(My True Friend)
(Episode 28)
She just needs someone who really loves and cares for her.
Someone who accommodates and loves her.
That's all she needs.
As long as they're safe.
What do you think?
Our daughter has grown up.
Speak softly.
She can choose for herself.
Although we're not pleased with Jing Ran's family,
it's her own choice.
Let's not interfere.
All right.
Zhen Zhen, come here.
We're going home tomorrow.
There are some matters we'd like to remind you.
You're going home so soon?
Aren't you going to stay for two more days?
Come here. Sit over here.
We can see that you've taken good care of yourself in Shanghai.
You also have a job you like and such great colleagues.
We can set our minds at ease.
However,
I still have to nag at you for a bit.
Regarding your marriage with Jing Ran,
you must think carefully.
When it comes to marriage,
it isn't just about the union of two people,
but that of two families.
It isn't enough to just have a vision and longing for it.
Whether you're a full-time housewife...
or a career woman in the future,
what matters is that you're happy.
In life, there's no replay button that you can hit.
Once you make a decision, you can't turn back.
Moreover, the relationship with the mother-in-law...
is always the hardest issue to tackle in marriage.
Therefore, when considering such an issue,
you must take your future mother-in-law's...
temper, personality and attitude toward others as such into account.
I understand, Mom.
Good.
I'll be sure to consider carefully.
I trust you.
- What is it? - Get a photo of us.
Here.
- Make a heart, here. - Make a heart.
Here, here.
Good.
Here, let's have a look.
Take a look.
This one is quite nice.
This one is also nice, look.
Right?
Every spot in here looks really good. Really.
Here. Give it to me, Xian Xian.
Honestly,
this house is really well renovated.
It's completely...
It's totally different now. Right?
Yes.
It's really good.
Just looking at it makes me feel so happy.
Mom, we're really lucky.
I heard that the interior designer of this house...
is an internationally renown designer.
- Is it? - Yes.
A renown designer indeed.
See, it's kept in the same layout.
It just feels so comfortable.
That's great.
After cleaning it up, we can move in.
We can't move in right after we clean it up.
The house is just renovated.
It has to be aired out for at least a few months.
There's formaldehyde. It's poisonous.
That makes sense.
Mom, don't worry.
Our renown designer has had that...
all taken into account when he carried out the renovation.
The products he used are non-polluting.
- Really? - You're too worried.
- Xian Xian. - Mom, what is it?
What is your nail polish doing here?
Mom, that is not nail polish.
Right. Mom.
This, I'll have to introduce it to you solemnly.
This is a high-tech eco-friendly product.
It's called Yezzileaf.
Let's say if the air outdoors isn't clean,
we don't have to open the windows.
It can still turn carbon dioxide into oxygen inside our house.
There's sufficient oxygen in here.
That means we can move in here anytime.
Really?
When I think about cleaning this house up spick and span...
and moving in here,
it makes me so motivated to do the chores.
Mom, don't wear yourself out.
Do it slowly.
I'm not tired. What is a bit of chores?
- Xian Xian, what time is it? - Yes?
Let me check.
Dear, we should get going.
All right, let's go. Let's get to work.
Mom, Xian Xian and I are going to work.
The two of you don't have to be too anxious.
Tidy it slowly. We have plenty of time.
- Don't wear yourselves out. - Don't worry.
- Don't get too tired. - Leave all this to us.
- Get going. - Bye.
By the time the both you come back,
the house will be all clean and tidy.
Sure!
All right, Mrs. Tian.
I'll leave this area to you. I'll clean the bedroom.
Sure. All right.
Mrs. Yu, I never thought I could have a home in Shanghai.
Look at this house.
I feel so at ease now.
Yes, you're right.
Mrs. Tian, right now,
it's tough on those young people working hard in the big city.
I think as their elders,
we should try to help them out as much as we can.
It hasn't been easy for them.
Sure!
Mrs. Tian.
Across the road from this neighbourhood,
there's a big supermarket and a traditional market.
Shall we go there after we're done with the cleaning?
Mrs. Tian?
Mrs. Tian, what was that sound?
What dropped to the floor?
Mrs. Tian!
Coffee?
I'm not having any. Thanks.
Forget it then.
Have your parents reached home?
If they call you,
be sure to tell them that I miss them.
You should also have them over to visit Shanghai more often.
What's the fun of staying at home all day?
Shao Peng Cheng.
Thanks for your hospitality when my parents visited.
They kept praising you in front of me.
They said you're good at this and that.
This and that.
What did your parents praise about me?
Mr. Shao. Ms. Cheng.
