Original subtitles

(Firefly Theater)

♪Neon lights twist into a knot♪

♪I rest in the ruins of defeat♪

♪You tap your fingers lightly♪

♪I fall into the abyss♪

♪I've seen this game before♪

♪Every single move was calculated♪

♪I finally see your silhouette♪

♪Just an empty shell♪

♪I've broken this game before♪

♪Every move was placed wrong♪

♪Now it's my turn to play♪

♪I'll show you what stunning looks like♪

♪When I stand back up again♪

♪The whole city goes dark♪

♪For the part you owe me♪

♪I'll make you pay double♪

♪You're just my starting point♪

=The Vanishing Beauty=

=Episode 26=

Why did you suddenly

bring me here?

You've been stressed out lately.

A walk will do you good.

It's my job to ensure

you get some proper rest.

Don't burn out.

You act like a different person lately.

Mr. Jiao,

do you treat all your clients

like this?

Not really.

Other clients

don't pay me that much.

Let me help you.

Come on.

Careful.

My shoes!

Let go. Let go.

Let...

♪I was never the clever one♪

♪Just trying to live with heart♪

Let... Let's head over first.

♪Some embrace while some turn cold♪

You almost choked me.

Aren't you

here just fine?

What?

Why are you staring at me?

I feel like you've

changed a lot today.

Before,

you put on a tough front,

but I could see

you were fragile inside.

But today,

you're bright

and confident.

I choke you a little,

and you get all sentimental?

The words

just came out.

Done.

All clean.

What?

Are you OCD too?

I'm

only obsessive about things you care about.

♪Some embrace while some turn cold♪

I'm worried

Di Liren might play dirty.

So,

wherever you investigate,

I'm going with you.

Let me know

once you find anything.

Jiao Xu.

Thank you.

You're back.

Rest up. I'll get it.

I'm used to it.

Hui,

you're my wife now.

You don't

have to do these.

Hui.

Eat up.

That's it.

Remember when we were

in that rental?

You often made me

these plain noodles

at night.

Back then,

we couldn't afford an extra egg.

But to me,

it was better

than any delicacy today.

Still mad about what happened at the office

this afternoon?

I was thinking of the big picture.

People out there say

you settled

for a maid like me.

Do you feel that way?

That's just idle gossip.

Don't mind it.

Tell me.

If I'd never been a maid,

would people

not look down on me?

If I hadn't gone to the Yu family,

would Mr. Yu

not be in a coma?

If I hadn't come here,

Haoyu wouldn't be hurt.

Why say this now?

If it weren't for me,

you'd still be the perfect

son-in-law of the Yus.

Even for a second,

even

as a passing thought,

did you ever think

that if I died,

everything

would be different?

I get it.

Hui.

I want to work at Jiali.

No.

If you hate

all the gossip,

why keep diving into it?

Because I'm sick

of living in the shadows.

Just stay home

and be Mrs. Di.

I thought you'd find

a better excuse.

I've basically found out

everything about Peng Cheng.

Take a look at this.

It starts with this garment factory.

Check the legal rep.

(Hongli Garment Factory, Legal Representative: Lu Hui)

Lu Hui?

When I saw Lu Hui

was the legal rep of the factory,

I wasn't sure

if this Lu Hui

was the one we knew.

So I followed the lead

and dug up old newspapers.

The paper clearly stated

that the owner of Hongli Garment Factory,

Lu Zhiming, died in a car crash,

and Peng, the party involved,

was released for lack of evidence.

(Breaking! Hongli Garment Factory Owner Lu Zhiming Died in Car Crash)

I remember you told me

that Lu Hui's dad died

before she got married.

So it's reasonable to deduce

that Lu Zhiming

is Lu Hui's dad.

(Police found insufficient evidence to assign liability)

(Given Peng's cooperation, the family has decided not to press charges)

So this Peng

is very likely Peng Cheng.

I think we can make

a bold guess.

Looks like

I need

to see Lu Hui again.

Morning.

What are you doing here?

Routine shareholder visit.

I forgot to tell you.

Haoyu has entrusted his shares

to me.

You don't know the business here.

Why insist

on interfering?

I can learn.

I was new

to maid work too,

but didn't I do a great job?

That's different.

How is it different?

If Yu Meng could learn,

why can't I?

Don't mess around.

Yu Meng is in the past.

Whatever it is,

let's talk at home, okay?

(Jiali)

Mr. Di.

Show her around.

Fang,

lend me another 500,000 yuan to get by.

