Original subtitles

=Best Choice Ever=

=Episode 37=

Excuse me, madam.

May I ask where Feng's Mandarin Fish is?

This is Ms. Feng's shop.

But it's a cake shop.

Ms. Feng has closed her shop long ago.

Madam, do you know

where she lives now?

Yeah, I do.

I can tell you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam.

May I ask

where the house No.723 is?

Over there.

Thank you.

I guess here it is.

Hello?

Is anyone there?

Hello, is this Ms. Feng's house?

Why?

We would like to ask you to make us a mandarin fish dish.

Can you do that?

The shop closed long ago. We don't make it anymore.

Hello, sorry to disturb you.

Hello?

Haven't I already said it? We don't make it anymore.

Sorry, Ms. Feng.

I know I am disturbing you.

But right now,

I have an emergency.

my mom was from this village.

She grew up eating your mandarin fish.

She is sick now

and wants to eat it again.

I wonder if you could make an exception and help us make it.

Yes.

I am not Ms. Feng.

Ms. Feng is my mom.

She can't make it anymore. You can come in and see.

Come in.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Mom.

Two kids came to see me.

You eat your food.

How are you?

How are you?

See, she's like this.

She cannot do it.

Madam, can you do it?

I don't know how, nor will I do it.

Chenghuan.

Let's think of another way.

Chew it up.

Alright.

Sorry to interrupt.

Sorry, Ms. Feng.

Sorry to interrupt.

We're leaving.

Sorry to interrupt.

You are Chenghuan?

Yes.

Wanyu?

Liu Wanyu is your mom?

Yes, she's my mom.

Do you know her?

Mom, she's Wanyu's daughter.

Look, she has grown up.

Have a seat.

Grab a stool and sit.

Alright, we can do it ourselves.

We are more than just acquaintances.

Ever since I was little,

My mom has pushed me to learn how to cook mandarin fish.

But I don't like or want to learn it.

So she hit me.

One time she hit me really hard.

I hid outside and sat there crying.

I just saw a little girl sitting around the corner

in the distance.

She cried even more loudly than me.

We hugged each other and cried.

In the end, we became friends.

My mom never told me about this.

What happened to my mom back then?

Why was she crying?

An opera school in the city was recruiting students.

She was admitted.

But she didn't have the money

to send her to study.

What a pity. She has a good voice.

I never knew that when your mom was young,

she was talented in singing opera.

She couldn't study,

so she was very upset.

She advised me to go to Shanghai

with her and try our luck.

She tried to leave this place.

My mom made her mandarin fish

and encouraged her

to put in the same effort as she did in opera singing.

If so, she would succeed.

I admire your mom.

A young girl ventured

to Shanghai alone.

Your mom is sick?

What illness?

How is she now?

It's not serious, madam.

My mom just has a minor illness.

She'll be fine after some rest.

So she came back to recuperate.

She told me she was craving your mandarin fish.

So I'm here for that.

But I can't help.

I don't know how to cook it.

Madam.

Can Ms. Feng teach me

to cook it?

Please try this.

Please tell me how it tastes.

Does it taste right?

I'll add a bit more.

Is this much okay?

Taste it again.

Okay.

Zhiming.

Make the fire stronger.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Is it enough?

Yes, it is.

Make it a little stronger.

Ms. Feng, please taste it.

How does it taste?

Thank you, Ms. Feng.

Chenghuan, come here.

I've found something good for you.

Sit here. Look.

Photo album.

Look, who is this?

Look at your mom.

She was glowing back then.

This is my mom?

Yeah, of course.

Your mom was quite famous back then.

Your mom was best at playing the Female Prince Consort.

She had a good voice and appearance.

When she got on stage, many young men went to listen.

Zhiming, thank you.

For what?

Thank you for helping me protect my home.

Your home?

Isn't it also my home?

Look at your face.

You're especially down-to-earth now.

(♪I left my home to save my husband♪)

(♪Unexpectedly, I passed the imperial examination♪)

What's wrong? Did you think of something?

It's nothing.

