[The Way we Were]
[The Way We Were]
Episode 31
Rooney.
Today, you are looking good.
Has something good happened?
It's because something good is about to happen.
What do you mean?
Dear, I want to ask you. Right now . . .
Do you still love that man?
Love him? I hate him.
Is it because you loved him so much that you hate him so much?
If someday he was sorry and came
asking for your forgiveness,
could you fall in love with him again?
Am I that cheap?
Rooney, what's up with you today?
You don't need to bring this up again. I don't want to talk about it.
Sorry.
Dear, if you the desire, the heart,
or the strength,
to begin a new affection;
to invest a new life.
I don't understand what you're saying.
A new relationship, even
marriage.
Now?
This . . . I really can't.
For me?
Cai Qi,
Right now, I'm asking you to marry me.
Rooney, you can really pick the time.
There couldn't be a worse time to propose marriage.
Cai Qi, I advise you
to marry me. Afterwards,
gradually try to fall in love with me.
I couldn't fall in love with you.
If that's true,
it doesn't matter.
Just let me, from my side,
love you well. If it's like you say, it's still not a bad thing,
Cai Qi, I love you.
The first time I saw you,
it just happened. But I knew that it was difficult.
Especially because I soon knew you were pregnant.
You asked me to help you hide from some people. Let me . . .
know this mysterious, complicated part of your background.
I even thought that you're Cheng Wei's underground lover.
So I'm not expecting too much
But honestly,
during these moments
when you felt that it's the worst times for you,
at long last, became an opportunity for me.
I don't want to let you live in resentment
or even let this resentment drive you.
Destroying someone isn't worth it.
But, nobody is worth
you destroying your own life. Isn't that right?
So, Cai Qi, please marry me.
Even if you can't love me,
even if it's until you have the heart to fall for someone else, it doesn't matter.
Does it feel right?
Yes.
Then let's try it, ok? Ok.
Dear, I still remember
You once said something to me.
What's over is over.
We can still have a happy life, right?
Totally the truth.
Dear parents, students, and faculty,
We're gathered here today to honor our hard-working students
for their efforts and accomplishments.
Today marks the end of one journey,
but it's the beginning of the next.
The journey . . . of your life.
Please give a warm welcome to the headmaster, Mr. Hopkins.
Graduation What are you doing here?
I shouldn't come?
who obtained their MBA He's won't be my brother-in-law. But he's still a friend.
at Standford University Did Miao Ying come?
That's exactly why you came here. When you see Shu Che, don't tell him my sister came.
through unremitting efforts 3 years ago. Where is she?
Behind that tree. The business school was then a university Hey, don't look at her.
She'll realize I betrayed her again.
And I can assure there is no thing better
Than getting your degree from Stanford University.
And now, this very last thing that I will ask you to do
at the Business School of Stanford University
I would like the students to all rise please.
Now, please show your respect
and appreciation to your family and your friends
who came here and dedicated support to you
over the last 20 years.
And they came here today to share this,
the most important moment of your life.
Graduate class of 2014,
please step forward to receive your diploma.
Here.
- Thank you. - Congratulations.
Congratulations
Congratulations. You did a good job.
Congratulations
Good job.
Congratulations
- Thank you. - Congratulations.
*Claps*
Congratulations.
Congratulation on your graduation, son.
Thank you Mom.
Dad. Did you come to the US for official matters?
It's for private reasons. I'll be going back tomorrow.
You came to attend my graduation ceremony?
I don't think there is anything more important than witnessing this important moment of your life.
Won't going out of the country for personal reasons give you trouble?
Of course, it will. But I still must come.
Your father just inform the affected departments for this trip.
He didn't startle anyone and left at a low profile.
Just to become a high profile dad.
Congratulations on your masters graduation.
Thank you Dad.
This is great.
[The field will soon get covered with overgrowth.]
Come, let's eat.
Son, pour the wine.
Okay.
Come.
Pour me less.
Thank you.
Today is so worthy to be celebrated.
Come. For our son's successful educational endeavor.
Here, cheers.
Congratulations.
Thank you Mom. Thank you Dad.
Time really flies fast.
The two of us haven't even seriously talked about your future and you've already graduated.
I've already clearly designed my future in my heart.
You plan to return here after the summer break to study a JD Law Degree?
That's right.
You want to be in a field related to law?
Learning law might not really concern my future profession.
I still have some doubts about myself and reality.
I want to find the answers through studying law.
