Original subtitles

CALL FROM EFFIE

CALL FROM EFFIE

DECLINE

In one's younger years,

one may confuse idolization with love.

You may fall in love with someone.

You love how they turn their moral values into their destiny.

You love them because they're willing to live or die for their moral integrity.

You love that they always accomplish

far more than what they've promised.

But when they give up the reason why they are loved so much,

we...

stop idolizing them,

as if we've also fallen from the height of morality and shattered.

We are no longer whole.

Qiong: Lily, what happened between you and Effie?

How come you just disappeared? We're all worried about you.

Babe, I'm going out.

- Why? - I have to attend my boss' interview.

Stephanie?

- Yes, Steph. What? - Steph.

Didn't we talk about this last time? Not again.

I know, but she is making you work on Sundays.

I should be jealous.

You don't need to be jealous.

Jealousy is for people who lack confidence.

Furthermore,

I'm the one who should be jealous.

Your classmate.

Please don't.

Don't! No. No!

- Greenland. - Greenland.

What? What do you have against Greenland?

You know I hate the cold.

And my work schedule is unpredictable.

Plus, I can't take long holidays to go somewhere so far away...

like Greenland.

I haven't been there, as I'm waiting for the person I love to go with me.

Why can't the person I love prefer somewhere warmer?

For example,

Cambodia or the Philippines.

You really can't stay?

- But I... - But, but,

but you have to go save the world.

Isn't that the reason why you love me?

One of many.

Here's your coffee.

How come you're working by yourself today?

I fired that girl.

You fired another one?

She's just uncreative.

How uncreative?

Last week, she unexpectedly took two days off,

saying it's her grandmother's funeral.

What's uncreative about it?

That was her grandma's fourth funeral.

Should I come help you out after my class?

No need. It's not that busy anyway.

Do you want something to drink?

You got the dark roast Panama winey from last time?

That one ran out ages ago.

Why don't you try something else?

Light-roast is more interesting.

I like that one. Why should I change?

You wouldn't know unless you try. You may find something better.

It seems you're implying something else.

Your girlfriend didn't come with you.

She's busy.

On a Sunday morning?

Yeah.

You should check out whatever she's so busy with.

I'm getting in.

Table for two?

Babe: At least tell me how you're doing. Drop me a message, okay?

I've quit my job...missing u...

Lily, you're okay?

I bought your favorite oyster omelet.

Double eggs.

With chili sauce.

Hello, Babe.

Where are you?

I'm still at the office. You have to eat by yourself tonight.

I'll finish as soon as I can, okay?

Talk to you later. Love you.

I still believe our demands are flawless.

I think energy policy should focus on adjusting the industrial structure,

improving energy education and conserving energy.

These have to be done simultaneously.

So, reducing electricity demand is top priority.

You think so too?

Mm-hmm.

How about we take a break?

- Take a break. - Hmm...

Let me recharge you.

Self-deception

is a form of self-healing.

The process feels like a severe cold,

dazed, muddleheaded and lethargic.

When the subconscious realizes

that love is hatred in disguise,

you will finally understand

you are all alone by yourself.

DELETE PHOTO

I will visit Kai Capital,

because they are the best in the industry at financial planning and tax management.

Our revenue has been dropping.

We're losing money every month.

We need a solution.

We have to adjust our business model.

I think readers are still around. They just aren't reading physical books.

Perhaps we can consider e-books,

or create more profit in our retail space.

I've come up with a few plans that might be helpful.

These won't be enough.

We have to rely on the Chinese market to get through this hurdle.

All right.

I know.

You truly love books.

Changing the bookstore model must have been very difficult for you.

I do miss the days working as an assistant editor.

I only needed to work on the books I loved and contact my favorite authors.

Unlike now, I'm dealing with numbers every day.

I often feel like

I'm drifting farther away from my aspirations.

Thank you for everything.

Once everything is set up in China,

I'll definitely bring you over.

Let you put your talents to work.

All right, I understand.

