(My True Friend)
(Episode 11)
Your dad said you're not getting any younger.
He is anxious to get you married.
You are already 34 years old.
How is your body?
I hope nothing is wrong with you.
Do you do a physical examination every year?
I do it a few times.
Let me tell you about me.
I am single.
But I am at the point where I want to get married and have kids.
I have to have a successor.
This is the first time we've met,
but the way you talk is especially rude.
How am I rude?
How is this being rude?
What if, after all these talks,
you tell me you're infertile?
Isn't that a waste of time?
Don't worry. I won't date you.
And I won't marry you either.
My parents are worried.
That's why they're arranging blind dates for me.
I'm cold.
And you, you're lonely.
You present yourself well...
and you look lovely.
To put it nicely, you're a white-collar worker.
But the actual fact is that,
you're just field workers.
You don't have a house in Shanghai.
But if you go back to your hometown, you'll be looked down on.
And you won't be able to find a job.
If you go back to your hometown now,
just find anyone and get married.
You see...
your friend's kids are already at the age of entering school.
But here you are.
You single-mindedly want to settle down in Shanghai.
I don't know what you're thinking.
Where are you going? Don't go!
- Why are you leaving? - What are you doing?
Why are you leaving?
Don't go.
I'm just being honest.
Is there a need to be angry?
All right, fine.
We'll talk things out, okay?
We're both adults.
We both have needs.
Right?
Why don't we act on it?
When we find someone else,
we'll just break it up.
But of course, you're pretty decent looking.
You're not that bad.
I won't mistreat you.
What? Do you mean...
you want us to be sexual partners?
You're shameless.
- Don't go! - What are you doing?
Let me go.
- No. What can you do? - I'll call the police.
Go ahead!
Do you think they will care?
Do you think they will interfere...
with a couple's affairs?
What do you mean a couple? Let go!
Let me tell you.
Your dad called me a few times.
He told me good things about you.
Let go.
He wants me...
to give us a chance.
- I'm just doing what he asked me. - Get lost.
- No, I'm not leaving. - Get lost!
No, I'm not leaving. Why should I?
I'm not going to let you go.
Let go!
- So what if I don't? - Let go of her!
Are you all right?
Mr. Mu.
Who are you?
Hey.
So he's your lover?
Why did you come for a blind date, if you have a lover?
Aren't you ashamed?
Watch what you say!
You're being rude right now.
I can take you to the police station.
Take me to the police station?
I'm being rude?
You're the one being rude here.
Do you know...
we're here for a blind date?
Her parents asked me to do this. What do you know?
Mr. Mu,
don't listen to him.
- Let's go. - Get in the car first.
Come back.
Don't go.
You wasted my time,
and my money.
Thankfully, I found out about this earlier.
Who do you think you are?
I brought you here today...
to celebrate...
our successful partnership.
We finally closed our first deal.
So we've escaped having to leave...
the company at the end of the month.
So it's because of that.
Thank you.
I hope things will get better for us.
It has to get better.
So this is how it feels to be looking...
at the night view of Shanghai from here.
Things seem perfect right now.
This city is amazing, right?
It's different in everyone's eyes.
To some people,
it's amazing like it is to you.
But to others,
it's a cruel place.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I'm embarrassed.
Don't be, I won't judge you.
Everyone has the right to pursue love and marriage.
And one way to do that is through blind dates.
I've been on blind dates before too.
But my blind date just now...
must be the most embarrassing in the world.
Maybe you're just unlucky today...
to meet someone like him.
But if there's anyone to blame, it's got to be the matchmaker.
This matchmaker is too unreliable.
Why did she recommend someone like him?
My dad recommended him.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know it was your dad.
You know, sometimes our parents...
are just overly concerned.
Don't apologize about it.
Instead, I should thank you.
When my mom passed away,
I felt like everything around me...
was a burden.
Every day felt like the end of the world.
But now...
things seem to have gotten better.
So now you know,
what's good about being a real estate agent, right?
Before you always say that...
once you've earned your first commission, you'll leave.
Now you're almost getting your first commission.
Are you going to leave?
I have no idea, too.
You know, being a real estate agent used to be...
one of the jobs that I hated most.
