the campus beauty, at university and becomes infatuated with her beauty. At the university dance party, Thirteenth Master pursues Lily, but she remains aloof. When Thirteenth Master hears that Lily is returning to Shanghai, he chases after her without hesitation.
In the third episode, on the ship bound for Shanghai, a disoriented passenger mistakes Lily for his deceased wife and threatens her with a knife. Thirteenth Master risks his life to save her, and Lily feels grateful. Upon arrival in Shanghai, Thirteenth Master tracks down Lily's residence and meets her fiancé, Zihao. Lily's father advances the wedding date between Zihao and Lily, and Lily willingly agrees. Lily deliberately challenges Thirteenth Master to jump into the Huangpu River to prove his love for her, and unexpectedly, he actually jumps in.
In the fourth episode, after being rescued, Thirteenth Master finds that although Lily is moved, she still does not want to give up Zihao. On the day of the wedding, Thirteenth Master disrupts the ceremony. Overcome by passion, Lily escapes the church with him. Lily's father mobilizes all available forces to capture Thirteenth Master. Thirteenth Master's friend Chen Shui finds work to support himself and is fortunately hired by the owner of Sixi Building, Wen Xiaojing. Due to Thirteenth Master's absence from school, the university sends a letter urging him to return. Enraged, Mr. Jiang Taishi cuts off financial support to Thirteenth Master, leaving him in dire straits. Meanwhile, Lily's father discovers their whereabouts and takes Lily away.
In the fifth episode, while buying groceries, Chen Shui encounters Aunt Si. She scolds him for failing to supervise Thirteenth Master and forcibly pulls him back to Guangzhou. After returning to Guangzhou from Shanghai, Thirteenth Master apologizes to his father. By chance, he attends a performance by Xue Jueshan and is deeply impressed. Back home, inspiration strikes him, and he writes the play "Fishing Snow in Cold River," which he humbly submits to Xue Jueshan for advice. Xue Jueshan is amazed by Thirteenth Master's talent and hires him to write plays, paving the way for Thirteenth Master's entry into the theater world. Wen Xiaojing comes to Guangzhou for business and meets Chen Shui. They have an unpleasant encounter at a Western restaurant when they meet Thirteenth Master again due to a misunderstanding.
In the sixth episode, on the premiere day of Thirteenth Master's debut work, "Heartfelt Tears," the box office sells out completely. Wen Xiaojing attends Xue Jueshan's performance and accidentally meets Thirteenth Master. Thirteenth Master's success draws jealousy from a rival, Chen Shiming, who schemes to harm him. Fortunately, Chen Shui saves him but gets injured and hospitalized. Wen Xiaojing visits Chen Shui, and after he is discharged, she returns to Hong Kong, accompanied by Chen Shui.
In the seventh episode, Thirteenth Master follows Xue Jueshan to Hong Kong. While revisiting old places, memories of Lily resurface. The play "Fishing Snow in Cold River," written by Thirteenth Master, achieves great success in Hong Kong, delighting Xue Jueshan and Thirteenth Master. Thirteenth Master receives a family letter informing him of a major change in his brother's household, with his niece Meixian having run away from home, causing him great concern.
In the eighth episode, Thirteenth Master befriends Tang Disheng, and the two form a brotherly bond. Thirteenth Master arranges for Meixian to meet producer Lin. Thanks to Meixian's efforts, she embarks on a successful acting career. Tang Disheng risks his life to rescue Thirteenth Master's script during a house fire, deeply touching him. Wen Xiaojing falls ill from transcribing scripts for Thirteenth Master and collapses. With the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Thirteenth Master meets patriotic artist Xin Qian, who invites him to entertain troops at the rear.
In the ninth episode, Wen Xiaojing learns of Thirteenth Master's impending departure with the army and expresses her feelings for him. However, knowing that Chen Shui has secretly loved Wen Xiaojing for years, Thirteenth Master declines her advances. In the military camp, supplies are scarce and morale is low. Thirteenth Master uses his wit to entertain the soldiers, boosting their spirits. He also meets Guobang, a wounded soldier with fervent patriotism, forming an immediate bond. Before dying, Guobang entrusts Thirteenth Master to deliver a message to his wife in the countryside.
In the tenth episode, Thirteenth Master fulfills Guobang's wish and reunites with his wife, who is pregnant. Learning of Guobang's death, she attempts suicide but is saved by Thirteenth Master and Lily. Thirteenth Master and Lily leave Guobang's wife and spend a short, warm period together in a remote village. Remembering his duty to serve his country, Thirteenth Master leaves Lily, much to her dismay. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, Xiao Jing struggles to support her family. Chen Shui and Aunt Si seek refuge with her. The Japanese military requisitions Siji Tower as a cafeteria. Xiao Jing secretly uses leftover food from the Japanese soldiers to help starving compatriots. Her actions are exposed, and both she and Chen Shui are detained.
In the eleventh episode, Mei Xian helps them avoid punishment. Chen Shui confesses his love for Xiao Jing while seriously injured, leaving her speechless. After Japan's surrender, Siji Tower reopens its business. Under the management of Chen Shui and Xiao Jing, Cantonese cuisine gains popularity. One day, Thirteenth Master sees Li Li sitting in a luxurious car with Zi Hao. Feeling everything has turned into a mirage, he boards a train heading to Guangzhou. As the train passes through a tunnel, he falls off the train.
In the twelfth episode, upon hearing the news, Mr. Jiang rushes to the hospital and sees Thirteenth Master gravely injured, filled with sorrow. Miraculously, Thirteenth Master regains consciousness but suffers from mental confusion. Mr. Jiang brings him home, accompanied by Chen Shui and Xiao Jing.
In the thirteenth episode, seeing Thirteenth Master unable to recognize her, Xiao Jing feels deeply saddened. Mr. Jiang notices Xiao Jing's affection for Thirteenth Master and decides to send him to Hong Kong for treatment. Aunt Si overworks herself taking care of Thirteenth Master, leading to her rapid deterioration in health. Thirteenth Master runs away from home again. Aunt Si, unable to catch up with him, collapses on the street.
In the fourteenth episode, Thirteenth Master is discovered by Xue Jueshan, who decides to take good care of him. Around the time Aunt Si passes away, Thirteenth Master only gazes from afar on the mountain. One day, Thirteenth Master reunites with Tang Disheng. Disheng's play "Reincarnation of Red Plum" premieres successfully, but unfortunately, Tang Disheng suffers a heart attack. Deeply affected, Thirteenth Master is admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Time flies, and under the operation of Chen Shui and Xiao Jing, Siji Tower becomes a top-class restaurant in Hong Kong. Thirteenth Master recovers and is discharged from the hospital.
In the fifteenth episode, Thirteenth Master, fluent in English, works as a translator for tourists at a temple. One day, he learns about Mr. Jiang's death from Fuli, receiving a great shock. He descends the mountain alone. While wandering, Thirteenth Master meets Xiao Jing again, who resolves to take care of him. They lead a happy life for a while until Xiao Jing discovers Thirteenth Master's lingering feelings for Li Li and leaves heartbroken.
In the sixteenth episode, feeling lost, Xiao Jing receives care from Chen Shui, and eventually, they become a couple. One day, Thirteenth Master spots a missing person advertisement posted by Li Li in the newspaper but lacks the courage to reconnect with her. He chooses to live a nomadic life, sleeping under the sky and on the ground. Later, the destitute Thirteenth Master meets Doggie again, who, upon seeing his pitiful state, cannot help but shed tears. Thirteenth Master passes away peacefully in Doggie's arms, bringing the legendary life of Nanhai Thirteenth Master to an end.
