Original subtitles

[Episode 21]

Don't go.

If you leave, I won't know where to find you again.

Come here. Lie down.

Lie down.

You weren't here yesterday.

I didn't dare to sleep.

Now it's good. You brought me home.

This isn't a home. It's just a rented place.

In your heart, what counts as a home?

It's definitely not here.

Jiang Qiao Xi,

a place that makes you feel secure is a home.

I'm going to sleep. You're not allowed to leave.

When I wake up and open my eyes,

I want to see you, got it?

Don't leave.

♫ Spreading sunlight ♫

♫ Warmly kissing her ♫

♫ Open your eyes, little prince ♫

♫ Riding a white horse ♫

♫ Looking up at the sky ♫

♫ The distant clouds stay silent ♫

♫ Quietly spinning ♫

♫ Waiting for his reply ♫

♫ A ray of moonlight ♫

♫ Gently ♫

♫ Brushes against the cheek ♫

♫ She timidly ♫

♫ Hides into the clouds ♫

♫ The serene blue sky ♫

♫ Muttering ♫

♫ Lying in the grass ♫

♫ Unintentionally ♫

♫ The dragonfly ♫

♫ Lands on my nose tip ♫

Jiang Qiao Xi,

was it painful when these calluses formed?

♫ Shaking head and saying goodbye ♫

Yes.

♫ Aye oh ♫

♫ A little straw hat ♫

I'm so tired.

♫ Many years of time ♫

♫ Blurred ♫

♫ The way it used to be ♫

♫ Holding a pen ♫

♫ Sketching on paper ♫

♫ A little wooden house ♫

♫ Humming a tune ♫

♫ On the hillside ♫

♫ Singing joyfully with you ♫

♫ One careless moment ♫

♫ Tears welled up in our eyes ♫

♫ At the back slope of the small town ♫

♫ You held my hand ♫

Don't be like this.

♫ The sunset dissipates ♫

♫ All the worries ♫

I don't want to wake up so soon.

♫ I look at you ♫

♫ Without noticing ♫

♫ It's all you ♫

♫ At this moment ♫

This isn't a dream.

♫ Stability and freedom ♫

♫ Is the story coming to an end ♫

♫ We'll meet again, right ♫

This isn't a dream.

♫ Aye aye oh ♫

♫ Aye oh ♫

♫ Sunflowers rush to meet ♫

♫ Budded for days ♫

♫ Aye aye oh ♫

Why are you so nervous?

I'm not nervous.

I just had a nightmare.

You didn't have a nightmare.

Did you dream about me?

Are you like me?

Do you dream about me when we're apart?

No.

You've become such a liar lately.

I'm not lying.

Jiang Qiao Xi, two years ago, you told me not to forget you.

I kept that promise.

So now you have no reason to push me away.

Jiang Qiao Xi, I'm going to visit your cousin and his wife tomorrow.

Go back and get some proper rest first.

You should leave tomorrow. There's no need to see them.

How could it be unnecessary?

The lipstick and high heels you gave me back then were all chosen by your cousin's wife.

Since I'm here now, I should definitely visit them.

I need to thank them in person.

I don't have contact with them anymore.

Jiang Qiao Xi, what exactly are you afraid of?

Why won't you tell me the truth?

It's not the right time.

I'm not in a position to tell you what I fear.

When will it be the right time?

When do you think you'll be qualified?

Why do you keep fixating on timing?

When we were little,

you had to wait, you had to persevere, you had to endure.

You had to hold out until you have bargaining chips to negotiate with your mom.

You thought you needed to survive the Olympiad before confronting them.

You believed you could only be independent after studying abroad.

Now you're pushing me away because of this situation.

So you think every step requires perfect preparation before moving forward?

But the world isn't a math problem.

You can't have everything ready before writing "solution."

I don't operate that way. Neither does my family.

Tell me how your Lin family does it.

In our family, everyone faces difficulties together.

Jiang Qiao Xi, no one needs to be perfect.

Because it's fundamentally impossible.

Humans can't stay at the top forever.

Can't always be first. Can't always be exceptional.

I don't need to be perfect.

I know I'll never be perfect in my lifetime.

But don't you see, Lin Cherry?

I just don't want you to suffer with me.

And I know you.

If I was enjoying success,

you just wouldn't stay with me.

