Original subtitles

[City of Romance]

[Episode 20]

The forecast says it's going to rain soon.

[Episode 20: Ostrich Syndrome]

Why don't I accompany you home?

No need to trouble yourself.

I can manage on my own.

Can't you really stay a few more days?

There are still so many places I haven't taken you to.

It's not like we'll never see each other again.

There will be other opportunities.

The car is here.

How about I go back with you?

I'll take you right to your doorstep.

Then I'll come back.

What do you think?

It's hard to get tickets.

I struggled for a while to get this one.

Don't worry.

I'll call you when I get home.

Alright, I'm off.

I'll be going then.

Well...

I'll wait here for you to come back.

Just wait for me right here.

Attention!

Sir, let's go.

Bye-bye.

[Haixia Taxi; Passenger Onboard]

Remember to think of me.

So quick?

Thank you.

Before the exam,

I really owe it to this secret manual of yours.

It's nothing.

Here you go.

The notes you asked to borrow the other day.

Thank you.

Well...

It was raining heavily on that day in freshman year.

My butt still hurts from that fall.

I'm just kidding.

Have a nice winter break.

You too, have a nice winter break.

Yu Shubo.

Sister?

Who was that girl just now?

How come I haven't seen her before?

She was studying abroad before.

We're classmates.

So your relationship must be pretty good, right?

It's okay.

Okay.

My brother has grown up.

You're even taking the initiative to explain problems to others now.

Isn't it normal for classmates to explain problems to each other?

You're such a prude.

I heard that Su Yancheng finally beat the odds.

He's in a relationship now.

You're not bad-looking either,

how come there's no news about you?

Don't tell me you're...

I am, sister.

Really.

I am.

You're kidding me.

Listen,

you've grown up surrounded by women since you were little,

and you're used to being a nice guy.

But you can't be like that in a relationship.

You need to give her a strong sense of security.

Got it?

Got it.

So,

what's really going on between you and that girl just now?

[Bai's Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic]

[Bai's Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic]

[Three years before it becomes a century-old store]

I feel much better.

Zhao,

you still need to rest when you get back.

Okay.

You know your third lumbar vertebra is quite swollen, right?

Come on, get up.

Alright, thanks.

Remember to rest well when you get back.

Sure, thanks, Bai.

See you later.

Take care.

Still, my daughter gives the best massages.

How did you guess it was me so quickly?

Well, think about whose daughter you are.

Bai.

Bai, II.

I've missed you so much.

Let me take a look at you.

Why are you dressed so lightly again?

Our Man City is quite warm now.

Sit down, let me check your pulse.

Alright.

Let me see

whether you have been taking good care of yourself.

Of course, go ahead.

What's wrong?

You have a boyfriend now?

Don't be ridiculous.

Let me see yours.

Do I have a stepmother now?

You little rascal.

Are you hungry?

I'm starving.

What do you want to eat?

Tell me, I'll cook for you.

I want to eat spare ribs,

and shredded potatoes,

and tomato and egg stir-fry...

Come on.

Stop, stop, stop.

Stop, stop, stop.

Can you eat all that, you little glutton?

My stomach is quite big.

Alright, I'll make them for you.

Great!

Wait, wait, wait.

Your back still hurts, doesn't it?

The same old problem.

Mom,

don't worry.

Everything's fine at home.

I'm doing great at school too.

And I've made a lot of good friends.

Wait, I'll tell you a secret in a moment.

We can't let my father hear it.

What secret are you telling your mom?

I already said it's a secret.

How could I tell you?

Alright, alright.

Look, our girl has grown up.

Now she doesn't even tell me her secrets anymore.

She got big wavy hair

and dyed it too.

It's trendy. You don't get it.

Don't worry.

Our daughter has grown up.

But I'll still take good care of her.

Don't worry, Mom.

Who knows who'll be taking care of whom.

Your mom used to say the same thing.

And then...

Alright, alright, let's eat.

Here you go again.

Okay, okay, okay.

You've made so much?

Isn't it just six dishes and a soup?

You've set quite a spread here.

Are you going to eat or not?

If you don't, I will.

I will.

Chopsticks.

Over there.

Whoever cooked it should finish it all.

Then don't touch anything.

This is all mine.

No way, I have to eat this chicken.

This one is for me to eat.

I also love these shredded potatoes.

Here.

It's so delicious.

Let's talk.

Talk about what?

Talk about your boyfriend.

Starting with such a tough question right away?

Yes.

I don't have a boyfriend.

No boyfriend?

Then what secret were you telling your mom earlier?

I haven't asked you yet.

Tell me, do you have a girlfriend now?

Yes.

Really?

It's true. How does it feel?

I can't really describe it.

A bit disappointed.