You keep saying that.

Sir! About that...

Why can't you knock first?

I'm sorry. I apologize.

Excuse me.

Qiong is unbelievable.

Are you meeting with Chairman Chen's son?

Aaron, right?

Yeah.

I feel more at ease if a Taiwanese works for me over there.

True.

Chairman Chen is well connected. We should use this wisely.

You should get ready. Don't be late.

- All right. I'm going. - Mm-hmm.

Sir.

Wait a moment, please.

I have something very serious to tell you.

What is it?

Do you think we can talk business at this place?

I'll search right now. Well...

There should be other options.

There's a Sichuan restaurant with a rating of 3.2 stars.

My classmate is here.

It says you are an experience curator. What exactly do you do?

Let me put it this way.

Many people go to New York,

but they only visit places like the Statue of Liberty,

Times Square and the Empire State Building, right?

But I can set up a utterly different New York experience.

For example, if you want a suspenseful experience,

I can take you at midnight to the spot where John Lennon was shot.

I could even hire a gunman to aim at you.

I also take my clients to visit hidden gems in Europe.

Basically, they only need to pay my planning fee and travel expenses.

I can also take photos for them.

So, it's kind of like a tour guide, right?

It's not wrong if you put it like that.

But even the oldest skills can be marketed by trendy new names.

It just depends on who can come up with it.

This is the song from our university camp.

From now on...

Okay.

Um...

Let's do this again next time.

Now I know whom to call next time I come back.

Uncle, is your chauffeur off the clock?

Can I offer you a ride?

Maybe I can escort the ladies home.

No need. We can just take a walk.

Thank you, sir.

- Thanks. - Okay.

- Bye. - Uncle, the car is over there.

Lily, thank you for helping me out today. I've never seen my boss so relaxed.

I think Uncle is quite cute.

Uncle is quite cute?

You can do whatever you want. Just don't get me fired.

I've only been back for a month. What can I do?

- How many do you want? - I want them all!

- Non-stop drinking today! - Okay, that's enough.

Enough.

- You're too much. - So why did you suddenly come back?

When you suddenly disappeared previously, we were all worried about you.

We thought you were suicidal.

That is ridiculous.

I'm fine, okay?

Back then, we all thought you liked Jay.

But later, you got together with Effie.

Your range seemed to be very wide.

Jay liked being alone.

I didn't want to be the person who got in his way.

Can I ask you now?

You and Effie seemed to be getting along well.

What happened between you two?

Stop pushing me for the details. You've been asking since I got back.

I have to take this chance to ask you.

When you were away, I had to eat by myself.

Ax and Shumei were kind of dating. They annoyed me.

Dowming and some others moved to China.

I've been here by myself. I'm nearly bored to death.

Now you're back.

So you are...

You're too much!

It's so good to have you back.

Uncle.

Are you all right? Something snapped?

Should we move to another seat?

I'm fine.

Okay.

I'm good.

I saw your photography work on Facebook.

Very impressive.

How so?

You don't believe me?

Anyone can say "impressive."

I'm more interested in how you find it impressive.

The reason I like your work is...

whether you're photographing people or objects,

like a tree or a chair,

they all look like portraits.

It feels like, in your eyes, they're more than just objects.

They're more like profound dramatic experiences.

Very poetic and very romantic,

with just a hint of innocence.

A photographer I really admire once said,

"what we capture is just a reflection of ourselves we see in others."

So...

have I seen the real you?

Am I that easy to be seen through?

Two Americanos.

Thank you.

Careful. It's hot.

Thank you.

I've been really curious about what you mentioned last time,

experience curator, yeah,

and why you came back to Taiwan.

Actually, I can be an experience curator anywhere.

Right now, I'm more interested

in exploring hidden gems in Asian countries.

Many of my classmates are doing well in China,

so I might go check it out sometime.

But I also wonder if the people who stay in Taiwan

would envy those who've gone to China?

Don't you think people always desire what they don't have?

