Subtitles by DramaFever
[The Way We Were]
[Episode 4]
Are you sure the middleman didn't tell the officer anything about us?
I'm 100 percent sure.
As a precaution, I didn't even meet the man in person.
I used friends of friends.
Turned multiple corners.
He definitely won't be able to trace it 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.
An investigator at my firm has connections
in many police departments throughout San Francisco.
Yesterday, he went out with a female colleague of that patrol officer.
This colleague said that he told them his Chinese isn't that good.
If Xiao Qing didn't provide a statement of Shu Che's crimes...
he wouldn't have been sure that he understood their conversation.
Can we get her to testify?
It's a possibility.
That's not enough. She absolutely must.
Lawyer Kang, I'll leave that up to you.
Frank will help you out in any way possible.
I will do my best.
There's another key item that could affect the judge's decision.
Xiao Qing.
Ms. Xiao.
Hello, Ms. Xiao.
You're...
I'm Miao Ying's father's assistant, Wang Ruo Nan.
I'm here today because there's something important we have to discuss.
Sure.
I'm here about Shu Che's upcoming hearing.
Are there any updates?
The lawyer is currently preparing his defense.
He's preparing for all possibilities.
Some evidence has come up that could benefit Shu Che.
That's good.
I can see that you don't wish for Shu Che to receive a harsh sentence.
Of course. He had his reasons.
That's really great to hear.
I'm here to ask for your help.
How can I help?
You're the key to this hearing.
If you agree to help, the suit against Shu Che will be dropped.
Then what do you need me to do?
Nothing too difficult.
Deny that Shu Che asked you to take the blame for him.
You want me to retract my testimony.
Let's put it another way.
I've come up with a good excuse for your decision.
All you have to say is that when you were brought in for questioning...
you didn't actually understand what the cops were asking you.
Will this really get them to drop the suit against Shu Che?
Isn't there also the highway patrol officer's statement?
We have evidence that he didn't fully understand your conversation.
I guarantee you that if you deny it as well...
things will turn out well for Shu Che.
I'd like to know who asked you to come find me.
Neither Shu Che nor Miao Ying.
Rest assured, neither of them know about this.
And they will not know.
This must be kept secret.
I can tell that you're hesitating.
However, I'm positive that you don't want to see Shu Che sentenced.
And in gratitude...
if you agree to help, we will cover three years of your tuition.
Give me a bank account number, and every year I'll send a deposit.
I did some rough calculations.
Three years' tuition is about $150,000.
That's correct, isn't it?
Here, I'll allow you to digest this information first.
Think about it. Then decide.
Here's my business card.
Call me before 8 p.m. tomorrow. Let me know what you've decided.
You don't have to think about anything that comes after.
I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow evening.
Goodbye.
$150,000...
Whoa, what... What are you doing? Look at my lawn, it's so uneven!
This is like the third time you've messed it up!
I'm so sorry! My girlfriend is breaking up with me.
I need to respond to her text messages.
You know, girls!
Yeah, I know girls.
You know what?
Thank you for your services.
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to fire you.
So... here is your money. Good luck with your girlfriend.
You fired the gardener?
Or else? Look at what he did to my lawn!
But now you need to find another gardener.
Yeah, it's not like I know how to mow a lawn.
Then...
Why don't you tell me what to do?
What do you mean?
How much do you pay?
$15 an hour.
Then hire me. I'm cheaper than anyone else you can find.
- $10 an hour is fine. - Do you know how to mow a lawn?
Of course! We had to do all this stuff back in undergrad.
But I can only cut the untouched parts.
You'll have to wait for the bald spots to grow back in.
You can really do this?
Let me show you.
Not bad!
What do you think? Do I pass the interview?
No problem. Xiao Qing, this job is yours from now on.
If you have anything else you need done, you can come to me.
Don't tell me you know how to do everything. Can you fix pipes?
Not a problem! I always unclog the pipes at home.
I can do anything that doesn't require complex tools.
What about electric stuff?
I can do that too. Changing a fuse, switching batteries, are all doable.
What else do you know how to do?
I can put together furniture too. Bookshelves, closets...
bed frames and such.
All a piece of cake.
The roof is damaged, can you fix that?
