[The Way We Were]
[Episode 7]
Dad, I can take the first one, but can we discuss the second?
Stop being so unserious.
You're a backstabbing traitor.
Do you have the right to negotiate with me?
If you hadn't stopped by allowance, this wouldn't have happened.
If you keep talking back, I'll make sure you never inherit a single thing.
Go. Get me some hangover meds.
[Calling Mom]
[Mom]
Mom.
[Beijing] Shu Che, I'm at the airport.
I'm flying to San Francisco tomorrow. Can you go pick me up?
You're... coming to San Francisco?
How come you didn't mention this two days ago on the phone?
Do you not want to see me?
Can you pick me up or not?
Who says I don't want to see you?
Give me your flight number. I'll go get you tomorrow.
All right, I'll text it to you soon. I'm about to board, so I'll hang up now.
- We'll talk tomorrow. - Okay. Have a safe flight.
See you tomorrow.
My mom is coming out of the blue.
She decides to tell me right before the plane takes off.
Is she coming on other business, or just to come see you?
She didn't say. I suddenly feel like I'm being ambushed.
Maybe it has something to do with them being against our marriage.
Could she be coming on behalf of my dad?
But this is good.
You can talk to her.
- Why don't you pick her up with me? - Okay.
I haven't seen her in awhile.
My dad is also here. Why don't we...
have them meet? What do you think?
I think that's a good idea.
That way our parents have at least met before we register our marriage.
And we can change their disapproval to approval.
Sounds good.
[Yanzhou]
Hello, Qing'er?
Dad, how come I can't get in touch with Mom?
She didn't show up to our video chat, won't pick up her phone, or text me back.
I forgot to tell you, your mom's phone is broken.
She sent it off to get fixed and it hasn't come back yet.
No one is picking up at home either.
No one picked up last night at 11 or this morning at 6 a.m.
- This isn't normal. - What's abnormal about it?
It just happens that your mom has been busy with tutoring.
She comes back pretty late at night.
And sometimes I drag her to morning workouts with me.
So, you know.
Dad, where are you?
I'm at work, where else would I be?
Did you notice that I called you on your private phone?
I didn't call your work phone.
You never have you personal phone on at work.
Why did it go through today? It means you're not at work.
Yeah.
I just got to the entrance. I haven't gone inside yet.
Dad, just stop lying.
I can tell when you're lying.
Did something happen to Mom? Tell me the truth.
Qing'er, why do you sound like you're interrogating a suspect?
I'm telling you I'm not lying.
Your mom is fine.
She's just been busy and her phone broke.
And there's the time difference between you.
She hasn't been able to catch you.
Stop overthinking things.
All right. I'll have her call you when she's free, okay?
I have to go to work now. I'll see you.
Okay. Okay, bye.
Hey Auntie, it's Xiao Qing.
Has my mom contacted you recently?
No.
Aunt, what's wrong?
Why do you sound off?
Did something happen to my mom?
I just called my dad but he didn't tell me anything.
Tell me what's going on with my mom.
Qing'er.
Your dad won't let us tell you.
But I don't think we can keep hiding this from you.
Your mom was in a car accident.
A week ago. She's still in the ICU.
But don't worry, her condition isn't critical anymore.
A car accident?
She crashed into another car?
She didn't crash into another car.
She was probably too exhausted
and drove through the safety rails on the highway.
She broke a lot of bones. Particularly her ribs, which punctured her lungs.
The infection in her lungs is pretty serious. She's been feverish.
But don't worry.
Her fever started receding the day before yesterday.
The doctors are worried her lung infection will come back...
so she's still being watched in intensive care.
Why didn't you guys tell me earlier?
- I want to go back and see her. - Qing'er, listen to me.
Your dad didn't tell you because he didn't want you running back
and interrupting your studies.
Your uncle and I are here, as well as your dad. Everything is fine.
Besides, your mom needs money for her hospital bills right now.
How much do you think roundtrip tickets would cost?
Money? Doesn't my mom have health insurance?
I just learned of this myself.
Car accidents aren't included in her insurance.
And there isn't a responsible party.
The car insurance only covers 10,000 yuan.
In addition, the accident didn't happen during work hours.
It can't be considered a work-related incident.
However, the school has decided to provide some form of payment.
Everything else is up to us.
