Original subtitles

♪There is a secret♪

♪Deep inside my heart♪

♪Hidden as naturally as I breathe♪

♪When I am lost, it lights up my path♪

♪It tells me that I am my own torch-bearer♪

♪It teaches me that sweats♪

♪Can replace my tears♪

♪The flame is burning, waiting for me to wake up♪

♪Don't give up, despite the darkness ahead♪

♪Raising my arms proudly♪

♪The torch in my hand, my courage is bursting♪

♪The fire will not die, regardless of the storm♪

♪Don't forget to seek the light and spark♪

♪Within yourself♪

[Ray of Light] [Adapted from Zhao Xiaying's original story]

[Episode 9]

(Some things)

can't be achieved by just trying.

Happy birthday!

Make a wish.

It's too windy.

I'll cover it.

I wish...

Nobody says their birthday wish out loud.

Make a wish in your heart, hurry.

Quick, make a wish.

♪I stay guarded in a lonely room♪

Happy birthday!

Thank you.

Wait.

I have a birthday gift for you.

♪Not having the courage to ask for the kindness of time♪

I learned this from a friend from the northeast region.

I knitted it myself.

Put it on.

♪And your face leaned on my shoulder♪

Do you like it?

I like it.

But considering the climate here,

I won't need this.

It gets cold when it rains here.

Furthermore,

what if you move to another city?

I won't move to another city.

I used to move about with my parents,

and I've had enough.

There are plenty of fun places that you've not visited.

I heard that they've begun to build the Disneyland in Shanghai.

There will be fireworks every night.

Why don't we go together after we get richer?

Sure, I'll go with you.

With this on.

Let's cut the cake.

♪Hiding at the ends of the earth♪

♪Wandering at the next road♪

A big one for you.

♪You held a red balloon♪

♪And said clowns are not ugly♪

Look at that building.

It's so tall.

Someday, I hope to have my own home

in a city.

You will.

We all will.

Our homes will come with our own kitchens,

our own washrooms.

Hot water supply all day.

My parents wouldn't have to work every day

and can spend time with me every day.

I would have my mother and brother stay with me,

and enjoy my hometown's chili sauce every day.

I want a big television

for Wang Fang and Qiangqiang

to watch the NBA at my place.

♪You said see me never♪

♪I continued to walk and stop♪

Irene!

You must work hard to earn money!

You will definitely find your place in the big city!

You will have your own home!

Work hard and don't give up!

Jia Kun!

You must take good care of yourself

and the people around you!

Hurry and grow up!

Have your parents stay with you and never be apart again!

One more thing!

You must watch the fireworks at Disneyland with Irene!

♪And said clowns are not ugly♪

Jia Kun.

Happy birthday.

Stay happy.

♪Hiding at the ends of the earth♪

♪Wandering at the next road♪

♪You held a red balloon♪

♪And said clowns are not ugly♪

[Equipment Room]

Thanks for getting my bicycle repaired with me.

Are you going to the extra classes tonight?

Extra classes?

No.

After the extra classes,

everyone gets supper together.

It's fun.

You should come.

It's nice that you're having fun.

I'm happy, too.

I won't go.

Miss.

Where's Irene?

Irene resigned.

Resigned?

Where is she now?

How would I know?

She's gone already.

People work their way up.

She wants to work in a bigger city and bigger stores,

and not stay in this small town.

Qi.

Do you know where Irene is now?

She mentioned

that she will go to Shanghai

with a hometown friend.

Shanghai?

Did she not tell you about such a major decision?

Is she at the dormitory?

I can wait there.

No, she moved out.

Where can she move to?

I'm not sure.

Hello?

Hello?

Irene.

Are you listening?

I am.

You're actually leaving?

There's an opportunity in Shanghai

to study cosmetology.

I can even stay to work with them after the training.

I gave it a good thought

and decided to go.

I leave the day after tomorrow.

Where are you now?

I want to see you.

Kun.

You have school and the NCEE.

I don't want to distract you.

You will be alone now.

Take care.

You hear me?

(Hello. The number you have dialed is unavailable.)

(Please try again later.)

(The number you have dialed is unavailable.)

(Please try again later.)

(Sorry.)

Sir, you look so good

wearing our clothes.

Our quality is amazing.

Look at you! Let's get you fitted.

Excuse me for a moment.

How's the black one?

Hey, Kun. What's up?

Fang.

I'm so sad today.

Can you talk to me?

Wait, what's wrong?

Did you fight with your family?

I'm working right now.

My boss will be back soon.

I can't talk now,

I'll call you later.

Wang Fang.

Help me out here.

Be right there!

I'll do it.

