Original subtitles

(Broker)

(Adapted from Miao Juan's novel, "Broker")

(Episode 5)

You want to take a new path.

So you want me to cooperate.

Yes.

In the entire lab,

I think you're the best choice.

There's too little time.

It's impossible.

You should give up.

Didn't you ask me previously?

Sisyphus kidnapped the god of death.

But what have I done for the world?

I'm trying to bring about some changes.

That's just Greek mythology.

The god of death will always exist. Don't you agree?

Just tell me if you'll do it or not.

Tell me.

How do you want to start?

Let's start with the basics.

You should be familiar with mass spectrometry.

Let's first analyze...

the telomerase-interacting protein.

We'll see if we can find some new inspiration.

Zhou Xiao Shan.

Did Jia Ning ask you to work on mass spectrometry?

- Yes. - What can mass spectrometry prove?

It will find interacting and relevant proteins.

I think she wants to go back to researching...

small molecule inhibitors.

Shi Tou.

Qiu Jia Ning wants Zhou Xiao Shan to work on mass spectrometry...

and structural analysis.

What does it have to do with you?

Mind your own business.

Okay.

Zhou Xiao Shan.

Qiu Jia Ning wants you to work on mass spectrometry?

Yes.

Why?

She's trying to find a new breakthrough...

from interacting proteins...

and open up a new method by using small molecule inhibitors.

She's trying to return to the previous approach?

Isn't it ridiculous?

There are so many of us.

We haven't found a solution in over a year.

How can she be so good?

Just give her wings and she can fly?

But I did think...

it was a pity to give up on the previous approach.

- Why is it a pity? - Look.

Our previous inhibitor approach couldn't be continued...

because the side effects were too strong.

Just because Harry published an article,

Mr. Sun said we should try Harry's genetic approach.

But who knows if Harry has kept some details from others?

If he only published some but kept some to himself,

it'll be hard for us to make any solid progress.

I'm full.

Take your time, Mr. Sun.

Sun Lei, enjoy.

Wait for me.

Zhu Zhu.

Mr. Sun, I'm full.

Enjoy your meal.

So there's no progress yet...

with the mass spectrometry?

No.

Mr. Sun has worked on it for more than a year with this approach.

There were no results.

Shouldn't you consider...

not to waste any more time?

It's okay.

Life is a waste of time.

Right.

If you have time,

cultivate crystal forms again.

Why?

We should try every method.

Okay.

(Aoyoung Hospital)

Dr. Qin, are you tired from doing surgeries all night?

I'm okay.

But I do need to get some sleep later.

Keep an eye on the patient in bed number five for me.

Check his blood pressure every two hours.

I also took in another patient.

Try and find a vacant bed, understood?

There's no more vacancy.

What kind of attitude is that?

Did you forget what you promised last week?

What did I promise?

Last week, you said...

the hospital beds in our team are already occupied...

and you would stop taking patients in.

You just agreed to that, but you brought another patient in.

Didn't you find a bed anyway?

If I don't push you harder, you won't discover your potential.

I've lost my potential anyway.

Dr. Qin.

You're so kind and skillful.

- What should we do? - Don't panic.

- My life-saving money! - Don't panic.

Did you drop it somewhere?

- That's right. - Think about it carefully.

- Don't worry. - What should I do?

Don't worry.

- Think about it. - Think carefully.

It's okay.

Zhou, what's going on?

The patient in bed number seven is about to undergo surgery.

His mom finally got the money for his surgery from the countryside,

but she lost it.

Ma'am.

Why don't I pay the money for the surgery for you first?

- Really? - I'll pay it for you first.

- I'm so grateful! - Ma'am.

- Calm down. - Ma'am, please calm down.

- Calm down. - You saved my family!

Let's go and pay the fees.

We'll pay and get the surgery done.

- Let's go and pay up. - All right.

Ma'am, don't cry.

- It's okay. - Thank you, doctor.

- You're welcome. - I'll find a way to pay you back.

There's no progress.

I told you.

Jia Ning has only been here for half a month.

