01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music playing]

[Miao] When I feel lonely,
I always listen to pop songs.

Songwriting must be
a fascinating process, I think.

Will that feeling last
if I'm part of the process?

Never mind.

Just like one
of my favorite lyrics...

Whether you get it or not,

the earth keeps turning
every day.

No one can escape growing up.

[sighs]

[Peizu] To begin with,
we agreed I'd produce his music,

and you'd handle the release.

Wasn't that your idea?

Yujie wants to write
his own songs.

-[Dazhong] I respect that.
-[Peizu] Your words, not mine.

You can't do this just because

-you didn't win a Golden Melody Award.
-[laughs]

-What's so funny?
-Do I need this?

Yeah, I'm curious. Do you?

He's your artist.
You talk to him.

-But you agreed to this.
-Ask him yourself.

So you're not even
going to talk?

You're not even going to listen?

Don't give me that look.

Chen Yujie!

-You again?
-[scoffs]

She's the new assistant.

Seriously?

Yep.

[jazz music playing]

[Tai]
Congrats on getting the job!

This is your first day.

Find Mr. Chen at the market
and buy some seafood.

[Miao] So I'm not working
in the office?

[Tai] Rule number one
for Hito assistants...

grocery shopping comes first.

Good ingredients
keep the boss happy.

Producers work with people
before they work with music.

Only then comes the music.

Go. Your first mission
is waiting at the market.

[upbeat music playing]

[Miao] Hey.

[both] We need to talk.

[laughs]

You go first.

We're sending Ken the new single
from Paper Planes.

Want to write him a note?

[dramatic music playing]

Oh.

Yeah, definitely.

Ken was a founding member
of Paper Planes.

We have to rub it in.

What did you want to say?

Me?

Uh... never mind.

It's nothing.

Yeah, it's nothing...

Really, it's nothing.

Okay, what was it?

No, it's nothing important.

Then give me Baby.

Oh, sure...

What did you want to say?

-Nothing.
-You're acting weird.

Ken asked you
to look after Miaojun.

What are you thinking?

[Tai] This is the boss's office.

Basically, don't touch anything
on the desk or in here.

Except the ashtray on the desk.

Empty it every morning
when you arrive.

-Okay.
-Vacuum the floor every day,

and feed the fish every morning.

This is your workstation.

Listen to the demos first.

After filtering out
the bad ones,

send the rest to the boss.

This whiteboard
is the boss's schedule.

[whimsical music playing]

Here are some music references.

Read them when you have time.

The boss likes people
who know their stuff.

-Okay.
-Good luck.

Smells great.

I'm heading up
to the studio, okay?

Check Alex's vocals
from last week.

Okay. Got it.

[Lixuan] ♪ Hoping that ♪

♪ My other half ♪

♪ Will simply remember ♪

♪ My name... ♪

♪ My name... ♪

♪ My name... ♪

LITTLE THINGS - HU LIXUAN

How was it?
Do you like it, girl?

I love it.

It's sweet,
and the visuals are beautiful.

You'll fall for him
after watching the MV.

You'll fall for him...

Because he's handsome.
That's why you'll fall for him.

Would you fall for, say,
an older singer?

I make sweet stuff
like this too.

-Too bad neither of you is my type.
-Really?

Then who is?

FUTURE YOU - CHEN YUJIE

What about the marketing?
Any ideas?

Maybe make it the theme song
for a TV drama.

Or promote it online.
Like on Yam.com.

I check their entertainment news
all the time.

How's that sound?

The new assistant's
pretty good, huh?

Yeah, and she dresses well too.

It's from her previous job.

What did she do?

She was an insurance agent.

Hey, swap business cards
with her. [laughs]

What's Qin Dazhong's story?

The budget's huge.

The album's
about to be released,

and now you want
to change the A&R?

[Cai] I built Lixuan's image as
a handsome, eligible bachelor.

But if rumors keep spreading
that he's secretly dating Xuannie,

I might as well play along.

