Original subtitles

[The Outsider]

[Episode 18]

Is there an issue with last month's

performance report?

No, why?

I heard from Yi

that you and Mr. Zhao had an argument.

Not because of work, but because of the helmet.

Helmet?

What about it?

Nothing.

It belongs to the Olympic gold medalist, Zhong Man.

He won the gold medal

with that helmet

during the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Is that so?

What about this one?

This belongs to Lei Sheng, who is the first

Chinese Olympic gold medalist

for foil fencing.

It's so heavy.

Your arms will be tired.

You like fencing a lot.

Of course.

It is the most civilized

among all fighting sports.

Fighting and being civilized,

that's an oxymoron.

You think so?

I believe it represents our success

in controlling our urges.

And that one?

That one?

It belongs to another champion,

me.

I used to wear it to fence.

In the final competition,

my family came to support me.

I did better than expected

and defeated someone two years old than me.

[Wang Jian]

To celebrate the occasion,

everyone signed on it

and said we should frame it.

It was the only time my whole family

came to watch my game.

If you're in another competition in the future,

I'll be there, too.

I'm not a kid anymore,

so I quit it already.

Anyway,

any luck in convincing Zhu?

Colleagues from the Business Development Department

talked to him.

Zhu said that he doesn't know

how to open a restaurant in a mall,

so it'll be tough.

And secondly, he's planning to retire soon.

Maybe next year.

And so he turned us down.

Retire?

Cherish those black wontons

while they are still here.

God knows how many precious arts

are lost to time.

Do you think he'll sell the restaurant to me?

You want to run a wonton restaurant?

Why not?

They won't disappear, then.

We can always have black wontons.

Rich people and their whims.

I call it a personal investment.

I'll have Tianyu work on it.

I'll do it.

Tianyu doesn't know the value of those black wontons.

Zhu won't sell it to him.

Good thinking.

I'll schedule a meeting for you.

No need. I'll queue up.

[Guangguang Wontons] Mister, is that seat not taken?

Sir, one vegetable and meat wonton, please.

Bye, Mr. Zhu.

Dine in or take away?

Aren't you...

Yes, the one who took your iron toad.

Don't waste your time.

I'm not selling this place.

Mr. Zhu.

You run this restaurant for more than three decades already.

Isn't it a shame to close it down?

How so?

Nothing is permanent.

Like this restaurant.

I have made peace with it.

You didn't have any option,

so you made peace with it.

But now, you do.

So, why do you still want to close it down?

Either way, it's my business.

Let me tell you this story again.

I began making wontons when I was a teenager.

I studied under my mentor,

and I experimented with it.

Yes,

it has been more than 30 years now.

But wontons

are my legacy.

I would rather close this place down

than have someone alter

or ruin my legacy.

We aren't doing that.

We love

your wontons just the way they are.

We never planned to acquire any restaurant chains,

but we decided to buy your restaurant

when we heard that you're closing it down.

We want it to live.

We will follow your recipe

so your legacy will not be ruined.

Those in your generation grew up

with fast food.

Are you sure you can tell

my wontons are different from others?

Of course.

Why else do you think it's packed every day, then?

They come here to check in on social media.

Some came and took photos

without actually having any wontons,

saying that they were carbs.

I don't know if I should be happy or sad

with this crowd.

I used to have an apprentice. He was so impatient

that he wanted to start his own business

after three months of apprenticeship.

I told him

that he wasn't ready yet

and no customer would visit him.

But guess what?

He beautified the restaurant

and promoted it online.

His place is as popular as mine.

That was when I decided

to quit.

My wonton took 30 steps to make. But it draws the same crowd

as the one made in three steps.

So, why bother?

Young people cannot tell

the difference anyway.

That's not true.

Bring me all the wontons in Shanghai

and I can tell you which is which.

Are you sure?

There are four bowls of wontons here.

I made one

while my apprentice made the rest.

If you can tell me which one was made by me,

you pass this test.

I'll dig in, then.

The skin is off.

Something is off in this filling.

And this...

Rich but not indulgent, plain but not simple.

This one is yours.

Are you sure?

Yes.

You don't need to try the last bowl?

No need.

If your apprentice

could make delicious wontons like yours,

I would have gone to him.

You got lucky.

It's not about luck.

Those who love your wontons can tell the difference right away.

Please have faith in your craft

and your loyal customers.

That's right.

The difference is obvious.

My wife once asked me to pack wontons from here.

I saw the long queue

and decided to buy the ones next door.

When I brought them back, we knew right away

that they weren't good.

I don't even need to taste it.

There is a unique smell

to your wontons.

See? I can't let your wontons

disappear.