How can she make a breakthrough?

What did I say?

It doesn't make sense that Mr. Wang trusts her.

Don't be so emotional.

If Jia Ning really comes up with a report...

and gets acknowledged by Mr. Wang,

it will benefit us all.

No, if she succeeds, it will make Mr. Sun look bad.

- I'd hate that. - Look at you now.

You're sharing an office with Shi Tou.

Although he doesn't spare you a glance,

you still get to see him frequently.

If Jia Ning can't come up with a report,

Plan O will be called off.

How will we be reallocated?

That's the problem.

I don't care. She can't be better than Mr. Sun.

Calm down. Let's see what happens.

Your food delivery, Zhou Xiao Shan.

Didn't you just eat?

Chun Ran, put it on my desk.

I'll go take a look.

The delivery guy is here.

Zhou Xiao Shan, right?

Here's your delivery.

It's you.

Zhou Xiao Shan.

Did you order food?

Did you not have enough for lunch?

What's the matter?

It's nothing.

Was it too stuffy in the lab?

Get some fresh air.

I'll go in first.

Suisse Place Hotel Residence, Unit 1, Room 601.

Qin Bin, you're being nice again.

It seems that the next department director...

will be you.

Dr. Qin, you're back.

Dr. Qian was being sarcastic. You couldn't even tell?

Is that so?

My grandma is 90 years old this year.

Do you know why she lives so long?

Because your grandma is as cute as I am.

No.

It's because she always minds her own business.

You're scolding me, aren't you?

I wouldn't dare.

Have some water.

Do you see what's on my head?

Your receding hairline?

Hairline, my foot.

"Heal the wounded and save the dying."

What do you know? Seriously.

Dr. Qin, you're amazing.

You're so handsome and kind.

But you should save yourself some pocket money.

You can't keep doing this.

It's okay.

I have you.

I have to feed you?

That's right. You'll buy me breakfast.

Okay, stop squabbling with me.

Go and arrange a vacant bed.

Hurry up.

Okay, Ms. Chen will feed you.

What did you say?

Thanks, Ms. Chen.

You're pestering me so much that I have no choice.

Ms. Chen, why is your hair so nice lately?

I can smell the scent of your hair from far away.

You're so beautiful and kind.

All right.

I used the Adolph shampoo you gave me.

You know,

I really like this shampoo with essential oil.

After using it,

my hair has become smooth and silky.

It even smells nice.

Right?

By the way, Jia Xin,

you should talk to Dr. Qin.

He has a bright future ahead of him,

but he's still residing in our hospital.

I can't talk him around.

Besides, Aoyong Hospital is not bad.

It's one of the best general hospitals in the country.

He's so young and he's already the deputy director.

What else does he want?

You don't know of his background yet?

What about his background?

I thought he only looks good from the back.

Don't be naughty.

Dr. Qin...

comes from a family of five generations of doctors.

His dad is a very famous cardiologist...

in the States.

At his generation,

he already has financial freedom.

But he's still here working at the frontline healthcare with us.

He has passion.

Ms. Chen, the Dr. Qin you described...

doesn't sound like the one I know.

Dr. Qin is usually a bit harsh...

to young people like you.

But he was more of a slacker than you are when he was younger.

Really?

I heard it from someone.

It's said that when he was 18 years old,

he got into a college, but he didn't attend it.

He went traveling around the world.

It really upset his family.

They cut him off financially.

- But guess what? - What?

He managed to finish his trip...

just by busking along the way.

Dr. Qin is that cool?

Dr. Qin.

I've arranged it with Ms. Chen.

Handsome Dr. Qin.

What else do you need me to do?

Just say the word.

Are you filming me with your phone again?

- No. - Is this some comedy content?

Put your phone down.

There's no free lunch in this world.

You must be up to something.

You're judging an honorable person with your despicable mind.

Just say it.

Dr. Qin, I heard you traveled around the world...

by busking for a living.

Do I have to tell you that I know martial arts too?

You startled me.

Where did you hear that gossip from?

