Original subtitles

=Yummy Yummy Yummy=

=Episode 22=

Yangyang,

today is your first day of school.

You must study hard.

(Victory)

So beautiful.

Your auntie got up early

this morning to make it for you.

It's called Victory Cake

for good luck.

Your grandmother

scolded me again

just because I woke up a bit late.

I said you could just have breakfast

on the way.

Still,

she kept scolding me.

She thinks she can change her temper,

but I don't think she can.

Grandpa,

don't you think everyone has changed

since we came to Yong'an?

What do you mean?

Dad has fans now.

You've become a great chef.

Auntie is more amazing than before.

I can go to a good school.

Only Grandma

seems to be the same as before.

I don't even know what she likes.

Do you know?

(Hongwen Academy)

We're here.

Yes, we're here.

Go in by yourself.

- Okay. - Take your lunch.

Goodbye, Grandpa.

Be careful.

This child.

(Hongwen Academy)

(Under renovation)

(Shen's Diner)

Come on.

Everyone, have some water.

You've been working hard.

It's hard to expand the diner.

Have some water before you continue.

Come on, come on.

Thanks, Mrs. Shen.

You're welcome.

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

Thanks a lot.

Come on, take it.

Take it easy.

Fengxia.

Catch this.

Fengxia,

Shen Jianshe, what are you doing?

What is this?

This is called a carriage linchpin.

It's for locking the carriage wheels.

Just think of it as a car key.

Listen.

This is not an ordinary car key.

This is the linchpin of the most stylish

and luxurious carriage in Yong'an.

Shen Jianshe,

you're too old

to stand so high.

You can easily fall from there.

Do you think you're Jackie Chan?

What are you trying to do?

I just wanted to give you a surprise.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot.

I've realized

that our family

has changed.

We're different from before.

We've successfully entered

the upper class of Yong'an.

Mr. Liu, owner of Guixiang Tavern,

invested in our diner

out of respect for me

and helped me buy the place

next door.

With this expansion,

we'll be able to live here.

In short,

everything is heading

in a good direction.

The only exception is you.

You haven't shared in my joy of success,

so you're in a bad mood,

you're upset,

and I understand that.

What are you trying to say?

Back

in modern times,

we were poor and had no money.

You couldn't buy anything you wanted.

You were miserable all day,

working in the diner tiredly.

But now, it's different.

I just came back from the carriage shop.

I've ordered a four-horse,

spacious, and luxurious carriage

as your personal vehicle.

Also,

I'm officially announcing

that you don't have to work in the diner anymore.

I'll hire two helpers for you.

I'll let them...

No.

Not two helpers.

Four helpers.

You won't have to do anything.

You just have to give orders.

From now on, your job

is to sit in the carriage

I bought for you

and wander around Yong'an.

Whenever you see something nice,

just buy it.

Silk, satin, brocade, jewels...

You can buy whatever you want.

When you look at these things,

your mood will improve.

When your mood improves,

your temper won't be so bad.

And if your temper isn't so bad,

maybe you won't scold me anymore.

Shen Jianshe,

do you think my temper was bad

because you didn't make

enough money?

What else?

- Mr. Shen, are you okay? - Mr. Shen.

It hurts.

Why don't you help me up?

I've bought you such a big carriage,

and you can't even help me up?

Make yourself clear.

Why do I have such a bad temper?

How can I know

why?

I've asked myself

over and over at night.

You've always been like this.

One wrong sentence,

and your anger just flares up.

When we were dating and got married,

your temper was like this.

It's still the same

even today.

Apart from hitting,

pinching, scolding, and kicking me,

what else can you do?

Fengxia,

I'm a man;

I have my dignity, too.

I'm under huge pressure.

Can't you show me some compassion?

Besides,

I've succeeded.

I have fans now.

Why can't you give in to me a little?

Why can't you treat me better?

This is the most luxurious carriage

in all of Yong'an.

Fengxia.

(Hongwen Academy)

The sky is like a dome,

covering all directions.

The earth is like a chessboard,

round and boundless.

Though the sky and earth have different shapes,

their patterns

are interconnected.

The sky has the order of the sun, moon, and stars;

the earth has the order of plants, mountains, and rivers.

Only when all things in the universe

follow this order

can they...

... can they coexist peacefully.

You,

call her.

Shen, Shen.

Shen?

What did the mentor just say?

He said the sky is round and the earth is square.

The sky is like a dome.

The sky is round; the earth is square?

That can't be right.

How can the sky be round

and the earth be square?

We live on a planet, don't we?

The sky is the atmosphere;

the earth is what we stand on.

Both the sky and the earth are spherical.

How can they be square?

What planet?

Atmosphere?

Nonsense.

Shen,

the sky is always round;

the earth is always square.

