Original subtitles

=Best Choice Ever=

=Episode 20=

(Xing'anli Hotel Cluster,)

owned by Ms. Chen Shuzhen, was built between 1930 and 1938,

located at the junction of Jianhua South Road

and Fuyang Road

in Xuhui District.

Its property rights shall be entrusted

to JinCheng Law Firm

for ten years.

After ten years,

the property rights shall be transferred to Ms. Mai Chenghuan.

And Xing'anli shall be owned by Ms. Mai Chenghuan.

(During the ten years,)

the management rights will be enjoyed by Mai Chenghuan,

and profits and losses are to be borne and enjoyed by herself.

(Miss Mai.)

(Ms. Chen Shuzhen has instructed my law firm)

(to hold the property rights of Xing'anli on her behalf)

for a term of ten years.

After ten years, the property rights will be transferred to you.

Therefore,

you now can fully enjoy

(the management rights)

(of the Xing'anli Garden Hotel.)

Turns out Ms. Chen owned Xing'anli.

How come we knew nothing about it?

Why did she give it to Huan?

(There is a letter for Mr. Yao.)

(Please pass it on for me.)

So, do you still want to confess to her?

Speaking of Mai Chenghuan,

should I see her as your future wife

or a competitor?

Boss, calm down.

Anyway, it already happened.

We have to face reality.

Let's go and relax.

(You're very much like your grandfather.)

(He always had the best strategies)

and never missed a beat in business,

seeking to maximize benefits in everything.

I think being a decent person is just like cooking.

If you only seek

instant benefits,

then the cooking loses its soul.

The diners won't be willing

to pay for the dishes.

(Zhang Peisheng)

Eric.

I hear Mai Chenghuan has Xing'anli now.

Is this your so-called plan?

This is what Grandma wanted.

I must remind you

that you don't have much time left.

Don't forget what you promised me.

Boss.

Well,

should I book tickets back to Switzerland right now?

If you want to go back, I won't stop you.

Now Mai Chenghuan has Xing'anli.

It's already done.

We don't have to stay here anymore.

How come you still have the mood to fish here?

Grandma didn't leave Xing'anli to me.

I made a wrong judgment.

She told me to learn from Mai Chenghuan and taught me

that human touch is more important than benefits.

Looking back now,

Grandma was always thinking of me.

It's fine.

After all, I have worked for you for so many years.

But this is the first time you failed, right?

It's no big deal.

Well,

we just need to think clearly about what to do next.

Keep waiting.

Waiting?

Since I was wrong,

I will try again.

Mai Chenghuan is my reference for that.

I have to find a way

to take back Xing'anli from her.

Boss.

You are so far-sighted.

Fishing and doing business

share the same principle.

I admire you so much.

(Xing'anli Garden Hotel Blueprint)

(Don't numb yourself with work anymore.)

(Let's go visit Grandma together tomorrow.)

Actually, when you smile,

you look quite handsome.

Finally,

(Convenience Services) the day of demolition comes.

But the compensation for demolition is getting less.

I heard that we could be resettled

in the same area after demolition.

How could that be? Think about our location.

The developer will suffer a huge loss.

It seems

we have to make a choice between the two.

We move to the suburbs.

Get the resettlement housing.

Or we take the demolition compensation.

This bag is really expensive.

Is my house

worth over two million yuan?

But with that money,

you can't buy a good house in the city center.

The location of the resettlement housing is not good.

We're in a dilemma.

Yeah, we are.

We have to move to the rural edges of the city.

Don't mention it.

So, have you made a choice?

I've thought about it.

We should move to the suburbs.

The resettlement housing is best for us.

But I think the suburbs are too far.

I don't want to move there.

If we take the demolition compensation,

it's just over two million yuan.

We can't buy

a good house with that in the city center.

It's okay. Huan has money now.

Plus the demolition compensation

we will get,

we can afford a house in a good location.

If that's the case,

we need to rent a place

before buying one.

Why?

Isn't it good to live in that old western-style house?

We've paid the rent.

And it's so close to Huan's place.

Maybe she'll move in one day.

Come on.

The old house is owned by Yao Zhiming now.

That's not a big deal. After all, we are family.

Besides, there are many bedrooms.

Those rooms will be dusty

if they're always empty.

Houses are meant to be lived in.

Actually, Yao Zhiming is quite pitiful.

He's always dressed up in public,

but he lives in a big empty house

without a single soul to talk to.

Isn't he pitiful?

Now he can live with us.

The more, the merrier.

Besides,

I can cook

and clean the house for him.

- I can take care of him. - Mrs. Mai.

Mr. Mai.

Have you decided yet?