Dr. Qin.

Don't be so modest.

So it's true.

Tell me about it.

It's all in the past. There's nothing to talk about.

I'm so envious of that lifestyle.

That's my dream. I didn't expect you had done it.

That's your dream?

Listen.

There's a big price to pay to lead such an unbridled life.

You had better stay down-to-earth.

I don't want to stay down-to-earth.

I want to be unbridled.

I'm willing to pay the price.

No.

You won't.

Why are you so smug?

Did she really not come after that? Are you sure?

What if she came but you didn't see her?

Dr. Qin, how many times have I told you?

She really didn't come here.

Why are you looking for that lady?

It's nothing. I'm just asking.

Jia Ning.

Don't you think Dr. Qin is really cool?

Taking a gap year...

is very common abroad.

What?

A gap year, a sabbatical year.

It means before young people pursue further studies...

or before they start a job after they graduate,

they will go on a long trip.

The average time is a year.

I need a gap year.

You can't stand that kind of hardship.

Why?

A gap year is usually a low-budget trip.

You'll be taking red-eye flights and staying in youth hostels.

Also, you'll be on a tight budget.

Can you do it?

If I can't, I can ask Dad for help.

If so, the gap year would be meaningless.

Besides,

do you think Dad and your mom...

would let you go on a trip...

for an entire year?

You're right.

This is so annoying.

Don't complain.

You're doing quite well.

No, it's too boring.

Where are you going after this?

Back to my dorm.

Can I take a look at your dorm?

What are you up to?

I'm concerned about my sister's life.

Jia Ning, the environment is great here.

The benefits are awesome.

Well, it's a big company.

It's indeed a big company.

Jia Ning, I think I've seen him before.

Is he your colleague?

Qiu Jia Ning.

My colleague, Zhou Xiao Shan.

This is my sister, Qiu Jia Xin.

- Hello. - Hello.

I think we've met before.

- Have we? - How could you have met him?

You're mistaken.

Bye.

Come in.

Jia Ning.

Your place is awesome.

Your company is so generous.

Your place is so big.

My goodness.

I'll take a look upstairs.

Jia Ning, you have two rooms here!

It's a small duplex!

Your company is too generous. My goodness.

It's much better than our hospital.

You can feel at ease now, right?

Feel at ease?

Qiu Jia Ning, you should know how your self-care ability is.

What's wrong with my abilities?

I just don't want to waste my time on anything unimportant.

Are you proud of that?

By the way,

you have to keep this a secret.

Especially from Dad. He can't know that I'm back.

I can keep a secret.

However, you have to agree to one condition.

A condition?

Then...

Do you like the down jacket I bought you?

It's yours.

I do like it,

but down jackets are so tacky.

Jia Ning, I mean, let me move in here...

and I'll keep your secret.

Move in?

Why?

I'm recently doing my housemanship at Aoyoung Hospital.

It's really close to your place.

If I move in with you,

I can save an hour of commute every day.

For a young girl who is still growing,

this is really important.

Right, Jia Ning?

Let me remind you.

You haven't gotten any taller since middle school.

Jia Ning, that's so mean.

You're taking it too far.

Hello, Dad?

Let me tell you something.

Jia Ning is...

You can move in if you want.

I'll move in tonight.

Move in now.

You're the best, Jia Ning.

From now on,

I'll make you breakfast every day.

Dove chocolate and coffee.

Mr. Zha said this is no ordinary mission.

He sent me to assist you.

I've looked into this neighborhood, Xiao Shan.

The owner-occupancy rate is very low.

They're mostly foreign tenants.

That's why it's perfect for us to be discreet.

What do you know about this mission?

I know what you know.

Xiao Shan.

I have a question.

Ask away.

Why can't TKS wait until Plan O has made some progress...

before stealing from them?

They made us infiltrate the lab.

It wastes time and energy. It's not worth it.

If I don't get into the lab,

we can't be sure of the exact progress of the project.

Especially research projects like Plan O.

Once it's done,

there will be an impact on a trillion-dollar market.

