[The Way We Were]
[Episode 3]
Lawyer Kang.
Are there any other variables involved?
Many variables can affect the outcome both before and during the proceedings.
Such as...
Such as evidence being overturned, witnesses backing out of testifying...
or even just not showing up in court.
It's possible for witnesses to not show up?
Yes, there's many instances of such.
Let's say the arresting officer didn't show up to the hearing.
The case would be missing its key witness.
The suit against the suspect would then be dropped automatically.
Lawyer Kang, I need you to do me a small favor.
It has to do with that highway patrol officer.
I'm one step ahead of you.
This is his profile.
I only prepared a hard copy to stay on the safe side.
- That was smart. - It's nothing.
First get him out on bail.
Let me know as soon as the hearing date is set.
I will.
Also, we'll be seeing more of each other in the future.
- In front of the two kids... - We're strangers.
Thank you.
Sis, I'm here! I came to check up on you.
I'm more concerned about how you're doing.
I slept right next door to you last night.
That's as close as we've ever slept.
Please tell me how in the world you ended up getting married in secret.
It's just what it looks like.
It's hard to fight some people's oppressive ways.
Who are you calling oppressive?
Are you still in denial?
No one forced you to marry me.
Even if you weren't ecstatic, at least you were in on it with me.
A deal based in equality and mutual cooperation.
Isn't that what you like to say all the time?
What kind of deal?
See, do you hear that?
You didn't hear wrong.
Yes, this is just a formal arrangement, like a business deal.
It's not a real, formal marriage.
What do you call it then?
Is a marriage registered with the local municipal government not real?
It's legal in the eye of American law, does that make it formal?
So which is it, a marriage or a business deal?
- Marriage. - Business deal.
- Who am I supposed to listen to? - She's not wrong either.
If you put it together, it's a contract marriage.
She gave me $150,000 to marry her.
Why?
Her family came across some issues getting their investor green cards.
She wanted to get a green card as soon as possible
so she came up with the idea of marrying me.
Then she could get a green card as a spouse.
So we exchanged money and rings... like a business marriage, you know.
Cheng Ran, how can you accept someone buying your hand in marriage?
Well... I needed the money.
- You? - You have no idea.
Dad's frozen all my cards.
It's been a year! And obviously as a rich heir...
no one believes me when I say I'm broke!
So I was forced into this by her, and by our dad.
- Dad! - Yes him, who else?
Dad, what are you doing here?
- Who... Who's dad? - Your dad!
Oh my God...
My head is killing me.
Ouch!
Your eyes have recovered very well.
You can be discharged from the hospital now.
Come on, doc. I can't be discharged.
Everything is spinning around in front of me.
I feel very dizzy. Are you sure my body doesn't have any internal injuries?
How about you let me stay in the hospital for another few days?
Order me an MRI and check me thoroughly.
I'm 100 percent sure it's not necessary.
You only have minor cuts and bruises.
Come on doc, double check, please.
You're gonna be all right.
Thank you.
Xiao Wang, go handle his discharge paperwork.
Dad, I really can't walk. I feel awful and my legs don't work.
I really can't walk.
Do you plan on getting up yourself, or having me pull you up?
Get up!
You come back with us.
All right, Dad. I've been meaning to chat with you.
My head... it hurts...
You gave her our house keys?
Dad! Your home is my home.
- Cheng Ran... - I can't!
I feel dizzy now that I've stood up.
- Sir, you've come back. - Mrs. Ma. I'll leave you to your work.
Okay.
Cheng Ran.
Where are you going?
- Upstairs to lie down for a bit. - You can lie down here.
Dad, can we do this another day?
- Why must you trouble a sick patient? - You slink away faster than me.
You call yourself a patient?
- Get over here! - Dad, my ears started ringing!
What did you say just now?
If you insist on keeping up the act, I'm going to beat you.
You hear that?
Get over here!
- Dad, would you like a drink? - Don't call me that.
Uncle! You guys have the quality tea my dad brought from China.
- I'll steep some for you? - Thanks.
But this is our home, you don't need to act the host.
Sit down.
I have questions for the two of you.
- You're Jin Lu. - You can just call me Luca.
