Standing in the Time Episode 11
Ever since I became a model,
I haven't written a word.
We've come this far already.
There's no going back.
You have to win the championship.
That's Xia Fan's model.
Zhou Zimo!
Zhou Zimo is Leiyang,
and Leiyang is Zhou Zimo.
But I never imagined
you were one of RESA's models.
I'm so sorry.
What happened to my mail?
A page is missing every time.
And it's always page 13.
But you can't understand
when a page is missing?
When you get your subpoena,
don't have a heart attack!
Wu Yu!
Mister, what on earth's going on
between you two?
Wait!
In any case,
his hitting you puts him in the wrong.
Wipe your face.
Thanks.
Are you a writer too?
Yes.
I write children's literature.
What?
Is it still no good?
Do you think this writing
will sell?
I don't understand sales.
You don't understand, so listen to me.
Don't write so much.
This is too long to print.
Why can't you just
make it a little shorter?
I've told this story to some children.
Judging by their reactions, it seemed OK.
I can't change it anymore.
It already doesn't even belong to me.
Belong to you?
What belongs to you is so compact
and so full of personal style
that you can't even change it?
Take this page, for example.
Even if I take it out of your manuscript,
that doesn't make it belong to you any less.
You...
It was such a good story.
Every time I read it to my kid, he'd cry
and he'd laugh.
You know, by taking away
the significance of the middle,
it loses its childlike tempo.
It loses its childlike beauty.
He doesn't know anything.
So, what will you do?
So, I won't publish it.
I'll keep it hidden.
It'll just be a story
between me and my child.
Thanks.
Hang on, mister!
What?
Can I take a look at your story?
Why?
Because the Publishing Press I work for
is going to start a new magazine
called Blossoming Waves of Childhood.
I will never work with Wu Yu again.
But, at the moment we desperately
need a new manuscript.
A new manuscript?
Well, we had one planned for publishing
but it wasn't suitable.
So, we need something else for the time being,
but we're going to print very soon.
You mean...
Did he try to get
the work of some famous writer,
but get rejected?
Serves him right.
Wait, mister...
What are you doing?
Are you stupid?
You let everything slip.
Can he do it?
Li Xiao! You… Li Xiao, what are you doing?
Wait for the good news from me.
You, you need to be serious.
Wu Yu! Wu Yu!
What was that between you and that guy?
He seemed like a writer.
Stay out of it.
Let me see that guy's manuscript, now!
It could at least help us, couldn't it?
What do you know?
Can we use the manuscript
of some unknown writer like him?
We're desperate.
I know that,
but that doesn't mean we can make do with his.
Go.
Hold on.
What's this?
You took out his manuscript anyway,
and you're still arguing with me.
Was that necessary?
Editor Wu,
can we make our layout slightly bigger?
Look at you, and you're so petty.
I was considering it, OK?
I have to take a look at it either way.
What did he do before?
He did things stealthily.
I was being polite to him.
Hold on.
I think he writes well.
The content is right, and the style is suitable.
It's much better than your previous one.
So what if it is?
Right now, we need the first part of a series.
The first part of a series.
This decision
doesn't come down to me alone.
Look how petty you're being.
This isn't pettiness.
I still have to convince the Editor-in-Chief.
What's wrong with the Editor-in-Chief?
What is there that you can't do?
Editor Wu.
You can do it.
Stop pacing back and forth.
Take a seat.
OK.
This piece isn't bad.
But, does it have to go to print now?
We already have another one planned. This is a mess.
Editor-in-Chief, it's like this.
This piece
is one that we've always been keeping
in reserve.
We just couldn't ever find
a suitable publication.
This first issue is a chance to print it.
This is the first part of a series?
Yes.
Chen Ji.
I've never heard of this writer.
Right.
But, the content of this writing
suits us perfectly.
And, the style is a match too.
It's much better than the previous one in any case.
Besides, if we don't have a new writer
for a children's periodical, who would we have?
Don't you think so?
You just said
that this was previously kept as a backup.
Yeah.
Then, why have we never printed it before?
This writer, Chen Ji,
was one of mine
from a long time ago.
But, he's very difficult.
I had him change his manuscript,
but he kept refusing.
So, this time he changed it?
This time...
This time, he changed it.