So...

Until there's a solid conclusion,

the company won't reveal too much information.

It'll draw greedy eyes to it.

What are you planning to do now?

Stop knocking.

Who is it?

I'm from downstairs. Don't be so loud.

Are you joking? Who are you to tell me off?

What do you mean by this?

Are you coming in?

Come on in.

It's a home invasion if you come in.

Xiao Shan.

What are you doing?

You made that sound.

Yes, I did. So what? I'm in my own house.

I can do what I want.

Is that so?

What are you doing?

You reminded me.

I can do whatever I want in my own home.

Am I right?

That's good.

We're thinking of renovating.

Do you want to hear the sound of drilling?

Are you threatening me?

We're all neighbors.

Let's not cause trouble for each other.

Are you done?

Come on.

You're crazy.

Xiao Shan, we can just beat him up.

What's with all that crap?

Beat him up?

Draw the police here?

And expose your identity?

You're so good at preaching.

Xiao Shan.

What's the progress of the mission?

It's at a standstill.

Mo Li.

You can't stay here.

Why?

Your presence will alert them.

I won't get caught.

Xiao Shan.

You don't trust me?

Listen.

Unless I contact you,

don't show up before me.

Do you understand?

Okay.

This mission is not an ordinary one.

I can ease my mind...

with you by Xiao Shan's side.

Thank you, Mr. Zha.

One more thing.

Keep an eye out for me.

If anything comes up at Xiao Shan's,

inform me right away.

Mr. Zha, are you telling me to spy on Xiao Shan?

Mo Li.

This mission is a great opportunity...

for you to challenge yourself.

Don't disappoint me.

(Map search)

Could both types of protease be exactly the same?

What went wrong?

Jia Ning.

- There's no progress yet? - Mr. Wang.

The coding sequence is the same.

The DNA translation is the same.

The mode of action is also the same.

Mr. Wang.

Was I too naive?

It's past 2pm, but you haven't had lunch yet?

I don't have an appetite.

Jia Ning.

You haven't changed at all after all these years.

Do you remember when we first met?

We met at Princeton.

It was a seminar about apoptosis and cytothesis.

It was past 7pm when the seminar ended.

I hadn't eaten yet.

You kept me there...

to discuss issues about the regulating factors of apoptosis.

The discussion went on for over an hour.

When you finally had that question answered,

you moved on to ask about issues on cytothesis.

Another hour went by.

My assistant urged me three times to go for dinner.

But you wouldn't leave.

You were so energetic.

I was young, so I didn't know better.

Don't take that to heart.

That was great.

You need that much motivation to do scientific research.

That's why I hired you to work here.

Mr. Wang.

You should have known that I was fired from Harry's lab.

Why did you still hire me?

I've read...

the article Harry published in "Cure".

The argument in that article...

was the one you discussed with me when you were studying in Princeton.

At that time, I thought it was very bold and new.

That article was my first draft.

After Harry found out about it, he urged me to publish it.

But I thought if I had published it then,

it would only make people question the authority of "Cure".

So...

he resorted to some means and published my article.

What Harry did was undignified.

Thank you for your trust in me.

I've always been flexible in screening talents.

The most important factor is the matter of moral character.

Especially in scientific research.

I don't want you to disappoint me...

like Su Qian did.

Don't worry.

I won't let you down.

All right.

Keep up the good work.

I'll get going.

Remember. Don't skip meals.

Still no result?

It's difficult to cultivate crystal forms.

I think that crystallization experiment...

is craftsmanship.

No, it's an art.

But I'm not that artistic.

This is...

Silly Wolf.

It's a very famous cartoon character.

Silly Wolf?

The name goes well with the image.

Don't underestimate it.

When I worked on my thesis, I hit a wall.

Then I saw the cartoon, "Silly Wolf Family".

I realized that Silly Wolf...

made me feel energized when I watched it.

So I learned how to draw it.

Whenever I hit a wall...

or have a hard time,

once I see it,

I'm full of energy.

Ms. Qiu.

You're a researcher.