But if I'm suffering now,

you'll definitely come endure it with me.

That way,

aren't you afraid I'll really forget you?

About the current version of me,

is there anything worth remembering?

You shouldn't remember the Jiang Qiao Xi of today.

See? You're circling back again.

You still want me to remember the excellent, high-achieving you.

Lin Cherry, I'm different from you.

I'm deficient.

If I lose even my excellence,

what's left for you to love?

Jiang Qiao Xi,

did you really think you won that battle with your mom as a child?

That was a superficial, hollow victory.

You've always wanted us to love you as you truly are.

But do you even know your true self?

Do you accept and love that person?

You just want to add a halo around your true self,

so you feel worthy of love.

This is the toxic root in your life.

It's harming you, and us.

Such a good you,

could you really accept a man who's nothing?

In your heart, I'm not that great.

You've underestimated me, Jiang Qiao Xi.

Do you think my love for you

requires you to earn it through excellence?

But let me tell you something.

Once I decide to love you, I'll love you forever.

Even if you become extraordinary, I won't love you any more.

Even if you remain ordinary, I won't love you any less.

Just wait for me a little longer.

I'll definitely come find you.

Jiang Qiao Xi, I want to fall in love too. I want someone by my side.

I don't want to keep calling phones that never answer

or sending messages that never get replies.

It's fine. It's not like you're the only person I've ever liked since childhood.

I can like other people.

We couldn't date early when we were students.

Now you say you have nothing to offer.

What's next? What new reason will there be in the future?

Even if I keep waiting, when will this end?

When it rains in Hong Yang,

I wonder where you are, if you brought an umbrella.

When the wind howls, I worry about your safety.

When there's a car accident, I panic wondering where you might be.

If something happens to you, how would you handle it?

But I don't know. I truly don't know.

I don't want to live like this anymore.

Alone, thinking of you endlessly,

without even having your number.

I'm done.

You told me to always remember you,

but what good does remembering do?

At ten, I could pine and wait for you.

But I'm 20 now.

I can't stay a child forever.

I can't keep doing foolish things.

How long should I wait?

Until I date someone else? Until I marry?

Or start my own family?

Would remembering you even matter then?

Remembering the exceptional Jiang Qiao Xi?

Would that mean anything?

Jiang Qiao Xi, I've decided to stop loving you.

You don't need to earn my love with achievements or glory anymore.

If you truly need that spotlight,

go fight for it wholeheartedly.

I'm leaving now.

♫ You lock up your heart ♫

♫ The key is in the clouds ♫

♫ Passing through dreams ♫

♫ Leaving no trace ♫

No more unanswered calls.

No more messages into the void.

No more worrying about you.

♫ Cradling glimmers like starlight ♫

♫ For you ♫

♫ In the gentle night ♫

♫ You pretend to walk away ♫

♫ Palms not yet warm ♫

♫ Breath left behind ♫

♫ We advance and retreat like tides ♫

♫ Loop till the end ♫

♫ Go with you ♫

♫ You are the reason I stop burning ♫

♫ Memory ♫

[Foot Health]

♫ Breaking into the unknown forbidden zone ♫

♫ Turn around and fall into your unsaid love ♫

♫ You are the reason I can shine ♫

♫ Yearning ♫

♫ Crush the morning light ♫

♫ Turn to a page in a dream ♫

♫ Filled with you ♫

♫ You tuck away your dreams ♫

♫ Hidden in the drizzle ♫

♫ Silently lands ♫

♫ Yet ripples emerge ♫

♫ Little us ♫

♫ Can't fight against time ♫

♫ But I want to ♫

♫ Pick up the dust to make vows ♫

Wait, Sir.

♫ In the gentle night ♫

♫ You pretend to walk away ♫

♫ Palms not yet warm ♫

♫ Breath left behind ♫

♫ We advance and retreat like tides ♫

♫ Loop till the end ♫

♫ Go with you ♫

Let's go.

♫ Heartbeat ♫

♫ Drowning in your smile ♫

♫ Silently drifting to your wandering shore ♫

♫ You are the reason I can shine ♫

Cherry!

Cherry!

Jiang Qiao Xi.

I saw you chasing me.

But I deliberately told the driver to take a detour first.

I wanted you to experience what it's like to chase someone too.

Two years ago, you told me not to forget you.

Then you ran away.

