Original subtitles

[Love Between Lines]

[Episode 20]

Fei,

I need to make a promo.

Go through the in-house CCTV from the past few days

and send it to me.

I'll pick the footage I need.

I didn't know you could edit videos.

Of course I can.

You can never have too many skills.

Let me tell you,

I'm no master at anything big,

but when it comes to small stuff,

I'm pretty good at many things.

What else can you do?

Chasing girls.

Wait. What's that reaction?

You don't believe me?

I believe you.

I do.

Of course I do.

Let me tell you something.

You've played my murder mystery games, right?

All the love and romance storylines in them

were designed by me.

And what are they based on?

My own experience.

Well, I can't compare to you.

You've got plenty of dating experience.

So tell me,

do my Xiu and Xiao Zhiyu

have a chance?

Those two?

They won't work out.

Why?

Look.

They

met through a murder mystery game,

live together as roommates,

and on top of that, one is the other's employer.

Doesn't that sound like fate?

Well,

you can rest assured.

This kind of relationship

is the least likely to work.

Besides,

if there was really something between them,

wouldn't I have noticed?

Really?

Of course.

Boss.

I want to show you something.

I asked you to sort through surveillance footage,

what is this you're showing me?

Boss,

you missed the point.

What's the point?

Look again.

Look more carefully.

-Damn! -Damn!

The living room's been cleaned?

It's quite spacious.

Everything's been moved to the attic.

You moved quite fast.

I wasn't gone for long.

Someone left

so decisively.

If I hadn't turned it into a storage room,

I'd see you in it every time.

No need to do that anymore.

I'm going to get changed.

Let's get ready to go out.

There's still time before the movie starts.

It's broad daylight.

I...

Zhao, stop pacing around.

Just... just sit down.

Let me tell you.

I'm not sitting down.

This is a crime scene.

What are you talking—

Hurry.

It's really a misunderstanding.

Sit down.

Let me tell you.

This is just a misunderstanding.

I was combing my hair just now

and it got tangled,

so he was helping me.

Then you walked in.

I panicked,

stood up,

tugged my hair,

and fell over.

Look, I even bent the comb.

Stop changing the subject.

I can't believe it.

You actually gave our club

a juicy scandal

while being so quiet this whole time.

Why are you looking at me?

As the owner,

you abused your position

to flirt with a customer.

The impact is terrible.

Aren't you setting a bad example by breaking company rules?

That makes it even worse.

Keep your voice down.

The walls are thin here.

I'm saying it anyway.

So you two got together

back on that day when we were playing the murder mystery game?

Then why do you pretend you don't know each other in front of me?

I thought you two were really at odds.

It makes me look like a fool.

So?

So,

perform in 10 more games,

and then we can put this behind us.

Tell me quickly,

when did you two get together?

Well...

We made it official today.

Today is the first day.

I knew it.

You two were acting weird in the shop yesterday.

That's when we just got together.

Alright.

I know you're quite busy.

Just do five more games.

Xiao Zhiyu.

If I hadn't stepped in today

and saved the day in time,

who knows how many people would have seen it?

Do you even realize that?

Fine.

Fine?

Are you done?

Not yet.

You chased him?

How did you win her over?

Come on.

We've known each other for so long.

So many girls chased you,

but you never showed any interest.

So...

What's so special about Hu Xiu?

Who was it that

came to me all pitiful before, saying,

"someone wanted to draw a clear line with me"?

No need to be shy.

I support you.

Go get him!

Keep your voice down!

The walls are thin here.

Tell me quickly,

how did she win you over?

Who said she chased me?

Well, we just got together.

I haven't even processed it myself yet.

And aren't you busy with the café?

I just thought

I'd tell you once things were more stable.

Zhao?

Zhao.

Zhao!

Zhao!

Zhao, why are you suddenly packing your things?

Well,

I don't want to be a third wheel here.

I'll make space for you lovebirds.

Zhao, I'm not someone who ditches friends for romance.

Please stay.

I...

I'm just kidding.

Wang Guangming moved out.

I was planning to move back anyway.

Really?

Really.

Why would I lie to you?

If I move back home,

I'll be closer to the shop.

That way I can get a little more sleep.

Help me open this.

You're not lying to me, are you?

I'm not lying.

Gong Huaicong.

We should go now.

We still have a bunch of stuff to handle for the co-branded event.

Why the rush? Let's have dinner before you go.

We're not eating.

Hu Xiu was right.

Let's have dinner together.

My treat.

Let's celebrate, right?

Another day.

Not now.

Well...

w-we'll be going now.

Bye.

Keep going.

Well, we should keep a low profile

from now on,

especially around people at the company.

Otherwise they'll just gossip.

Got it.

What's wrong?

The movie is about to start.

We can just get the next showing.

Let's not go out today.

Why?

We still have something to do.

Wh-What thing?

You tell me.

Wait for me.

Didn't I just tell you on the phone

that I have a lot of ideas I want to discuss with you?

I used to think that the essence

of flowing space lies in the principle of "less is more"

and in having a simple structure.

