Original subtitles

(Firefly Theater)

♪Neon lights twist into a knot♪

♪I rest in the ruins of defeat♪

♪You tap your fingers lightly♪

♪I fall into the abyss♪

♪I've seen this game before♪

♪Every single move was calculated♪

♪I finally see your silhouette♪

♪Just an empty shell♪

♪I've broken this game before♪

♪Every move was placed wrong♪

♪Now it's my turn to play♪

♪I'll show you what stunning looks like♪

♪When I stand back up again♪

♪The whole city goes dark♪

♪For the part you owe me♪

♪I'll make you pay double♪

♪You're just my starting point♪

=The Vanishing Beauty=

=Episode 6=

Mr. Tian.

Liren.

Good day, Mr. Tian.

You've lost weight since I last saw you.

You must be joking, Mr. Tian.

We just met last month.

It's too soon.

But

that golf club

you took me to

was great.

I got a membership.

Let's go again.

Sure.

How is your mother doing?

Amazing doctor you recommended.

Before him,

everyone was saying

there was no hope.

But Director Zhao dared

to operate.

She's pulling through.

Meng.

You married the right man.

So reliable.

Long time no see, Mr. Tian.

Right.

I know you and Mr. Dong

love crab,

so I got some

top-quality king crabs.

I'll get them to your car.

Meng is always thoughtful.

She remembers what we like.

Of course I do.

I can't enjoy them, though.

Liren knows.

I just had a checkup,

and my uric acid is high.

So,

no more seafood for me.

Yeah,

you have to

watch your diet.

I know

a nutritionist.

I'll ask him

for a meal plan.

Right.

How is your dad?

The same...

Let's talk

on the way.

Let's go.

I heard you got hurt a while ago.

It's nothing.

Meng,

you must take good care

of Liren.

He's the pillar of this family.

I will.

Here, have some water.

No, thanks.

What's wrong?

Zi,

why do I feel the "Li" in Jiali

is becoming the "Li" in Di Liren?

What do you mean?

Listen.

I ran into Mr. Tian

at the hospital today.

It looks like

Di Liren

is far closer to him

than I thought.

They look

so close to each other.

It terrifies me.

What if

I can't keep Jiali?

No way.

Your dad is Jiali's biggest shareholder.

He holds more shares

than Mr. Tian.

Once you divorce Di Liren

and inherit

your dad's shares,

Di Liren won't be able

to steal Jiali.

Actually...

You may not get the shares?

When my dad and Mr. Tian

founded Jiali,

to prevent

any future disputes,

they added a clause

to the bylaws.

If either of them

passes away first,

and their children haven't

managed the company,

the shares can't be inherited.

Instead, the shares

will automatically transfer

to the other

shareholders.

Does Di Liren own shares?

Not yet.

But

as the company's chairman,

he has the preemptive buyback rights.

That means trouble.

Has your dad never

made a will?

He always believed

he was in great health.

If anyone mentioned a will,

he thought it was bad luck.

I used to think

a couple shares everything,

including the company, the money...

What's yours is mine,

and what's mine is yours.

But it'd turn out like this.

Well then,

why not use Jiali

as a bargaining chip

against Di Liren?

No way.

This company is my dad's life's work.

How can I just

hand it over?

Besides,

I cut my losses

because compared to the company,

our marital assets

are just

a drop in the ocean.

Calm down.

Let's break it down.

Do you know

how much power

he actually holds in the company?

I really need to find out.

Mrs. Di brought bubble tea

for everyone.

First come, first served.

Come and grab one.

Thank you.

Take one.

Good work, everyone.

Pass them out.

We've got all flavors.

Come on.

Let me post this

on WeChat Moments.

Honey,

you didn't tell me

you were coming.

I wanted to surprise you.

Mr. Di.

You two are so sweet.

You're cleared to leave early today.

Careful, or I'll make you work overtime.

The boss is mad.

- I'm so scared. - I'm so scared.

Perfect timing.

I have something for you.

Wait here.

Do we reimburse insulin?

Mr. Di.

We're getting sugar overdoses.

- Way too sweet. - So sweet.

(To see his true standing in the company,)

(listen to what his employees say.)

(You're Mrs. Di.)

