The Winter Melon Tale

FAN TUNG is a deity. He pleases WUN SA with a necklace for being late, so she asks TUNG to go and eat in the Celestial Kitchen. TUNG has taken some winter melon soup which is supposed to be the birthday present for QUEEN MOTHER. As to make him reflect on his mistake, TUNG is locked inside a winter melon for five hundred years. Five hundred years later in Moody Town, the villagers try to take advantage of TIN TAI-KWAI while his wife CHUNG PIK-YUK is not around. His elder brother TIN TAI-FU is a gambler, he uses up his son’s red packet money and the trousseau of his wife is in pawn to pay his debt. LING FUNG fights with him and elopes with her lover. It makes HONG very upset with his father and KWAI tries to comfort him. FU has offended FOK SZ-SZ who was once a fox and turned into a prostitute. With her magic she makes FU lose his grocery shop. YUK and KWAI are left stranded inside a cave and find a big winter melon.

TUNG is freed again with the help from YUK and KWAI but he scares them away instead. YUK wants to redeem the shop but the creditor YAU-FOOK raises the price and wants to have fun with her while drinking. YAU has to agree for the sake of the TIN family. KWAI picks up two small winter melons from the cave and plants them at home. KWAI wants to offer a job to an old man CHOI whom he meet with KWAI in the street. FU wants to make soup with the winter melons, yet he is fastened tight by the magic melons. FU finds a gold lock in KWAI’s room. With the luck that it brings, FU gambles again in the hope of getting back the shop. Due to his greediness, he uses up all the power from the gold lock and loses all his money. He wants to sell his own son HONG as to pay his debts; KWAI and YUK try to stop him.

TUNG falls from a cliff and crashes with FU, accidentally his spirit flings into FU’s body. When TUNG awakes, everybody finds him speaking incoherently that he must be under some mental aberration. TUNG tries to play his magic in front of everybody but then he has lost his valuable bag and all magic power. When knowing from KWAI that FU used to be a bad and nasty guy, with his identity TUNG decides to help FU turn over a new leaf. FOOK wants to gamble with FU, with his magic power he wins tremendously. FU gives YUK all the money and reveals that he owns a pair of perspective eyes. YUK wants to make use of his special power and get the grocery shop back but KWAI objects. YUK wants KWAI to collect all the loans that the villagers once owed him. Yet YUK is mad to see what KWAI has collected from KWAN YAN is only a piece of uncultivated land.

FU is scared to death when he sees two little water melon deities. They play magic to help TUNG retrieve his memory and realize that he is a deity himself. FU claims that the deities are his relatives so KWAI let them stay. KWAI gives all the money to YAN to treat his illness while he is on his way to pay the money to FOOK as an interest. YUK gets mad and goes back to live with her family. With the help from the little water melon deities, FU gets back the loan contract. By the time KWAI wants them to return the contact, the officers and soldiers are there to apprehend KWAI. YUK knows that KWAI suffers in place of his brother, she persuades him to tell the truth but KWAI refuses. YUK has to beg FOOK for his mercy but he just fools her around. Having no way out, YUK wants to break into the jail and free KWAI.

Although CHUNG convinces YUK to go back to the TIN family, she does not want to lose her face by doing it. KWAI works overnight to make a movable TIN HING LUNG wooden cart as to please YUK and finally she agrees to go home with him. FOOK shortens the due date of the loan payment up to ten days and YUK wants to pawn the gold chain which KWAI has given her as a love token. Acting together with the two little water melon deities, FU cheats FOOK and the officer with a hoax to exchange a piece of rare and valuable land with the loan contract. FU assumes that he has repaid his debt of gratitude and can be a deity again in heaven. Yet his hope fails. When FU finds that YUK keeps taunting him while he does all her bidding, he wants to burn himself up.