However,

look at this drawing.

This music hall draft.

It uses a lot of grids as partitions.

Although intricate,

the creation

of flowing space is extremely subtle.

It was seeing this drawing that reminded me

that many Chinese buildings

use screens

and lattices to divide space.

Actually,

it's another way to create flowing space.

Although intricate,

the divisions don't block continuity.

This is the difference in architectural philosophy

between China and the West.

You like his design?

Of course.

The signature is Q.

I wonder which master it is.

He's a senior figure

who's been out of the industry for over 20 years.

A design from more than 20 years ago can be this impressive?

That's remarkable.

This architect's technique

is very mature,

yet it doesn't feel cold at all.

It's actually quite gentle,

with the inclusiveness and refinement of traditional Chinese architecture.

People often say

architecture is a mirror

that reflects the designer's inner world.

I think he must be like that as a person too.

He was.

Look.

This space uses a lot of acoustic systems.

The wooden lattices

help absorb sound more effectively.

With some sound absorbing materials,

the whole space...

When we have time,

I'll tell you more

about this architect's story.

You fell asleep?

Come on.

Come on.

Let's go.

You can breathe now.

Don't hold it in too long.

He made a move.

Uncle Xu,

what's the situation now?

Exactly as you predicted.

You pressured Forma Group

to provide information on all their suppliers.

A few days later,

Forma terminated its contract with one factory.

Xinde Building Materials.

That company

wasn't in the supplier information

Forma later provided, right?

No.

Looks like Pei Kanghua

really does have something to hide.

Qin Yuze's case is already settled.

Who gave you the nerve

to smear me?

No, I...

I...

Don't be nervous.

I know you came to me

just to

make a living.

As long as you can keep your mouth shut,

I

don't mind having one more person to feed.

Thank you, Mr. Pei.

Rest assured.

I promise

everything I just said

will stay with me to the grave.

That's good.

Mom.

Wanyue.

Kanghua.

Don't worry about tomorrow's follow-up.

I've arranged the best doctors for you.

If you want to recover,

you have to stay in a good mood.

Without you,

I really wouldn't know what to do.

Zhiyu,

back then, to protect your mom,

you took everything on by yourself.

It must have been so hard for you.

Uncle Xu,

let's not mention that.

I know

the show you're putting on

with Forma,

demanding to see all the supplier information,

is just to force

Pei Kanghua to take action.

Pei Kanghua is wary of me.

He won't let me get near

the insider from back then.

Uncle Xu,

the owner of Xinde Building Materials

could very well be that person.

After all these years,

we finally have some clues.

I know you can't wait,

but we can't alert them just yet.

All of this

is still just your suspicion.

As for whether this current owner

is the same person from back then,

we need to verify it secretly.

You shouldn't

get directly involved

in this.

I'll let you know

any new developments immediately.

Thank you for your help, Uncle.

Zhiyu,

this move of yours

was brilliant.

At a time like this,

we must act steadily.

Since we've already endured so many years,

a few more days won't matter.

[I wish Xiaoyi could be happy every day]

This signature is Q.

I wonder which master it is.

Dad,

this should be over soon, right?

Get in.

I'm sorry.

I was so tired yesterday.

I didn't even know when you left.

Is that so?

You could wake me up next time.

Got it.

You came specifically to pick me up?

From your place,

it's a bit out of the way, isn't it?

It's raining.

I was afraid you couldn't get a cab.

Besides,

isn't it perfectly natural for a boyfriend

to drive his girlfriend to work?

Well then,

I won't be polite,

my boyfriend.

Stop!

I'll get off here.

It's still 7 or 8 minutes to the office.

It's fine.

It's safer if we enter the office

separately.

Forget it.

It's raining heavily.

I'll take you to the studio entrance.

I have an umbrella.

And didn't we agree yesterday

that at work

we have to keep a low profile

and not give people gossip to talk about?

Mr. Xiao.

Hu Xiu?

How do we explain this?

Mr. Xiao.

Should we say we were running an errand?

Who runs errands this early in the morning?

Hu Xiu.

Good morning.

Morning.

Hu Xiu, you're so lucky.

You got a ride in Mr. Xiao's car.

Yeah.

You're just so lucky.

We couldn't get a cab

and had to take the subway.

Look at my pant legs—

completely soaked.

G-Get in the car, both of you.

Yes, get in.

I feel so awkward

taking Mr. Xiao's car alone.

Let's take it together.

Well...

thank you, Mr. Xiao.

Thank you, Mr. Xiao.

Thank you, Mr. Xiao.

Hurry up.

Roll up the window.

Mr. Xiao,

the curved form is quite striking,

but the construction difficulty is a bit high.

Let's try this approach.

Mrs. Xiao,

you're making soup for my dad again?

It's for Zhiyu.

When I saw him on his birthday,

he seemed even thinner.

He's probably busy with work

and not eating properly.

We haven't lived together all these years,

and our contact has always been affected by the time difference.

I haven't shown him enough care.

He'll definitely appreciate

the soup you made.

Yes.

