Original subtitles

=Yummy Yummy Yummy=

=Episode 7=

(Good night)

(Good night)

We're finally going back.

Somehow, I feel a bit reluctant to leave.

Indeed.

I've almost gotten used

to living in Yong'an.

Once I'm back,

I'll surely miss the ancestor.

Here it comes!

Smells amazing.

The moon is full now.

As long as our ancestor here is won over

by this Spring Water Lamb,

we can go back.

He's coming.

Hurry.

Welcome, Vice Prefect.

I thought

it was just an ordinary meal.

It's so lavish.

You've even made so many lanterns.

It has to be special because you're here.

- Yes. - Ancestor...

Vice Prefect, please sit down.

- Sit. - Sit here.

Everyone sit.

Liu Chang,

sit. Here.

- I... - Together.

Uncle Liu Chang, hurry and sit.

Please sit, Mr. Liu.

Okay.

Vice Prefect, you must try

this Spring Water Lamb

we specially made for you.

Please.

Well...

I won't stand on ceremony then.

Delicious.

Calm down!

Now that Lady Shen faces no further worries.

Young Master, you can propose

dissolving the engagement, right?

Since everyone is here,

I have a matter

I wish to discuss with you all.

What a coincidence.

We also have some things

to tell you.

Vice Prefect, you speak first.

What I have to say isn't urgent.

Please, Uncle, you go first.

No, no!

You speak first.

Uncle, you should speak first.

Vice Prefect, you should speak first.

Then Auntie should speak.

I'll speak then.

Vice Prefect, we've prepared a farewell gift for you.

Farewell...?

This is clothing we specially made.

We designed the pattern ourselves

and had it made.

We hope you will always have splendid robes to wear.

Yes, Vice Prefect.

We also made

these lanterns especially.

We hope they can illuminate your future.

Right! Vice Prefect,

I also have a gift for you.

(Our Family) This is a family portrait I drew myself.

And I drew you right in the center.

Center?

I guess

that means I've been stuffed

into this spot.

What it means is

you hold the most important position

in our family's hearts.

(Our Family)

Thank you.

But

just now, you said this was

a "farewell gift"?

Yes.

It's like this, Vice Prefect.

We've been imposing on you here

for quite some time now.

We should be returning to our hometown.

So we prepared

some gifts for you.

They're all small items we made by hand.

We also hope your life in the future

will be more comfortable.

Today, we also tidied up your courtyard

and the inside of the house.

Hope you don't mind.

Vice Prefect,

all this time,

we've truly troubled you.

Our whole family is deeply grateful.

We should toast

this cup to you.

- Here. - Here.

Here.

Toast to Vice Prefect.

Well...

Everyone, stop standing up.

- Hurry and eat! - Come here.

Sit!

Come and sit. Eat!

- Help yourself. - Eat quickly.

- Yangyang, here. - Here.

Thank you, Uncle.

Earlier, you said

you had something to tell us.

What was it?

Minor matters.

Perhaps not worth mentioning.

Then have some food.

Here.

Mr. Liu, try this.

Thank you, Auntie.

This is the recipe for rice tofu.

We'll leave it with you.

Keep it.

After we leave, don't forget to eat properly.

Don't be busy with official duties

and dryly gnaw on steamed buns every day.

(Rice Tofu Recipe)

Auntie,

these lanterns swaying look just like fireflies.

What are...

fireflies?

They're

glowworms.

Glowworms!

Yangyang,

I know a place to see fireflies.

Want to go?

Want to!

Where is it?

Then after dinner, I'll take you.

Okay!

Then it'll be troublesome for you

to look after Yangyang for me later.

Let's go together.

But if we go out now,

isn't that violating the curfew?

We'll go out the back gate.

Without going to Vermilion Bird Avenue,

we can avoid the patrols.

The fireflies by the Cang River are Yong'an's most famous night view.

You will be leaving soon.