That I can't do, but I can learn.
Xiao Qing.
I think you're really different from the other kids that come from China.
The ones with rich parents and are super entitled.
Here, I'll pay you for today.
Thanks boss.
[Assistant Wang]
[Slide to power off.]
She isn't picking up, and turned her phone off.
Dad, you wanted to see me?
- Sit. - Okay.
I wasn't going to tell you...
But...
There's something I need you to do.
What?
Find Xiao Qing and convince her to help us.
Help with what?
To deny in court that Shu Che asked her to cover for his crimes.
Here's the thing.
Shu Che's situation has changed a little.
Lawyer Kang has evidence that can void the patrol officer's statement.
If you can convince Xiao Qing, Shu Che's suit can be dropped.
Dad... how come you know more about this than I do?
Have you been doing things that I'm unaware of?
I really didn't want you to find out.
- But I mean-- - Let me thank you on Shu Che's behalf.
But he doesn't want people to do such things for him.
That's why I'm hoping you won't let him find out.
If Lawyer Kang hadn't found this evidence against the patrol officer...
and consequently the possibility to get Shu Che off the hook...
I wouldn't be asking you to persuade Xiao Qing.
You could say that everything is good to go now
except the part concerning Xiao Qing.
Wouldn't it be a waste if we didn't at least try?
Xiao Qing!
What are you doing here?
I specially came to find you.
You must already know what I've come to see you about.
Someone must have come to see you already.
They must've offered you something, but you rejected it.
You guessed it all.
This is how my dad does things.
He quietly does everything behind your back.
You turned him down, so this time he had no choice
but to ask me to come and play the friend card.
My dad...
he always tries to be my umbrella of protection.
He uses his philosophy and connections to fix my problems and pave the way.
I don't know whether I'm supposed to be grateful for his actions
or feel uncomfortable.
Yet there are so many people who wish their parents would help them like this.
But you and Shu Che aren't like that.
Compared with Shu Che...
I don't have his courage or his stubbornness.
Okay.
I'll do it.
Just like that?
I haven't even asked you yet.
There are two things I've been afraid of since I was young.
Begging other people, and other people begging me.
Both of those things just feel so awful.
If it's at all possible...
I want a life where the only person I ask anything of is myself.
Thank you.
Come in.
Why are you here too?
Lawyer Kang told me to come.
- Come and sit. - Have a seat.
A date has been set for your hearing.
It's three days from now, on Friday.
I've invited the two of you here to go over the situation.
My firm got in touch with a colleague of that patrol officer.
She confirmed that during a private get together among the cops...
they were all impressed with his Chinese skills.
However, he admitted to them that on the day of the arrest...
he wasn't sure that he understood Xiao Qing and Shu Che's conversation.
He simply made a general guess.
It was only upon getting Xiao Qing's statement at the station
that he was sure of what he heard.
What does this information imply?
It means he could've made a mistake in understanding what you were saying.
I've already got a written statement from this police officer
saying that she will show up in court to give her statement.
With that, we can give the court reason to doubt the patrol officer's word
and deny being implicit in the obstruction of justice.
But they have Xiao Qing's statement.
Ms. Miao just met with her.
She can fill you in on their conversation.
- I went to speak with her. - About what?
She'll deny on the stand that you asked her to cover for you.
She's already given the officers a signed statement.
Witnesses changing their word happens all the time.
It's easy to explain.
It's possible that her English isn't that good
and there wasn't a translator on site, so she could've misunderstood the cop.
And thus, answered their questions erroneously.
She'll really do that?
Shu Che.
I'm aiming for you to plead not guilty to all charges against you.
I just need you to do one thing.
And that is to deny all the accusations in court.
We're going to use your return to China in July and August to establish absence
to say that you didn't receive the letter containing your traffic fines.
As you didn't know your license was revoked...
you weren't intentionally driving without a valid license.
I suspect that of the four charges you're being accused of...
you'll only be held responsible for the speeding.
The judge will give you a fine, and you'll be able to avoid jail time.
This is the best outcome that we can achieve.
So you're saying...
I have to lie on the stand.
I'm just recommending you to plead not guilty.
Why didn't you tell me you went to see Xiao Qing?