When I left just now, you came after me.

What exactly do you mean?

Cherry, don't stop loving me.

I can't bear to lose you.

What's that supposed to mean?

I want a clear answer.

I won't give you any more ambiguous chances.

I hate uncertainty.

I...

I... I can't live without you.

C-can you please not go?

I don't want to see you dating anyone else.

I can't stand seeing you marry someone else either.

I can't accept that everything between us means nothing.

Lin Cherry, thank you for not forgetting me.

I love you.

I, Jiang Qiao Xi, want to be your boyfriend.

That's the exact wording you need to use.

Lin Cherry, thank you for not forgetting me.

I love you.

From now on, I, Jiang Qiao Xi, am officially your boyfriend.

- I... - I need to think about it.

You think you can just declare yourself my boyfriend?

Cherry, will you be my girlfriend?

Let me consider it.

Have you decided?

To be honest, I hold grudges.

I've imagined countless times

what I'd do if you ever showed up and said these words to me.

I thought I'd stay angry and resentful toward you for a long time before forgiving you.

I knew you'd be mad at me.

And I knew it would take you ages to forgive me.

Because I can't even forgive myself.

Are you an idiot?

Why are you just agreeing with me?

Shouldn't you be hugging me right now?

Then I'd push you away and hit you a couple times.

Then you'd hold me tight and never let go.

That's how I'd become your girlfriend.

Stop hugging me! Let go!

Don't go.

Don't leave.

Alright.

I'm only forgiving you because you seem genuinely remorseful.

Well...

I'm officially your girlfriend then.

Let's head back first.

It's getting late. Time to sleep.

I don't want to go to bed.

The weather's so nice. Let's do something else.

No, you just recovered from being sick.

You need to rest properly.

I took medicine and slept all afternoon.

I feel super energized now.

You worked at the construction site all day without resting. You're exhausted, right?

Of course I'm fine!

It's settled then.

Tonight is our first official date.

You need to show me around properly to mend my broken heart.

Okay, let's go on our date.

- The suitcase. - I forgot it.

♫ Love is in your eyes ♫

♫ You will see flowers blooming ♫

♫ Every minute and every second ♫

♫ I will be with you ♫

♫ Flying over that sea ♫

♫ No regrets can hinder ♫

♫ This is the most devoted and steadfast me ♫

♫ Cheering for you ♫

♫ Maybe the world's a bit harsh ♫

♫ Always extinguishing hope ♫

♫ But dear friend ♫

♫ You are all I need ♫

♫ You are my matchstick ♫

What are you laughing at?

I saw you laughing, so I started laughing too.

What about you? Why are you laughing?

I just suddenly remembered

when we were 17, we ate date buns at school

and hid in alleyways afraid of getting caught.

Now here we are eating snacks on the streets.

And right in public...

Like what they do in the TV dramas.

♫ Flying over that sea ♫

No one will stand in our way anymore.

No distance can keep us apart now.

Exactly. Nothing can stop us now.

Growing up is wonderful.

It's not about growing up.

Your courage is what broke through all the obstacles.

Of course! I'm awesome, right?

Unstoppable.

Jiang Qiao Xi, I'm full.

My sickness is gone and my mood's improved.

Will you tell me about what's happened these past years?

Do you remember?

Back when you first found out I was going abroad,

you said to me,

"Spread your wings and soar 10,000 miles.

You will achieve great things."

But I couldn't even accomplish the smallest things.

After I arrived here, the subprime mortgage crisis hit.

My parents divorced after the stock market crashed and couldn't care for me anymore.

My cousin worked in finance

and was hit hard by it.

But at the beginning,

he still wanted to cover all my living expenses abroad.

Qiao Xi, can't you stop being so stubborn?

Hong Kong's weathered several financial storms like this before.

So I'm completely confident we'll survive this.

A pay cut? I've dealt with those before.

I have savings. I have money now, so don't worry.

You're still just a kid.

Young people shouldn't worry about adult matters.

Be yourself and study hard.

Don't push yourself like this.

You can't cancel your own insurance

just to cover your parents' retirement expenses.

What if something happens to you later?

My wife and I are strong and healthy.

Very healthy, even healthier than you.

If we need more coverage later,

we can renew the insurance without issues.

Anyway, drop the idea of quitting school.

We'll never allow that.

