The Charm Beneath

The first perfume retail shop of Halle de Fleur opens for business. The second young master, CHUK YAU YIP, returns from abroad; he brings along a big clock for the business opening occasion; his father, MOON SHAN, looks unhappy, but YIP makes his father feel relieved with clever words. The third mistress, MING WAI, and her aunt, LEE NGA SIN, are showing off in their dressing and their wearing of jewelry, competing against each other in the opening ceremony; the first young master, YAU SING, introduces his girlfriend, SUNG WAN SHEUNG, to his father, SHAN, by this chance. SHEUNG plays the role of a model for the new product, Sunflower rouge; SHAN has a good impression on SHEUNG; he invites SHEUNG to his house for dinner the next day. To win a good impression from SHAN, the husband of WAI, LAI KWOK CHEONG, goes to talk about business opportunity with LAM WAI PUN, a good friend of SHAN; he only makes the matter worse with opposite effect……

SHING has a dispute with SHAN over the background of SHEUNG. All the CHUK’s family members (CHUK, the last name of the family) have prejudice against SHEUNG; WAI also thinks that it is not worthy for SHING to harm the father-and-son relationship just because of an outsider. FONG always has good feeling on SHING but she is not willing to show out her feeling because of her reserved character; her mother, LO SIU YUNG, is very anxious about her daughter’s affair with SHING. The suggestion that YIP makes to use “blessing pouch” in boosting the sale of Snowflake Cream impresses SHAN, who also mentions again the production of roller lipstick that YIP has earlier proposed. As such, MOON TIN, the younger brother of SHAN, conceals his anger and jealousy. SHEUNG takes the wrist-chain, which SHING has given her as gift, to go out for repair. On the way, SHEUNG comes across SIN and YUNG, who jeer at SHEUNG, making SHEUNG embarrassed……

After taking SHEUNG to leave Moon Yuen, the big house of CHUK’s family, SHING comes to know that SHEUNG is pregnant. However, he does not want SHAN to make concession because of SHEUNG’s pregnancy. SHING slaps WAI on the face, mistaking that she has disclosed the blackmail incident to SHAN; WAI feels humiliated. SHING and SHAN break up their father-and-son relationship while TIN gains the advantage of this. YIP is so ambitious to see the proper production of roller lipstick; WAI feels uneasy to see TIN highly commend YIP. When going to pray for a blessing, FONG meets SHEUNG and SHING on the way; she comes to knows that they will soon go to south Asia to start a new life. Listening to FONG’s advice, SHING goes to take SHAN out of the hospital; SHAN feels comforted. However, SHING is unwilling to leave SHEUNG all the times……

On witnessing the calamity happening to SHING, SHEUNG faints and she is sent to hospital. YIP tells SHAN the pregnancy of SHEUNG; SHAN is eventually allowed into the CHUK’s family. As SIN sees that SHAN treats SHEUNG indifferently, SIN arranges SHEUNG to live with servants in the back yard. On seeing this, FONG suggests letting SHEUNG live in the guest-room next to her. SHEUNG asks FONG to take her to SHING’s room, where SHEUNG becomes more saddened to see things that remind her of SHING. When YAU BONG and MING MAN, the son and younger daughter of SIN, return from Japan, SIN makes arrangement for them to settle down excitingly; WAI ridicules SIN for her imbalanced attitude to different people. BONG and MAN return home with great ambition. FONG makes a complaint to SHAN, mistaking that YIP requests her to kiss customers for promotion of the roller lipstick……

MAN has SHAN’s dear love but WAI receives SHAN’s cold shoulder. WAI completes the account books for CHEONG overnight but CHEONG forgets to take them back to Halle de Fleur; SHAN criticizes WAI for spoiling her husband, CHEONG. SHEUNG is mentally distressed as she constantly hears mocking words in CHUK’s family. The housekeeper, Sister FOON, recommends LONG to SIN for a job. SIN originally wants to hire Uncle FOOK, her old aged hometown fellow. However, she decides to hire LONG instead to compensate what MAN has done on LONG and to avoid complaint by WAI. SIN uses tricks to make SHAN know that MAN has bought swimsuit; SHAN severely reprimands WAI but he only advises MAN in mild tone. WAI listens to SIN’s instigation, suspecting that she is not SHAN’s daughter; she looks for proof from FOON. YIP buys some snack and he asks FONG to give it to SHEUNG, who worries it will be a trap……