But now I feel like...
it brings me happiness.
Do you think...
I've been affected by your silly thoughts?
Who are you saying is silly?
- Right? - Stop messing around.
So are you going to stay...
and start working seriously at Hua Yuan Store?
I just noticed the necklace you're wearing today.
It's a gift from Ms. Bai.
She made you a wool sweater, don't you remember?
Ms. Bai gave it to you?
Zhen Zhen,
if I stay in Hua Yuan Store,
will you continue to be my partner?
I'll consider.
Don't take it too far.
I'm being nice.
What is there to consider?
Give me an answer right now.
You are quite annoying.
But...
But what?
I think I'll still be your partner.
That's it.
Then it's a promise.
We'll be the best partners ever. All right?
Here's to our future.
A bright future!
Cheers!
You live here?
Yes, here.
I'm going to the convenience store.
Ms. Zeng...
I don't have a good memory.
I'll forget about what happened today.
Go back and have a good sleep.
Don't think about what happened.
- See you. - See you.
(Dad)
Hello, Dad?
Regarding today's blind date,
he has told me everything.
I don't understand what you want.
You're not young anymore.
The kids of your friends...
are already in primary school and secondary school.
But you can't even find a boyfriend.
Aren't you ashamed?
He has a car and a house in Shanghai,
and he was willing to go on a blind date with you.
You should be thankful!
Why did you let such a good opportunity slip?
Why did you throw a tantrum?
What were you thinking?
He's a good catch.
Your mom and I had to ask...
your aunt's acquaintance...
to introduce him to you.
You're exasperating!
What a humiliation.
Hello? Are you listening?
Are you pretending to not hear me?
Let me tell you.
Don't think too highly of yourself, just because you're in Shanghai.
You don't have a car, house or an account.
You're nothing.
I'm telling you this blatantly.
We're leaving all our possessions...
to your younger brother.
Don't expect us to support your living.
Here, Xi Shan.
Have some fruits.
Thanks, Zhen Zhen.
You're studying？
Fu Xiao Ning made me listen to this.
He said I should get used to the city.
I have to master Putonghua.
If you stay here for a few more days,
your Putonghua will definitely improve.
You might even master Shanghainese.
Hey miss, ain't you beautiful?
Beautiful.
You're beautiful too.
Have you called home?
But I told them...
that I want to stay in Shanghai.
And they're worried.
Actually, I'm not sure...
if it's right to go against their wishes...
and stay in Shanghai.
Come over. Here.
My house has the best view of Shanghai.
It's pretty stunning, right?
The city really looks different.
It's like everyone is chasing their dreams.
And they don't know what's going to happen.
Indeed.
Maybe that's why I love it here.
Think about it.
There are so many people in this city.
Every second,
there's something interesting happening.
And I think all the people in here...
no matter where you're from,
your dream can come true.
But, for real estate agents,
don't you have to put up with client's nonsense?
Sometimes, yes.
After putting up with the buyer's nonsense,
we have to put up with the seller's nonsense...
and sometimes...
especially when the client doesn't understand you,
it's quite upsetting.
But looking back,
I think what I'm doing is very meaningful, really.
When I find a house for clients...
who really need them...
when I find a perfect place for them,
I feel proud of myself.
Zhen Zhen, I really hope that I can be like you too.
I want to find a place of my own...
in this city.
You will.
Have faith in yourself.
What is that?
That's Shanghai's three most famous buildings.
Do you see that?
Like a bottle opener,
it's very famous.
I have no idea what building it is.
I thought you meant...
pots and pans.
(Putonghua Pronunciation Exercise)
She sells seashells by the seashore.
She sells...
Do this.
Here, she sells seashells.
Ms. Zeng.
Good morning.
Sea...
Hey.
Why does it feel like Ms. Zeng is in a bad mood?
What happened to her?
I guess she's upset.
Just continue working.
Ms. Zeng...
I'll show Xi Shan some properties,
so she can familiarize herself with work.
Let's go. Quick!
Go do what you have to do.
Make sure you meet your sales target.
Quick.
Didn't you say we're going to see houses?
Where are we going?
Are you really that silly?
