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 8=

I applied for that job

because you broke your promise.

I'm human too.

I would also get tired.

Here,

I have to handle

everything alone.

I'm doing everything I can

to pave the way for us.

If things go off,

no one can help or save me.

I'm already struggling.

Instead of helping me,

you're now getting in my way.

Why?

Can you tell me

why you insisted

on staying

without taking my advice?

I'm afraid you will stay.

And I feel bad for her.

You stay to take care of her

out of guilt?

You pity her,

but

when she turns against us,

who's going to pity us?

If she finds out

how much money I gave you,

will she let you off

out of pity?

Will she let us off

out of pity?

No.

Exactly.

She won't.

You have all our money.

For our future,

you have to keep the faith.

(What's your plan now?)

(Wen Xiaoxiao)

Win over Zhang Yu.

(The Product Center's top priority)

(is the Jinghua line.)

(Zhang Yu devotes)

(herself to it.)

(During the development of Jinghua,)

(from staff bonuses)

(to executive promotions)

(and shareholder dividends,)

(everything rides on)

(the launch.)

(Joining the Product Center)

(at a critical time like this)

(is tough.)

Is that so?

Then tell me,

what kind of person is Zhang Yu?

Give me a heads-up.

(Her?)

(She's not human,)

(but a ruthless workaholic.)

(She's tough on others,)

(and tougher on herself.)

(Computers shut down when they overheat,)

(but Zhang Yu never rests.)

Ms. Zhang,

got a minute?

Meng,

what is it?

I want in on Product Center

and learn from Jinghua

and the crew.

You're not suited for this job.

Without even an interview,

you're rejecting me?

Please introduce yourself.

I'm Yu Meng.

I'm 32 years old,

graduated from Jiangzhou University.

I worked at Jiali

for six months,

and I'm a content creator.

Well,

your resume shows

no work experience

for the past four years.

Correct.

Back then,

I had different life plans.

Didn't you consider

the impact a career gap

would have?

The logic of work

is always the same.

I can jump back in anytime.

Four years change a lot.

Can you handle

the workload nowadays?

Of course, I can.

The account I run

has a million followers,

an 8 percent conversion rate,

and a 60 percent retention rate.

If you know

even a little

about content creators,

you'd know

it's a job far more grueling

than standard overtime.

No more questions.

When can I start my work?

I think you're capable,

but Ms. Gao Shan's department

would suit you more.

But...

But I want to join the Product Center.

Brand marketing

suits

your content experience more.

Why did you stand me up today?

I waited on the roof for so long.

Thanks.

Sorry.

My boss dragged me into a task,

and in the rush,

I forgot my phone at my desk.

All the tasks he assigns me are

tedious,

mindless

chores.

It makes me want to quit.

You believe your boss

has nothing

to assign you?

I mean those tasks

showcasing your skills.

Given Di Liren's style,

since he's chosen

not to see you,

that means

he won't

keep you at Jiali anymore.

If it were you,

what would you do?

Sidelining me.

Does

the offer you promised

still work?

Of course.

I'm not him.

I keep my word.

That's a relief.

But I haven't watched the ending

of the drama between you two.

True.

Everyone loves

a revenge drama,

myself included.

If you're the lead

in this drama,

I'll not only subscribe,

but also pay for early access

to the ending.

I actually think

it's more like a suspense drama.

A new character every day.

A new clue every day.

I'm hunting for new evidence for the divorce

every single moment.

It's exhausting.

I thought

I was a fat part,

but it turns out

I'm just a clue leading to

the tough one.

Delivery for you.

Thank you.

From Di Liren.

(I saw this lamp)

(on your wishlist.)

(Got it for you.)

(Use it.)

(I'll drop by to check.)

That's an imported brand

I've been eyeing.

I'll return it.

Never mind.

If you return it,

he'll get suspicious.

Meng, slow down.

You don't have to.

I insist, Ms. Hui.

Over the past year,

you took care

of my parents well.

And when my dad had a brain hemorrhage,

you sent him

to the hospital in time.

My whole family is grateful to you.

I did what I should.

Ms. Hui,

considering

how sincere I am,

please don't refuse, okay?

