Timing and Subtitles by the True Lovers Team @Viki.com
My True Friend
Episode 41
Xiao Ning
The chicken soup is ready, come eat.
Alright! I'm just finishing this up.
Let's see what great meal you've made.
My Xi Shan is such a virtuous girl.
Making something this scrumptious with only electric cooker?
You are working so hard every day.
And I want to make some nutritious meals for you.
You are the one who is hard-working! Coming back late after work and cooking such a great meal for me.
Nope, not at all. Homemade food is both healthy and delicious.
This one's for you. Chef first.
Today I brought Luo Zu'er to check out the house Peng Cheng had before.
You know, Luo Zu'er has been intending to buy the house from Peng Cheng's neighborhoods for a while.
Xiao Ning, don't seek my approval.
As long as you take her out as a client, I fully understand.
Also, Xiao Shao needs money at the moment.
If you can sell the house, it would not only help him out
but also be beneficial to the company.
I just want to clear any misunderstandings beforehand.
-There's something really funny. -What?
Such a rich girl like Luo Zu'er
She didn't know that people in Shanghai have quota when purchasing houses. And she doesn't have any.
Whoa, she has no common sense.
That means all your work has been for nothing!
I think she's just playing with you.
Not like that. Although she doesn't have quota,
it's not like she absolutely can't do it.
As long as her spouse has quota, she can buy the house for family.
But... Luo Zu'er hasn't married.
Is she trying to marry someone who has quota
so that she can make the purchase?
Yeah, exactly. She indeed wants to marry a guy to buy the house
then gets divorced.
What? Are you kidding? This is a horrible idea.
Wait.
Was that your idea?
Someone like Luo Zu'er can never come up with suggestions like this.
So, she agreed?
Yeah.
I think it's not a horrible idea
A lot of people bought houses this way.
Also it's important for both parties to set the agreed terms beforehand.
Each's responsibilities, duties... So when the time comes, there won't be any problem.
I don't care.
I don't care what she wants. But you need to stay out of this!
I disagree. Contract or what not.
-But... -No, this is nonnegotiable!
Xiao Ning
We just got back together
and I don't want to argue over Luo Zu'er anymore.
If you don't want to see me upset like this,
just stay away from matters like this.
This kind of stuff is just so unrealistic.
Okay. I just wanted to get some agency fee out of this.
It wasn't my intention to use the loopholes.
Jing Ran? Why didn't you tell me you'd come?
I happened to have time. So here I am.
But you can't just work here. We got two office rooms there, it's quieter.
I'm good. It's easier to converse with everyone here.
Thank you, Jing Ran.
I'd like to be in a meaningful project like this.
So how is it going?
We found a small house from the republic period, and decided to rent it long-term.
Re-design and refurnish it before rent it out again.
This is it. Would it be difficult if we were going to renew it?
But we have a problem now. The owner hasn't agreed to rent the house to us.
But there's no way other than persuading him.
"Have you decided to fake marry me yet?"
"Be a man and just say it."
"Okay. But you have to keep it secret!"
Are you still the Xiao Ning that I knew?
Indeed, I'm too naive.
-It'll look good if we paint it pink. -Huh.
Kind of faddish.
Hungry? We can order take out.
Jing Ran.
Why didn't you tell us you'd be here?
I'm just here to check out the property and try to find a way to renew it.
The only problem is whether we can successfully rent it.
I already took the photos on the outside. Wanna come in?
The owner is kind of ornery and refused to meet any strangers.
Let me try.
Mr. Zhong?
I'm Cheng Zhen Zhen. I was here yesterday.
Mr. Zhong! I know you are a painter.
We found your work yesterday in the library. One of them was called "Lady and The Pup".
The other one was "Pup QiuQiu".
Can you tell us about the stories behind them?
Mr. Zhong, we are not here to talk about the lease today.
We think what you painted is important to you.
Can you tell us about it? We might be able to help.
What are you yelling for?
It's bothering. Tune it down!
Mr. Zhong, I brought you some medication that might come in handy.
Also, Mr. Zhong... Is there anything needs fixing here?
See? I even brought my tool-box.
A change of strategy?
I'm not gonna fall for that. What was the phrase? There's no free...?
-Lunch. -Breakfast. -Dinner.
Anyway. Whatever.
You can leave now. I'm not in the mood for chatting.
Mr. Zhong, we promise not to say anything related to the lease.
Ugh... Mr. Zhong, we are really curious about your work.
And the stories behind it. We promise only to listen.
Right. This is the famous designer Jing Ran.
He knows a lot about architecture from the Republic period.
Nice to meet you.
Today I'm here hoping to learn
and also to help Shao Peng Cheng fix anything you need.
Promise not to mention the lease?