You never thought of discussing it with us before deciding? To get our opinion?
I think I'm able to do my own decision.
Anyway, my opinions as your father can't change your mind anymore.
But I don't understand. Didn't you plan initially to simultaneously study and open up your business?
After getting your MBA degree, you were supposed to go back to the country and open your business there?
You have now gotten your MBA degree.
Your company has also entered the right track. Why then did you suddenly closed it down,
gave up on starting a business, and chose to study law?
You know very clearly why I had to stop my business.
Of course. In this past year, our family went through some of unhappy situations.
The fault is all on me.
I want to use this chance today
to sincerely apologize
to you and your mother.
Okay already.
It's like this. There's something that I want to discuss with you.
For the tribulations this past year, you can say that our familial relationship has went through vigorous testing,
either it's between your mother or it's between me and you.
Now that you've graduated, I'm suggesting
if you can temporarily not study abroad anymore.
Don't study in law school. Let's go home.
Let us 3 be together for some time.
Repair our relationship.
Try to redeem our family's original atmosphere. How about it?
I've already received the JD offer from the law school.
That's right. It's not bad if you want to get another degree.
But that DNS server of yours
has already been successfully developed and converted into a product.
Stopping it now is such a waste.
Hence, I am suggesting if you can go back home and continue setting up a company there.
This project most likely will have a huge market in our country.
Hence, looking for an investor won't be that hard.
If there will be any difficulty, I can help you, but that's in the premise that you need my help.
If you won't allow it, I surely won't intervene.
Anyway, I just hope that you can temporarily stop your study plans
and restart your starting up a business plan.
This is also what your mother most likely want.
You can request a delay of admission from the law school.
Even if it's just for a year.
After a year, if you still want to return here to continue your studies, I will support it.
After a year, the subway bidding
will have been finalized.
Before that, it will be better for me to stay within the bounds of your control, so as not to give you any more trouble.
That's what you really mean, right?
Shu Che, how can you talk to your Dad that way.
How come every words would turn unpleasant when it's said by you?
You were always a smart kid.
You said it right. I won't deny it. I did thought of what you said.
But...if we're not together, it will be harder to communicate and a lot of misunderstandings can come up.
If we can't harmoniously interact, it will only worsen our relationship.
It might cause a long term cold war between us and even bring about unnecessary troubles.
Anyway, these reasons are interconnected.
But my main motive is still
to improve our relationship.
It's like this, Dad.
You think that our cold war was because of not being together for a long time?
Isn't it?
Even if we're together,
there are certain thoughts of yours
that I'm unable to understand and acknowledge.
Hence, rather than leaving me under your watchful eye and keep contradicting you,
why not just let me choose based on what I want.
Also, Miao YIng and I have truly broken up.
There's no need for you to worry that I'll cause you any more troubles.
Shu Che, why can't you understand your father's suggestion in a positive way?
If you go back to our country, you can start up your business while the iron is hot.
Also, isn't it great if our family can enjoy some joyous family time together?
You also can continue studying your JD law degree in the future.
A lot of meritorious people would even return to their mother school to study even if they're nearing retirement.
- It didn't really delay them. - That's right.
Since yours was just a suggestion and this is a discussion,
Then I choose to
not to accept it.
Dad, mom, I am very grateful that you sent me abroad to study.
Letting me have the ability to be independent and the freedom to choose.
Hence, I beg you
to agree to let me continue studying here in the US.
Now I don't understand what you mean by "independence"
You spend my money. You are constantly against my will.
Do you think as long as you listen to me, you will be losing yourself?
Only through rebelling against me, you can find your feeling of existence.
Shu Che. I am telling you clearly,
that is empty indepence and weak confidence.
One day if you're capable enough,
and you don't need any financial assistance from us,
only at that time you can talk about independence and freedom with me.
You're right!
Talking about my independence and freedom is pointless.
This kind of existence is weak!
From now on, I will support myself. I will not cost you a dime.
I will finish my study on my own and prove it to you.
I can do it.
Shu Che! -Shu Che.
Let him go!
Shu Che!
You two can't even have a meal together in peace!
Sit down.
Why did you come over here?
Aren't you supposed to be with your parents?
It was so good for your dad to come all the way to attend your graduation ceremony.
To tell you the truth, this is the first time I saw such an important person myself.
What's wrong with you?
Is it hard to get a job?
What's that suppose to mean?
I'm asking if it's hard to work part time?
It's not hard.