If you miss it this time,

it might be hard to have another chance.

Here. Eat first.

Eat your fill and then we'll talk.

So beautiful.

So many.

Uncle Vice Prefect,

when I go back,

whenever I see fireflies,

I'll definitely remember you.

What's Uncle Vice Prefect?

Don't call him that.

It's alright.

Auntie, I caught a firefly!

Yangyang, don't catch them.

Fireflies will die within a day if you trap them.

It's better to let them be free.

May you

be free, too.

Freedom

is my greatest wish in this life.

To be honest,

when I first met you,

I thought you were...

I thought you were a high official.

I thought you should be enshrined.

But after spending time together,

I found you have a cold face but a warm heart.

Now I actually feel like

you are a friend.

It's a pity I'm just a passerby in Yong'an.

I don't belong here.

So I decided long ago

not to make friends here.

What a coincidence.

Me too.

Then...

we are not friends.

♪Red clay surrounds the hearth fire♪

♪A season of yearning sows a peck of lovesick beans♪

♪Heart adds fierce flames, chills melancholy♪

♪Raising my gaze, drunk towards white hair♪

Auntie!

Auntie, look at the fireflies.

So beautiful.

♪Awake or mad, that's all for later♪

♪Could it be, without schemes♪

♪Without longing, without turning back♪

♪Only thinking of today, not seeking results♪

♪With a beginning and an end♪

Mr. Liu,

I have a major matter,

even a lifelong matter,

that I'd like to ask

for your help with.

Alright.

So,

after that poetry gathering,

I received

quite a few poetic letters from noble ladies of Yong'an.

My usual focus is

deciphering oracle bone scripts.

I'm not very knowledgeable

about poetry and such things.

So I'd like to ask you

to help me parse them.

- Here. - I'll just...

take a look.

(Kneeling down; Reading book; Eat well; Miss you always)

This one

praises

your outstanding talent

and that day's "battle of wits".

This one praises you

as suave, handsome,

and dashing.

Is that so?

What?

Handsome and dashing?

This one is even more impressive.

This young lady

has a secret affection for you.

Here. Let me see.

Give me one.

(Dreamed you were near; Woke to you gone.)

Couldn't they have been delivered to the wrong place?

This is too unbelievable.

If I'd known it would be like this,

I should have made some comments

at the poetry gathering, too.

Maybe I could have gotten some fans, too.

What are you stirring up trouble for?

And so on.

Here's another one.

What truly makes a confidante?

What truly makes a beauty?

Oh my.

Didn't expect people here

to have such taste.

I'm actually a bit reluctant to leave.

I'll take this affection with me when I leave.

No matter how bad life gets later,

I'll rely on these

to keep going strong.

Listen,

I...

Where are the people?

This...

this...

You simply don't understand me!

According to the script I wrote,

we were supposed to move our ancestor

with a perfect bowl of Spring Water Lamb

on a full moon night.

Then we bathe in the moonlight,

fall asleep,

and wake up back in the modern era.

You know, the money we earned here

is enough for us to live on for years back home.

Honestly,

I feel earning money in ancient times

was so much easier than in the modern era.

I'm actually reluctant to leave Yong'an.

Yeah.

Although you can't play video games here,

and there aren't many modern conveniences,

the money is easy to make here.

Mom, it'll be even harder

for someone like me

to find a job back in the modern era.

And our family restaurant isn't doing well now.

Keep looking at me.

It's still going under.

- Hey! - You know, here,

if we just make a little bit of modern-style food,

the money comes whooshing in.

And I could have so many fans.

Isn't that great?

None of what you say is important.

I heard that next year,

Yong'an will host

the first Culinary Master Competition.

If we really stay until then,

perhaps I could win us

a ranking.

If I really could get a ranking,

I would have a bunch of fans, too.

If I became popular,

my fans would definitely be more than yours.

Enough.

Enough with you.