Ms. Hui,

I've never seen you

wear this before.

So pretty.

I just bought it.

I've been working so hard,

so I want to treat myself.

Good for you, Ms. Hui.

You finally get it.

If you idle your money,

then someone will spend it.

Oh, yeah.

Did you know that?

Liren

worked in a store like this

as a salesman before.

But that was in Xiaocheng.

Really?

Ms. Hui, look around.

Tell me what you fancy.

Check out the bags.

Ms. Hui,

see which one you like.

This isn't my style.

It's too expensive.

I think this one

looks pretty nice.

Excuse me,

can I see this bag?

Sure.

Are you...

No.

Yes, you are.

Ms. Hui.

It's me.

Huang.

You've got the wrong person.

What a coincidence.

You know each other?

Sure, she's Ms. Hui.

No.

I'll go to the restroom.

Ms. Hui?

(It's working.)

(Jiao Xu)

Huang recognizes me.

I know Huang.

He must have noticed

you hated to admit.

So he told Yu Meng

he made a mistake.

In that case,

it should be fine.

What if...

Meng.

Ms. Hui?

Why are you here?

I...

I wanted to take a bath,

but the faucet was acting up.

So I asked her to fix it.

Isn't it working fine?

She just fixed it.

That's great.

I want to take a bath too.

Honey.

You take a bath first?

I'll massage your shoulders.

Good.

You haven't

massaged me for ages.

Come on.

Be careful.

Take it slow.

Ms. Hui,

give me the stuff.

You may go.

Thank you.

Ms. Hui,

could you please

close the door?

Honey,

what are you waiting for?

Come on.

Honey.

I remembered

I have an email to send.

I...

I can't join you tonight.

You go ahead.

I have to work.

Give me

everything on the list.

I'm staying overnight.

Right away.

You are back.

Ms. Hui,

where did you go?

I went to take a bath.

You took a bath too?

I felt dirty,

so I went to clean up.

You should tell us in advance.

Leaving so suddenly

made us worried.

I had plans with friends.

It was late.

I didn't want to disturb you.

Friends?

But you said before

you didn't have friends.

I took your advice

and made a few.

Honey,

let's go to the office.

Let's go.

Careful.

(Article of Dr. Kang Long)

(German-Chinese Dictionary, Username, Password)

An account

of a translation app.

I rarely use it,

so take it.

Here's the account and password.

You're the best, Meng.

I wish for no overtime tonight.

(Article of Dr. Kang Long)

Who is this?

Dr. Hedgehog.

No.

Dr. Kang Long.

Kang Long?

Is it because of

his spiky hair?

So as his personality.

Spiky and cold.

He was a visiting scholar

in Germany

and just returned.

Mr. Di flew to Germany

to visit him.

After multiple attempts,

he finally secured the licensing deal.

But Ms. Zhang knows

Mr. Di's real goal

has always been an exclusive deal.

So,

we've been working hard for it.

What does he study?

Why do we want him so badly?

Hydroxytyrosol.

It's an antioxidant

ingredient

used in cosmetics.

He holds a patent

that boosts hydroxytyrosol stability

to over 90 percent.

Many cosmetics companies

want to win him over.

Besides,

our company lacks

a top-tier research and development team.

If Dr. Kang heads

our research and development team

and develops

exclusive products with us,

it'd be

massively profitable.

He really is a big shot.

Can you share

his profile with me?

Sure.

This will be my golden chance

to win over Zhang Yu.

Feed me a bite.

Feed me, Zi.

Not worried fried food'll make you fat?

I'm starving.

At home, I don't

eat Lu Hui's dishes,

in case she'd poison me.

At home,

I only eat the same dishes

as Di Liren

does.

Okay, down to business.

I already booked tickets

to Huacheng tomorrow.

How do you know he's there?

Silly girl.

Huacheng University invited him

for a seminar.

For top talent

like him coming,

the news's been

on their website.

(Kang Long)

That's him.

(Eight years ago, Jiangzhou)

(Sorry.)

Guest information

is strictly confidential.

We can't disclose it.

(Seven years ago, Jiangzhou)

Zi,

without a dad around,

you have to name the baby

yourself.

Let's call her Chestnut.