Are you opting for resettlement housing or demolition compensation?

We're still thinking about it.

Anyway, we don't really care.

The old western-style house we're living in is good.

Mai, let's go home and pack up.

Don't flaunt your wealth. Keep it low-key.

Don't show off.

Got it.

You might get robbed.

Come on.

Again.

Watch out and don't kick me.

Again.

Just hit.

Even if you're tired to death,

you still can't

think of a solution.

Again.

Boss, do you want to hear something important?

Speak, but it better be useful.

It must be useful.

Chenghuan's family is going to be relocated.

To the suburbs.

Don't you understand?

The suburbs.

As I know about Chenghuan's mom,

she will be unwilling to move to a place in the suburbs.

At this point,

if you

trade the western-style house

for Xing'anli,

it will meet their urgent need.

Where are you going?

You forgot to compliment me on this idea!

What's wrong with you? You seem down.

Are you dumbfounded

by a windfall?

I'm pondering over something

that I found particularly strange.

What is it?

That day,

when the lawyer read the will,

Yao Zhiming heard

that I inherited Xing'anli.

But his expression

was very odd.

Logically speaking,

if he found out Grandma owned Xing'anli,

he should be surprised

or puzzled.

But he made me feel

that he had known it all along.

I'm not surprised.

He has been working in the hotel industry.

How could he not know?

Maybe he came back just for Xing'anli.

So much has happened.

I don't even know

which of his words are true.

Hello. Yes.

Okay, thank you.

What's the matter?

The lawyer asked me

to handle the hotel handover now.

It's a huge thing.

Take me for a tour.

Let's go.

Come on. Take me with you.

Miss Mai, I just showed you around the hotel

that you'll take over and manage.

You can look over the related documents.

After confirmation,

we can proceed with the handover formalities.

Thank you.

We want to walk around by ourselves.

I will contact you later.

Okay, keep in touch.

- Thank you. - See you.

This is Grandma's deep love for you.

I often accompanied Grandma to eat here.

But I never knew she owned Xing'anli.

If I could trade this place

for Grandma's rebirth, that would be great.

I know you must feel upset now.

It must be hard for you to face this.

But

since Ms. Chen has entrusted this place to you,

it means she trusted you.

So, cheer up.

You can do it.

Fulfill her wish.

Miss Chenghuan, you're back.

Mr. Cui.

I'll just let you guys talk.

Anyway, I've been there.

I gotta go now.

See you.

Mr. Cui.

Grandma owned Xing'anli.

Why have you never mentioned it to me before?

Ms. Chen instructed me

not to tell you about this too soon.

Grandma...

Why did Grandma hand over such a large hotel

to me?

I'm not clear about why.

However, I can take you to a place.

Please follow me.

This is Ms. Chen's office in Xing'anli.

She used to handle things here.

Ms. Chen valued Xing'anli

and she valued the staff even more.

For decades,

she's been looking after us.

And we have shared happiness and woe

with her.

To be frank,

Chenghuan,

to my mind,

I've long considered Ms. Chen as my family.

Grandma is affectionate.

She ran Xing'anli with the concept of a family.

Thank you, Mr. Cui.

Thank you for your trust in Grandma

and your assistance.

My trust in her didn't come easy.

I learned it from the old employees.

Back when Ms. Chen

took over Xing'anli,

everyone didn't have much confidence in her.

They thought

she was just a pampered young lady

(Accounting Document Cover) and knew nothing about hotel management.

But she learned while doing business.

Eventually, she led us through many challenges

and turned Xing'anli

into what it is today step by step.

So staff with some seniority

trust her very much.

Now,

she has handed Xing'anli over to you.

And we will fully support you.

Take a look. I won't disturb you.

Here's the key.

Call me anytime if you need anything.

Thank you, Mr. Cui.

(When you feel down,)

eat properly.

We are friends over meals.

Then I'll just enjoy the meal.

Your hard work

may not be rewarded immediately.

But don't get discouraged.

Because you never know

when your good fortune will arrive.

Grandma.

You must hope

that I can stay true to myself

and choose my own life,

right?

Chenghuan, are you in there?

Come in.

Chenghuan.

I'd like to talk to you.

Sure.

Please enjoy.

On the day the will was announced,

to be honest,

I was a bit surprised.

To be honest,

I was also very surprised.

Chenghuan.

To be realistic,

is there perhaps another way?

Let's exchange inheritances.

Your family can live

in Grandma's house

and lead a happy life.

I will take over Xing'anli.

I guarantee that Xing'anli will

steadily overcome the current situation.

I want to ask you a few questions.

I hope you can answer me honestly.

Of course, go ahead.