But who can inherit my skill?

I tried looking for apprentices.

For a simple dish like wontons,

the choice of ingredients, the preparation, the cooking,

you need at least a year to master them.

Young people nowadays

don't have the patience for it.

Even if they master the techniques,

they don't have the patience

to follow the procedures diligently.

They might not have the patience for it

because they think this place doesn't have a future.

If we make this place into a franchise,

they will see the prospect of it,

and they will dedicate more time.

We are a legit company.

You can write the making process

into the contracts

to stop others from skimping on bits and pieces.

If that isn't enough,

you can keep this restaurant.

We can be business partners.

We will fund you

while you train the next batch of chefs.

That way,

your wontons can live on.

That'd be great.

I can keep eating your wontons.

Right.

I was so upset when I heard

that you're closing it down.

But snacks like this

won't attract a lot of customers

in a big mall.

A gem will always shine among the dirt.

You made a name for yourself in this small place.

You can do the same in a mall.

That's right.

I don't live here anymore.

But to have your wontons,

my wife and I

have to travel across Shanghai.

If you can open more branches,

we won't have to travel that far.

Exactly.

We will go

wherever you go.

Thanks.

My wife misses her son a lot.

I promised her

that we would move abroad next year

to accompany my son.

Once you pass down your skills

to another chef,

you won't have to stay here every day.

Besides, it is always possible

to open a chain restaurant abroad.

That's an empire, then.

Zhu, what's stopping you?

Fine, I'll talk to my wife when I get home.

Wang Jian.

You're here.

Here.

What is this?

The ticket for the show tonight.

My senior has directed a stage play

and I have a minor role in it.

But I have plans tonight.

The ticket for tomorrow, then?

I don't think I'll be...

Okay.

The day after tomorrow,

in three days,

in four days...

The play is available for an entire week.

Just come whenever you're free.

I have yet to submit my report,

so I'll be...

Look.

It's my first performance.

I only have a few lines,

but I'll be nervous.

Why?

You performed during the high school

art festival, too.

That's different.

Everyone was in it

for fun.

But now, I'm surrounded by professionals.

You can tell if I can be

a good actor right away.

That's why I get nervous when I think about the play

recently.

Fine. I'll watch your show.

Do your best.

Really?

When are you coming?

I'll check it out tonight

to see how it goes.

If I like it, I'll watch it

every night.

Okay.

I'll pick you up tonight?

No need. I can get there myself.

Just get ready for your performance.

If you lose focus,

I'll...

No!

I will not let you down, ma'am.

Oh, right.

I...

I'll send you back after the performance?

We'll see.

Okay.

[Ansheng Plaza]

[Guangguang Wontons]

You look good.

Yi.

Get me the sales data from the Marketing Department.

Okay.

Xinru.

Get me the brand acquisition proposal from the Business Development Department.

Okay.

Su Mo.

Come into my office.

[President's Office]

Tell me now.

Why the sudden change of mind?

You mean this?

Truth be told,

I quite like your gift.

However, I need to find a way

to make it look like

it was given to me by my boyfriend,

and not

by my boss.

You handed three of them out at once.

I humbly accept this truthful criticism

from my darling.

That said, I have great taste

because you are ravishing in it.

Done.

Now, it's not a group present anymore.

I made a wish with it.

It's special now.

Mr. Wang, do you...

What is this?

What is this gibberish?

Redo it!

Yes, Mr. Wang.

I'll do it now.

Don't come back without a new draft.

Mr. Wang.

The document.

I had to yell at her.

She deserves it.

Why didn't you knock?

Well,

you said that you wanted it now.

I rushed over.

But, Mr. Wang,

you were too harsh on her.

Su is a girl, after all.

She can be prideful.

Her face was like a tomato just now.

She was blushing?

Yes.

Tianyu is a nice guy.

People usually pretend

that they didn't hear anything

when someone is being scolded.

But he sympathizes with me.

Don't praise another man before me.

Let's go.

Say you're sorry.

The movie will start soon. Come on.

Don't tell me you bought the ticket to my movie theater.

I'm not dumb.

We're going to the IFC Mall.

Every employee is entitled

to two free movie tickets every month.

My colleagues on the fifth floor know how to maximize it.

I am a great CEO, then.

I offer generous bonuses.

[Shanghai IFC Mall]

-(And the waste disposal system?) -(Yes, basic facilities should be there.)

What?

Look at them.

They have been making out the moment they were seated.

What about etiquette

and shame now?

Can they even breathe like that?

Urgh, another inexperienced couple.

They should have picked another seat behind.

Why? Are you an expert?

No...

I want more.

