Original subtitles

♪You are the sun in my life♪

♪You're the light of my love♪

♪When I'm lost in the dark♪

♪Every shadow fades away♪

♪You are the sun in my life♪

♪You're the light of my love♪

♪When I'm lost in the dark♪

♪Every shadow fades away♪

[Shine On Me]

[Adapted from Gu Man's novel, Shine On Me]

[Episode 3]

[Zhixing Building]

Come in.

Sir,

I'm here to pick up

my thesis feedback.

Sir,

I'll be going then.

Hold on a sec.

I'll

go over everything with you in a bit.

I need to talk to her first.

[Nie Xiguang's Thesis]

Nie Xiguang, right?

Among the students I supervise,

your first draft was the last to be submitted.

Sorry, I...

And its structure is the weakest.

At this rate, it won't pass.

I'm not going

to let a thesis like this

go to defense.

You'd better skip this round,

go back and prepare properly,

and come again next year.

Sir.

The misunderstanding has been settled.

He's not going to make things worse for me, right?

Her second draft might turn out okay.

A thesis is meant to be revised.

You don't need to speak for me.

Look at you.

Get a little criticism

and you start sulking.

Students today

just scratch the surface,

can't really connect the dots,

and think they can write a good thesis?

And all

with big attitudes.

I've written my comments on the draft.

I won't

say another word.

Fix it.

If the second draft's still bad,

no defense

for you.

Go back.

Goodbye, sir.

Wait.

Maybe I can help you

with your thesis.

Xiguang.

Siliang.

Here to pick up the feedback?

How's the thesis coming along?

It's a mess.

You should go back to the dorm.

Maybe we can help you with it.

After all,

graduation is coming up,

and there aren't many days left for us

to be together.

Are you still bothered by that?

It was just a misunderstanding.

Rong didn't mean any harm.

It was the HR at Shengyuan who misled her.

Siliang.

Do you really think

Rong didn't mean

any harm toward me?

What harm could she possibly mean?

One time you and Rong were talking in the dorm.

Actually, I was there too.

The curtain was drawn,

so you probably didn't see me.

I heard you ask Rong

if she was worried I'd steal Zhuang Xu away from her.

Do you remember what she said?

Don't you think

she's the perfect touchstone?

She's from a wealthy family,

and she's got the looks.

If Zhuang Xu

can turn down this golden opportunity,

I might actually believe

he'll never have a change of heart.

That's when

I finally came around.

But by then,

I'd already confessed to Zhuang Xu.

Had I known this sooner,

I never would have.

Xiguang,

why did you suddenly

move back in?

Since the gaokao is coming up,

I've come back to show you

some love and support.

I don't buy it.

You've been acting all weird these past few days.

What's going on?

The big exam is right around the corner.

Stop worrying about all this.

Just get back to your prep.

Focus.

If you don't clear things up,

how can I focus?

Could it be

that you're actually heartbroken again?

Just a wild guess.

Is it still about Zhuang?

Heartbroken, my foot.

But if I could,

I'd get dumped over and over

just to have my thesis

finished without a hitch.

Lame.

That looks like a campus number.

Wait, could it be my supervisor?

Answer it.

Pick up, hurry.

Hello?

Nie Xiguang.

This is Zhuang Xu.

Oh, it's you.

What's up?

Check your inbox.

I sent you an email.

Who was that?

[Email from Zhuang Xu]

These are some

of the latest materials I've found.

They should be helpful for your thesis.

The supervisor prefers

arguments and overviews with a global perspective.

I've gathered some foreign literature

and translated them.

You can use them as references.

Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Xiguang.

Someone...

Someone sent me

some reference materials for my thesis.

What a lifesaver.

Talk about perfect timing.

I'm heading back.

Stay focused on your prep.

Finding all these materials

must have been a lot of work.

And he even translated them.

But why would he

send this to me?

Is this his way of apologizing?

Or

is he apologizing on Rong's behalf?

Hello?

Who is this?

Hi there.

Is Zhuang Xu there?

You're looking for Zhuang Xu?

Hang on.

Zhuang Xu.

Zhuang Xu.

Is it urgent?

If not, maybe call back later.

Zhuang Xu is asleep.

I tried waking him, but he's out cold.

He's sleeping now?

Yeah.

He's been working on some materials,

staying up late for days.

I think he pulled an all-nighter yesterday.

I can't believe

he'd go to such lengths

to apologize for Rong.