How capable you are, don't I know?

Endless nonsense.

Culinary Master?

Actually, I think what Dad said isn't bad.

Look at Dad's presence.

With a little grooming,

he's an absolute middle-aged idol material.

Right, Dad?

Dad!

Actually,

I also like Yong'an.

Because the ancestor plays with me.

So,

why don't we just not go back?

No, I... I was just saying it casually.

No other meaning.

Actually,

it might not be impossible.

Actually,

it has some logic.

But

Auntie told the ancestor a monumental lie.

What if he finds out?

Time is almost up.

Stop all this wishful thinking.

Let's all accept our fate and go back.

After all, we have so much gold.

Life will get better.

Fine.

I'll go back carrying the love from my fans.

Take it.

(Our Family)

You hold the most important position

in our family's hearts.

(Remember to drink water. Eat on time) After we leave, don't forget to eat.

Don't be busy with official duties

and dryly gnaw on steamed buns every day.

(Yunshui Manor. Welcome Home)

Finally back to a place with wireless internet.

And we need to find a place that buys gold at a high price.

Lady Shen.

Why am I still here?

Lady Shen,

last night, everyone somehow got so drunk

and fell asleep in the courtyard.

Steward Liu worried you'd catch a chill from drunkenness,

so he quickly sent you all back

to your respective rooms.

Thinking from another angle,

actually, from the very beginning,

all the methods for going back

were ones we thought up.

And we tried them all.

Since there's truly no way back now,

doesn't it mean

we can only face reality?

Staying here

might be quite good.

Someone like me

has nothing

in the modern era.

But here, in ancient times,

I really am quite popular.

And it seems that

our ancestor's character isn't bad either.

So,

why don't we just really stay?

Open a small restaurant and enjoy

the ancestral patronage we don't have in the modern era.

Maybe we'll end up as the richest family.

Shen Gongcai, what time is it!

And you're still thinking about this?

I'm not...

Yeah.

What your sister said is right.

Your relaxation mentality

is definitely wrong.

One has to be positive and striving when doing things.

Right?

But

if there truly is

some force majeure

causing us

to really not be able to return,

if I could enter a Culinary Master Competition

and get a title

of Top Chef of Yong'an,

that would be quite good.

Top Chef of Yong'an?

So...

none of you wants to go back anymore?

Jicai,

all these years,

your father hasn't brought

much money back home.

Our whole family

has had it quite tough.

If we can really stay in Yong'an,

at the very least,

our whole family will have financial security.

- It makes sense. - It makes sense.

(Yunshui Manor)

Food is served!

Vice Prefect.

Round and Reunion.

Reunion soon.

Take your time.

Fresh Reunion.

Sweet Reunion.

Eat.

Grand Reunion.

Small Reunion.

Take your time.

Finally Reunited.

Never to Part.

Uncle, you've been too generous.

Vice Prefect,

after you finish eating,

I have another presumptuous request.

Uncle, what do you want?

Feel free to speak.

Alright.

I...

This...

Actually...

It's better for Shaojie to tell you.

Wait a moment.

Please enjoy.

Shen,

you speak.

Actually, we want to...

It's just...

Forget it.

Just consider me sleepwalking.

Vice Prefect,

we have something to tell you.

We have something to tell you.

Speak freely.

Vice Prefect, are you hungry?

I'll go make you some more food.

This looks sufficient

for me.

Yes.

Then...

Vice Prefect, take your time.

What could be so difficult?

It couldn't be

you said you were leaving,

and now you're saying you want to come back

and keep living at Yunshui Manor?

I...

I guessed it right?

Actually,

we have indeed encountered some circumstances.

We might not be able

to leave for the time being.

We're truly sorry, Vice Prefect.

We can't find a place

to go immediately.

So, for now, we can only stay temporarily at your place.

Of course, we've also thought it through.

We've earned quite a bit

of money recently from our stall, right?

