SINGPOST~ QUEST FOR AMUSEMENT: July 2014

SHOW INTRODUCTION:
Xi Ji is a well established and popular traditional pastries shop in the 1940s. As heir to the business, Lian Wen Ding has a gift for making traditional pastries. When Wen Ding’s father finds out that his son is in love with a traveling songstress, he objects to the match and arranges for Wen Ding to marry a rich merchant’s daughter.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Wen Ding has a fainting spell and falls into a well in a freak accident. Upon regaining consciousness, he finds that he has traveled through time to be transported to modern Singapore. In modern Singapore however, Xi Ji is on the verge of being forced out of business a very competitive environment. Wen Ding takes on the challenge to steer the business back on the right track and in the process, finds love in the modern world.

SHOW TIME:
23 July to 19 August 2014
Weekdays, 9pm -10pm

SHOW PLOT SYNOPSIS:
In the 1940s, “Xiji” is a famous traditional Teochew traditional pastry shop in Singapore. Their mooncakes are renowned everywhere. Lian Xuegeng, the boss of “Xiji”, has an only son, Lian Wending, who is super talented in pastry-making. Wending shares a bond with Lin Xiaomei, a travelling songstress. When his father finds out about it, he tries all ways and means to stop them from seeing each other and even arranges for Wending to marry a rich merchant’s daughter, Sun Xiulan. Stifled by his father’s authority and bound by tradition, Wending accepts the arrangement helplessly. Xiulan is, in fact, a good wife and daughter-in-law, leading Wending to acknowledge that his father’s choice is right.

On Mid-Autumn Night, Wending loses consciousness after falling into a well. Upon waking up, Wending is shocked to find that he has traveled through time to arrive in modern Singapore. By a twist of fate, Wending happens to meet Lian Daxi, who has difficulty hiring workers. Daxi, delighted to know that Wending can bake traditional pastry despite his youth, hires him immediately. Wending befriends Daxi’s younger brother, Erxi, and discovers that both of them are his descendants, who are now running “Xiji”. The two Lian brothers are different in character. They are rather unfortunate in matters concerning their family, career and love.

Daxi is a sentimental and emotionally fragile man but has a strong sense of responsibility. He goes all out to preserve the family business, but there is a limit to what he can do. Daxi has been hurt by love numerous times so much so that he is afraid of entering into any relationship. As such, although he has eyes for Ouyang Xuan, the shop assistant next door, he has no courage to confess his love for her.

Read full synopsis at:
http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/musiccall/storyviewer_brief.aspx?cp-documentid=255293342

CAST & CREW:
Shaun Chen, Chen Han Wei, Jesseca Liu, Sora Ma, Yvonne Lin, Yao Wen Long

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SHOW PICTURE GALLERY

SHOW RELATED INSTAGRAM PICTURES

SPOILER ALERT

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 1

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-1/2eg4knryr

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep1/301012

Xi Ji is a traditional Teochew pastry shop run by the fourth generation of Lians, Daxi and Shuangxi. Daxi is in charge of baking, while Shuangxi manages marketing and sales. Business has dwindled over the years and they are in debt. Daxi is overjoyed when Shuangxi clinches a deal to prepare 1000 gift boxes of pastries for Teochew boss, Mr Cai. Time turns back to the year 1948.

Xi Ji is a popular traditional Teochew pastry shop. The founder, Lian Xuegeng, manages the business well, and his son, Wending, is good at making the pastries. Wending is in love with songstress Lin Xiaomei, but knows Xuegeng will never allow him to marry her. He does not even dare to object to being matchmade with Sun Xiulan. Wending hopes to take Xiaomei as his second wife, but she is unwilling to become a concubine. She breaks up with him. Wending is so affected that he scalds himself while baking.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 2

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-1/2eg4knryr

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep2/301014

Meiren hits Wending and gets the staff to send him to a police station. Trying to run away, he bumps into Shuangxi, who is there to meet Mr Cai. Wending notices the Xi Ji fliers in Shuangxi’s hands and tries to find out what is happening. As a result of the commotion, Shuangxi misses his meeting with Mr Cai. Mr Cai goes overseas and is only due back in two weeks.

