Original subtitles

SAY NO TO PIRACY, SUPPORT ORIGINALS

You wanted the Bangladesh

petrochemical industry analysis report, right?

I'll send it over in a bit.

Xiaoyezi.

Xiaoyezi!

Here!

I just… For a second there, I felt like I'd traveled back in time.

Back when I was the study committee member calling roll, you'd always say, "Here!"

Really loud.

Really?

What's wrong?

You sound all muffled tonight.

Tell me about it.

I can't have you calling me Ikkyu-san all this time for nothing.

Nothing much.

Maybe I'm just tired lately. Got distracted.

I heard it.

You've been fidgeting with your periodic table, haven't you?

Ever since your father passed,

you started collecting the elements on the periodic table.

You said you lost your dad,

and at least collecting them all

would make you feel like you owned the world.

So you only fidget with your treasures when you're upset,

clinking and clanking them around like just now.

Come on. What happened?

Nothing.

I've fallen for someone.

But?

But it was over before it even started.

It's okay.

I've really come to terms with it.

Like looking through the giant eye of a deep-sea blue hole,

all the beauty is just an illusion.

What does he mean by that?

Do you think he's actually working right now?

Or like me, unable to focus on anything?

I have to do something.

Got home safe?

Yeah.

XU CHI

Working?

No. Just staring into space.

YANG RUI

ANSWER

Hello?

Are you asleep?

Not yet.

What's up?

I have something to tell you.

Xu Chi.

I like you.

I know you take time to warm up to people.

So I held back. I didn't want to pressure you.

But when you pulled your hand away just now,

it really hurt.

I…

Tell me… Was I… Was I not good enough?

So, is there nothing about me that attracts you?

That's not it. You're great.

Then can we give it a try?

Just a try.

You can call it off anytime.

Alright?

Please say something.

-Okay. -Really?

Really.

Then tomorrow, when I hold your hand, you can't pull away.

Uh, let's talk about tomorrow when it comes.

I… I'm a bit confused right now.

Good night.

YE THE LEGEND SENT AN IMAGE

UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF EXECUTION

This should help with the implementation phase of your proposal.

Already emailed it to you.

You need to organize the documents this week.

Make sure to confirm the timelines.

See? He's totally fine.

Stop overthinking, will you?

This is well noted.

We have no shared interests or common ground!

So let's break up, okay?

Did you actually like me when we got together?

Am I just a replacement for someone else?

Say it!

Explain it to me! Say it!

I just got the official notice from Celestial Insurance.

They've adopted our Plan B!

Maxmise's signature celebration.

Only happens for big wins.

Xu Chi. You deserve the most credit for this one.

Thank you, everyone.

I… I just threw out a rough idea to spark conversation.

I'm still new at this, so I have a lot to learn

from all of you

when it comes to refining the draft going forward.

No excessive modesty allowed.

You're an SBA now.

No pretending to be a rookie.

-Ms. Xu! -What a coincidence.

Heading to Celestial?

You and your boyfriend just got together. Why isn't he driving you?

He's going to HQ. I'm going to the branch. We're not going the same way.

I actually have a project over that way.

-I'll give you a ride. -That'd be great.

So you admit Yang Rui is your boyfriend?

If you want to ask about Tianna, just say it.

Stop beating around the bush.

Alright. Got it.

So with you, I can't be subtle. I have to be direct, right?

I saw her staring at her desk for a long time

after the meeting, before she started working.

Did she get chewed out during the meeting?

No way.

Ma Ke is too smooth for that.

Whether he messed me over or I messed him over,

he acts like nothing ever happened.

The client didn't pick Tianna's proposal.

Ma Ke gave her comfort and encouragement.

He just assigned her

the same amount of work that he gave me at the meeting.

He made sure to show his expectations and regard for her.

That's good.

I'm relieved.

So the rumor was true then.

Ma Ke did steal your proposal.

Then what are you going to do?

Just take it

and finish this project under him, all nice and polite?

What else can I do?

You can't go through life without taking a few hits.

I got bitten, so I showed a little fang to make sure he doesn't try it again.

That's mission accomplished.

What?

Something's off.

You're off.

Look. If you have someone you like and you won a project,

you should be happy.

You don't seem excited at all.

I am excited. Super excited.

Stop pretending to be a shrink.

Oh, come on. That's your idea of excited?

And I haven't even gotten to the shrink part yet.

See, when I'm pursuing Tianna, I'm always on edge,

worrying about her every second.