OK, that's what we'll do, then.
Don't delay the printers.
OK.
It's been published. This is for you.
Thanks.
It just has the name of the third-time proofreader on it.
But, I changed all the parts
that you said were problems.
Really? That's great!
Li Xiao,
one day
you will become one of the third-time proofreaders.
One day.
I also hope my name
can be printed on one of your books.
It will be.
Li Xiao,
I actually never wanted to lie to
or hide anything from you.
When I found out
that you were proofreading for me,
I didn't dare say anything.
Because, I was worried that
if you knew that I was Leiyang,
that you wouldn't have any feelings for me anymore.
That time
you took me to see "Morning Sunlight",
I...
I kept going over it in my mind.
I kept going over it,
and I wanted to tell you.
But, in the end, I still didn't dare to.
Because, in your mind,
Leiyang is such a contemptible,
such a selfish,
such a self-righteous,
such a self-effacing,
such an utterly horrible person.
I...
I never expected to run into you at RESA.
Neither did I.
Can you eat like that now?
I don't want to be a model anymore.
Besides, I still haven't signed a contract.
I'm not officially a model.
That industry isn't suitable for me, either.
Why not?
I've told you,
I think taking pictures
is completely and utterly fake.
It's not what I like.
But, they're such beautiful pictures.
You know, Zhou Zimo,
I was once an intern editor at RESA.
It was my dream to be there.
Although I'm now a proofreader,
I still think that
there might come a day
when I can return to RESA.
So, whenever I see the RESA magazine,
I always have a kind of
unconscious pride in it.
I don't know what you mean
when you say the word fake.
I only know that...
The last time we ate here,
when you told me that you were a model,
I was sure that you'd be a success.
Because, your qualifications,
your temperament, your everything
is perfect for being a model.
I can fully imagine
different types of clothing on you
realizing different kinds of beauty.
Because, you are
the single most unique person.
Because, you have the qualities
that all other models lack.
But,
just now,
the career that you just said
you don't care about,
in my opinion,
is really charming
and worthwhile.
If...
I mean, if...
If you had to choose which one you like,
would you choose Zhou Zimo
or Leiyang?
What... What are you asking me?
I mean... If you had to choose one,
would you choose Zhou Zimo or Leiyang?
I've never met Leiyang,
but I know Zhou Zimo.
The name on your ID card is Zhou Zimo,
isn't it?
Although Leiyang is your pseudonym,
and is also you, but if you ask me,
you're Zhou Zimo.
I didn't like A Footless Insect
but that was because I didn't understand it.
But, it was still printed
in the end.
Leiyang published a book in the end.
That means the publisher
is sure of your talent.
So, what you just asked me, I think,
I think it's not important, because,
because I really haven't thought about it much.
Why aren't you eating?
I can't eat.
I'll watch you eat.
Actually, I'm full too.
I'm getting the bill today, no arguments.
Think of it as
my way of congratulating you on a successful catwalk run.
I'll go get the bill.
Take your time.
Come out.
Come out and let me tell you.
Where do you think I am?
I'm at your door.
Why can't you come inside and tell me?
Come here, come here.
What is it?
I have some good news, and some bad news.
Which do you want to hear first?
The good news.
The Editor-in-Chief has approved Chen Ji's manuscript.
Really?
There's also bad news.
I'm not listening.
Hold it.
You must be the one
who let it slip,
which let the guy get a hold of me.
It wasn't me.
If not you, then who was it?
So, so what should I do?
You have to take responsibility for it.
I will.
But, I can't do anything.
How can I take responsibility?
Pretend to be a lawyer,
and come with me to scare him.
Make it so that he has to give me the manuscript.
Come on.
Wait, we can scare him, but not right now.
Why not?
Because...
Because, I told him
that I work here too.
And, you say you can't do anything.
You excel at creating problems for me.
You're even hitting people?
Xia Fan, this outfit looks great on you.
Is it professional enough?
Yes.
Just like Legally Blonde.
This way.
You'll be playing my assistant,
so act like it.
OK.
Whatever you'd say to get control over me,
say to him.
No problem.
You're fine.
Just act natural.
I should just avoid talking too much, right?
Xiao.
How did you know he lives here?
This is the place Chen Ji rents,
but I know the landlord.
