The Way We Were
Timing and Subtitles Brought to you by the Can We Go Back? Team @ Viki
The Way We Were
Episode 22
Among the bidders, is there a Weiye Group?
- The Weiye owned by Miao Ying's father, Chen Wei. - Yes.
What they are bidding for is subway car manufacturing.
Have you heard of an American company called CE?
I have.
Weiye and CE now
have reached an agreement regarding subway car manufacturing
and plan to bid together. Is that what's going on?
In reality, it's still less than a year before the bidding.
Each bidding company hasn't submitted any formal bidding reports.
But from what I know, Weiye will surely join the bidding.
Since it's Weiye's first time to enter this field,
they will look for
a foreign enterprise that's in control of the most internationally advanced technology to be their partner in the bidding.
This is also a kind of strategy.
As for what company it will be,
only when Weiye submits their official report will the city government and the outside world know about it.
Have you had any exchanges with Uncle Chen in the past?
Even if we weren't to be future in-laws and just had a working relationship,
would you find it strange if I had communications with him?
Did Uncle Chen make use of my relationship with Miao Ying
to ask for a favor or some help from you?
Both our families keep a private and low profile.
The government and outsiders don't know that you are in a relationship with their daughter.
So, they will not think we have any special connection with them either.
In reality, is there one or nothing?
Weiye is just one of the many bidding companies.
In my job, I treat everyone equally.
I will look for the enterprise that is the strongest and the most qualified.
- I will be direct with you then. - All right.
I suspect that Uncle Chen is trying to bribe you through me.
You suspect?
Based on what?
Uncle Chen recently recommended a project to me.
My initial quote for this project was $1,5 million,
but the other party amended the contract and increased it to $3 million.
It was ridiculous for it to be increased by $1,5 million.
Of course, others may see it as
a gift that a future father-in-law is giving his future son-in-law.
And this seemed to be acceptable.
At that time, because of Miao Ying, I didn't think much about it.
But subsequently, I met someone called Rooney Strong.
He is the CEO of CE Asia.
I know that Weiye and CE have already started collaborating.
When I later thought about that increase of $1,5 million, I found it very strange.
It seems like it's not something as simple as Uncle Chen taking care of me.
I think he's aiming at you.
I also suspect that
the investor is connected to him.
What is your final conclusion then?
I think that Uncle Chen is trying to get to you through me.
His ulterior motive is to get the rights as the subway car manufacturer.
But Dad, what I really want to tell you is
not to let my relationship with Miao Ying make you do that.
Don't do anything unethical with him.
Are you done talking?
You don't seem surprised at all even after all I said.
Sit.
Sit down.
Shu Che, erase whatever you have said today
from your memory.
Go back to the States and study.
Earn your degree and continue to set up your company.
You are putting too much thought into this.
Dad...
Are you saying that you knew about everything that was going to happen beforehand?
Then you and Uncle Chen...
do indeed have a special relationship. Is that right?
If he continues under this guise
and gives me money...
What should I do?
As long as it's a legal deal allowed by both Chinese and US law
and as long as all the contracts
are transparent and legal, why would you reject it?
Dad, what are you doing?
This is bribery!
I know what I'm doing.
You don't need to tell me.
I know better than anyone what I should do.
You are committing a crime!
Look,
every time you come home, you always have to start an argument.
Proclaiming with that stance of yours to keep all power within its restrictive cage.
With just a human conscience, one can't really avoid the lure of money.
So one must strive to maintain honesty and integrity, both individually and in government.
One must not only rely on human bondaries,
but one must also rely on a balance of power and supervision through regulations.
Don't you think this is right?
If so, then you've won.
Dad. Do you know...
all these years, I have always been afraid.
What are you afraid of?
Before I left for overseas to study,
you let Xiao Cheng Shu take the rap for me.
Since then, that helped me escape the crime of causing serious injury by reckless driving.
There has never been a day when I was not afraid.
I am afraid that I will be used, by relying solely on you.
I am afraid that I will continue to use your power as my protective umbrella.
That I will come to treat it as my gate pass.
That I will use your status like a bank account that I can withdraw from at any time
and convert it into a different kind of convenience or benefit.
I am afraid that it will become a habit, something inevitable,
until one day, when I can't get what I want
by stretching out my hand, I'll steal it for myself.
Dad, I'm really scared.
I'm scared that in the end, you won't be able to maintain...
in the end, you'll step over that line, not on your own,
but because of me!
I am very fortunate that you didn't become a son like that.
But... how did you change into this kind of father?
What kind of father did I change into?
Shu Che, I can tell you this.
If I want to cross that line, I don't need another person's help.
If I wanted a car with a trunk full of money every day,
all kinds of temptations can come to seduce me mentally.
But what I am guaranteeing to you is that I always preserve the discipline that a government official should have.
I've persisted in the principles that a Communist Party member should have.
I've long been indifferent to all those material things that common people desire.
