Original: 樓奴
No description provided.
Hong Kong is known worldwide for its sky-high property prices, and it took LAU YIU-MING, a 32-year-old employee, ten years to save up enough money for a deposit on a home. His secret to success is that he found himself a partner, TONG ON-NI, whom he has been dating for fourteen years. One day, while taking ON-NI to visit his new home, YIU-MING seizes the opportunity to propose marriage to her, yet her answer is greatly beyond his expectation...... In order to support his best friend AU MEI-NAM, YIU-MING goes to attend a speed dating event, during which all the ladies there immediately start flirting with him as soon as they hear that YIU-MING owns a property. MEI-NAM frankly discloses that the reason why he held the speed dating event is to help YIU-MING get over being dumped. When CHU MA-LEI and three of her former classmates have a get-together, they keep bragging about their homes……
YIU-MING returns home and is about to take a shower only to find out that a young lady, a total stranger, is washing the toilet. The young lady turns out to be CHOI KIN-CHING, who reveals to YIU-MING that her best friend ON-NI leased half of the unit to her, leaving YIU-MING with no other choice but to accept it. Later, PIK-KEI calls YIU-MING, saying that she mistakenly took his phone. She then requests YIU-MING to meet up with her at the pier so as to swap their phones, and the two soon become acquainted with each other. With PIT-TAT finding out that the newly appointed property officer is YIU-MING, the hostility between the two immediately rises. As for OI-WAH, she is very satisfied with YIU-MING's self-recommendation, deciding to promote YIU-MING from his current position of the property officer to the manager……
YIU-MING asks PIT-TAT to escort him on his inspection tours in each district, during which PIT-TAT even actively introduces the residents to YIU-MING, but YIU-MING senses that PIT-TAT is up to something. OI-WAH tells YIU-MING and PIT-TAT to take PIK-KEI and PIK-KEI's classmate WING-KEI on a tour to the rental unit. At school, DOR-LOK and his classmate KWONG are canvassing other classmates to join the Protect Hong Kong’s Heritage Society, and they even try to persuade WING-KEI to join them. Seizing the opportunity, WING-KEI asks them a favor which is to help her move. Once again, YIU-MING runs into PIK-KEI at work, and it turns out that PIK-KEI works at the company as a trainee. After BONG receives a theft complaint from a resident, YIU-MING goes together with PIT-TAT and PIK-KEI to check it out, and finally uncovers all sorts of problems regarding the subdivided flats……
A man with tattoos called KO TAI-WAI comes to the All-in-One Properties Management Limited, looking for the person in charge. Grabbing YIU-MING's shirt, TAI-WAI scolds them for damaging his computer which contains many important photos, demanding them to try every way possible to recover the photos. Having known the photos are very important to TAI-WAI, YIU-MING endeavors to dry the computer by using the hair dryer, but KIN-CHING complains that it's too noisy. After YIU-MING reveals the difficulty, PIK-KEI approaches PIT-TAT, asking him for a favor, so PIT-TAT tells PIK-KEI that he knows someone who is a reclusive computer genius. PIK-KEI follows PIT-TAT back home only to find out that the genius is actually DOR-LOK. She then promises DOR-LOK that she will take up the position as the promoter of the Heritage Society as long as he can restore the computer……
Carrying out an act of kindness, YIU-MING helps install the wings to KIN-CHING's angel figurine, but KIN-CHING doesn't appreciate it at all and leaves home. Running to an auditorium hall, she cannot help recalling the bygones. KIN-CHING passes out while taking part in a spicy noodle eating competition, so YIU-MING rushes to the hospital to visit her. With PIT-TAT receiving a complaint from one of their tenants called CHING KAI-MAN, also known as "Mr. Complaint", who even refuses to pay the rent, YIU-MING finds the tenant strange so he leads a handyman to probe into the matter. Bringing along some nourishing soup, YIU-MING pays a visit to KIN-CHING, and ON-NI frankly discloses to him how dreadful KIN-CHING is……
YIU-MING is annoyed as KIN-CHING once again slept in his bed while sleep walking, so he tells MEI-NAM about his trouble. PIT-TAT reports to YIU-MING that rumor has it there is a ghost in the Heung Yip Building in To Kwa Wan and as a result several tenants intend to end their tenancy agreements early. After DOR-LOK posts PIK-KEI's promotional photos for the Protect Hong Kong’s Heritage Society online, quite a few netizens give them thumbs up. KIN-CHING is attracted by the scent of the food cooked by YIU-MING, who is thereby swept off his feet by her sharp sense of smell. Having bought some tofu from SUET-MUI's food stall, YIU-MING returns and happens to see KIN-CHING giving SUET-MUI some money as well as a pair of gold wedding bangles, so he cannot help feeling curious about KIN-CHING's background……