I just gave you money last month.

We've been friends for decades.

Back when we

scraped by,

you weren't this stingy.

Well, you're a big boss now.

But I'm still broke as a joke.

Let me share in your success.

Peng Cheng,

honestly,

haven't I given you enough?

I gave you a car repair shop,

a restaurant,

and pulled strings

to get you into a big corp.

That was all real money

poured into you!

But you?

You slacked off every other day,

completely useless.

You didn't even look at the books.

If you cared a bit...

Care what?

Keep it down!

You think I don't know?

Don't act like

you're so noble.

You helped me?

You just wanted

to brush off a beggar,

keeping me far away,

so I wouldn't ruin your plans.

Aren't you using

the Xiaocheng matter

to threaten me?

Come to snitch to Yu Meng?

How is it?

Don't run!

Stop!

Yu Meng and I

are divorced.

What do you want now?

I want you

to pay me to keep my mouth shut.

Jiali is now

at the center of a public outcry.

If people find out

your entrepreneurial story

was built on picking the bones

of two dead families,

what will happen?

Peng Cheng,

listen carefully.

Now, Jiali

can't take any more hits.

If you still

want to leech off me,

you'd better behave.

Getting mad?

Pay up, and I'll keep quiet.

500,000 yuan

is nothing for an entrepreneur

like you, right?

Give me some more time,

okay?

(Chairman's Office)

Wait.

Hui.

Who was that?

An old fellow asking for money.

Not close,

so I said no.

When did you meet?

At a car wash

the other day.

What's his name?

I didn't catch it.

Why do you ask?

Nothing.

He just looks familiar.

Get in.

I'll take you to him.

Mr. Peng.

Coming.

What's up?

Don't you know me?

Miss,

you don't ring a bell.

If not here for a repair,

don't get in my way.

Sir.

There's an issue with my wheel.

Mind taking a look?

Sure. Come on.

Talk about bad luck.

Interesting.

You actually teamed up?

Exactly.

Speak up.

What do you want?

How long have you known Di Liren?

You should ask him that.

What's your relationship?

What did he say?

He said not close.

Not close?

Then go ask Mr. Di

whether we are close or not.

You go ask him too.

Why were you following me?

I wasn't following you.

It was Peng Cheng.

Did you remarry Di Liren

because of him?

So Peng Cheng is connected

to your dad's death?

Okay.

We have the same goal now.

Let's take down

Di Liren together.

(Keep Quiet)

I'll get the doctor now.

I told you

he doesn't want to see you.

You broke in?

No.

I won't force him.

Don't worry.

Go back.

He still needs time.

Step by step.

I'll make him forgive me.

Mom.

Mom?

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

You've been zoning out lately.

Is it

because of him?

Sometimes, I wonder

if my decision to remarry

was really the right one.

His only goal right now

is to get your forgiveness.

He won't give up easily.

I was wondering

if I should just leave all this behind

and take you away.

We can go far away from here

and start over.

I don't want to see him,

but with my condition,

I can't go anywhere.

Maybe

fate kept you here

to resolve this obsession.

Can you tell me what it really is?

Just some old stuff.

I haven't sorted it out myself.

What if...

I mean, what if

he really goes to prison?

How do you feel?

He's my dad.

He was good to me before.

But he's not a good person.

Mom,

we've done all we could.

We protected him before.

Anything he does,

any punishment he takes,

it's his own choice.

(Night Talk on Life)

What do those

at the club do?

They provide legal aid.

Basically, for a few dozen yuan,

people get a legal consultation.

Occasional legal outreach too.

Basically non-profit work.

With Yu Meng's influence,

this model

is quite appealing to investors.

So high on her,

why didn't you go with her?

I told you to handle

the investors,

not turn yourself into her fan!

I'm sorry.

Useless trash.

Get out!

(Wu Ta)

(Liu Zi)

How is Chestnut doing?

Why are you here?

Yu Meng told me.

Still getting checked inside.

I hope she's okay.

Yu Meng said

luckily Chestnut

only slipped

on the last step.

It wasn't high.

She'll be fine.

Who's the guardian?

Does she have

any drug allergies?

I'm her mom.

She's allergic to penicillin

and sulfa.

Know her blood type?

In case of a transfusion...

I know!

Type AB, same as me.

Draw mine. I can donate.

He can't! No!

Just a routine inquiry.

Why can't I donate?

Penicillin and sulfa allergies

are both hereditary.

The odds

of being allergic

to both

is only 0.0037%.