-Who's Xuannie?
-[Cai] At tomorrow's taping,

-address the rumors.
-The girl in the MV.

-Say they like each other.
-She's with our company.

-You know what to say.
-What should I do?

Like this?

There's no chemistry anyway.

Chemistry doesn't matter.

It's all about
the celebrity image.

Does Hu Lixuan agree?

I'll talk him into it.

Yeah, do that.

You two work it out.

Also, I checked with the host.

She won't ask
about you and Yujie.

[Peizu] I don't need you
worrying about that.

Good.

I just don't want you
stealing our headlines.

More like Lixuan
will steal mine.

What do you have?

I'm getting married again
next week.

Getting married again?

To who?

You'll know
when you get the invitation.

Write this down.

Order the invitations.

-[Cai] Write this down.
-[Peizu] I want pink ones.

For tomorrow's show,
two key points.

Two swans on the cover.

-MV debut and the album...
-"Wu Peizu" in big gold letters.

-Pre-orders start now.
-Make it stand out.

-Wu Peizu, shut up!
-Wu's second marriage.

Don't write that down.

Then two weeks of promotions.

Official press conference
on the 23rd.

Lixuan will sing live,
then a fan signing.

Meeting adjourned.
Thanks, everyone.

Wait, sing live?

-Yeah.
-Tai, prep the backing track.

Backing vocals at 30%.

[Cai] No backing vocals!

Thanks, everyone. Get packing.

I'm heading out.

I'll send a car for Peizu
and Lixuan tomorrow.

The driver will call to
confirm the time. Thanks.

-Bye.
-[Peizu] Stay for a drink.

Juan...

Juan!

You thought he was serious?

-Yeah, I did.
-[laughs]

Hey, Tai.

Ms. Cai said Xuannie
isn't Lixuan's type.

Then why spread that rumor?
And say they're into each other?

Juan, she's good at this.
I'm sure she has a plan.

Plans change
with whatever's trending.

That's what A&R does.

What's A&R?

A&R is all about
shaping a singer

into a marketable image.

It also defines
their musical direction.

So what does A&R stand for?

A is for "Artist,"

and R is for...

Good question.
What does the R mean?

[telephone rings]

Go on, answer it.

-Hello.
-[paparazzi] Is this Hito?

Yes, it is.

[paparazzi] Oh,
I don't recognize your voice.

Yeah, it's my first day.

[paparazzi] Do you have the
producer's and Hu Lixuan's schedule?

-Do you have it?
-Are you asking about tomorrow's schedule?

-[paparazzi] Yes.
-Okay.

[paparazzi] I need to know
where to pick up Lixuan.

Just a moment...

Eight o'clock at Lijing.

[paparazzi] Eight o'clock
at Lijing Palace in Neihu?

Yes, that's right.

[paparazzi] Great. Thank you.

You're welcome.

[paparazzi] No problem. Bye.

-Bye.
-Thank you.

[soft dramatic music playing]

[upbeat music playing]

Excuse me.

Has the album I ordered
arrived yet?

[staff] Yours?

No.

[Tian] But you said
it'd be here this week.

[staff] It hasn't come in yet.

Feel free to try another store.

Hey, Tian.

The CDs are here.

[singer singing in Mandarin]

Cover for me.

[singer singing in Mandarin]

Two hundred.

[singer singing in Mandarin]

"Sunny Day Doll"
by Paper Planes.

[Miao] This CD, please.

[staff] Three hundred.

[Miao] Thanks.

[Miao] Let's send our latest
single to Ken in the States.

[Tian] Okay.

So, how's work at Hito?

[Miao]
Peizu's as difficult as ever.

Awei and Hacker
are enlisting soon, right?

There's a commercial gig
in the works.

I've got to get you guys
back onstage.

Seriously?

Where?

At a new pub.

They really love our new song,

so they reached out to me.

Are we doing
the original version?

I'd love to.

You know,

our last show depends on you.