(No one would badmouth him)

(to your face.)

(But if you ask,)

(and they only offer)

(hollow pleasantries,)

(it means)

(they don't really respect him.)

Doesn't he get mad

when you talk to him

like that?

- Not at all. - Never.

He never gets mad.

He's amazing.

Yeah.

I was shocked

when I saw him at the interview.

I'm just an entry-level worker,

but the big boss

interviewed me in person.

When I had a family emergency

and couldn't get a ticket,

he had someone drive me

all the way home.

His driver gave me a ride too.

Same here.

Honey,

I got new samples from a partner.

Here.

Take them home.

What is it?

(Wishing Mr. Di a booming business.)

"Wishing Mr. Di..."

(May Mrs. Di stay young and pretty.)

"May Mrs. Di..."

Honey,

they don't suit my skin type.

Who here has oily skin?

Take them.

I do.

Thank you, Mrs. Di.

Thank you.

This brand

is super expensive.

It's super pricey.

(May Mrs. Di stay young and pretty.)

Right, honey.

I have a dinner meeting.

I have a small request.

Can I drink a little tonight?

Just a tiny bit.

With whom?

Other bosses.

It's for business.

I'll have to drink.

Mr. Di.

Finance needs you

to review a report.

Be right back.

Okay.

(Chairman Di Liren)

Feeling

Mr. Di's charisma?

So you all

look up to him.

They do.

Self-made, caring to staff,

handsome, witty, and loves his wife.

Who wouldn't admire

a man like that?

Jiali is a 30-year-old brand

my dad built from scratch.

How is he "self-made"?

Still, you have to admit,

Jiali became a top

domestic cosmetics brand

after he took over

and restructured it.

Before that,

it was just a local name.

Actually, I've always wondered.

If the wife of a male boss is called the boss's wife,

what do we call the husband

of a female boss?

If you're the boss of Jiali,

what should we call Mr. Di?

Back in college,

I wondered about that too.

Other classes had male advisors,

so his wife was

the "advisor's wife".

But our advisor was female.

So we

didn't know

what to call her husband.

What did you do?

We just called him Mr. Gu.

His last name was Gu.

Was he a teacher as well?

Not really.

That was the best way

to address him.

If you ask me,

I think the title "boss"

sounds better

than "the boss's wife".

Are you really going?

Don't you hate

dinner meetings?

I asked Zhang Tao.

He said tonight's dinner

is quite important.

Mr. Wu controls most of

the distribution channels

nationwide.

When he hosts,

almost nobody turns him down.

Ready.

Looks good.

- Got it? - Good.

Take a look.

Let me see.

When you said you were going,

wasn't Di Liren surprised?

No.

I just told him

I have to wear this new dress

before it goes out of style.

And he bought it.

Everyone in Jiali is under his spell

after all these years.

I just want to see

how things are

out there

in the real world.

These photos

look fine.

Alright.

That's the OOTD.

Done.

You'll be the only wife

among those guys.

Will it work?

I'm not just a "wife".

Jiali belongs to my dad.

Besides,

when he took over Jiali,

I went with him

to build his connections

at those dinners.

That's how he got here.

I still think

you should skip

such dinners.

Why do you

sound just like him?

He kept saying,

"Meng,

maybe you shouldn't come.

Tonight's dinner

isn't for you."

Bah.

What nonsense.

Think about it, Zi.

What could be

more disgusting

than someone stealing

another family's fortune?

- Great. - Great.

- Beautiful. - Great.

Mr. Wu loves this stuff.

That's why I said

it wasn't for you.

It's fine.

Why wouldn't it be?

Belly dancing

has open tournaments

even in China.

Abroad,

there are competitions

on par with the Olympics.

Honey,

you sure know a lot.

Not really.

Mr. Wu told me all that.

Belly dancing

is fitness,

an art of power and aesthetics.

Only dirty minds

think the dance is dirty.

I told Han Guang

to do the talking.

If it's too much,

I can send you home.

No need.

The dance is pretty.

I don't want to leave yet.

That's enough.

Mr. Wu,

thank you for looking out for Liren.

Here, let me toast you.

And this is...?

Come on.

A toast to the young lady.