LING FUNG acts in front of everybody, claiming that she has to rush home for her mother’s funeral. YUK knows well about her affair but without any evidence to corroborate it. Knowing FU has lost his memory, FUNG lies to him that they are a pair of loving couple. KWAI wants YUK to make peace with FUNG instead of arguing all the time. FOOK opens up another grocery shop in town and puts on a big sale. KAM SHAN keeps blaming his son, but in fact FOOK wants to give out special chips to the customers as to incite them to his casino. Ever since the little deity MUSHROOM is being caught, he is forced to performance at the acrobatic work place. FUNG has a purpose for going back to the TIN family; she wants to possess the family treasure. In order to find the treasure, FUNG instigates the enmity against YUK in front of FU. He listens to FUNG and looks for the family treasure in KWAI’s room and finds the little gong gold chain.

YUK is mad at FU for stealing the gold chain. KWAI tells his brother that the gold chain is a gift as a token of love to YUK. FU leaves with disappointment. FU is very devoted to KWAI as he believes that his previous life must be WUN SA. YUK takes it as a mysterious plot. CHO is out of his mind since he misses SZ a lot and his mother wants to find him a match. The deities are caught by the impresario and being forced to perform at the acrobatic work place. FUNG affiliates with HONG and FU as she wants to take charge of the family. FU checks out how the other grocery shop runs the business and brings the villagers to gamble at the casino. SHAN does not want to lose the casino and wants FOOK to close the grocery shop. After helping TIN HING LUNG, FUNG takes this chance and hopes to run the family and surprisingly YUK agrees.

FU thinks that YUK is giving a tough time to FUNG again, so he sends MELON BOY to play some magic and gets all the housework done. As to stop FUNG from being too passionate, FU has to play his hypnosis incantation on her. All of a sudden, FU retrieves the power of hearing sound from a great distance. Hearing that FOOK is going to set TIN HING LUNG on fire, he sends MELON BOY to help. FOOK wants to take revenge, so he spends a large sum of money to buy the three little deities from the acrobatic work place. Threatening them with one of their lives, the two deities agree to set fire on TIN HING LUNG and FU appears in time. Under so much frustration, FU is finally in the reunion of the six deities. YUK knows that a tavern is looking for a new fruits and vegetables supplier, she goes to MS NG to solicit business. NG wants two shops to compete with the winter melon soup as to decide who to grant the business.… ...

FU and KWAI drop from a cliff at the same time and FU can tell how much KWAI cares about him. He then reveals to KWAI and YUK about his real identity and finally they allow TUNG to carry on his identity as FU. NG invites KWAI to work at the tavern and YUK wants him to accept the offer. Two of the deities know that YUEN YEE is very fond of CHO but he likes SZ instead. CHO is forced to go for matchmaking; MUDDLED HEAD and the rest make him unconscious and acts as CHO to scare the girl away. YEE does not want the deities to lay hand on the treasure bag, so she takes it away from CHO while doing his laundry. SZ tests on FU and finds that his immortal spirit is weak and recognizes that he is not TUNG. FUNG wants to be in bed with FU and he has to play the hypnosis incantation again. WAI buys a batch of low-grade ginseng and sells it to KEE with tricks.

When YUK and FUNG are talking about FU, YUK suspects that he likes guys instead. She even finds that FU has hidden a painting about KWAI in female clothing. WAN makes some chicken soup with ginseng and realizes that it is some low-grade product. KEE tries to clarify it with WAI but he denies that the ginseng is sold by him. Two of the deities find that the other four are having the treasure bag with them, so they snatch it back and hand it to FU. FU finds YUK always goes against him, so he has to use his treasure as to keep her under control. FUNG accidentally takes away the magic bracelet from FU in order to get closed to him and he almost being trapped. Being threatened by WAI, KEE and YU MENG gang up with each other. SZ thinks that TUNG is playing the role of KWAI and wants FU to deal with him. FU cannot spend the night with SZ and puts all the blame on KWAI. He harms a lot of innocent people with the Five Mineral Powder.… ...