- Mr. Tian. - Mr. Tian.
I want to sell my house. Seriously.
- The sooner, the better. - Sell your house?
Didn't you just renovate it and plan to move in soon?
Yes. The house was just renovated according to your design.
The six of us really liked it.
Who knew that when my mom was cleaning the house,
she fell from a stool.
Her head was hurt really badly.
She is still in ICU right now.
This is...
You know about our financial condition.
We don't have much savings.
The six of us used up all of our savings to buy the house.
Now I just want to sell the house quickly...
to get enough money to save my mom.
Sure, Mr. Tian. Don't panic.
We'll surely do our best to sell the house as soon as possible.
Right, the house is just renovated and is totally new.
You haven't even moved in, so we might get a higher price now.
Thank you.
When we bought the house, you helped us a lot.
It seems our family doesn't mean to be this house's owner.
After all we went through, we still have to sell it.
My mom is still in hospital.
I have to rush back now.
- Right, the password is 666666. - Sure, I got that down.
Let me walk you out.
Is Mrs. Tian all right?
Is it serious? How is it that she is even in the ICU?
The doctor said it's pretty serious.
Poor thing.
How did this happen?
(Manager)
What's the matter?
Tian Gang said that his mom fell and is injured.
He is in urgent need of money,
so he has to sell the house he just bought.
He has to sell his house because of an accidental fall.
His family worked so hard to save up for that house...
and he has to sell it before even spending a day in it.
Life is like a stage.
We work so hard every day.
What is it for?
Now only you realized that?
That's how life is.
Whatever house, car and money you have,
they are nothing compared to life.
I really hope that we'll never come across such a matter in this life.
So, is the house more important or life?
At a critical time, we'll surely want to stay alive.
Therefore, we should all work hard.
Don't wait until you're old and sick and in need of selling your house...
to find that you don't have a house.
Ms. Zeng, you're so right.
That's the reality.
- Is that reality? - Yes, it's the reality.
Here's the reality.
Get this house handled this afternoon.
- Get your spirits up. - Okay.
It's all my fault.
If only I had stayed to clean that window with her...
Mom, it's not your fault.
It's our fault.
If only I had insisted on hiring professional cleaners.
It's no one's fault.
If anyone is to be blamed,
it's me and Xian Xian.
We shouldn't let the elders clean the house.
You...
Where are you going?
The air in here is too stale.
My chest feels tight. I'm going out to get some fresh air.
Apart from selling the house,
do we still have any other way?
What other way is there?
The six of us already used up every penny for this house.
We still have a mortgage to pay.
It's not as if you don't know that.
Luckily, we don't have children yet.
I'll go downstairs.
Why are you so insensitive?
My mom is still in the ICU now.
I won't leave the hospital.
Zhen Zhen, we'll get going.
All right.
Ms. Cheng.
Ms. Yu, Mrs. Yu. Why are you here?
We'd like to talk to you about something in person,
so we came over.
Sure, please come in.
Here. I thought you'd be at the hospital.
Shao Peng Cheng, join us.
Xiao Shao, Zhen Zhen.
Mrs. Yu, what is this?
This...
Don't get me wrong.
Here's the thing.
About our house...
Can you not sell it so soon?
Of course, it will be even better if it doesn't get sold.
Just don't sell it, please?
Of course.
If so, you'll surely suffer some losses.
Therefore, this is to compensate for your loss.
Mrs. Yu, I don't understand.
You don't wish to sell your house anymore?
Yes.
Look, Xian Xian's dad and I...
We're also the proprietors, right?
Also, I've asked around.
As long as one of the joint proprietors doesn't approve,
the house can't be sold.
You should know the real estate market better than I do.
Once we sell the house now,
we can never be able to afford another one again.
You can't let my daughter rent accommodation for life.
I'm already old.
It doesn't matter if I have a house or not.
But not Xian Xian.
She is still young. She can't do without her own house.
Therefore, we can't sell this house.
Ms. Yu.
If you don't sell this house,
you won't have the money to save your mother-in-law.
Don't you want to save her?
I'm willing to save her, but...
But I don't want to sell the house.
But selling the house is your only source of direct income right now.
I think this isn't about selling the house or not.
Ms. Yu, have you ever thought about it?
If you don't sell this house now,
not only will it concern your mother-in-law's life,
but also affect the relationship between you and your husband.
I know.
Therefore, can you please keep this a secret for me?
I won't just do nothing about my mother-in-law.
I've already borrowed money from everyone around me.
But this house...
I really can't sell this house.
Please try to be understanding.
