Original subtitles

=No Pain No Gain= (Adapted from the Qidian novel)

("Losing Money to Be a Tycoon" by Qingshan Quzui)

=Episode 7= (This story is purely fictional)

(Whether or not you have regrets from the past year,)

(Success, Joy) (what awaits us next)

(Peace) (will be a spring full of hope.)

(Out with the old, in with the new.)

(Here's to a new tomorrow)

(worth looking forward to.)

(Hello, tomorrow.)

It's the 8th day of Chinese New Year.

This can't go on.

We're in a wreck now.

Chen Lei has left.

We're lucky that business

isn't as bad

as we first started.

Mr. Li Jr.

- Your favorite fries. - Thanks.

Some time ago,

when that singer was around,

this Internet cafe was booming.

Now that he's gone,

business is plummeting.

But I heard

that it was the owner who made Chen Lei leave,

and even gave him money to pursue his dreams.

Why did Pei Qian do that?

Beats me.

When M&Y was at its peak,

Xingle couldn't even get a single customer.

If Pei Qian did this,

he must have a plan.

I need to prepare before he strikes.

Don't worry, Mr. Li Jr.

They're out of ideas.

This is the best time to attack them.

Muyan.

You're not in my position, so you don't understand.

In commerce, we value peace and harmony.

If we can be friends, we mustn't be enemies.

We hired a new singer,

and he's pretty good.

What else can we do?

Taking them down?

Easy as pie.

♪The curtains are provoking me♪

♪Sunlight in my eyes♪

♪Listen♪

♪The cat must have set the alarm♪

♪There are paw prints on the face♪

Hello?

Hello, Mr. Pei.

Sorry for disturbing while you're resting.

But this is important.

Fuhui Group's investment arm

contacted us,

hoping to buy out

our Internet cafe.

I refuse.

Mr. Pei, allow me to explain.

They're not buying Tengda out,

just the Internet cafe, M&Y.

It's initiated by one of Fuhui Group's companies,

Lishi Capital,

operated by Li Fuhui's only son, Li Shi.

I refuse!

Okay.

It was my assistant who called.

You see?

It's so annoying to get a call when I'm resting.

Mr. Li, I'm sorry.

Mr. Pei has made it clear.

After Chen Lei left,

it's true that our business has been affected,

but we'll overcome this.

Mr. Pei trusts me.

I'm going to stay here

and figure something out.

Anyway, buying us out is out of the question.

Not in this lifetime.

Mr. Ma.

Don't get so stressed out.

It's a commercial deal,

so we aim for mutual agreement.

However, there's something

that worries me.

If you insist on holding on like this,

you'd be literally burning money.

Things could turn into a disaster.

That would be horrible.

I don't think so.

How about this, Mr. Ma?

Talk to Mr. Pei again.

After all, with the terms I'm offering now,

you could say I'm running a charity.

You can rest assured about something.

Mr. Ma, and you...

Mr. Zhang.

Okay. Mr. Zhang.

Both of you are excellent employees,

so I'll keep you around after the buyout.

You'll be having a new boss, that's all.

Just do your job as usual.

Nothing will change.

Mr. Zhang?

Mr. Ma.

Mr. Li has been talking for so long.

Get him a Moscow mule.

My treat.

Sure thing.

No need.

We're leaving. See you.

He looks like a mule.

Outrageous!

How could anyone

refuse me, the great Li Shi?

Exactly.

M&Y has been doing badly.

At this point,

you showed up with funds and opportunities,

yet they ignored you.

This is weird.

Well, call their boss.

I'll meet him in person!

Yes, sir.

(Segregate your trash)

(Tonight, we are here)

(to witness...)

Mom, try this custard filling.

Thanks, Son. Put it there.

Come on.

Why aren't you eating?

Sit down. Don't block the TV.

Eat this.

(I will now reveal)

(the winner of this year's)

(Dream Voice.)

(Our winner is...)

Chen Lei!

(Dream Voice: Chen Lei)

I told you he'd win!

Congratulations, Chen Lei!

This is awesome!

Chen Lei, is there anything

you want to say?

Thank you.

Actually,

I started singing in an Internet cafe.