SHEUNG is diagnosed to have prenatal depression. SHEUNG is discharged and returns home, where SIN, YUNG and others feel uneasy. In a street, MAN and WAI see a man, who sells his daughter to a brothel. MAN comes up to defend the daughter and she gets injured. FOOK asks for compensation from SIN, saying that he has quitted his original job. After sending FOOK off, SIN vents her anger on YUNG. YIP discovers the potential market about the products within the brothels. When SHEUNG returns home, YUNG adopts a changed attitude to her for fear that she will be instigated. YIP bets with FONG on which books they buy will make SHEUNG happy. As a result, YIP loses and he has to pay for the dinner with FONG as punishment. Because of this, YUNG mistakes that YIP has good feeling on FONG; YUNG together with her son, YEE CHING, try to pair them up secretly. YIP and FONG feel embarrassed because of the misunderstanding on the part of YUNG and CHING……

MAN discovers CHING sends the product to the girls working in brothels. When returning home, MAN reprimands YIP for helping the unhealthy growth in the society; YIP does not think so and he further decides to patronize the “Flower Queen Competition”. MAN rubs medicinal lotion on CHING’s body and his heart is beating fast. After using the product of Halle de fleur, SIN and YUNG are regarded to be immoral women. The government implements the anti-prostitute policy, causing a great loss to Halle de fleur. After SHAN returns from Shanghai, he scolds YIP for what he has done; he decides to shelve the project of branch-shop in Shanghai. They all discuss how to restore the business of Halle de fleur; YIP feels that his suggestion is not respected and he decides to live his playful life again. On seeing SHAN has great concern over SHEUNG, SIN and YUNG therefore adopt a 180-degree-turn attitude to SHEUNG……

When CHEONG falls from height, YUEN WING WAH, the advisory lawyer of Halle de fleur, happens to appear and CHEONG is rescued. WAI has a dispute with SIN and YUNG over CHEONG’s incident. SHAN reprimands WAI, saying that she is responsible for CHEONG’s action in the money loss. WAI cannot hold her temper, stating in tears that she is helpless to be a wife in this situation. Although SHAN is angry, he is still willing to transfer money to pay the debt; WAI is grateful; TIN is angry, but not daring to say a word. SIN and WAI give presents to SHEUNG respectively; SHEUNG thinks that they may have something evil in their minds. BONG suggests inviting the noble image star, LAN PO YIN, to be the spokesperson of their products. However, it may be not successful because YIN is a low key person. As YIP knows the uncle of YIN, he can make an appointment with YIN to discuss. After BONG gives a handsome offer, YIN eventually promises to cooperate……

SHAN is heartbroken because SHING does not have a son to continue the family line while WAI comforts him. Later WAI feels relieved as SHAN has given his granddaughter a name as MEI TING. SHEUNG has postnatal depression as her daughter, TING, constantly cries; SHEUNG nearly gives up her child for all the troubles the baby causes. Luckily, SHEUNG later changes her mind; she does not make a big mistake. CHING and WAH both have love feeling on MAN. WAH points out to CHING that he should have known better his own ability; WAH always pretends to be gentleman in front of MAN, which angers CHING very much. SHAN scolds YIP because YIP does not change the product that is sold to the customer who is evil-minded. YIP and CHEONG goes for afternoon tea to relieve the boredom; WAI is unhappy about this. YIP meets WONG HIU CHING, a salesgirl of rouge in the restaurant; he has a good impression on her……

TIN pretends to hit SIN to win the sympathy from SHAN, who does not want this to happen; he orders the family members not to disclose the family scandal to outsiders. After taking up the housekeeping authority, WAI discovers that SIN has taken lots of money from the family account for her own purpose; WAI therefore asks SIN to fill the gap of the deficit; SIN is unhappy. Knowing HIU CHING loves to care for stray-cats in the streets, YIP takes the leftover of fish to see her; he builds houses for the cats as well. Because SHAN is unhappy for YIP not doing the proper business, he puts a lot of attention on BONG. For protecting HIU CHING and stray-cats, YIP is beaten by rascal, HO KEUNG; FONG keeps the incident as secret from everybody for YIP. WAI personally deducts some of SIN’s monthly salary from her to fill the deficit gap. CHING returns from Macau happily……