Oh, I think he's up.

Zhuang Xu, you got a call.

Never mind...

Hello?

Nie Xiguang?

♪Rainy days leave my hair all damp♪

Yes.

♪Sunny days dry the sheets in the light♪

Is there something wrong with the materials?

♪I feel alone in this city♪

No.

♪No conversations, just the quiet air♪

If you have any questions,

just ask me.

♪The days since you're gone♪

♪I still haven't learned to move on♪

♪Each quiet night falls around me♪

♪Even with the lights on, they glow dim and pale♪

♪All I can do is call out loud♪

[Email from Zhuang Xu]

♪To hide the dull ache inside♪

♪I grip regret so tight♪

♪And cast it into the shining firework sky♪

[Delete]

♪Even if love fades too fast♪

♪I'll bless you with the grace I have♪

♪You're gone for good♪

[Zhixing Building] [One Month Later]

This draft

is actually quite impressive,

focusing on the rapid growth

of the domestic internet industry,

with a fresh perspective

and a thorough analysis.

So

you're clearly capable.

Why were you

cutting corners before?

My apologies, sir.

It won't happen again.

This draft

is mostly thanks to your guidance.

At least you're quick to admit your mistakes.

Just some minor revisions, and you'll pass.

I'll send my feedback

to your email later.

Thank you, sir.

The defense is in mid-June.

Get prepared.

You must pass

on the first try for the defense.

I will.

Come on, guys!

Let's take it over here.

[Hold on to that passion, head toward the next adventure]

[The first day of the Gaokao]

Admission ticket.

ID card.

2B pencils.

Are you the one taking the gaokao,

or am I?

You're so laid back.

Why not wait until the exams are over

to check the study tour brochure?

Just look at this.

This campus is gorgeous.

[EPFL]

[KU Leuven] We should definitely check it out

on our study tour,

[TUM] and this one,

[Lund University] and this.

They're all in different countries.

Are we going to visit all of them?

Yeah.

We have two whole months.

Let's just travel

across all of Europe.

Don't look so miserable,

okay?

It's my treat this time.

I'm spending all the lucky money

I've saved up over the years.

Fine.

I'll pass and save you a fortune.

Xiguang,

I'm sorry!

My mom already bailed on me.

You can't flake on me either.

Otherwise,

they won't

let me go alone.

Then apologize.

I was wrong.

Thank you, my dearest cousin,

for overcoming your fear of flying

to travel Europe with me.

And thanks

for going through all the trouble

to stay with me during the gaokao.

As long as you know.

But

coming with me today

won't be for nothing.

There might be a surprise waiting for you.

[2012] Got everything?

[National College Entrance Examination] Yeah.

[Zhiyuan Junior High School Test Center] Be careful.

Okay.

Stay focused.

Let me check your bag.

Hold onto it.

Read the questions carefully.

Remember to check both sides.

I'll wait right here.

Then we'll go

to the restaurant nearby.

I've already booked lunch for both days.

After lunch,

you can rest at the hotel.

What are you looking for?

Are you even listening to me?

Looking for that surprise.

But I don't see it yet.

I'm going in.

Keep an eye

on the other people here.

You might just meet someone special.

Wish me luck!

Good luck!

- Give it your all! - Go for it!

You've got this!

Don't forget to eat the chocolate!

The gaokao should really be in the autumn.

Tell me about it.

Autumn is just perfect,

not too hot, not too cold.

Someone special?

Xiguang!

Xiguang!

Here!

Xiguang.

Congrats!

Did it go well?

You bet.

What if

I end up being the top scorer

in the province?

Then you'll make a nice little fortune.

So tacky.

Don't use money

to tarnish my soul.

A laptop from Mom and Dad.

Some scholarship money from Aunt.

Sounds good, right?

Oh, wouldn't that just tarnish your soul?

I think a plate of crayfish will do.

Hey, why are you lowballing me

so hard?

Hey, you're the one who said it.

So, did you meet the one special?

Knock it off. Let's just go eat.

Wait a sec.

Hold on.

What now?

Zhuang Fei,

come over here.

This is Zhuang Fei.

And this is my cousin.

Zhuang Fei?

Zhuang Xu's younger brother.

My classmate. Don't you remember?

It didn't click for a moment.

Are you in the same testing room?

Did your family not come with you?

No.

I told them not to.

Your place must be quite far from here.

