Original subtitles

Do you like it?

In Nanhuai's climate,

lilacs are really hard to grow.

This one somehow has buds.

As long as you like it,

no matter how hard it is,

I'll do it.

That's very thoughtful of you.

But you're busy with military affairs.

No need to waste your time.

Once flowers bloom,

they always wither.

What's the point of obsessing

over whether they bloom?

Sitting here all alone,

you must be so bored.

Would you like to join Mrs. Gu

for a few rounds of mahjong?

Mother, you're doing a favor for Changxuan.

It's safest if you handle it personally.

My dear child,

you see everything so clearly,

except when it comes to yourself.

How are things with Bingwen lately?

Pretty good.

Always this answer:

"Pretty good."

You still haven't gotten over him.

I know it still weighs on you.

You blame your father for breaking you two up.

I let go of the past a long time ago.

Besides, the dead don't come back.

He's already gone.

Dwelling on it

is useless.

In a family like ours,

marriage was never ours to choose.

There's no time to think

about love or romance.

When your father and I married,

it was just a match between equals.

But over the years,

through thick and thin,

we had you kids

and built this home together.

Eventually,

we became inseparable.

Trust me.

I can tell

that Bingwen truly loves you.

You can't stay trapped

in your past forever.

Life is about moving forward.

Okay, sweetheart?

Let's go play.

Mother...

Come on.

It smells so good.

All your favorites.

And your favorite osmanthus cake.

Try it.

Okay.

How is it?

It tastes just right.

All these years abroad,

I missed your cooking most, Mrs. Ye.

Slow down while you eat.

Stop sweet-talking

my mother.

Xueting,

while you were on your own

studying abroad,

you still sent me medicine.

You must've cut back on yourself.

I feel terrible

about it.

You and my mother were sworn sisters.

After my mother passed away,

I was only six or seven

when I grew up at your side.

In my heart,

honoring you

is the same as honoring my mother.

Have some fish.

By the way, Xueting,

you came back early this time.

Why didn't you mention it in your letter?

I wanted to give you and Pingjun

a surprise.

Besides, the world is in turmoil.

I wanted to come back early

to look for opportunities

and secure a job.

When Xueting was just twelve,

he already wrote brilliantly.

Otherwise,

how did he get government-funded study abroad?

You

will definitely find a job

where you can put your talents to use.

Definitely.

So, this time,

where are you planning to stay?

I rented a small courtyard.

It's just one hutong away.

That way,

I can take good care of you both.

Pingjun.

Do you remember?

When we were kids, we did this too.

Whenever the weather was nice,

I'd grab a bamboo pole,

take you to catch

cicadas and crickets,

and mix mud to block ant holes.

Of course I remember.

When we were kids,

we went to the same private school.

When we skipped school to play,

you'd take me

to climb the wall behind the school.

Beside that wall,

there was a pomegranate tree.

You were always pestering me

to pick pomegranates for you.

Once,

I accidentally fell off the wall

and got a huge bump on my head.

It just wouldn't go away.

What about now?

Has it gone down?

Here, feel it

and see if it's gone.

Pingjun,

these four years in Japan,

I often felt

the surroundings were unfamiliar,

and the language kept me at a distance.

Even the food

tasted of loneliness.

At times like that,

I would think of you.

Sometimes,

I even missed you like crazy.

Why are you suddenly saying this?

It's not sudden.

I've kept this in my heart for a long time.

We...

Weren't we betrothed

as children?

We were too young back then.

So,

I want to ask you again, properly.

After graduation,

will you marry me?

No.

You lied to me.

You said you wouldn't be back

for a month.

I promise

that from now on,

I'll never hide anything from you again.

Let me see how you behave.

Come on!

Wait for me!

Come on!

Let's go.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

What's got you so fascinated?

The Chunfeng Troupe

has done a great job.

All on their own,

they changed the refugees' fate.

Especially the schoolgirl

who wrote the play.

This review attacks the government.

That's rather treasonous.

A schoolgirl showing her face in public,

calling the shots.

Just wait and see

which man would dare marry her now.

Why make it sound so serious?

Which poor girl is so unlucky

as to marry into our family?

Why are you only coming down now?

What were you doing last night?

She was up late last night,

finishing her homework.

What's wrong with letting her sleep in?

Exactly, exactly.