Whether the sky

is round or square,

you just haven't read enough books.

Shen,

do you have any evidence

for such shocking statements?

Classmates,

Mentor Zhao,

have you ever raised a cat?

Cats love to push things to the ground.

If the earth were square,

then all the cats in the world

would have pushed everything

outside the earth by now.

But the sky and the earth

are actually round.

We live inside a sphere,

so the cats

haven't messed things up.

It's the planet.

Alright, alright.

Be quiet.

Shen,

please sit.

What did he mean?

If her father

hadn't pestered me,

I would never have accepted Yangyang.

Bringing in a girl

would only cause more trouble.

But Mr. Shen

loves his daughter

so dearly,

and I truly admire that.

That's why I agreed.

But after all, she's just a child,

and she needs guidance from adults.

Since her father is not here

today,

I have to ask you

to come here.

Yes, you're absolutely right.

So, what did Yangyang do?

Speaking one's mind is a good thing,

but in this world,

many people get into trouble for that.

Adults around her

must take responsibility

to prevent such trouble.

I thought you asked me to come

because she'd caused some trouble.

I also thought

you wanted my aunt to scold me.

Yangyang is a promising girl,

nurtured by nature,

full of wonderful ideas.

If properly guided,

she will surely achieve

great things in the future.

Really?

You must be ambitious

and persistent in what you do.

You're not the man I think you are.

How so?

You're a natural educator,

but to be a mentor at Hongwen Academy,

where the Crown Prince studies,

you must be capable of more than teaching.

Understanding human relationships

is more important.

In this world,

things rarely go as one wishes.

I often pray that my students

can be

the few lucky ones.

Mentor Zhao,

my family runs a diner,

and we wish to express our gratitude through a meal.

Please do us the honor.

No need to trouble you.

As a mentor,

guiding students is my duty.

No trouble at all.

Our diner is currently

under renovation and expansion

and is not open to customers.

We truly want to invite you over.

You can meet Yangyang's family,

so you can guide us

on how to raise her in the future.

In that case,

I'll go.

Thanks, Lady Shen.

Thanks for honoring us with your presence.

Thanks, Mentor.

(Yunshui Manor)

What kind of man is Zhao Xunzhi?

He betrayed his friends for personal gain.

You invited a wolf into the house

just for my sake?

I'm sorry,

but inviting Zhao Xunzhi over

for a meal is too risky.

It's already done.

The risk has been taken.

Mr. Lin, don't waste

this opportunity.

How can I ever repay you?

Mr. Lin,

how can you say that?

You've helped us so many times before.

Do we need to repay you for that?

Those don't count.

Why not?

You've helped us so many times.

Can we ever truly repay you?

This time is different.

You're being righteous,

but I...

You want to uncover the truth,

and we want to help you.

Now, we have the perfect chance to test him.

Isn't that good?

If he has any issues,

it's better to find out

before it affects Yangyang.

But I really like Mentor Zhao.

Whatever I say, he never scolds me,

and he always explains things to me.

I'm starting to like going to Hongwen Academy.

Can such a good teacher

really be a bad person?

(Miss You in Yong'an)

(Shen's Diner) Let's all raise our glasses

- to Mentor Zhao. - To Mentor Zhao.

- To Mentor Zhao. - Okay?

Come on.

All the words are

in this cup of wine.

I'll toast you again.

Mentor Zhao,

let me serve you some of this.

- Thanks. - Here.

I'll toast you again.

Alright.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Mentor Zhao, here.

I'll toast you, too.

Thanks for taking care

of Yangyang.

We're truly grateful.

It's nothing, really.

- To you. - Good.

Good.

- Good drinker. - Good.

Good wine.

Mentor Zhao, since my parents

have drunk to you,

I have to follow suit.

Here.

Sure.

No need to stand up.

Sit, sit.

Sit.

Good.

Good.

What a great tolerance for alcohol.

With you being Yangyang's mentor,

we're at ease.

- Right. - I'll toast you again.

Come on.

I've just done what any mentor should do.

- Please. - Cheers.

- Come on. - Cheers.

Yangyang is so mischievous.

You must've spent a lot of effort.

You're so knowledgeable,

patient, and caring.

We really don't know

- how to thank you. - Yes.

I'll toast you again.

Sure.

Thanks, thanks.

Who is it?

Mr. Cui?

Mr. Lin,

your clothes resemble

Mr. Cui's.

Mr. Cui?

Who is he?

Is he an old friend

of yours?

Please sit.

There is a story

I'd like

to ask you about.

Alright.

I'm all ears.

Go ahead.

Li Ji.

Li Ji betrayed his friend

and has been condemned through the ages.

It's a well-known fact.

I wonder

what you are trying to ask.

Have you ever done the same thing?

Who are you?

I'm the Vice Prefect,

speaking out for an old injustice.