Even the tiny, trivial stuff matters to me.

But you?

You're totally calm when Yang Rui's brought up.

And I'm close with him, but you never ask me anything.

You don't ask about his likes or habits.

So, there is always only one truth.

You don't like him that much.

Stop playing detective.

We agreed. We're just giving it a shot.

Maybe we'll grow on each other.

Love is a spark, not something you force until it fits.

Alright, alright. Detective Zhaonan, since you're so clear-headed,

why are you still barking up the wrong tree with Tina?

What are you talking about?

She's not a wrong tree. She's a prized orchid!

Say that again. I'll record it and send it to her.

Sorry. I'm sorry.

Even if you defend her behind her back, she won't be moved when she hears it.

It's fine. As long as you're moved.

Then you can just step up and become the official one.

What?

How did I never realize we have such great chemistry?

Look. We come from the same background.

We have the same goals.

We're both good-looking and capable.

I have a car, and you're buying an apartment.

-Stop. I get it. -In the future, we'll…

You're like a werewolf.

And Bu Tianna is your full moon.

The moment she's mentioned,

you start transforming and talking nonsense.

I'm speechless.

PRIVATE, DO NOT ENTER

Who's there?

Miss.

Scared me.

What's wrong?

What happened?

Xiaojie's toy is in Miss Bu's room.

He's fussing for it.

I knocked.

I thought no one was in the room, so I came in.

Let me say this again.

Even if I'm not here, you're not allowed in my room without my permission.

Alright, alright.

It was a misunderstanding. Go on.

Xiaojie's waiting.

Mom.

We have so many rooms.

Why do you have to keep his toys in my room?

You're hardly ever home.

This room gets great sunlight.

Sometimes, I have Xiaojie play in here.

He gets some sun without getting dirty in the yard.

So after I get married,

I won't even have the right to live in this house anymore?

You're overthinking again.

We're family. What's wrong with using your room?

When you were little, you'd go into your dad's room

and take over his desk to do homework.

Don't you remember?

We never got mad.

Nana, you just think too much.

I had Xiaojie so you'd have another family member,

not another enemy.

Oh, your dad checked out a villa in Sanya a while back.

He said there's a round room facing the ocean.

You'd love it.

It's for you and your future husband.

Okay.

I get it, Mom.

Why are you back so late?

Do you want something to eat?

Did you tell Tianna what I told you to say?

Yeah. It actually worked.

I'll drop another hint tomorrow at breakfast.

I'll tell her I spent half the night rubbing your back.

She'll feel bad for you when she hears that.

If I keep saying it,

she'll surely want to come home more often.

But we have to take it step by step.

We can't let Tianna stay so hostile toward Xiaojie.

Then bring it up with her more often?

Tell her how many favors you called in to help her with that insurance project.

She's still too naive.

Does she really think that bringing a few gifts

and being polite

would make people hand over such important internal research data?

That was all because of my connections.

Wait, if you helped her out, why did you go out of your way

to have someone tell Mr. Zheng at Celestial

to reject her proposal?

She went into consulting without my permission.

Back when she landed the Ande Energy deal, she was so full of herself.

If I didn't knock her down a peg this time,

she'd think she's invincible.

Give her a few setbacks at work, then shower her with warmth at home.

With a bit of push and pull like this,

it won't be long before she feels burned out at Maxmise.

Then, getting her back to our company will just fall into place.

How can you use business tactics against your own daughter?

That's not fair to say.

I'm doing this for her own good.

But what about Tianna?

She's always so rebellious, always pushing back against me.

Don't keep calling her Tianna.

It's Nana. It's Nana.

Ms. Zhu, look.

I've already divided this project into four modules.

You take these four modules and…

-Hold on. -Do you need a break?

I'm fine.

Morning. I brought you some rice balls.

Breakfast made with love?

Ma Ke said Celestial is having a company-wide team-building this weekend.

So our team gets a half day off.

Want to think about where we should go this weekend?

Some girl from the consulting firm just passed out!

Tianna.

Wake up. Are you okay?

-Wake up -Should we call an ambulance?

-Let me help you up. -Excuse me. Let me through.

I'm from Maxmise. Thanks.

Tianna! What happened?

-Help her sit up. -Are you alright?

Easy, easy.

What happened?

Come on, sit down.

Nothing serious.

-Probably low blood sugar. -Careful.

Do you have any white chocolate

-or sugary drinks here? -I have juice.

Okay.