About how much is it?
When she first arrived, your dad paid 50,000.
Yesterday, the hospital pressed us for the rest of the payment.
There's probably still around 30,000 yuan left.
That's not including the costs of her medications and after she's discharged.
It's that expensive?
We can handle the money stuff, so don't stress yourself over this.
What you need to do right now is focus on your studies.
During times like these, not adding more trouble is the best thing you can do.
All right. I've told you everything.
Don't pester your dad.
He's worried about your mom, and worried about distracting you.
You have to be understanding of him, okay?
I got it. Thanks, Auntie.
Hey, goddess! You're finally back!
Why didn't you pick up my calls?
What did you need me for?
Did you cry?
It's none of your business.
Tell me who did this to you.
Do you need me for something or no?
I meant to take you to dinner as an apology.
No need. Whether you apologize or not doesn't matter to me.
Why were you crying then?
I said it was none of your business. I have no need to tell you.
Aren't we friends? Tell me, maybe I can help.
Is it still possible to have a decent conversation?
Mom.
So why did you suddenly come to San Francisco?
You really can't figure it out?
- For us? - Who else?
How could I not come after you tell us you're getting married?
You're not here to stop us?
No. I'm not against you two getting married.
- Really? - Obviously.
Miao Ying is great. You guys are a perfect couple.
I'm honestly ecstatic.
I thought Dad sent you here on a mission to keep me under watch.
You and your father are both so pigheaded when you start fighting.
Think about it, what could I actually do if you were determined to get married?
Auntie, we actually really want to get you and Uncle's approval.
Your Uncle's stubborn temper takes time to fizzle out.
I'm 100 percent in support of you guys.
Auntie, my dad also happens to be in San Francisco right now.
Since you're here, why don't you stop by our house for a meal sometime?
- And meet my dad. - Really? What a coincidence.
- Your dad is here? - Yeah, he's here for business.
He's been here for a while now.
Mom, it's about time that you parents meet.
You can just represent my dad and meet with Mr. Cheng.
Definitely. I will visit for sure.
Then let me know which day you're free and I'll arrange for a meal at home.
In a couple days, so I can get over jet lag.
Adjust myself and all.
Xiao, I feel really sorry for your mother's suffering.
And I know it must have a huge impact on you and your family.
But regarding your application for suspension of schooling...
I suggest that you reconsider it carefully.
Did you talk to your dad about it before making such a decision?
I'm fully aware of the financial situation in my family right now.
I also thought about everything before making the decision.
My father might not agree with me, but I can make my own decisions.
I completely understand how you feel.
But would you like to hear some advice from me?
Definitely. I need your advice.
My suggestion is that you ask for short leave
go back to China and visit your mother first.
Then, if you still feel that you need a suspension of schooling...
You can file an application with our SLS office.
The maximum amount of time for leave is five months.
And I certainly hope you can come back in time and continue your studies here.
But if you fail to get back in time...
our SLS office will treat your case as a dropout.
And your student status in our management system
will be permanently deleted.
When you want to come back and study...
you will have to resubmit your proposal and admission application
as a new student.
I understand. I've planned to submit my application before going back to China.
Of course, I will try my best to come back within five months.
However, if I can't make it back, I will accept being a dropout.
Xiao, it would be a pity to be a dropout.
I really hope that you can come back.
I'll do my best to help you work things out.
Thank you so much, Professor. I will try my best to come back in time.
Could you please tell me how to apply for a suspension in our SLS?
First of all, you're 24 this year. It's your zodiac year.
The shaman said that those born in the year of the snake
clash with Jupiter.
Emotions are unpredictable.
If you get married, you'll constantly be fighting.
And secondly, the lunar calendar has no Lichun this year.
You know how the saying goes. No lichun is a widow year.
Getting married in this kind of year also leads to lots of fighting
and it could even end in disaster.
What are you laughing at?
What? Why are you laughing?
- I'm not wrong! - Mom, you're too cute.
No, it's just... I never realized you were into this stuff.
How... did you manage to memorize all of that?
And that widow... what?
And the zodiac... that must not have been easy.
What? I wasn't interested in this stuff before.
But you said you were getting married, and I have to think about your happiness
so I went to the shaman, and his words make sense!
So I remembered them. I didn't memorize anything!