In the post-selling case

17 years ago,

someone changed their testimony,

leading to the conviction.

I want to know

if his betrayal

of his friend

was out of his own wish

or someone's coercion.

(Spirit Tablet of Eldest Son Li Sheng)

Sheng,

Anran is just like you.

He's as smart and perceptive

as you were,

which is why he was able

to uncover all this so fast.

It was too fast

for me to bear.

So,

one day,

I might have to send him

to join you.

I'm sorry for him.

Father, you should pay more attention

to the living.

Lin Yan

has found Zhao Xunzhi.

Zhao Xunzhi

values his reputation above all else.

Once one misses a chance,

there will be no turning back.

What's done is done.

He's serving me.

He won't talk.

What if he changes

his mind and decides

to serve someone else?

What if he's willing

to sacrifice himself

for his friend's only son?

What will you do?

Zhao Xunzhi

entered Shen's Diner

and hasn't returned home yet.

Let the spies

in Juxian Alley move.

(Yunshui Manor)

(Mindful and Perceptive)

Zhao Xunzhi has agreed to testify.

You can rest easy.

I just feel

that it won't go so smoothly.

Mr. Lin, bad news.

Yangyang?

What's wrong?

Mentor Zhao didn't come to class for no reason.

He's disappeared.

He's disappeared?

(Jingsi Study)

Young Master.

Young Master,

news from Vice Minister Cao:

Zhao Xunzhi

has submitted a document in Nanming County,

saying that he

is returning home for mourning.

He just disappeared from Yong'an.

It'd take at least three days to get to Nanming.

How could he have arrived now?

Zhao Xunzhi is already old;

his parents and elders are no longer alive.

Who is he going to mourn?

Prince Zhao?

Young Master,

you can't say that

for now.

Go to Nanming County

and find Zhao Xunzhi.

We must see him alive

or find his body.

Yes.

Come on, get up.

Come on.

(Jingsi Study)

Auntie,

Grandma said that since this is so serious,

we should just be ordinary friends

with Mr. Lin.

We're just bringing him food.

Why are you afraid to go in?

Auntie,

my legs are all numb now.

I can't stand properly.

Your legs are numb?

Then let's leave the food box here and go.

(Shen's Diner)

Thanks.

Sweet and sour pork ribs,

fried crumbs with Chinese mallow,

cheese buns,

osmanthus sugar lotus root,

and rice tofu.

All these are foods that can lift one's spirits.

Mr. Lin, my aunt especially made these for you.

Thanks.

But I really don't have

an appetite.

I'm sorry.

You've run into some trouble,

and you can't even eat?

I know you've been waiting for 17 years

to find Zhao Xunzhi,

the most crucial witness.

The hope was right there,

but he disappeared.

We all understand how you feel,

but you can't just stay indoors

and refuse to eat.

You've only been in this world

for a little over 20 years.

While you're investigating the truth,

you also have to do your job as the Vice Prefect.

Can you stop being so hard on yourself?

I'm not

that depressed,

and I'm trying to find a way.

Today, I was waiting for your food,

thinking you wouldn't come.

So,

I just ate a little bit.

I really can't eat any more.

Grandma asked Auntie to bring the food,

but Auntie was hesitating at the door,

unwilling to knock,

which delayed things by an hour.

Yangyang.

I'll leave first.

Thanks.

Still, you don't look very well.

(Confidential)

It arrived last night.

Prince Zhao knows

that Yangyang has entered Hongwen Academy.

He says Zhao Xunzhi is upright

and can be a good mentor.

He's pretending not to know

Zhao Xunzhi has disappeared,

yet he writes a letter to test me.

How hypocritical.

What on earth does he want?

Young Master!

Young Master!

How is it going?

Zhao Xunzhi has never

shown his face after returning to Nanming.

He's never been married or had kids,

and he doesn't have any close family.

Those clan members,

for some unknown reason,

insist that he is staying at home,

just unwilling to appear.

I suspect

that he might have met

with some misfortune.

Sure, let's just smash it

to vent our frustration,

as if we're beating that bad old man.

(Uphold Integrity) Young Master,

why have you started, too?

Uncle Liu Chang, smash it.

Me?

Crazy.

You're crazy.

All crazy.

How satisfying.

Isn't it really relieving?

Do you feel better now?

Much better.

Don't worry.

I'm not worried.

Once your moment of anger passes,

there will always be a way.

Mr. Lin,

you need to eat properly

and get enough sleep.

As long as you are healthy,

everything will get better.

The Chinese New Year's Eve is coming.

Mr. Lin,

Uncle Liu,

why not join us for the celebration

at our diner?

Sure.

That'd be great.

In previous years,

it was just me and the young master,

which was really boring.