As long as you are willing to bend over, there's always money to be made.
But to me, the hardest part is the time distribution.
Making money and study. I have to do both.
If any part gets held back, it would be a mess.
You saw my disgraceful experience in that class.
If I was any less shameless,
I would drop out.
At the time,
I was stupid and arrogant. Maybe I still am.
I can't blame you. It's because you don't know how hard it is to work.
It's a shame.
7 years in the US, I have not worked a day.
What is there to be ashamed of?
You don't work because you don't need to.
You could've rely on your dad, but you have to rely on yourself.
You could be the boss, why would you work? I wouldn't work if I didn't have to.
I want to ask you.
If I work full time this summer holiday,
is there any job where I can make...
10,000 to 20,000 USD in one or two months?
Wow. You're aiming too high. That is hard.
Why are you suddenly interested in this?
Who are you helping to find work?
Not for anyone else.
Yourself?
Summer job?
Not only summer. I want to find a long term job.
Long term? You are not going back to China?
No. I have to make my tuition and living wages for the next semester.
That's not necessary.
Are you really looking for real experience?
From now on, I have to be like you, relying on myself.
Finish my study. I won't ask for my family's money.
The independence declaration.
Had a fight with your parents?
My father doesn't want me to study law.
He wants me to go back to China and start my business.
He's just trying to keep me close so he could control me.
It's normal that your father has plans for your future.
Like my parents.
They would discuss about the future with me too.
They would make all kinds of suggestions and requests.
You just need to communicate with them. Arguments can't solve any problems.
Your parents make decent advice that you can listen to.
My father wants me to obey him completely. To control and to fight against control,
is the permanent theme between my father and me.
As long as I don't cut my financial ties with my family,
I would never have my freedom.
I understand. Congratulations.
Congratulate me for what?
Congratulations for getting rid of breastfeeding.
At the same time, I want to congratulate you for getting close to being broke.
Don't scare me. I am still terrified.
You know what the next sentence in that poem "after endless mountains and rivers that leave doubt whether there is a path out".
"Suddenly one encounters the shade of a willow, bright flowers and a lovely village."
Right. All beginnings deserve to be celebrated.
On the bumpy road you're about to walk on,
there is a bright and tall figure ahead of you - me.
Please teach me and take care of me.
Call me master.
Master. Please accept me as a student.
I won't kneel now. I can do it another day.
Son. We have left.
"Don't forget to eat the fruit on the table."
"Don't be mad at your father. We just want the best for you. Mom."
Why not go home, seeing that my field and gardens are overgrown?
Shu Che. I won't go back to China either.
I send applications to a few legal firms. I want to see if I can get an interview.
Great. You can keep mee company.
Don't be anxious about the work. I will see if I can find something for you.
Thanks.
Shu Che.
Auntie. Hello.
Hello.
- You are... - My name is Xiao Qing.
You're Shu Che's classmate.
I am in law school.
Next semester, he will be a junior in my school.
Mom. Why are you here in my school?
Your dad and I are leaving for the airport. He's in the car.
Do you have anything else you want to say to him?
I will not disturb you. I am leaving. Bye auntie.
No, Xiao Qing, they are leaving soon.
Do you want us to go back to Yanzhou feeling as angry as last night?
I am begging you. Go say goodbye to him.
Father. I won't go back this summer.
There are 3 months before the new semester.
I have to work here and earn money to pay my bills.
Please be assured. I can do it.
Safe travels. Goodbye.
I can give you a chance.
A chance to prove you can climb high without stepping on my shoulders.
Without me, you can walk very far as well.
Thank you.
Mom. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Take care, son.
That girl who's with him. What does she do?
Someone from law school. One grade higer than him.
Is she his current girlfriend?
I don't think so.
Whose kid? What does her parents do?
How can I know that? I can't go look up her residency certificate.
What's her name?
I think her name is Xiao Qing.
Law school?
Shu Che wanted to study law. Do you think it was affected by her?
Your son can't be affected that easily.
Have you seen that girl before?
This is the first time.
Is that right?
Ah, homeward bound I go!
Why not go home, seeing that my field and gardens are overgrown?
Homeward bound I go!
Why not go home, seeing that my field and gardens are overgrown?
My father must have seen the four characters on my notepad.
Why not go home, seeing that my field and gardens are overgrown?
He still wants you to go back to China.
Myself have made my soul serf to my body:
why have vain regrets and mourn alone?