How is this logical? It's just myth.
Didn't you just say divination isn't myth?
Yeah, it's true, the Book of Changes isn't...
but everything you just said has nothing to do with it.
Well... this is what the shaman told me.
Mom.
Here's the thing.
Did you consult all this mythical stuff
in order for me to believe that getting married now is a bad idea?
- But-- - How about this? Just be direct.
Did you come because of Dad, to stop us from getting married?
Wrong! Why would I want to stop you from getting married?
I've always liked Miao Ying and considered her my daughter-in-law.
I can't wait for you to get married so why would I prevent it?
Yeah, you don't, but my dad is against it.
You can't win over him, so you'll end up joining him.
Your dad isn't against the marriage either.
He's only saying this year won't work.
Son, why can't you just delay it for a couple years?
Get married in two years.
That's what my dad says, right?
Why?
Why two years?
Haven't you guys already agreed to let us get married?
So why are you making us wait two years? Why not now?
- Didn't I tell you the reasons just now? - All that mythical stuff doesn't count.
Let's talk about some real reasons.
An excuse that makes sense.
You're stumped, aren't you?
That's because you guys have no reason to disapprove.
My dad is against it because I didn't tell him beforehand.
I did what I wanted and didn't follow his will.
Your dad can be kind of overbearing.
No, that's not right. This isn't overbearing, it's an infringement
He always thinks what he does is what's best for me.
So I'm supposed to listen to him.
So I'm supposed to respect his will. Every choice and decisions he makes--
- It's not-- - I have to follow his way.
- Isn't that a father's duty? - Mom, you see, that's the problem!
You also believe this, so you think your actions are justified.
But you guys don't get it. When I was young, I listened.
But now I've grown up.
I have the right to choose and the right to make decisions.
Don't you think so?
You... can finish these chestnuts.
[Yanzhou]
Qing'er, you're so lucky. I forgot to turn off my phone today.
- You're calling again? - Dad, stop acting. I know everything.
Auntie told me everything.
Don't blame her. I was going to find out eventually.
All right, I won't keep you in the dark. But you don't have to worry.
Your mom's condition is no longer critical.
She's been pretty stable these few days.
Are you at the hospital now? Can we chat using video?
- I want to see my mom. - I can't go into the ICU.
You can only see her through a window.
- That's fine too. - Okay then.
Do you see?
Qing'er, let me go over her situation with you.
Her ribs fractured, puncturing her lung area.
After surgery, she had a lot of fluid in her lungs she couldn't cough out
and they intubated her to prevent that from affecting her breathing.
You can see the tube near her throat.
It helps her get the fluids out.
Every once in a while, it sucks all the mucus out of her lungs.
So for a short period of time, she won't be able to speak.
Did she injure her spine?
No, but her hips are dislocated and fractured.
Fortunately, she didn't injure any nerves so there's no need for surgery.
Her left leg and right arm are also fractured.
- Is she still unconscious? - No.
Her fever has pretty much gone down.
It means her lung infection is getting better.
She's still more asleep than awake, but she isn't unconscious.
It's just because she needs rest. The doctors also said...
she was injured pretty extensively, but your mom was very lucky.
She has a strong will.
So with treatment and proper rest, she will make a full recovery.
You just sit tight and don't worry.
- I need you to help me with something. - With what?
I need you to get a copy of Mom's records from the hospital and send it to me.
What do you need that for?
I'm taking a leave of absence.
- A leave of absence? - You don't need to freak out.
It's not a big deal. I went to see Professor Anderson today.
He said I can take a maximum leave of five months.
So I'm going back first, and if Mom does well these few months...
I'll go back to school.
If her recovery takes a long time, I'll submit paperwork to drop out.
You even plan on dropping out?
Either way, it's just pressing pause.
Later on, when the situation allows for it, I can reapply.
No way. Either one is unacceptable. It's unnecessary.
- What are you going to do here? - I can take care of Mom.
She doesn't need you to take care of her. She has doctors and nurses in the ICU.
We're only allowed to visit her for an hour a day.
And she has to stay in the ICU for a month.
Besides seeing her, there's nothing else you can do.
But she has to go through recovery afterwards.
You need to work. Auntie and Uncle need to work too.
They can't stay in Yanzhou forever. They have to go back to Guangzhou.
