Original subtitles

♪Hu Manli, Manli♪

♪Who's obsessed with money♪

♪Hey Manli, Manli♪

♪I just wanna tell you♪

♪Long lashes big bright eyes♪

♪Always rockin' shades♪

♪Tiny steps click-clack beat♪

♪Graceful fierce elite♪

♪Your loyal sidekick here♪

♪Ready to cheer♪

♪Copy your swagger every day♪

♪Ah-ha Ah-ha♪

♪I see you rush♪

♪Through crowds on streets each dawn♪

♪Bump into you texting alone♪

♪Midnight café empties out♪

♪Fatigue fights the void♪

♪Victory's sweet shout♪

♪Hey Honey♪

♪Let's pause♪

♪Breathe deep feel the air♪

♪Sense the vibes we share♪

♪Wallet's magic sparks the night♪

♪Whirlwind takes flight♪

♪Love's a comet streaking high♪

♪Vanishing in sky♪

♪Hey Honey♪

♪Love you first♪

♪Tomorrow's world reborn♪

♪Slip into new threads♪

♪Leave blissful steps ahead♪

♪I'll wait♪

♪Where we first met♪

♪Who craves that cash♪

♪Hey Manli, Manli♪

♪I'm so dazzled♪

♪Hu Manli, Manli♪

♪I'm all about that Manli♪

[A Better Life]

[Episode 22]

Ning.

What are you doing?

Come back.

Stop there.

Ning.

You have to arrange

everything for Jun first.

Come here.

I called the insurance company.

They said Jun's plan

gets valid since today.

I bought a critical illness plan.

If I die,

a compensation will go to Jun.

Do you know?

Now,

no compensation if it's a suicide.

Come over.

You're lying.

Why would I?

Ask Xiaozhou.

Yes, she's right.

They've changed the law.

Even it's two years later,

no compensation for suicide.

What's point of living?

I'll be a block of wood.

My treatment

will cost all my money left for Jun.

I don't want to drag him down.

Let me tell you.

All these years,

the plan I regret the most is yours.

If I hadn't sold it to you,

you'd be thinking about Jun,

not death now.

You want me to regret my whole life?

Come back.

Don't come over.

Manli.

I'm sorry.

What do you want?

Ning, hold on.

Wait.

Don't come over.

No, don't worry.

I don't want to save you.

I,

I'm thinking about joining you.

If you'll jump...

Actually,

I wanted to die last night.

I couldn't hold on.

It was hard to

hold on.

I lost

all my family.

My girlfriend finally decided to

leave me.

I can feel your pain.

Living

is meaningless.

You could at least

save trouble for people if you're gone.

But you have a son.

You can leave your money

to him.

Me?

I don't have family,

or money.

If I die,

I'll have to trouble people to collect my body.

But living is hard.

Really.

But today, somebody told me that

if anyone bullied me,

she'd step in.

I just realized that

someone cared.

Ning, just wait.

You'll have someone to

make you feel living is worth it.

I won't.

Even Jun hates me.

- Jun! - Wait!

Come on now.

Jun.

Talk to her.

Why did you get Jun here?

Take him away.

Tell him what you wanted to say.

I won't help.

Jun, talk to your mom.

Jun.

I've got a serious illness.

I can't live.

Take care of yourself.

Jun.

See the photo?

She took it and wanted me

to tell you.

No matter what you think of her,

she'll love you forever,

till her hair turns gray,

her face gets wrinkled,

and her time comes to an end.

She said

you're the only

one

she cares about in this world.

Mom.

Don't leave me.

I'm missing you every day.

I want to see you age.

Older than what you look in the photo.

Be with me forever and always.

Mom.

Mom.

Jun.

I can't be cured.

I

won't be able to talk

or walk.

I'll be bedridden,

burdening you.

It's fine.

As long as you live, for one more year,

a month, a day,

and even a minute,

I'll still have a mom.

Mom, don't die.

I can't live without you.

Mom.

What a day.

Yesterday it was you.

And just now, Ning.

Oh, my poor heart.

You overthought yesterday.

That today was real.

Scared the hangover out of me.

I was in a hurry to find you

Ling saw me.

She must know we work together.

So be it.

Don't know

how she'll plot from now on.

She must regret the gift for me.

Seen my photos?

Yes.

Ling

was generous.