We plan to rent a shop

and open a restaurant.

Then we can earn even more money.

In that way, we don't live at your place in vain.

We'll pay rent.

What do you think?

Renting Vice Prefect's home...

If that word gets out,

it would sound like I'm accusing

His Majesty of an inadequate salary.

This...

Take it back.

Stay.

When you have time,

just make me a portion of rice tofu.

Rest assured!

Vice Prefect, from now on,

your meals are all on us.

You two!

Thank you, Vice Prefect.

Knowing the Shen family isn't leaving

puts your mind at ease, right?

No.

No?

Young Master, you just got all clumsy walking.

I...

I just walked all clumsy myself?

Why are you hiding so far away?

If I didn't hide this far,

I'd be waiting for you to deal with me.

How could I?

We came out of the Cui family together.

You are the best brother I've had in my life.

How could I hold a grudge

over a joke?

I wouldn't.

Really?

You still say I'm your best brother?

You liar!

I'm truly not lying

to you.

You really are my best brother

in this life.

Again?

You've used this trick since we were kids.

I've been guarding against you for ages.

You've improved.

However,

I haven't seen you like this for many years.

Since the Shen family arrived,

you have actually become much more relaxed.

But this marriage

still has to be canceled.

Censor Pei has no ill intent.

If he finds out, he won't spread it.

But if it were someone else,

tracing things back through the Shen family,

your identity would be in danger.

Vice Prefect,

it's so late.

You're not resting yet?

There are still documents to review.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

It's just that I've had trouble sleeping these past few days.

Vice Prefect, you go back first.

I'll sit in the courtyard for a while and then go back.

If there's any difficulty,

after all, I'm the Vice Prefect.

Perhaps I can help you.

Thank you.

I'm really fine.

I'll head back first.

(Juxian Alley) Come here.

This way, please.

Look! How lively.

Yes.

Look, so many delicious things.

Indeed.

They say the best delicacies in the world are in Yong'an,

and the best dishes of Yong'an are in Juxian Alley.

If you all want to open an eatery,

here is truly the right place.

Look. Up ahead are

the two most famous restaurants in Juxian Alley.

The first one is

Yunlai Tavern,

the most luxurious restaurant

in all of Yong'an.

It caters to high officials and nobles.

Whatever exotic delicacies you desire to eat,

you can taste them here.

Look. The second one is

Guixiang Tavern.

(Guixiang Tavern) Three Liu generations are running it.

Now it's managed by Liu Feng, Third Master Liu.

- They emphasize elegance. - How do you like this piece I wrote?

- Scholars love to dine here. - Excellent.

(Freeing the Eyes and Mind) On the fan-shaped west wall,

there are inscribed

verses by the most famous poets in Yong'an today.

Rich oily aroma.

Steamed with light seasoning.

An expert!

You really smell the specialties of both of them.

Thank you.

Dad!

Father, you're amazing.

You call this amazing?

My goodness.

The chefs at Yunlai Tavern prefer to cook

mainly with grilling

and deep-frying.

Guixiang Tavern, on the other hand, mostly uses steaming

to preserve the original flavor.

The taste leans towards mild.

If you ask me,

it's not particularly original either.

Wait until my shop opens,

the two of them combined

won't be my match.

Bring me along...

Come here. What we want to see is right up ahead.

Come.

Mom,

look at my dad, aren't you going to do something?

(Luo's Grocery Store) This is the one.

Among the vacant shops in Juxian Alley,

this one is the closest to the city center.

It only costs 400 qian per month.

- Remember, - It looks alright.

money isn't the problem.

The problem is that

this shop is too ordinary.

Are there any better ones?

Yes!

Isn't this pretty good?

This way, please.

On the issue of choosing a shop,

you need to firmly support me.

How great is this one?

Right?

Dad, if you'd said that earlier,

I would have understood.

You...

(Dried Fruit Shop)

500 qian.