You are doing this for me then?
Yes, I'm doing this for you.
But you didn't push me into doing this.
As a father, I am willing to do it.
I don't want this though.
Can't you just let me obtain it by myself?
Living whatever kind of life...
is my personal matter.
Shu Che, open the door.
I want to see you.
I want to be alone for a while.
Okay then.
Sleep early then.
[ Air China: From Beijing to San Francisco ]
[ Congratulations! You've successfully booked your flight.]
[Username: shuche1987]
[ 2013-12-29, Beijing to San Francison, CA985 ]
Where is Shu Che?
I'll call him to come down.
Shu Che. Sit here.
The three of us haven't eaten breakfast like this for a long time.
I'll come home early tonight.
Let's have dinner together.
This is rare. Shu Che, it's because you're home.
Within a month, it's been so rare for your father to eat dinner at home.
I've booked a flight back to the US for this afternoon.
This afternoon?
You just come home and leave when you like to.
Hotels even have a check-in and check-out time.
Shu Che, did you come back this time to deliberately make me and your father unhappy?
What time is your flight?
3 pm.
I'll take you to the airport.
Eat.
Every father who has gone through battles, suffered setbacks,
experienced hardships, and suffered exhaustion,
will naively wish that his child
can be exempted from the tribulations of life.
Live his life with no worries.
Not breaking his back just to fight for food. Not being servile to others just for money.
My fighting is so you can be blissful.
I work hard because I wish that you can live a more comfortable life.
What are parents?
One's child obviously won't eat or drink if he thinks that being thin is beautiful.
Wearing such thin clothing during winter just to stay up with the trends.
But a parent will only worry that his child might lack clothing or food.
One's child clearly
keeps pushing their way to pursue freedom.
Yet a parent will just feel that his child is... all alone.
No one to rely on, destitute and homeless.
A wishful kind of thinking.
There's a kind of coldness...
called, 'your parents think that you're cold'.
There's a kind of need...
called, 'your parents think that you need it'.
It's like that.
- I'm going now. - No, I'll walk you in.
- No need. - Wait for me in the parking lot.
- Deputy Mayor, hello. - Hi.
Do you have any plans of going abroad?
I didn't receive any notice.
I'm just sending my son off. No need to disturb anyone.
Okay. I won't disturb you two then.
I'm going to check-in now. Just go back. No need to accompany me.
Go then.
Okay. Please show me your passport. Thanks.
- Please hold on to your ticket well. - Thanks.
I'm going now, Dad.
Wait a minute.
Regarding your Uncle Chen Wei...
I still hope that I can reiterate this to you.
In my opinion, Chen Wei
is a businessman with grand and mighty ambitions.
He is creating domains for the country, for the local enterprises,
and fighting so we can occupy the top spot internationally.
So, even if I don't know him well,
I would still hope to entrust an important project like that to a person like him
who has ambitions and a sense of responsibility.
Moreover, he is the father of the woman you love.
What I want to know is...
did Miao Ying refuse to marry me because she knew about all this?
What ties our two families together isn't only shared interests.
It's because we care about each other.
Hiding things from you isn't lying to you, it's loving you.
Do you know why I gave you your name?
It's because I hoped that you can live a life with a clear heart.
Look how troublesome it is for us two to just say our goodbyes.
Dad... I'm going now.
Have a safe trip.
Timing and Subtitles Brought to you by the Can We Go Back? Team @ Viki
[Security]
[Flight Departures: Domestic Departures Macao, Taiwan Departures]
[ Global CA985. Depart Beijing 1540 hours. Arrive San Francisco 1220 hours.]
[Can you pick me up at the airport?]
[Global CA985. Depart Beijing 1540 hours. Arrive San Francisco 1220 hours. Can you pick me up at the airport?]
[No problem. See you tomorrow.]
[Miao Ying : 33 voice messages]
[Powering off]
God!
Dang it, dude! I just...
Yeah, I just hit her car. I don't know.
Yeah, I just—
I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. A-Are you alright?
Should I take you to the hospital?
I think I'm okay.
Give me all your information and
I will contact the insurance company later on. Okay?
Okay, yeah no problem. I'll get it, I'll get that taken care of.
[San Francisco International Airport]
[I'm here. Where are you?]
[The same place where I picked you up from when you first arrived in the States]
This is the first time I have seen Shu Che being so helpless.
It's as if he just came back from traveling a far away and deep desert.
Exhausted. Dispirited.
He wants to separate himself from the rest of the world.
A child hiding in the corner from all the bustle, thinking of his own problems.
At this time, I still didn't know that I was walking toward
the person he really was.
One that even Miao Ying couldn't approach, but he was willing to show only to me.
Shu Che.
Thank you for coming to pick me up.
Let's go.
I will take you home.
I'm not going home.
I don't know how I should face her.
Where would you like to go?
If you have the time,
could you go somewhere with me?