Be careful.

[Irene]

Sir. What's that smell?

These are rare pieces.

It took me a lot of effort to source them.

We're the only store selling these over here.

We're going to earn big bucks from this.

Tell the customers

that the price is not negotiable.

But these aren't new clothes, sir.

What do you think?

Aren't you usually smart?

These are classics. Vintage.

Do you need me to teach you how to promote them?

No, sir. I know what to do.

Where did you get these from?

Don't ask.

Get these sorted out.

I'll pay you well.

Yes, sir.

Dad.

Why did you skip class again?

Your teacher called me again.

What's with the suitcase? Where are you going?

It's nothing.

I'm just spring cleaning.

Why are you here?

Why am I here?

Your homeroom teacher called me.

He said you got last place for the mock exam

and skipped classes by pretending to be sick!

They can't control you anymore.

Who said so?

Still not admitting it?

I raised you for years.

Do you think I wouldn't know

what's going on in your head?

If the teachers can't control you, I will.

I'll get changed

and send you to school.

I'll ask your teachers

what troubles you caused.

Stand right there!

Come back!

Come back now!

How dare you run?

I'm going to Shanghai, let me go!

Where?

You're going to Shanghai?

Where do you think you're going?

Where are you going?

I'm going to Shanghai.

Where?

Shanghai?

You're not going anywhere.

If you dare take one step, I'll break your leg.

You hear me?

I'll break your leg, you hear me?

Stop moving!

Rebelling, huh?

(Bring me to your teacher!)

Hurry!

Look at your schoolmates.

They're all studying hard.

You're the only disobedient and troublesome one.

Don't you know our family's circumstances?

Why are we paying

for your education?

Don't you feel sorry for me and your mother?

Come!

Do you know

which class I'm in?

If you can tell me,

I will go to my classroom with you.

It's been two years.

Have you ever been to my school?

Did you come when I invited you to the parents' meeting?

I skipped class, pretending to be sick.

Did you answer when the teachers called?

And now you're trying to control me?

Asking for my grades and meeting my teachers?

You dare talk back?

Enough of your nonsense. Let's go.

Go for your classes!

Stop pulling me!

Is that how you're going to talk to me?

Listen up.

I don't owe you anything.

You owe me, okay?

Do you know how your mother and I travel about,

working our fingers to the bone?

All you know is money.

Go work, then!

If you don't care about me,

just pretend you never had me!

As if I'm dead!

You...

For your sake,

I will beat you to death today.

Just watch me.

I'll teach you a lesson.

I'll teach you a good lesson!

What are you doing?

Stop!

I'll teach you a lesson.

Stop it!

Get up, get up.

I'm Jia Kun's teacher.

Please calm down.

This is the school, you shouldn't cause a scene here.

Mr. Hao, bring Jia Kun away for now.

Hurry.

Look at his attitude.

What are you doing?

Ms. Li, you have no idea.

He's so infuriating.

No, what are you doing?

If it weren't that we're in school,

I will beat him to death.

Come to the office with me.

He's so infuriating.

Don't stand around, return to your classes.

Hurry up.

Mr. Hao.

I really want to quit school.

Is it because

of what your dad said?

I want to go to Shanghai.

Why?

I don't want to stay here.

And I don't want to study.

I think that it's meaningless.

Even Irene is leaving.

I want to go to Shanghai with her.

Who is Irene?

A friend from my hometown.

But she's taken good care of me.

She would cook me meals.

She celebrated my birthday with me.

She sent me to the hospital when I was ill.

Where were my parents then?

She's leaving tonight.

I want to go with her.

Does she want you to go to Shanghai with her?

Let me think.

I will talk to your dad.

See you next time!

Okay.

Please come again!

Thank you.

Why are you here again?

Hey.

Did Irene come back?

She resigned already, why would she?

She never came back.

Irene dropped by the dormitory in the morning.

She told me to hand this letter to you.

She said to stop looking for her.

[Irene]

Irene is leaving tonight.

She's not answering my calls.

Qi.

You're close to her.

You must know where she is.

Can you tell her

that I want to see her?

Just one last time.

Irene told me to not tell you.

She's at her hometown friend's house.

It's by the start of the bridge, along the old street.

Block three, unit 602.

Block three, unit 602. Thank you.

[Meixiu Nails]

(Kun.)

(Some things)

(can't be properly said over the phone.)

(So I can only explain them this way.)

(Going to Shanghai)

(is a decision that I made)

(after a long consideration.)

(I want to see)

(the bigger world out there while I'm still young.)

(Kun.)

(We all have)

(our own lives to live.)

Sir.

Hongxing Community.