Just call her "lu ka" as in green card. That's easy to remember.
Uncle, I bet you want to see our marriage certificate.
I specially brought it here today.
[Marriage Certificate, County of San Francisco]
What kind of marriage certificate is this?
There aren't even any photos.
That's just what American marriage certificates look like.
On it, there's my name, Cheng Ran's name, and the official government seal.
Isn't this way too informal?
- It looks fake. - It's real!
Our marriage is legal in the eye of U.S. law.
How did the two of you meet?
Who decided on this arrangement?
We met last October at a mutual friend's party.
I came up with the idea, but we both agreed. No one was forced.
Ms. Jin.
There are many means to immigration. Why did you choose a contract marriage?
My parents were applying as investors, but they ran into some obstacles.
There's no way I could apply as an immigrant with special skills.
Marriage was the quickest solution.
But I looked into it.
$150,000 dollars is way over what people normally pay for this kind of thing.
Why were you willing to accept such a price?
I want to give him that much money.
To be honest with you, Uncle, I'm not in such a hurry to get a green card.
My family bought a home here a while ago.
I can come here on a tourist visa a few months out of the year.
Eat, have fun, go shopping...
I can come here when I want, and go back home when I want.
I don't care about any green card or whatever.
If I hadn't run into Cheng Ran
I wouldn't stoop so low as to marry by contract.
You're just filled with evil ideas when it comes to me, aren't you?
Dad, you hear that? I was tricked!
I did trick you, but you could've rejected me.
Not only did you not do that, you completely went along with it.
I see.
Your motive wasn't the green card, it was Cheng Ran.
That's right, Uncle. It was because I fell in love with him.
I married for love.
Cheng Ran, is this marriage about love or money?
- Money. - Love.
Love and money! They don't conflict one another.
How? Since it's a contract deal, don't bring love into it!
Dad, she's misleading you!
According to U.S. law, how long before she can get her green card?
My interview is in two months, after which I'll be able to get my green card.
- So you two can divorce in two months. - No way!
Why?
That green card is just probationary. It's part of the immigration rules.
If we divorce within two years, my green card will be suspended.
The marriage has to last two years.
Then I can a permanent resident card.
Cheng Ran, is that what the law says?
- Yes. - Yes?
No divorce for two years? I can't believe you took such a deal.
It doesn't affect me in any way. It's not like I'm really marrying in two years.
No influence you say?
How old are you, you fool?
You'll be a divorcee!
It won't happen, Uncle. Don't worry, I guarantee you.
When the two years is up, I definitely won't divorce him.
You have to! It's in our contract!
I'm warning you, if you don't, I'll report you to immigration.
I'm going to have your green card taken away.
I don't care about that at all!
I won't divorce you even if you report me!
This is extortion, you realize?
Cheng Ran!
Look at what you've done!
What an embarrassment.
Selling yourself for money...
Are you seriously that broke?
- Of course I am. - How so?
I give you living expenses, don't I?
Dad...
You've been punishing me financially for a year!
Do you have any idea how hard the past year has been?
You find it hard to live with an allowance of $10,000 dollars a month?
$10,000 is such a huge difference from before.
Before? You have the audacity to bring up "before"?
Oh, that's right. Do you know anything about his past?
You dared marry him without knowing?
Why don't you talk about your own past transgressions?
- You mean high school? - Yes!
I became self-sufficient through business investments, so what?
What kind of business investments were those?
What did you invest in again?
- Just marijuana. - You've dealt weed?
That's too low, I invested in it!
I had this Mexican friend at school whose weed sold really well
so I invested in his business and he paid me back with interest.
So basically you gave him a high interest loan.
You see? Some people get that that was a proper business loan!
Proper business my ass.
If I kept giving you money like I did...
you'd be on your way to becoming America's Most Wanted drug boss!
Uncle, I'm totally with you on that one.
I'm so grateful to you for not giving him money!
You're so loud! Some of us are sleeping!
I'm so sorry.
Is it necessary to be so loud when cleaning?
You're going way overboard!
Actually, you can just do light cleaning.
The cleaning lady comes every Sunday for deep cleaning anyways.