A bit disappointed?

You really have one?

My girlfriend.

Mom, I'm sorry.

You're messing with me.

You've been with my mom for years.

How dare you trick me!

Son,

Mom needs to go on a business trip to Xue City for a few days.

I should be back before the New Year.

Take good care of yourself.

Don't always eat takeout.

I know.

[Full of Wealth and Beauty]

Xiaoduo, you've grown into a young lady.

You're getting more and more beautiful.

Thank you, Uncle Wang. You probably couldn't recognize me, right?

Well, whose daughter do you think she is?

Yes, she came back to help as soon as the holiday started.

That's why we say you're so lucky, Bai.

Xiaoduo,

now that you're in college, have you started dating?

What dating?

Focus on her studies—that's what's important.

Let me tell you,

if any punk

dares to have any funny ideas about my daughter,

I'll break his legs.

You old fuddy-duddy.

This is called striking first to gain the upper hand.

Otherwise, all the good boys will be snatched up by others.

Right?

Exactly.

What are you doing?

Enjoying family time.

Are you available to talk on the phone now?

Yes, I am.

Dad,

I'll go upstairs first.

I'm done.

Goodbye, Uncle Wang and Uncle Shi.

Who are you texting?

No one. I'm... I'm going upstairs to study.

It's vacation time, and you're still studying?

I'm studious.

Studious?

Alright then. Uncle Wang, Uncle Shi, I'm heading upstairs.

Okay.

Are you texting a male or a female classmate?

Hello?

Yeah.

Do you know what my dad just said?

He said if I dare to date,

he'll break both our legs.

Then I should start now

to practice running more,

so we can run faster when the time comes.

Remember to take me with you when you run.

Of course I'll run with you.

Wait a second.

Come in.

Studying, daughter?

Well, carry on then.

Are you okay?

Well, I was thinking...

If you have some time,

could you help Dad pick up a package?

There are too many customers.

I can't handle it all.

A batch of towels I ordered has arrived.

It's time to replace them anyway.

I'll go get them.

Okay.

Alright.

Fine.

My dad just came in. It scared me to death.

My parents are on a business trip again.

Then call me anytime.

I'm always here.

How about I come over to see you?

So you come from a line of traditional Chinese medicine doctors?

I suppose so.

It's been passed down for so many generations.

So now you're doing that kind of...

chain of traditional Chinese medicine physiotherapy centers, or...?

Yes.

Why don't you focus on your work at home?

I'll be going back after the New Year anyway.

Alright.

Take good care of yourself.

Remember to send me messages.

Bye-bye.

Good night.

You should rest early too.

I miss you.

About going abroad...

[Chunchao Publishing House]

Not bad.

Your recent works have been quite good.

And you're updating faster as well.

Have you found some secret formula?

I think the suggestion you made before

was right.

Oh?

I'm in a relationship.

Sounds like she's a nice girl.

Mm-hmm.

You know her too.

Bai Xiaoduo.

But I didn't expect it to be her.

You better treat her well.

By the way,

does she know that you're Black?

She knows.

That you are Black

is covered by a confidentiality agreement with us.

So she cannot

disclose it.

I've explained it to her.

I don't want to hide it from her.

By the way,

I want to republish your previous works.

And combine them with new elements to create a set.

So, you need to keep

increasing the update frequency.

I'll arrange the time properly.

There's one more thing.

I'd like to ask for your opinion.

Go ahead.

My father wants me to go abroad.

You're going abroad?

I don't want to go abroad.

Do you think

I can continue here?

You little rascal.

Don't think I don't know what you're thinking.

You're an adult now.

Some questions, you need to learn to think for yourself.

After all, advice about life...

Actually, no one can really give you that.

Okay.

I understand.

Xiaoduo,

there's something I'm not sure if I should tell you.

Go abroad immediately after your graduation.

It's non-negotiable.

You two have just gotten together.

The probability of breaking up in a long-distance relationship is very high,

let alone an international one.

Not saying it is also a kind of lie.

It's self-deception.

Su Yancheng.

You should tell Xiaoduo as soon as possible

that your parents want you to study abroad.

This difficult problem

should be faced together.

[Xiaoduo, there's something I don't know if I should tell you.]

Although I clearly don't want to go abroad,

can I really go against my parents' wishes?

I guess I should talk to Xiaoduo about it.

[Xiaoduo, there's something I don't know if I should tell you.]

Xiaoduo, are you busy right now?

Auntie Ma, you're here.

Xiaoduo, you're back.

Let me get you a number.

Alright.

Here you go.

Okay, thank you.

You can queue inside.

[Xiaoduo, there's something I don't know if I should tell you.]

I'm busy. I'll talk to you later.