Feeling confused, Wending squats in the streets. Mao Mao, who comes from China, assumes he is a beggar and throws him a coin. Wending realises it is the year 2014. Mao Mao runs off; he thinks Wending is mad. Wending picks up his identification pass.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 3

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-3/2eg6d2qmt

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep3/301015Meiren is with her boyfriend Yuanbin when he receives a mysterious call. She does not suspect anything amiss. Nancy shows concern for their relationship and mentions Xuan’s many failed relationships of the past. Meiren hopes to use Shini to convince Daxi and Shuangxi to sell the shop.

Shini goes to Xi Ji and mistakes Wending for Shuangxi. She has a bad impression of him. Wending asks to have dinner at Daxi’s place and is sad the house looks different now. Shini cannot tolerate Wending, who nags them like an elder.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 4

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-4/2egxu63i8

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep4/301016Wending tells Daxi how he was hit by Meiren and that he is sure it was she who broke the machine. He knows Daxi likes Xuan. During dinner, Wending flares up when Shini asserts that selling the shop may not be a bad thing. Daxi and Shuangxi mediate. Daxi questions Shini, who denies tampering with the machine. Shini feels guilty for having accepted the bribe from Meiren.

Meiren tails Yuanbin and finds out he is merely meeting his mother, not another girlfriend. She introduces herself. Yuanbin’s mother gets upset and scolds him for abandoning her to date Meiren. Yuanbin panics when Meiren accuses her of being possessive, and his mother pretends to faint.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 5

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep5/301017

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-5/2eg9xe6jeDaxi worries when Wending goes missing early in the morning. Meiren cannot get along with her father, Xingcheng. She tells Xuan a past incident had caused a rift between them. Meiren and Xuan patronise the shop at which Yamei is working. Not knowing Meiren had arranged for the job, Yamei ignores her. Meiren tells Shini she has bought a shop nearby and they will soon be open for business.

Shini is concerned that Meiren’s new cake shop will affect their business. Daxi is surprised to hear Wending quoting the Lians’ motto. Wending sees Alice reading a comic book about time-travel, and reveals he is from 1948. He even shows her a bank note from the 40s.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 6

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-6

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep6/301877Daxi has secretly done a DNA test for Wending and Mengyong. Daxi and Shuangxi welcome Wending into the family. Wending sees Daxi writing a birthday card for Xuan. Anxious when she confirms she has no feelings for Daxi, he deliberately lets Daxi see him holding her in his arms. Xuan mistakenly assumes Wending likes her. Xuan calls on Daxi when she finds the card and bracelet. He lies that they are from Wending. Meiren celebrates Xuan’s birthday and finds out she likes Wending.

She urges her to find out more about him first. Yuanbin explains to Meiren that his mother feels insecure and is possessive because she lost her husband when she was young. He claims his mother has come to terms with their relationship and is willing to accept her. When Meiren finds out he has lied, she breaks up with him. Shuangxi suggests visiting a pub to cheer Daxi up. Wending tags along and is shocked to see men and women flirting there. He runs out and knocks into Meiren. When she flares up and runs away, he tails her to the riverside.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 7

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-7/2egevdz8v

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep7/301937
Xuan is upset when she finds out Wending is going on a blind date. In a rage when he learns Wending is going on a blind date on his behalf, Daxi blurts out that Wending is the one Xuan likes. Wending asks Xuan out, to sort out the confusion. When she mentions the card and bracelet, he lies that he had thought they could develop a relationship but later realised they would be incompatible.

Downcast, she returns the bracelet. Daxi quarrels with Wending for rejecting Xuan, and lashes out at him for being an illegitimate child. Wending is hurt. Shini learns from a private investigator that Wending has been using Mao Mao’s identity. She suspects him of having committed a crime and therefore needs to hide his identity.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 8

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-8/2egnlbwho

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep8/302047The woman who resembles Xiulan is Shini’s cousin, Wen Rou. She has come from Malaysia to look for a job. Knowing her cousin likes Daxi, Shini is keen for her to work in Xi Ji. Wending discovers that, like Xiulan, Wen Rou is kind and cooks well. He worries when Shini suggests Wen Rou should work in Xi Ji. Daxi is happy when Xuan cheers up after reading his story. He explains why he had lied about the card and bracelet.