Here, have some.

How do you always manage to pass out right when I happen

to have juice?

The Actuarial Department is brutal.

Two whole days, and you wouldn't let her leave the conference room.

Even if she needed to verify the data, she didn't have to push herself that hard.

Hey, that's not on us.

We told her so many times.

She refused to leave.

We brought food in and she didn't touch it.

Have some more.

-Keep some chocolate -Excuse me.

-in your bag from now on. -Excuse me.

Sorry, everyone. Break it up.

Don't crowd around, alright?

-Thank you all. -Feeling any better?

-Thanks. -Thanks. Leave this to me.

Maybe you should take her to the hospital?

Okay. Let me check.

Tianna, are you alright? Want to go to the hospital?

No need. I… I can still work.

-Don't move. -No, no…

Don't worry about work.

Just go home and rest.

Xu Chi, you're a girl. It's better if you take her home.

-Go ahead and take her back. -I'll take her.

Have the chocolate first.

Let me get your bag.

No, no need.

Easy now.

There's no one else here. No need to put on a brave face with me.

You were breaking out in a cold sweat in the car.

Chi, are you happy seeing me like this?

You've never seen me so pathetic, have you?

Missy, would you be happy if you saw me down and out?

Maybe.

What's really going on with you?

-I am fine. -You wouldn't

push yourself this hard just for work.

Is your family giving you trouble again?

Why put yourself through this?

It's not like you just found out your parents favor boys over girls.

They don't just favor boys.

They team up to put me down and lie to me.

You think your proposal was really that good?

It wasn't.

My dad had someone reach out to Mr. Zheng at Celestial

to reject my proposal.

That's how you got the chance.

Why?

They want me back at Siwei Group early,

just to play second fiddle to their precious son Bu Tianjie.

Xiaojie is still young.

He won't be able to take over until he finishes his master's degree.

And that's at least 20 years from now.

I can't be everywhere at once.

I need someone I can trust to watch over the business for Xiaojie.

I wanted to get into consulting because it's the fastest way to grow.

If I can become a partner at a top consulting firm by 35,

no one can question my ability to be the successor.

But they won't even give me that chance.

They just want me to go back to the company now.

They're gaslighting me.

They want me to be a stepping stone for their precious son.

Very hilarious.

Let me show you. This is what my parents say.

Give her a few setbacks at work,

then shower her with warmth at home.

With a bit of push and pull like this,

getting her back to our company will just fall into place.

"Start her at the very bottom of finance.

She won't be able to pivot later anyway.

At worst, we can trap her with a General Manager title.

We can always have a CEO and Board Chairman above that."

My mom is even funnier.

My brother is this young,

and my mom already has my dad taking my brother to observe sales.

She says nothing matters more than sales.

So don't try to comfort me with some flimsy words.

You have no idea

how painful it is to never be the one chosen from the start.

I do.

I know what it feels like to never be the one chosen

from the start.

That's why I let Ye Xinzhi go.

Why are you so stupid?

Where are you going?

Don't hold me back.

I'm going to go settle things with that scumbag.

-You… -He works at C&C,

-across from Maxmise, right? -What are you going to do?

I'm going to kill him! That scumbag.

This is a lawful society.

Listen to me. He didn't do anything to me.

You're so silly.

He fooled you and you're still defending him?

I know these polished scumbags inside and out.

Back in college,

two of my roommates got wrecked by guys like him.

No initiating. No refusing. No taking responsibility.

Sleep with you

-and then turn cold as ice. -Stop, stop.

Nothing happened between us.

I just didn't want to keep

playing that ambiguous game anymore, so I told him I had a boyfriend.

You dumped him?

I'm dizzy. I'm so dizzy.

Oh my.

Drink some more juice.

It took me a long time to finally realize one thing.

That I like Ye Xinzhi.

I told you a long time ago.

Posers like that are absolute pros at flirting.

You fall right in before you know it. You just wouldn't listen.

What good is me nagging you every single day?

Come on, I'm the one venting here.

Do you have to fire back at every single thing I say?

Get this straight. I'm the one who feels awful right now.

You're drinking my wine, eating my chips, and lying on my couch.

I'm stuck on the floor.

Is it too much to ask you to listen to me?

Go on.

Anyway,

I realized I like him.

But at my current level, I… I'm not good enough for him,

and I can't handle my own feelings.

He said he has feelings for me, but not romantic ones.

I thought if I drew the line with him, I could suppress my feelings.