Sure, I'll join.

Come on.

Hi, I'm Weng Yue.

Nice to meet you.

Hello.

Why didn't you say hi to me?

Hello.

Meng

is also a creator.

You're in the same field.

Really?

What a coincidence, Meng.

You should follow me.

Phone, right?

I got it.

I can dance and hand over phones.

Here.

Follow her.

Go ahead.

Thanks, Mr. Han.

Allow me.

Okay.

Done.

Okay.

Let's drink.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Cheers.

- Cheers. - Bottoms up.

Thank you, Mr. Wu.

Thanks for following me.

But my agency

manages my account,

so I can't follow back.

You don't mind, do you?

Of course not.

I'm not

desperate for one follower.

Right.

That video you posted

went viral.

It got you tons of followers, huh?

Are you done being mad at your husband?

She's still

pretty mad at me.

It's my fault.

I've been so busy lately

that my wife

felt neglected.

Yeah.

Mr. Di and I

have been swamped

with Jiali's new product launch.

Speaking of which,

Mr. Wu, about our contract...

Don't rush me.

Has Mr. Weng agreed yet?

My father-in-law said

he trusts me completely

with the company.

Weng Yue,

how is your sister?

Same as usual.

Take good care of Yue.

Her sister is sick.

Running deals

with her brother-in-law

day in and day out

can't be easy.

It really isn't.

She's been a huge help at the company.

I owe her a lot.

Join us for a drink.

Cheers.

Come on.

Cheers.

Together.

Cheers.

Excuse me.

Are you upset?

Mr. Wu is disgusting.

This whole dinner is also sickening.

Joking about Weng Yue

and flattering that trophy wife.

What for?

She's just a homewrecker.

What a joke.

Did Mr. Wu forget

he built his fortune

thanks to his wife's family?

If his wife's family

weren't so rich,

could he have built a big firm?

That's why I love coming home.

It's filthy out there.

That's why

I shower as soon as I get home.

Playing the victim now?

I'm warning you.

Never do what they did.

Or I'll kick you out.

I've consulted a lawyer.

I can make you leave with nothing.

What lawyer?

A top-tier one,

anyway.

Sure.

I wouldn't stand a chance

against such a lawyer.

I wouldn't dare.

I was selfish tonight.

Sorry it upset you so much.

How about

I have the driver take you home?

Forget it. I'm already here.

Let me see how it goes.

Let's go.

Why are you here?

Being there

when a client needs you

is basic etiquette

for any lawyer.

What a coincidence.

Well,

walk with me?

Never mind.

If you're busy,

go ahead.

Let me take this call.

Hello?

Another time.

(Mute)

Your perfume smells

like red wine.

I went

to a dinner meeting with Di Liren.

I didn't want to

join the afterparty

and came out for a walk.

Saw the dirty side

of businessmen?

I saw the real world

and the real him.

I'm really curious.

How did Di Liren

win you over back then?

With pure acting?

Half was his acting,

and half my imagination.

I used to think

he was my destined one.

A car crash, an injury,

and Prince Charming

saved the princess.

Or maybe my parents

sheltered me too well.

All the new, thrilling things

he showed me

never failed to move me.

Besides, he told me

about his tragic background.

So

my savior complex kicked in.

Pitying a man

who wants your pity

is the start of a woman's downfall.

He used to

put me first no matter what.

Even when he was sick,

he put my feelings first.

My parents were busy

with the company

when I was little.

They hired nannies,

drivers,

and tutors.

In short,

I was surrounded by people

every single day,

but not a single one

knew

what I wanted.

Did you have close friends?

Yeah.

Liu Zi.

But she was pregnant

and switching jobs.

Super busy.

Besides,

I never liked

making new friends.

Makes sense.

You were starved for love,

and he slipped right in.

Me?

Starved for love?

There's no shame in admitting it.

Emotional support is valuable

because it's rare.

Di Liren

knows what he's doing.

It hurts, huh?

I'm a bit tired.

Let's sit.

Okay.

It's so dirty.

Do you have tissues?

Do I look like the type

who carries wet wipes,

dental floss, and hand cream?

What do I do?

It's way too dirty.

Have a seat.

Thanks.