Just as he is about to tell her how he feels, Wen Rou appears and causes him lose a good opportunity. Despite Wending’s objections, Daxi and Shuangxi decide to hold a sale to boost business. Wending is concerned about Wen Rou and Daxi’s relationship: If they marry, it would be incestuous. Xingcheng tries to patch up with Meiren. However, an accident evokes Meiren’s memories of her mother’s death.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 9

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-9/2egfshfap

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep9/302048Wending realises he had said the wrong things and makes up an excuse to reason that as distant relatives, Wen Rou and Daxi cannot get married. Wen Rou visits Mengyong with Daxi and does not mind when Mengyong throws up on her. Daxi is impressed. Xuan encourages Daxi to court Wen Rou. Realising Xuan has no feelings for him, Daxi becomes dejected.

Wen Rou finds out Daxi is the web writer. She poses as a fan and chats with him online. He is pleased he has found someone with whom he feels a connection. Wending recognises that Wen Rou will make a good daughter-in-law, but is haunted by the fact that she resembles Xiulan.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 10

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-10/2egthdcmc

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep10/302311The Lians suspect Meiren of exposing Shuangxi’s scam. Wending shields her when she is nearly robbed. Meiren admits she knew about the scam but insists she was not the person who spread the word. She realises Wending knew nothing about the matter. Business at Xi Ji is badly affected. Wending decides to take the rap for Daxi and Shuangxi.

He apologises in public. Wen Rou is impressed. Shuangxi gets drunk when he is unable to talk the suppliers and temple clients around. Shini sneers at him for being useless. Daxi and Wending fail to convince the temple’s clients to continue doing business with them. Meanwhile, they learn Mengyong has cancer.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 11

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-11/2egbolcko

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep11/302623

Wending learns Alice yearns for a pet because she is lonely. He advises Shuangxi and Shini to have another child, but they are unwilling. Xuan tails her mother when she suspects Nancy is suffering a relapse. Trying to console her, Daxi is reminded of Mengyong’s cancer. They cry in each other’s arms. Xuan finds herself drawn to Daxi when he focuses on making a cake to cheer Nancy up. Xuan delivers the cake to Nancy and realises she is fine and even dating Doctor Tan.

Hoping for the outcome of a baby, Wending puts auspicious objects in Shuangxi’s room and asks Wen Rou to prepare tonic soups for the couple. Shini gets upset and quarrels with Wending. Shuangxi throws away the various objects, but has second thoughts about having another child when he sees Alice playing Monopoly with her soft toys. Shuangxi is unhappy when Shini asks Daxi to let her manage Xi Ji’s accounts without discussing it with him.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 12

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-12/2eg6kss1j

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep12/302841
Wending feels awkward when Meiren discovers he has secretly taken a picture of her. They have feelings for each other, but are unwilling to admit it. Wending and Shuangxi visit Mengyong after the surgery and learn he is hoping for more grandchildren. Shuangxi wants another child too, but has no idea how to persuade Shini.

Meiren asks Wending to work with her to create a wedding gift set for a mixed-race couple. They manage to mediate between the bickering couple. Feelings develop between them, but Meiren suspects Wending merely regards her as Xiaomei’s replacement. Wending is unsure and does not dare express his feelings.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 13

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-13/2egrrby6i

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep13/302842
Shini learns Wending has clinched a deal with Le Kella to produce mixed pastry gifts for weddings. She suggests to Shuangxi that they work with tour agencies to bring tour groups to Xi Ji to shop. Shuangxi agrees to pay the tour agencies a 10 per cent commission. Knowing Daxi likes Xuan, Wending encourages him to court her.

He and Shuangxi even try to give Daxi a makeover, to turn him into the type of man Xuan would like, but to no avail. Wending cites himself as an example to convince Daxi to express his love for Xuan. Daxi is thrilled she is receptive. The tour group project is a success and business improves. When Shuangxi learns having diarrhoea can dampen the effects of contraceptive pills, he adds laxatives to Shini’s drink. She suffers all night.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 14

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-14/2eg026woj

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep14/302843

Wending and Meiren try in vain to learn how to make soon kueh from Hua. Back at the shop, Wending is so preoccupied with soon kueh that he accidentally injures himself. When Wen Rou shows her concern, he addresses her as 'Xiulan'. Wen Rou overhears Wending chatting with Alice and assumes she resembles Wending’s late girlfriend.

