Subtitles by DramaFever
[The Way We Were]
[Episode 13]
- You... - I've seen you before.
You're Miao Ying's classmate from Tsinghua, right?
- Yes. - What are you doing here? Studying?
No.
Then you came for fun, or for work?
No.
You came for Miao Ying.
- No. - Then tell me why...
you'd turn up at the motel she was staying at a few days ago.
You saw me?
Are you still going to insist you didn't come for her?
I did come for her.
- But not to meet her. - Are you playing with me?
You came for her, but not to meet her.
Next, are you going to tell me
that you stopped her from getting married...
but everything that happens after is none of your business?
Stop her from getting married?
How do I have that ability?
What did you say and do to her the day before we were supposed to marry?
I didn't do anything. We didn't even see each other.
She doesn't even know that I'm here.
What did you major in?
Computer science.
No wonder.
You can't even come up with a proper lie.
We searched every San Francisco hotel before we finally found her there.
She avoided all her friends and family.
Only you knew where she was.
You're still going to tell me that the two of you never met?
It's true that only I kne where she was before you arrived...
But that's because I...
I followed her from court all the way to the mote
But she really was unaware of my presence.
You flew all the way from America.
You don't meet up with her or contact her.
You witnessed her running away, then followed her the entire time.
And at that motel where it was just the two of you...
you didn't meet her or tell her you were there.
You followed her all the way to Standord, where I found you.
Do you believe your own words?
Tell me what you came here to do.
I didn't come here to do anything.
I just heard she was getting married so I wanted to come and see.
See what?
To see her get married with my own eyes.
Like looking at someone's face one last time before the coffin lid closes.
That way, there's no more regrets.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I wasn't talking about your marriage.
I meant my own feelings.
You love her.
How long have you been chasing her?
I never did.
You were with her for four whole years...
but you never courted her or confessed to her?
Because it wouldn't have changed anything.
I never had a chance.
You love her more than you can express
yet you choose to just accompany her from the distance?
Yes.
You're saying you didn't do anything.
But she suddenly changed her mind overnight.
You think it's because of me?
You have no idea how much I want to say it's my fault.
But that's not how it is.
She doesn't even know that I like her.
Therefore, there's no reason for you to think of me as a rival...
because I don't even count as an alternative for her.
If you don't believe me, you can ask her.
Ask her if she ever saw Ning Ming in America.
She'd definitely think you were spouting nonsense.
Then will you tell me...
what she did from the time she left me to the time she arrived at the motel?
After she left you, she went to the beach.
There was a large boulder there. She cried next to it for a long time.
After that, she went to the motel, where she was until you arrived.
That's it?
That's it.
To be honest, you never had any competition.
It's not that no one was interested in Miao Ying.
When one got rejected, another came rushing forward.
They came one after another.
Yet not a single one of them was capable of reaching her heart.
Because you're the only one in her heart.
Everyone else is just extraneous.
You may not have been at Tsinghua, but everyone there knows about you.
May I be intrusive for a moment?
Was there any conflict going on between the two of you?
We were fine, and weren't fighting.
I have no idea what's going on.
That's strange...
and complicated.
I'm going to say one more thing though.
It's definitely not because her feelings for you have changed.
Why are you so sure?
I... have no reason to be, and no evidence either.
I'm not in the position to make assumptions about her
or to judge your feelings for each other.
But you could say I know her.
When did you start?
Liking her in secret?
Four years ago, I guess.
The first time I set eyes on her when we arrived at school.
Why did you never tell her?
I'm very self-aware.
But isn't confessing better than letting it suffocate you from inside?
I don't think so.
If you can't make the girl you like happy...
then there's no point to your love.
I've also asked myself before how I could make her happy.
Give her everything she has right now.
The answer is I can't.
You may have never confessed, but you've done a lot.
I can't help myself at all.
I spent the last four years trying to stop myself
and even wished that it had never begun.
But I have no control over whether I love her or not.
Neither could I have done anything about the fact
that she paid no attention to any of her suitors.
I know it's impossible for her to ever love me, but I still love her.
There's nothing I can do about that.
But one day, I got this epiphany.
My love is pointless for her, but not for me.
No matter whether it brings me explosive happiness or searing pain...
even if it's a love that's hopeless and will never result in anything...
it still seems more purposeful to me than the monotonous daily routine
of going to work, coming home, eating, and waiting for my salary.
Love is the most meaningful thing I live for.
Even if no one knows about it.
Maybe you think I'm piteous, or some kind of masochist.
But to me, she's like the air I breathe.
She's the sweetness amidst my hardships.
You must find it incomprehensible that I take such pleasure in my own tragedy.
I get it though.
You have the luxury of possessing money, status, and love.
