Original subtitles

♫ You are the sun in my life ♫

♫ You're the light of my love ♫

♫ When I'm lost in the dark ♫

♫ Every shadow fades away ♫

♫ You are the sun in my life ♫

♫ You're the light of my love ♫

♫ When I'm lost in the dark ♫

♫ Every shadow fades away ♫

[Episode 3]

[Zhixing Building]

Come in.

Sir, I'm here to pick up my thesis feedback.

Sir, I'll be going then.

Hold on a sec.

I'll go over everything with you in a bit.

I need to talk to her first.

[Nie Xi Guang's Thesis]

Nie Xi Guang, right?

Yes, sir.

Among the students I supervise,

your first draft was the last to be submitted.

Sorry, I...

And its structure is the weakest.

At this rate, it won't pass.

I'm not going to let a thesis like this go to defense.

You'd better skip this round,

go back and prepare properly, and come again next year.

Sir.

The misunderstanding has been settled.

He's not going to make things worse for me, right?

Her second draft might turn out okay.

A thesis is meant to be revised.

You don't need to speak for me.

Look at you.

Get a little criticism and you start sulking.

Students today just scratch the surface,

can't really connect the dots,

and think they can write a good thesis?

And all with big attitudes.

I've written my comments on the draft.

I won't say another word.

Fix it.

If the second draft's still bad, no defense for you.

Go back.

Goodbye, sir.

Wait.

Maybe I can help you...

with your thesis.

Xi Guang.

Si Liang.

Here to pick up the feedback?

How's the thesis coming along?

It's a mess.

You should go back to the dorm.

Maybe we can help you with it.

After all, graduation is coming up,

and there aren't many days left for us to be together.

Are you still bothered by that?

It was just a misunderstanding.

Rong didn't mean any harm.

It was the HR at Shengyuan who misled her.

Si Liang.

Do you really think Rong didn't mean any harm toward me?

What harm could she possibly mean?

One time, you and Rong were talking in the dorm.

Actually, I was there too.

The curtain was drawn, so you probably didn't see me.

I heard you ask Rong if she was worried I'd steal Zhuang Xu away from her.

Do you remember what she said?

Don't you think she's the perfect touchstone?

She's from a wealthy family, and she's got the looks.

If Zhuang Xu can turn down this golden opportunity,

I might actually believe he'll never have a change of heart.

That's when I finally came around.

But by then, I'd already confessed to Zhuang Xu.

Had I known this sooner, I never would have.

Xi Guang, why did you suddenly move back in?

Since the gaokao is coming up,

I've come back to show you some love and support.

I don't buy it.

You've been acting all weird these past few days.

What's going on?

The big exam is right around the corner.

Stop worrying about all this. Just get back to your prep.

Focus.

If you don't clear things up, how can I focus?

Could it be that you're actually heartbroken again?

Just a wild guess.

Is it still about Zhuang?

Heartbroken, my foot.

But if I could, I'd get dumped over and over

just to have my thesis finished without a hitch.

Lame.

That looks like a campus number.

Wait, could it be my supervisor?

Answer it. Pick up, hurry.

Hello?

Nie Xi Guang.

This is Zhuang Xu.

Oh, it's you.

What's up?

Check your inbox.

I sent you an email.

Who was that?

[Email from Zhuang Xu]

These are some of the latest materials I've found.

They should be helpful for your thesis.

The supervisor prefers arguments and overviews with a global perspective.

I've gathered some foreign literature and translated them.

You can use them as references.

Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Xi Guang.

Someone...

Someone sent me some reference materials for my thesis.

What a lifesaver.

Talk about perfect timing.

I'm heading back. Stay focused on your prep.

Finding all these materials must have been a lot of work.

And he even translated them.

But why would he send this to me?

Is this his way of apologizing?

Or...

is he apologizing on Rong's behalf?

Hello? Who is this?

Hi there.

Is Zhuang Xu there?

You're looking for Zhuang Xu?

Hang on.

Zhuang Xu.

Zhuang Xu.

Is it urgent?

If not, maybe call back later.

Zhuang Xu is asleep.

I tried waking him, but he's out cold.

He's sleeping now?

Yeah.

He's been working on some materials, staying up late for days.

I think he pulled an all-nighter yesterday.

I can't believe he'd go to such lengths to apologize for Rong.

Oh, I think he's up.

Zhuang Xu, you got a call.