I've been working very hard.

After we finish eating,

I'll test you myself.

Let's see

how that new home tutor

has been teaching you.

Oh, right.

Where's Madame Chen?

Why haven't I seen her

come down for breakfast?

She left first thing this morning,

saying she was going to Detianxiang

to buy the finest tianma.

She plans to stew it for hours

to help your father regain his strength.

Madame Chen is so thoughtful.

You were just talking

about the female playwright

from the Chunfeng Troupe, right?

She's incredibly famous now.

They say she and the troupe

have been helping those refugees

get their lives in order.

And that's not all.

They're also helping them find work

so they can support themselves.

That girl is truly remarkable.

Changxuan fined Feng Sanli

over a piece of land.

Is that the Qingshui Town from the papers,

the one sheltering refugees?

When doing things,

we need to leave room to maneuver,

and be principled, pragmatic, and restrained.

Look at what Changxuan's done.

Who knows how many

uncles and elders he's offended?

What about you?

When you first took office,

you took on those old fossils

without holding back.

My son still has years to learn

that ruthless streak from you.

What are you laughing at?

Eat your food.

Stop

at Li's Preserved Fruits.

Qixuan loves them.

I'll buy some.

I was actually worried

you'd gotten so hooked

on being Yu Zhongquan's son-in-law

that you forgot what today is.

I didn't expect Yu Changxuan

to be this capable.

Without making a sound,

he secured the Ninth Corps.

At this rate,

I'm afraid his foothold

will only get more solid.

Don't worry.

I won't let him

keep running wild like this.

Bingwen,

if it weren't for you,

Father, and Mother taking me in.

I might have

starved to death on the street.

I owe you for that.

I chose to repay you willingly.

As long as I can avenge

Father and Mother with you,

I'll do anything you ask.

I'm just afraid it'll all be for nothing.

We didn't endure

all the hardships

to watch the Yu family thrive.

Wanqiao,

just hold on a little longer.

The revenge we want

isn't just taking Yu Zhongquan's life.

Someday,

I'll make the entire Yu family

crawl at our feet.

What are you two doing here?

What do you want?

Just here to chat with you.

Don't move.

Don't move.

Ye Pingjun,

you cut my face.

Do you think

that I'll let this go

just because you cozied up to Gu Ruitong?

You know perfectly well

that your injury has nothing to do with me.

A sharp tongue

won't help you.

So, today,

I'll teach you a lesson.

Don't try anything.

Nanhuai has laws.

The law

controls people like you

and serves people like me.

Got it?

Do you really think

you can just get away with it?

I'm curious to see

what consequences there would be.

Stop!

Xueting.

What are you doing?

Ye Pingjun,

how many men have you been

stringing along?

One after another, they come to your rescue.

What's your name?

Why are you bullying a classmate?

Do you know she is

the daughter of President Tao

of Tonghui Bank?

That title implies noble character.

Yet you use your power to bully others.

Shame on you!

You little brat!

Vulgar words and vile behavior.

I don't care

whose precious daughter you are.

All I see is

appalling rudeness.

We're here.

Let's get out.

Come.

Come.

Mu.

Careful.

Thank you so much, Mr. Yu,

for picking up Mu and An from the hospital

and driving us home.

These snacks

are for the kids.

Thank you, Mr. Yu.

Thank you, Changxuan.

You're welcome.

Mr. Yu,

you're here.

Ms. Wang.

Mu, An.

You're back.

Mr. Zhao,

do we have enough help today?

Kids need to bathe, disinfect in shifts,

and change into fresh clothes.

More than enough.

The Charity Union

sent over lots of volunteers.

Also,

the Chunfeng Troupe

is here too.

Mr. Yu,

I'll take the kids inside first, then.

Changxuan,

can you play with us?

Mu, be good.

Changxuan is very busy.

We've already troubled him enough.

It's fine.

I'm free today.

Person.

Mouth.

Mouth.

Hand.

Hand.

That's right, very good.

Any of you

want to try reading them aloud?

Mr. Yu,

this way, please.

The union's representatives

watched the Chunfeng Troupe's performance.

They were deeply moved.

After they returned,

they set up this place

for the refugees

as a temporary settlement.

Everyone has changed a lot.

The Chunfeng Troupe sent teachers over

to teach everyone to read and write.

