01x04 - Episode 4

[bunniefuu]

A NETFLIX SERIES

Love

is like a knife.

It can produce a boundary

and the deepest fear.

Of course,

it can cut out your defense

to show your tenderest part.

You really wanted to k*ll me?

That's a knife.

You threw a knife at me.

And I'm your daughter!

Have you ever been worried about money?

My mom left me at the market

because she couldn't afford to feed me.

She wanted someone to pick me up
and feed me.

And you?

Have you ever been starved?

THE SMILING, PROUD WANDERER

UNHAPPY THINGS ARE DIFFICULT TO FORGET

Ms. Chen?

Just make yourself at home and relax.

If you need anything, just tell me.

Thank you.

I thought I had to sleep on the couch.

But you have a spare room for me.

Isn't he a police officer?
Why is he so rich?

He doesn't do it for money.

His parents are rich.

A lioness looks for the manes.

A peahen looks for the feathers.

Being rich is his mane and feathers.

I broke up with my ex-boyfriend for it.

My ex has all the merits,

except for money.

Aren't you afraid he's not your Mr. Right?

If we're getting divorced,

I'll ask for big alimony.

But you've just got engaged.

You won't be anxious

when you know you'll die at peace.

What are you doing?

I'm writing down what I've heard.

Maybe it'll be used in my novels.

Really?

You're writing about me?

I can't wait to see it.

What are you going to write about me?

Not everyone can write what they feel

in a novel like you do.

Take me for example.

When I'm in a bad mood,

all I can do is buy some knickknacks.

Knickknacks?

I'll never understand how you women
define the word "knickknack."

To be honest,

I know what your mom is worried about.

Money is the source of security.

Don't speak of her

and don't speak for her.

I'm with you for sure.

But are you really not talking
to your mom anymore?

I'll try to rent a place tomorrow.

Don't worry.

Are you mad?

It's not what I meant.

You're welcome to stay here.

No.

You know me.

I don't want to disturb you.

And we don't want to affect your writing.

We have a visitor. It's not a good idea.

But it's exciting.

Let's see how our Chinese teacher
writes her novel about this.

Here comes Ru-rong.

Hi, Ru-rong.

What's wrong?

Did you see a ghost?

A god, not a ghost.

You're my god.

Come in.

Thank you.

Come in!

Bring her in. Close the door.

Good girl.

I miss you.

My spare room is a mess.

It's like a storeroom.

Otherwise, you're welcome to stay here.

What are you looking at?

What?

It's nothing.

I'm not an easy girl after all.

Do you have to be so "osteal"?

It's "austere."

So Ms. Chinese Teacher,

how are you going to punish me?

What…

What's wrong?

They made a mistake again!

I asked for no sugar and no ice.

What do you want?

-Water. I need water. Give me water.
-Water…

Here's the water.

Damn! I won't tolerate this.

No. Forget it.

It was my mistake. I'm sorry.

Here.

It was not your mistake.

They've made one mistake after another.

I deserve what I ask for.
Something that belongs only to me.

But…

People do make mistakes once in a while.

Don't drink it. It's mine now.

No. I won't tolerate this.

A job

doesn't just give you a salary.

You need to find yourself
through your mistakes.

I used to have three part-time jobs
at the same time,

a lifeguard, a model, and a plumber.

I never made any mistakes.

Can you have a job

that's not so sexy?

I used to be poor as a church mouse.

I used to eat

one meal a day for a long while.

My girlfriend left because of that.

I know.

There are many girls like that
in the world.

Maybe there are only girls like that
in the world.

No. I'm not a girl like that.

Hey…

Can you try not to be mad?

Your pecks keep rising and falling.

I can't take it anymore.

Like this?

Hey, little girl.

I'm just kidding.

Get a refund later.

I'll cook something for you.

Who's a little girl?

Are you big enough?

What did you say?

Nothing.

A rental fee?

But Min didn't mention that.

Don't tell them.

Just pay it to me.

It's about 10,000 dollars.

I'll take gift certificates too.

But I need those gift certificates.