YUK failed to get into the magistrate to redress an injustice for KWAI. WAI associates with MENG and NG to point out that KWAI has killed KAR, his confession is made under torture. FU wants to repay his debt of gratitude and agrees to help YUK. CHUNG assigns KEE to help KWAI out but he is being threatened by WAI and FOOK with his affair instead. CHO receives an anonymous note asking him to check on the corpse of KAR. YUK and FU therefore rush to the magistrate hoping to reverse the verdict. Yet the officers tell them that the mortuary was on fire and the corpse is burnt. YUK wants FUNG to bring her to the magistrate and surrender herself. KOON FU knows that she only wants to acknowledge guilt on behalf of her husband, YUK and FUNG both receive a flogging. KWAI writes a letter in blood and asks FU to give it to his family. By getting some inspirations from the gold gong, FU finally figures out how to help KWAI.… ...

A murderer is chasing after BILL when FU rushes to the Mau Yan Temple. FU saves him in time and BILL is willing to witness against FOOK and WAI. FU gets so used to his life in the mortal world and the two little deities remind him to report himself back in Heaven. FUNG is mistaken that FU has got some incurable disease. She steals from the shop and wants to have some fun with her husband. When YUK finds out, she reveals to FUNG that FU has turned into a deity. As an excuse to avoid the defilement from WAI, SZ wants to move to the TIN family. YU suggests that SZ should live with the CHUNG family instead. The little deities are surprised that FU still has not regained his magic power and suspect that KWAI is indeed his benefactor. The little deities play with the gold gong and accidentally release the deity in it. As to thank FU, she grants him a wish.

After repaying KWAI, FU turns back into a deity as FAN TUNG. CROW finds that YUK has misused her wish and informs TUNG. As a result, the TIN family is full of ghosts and FUNG is scared to death. TUNG goes to the netherworld and seeks help from JUDGE LUK. TUNG cures his eye disease so that LUK can help him locate FUNG. FUNG is finally alive again. After living with the CHUNG family for quite some time, SZ has found nothing. Seeing that HONG is all alone during the Mid-Autumn Festival, SZ does not want to harm him. The four little deities visit YEE and give her a magic hat. TUNG secretly takes a sneak from Heaven and visit KWAI. YUK thinks he is still very fond of KWAI and FU admits that he misses everybody a lot. YUK arranges KWAI to meet TUNG in lady custom but TUNG feels sick to see it. SZ wants to swindle TUNG by making use of KWAI.

YUK informs TUNG through the Pager Frog that KWAI is caught by a big black bear. While saving KWAI, TUNG accidentally touches the contrivance. In order to protect TUNG, KWAI keeps off the arrows for him. FUNG fights against the genie fox and SZ is hurt when she tries to save LING. TUNG goes to the netherworld again and seeks help from LUK, LUK rejects him and quietly informs the other deities to take him back to Heaven. YAN and his wife go over to the TIN family and find YUK and FUNG are hiding something from them. They think that FU and KWAI are being killed by them. LING uses her magic power and makes YAN reports the case to the magistrate. TUNG watches everything from Heaven and sees that instead of helping KWAI, the six little deities have accidentally killed him. TUNG also finds that SA has turned into YUK instead of KWAI and realizes that he has made a big mistake.… ...

TUNG saved KWAI from Samsara in the six realms. Seeing that TUNG is so attached to everybody, STOVE DEITY lets him stay behind for one more day. TUNG returns to Heaven and the six little deities are all rewarded by the JADE EMPEROR. YEE feels so miserable since CHO left without a trace because of SZ. She overheard that CHUNG is not happy with the birthmark on her face; it makes YEE feel more inferior. Claiming that the Emperor will be out to visit, FU does not allow the hawkers to sell on the street. KWAI gathers the neighborhood to against it. MENG reveals to KEE that she is pregnant. WAI and FOOK take the chance to threaten him and make him put some underwear of a prostitute inside KWAI’s room. When KWAI is in trouble, he will not have time to fight against them. WAN receives an anonymous letter saying that KEE is having an affair with MENG. Without hesitation, KEE abandons his wife.… ...