- Never mind... - Hello?

Nie Xi Guang?

Yes.

Is there something wrong with the materials?

♫ I feel alone in this city ♫

No.

If you have any questions, just ask me.

♫ The days since you're gone ♫

♫ I still haven't learned to move on ♫

♫ Each quiet night falls around me ♫

♫ Even with the lights on, they glow dim and pale ♫

♫ All I can do is call out loud ♫

[Email from Zhuang Xu]

♫ I grip regret so tight ♫

♫ And cast it into the shining firework sky ♫

[Delete]

♫ Even if love fades too fast ♫

♫ I'll bless you with the grace I have ♫

♫ You're gone for good ♫

[Zhixing Building] [One Month Later]

This draft is actually quite impressive,

focusing on the rapid growth of the domestic internet industry,

with a fresh perspective and a thorough analysis.

So you're clearly capable.

Why were you cutting corners before?

My apologies, sir. It won't happen again.

This draft is mostly thanks to your guidance.

At least you're quick to admit your mistakes.

Just some minor revisions, and you'll pass.

I'll send my feedback to your email later.

Thank you, sir.

The defense is in mid-June.

Get prepared.

You must pass on the first try for the defense.

I will.

Come on, guys! Let's take it over here.

- Come on. - Sure, come on.

[Hold on to that passion, head toward the next adventure]

[The first day of the Gaokao]

Admission ticket. ID card. 2B pencils.

Are you the one taking the gaokao, or am I?

You're so laid back.

Why not wait until the exams are over to check the study tour brochure?

Just look at this.

This campus is gorgeous.

[EPFL, KU Leuven] We should definitely check it out

on our study tour,

[TUM, Lund University] and this one, and this.

They're all in different countries.

Are we going to visit all of them?

Yeah. We have two whole months.

Let's just travel across all of Europe.

Don't look so miserable, okay?

It's my treat this time.

I'm spending all the lucky money I've saved up over the years.

Fine. I'll pass and save you a fortune.

Xi Guang, I'm sorry!

My mom already bailed on me. You can't flake on me either.

Otherwise, they won't let me go alone.

Then apologize.

I was wrong.

Thank you, my dearest cousin, for overcoming your fear of flying

to travel Europe with me.

And thanks for going through all the trouble to stay with me during the gaokao.

As long as you know.

But coming with me today won't be for nothing.

There might be a surprise waiting for you.

[2012 National College Entrance Exam] Got everything?

- Yeah. - Be careful.

- Okay. - Stay focused.

Let me check your bag.

- Hold onto it. - Read the questions carefully.

- Remember to check both sides. - Stop nagging already.

I'll wait right here. Then we'll go to the restaurant nearby.

I've already booked lunch for both days.

After lunch, you can rest at the hotel.

What are you looking for? Are you even listening to me?

Looking for that surprise.

But I don't see it yet.

I'm going in.

Keep an eye on the other people here.

You might just meet someone special.

- Wish me luck! - Good luck!

- Give it your all! - Go for it!

You've got this!

Don't forget to eat the chocolate!

Bought them already, right?

- The gaokao should really be in the autumn. - Tell me about it.

Autumn is just perfect, not too hot, not too cold.

Someone special?

Xi Guang!

Xi Guang!

- Here! - Xi Guang.

I'm over here!

Congrats! Did it go well?

You bet.

What if I end up being the top scorer in the province?

Then you'll make a nice little fortune.

So tacky. Don't use money to tarnish my soul.

- Hey. - Huh?

A laptop from Mom and Dad. Some scholarship money from Aunt.

Sounds good, right?

Oh, wouldn't that just tarnish your soul?

I think a plate of crayfish will do.

Hey, why are you low balling me so hard?

- Hey, you're the one who said it. - So, did you meet the one special?

Knock it off. Let's just go eat.

Wait a sec.

- Hold on. - What now?

Zhuang Fei, come over here.

This is Zhuang Fei.

And this is my cousin.

Zhuang Fei?

Zhuang Xu's younger brother. My classmate. Don't you remember?

It didn't click for a moment.

Are you in the same testing room?

Yeah.

Did your family not come with you?

No.

I told them not to.

Your place must be quite far from here.

You're definitely not going home for lunch then.

Why don't you join us?

No, that's okay. I'll just grab a bite nearby

and then head back to the hotel to rest.