SHAN warns the family members not to question WAI’s identity, but WAI cannot feel relieved for this. CHING buys a brooch for YUNG while FONG thinks that CHING is an obedient son and she gives him a gold watch to commend him. After work, YIP tries to date HIU CHING; SHAN suddenly asks YIP to go to factory with him. YIP therefore tells FONG to inform HIU CHING about this; he even goes to see HIU CHING when SHAN is not aware. The fake product of Halle de Fleur is fully scattered over the market. Therefore the reputation of Halle de Fleur is damaged. All suggest reporting the incident to police; CHING feels uneasy. When FONG discovers that CHING has something to do with the fake product, she tries to take CHING to surrender to SHAN. On the way, FONG and CHING meet TIN, who just returns from Macau after investigation for the fake product. TIN promises to keep the matter as secret, using this to control both of them in order to support BONG……

KEUNG sees that YIP and HIU CHING are in good relationship; he then forces HIU CHING to set up a plan to kidnap YIP. FONG suggests YIP to manufacture gardenia perfume so as to confess his love to HIU CHING. In the meeting, the gardenia plan is opposed by TIN; FONG has to follow TIN on the opposition side. Luckily, BONG is on the side of YIP and SHAN finally decides to let YIP modify the formula. The plan of kidnapping YIP is originally carried out according to what is planned. However, HIU CHING does not want YIP to be kidnapped; she angers YIP away to prevent the kidnapping. FONG dates HIU CHING for YIP to have a picnic; KEUNG uses this chance to force HIU CHING to do the kidnapping. After catching FONG and YIP, KEUNG demands ransom from SHAN, while YUNG worries about the safety of FONG……

YIP and FONG return home safely; YIP does not allow his family to report to police. SIN hurriedly tries to take back her part of the ransom money that she has given earlier; WAI ridicules her on seeing this. SHAN is grateful to SHEUNG’s contribution to take the risk in delivering the ransom; SHAN decides to confirm her position in CHUK’s family because of TING, the newly born baby girl. YIP and HIU CHING miss each other very much. WAH sets up a trap, making his client need not to pay the alimony (money paid to a divorced party) to his divorced wife, Mrs. LEUNG; MAN is not happy with what WAH has done. SIN hates that she is blackmailed by YUNG because she has broken the ornament that YUNG has ordered; FONG pays money to SIN as compensation; YUNG is very angry as she thinks that SIN is the person who needs to pay; YUNG does not know that TIN and SIN are controlling CHING and FONG with their wrongdoing as a threat……

Actually, WAI comes to make order of sweet soup for the birthday party of SHAN; FOON and HUNG are feeling lucky that WAI does not overhear what they have said. YUNG selects return-gifts on behalf of SHAN; SIN follows YUNG, saying that she wants to give YUNG a helping hand. SHAN decides to set up a selling point in a Shanghai emporium that belongs to LAM WAI PUN, putting the gardenia perfume that YIP makes on the shelves as a test for selling. In addition, SHAN accepts YIP’s suggestion to name the perfume as “Passion”. SHAN tries to pair up YIP and LAM SUET YEE, the daughter of PUN. However, SHAN comes to know from YUNG that YIP has a lover. Seeing that YIP has made a change because of HIU CHING, SHAN does not insist on the marriage on equal standing between the two families. He also invites HIU CHING to attend his birthday party; YIP is overjoyed……

HIU CHING denotes to YIP that her elder brother has involved in a traffic accident in Tianjin, where the victim of the accident asks for compensation. YIP is not aware there is a trick; he asks SHAN for help. CHEONG leads SHAN the way; they come across HUNG eventually. SHAN reprimands HUNG for her intention; CHEONG comes to know that WAI is the daughter of HUNG and that SHAN is not the biological father of WAI. CHEONG then suddenly realizes why SHAN always shows cold shoulder to WAI. LONG resigns from the job; he needs to move house to other place with his mother. WAI therefore goes to look for HUNG, hoping that she can let LONG to stay in Moon Yuen. YIP is horrified to know that HIU CHING is caught in a fire disaster. He hurries to hospital, where he only finds out that it is a false alarm; he proposes a marriage to HIU CHING. Ignoring traditional taboo, SHAN promises the marriage of YIP and HIU CHING……