YIU-MING and PIT-TAT go to the unit 9D to check it out, only to find out that it's heavily locked, so the following day, YIU-MING goes to the unit again at dusk. They wait until midnight and PIT-TAT has already fallen asleep by then. Suddenly, YIU-MING hears someone singing, above which he even sees a shadow flash by near the unit. After learning that PIK-KEI falls ill, YIU-MING specifically goes to visit her. At the same time, a courier delivers the personal belongings of PIK-KEI's late mother, among which there is a gold pendant. With PIK-KEI having a gut feeling that it must be the keepsake given by her biological father, the two start probing into the matter. Though KWAN-NIN returns from Germany, he didn't bring back any gifts for OI-WAH, making her feel a bit disappointed……
Under PIK-KEI's invitation, YIU-MING arrives at the restaurant, where he hands PIK-KEI the health products on behalf of OI-WAH. By coincidence, ON-NI, who is also dining with BILLY in the same restaurant, sees YIU-MING and PIK-KEI dining together, and immediately gets so jealous of them. Meeting up with her sister-in-law SZE-NGA, KIN-CHING manages to help patch up the tiff between SZE-NGA and her younger brother WING-CHING. KIN-CHING knows that PIK-KEI wants to learn how to play piano, so she invites her back home to have some lessons. While PIT-TAT, MA-LEI, MAN-PO and the others are having tea together, MA-LEI keeps whining that DOR-LOK is often not home and nowhere to be found because he is so busy studying and courting girls. Having heard this, KAM-HEI seems to be lost in thought……
All of them are feeling rather disturbed as to how to solve the problem of paying NANA $500,000 in compensation for losing her diamond ring, and eventually they vote to decide not to report it to their superior for the time being. Inviting OI-WAH out to meet her, PIK-KEI intends to borrow $500,000 from OI-WAH, who instead advises PIK-KEI to conduct a thorough investigation. During the charity fundraising auction held at the TV station, PIK-KEI and KIN-CHING decide to approach CALVIN so as to winkle more information regarding the lost ring out of him. To their surprise, CALVIN shows no interest in them, on the contrary, he asks MEI-NAM whether he would like to have a drink with him. Finally, the saga draws to a close. Seeing that NANA kicked up such a fuss for a property, DOR-LOK cannot help thinking that being a "brick slave" is not easy; whereas YIU-MING is of the opinion that he won't feel safe until he has his own premises……
Having found out that YIU-MING passed out down the hill, KIN-CHING goes to his rescue but instead injures herself during the process. MA-LEI hands a letter that MAN-PO received from an attorney to PIT-TAT, indicating that it's a letter to request compensation for $1 million because the claimant's dog died after suffering a heart attack that was triggered by the window broken by MAN-PO. During the barbecue event held by the Heritage Society, DOR-LOK, taking advantage of being slightly drunk, reveals his love affection to PIK-KEI in public. The compensation deadline is around the corner, but none of PIT-TAT's soccer buddies who promised to lend him some money keep their promises, leaving PIT-TAT no other choice but to ask KWAN-NIN to find him a lawyer to help sell his home. At that moment, OI-WAH appears……
PIK-KEI hands her paternity test report to PIT-TAT, who thereby reveals his past relationship with her mother MEI-YIU to her; whereas PIK-KEI reassures PIT-TAT that the last thing she will do is to tear his family apart. In the company, PIK-KEI and PIT-TAT appear to be very acquainted with each other, so YAN-OI and BONG cannot help but think it's very unusual. After YIU-MING asks PIK-KEI for the truth about this, PIK-KEI hopes that YIU-MING would keep it a secret for her. Going on a shopping spree for the promotional offerings in a grocery store, KIN-CHING and YIU-MING are delighted to find out that they receive a buffet coupon in a five-star hotel. While having the buffet, KIN-CHING runs into OI-WAH, who also arrives there together with KWAN-NIN, so she walks away, leaving YIU-MING behind……
Having learned that the former Chairman of the Tsin Hong Group, ANTHONY, is suspected to have been involved in alleged bribery scandal, KWAN-NIN compliments OI-WAH by referring her as a great woman of vision. This makes OI-WAH so happy that she invites KWAN-NIN to tour the island of Cheung Chau on the weekend. SAU-HING comes to realise that YIU-MING and KIN-CHING sincerely mean to offer her help, therefore she eventually discloses her relationship with MO-WAN. YIU-MING and KIN-CHING then try to persuade SIU-KEUNG not to file a lawsuit against SAU-HING, but meet an utter refusal. Walking on the beach with KWAN-NIN in Cheung Chau, OI-WAH misconceives that KWAN-NIN regarded the activity of accompanying her to tour around as part of his routine business, so she makes an excuse that she has another business appointment and leaves……
YIU-MING drives his car to look for PIK-KEI and midway through he sees KIN-CHING fall after being pushed down. KIN-CHING drops her music book, and notes scatter everywhere on the road like thrown leaves, so YIU-MING helps her pick them up. DOR-LOK reveals his love affection to PIK-KEI, who tells him that her ideal match is someone like YIU-MING instead of him. After PIT-TAT and MA-LEI view the video that is uploaded by a netizen showing DOR-LOK's courtship of PIK-KEI, MA-LEI is of the opinion that PIK-KEI's appearance has stirred up such a fuss in her family, leaving PIT-TAT no other choice but to reveal the truth. As PIK-KEI and the others are busy setting up the venue for the Hong Kong's Heritage Photo Exhibition held by the school, DOR-LOK comes late and keeps others waiting. Despite his tardiness, quite a few female fellow students play up to DOR-LOK, above which they even queue up to take photos with him……