And then I'd just be content as an admirer.

But every time I see him with other women,

I… I can't help feeling jealous and disappointed.

What did you say?

So he's stringing you along while flirting with other girls

in front of you?

Isn't that textbook scumbag behavior?

I can't hold back anymore.

-Where are you going? -To beat him up.

I never knew you were such a hothead.

Because…

Because my parents are even worse.

But I still love them.

So, I just take it out on other people.

You still have me.

I haven't settled the score with you yet.

Ma Ke bullied you like that a few days ago.

Why didn't you tell me?

You came to my place and told me…

I'll hold nothing back from now on.

I'll… hold… hold nothing back from now on.

"I… I… I'm going to do this and that to you.

I'm declaring war on you." Why do you flip-flop so much?

-Did I say that? -You want it one way,

but you also want me to tell you everything--

Alright, alright. Come on.

Cheers.

Actually, I was pretty torn that day.

But when I saw Ye Xinzhi looking so down, I knew he must have seen me with Yang Rui.

So, for some crazy reason, I just said yes to Yang Rui.

But I don't regret it at all.

Because Yang Rui is honestly a great guy.

And Ye Xinzhi has so many admirers.

I want to be the one who moves on first.

I want to find my own happiness.

That way, he'll remember me. He'll be shocked.

He'll realize that losing my feelings was a huge loss!

Oh my goodness.

Well said!

Keep going!

-Ouch. -Don't lose the momentum.

Bu Tianna,

I've actually been pretty upset these past few days.

It's this bitter, twisting pain inside.

It hurts so much I can't even sleep.

So I actually sympathize with Zhao Heng.

Because I know he likes you the way I like Ye Xinzhi.

Maybe his reasons for getting close to you aren't entirely pure,

but his feelings are real.

How do you know?

Because at our core,

he and I are the same kind of person.

So I actually sympathize with Zhao Heng.

Because I know he likes you the way I like Ye Xinzhi.

Maybe

his reasons for getting close to you aren't entirely pure,

but his feelings are real.

What are you doing?

Video calling someone out of the blue is rude.

Wait, just hear me out. Where are you?

Are you okay?

Didn't Xu Chi tell you?

Xu Chi?

Xu Chi is with you?

Where are you? Put her on the phone.

She's not here.

I'm at home. I'm fine.

Fine?

You're not lying to me?

I wouldn't waste that kind of energy on you.

That's a relief.

Are you at a construction site?

There's no elevator here.

I ran all the way down from the 17th floor.

No signal or power on the 17th floor?

And couldn't you catch your breath before talking to me?

You're just guilt-tripping me for sympathy.

Still got the energy to snap at me.

That means you're fine.

I really didn't think that far at first.

I just panicked.

I figured I'd drive over to find you first.

But I only knew which building you were in.

I didn't know your unit number.

Besides, even if I went, the security guard wouldn't let me in.

I'm such an idiot.

Hello? Why is it lagging?

Can you hear me?

Is my signal bad? Here.

Let me… Let me call you back.

I want ice cream.

When I was little, I loved ice cream from fast food places.

Because they had sweet ice cream and lots of kids.

But my parents said it was junk food.

They wouldn't let me have any.

So after I started school,

I went a really long time without ice cream or fries or anything.

But the more they tried to stop me, the more I wanted to do it.

I'm in Unit 1902.

Hello, little Tianna.

I'm your Uncle Buka.

I'm here to bring you joy and happiness.

Why are you leaving?

What, Uncle Buka?

What cartoon has a character that ugly?

That's terrible!

I didn't really watch TV much anyway.

When I went to the shop to borrow the costume,

they told me all the ones I knew were already taken,

or I'd have to wait.

But I couldn't wait a single minute.

But that's okay.

From now on, I'm your personal magic elf, Uncle Buka.

You did this on purpose! You're so annoying!

You're so sneaky. You did this on purpose.

You're just trying to move me with this cheap little thing, right?

You think I'd fall for that?

Men are all the same.

Stop hitting me.

If you keep that up…

Uncle Buka might turn into the Big Bad Wolf.

You wouldn't dare.

Alright. The magic transfer is complete.

Time for good food.

From now on, Uncle Buka will always be with you.

You actually let him into your place?

You actually tipped him off?

He and I aren't that close. Okay?

Well, things between him and me aren't what you think.

Stop making up stories.

You let him in. You hugged, and you cried.

And I'm making things up?

He and I are just…

Fine. I'm all physical, no feelings.