And about your exams,

getting a full scholarship should be easy for you.

That scholarship money will count as solid income after graduation.

Work hard to graduate early and start earning.

If I ever get fired and can't work,

I'll need you to support me then.

Laugh all you want, but don't mock me.

Just focus on your studies.

After your graduation, our family will have double security.

Think it through.

Okay. I'll try harder.

I'll try to graduate early and come help you.

That's more like it, kid.

Wasted so much breath explaining this.

Come on.

Jiang Ruo Cheng, security won't let me upstairs.

Says I'm not part of the company anymore.

Just tell me one thing, why'd you fire me?

Not here. Calm down.

I'll go talk to him. Be right back.

Eat up. It's fine.

Ruo Cheng is 16 years older than me.

He took me to kindergarten and taught me to write.

Even when struggling himself, he saved money for my study abroad.

Because he knew I couldn't stay with my parents.

But then he was pushed off a building.

Ruo Cheng!

[Fire Services Ambulance]

My cousin was in the ICU.

We lost track of how much we spent.

The compensation wasn't enough.

If only they hadn't canceled the health insurance.

My cousin-in-law had to sell the house.

The financial crisis was severe then.

She sold it urgently at a low price.

But there was no choice.

No money for hospital bills otherwise.

She said through tears

that she was sorry she had to use my study fund.

I told her I won't study abroad.

She objected, so I stayed and wouldn't leave.

I'd rather let all my admission offers expire,

but I didn't want to leave.

Without money, they couldn't stay at that good nursing home anymore.

My uncle deteriorated rapidly during those months.

He forgot almost everyone and everything.

Finally, she begged my cousin's senior,

his good friend Xu Wen Zhou.

He also graduated from HKU.

Qiao Xi.

Mr. Xu took me to see the principal.

Using all my academic records and my cousin's medical bills

to plead with the principal.

Hoping to get permission for deferred enrollment at HKU for a year.

So I could first earn money for the family.

Take it slow.

Take your time and stay safe.

When sober, my past felt like a long dream.

In my drowsiness, I often didn't know where I was.

Take an apple home to eat.

Take it. Make sure to eat it yourself.

During that period, I stopped replying to your messages

because I didn't even have the courage to read your messages.

When I reach such a state,

I realize how profoundly words can describe this.

The path to drunkenness is smooth, best traveled often.

Other roads are unbearable.

How can you say you can't even handle the smallest things?

What you've done is far greater than just soaring miles.

These were just my responsibilities.

And none of them were done exceptionally well.

That same day, my landlord evicted me.

It was a coffin apartment.

The kind where you can touch the walls by stretching out your arms.

I chose it quickly because it was cheap.

Only when the real landlord came did I realize

I'd been scammed by the sub-landlord all along.

Isn't that laughable?

I always thought I was smart.

Yet in most situations, I was completely helpless.

What did you do after that day?

Later...

Later I packed my bag and walked all the way here.

Standing here, I saw the sky filled with a sunset glow.

For the first time, I prayed in my heart

that day in Hong Yang must be overcast without sunset hues.

Cherry mustn't see the sunset colors.

So she wouldn't remember me.

That way, she could be a little happier.

Even just a little bit.

♫ Memories drift in my pupils ♫

♫ Through the window of time ♫

♫ Summer cherries are a bit cool ♫

♫ I gaze from afar ♫

♫ The unspoken wishes of that year ♫

♫ Familiar shadows lengthen ♫

♫ Beyond sight ♫

♫ Your silhouette is so gentle ♫

♫ The world is spinning ♫

♫ The breeze is shouting ♫

♫ The scenery in amber ♫

♫ Clear as yesterday ♫

♫ Reality is in front of me ♫

♫ The future folds in the palm ♫

♫ You're the key to who I am ♫

♫ Accompany me to become myself ♫

♫ The night is long ♫

♫ My stubbornness grows wildly ♫

♫ I can't stop running ♫

♫ The silent call of the dream ♫

♫ You're the sparkling of my dreams ♫

♫ Accompany you to become yourself ♫

♫ Boundaries dissipate ♫

♫ Loneliness melts in an embrace ♫

♫ I've always been here ♫

♫ Rotating light in my palm ♫

♫ Illuminating your cheeks ♫

♫ A smile that ran too fast ♫

♫ Unexpectedly preserved ♫