I can't just do light cleaning. Things just turn out like this when I start.
Xiao Qing, what the hell?
Did you touch my things?
I saw that it was a little messy so I organized it a bit.
Where's my headband?
Here.
And my contact lens solution?
These are your makeup products?
I brought it over from back home.
A mainland brand... does it work?
The ocean line is really great. Want to try?
It looks like it's quite effective.
It's so clean here. The faucet is sparkling!
Xiao Qing, you're incredible.
This is what a house inhabited by females is supposed to look like.
What do you mean by that? Are you looking for a fight?
Are you saying Monica and I are dirty and she's the only girl here?
You misunderstood! What I mean is...
Girls like her are really rare nowadays.
She's a clean freak, obsessive compulsive!
It puts other people under a lot of pressure, you know?
You. Don't randomly touch my things in the future.
There's a reason I arrange them the way I do.
Everything is placed right where I can reach it.
Don't push your neatness onto me.
I didn't ask you to clean my stuff, okay?
I'm sorry. I won't touch your things in the future.
Thanks.
As for my things, please organize them. I don't mind.
It's not Sunday, why did the cleaning lady come?
That's thanks to our own personal cleaning lady.
Xiao Qing spent all morning cleaning. It was so loud I couldn't even sleep.
Wow, I'm surprised. You have potential.
- Potential for what? - Cleaning lady potential.
I wanted to ask, are there any large grocery stores around here?
Preferably the kind that has everything and is cheap.
High price-performance ratio, right?
The one Benjamin and I frequent is pretty decent.
At least to me, the price-performance ratio is perfect.
I'm just not sure whether it suits you or not.
Is it far from here?
It's five or six bus stops away. There aren't any stores near us.
You have to drive everywhere.
We happen to be going this afternoon.
- Want a ride? - Can you bring me?
Of course! Except we have to split the gas.
How much?
The bus is three bucks for a ride, which makes it six bucks roundtrip.
An Uber would be over ten dollars.
Riding with us would be much faster than a bus
and it's comfortable. Plus it's cheaper than an Uber.
Let's meet in the middle and say, ten dollars.
What do you think? It's fair, right?
Katherine is a business gal. She can turn everything into a deal.
Fair deals, of course.
If I let you ride for free, you'd feel like you were begging.
You'll be making frequent runs to the grocery store.
Do you plan on asking someone every time?
Even if others are willing, it would make you feel burdened.
You see? She's totally thinking of you.
Also, if you intend on frequently using our car...
you should pay in bulk upfront.
Get a monthly pass or season pass.
Then you don't have to keep change around.
You have membership cards for your car?
Wow, that's a new one. You really are impressive.
Let me calculate for you.
Let's say you go to the supermarket once a week.
So about four to five times per month.
About 15 times per term.
I'll make it $9 per ride with a monthly card
and $8 per ride with a season card.
A yearly card would be even cheaper. $6 per ride. Same as the bus.
- It's a great deal. - Forget the yearly card.
If she buys a car in the middle or moves, I'll have to refund her.
So then, Xiao Qing, which card will you get?
A monthly card or a season card?
I... I think never mind for now.
Katherine, I'll need you to write down the grocery store's address for me.
I can just take the bus.
All right, it's up to you.
Does your incision still hurt?
It's not so bad.
When the doctor came on their rounds, I requested to be discharged.
Why are you in such a hurry?
Stay a bit longer until your wound heals. Then you can leave.
You're worried about Shu Che?
I know what I'm doing, so don't worry yourself.
Look at my two kids.
One doesn't want me to worry
while the other is about to drive me crazy.
Sit.
How was your chat with Cheng Ran and that girl?
Horrible.
I meant to nip it in the bud quickly and painlessly.
But things are more complicated than I expected.
This time things won't be resolved to easily.
Your brother is really... He's always up to no good.
He's brought his tricks from China to America.
At least we could help him resolve his issues in the past.
But yesterday, when I met that chubby girl...
This is a tough one. She's actually into your brother.
I personally don't think she's a gold digger.
That would've made things easier.
Things that can't be resolved with money are the bigger issues.
I really shouldn't have pressed your mom for custody over Cheng Ran.