Feed me.

Hurry.

You see, here comes the problem.

The problem of showtime scheduling.

Our theaters need to avoid

this mistake.

The showtime of an indie film

cannot overlap with a blockbuster's.

You have to...

Do you own the whole movie industry?

Why don't you shut up and act in a movie?

So many comments.

Something's wrong with you.

That is uncalled for.

You're louder than me now.

Sorry.

He was talking to me.

Sorry.

You stop talking, too.

Just watch the movie.

She definitely has a good pair of ears.

Normally, I'm polite.

Sensible even.

But when it comes to Ansheng...

We're here to watch a movie,

not to work.

Just relieve yourself of the CEO's duty

for the moment.

Right.

I should do that.

Take the lead, captain.

What do you want to do? I'll follow you.

I can go anywhere I want?

I can't ask you to play a claw machine, can I?

So childish.

Anything else?

I can do anything but that.

For real?

Come.

I can walk to the subway myself.

No need to see me off.

Just let me walk you a bit.

What do you think of the play?

I quite like it.

I already guessed who the killer was,

but when he was caught, the reaction of the main protagonist

surprised me.

It's refreshing.

I mean to ask

what you think of my performance.

It's not bad.

I think you picked the right major.

You like it?

Yes.

I used to think that you're

just another spoiled kid.

Now, I know that you have an ambition.

It's just that school

isn't where you shine.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

You have never complimented me like that.

And you deserve the compliment.

Really?

Anyway,

in the last act,

are you the one

with the fake mustache and the wig?

You noticed that?

Of course.

We're close friends.

I thought I wasn't that important

to you.

I guess I was wrong.

Nonsense.

We were deskmates for a long time.

I don't care.

You just said you liked me.

I said that I liked your performance.

Yes,

and that's one side of mine.

As you like more and more sides of me,

you'll fall in love with me.

That's not how it works.

I don't care.

I just know that you like me.

Don't you get it, Wang Jian?

Look.

You are nice, kind,

rich, and good-looking.

But you can't catch a hint at all.

Are you friend-zoning me?

No, I mean...

If I'm nice, kind, rich, and handsome,

what's stopping you?

But it doesn't mean we're the right ones for each other.

We come from two completely different worlds.

We will head into a different future.

This relationship will not last.

It won't work.

I don't get it.

You like me. That's all that matters.

Why complicate everything?

I'm sorry, but I have to.

You know

how rational I am.

Wait.

Hold on.

Let's have dinner here later.

Sure.

It has a lot of options.

Yes.

Where are we going?

Have you been to a haunted house?

A haunted house?

It'll be pitch dark. Thrilling.

Jessica.

Fancy running into you here.

Exactly.

I'm here to watch a movie.

You're here alone?

I'm watching a movie, too.

My husband wants me to have a day off,

and he's looking after the kid back home.

I should have invited you.

What are you watching?

I already finished watching it.

Mine is starting soon. I'll go inside, then.

Sure.

Let's hang out next time.

Definitely.

-See you. -Bye.

She's gone?

Yes.

Why didn't she go to our theater?

How would I know?

Let's go.

Where were you going just now?

I was looking for you.

You dummy.

If you lose sight of me,

just stay there. I'll come and look for you.

All right. Let's go.

Cling to me.

Zhao Xiangqing.

Did you run into someone

when you picked up Kele last time?

I...

Wen's mother asked me on WeChat

what I did to become this lucky.

Chang's mother asked about

Kele's father's tutoring method.

Explain now.

I see

what's going on now.

Calm down, Cong. Take a seat.

Hear me out.

I'm all ears. Speak.

Yes,

I was mistaken

for Kele's father.

But it wasn't because

of my personal agenda.

They insisted on adding me on WeChat.

And Kele was enjoying the moment,

so I didn't want to make him look bad in public.

So?

How are we going to keep this up?

I have thought about this.

I can create another account on WeChat.

If they want to add me on WeChat,

I'll

use the alternate account.

They will never know

that we're just colleagues.

If the homeroom teacher asks you

to fill in a parents' form?

You'll write Zhao Xiangqing?

But Kele's surname is Yang.

It's fine.

We can say Kele

takes your surname.

Oh...

It doesn't work.

Don't worry.

I'll find a way to cover it up.

No need to pick up Kele for me anymore.

I appreciate your effort.

To cover up for one lie,

you need to lie another thousand times.

I don't want Kele to grow up to be a liar.

I see.

Then, Kele...

I will take care of him. Don't you worry.

Kele.

I'll sleep with you tonight, okay?

Okay.

It's a deal, then.

Never bring up Mr. Zhao again

in front of your classmates

or your teachers.