(Learn to live independently.)

Yes, it's in here.

(And you shouldn't)

(stay in one place.)

Turn.

Turn.

The first block upstairs.

(But honestly,)

(the one that I'd miss most)

(would be you, little brother.)

(You always reminded me)

(of my little brother back home.)

(So,)

(I can't help but take care of you.)

(Kun.)

(You have your college entrance exams soon.)

(This may be the most crucial period)

(in your lifetime.)

(You must stay focused.)

(All the best.)

(Kun, did you know?)

(I really envy you.)

Jia Kun!

(If I were given the chance to go to school,)

(I would definitely)

(treasure it very much.)

(Go for it, Kun.)

(You must get into your dream university.)

(Live the life that you want.)

(I will)

(always,)

(and eternally,)

(give you my blessings.)

Who's there?

Who are you looking for?

Irene.

Irene isn't here.

Irene is here, Irene lives here.

She's not here.

Can you please tell me where she is?

I have no idea, you should call her.

I called her, she's not answering.

I really don't have a clue where she is.

She just left her things here.

I beg you.

Tell her to answer my calls.

Tonight at seven.

Irene will be here at 7 PM to pick up her belongings.

Jia Kun.

What happened?

Where are you?

I'm by the river.

At the observatory.

Okay, wait for me.

I'll go to you.

Wait for me, you hear me?

Okay.

Did you find Irene?

I'm going to Shanghai.

There are so many places to go.

Why must you go to Shanghai?

My parents are all out of town.

I thought I'd wait for them to return.

But in the end,

I don't even have a home that even street rats have found for themselves.

In Hong'an,

the only person who cared about me was Irene.

Now, she's leaving.

I don't know what meaning there is for me to stay.

How about this?

Before you go,

let's make plans.

If it works out, you can go

and I won't stop you.

Here's my question.

Would Irene want you to drop out and go to Shanghai with her?

She's going to Shanghai alone.

I'm worried.

I'll go with her

and protect her.

If so, did you think about how you can protect her

when you're in Shanghai?

I can send her home.

I won't let others bully her.

If anyone does, I can fight.

No, I'm not asking about that.

What I meant was...

How will you survive

and make a living for yourself?

I can do anything.

As long as I can be with her, I don't care.

That's too impulsive.

It's just like solving equations.

The answers are never guessed.

We have to make our calculations,

planning out every step.

Here's what I think.

If you keep studying,

there will be more choices.

Of course, if you go to Shanghai now,

you can find a job.

It will be tough.

You'd be so tired from having no rest,

living in a small rented room.

If you do well,

you can buy a car in ten years

and drive her to work.

Save up a few pennies every day.

But if you do so,

would she want that?

She will feel so pressured.

With time,

your mindset may change.

You will lose self-esteem,

you will be jealous.

You might even try to control her life.

She will dislike you.

Don't shake your head.

I'm just telling you a possibility.

You said

that you will protect her by fighting.

This is a society ruled by law.

How many times can you fight in a year?

Furthermore,

the cops would be there

before your fists land anywhere.

It's not practical.

In my opinion,

if you really care about someone,

you should find out

what they really need

and how you can help,

or what to give.

You shouldn't be selfish.

Think about it. In five

or ten years,

will she only need you to fight?

If you continue to study,

you will have

other ways to protect her,

and not just fight.

Then,

not only can you be in Shanghai with her,

but

you could also show her the world.

That's my opinion.

If

you still want to meet her,

I won't stop you.

I know

that you're a kind,

smart,

and responsible child.

I want to make a call.

Hao.

Don't worry.

I won't run away anymore.

I won't throw a tantrum, either.

Wang Fang.

You must help me out.

Do you have money?

I never would have expected

that I will still

get mugged by my classmate

in Grade 12, in my classroom.

That's all.

Do you have money?

No.

Do you have money?

Good men of faith,

can you help me out?

I really need money urgently.

Just assume that I'm borrowing it from you.

I will pay you back.

Let's just help Jia Kun out.

I'll treat you all to a show tonight.

Okay?

What show?

Come.

Jia Kun.

He's upset.

It's serious.

I'm going to the train station.

I have no time.

Hurry up.

Jia Kun will be here soon.

We're on it.

They're here, are you done?

Yes, I'm done.

All right.

Let's go.

Hurry!

Let's go.

Let's leave!

Come on!

Coming.

Let's go.

Why did you bring me here?

You're leaving tonight.

So, I prepared a gift for you.

I never told you,

but in this city,

♪The crowd is the wind♪

you matter a lot to me.

♪And I, the dandelion♪

I think I have neither a home

♪As I land, my dream blossoms♪

nor family.