If I go back, I can help Mom with recovery.
Your mom's school has already said they'll send students over to help out.
We'll also hire a professional caretaker.
Regardless, it's unnecessary for you to leave school and come be a caretaker.
Okay, then I'll work. We can save on tuition.
Then I'll find a job at a law firm and earn money to cover her needs.
I can cover her hospital fees, I don't need your tuition money!
Acting of your own volition and worrying for no reason.
Go to school and give me peace of mind. That's better than anything.
Qing'er, how about we discuss this another time, okay?
There's nothing to discuss, Dad. I know what our financial situation is.
I gave my decision a lot of thought. You won't be able to change my mind.
If you won't get me her records, that's fine. I'll come get them myself.
It'll be more complicated, but I can still get my leave.
Why are you so stubborn?
That's that, okay? I'll see you in a few days. Bye.
Your dad is doing this for your own good.
Mom.
What you guys think is good for me isn't necessarily what's good for me.
What you guys think is bad for me could be an experience that I need.
Shu Che, you've really changed in these years you've studied abroad.
You have ideas about everything and you act on those ideas.
It's not wonder that your dad is angry with you.
He didn't send you out here to toughen up and then fight him.
Mom, I'm not being rebellious on purpose.
I've passed the age where you rebel just for the sake of it.
Is making decisions for myself such an inconceivable thing?
Your dad isn't against you getting married for no reason.
What reason? If during this entire time you came up with even one reason...
it's not like I wouldn't accept it. I'm not an unreasonable person.
Who doesn't want their parents' approval and well wishes when they get married?
Who would turn their own marriage into a family dispute?
There are some things I can't tell you right now...
There are some things that I might only be able to tell you later on.
So I also hope that you can let go of this plan for now.
You and your dad need some space and time to communicate.
He's not against you getting married, he just doesn't think it should be now.
You guys are father and son, not two sworn enemies.
What kind of issues can't be resolved?
Why can't you just calm down and communicate patiently
and take into consideration each other's views?
You don't let each other speak and you each do what you want.
Fighting like this all the time... are you guys trying to break up this family?
How will this break up the family?
You're really... which family's father and son get along 24/7?
Isn't this normal? He insists on treating me like this, so I--
What do you know?
What's wrong, Mom?
Do you really think our household is as peaceful as it looks to you?
There are some things... we just kept you out of.
Mom... what things haven't you told me?
Don't be like this. Tell me what's going on.
Mom! What's going on?
Has something happened back home? Don't keep me from it, tell me.
Mom, don't... tell me!
A lot of things have happened in the years you've been gone.
There are some things that I only just found out.
I was kept from it the whole time.
Mom, does it have to do with Dad?
What's going on with Dad?
Your dad... what's going on with your dad?
It's not your dad.
That's impossible. Besides him, no one could hide things from you.
There's only three of us. I haven't hid anything, so it must be him.
Financial problems?
Of course not, your dad is meticulous with money.
Your relationship then?
What have you heard?
I don't need to hear anything.
When people in those positions have problems, it's either money or sex.
Is Dad...
having an affair?
He admitted to me that he's been with that woman for awhile.
Who is she? What does she do? How did she meet Dad?
I have no idea.
It's not important, and I don't want to know.
- It's not important. - How? Why is it not important?
Your dad already regrets it and apologized to me about it.
Is it over between the two of them?
- I'm going to talk to him. - No! Shu Che, Shu Che!
Don't ask him. Please don't ask him.
I shouldn't have told you this.
I want this thing to blow over.
Also, no one can find out about this, understand?
Absolutely not. This kind of thing will ruin your father's career.
You understand this.
I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed.
Hello!
I was going to call you, but I forgot.
You're still with your mom?
I won't be going back tonight, don't wait up for me.
Okay.
You really should spend more time with her.
What time do you get out of class tomorrow?
Two or three in the afternoon. Why?
I have class all day tomorrow.
If you have time, come and keep my mom company.
She...
She's very emotional right now.
Take her out, get her mind off things.
Sure, I'll do my best. I have a study group tomorrow.
I'll see if I can get out of it.
Call or text me after you get here.
Will do.
Goodnight! Get some rest.
- Goodnight. - Bye bye.
[From: San Francisco]
[To: Beijing]
[Dad]