Same blood type

as me,

and her age matches

our first night together.

I have

had a bold idea.

You know what I'm thinking.

Is it what I think?

Is it what I think?

Is it?

Yes!

It's what you think!

Chestnut's

"disappeared dad"

is me?

Adorable Chestnut

is my daughter?

I have a daughter!

I have a daughter!

Keep it down!

I have a daughter.

I have a daughter.

(Peng Cheng is Di Liren's)

(fellow townsman.)

(Drifting through Jiangzhou,)

(living gig to gig,)

(yet gambling away a fortune.)

(The origin of his funds)

(is nowhere to be found,)

(clearly deliberately hidden.)

(Given Peng Cheng's network)

(in Jiangzhou,)

(only Di Liren)

(could do this.)

(Meet and talk tomorrow.)

(Chat History, Yu Meng)

(Delete)

I sleep best when I'm holding you.

These years, I often dreamed

of moments like this.

Half a life of hard work,

it finally came true.

What's wrong?

What happened?

Since when do you

snore and grind your teeth?

You sound like a chainsaw.

I'm sorry.

I might have drunk too much tonight.

I'll be careful next time.

You were never like this before.

It might just be

too much stress lately.

I'll book a sleep clinic tomorrow.

Just sleep tonight.

Guest room,

or stay far.

Just because I snore?

We finally...

I've had neurasthenia

for months.

Should I remind you

when it all started?

(Breaking! Hongli Garment Factory Owner Lu Zhiming Died in Car Crash)

You're right.

I do suspect Peng Cheng

is tied to my dad's death.

But at my dad's crash scene,

there were no witnesses,

no surveillance, nothing.

The report also said

the rollover was caused

by my dad's error.

No external factors involved.

So we held

the funeral very soon.

Until recently,

I saw with my own eyes

Peng Cheng is still

in contact with Di Liren.

Exactly.

I had Jiao Xu look into Peng Cheng.

After your dad died,

Peng Cheng left Xiaocheng.

That's why

nobody ever knew

his connection with Di Liren.

Ms. Hui,

if your dad's death

really involves Di Liren,

what will you do?

Jiao Xu and I can help you

review the evidence

and push for a retrial.

We can work together

to put Di Liren in prison.

Peng Cheng is the only witness.

If he doesn't confess,

it will just be the same as before.

I'll help you.

I lived with Di Liren

for five years,

and after what has happened recently,

I know exactly what he'll do

to Peng Cheng.

True.

Now,

being in the same house with him,

I just feel weird and distant.

All right.

Let's trace it back from the beginning.

How did you

meet Di Liren at first?

My dad funded his education back then.

After graduation,

he joined my dad's factory.

He said it was to repay

my dad's kindness.

My dad was thrilled

and groomed him for key roles.

So you two met

and got together

back then?

No.

I was working at a hospital back then.

We didn't cross paths much.

Barely knew each other.

(Xiaocheng, 21 years ago)

(But when my dad passed away,)

(I was devastated)

(and all alone.)

(Every day,)

(I worried creditors would show up.)

(It was Di Liren)

(who repeatedly)

(stood by my side)

(and shielded me.)

(My dad's unfinished debts)

(and projects)

(must be settled.)

(People needed answers.)

(However,)

(I knew nothing)

(about our business,)

(having no experience and no clue.)

(Fortunately,)

(Di Liren knew everything)

(and took it over.)

(He handled)

(everything flawlessly and properly.)

(Acquisition Agreement of Hongli) Not a single flaw could be found.

So when he told me

the factory was losing money,

(Acquisition Agreement of Hongli) its finances were in terrible shape

and he had to sell it quickly

to pay off the debts,

and when I saw

the financial statements

(Balance Sheet, Financial Statements) showing profits declining every year,

I remembered my dad often saying

business was tough

and profits were poor,

so I agreed.

Thinking back now,

I was so foolish back then.

Although it wasn't doing well,

it was nowhere near

having to file for bankruptcy.

Where is the money?

Anything left?

He said it all went

to debts and payroll.

Ms. Hui,

don't you think

he was preying on your family?

Look.

After your dad died,

he moved in on you,

exploited your lack

of experience,

and sold your factory.

So I reasonably suspect

that before me,

the first family he preyed on

was yours.

I thought he was saving me.

Turns out he was dragging me down.

Instead of saving me,

he cast me into an abyss.

If Di Liren is truly guilty,

I will make sure

he pays the price.

By the way,

I just had an idea

about Peng Cheng.