They had

a terrible singer...

You can skip that part.

I just want to say,

I was lost, unsure of where to go.

Until I met someone.

(He told me)

(that we need to go out,)

(get beaten up and bounce back)

(to know yourself truly.)

I didn't understand what he meant,

but now I do.

I shall be grateful to him forever,

my big brother.

Look, he's got a big brother.

When will our son ever

have a good brother like him? Right?

(My big brother)

(is also my mentor in life.)

(He is the boss of M&Y Internet Cafe.)

(It was he who sponsored me to be on this show.)

I heard

that after I left, business has been bad in the cafe.

So, I want to say

that after I win this,

I will go back to the cafe

(to sing)

(and help him out.)

(My dear brother.)

(Wait for me!)

(Let's give another round of applause)

(to Chen Lei!)

What a brilliant young man.

What's wrong with you?

Welcome to Jinchuan.

All passengers are reminded to maintain order.

E-hailing passengers, please proceed to floor B2.

(After I win this,)

(I will go back to the cafe)

(to sing and help him out.)

Great!

(My dear brother, wait for me!)

I will.

How touching! Replay that part.

Ma Yang!

Mr. Pei, you're back.

Why are you here again?

Mr. Pei, this is Li Shi from Lishi Capital.

He wants to buy our cafe.

So, you're Mr. Pei?

We finally meet.

Perfect timing.

I'm here to ask you

what you think about my offer.

I'll answer for him. No way. Get lost.

Why you...

Very well.

But I'm telling you,

if there's something I can't get,

I'll never give up.

Just you wait and see.

We'll be waiting.

Mr. Li, I...

I'm happy to take your offer up!

Come on, ignore him.

I've changed my mind!

Emotional intelligence is not needed now.

We're not scared of anyone.

Look how touching Chen Lei's speech is.

He's our savior!

(...and my mentor in life.)

(He is the owner of M&Y Internet Cafe.)

(I will go back to the cafe)

(to sing and help him out.)

Mr. Ma.

Chen Lei's coming back soon, right?

I have a great idea.

Let's perform as a duo.

We'll rock the scene! Want to bet?

No way.

You're a great singer with good looks.

You might just

overshadow Chen Lei.

I'll play the guitar for him.

That works, too.

Right?

Of course.

Li Shi?

What are you doing?

You're still here?

Perfect timing.

You're all here.

Mr. Pei, my apologies,

but this place is mine now.

Your place?

Your place is in the madhouse, so buzz off.

This kid's got a sense of humor.

Very well.

Open your squinty little eyes.

Take a look at this.

I've signed a contract with the landlord here.

Three times the price.

I even paid for his penalty.

So, right now,

you need to leave.

I...

This is...

Real?

You...

Get rid of that fish!

You guys...

Are you...

Dancing?

Are you guys sick?

You idiots!

Use a ladder if you can't reach!

You'd better not touch that,

or else I'll beat you up!

I'm telling you!

Give me that!

Stop that! Who gave you permission?

Great!

Don't touch that!

Don't you touch that!

Don't touch me!

Put that down!

Don't touch me!

We built this cafe from scratch!

Who do you think you are?

Put it down!

Who let you...

Mr. Pei!

Mr. Pei, say something!

Don't touch that!

Don't touch me!

Don't touch me!

Mr. Li.

They worked hard to build this cafe.

I'm the boss of this cafe,

so direct your anger at me.

How about this?

How much did you pay? I'll give you five times more.

10 times.

Even 100 times...

And the answer is still no.

This place is mine now.

Don't you go there!

Hurry up and take that down!

How dare you?

What the heck?

I...

Li Shi.

I'm going to record you.

Every single face here.

Your crimes

will be recorded!

Put your phone down!

Do you know who my boss is?

He is the only son of the prestigious Li family,

Li Shi.

Founder of Lishi Capital,

future heir to Fuhui Group.

How dare you record him?

So what if he's from Fuhui?

Does that give him

the right to bully us?

He hit me!

He hit me!

Want to die?

Mr. Li.

Must you escalate the situation?

We're just

trying to earn a living.

Let's take a step back, you and me.