If I told you, would you have let me go?
Her statement isn't false. Why is she suddenly revoking it?
Just because she has her morals doesn't mean she's totally heartless.
She's the same as the rest of us.
She doesn't want your future ruined by the judge's decision either.
Did you promise her something? Anything? In exchange for this.
No, why would I?
Really?
I swear.
Miao Ying.
From the moment I got arrested and brought to the station...
my mind was filled with ways to not face my charges.
But when I was locked up, I calmed down.
I don't want to keep struggling with denial.
Even if you can erase your mistakes on paper...
you can't erase them from inside you.
You'll always see them in front of you and you can never step over them.
But a lot of people... Lawyer Kang, and even you...
have done a lot of things without my knowledge.
Shu Che...
We're all doing this for your sake.
That's exactly what my parents said to me six years ago.
Shu Che, we're all doing this for your sake.
[Yanzhou, 2007]
Get out!
Let go of that and get out!
Go.
Hurry and go!
Shu Che! Remember, don't tell anyone you were driving.
Go. Go!
Is Uncle Xiao Chen supposed to take responsibility for my crime?
What else?
Admit that the culprit isn't Mayor Shu's driver...
but his son?
Have the cops find out his son was still just learning to drive?
That he was driving without a valid license...
gravely injured a civilian, fled the scene of the crime...
then had someone else take the blame?
You violated the law, committed a crime.
A traffic crime.
That's one to three years in prison.
After which, the evidence of your offense
will cause the U.S. embassy to reject your visa application.
Your admission offer goes to waste.
Your dream of studying in America turns to dust.
Tell me, are you able to handle such an outcome?
Can you?
You can't, can you? Then listen to me.
Then if Uncle Xiao Chen takes the blame for me...
what will happen to him?
It will be treated as a traffic accident.
He will only have to pay damages to compensate the victim's family.
They won't consider it negligent driving.
Neither will he go to prison.
Even so, this isn't a crime he should have to pay for.
But this is a part of his job.
Naturally, I'll be compensating him generously.
I want to know, that girl...
how is she?
Not too well, you could say.
But we'll do our best for her.
Including paying her hospital bills and whatever else her parents demand.
We'll be paying for everything. We won't shirk our responsibility.
We'll satisfy all their demands.
I also want to know how badly she was hurt.
That information is useless to you.
This was an accident.
From now on, you and her have nothing to do with each other.
What you need to do is get your license, get your F1 visa, and go to America.
So I have to act like I never hit anyone and never committed a crime?
Shu Che...
You're still young. There are a lot of things you're ignorant about.
But I want you to remember this.
When normal people commit crimes, they lose money and freedom.
But if you aren't normal...
that's not all you lose. There's something you possess that they don't.
Do you know what that is?
Reputation.
The loss of money and freedom can't ruin a person's future.
But when you lose your reputation...
it is very likely that you will lose everything in life.
So what is it that a person absolutely cannot afford to lose?
Reputation.
Maintaining the least possible damage to one's reputation
without acting against the victim's interests
is a necessary act.
Shu Che.
We're all doing this for your sake.
- Hello? - Hey, it's Shu Che.
I want to talk to you about something in person.
Are you free?
But I'm currently on my way home.
Would it be okay if you told me your address?
- Okay, I'll text it to you. - All right. Thank you.
Bye.
Ms. Xiao!
Sorry for bothering you again. I came to thank you today.
Thank me for what?
Thank you for agreeing to Miao Ying.
I agreed because she came to see me, not you.
I understand.
All the more reason for me to admire and respect you.
I came this time to bring this to you on behalf of someone.
What is this?
I'm not aware.
But once again, Shu Che and Miao Ying don't know of my visit.
I also have a message for you.
Everything I promised you last time still applies.
Goodbye.
[Calling Assistant Wang]
Sorry, the subscriber you dialed cannot be connected.
[Shu Che]
[Xiao Qing: Are you almost here?]
[Shu Che: Something came up. Let's talk some other time.]
Hello, Xiao Qing? Did you need anything?
Do you have time today? I'd like to meet with you.
Do you mind telling me what it's about?
I want to return what you gave me this morning.
Why?
You're not backing out of your decision, are you?