Are you wiping your hand

on my suit?

I'm using the side that touches the bench.

A picky woman has a hard time dating

after the divorce.

Rest assured.

I'll definitely

find a man

who carries tissues,

wet wipes,

floss, and hand cream for me.

I only realized today

that the world I shared with Di Liren

was fake.

Congratulations.

To step out of The Truman Show,

you first have to realize

you are Truman.

Now that I'm out, what next?

His grip on the company

runs far deeper than I imagined.

About contracts

he mentioned,

do you know what they are for?

And why was he taking money

from home?

No idea.

He just said

the company needed money.

He never told me

where the money went.

If I ask again now,

there's no way he'll talk.

I have reason to suspect

he is transferring assets

through the company.

What do we do?

Have you checked Jiali's books?

Meng.

Crank up the bed.

Okay.

Won't you rest more?

Those work files

have been piling up.

Liren has urged me several times.

I need to sign them today.

Roll the table over.

(Yu Jianguo)

Dad,

I want you to sign something too.

I want to

check Jiali's books

to see how it runs.

Nonsense.

You want to take my signature

to audit the company?

What will people think?

How would I explain it?

I have a good reason.

No way.

Dad,

I need to tell you something.

Go ahead.

Did you know that

Di Liren...

What is that sound?

It's awful.

Turn it off.

Wait, Dad.

Let me look.

Where is it?

Hurry.

Take it easy.

Calm down.

Here.

Found it.

Hello?

Meng,

I don't know

where I left my phone.

It's with my dad.

How did you know?

Didn't I call my own phone?

Enough.

I'll bring it back tonight.

Bye.

I'll go get it.

How are you feeling?

Much better.

Meng.

I can't.

I can't sign the files today.

I feel too sick.

Okay.

Then let it be.

Just get some rest.

Meng.

What were you

trying to say earlier?

I wanted to say...

I wanted to say

that I signed up for a course

on family business succession.

Oh, you.

All these years,

how many classes have I paid for?

Why didn't you take them seriously?

I regret it now.

From now on,

I'll study hard every day.

Enough.

Stop talking.

Just rest.

Okay, I will.

Hello.

Hello.

Mr. Huang?

Yeah.

We spoke

online.

I'm Mr. Jiao.

(Middle-age Huang) Lawyer for

our major client, Mi.

She briefed me.

How can I help you?

You used to work

for this company

back in Xiaocheng,

right?

Yeah, that's right.

So you and Di Liren

were colleagues.

Who?

Him?

We were colleagues,

but

what did you say his name was?

Di Liren.

That wasn't his name.

What's going on?

Look at you!

Unbelievable.

It's okay.

It's all right.

It's fine.

It's okay.

What are you doing?

Where are your hands going?

Get out.

The doctor said

the patient's airway

must stay clear.

Keep it down.

The patient

needs to rest.

Why are you

all siding

with her?

That's enough.

Come here.

Stop it.

Leave us alone.

Stop fighting.

Get out.

Leave.

Right now.

What's going on here?

Meng.

Make her leave.

They're bullying me.

Dad, are you okay?

Calm down.

Are you okay, Ms. Hui?

I'm fine.

I'm so sorry

about that.

My mom loses it

whenever she's stressed.

I already sent her home.

I understand.

She's stressed.

(Use your connections)

(to find out)

(about Lu Hui's past.)

Well, Ms. Hui,

I'm planning

to write to your agency

about how well

you've been doing.

I even filmed

a short video.

No need.

It's just my job.

That won't do.

You do such a great job.

Everyone should see it.

You deserve the praise.

Ms. Hui,

could I edit this clip

into a vlog?

A vlog?

You know, those life vlogs

I usually post

online.

I want my followers to see

what my life looks like,

and how nice you are

to us.

No, Meng, don't.

I...

I'm not photogenic at all.

Don't worry.

My phone makes everyone

look amazing.

And you have no idea.

The more real and down-to-earth,

the more viral

it gets.

No!

Meng...

Well...

Please post something else.

Don't post me.

I...

Not even from behind?

Meng, I've got something

to tell you.

What is it?

I've given it some thought.

You should get someone else

for your parents.

With me around,

your mom gets agitated.