In an event like that,

you'll give out key chains, file holders, etc.

I started doing that way back then.

This bag

costs thousands

even on sale.

So expensive?

It's yours.

It's your credit anyway.

It's a men's bag.

No.

I can't use it anyway.

It's brand new, unused.

Name your price.

The brand loses value in flea market.

At most 1,000.

Deal.

Manli.

I think

Mom left because

she didn't want to burden me.

She must want me to do something

on my own,

unattached.

Glad that you think like that.

I could use another drink.

What?

You still want to barf?

I meant bubble tea.

Let's go.

It's strong.

Thanks.

So sweet?

It's not cheap.

Such a long line?

I never knew why

Ya

liked bubble tea.

Come to think of it.

Maybe this is one of

her few small blessings in life.

I'm fine, don't worry.

You've

helped me a lot these days.

Thanks.

Don't want that talk.

Walk the walk.

Say it.

Like

the commission distribution.

Manli.

You're not a profit-seeking person.

Hey,

you're trying to flatter me?

It won't work.

Stop faking.

I won't give you commission, OK?

I told you.

Don't joke on something like that.

Admit it.

You're a nice a person.

What's the point?

I was nice to my disciple,

and she betrayed me.

I was nice to the scamming client,

and got hurt in the end.

I lost my job.

I was nice to my husband,

and he was nice to others.

He ran away.

I don't see any point

in being a nice person.

I'll never be one.

So you protect yourself by acting like

a profit-seeker.

Right?

I'm not acting.

I really love money.

Who doesn't want to be called nice?

But being nice

has a price.

I can't get it.

Why?

Nothing I can do about it.

I'm

not like young girls there.

They've got

shoulders to cry on.

I

only have myself.

I told myself.

Stop being nice,

and no one messes up with me.

Manli.

Trust me.

Good things happen to good people.

Young man,

you still have a long way to go before

you can comfort people.

Letting you be nice

is the best gift you get from God.

Look at you.

Even

if hurt,

you still choose to

help those in need.

For you,

kindness is an instinct.

No everyone is capable like you.

You're extraordinary,

so God gifted it to you.

Thanks a lot.

You're a sweet talker after a bubble tea?

Be practical, something solid.

Right here.

Me.

God sent me

to sell insurance for you.

You're acting cute?

Let's head back.

A lot of work to do.

Let's go.

Wait.

Who?

Manli.

No.

Your new subordinate.

He's called?

Xue Xiaozhou.

Medium height.

27 or 28.

Skinny.

You know him?

You wanted dirt on Manli.

So I tasked him.

It's a

small world.

Ling.

You have to

kick him out.

He knows too much.

No.

He's like a kid.

He can't know about us.

But Manli

can really swallow her pride.

For money,

she works with her enemy.

She's really out of choices.

Honey,

what's your plan?

An eye for an eye,

a tooth for a tooth.

Elaborate.

[Lisu]

Zhiyuan.

Hello?

I saw your calls.

Is everything OK?

Remember the Sichuan

cuisine restaurant we went to?

I had that Red Oil Wontons.

I remember.

You said they were spicy

and had a lot of water.

Yes.

I want them now badly.

Can you get me some?

Now?

Right now.

I want them now.

But I'm occupied.

You can ask Huang to get some.

OK?

I don't think I want them,

it's the baby.

They want Dad to get some for them, OK?

OK.

I see.

I'll be waiting.

Mr. Ding.

Finally.

She's waiting

keenly for your delivery.

It was a long line.

I waited and waited.

Let me take it.

No...

OK.

Eat while it's hot.

What's wrong?

What?

Red Oil Wontons they are.

Zhiyuan.

Stop talking.

What? Red Oil...

They're just words.

Huang.

Get rid of them.

I don't want them.

OK.

I want to throw up

hearing or smelling it.

You OK?

Sorry.

I don't know what's wrong with me.

I started craving for Re...

like I was out of mind

after I called you.

But when you got them for me,

the moment I smelled it,

I couldn't take it.

I couldn't eat.

I don't know why.

Sorry.

Sorry.

It's OK.

You're pregnant.

Normal.

Normal.

You're not mad at me?

I'm not.

But I should get going.

I have classes.

Call me if you want

anything else to eat.

Thanks.

Zhiyuan.

I forgot.

The day after tomorrow,

you have antenatal classes.

Doing laundry?