Mei-mei,

I quit my job

to take care of you for free

because I think we're family.

Right?

Don't give me that.

We're not family

unless you marry Min.

Mei-mei,

I think that

they're both mean to you.

They don't cherish you enough.

You can't buy anything at will.

They're going too far.

But you've been nice to them.

You've fed them, kept them warm,

and given them a place to live.

Unlike my mom.

She has been dating
some good-for-nothings.

Your mom?

Yes.

She left me at the market
when I was little

because I kept her from going on a date.

So I think a mom

who leaves her kid at the market

-is the worst mom in the world.
-Yes.

But not you.

You're a great mom.

To be frank,

if I knew better,

I should've left them at the market.

What have I got for my suffering?

Family.

Family is priceless.

It's your destiny.

Don't blame your mom.

The world is cruel
to women without husbands.

Where is she now?

Why haven't you mentioned her?

Don't you miss her?

I haven't

heard from her for a long time.

Be nice to women

because life is not easy for them.

You're a poor boy.

But you still have to pay the rent.

Are you staying here

or moving out?

Make up your mind.

But…

Yes. It's bedtime.

-Easy here.
-Okay.

Okay.

One, two, three!

Let me tuck you in.

I'll show you around upstairs.

It has convenient transportation

and a great view.

This way.

My goodness!

What is this?

This place has good ventilation.

Everything will be great
when someone moves in.

What the hell?

Hi, Ms. Yang.

I'm Feng.

This is Ms. Chen. I told you about her.

-Hi, Ms. Chen.
-Hi.

I wanted to rent it to a college student,

someone simple.

But Feng said that you're a teacher too,

so I said yes.

The room is vacant anyway.

My kids are living abroad.

Take a look. Just take a look around.

-Thank you.
-Please come in.

Ms. Chen?

Are you divorced?

Do you have kids?

I don't like kids.

They're noisy.

I'm not married. I'm single.

You're 40-something. Why are you single?

Baby, the place is so small.

I don't like it.

And I can be noisier

than little kids.

I can imagine how it is
for me to live here.

How much is the rent?

It's 50,000 dollars a month.
HOA fee is 4,000.

The deposit is 125,000.

And my commission is 25,000.

For Ms. Chen, 20,000 will do.

Oh, dear.

I can only afford the HOA fee.

Hello, gluttonous babies.

It's mealtime.

What I'm having today

is the best midnight snack,

instant noodles of all sorts.

Guess how many bowls

I can eat for the evening.

If you guess it correctly,

I'll send a mysterious gift to you.

Love you.

The noodles…

What's wrong?

It hurts, doesn't it?

It's earlier this month.

Are your breasts swollen?

I'll give you a massage.

How's that?

Are they getting bigger now?

I don't know why

I haven't slept well lately.

I've been paranoid.

Come on. Take it easy.

Let me massage your feet.

Then you'll sleep well.

I've been thinking.

If I found out
that you're cheating on me again,

what would I do?

You know that

I love you very much.

But…

I'm…

-I'm sorry.
-Come on.

Don't talk to me like that.

When my mom said that to me,

it meant that we had to move again.

Don't worry.

I won't let my mom kick you out.

But I really need

your company tonight.

But you're going to class.

The class means nothing to me.

It's all right if I skip it.

You're what matters to me.

You're my girlfriend.

So…

I'll call my friend

and ask for leave.

Find yourself a boyfriend, not a flat.

We've seen five flats this morning.

You don't have to come with me.

Look at the curve.

Are you going to photograph a new agent…

I mean, try a new agent?

A man can be sexually harassed by a woman.

Do you know that?

Whether it's guilty or not

depends on how the harasser looks.

If it were me, I wouldn't be guilty.

Look at this.

I really want to pinch that bottom.

Let me check the map.

Come here.

Stand here.

Wait. I'll help you.

Hey!

Are you all right?

Help me!

Look at you.

There's something wrong

between you and that guy.

We haven't seen each other
for almost 20 years.

Your ex-boyfriend?

Yes.

Go on.

You don't have much about men
to talk to me.