He was one of my writers too.
Just how many writers have you stalked?
I'm going to knock on the door, now.
Don't do anything wrong.
Mr. Zhang, you're here.
Editor Wu, please mind yourself.
Mr. Zhang, have you written anything big
recently?
You're not here to get a manuscript from me, are you?
Say what's on your mind.
Well,
I'm here for Chen Ji.
He moved out ages ago.
He moved out?
He doesn't live here anymore.
What?
Mr. Zhang,
how long could have gone for
after hearing your accent?
I'm sorry.
You're not welcome here.
Mr. Zhang, we urgently need to find him.
Mr. Zhang.
Really. Be careful.
What are you doing?
I can understand
that you're thinking about your friend,
but my client now would prefer
that we settle this out of court.
If you don't cooperate,
we'll move onto the next step
in legal proceedings.
So, are you considering it?
Chen Ji, some people are here to see you.
Professional.
Chen Ji, I already told you,
the first of a series
gets the space of a full layout.
How is it?
I'll be honest.
A couple days ago, I did in fact seek out
your previous manuscript again
and read it more carefully.
I really think it's good.
I even think... Yeah, Mr. Chen Ji,
just reconsider, please.
I really did a lot to persuade Editor Wu
to make him take another look at your work.
Also, I think this is
an outstanding piece of writing too.
When I read it, I even cried.
You're suing me.
Aren't you suing me?
You're a lawyer, right?
Is this a criminal case or a civil case?
A criminal case or civil case?
You don't need to worry about that for now.
Ms. Xia, I think what's important now
is to settle this with Mr. Chen Ji
out of court.
So long as Mr. Chen gives us the rights
to publish his manuscript, we'll let
what happened before go, right?
A clean slate.
Yes.
Is it that a space has opened up in your publication
and you need something new to fill it?
You...
Chen Ji, I'm telling you,
don't turn your nose up at this.
I've brought a lawyer today
because I wanted to be serious in meeting you.
Think very carefully
about what the consequences
of this entire situation will be
for your career as a writer.
Give me the manuscript.
Aren't you worried that
using my manuscript will impact sales?
I knew you'd still butt heads with me
over what happened before.
I can tell you,
on this occasion, the sales have nothing to do with you.
You just need to give the rights to your manuscript to me.
If you change it the way I wanted you to,
I'll publish it for you and that will be that.
You still want me to change it.
Are you confused?
I'm telling you, I'm not changing
so much as a punctuation mark.
Mr. Chen Ji, how can you say that?
When proofreading, if I find a typo
or grammatical error, I have to change it.
That applies especially to punctuation.
For a great work to be published,
it needs to be proofread thrice.
You're in the Proofreading Section, right?
Mr. Chen, the proofreading process
is important in editing and publishing.
Besides, correcting errors in a text
falls within the scope of a publisher's duties.
As for the content...
I won't interfere with the content
on this occasion.
What do you think?
You know so much about publishing standards,
are you sure you're a lawyer?
I work in publishing law.
Of course, I understand the process.
Yeah.
Is there a problem?
Chen Ji, we don't have much time.
You need to make a decision now.
What do you say?
OK.
I'll wait.
Wait for your subpoena.
Mr. Chen Ji, as a young person,
I really feel that you're too childish.
Editor Wu here has come to visit you
out of sincere intentions.
I know you that there's history
between you two.
He hit you, but you hit him too.
Right?
But, he's able to swallow his pride
and read your work again.
He also confirms
that this is an outstanding piece.
That's why he's come to you for help today.
I really feel that his attitude is fine.
You can't keep holding this grudge
against him here.
You know, it's such a good piece
that hasn't been published before,
and you won't even discuss it.
But, you have a chance now.
You've no reason to turn us away.
Mr. Chen Ji, if you keep up this attitude
and don't let your work be published,
I don't think your child
would respect that.
What's that look for? I was right.
That idea hurts, doesn't it?
Ms. Xia,
get out the contract for publishing rights.
Quick.
I don't believe he won't sign it.
Sorry, it's here.
Quick.
Mr. Chen Ji, think it over.
The first of a series, you get the full layout.
Do you have what it takes?
That was a close one.
We did it.
Hurry up and think.
Where shall we go to celebrate?
You owe me several meals of roast Cuttlefish.