HIU CHING confesses to YIP frankly that it is the money that brings them together. The half drunk YIP cannot cope with the instigation; he picks up a knife on the ground and he stabs HIU CHING unexpectedly. CHEONG takes YIP and the knife back home, where he tells SHAN what happens. For defending YIP, SHAN insists to claim that YIP does not kill HIU CHING. Mrs. LEUNG becomes insane; MAN and WAH have a dispute again for this. After WAH pays compensation to Mrs. LEUNG, MAN and WAH eventually become friends again. In order to forget HIU CHING, YIP throws all the products, “Passion Perfume”, that should be delivered to Shanghai, into the sea. He also expresses to SHAN that he will be playful in the world from now on; SHAN has an aching heart for this. What YIP has done makes Halle de Fleur suffer a great loss; TIN suggests SHAN to adopt BONG to be his son……

On seeing that SHAN has done a lot of things for YIP, WAI is touched and she cannot help but be grateful to his love and care since childhood. PUN suggests to SHAN that YIP and SUET get marry so as to settle the grudges of the two families. Though SHAN has good feeling to SUET, it is a pity that YIP objects the proposal. SHAN is instigated and he eventually sent to hospital because of cerebral hemorrhage. Quoting herself as example, WAI advises YIP to think about SHAN; YIP cannot put forth any argument. He therefore announces the marriage with SUET on the day when SHAN is discharged from hospital. Knowing that the marriage is brought up by PUN, TIN is angry that he has been used by PUN. SIN points out to SHEUNG that her status in the family will be in danger if SUET comes into CHUK’s family. SHAN reprimands SIN in anger after hearing this. YIP wants to takes SUET to make a wedding gown; SUET suddenly feels uneasy……

In order not to let WAI have further grievances because of him, LONG decides to leave Moon Yuen. The floating cash in CHUK’s family becomes tight as SHAN has admitted into hospital. SIN blames WAI for not doing her job properly; WAI makes a concession helplessly, paying SIN with monthly salary as usual. TIN tells BONG to check CHEONG’s account books, boldly saying that CHEONG is not trustworthy. SHAN eventually wakes up, but TIN does not allow his children to see him, stating that SHAN needs a good rest. After FONG and CHING go to Guangzhou to look for YIP, they come to know that YIP will go to Shanghai; they therefore take a train to follow. It is a pity that YIP has changed his mind. On instruction of SHAN, TIN tells WAH to change the will. TIN thinks that he will have full control of the family. However, SHAN has a severe cough constantly when signing the will, for which he has to stop signing the contract……

MAN and WAI make some sweet snack for SHAN, who feels relieved to see the two girls more intimate than before; he decides to amend the will. In order not to make SHAN instigated again, WAI refuses HUNG to visit SHAN. When WAI and others prepare the reunion party to celebrate SHAN’s discharge from hospital, BONG unexpectedly receives call from hospital, saying that the sickness of SHAN deteriorates. SHAN is in coma; TIN advises all to go home. Actually, TIN discovers that SHAN prepares to amend the will; TIN is against the will amendment; he goes to argue with SHAN, which makes SHAN’s sickness deteriorated. After playing chess with an old man, YIP is suddenly enlightened. He decides to go home but his wallet is stolen unexpectedly. YIP and FONG meet at a telegraph station and they return to Hong Kong together. TIN prevent YIP and others from seeing SHAN, to which all are dissatisfied……

WAI reprimands TIN when seeing him wearing SHAN’s overcoat; with the explanation given by BONG, it comes to know that it is a misunderstanding. In his dream, YIP has the encouragement from SHAN, telling YIP that he needs to do a good management of Halle de Fleur with a determined mind. SUET and CHI encounter an accident when they run away from home - CHI dies in the accident, SUET becomes disabled and the unborn baby is aborted as a result. PUN blames himself for this; he is willing to settle the lawsuit with CHUK’s family. WAH reads out the will, stating that TIN is authorized to manage Halle de Fleur; MAN points out that it is not SHAN’s will. WAH helplessly denotes that SHAN has died before the new will is signed; sons and daughters are depressed. TIN and SIN intends to drive away SHAN’s children one by one. Since TIN and SIN fear that BONG may not have the stone heart to drive them away, they send BONG away to Guangzhou……