- Which hotel are you staying at? - Linjiang Hotel. My brother booked it.

Wait, isn't that right next to ours? Then you definitely have to join us.

You're welcome to join us.

- I guess I'll... - Cut it out.

Hey, we're schoolmates. Stop being so formal with us.

Every place around here is going to be packed.

We booked our table way in advance.

Plus, I need to pick your brain on a few things for this afternoon.

Xi Guang, you're being such a cheapskate.

Is this it? Just these few dishes?

I have exams today, okay?

That's why you need to stick to the basics.

Fine. Zero surprises here.

Zhuang Fei, how did it go today?

Did the essay flow well?

That topic should be right up your alley, right?

What's wrong?

Are you feeling okay?

When I woke up this morning, I had a bit of a fever and felt dizzy.

- Are you still dizzy? - Not anymore.

I'm just worried that I didn't do my best this morning.

You're worrying over nothing.

You could ace exams like this in your sleep. Relax, man.

I did finish the whole paper.

Then what's the big deal?

It's not that you're in a slump. You're just hyped up.

Kind of like Xi Guang.

- Hey, what about me? - Back in high school,

she was an above-average student at best.

She only started grinding a few months before the gaokao.

And she even ran a fever on the day of the exam.

We all thought she was toast.

But when the results came out, she scored dozens of points higher than usual.

We all say it's because she was so lightheaded that she actually nailed it.

I'd almost forgotten about that little episode.

But that's only because I've always had the chops.

But for some bizarre reasons, I just couldn't find my groove.

Then the fever hit, and it just flipped a switch in my brain.

For real?

Cross my heart.

Jiang Rui,

I didn't know you were such a silent observer,

keeping track of my "glorious achievements" so meticulously.

- You're a total fanboy, aren't you? - Fanboy, my foot!

I'm one of the top three students, for crying out loud.

What's so great about that?

Someone like me, who stays under the radar,

only to skyrocket once I put in the effort and nail a top-tier university,

that's what's truly legendary. Got it?

[The second day of the Gaokao]

Xi Guang, your special one has finally arrived.

Zhuang Fei!

Hi, Xu.

- It's time for you guys to head in. - Let's go then.

I'm here to drop Zhuang Fei off.

What a coincidence.

Not really.

I wasn't actually planning on coming.

Really?

- I'll just... - Where did you guys have lunch yesterday?

Thanks for looking after Zhuang Fei.

Lunch's on me today.

Three-cup chicken, sweet and sour spare ribs,

sweet and sour pork with pineapple, braised eggplant...

fresh watermelon juice.

Would this be a bit too much for four?

It's fine.

How did you know I was here?

I asked Rong.

Since you haven't been back to school, I decided to come here for you.

Rong said you're raising money for your mom's surgery.

Well...

Here is all the lucky money I've saved up. Take it.

There's no rush to pay me back.

Don't worry. Your mom will make a full recovery.

Zhuang Xu, the math is not adding up. You gave me five thousand yuan extra.

Call it interest.

Eight dishes and a soup.

Ready to serve at 11:45 AM, on the dot.

Okay. Thanks.

- Thanks for taking my brother back... - No worries.

Consider the gas money settled with this lunch of yours.

I'm gonna head out.

I'll circle back once they're done with the exam.

♫ Turns out that person ♫

♫ Has a certain possibility ♫

♫ Of preventing this story from ever starting ♫

♫ From that first word of greeting ♫

♫ To the question about your name ♫

♫ I could never forget your gaze ♫

Something's come up. I need to take care of it.

♫ Turns out that person ♫

♫ Is no longer possible ♫

♫ To revisit the self I used to be ♫

♫ We spoke from sunset till the midnight hours ♫

♫ The warmth between us wrapped us whole ♫

♫ But only at dawn did I understand that "good night" ♫

♫ Turns out fate speaks with the tone of the experienced ♫

[Nie Xi Guang]

♫ Turns out it tells the days ahead to wait awhile ♫

If he wants to keep a strict tally, then fine, I'll let him.

I didn't have to be so prickly.

He just doesn't like me and doesn't want to owe me anything.

It's not like that's a crime.

♫ Yesterday, we whispered a soft "see you tomorrow" ♫

♫ Turns out adult farewells are silent ♫

♫ Turns out the wish to see you again can no longer come true ♫

♫ We once rushed through our youth ♫

♫ Waiting and waiting in the same old place ♫

♫ Ends up letting us turn into strangers ♫

Nie Xi Guang.

