[The Way We Were]
[Episode 23]
Sometimes, I can stand in Mr. Cheng's shoes and understand his logic.
He's a businessman.
He looks for all opportunities to gain influence.
He uses all sorts of unscrupulous methods to turn everyone around him into pawns.
But I... I seriously can't accept the girl I love being used and controlled
and turned into her father's stepping stone to success.
She's become his protective shield.
I... I really can't accept the fact that Miao Ying was in on everything
while I was kept in the dark.
What do they all take me for?
Shu Che, before you figure out exactly what's going on...
all your guesses do nothing but hurt both you and her.
I think you should find Miao Ying and have a proper chat.
You have to stay calm and don't be rash.
Am I being rash?
I admit that before I left for China, I was very rash.
But I'm very calm right now.
I've never been this calm before.
Thanks.
Shu Che!
Thanks for placing your trust in me. Don't worry, I'll keep silent.
I'll keep everything you said to myself.
I also want to add...
you're a pretty interesting person.
How so?
Whether it's because of your dad and her dad's relationship
or that her dad just wants to take care of you...
other people would've simply accepted the situation as a matter of course.
A matter of course...
A matter of which course?
In accordance with whose rules?
See you.
Bye.
I'm home!
[To Shu Che: Are you guys doing all right?]
[Shu Che: She was gone when I got back. She took her clothes and things.]
Thank you.
Ning Ming?
It's really you! I was afraid to come up just now because I wasn't sure.
You came to America?
Are... you making a living playing the ocarina?
I...
hadn't planned on it, and was just having fun on my own
but they ended up paying me and I couldn't say no.
When did you learn to play the ocarina?
You're pretty good.
That was my favorite song to play in college, remember?
How could I forget?
My first exposure to the ocarina was you playing this song.
You influenced me to fall in love with it and want to learn it.
The ocarina you're holding... looks a lot like the one I lost.
Really?
I found it somewhere.
I remember asking you if you found my ocarina and you said you didn't.
Right.
This... probably...
Can I see it?
Sure.
[M.]
See? This is mine. It even has my initial on it.
I'm sorry. I guess I ended up taking yours.
- Here, I'll clean it. - It's okay, it's okay.
I bought a new one. You can have this one.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'll be able to keep using it to make money.
Why are you out so late with a suitcase?
Are you heading out or heading home?
What's wrong?
- Here, you can use this to wipe-- - It's okay, I'm okay!
It's okay.
It's okay, it's okay.
Are you cold?
I'm fine.
I'm really okay. This really isn't necessary...
I'm sorry.
Thanks.
I heard that eating sweets can make you happier.
It's too cold.
Oh, sorry.
Hi. I want this, and this.
Okay.
This isn't cold.
I'll eat this.
- Let me give you your scarf. - It's okay. I'm wearing a lot.
Keep it on.
I'm really not cold.
I'm sorry you had to see me like this during our first meeting in half a year.
It's better for me to see you than for you to cry alone.
Why aren't you asking me any questions?
You can talk if you want, or stay silent if you want.
If you want me to stay, I'll stay. If you don't, I'll leave.
It's nice having you here.
Sometimes I wonder...
if we'd be happier if I wasn't me and he wasn't him.
But only he makes you happy.
He's probably already begun wondering
whether being loved by me is a kind of happiness or not.
If he wonders, then he doesn't deserve your love.
You should eat.
Ning Ming?
Do you have a girlfriend now?
Not yet.
I remember I asked you when we graduated whether you'd met a girl you liked.
You never met any girl you liked in the last four years?
If you can't give the person you like happiness, then there's no point.
So... yeah.
You never met anyone?
I did.
But she isn't my girlfriend.
I really want to know... what kind of love that is.
It's...
a hopeless kind of love, I guess.
That's a messed up answer, right?
Is it worth keeping a love that's hopeless inside your heart?
You're a great person. You deserve a love that's whole.
You should go love someone who can love you back.
It's fine.
My own enjoyment is enough.
It doesn't matter whether it's hopeless or not.
Because deep love is an act of self-completion.
What's wrong?
- I'm fine, I'm fine. - Did I say something?
S-- Sorry... I...
I...
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I don't know how to say nice things or comfort you and even made you cry.
I don't need any words of comfort.
Your silent accompaniment and light companionship is the best comfort.
I can keep you company like this more often if you need me to.
More often?
How long will you be in America?
How long? As long as you want.
I'm very adaptable.
What did you come here for?
You didn't really come to return my ocarina to me, right?
That could be a reason.
Really though... what are you doing in America?
I... actually, I came to study too.
Seriously?
- Yeah. - Which school are you at?
Francisco College.
You're at the same school as my brother!
What a coincidence.
I thought you said your family couldn't afford to send you overseas.
Yeah. I got a full scholarship.
What do you do about living expenses?
Living expenses?
I... I didn't mean to pry or anything.
It's okay. I know you're asking because you care.