And they even found jobs

for these women.

Thanks to Director Liang and Miss Ye,

who applied to the Charity Union

for a vacant plot of land

and distributed seeds and fertilizer.

Miss Ye said

relief assistance isn't a long-term solution.

We need to help these refugees

learn self-sufficiency.

This way.

The backyard

is where the children live.

Let's go.

Sit down and behave.

Pingjun.

Mr. Yu,

what brings you here today?

Do I have to report to you?

Why are you suddenly upset?

You think some empty gestures

and teaching them to read a few words

will solve their livelihood problems?

What else, then?

Mr. Yu,

would you rather they go begging?

So, in your eyes,

they only deserve handouts,

living like ants?

They never accept

charity offered with contempt.

They can also

be self-reliant

with their meager strength.

Self-reliant?

Every brick and tile here

came from Nanhuai.

I can let them stay

or send them away anytime.

Right.

Mr. Yu, one stomp of your foot

can drive them all out.

If you look down

on what we do,

don't grace us with your presence,

lest we dirty your precious feet.

Ye Pingjun, you've gotten bold.

How dare you talk to me like that?

Am I wrong?

They don't want to become

a burden to Nanhuai.

They're refugees now,

but that doesn't mean they'll stay that way.

Even wildflowers and weeds

have lives of their own.

Even on the most barren soil,

if given even a sliver of hope,

they'll struggle to put down roots

and grow toward the sky.

Why aren't you saying anything?

These people stay unregistered

no matter how they struggle.

Putting down roots?

Easier said than done.

I hope you don't work yourselves ragged

only to end up with nothing.

Mr. Yu, you don't need

to worry about that.

You must be very busy.

Please head back.

Come in.

Mr. Yu.

Look.

In this round of hiring,

this candidate topped the written test,

a full 50 points

above second place.

But I strongly advise

against hiring him.

Why?

This guy is way too arrogant.

He said

the Mauser C96s we purchased

are outdated equipment.

Yes.

He does have a point.

But he started

telling his superiors what to do.

No respect for rank whatsoever.

Who does he think he is?

This letter is from Jiang Xueting,

her fiancé.

Of those we hired this time,

how many are

German translators?

People who know German and military gear

are really scarce.

We barely managed to pick three.

The weapon materials to translate

are massive.

Three people aren't enough.

So, you're saying...?

Add Jiang Xueting.

Yes.

You report tomorrow.

Okay.

I'll report on time tomorrow.

Pingjun.

Xueting.

What's got you so happy?

I'm reporting to the Ninth General Staff

of the Yu Army tomorrow.

My position is Secretary-Translator.

What's wrong?

You look so pale.

Weren't you going to work at a newspaper?

Why the sudden switch to the military?

I want to get some military experience first

to broaden my horizons.

I'll go to the newspaper later.

Is something bothering you?

A while ago,

while working as a copyist

at the Yuchun Theatre of the Hsiang Hsi Hotel,

I got caught up in an assassination case.

Yu Changxuan

mistakenly thought I was a suspect.

Between us,

there's some bad blood.

Did they give you a hard time?

No, not at all.

After everything was cleared up,

they let me go.

My concern is

that this might affect you.

Don't worry.

This is just temporary.

I'm in a civilian role.

I won't have much contact

with them.

After some time has passed,

I'll find another job,

one that's more stable.

Okay.

But you have to be careful.

The Corps Commander is here.

Sit.

Welcome, translation specialists,

to the Ninth Corps.

You all excelled in both the written

and oral exams,

emerging as the best of the best.

Anyone who won't pursue great dreams

wastes the life they've been given.

My guiding principle

is innovation.

I want the Yu Army

to have the most advanced arms

and equipment of the day.

Outdated weapons must never

cost the lives of our soldiers

for nothing.

The General Staff

will send you the latest materials

about the German weapons daily.

Please translate everything

from weapon performance specifications

to the manufacturing processes.

Of the four of you,

only Bao Shijie

has a background as an officer cadet in Japan

and knows firearms well.

So, for now,

he'll serve as acting team leader.

Yes, sir.

I look forward to working with you all

from now on.

All right, everyone.

You'll be taken

to report to the Translation Office.

You can start work today.

Jiang Xueting.

Come here.

Mr. Yu, what's wrong?