You're definitely not going home for lunch then.

Why don't you join us?

No, that's okay.

I'll just grab a bite nearby

and then

head back to the hotel to rest.

Which hotel are you staying at?

Linjiang Hotel. My brother booked it.

Wait, isn't that

right next to ours?

Then you definitely have to join us.

Welcome.

I guess I'll...

Cut it out.

Hey, we're schoolmates.

Stop being so formal with us.

Every place around here

is going to be packed.

We booked our table

way in advance.

Plus,

I need to pick your brain

on a few things for this afternoon.

Xiguang,

you're being such a cheapskate.

Is this it? Just these few dishes?

I have exams today, okay?

That's why you need to stick to the basics.

Fine.

Zero surprises here.

Zhuang Fei,

how did it go today?

Did the essay flow well?

That topic should be

right up your alley, right?

What's wrong?

Are you feeling okay?

When I woke up this morning,

I had a bit of a fever and felt dizzy.

Are you still dizzy?

Not anymore.

I'm just worried

that I didn't do my best this morning.

You're worrying over nothing.

You could

ace exams like this in your sleep.

Relax, man.

I did finish the whole paper.

Then what's the big deal?

It's not that you're in a slump.

You're just hyped up.

Kind of like Xiguang.

Hey, what about me?

Back in high school,

she was

an above-average student at best.

She only started grinding a few months before the gaokao.

And she even ran a fever on the day of the exam.

We all thought she was toast.

But when the results came out,

she scored dozens of points higher than usual.

We all say it's because she was

so lightheaded that she actually nailed it.

I'd almost forgotten about that little episode.

But that's only because

I've always had the chops.

But

for some bizarre reasons,

I just couldn't find my groove.

Then the fever hit,

and it just flipped a switch

in my brain.

For real?

Cross my heart.

Jiang Rui,

I didn't know you were such a silent observer,

keeping track

of my "glorious achievements"

so meticulously.

Admit it, you're a total fanboy, aren't you?

Fanboy, my foot!

I'm a top-three student,

for crying out loud.

What's so great about that?

Someone like me, who stays under the radar,

only to skyrocket once I put in the effort

and nail a top-tier university, that's what's truly legendary.

Got it?

[The second day of the Gaokao]

Xiguang,

your special one has finally arrived.

Zhuang Fei!

Hi, Xu.

It's time for you guys to head in.

Let's go then.

I'm here to drop Zhuang Fei off.

What a coincidence.

Not really.

I wasn't actually planning on coming.

Really?

I'll just...

Where did you guys

have lunch yesterday?

Thanks for looking after Zhuang Fei.

Lunch's on me today.

Three-cup chicken, sweet and sour spare ribs,

sweet and sour pork with pineapple,

braised eggplant,

fresh watermelon juice.

Would this be

a bit too much for four?

It's fine.

How did you know

I was here?

I asked Rong.

Since you haven't been back to school,

I decided

to come here for you.

Rong said

you're raising money for your mom's surgery.

Well...

Here is all the lucky money

I've saved up. Take it.

There's no rush to pay me back.

Don't worry.

Your mom will make a full recovery.

Zhuang Xu,

the math's not adding up.

You gave me five thousand yuan extra.

Call it interest.

Eight dishes and a soup.

Ready to serve

at 11:45, on the dot.

Okay.

Thanks.

Thanks for taking my brother back...

No worries.

Consider

the gas money settled

with this lunch of yours.

I'm gonna head out.

I'll circle back

once they're done with the exam.

♪Turns out that person♪

♪Has a certain possibility♪

♪Of preventing this story from ever starting♪

♪From that first word of greeting♪

♪To the question about your name♪

♪I could never forget your gaze♪

Something's come up.

I need to take care of it.

♪Turns out that person♪

♪Is no longer possible♪

♪To revisit the self I used to be♪

♪We spoke from sunset till the midnight hours♪

♪The warmth between us wrapped us whole♪

♪But only at dawn did I understand that "good night"♪

♪Turns out fate speaks with the tone of the experienced♪

[Nie Xiguang]

♪Turns out it tells the days ahead to wait awhile♪

If he wants to keep a strict tally,

then fine,

I'll let him.

I didn't have to be so prickly.

He just doesn't like me

and doesn't want to owe me anything.

It's not like that's a crime.