For this size?

Are there any better ones?

Any better ones?

Yes. There are.

Take me to see them. Let's go.

This way.

(Jinxiu Tavern) Among the vacant shops in Juxian Alley,

this is the largest and best one.

800 qian per month.

Too small.

Still too small.

Still too small!

Shen Jianshe.

Shen Shaojie.

You two, come here.

What?

Wait. What's wrong now?

I'm busy here.

Time is money.

Shen Jianshe,

have you gotten above yourself?

- Have you gotten above yourself? - I haven't.

Have you decided what scale you want to open?

And there you are, picking and choosing.

You think a two-story building is small?

Do you want to ascend to heaven?

I... I haven't.

I'm using tactics.

Do you have the brains for that?

Tactics?

Yes. Dad, don't make excuses.

You definitely have a problem.

And you, Shen Shaojie.

- Mom! - Why are you joining in?

- Why are you joining in? - My fault.

Dear, just hit him!

Can you let go of me first?

I'm telling you two,

keep your mouths shut later.

Did you hear me?

- I hear you. - I hear you.

Grandma!

Ma'am,

sorry about this.

Could you please

help us find another place?

The location doesn't need to be too prominent.

The building doesn't need to be too big either.

You should have said so earlier.

Of course, I can.

Money.

Money is something you still need to...

Come. Look at this one.

This originally belonged to Councilor Kang's family.

He has many properties.

This one is small.

He doesn't pay it much attention.

Only 300 qian

per month.

However, there's one condition.

Councilor Kang

is a food enthusiast.

So, he only wants to rent this

to people in the food business.

Who is Councilor Kang?

You don't know who Councilor Kang is?

No.

He's the most famous food connoisseur

in all of Yong'an.

Do you know about the annual Culinary Master Competition?

That's his creation.

That competition, right?

Ma'am, how about this?

We'll pay you one year's rent upfront.

Can you give us a little discount?

How about 250 qian per month?

Dear, have you thought this through?

What kind of nonsense is this?

Besides, 250 doesn't sound good either.

It's fine, it suits you.

280.

Really, there's no profit.

You clearly look like a straightforward person.

You definitely still have room to negotiate.

Just 250.

265.

The backyard has a loft.

Although it's not renovated,

it can be used as a storeroom.

Let's settle for 250.

Alright.

You really know how to do business.

Not at all.

Let's just consider it as forming a good connection.

This shop

is truly a bargain.

That backyard connects to the alley.

When you expand later,

it's like getting half a shop for free.

Expand?

You can do that here?

Wait, this isn't regulated?

Who regulates it?

Look how much the Yunlai Tavern expanded.

It occupies half the back alley.

And it's still doing fine, right?

Don't worry.

Nothing will go wrong.

Fine. Then...

We'll take this one.

Let's sign the contract.

Yes. Let's sign it.

Quickly. Let's go.

Let's go.

(Yong'an)

Young Master, what you just mentioned

is about the shops in Juxian Alley

illegally expanding without permission.

Presumably, people must have discovered it before.

But why was it

never dealt with?

Yong'an is

more complicated than it is outside.

The interests behind the East and West Markets are deeply entangled.

The case against Mr. Yun

for embezzlement was easy to solve.

But here,

many people can't be touched.

Exactly.

For example,

the two most famous shops in Juxian Alley are

Guixiang Tavern

and Yunlai Tavern.

They both have wealth and influence.

If you really investigate,

who knows who might be implicated behind them?

How about

you just make a token gesture?

Since I'm the Vice Prefect of the Capital Prefecture,

I can't hold office without doing my duty.

Come here. Jicai.

Look at the shop we chose.

Isn't it good?

And it's quite big, too.

Listen, Jicai,

you need to quickly find someone

to make me a few cooking pots.

The pots here

don't suit my hands well.

There's still so much to be busy with.

Jicai,

you've always had good ideas.

Take a look.