This place

was where people performed opera.

Every month,

there would be one or two performances.

I've even performed opera on this stage.

Back then,

the seats below were fully packed.

Now, there are no performances.

The young people have all left here.

There aren't many who watch opera anymore.

Let's go back.

Have you finished a walk?

Are you tired?

You go to sleep.

Huan.

Your mom's condition is getting worse.

We must hurry back.

Dad, don't worry. Have a seat.

Dad.

Even if we force mom to go back now,

I guess she won't agree.

So what do we do? We can't just let her be.

We can't waste any more time.

This is what I think.

Right now,

mom isn't mentally prepared for treatment.

So, at this time,

we should try to encourage her,

giving her the courage to live and hope.

But this hope cannot come from us

but from herself.

We make her

feel optimistic about her future life.

So is there anything

we can do to help her?

Do you remember those posters you showed me last time?

Yeah, I do.

Mom loved performing opera when she was young.

She sang very well.

Now that you mention it, I remember.

When your mom and I just started dating,

she would always drag me to watch operas,

like Shaoxing opera, Huangmei opera, and Beijing opera.

She liked all kinds of operas.

So I think

this could be a breakthrough.

If...

I mean,

if we help mom fulfill what she couldn't do

when she was young,

perhaps

it could rekindle her hope for life.

You mean

we help her rebuild confidence

in life?

Exactly.

Huan, that's an amazing idea.

I will listen to you.

Be careful.

What are you doing?

They don't know how to use the stove.

Just sit here.

They said

they wanted to show filial piety to you.

Just sit here and wait.

Enjoy your time here.

Mom.

I made the fish. Give it a try.

Does it taste the same as before?

Here, Ms. Liu.

How does it taste?

How does it taste?

Let me taste it.

Not bad.

Yu.

Compared to the mandarin fish you used to make,

it tastes a bit different.

But it's quite delicious.

Ms. Liu.

Huan put a lot of thought

into this dish.

She learned to cook it from Ms. Feng.

She wanted

to let you taste an authentic flavor of home.

It's okay, mom.

If it's unpalatable, you won't eat it.

Delicious.

It's more delicious than the one I ate

when I was young.

You can't eat too much salt.

Mom, if you like it,

I'll make it for you every day, okay?

Yu.

I'll take you to watch an opera tonight.

(Villagers, attention!)

(There's a performance tonight.)

Dad, mom.

Zao, how come you're here?

Look.

Mom, over here.

Come.

How come you're here?

Didn't I tell you?

I came back right after work.

I got here early on purpose to save seats for you.

You arrived without telling us.

What's this for? A shadow play?

Where are Ming and Huan?

They will be here soon.

With the sound of gongs and drums, the show begins.

Isn't that Huan's voice?

It is Huan's voice indeed.

Once there was a girl,

with high talent for singing opera.

She was smart and beautiful.

There came a selection of opera talents.

And she stood out.

Sadly,

her dream remained unfulfilled.

She kept the dream inside her heart.

The girl packed her bags

and left her hometown.

And it's been 30 years.

Her hair is turning grey.

As the days went on,

she got married.

Then she had two children.

She changed from a girl to a wife,

and from a wife to a mother.

With her courage,

she sheltered her family from wind and rain

and fully supported her own children.

She aged slowly,

but in her heart,

she never forgot her dream.

That is,

one day,

she would stand on this stage again

and bloom beautifully.

I think she's telling your story.

Mom.

I know you've always had a dream of singing opera.

I prepared it all for you.

I don't want you to have any regrets.

Mom, look.

Is this opera costume beautiful?

It's so beautiful.

I've never seen such a beautiful opera costume before.

Ms. Liu.

We've specially invited the accompanist you worked with before.

Just sing today.

We are your most loyal audience.

I...

I sing?

Honey.

I've never really

heard you sing opera before.

I'm looking forward to it.

No, I can't.

I'm afraid I can't sing really well.

I can't.

Mom, be confident. You can do it.

No, I...

Mom, turn around and look.

Look who's here.