♪Yesterday, we whispered a soft "see you tomorrow"♪

♪Turns out adult farewells are silent♪

♪Turns out the wish to see you again can no longer come true♪

♪We once rushed through our youth♪

♪Waiting and waiting in the same old place♪

♪Ends up letting us turn into strangers♪

Nie Xiguang.

You took my brother home yesterday.

Does that mean...

you're not mad at me anymore?

My giving your brother a ride

has nothing to do

with you.

But...

I've decided to let it go.

Were those materials I found for you

helpful?

Xiguang!

Xiguang!

I'm free!

Congrats.

Easy there.

I still need to breathe.

Alright.

So, how was it?

How'd you do?

I totally nailed it.

Smooth sailing.

Hey, you guys.

How about we go together?

Traffic is going to be a mess anyway.

No.

We're heading over

to Xinjiekou.

It's the other way.

Wait, why are we going there?

You know,

she's treating us

to celebrate the end of my exams.

Didn't she tell you?

Mom's coming, too.

We should get going.

Let's go.

Bye.

Why was Zhuang Fei

being so vague?

Who's treating them?

Why do you have to be such a busybody?

Xiguang,

how was my little plan?

I lured him out for you, didn't I?

Jiang Rui.

Do you remember

when Zhuang Xu's mom was sick,

I lent him

fifty thousand yuan?

Yeah.

You only had 49,200 available

in your account,

so you squeezed 800 out of me

just to make it a round number.

You really don't understand how men think.

You should've given it to him

in small doses.

It would've been more touching.

Later, he paid me back 55,000.

In such a short amount of time,

he gave me ten percent interest.

So, his coming here today

is just his way of paying me back twofold

for the meal I treated Zhuang Fei to

yesterday.

He doesn't want to owe me anything.

Don't you see?

But he...

Didn't he just send you

those materials for your thesis?

You didn't mention it was him,

but considering who's capable of that,

I knew it had to be him.

That's why I...

The name Zhuang Fei

was hesitating to mention,

the person hosting that dinner,

is my roommate,

also Zhuang Xu's childhood friend.

She...

did some things

that weren't very kind to me.

Zhuang Xu helped me with my paper

just to apologize on her behalf.

What the heck?

This is infuriating.

You didn't use them, did you?

Please tell me you didn't use any of it.

Of course I didn't.

Good.

Now that my exams are over,

I'll help you organize the materials.

I've got the brains, too.

Thanks, genius.

But I've already finalized my thesis.

I'm defending it in a few days.

As long as you didn't use his stuff.

So what if he's going the other way?

We'll find someone better.

Someone who's going your way.

You're my cousin, after all.

You're so considerate.

But Xiguang,

even for siblings, business is business.

You borrowed 800 from me.

Plus 10% interest, you owe me 880, right?

Where's

this extra 80?

Jiang Rui,

technically, we're just cousins.

Keep it together.

Keep it together.

Stay cool.

Stay cool.

Xigua, how are you staying

so unbothered?

Ever since my supervisor grilled me,

I've been on a total grind.

I've basically become a guru

on my thesis topic.

Does a guru ever sweat the small stuff?

More like a guru of bragging.

Xigua really lucked out

to have drawn one of the very last slots.

The rest of us are stuck at the front.

Fen and others are in a different group.

I wonder

how the draw went for them.

I'll stick around to keep you company after mine.

No, don't.

Having someone I know there will only psych me out.

Xie Xiaofeng, Accounting Department.

Here.

Nie Xiguang, Accounting Department.

Distinguished professors,

fellow students, good afternoon.

My name is Nie Xiguang,

from the 2008 intake,

Class 1, Accounting Department, Business School.

The title of my thesis

is Analysis of Oligopolies

in the Digital Economy.

I will now present a brief overview

of my research findings

from four key aspects.

First,

the background and significance of the topic.

Over the past two decades,

the world has entered

the age of the Internet.

China's network economy

has also begun to take off.

Gradually, oligopolies

have emerged

within various market segments.

That concludes

my presentation.

I look forward to your feedback.

I just finished my defense.

I was one of the last ones to go.

Mom, don't worry.

I totally nailed it.

See? When it counts,

I actually have my act together,

okay?

I'm gonna pack up some stuff

and head over to my uncle's.

Anyway, I should get going.

Bye.

Xiguang,

let me

treat you to dinner.

That's really not necessary.

I insist.

Then...

let's invite Feng and the others.

Just the two of us.

I'm absolutely spent.