(Chestnut.)

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Go on.

Memorized all the company info?

Dr. Kang won't stump you, will he?

Ask me anything.

Switching from a trophy wife

to a workaholic so fast

is impressive.

What?

Selling me short?

How long did you memorize it?

All morning at my desk.

Sitting that long

might affect your foot.

Actually,

my leg and foot

are pretty much healed.

But I want to use it

to play a little trick.

So,

I'll keep up the act.

I have a hearing

in Huacheng tomorrow.

I can

give you a ride.

Forget it.

What if Di Liren

finds out?

I'd better go alone.

The three of you

under the same roof,

how's it?

It's all like a spy versus spy thing.

I have to keep provoking them

and testing them

to find out what's going on,

if there's any real feeling.

Any results?

Di Liren is such an actor.

No results yet.

But I do feel

Lu Hui is acting differently.

Lately, she seems

much more rattled than before.

I need to keep

an eye on her.

It hurts, honey.

I'll be gentle.

Be gentle.

Seems Meng's leg

has mostly healed.

Luckily it was just muscle, not bone.

But why doesn't it

feel healed at all?

Listen, Ms. Hui,

whenever I walk around,

a sharp pain

shoots straight

through my heart.

So painful.

Look how I walk.

Just like this.

I can't walk properly.

I have to hop around.

Sometimes I...

Careful.

Come sit down.

Then you still need the crutch.

Your crutch looks

barely used.

What do you mean?

When I wiped it down,

the rubber tip

looks brand new.

No wear and tear at all.

I thought you're healed.

The office and company

have carpets and wooden floors.

So there's no wear and tear.

Mostly,

I just hop around

without it.

You still need to use it.

Otherwise,

it's bad for recovery.

No wonder you're still in pain.

Forgot it?

Ms. Hui was a nurse.

She's skilled.

Let her take a look.

Let me check.

Don't touch it.

Don't. It hurts!

It's fine. Don't worry.

I know my body.

I have

an important thing to do.

Ms. Hui,

can you brew a pot of tea

with that tea set

from the cabinet?

I need to finish shooting

the product photos with Liu Zi

soon.

Go ahead.

Okay.

Come on, careful.

Easy.

Looks good.

Nice.

Is the lighting okay?

Perfect.

Honey, fan a little breeze.

Got it.

That's perfect.

Hold on.

The hair is a bit messy.

Good.

Thanks, honey.

Good.

We're done.

Done?

Let's end it.

Great.

Honey,

great work.

Thank you.

Don't move.

This moment is so sweet.

I have to capture it.

Come on.

Get closer.

Let's take one.

Nice.

Great.

Nice.

Come closer to me.

Good.

You can stand up.

Okay.

Okay.

Over here, honey.

Okay.

Come on.

Nice.

A bit closer.

Gorgeous.

Mr. Di, your pant legs...

Ms. Hui,

could you please

fix his pant legs?

Go ahead. No worries.

- Okay. - Better fix it.

Or the full shot won't look good.

You can just edit it later.

It's fine. I'll straighten them.

Let me check.

See?

Ms. Hui knows her stuff well.

So neat.

I'm a housekeeper.

This is basic stuff.

Well,

it's getting late.

Let's call it a day.

Honey,

let's check

the photos we took, okay?

Come on.

Careful.

Look, you look great together.

I like this one, honey.

What about you?

Nice.

So pretty.

I'll print this out

today.

Meng,

the photo is printed.

Where do you hang it?

It's printed?

Let me see.

Hang it on...

Come in here.

How about over there?

Honey,

this is a photo of us two.

Why hang it in Ms. Hui's room?

What's wrong with that?

It is our house.

I can hang it anywhere.

Yeah.

Ms. Hui is only staying for now.

It should be fine, right?

Ms. Hui,

do you mind if I hang this

over there?

Sure.

Hang it there.

Go ahead.

Okay.

Alright, you go back.

After the show we put on today,

they're bound

to make a move, right?

We have to make them

slip up soon.

Thanks for today, Zi.

You put on

a great show too.

That's why we're besties.

Lift's here.

See you, bye-bye.

Morning, Ms. Hui.

Morning.