With FONG’s encouragement, YIP vows to work hard in front of the signboard of Halle de Fleur. SIN and TIN try to make all others back down in the face of difficulty by humiliating YIP in public. FONG despises what TIN has done; she reprimands him. TIN avenges his personal wrong in the name of public interests; CHING is so resentful that he discloses his previous betrayal against Halle de Fleur; YUNG feels shameful to CHUK’s family and she tries to leave Moon Yuen; YIP and others advise her not to do so. When waking up in midnight, SHEUNG discovers that TING is not there. SHEUNG thinks that her nightmare comes true; she hurriedly goes to find SIN and to take TING back; she finally knows that it is a misunderstanding. After knowing that LONG and HUNG prepare to go to live in south Asia, CHEONG therefore arranges HUNG to meet WAI; the mother and daughter are united; they recognize each other eventually……

YIP and others question BONG for the matter of fake signature; SIN firmly takes up the responsibility of the accusation to alleviate the great family pressure placed on BONG. SIN is found guilty as charged and sentenced with one year imprisonment; the lawyer license of WAH is suspended. After taking up the management of Halle de Fleur, YIP discovers the floating capital has been diminished drastically because of TIN. For maintaining the image of the company, YIP decides not to pursue any further. MAN meets WAH in the street. When MAN is robbed, WAH watches with folded arms; another person, WONG FAI, comes to rescue. In the course of conducting a market research, MAN meets FAI; she sees that FAI has the talent of drawing. She therefore recommends FAI to YIP to draw pictures on the calendars, the promotion items for Halle de Fleur. As FAI admires the housewife image and noble quality about SHEUNG, he decides to have her as his model……

Oversea Imports, “Add Beauty”, become the new opponent to Falle de Fleur; YIP and his team have to figure out some strategy hurriedly. For bringing happiness to children, FAI draws some funny pictures for them without considering rewards; MAN appreciates. With the help of WAH, TIN has bought the patent right of “Add Beauty”; he even vows to crack up Halle de Fleur at any cost. WAH also becomes TIN’s godson and they both decide to take revenge on CHUK’s family. FAI is forced to move out of his place; YIP invites him to live in Moon Yuen temporarily. MAN anxiously arranges everything for FAI, to which YUNG ridicules her. When a man, TAI KWONG, is courting FONG, YUNG tries to find out the background of KWONG; FONG is unhappy. The love feeling of FAI and MAN grows rapidly. YIP suspects that FONG is fond of him. WAI also seems to read the mind of FONG and she advises YIP to accept FONG……

Seeing that the smile of MAN is so sweet, FAI uses her as a blueprint in his cartoon characters. Because the chemical substances in “Add Beauty” is over the required standard, it is banned from being placed over the market, causing TIN lose a lot of money. Knowing that TIN is short of floating cash, YIP tries to offer help, but TIN rejects. SIN, who is now in prison, worries that TIN has problem in his business. FAI tries but he fails to obtain any information about HIU CHING from SHEUNG. However, he comes to know that SHEUNG longs to have a family picture with SHING in it, so he decides to make SHEUNG’s dream come true. MAN and FAI are happy to see the children compete to see the cartoon. The children come to know that MAN is the main character, Sweet Sister MAN, in the cartoon; they are excited. CHEONG is overjoyed to know that WAI is pregnant but it is pity that it is a false report eventually……

MAN slaps FAI on the face, thinking that he only comes close to her simply because he wants to collect information of the whereabouts of HIU CHING. Unable to bear the other people’s accusing fingers of helping FAI, SHEUNG decides to leave Moon Yuen; CHING and others apologize to her. WAH pretends to be a changed person and he gets close to SUET, but in fact he and TIN have greedy eyes on the money and property of PUN. SUET comes happily to Halle de Fleur to buy things, while all are surprised to know that WAH is SUET’s courtship target. After SUET follows WAH to do some volunteer work, SUET puts up her smiling face again, but PUN adopts a reserved attitude on WAH. As CHING discovers the love affair between YIP and FONG, all ridicule them. Since FAI fails to persuade SHEUNG to testify in court for HIU CHING, he then looks for a vendor, LEE PING to be the witness against YIP……