Awei and Hacker
are enlisting soon.

Ningning's going abroad.

You've got your job,

so Paper Planes is all on me.

That's such a lame excuse.

It's because you skipped
too many classes.

The professor's
watching you now.

Study hard this semester.
Quit putting off graduation.

You're wasting taxpayers' money.

Relax. It's only four credits.

Hop on.

Scoot over.

-There's no room.
-That's because of what you're wearing.

Hang on.

Let's get some shaved ice.

There's always
a long line there.

[soft upbeat music playing]

[Jian]
Don't you have work later?

[Lixuan] Mm-hmm.

And you're still playing games?

Just a few more minutes.

Here.

Thanks.

Hey.

Tsk.

You're going to be late.

I'm heading out.

Be careful.

[Jian] Bye.

[kisses]

-[Lixuan] You're so forgetful.
-It slipped my mind.

-Put it in my bag, okay?
-[Lixuan] Sure.

-Thanks.
-[Lixuan] Be careful.

[rapid camera shutters]

-[Jian] Bye.
-[Lixuan] Bye.

-[Jian] Don't be late.
-[Lixuan] Okay.

[fans] Here he comes!

[loud screaming and cheering]

Lixuan, wait!

[fans] The Ballad Prince,
Hu Lixuan!

-[Cai] Thank you.
-[fans] One of a kind!

Hu Lixuan!

HU LIXUAN
THE BALLAD PRINCE

[Cai] Oh, miss.

Thank you.

[fans] ♪ We're all just ♪

♪ Tiny lives
before the end of days ♪

♪ Even tears can run dry... ♪

[jazz music playing]

The host's here.
She's in makeup.

Okay. Hey,

grab me a coffee later.

-Hey.
-Hi, Juan.

The paparazzi got photos
of Lixuan and Jian.

-What kind?
-Kissing.

Probably fake. Just clickbait.

But they even found
their Lijing address,

and Jian's full name.

Tell Dazhong to handle it.

He tried. It didn't work.

Tell them if they run it,

they'll never get
another exclusive.

This g*y rumor is too big.

They'll run it anyway.

They definitely will.

[Peizu] Help me choose.
Which one's better?

-Just wear this one.
-It's from an old collection.

I don't care!
Who cares what you're wearing?

Just help me out.

[Lixuan] Hi, Peizu.

[Peizu] Hey, handsome.

Come here, hotshot.

The fans were going crazy
downstairs.

We should've hired
more security.

If the album's a hit,
I'll hire a hundred, okay?

Who's this?

Our new assistant.

Always getting
a new assistant...

Nice to meet you. I'm Hu Lixuan.

-Liao Miaojun.
-[staff] We're ready to roll.

Hey, stop flirting.

Let's go.

[man] Five, four, three, two...

ENTERTAINMENT FRONTLINE.

Hello, everyone.
Welcome back to the show.

Today's a big day.

Joining us
are two special guests.

Award-winning producer Wu Peizu,

and our Ballad Prince,
Hu Lixuan.

FEATURE: HU LIXUAN'S NEW ALBUM
"TRIVIAL LIKE SESAME"

Welcome, you two.

-Hello.
-Hi, Matilda.

We're so excited
about your new album,

called "Trivial Like Sesame".

Could you tell us more about...

[paparazzi] Eight o'clock
at Lijing Palace in Neihu?

Yes, that's right.

RECORDING IN PROGRESS
CLOSE DOOR GENTLY

Hi, is this
the rental car company?

I'm calling from Hito.

[woman] Yes, it is.

Could you tell me

who contacted you today?

[woman] Let me check.

It was your driver, Mr. Chen.

And there was only one call?

[woman]
Yes, you're a regular client.

So we only made
one confirmation call.

I see.

Thank you.

But more importantly,
our director's a huge fan,

and so are all
the young women watching...

Lixuan,

are you seeing anyone right now?

Yeah, are you?

Are you seeing anyone?

Here's the first clue...

Xuannie from your label...
Is something going on?