He went abroad to work.

During that time,

his mom asked me to a fine restaurant

and told me

that I didn't deserve him.

I didn't understand what she meant.

I kept wondering why I didn't deserve him.

But now…

I've finally realized it.

I haven't been ready
for both love and writing.

What's this?

A pair of crutches?

With diamonds?

You don't use the webcam that I gave you.

What?

Do you want another knife

to fight with your daughter again?

You're not a kid anymore.
Why are you so childish?

I know that you were wronged.

That's why

I don't move to the States
to live with my son.

I just can't live with him.

You have Lu Yi, but I have nobody.

You have me.

Why do you have

to live with your daughters?

Why don't we move

into a nursing home?

Let's both be the belle

of the nursing home.

I don't think I can do that.

Jin?

There was blood on my stool.

-Really?
-Yes.

How long has it been?

I'm not sure.

Was it bright red or dark red?

I don't know.

You didn't take a closer look?

I was too afraid to do so.

-Have you seen a doctor?
-No.

What? No?

But you have to.

Don't you remember
that old friend of ours?

She had a similar condition to yours.

-She died not long after she saw a doctor.
-Stop it! I don't want to know.

We couldn't get in touch with her.

-What? You…
-But it's serious.

What are you…

Hi, Ru-rong.

Hi, Auntie Jin.

-Listen, Ru-rong, your mom…
-I'll go and get my stuff.

-But you…
-I'll talk to her myself.

-It's an emergency. Come back here.
-Chen Ru-rong!

Listen, Ru-rong…

Come on, Min.

Come with me.

I think they need to talk to each other.

Come on.

Be careful.

YOUR GORGEOUS HOME,
RENTAL: 17,500 DOLLARS

Excuse me.

You don't have to move.

I won't bother you for long.

What now?

Are you getting married again?

You threw a knife at me.

Whatever you do

is none of my business.

Wait, Chen Ru-rong!

-Auntie Jin said something is wrong with…
-I don't want to know.

-Chen Ru-rong!
-Come back here!

Chen Ru-rong!

Whatever.

Jeez!

What's taking you so long, Mom?

Are you pooping?

Tell me when you're done.

Don't try to stand up by yourself.

I think Auntie Jin

tried to tell me something
when we were downstairs.

She seemed weird.

What's wrong?

Did you both have a fight?

Mom?

Mom?

Mom!

Mom!

What is it, Mom?

Don't scare me, Mom!

Are you all right, Mom?

-Hello? Ru-rong?
-What?

Where are you?

Mom fell to the floor in the bathroom.

Blood was all over the toilet.

I'm in the ambulance.

I'm going with her to the hospital.
Come now.

Chen Ru-rong!

What trick are you playing?

Mom!

Don't do that, Mom!

Don't do that, Mom!

REGISTRATION, QUOTATION

Chen Ru-rong! Stop!

You can call me old,

but don’t you dare insult my daughter!

THE SMILING, PROUD WANDERER

She was bleeding because…

Don't worry.

HEMORRHOIDS. HOSPITALIZED FOR ONE DAY

Be careful.

Hey, Chen Ru-rong!

Where are you going?

You're home.

Here, Mei-mei.
I'll get you some dumplings.

There are corn kernels
and cabbages in them.

They're good. Here. Have some.

-Are they good?
-Yes.

Have some baby corn.

Do you want me to peel them?

No. I'll do it. Thank you.

Have some bamboo shoots.

-They're delicious. Here.
-Okay.

And this.

Have some cucumber.

Mei-mei,

the best cucumber in the world.

But it's an eggplant.

No, it's a cucumber.

But when I took it out
from the fridge this morning,

it fell on the ground and bruised,

so it turned purple.

Chen Ru-rong!

What a lame excuse!

I haven't forgiven you yet.

Choose one.

What?

Come on.

Before I change my mind,

pick one for your revenge.

I knew you wouldn't choose the knife.

Is that it?

No apologies?

Don't be too greedy.

I controlled your money

because you made investments too casually.

I always know what I'm doing.