[Full of Wealth and Beauty]

[Okay, I'll wait for you.]

There are quite a few customers around right now.

[There are quite a few customers around right now. I'll call you tonight.]

I'll call you tonight.

Wait, wait, wait.

Wait! Wait!

Xiaomiao sent me a message.

Hey, Xiaomiao.

I'm playing a game with Su.

Have you eaten?

Was it good?

Mm-hmm.

I miss you too.

Okay.

We'll play then.

Bye-bye.

Come on, let's continue.

I lost.

Your firepower is quite intense.

Let's play another round.

Alright.

I give up.

I surrender.

Well.

What's wrong with you today?

You were fine before the holiday.

Given your level of being a homebody,

it's probably not someone from outside who upset you.

It was Bai Xiaoduo.

Between couples,

if there's an issue, communicate promptly.

But never give each other the silent treatment.

Make sure to resolve problems in a timely manner.

Communicate?

I can't even reach her.

As your senior in romance,

someone with a few more days of relationship experience than you,

I must give you some guidance.

Get to the point.

First, think about this:

before the holiday or in the past few days,

have you offended Bai Xiaoduo in any way?

Since I told her I wanted to visit her in Rao City,

she's been taking a long time to reply to my messages.

No wonder they call you an emotionally clueless guy.

And to think you're the top student in psychology,

you even had to tell her in advance that you're going to visit her?

But our conversations these past few days

have been normal, except for her slow responses.

I see.

Do you remember before the holiday

when we were playing ball together?

I asked you about your plans

with Xiaoduo for the winter break.

What did you say then?

I said I respect her choices.

Right.

That's the problem.

You said you respect her choices,

and then didn't try to persuade her at all.

So now she doesn't want to see you.

That's right.

She's definitely angry.

If I were her, I'd be angry too.

I... I was wrong to respect her?

Exactly.

Girls nowadays like to hear

unexpected surprises.

Why do they all like domineering CEOs?

You should have been more assertive with her back then and said:

Stay and keep me company.

That's so cheesy.

Well, I mean, that's the general idea.

You see, you didn't even try to make her stay.

It makes it seem like you don't value this relationship.

It's okay.

Luckily, I showed up just in time.

This time, you need to pull out all the stops.

What do you mean?

Go to the city where she is.

Walk the paths she's walked.

Then show up outside her home.

Give her a surprise.

Let me tell you, bro.

It'll definitely move her to tears.

But.

you must appear suddenly.

You can't tell her in advance.

Could that work?

Of course, it's a must.

Since you're my bro,

I'll pass this trick on to you.

Good luck, bro.

But I don't know her home address.

What's wrong?

Great.

Great.

Brilliant.

"I don't know her home address."

Xiao Yang is right.

Couples should communicate promptly when there are issues.

I need to tell her about going abroad in person.

About her address...

Oh, right.

I brought the Comic Club files home during the holiday.

[Registration Form for the Comic Club's New Members]

302 Garden Street, Tianfu District, Rao City.

[Bai's Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic]

[Su Yancheng]

I've already told you.

We've broken up.

Don't contact me anymore.

Honey, listen to me.

It's over between us now.

Give me some time.

I don't want to hear any of this.

I need some time.

Listen to me.

[Bai's Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic]

Bai.

Bai.

Xiaoduo,

I'm upstairs.

Bai, I've bought the groceries.

I also bought you some of those little desserts you love.

Don't eat too much.

Alright.

I'll come down for meal in a bit.

Guess where I am.

You're finally awake.

Where are you? Are you in Rao City now?

I wish I were.

Tickets to your hometown are hard to come by.

I knew it.

Don't think you can fool me

by just a few pictures online.

I'm too smart for that.

You're the smartest.

Don't forget whose girlfriend I am.

I've got to go now.

I have something to take care of.

I'll contact you when I'm done.

Bye-bye.

Hello.

Hello.

Excuse me, how do I get to 302 Garden Street?

I don't know.

It's a Chinese medicine therapy club.

Never heard of it.

Go to the right,

there's a Bai's Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic.

They do massage and bone-setting.

You might want to check it out.

[With skillful hands, we can cure all ailments; with wise words, we can understand the patient's heart.]

Hello.

Long time no see, Bai Xiaoduo.

[With skillful hands, we can cure all ailments; with wise words, we can understand the patient's heart.]

About the comic convention,

we should settle it.

I'm not finished talking.

Why is it you again?

Get lost.

Don't let me see you again.

I didn't expect a liar to have love.

Bro,

let me give you some advice.

She's not as simple as you think.

Isn't that right?

Get lost.

Su Yancheng.

Why are you here?

You don't seem to want me here.

No, that's not what I meant.

I...

Su Yancheng, Su Yancheng, listen to me.