You came back for Xing'anli in the first place, didn't you?

Yes.

You went on a trip with us to the mountains

because you tried to persuade Grandma

to hand over Xing'anli to you, right?

Yes.

You are concerned about my life

and help me with my work.

Is it your attempt

to make a good impression on Grandma

to get Xing'anli?

It was true at first.

But not later on.

There are many reasons.

For example,

your coffee is priced

at 50 yuan, which is not cheap.

But the coffee beans used

are of high quality.

The profit is minimal.

And there's the maintenance cost for such a large lawn.

It costs tens of thousands a month.

There's also the maintenance of the building facades.

That's a lot of money.

And that's just external expenditure.

The biggest challenge

is team management.

Grandma has been supporting Xing'anli out of her own pocket.

She was generous and tolerant to staff.

She has brought together a large family.

But her way of management

will only result in deficits.

I'm not doubting your ability.

But I think

taking over and managing this hotel

is very challenging for you.

What you said

makes sense.

But have you ever thought about it?

Even so,

Grandma still entrusted Xing'anli to me.

Why is that?

I have thought about it.

But I don't know why.

That day at the cemetery, you invited me to dinner.

Is it related to Xing'anli?

No, it's not.

It seems

you still can't be honest

with me.

Since that's the case,

I have nothing more to say.

Oh, right.

Grandma left you a letter on the day the will was announced.

You left in such a hurry

before we could give it to you.

Read it.

I have to go.

(Zhiming.)

(I think you must be surprised)

(at my arrangement.)

(You will think I am biased.)

(In fact, to me,)

(you are equally important.)

(Chenghuan is diligent and aspiring.)

(Yet she always lacks an opportunity to prove herself.)

(I never worry about your career.)

(But you have been abroad since you were young.)

(You have experienced the fickleness of the world.)

(I'm sorry that we didn't have much time for each other)

(and I'm not attentive enough to you.)

(Therefore,)

(I chose to hand over the management of Xing'anli)

(to Chenghuan)

(and left the old house to you.)

(I'm not trying to make things even better.)

(I just want to make up for regrets.)

(I hope you won't live like a rootless duckweed,)

(always trying to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages.)

(You should know that the human touch matters most)

(between people.)

(This is how you)

(lead a warm)

(and delightful life.)

Grandma.

You have left me with a difficult problem.

(Summary of Revenue and Expenditure)

Yao Zhiming was right.

(Accounting Document Cover) The business of Xing'anli is not good.

I can't believe you.

How could you tell Chenghuan

that you feared that she would suffer from setbacks?

So what? Telling the truth is against the law?

My dear boss.

After such a long time,

do you still not know Chenghuan well?

She has just become independent from her family

and has finally had an opportunity to prove herself.

You told her

that you were worried about her.

But in fact, you threw cold water on her.

So what's the difference between you and her mother?

Zou.

Do you think

Eric is very restless now?

I thought

that Mr. Yao only cared about his interests

and was resolute in his decisions.

But recently, he seems to have changed.

He became somewhat hesitant.

I have underestimated Mai Chenghuan.

She is quite capable indeed.

She won over Ms. Chen

and Yao Zhiming.

But I think she's too green

to manage Xing'anli.

Ms. Zhang.

You should drink less.

So are we...?

Fine.

Give Xing'anli a gift.

Let her recognize the reality sooner.

Be careful.

How come you're back?

Let me help you.

Come on.

Okay.

Is that okay?

Yes, this position is quite good.

If you didn't come back,

I couldn't do it.

Alright.

Done.

Our little Zao has grown up.

He can help me with everything now.

Mao, I don't want to be your little brother anymore.

So what do you want to be?

Be careful.

- Are you okay? - It scared me.

I'm fine.

Song Huaimin.

No wonder you didn't answer my call.

So you were busy dating.

You...

Isn't this Chengzao?

Mao, how did you hook up

with your bestie's younger brother after divorcing me?

Watch your mouth.

Chengzao.

You've graduated, right?

Do you have a job?

I'm a lawyer.

It's none of your business.

Your shop

is well decorated.

It seems you have learned a lot from me

when we were together.

How about this, Mao?

If you come back to me,

I promise

to let you do your own brand.

Do you think I'm a fool?

Do I want to come back

so you can keep copying my designs?

I never copied.

You have your inspiration,

and so do I.

Song Huaimin, you really are shameless.

I have exposed your true face online.

You still have the nerve to come here?

What do you want?

Actually, your posts online

don't affect me much.

Just today,

the jewelry brand seeking to collaborate with you

also came to me.

They even inquired

about you specifically.

Are you threatening me?