I'll come back later.

You put it wrong.

It should be here.

Not here?

This is for softener.

You should put detergent here.

I've always put it here.

Water flushes here first.

Your detergent won't go down then.

And softener goes down the last.

Can you really do your laundry?

Here.

OMG.

You have gray hair?

I have it since young.

Should I pluck it?

No, it hurts.

Come on.

No...

Come on.

It really hurts.

Come here.

Here.

Let me see.

No, easy.

There's more than one.

OK, stay still.

Still...

I thought about it last night.

I still want to try

on Mr. Ai's plan.

Forget it.

We don't need that.

When you were at the car dealer,

you said different thing.

It's different now.

Yes, it is.

I also

got discriminated

and see the ugly of the world.

I can feel you.

So I want to fight for

the car.

I need to prove I'm

not a loser.

You remember my fancy talk.

Hold it.

Checking.

Are you done?

Almost.

Done.

This is a young man's head.

You surely didn't hold back.

New car?

Yes.

From Lisu's company.

I can use it.

Zhiyuan.

You're a professor.

A scholar.

You need to keep a low profile in life.

Your current wife

is a big boss.

You should pay

more attention.

You don't want people

calling you a

man living off women.

Dad, it's not what you think.

Apart from my salary,

I have a program online.

I do commercials

and have commission.

How much?

They're all different.

But I'll finally receive

thousands.

That's much.

Hear that?

You won't call him

relying on his new wife?

You won't know who's

living off whom.

Listen to yourself.

Is a professor all about money?

Don't talk like that

when you see her.

You'll embarrass yourself.

Embarrass?

Why?

Zhiyuan is a professor

who makes a huge money.

She divorced too.

Anyway,

she took advantage of Zhiyuan.

Mom.

Dad.

When you meet Lisu,

don't say I called you.

Tell her you came on your own

to see us.

You want us to look after her.

Why can't you tell her?

She's having morning sickness badly.

I have to be with her all the time.

With the school and my program,

I'm so

caught up.

I wanted to tell her the truth.

I'm afraid she'll misread me.

I see.

Is your wife difficult?

Don't worry.

This time,

we'll discipline her.

Mom.

Rest assured.

Mom will let her know

who runs this family.

Aunt.

Hi, Uncle.

Hello.

Nice to see you.

Lisu, isn't it?

Lisu?

It's Ms. Qiu.

No, call me Lisu.

If we call you Lisu,

shouldn't you address us differently?

Mom, we're all grown-ups.

Mom.

Dad.

Come on in.

Yes...

OK.

Careful.

How's your trip?

It's fine.

This way.

Detached.

Watch the steps.

Mom, Dad.

Guess you didn't have your fill.

My chef does great cooking.

Try it out.

OK...

Sit.

Take your seats.

Make yourself at home.

Lisu.

Should we

sit like this?

I forgot.

They're used to sitting facing the door.

It's not we're used to.

It's a custom.

Seniors take seats

facing the south.

It's a rule.

Sorry.

I was inconsiderate.

Dad, here.

OK.

Thanks.

She's nice.

Don't stand on ceremony.

It's the same wherever you sit.

Sit.

Zhiyuan.

Sit to your dad's left.

Left for the honored.

Switch.

Lisu.

You sit here.

Next to me.

OK.

Dad.

For you.

Lisu.

I've been a receptionist

at office

for decades.

I can't shake off my habits from work.

As a leader, you should understand.

Right?

It's OK.

Let's eat.

Want juice?

I'll serve you.

OK.

Mom, Dad.

Thank you

for visiting

us.

Make yourself at home.

OK.

I worked on it

and have a few ideas.

See if you like them.

There's always

something missing.

What is missing?

Before today,

I asked the firm's consultants,

heads of the legal department,

GA.

They went through related

cases roughly.

I don't see a problem.

You're an idiot.

You and Linjiang are love rivals.

You've got physical.

Put yourself in his shoes.

If it were you,

would you take his bid?

It's two different things.

If he had a good plan, fine.

You're broad-minded, OK?

But he might be not.

I've made the plans.

It'll be his losses.

You're so careless.

We should consider client's needs,

and what we own.

Something exclusive to us.

Ma Xiaowei.

Bingo.

Come on.

[Ling: Time for a coffee?]

I always wanted to ask.

What's your story with

Ling?

Miss.