Okay.
Why did you bring me here?
This is where I proposed to Miao Ying.
Do you know why I went back home?
I wanted to ask my father something.
Ask him what?
I wanted to ask him why Miao Ying's father
indirectly gave me money.
Isn't that because you are his future son-in-law?
Not only that.
Miao Ying's father wants to expand a big undertaking.
He wants to obtain the creme of the crop among all the Yanzhou bidding projects, which is
the manufacturing rights to its subway cars.
Why did you ask your father about that?
What has that to do with your father?
My father... is the overall person in charge for the city subway bidding project.
He is the Deputy Mayor in charge of city construction.
Deputy Mayor?
You're saying that your father is the Deputy Mayor of Yanzhou?
I have never heard you talk about that.
There is nothing to talk about. He is him and I am me.
My father has always been very careful about that matter.
Since he took office, he always tells me to keep a low profile.
So, I have never let anyone know about it.
So, you are suspecting that Miao Ying's father and your father are currently...
It started when I got sued for those four minor crimes.
Miao Ying's father came to the US and gave me all his care including
trying to bribe you into changing your testimony in court.
The Hua Long OA system upgrade contract that came later,
was just given to me like a huge present.
I recently began to suspect
the funding background of that Beijing investment venture company
and wondered if it was connected to Miao Ying's father.
Was he impersonating an investor
and using me to circle around my father?
So you went home to ask him about it?
What did he say?
Before I went home,
I kept hoping that my father didn't know anything about it.
But... He knew everything.
I finally realized
I was the last person to know any of it.
You don't want to face Miao Ying because
you think she already knew about it early on.
Before she ran away from the marriage,
she probably already knew it too.
You're saying the reason she agreed to your marriage proposal and then suddenly rejected it
was because of this?
Looking back on it now,
her father and my mother came to the States to stop our marriage,
because they were afraid that the connection between the two families would be publicly exposed.
Miao Ying knew everything,
but she didn't tell me anything at all. I just learned about it myself.
I think that her not telling me
is equal to agreeing to let her father control me.
Chen Wei is currently playing a chess game.
He wanted his own biological daughter, the one I love the most,
to willingly become his pawn.
While on the plane here, I kept reminiscing.
We've been together since middle school.
Childhood friends from the 1st year of middle school through high school.
On the third day after she reported as a first-year middle schooler, I fell in love with her at first sight.
At that time, my father was already beginning to rise rapidly in his political career.
Was it at that moment
that Miao Ying's father started to plan everything?
Or was it on the day my father became the Deputy Mayor,
he already had this plan ready?
And when did Miao Ying
know about her father's secret plan?
Was it from the very beginning that Miao Ying knew everything already? And everything that she did since then
was in cahoots with her father?
Shu Che, you are putting too much thought into this.
Miao Ying is probably not like that.
Isn't she?
I... I'm not saying that the love between the two of us
has been controlled by her father,
but at the very least, our love has been used by him.
Her father made use of our relationship, advancing gradually and entrenching himself, in order to approach my father.
He thought things through thoroughly and methodically set up everything to be what it is today.
As for Miao Ying, she knew everything.
But she didn't tell me anything at all. For her father's benefit,
she chose to be a runaway bride on the day of our marriage.
Why did she do that?
This is the state of our love now.
Sometimes,
I can even stand and see these things from Chen Wei's point of view and understand his logic.
He's a businessman, just looking for borrowed power
to discover all the possible ways and opportunities
and have the unscrupulous ability to make anyone become
a pawn that he can use.
But I... I really can't accept that she, the one I love the most,
is getting used and manipulated by others.
Becoming her dad's
public image and stepping stone,
becoming a wall that covers his exposure.
I really can't accept that Miao Ying got involved in this, while I...
was kept in the dark.
♫ Love and Hate's margin ♫
♫ Gathering and dispersing ♫
♫ Asking why do you care ♫
♫ Until now, I'm still longing ♫
♫ And I'll still go back to you. I rely on you ♫
♫ Separated but the heart comes back ♫
♫ Remember this love, we understand ♫
♫ That this is just love ♫
♫ Whenever I feel hurt ♫
♫ Do not leave and go far away ♫
♫ How long and how far does it take to heal? ♫
♫ Why don't you just return to the place you fell in love? ♫
♫ Did not say goodbye and silently left ♫
♫ The room is cold and no longer has the warm sun ♫
♫ How much I want to keep the time of you and me ♫
♫ Never forgetting and longing for the love to come back ♫
Timing and Subtitles Brought to you by the Can We Go Back? Team @ Viki
♫ Love and hate's margin ♫
♫ Gathering and dispersing ♫
♫ Asking why do you care ♫
♫ Until now, I'm still longing ♫
♫ And I'll still go back to you. I rely on you ♫
♫ Separated but the heart comes back ♫
♫ Remember this love, we understand ♫
♫ That this is just love ♫