You graduated from the Department of International Politics

of Waseda University.

You excelled in every subject,

and you're a gifted writer.

You should have plenty of options.

So, why join the military?

You're recruiting foreign translators

and reforming the military.

I imagine

you must be a forward-thinking,

broad-minded commander.

Under your command,

I'm sure I can accomplish great things.

Then, my years of study won't be wasted.

Good.

I don't care about rank or background.

Only ability matters.

Thank you for the honor.

How many people are in your family?

My parents passed away early.

As for family,

I do have a fiancée.

Her mother

and my mother are sworn sisters.

Then, you should work even harder.

Someday, your fiancée

and your mother-in-law

will both rely on you.

I'll keep that in mind.

The chicken is finally stewed tender.

Take this chicken soup to Xueting

while it's hot.

Isn't it too late?

He might have already eaten.

Cafeteria food

can't beat a home-cooked meal.

Come on.

Just take it over.

Hurry up.

Go on, go on.

Once you've delivered it,

come right back for chicken soup.

Got it.

Hello?

Secretary Jiang,

Miss Ye is here to see you.

Got it.

Xueting.

Why did you come out without an umbrella?

What are you doing here?

Mother made you chicken soup and sent me over.

How long have you been waiting?

Your hair's all wet.

In this heavy rain,

you shouldn't have come.

What if you catch a cold?

I'm fine.

When I headed out today,

it wasn't raining this hard.

But once I was out, it got worse.

Bad call.

Okay, okay.

Go on back.

I'll get you a rickshaw.

No, no need.

Hard to get one in this rain.

Hurry, take this inside.

It won't taste good once it gets cold.

Go on.

Don't overwork yourself.

Ye Pingjun?

What's going on with you two?

Then,

I'll head back now.

You don't even greet your superior?

How rude.

Oh, I see.

Could those two be...

Mr. Yu,

your 15 classmates from the military academy

have all taken up their posts.

Wu Zuoxiao is now acting

in Huang Dakui's position

as commander of the 27th Regiment.

Tell them to act without holding back.

They shouldn't worry so much.

Big news, guys!

I've got a major scoop.

Let me tell you.

You'll definitely want to hear it.

Go on.

I...

This is no fun.

I'm telling you.

Don't you want to know

who Jiang Xueting's girlfriend is?

You two

could rack your brains

and still never guess.

Jiang Xueting's girlfriend

is actually

Ye Pingjun.

I know.

I know it's hard to believe.

I couldn't believe it either.

But on my way back,

I saw it with my own eyes.

Man,

it was pouring rain.

And Ye Pingjun

personally brought soup to Jiang Xueting.

What are the odds?

Right?

Well.

Show them around

the workspace and workflow.

After all, they just got here.

Don't worry.

I'll handle it.

What are you talking about?

You're not surprised at all?

Now, I get it.

No wonder you insisted

on adding Jiang Xueting.

So, you knew all along

he's Ye Pingjun's boyfriend.

You kept him close on purpose,

didn't you?

In my office,

no talking about that nonsense.

This office is for military matters only.

If you won't answer me directly,

I'll take that as a yes.

If you have too much free time,

I'll transfer you

to the quarry in the suburbs as a supervisor.

No, no, don't.

I'm just fooling around. Why take it seriously?

This is no fun anymore.

You two talk.

Show them the ropes.

Yes, sir.

That explains it.

When she was sick,

he even went to see her in secret.

And then,

he had you get her away

from Tao Xili

under Lanqing's name.

And now,

he's put her real boyfriend

in the army.

When has he ever

gone to such lengths

for a girl?

Ruitong.

I...

Is your brain made of wood?

We're talking about love here.

Do you understand? Love.

It's the kind of love that makes

the sun, moon, and stars all dim.

Could you please

play along with me a little

and give me some kind of reaction?

That has nothing to do with my duties.

Oh, my silly brother.

Duties aren't everything in life.

Once you've tasted love,

you'll understand.

Even the toughest man

can be completely transformed.

Where are you going?

All this pretending.

I'm telling you.

Mr. Yu is truly in love.

Just believe me.

Can you help me?

My hair's tangled.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Mr. Yu,

I have a proposal.

A proposal?

That's right.

Do you dare make this bet with me?

You monster!

I'll ask you again.

Who am I to you?