You took my brother home yesterday.

Does that mean you're not mad at me anymore?

My giving your brother a ride has nothing to do with you.

But...

I've decided to let it go.

Were those materials I found for you helpful?

Xi Guang! Xi Guang! I'm free!

Congrats.

Easy there. I still need to breathe.

Alright.

- So, how was it? - How'd you do?

- I totally nailed it. - Smooth sailing.

Hey, you guys. How about we go together?

Traffic is going to be a mess anyway.

No. We're heading over to Xinjiekou.

It's the other way.

Wait, why are we going there?

You know, she's treating us to celebrate the end of my exams.

Didn't she tell you?

Mom's coming, too.

We should get going.

Let's go.

Bye.

Why was Zhuang Fei being so vague?

Who's treating them?

Why do you have to be such a busybody?

Xi Guang, how was my little plan? I lured him out for you, didn't I?

Jiang Rui.

Do you remember when Zhuang Xu's mom was sick,

I lent him fifty thousand yuan?

Yeah.

You only had 49,200 available in your account,

so you squeezed 800 out of me just to make it a round number.

You really don't understand how men think.

You should've given it to him in small doses. It would've been more touching.

Later, he paid me back 55,000.

In such a short amount of time,

he gave me ten percent interest.

So, his coming here today

is just his way of paying me back twofold for the meal I treated Zhuang Fei to yesterday.

He doesn't want to owe me anything.

Don't you see?

But he...

Didn't he just send you those materials for your thesis?

You didn't mention it was him, but considering who could do that,

I knew it had to be him. That's why I...

The name Zhuang Fei was hesitating to mention,

the person hosting that dinner, is my roommate.

She's also Zhuang Xu's childhood friend.

She...

did some things that weren't very kind to me.

Zhuang Xu helped me with my paper just to apologize on her behalf.

What the heck? This is infuriating.

You didn't use them, did you? Please tell me you didn't use any of it.

Of course I didn't.

Good.

Now that my exams are over, I'll help you organize the materials.

I've got the brains, too.

Thanks, genius.

But I've already finalized my thesis.

I'm defending it in a few days.

As long as you didn't use his stuff.

So what if he's going the other way?

We'll find someone better. Someone who's going your way.

You're my cousin, after all.

You're so considerate.

But Xi Guang, even for siblings, business is business.

You borrowed 800 from me. Plus 10% interest, you owe me 880, right?

Where's this extra 80?

Jiang Rui, technically, we're just cousins.

Keep it together.

Keep it together.

Stay cool.

Stay cool.

Xi Gua, how are you stay so calm?

Ever since my supervisor grilled me,

I've been on a total grind.

I've basically become a guru on my thesis topic.

Does a guru ever sweat the small stuff?

More like a guru of bragging.

Xi Gua really lucked out to have drawn one of the very last slots.

The rest of us are stuck at the front.

Fen and others are in a different group.

I wonder how the draw went for them.

I'll stick around to keep you company after mine.

No, don't.

Having someone I know there will only psych me out.

- Xie Xiao Feng, Accounting Department. - Here.

Hey.

Nie Xi Guang, Accounting Department.

Distinguished professors, fellow students, good afternoon.

My name is Nie Xi Guang, from the 2008 intake,

Class 1, Accounting Department, Business School.

The title of my thesis is Analysis of Oligopolies in the Digital Economy.

I will now present a brief overview

of my research findings from four key aspects.

First, the background and significance of the topic.

Over the past two decades,

the world has entered the age of the Internet.

China's network economy has also begun to take off.

Gradually, oligopolies have emerged within various market segments.

That concludes my presentation.

I look forward to your feedback.

I just finished my defense.

I was one of the last ones to go.

Mom, don't worry.

I totally nailed it.

See? When it counts, I actually have my act together, okay?

I'm gonna pack up some stuff and head over to my uncle's.

Anyway, I should get going. Bye.

Xi Guang.

Let me treat you to dinner.

- That's really not necessary. - I insist.

Then...

let's invite Feng and the others.

Just the two of us.

I'm absolutely spent.

How did she get this wasted?

Nie Xi Guang, do you think I'm some two-faced fake?

Like I'm just a petty gossip?

You've had too much.

Fine. Let's just blame it on the beer.