Think about it.
You need to come back to the office with me
and proofread the text.
Why?
I'm already off work.
First, if it weren't for what you said,
my manuscript wouldn't have vanished.
Second,
where am I supposed to find someone else
to proofread at this time?
Third, we're going to print tomorrow.
So, you're not off work.
You're working overtime.
No, Editor Wu Yu, you may be the boss,
but you're not my boss.
You can't tell me what to do, OK?
You're doing this on purpose.
Proofread it twice.
Proofreading it twice won't be a problem.
What about the third proofreading?
Can you stop pacing back and forth
in front of me?
Is there anything I can help with?
Mark it with a pencil, right?
No.
Go sharpen the pencil for me.
Liu Haochen,
have you been here
proofreading the Sleep Bible all day?
Alright, alright, get up.
Come, come and help.
We have to get this done
before dawn tomorrow.
We changed a manuscript at the last minute
and have to send it to print.
Hurry up.
What's going on?
Why are you guys still working?
I haven't started yet.
Let's finish the first proofreading together.
Haochen,
the group really needs you.
That's just great.
Here.
That was quick.
I've been a proofreader before, OK?
You've been a proofreader before?
Tell me, what else is there I can do?
I think what you need to do now is get
Chen Ji over here.
If we change any problems we find in front of him,
it will increase our efficiency.
Liu Haochen,
be serious.
You scared me.
Director.
Wu Yu, what's going on?
Why are you running around here in the middle of the night?
I...
Are these two working overtime?
Director, you know,
it's that first of a series situation.
The writer
only gave us the publishing rights
this afternoon.
So, time is very tight.
I could only enlist two of your younger subordinates
to do the proofreading.
You are impressive.
Your charms as star editor
are quite something.
I don't have any charms.
It's because we're so pressed for time.
I know
that I should have said something to you first.
I'm sorry.
That's fine.
Priority goes to the writings.
Yes, you're exactly right.
Priority goes to the writings.
Let's not talk about this now.
Something urgent needs my attention.
I'll come straight back
and apologize to you when I return.
Wait for me.
Take your time.
This is dedication.
Everyone's working hard.
Comrades, first time working overtime?
Tell me, what's going on?
We need to have this proofread before dawn
and send it to print straight away.
Director, what brings you here so late?
The office is my second home.
Director, what are you doing?
I'm going to send this to our
work group in Wechat, so everyone can see
the effort that our young comrades put in.
Director, come in a little closer.
Get all of my handsome face in the picture.
Don't move.
Put your head down.
Don't forget to send it to my mom.
A lot of the time,
it isn't that easy
to get what you want.
What are you saying?
Nothing.
Why are you dressed like that today?
One of Wu Yu's manuscripts was ruined.
I played a lawyer
to get a manuscript from an unlucky writer.
A professional lawyer.
Tell me, then.
How'd it get ruined?
Actually, it wasn't Wu Yu.
Li Xiao ruined it.
If you're looking for inspiration,
you can give the bathroom floor a scrub.
It's very effective in relieving pressure.
How long have you known Li Xiao?
I met her in college.
If you don't want to scrub the floor,
you can stay here on your own.
Xia Fan.
I signed it.
Nice signature.
I'll treat you to a midnight snack as a reward,
a fruit salad.
But, I'm not putting a sauce in it.
You'll get fat.
From now on, you're a professional model.
You have to put on a hydrating facial mask before going to sleep.
Liu Haochen!
Stop shouting, girl.
They're working overtime.
I told you, they're working overtime!
Why didn't you believe me?
Liu Haochen!
What are you doing here?
If you didn't want to have dinner with me,
you could have just told me.
I waited for you for an hour
like some kind of idiot.
What were you thinking?
Where's Wu Yu?
This is his manuscript?
Yeah. Where is he?
I don't care. We have to go now.
Liang, you have only come back
for Editor Wu's sake, haven't you?
Alright.
What you're saying... Enough. I'm hungry.
Cut it out.
Are you quite done?
The sooner we finish work the sooner we can leave.
This is what we'll do. Li Xiao, Haochen,
give me the parts you've already
finished the first proofreading for.
I'll do the second proofreading.
Uh.
I'll do that.
Here, give it to me.
Put it here.
OK.