Who do you think I am? I am Bu Tianna.

Get it straight.

You're a total cold-hearted player.

Aren't you afraid of falling for it one day?

Well…

Right back at you. You're no different.

Let me tell you,

even though the project team used your proposal,

you didn't really beat me.

Then I'll just wish you good health.

And I'll wish you all the happiness in love.

A face-to-face showdown?

Classic top-tier consultants.

Impressive.

Don't get the wrong idea.

Our team's fights are always quite civilized.

Never this explosive.

I'm just kidding. Don't take it seriously.

When we talk to them later, listen more and talk less.

Miss Xu, your package.

Your colleague asked me to bring it over.

Thanks.

Package?

Came across this old postcard by chance.

Returning the best times to you.

From Ye Xinzhi.

What's wrong?

Sorry I'm late.

Mr. Sun.

-Hello. -Hello.

After getting the full lay of the land, Maxmise's preliminary recommendation

is to work out a microservices architecture plan.

Hold on.

FRONTEND AND BACKEND ADMIN PANEL

A microservices architecture plan?

I told you we already have SOA.

Please take a closer look.

We modeled this after Ansheng, the biggest insurer in the Netherlands.

Compared to SOA,

it's better suited for Celestial's future development.

So everything I just said was for nothing?

Or was I speaking a foreign language that you can't even understand?

Fine. Let me ask you.

What makes microservices better than SOA?

Microservices are essentially a more decentralized version of SOA.

Mr. Sun, you're absolutely right.

But based on Maxmise's assessment,

a more flexible microservices approach

would better support Celestial's future growth.

This transformation has to happen,

so please make sure to fully cooperate with us on the redevelopment.

And this also needs

to be included in the delivery report with an implementation timeline.

So, Mr. Sun, how about three months? Four?

Wait, Mr. Sun, that's not what our team lead meant.

Microservices are lightweight and compact, commonly used by internet companies.

SOA is an enterprise-level, large-scale architecture.

That's basic knowledge. Anyone in IT knows that.

You mentioned the Netherlands earlier.

So tell me, how many people does the entire Netherlands have?

Of course, their insurance companies can use microservices.

We have hundreds of millions of customers!

Our SOA works perfectly fine,

and you want us to just switch to microservices?

And get it done in three months?

Do you have any idea how much work that is?

You might as well tell me to fly to the moon!

Wait, Mr. Sun.

Mr. Sun. Please don't be upset.

-Mr. Sun. -We can…

We can discuss the specifics.

Miss Xu,

I was there the day you presented your proposal.

Honestly, I was moved.

I thought you were someone who gets things done.

But after today's conversation, a saying comes to mind.

"I thought you were impressive, until you started talking about my field."

Oh, and please don't come to the IT Department anymore.

It saves everyone's time.

Xu Chi.

Xu Chi!

Xu Chi.

Maybe it's your first time seeing someone blow a fuse,

so you can't handle it,

but this kind of thing happens all the time.

How could you make the decision

to replace the entire SOA without discussing it with me?

I'm the team lead.

The plan is mine to decide.

And using precedent cases from the reference library

is standard Maxmise practice.

I'm not questioning you.

I just think if we'd discussed it first, Mr. Sun wouldn't have pushed back so hard.

This time we just got unlucky.

This is the first time I've run into someone like that.

Maxmise isn't magic.

How could we possibly know every company's technical details?

Just showing them a tiny bit is more than enough.

You mentioned SOA earlier.

You actually know about that stuff.

I think we should revise the plan.

At least don't make Celestial replace their entire service architecture.

No. You need to listen to me on this.

The plan is solid.

Mr. Sun just isn't ready to accept it yet.

Give him the cold shoulder for a few days, and he'll come around.

We've always done it this way.

But that's not how you solve--

Hello, Ma Ke.

Yes. Yes.

I don't know why Mr. Sun blew up like that.

Don't worry. I'll convince him.

Xu Chi…

Alright. Okay.

I'll tell her.

Ma Ke said

Mr. Sun has been flat-out refusing to change the IT architecture

and has such a strong reaction to you,

so there's definitely more to this story.

He said he'll look into it, and we should put this on hold.

Put it on hold?

What does that mean? Is work on pause?

What am I supposed to do then?

How about you organize the requirements for the sales-side app?

That's simple.

I'll gather feedback

on the IT Department from other departments.

As for Mr. Sun…

I'll figure out a way to put some pressure on him.