Wending and Meiren fulfil Pierre’s mother’s wish to eat her favourite soon kueh. Pierre refuses to change his mind, but promises to help them when the opportunity arises. Shini finds out she is pregnant. Shuangxi is thrilled his ploy has worked and convinces her to be happy about their baby.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 15

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep15/303304

Xuan and Shuangxi scoot off in a hurry when they realise they are in a state of undress in each other’s arms. Meiren visits Xingcheng’s childhood home and is enthralled by the beauty of the old buildings. She begins to consider the potential of traditional cakes and pastries.

Shini is puzzled when Wen Rou tells her Shuangxi had washed his clothes on the night she went back to her maternal home. Shuangxi makes up an excuse to pacify her. Xuan feels awkward when she meets Shuangxi at the hospital. They agree to keep the matter a secret.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 16

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-16/2eg2fkjyu

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep16/303305

The doctor allows Mengyong to be discharged. Shini agrees to return home if she gets half of Shuangxi’s shares. Meiren notices that Wen Rou cares a lot about Wending. She confronts her and asserts that Wending is her boyfriend. She does not mind competition, but does not want Wen Rou to resort to underhanded methods. Wen Rou claims innocence.

Daxi and Shuangxi reminisce about the past with Mengyong at Xi Ji. The next day, Mengyong passes away. While preparing for the funeral, Wending realises the two brothers are still at odds. He locks them up in the storeroom to force them to talk things out. A near-accident prompts the two brothers to reconcile.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 17

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-17/2eg30k2hc

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep17/303306

Wen Rou learns she may be crippled for life. Wending is reminded of how Xiulan had died in a fire after marrying him. Meiren clinches a new deal for the business. However, Wending insists on taking care of Wen Rou and asks Shuangxi help her out. Meiren is infuriated. He assures her that he is nursing Wen Rou only out of a sense of duty.

Daxi and Shuangxi are working overtime. They catch Lian trying to steal from the shop. Lian begs for mercy and asserts that she can prove Xuan and Shuangxi did not get intimate that fateful night. Daxi and Shuangxi sense something amiss when she mentions Xuan had seemed intoxicated that night.
Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 18

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-18/2egtd4k18

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep18/303307Wen Rou is rushed to the hospital. Relieved she survives, Wending decides to take care of her for the rest of her life. Wending breaks up with Meiren. He proproses to Wen Rou, who is gleeful. Daxi and Wending praise Shuangxi for his chocolate-flavoured biscuit, which proves a hit with kids. Daxi recovers, but does not want to return to the kitchen.

Xuan encourages him to continue writing his Web story. Daxi tells Wending and Shuangxi he needs more time to recuperate. He does not care how others view Xuan and insists on being with her. Wending gives Xuan and Daxi his blessing. Shini’s greed leads her to use Xi Ji’s funds to invest in shares.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 19

video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-19/2egzekupt

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep19/303805Unable to forget Meiren, Wending breaks up with Wen Rou. She pretends to be understanding, but her hatred for the couple intensifies. Shuangxi finds out Shini has used company funds to make personal investments. He has no choice but to keep it quiet. Susan suggests a way for Shini to earn big bucks without any capital outlay.

Wending feels bad when Wen Rou trips and falls at home. Meiren suggests placing her in a nursing home temporarily, as there is no one to tend to her since Shini is due to give birth. Daxi is relieved when Wending and Shuangxi advise him to accept the publishing deal and let them handle Xi Ji.

Blessings 祖先保佑 Zu Xian Bao You Episode 20

http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-20-finale/2egjxqd9c

http://www.toggle.sg/en/series/blessings-%E7%A5%96%E5%85%88%E4%BF%9D%E4%BD%91/ep20/303806Meiren saves Wen Rou from the fire, but the latter is not grateful. Xi Ji is ravaged and needs to be renovated again. Wending consoles Daxi and Shuangxi. When arrested, Wen Sheng reveals Wen Rou is the mastermind. Wending promises to hire a lawyer for Wen Rou, but she is not appreciative. Shini is disheartened when Shuangxi snubs her and refuses to attend Alice’s parent-teacher meeting with her.

She promises not to be a burden to the Lians and offers to agree to the divorce if he insists. Shuangxi makes plans to sell his Xi Ji shares to help Shini. He is moved Daxi and Wending are prepared to do the same. Shini is ecstatic when Shuangxi finally forgives her.