But you're superstitious as well.

How is that a superstition?

Scientists are also humans.

While we're tormented by experiments,

we also need a mysterious ritual...

to help us relax.

It will motivate us to persist.

Look at this crystal form.

I've used about 1,000 different systems.

It grows fast and the crystal form is small.

Its crystal structure can't be determined...

by the single-crystal diffractometer or XRD.

Even if it is determined,

it's just a crystal nucleus.

There's nothing special about its space imaging.

It's but a small square.

What's wrong?

I got it.

I know what the issue is.

All this time, I've been thinking...

about the difference between the telomerase of the two cells.

It has the same genes,

same transcripts,

and same translations.

I just didn't figure out...

that after the cell translation,

the post-translational modification could be different.

It could very well be different!

Thank you, Xiao Shan.

I trust that the crystal of your tumor telomerase...

will definitely grow.

Keep it up.

- I'm so stupid. - What's wrong?

It's nothing.

I'm suddenly excited.

Here.

What is this?

Earplugs.

Didn't you say you didn't sleep well last night?

Thank you.

Being able to sleep through the night...

is a small joy in life.

Yes.

Sir, ma'am.

Excuse me.

I'm here on a trip.

But I was pick-pocketed.

I can't go home.

Can you lend me 50 yuan?

I'm sorry. We don't have any cash.

Hold on.

Here.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Can you give me your number?

I'll pay you back when I get home.

It's okay.

You're too kind.

I can't just take your money.

Just give me your number.

I'll definitely pay you back.

If you really want to pay me back...

Over there at that tall building.

I work there at Plan O.

You can find me there. I'm Qiu Jia Ning.

Okay. Thank you.

You should get going.

It's an old scamming trick. Can't you tell?

What if he's not lying?

Even if it's a one-in-a-million chance,

I've at least helped someone who needed my help.

Let's say you're right.

Even if he's a liar,

I'm sure he had his reasons.

Otherwise, if he could cope just fine,

why would he want to be out in this cold weather?

Right?

Kindness is a choice.

The subway is here.

Go ahead. I've got some matters to handle.

Hello.

I'm here on a trip.

But I was pick-pocketed.

Here's my student ID.

Can you lend me some cash? I'll pay you back.

- Here. - Thank you.

It's okay.

Excuse me.

I'm here on a trip.

But I was pick-pocketed.

What is it?

Your delivery is here.

I didn't order anything.

Is there some kind of mistake?

Room 305.

There's no mistake.

Did Jia Xin order it?

What's in there?

Seasonal green rice balls.

Green rice balls?

I certainly didn't buy them then.

I don't eat green rice balls.

How about this? Can you give me your number?

I'll look into it.

If it's a gift from someone, I'll be in touch.

I don't think that's necessary.

I didn't buy them and there's no need for my number.

Why don't you call your platform and see who bought it?

It might be a mistake.

Which delivery platform are you from?

The green rice balls are here.

Thank you.

Please sign for them and give us a five-star rating.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Here.

You bought them?

That's right.

Tong Mo said it's the local specialty.

I ordered them just for you.

- Thank you. - I'll get going then.

- Bye. - Bye.

If I hadn't shown up in time,

what would have happened?

Say something.

I'm trying to help you.

I don't want anything like this to happen again.

Why won't you let me join this mission?

Why?

First of all,

you don't even have an ID on your uniform.

Qiu Jia Ning almost caught on to that.

Second, if you put on an act, make sure it's done right.

If you're going to pretend to be a delivery guy,

make sure you know which platform you work for.

Third, when Jia Ning suspected you,

you couldn't make an effective response to the crisis.

From the above three points,

it's clear that you're unfit for this mission.

But I also found something new.

What?

There's a pair of shoes at Qiu Jia Ning's dorm...

that's of a different size from the others.

It means there's someone else inside her dorm.

Those are her sister's.

Xiao Shan.

I'm sorry.

I'll look you up tomorrow.

Being able to sleep through the night...

is a small joy in life.

Let's say you're right.