I should've just left both of you with your mother.
If he were even half as well-behaved as you are, things would be so much easier.
Then should I be grateful that you gave up custody over me?
Well...
I said the wrong thing again.
Don't be mad.
Cheng Ran was right. I wasn't a good father to you or him.
I'm a failure as a dad.
You didn't come here this time just for the two of us, right?
It's true that I have some official business.
Don't be mad at me for saying that.
Why would I be mad?
This sounds more like you.
You're noticeably angry right now.
To tell you the truth, when it comes to the two of you...
I'm completely at a loss.
I have no idea how to communicate with you guys.
I'm used to it anyway.
Things would be better if your mom were still alive.
Are you going hiking?
Why do I run into you everywhere? Where in the world did you come from?
It's called fate. How about it? I can drive you part of the way.
Never mind. Your wife might creep over and beat you up.
Don't worry, she's definitely not going to show up this time.
You sure about that? I'm not interested in pissing her off.
100 percent. Let's go.
Then I'm taking you up on your offer.
Didn't your wife spray your eyes that day?
Why is your forehead bruised too?
Your wife beat you up again.
No, I crashed into a wall.
Yeah right, it's obvious that it was your wife.
Most people try to avoid hitting the face.
Why does your wife love injuring your face?
Will you stop calling her that?
She's not even a real wife!
I don't think wives are categorized into fake and real.
Get in the car and I'll explain.
Thanks again.
You get it now? This marriage of mine is a sham.
In two years, I'm going back to my single life.
So basically you're married but single right now.
Yes, that's exactly it!
It's on our marriage contract.
While we're married, as long as it doesn't affect her her green card...
both of us are allowed to enjoy dating other people.
Contract marriages like that aren't protected by the law.
And, your wife--
"Your wife"... just called her Green Card.
I don't think Green Card is interested in giving you the freedom to date.
I don't need her permission.
I can be with whomever I want.
That's not what I think.
Do you think this is an appropriate topic for our second meeting?
Well how appropriate is it that the first time we met
your wife mistook me for your mistress?
You win.
Let me get that for you.
I'm fine, I can carry it.
My roommates are all home, so you shouldn't go in.
What are you afraid of? Are you trying to hide me...
or hide your roommates?
I'm afraid you won't get along.
Thanks for driving me back. I'll treat you to a meal one day.
All right! I'll be waiting!
I'll be leaving first so I'm not being a third wheel.
- Lawyer Kang, thank you. - No problem, good luck.
- Thank you. - You're welcome. Goodbye.
Have you recovered completely?
I made sure to get better before today so I could come here.
I'd thought of a million different outcomes for that day
but I never thought things would end up like this.
But I bet out of all the outcomes you came up with...
this one is the most exciting.
Thanks for paying my bail.
Technically indebted to you now. I'll make sure you get your money's worth.
Okay. Then as a guarantee, you have to stay with me every second.
However...
I have some bad news.
My dad is here too. He wants to see you.
He knows about this?
You won't be able to avoid meeting my dad this time.
This is literally the worst possible time to meet him.
- Hello, Shu Che. - Hello, Mr. Cheng. Nice to meet you.
It's not really our first meeting.
Have we met before?
When did you ever meet him? How come I don't know about this?
The summer you finished eighth grade...
your mom dropped you off to spend a few days with me.
That day, you and your friends went out for an excursion, right?
When I got back from my morning workout, I noticed this young boy loitering about.
When he saw me, he jumped straight into the neighbor's newly dug tree hole.
He reacted incredibly fast.
- That was you, wasn't it? - I didn't know that you saw me.
You were hiding in that hole, so I could only pretend not to see you.
- Have a seat. - Come on.
- Sit, Shu Che. - Thanks.
Here we are.
- Here, have some water. - Thank you.
Here, Ying Ying.
Shu Che.
How do you plan on tackling this lawsuit?
I discussed similar cases with my lawyer.
First I plan on requesting my license to be validated before the hearing.
I also plan on explaining to the judge the reason I was speeding.
That it was because I was in a hurry to get to the hospital.
I hope that can get me forgiveness for the speeding.
