To live is a fictional period drama, made in the 90's, focusing on the decades that led up to the era of Mao's, as well as during and after this period. To live follows the lives of one man and his family. In the 40's Xu Fugui is a rich man's son and an avid gambler who eventually loses his father's mansion. His wife, Jiazhen, first threatens to force him to stop because she has become pregnant with their second child, then leaves in order to teach him a lesson. She wants to make sure that if the child was a boy he would not end up like his father. After tumultuous times Jiazhen returns with their daughter and their son who Jiazhen sarcastically calls "don't gamble." Following his downfall with his debt Fugui attempts to borrow money for a