Ms. Hui,

I got a place

for that photo

of me and Liren.

Please take it down later.

I shouldn't hang it with you.

I threw it away.

What?

Where is it now?

In the trash.

The frame wasn't secure,

and it fell off the wall.

The glass shattered. It's ruined.

Ms. Hui,

I can just buy

a new frame.

Why did you throw the photo away?

The glass scratched

the photo.

It was ruined.

Alright then.

I can print

another one today anyway.

Back in my hometown,

a photo falling off the wall

is considered bad luck.

I think don't hang it for now.

For good luck.

Really?

Ms. Hui, you know so much.

Alright.

As you say.

Well,

did my shoes arrive?

Yes.

Ms. Hui,

can you help me try them on?

Sure.

Here.

(Moisturizing and Repair Mechanism)

Hello.

Let me pass.

My seat.

I'm sorry.

(Paper)

(Profile of Kang Long)

Excuse me.

Did we mix them up?

No wonder.

I was listening to a soccer game,

but a chemistry lecture came on.

Need some?

Thank you.

What a coincidence.

We have so many matching things.

Do we even use the same name?

You're funny.

How could that be?

Well, I want to

get to know you,

a fated run-in.

Let me introduce myself.

I'm Harry,

studying in the UK.

Hi, I'm Yu Meng.

I work at a cosmetics company.

Let me guess, you study design?

Why?

Didn't you design that?

Yeah.

Take a look.

I'm a sophomore studying architectural design.

My friend

is renovating a cafe,

so he asked for my help.

It's a really great design.

Very creative.

Is the renovation done?

Not yet,

but it will be soon.

Once it's done,

come over.

(Rooftop Cafe)

Okay.

Are you heading to Huacheng for business?

Kind of.

And you?

I'm on vacation.

I felt bored,

so I'm visiting a friend

at a university in Huacheng.

Huacheng University?

No, not this university.

What?

Huacheng University's got a seminar.

I'd love to listen in.

But I knew it too late.

No spots left now.

I wonder if it's easy

to get in.

Definitely not.

Campus security

will only be tighter.

True.

However,

it's graduation season.

Do you think graduating seniors

are selling their stuff

on secondhand platforms

for pickup?

Wait.

(Huacheng University Used Camera for Pickup)

Look.

(Secondhand Marketplace)

Awesome!

You're a real-life

Einstein, my friend.

I'm flattered.

Call me Harry Potter

instead.

It sounds a lot cooler.

Thanks.

Let me check it out.

Hey,

can I sit here?

No, it's taken.

So sorry.

Everyone,

our seminar is about to begin.

Please take your seats

and keep quiet.

Those without seats

may leave

(Yu Meng) and watch

the livestream online.

Thank you.

Distinguished faculty

and students,

today, we have the great honor

of having Dr. Kang Long

for an academic exchange.

Without further ado,

as time is ticking.

Let's welcome Dr. Kang.

Welcome.

(Innovations in Bioactivity: New Horizons in Hydroxytyrosol Research)

Hello, everyone. I'm Kang Long.

We might be strangers now,

but this hall is packed

and hot,

we'll warm up to each other soon.

Thank you for coming.

Today,

I'd like to share

the latest findings

on hydroxytyrosol

with you all.

(Separation and Synthesis Routes of Hydroxytyrosol)

(Separation Routes of Hydroxytyrosol)

(Biological Activity and Application Value of Hydroxytyrosol)

Good, right?

Liren bought it.

Pu'er tea.

Have some.

Don't be shy.

Liren bought this too.

He knows pink is my favorite.

I... I came back to grab something.

I...

I haven't had tea in ages.

For your wife's clothes and teacups I borrowed,

I'll wash and sanitize them.

It's fine. Take your time.

I'm leaving.

Dressing like this

suits you.

You look great.

Really?

Compared to your wife?

She can't compare to you.

Take a photo with me then.

I'll take it for you.

You're glad to take photos with her,

yet refuse to take one with me?

What do you want?

It's just a photo.

If she sees it,

what then?

How would I explain?

I won't let her see it.

I don't want to risk it,

and I can't afford to.

I have things to do. Bye.

We're taking one today!

Hui,

don't act recklessly, okay?