If I hadn't said that,
how do you expect us to get out?
We won't be doing anything else.
We'll find you a house.
I feel that staying at Zhen Zhen's place...
is not a solution.
You need to settle down...
in your own house before you can focus on work.
I think so too.
Although Zhen Zhen is a nice person,
I feel that I shouldn't be bothering her.
Exactly.
I couldn't sleep last night,
so I was looking for houses online.
Let me have a look.
Houses there are not as expensive as you say.
Let me show you.
Look at this one.
The room is in the south, facing the north.
It's near our workplace,
and it's well-ventilated.
The best part is...
it only costs about 144 dollars.
- Let's call to inquire. - Hold on, wait.
How much is it?
- It's around 144 dollars. - You say 144 dollars?
Don't bother calling. It's definitely fake.
Based on my professional experience.
You know,
I think this just a partitioned room,
to accommodate a lot of people.
This room isn't too bad, right?
The room...
looks different from the photo.
Miss, that's an ad.
Ads are just for reference.
My room isn't too bad.
Look.
It's bright and well-ventilated, right?
As for furniture, there's a cupboard,
a table and a bed.
There's also a bedside cupboard.
You just need to...
tidy up a little.
You're living alone.
It's perfect for living alone.
It's conveniently located on the first floor,
it's safe and private. It's perfect.
Your house is so small,
it takes effort to even move around.
And besides, it so old,
the wallpaper is already peeling off the walls.
It's on the first floor, right?
It's humid and it smells.
Let's get real.
For less than 144 dollars,
renting a room like this in this district...
is more than good enough.
How can it be that different from the ad?
Impossible.
How do I explain this?
It's like buying clothes online.
What the buyer gets is different...
from what is shown by the seller.
Do you get it now?
Let me give you another example. Instant noodles.
The beef you see on the packaging...
is not what you get when you cook it.
It's different. You get it?
Don't rush into it.
The price range from 216 to 230 dollars...
seems decent enough.
If you really want to rent a place,
you should rent a place like this.
But this requires a deposit and three months of rent,
you have to pay in one go.
You don't even know how much you will be paid yet.
Where will you get so much money?
If it's really impossible, how about this?
You have to promise me.
I'll pay for it.
Isn't that a heavier burden for you?
It's all right.
Just pay me back at the end of the month...
when you get your pay.
- Let's go. - Silly.
Mom.
Quick, stand up there.
- Yes. - Look over.
Great.
Awesome.
Beautiful.
Here.
Mom, change your pose.
Put your left hand on your waist.
Beautiful.
You look great.
- Amazing. - Really? Let me have a look.
Really, look.
Look.
Not bad.
But my hair looks a little messy.
Tidy it up for me.
- Let me have a look. - Here, there you go.
Is it done?
Yes, it's done.
All right, I'll do this.
When you're done,
I'll send these photos...
to Zhen Zhen and Xiao Shao...
so they can have a look...
Sure.
- Mom, let me just answer this call. - Okay.
Hello.
Hi.
All right.
Okay. I'll talk to you again.
Bye.
Mom, let's continue.
Son...
the phone call,
is it something to do with the house?
If you're busy,
you don't have to accompany me.
I can go around by myself.
Mom, that's not it.
I've been in Italy for so long,
but I've never taken a break.
I'll take it as a holiday...
going around with you today.
- Everything is fine? - Everything is fine.
All right, thank you, son.
Let's go over there, Mom.
It's really beautiful here.
Ma'am.
Your house is great.
The rooftop view is amazing.
Xiao Ning, I like it here too.
Let's settle with this.
Okay.
I'll listen to you.
Young man,
after you move in,
be careful when...
you're using the water and electricity.
All right.
This is the deposit and rent. It's 867 dollars in total.
Check if that is right.
Is it okay?
All right. It's exactly 867 dollars.
It's correct?
Then I'll get going. Give me a call if necessary.
All right.
Okay, see you. Bye-bye.
- Bye, ma'am. - Goodbye.
Don't worry about the house.
- Okay. - Thank you, ma'am.
All right, goodbye.
How is it?
I love it.
You came all the way here...
to look for me.
I'm sorry you have to stay...
in a room like this.