In what way?

China's economy is so strong now. Everyone has to pay attention to it.

Taiwan's only edge now is its democracy and freedom.

But honestly, democracy and freedom feel as natural as air to my generation.

If you have air but no money, life isn't that great, right?

If you had experienced the fight for democracy and freedom,

your generation might appreciate it a bit more.

Now you're doing business in China,

don't you care about their political system?

Are you not bothered to see people deprived of freedom?

What can I do about it?

Besides, that's a separate issue.

Politics is politics.

Business is business.

Honestly, I think they have their freedom.

You sound like Faust making a deal with the devil.

Are you scared?

Would you like me to set up a special experience for you?

A special experience?

What? Are you scared?

I have one question.

Is it okay for me to pay the bill today?

Like this, upward.

Yes.

Don't turn.

Don't twist your body.

Wait.

That turn.

My, are you trying to kill me?

Are you tired?

What do you think?

How did you get that scar on your back?

My second Christmas in New York.

I fell asleep in my apartment.

And in my dream, this alien showed up.

I was being serious.

It came toward me slowly.

And then it asked me if I was lonely.

I didn't say anything, but somehow it just knew,

like our minds were connected.

Suddenly, my whole body felt hot,

like I was burning.

At that moment, I saw this glacier.

Without thinking, I just jumped right in.

After that, I woke up.

I thought maybe 20 minutes had passed, but it had been hours,

as if time had been stolen.

Why didn't you take the shot?

The lighting wasn't right.

What time has the best lighting?

You should ask where has the best lighting.

83 degrees 39 minutes north latitude.

Where is that?

You can't drive. Why would you pick up the car?

I do have a driver's license.

You don't really know how to drive.

How do you know I can't drive?

Only Li Xianhong doesn't know that.

After all these years, he still asked you to pick up the car.

He doesn't know many things.

Then why are you still so devoted to him?

Turn your head.

See, I actually know you pretty well.

That's a different matter.

People break up because they know each other too well.

Then I don't know you that well.

There's so much about you I don't know. I don't know where you live.

I don't know when your birthday is.

And I don't know that sexy mole on your inner thigh either.

Nonsense.

Are you hungry?

A little.

You can eat this.

Get out of here!

Go away. You're so annoying!

Fine. I'll cook some noodles.

Patrick.

Thank you so much.

A nuclear-free homeland policy is imperative.

The Legislative Yuan should expedite the passage of energy bills

and find supporting measures.

Ax Kuo got over a thousand likes.

You're an internet sensation now.

I'm discussing current affairs.

I'm different from those internet celebrities, okay?

Besides, my followers can think for themselves.

Green DPP activists.

They are still followers.

- They just love to see you all worked up. - I tell the truth.

- Of course you think yours is the truth. - No, I'm right about nuclear power.

- Every time you talk about politics... - I miss you two.

You're always bickering.

I come back to watch you two.

- So noisy! - Yeah!

- All right. - Come on.

Forget it. Let's order.

Hakka stir-fry, I've been eyeing it.

One Hakka stir-fry.

I don't know why you must insist.

I can take the bus or metro.

It's on my way, anyway.

Do you feel embarrassed if your friends see me with you?

It's not about me being embarrassed.

I haven't seen them in a long time. I want to have a nice dinner with them.

You have nothing to talk about with them.

How so?

Don't you and I have plenty to talk about?

Hakka stir-fry, spicy intestines.

- Fish head casserole. - These should be enough.

- Roast chicken. - Large one for this.

Sure, large one.

- Yes, thank you. - Okay, have a seat.

Thanks.

Was that my boss? Did he give you a ride here?

He insisted. I wanted to take the metro.

Have you guys been hanging out for the past two months?

We're just friends.

We're just friends.

You're annoying.

Don't mess it up. It would be awkward for me.

What would be awkward?

- I work under him. I... - Lilian.

- What are you whispering there? - We're coming.

- Don't just stand there. - No.

Friendship forever!