I really have things to do.

The driver is waiting downstairs.

Behave, okay?

- What's your problem? - Give it back!

Give it back!

Give it back!

Are you crazy?

Yes, I am.

That's why I

pushed my man

into another woman's arms

and watched them show off love

under the same roof.

We were forced into it.

Neither of us had a choice.

Don't blame yourself, okay?

If you want to blame someone,

then blame me.

I don't blame anyone now.

This is my fate.

I've accepted it.

But I don't want to submit.

Why are women like Yu Meng

so lucky,

living free from worries since childhood,

while I have been

living so miserably?

It's so unfair.

She's lucky.

But anyway,

from the moment she meets us,

her luck runs out.

She just doesn't know

that once this is all over,

everything she owns now

will be yours.

You'll be luckier than her a hundred times,

a thousand times,

ten thousand times.

Let me.

(Delete)

That concludes

Dr. Kang's seminar.

Please exit in an orderly manner.

Dr. Kang!

Dr. Kang!

Dr. Kang!

You are...

Hello, I'm Yu Meng.

I took a lot of photos

of you.

If you need them,

we could exchange our contacts.

I'll share them.

You are hired by the school?

I...

No.

I took them

because I wanted

to get your contact.

Do you mind?

As expected.

How did you tell?

I've never seen any photographer

only shooting the guest,

not the leadership.

I bet you didn't take

any photos

of the university

leadership.

You are quite discerning.

I came here on behalf of

Jiali Cosmetics to discuss

an exclusive patent partnership.

Do you need me

to introduce Jiali to you?

I've met Mr. Di,

so I know the basics about Jiali.

What I don't know is you.

What role

do you play?

I'm in charge of marketing, building,

and maintaining Jiali's

influence.

All of our company's

product lines

and brand image

are under my control

and management.

So you're the VP

in charge of branding?

I'm Jiali's

brand ambassador.

Dr. Kang!

Dr. Kang, wait!

Wait.

You don't have a say.

Talking to you is useless.

I have a flight to catch.

Dr. Kang,

I might not have a say,

but I can take

your terms and conditions

to my superiors.

Just think of me

as a messenger.

I'll help you

maximize your goals.

Others

might use your patent

for their benefit,

to grow their business.

But Jiali

will devote itself

to fulfilling your vision.

Fine. Listen.

I want hydroxytyrosol

to be applied

across all skincare

and cosmetic products

as a core ingredient,

creating an empire

of hydroxytyrosol.

Not a supportive one.

If you say no,

forget the rest.

Okay, got it.

Dr. Kang,

wait a moment.

How about we

exchange our contacts?

I took many photos

of you.

Some might not look great.

You should review them.

What if I post

the ugly ones

and it upsets you?

Let me scan.

We've exchanged contacts.

If you post my pictures

without my permission,

I'll sue you.

I swear.

Ms. Zhang.

Ms. Zhang.

Here,

have a bottle.

Thanks.

Do you always work overtime like this?

I wonder

what kind of perks Mr. Di gave you

to make you work

this hard.

An opportunity.

What opportunity?

In this company,

some rely on degrees,

others on experience.

I have none,

but hard work.

Mr. Di saw that

and gave me his trust.

He supported my continuing education

and entrusted me

with the Product Center.

I have to live up to that trust.

Can't let him down.

Hard work is a talent too.

You're amazing.

How did it go with Dr. Kang?

Did Ding tell you?

She didn't need to.

You asked for

so much info on him.

It's obvious

what you wanted to do.

Did it go well?

Pretty well.

Just one final push needed.

I sent his demands

to you.

Okay.

I'll check it later.

It's late.

I'm leaving.

My ride just arrived.

I'll give you a ride.

It's on my way.

No need. I drove.

Your leg...

I'll give you a ride.

Sure.

=The Vanishing Beauty= (Next Episode Preview)

What's up?

Has your period been regular?

I'm over two weeks late.

Then...

Could you be pregnant?

If you're pregnant,

you can't eat raw food.

Thank you, honey.

Ms. Hui,

these local specialties are for you.

I've booked your ticket

for tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you,

but no need.

I'm not leaving.

♪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♪