How could you understand the happiness of commoners like me?
You'll only understand when you're as poor as I am...
that if you don't care whether she loves you back or not
and you don't expect her to love you as much as you love her...
and you don't even care whether she knows you love her or not...
it means that you have no hope, and therefore you can't be disappointed.
It doesn't hurt to lose something you love when you don't seek to possess it.
Rather, the act of it in itself will give you happiness.
This is what the phrase, "My love has nothing to do with you" means.
Yes.
You have the most freedom when your love is only your own business.
You can love whomever you want for however long you want.
You can get high off of your own love.
Of course, others might consider this pathetic...
but that's fine.
What is the judgment of others when my love is solely my business?
Even if your love is just something insignificant
that is just neglected by the one you love...
it can still become a significant ray of sunshine in your life.
You... are an interesting person.
I'm about to head to the airport to leave for Beijing.
So you came today to silently bid her farewell.
You had planned to come and end things once and for all, right?
That's right.
You don't cry until you see the coffin close, right?
I'm so sorry, that wasn't intentional.
I don't know why I keep bringing up coffins. I'm sorry.
Then since you haven't seen the coffin yet, you won't give up, will you?
I have no control over when it ends
just like how I had no control over when it began.
But don't worry, I've never intended to wreck things
and I would never.
I'll be off then. Goodbye.
Goodbye. It was really nice to meet you.
Same here.
Bro, you two have to be happy together.
It doesn't hurt to lose something you love when you don't seek to possess it.
Rather, the act of it in itself will give you happiness.
Even if your love is just something insignificant
that is just neglected by the one you love...
it can still become a significant ray of sunshine in your life.
Miao Ying.
I won't pester you about the reason you left me that day anymore.
I just want to love you like I used to.
More than I used to.
[Richang Hotel: $10 an hour, $50 a day]
Hello.
["Three Kingdoms" Klotski]
Hello.
Hi.
Hi!
Check in, please.
This is my passport.
You from China?
Yeah. You too?
You can tell?
Checking in so early?
This is early?
You're staying here alone?
Yeah, just me.
Sure.
How many nights?
A week for now.
- T-- That long? - A week is long?
Way too long.
Are you against me staying here longterm?
Not at all.
This place is empty more than it isn't anyways.
Whatever makes you happy.
Would you mind giving me a room for a week for now then?
Um, would you mind showing me some mercy?
I'll pay for half my stay first.
When I leave, I'll pay you the rest.
Please?
I'll leave my passport with you.
Why don't you throw that in?
Okay.
Second floor, 209.
Hello?
- Boss. - Ning Ming, you live.
I've already called the cops out of concern for my department employee.
I apologize, Boss.
And you even called the cops...
and gave them unnecessary work...
I mean, they couldn't have found me anyway.
Where the hell did you go this week?
- Um... I'm not in China right now. - Next you'll be ascending into heaven.
You decided to leave the country without telling anyone?
I asked you for leave.
Did I allow it? What do you take this company for?
You think it's like an amusement park?
What do you take this job for?
A special benefits card that protects you from wind and rain?
I'm sorry, Boss, please forgive me!
Forget me.
When you get back, you have to apologize to the entire department and company.
Even so, I can't guarantee you'll get out of this alive.
Uh...
I wanted to tell you that... I can't really go back yet.
I'll probably still be a while.
How long are you planning on spending wandering around?
- Probably a few months. - A few...
Hello?
Boss, how about this? Suspend my salary but let me stay hired.
Ning Ming, why don't you just give yourself leave for however long you like?
- You'll allow it? - Yes. I'll allow you to fire yourself!
But...
I don't know what the hell you're doing out there.
You're an average Joe from an average family.
You look like shit and you have no connections.
Your parents aren't dependable and you don't have a wife.
The only thing that can get you anywhere in life is your career.
What's more important than that?
What is more important than your career, your future, your prospects?
Do you get it?
You're just like the losers on the street.
You don't have the resources to go off and do whatever you want!
Do I have to make things clearer?
You're completely irresponsible!
Not to your company, not to your parents, and not to yourself!
You're done!
- Son! - Why haven't you called us?
We've been worried about you!
Not me, not at all. It's your mom.
[Changchun] I'm sure you're fine.
Now he's not admitting it!
Listen to me, just three hours ago this morning...
your dad was sleeping, and suddenly sat up.
He started saying, "My son only has $200 left! I need to send him money!"
He was about to leave the house barefoot!
That was you, wasn't it?
It's not that dramatic! I still have money.
Son, when do you plan on going back to Beijing?
Well, here's the thing, you guys.
I wanted to video call you to tell you that I won't be going back for now.
You're staying in America?
There were some changes in my work assignment.