We're just really good friends.

Oh.

That's it?

Such a textbook answer.

Matilda, don't look at me
like that.

Your manager's glaring at me.

[Matilda] No, actually...

-Uh...
-[Matilda] Let me rephrase that

-and broaden the question.
-Sorry.

[Matilda] So, is there anyone
now, or will there be?

Oh, man.

I really don't know
how to answer that...

[Matilda laughs]

-What do you think?
-As for me,

I just think Lixuan...

he's really the kind of singer
who's full of warmth.

Or rather,
I'd say he's very genuine.

That's a better word.

He's a genuinely sincere guy.

What I see in him

is the most genuine part
of who he is.

It has nothing to do with

him being the Ballad Prince.

That's the quality
that made me like him so much.

Did you just confess?
You said, "I like him so much".

Oh no, did it sound like that?

[Matilda] It did.
Should we play that back?

[Peizu] Well, let me tell you,

it's those beautiful eyes
of his...

[Cai] According to Dazhong,

the paparazzi said
the rumor came from Hito.

Tell Qin Dazhong
to watch what he says.

The rumor came from Hito?

That's ridiculous!

Who at Hito would say that?

There are only
three people at Hito.

-Liao Miaojun!
-I'm not naming names.

-My glasses!
-I don't know who said it.

-I'm telling you as a friend.
-[Peizu] Then tell him

not to pin everything on us.

-Fine. Let's ask her.
-What's that supposed to mean?

Did the paparazzi call you?

-I'm not accusing anyone.
-Oh, really?

[Cai] I'm not blaming anyone.
I just want to fix this.

[Peizu] We can put
everything on hold,

wait for this to blow over,
then release the album.

[Cai] Put what on hold?

The album drops in four days.

The ads are already running.
What can we stop?

That would just be...
throwing all that money away.

Putting it on hold
isn't an option.

I'll draft a statement first,
denying everything.

We'll just say
Jian's a fellow musician,

they got drunk,
and things got out of hand.

-It's no big deal.
-No big deal? Are you serious?

[Cai] I agree.
Hold a press conference,

but Jian will have to make
a public statement

saying he was drunk
and things got out of hand.

Then let the paparazzi
photograph you out with Xuannie.

Holding hands, kissing... Whatever
it takes. As long as it buries this story.

Fine.
I'll date whoever you want,

but leave Jian out of it.

[Cai] Don't tell me
what I should or shouldn't do.

If this gets out,
do you realize what it'll cost?

You have three endorsements,


not to mention
TV and radio shows,

fan signings, concerts...

We've already spent the money.
Can you pay it back?

So I have to sell my soul?

Lixuan...

[Cai] I'll go check on him.

Yeah?

The other day, I was waiting
for the rental car company to call,

when a girl called instead.

She said she'd never heard
my voice before.

I told her it was my first day

and asked if she was calling
to confirm the schedule.

-She said yes.
-Hey.

I'm responsible too.

-I didn't train her well.
-Wait.

Go on.

Then she asked
where to send the car.

I saw "Lijing" on the schedule.

I didn't know what Lijing was.

Do you know?

It's the building
where Hu Lixuan lives.

So you did know.

Then the driver called again.

I thought they were
pretty careless,

having to confirm
the schedule twice...

Yeah, those drivers
are so careless.

Calling again after
it was already confirmed.

Are they idiots?

I'm really sorry.

Is there anything
I can do to make it right?

[Peizu] Yeah, there is.

Pay Classic Records back
for the promotion.

Can you afford that? Huh?

But in today's interview,

you said you wanted people
to love Hu Lixuan for who he is.

Now, you're forcing him
to do something he hates.

It's impossible for him to just
be himself.

Hu Lixuan
isn't just a person, okay?

He's a brand
owned by the company.

"Lixuan" isn't even his real
name. What's his real name again?

-Hu Shuo.
-Hu what?

Oh, right. Hu Shuo. A lot of people
depend on him for their livelihood.