As for the other stuff... that will just depend on luck.
As for the final results, I've prepared for the worst.
If it turns out I need to go to jail, I plan on requesting leave from school.
A temporary leave of absence.
So you plan on accepting the punishment?
I was at fault to begin with.
Shu Che, shouldn't we... concentrate our efforts elsewhere?
There might be methods you haven't thought of yet.
- Sir, what do you mean? - My gut instinct tells me...
that all is not lost with this case yet.
There's still some time before the hearing.
Have you asked your parents for their opinion?
I didn't tell them.
I've also kept my lawyer from informing them.
Why?
I'm an adult. I don't need them worrying over me.
Shu Che, I understand your desire to keep them from worrying.
But us parents have more experience than you guys do.
Sometimes your parents can help you fix certain things.
I decided the moment I left home that I'd deal with my things on my own.
I understand.
[Yanzhou, China]
Go on.
Shu Che came to my place as soon as he got out on bail.
How is he?
He seems to be doing fine. He's not bitter about being locked up.
Have you talked to him about the hearing? What is his attitude?
You were right. As soon as I mentioned you, he clammed up.
He was adamant about not letting you guys know.
He's been fighting me since that car accident a while back.
He won't live in the house I got him, he refuses the internships I find him...
He doesn't accept anything that I arrange for him.
He acts as if I'm trying to hurt him instead of help him.
He doesn't have any appreciation at all.
He told me he's prepared for the worst.
And what would that be?
A short stint in jail isn't out of the question.
No way. Absolutely not.
Not only that, I don't want any trace of this on his record.
Of course that's what we're going for.
But after interacting with him today, I've decided to work in the dark.
We can't let him know too much.
When we absolutely need his cooperation, I'll have Lawyer Kang speak to him.
Do you have a plan yet?
The highway patrol officer and the girl who was with him are key.
I'm checking things out on both ends.
I think I'll find something.
It must be reliable.
He mustn't know anything.
He can't find out that I know.
Otherwise he'll reject whatever help you offer him.
I know.
I've decided to remain hidden as well.
Have him believe that the lawyer is the one doing all the work.
That's good. Thanks.
No problem.
I'll keep you updated.
Dear members of Standord's community, welcome to your new home!
I'm DJ Mike. Today is a sunny day.
Here's a new song from our band for everyone.
Hopefully everyone has a great start to the new semester.
Twenty.
Hello, I'm looking for a part time job on campus.
- Do you have any openings? - Sorry, we don't have any.
You can check in another cafeteria.
Okay, thank you.
Hi.
Where's Miao Ying?
She's at business school orientation. Is the law school orientation over?
Yeah.
You're looking for a campus job?
They're not hiring. I plan on checking the dining hall and library.
Are you on an F1 visa?
Yeah.
You need an SSN to work on an F1 visa. Do you have one?
What's an SSN?
An American social security number.
You need one to work legally, this is common knowledge.
Don't you do your research?
I only decided to find a job recently.
I haven't had time to really look into it yet.
You can apply for an SSN through the school website.
After you get one, the school will assign you a job when there's an opening.
Thanks for your guidance.
Oh also, there's a waiting list. You should apply as soon as possible.
I don't know how to say this to you...
I keep feeling uneasy lately.
You didn't do anything wrong.
There's no need for you to feel uneasy.
Bye.
Shu Che!
I'm glad to have met you and Miao Ying as soon as I arrived in America.
A highway patrol officer would reject 100 thousand dollars.
An officer of the law accepting a bribe is a huge crime here.
If he's caught, not only will he lose his job...
he'll also get jail time.
If I can't convince this cop, then I can't change anything.
You're positive your middleman didn't tell this cop anything about us?
I'm 100 percent positive.
200 percent.
I've told you multiple times.
In order to be absolutely sure, I didn't even meet the middleman myself.
I used a bunch of friends of friends.
Turned a lot of corners. They definitely won't trace this back to us.
Come in.
President Cheng, Lawyer Kang is here.
- Let him in. - Okay.
- Lawyer Kang. - President Cheng.
- You've worked hard lately. - It's my duty.
- Have a seat. - Okay.
I've reached a breakthrough.