♪Leading to a different future♪

But I have you.

♪You mock my dream♪

♪Is impossible♪

♪No one understands the loneliness of a kite who embraces the rain♪

Why does this end so quickly?

It's only been a while.

We could only afford this much.

♪Growing up can be painful♪

Kun, I'm sorry, man.

♪People say that I'm delusional♪

♪But I forge on♪

♪In the face of naysayers♪

♪I will not be swayed and walk in someone's shadow♪

Mr. Hao got us to send these over.

What? Light them up!

♪Don't be scared, just stand out♪

♪Fly against the current♪

♪To the vision you have in your dream♪

♪Hardship is the catalyst for resolution♪

Since I was a child,

I've always felt lonely.

Over the past few years,

you celebrated my birthdays with me.

The most interesting places in this city

are the ones that you went with me.

In my memories,

in all the happy

and important days,

you were there with me.

♪Look, the rainbow after the rain♪

When I was ill,

you sent me to the hospital.

I suddenly knew what felt like home.

Thank you, Irene.

No matter where you are,

I will remember the warmth you showed me.

Jia Kun.

No matter where I am,

you will always

be close to my heart.

♪Growing up♪

When the college entrance exams are over,

♪Can be painful♪

I will see you in Shanghai.

I will bring you to watch the prettiest fireworks.

♪People say that I'm delusional♪

♪But I forge on♪

♪In the face of naysayers♪

♪I will not be swayed and walk in someone's shadow♪

I will work hard.

I'm sure it will come true.

♪Don't be scared♪

♪Just stand out♪

♪When sadness becomes the past♪

♪There will be nothing to fear♪

♪Hardship is the catalyst for resolution♪

Hey.

Do you know what youth feels like?

♪You will see that I cannot be beaten down♪

I almost forgot.

It's been three years.

♪Don't be scared, just stand out♪

♪The pain will subside♪

♪You will shrug it off♪

♪In this ideal world♪

♪My courage is the centerpiece♪

♪Look, the rainbow after the rain♪

♪Shine a ray of light♪

Why are you here?

I came out for a breather and a ride.

Did your family's dumpling restaurant close?

My mom is probably still at it.

These fireworks

must be a gift from Jia Kun to Irene.

No wonder it's so lively.

They must be happy now.

Who knows?

They're getting separated.

Regardless,

people who watched fireworks together

would not forget each other, right?

Take care of yourself.

Have a safe trip.

See you in Shanghai.

I'll wait for you.

Thank you, everyone.

It's fine, don't be sad.

You will get into a university in Shanghai, I'm sure.

Yeah, Kun.

All the best, you can do it.

It's getting late now.

Go home already.

Mr. Hao will help you with your studies.

Be careful on the way home.

Don't make Mr. Hao worry for you.

Let's go.

Thank you, Mao.

Bye, and thanks.

Let's go. Bye-bye.

That's all. Bye, Jia Kun.

-Bye-bye, Kun. -See you.

You borrowed money from your classmates for the fireworks, right?

Yes.

Mr. Hao paid them back for you.

Study hard.

Don't loiter around.

Bye.

Mr. Hao is really nice.

Let's go.

You borrowed money?

Don't worry about it.

You're home?

Your mother told me

to get you a new set.

Dad.

Don't worry.

Starting tomorrow, I'll go to school.

I've thought things through.

After the college entrance exams next year,

I will go to Shanghai.

Mr. Hao spoke to me.

If you can graduate,

you can do whatever you want.

When I was making your bed today,

I found these nun-chucks.

What are they for?

Do you...

get scared, living alone?

If you want to go to Shanghai,

to go to a big city,

make good use of the next six months

to study hard.

The son of my co-worker

got into a vocational college.

Right after the graduation,

many large corporations approached him.

Whether if you

want to keep studying

or to learn a skill,

we will support you.

♪The crowd is the wind, and I, the dandelion♪

♪As I land, my dream blossoms, leading to a different future♪

♪You mock that my dream is impossible♪

♪No one understands the loneliness of a kite who embraces the rain♪

♪Growing up can be painful♪

♪People say that I'm delusional♪

♪But I forge on in the face of naysayers♪

♪I will not be swayed and walk in someone's shadow♪

♪Don't be scared, just stand out♪

♪Fly against the current to the vision you have in your dream♪

♪Hardship is the catalyst for resolution♪

♪You will witness my resilience♪

♪Don't be scared, just stand out♪

♪The pain will subside, you will shrug it off♪

♪In this ideal world, my courage is the centerpiece♪

♪Look, the rainbow after the rain♪

♪Shine a ray of light♪