No, it's not that. I just want to return the gift.
Why return it if you aren't regretting your decision?
Because I'm doing this as a friend, not because of that.
Since you've agreed out of your heart, then please do the same for me.
If you return it and something happens later on...
I'll be the one blamed for not handling things properly.
- You're sure you haven't backed out? - Yes. But I can't accept this.
If you must return it, I beg you not to do it now.
Can you wait until after the hearing?
I don't want to wait until then. I have to return it to you today.
How about this, tell me where you are. I'll go find you.
Ms. Xiao, I'm extremely busy these days.
Following President Cheng around on business
means I won't be stationed in one place.
So I apologize. We can talk in a few days. See you.
Hello?
[Wang Ruo Nan]
Hello, is Wang Ruo Nan here? He asked me to come meet him.
I'm sorry, they left an hour ago.
An hour... Do you mind telling me where he is?
He needs an important document. If you tell me, I can give it to him now.
He's with President Cheng at Pengxiang Business Club with clients.
Hello. Miss, do you have a reservation?
My friend is already here.
The reservation should be under Mr. Wang of Weiye Group.
Yes ma'am.
I'll have someone bring you over.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Miss, this is it.
- Thanks. - You're welcome.
[I'm right outside the door.]
I don't know how well you'll like these Chinese dishes.
Here, have a taste.
Here you go.
Come on, let's drink.
Help yourselves!
I can't believe you. You managed to follow me here?
This only takes a few seconds.
You had to make me run all over San Francisco for this?
You're seriously strong-minded.
You're not planning on secretly betraying us
and stabbing Shu Che in the back in court, are you?
I won't back out of something I agreed to.
Then why are you so determined to return that?
Are you afraid Miao Ying and Shu Che will find out and things will be awkward?
Don't worry. You and I are the only ones in the know.
That's not the reason I don't want it.
I don't want it because it makes me uncomfortable having it.
As a law student, you really need to harden your psyche.
I have no desire to strengthen this aspect of my psyche.
Why don't I come clean with you?
This car was paid by the company. It wasn't bought by anyone personally.
And this money is nothing to Weiye Group.
No one cares.
I don't care whether you guys care or not. I care.
Let me tell you something else.
The ownership of this car was never transferred after purchase.
As long as you don't, it's still considered the company's.
You can keep it however long you want and return it whenever.
I want to return it right now.
Two days. Just consider it me begging you to use it for two days.
I don't want to wait even one minute.
Please take it back.
You're really immune to everything.
Fine.
Hold on. I'll be back after I go to the restroom.
Don't run!
Wang Ruo Nan!
Will you come out?
Hey, is this the concierge?
You're not resolving anything by hiding in there!
I didn't think you'd be like this.
Liar!
Wang Ruo Nan, can you get out here?
Hi there.
Excuse me, are you a customer?
I came to find a friend.
We got a phone call saying you were disturbing the guests.
I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to leave.
I apologize. This way, please.
How many days has it been? You're already in a love hate relationship?
Why are you here?
I should be asking you that.
I came to...
You rejected him first, and now he's rejecting you, right?
You saw?
This is what Wang got you?
He could've at least chosen something expensive.
It has nothing to do with money.
When did you guys even meet?
I first met him a few days ago.
Then why go so far?
What do you mean?
Wang is totally acting on instinct.
I've never seen him so crazy before.
What?
I get it.
This is the self that Wang has been suppressing all these years.
Now that he's out here in a foreign country away from the wife...
he's letting it all out.
You and I have only met like three times.
You've already called me three different people's mistress, including yourself!
Do I give off the air of a home wrecker or something to you?
Wrong. It's the opposite. You're filled with righteousness to me.
I'm begging you, stop making assumptions about me.
None of your assumptions are reliable.
Why don't you share your secrets with me so I can be reliable?
Seriously though.
Will you give this to him? Don't let anyone else know.
Would this be considered a secret between the two of us?
If you want to think about it that way.
Sure, I'll help you.
But you have to tell me what happened between the two of you
and why he'd give you a car.
I'll let you know when all of this is over.
Okay.
Remember! You have to place it in his hand yourself.
No one can find out.
Subtitles by DramaFever