KEE runs away when the house is on fire, YUK and FUNG think that he is the one who burns Tin Hing Lung. The Young Prince and his master are secretly out at Moody Town. While watching the acrobatics, the Young Prince is separated from his master. With the help from YEE, they manage to get back together. When KWAI discovers his real identity, he wants to make use of the Young Prince to go against FU. SZ plays the magic to make believe that WAI has spent a night with her. As to please SZ, WAI is going to play tough on the villagers. YEE gets to know from LING that SZ has no feelings for CHO at all. SZ directs WAI and FOOK how to suppress the villagers. When KWAI wants the Young Prince to help, the six little deities appear suddenly and repel the soldiers. WAI and FOOK caught KWAI to the magistrate and threaten him not to go against them. Yet KWAI is not willing to obey.

Seeing some horns inside KWAI’s shadow, YUK suspects that he is being possessed. CHO and YEE meet WAI and SZ on the street. CHO wants to help since he thinks SZ is being forced to be with WAI. KWAI purposely lets the Young Prince see he is followed by the guards under FOK and WAI and hopes to get his help. Yet the Young Prince does not want to get involved. SZ orders LING to attract MUSHROOM to the cave in order to assimilate his immortal spirit. WAI and FOOK send their guards to catch the Young Prince and KWAI saves him. SZ finds that KWAI has no immortal spirit to protect him and makes use of his sympathy to live with the TIN family. YUK agrees to let her stay when hearing from KWAI that SZ is raped by KEE and gets pregnant. Trying to follow SZ, FUNG bumps into her lover FU and gets very worried about it. TUNG learns from Heaven that the six little deities are going to be in trouble, he rushes to the mortal world.

TUNG and the four little deities are looking for MUSHROOM and CROW. With the magic power they find LING but she lies to them. LUK comes to look for TUNG and gives him the gourd that hides the good KWAI in it. Last time TUNG has only saved the bad KWAI and left the good spirit in the netherworld. The bad KWAI does not want the good spirit to get back inside the body and lies to TUNG that YUK does not want KWAI to come back. SZ uses her magic and makes FUNG steal the treasure of TIN. The TIN family does not blame FUNG but she runs away the next day. TUNG follows her and finds that she is under the threat of FU. TUNG teaches him a lesson but FUNG still refuses to go back to the TIN family. SING does not want YEE to be upset with the birthmark and is willing to exchange it. Knowing that YUK was TUNG’s lover in their previous lives, SZ wants to give her a hard time.

Due to the heavy workload, TUNG gives her a magic hairpin as to relieve her headache. SZ purposely lets KWAI know about it as to grow hatred in him. TUNG gets to know that KWAI sends CHOI to burn the gourd as to forestall problems. The Young Prince knows how much SING has sacrificed for YEE. When she becomes a beauty, he proposes to her on behalf of SING. SZ tries to incite disharmony between KWAI and YUK. TUNG tells YUK that HONG holds the gourd with the good spirit of KWAI in it. SZ instructs LING to lure the four little deities to the cave and assimilates their immortal spirit. Suddenly KWAI finds that no one is able to see him. Being so worried that he will be turned into ashes, he agrees to combine with the good KWAI. MUSHROOM tries to poison SZ with his immortal spirit, SZ gets mad and wants to burn up all the little deities.

TUNG saves the six little deities in time and leads everyone to persuade FUNG to go home. The TIN family is finally reunited. KWAI knows that KEE is curing the poor at some remote villages. He brings WAN there and the couple is finally reconciled. Before YEE gets married, MELON GIRL plays the magic and makes CHO sleep for three days. When he is awake, YEE is about to get married. TUNG tells KWAI that the previous life of YUK was SA; it makes YUK want to be back to Heaven with TUNG. When they are running away together, YUK falls and TUNG gets hurt while trying to save her. YUK is in fact impersonated by SZ. When SZ thinks that she has taken her revenge, TUNG suddenly descends from Heaven. With the help from the six little deities, TUNG finally manages to suppress SZ. TUNG asks the mountain god to be the witness and clarifies all the past misunderstanding with SZ.… ...