Remember that. Or I'll kick you out anytime.
-Come on in. -Okay.
Let me help.
Knock yourselves out.
Your house is really pretty.
Right.
I'll bring you some water.
Mr. Zhong, let me do it.
I bought some VC effervescent tablets, we can drink this.
Where's your kitchen?
Okay.
Mister, is it okay if I look around?
-I don't mind. -Thanks.
I'll walk around.
Mr. Zhong, how about I check around a little
see if there's anything needs fixing. I've brought the tool-box so let's not waste the chance.
Right?
This house is from one of the clients. I think this is great.
I know. I saw this in the system.
Why take me here?
See, if we got enough money,
we can buy this apartment.
Though it's not big, I think the structure is okay.
If you don't like the furniture, we can change them all!
And the couch... We might as well change it into a sofa-bed! And we can lie down
to watch TV.
Um... As for the open kitchen...
we can add a small bar here.
Put one dining table here.
What are you trying to say?
Let's check out the balcony.
See.
We are on the 23rd floor.
During the day, we can see the whole city from here.
It's like we have risen above the whole city!
I am the king of this town! And during nighttime,
you can see the stars.
It's gonna be superb.
All of this...
what are you actually want to say?
I'm saying we should buy this apartment.
Then we'll have our own home in Shanghai.
There will be lights and windows in this big town
just for us.
Think about that. How great would that be?
You are saying that if you succeed in marrying Luo Zu'er,
we can buy this apartment?
I already told you last night
I don't disagree if you follow the protocols.
I would be happy. Because everybody can benefit from it.
But, if you help her using loopholes or anything alike, I disapprove.
I don't agree.
Mr. Zhong, I see there are plenty of rooms in this house?
There are similar paintings in each of them.
All based on one teenage girl and one pup.
I take that there is a story behind this?
You found out.
Interesting?
That was a dream of my younger self.
I was an apprentice in Mr. Chen's pharmaceutical factory since sixteen.
Later, since I could read and use abacus
Mr. Chen asked me to work in a store.
In that store,
I first saw...
The daughter of Mr. Chen.
Chen Bi Jun.
Miss Chen was beautiful.
She was the prettiest girl
in my mind.
Good dog. Come here.
Come here.
See?
You here me?
Such a good pup.
QiuQiu, hey! Come back!
Who are you? You can draw?
My name's Zhong
I really like this painting, may I have it?
No.
I'll paint you a better one.
But I like this. I'm keeping it. Thank you!
Will I see you again?
Yeah. I'll see you every day.
Just like that. We became...
friends. Sort of.
I always thought that I didn't deserve her.
Because of her
I loved painting even more.
Miss Chen's father was a successful businessman.
A famous philanthropist in Shanghai. He made donations yearly.
One of them was the scholarship for first-class schools.
He wanted to give kids from lower class
a chance to learn.
I entered Shanghai Art Academy under her encouragement.
What I felt was like...
Like I was at the bottom of a ladder and was about to rise to heavens.
I worked so hard and made up my mind
to be at least good at something, so that I could be worthy.
That was
my motivation at the time.
Sorry.
Before I graduated, her family moved to Hong Kong.
Then headed for the United States.
I was upset.
It was like I lost something.
My soul, I think.
I told myself to wait for her return.
That was all I was looking forward to.
That kept me going.
After independence,
I got a chance to further my studies.
Continued learning paintings from different cultures.
So I drew. Every day.
What I drew most was...
Miss Chen and this pup.
Actually I...
I was afraid I'd forget what she looks like.
So I drew every bit of her. Her smile, the way she moved.
All of them on a canvas.
And in my heart.
Have you seen her after?
No. I didn't know where she was.
I asked for others' help. No word came.
In the 50s, 60s.
We weren't connected to the outside world.
So I put that on hold.
And went on with my paintings.
At the time my work was already acknowledged by others.
I sold some of them, earned some money.
At the beginning of 80s, we got property right.
Which meant we could deal freely.
I bought this house as fast as I could.
I thought, this was where Miss Chen's family had stayed in.
I had to keep this for them.
In case they came back. They would know that the house was still here.
That I was still here, waiting for their return.
Your relationship with Miss Chen is beautiful.
It reminds of a poem.
"Once upon a time, the transportation was slow,"
"and the missive was hard to get through."
"You can only love one person in one lifetime."
And in the 90s,
our connection to the outside was restored.
Then I got a hold on their whereabouts.
That was bad news. The ship Miss Chen's family took
from Hong Kong to the States
sank into the ocean.
So her family was...
I was...
I couldn't take it.
I collapsed.
I wanted to stand up, but I couldn't muster my strength.
I told myself, "you need to get up."
"You can make it go away if you started painting."
But when I picked up my pen, I could draw anything.