He won't pick me up anymore?

I will find you

a daycare center.

Someone will pick you up.

But they

are not Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao is a good tutor.

He explains better than my teacher does.

I know.

I'll think about it.

Sleep now.

Or you won't be able to get up tomorrow.

Fancy some wine?

Cong.

I owe you an apology

for Kele.

I didn't think it through.

I'm sorry.

Don't take it to heart.

I was too harsh on you during the day either.

I'm sorry, too.

We're even now.

Let's move on, okay?

How is Kele?

A little bit upset.

But he'll be fine.

Kids move on after a few days.

He's understanding and resilient.

Like you.

My curiosity is killing me

and I have to ask this.

What happened between you and your ex-husband?

I swear I won't tell anyone.

Curiosity kills the cat.

I don't care.

Why did you get a divorce?

No why.

But why did you leave him?

It's not domestic abuse,

extramarital affairs,

or in-laws' problems.

So your ex-husband has some fertility problem?

What were you thinking?

Right.

If he had that problem,

Kele wouldn't be born at all.

So, why?

Because I was lonely.

Lonely?

When I was little,

my parents worked a lot.

I grew up

with my grandmother.

My grandmother can be quite distant.

She wasn't always there.

Slowly,

I became more and more independent.

I don't ask for comfort

like other girls do.

And I am not clingy.

And so,

I was easily attracted

by men who give me attention.

My ex-husband is like that.

He is my first love.

After I met him,

I fell in love right away.

Later, I found out

that people who shower you with attention in a relationship

don't necessarily mean

that they are responsible beings.

Unfortunately,

my ex-husband is like that.

After we got married, he became lazy and sensitive.

He stopped becoming better.

We grew apart

and I felt lonely.

It's like

carrying a dead weight.

Soon,

the idea of escaping from all this appeared in my mind.

One day,

after a long day at work,

I dragged my tired body back home

just to see

unwashed dishes in the sink,

Kele who hadn't had a change of diapers for the entire day,

and a husband who was watching TV shows.

I had a breakdown.

I was 30 years old back then,

so I told myself that I had to run before it was too late.

I said

that I quit.

I would take Kele.

I don't give a damn about that man anymore.

If the marriage cannot nourish a woman,

what do I need it for?

Well said.

Something's wrong

with your wine.

I have never told anyone this.

Not even Su Mo.

It's not my fault.

It's your wine.

Don't tell anyone.

Don't worry.

This story is too long.

It's not gossip material.

One more question.

Last one.

It's a dumb question.

Do you still believe in love and marriage?

Of course.

A man failed me.

Love has nothing to do with it.

For the rest of my life,

I will love myself.

I will live

selfishly and freely.

I don't know about selfishness,

but you deserve freedom.

[The Reader]

What movie is this?

Someone complained that I ruined

her cinema experience.

This will do.

I have to make up to her now.

Here.

When I arrived,

I heard a kid's noise next door.

Cong Rong is having a guest?

It's not from next door, it's upstairs.

Upstairs?

Impossible.

I am sure that it came from next door.

The apartment is not soundproof.

The noise might come

from upstairs,

but it's actually from downstairs. And vice versa.

But this apartment is beautiful.

It's not soundproof?

Anyway,

let's watch the movie.

Well, sorry, Mr. Wang.

You'll have to make do with my bootleg theater.

What?

Have you seen the elaborate decor?

This is a premium theater.

Here's your reward.

I think

I saw this actress...

In Titanic.

Wow, a movie buff.

Of course.

It's

a tragic story.

I was crying so much back then.

And this isn't a recent movie.

Ansheng should do that.

We can display some old movies,

maybe make something like a Western Cinema Week

or a Japanese and Korean Movie Week.

To sweeten the pot, we add a promotion.

Our sales will...

Let me grab a piece of paper and a pen

to jot it down, Mr. Wang.

Movie, movie.

I think a film critic

said that...

If you spoil the movie, I'll slap you.

That's rude.

Are you serious?

Of course.

If you spoil the ending for me,

what's the point of watching it?

True.

I shall not tell you that the female lead takes her own life

in the end.

Oops.

Why would she take her own life?

The summary said

that she could even read after she was released.

Maybe after she was released,

she lost her source of comfort.

It's obvious that the guy wouldn't end up with her.

This sucks.

You said that you wanted a tragic story.

A tragic story, not a stupid story.

Forget it.

Seriously?

Don't let a movie get into your head.

I hate a melodramatic female lead.

I'll cook some instant noodles.

Pick another movie.

Okay.

What about this one?

[Erin Brokovich] This one is good.

A single mother going up against the big shots

to protect her life.