A couple of losses
and you'll remember them for life?

Your mom abandoned you at the market.

You still remember it, don't you?

Hey.

Unhappy things are difficult to forget.

All will be well when you come home.

LUCK IS WITH US

The knife

cuts you some blessings silently

for your dearest

yet furthest person.

RULES OF THE HOUSE

DON'T COME IN WITHOUT KNOCKING, MOM

DON'T THROW LETHAL WEAPONS AT ME, MOM

DON'T FORGET
TO HAVE A CHECKUP REGULARLY, MOM

Sixty-five inches is too big.



Okay.

This will do.

And I haven't seen him since.

You said that you're alone,

so your mom isn't here.

-They spent the night…
-Have some more.

-Have some more.
-Together!

I don't care! Here goes nothing!

I'm definitely going to catch them in bed.

Come out, Yong!

Please.

Ms. Ye on the third floor.

-Okay. No problem.
-Thank you.

I LEFT SOMETHING FOR YOU
IN THE JANITOR'S ROOM

DON'T FORGET TO GET IT

MESSAGE IS READ

What?

Who are you calling?

Listen!

Don't mess with me!

The knife

cuts you surprising gratitude.

CHA'S RENT

Give it to someone
who's afraid of being ignored.

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP

INDUCING RELATIONSHIP
VS. OFFENSIVE RELATIONSHIP

The knife

cuts you inseparable memory.

Hide it in a corner of your heart again.

WHEN I FIRST MET YOU

The knife

cuts you some unique affection.

Hopefully, when you comfort
your wounded enemy.

Min?

Why did Cha break up with me?

And when your wound heals,

you hope you won't be hurt
by the knife again.

EXTERNAL DRIVE CONNECTED

But my dearest,

I'm still worried about you.

The longing for love

will make you restless.

Ready to dedicate your pulsing
and delicate heart

to your next adventure anytime soon.

"The Happy Prince."

I've finally found it.

Mom was fashionable.

She was…

I found it, Mom!

She looked pretty when she was young.

What were you doing in Dad's study?

He hated people scrabbling about
in his study.

But I need the book.

The book?

What's wrong with you?

Look at Jin's chubby face.

Can you teach me English?

I'm going international.

But I don't want to.

You'll embarrass me abroad.

I'll be the world champion, okay?

Champion?

What can you do?

My Chinese is excellent.

Chinese?

Yes.

"The moon is shining by the bed."
What's next?

"I'm with my naked babe."

That's what your dad told me.

Dad was joking around. All right?

What else can you do?

I can cook.

Your mung bean soup…

You added salt because it was too sweet.

My math is excellent.

You know that, don't you?

What are you talking about?

When one of your investments failed,

you lost all our money.

Dad drove us to the beach.

We were almost all over the news.

You're exaggerating. All over the news?

You're likely to be all over the news.

You should worry about Min.

She has been away for half a month.

And we haven't heard from her.

I think you made her upset.

That's why she moved out.

Me?

I made her upset?

You asked that pest for rent.

Don't you remember? It's not my fault.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

It's the 11th time that she's moving back.

Not after only half a month.

The interval is getting shorter.

Why have you made
the house messier than my heart?

Are you waiting for me to clean it up?

No. I've never done that.

What? Again?

This is my room!

This is mine!

Min?

Thank you for the fries.

You're welcome.

I'm here to see what you do every day.

Nobody's allowed to be around
during my livestream.

But I've made an exception

because of you.

Not even Cha.

Territory is important.

I know.

Min?

You're the most bighearted girl
that I've ever met.

Meeting you is the luckiest thing ever.

What can I do?

The big heart compensates
for my small breasts.

I saw you cry

for Cha the other day,

but now,
you look like nothing has happened.

Young girls are incredible.

No.

I'll get any boys that I want.

Why should I worry?

Isn't that what you told me?

Yes.

But falling in love with Cha

is asking for trouble.

He didn't choose me.

I played dirty.

Don't say that, Min.

It's about to begin in three minutes.

I'll go and get the cola.

Can you get the fries ready?

Thank you.