I have invited all your friends over.

Yu.

We haven't seen each other for so long.

Yu.

Ms. Feng.

Let me tell you, Yu.

You ate the mandarin fish of my family.

You have to sing for me.

Sure.

- Right? - She should sing.

Yu, if you don't sing,

I will argue with you.

I can't do it.

Yu, you sang so well before.

Mom, everyone is watching.

Put the costume on.

- Put it on. - Put it on.

- Put it on. - Put it on.

♪I left my home to save my husband♪

♪Unexpectedly, I passed the imperial examination♪

♪I became the top scholar in a red robe♪

♪With a palace flower on the hat♪

♪So novel♪

Dad.

Mom is so cool.

That's my wife.

♪I used to be at the banquet♪

♪I rode horses in the imperial street♪

♪Everyone praises my good looks♪

♪Nobody knows♪

♪That I'm actually a woman♪

♪My sweetie♪

♪I don't know if I'm a good mother♪

♪If I should learn to let go♪

♪Mom has never learned♪

♪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♪

♪Will the train arrive on time♪

♪Have you eaten along the way♪

♪No matter what time I get home, the meal will be warm♪

- ♪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♪

Bravo!

♪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♪

♪Will the train arrive on time♪

Thank you, mom.

I feel lucky to have a daughter like you.

- ♪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♪

She's here.

Hurry. Light it.

What's going on?

Run.

- Yu, come. - What?

Come quickly.

What's going on?

Look up.

Yu.

You used to say

I'm not romantic.

I did something romantic for you.

At this age, what's the point of being romantic?

If you have the money for that, I hope you spend it

on a big meal.

Did you hear that?

I told you.

Your mom doesn't like this.

Who told you? I'm happy about this.

That's good.

Yu, do you have any other wishes

that haven't come true?

Make a wish right now.

I wish that our family stays healthy.

Great. A good wish.

I also want to make a wish.

Go ahead.

I hope

if we have time in the future,

we can often come back to this old house to live for a while.

That's simple.

We'll often come back.

Okay.

Dad, do you have any wishes?

Your wishes are my wishes.

I wanted to escape from home

to be an independent person.

But now, seeing how happy our family is,

I realize this is the best.

Huan.

How about

we jointly establish a new hotel here?

Talking about work during such a beautiful moment?

That's a good idea.

But I want to be the boss.

Of course, you'd be the boss.

Otherwise, who else will be?

♪Don't cry...♪

♪Sweetie♪

♪Goodnight♪

Yu.

Tomorrow morning we will catch the high-speed train back to Shanghai.

Go to sleep early tonight.

Dad, have you gone to sleep yet?

May I come in?

Yes, of course.

Haven't slept yet.

What's up?

Dad, I want to discuss something with you.

What is it?

Tonight, I want to sleep with mom.

Sure.

I'll sleep with Zao.

Yu, I'm going to Zao's room.

I'm here.

Mom, when I was little,

I was scared of getting a shot, final exams,

and watching a horror movie.

I always got into your bed when I was scared.

I always feel warm

and safe

in your arms.

Now that I've grown up,

I'm your shelter.

It's my turn to protect you.

Don't be afraid, mom. I'm here.

(One year later)

You can tell my mom this news.

How's it going, Mrs. Mai?

Ms. Liu.

Mom, are you alright?

Mom.

Dad, how did it turn out?

Let her say it herself.

How did it go, mom?

I'm fine now.

The doctor said

that the surgery was successful.

And I'm good now.

I don't need to take medicine anymore.

You just scared me.

Exactly.

Sorry.

What a relief.

No butterflies in my stomach anymore.

In your stomach?

Let me check it out.

It's here?

Here?

What is this?

Little baby?

- Mrs. Mai. - Mom.

You're married. Don't you want kids?

Mom, again?

Urging them to have a baby?

I am sorry.

Mom.

Our family has finally reunited.

How are you gonna spend the Mid-Autumn Festival?

We will make arrangements for you.

Yes.

I want to go to Anhui.

Okay.