Don't say that.
As long as I can be with you,
I'm fine living anywhere.
And besides, it's great here.
Although it's the rooftop,
it's clean and tidy.
It comes with the furniture and electronic appliances.
It's also not expensive.
It's a lot better than the partitioned rooms.
Right?
Thanks for being so understanding.
Here, come here.
You see those houses?
I swear that...
I'll work hard to earn money,
so that I can get a house...
right there for the both of us.
I'll provide you with a warm and blissful family.
I'm happy...
that you think this way.
Zhen Zhen.
Thank you for taking care of Xi Shan these past few days.
You're welcome. We're all colleagues.
Just give me a call, if you need me.
Zhen Zhen, when the renovation is done,
come over when you're free.
Definitely.
Thank you for your help.
Oh right, Xi Shan.
Did you take your book?
It's all right, I've finished reading it.
- You finished it? - Yes.
No wonder...
your Putonghua has improved this much.
Zhen Zhen, you don't have to see us off.
We're leaving.
All right, then take your time.
- Bye-bye. - Go back.
- All right, see you. - See you.
Ms. Bai, thank you for still remembering me.
Are you doing well in Rome?
How is food?
Have you made any friends?
Thank you for remembering me...
and sending me a message.
I am touched.
I hope you stay healthy,
and have a great time.
Stay happy.
Right, Shao Peng Cheng misses you too.
Hello.
Put it down, let me do it.
It's all right.
- It's okay. - Let me do it.
You're not familiar with Chinese dishes.
My son...
loved fried dumplings.
I'll make an extra portion...
so you can try it too.
I'm sorry.
I don't understand what you're saying.
I forgot...
that you don't understand Mandarin.
I don't need your help on this.
You're not familiar with Chinese dishes.
I'll make an extra portion,
so you can try some too.
Go get busy with what you need to do.
Okay.
Great.
Okay.
Try some later on.
Oh no, it's on fire.
Hello, my place is on fire.
Quick, come help me.
What happened?
Mr. Jing! There is a fire!
Hello, my place is on fire.
Put out the fire.
Mom!
Here.
I'm sorry. My mom called the wrong number.
Here, Mom. It's all right.
I've put out the fire. It's okay.
Did you get hurt?
Are you okay?
I'm okay. I just got a shock.
It's okay.
Son...
I called 119 just now.
They didn't send a fire engine over.
Do we still have to pay?
I heard that...
foreigners have to pay a lot more.
Mom, in Italy 119 is not the emergency number.
They won't send anyone over.
I've told them we called the wrong number.
It's all right, Mom.
It's okay.
It's all right.
Sorry to have caused trouble, son.
What are you talking about?
Mom, as long as you're fine,
nothing matters.
I'm too stupid.
How much is it?
It's 3.35 dollars.
- It's 3 dollars. - One, two, three.
It's 3.35 dollars.
I've got a call.
Hold on.
Hello, son?
- Hello, Mom. - I called you earlier.
I wanted to tell you...
I'm with Sophie,
doing grocery shopping at the market.
Mom, well...
I've thought about it.
I'm still worried.
It was my fault the house almost caught fire.
I should have gotten you a helper who speaks Mandarin.
So I'll find you another helper.
Son, isn't this a little unfair to Sophie?
She'll get severance pay, don't worry.
Hello.
You've been fired.
What?
Why am I fired?
Nothing much.
The boss wants a helper who speaks Mandarin.
That's the only reason why?
Mom, don't worry.
I'll make the arrangements.
I'll get back to work, bye.
Sophie...
You old lady,
I didn't even ask for an increase in pay...
when you don't understand Italian.
Now, you want to fire me?
Sophie, I don't understand what you're saying.
Fine, if you want that. I'll leave.
No.
Bye!
- Sophie! - Bye!
Wait for me, Sophie!
Sophie!
Sophie.
Oh no, what do I do?
Don't panic, don't panic.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
All right, let me look for my son.
I'll give him a call.
(Mom)
Pick up the call, son.
Why isn't he picking up the call?
Son.
It's okay. It's okay.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
I'll stay calm and find a way.
Wait, wait.