They could all lose their jobs.
Do you understand that?

[dramatic music playing]

Can you hire them all?

Hu Lixuan is an idol
and a symbol to his fans.

Once that illusion shatters,

they'll do everything they can
to tear him down.

Know why?

Just so they won't feel
like complete idiots.

Like total fools.

But he didn't do anything wrong.
Why can't people accept him as he is?

He doesn't get a choice!

Every choice comes with a price.
He chose to be an idol.

This is the price!

Pack your things and get out.

Hey, do you have to?

Go downstairs. I'll be fine.

[elevator bell dings]

Hey.

-You're back.
-Guess what?

I bought two tickets
to Coachella.

After that,
we can visit David's winery.

What do you think?

[Jian] Have you eaten?

I made red bean soup.

Radiohead's playing too.

You're a huge fan, right?

[soft dramatic music playing]

Ms. Cai called you, didn't she?

Looks like I'll be
making the headlines.

Don't worry.
I'll do what she says

and talk to the press.

Eat.

Ms. Cai said you're planning to
stage rumors with Xuannie instead.

Just to divert attention, so
the reporters leave you alone.

What about the next album?

Are you going
to officially date her,

then dump her
and find another girl to use?

What's wrong?

Can't you put yourself
in my shoes?

Did you ever think about
Xuannie's feelings?

What if she really likes you?

I'm trying to protect you.

Hu Lixuan!

You're only protecting yourself.

[dramatic music playing]

[Jian] Whatever.

Do whatever you want.

Hey, hey, hey...

Tell me what you want me to do.

I don't want you to do anything.

Your mom called this afternoon.

She asked
about next week's checkup.

But I have rehearsal
next Friday.

Make time for her, okay?

[Wan Fang] Wednesday after Work.

Welcome to iWalking,
weekdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

I'm your host, Wan Fang.

That was the title track
from Hu Lixuan's latest album,

"Trivial Like Sesame".

To everyone else, a
relationship may seem trivial,

but to the people in it,
it means everything.

A celebrity's love life...

to the audience and the public,

it's just another piece
of gossip.

But do you know?
To the person involved,

it's an important part of life.

I wish Hu Lixuan all the best.

[train going by]

[dramatic music playing]

[Peizu]
Every choice has a price.

He chose to be an idol.
This is the price.

So I have to sell my soul?

FUTURE YOU - CHEN YUJIE

Whoa.

You didn't go to work today?

No.

[Tian] Have you eaten?

No.

I'll make something.

Want some?

Yeah.

[Tian] So, how's work?

I got fired.

[Tian] What? Why?

I did something really stupid.

I ruined someone's life.

Somebody died?

No, nobody actually died.

Then it's okay.

Nothing's worse than dying.
If nobody died, you'll be fine.

No, I'm not.

I may have ruined
someone's life.

I'm screwed.

Come on, Liao Miaojun.

No one but themselves
can ruin their own life.

Got it?

Just figure out
what kind of life you want.

Being true to yourself
is what matters most.

[dramatic music playing]

You're right.
I'm going to find Hu Lixuan.

Take care of Baby.

Hey.

What about the eggs?

[door opens]

[door closes]

[vehicles honking]

DIVORCE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Do you really have to sign it
right in front of me?

Makes it feel more real.

You can remember this moment
next time you have to act.

[Manan] You've put this off
for long enough.

Now you're signing it
for Hu Lixuan.

How's the food?
Still taste the same?

Yeah.

[Peizu] Come by anytime.
I'll cook for you.

Depends what you're making.

Name it,
and I'll cook it for you.

Just make a reservation.

I'm worried
you'll be fully booked.

There'll always be a seat
for you.

I'm heading out.

Hey.

Bye.

ARTIST SCHEDULE SHEET

Why are you still here?

Do we owe you money?

What happened to Hu Lixuan...
was my fault.

I want to help.

How?

Let me apologize to him.

If that's all,
you can leave now.