Fret not over bygones,
and the forward journey take.
Only a short distance have I gone astray,
and I know today I am right if yesterday was a complete mistake.
I know this is more like how he feels.
Cheers!
Congratulations Catherine. You're working for Citibank.
Congratulations Benjamin, you're joining PWC.
We are going to go back to Hong Kong in early August.
There are only two months left where we can be together.
She has entered the goodbye depression earlier than she should.
It's not like we can't see each other again.
Right. It's a global village now.
The world keeps spinning. Maybe we will be under the same roof again.
Even though we come from different places,
but strangers have become friends under the same roof.
This world is so small.
But we will go our separate ways.
When we are so apart, we will think the world is really big.
Here, cheers to the moment when we are together.
Cheers!
Xiao Qing. You didn't finish what you said earlier. Which friend are you helping to find work?
Oh, right. I want you all to help my friend get a summer job.
What friend? What kind of job?
His name is Shu Che. Do you remember him?
Shu Che. Isn't he your boss?
I thought you worked for his company...
Tianyuan technology, as a legal consultant?
Right.
Why would he quit becoming a boss and look for a summer job?
Because his company's business was suspended.
Suspended? I thought the business was operating well.
You got the venture capital and made a few millions.
You told me the salary doubled in 2 months.
How did it just suddenly collapse?
It's not collapsing.
It's... because of some complicated problems.
Anyway, he wants to work...
to make enough money to pay his tuition and support himself.
Shu Che is the mayor's son, right?
Right. He just never relied on his family.
He probably won't in the future either.
Mayor's son. He was also a boss.
Only gold collar jobs are good enough for him.
Even though he didn't have any blue collar experience,
but he was born with a silver spoon.
Please everyone help him find a well-paid, high-class job.
How high-class?
I will ask around.
I will see which company needs a CEO, ok?
...
Qing'er. Saw your mom?
She's very healthy now, right?
This is all because of me.
Knock it off.
Qing'er. I received the nutrition products you bought for me.
Look!
So fast.
My daughter is so good. Unlike your father. Bullying me as soon as I got better.
He wants me to make it up for all his suffering in the past year.
Mom, dad. I have to talk to you about something.
I hope you will forgive me.
What's wrong?
I was going to book the tickets to go back home for summer.
But I applied for a few jobs with some legal firms.
So I want to wait for opportunities.
See if any legal firm is willing to give me an interview opportunity.
You know the summer between the first and second year of my master's,
is the best period to find internship with law firms.
So if I couldn't get an internship this summer,
it would be more difficult after the new semester starts.
Also, in the last year of my master's,
if no law firm gives me an internship in the US,
it would be very difficult to get a work visa after graduation.
So I want to use this summer and fight for it.
Are you planning to stay in America and work for American law firms?
I want to try all the possibilities.
Maybe I stay here. Maybe I go back to China.
I just want to spend a few years...
figuring out what's best for me.
Ok. Qing'er. You have my support. Stay there and don't come back.
Here you go again.
Are you not happy that our daughter is good to me?
Qing'er. I am well. I am recovering.
As long as I keep working on it, I will be well.
You keep up the good work. Don't come back.
If we miss you, we will fly there and visit.
Stay there and look for internships.
You have my full support, ok?
Father. I haven't figured out what's best for me yet.
I am not sure about my future plans.
I want to try everything I could try.
♫ The brink of love and hate ♫
♫ The departure and getting together ♫
♫ I'm asking why you will care ♫
♫ I'm still thinking about it now ♫
♫ When I came back, you're still here ♫
♫ I'm counting on you ♫
♫ Our bodies parted but my heart is back ♫
♫ Remember this love, we know ♫
♫ This is love ♫
♫ Every time I feel I was hurt ♫
♫ Going afar without saying goodbye ♫
♫ How far should I go, how long should I go to heal the wounds ♫
♫ It's better to go back to the place where we had love ♫
♫ Leaving silently, without a goodbye ♫
♫ The room is cold and there's no sunshine ♫
♫ I long to keep the time we have for each other ♫
♫ I can't forget about you. I'm waiting for the echo of love ♫
♫ The brink of love and hate ♫
♫ The departure and being together ♫
♫ I'm asking why you will care ♫
♫ I'm still thinking about it now ♫
♫ When I got back, you're still here ♫
♫ I'm counting on you ♫
♫ Our bodies parted but my heart is back ♫
♫ Remember this love, our love ♫
♫ This is love ♫