How many years have you guys been there? Five or six years.

Not that long.

- Three and a half years. - Three and a half?

That is still a long time.

Are you following our chat group?

- I am. - Do you read our messages?

I do read. I just hardly reply.

I do follow you guys.

...Mr. Li Xianhong will tell you how Philo Culture Group

get through the rise of cultural and creative industries.

Look!

Hong Lifang...

What a disgusting shameless guy.

What kind of interview is this?

People like that are shameless.

They've taken Taiwan's resources to China to earn RMB.

- Isn't it disgusting? - Don't get worked up.

Yeah, why would you even say that?

I stayed up late at the office to set up this interview.

He is also my boss. Show some respect.

These are different things.

He is your boss, but he's also done unscrupulous things.

- What has he done wrong? - Bad people must face criticism.

If I see him on the street, I'll throw eggs at him.

- Tell me, what has he done wrong? - Yeah, what has he done wrong?

What's wrong with him making money in China?

Our company has over 400 families to support.

Come on.

If you dare to egg him, I will...

- crush your balls. - No physical assaults!

Shumei still needs them.

Wait. I agree with Qiong. Earning RMB in Beijing is perfectly fine.

Really! 10 years of hard work in Taiwan earns less than one year in China.

- It's true. - With your salary in Taiwan,

- can you afford to buy a house? - Besides,

after the Olympics and the World Expo,

- Shanghai has become super globalized. - I think your problem

is that you've never been there.

You haven't seen it.

If you had been there even once,

you'd have realized it's not what you imagined.

I'm telling you.

I don't need to go. I can already imagine what it's like.

What was our major? Mass Communication.

What's most important?

Media values.

Press freedom.

They treat these like crap in China.

- I haven't heard this for a while. - Don't exaggerate.

- It is that bad. - It's really not.

Listen to me, Ax, Chinese-style freedom

- needs to be experienced to understand. - Yeah.

- Don't be so arrogant. - Yeah!

The sensitive topics aren't so different from Taiwan.

Wang Dowming, you've sunk too low.

The fact you are avoiding these sensitive topics

is itself self-censorship!

Yes, it is.

That is exactly what it is!

I just came from the Legislative Yuan.

I thought I could have some peace here, but you're as noisy.

- Who's doing self-censorship? - Ax Kuo!

No, I'm not.

Shumei, take a seat.

- Come here, You're late. - Come.

You must finish this drink first.

- Punishment? - You're so busy.

- Okay. - All together.

- Cheers, everyone. - Together.

Such a rare opportunity. Let's take a picture.

What a pity, Jay isn't here.

Well, I'm here.

How dare you compare yourself to Jay?

I'm telling you, you need to get out more.

Come on, enough about worldviews.

- Get closer. Come on - Photo time.

- Everyone, look here. - One, two, three, and worldviews.

One, two, three.

Worldview.

What the hell is that?

- What do you mean by worldview? - Send the photo to the group, Qiong.

Boss, what are you doing here?

Let me introduce you.

This is my boss, Mr. Li Xianhong.

I'm sure you all know him.

- Yes. - Hi.

These are my university friends.

They usually work in China.

Shumei works at the Legislative Yuan,

and Ax Kuo is currently in law school.

Lilian. You met her before.

- Boss, have you eaten yet? - Not yet.

Well, come join us!

Yes.

- If you don't mind... - Of course not.

- Sir, this way. - Here.

Have a seat, sir.

Tell you what, it will be my treat

Order whatever you like.

- Seriously? - Thank you!

- Thank you, sir. - Thank you.

Qiong, get a few bottles of white wine from next door.

Sure, no problem.

Sir, the news was just talking about your interview.

Now you're already sitting with us.

We have to thank Qiong for this!

- Yeah. - Right.

Thank you!

Generation is the new concept of class.

Criticism is the common tone,

the arrogance of whoever wields power.

Faced with a sharp axe,

the dialogues between generations will lead to a blood-soaked feast.