Doomed to Oblivion

The feverish on paintings has driven KANG XI to disguise and leave palace to look for fine art. His best painter, ZHANG NAM SHA accompanies the king and sets off the journey to Yang Zhou. At the same time, painter, CHENG PANG KIU specialises in painting bamboo; however, his father, CHENG ZI BEN has an opposite view. Destiny has taken over the adventure of KIU. He boards on the boat of WONG YAT TSE and heads towards Yang Zhou together. KIU finds out that TSE disguises as a man; hence, he threats to disclose her secret in return to stay on the boat. TSE has no alternatives but associates with KIU for the trip. KIU visits the art gallery and comments on the works of other artists. Yet, an art trader, WONG SUN finds his perspectives remarkable. However, the high price of KIU’s work is hardly to afford and has become a joke for SUN to laugh at. At this moment, TSE appears and is delighted to help KIU……

The government officials arrest KIU for disruption. KIU claims innocent and has no intention in making trouble. Hence, ZHANG takes his explanation of carelessness into account and releases him. Meanwhile, SUN comes up a plan for fortune. KIU has no place to live; therefore, SUN invites KIU to his art gallery. KAM NONG is one of the famous artists in the gallery of SUN. SUN introduces KAM NONG to KIU and tends to integrate an art society under his name. But NONG has put himself in high risk while he is sitting at a dangerous building. Luckily, KIU thinks of a way to rescue NONG before the building collapses. On the other hand, KIU declines to work for SUN when he finds that SUN has no sense of art. TSE loses her memories and is forced to work in a nightclub. One day, KIU meets TSE again and promises to take her away from the nightclub. Then, KIU seeks for the assistance from SUN……

CHUI decides to work at a restaurant and practises her excellent cooking technique on dumpling. She hopes to find TSE or arises her attention by the delicacy one day. The smell of dumpling attracts KIU instead. Owing to poverty, KIU cannot afford to taste the delicious. Hence, CHUI gives him the food without charge. In return, KIU thanks CHUI by writing a poet on her handkerchief. The owner of the nightclub decides to trade TSE within five days. Without money, KIU thinks of a solution. He associates with NONG and drink heavily in the crowds on purpose; while SUN disguises as a thief and chases after them. Unexpectedly, CHUI appears and nearly ruins their conspiracy. KIU faints CHUI and carries on their plan. Just when everyone in Yang Zhou believes that NONG is died; KIU stupefies NONG and hides him up. KIU and SUN think that the death of NONG might spur his admirers to rush out and purchase his paintings……

NONG considers that KIU has once saved his life, he agrees to keep the secret for him as compensate. Since the troublesome issue is solved, SUN and KIU rush to pay the ransom for TSE. But their rescue plan does not roll out smoothly. Because of late arrival; another buyer is adopting TSE. Under such circumstances, SUN has no choice but uses up all his saving to liberate TSE. Due to cost considerations, SUN treats TSE as a maid and orders TSE to take care of the housework for NONG. However, TSE is inexperience in serving people and burns the kitchen while cooking. SUN is furious about the mess. Apart, CHUI refuses to make up with KIU because of the misunderstandings. KIU is upset. But when he chats with the owner of the restaurant, he realises that CHUI is looking for her master. On the other hand, KIU encourages TSE to try hard to handle the housework……

One day, KIU invites TSE to taste the dumplings made by CHUI. Although TSE finds the taste is so familiar, she is lacking of chance to meet CHUI at the moment. On the other hand, KIU has an idea to set free NONG. He asks SUN to imitate the work of NONG and launches to the market. The price drops eventually due to mass re-production. People lose interest in collecting the work of NONG also. Those who paid for high price in collecting the work of NONG complain about the depreciation of their collection. After investigation, they discover the conspiracy of KIU and capture him. SUN and NONG try to rescue KIU, but fail. They are imprisoned by KUI together. Luckily, with the assistance from ZHANG, they are released at last. Though NONG pleases to be set free, happiness just lasts for a while. The public find NONG unfaithful to them and turn against him……

SUN is ashamed when the buyer takes TSE away. He tells KIU the truth and they search around the city for TSE. Fortunately, TSE is able to escape due to the slip sight of the buyer and reunion with KIU and SUN. They hurry to hide TSE and beats up the follower, CHIU, mistakenly. All of them shelter at the house of SUN. Finally, CHIU and TSE are reunion. CHUI tends to go home with TSE; however, SUN insists to have ransom from the WONG’s family. CHUI has no alternatives and leaves behind to accompany TSE. Meanwhile, she often quarrels with SUN for his ill-treat on TSE. KIU becomes a mediator to pacify both parties instead. KIU encounters a lot of hardship and humiliation during the sale of his paintings. BEN cannot tolerate and asks KIU to leave the place with him. However, KIU pleads BEN to give him half year to build up his career at art culture……

KIU presents his new painting to the rich buyer, while he is entertaining four famous artists. KIU learns a harsh lesson, his work is deprecated by those artists in a straightway. KIU goes home with despair, while BEN continues to persuade KIU to give up and returns home. But at least, he still has an understanding friend, CHIU; who always supports him. ZHANG points out that the work of KIU is spoiled by unnecessary factors, like family burdens and love issues. Yet, these factors have become the major elements that present in his paintings. Therefore, ZHANG introduces his elder fellow to KIU, who has unique techniques in painting but also in poverty. Finally, KIU learns the essential part in painting - spirit. Although KIU figures out the essential part in painting, he still cannot creates his new work after several days. Hence, ZHANG tends to take him for a trip and enhances his vision……

ZHANG and KIU travel along the countryside and it is definitely a fertile trip for KIU. He forgets all his worries and gains a lot of new ideas for his work. Moreover, ZHANG teaches KIU to paint the bamboo in a new perspective. KIU completes his new painting and presents it to ZHANG as a gift. TSE realises that her mother is coming to pick her up very soon. Despite the happiness of reunion, she is upset for leaving KIU and his friend. CHIU helps TSE to dress up for meeting Mrs. Wong and the beauty of TSE attracts SUN at once. ZHANG invites KIU to go to the imperial palace with him. Furthermore, if the bamboo painting of KIU is recognised by KANG; ZHANG is willing to refer KIU for an interview with the king. In the palace, ZHANG starts to draw from the inspiration he gets during the trip. He and his colleagues are drunk when they return to the art gallery. Meanwhile, KANG visits them and comments on the painting……