It's almost lunch time.

Perfect timing to deliver it.

Let me take you there.

I've been having meetings at his company lately anyway.

I'm familiar with it.

Wait for me.

I'll go get changed.

Zhen,

you know your father's temper.

He's used to being in charge,

and his words can be harsh sometimes.

Don't take it too seriously.

As parents,

we can't help

but meddle in our children's lives,

always trying to

pave a path for them

that we believe is right.

Remember,

I laid out these stepping stones for you.

If there really comes a day when the building collapses,

you won't escape either.

If

you really like that girl,

don't be discouraged.

I'll talk to Kanghua for you.

External conditions

are secondary.

What matters most is your own feelings.

Thank you, Mrs. Xiao.

Zhen, you haven't eaten?

I ate before I left home.

Well, what's this for?

It's for a friend.

Here's your order.

Thank you.

All the food we ordered has arrived?

I'll help you carry it over.

It's okay.

I can manage.

I could use the exercise anyway.

Hello.

How may I help you?

I'm here to see Zhi—

Mr. Xiao.

Alright. Please wait a moment.

I'll go confirm with him.

Mr. Xiao,

there's a lady at the reception

who says she's here to see you.

Okay.

Please follow me.

I'll take you to Mr. Xiao's office.

Thank you.

Mr. Pei.

Hu Xiu,

could you come out for a moment?

Mr. Xiao's mother

brought some nourishing soup for him.

I gave her a ride here.

I see.

I don't have any business matters to discuss today,

so I'm not going in.

It's almost noon.

Have you eaten?

Not yet.

Perfect timing then.

This was made by our house helper.

Try some.

Thank you.

Our studio has group lunch orders.

I don't mean anything else.

This is to thank you

for the bandage the other day.

A one-yuan bandage

for a luxurious lunch from Mr. Pei?

Sounds like I'm getting the better deal.

That bandage meant more

than just one yuan to me.

So could you do me

this small favor?

A favor?

It took our helper a lot of effort

to make me this lunch.

But I've already eaten.

If you could help me eat some,

it counts as doing me a small favor.

Is that okay?

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Pei.

If there's nothing else,

I'll head back to the office now.

Bye.

Chopsticks.

Give me one pair.

Here.

Here.

Hu Xiu,

who was so thoughtful

as to bring you a lunch with love?

Something's going on.

Don't overthink it.

This isn't just for me.

It's for everyone to share.

Just some homemade...

dishes.

These aren't just homemade dishes.

They must be from a luxury private dining chef.

Yes.

Hu Xiu,

who exactly is this mysterious person

that brought lunch to you?

Who is it?

Who is it?

Tell us.

Eat up.

Everyone, try some.

The plating is so exquisite.

I don't even want to ruin it.

Mr. Xiao,

I was trying to take a photo.

How is it?

Mr. Xiao, is it good?

Not bad.

Let me try it too.

Let's all try some.

Me too.

Aren't you going to try it?

I just like our regular boxed meals here.

Great.

If you like it,

we can order it for dinner too.

Mr. Xiao,

are we ordering dinner tonight?

I was talking to Hu Xiu.

After all...

tonight

she has to work overtime again.

Overtime?

Overtime?

Mr. Xiao,

what's the task?

Don't work hard by yourselves.

I can work overtime too.

It's none of your business.

As long as I don't have to work overtime.

It's a special task just for you?

Then we probably don't need to work overtime, right?

Time to go home.

Bye-bye.

I'm leaving now.

Bye-bye.

You finished your meeting with Mr. Xiao?

Want to leave together?

No, wait.

You still have to work overtime, right?

I'm just curious

why you...

What are you even working overtime on?

Is there really that much work lately?

Or...

did you offend Mr. Xiao again?

Kind of.

Good luck.

Good luck.

Hang in there.

I will.

If you want to kiss me, then kiss me already.

You're pretending to be asleep?

This is called

"luring you into a trap."

I learned it from you.

Last night,

someone wasn't strong enough

and threw me off.

I was afraid if I opened my eyes,

he'd feel awkward.

Not strong enough?

Was that the reason?

Makes sense.

After all, no one lines up to bring me food,

so it's normal that my hands aren't very strong.

I hit the mark,

so you're trying to silence me?

When I went to Forma,

I just happened

to help Mr. Pei with a small favor.

He wanted to thank me.

I couldn't really turn him down,

right?

Is that so?

Besides,

who knows my taste better than you?

I'm

not a good cook,

but I am a good foodie.

I can still tell the difference

between different foods.

That's more like it.

Pei Zhen came with my mother.

I know.

My mom showed up too suddenly.

I wasn't prepared,

so I didn't introduce you to her.

Next time there's a chance,

I'll introduce you properly.

You need to prepare

to see your own mom?

We...

haven't lived together for a long time.

So when she came to see you,

were you happy?

I...

was, I guess.

Then all the more you shouldn't hide

what you really feel.

That way people know

what you like,

what you expect,

and what you want.

As long as the other person cares too,

a relationship can be rebuilt very quickly.