Hi.

I'd like...

Sorry.

We're all booked.

No one is available.

I have an event.

Would you help?

Sorry.

I even joined.

There's no one left.

How long will I wait?

At least one and half hours.

That long?

Boss, I can help.

Stop.

Go mope the floor.

Miss, let me help.

Look.

I'm good at it.

Boss, let me try.

You can deduct my salary if I fail.

There's little of your salary

left this month.

You've done it on others?

Yes.

Let's try.

Yes.

Where?

Here.

Careful.

Want any drinks?

No, I'm in a hurry.

Pick your colors.

Look.

Plain, I think.

OK.

Trim them.

That was how I met Ling.

She had a few deals at first.

Then she ran out of her resources.

She wanted a team.

But I focused on selling.

Building a team takes time and energy.

So I declined.

Then she held a grudge against you.

Not that bad.

Then Li Qingqing started TSI.

Ling wanted to join.

So she bad-mouthed me before

a big customer.

She finally took the client away.

It's kind of an act for Qing.

I never trusted anyone then.

I didn't want to mentor.

But you still taught Chunlu.

That was another story.

So what does Ling really want?

I suppose

she wants to take advantage of you.

What's my advantage?

Your dear me!

What?

Afraid?

Why?

You're not that kind of person.

Hard to tell.

It depends on her offers.

Look at you.

Here you go again.

Just

no more jokes like this, OK?

So

what are you going to do?

Meet her?

Take a guess.

Madam,

for the second layer,

you want silver or gold?

Shiny silver.

Complementing your skin.

Long time no see.

Yes, Manli.

Silver it is.

OK.

You're thinner.

And sharper.

Thanks.

Caffè mocha.

Thank you.

Haven't seen you in ages.

You look younger than before.

It's all money-made.

Every quarter,

I'll get a facial.

Your face

looks dry.

Shall I introduce my

aesthetician?

Sure, thank you.

Take a look.

Which color would you like today?

This.

OK.

Manli.

Remember?

We met at a nail salon 7 years ago.

Ling.

You don't need to bring that up.

I know what's on your mind.

I'm banned from the industry.

But I have clients.

People

are all eying my resources.

You're no exception.

Manli.

I knew you'd misunderstand.

When I knew you came to Xiaozhou,

I felt so bad.

Of all colleagues,

why did you

pick

a guy completely the opposite of you?

I guess

you had your difficulties.

What I fear the most

is your misunderstanding.

This is

a list of

unattended plans.

I've looked through.

If you have them all signed,

the commission will look good.

And.

You can still ask Xiaozhou

to look after your own clients.

You can divide

the benefits on your own.

Manli.

Talk is cheap.

Back then,

we had a misunderstanding.

Now I want to resolve it with what I do

to give us a chance to resume.

OK?

Manli.

Ling.

I'm touched that

you came.

Like you said,

after I got fired,

many

want my resources,

and some want to bring me down.

Only you

offer to help.

Manli.

I owe you.

Stop.

It's in the past.

I have this

client who wants to buy.

They want annuity plans.

I had Xue drafted a few.

Manli.

I can do it for you.

Don't worry. You'll have

all the commission.

It's a bit of a headache.

What's wrong?

A new broker at Blue Ocean

wants to steal it.

Who?

A newbie dare do that?

They have backup.

And that is?

Head of

Claims, Chen Fang.

What?

You know him?

Chen...

Chen Fang.

Do you know?

I don't.

Makes sense.

When he joined,

you left Blue Ocean.

Him.

What about him?

He's been helping

this

new female broker with connections.

They all say

she's got good looks,

a good figure.

I guess

they're involved...

you know.

Um.

The newbie.

What's she called?

Called?

I can't recall.

But they all say she's pretty.

Like a model, you know?

No wonder Chen's charmed.

Men are the same,

loving pretty faces.

Hopeless.

That hurts.

Sorry...

I'm sorry.

Careful.

Yes.

Listen.

The new girl at your company?

What's your relationship with her?

What new girl?

Just tell me.

No time for your acting.

Why do you think I'm acting?

What new girl?

You won't admit?

Admit what?

Hey.

Who is it?

What's her name?

It's...

I don't know.

I know she's pretty,

looks hot.

Wait.

We don't have a new girl at all.

And looks hot?

What's wrong with you?

Cut the crap.