We have already gone our separate ways.

Why don't you get it?

Connections matter in this circle,

not the work.

And look at you right now.

After leaving me,

do you really want to spend your life selling these things?

Mao is very outstanding.

And she'll get better and better after leaving you.

As for you,

you copy her work.

I think it's you who can't leave her.

Dingding should call him

Uncle Chengzao, right?

Or maybe

"stepdad"?

Delete the photos.

I won't.

Delete the photos.

Get away from me!

I didn't push her hard.

Are you okay?

As a lawyer, you just hit me.

I'll call the police!

Go ahead!

I have cameras all over here.

Let's see who started it.

I'm warning you.

If you come to harass her again,

I'll risk my career

to ruin and disgrace you.

Good for you.

Mao.

I came here to discuss collaboration with you.

But now,

you two,

wait and see.

Get out of here!

Are you okay?

Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

I just strained my back.

Here.

Is your back alright?

It's fine.

I'm okay. I can walk by myself.

I'm so pissed.

Let me check your hand.

My hand is alright.

How can it be alright? It's swollen.

Come and have a seat.

I'll get some ice for you to apply.

Wait a moment.

Listen,

he's just a scumbag.

Is it worth risking your career to handle him?

I can do anything for you.

No, that's not what I mean.

I can handle these things myself.

Just stay out of this, little boy.

I'm not a little boy.

I want to be someone who can protect you.

I don't want you to manage such a big shop,

and pack and arrange delivery by yourself.

I don't want to see you stay up all night,

working on drafts after closing time

with no one to remind you to eat.

And I can't see you face the harassment from Song Huaimin alone.

Mao.

When I first met you,

you were a carefree girl.

I hope you can always remain carefree.

Mao.

I like you.

From the moment I met you,

I've liked you.

It's been ten years.

My feelings never change.

How old were you back then?

Did you even know what that meant?

When I just returned to Shanghai to study,

because of my accent,

I was mocked by my classmates.

So during that period,

I became silent and uncommunicative,

refusing to talk with anyone.

It was you who taught me Mandarin over and over again,

telling me that I didn't need to cater to others.

It was you who were always there for me, encouraging me.

So from that moment on,

I was sure that I like you.

Mao.

So,

can I be the one

who protects you?

I...

I need to go downstairs to check on the goods.

You should go back early.

Does it smell good?

Of course.

- Smells good. - Smells good.

Dad, Mom, I'm back.

Zao.

Zao.

Look.

It smells so good.

It's a big meal.

Huan is back.

Huan.

Mom.

Huan.

Huan.

It's me.

You were laughing.

Why is it you?

I heard your laughter on the stairs.

Did you dream

that our daughter came home for a meal?

I thought it was Huan.

You're so annoying for waking me up from my dream.

Let me tell you.

Right now, I'm thinking

that if Huan could come back home,

I would be willing to cook many dishes.

Alright, get up.

It's time for breakfast.

- Get up. - I'm not eating.

I want to continue the dream.

Ms. Chen.

Thank you.

Thank you for letting us live in such a big house.

If you could hear me,

please keep my whole family

safe and healthy.

Keep my husband safe

on the road.

May Zao's work go smoothly.

May Huan make a fortune.

Make a big fortune.

Make a big fortune?

That depends on Huan's own efforts.

I know.

May...

Wanyu.

Sis.

- I heard you inherited a large fortune. - It's my sister.

Tell me about it.

Yes, not much.

The point is Huan inherited a big hotel.

Sis.

I haven't told anyone else about this.

I haven't even told our brother or any fellow villagers.

I've only told you.

Don't tell others.

Alright, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Hello.

Sis, Chenghuan inherited a big hotel?

You are so well-informed.

Sis just told you, right?

Listen.

The timing wasn't right when you came last time.

It was so embarrassing. I am really sorry.

Next time you come,

I will check you in at Xing'anli

and take you for a good tour around the Shanghai Bund.

Hey,

don't tell others about this.

After all, I have to keep a low profile.

Alright.

Okay, goodbye.

Yu.

Is this how you keep a low profile?

I think you just can't wait to tell the whole world.

If Huan finds out,

she will definitely be angry.

What's there to be angry about?

Good news

should be shared.

Fine.

Mai.

Boss Mai.

How am I a boss?

We are now bosses in Shanghai Bund.

We have a big hotel

in the center of the city.

That's incredible.

Please.

Let me make it clear.

Huan is the boss,

not us.

Huan is our daughter.

Doesn't that mean we're bosses too?

Are you a fool?

Alright.

I've been thinking about it.

I wonder

how their food is.

I feel different now than last time.

Of course, our status is different.