I work for my living expenses. Part-time jobs, street performing...
You saw yourself just now.
That's amazing.
This is great. Will I be able to see you more often in the future?
Any time. I'm at your beck and call.
This is the best thing that's happened to me today.
- Let me help. - I can do it.
It's okay, I've got it.
I'm home.
Here?
It's huge.
Want to come in and sit?
If my brother's home, I can introduce you since you're schoolmates.
It's okay. It's late. You should go get some rest.
- I'm going to head home. - Do you live on campus?
I... I live near the school.
- Why don't I drive you back? - No, no, it's fine.
I can take the bus, it's convenient.
I'll get going then. Bye!
Ning Ming.
Here's your scarf back. Thank you for today.
I felt much better in your company.
I can come every day if you need me to.
I'm off. See you!
Bye!
What are you doing back here?
What's going on?
Let me.
I'm staying!
I'm staying for you!
Sis, what happened between you and Shu Che?
Nothing.
Then why would you come home with all your stuff?
Are you two playing hide-and-seek?
What does our stuff have anything to do with you?
Why not? You're my sister, of course your stuff has to do with me.
Did Shu Che do something to you?
Or you did something to him and then decided to run away.
I'm not in the mood to chat with you right now.
Something happened, anyway.
Yeah, something happened. Something huge.
Something that can't be fixed.
Can't be fixed? That serious?
What happened?
Are you a broken record?
I'm your brother! Is it a crime for me to be concerned about you?
Tell me, don't keep it inside. I might even be able to help you.
Is there any point in telling you?
That would just make things worse.
Our problem can only be resolved between ourselves. No one else can help.
I'm going to be living at home for now.
Don't you dare go find Shu Che, you hear me?
Also, you can't tell Dad.
You just want me to be blind, deaf, and mute, right?
Yup.
Okay.
You still haven't called Miao Ying?
You're not worried about her?
She must have figured out why I went to Yanzhou if she left without a word.
She understands everything...
and went back home because she doesn't want to face me.
You don't plan on going to find her?
Seeing as how neither of us know how to face each other...
a temporary separation isn't a bad idea.
Miao Ying.
Does the problem between you and Shu Che have anything to do with Xiao Qing?
Why do you ask me that?
I couldn't resist myself this morning and went looking for Shu Che.
- I told you not to go find him! - Relax, let me finish talking first.
I did go to see him, but I didn't go in because I saw Xiao Qing coming out.
So is Xiao Qing the problem between you and Shu Che?
No.
That's good. I spent all day worrying about it.
But then when did they become so close?
I don't know.
Although... I keep thinking Xiao Qing has been acting strange lately.
Hi!
- Hey guys, we can get coffee now. - Yeah, yeah!
Why can't you manage something this simple?
It's really simple, just go to him directly. It's not that big of a deal.
Okay, I'll leave it up to you.
- What are you doing here? - Hi, is your sister around?
Yeah.
Hey sis, want anything to drink?
I'm good. Go upstairs, let us talk alone for a bit.
Call me if you need anything.
What did you want to see me about?
I felt like you were purposely avoiding me yesterday at school.
You came just to ask about that?
Actually, I wanted to ask you... why did you move back home?
Because... Shu Che's back.
I'm sorry you had to go pick him up.
Thank you.
You saw?
I'm not blind or stupid.
I'll just go ahead and say it.
Before he left, Shu Che said he was going back to figure some things out.
He didn't want anyone to know, and hadn't figure out what to tell you.
He told me to keep it a secret for him.
I don't want you to have any misunderstandings.
All I did was drop him off and pick him up like a driver.
Why would he make you do all of this?
I guess... it's because I'm the company's legal adviser.
I know everything about the company's contracts and accounts.
I also know how the Hualong assignment is connected with your dad.
I'm sure that what he went back to China to figure out was related to that.
I'd actually already guessed what questions he'd ask when he went back.
He was very upset upon returning.
After we left the airport, he suddenly said a lot of things to me.
About you two, about your families, about your dad and his dad.
He even told you all of that?
I think he was looking for a release, that's all.
He didn't know how to face you, but keeping it all in was too much.
I understand.
It's just... He found out the truth much earlier than I expected.
Maybe now that he knows, you can face it together.
It's better than bearing such a burden alone.
This issue... isn't something that can be fixed if we just face it together.
I can practically see into our futures.
The outcome of our relationship is already set in stone.
But you still love each other.
I'm guessing Shu Che already believes
that our love isn't as pure as it once was.
Why did you drag me to go buy someone's birthday present with you?
Help me pick something!
- Is it for a girl or guy? - A girl.
This isn't necessary, I still have to go back to the office to sign a contract.
It's okay! I'll buy you a sandwich and coffee.
- I'll be fast. - Then hurry.
- You're here too? - What a coincidence!
You're here too!
- What are you guys buying? - Help me take a look!
- Let me go help you. - Help me check this.