Ms. Yu, Mrs. Yu, I'm sorry.
I can't agree with this.
Since Mr. Tian has already entrusted us to sell it,
it's one thing if the house really doesn't get sold.
However, if you want me to lie to him that
the house can't be sold,
I really can't do that.
No. I'm not telling you to lie to him.
What I mean is can you not...
Can you not try to sell it so actively?
But if someone really wants...
Mrs. Yu, let me tell you a story.
There's a train coming in right now.
On the tracks right ahead of the train,
there are five kids who violated traffic rules playing there.
On the other track,
there's a child who violated the rules playing there.
If it were you, would you choose to flick the railroad switch...
to change the direction of the train to hit one child...
or keep the train on its original track...
to hit five children?
How would you choose?
What is that?
You can't choose, can you?
Fortunately, there isn't a child on the track ahead right now.
There's just a house.
Therefore, Mrs. Yu and Ms. Yu.
I'd still advise you to discuss this with Mr. Tian first.
As for this money,
we really can't accept it.
To betray our own conscience for your sake,
we can't do that.
Forgive me for being blunt.
I think that life always comes first.
Yes, you're right.
Life should always come first.
Mom, let's go.
Don't put them in a tight spot. Let's go.
Go.
Anyway,
as long as I refuse to sign the contract,
you won't be able to sell the house.
Let's go.
I've been a realtor for so long...
and this is the first time I feel a sense of futility.
Not to mention that there are six joint proprietors in their family.
It really can't be easy.
Didn't you say you won't leave the hospital?
Why did you make a phone call and your mom also went out with you?
Tian Gang, I went to get some food.
Here.
You can have it. I don't have the appetite.
You've starved for a day. At least have some.
I'll go buy two bottles of water.
When you said "your mom,"
it really hurts me.
She is also your mom.
That's right.
The one lying in the ICU is also your mom!
Waves wide and calm
Wind grazes the rice flowers, carrying fragrance to both shores
My family lives
Right by the shore
I'm used to hearing the punters' call
And seeing the white sails
On the boats
Son, it's finally all clean and tidy.
I'd like to discuss a matter with you.
I'd like to move in first.
When your design scheme is out,
we'll renovate the house then. Okay?
Sure.
That's great.
I have my own home again.
I get to enjoy the last of my days here...
with my son and daughter-in-law.
Mom, what last of your days?
You're not that old.
How am I not that old? I'm already in my sixties.
So what if you're in your sixties?
When you sang just now, your voice is still resounding.
All right, I'll go and get us some groceries later.
I'll make you both nice food.
Go and fetch Zhen Zhen.
We'll have dinner together to celebrate properly.
Mom.
Zhen Zhen might not have the time.
She has been saying lately...
that her clients can only view houses after working hours.
So...
How about this, Mom?
When she is off on public holidays,
I'll ask her over to have meals with us.
I'll ask her to come early, so she can help you out.
About her job, I...
Son.
Doesn't she just show clients around to view houses?
I think...
It's not so important.
Also, you're getting married soon.
She'd have to quit her job.
Tell her to just muddle along.
Just muddle along will do.
Right, how about this?
You can go to her store and apply leave for her.
Tell the manager...
that this is the first day we moved into our villa.
Our whole family have to celebrate it.
That's it.
Right, son.
I'm really excited today.
I'll make you both something tasty.
I'll get the wok cooking to bring in good luck.
This is great. I'll get going.
Zhen Zhen.
The small dwelling sized house you have,
my client is interested in it.
If you both don't mind, I'll take him to view it.
- You... - No, well...
I'm also trying to help you.
You're both kind people.
You also wish to solve problems for your clients, right?
Sell the house sooner, get the money and have the treatment sooner.
Stop right there.
How does this concern you?
My client has six people in his family.
They are voting democratically.
The six of them have to agree unanimously to sell the house.
What are you messing around with?
I can tell you're still young.
You're inexperienced.
Is this even the time for that? How do they get to decide?
Isn't that obvious?
In the end, they will have to sell the house anyway.
Right now, your clients just find it hard to accept the truth, right?
How much does it cost to be in the ICU for a day?
By the time they get billed to make the payment,
they will be shocked.
If that couple still wants to get on with their lives,
they definitely have to sell the house.
Life comes first.
We can't let the couple part ways either for selling the house.
If they really have to part ways,
the house has to be sold all the more.
When they get divorced, their assets must be divided.
In the end, they'd throw good money after bad.
What are you thinking?
Do we have to see them end up like that?
I also don't wish to see them come to such an end.
Therefore, at the critical moment, we should lend them a hand. Right?