Her bad mood

directly

affects your dad.

The doctor said

that's not good for his recovery.

What do you mean?

Are you quitting, Ms. Hui?

You can't.

We haven't found anyone.

You can't leave.

Your mom has asked the head nurse

to look for someone.

Take your time.

I can stay for a few more days.

I'll hand over

all the details

about your dad

to the next caregiver.

This past year,

I've treated your parents

like my own family.

So don't worry.

I won't slack off

at the end.

Thank you

for your hard work.

Don't mention it.

Still, I hope

you'll reconsider

staying on.

We need to talk.

Are you alone?

Hello?

Go ahead.

You know Di Liren

changed his name?

Yeah, I do.

He changed his surname.

His dad ran off early on.

His mom raised him

all by herself.

He knew how hard it was for her,

so after she passed away,

he took her maiden name.

Do you know his former name?

I saw it on the household register.

I forgot the exact name,

but it was

something common.

Fang Yong.

"Yong" as in brave.

Right, Fang Yong.

What...

What did you find?

Lu Hui knew Di Liren

before she went

to work for you.

I knew it.

He sent her to us.

There's more.

Di Liren, formerly Fang Yong,

used to be married to Lu Hui.

I sent you the proof.

Watch out.

Yong, Hui.

This table.

(21 years ago, Xiaocheng) Here?

Thanks for the treat, Yong.

Whenever you're top sales,

we get hot pot.

Where's everyone else?

Doing inventory.

They'll come.

(Young Huang) You're due soon, huh?

How far along are you?

Just hit six months.

Yong.

Are you going home for the Spring Festival?

The nurses work

until the third day.

We won't bother.

Besides,

she's pregnant.

I'll visit

her parents' graves later.

We'll stay at home.

Will your parents come?

They must be thrilled

by the good news.

They passed away

quite early.

I had no idea.

I'm so sorry.

It's okay. That's in the past.

And now,

we have our little home.

It'll be a family of three soon.

He changed his name

to hide this marriage.

Hello?

Hello? Are you still there?

So, he's been lying to me

all along.

He quit his job

before the baby was born.

After the due date passed,

Huang called him,

but he had changed his number

and moved.

They lost touch completely.

Having a baby

takes so much money.

Why quit out of nowhere

when his job was going so well?

What about the baby?

I'm afraid only the two of them

know

what happened next.

Meng wanted to post my video,

but I said no.

You're right.

She's been acting strange.

I really should leave.

I've asked to leave.

Really?

Great.

Don't let her

post anything about me.

People may see it.

I know.

Rest assured.

I have nothing to worry about

once you get out of it.

Mommy is so sorry.

Mommy is so sorry.

What happened?

Out of money for treatment.

(You said it would take 300,000 yuan?)

(Five years ago, Xiaocheng) That's just for the surgery,

and that's a conservative estimate.

After that, he'll need rehabilitation

and long-term medication.

He has Tetralogy of Fallot

with pulmonary atresia.

It's a complex

congenital heart condition.

Is the surgery absolutely necessary?

He collapsed only because

he exerted himself

when running in PE class.

He's almost

going to high school.

His height and weight

are all quite normal.

It shouldn't be

that serious, right?

Over the past decade,

he's undergone

multiple surgeries.

But artificial patches have a limited lifespan.

We must operate again,

otherwise all previous efforts

will go to waste.

Can I...

Can I pay part of it first?

That's hospital policy.

(Fang Yong)

(Fang Yong)

(Deadbeat, pay your debts)

You're back, Hui.

I borrowed money.

From whom?

Come on, sit down.

Let's have a feast.

How much does it cost?

It looks so expensive.

Someone treated me.

I brought back the leftovers.

We haven't

had such a feast in so long.

You've gotten

so thin.

Three hundred thousand.

Who did you

borrow it from?

A girl got into

a car accident.

I was passing by

and rushed her

to the hospital.

Her father wanted to thank me

with some money.

I turned it down.

But I thought about the surgery

and went back to him.

I told him

I'd pay him back

one day.

She must be very pretty.

Her family must be rich.

I think they're in business.

You'll pay it back.

With what?

Let's see how it goes.

Next month,

people are coming

to take this house away.