Even if he's a liar,

I'm sure he had his reasons.

Kindness is a choice.

They're all your age.

How do you feel...

when you see them?

Stupid.

Was I wrong?

You were right.

Even though they're about your age,

they all wear this ridiculous expression...

on their faces.

They are ignorant of this world.

They haven't been through obstacles.

They haven't been through life and death.

They also don't know there's another side to this world.

Darkness.

Disorder.

Disturbance.

Then why did you bring me here?

Have you ever wondered why they get to live like this,

but you can't?

Xiao Shan.

What do you want to tell me?

Plan O is my last mission.

You're leaving Mr. Zha?

I'm tired of living like this.

One mission after another.

I always have to be on my toes.

I'm always wary of others.

It has been 10 years.

I've barely ever slept through a night.

I don't want to live such an inhuman life anymore.

Has Mr. Zha agreed to this?

Ten years.

Even if I owed him,

I think I've repaid him enough.

He took me out of that place...

and gave me the best education.

He changed my destiny.

I'm very grateful to him.

But Mo Li...

Without Mr. Zha,

would I never be happy?

Why are you telling me this all of a sudden?

Mo Li.

I saved you.

You're my responsibility.

I don't want you to slither around...

without knowing how to tell right from wrong anymore.

I hope you think the same as me.

Lead a different life.

A different life?

No more disguises.

Nothing to hide.

Able to walk in broad daylight.

Xiao Shan.

Can we?

We managed to survive in that world.

We are the fittest.

Wherever the fittest go,

they will always succeed.

Your suggestion seems quite bold,

but I have a good feeling about it.

When Sun Lei comes,

let's discuss this further.

- Mr. Wang. - Hey.

- Mr. Sun. - Sun Lei.

Just now, Jia Ning offered a new approach...

that might make a breakthrough in our current dilemma.

Join us...

and offer your opinions.

Sure.

Before I talk about it, may I ask you a question, Mr. Sun?

Go ahead.

The previous approach in Plan O...

was to use small molecule inhibitors...

to suppress the activity of cancer cell telomerase.

Yes.

An animal experiment based on this theory has been conducted.

But it got stuck in the pathological toxicology stage.

For now, it is so.

But I think we can resolve this issue genetically.

But I think the previous approach is doable.

I'd like to hear your opinion.

I just think...

that instead of suppressing all telomerase,

we might as well find a target.

Target only the telomerase of the tumor cells.

That's a bit naive.

We weren't playing house with our experiments this past year.

Qiu Jia Ning, you're not the only one...

who can think of a good way to suppress the side effects.

They are just words without a basis.

How about this?

I'll write my assumptions into a report.

When the detailed report is ready, we'll discuss again.

You just joined the lab...

and you want to resolve a problem we haven't resolved in a year.

Don't you think you're a bit too arrogant?

If this is how researchers from abroad show off,

then excuse me.

I can't accept that.

Mr. Wang, I'll get going.

Hang on.

Sun Lei.

Don't be so anxious.

Jia Ning.

Sun Lei has little patience.

Don't take it to heart.

I respect researchers with principles.

If Mr. Sun heard my assumptions and immediately switched sides,

that would be the real issue.

Don't worry.

I'll hand in the report as soon as possible.

Okay.

Shi Tou.

I bought you new goji berries.

I saw that you finished yours.

Shi Tou.

Are you upset?

No.

I got it.

This morning, Qiu Jia Ning was in Mr. Wang's office.

Did she make you look bad?

Xiao Xiao.

How many times have you worked on...

the chromatin immunoprecipitation experiment?

You heard what Chun Ran said that day.

What do you think about it?

Chun Ran has always been like that.

She speaks without a filter.

Why do you still take it to heart?

Did she really say something?

She's suggesting that we go back to the previous telomerase approach.

Is she crazy?

We worked so hard for over a year.

We did so many tests and pulled so many all-nighters,

but we couldn't find a solution.

Now she's saying...

we should switch back to the old approach?

She solved it by just thinking about it?

How can she be so amazing?

Come back here.