Money is their grasp at straws.
We have to help them turn the house into money.
Zhen Zhen, I'll go view the house first.
Ms. Mei Li, hold on.
These six clients of ours are divided over this decision.
How about this? Shao Peng Cheng and I will talk to them first.
We'll let you know when we have an answer.
Even if you take your client to view the house now,
you can't seal the deal anyway.
What's the rush?
Sure.
How funny.
She thinks she's the only one making money.
Zhen Zhen.
Have you taken the day off? Let's go.
Where are you going?
Hey.
We have to go to the hospital later to meet the clients.
You... you can't just leave. Hao Mei Li is eyeing our deal.
Let's go.
Jing Ran.
I'm sorry.
I really have a very important matter to handle today.
I still have to go to the hospital later...
to resolve some issues for my client.
Can you tell your mom that we'll have dinner some other day?
Didn't we already agree on it this morning?
We'll have dinner at home tonight.
Mom cooked a lot. Really.
But I really have an unexpected situation to handle today.
Explain to your mom for me.
Seriously. Who doesn't get into an unforeseen situation?
Zhen Zhen.
Look.
Today is the first day we move into the new house.
Mom just wants us to have dinner together as a family for good luck.
Why don't you just set your work aside first?
What's more,
you're not the only one who can do the work.
Right?
Jing Ran, be considerate of me.
If I go with you now to have dinner,
I won't be able to eat well.
How about this?
I'll go and get my work done first.
When I'm done, I'll rush back. Okay?
Don't wait up for me.
Let's go.
I have your bag.
I'll get back to work first. See you later.
How about...
Mr. Wang, this way, please.
I believe you'll definitely like this house.
We've installed a smart lock for this door.
When you move in, you can change the password.
- Please come in. - Okay.
I'll switch on the lights.
It's indeed designed by a famous designer.
It's pretty nice, right?
- This is... - This...
I'm sorry. The owner doesn't have the time to tidy up yet.
I'm in a hurry to show you the house, right?
The highlight of this house is...
that it makes the most out of the entire space.
Not an inch is wasted.
Look, you'd think this table is small?
It's actually a collapsible table.
Once you pull the sides out,
this will fit six to eight people.
Take a look at the kitchen.
Look at this cupboard.
We've made a small handle.
Pull it gently and it will be lowered.
You won't have to get on a stool to place items on the top.
That's not safe either, right?
Just give it a gentle push.
It's very convenient.
Isn't it very user-friendly?
This house won't be outdone even in New York and Tokyo.
This isn't all.
There are other even more special designs.
I'll show you around.
- Sure. - This way, please.
Mr. Tian.
When I heard that Mrs. Tian had an accident,
I immediately rushed over from my hometown.
When the renovation was completed,
I should have come over with Tian Gang's mom.
If so, she won't end up like this.
You shouldn't blame yourself.
Who knew this would happen?
Mr. Tian.
Mr. Shao, Ms. Cheng.
Have you found a buyer?
Not yet.
We're here to see what we can do to help.
Right, here's some fruit for you.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Is the family of the patient on the third bed here?
- Yes! - You have to make another payment.
- How much is it? - Top up more in the account.
I'll go and pay the fees first.
Mom, go and pay for it.
Use my credit card.
Tian Gang has to stay and discuss some matters.
Go on.
Mr. Shao.
You saw how it is in my family.
My mom has been in the ICU all this time.
Please sell our house as soon as possible.
This will be the greatest assistance to our family.
Please.
Mr. Tian, we're here today to discuss this matter with you.
On the ownership certificate of your house,
six of you are the joint proprietors.
Therefore, all six of you will have to consent unanimously...
in order to sell your house.
Therefore, I've come here to ask...
if all six of you have agreed to sell the house?
Yes, all six of us agree to it.
Did any of us tell you that they disagree?
It's not that, Mr. Tian.
It's because as realtors,
we must think ahead of you and consider all possibilities.
On a different topic,
the house matters, but life matters even more.
Your choice is right.
When your parents came to view houses, they put in a lot of effort.
We've seen it all,
but...
The house isn't a living being, but a person is.
Right now, what matters the most is for Mrs. Tian to pull through.
My wife and I object to selling the house.
Dad.
We've called up all of our friends and relatives...
to raise funds to save your mom.
They will send the money over in a day or two.
In order to save her, we'll do everything we can.
- All right? - But...
Moreover, just to buy this house, it has been so tough.
Everyone has witnessed it.
That's the place where both of you will settle down in Shanghai.
The house must not be sold.
Mr. Yu.
That's not what you said on the phone.