Let me remind you,

I don't rely on this cafe to earn a living.

Pei Qian.

You're too weak to take me on.

I'm telling you, you're out.

This is my place!

This isn't your place.

Who's there?

This isn't

your playground!

A random nobody

has no right to decide anything!

But I do.

Uncle Lin, Aunt Shen?

What brings you here?

Don't tell me

they are

the founders of Shenhua Group,

Lin Zhengnan and Shen Hua?

What? Lin Zhengnan?

Long time no see, Li Shi.

Uncle Lin, it's been so long.

You must be Mr. Pei.

Hello, I'm Lin Zhengnan,

director of Shenhua Group.

We're also Wan's parents.

She often talks about you.

This year, we're celebrating

Chinese New Year in Jinchuan, so we dropped by

to visit you.

You may not know that this place

belongs to Shenhua Group.

Li Shi, as long as I'm around,

you'd better not touch a thing.

What?

We've been

observing you.

Mr. Pei,

you're so defensive of your employees.

Lin,

he resembles you

when you were young.

We're going to bring justice

to Mr. Pei.

Since we have signed

a contract with you,

as long as you want it,

this place will be yours.

Mr. Pei, don't worry.

We will investigate

this incident thoroughly.

Shenhua Group won't allow incidents

of unlawful tenant eviction to happen again.

This place

is yours to use

indefinitely, for free.

What?

Oh, gosh!

Take it as

compensation.

Let's go.

Uncle Lin!

I didn't expect

that Lin Wan is your daughter.

Thank you for coming to my help,

but I think

I should pay the rent...

Mr. Pei.

My daughter Wan

has always been a stubborn girl.

Ever since she returned from overseas,

she has insisted on making games.

She's not interested

in the family business.

She's got her own mind,

and we can't stop her.

However,

ever since she came to Jinchuan,

she's happy to talk to us

about work.

She also looks more cheerful now.

Mr. Pei.

Thank you.

Not at all.

Here's the thing.

I'm deducing

that you don't want Lin Wan

to work in the gaming industry.

How about this?

I'll talk to her,

and I'll pay the rent as usual...

Wan is an obstinate girl.

She wants to forge her own path,

and she refuses to use our money

to set up her own company.

She suffered a lot when she worked at Sky Fire

at the lowest level,

but she survived.

Now that she insists on working in Tengda,

we can only support her.

Mr. Pei, you may not know this.

She doesn't listen to anything we say.

But she trusts you.

Both of you are young.

When you start a business together,

you grow up together too, right?

Don't worry.

I will train her

to the best of my ability.

Great, we shall not disturb you any longer.

Take care.

I'll walk you to the door.

By the way,

don't let Wan know we came.

Yes.

I understand.

Mr. and Mrs. Lin,

why don't I pay the rent

as usual?

Good news, everyone.

Mr. Lin is paying

for everyone tonight!

- Great! - Wow!

The Lins...

You're my worst enemy.

(Ms. Mei) (Hello, Mr. Pei.)

(Your purchase contract is ready.)

(Can you come over to take a look?)

(Mr. Pei, are you busy again today?)

(Dude, are you coming?)

(Dude, I know buying a house is a serious decision,)

(but don't tell me you're canceling...)

M&Y's profits are consistently rising.

(M&Y, little profit)

Crowded every night.

Li Shi tried to step in.

I thought I could finally get rid of this burning problem,

and I failed because

Lin Zhengnan unleashed his money attack.

If this goes on...

My salary would always be 5,000 yuan.

I'm doomed.

What a calamity.

I can't keep you around anymore.

Lin Wan, how's work

since you joined us?

Anything challenging?

No.

It's much easier than my time in Sky Fire.

Now that Lv is the project manager,

I've been meaning to ask

if you have other tasks for me.

I have an assignment for you.

I want you to list down

every game in the past 10 years

that proved to be unprofitable

with bad reviews.

I want a complete and detailed report.

Don't even miss out a single detail.

Submit the report once you're done.

I don't like reading electronic files,

so print it out.

Mr. Pei, are you trying to learn

from those games' failure?

Kind of.

Sure, when do you need it?

This month.

This month?

This month is almost over.