How can you do this to me?

What is it?

YOU LEFT YOUR EARRINGS HERE,
PLEASE BE CAREFUL

SHE'S WORKING TOMORROW,
LET'S CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY

That idiot!

You're going too far!

Going too far?

I'm just doing what you asked me to do.

I'll get any boys that I want.

Remember?

Since I'll get him anyway,

I think I have to do my best.

Min?

You don't actually think you've won,
do you?

I pay his rent.

Yes.

I know.

Your mom broke her leg.

He had to move out.

He can't afford a hotel room.

Don't you know that?

Shut up!

Don't mention my mom!

He is yours!

I don't want him!

Really?

I hope you mean it.

Please keep your promise.

Cha told me that

he chose to keep you company

because he knew I'd forgive him.

Of course I'd forgive him.

But you can't do what I've done.

My livestream is about to begin.

Thank you for your fries.

I can see them as your compensation
for having ruined my birthday.

I'll forgive you.

Bye, Min.

Bye, you b*tch!

Hello, gluttonous babies.

It's mealtime.

We're going to eat

-the most--
-Eat sh*t!

You love someone else's food, don't you?

Eat!

Eat the fries!

Eat my fries!

Are you thirsty? Drink your cola!

Thank you, D-e-n-n-y…

You're as crazy as a loon
when you're driven mad.

Good job!

Everybody is trying to win a game.

Yes, sure.

I want to win when I play a game with you.

Because it's with us.

You can't compete with anybody else.

Let's ask her to apologize to Min.

Apologize for what?

Do you want to eat fries with her?

There's no need to.

It's over.

Hey, you two!

If your dad knew,

he'd show up as a ghost to scare her.

You're driving me mad.

If you go to her now,
you're no different from a ghost.

Can you pull yourself together?

That pest is cheating on you.

I know.

But I'm sober now.

I'm sober.

I just thought

if I gave up easily,

I would lose everything.

HEARTBROKEN

BANK STATEMENTS

Ru-rong?

Are you with me?

Of course.

What if I'm buried in credit card debt?

Then I'll disfigure you

and ask Mom to prost*tute herself
to pay it up.

Great!

Don't worry.

I'm here.

Don't be afraid of anything.

You don't look like yourself.

You…

Something's wrong with your glasses.

What are you talking about?
You're the weird one, not me.

I see.

You're going to write me
into your story, aren't you?

But you're selfish.

You've never shared
your royalties with me.

Don't worry.

My readers have high standards.

Really?

My goodness!

He's so handsome.

It smells of him.

I love it.

His bed…

Gosh!

So tidy and clean!

Aren't these…

These…

Aren't these my dad's shorts?

With holes?

How's that possible?

Ru-rong?

Ru-rong!

Ru-rong!

Listen, I think the meshy
and binding type suits you…

What?

What was that?

I mean, I've fed

your pet dog and cat.

I'll water your flowers later.

Thank you.

You're with a girl?

No. I'm watching television.

Listen.

No!

Japanese?

Aren't you in Hanoi?

Yes.

I'm watching NHK.

Since I met you,

I've become paranoid.

Are you

jealous?

Me?

Jealous?

I think I'm out of my mind.

Ru-rong,

actually I'm…

Nothing.

When I'm back in Taiwan,

I have something to tell you.

Okay.

What's wrong?

It looks like you're in a bad mood.

They rejected my manuscript again.

I'm too tired to write anything.

Listen.

There are only two kinds
of tragedy in life.

One is that you can't get what you want.

The other one is that

you've got what you want.

You have to believe

that someone is going to be saved

by one of your novels.

Just like

the statue in The Happy Prince.

He shared the jewels on him

to save those in need.

Do you know that he ended up

being thrown into a furnace to be melted?

I think that in a good novel,

someone has to be sacrificed.

I'm going to eat with my colleagues.

Don't forget to eat.

Wait for me to go home.

By the way,

my storeroom is a mess.

I locked it up.

Don't open it.

Bye.

Bye.

ADAPTED FROM CHEN MING-MIN'S NOVEL