No?

Then, this one.

A Hollywood

blockbuster.

♪My mind is somehow stirred♪

I like this weekend.

We bicker about the movie choice.

You goof around while I laugh at you.

Are you saying that I'm goofy?

I like it anyway.

♪We're not good at revealing our true selves♪

Don't burn yourself.

♪The deeper the love, the plainer the words♪

♪Whenever I miss you♪

Spicy or not spicy?

Both.

Shouldn't you add it in the end?

Shouldn't you add it in the end?

Which one do I add in first? This?

I think this.

Maybe this?

Impossible.

How so?

That's chili powder.

You add this in first.

Try it.

Add this in first. I can't be wrong.

Okay.

♪The anxiety makes way as I pretend to be calm♪

♪I hide the feelings of love and deliberately refute them♪

♪Unwilling to hand over myself to you♪

[The City Never Sleeps]

36 yuan in total.

Do you need a bag?

Ma'am, are you all right?

Take it away.

The sight of water makes me feel like throwing up.

Do you want coffee

or milk tea, then?

No, thanks.

I'm nauseous enough.

Just don't bother me.

What is this noise?

What is it?

The air purifier?

I put it on silent mode.

Switch it off.

It's noisy.

The air quality is bad now.

Switch it on.

Switch it on.

The air conditioning, too.

Switch it on.

Okay.

Done.

Sorry, I have been

very sensitive lately.

It's okay.

Perhaps you want to go home to rest?

I don't want to stay at home all alone.

That's even worse.

You can leave now.

Me?

I can't leave you alone here.

It's fine.

It's the weekend, so we won't have

a lot of customers anyway.

I will close early today

and go home later.

Just go.

Go.

I'll go home, then.

When you're leaving,

switch off the lights and close the door.

Tomorrow morning, I'll...

Hush. Bye.

I'll take care of them tomorrow.

[Mind Your Personal Belongings]

I have altered the second clause.

It'll take effect

in 15 working days

instead of 7 working days.

I think it's necessary.

And the next clause...

Sorry, dear.

We...

I'm closing down soon.

The third clause, 15 working days

-after the court accepts the case, -Just wait for me.

I changed it to 30 working days.

We will then check the debtor's

cash flow.

Hold on.

You forgot this.

Are you done?

Did you enjoy the coffee?

Yes.

Do you like the seat?

Yes.

And the lighting?

What's the matter?

You're finally leaving.

You ordered a cup of coffee and worked

for eight hours.

You work here?

Is it written somewhere that I cannot

sit here for eight hours with a cup of coffee?

Besides, I am the consumer.

This is my right.

Don't be unreasonable now.

Unreasonable?

Me?

I can't eat

or drink anything

because I have been feeling nauseous.

Because of you, I had to stay here for eight hours.

Am I unreasonable?

Wait...

You merely ordered a cup of coffee. Who's more unreasonable?

Listen.

I don't mean to offend you.

Calm down.

Why should I?

I can yell if I want to,

and it's my right.

Mind your own business.

I have emotions.

I can yell, can't I?

Okay.

If you think I overstayed

my welcome here,

I can buy a book.

I'll buy a book.

This one.

I'll pay you.

No need.

I don't know how to use the cash register.

It's okay.

I'll transfer you the money on WeChat.

Come on.

Who says I want to add you on WeChat?

♪Straying into a glamorous banquet♪

♪We have no way back♪

♪Time is like water within the palm♪

♪We can't catch hold of it♪

♪Blundering around this city♪

♪To find ourselves a spot♪

♪Many people are smitten with the fantasy♪

♪I savor the taste of collapse♪

♪My heart becomes impregnable, then♪

♪Until anxiety and exhaustion♪

♪Are crushed down by me♪

♪Straying into a glamorous banquet♪

♪We have no way back♪

♪Time is like water within the palm♪

♪We can't catch hold of it♪

♪Blundering around this city♪

♪To find ourselves a spot♪

♪Many people are smitten with the fantasy♪

♪I savor the taste of collapse♪

♪My heart becomes impregnable, then♪

♪Until anxiety and exhaustion♪

♪Are crushed down by me♪

♪I savor the taste of collapse♪

♪My heart becomes impregnable, then♪

♪Until anxiety and exhaustion♪

♪Are crushed down by me♪

♪Refusing to muddle along in the darkness♪

♪Vulnerable and defeated♪

♪I see a silver lining♪

♪I make a desperate attempt to break through♪

♪I have been honest♪

♪I have fought♪

♪I want to protect you♪

♪We will overcome♪

♪We will experience♪

♪To be fortresses behind each other's backs♪