I'll look into it.

Contact me anytime if anything comes up.

Call Jiao Xu

or Liu Zi.

What is this?

Concern?

Call it whatever you want.

I never imagined

our relationship

would end up like this.

Neither did I.

Fate dealt us

the exact same hand.

We were preyed upon by the same man.

You could call it

a strange kind of fate.

I just hope there won't be

a next victim.

Stay safe.

I've told you many times.

I really...

See for yourself!

My pockets are empty!

Oh, right.

Look.

Search my pockets.

Come on. Check them yourself.

Let me tell you.

If that money isn't in my account soon,

I'll go straight to Lu Hui.

Think about it.

The money is ready.

Just say it?

Zhang Tao will transfer it.

That's more like it!

That's what friends are for,

right?

But...

You.

You've fooled me

so many times before.

You have to give me

an exact transfer time.

3 PM,

Wednesday.

If it's a minute late,

I'll tell Lu Hui everything

from that day.

Don't worry.

It will be there.

Look at you now.

After the divorce,

you don't even dress properly.

Go away!

What?

I helped you with it before!

Get lost!

Trying to scare me?

Seriously,

always hoarding the good stuff.

Let me tell you.

If it's a minute late,

I'll find Lu Hui.

Got it?

Don't forget!

One Bamboo.

I win!

I'm done.

My hand's absolute garbage.

You've smelled garbage?

Here, take it all.

No more.

Okay.

I'm done.

Let's call it.

Might as well get a drink.

You...

Why...

Why are you looking for me again?

I want to know what happened

the day my dad died.

Who's your dad?

I don't even know who you are,

and you're asking me about your dad?

Are you for real?

My dad was Lu Zhiming.

I know you know me,

and you've been

asking Di Liren for money.

So, let's

lay all our cards on the table.

As long as you tell me

what really happened

the day

my dad had the accident,

whatever Di Liren

promised you,

I will

top it.

Sorry,

I don't know

what you're saying.

As for asking for money,

you might have got the wrong idea.

Who am I?

I'm just...

Mr. Di is a big boss.

How would I dare?

I was just

borrowing money

as an old friend.

Don't come again.

Ask all you want.

I'm not budging.

I'm leaving.

(Mahjong Parlor)

Who are you?

Get in!

Easy. Easy!

Easy!

What do you want?

Don't move.

Di Liren...

Why did Mr. Di send you here?

I sent him here.

You...

What are you doing

in the dark?

I have told you many times.

I don't know anything!

Di Liren and I

aren't even that close.

Why won't you

just listen?

I'm telling you.

If you keep it up,

I'll call the cops!

Relax, we're just talking.

If you're worried,

I can drive us right up

to the police.

Yeah, don't be so nervous.

We just have a recording

about you.

We want you to listen.

What recording?

A recording of me singing,

or cussing someone out?

(Recording)

(Every time)

(you wire Peng Cheng money,)

(you must record it.)

(Watch what you say to him, too.)

(Subtly steer the conversation)

(toward extortion.)

Well?

Di Liren's voice

sounds familiar, huh?

Every time you asked him for money,

he recorded it.

Because he'll use

extortion charges

to put you behind bars.

Didn't he promise you

he'd transfer the money

by 3 PM this Wednesday?

He really

is having Zhang Tao send you the money.

But the second you take it,

your prison sentence

will be sealed.

That shameless fool!

Tomorrow is Wednesday.

The money hasn't been transferred,

which means

you still have a chance.

Meaning what?

Zhang Tao might not send it,

provided that

you explain every detail

of my dad's car crash.

Come clean,

and my previous offer

still stands.

Keep quiet,

and the amount Di Liren sends

is enough to keep you

behind bars

forever.

The outside world,

mahjong parlors,

and nightlife,

will have nothing to do with you.

No time for you to think.

Large wire transfers

need advance scheduling.

Zhang Tao is handling it soon.

I'll give you

one last three-count.

Three,

two...

I'll talk!

When your dad had his crash,

Di Liren approached me

first.

He came to me.

Our company

was drowning in debt.

We only wanted

to corner him

and get him to sign an IOU.

We never expected it to blow up.

Didn't I say I'd send you the money?

Yeah,

and once I take your cash,

you'll call the cops

and report me for extortion.

How could I do that?

I wouldn't.

Did someone

tip you off?

Does anyone need to tip me off?

We've been friends for decades.

You think I don't know

the tricks you're pulling?

What's that saying?