Yangyang,

who'd want to spend the eve

in the yamen,

eating steamed buns and pastries?

It's unbearable.

I just...

Mr. Lin,

you have to go, too.

Auntie,

haven't we prepared new clothes for him?

Alright.

(Shen's Diner)

12 eggplants.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

Twelve

radishes.

Cabbages...

Auntie,

how could you say that about Mr. Lin?

I was too worried.

How could I have thought

that you were like that?

You can never be like that.

Forget it.

I know what you mean.

Glad that you're not mad at me.

I never could.

Six

cabbages.

Mr. Lin, you have to go, too.

Auntie and I

have made new clothes for you.

Alright.

(Eggplants, Radishes, Cabbages, Lin Yan)

(Eggplants, Radishes, Cabbages, Lin Yan)

No problem.

Aversion therapy.

I'll pickle his name.

Thinking of it will make me sick.

Aversion therapy.

(Pickled Chinese Marrow)

(A bowl of rice matters the most)

(Shen's Diner)

(Good deeds can accumulate)

(Eat well)

What is this?

Sir,

this is called a couplet.

Couplet?

The Chinese New Year is near.

May your family be blessed

with health and prosperity.

May you also enjoy

health and prosperity,

with a thriving business in your diner.

Thanks, thanks.

Goodbye, goodbye.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Sure.

A good omen is here.

Auntie, thank you.

What is this?

What is this?

- I'll tell you. - A copper coin?

Yes.

We'll put this copper coin

into one of the dumplings.

Whoever eats this dumpling

will have a smooth year ahead,

with all their wishes fulfilled.

What about the others?

Each has

its own special meaning.

We'll put them all in.

Whoever eats them

will have good luck.

I heard Lady Shen went to the countryside to buy goods.

It's almost time for dinner.

Why hasn't she come back?

Yes.

Jicai said she'd be back in five days.

Why hasn't she returned?

I was thinking

that if she doesn't come back tomorrow,

I'll ask her father to go look for her.

Yes.

Where did she go?

I'll go look for her now.

There's no need.

Jicai must have a plan.

She might come back tomorrow.

Mother, add another filling.

Look, she's back.

- Lady Shen is back. - You're back.

You're back.

What filling?

So mysterious.

Let me see.

Isn't this water shield from Qingyang?

You went to Qingyang?

I happened to pass by Qingyang.

People in Qingyang eat dumplings

with water shield filling during the festival.

We haven't had them for years.

There are still many outside.

Deyuan, help me out.

Lady Shen,

did anyone else know

you went to Qingyang?

Were you stopped and questioned?

Did anyone suspicious follow you?

Don't worry.

I was extremely careful.

I went through mountains,

and I didn't enter Qingyang at all.

I picked them from a wild pond

at the border between Qingyang and Shi'an.

I didn't give myself away.

That's good.

Thank you so much

for going through so much trouble.

Thanks, Lady Shen.

Well.

No need to thank her.

It was on the way.

It's nothing.

Yes, yes.

It's no trouble at all.

But from what Lady Shen said,

it doesn't sound easy.

I'll go get something else first.

(Shaoguang's Food Notes)

(Braised Lion's Head: a homely dish for diners)

(After braising, everything becomes tender.)

♪Wear a sunset glow upon the brow♪

♪Breeze sways, wind chimes hang below the cloud♪

♪Hear one chime ring, tugging at the heart♪

♪True feelings perhaps can only be sensed♪

♪Misty is you, clear is you♪

♪Seeking stars in fog, seeing your shadow under the moon♪

♪Words held back, feelings unrestrained♪

♪Could the road ahead, let us gaze but not doubt♪

♪Mistook all eyes see as cold ice♪

♪Yet let dusk dye the ears and temples red♪

♪Even holding breath couldn't help but stop♪

♪Exposing my warmed heart held tight♪

♪Bustling is you, desolate is you♪

♪Reservedly drawing you into this life♪

♪Hesitating, undecided, the heart hard to deceive♪

♪Worldly rules and taboos, how could they make me give up♪

♪When rushing to you, leaving my deep thoughts in disarray♪

♪I still foolishly see it as a good time♪

♪Heart stirs, wind swirls the lightest ripples♪

♪A thousand tangled thoughts concealed♪

♪Saved a whole lifetime, hastening to you, urgent over miles♪

♪To make the wandering heart return home henceforth♪

♪To draw near what seems beyond reach♪

♪Through life and death changes, only we never cease, never yield♪

♪Perhaps affection barely passes muster♪

♪But love forever♪

♪Will make up for our mutual care, mutual bond♪

♪Saved a whole lifetime, hastening to you, urgent over miles♪

♪To make the wandering heart return home from now♪

♪To dare approach what seems beyond reach♪

♪Through life and death changes♪

♪Only you, never cease, never yield♪