YIP goes to FAI’s house, where he is surprised to see FAI is dead. YIP is suspected to commit murder and detained by police. Yip points out that WAH is able to be his time witness. After knowing that FAI has died, HIU CHING is heartbroken and regretful; SHEUNG pretends to console her. MAN goes to Macau for a distraction to alleviate her trouble in mind. Before leaving, she receives a letter that FAI has written and sent to her before he dies. Actually, WAH is not in good faith to help YIP to get out of trouble. What he does is what TIN tells him to win the confidence from PUN. Just as expected, PUN accepts WAH; he decides to authorize WAH to take over his emporium business in Shanghai and to hand over SUET to him to be taken care of. WAI is confirmed to have pregnancy; CHEONG is overjoyed and he invites HUNG to live in Moon Yuen for taking care of his wife……

YIP comes across HIU CHING; he then chases after her with negative result to get her. HIU CHING is shocked to know that FAI is dead. She goes to look for YIP as YIP has something to do with his death. HIU CHING suspects that KEUNG has killed FAI; she tells YIP the whole truth of her past story. YIP is upset to know that HIU CHING is blackmailed by KEUNG because of him and she is suffering the subsequent ordeal. YIP sends her to hospital as she faints because of malnutrition and emotional problem. Knowing that YIP and HIU CHING think KEUNG to be the murderer, SHEUNG decides to use the opportunity, making HIU CHING to work in Halle de Fleur. CHEONG learns English with some progress. Superficially, PUN dies an accidental death, but actually WAH is the culprit. From the mouth of a shop staff, SIN comes to know that CHEONG has very intimate relationship with his English teacher with the surname YUEN; she uses this to instigate WAI……

On seeing that YIP cares for HIU CHING, FONG runs out of the door; YIP chases after and he explains; FONG forgives him finally. On one side, SHEUNG tells HIU CHING that YIP loves FONG. On the other side, SHEUNG encourages HIU CHING to continue her love with YIP. YUNG thinks that YUEN has ulterior purpose on CHEONG, but WAI completely trusts him. YIP confesses to HIU CHING about his love feeling on FONG; HIU CHING tells YIP to cherish FONG. After discharge from hospital, HIU CHING lives in Moon Yuen, where she has mixed feeling in the old place. YUNG is shocked when seeing the huge scar on the face of HIU CHING, who feels embarrassed. SHEUNG and YIP make new dresses for HIU CHING to try on; they take her out to have hairdo with hair hanging down to cover the scar on her face so as to make HIU CHING to regain her confidence. Unluckily, HIU CHING meets an old brothel customer again in the street, making her to recall her past ordeal……

WAI has a miscarriage, while CHEONG hurries to hospital; he eventually sees WAI after a long begging. However, WAI denotes that she wants to divorce him. For revenge, SHEUNG not only makes CHEONG and WAI separated, she further encourages HIU CHING to take YIP back into her arms. YIP applies the flaw covering cream that is just manufactured onto HIU CHING’s face; HIU CHING kisses YIP for thankfulness. YUNG reprimands HIU CHING in the public for her seduction to YIP. SHEUNG comes up to defend for HIU CHING; and at the same time, SHEUNG discloses the fact that HIU CHING has once been sold to a brothel. FONG decides to leave the triangle relationship, announcing her decision of leaving the place; the response of SHEUNG makes WAI suspicious. TIN discovers that WAH prepares to leave Hong Kong. After questioning WAH, TIN comes to know that he has been used by him……

YIP does not believe WAI’s accusation against SHEUNG. WAI reads again the letter that CHEONG has given her; she even has more sorrow. Japanese armies invade China and the situation is unstable. CHING and MAN decide to join the army to defend the country. Because of inflation, SIN and TIN have a hard time to live on. On seeing that the flaw covering cream in Halle de Fleur is popular, TIN unexpectedly goes to Halle de Fleur to look for YIP to cause trouble. FONG comes to rescue YIP regardless of danger; she is wounded and sent to hospital. FONG survives the disaster. HIU CHING advises YIP to choose one out of the two girls. After knowing that YIP is difficult to give up FONG, HIU CHING decides to leave; she blesses two of them to have good luck, to which YIP is grateful. SHEUNG uses tricks to make YIP and WAI hate each other. When CHEONG wakes up, SHEUNG tries to injure him; YIP and others appear to witness the incident……