Well, that's good.

Folks from Anhui keep sending me messages.

They ask when you will go back to perform for them again.

I'm sorry.

Go back. Don't stay here.

Let's go.

- Go home. - Go.

Let's go.

Oh, right, Ms. Liu.

I have good news for you when we get to Anhui.

Really? What good news?

You will know when we get there.

Tell me now.

I can't wait to know.

(Cooperation Launch Ceremony of Xing'anli and Yueda Group)

Hello, everyone.

I am Mai Chengzao, the host of this launching ceremony.

I am from Shang Village.

I grew up here.

Next, I would like to invite Mr. Yao Zhiming,

the President of East China Region of the Yueda Group, to give a speech.

Everyone.

Good morning.

This co-branded hotel is the first

to be co-created

by Yueda Group

and Xing'anli.

It boasts international

and high-standard services

and features unique characteristics,

a different kind of charm,

as well as humanitarian care.

I hope this hotel

can bring quaint Shang Village

more new development opportunities.

At the same time, I also hope

that it can provide tourists with a new lodging experience.

I am looking forward to this.

Without further ado,

please welcome my partner,

Miss Mai Chenghuan.

Hello, everyone, I am Mai Chenghuan.

Welcome you all here today.

Spending good times

with your family

is the theme of our hotel.

I got this idea

a year ago.

When I returned to her hometown

with my sick mom,

I deeply and clearly realized

that the family

was so familiar

and precious to us.

Yet it's so easily overlooked.

Therefore, I hope our hotel

can become a station for everyone.

In the process of your relentless progress,

we can momentarily pause,

slow down the pace,

and wait for our parents

to spend quality time together.

Home

is our driving force.

And love

is the reason we stay put.

Thank you, everyone.

Mom.

After coming here,

I feel like

I've truly begun

to know you.

Mom.

I often think about it.

If you were born in my era,

you would become a great artist.

In a different era,

there are different ways of living.

In my life,

I married your dad

and gave birth to you and Zao.

It is the happiest thing for me.

However,

I have realized it.

Withdrawing from your life

is something I must learn to do.

It's a lesson I must finish.

Mom, you have misunderstood me.

I have never wanted to push you away.

I just want us to improve

and grow together.

We can be close family

and independent individuals.

When I was little,

you gave me enough love and let me rely upon you.

Now, I've grown up.

I can take care of myself and my family.

So, mom,

I hope you can tear off the label of mom

and be yourself.

Be myself?

Let's just be ourselves.

Here, the last main dish, mandarin fish.

Come on. Let's all raise our glasses.

Come on.

Shouldn't we say something?

As for our family...

There are many happy things in our family.

Dad doesn't even know where to start.

Yeah.

Then let me start.

I hope

Ms. Liu can be healthy

and happy.

Wish you two

make a fortune

and a booming business.

Great.

Thank you, mom.

Wish Zao and Mao a happy wedding,

no, a happy marriage.

Congratulations to Mao for becoming a member of our family.

- Thank you, dad. - Wait.

Look, Zao is married ahead of you.

As his elder sister,

when will you and Ming get married

Dad.

What's the date

of the trip to Europe I booked

for you for next month?

The tenth.

Don't get the date wrong.

I know.

Alright, don't change the subject.

Look, Dingding is about to start elementary school.

Dingding is going to elementary school?

- Congratulations. - You'll take the college entrance exam very soon.

Congratulations.

Good.

Alright, I'll stop talking.

After all, you don't listen to me.

I won't interfere.

I'm busy performing in a lead role

at the senior theater troupe.

Alright, everyone. Minds our own business.

She takes a lead role.

But then again,

when will you two get married?

Shouldn't the man make the first move?

I'm always ready for that.

Come to me when you buy the ring.

Regarding Zhiming's attitude,

I must give him a thumb up.

I think our family will never stop arguing.

The louder, the merrier.

That's a family.

Am I right, mom?

Yes.

Come on. Raise your glasses.

Come on.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Cheers.

Come on.

(The End)

♪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♪