After KIN-CHING questions YIU-MING as to why he hit her younger brother, it turns out that YIU-MING misconstrued WING-CHING was a two-timer and worried that he was cheating on KIN-CHING. Upon her return home after school, SIU-YUEN sees SAU-HING out of the blue passing out, and starts crying out loud. In an instant, MEI-NAM is startled by the loudness of the crying, so he goes to her aid. Having learned about SIU-YUEN's tragic background, MEI-NAM cannot help having great sympathy for her. SZE-NGA, bringing along her luggage, goes to pay a visit to KIN-CHING. According to her, she ran away from home because she suspected that WING-CHING was having an affair……
After DOR-LOK is implicated in the alleged counterfeit money ring, PIT-TAT suspects that it's the deeds done by their former tenant DAI MAN-MO, whose tenancy was terminated by their company early because he had been late paying the rent. OI-WAH is convinced that PIK-KEI's appearance has inevitably added pressure to PIT-TAT's family relationships, suggesting that she should go to Singapore for further training. As for KIN-CHING, she runs into YIU-MING and SUET-MUI who has a wrist injury. Seeing that her daughter KIN-CHING gets along very well with YIU-MING, SUET-MUI cannot help but feel there is more to their relationship than it appears. Having returned to the unit together with DOR-LOK, PIT-TAT notices there is something wrong with the air condition, in which he even discovers a small bag with a diamond hidden inside. At that moment, MAN-MO suddenly appears and simultaneously leaps forward to grab the diamond……
After KIN-CHING finds out that YIU-MING has a crush on her, she purposely keeps a distance from YIU-MING. Later on, she has an accident in her kitchen, coincidentally, YIU-MING returns home and saves her in the nick of time. Unfortunately, her vacuum cleaner "Cool-Coolie" has been burnt beyond repair, leaving her no other choice but to bring it back to her organic farm for burial. Envying KIN-CHING who owns the farmland, YIU-MING reveals his dream, which is to open a private kitchen called Herb Garden Private Kitchen. Having heard this, KIN-CHING proactively proposes letting YIU-MING grow some herbs on her farmland. After work, MEI-NAM once again runs into SIU-YUEN, who feels a little melancholy, so MEI-NAM helps her out by pretending to be her parent to meet the principal……
Feeling sympathy for BING-BING, PIK-KEI accompanies her to go shopping. Midway through, they pass by a newspaper stall, catching a glimpse of a magazine cover featuring the high-profile family feud among the CHIANG siblings. Having seen this, BING-BING begins to feel very awkward. Meanwhile, OI-WAH runs into MR. CHIANG JUNIOR RAYMOND, who is looking forward to forging a better partnership with OI-WAH in the future while indicating that it's impossible for his elder brother to take over their family business because his elder brother has no heir. ANTHONY not only gets very angry with OI-WAH for helping RAYMOND, but also presses ERIC, asking him about BING-BING's current whereabouts. Losing control over herself, MA-LEI bursts out crying and keeps saying that she has entered menopause. The following day, PIT-TAT takes MA-LEI to consult a doctor, who instead tells MA-LEI that she is pregnant……
YIU-MING notices that KIN-CHING's RC helicopter looks the same as the image of his online friend, "SKYROCKET APACHE", so he is sure that the person is KIN-CHING; whereas KIN-CHING starts teaching him how to court girls without knowing that her online profile has already been unmasked by YIU-MING. While packing up her personal belongings, PIK-KEI spots a sunset scenery picture from Pak Nai, so she asks YIU-MING to take her on a tour to Pak Nai. On their way to the airport, YIU-MING gets so uneasy that he frankly discloses everything to PIK-KEI, who finds it totally unacceptable that she was just betrayed by two persons that she trusted the most, YIU-MING and OI-WAH. KWAN-NIN happens to see PIT-TAT coming to attend the meeting, and he out of the blue picks a fight with him. Marching into OI-WAH's office, KWAN-NIN not only reprimands OI-WAH but also requests the company to grant him a long vacation……
After the doctor performs the surgery to save KWAN-NIN who had an accident, KWAN-NIN is recovering from the surgery yet he knows he lost his vision, so PIK-KEI exhorts OI-WAH to find a way to mend her broken relationship with KWAN-NIN. Ever since YIU-MING resigned, he has been working three part-time jobs a day. One day in the morning, as soon as he gets off work from a convenience store, YIU-MING immediately leads KIN-CHING to the farmland to check on the herbs he grows. Once again, YIU-MING encourages KIN-CHING to start anew, above which he even hands her back the fallen angel figurine. KWAN-NIN returns to his ancestral home in Cheung Chau to recuperate after being discharged from the hospital; whereas OI-WAH, pretending to be a caregiver, goes to look after KWAN-NIN. With PIK-KEI deciding to return to Canada to continue her studying, she goes to the peak together with DOR-LOK to take photos ahead of her departure……