Xiaoduo.

Dad.

Meal's ready.

This is...

Hello, uncle.

I'm Bai Xiaoduo's boyfr...

Classmate.

Come up and join us for a meal.

No need to trouble yourself, uncle.

I'll head back to rest now.

Thank you, uncle.

Why such a hurry?

Come up and have a meal with us, come on.

Xiaoduo, ask your male classmate to come up for a meal.

Okay.

You must be hungry after the journey. Let's go.

Can you drink?

Dad, he doesn't drink much.

I can.

Alright.

Thank you, uncle.

You seem quite eager for a drink.

Come on.

Um...

What's your name?

Su Yancheng.

My name is Bai Zhantang.

Zhan as in dipping in white sugar.

I didn't know you were coming today.

I've just prepared four simple dishes.

It's okay, uncle.

These four dishes are already very good.

Come on, eat.

Come, try my dad's cooking.

Try your dad's cooking.

No, I mean try her dad's cooking.

Daughter, you eat too.

Eat, eat, eat.

Look at the state of you now.

You used to be chubby...

Dad, hurry up and eat more.

-I’ll do it myself. -Look how skinny you are.

Here.

Thank you, uncle.

You eat, you eat.

You eat, don't worry about me.

You... You and my Xiaoduo...

Dad.

You, you, you... Have some water.

Okay.

Don't just talk, drink some.

I'll drink water.

Uncle.

You're usually alone in the shop.

It must be very busy, right?

Busy with what?

Let me tell you.

This shop of mine...

It's all neighbors and old acquaintances

who come here often.

The family with the most people

coming to me has three generations all coming for a massage.

You also studied Chinese medicine?

No, I studied psychology.

That is good.

I, I, I... I have this in my heart...

Oh my!

No.

It's not the same thing.

Well, Su.

Xiaoduo's mother passed away early.

I...

I raised her, playing both the role

of a father and a mother.

Now Xiaoduo has grown up.

As for me...

I'm just slowly getting old.

Gradually...

If one day I really, really can't work anymore...

I can't work much now either.

I plan to hand this shop of mine

all over to her.

You understand? These three floors of mine.

Have some fish.

This is my specialty fish dish.

I'll do it myself.

Come on.

Make the fish head face you.

Okay, thank you, Uncle.

Eat, eat.

-Okay. -You eat.

Have you found a place to stay?

It's cold outside. You should head back first.

Alright.

If you need anything,

just call me anytime.

You don't know anyone here.

Bai Xiaoduo.

You know I hate lying.

Haven't you hidden anything from me?

Is it going to rain?

Then I'll go get you an umbrella.

But I came this time

just to tell you...

[Bai's Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic]

Even three floors can't keep him here.

Xiaoduo.

Xiaoduo.

What's wrong, Bai?

Aren't you going to sleep?

Let's chat for a while.

Sure, let's talk.

Do you think

I talked too much today?

No, why are you reflecting on yourself?

It's fine.

This Su.

Is he your boyfriend from college?

No.

Yes, he is.

What's going on? Did you

have a fight?

How did you figure that out?

How did I figure it out?

I'm your father.

You think I can't tell?

Tell me, what's it about?

Well...

I... I lied to him.

His mother once asked me

what my family does for a living.

And then I boasted.

Dad, I didn't mean to...

No, no, no.

I understand.

It's just that I

couldn't give you

better material things.

What are you talking about?

Nothing.

I... I actually think...

I quite like this kid.

He's polite.

The way he drinks

shows he's quite sincere.

Daughter,

have you ever thought about

using a different way to communicate?

For example,

being very honest when you talk to him?

Dad, I'm afraid.

What are you afraid of?

I'm afraid of losing.

Sweetheart,

how should I put this?

You're a grown woman now.

From now on, whatever you say or do,

you have to be responsible

for your words and actions.

If you want

others to be sincere with you,

first, we need to be sincere ourselves.

Right.

Even if the other person doesn't understand,

at the very least,

we can have a clear conscience.

Silly girl.

Dad,

so...

Are you saying that

I should tell him myself?

Of course.

Then why were you at the dinner table today

blabbing away?

Wasn't I doing it for your own good?

Wasn't I?

Yes.

These three floors of mine...

I'm about to give it to that guy.

He has a big underwater world at his home.

What world?

They have an underwater world.

It's a fish tank as tall as three floors.

The fish inside...

You can't even speak properly now.

I also have that world.

I even have an ani... animal world.

Downstairs in your building.

Remember, remember my... this...

There's even a snake in the big medicine jar.

I also raise birds.

You... you...

You... you...

Your dad has good taste.

Immediately go abroad after graduation.

There's no room for negotiation.

I hope you

don't tell her about this yet.