Should we tell Huan about our coming?

It's not proper to barge in.

What does it matter?

We're just here to have a look.

It won't disturb her.

Welcome.

Thanks.

You go ahead.

No.

You go ahead.

If I go ahead and Huan sees us,

she'll think I'm leading you in.

If I go ahead, it means I'm leading you in?

But it was your idea to come.

You...

Yu.

You've ordered four dishes. You want to order more?

Don't call me Yu.

Call me darling.

Darling.

What are you noting down?

Problems.

What problems?

Don't forget

why we came here, okay?

We're here to find issues for Huan.

Ms. Liu, your dishes.

Thank you.

Bran dough.

Sweet and sour ribs.

It's a hot dish. Why is it served first?

It should be served later.

You like sweet and sour ribs.

Try this.

Come on, have a taste.

Oh, my.

It's too sweet.

Get the Head Chef here.

Well,

you might not be accustomed to it.

Cui, go get him here.

Go ahead and bring him here.

Well...

- Fine. - Go.

You try it.

Have a taste.

Mr. Cui, what's up?

Chenghuan, are you busy?

Is it convenient for you to come to Xing'anli now?

Has something happened?

Not really.

Your mom is here.

I'll be right there.

Head Chef.

The sweet and sour ribs you cooked

are too sweet.

It's cloying.

- Just leave it. - Authentic local dishes

must be sweet

to taste good.

I've been a cook for over 30 years.

When my master brought me here,

sweet and sour ribs tasted like this.

Locals have to queue up for it.

May I have your name?

Why should I tell you?

My name is Sugar, as sweet as the sweet and sour ribs.

Mr. Sugar, let me tell you.

You are indeed behind the times.

In the service industry,

you must be customer-centered.

You have to be flexible.

If the diners are old,

don't put so much sugar in it.

It's not good for their health.

If the diners are young,

they have a sweet tooth, so you can add more sugar.

This way, the business will thrive.

- Different amounts of sugar. - Make way, please.

Different diners need different amounts of sugar.

- That's it. - Just stop.

Mom.

Mr. Li.

Mr. Li, what's going on?

Cui, I'm telling you.

I am not flexible.

I only know how to cook.

I don't care about anything else.

I'm not one for words.

Huan, here's the thing.

Today, we came

to help you find issues with Xing'anli.

I'm quite shocked

because I've found many issues.

Take the sweet and sour ribs for instance.

This dish is too sweet and cloying.

- You ate the same dish I cooked. - You...

He's not modest.

Mr. Li, here's the thing.

It's a misunderstanding.

My mom means well.

My mom makes

hot sweet and sour ribs,

while you make cold sweet and sour ribs.

She didn't know about that.

It's a misunderstanding.

Sorry about that.

A hotel provides comfortable rooms.

It should also serve good food.

I'm good at cooking.

I can help you with catering.

Mom.

Please don't interfere with my work.

Wait.

How can you handle such a big hotel by yourself?

Mom, you don't know how to run a hotel.

The notice for our house relocation has already been issued.

Let's move out of the old house asap.

I will buy you a new house later.

Okay, we'll move as soon as possible.

You shut up.

If we move out...

Mom.

Grandma has left Xing'anli to me.

The old house was left to Yao Zhiming.

If we continue living in that house,

it would be inappropriate.

We have to move eventually.

Let's go home.

No rush.

My notebook.

I've noted down the issues with the hotel.

Take a look when you have time.

Let's go.

We're leaving.

♪My sweetie♪

♪I don't know if I'm a good mother♪

♪It's my first time being a mother♪

♪Though the years have turned my hair white♪

♪I'm too busy to have meals on time, but that's not my fault♪

♪It will make me feel guilty to let you know about it♪

♪I know you care about me♪

♪But it makes me feel like I've never been trusted♪

♪Those carefree people can't be mothers♪

♪I know it all, but it breaks my heart♪

♪Please let me pursue the life that belongs to me♪

♪I'm as brave and kind as you, so I'm not afraid♪

♪One day, you will also become a mother♪

♪Will we embrace each other on that day♪

♪Like a stream traveling around the world♪

♪And returning to where it came from♪

♪I hope you are loved♪

♪I hope you find happiness♪

♪I hope I can shelter you from the storms♪

♪I know that we argue sometimes♪

♪I know that people will grow old♪

♪So we must say I love you out loud♪

- ♪My mother watched me out of sight♪ - ♪Are you nearly home♪

- ♪My memories became so intense♪ - ♪The door is open♪

♪Through the gentle times♪

♪Wherever you are is my home♪

♪Come back home♪

♪My sweetie♪

♪Please believe in yourself♪