The manager is pretty happy with my English.
He thinks I adjusted well to the job, clients, and environment here.
That's why he wants me to stay here and focus on our North American projects.
Let me talk to him.
Son, listen to me. Good sons succeed in distant lands.
Focus on your career rather than romantic relationships.
If you get into a relationship now, what will happen to you in the future?
Don't worry about coming back. Focus on your job.
When it comes to Americans...
make sure you interact with them politely and peacefully and don't be belligerent.
You hear? Demonstrate the politeness of our country.
Represent the vastness of our wisdom!
Ming'er, listen to your dad.
Hey, what's that noise in the background?
It's from next door.
- Next door, yeah. - What are they watching on TV?
I don't know, probably a cartoon or something, right?
Guys, listen, I'm going to hang up first. I'll call you some other time, okay?
I'm hanging up! Bye!
I know you must be hiding something from me.
You're hiding it because you love me.
The reason I'm going to stop asking you for the reason you left me is because...
I want... you to be able to keep your secrets even in my presence.
I want you to have a space that you don't have to share with me.
I want you to have the freedom to love or to not love me.
This is what I hope is the best kind of love I can provide you.
Miao Ying.
Don't force yourself to put up with anything. Even if...
Even if you stop loving me...
I don't want you to force yourself to pretend you do.
The point is, have you realized that this is a character flaw?
You quit your job without informing your boss first?
Am I supposed to grab someone off the street?
Who the hell does their job like this?
Pardon me... I'm checking out.
Weren't you... staying here longterm?
I'm sorry, I didn't realize this was one of those kinds of places.
Who said it was?
This here is a hotel, you understand?
If you had explained, I would've gotten it.
Explained what?
What is there to explain? You...
Right. I'm sorry, sir.
Regardless, I won't be staying here for now.
Do you mind telling me the cost of my stay
and returning my watch and passport?
I don't care what's going on with you.
You're not leaving until I find your replacement!
I'll just forfeit my paycheck, what can you do about me leaving?
Look, let's discuss this.
Can't you just give me two or three days?
Okay? As for the hourly wage during this time...
$15 an hour. How about that?
I'll need time to find a new guy, won't I?
Here's the thing, boss. I've really got urgent business.
I don't want to do this to you either.
- Um I-- - You shut up!
- Okay. - There's a fire blazing here!
I mean, boss, he's a guest...
You should probably take care of him first.
Boss. Calm down, calm down. You too, calm down.
What I wanted to say was, does his position come with living quarters?
You're interested?
Although I have to clarify first, I'm on a tourist visa. Not a work visa.
Boss, it's not easy finding someone for such an illegitimate job.
Take a look at this guy here.
He's tall and well-built.
He's definitely capable.
Wait, this job has physical body requirements?
Yup. But you're perfectly suitable.
Thanks! Thanks for recommending me.
Boss, you just said it'd be $15 an hour, right?
Well listen... that's if you're working legitimately.
What you're doing is working under the table.
You and I both understand the risks associated with that.
Therefore, your wage won't be as high.
$8 an hour.
Work hours are from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next morning. 13 hours total.
You get one day off per week.
Then I'll leave you two to discuss things. I'm going, bye!
Okay, bye.
Boss, isn't that exploitation?
Isn't $8 an hour way too big of a difference?
Let me tell you, that's not a low wage.
Aside from that, I'm also providing you a free room to board.
But you have to handle your own meals.
Do you think you're up for it?
It's a deal.
$8 an hour...
13 hours a day...
I can work six days and rest one day.
Four weeks in a month...
Then altogether, in a month... I can earn $2,496!
And in Chinese yuan...
16,650 yuan!
Holy shit!
Hi.
- Hi. - Thanks.
For?
For standing up to Laura and making her apologize to me.
Thanks for defending me then.
You misunderstood. I wasn't defending you.
I was just against the way she crucified you in public.
It doesn't imply that I'm on your side in this fight between the two of you.
Well, since you witnessed it, let me explain things to you.
No need. There's no purpose in explaining to me.
But I don't want you to misunderstand.
There are a thousand ways to explain one thing.
Outcomes are more closer to the truth than most explanations.
Are you like Laura and think that I got a job by crying?
You went to cry to the professor to demonstrate your vulnerability
so Professor Anderson gave you this job.
But you don't have the qualifications for it.
You really did take it from Laura.
The benefit you gained was established from someone else's loss.
If all of the above is fact...
I think any explanation you give would appear...
extraneous and futile.
Why wouldn't you just be straightforward about it then?
Morally speaking, you were helping me.
You pushed Laura to apologize to me but you actually agree with her inside.
You think that I used my female advantages to steal from someone else?
What I think hardly matters.
Subtitles by DramaFever