Alright. Let's get started.
Come in.
Director.
Thank you. I've inconvenienced you.
Li Xiao, I've brought him.
Thank you.
Mr. Chen Ji, we've found a few problems
that we need you to correct.
What are you looking at?
They're all working overnight for you.
Let's get to work.
Haochen.
Chen Ji, right?
Hello.
Wu Yu, in future
give me some warning when this sort of thing happens,
and I can work overtime for it.
Liang, if you did that,
What would the second and third proofreaders do?
Come on, get to work.
We're talking official business here.
I was talking official business too.
Mr. Chen Ji,
we think that there seems to be
some repetition in this part.
Can you change it?
And, on the fifth page,
there's also some repetition here.
She won't answer.
She must be busy.
Is she hiding from you?
She isn't hiding from me.
OK.
What are you doing?
I'm exercising,
to burn fat.
Aren't you going to see her?
I want to, but I don't know how.
What do you mean?
I don't understand.
I don't know either.
Do you like her or not?
I like her.
But, I don't know
if she likes me.
Don't overthink it so much.
I'm worried that I'm not her type.
If you don't fight for her,
how could she like you?
Whatever the case with her,
so long as you know that you like her,
that's enough, isn't it?
You just need to understand
how you yourself feel.
You have to figure out how to make a good impression.
You understand a lot
for a little kid.
The third proofreader's here.
How's it going?
If the second proofreading is done,
I can get to work on the third proofreading straight away.
Ms. Shi. Ms. Shi.
Young people working overtime.
Your director has gotten you
into this mess.
Ms. Shi, the photos were good.
No one replies in the Wechat group.
And, you still keep using it.
Even though I didn't want to come back, I have to.
That's right.
How could we cope without
such a key industry figure as you
at a moment as critical as this?
Yeah.
With Ms. Shi on the job,
I can feel confident.
Ms. Shi, it's ready.
OK. Thanks.
Didn't you have a blind date today?
It's finished. We chatted for five minutes.
It went very well.
What are you looking at? Get to work.
Look at the time.
Director, mine's done.
OK.
Sorry for this, Emmy.
That's OK.
Don't be late tomorrow.
OK.
Thank you, Haochen.
Thanks, everyone.
We'll be going, then.
Li Xiao, I'm going, now.
OK.
You should hurry up too.
I bet Zhou Zimo is waiting for you.
Director, I bought some food for everyone.
Liang, when did you become so bright?
When was I ever not bright?
The editor and the writer are both here.
I have to lend a hand too.
Editor Wu, what do you want to eat?
I'll eat anything.
What are you doing here?
Oldest Nephew.
You must be waiting for Xiao.
She's not back yet.
It's cold outside. Come and wait inside.
I have to take out the trash.
Alright, I'm done.
Here, Director.
OK.
Thank you, everyone.
Mr. Chen Ji,
you can do it. I'll be going, now.
Cuttlefish! Bye.
Hold it.
What?
Go on.
Can I change it again?
What did you say?
I said, can I change it again?
I've suddenly noticed a couple problems.
Problems?
Actually, as I was just doing the first proofreading,
I thought that some parts
weren't too easy to read.
But, I didn't know how to change them.
I've told you before how to make changes.
Look.
This series of parallel sentences
about the caterpillar, are repetitive
in both essence and content.
Right?
You don't believe me.
Here, look.
The following text
is another, more detailed description
of this action.
This part alone
can be cut down to much fewer characters.
And, then there's the middle part.
Don't touch it.
Here,
this part's overly long.
All it does is show
how flowery you can write.
It can be completely taken out.
If we get rid of all of this,
we can take at least
two pages off the whole thing.
This is the suggestion to revise it that I made to you
in the first place.
I always thought that,
when writing for children,
the tempo should be slow.
But, looking at it now,
your suggestion was reasonable.
Forget it.
I won't cause any more trouble.
Leave it as is.
We're not leaving it as is.
Change it.
Mr. Chen Ji,
change it as much as you please.
We will wait for you.
Me, Ms. Shi and the director,
the first, second, and third proofreaders are all here.
We will wait for you.
Right, Director?
Director, why aren't you saying anything?
We will wait.
Ms. Shi.
Right, Director?
Director,
I'm very sorry
about this.