But I can complete it if I work overtime.

But our company...

If you need it,

I can give you

the privilege

of working overtime.

You'll be the only one here

who can work overtime

whenever you want,

and you can decide how long you want to work.

Just me?

Just you.

Thank you, Mr. Pei.

I shall work hard to complete my task.

I won't let you down.

I'm going to work overtime now.

So young, so naive.

Once you work overtime, you'll feel the pain.

Go home and inherit your family's business.

Mr. Pei, are you holding a staff dinner

after the holidays?

Yeah.

It's meant to relieve anxiety

that may arise upon returning to work.

It helps everyone get ready for another year of work.

In such tough times,

what's wrong with treating everyone

to a good meal?

Besides,

my salary this month

is only 5,000 again.

I can barely eat three meals a day. I...

I've been waiting for this dinner.

According to the contract,

Chapter 8, No. 269,

staff dinners cannot exceed 150 yuan per person.

Your budget is too high.

Ms. Xin.

Everyone had to sit at separate tables

at our last dinner

thanks to your rules.

Besides,

with so many people in the company,

sitting separately

is bad for team building.

If we want to find a restaurant

that can accommodate all our employees,

we need to spend more than 150 yuan per person.

Chapter 8, No. 270.

What about booking the entire restaurant?

Chapter 8, No. 271.

No wasting.

You won't let me do anything!

I just want to gather everyone for dinner!

It's not like I'm opening a restaurant!

Mr. Pei!

Is this the right way?

Are we lost?

Hang on, we're almost there.

Qian, what kind of restaurant is it?

Are you sure this is a good location?

Relax.

I'm using a shortcut.

It's right in front.

My legs are breaking down.

Let me search my location.

There's no phone signal, Mr. Pei!

He's right.

No signal!

Are we still in Jinchuan?

Qian.

This doesn't look right.

Is this a dinner

or a survival challenge?

I know.

This place

is far from the city,

but it's close to nature.

There are mountains, rivers and scenery.

But no people!

(National Highway 237, Mingyun Villa)

Here we are.

Where are we?

We're setting up a private restaurant here?

This is nuts.

Mingyun Villa?

Mr. Pei.

Is this restaurant project important to you?

When I worked at the Internet cafe,

I was just a humble cook.

I don't think I can manage

a restaurant for real.

Lin.

When managing a restaurant, business comes second.

What's crucial is managing ingredients.

You have the capabilities.

Besides, you're one of our own.

I can't trust

outsiders anymore.

Look at you, so dependable.

Your fries

never come with ketchup,

unlike some villains

who'd stab you at the back.

Who stabbed whom?

Tell me, Qian.

Who stabbed you?

Lin.

Only you can be the restaurant manager.

If we lose money,

I'll take responsibility.

I...

Mr. Ma.

Look.

Let's go.

This place is too deserted.

Mr. Pei.

Since you trust me so much,

I'll do it.

But I need to ask

some questions.

We are currently

at the southeastern side of Jinchuan.

Driving from the west

or north side of the city

would take over two hours.

Everyone would be too tired to eat.

Yeah.

Driving two hours for lunch,

then another two hours back,

stuck in rush hour traffic,

just in time for dinner?

The thing is, there's nothing else here.

When we do something,

we can't just look at the present.

Mingyun Villa will be

Jinchuan's next commercial center.

I'm pre-strategizing

to create

a solid foundation for Tengda's

high-end markets.

Okay.

Believe in me.

I will succeed this time.

(Mingyun Villa)

Come on. Let's take a look inside.

Mr. Pei!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

It wasn't easy to get here.

Sorry for making you wait.

Cui.

This is an awesome place.

Mr. Pei, you like this place?

Of course.

I'm telling you,

across this road is outside Jinchuan,

and it's not my territory,

so I won't be able to serve you then.

Cui.

Did you ask them

if this place is up for rent?

Yes.

I'm telling you,

this is a complex case.

It took me a lot of effort

to locate the developer.

They told me

that this unit

is still first-hand.

It's never been sold.

So they're selling it, not renting.

I see.

What a pity.

Yeah.

Exactly.

I'm telling you,

you could say this journey

is a work trip in itself.