I didn't know what to draw!
I knew I was screwed.
I could no longer draw.
A somewhat famous painter
vanished from people's eyes.
What could I do if I couldn't paint?
To this house, I'm like a door keeper in a tome.
I'm afraid one day,
Miss Chen's ghost will come back and not be able to find the house.
No home, no me.
Not a way back.
Mr. Zhong
I'm moved.
Architecture is the bearer of one era, and the people in it are the soul.
Mr. Zhong, trust me.
And I trust myself to help you renew...
Renew it to the image you attached it to.
Mr. Zhong
Such a great house with such a beautiful back story.
It should be preserved.
Preserved.
In my mind this house is...
Everlasting. Until the day I die.
After that. My soul...
And her soul will meet
in this house.
Mr. Zhong
We are neither renting nor buying this house.
We only want to renew it for you. What do you think?
No need. Thank you.
I'm too old. I don't have any other wishes.
This is it. I'm good.
Ah, my heel.
Damn it.
This is so bad.
"Calling Chen Xiao Yan"
Hello, dear.
I just broke my shoe heel.
Get me a new pair please. Size 36.
Hello? Now is the time to test my faith in you.
I broke my shoe heel, help me bring a new pair? Size 36.
You are not busy at all! All you know is your games.
I'll never speak to you again if you don't do it!
Why none of you would come?
Hello? Hello? Alright alright.
I'm hanging up.
What should I do?
"Xiao Ning"
You still angry?
Xiao Ning, all of this that you did...
Taking me to that apartment and all. Are you wanting to tell me something?
If you have something to say, just say it.
I got nothing to say.
You are so serious that I'm nervous!
You really have nothing to say?
I gave you a chance. If you don't take it now it'll be too late.
There's really nothing! Just a second.
Hello, this is him.
Xiao Ning, I just broke my shoe heel. Buy me a new pair and bring them to me now!
Size 36. I'll text you the address later.
If you don't come, we'll have problems.
Alright, alright.
Just a moment. I'll be there as fast as I can.
My client.
He said he needs me now.
Which one? Where? I'll go with you.
No need. Because I'm not sure if this can work out. I'll just go alone.
We are need help in the store as well. Let's not waste our energy on the same matter. Go back.
You can go over our prior orders.
Call them back and ask for their feedback.
And maybe recommend some new houses, set up the meeting time.
Okay. I'll go back waiting for you.
Then I'm leaving.
See you. Don't be upset.
I'll hurry.
Hello. Go straight ahead.
Hi. Follow that car.
Where are you? Are you coming or what?
So slow.
Thank you.
Hello, this is our new collection. Comfy and pretty, you can by your girlfriend a pair.
Not my girlfriend. A friend.
Do you have high-heels?
These are all from our new collection.
-This will do. -Okay. What's the size?
Timing and Subtitles by the True Lovers Team @Viki.com
♫ The day fate set us to collide ♫
♫ The way you look into my eyes ♫
♫ Never thought, love would come ♫
♫ Like all was meant to happen ♫
♫ Where you are will be where I start ♫
♫ You’ve become my only star ♫
♫ Where it’s dark is where you spark ♫
♫ I’d follow wherever you are ♫
♫ Baby I won’t let you feel afraid ♫
♫ I’ll be here with you through night and day ♫
♫ All these memories won’t be erased
♫ My love for you will never fade ♫
♫ Hey, I know you know our hearts getting close ♫
♫ We can’t deny, it’s real ♫
♫ All my life searching ♫
♫ Now I know, I found you ♫
The moment you whisper in my ears ♫
♫ I hear my heart racing on ♫
♫ Then I know, love is here ♫
♫ I see you in my future ♫
♫ Where you are will be where I start ♫
♫ You’ve become my only star ♫
♫ Where it’s dark is where you spark ♫
♫ I’d follow wherever you are ♫
♫ Baby I won’t let you feel afraid ♫
♫ I’ll be here with you through night and day ♫
♫ All these memories won’t be erased ♫
♫ My love for you will never fade ♫
♫ Hey, I know you know, our hearts getting close ♫
♫ I’m falling in love little by little ♫
♫ People come and people go ♫
♫ You’re the one I won’t ever let go ♫
♫ Cause I know you know, our hearts getting close ♫
♫ We can’t deny, it’s real ♫
♫ All my life searching ♫
♫ Now I know, I found you ♫
♫ Hey, I know you know, our hearts getting close
♫ I’m falling in love little by little ♫
♫ People come and people go ♫
♫ You’re the one I won’t ever let go ♫
♫ Cause I know you know, our hearts getting close ♫
♫ We can’t deny it’s real ♫
♫ All my life searching ♫
♫ Now I know, I found you ♫