Hello, Mr. Chen.

Long time no see.

How have you been?
Still playing golf?

Let's have dinner sometime.

Here's the thing... It's
about our artist, Hu Lixuan.

Actually, I have
a tip for you too.

[elevator dings]

[doorbell dings]

[continue dinging]

[continue dinging]

Hi.

I'm so sorry.

I'm the one
who leaked the address.

I know you don't want to see me,

but there's something
I need to tell you.

I listened
to "Trivial Like Sesame".

You think it's unfair,
don't you?

[dramatic music playing]

I've been with him
for ten years,

but we've never had
any legal status.

You know,
Jian was in a car accident once.

Because I wasn't "family,"
I couldn't sign

any paperwork for him.

Because this society...

refuses to acknowledge us.

Maybe you could
just tell everyone...

I have a contract.

Ballad fans
expect a certain image.

I have to fit that exact image.

But...

After I found out
about you and Jian,

it's like...

Like what?

Like my love for you
grew even deeper.

Because what I see now

isn't just the image
I had of you.

But a real person,

somehow... makes me feel

even closer to you.

Whenever you sing
those love songs,

you're always thinking about
the same person.

You can't make that love public.

When I think about that,

I know you truly deserve
to be called the Ballad Prince.

How about this headline?

Hu Lixuan Caught
Kissing Another Man!

Don't let that crap
ruin your life.

Thank you.

Hi, Peizu.

[Peizu] Have a seat.

I'm making sesame soup.

How's Jian?

He's okay.

Everything's been settled.

It'll all be over soon.

Um... Peizu, what if...

I just go public
about Jian and me?

What do you think?

You want to go public?

It has nothing to do with her.

I really want to know
what you think.

It's not about what I think.

It's about
every decision you make

and the consequences
that come with it.

[piano music playing]

If you go public,

you have to be ready
for whatever comes next.

It's your life. Your decision.

Not mine.

Not your fans'.

In the end, the choice is yours.

I understand.

If I end up broke,
will you feed me?

Come on. We've got food.

I cook every day.

All that work for nothing...

Well, maybe it was time anyway.

Hey, did you really fire her?

She's a good kid.

[chuckles]

Sesame soup?

You're welcome.

Thanks.

[light laughter]

[door opens]

[door closes]

You're back.

Did you buy all this?

A care package
from my assistant.

I found it on the floor.

Come help me, then.

Come.

Grab me some fruit.

[indistinct chatter]

[phone ringing]

-Hey.
-[Peizu] Where are you?

Peizu, I'm downstairs.
Why are there so many reporters?

[Peizu] Can you grab something
from the market?

Call me when you get there.

[indistinct chatter]

WU PEIZU AND WEN MANAN DIVORCE!

-[Madame] Help yourself.
-[Miao] Oh, okay.

THE END OF
A SEVEN-YEAR RELATIONSHIP

[Miao] Who knew you could
fight gossip with gossip?

Yep.

If Hu Lixuan can explain himself
to the public,

there's only so much news
each day.

If there isn't any,
they'll make some up.

Keep the papers away.
Don't let the boss see them.

-Oh.
-Huh.

[host] Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to Hu Lixuan's
album release event!

You all look so excited.

This album
is Lixuan's first new album

in four long years.

I know you've all been waiting.
Am I right?

Give yourselves a hand.

[host] Now let's hear it
for the Ballad Prince...

-Hu Lixuan!
-[cheers]

It's great to see you.

Wow, isn't he handsome?

HU LIXUAN ALBUM RELEASE
PRESS CONFERENCE

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I've caused everyone trouble
because of...

my personal life.

[fans] We love you!

I've been singing love songs
for many years,

yet I've neglected
my own love life...

-[fan 1] You're the best!
-[fan 2] Lixuan, you're the best!

I feel like a fraud.

[fans] No, you're not!

[overlapping yells]

Another thousand albums sold.

With this song,

I hope you'll see the real me.