So, let's go.

Looks like I'll have to buy this place.

(Mingyun Villa)

Slowly.

Excuse me.

We need two people up here!

Okay!

Mr. Ma, I need help!

Don't tough it out!

Where do I put this?

Let me think!

Mr. Pei.

(Hope of the Village)

It's so hard to see you in person.

Why are you setting up a restaurant

at such a place?

I...

No!

No!

I...

No...

Where do I put this?

Right here.

Here.

Lin Wan.

What brings you here?

You asked me

to compile a list of failed games.

It's complete.

I've sent a copy to your email.

You've compiled everything?

From the past 10 years?

Yes.

Then,

what about another 10 years before?

Another 10 years before?

Yes.

You youngsters

need to learn how to be humble and patient.

Sure, Mr. Pei. No problem.

Don't make me stop you from getting work done.

Once you're done reading, I'll talk to you again.

I'm off.

Mr. Pei, Mr. Ma, goodbye.

This girl's got gusto.

(Loss: Private Restaurant)

(Profits: Games. Internet Cafe.)

(Total Assets)

(Shenhua International)

Bao, you're back.

Over here!

Bao is back!

Mr. Pei, Bao is back.

Bao Xu is back.

Bao.

Bao.

Look, Yintang.

What happened to Bao?

You don't recognize him?

That's Bao.

Yeah.

What happened?

Bao.

Your eyes...

Mr. Pei.

Not bad.

Your journey

has bulked you up.

How could I not bulk up?

I wake up early and sleep late every day.

Video calls and location tags!

Wherever I go, I need to report immediately!

My yearly trip quota

has been stretched to the max!

I'm telling you,

I'm going to stay at home all day now.

Don't send me

on these dumb trips anymore!

Thank you, Mr. Pei.

Not bad. Keep it up.

I told you,

you should join more tours like this.

Bao.

Take a break.

Come back to work when you're rested.

Thank you, Mr. Pei.

(Mingyun Villa)

That mountain path

reminds me

of my military training.

Why go through so much hassle just for a meal?

Lin Wan.

Is the chef here?

Yes.

What kind of idiot

would dine at a deserted place like this?

Mr. Pei spent a lot renovating this place.

Let's take a look around.

Come on.

Let's go.

Go.

This place...

It's not

what I'd expect from a private restaurant.

The interior

seems better furnished than outside.

Yes,

but the style is...

I can't pinpoint it.

Where's Bao and Lv?

Didn't they come here early today?

Where are they?

They sent a message,

saying they're in the fields.

They're asking us to join them to prepare ingredients.

- The fields? - What?

(Carrots) We've been toiling all morning.

You're finally here.

It really is Bao.

We need to harvest these veggies?

If it weren't for the work hours being used for this group meal,

I wouldn't have come.

This is what we're eating?

It seems so.

This place is so remote, and veggies are so expensive.

I'm starving to death!

I think it's okay.

It looks fun.

Fun?

This is so much fun!

Come on. Let's do this together!

Come on!

Bao, help me.

I'll help you.

Which veggie?

The bok choy.

Okay.

My back is breaking.

Here's the fish.

Mr. Pei, all dishes have been served.

Chef Lin, you've worked hard.

Tell everyone to sit down and dig in.

Okay, thank you.

Everything's ready.

Come on, sit down and have lunch.

Sit down.

So,

since lunch is ready,

let me salute everyone

with a cup of tea.

Today,

we have three joyful events to share.

First,

Sibo is about to embark

on his own business journey.

Let's wish him

success and prosperity.

Thank you, Mr. Pei.

Nice!

Thank you, everyone!

Second,

Bao Xu has returned to the team.

He has left an unhealthy lifestyle

to begin a new life.

Third.

It's about

our unnamed private restaurant.

We're opening soon.

So, dine and drink to your heart's content.

If you don't eat well,

you can't think well.

Cheers!

- Yeah! - Yeah!

Dig in.

This fish

was hand-caught today

by Lv himself.

Try it.

Not bad.

Mr. Pei.

Here's the thing.

About this private restaurant,

shouldn't we reconsider our business model?

Just today,

everyone has been working

in the fields or on the river.