Tell me.

Why did you help

her stealing orders?

I didn't.

Where did this come from?

Wait.

Tell me who it is first.

I don't know.

You're insane.

Did someone tell you this?

Don't ask.

I have to.

Who's spreading rumors about me?

Rumors.

Speak.

Who told you?

Manli.

Manli?

Why did you meet her?

Don't ask.

Just tell me if it's true.

It's not!

If you don't believe me,

Call Cao from

human resources.

Ask him

if there's any

new girl,

anyone who looks hot.

Unreasonable.

OK.

Think I don't dare?

Go on.

Now.

Sure.

I bet

Ling and Chen are fighting hard now.

Ling kicked me out with Chen.

Taking advantage of their

secret relation, I disrupt the pair.

You just made that person up.

It's easy to see through.

Well well well.

Even when they know the truth,

they'll have trauma.

Suspecting is like a seedling.

You plant it,

it grows big.

They'll feel bad.

Where did you learn

this crooked means?

Don't learn that.

Learn something good.

You have that in you?

OK, I see.

Don't want your dinner?

Not hungry, huh?

Sorry, I'll learn something

good from you.

Clear now?

Rumors?

Sorry.

I was wrong.

Why did Manli

have to say this to me?

I wanted to know too.

Does

she know about us?

She's smart.

Did she see

liked your post?

And Xue Xiaozhou

knows his stuff.

If they work together...

In that case,

I'll root them out.

See this?

General existence of the world.

The architecture.

At ba...

Basic...

architecture.

Yes.

The translation is...

Zhiyuan.

Mom and Dad.

You're chatting.

I'll come back later.

You want me?

For work.

Your dad and Zhiyuan

are discussing views on his program.

Lisu, you can tell us.

We're no strangers.

Yes, go ahead.

Here's the thing.

For the next book meeting.

We agreed to talk about

Madame Bovary.

If it's confirmed,

I'll push the following promotion

campaign.

OK, Madame Bovary.

Yes.

What's there to talk about

Madame Bovary?

It's all cheesy stuff from France.

Nothing serious.

Dad.

It's generally a modern classic.

In the past,

it's kind of novel.

What's good about it now?

It's overrated.

Let's not talk about its style.

The plot.

An unfaithful girl

betrays her husband,

showing her faces everywhere and

fooling around.

How could you

discuss such things publicly?

Inappropriate.

Dad.

Lisu.

Your dad just speaks his mind.

你是当代女性You're a modern woman.

It's natural you go out and do stuff.

Mom.

I didn't think that way either.

You're reminding

us to look at me that way.

Lisu misunderstood.

Help me explain myself.

Yes.

You misunderstood.

Zhiyuan.

Time for the baby's bedtime stories.

I'll go.

♪If I close both eyes tonight♪

♪Back to that wishing summer night♪

♪Wind brushes your shaking frame♪

♪That world feels close just the same♪

♪If I dare to face the dawn♪

♪Do you know this face you'd drawn♪

♪Gray spirals looped in endless chase♪

♪Tracing tears not words they trace♪

♪How many times must this repeat♪

♪Sighs pull my gaze to retreat♪

♪Sleepless nights, risks untold♪

♪None of it for my own soul♪

♪Winds blew, rains poured♪

♪Umbrellas broke, we soared♪

♪Sky fell, ground shook♪

♪Through dusk till dawn I stood♪

♪Cars passed, dreams drowned♪

♪Every stop's chain unbound♪

♪Moon watched, stars blazed♪

♪Lamps died, connections phased♪

♪Held hands, laughed then cried♪

♪Hearts froze, parts died inside♪

♪Tried hard, spoke true♪

♪Now I'm someone I never knew♪

♪Love came, hate stayed♪

♪I arrived, you frayed♪

♪Voice cracked, tears burned♪

♪Life lost, lessons earned♪

♪Grew up, let go♪

♪Why cling to old sorrow♪

♪How many loops replay♪

♪Sighs steal my gaze away♪

♪Lost nights, bold bets♪

♪Nothing for my regrets♪

♪Winds raged, storms crashed♪

♪Dawns broke, I held fast♪

♪Cars fled, dreams fled♪

♪Every route left dead♪

♪Love left, hate stayed♪

♪Voice gone, tears paid♪

♪Grew strong, moved on♪

♪Why dwell when it's gone♪