I'd also like to thank
Mr. Wu Peizu,

the producer of this album,
and the angel by his side.

They helped me realize

I'm just an ordinary person
who wants...

to live an ordinary life.

Thank you, everyone.

[fans] You got this!

[Lixuan] This song is for you,
"Trivial Like Sesame".

[fans cheering]

[soft piano playing]

♪ Can I just be... ♪

♪ An ordinary person? ♪

♪ Can I just be... ♪

♪ Someone in the crowd? ♪

♪ Can I just have... ♪

♪ Someone to love ♪

♪ To eat with, talk to,
And hold close? ♪

♪ I guess we all keep longing ♪

♪ For something different ♪

♪ That will never change ♪

Jian.

-Come dance with me.
-What's this about?

Come on.

[fans cheering]

-What's this about?
-Just dance with me.

♪ We're all just ♪

♪ Insignificant
Before doomsday ♪

♪ Tears may run dry,
But they can't undo ♪

♪ The past that's gone ♪

[Cai] What's happening?

[Lixuan] ♪ When booze, smoke,
And love songs fade away ♪

♪ They shatter the illusions
I clung to every day ♪

♪ We're all just ♪

♪ Tiny specks in this universe ♪

♪ Yet we refuse to give up ♪

♪ And keep fighting ♪

♪ To live with all our might ♪

♪ We share our dreams,
Our love ♪

♪ And our fleeting memories ♪

♪ Hoping ♪

♪ Someone will remember ♪

♪ My name... ♪

♪ My name... ♪

♪ My name... ♪

[fans cheering]

BALLAD PRINCE, HU LIXUAN

[soft music playing]

[song continues playing]

[Wan Fang] The beloved
Ballad Prince Hu Lixuan

boldly let go
of his sweet image.

He gave up the halo
others gave him

and chose to be true to himself.

It came at a price,
but one he gladly paid.

What about you,
listening by the radio?

Are you living
as your true self?

[dog barking]

[Maio's mom] Mom's sending
you zongzi for Dragon Boat Festival.

[Miao] Sure. Thanks, Mom.

[Maio's mom]
Is being a reporter hard?

Don't stay up too late.
It's bad for your health.

I won't. Don't worry.

[Maio's mom]
Are you enjoying it?

I like it.

[Maio's mom]
That's good to hear.

Hey, Mom.

I have to go. Talk to you later.

-[Maio's mom] Sure. Go ahead.
-[Miao] Okay. Bye.

Hey.

What?

About the pub gig...

We really can't sing
the original version?

The client wants
the official version.

But you can insist
on doing the original.

Just try the official version.
It sounds good too.

But I just want to sing
the original.

[Miao] Just give it a shot.
The pay's pretty good.

Please?

[sighs]

How's everyone?

[fans] Good!

[cheers and applause]

Not so great for us.

[fans] Why?

I've got an announcement.

Our guitarist and bassist
are leaving the band.

They're enlisting.

Our keyboardist, Ningning...

Ningning, I love you!

Excuse me, young lady.

She's too smart.
She's studying abroad.

So let's give her
a round of applause!

And our drummer, Danny...

You're good, right?

So I'm the only one left.

Because you can't graduate.

Yeah, my grades suck.

But you cheated to pass.
That's even worse.

Today means a lot
to our band, Paper Planes.

This is our last show together.

So this final song
goes out to all of you.

"Sunny Day Doll".

Let's do it!

[fans cheering]

[soft piano intro playing]

♪ The sky outside
The window is gray ♪

♪ And you look worn out ♪

♪ Day after day,
You keep running ♪

♪ But I still can't
Take flight ♪

♪ I blindly believed ♪

♪ The world could change ♪

♪ I boldly drew a smile ♪

[dramatic music sting]

Tian, what are you doing?

Keep singing.

[tense dramatic music playing]

[band music continues]

[crowd murmuring]

[Miao] Don't stop.

[soft upbeat music playing]

[credits music playing]

[singer singing in Mandarin]