We're too pooped

to eat, and we just want to sleep.

Ma Yang.

You need to know

that this restaurant

caters to the rich.

That's why

we need to think from their perspective.

Do they lack good food?

What do they lack?

Morals?

According to historical records,

rich people

enjoy suffering when they don't have to,

and experiencing life.

I've heard of that.

So,

we need to think from their perspective

about what they want.

Do they need

good food?

No.

What they want

is the story and spirit behind good food.

They lack spirit.

What are we selling here?

We're selling

craftmanship.

Mr. Pei.

Shouldn't we name

our restaurant?

No one can search

our restaurant online.

No.

I believe

that in the endless stream of history,

a name is but

a significant speck of dust.

Promotions,

advertising, and names

are nothing.

Ma Yang, I understand

that you

haven't reached my level of enlightenment,

so you can't understand yet.

So,

let me

give you a piece of fish.

Once you're as enlightened as I am,

you will understand my thoughts.

Pardon me while I talk to Sibo.

Sibo,

how's your business planning

getting along?

Mr. Pei.

Lately,

after much thought

and market research,

I have gotten a little inspiration

for my business project.

What do you want to do?

Web novels.

Web novels?

(A bunch of words,)

(which means no practical value.)

(Contract writer = Paying for nothing)

(Web novel = Contract Writer and a bunch of words.)

(Which means a guaranteed loss.)

I'll invest 1 million yuan in you.

I can add more if it's not enough.

That's enough!

Enough!

Enough!

Mr. Pei, here's the thing.

You see, I've been making games,

but I love reading web novels.

I'm a literature enthusiast.

Now that you're giving me a chance to start a business,

I want to make use of my talents

to launch Tengda's

first-ever web novel venture

so that we can create more value.

Then...

Don't worry

about creating value.

Here.

Have some fish.

Where's Lin Wan?

Why isn't she here?

That kid has fallen in love with farming.

She's working in the fields.

Lin Wan.

You're not eating?

You've taken a liking to harvesting?

I think this is meaningful work.

I've never had such an experience.

By the way, Lin Wan,

I've read your reports.

Thank you.

No way.

You've finished reading everything?

I didn't want

to waste your efforts.

Actually, I'm here

to talk to you

about my thoughts on life.

You've compiled so much information in a short period of time.

You've been secretly working overtime, right?

The company made such an unreasonable request

for something so unproductive.

If you stay here,

you'd have to work day and night,

until your break time

is spent in the office too.

What's the meaning of this?

Why don't you

go home, okay?

I brought this for myself, but I haven't drunk any.

Did you understand

what I just said?

I get it.

Mr. Pei, you think

that both Tengda and its employees

should step out of our comfort zone.

We need to think and act boldly

instead of limiting ourselves.

I will try my best to achieve

work-life balance.

Forget it.

Remember to claim your OT pay.

By the way,

I asked you to compile

more failed games from another 10 years back.

Don't tell me you've completed it.

Mr. Pei, I've compiled everything.

I see.

Another 10 years back, then.

Okay.

Look.

Look at this.

First, the Internet cafe, now a private restaurant.

There's no end to their antics.

Outrageous.

They're obviously provoking me.

Yeah.

You told me that the Internet cafe was just a coincidence,

and I agreed.

But a private restaurant?

That's Lishi Capital's specialty.

Muyan.

Look around you.

This is what you call a private restaurant.

That thing they built?

It's pathetic.

I'm telling you.

Not anyone can get a share

of the private restaurant market.

Back when that long-faced guy rejected me,

I'm sure it was Pei Qian

who made him do so.

Now, they should know

what I plan to do.

That long-faced guy

is dead loyal

to Pei Qian.

Mr. Li Jr.

I feel the same way.

I'm also dead loyal to you...

Between us, we don't need to talk about that.

You see.

They opened an Internet cafe,

and now a private restaurant.

What in the world

are they planning?

Don't worry.

Tengda is not indomitable.

That long-faced guy may be loyal to Pei Qian,

but what about the other employees?

We don't know about that.

Mr. Li Jr., are you sure you don't want me to follow you?

No need.

I shall walk

this path by myself.