We won't even have a place to live.

How can you pay them back?

What can I do?

Give up on the surgery?

I've decided.

Worst case, let him sue me.

I have nothing to lose.

Lock me up if they want.

Our son will get the surgery.

What about me?

What about our son?

I didn't tell them

the money was for our kid.

I wouldn't drag you

into this.

You shouldn't have married me.

It's all my fault.

You shouldn't have to live like this.

Don't talk nonsense.

I've never once regretted marrying you.

Really?

Of course.

When you wiped her mouth,

were you thinking that too?

(Without me,)

(Mom and Dad would probably be happier.)

It's all my fault.

I'm useless.

That's why

he feels

he's a burden.

No, he doesn't.

I can put up with this,

but our boy can't.

He can't suffer

from our misery.

He needs to live

happily and free,

doing whatever he wants,

and never ever

hold back

by anything.

What do you mean?

I don't get it.

We have to

do whatever it takes.

Go tell her

that you're single,

that you have no kids,

that you like her,

and that

meeting her

was the luckiest thing.

Go to Jiangzhou with her.

Are you crazy?

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Give it to me.

Hui.

Give it to me.

Go.

Do you have anything to say to me?

See you in Jiangzhou.

Hui.

Give me some time.

Once I get enough money,

I'll come back for you.

Four years.

I can only wait four years.

In four years,

our son will be off to college.

He'll figure it out.

Okay.

Once he recovers,

go abroad with him.

Don't worry about the money.

I'll get it to you.

Just remember.

I lent you out.

We are the real family.

I know.

Four years.

You promise?

I promise.

Meng.

(One year ago, Jiangzhou) You're back?

Yeah.

The agency

recommended a caregiver to me.

They said she's trained in nursing

and has experience with my condition.

Take a look.

Let me see.

What is your name again?

Lu Hui.

(Employment Registration Form)

Honey,

what a coincidence.

You're from the same place.

Yeah.

Lu Hui.

How long did you work

for the previous employer?

Four years.

That's quite a long time.

Yeah.

Four years is quite long.

=The Vanishing Beauty= (Next Episode Preview)

I kept looking for his mistresses,

only to realize

I was one of them.

Why did you let Lu Hui move in?

I let her in

to watch them

up close.

You're so outstanding.

Didn't anyone

introduce you

to any pretty teachers

or nurses?

He said he'd

make the money back in five years.

Besides, real estate holds its value.

We can

leave it

to our child.

Mr. Di is so thoughtful.

Ms. Hui.

♪We are broken butterflies♪

♪Can't fly beyond the boundary of fate♪

♪Wings torn apart by the night♪

♪Still seeking open fields in the ruins♪

♪Locked inside a pendulum♪

♪Repeating the same fate♪

♪I hear high heels♪

♪Crushing silent replies♪

♪Every step feels like a trial♪

♪Yet sobers me up♪

♪Love is a thorny rose♪

♪Promises are mere anesthesia♪

♪I once gave it my all♪

♪Only to be shattered in pieces♪

♪Now I forge my tears♪

♪Into gray diamond gems♪

♪No longer asking who's right or wrong♪

♪Only who dares to control me♪

♪I am nobody's accessory♪

♪Nor am I anyone's failure♪

♪Even with broken wings♪

♪I can still pierce the sky♪

♪When all the lights go out♪

♪I am the final torch♪

♪We are broken butterflies♪

♪Can't fly beyond the boundary of fate♪

♪Wings torn apart by the night♪

♪Still seeking open fields in the ruins♪

♪We are broken butterflies♪

♪Dancing in the brilliant dark♪

♪Wearing a brighter lipstick♪

♪Heading toward an arranged end♪

♪I am nobody's accessory♪

♪Nor am I anyone's failure♪

♪Even with broken wings♪

♪I can still pierce the sky♪

♪When all the lights go out♪

♪I am the final torch♪

♪We are broken butterflies♪

♪Can't fly beyond the boundary of fate♪

♪Wings torn apart by the night♪

♪Still seeking open fields in the ruins♪

♪We are broken butterflies♪

♪Dancing in the brilliant dark♪

♪Wearing a brighter lipstick♪

♪Heading toward an arranged end♪