Take a shower with a raincoat.

Now, you're just

moonwalking naked

in broad daylight.

Isn't that the truth?

Believe it or not, it's up to you.

Get lost.

If you think

I'll trap you with a transfer,

do you still want it?

Of course,

I want it.

Triple.

Triple?

Triple.

Based on what?

You're pulling

a fake extortion

to jack up the price.

Based on this.

(IOU: Received 100,000 yuan from Lu Zhiming)

(Term: 7 days, due on October 5, 2004)

(Borrower assumes full legal liability if payment is overdue)

(Borrower: Fang Yong)

Be careful.

How do you have this?

I already...

Burned it,

right?

The one burned back then was fake.

I swapped it out long ago.

You think all my years

in casinos

were for nothing?

I pulled a switcheroo

on that thing.

The real one was long gone.

You never even noticed.

You keep calling me your friend,

but never treated me like one.

Let's not point fingers.

We're even.

If I hadn't covered my own back,

I'd be sitting

in a cell now.

Having this won't help you anyway.

What does it prove?

Listen up, then.

At the very least, it proves

that you and Lu Zhiming

had financial disputes.

I can also prove

that you're tied

to that car crash.

Don't you dare forget

that everything

started because of you.

You were the root cause

and the trigger.

Not a threat,

but if this case

ever gets reopened,

I'm pinning the whole thing on you

as the mastermind.

I don't know what you're saying.

Yeah, right.

Play dumb all you want.

No problem.

I'm just laying out

the pros and cons

of this whole thing for you,

to see if the gig

is worth it.

If you don't want it,

I'll just go to Lu Hui.

When that happens,

I'll dump everything

right on you.

I'll take the money and disappear,

but you

will have nowhere to run.

A bit sudden,

isn't it?

I suggest you reconsider.

Reconsider.

The same card as before?

Cash.

This time, I want cash.

(He agreed to pay triple)

(for the IOU.)

(Once he gets it ready,)

(he'll text me)

(the time and location.)

(I'll forward it)

(right away.)

Maybe I'm just being paranoid,

but if Peng Cheng could betray Di Liren,

could Di Liren

talk him back over

and have him

turn on us again?

No.

Since he brought up

the IOU,

it means he's determined

to sever ties with Di Liren.

Right now,

we have the IOU as proof,

but Di Liren is too shrewd.

To avoid leaving evidence on tape,

once he hears anything

about my dad's crash,

he denies all involvement

and distances himself completely.

So we must use

this IOU

to draw Di Liren out,

catch him red-handed,

and prove his guilt.

Guilt is a disease.

I'll make sure he gets cured.

For you.

I remember this is

your usual perfume.

Wearing perfume as a maid

often gets complaints.

Quit using it ages ago.

Don't even like it.

Now I'm more used to the smell

of disinfectant and hand soap.

You love staying clean.

Always been fresh.

You don't need

these fancy scents anyway.

Just use it

as an air freshener.

Honey,

the company

just landed a big project,

so cash flow is a bit tight.

I'll have to funnel

all my income

into the company for now.

What kind of project?

Well...

(Beloved Father, Lu Zhiming Beloved Mother, Wang Xiuzhi)

=The Vanishing Beauty= (Next Episode Preview)

Oh, no.

Di Liren beat us to it again.

Did Peng Cheng

really turn on us again?

He always said

his pockets are empty.

How did he suddenly get rich?

Are you crazy?

Are you crazy?

What are you doing?

I told Lu Hui

that her dad's death

was on you.

I'll always be here,

watching you,

staying close.

You'll never get rid of me.

Your current wife, Lu Hui,

and your ex-wife, Yu Meng,

(Ping An Million Accident Insurance) are teaming up against you.

(1. Policyholder Information, Policyholder Name: Lu Hui)

♪Old dreams have faded in color♪

♪A lonely heart torn in conflict♪

♪The love that stumbled along♪

♪Was just a quiet release♪

♪I write the future into a song, honoring the brave with no regrets♪

♪Turning all losses into the passion of this moment♪

♪I write the future into a song, for the me who never walks away♪

♪Forging all weaknesses into sharp, bold colors♪

♪In this life, I follow only my own choice♪

♪The chilled night has lost its color♪

♪No need to echo those who drifted apart♪

♪No longer proving my worth to anyone♪

♪The answer has long been etched in my silhouette♪

♪I write the future into a song, for the me who never walks away♪

♪Paving every twist and turn into a path forward♪

♪The ending of this life will be set by me♪