How did she get this wasted?

Nie Xiguang,

do you think

I'm some two-faced fake?

Like I'm just a petty gossip?

You've had too much.

Fine. Let's just blame it on the bear.

You have no idea

everyone's always talking about you.

You're not even from around here,

yet you live off-campus.

Word started getting around

from your high school classmates

about your family.

And when

Zhuang Xu's mom got sick,

you just

dropped all that cash.

That's when it finally hit me

how different

our worlds really are.

Siliang, she's the type

who wants to have it all together.

She tries to put on

a perfect front for everyone.

But the second a crack shows,

she just falls apart.

I had no idea you saw through her like that.

Just a wild guess.

Xigua,

I got my ticket this afternoon.

What's the rush?

My parents are really pushing me.

There's a lot of paperwork to do

once I get back to Xiamen.

But I'm not leaving just yet.

I've still got a few days.

Don't look so down.

We'll definitely see each other again.

Xiamen isn't that far anyway.

Oh, that reminds me

I still owe

everyone a meal.

I'd love one last meal

at Hesheng before I head out.

Sure,

I've been craving that too.

Then after your treat,

I'll take everyone out

for boiled fish with pickled mustard greens.

Xigua.

Zhuo Hui, Zhuang Xu, and the others

treated me...

and Rong.

It's okay.

Don't overthink it.

Whatever happened in the past

didn't have anything to do with you.

Besides,

I've decided to let it go.

I'm Zhang Zhen, from Shandong.

How about you guys?

Xie Xiaofeng, from Nantong.

I'm Ye Rong. I'm a local.

Zhou Yufen, from Fujian.

Just call me Fen.

Then you can just call me Siliang.

My last name is Fei. [*Homophonic pun on the full name,]

But please, don't use [meaning "painstakingly thoughtful".]

my full name.

I'm Nie Xiguang,

from Wuxi.

Xigua,

we've only got a few days left.

Come back and stay in the dorms with us.

We're actually graduating.

♪Every hope, despair and doubt I've known♪

♪All have shaped the courage I've grown♪

[Zhixing Building]

♪Through joys and sorrows, rises and falls♪

♪Each tear became a step through it all♪

♪With regrets, choices and faith I stand♪

♪So life is nothing more than this♪

♪I still embrace my humble form♪

♪Even in loss, I carry on♪

♪As if everything were the same♪

Oh, you left this

on my desk.

The packing just never ends, does it?

Why do you have to go so far away?

I wonder if we'll even

see each other much after this.

I've never

even been to Xiamen.

Someday,

we'll definitely go there for a trip.

And when we do, you'd better

show us a good time.

I will.

You guys have to come, okay?

Seriously, all of you.

I'll see you off at the station.

Me, too.

Let's all go together.

Zhen told us

that they were seeing you off at the station.

And we thought, since who knows

when we'll all see each other again,

we should come and say goodbye, too.

Okay.

The bus's here.

Let's head to the back.

Let's get in from here.

Okay.

Watch your step.

Let's go, Xigua.

Okay.

Okay, you go first.

Take it easy.

Don't shove.

Xigua!

Hey, wait up!

It's fine. I'll catch the next one.

You guys go on ahead.

[Last Bus: 21:30]

Stop looking.

That was the last one.

♪A patch of heavy clouds above♪

♪That winding, twisting road we walk♪

♪Stopping and going countless times♪

♪Love feels less rushed that way♪

♪The rain from yesterday has finally cleared♪

♪And today the sunshine feels so warm and bright♪

♪I used to hide away in the corner♪

♪But now I long to follow close behind you♪

♪How much longer must I keep missing out?♪

♪When it's only you who makes my heart race♪

♪I've rushed through the endless crowd♪

♪I'm holding your hand at this moment♪

♪Clutching tight, with tender arms♪

♪I just want to keep your gentle smile♪

♪I've made it past the endless trials♪

♪I'm gazing into your eyes at this moment♪

♪No turning back or fear of winter's chill♪

♪The sunlight shines like you♪

♪And like me♪

♪Dreams realized, broken and gone♪

♪Nothing more than a dream all along♪

♪Wake up to the bright lights on the streets♪

♪I'm here by your side♪

♪The sky dimmed, deepened and died♪

♪Nothing more than some rain inside♪

♪Open the window to boundless blue skies♪

♪Side by side, just you and I♪

♪Side by side, just you and I♪