The ICU costs about 20,000 dollars a day.
In the past few days,
both children made an overdraft on credit cards to pay the fees.
They have to pay the loan on their cards.
The money you borrow from relatives, friends and colleagues...
will also have to be paid back.
Both children still have to pay the mortgage every month.
We're just a common family.
Our monthly income is basically fixed.
You've borrowed so much money...
without considering the consequences.
What will you do?
How will you pay off the debts from the card and mortgage?
We can't just hold on to a house...
and end up forcing all of us to jump off the roof?
Does your family still have a shred of humanity?
My mom is lying in there.
All you do is eat.
You're still in the mood to eat.
What are you yelling at?
Aren't we all anxiously trying to raise funds to save your mom?
My daughter has been worried.
She hasn't eaten anything all day.
Isn't she just having an orange?
Listen up, Tian Gang.
If you dare lay a finger on my daughter,
try me.
I'm pregnant.
I want to give our child a home.
That's why I object to selling the house.
Mom, I'm home.
- You're home? - Yes.
Let me tell you.
I bought fresh French oysters today.
I'll make you a cheese oyster gratin.
I'll give you a hand.
It's fine.
Where's Zhen Zhen?
I'm asking you. Where's Zhen Zhen?
Where's Zhen Zhen?
Zhen Zhen...
She has to work overtime today so she can't make it.
No. Hold on, son.
Hold on. No...
When you called her this morning, she said...
She said she'd be here.
That job of hers,
what is there to work overtime for?
Besides, is working overtime more important than a family dinner?
Look at how much food I've prepared.
She did it on purpose. She is putting on airs.
Mom.
She really has a very important matter to handle today.
There's a big problem with a client's family.
You also know how Zhen Zhen is.
She treats her clients far better than herself.
She used to be like that and she still is now.
She will still be so in the future.
What do you mean by she used to and will be so?
What does that mean?
In the past...
When I was her client,
she can even come to our place during office hours...
to have a meal and chat with me.
Why is she your girlfriend now and she doesn't have the time?
What is that about?
- Isn't she putting on airs... - That's enough. Mom!
Stop it. She is not like that.
Then am I...
- Am I like that? Am I? - I...
Son, listen up. You've never yelled at me like that.
You're yelling at me because of your girlfriend. Is it?
Am I at fault, Son?
Am I at fault?
I shouldn't have cooked for you, should I?
You...
You yelled at me, didn't you?
I've devoted myself entirely to the both of you.
I'm at fault, am I?
- Mom! - Don't hold me back.
Mom!
I'm pregnant.
I want to give our child a home.
I don't want our child...
to move around all the time with us after he or she is born.
I don't want my child to end up studying back in our hometown...
because we don't have a house in a school district.
Therefore, Tian Gang,
I object to selling the house.
No, Xian Xian. The house...
Are you going to tell me again that we can always have another house?
When will that be?
It's too ambiguous.
I'm now a mother-to-be.
I can't provide the best for my child.
I should at least give my child a home.
A roof to shield my child from rain and wind. Am I wrong?
Xian Xian, you're not asking for too much.
What you said is right.
This is also my child.
I also want to give our child a home.
I also don't want our child to move around with us, right?
It's good that you think so.
But that's my mom in there.
My own mom is in there.
Can I just watch her die?
Mr. Tian, Ms. Yu.
I'm sorry. As an outsider, I'd like to say a few words.
I think you really don't have to be so pessimistic about rentals.
Many young people choose to rent a place now...
and they are very happy.
What's more, I think the most important matter now is...
a harmonious family and a clear conscience.
- Am I right? - Forgive me for being blunt.
Mr. Shao, you're still single and you don't have kids, right?
Of course, you can't understand how I feel.
People like you only criticize from the highest moral standards.
Only when it happens to you, you'll know what pain is.
- But I... - Ms. Yu.
I really understand how you feel right now.
But the house isn't alive, a person is.
I'm not some role model of morals.
I just have a very trivial wish.
I just hope to have a home...
for my child to grow up in without any worries.
It's too exhausting to live in this city.
If I don't even have a house,
I'm afraid I won't last any longer.
Ms. Yu, don't get agitated.
You're pregnant.
How about this?
Let's figure it out if there's a better way to solve this issue.
Here's what. Mr. Shao and Ms. Cheng,
I already understand what you mean.
Give me some more time.
The six of us will surely come up with a unanimous answer for you.
But for today, please head back first. All right?
Goodbye.
Mr. Tian.
Don't let Ms. Yu get too agitated.
She is pregnant.
I'll get going.