How should we decorate this place?

By the way, Jicai,

that broker said

we could expand a bit more here.

Of course, I'm afraid we might get investigated.

You decide.

You guys decide. I'm fine with anything.

Auntie,

you seem a bit unhappy.

Do you still want to go back to the modern era?

Here's a lollipop for you.

Thanks, Yangyang.

Jicai,

you need to accept reality.

Think about it carefully.

That little restaurant of ours

was bound to go bankrupt.

What would we even go back to?

What is there worth missing?

Huh?

Is it that account of yours

with only 200 followers?

Or that "genius" ex-boyfriend of yours?

That guy...

Jicai,

I didn't think much of this place at first either.

But thinking about it later,

it's not bad.

Think of our little restaurant in the modern era,

it wasn't even a third this size.

This place can make money.

And we have the ancestor blessing us.

It's good.

Yes.

Jicai,

talk to me.

Why do you want to go back so badly?

Nothing.

It's okay. Say it.

Don't bottle it up.

Bottling it up is so uncomfortable.

Say it.

I just can't understand.

How could we suddenly come to

this godforsaken place?

Before, I worked day and night on side jobs.

I... I finally saved up a bit of money

and bought a dishwasher for our home.

Over 3,000 yuan.

I never even used it once.

Here, trying to run a good business

still gets looked down upon.

They called us the lower class.

During the day, I have to learn

how to bow to others,

and I can't go out at night either.

Yes.

We can sneak out.

But it's sneaking.

Not free at all.

You've all gotten used to it.

None of you wants to go back!

Auntie.

Don't worry.

Take it slow.

We've only just started here.

Who knows, maybe one day,

we'll suddenly go back.

Jicai, please don't worry.

This thing...

You need to adapt slowly.

Yes. See, isn't everything slowly getting on track?

Since we're here, we should make the best of it.

Since we can't go back,

we'll just...

Auntie.

Maybe.

I'll adapt some more.

I'll be fine in a few days.

Yes. You'll be fine in a few days.

Don't worry.

(We really have to survive)

(in a society like this.)

(But what can I do)

(staying here?)

Somebody!

Help!

Someone jumped into the river!

(Shaoguang's Food Notes)

(People in Yong'an brew tea almost like brewing medicinal herbs.)

(They break the tea into pieces, roast it, then pour in boiling water.)

(Add ingredients for scallions, ginger, and tangerine peel for repeated boiling.)

(Until Lu Yu appeared, things changed.)

(As China's first KOL in the tea industry,)

(he wrote the epic bestseller, "The Classic of Tea".)

(Tea then became a proper field of study.)

(The method Vice Prefect Lin was using is the formal tea brewing promoted by Lu Yu.)

♪Like a sunken boat in a dark current, not a single light of night is seen♪

♪Ahead is hazy, light and shadow interlaced♪

♪Sadly this heart, toyed with by fate several times, hangs suspended♪

♪Falling into fog, tracking blindly♪

♪If not for thoughts stirring the heart, again provoking strife♪

♪How would I know it's so unfathomable♪

♪Had I known it would entangle us, we should never have met♪

♪A clean break♪

♪Only when walking deep within do I realize how thick the fog is♪

♪Who knows which way to go♪

♪Passing through the world, looking back at the dream♪

♪Is it still there♪

♪Like a sunken boat in a dark current, not a single light of night is seen♪

♪Ahead is hazy, light and shadow interlaced♪

♪Sadly this heart, toyed with by fate several times, hangs suspended♪

♪Falling into fog, tracking blindly♪

♪If not for thoughts stirring the heart, again provoking strife♪

♪How would I know it's so unfathomable♪

♪Had I known it would entangle us, we should never have met♪

♪A clean break♪

♪Only when walking deep within do I realize how thick the fog is♪

♪Where should I go♪

♪Passing through the world, looking back at the dream♪

♪Is it still there♪