You have no idea everyone's always talking about you.

You're not even from around here, yet you live off-campus.

Word started getting around from your high school classmates about your family.

And when Zhuang Xu's mom got sick,

you just dropped all that cash.

That's when it finally hit me how different our worlds really are.

Si Liang is the type who wants to have it all together.

She tries to put on a perfect front for everyone.

But the second a crack shows, she just falls apart.

I had no idea you saw through her like that.

Just a wild guess.

Xi Gua, I got my ticket this afternoon.

What's the rush?

My parents are really pushing me.

There's a lot of paperwork to do once I get back to Xiamen.

But I'm not leaving just yet. I've still got a few days.

Don't look so down.

We'll definitely see each other again.

Xiamen isn't that far anyway.

Oh, that reminds me, I still owe everyone a meal.

I'd love one last meal at Hesheng before I head out.

Sure, I've been craving that too.

Then after your treat,

I'll take everyone out for boiled fish with pickled mustard greens.

Xi Gua.

Zhuo Hui, Zhuang Xu, and the others treated me...

and Rong for a meal.

It's okay.

Don't overthink it.

Whatever happened in the past didn't have anything to do with you.

Besides, I've decided to let it go.

I'm Zhang Zhen, from Shandong.

How about you guys?

Xie Xiao Feng, from Nantong.

I'm Ye Rong. I'm a local.

Zhou Yu Fen, from Fujian.

Just call me Fen.

Then you can just call me Si Liang.

My last name is Fei. (Homophonic pun on the full name,)

But please, don't use my full name. (meaning "painstakingly thoughtful")

I'm Nie Xi Guang.

I'm from Wuxi.

Xi Gua, we've only got a few days left.

Come back and stay in the dorms with us.

We're actually graduating.

♫ Every hope, despair and doubt I've known ♫

♫ All have shaped the courage I've grown ♫

[Zhixing Building]

♫ Through joys and sorrows, rises and falls ♫

♫ Each tear became a step through it all ♫

♫ With regrets, choices and faith I stand ♫

♫ So life is nothing more than this ♫

♫ I still embrace my humble form ♫

♫ Even in loss, I carry on ♫

♫ As if everything were the same ♫

Oh, you left this on my desk.

The packing just never ends, does it?

Why do you have to go so far away?

I wonder if we'll even see each other much after this.

I've never even been to Xiamen.

Someday, we'll definitely go there for a trip.

And when we do, you'd better show us a good time.

I will. You guys have to come, okay?

Seriously, all of you.

I'll see you off at the station.

Me, too.

Let's all go together.

Zhen told us that they were seeing you off at the station.

And we thought, since who knows when we'll all see each other again,

we should come and say goodbye, too.

Okay.

The bus's here.

Let's head to the back. Let's get in from here.

Okay.

Watch your step.

- Let's go, Xi Gua. - Okay.

Okay, you go first.

Take it easy.

Don't shove.

Xi Gua!

- Hey, wait up! - It's fine. I'll catch the next one.

You guys go on ahead.

[Last Bus: 21:30]

Stop looking.

That was the last one.

♫ A patch of heavy clouds above ♫

♫ That winding, twisting road we walk ♫

♫ Stopping and going countless times ♫

♫ Love feels less rushed that way ♫

♫ The rain from yesterday has finally cleared ♫

♫ And today the sunshine feels so warm and bright ♫

♫ I used to hide away in the corner ♫

♫ But now I long to follow close behind you ♫

♫ How much longer must I keep missing out? ♫

♫ When it's only you who makes my heart race ♫

♫ I've rushed through the endless crowd ♫

♫ I'm holding your hand at this moment ♫

♫ Clutching tight, with tender arms ♫

♫ I just want to keep your gentle smile ♫

♫ I've made it past the endless trials ♫

♫ I'm gazing into your eyes at this moment ♫

♫ No turning back or fear of winter's chill ♫

♫ The sunlight shines like you ♫

♫ And like me ♫

♫ Dreams realized, broken and gone ♫

♫ Nothing more than a dream all along ♫

♫ Wake up to the bright lights on the streets ♫

♫ I'm here by your side ♫

♫ The sky dimmed, deepened and died ♫

♫ Nothing more than some rain inside ♫

♫ Open the window to boundless blue skies ♫

♫ Side by side, just you and I ♫

♫ Side by side, just you and I ♫