- You dropped your wallet. - What?
No, I don't have anything.
Stay calm.
What do you want?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, don't come after me.
Ma'am, don't go. I just want to give your wallet back to you.
Don't, don't come over.
Stop coming after me.
Go away.
Stop, stop.
Stop following me. I don't know you.
Go away.
Ma'am, wait up. I have your wallet.
Don't come over.
Go away. Don't come over.
Stop following me.
Go away. Stop following me.
Go away, stop following me.
I have a leek with me.
No, don't come over.
Don't come over.
What's the problem?
Police, he's a bad guy.
He's been following me.
He's a bad guy.
He wants to rob me.
Ma'am, you dropped your wallet.
I brought it over.
Yes, yes.
I don't know why you had to run away.
I could only chase after you.
You're amazing.
Sorry, I'm sorry.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Thank you.
Mom, here. Have some water.
Great.
You must be in shock.
I'm fine.
Sorry, Mom.
It was because of my negligence.
Don't worry,
I'll find a helper who knows Mandarin...
as soon as possible to help you out.
Don't worry about mom, son.
I'll get used to it soon.
I'll get used to it.
Mom, what are you laughing at?
In the future, I can tell them...
what do I tell them?
On my first trip to a market in Italy,
an artist chased after me...
all over the market...
round and round,
I almost died.
In the past,
I've seen a lot about new immigrant problems...
on the Internet and on WeChat.
I thought it was funny.
It was hilarious.
Like what Huang Xi mentioned,
it's actually very meaningful.
Son...
do you think I am also hilarious...
as a new immigrant?
- Mom. - Why don't you pick up the call?
I'm not picking up the phone today.
I'm not going anywhere, I'll stay home with you.
No, why are you staying at home?
Why not, Mom?
You should be at work.
Mom, what's more important than you?
If you say that again,
I'll feel like...
I'm old and useless.
Mom, why would you be old and useless?
Really, go back to work now.
Or I'll get angry.
Mom, then give me a call immediately,
if anything happens. All right?
All right, all right.
I'll come back immediately...
when I'm done with work.
I'm all right, don't worry.
Mom, I'll be back soon.
Okay.
Hello.
Yes, this is Cheng Zhen Zhen.
Ms. Bai's attending physician?
What's the matter?
All right, I'll come over.
Bye.
What happened to Ms. Bai?
Her physician wants me to go there.
- I'll head out now. - Come, let's go together.
We agreed on this yesterday.
I'll go out to meet clients.
And you'll stay in the office.
Work hard.
- Call me if you need me. - All right.
It's been a month since Bai Ya Ru...
came for a diagnosis.
I told her specifically...
to come every Tuesday for a review.
But she didn't come yesterday.
I tried to call her, but I couldn't get to her.
You're her emergency contact.
I'm her emergency contact?
Yes.
That's why I called you.
Doctor,
Ms. Bai has left with her son...
and settled down overseas.
Maybe because she left in a hurry,
so she didn't inform you.
I see you're a psychiatrist,
what happened to Ms. Bai?
Don't worry, it's nothing.
Since you're her emergency contact,
I'll let you know about her condition.
Bai Ya Ru has...
mild depression.
Depression?
It's still in the early stages.
But her symptoms...
are very obvious and typical.
Pessimism, forgetfulness...
a sense of being useless.
And she's afraid of being abandoned.
Sometimes she'll feel sad all of a sudden...
and even cry...
and feel like life is meaningless.
Oh, I see...
But Ms. Bai...
is living with her son now.
With him around,
will she get better?
Her learning ability is declining,
and she can't adapt as well anymore.
If there's a change in her environment,
it'll cause her distress...
that even a young person cannot imagine.
All right, I get it. Thank you, doctor.
Hello, Mr. Jing. This is Cheng Zhen Zhen.
Sorry to bother you.
According to the upper and lower ground...
I designed the home and the office separately.
This design pursues...
the integration of and cooperation of space.
An avant-garde design in black and white.
Monochrome embellishments.
Mainly, the client wants a low-cost design.
It shouldn't be too expensive.
What about the material requirements?
The material requirements are very high.
And they must have...
environmental protection functions.
Okay.