01x23 - Episode 23

[bunniefuu]

Why do you try so hard to smile?

Do you put that much
effort into everything?

Even when breaking up?

[Episode 23]
[How Lucky There's You, and Us]

Ruan.

We're sending you to your alma mater,
Baidao University, for a presentation.

This is also part of
your pre-return duties.

Yes, Manager Wang.

Good. We're here. Let's get out.

- Hello.
- Welcome.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Not at all. Thanks for
coming out in this heat.

- Good. Let's go.
- It's been a while.

Xie Yu!

When I first saw the speaker list, I
wondered if it was the Ruan Si Xian I knew.

But I doubt anyone else has your name.
So I figured it was you.

I didn't recognize you among the students.

I thought you were
some kind of student rep.

I wasn't sure it was you
in that uniform either.

How does it feel to be back here?

Nervous.

What are you nervous about?

You can fly a plane.
Surely you can handle this.

That's different.

Then we'll do it the old way.
I'll back you up from below.

Kids these days know so much.

I'm afraid I'll mess up
and be met with total silence.

Then you've got nothing to worry about.

They're all from your own school.
I've already put in a good word for you.

It still tastes the same.

I said I'd treat you to a big meal,
and this is what you picked?

Back in college, this was a big meal.

Back then, every week after the drama club
was over, you'd bring us here to eat.

I remember Nana and I looked forward
to drama club every week.

You weren't just waiting for this meal,
were you?

Of course. This food is
what youth tastes like.

You really have changed
a lot, Ruan Si Xian.

How's it over there?
Is there a captain with the surname Yue?

You mean Yue Yang?

He's kind of my instructor.

When he was here for the presentation,
he even singled you out and praised you.

He said you improved fast and adapted well.

That's nothing.

I just want to do
everything I set out to do.

And about that Hengshi Air Mayday incident,
I saw all of it on the news.

The captain passed out,
and then you hit that brutal thunderstorm.

A hundred-odd lives on that plane were
in your hands. That was really dangerous.

When Hengshi Air 5123 finally landed,
you were basically the pride of our school.

I'm proud of you too.

You even remembered the flight number.

You're still as amazing as ever.
You never forget a thing.

I'm not really amazing.

I just care a little more.

I... I just meant...

Are pilots usually pretty busy at work?

What do you do after work?

We don't do much.

We have dinner, hang out,
then go home to sleep.

I thought you had a wide social circle
and dealt with all kinds of people.

No.

Our circle is actually pretty small.

You're a college professor.
We should be about the same.

So...

Are you seeing anyone now?

- No.
- So...

You don't have the headspace for dating?

Right now, all I care
about is flying again.

Nothing else is on my mind.

Ruan.

I've kept up with you all these years.

I regret missing out on someone so
wonderful back when we were in school.

I keep wondering.

You are brilliant,
confident, and independent.

But

do you still need someone by your side
to take care of you?

Do you need someone to offer you a shoulder
and be there for you?

I may not be anything special,
but I think at least...

when you're sick, I can buy you medicine.

On your birthday, I can bring you cake.

When you're in danger,
I can protect you, no questions asked.

I don't know
if you'd be willing to give me a chance.

Listen.

I really appreciate it.

But the truth is,
I'm already in love with someone.

I see.

I don't want any regrets.

I don't know
if I could get a chance to catch up.

To be honest,

back in college, I really
had feelings for you.

But lately, I've been
running from some things.

And it's exactly because of
what you just said to me

that I'm even more certain of
how much I cherish the one I truly love.

I have it figured out now.

The truth is, I can't live without him.

I'm sorry.

Let's move on.

Eat your noodles.

[Together, We'll Meet Above the Clouds]

That's how I became a pilot at Hengshi Air.

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you, Ms. Ruan, for that great speech.

Now we'll open the floor to questions.

Any questions? Please raise your hand.

Yes, you.

Ms. Ruan, how did you feel
the first time you flew a plane solo?

Has anyone here taken the driving test?

Quite a few.

Flying a plane for the first time
is like driving for the first time.

You'll get nervous.

But even more than that, you're excited.

Of course, flying a plane
is, after all, up in the sky.

That feeling just gets amplified.

The first time we fly a plane
is called a first solo flight.

It's a milestone.

From then on,
flight students are qualified to fly solo.

It's like getting a driver's license.

When it was my turn, my seniors
would pat me on the shoulder and say,

"Fly well. You've got this.
We'll be waiting for you on the ground."

Such simple words,
but every time I flew, I'd think of them.

Flying itself is easy,
but the journey is amazing.

The first time I flew solo, up in the sky,
I was greedy.

I always felt the flight was too short.

It was like being alone with the one I
loved. There were just the two of us.

I couldn't get enough.

That's when I realized I had fallen
in love with the sky.

And after our first solo flight,
there's always a ritual.

Ice water.

- Ice water?
- Really, ice water?

My seniors didn't spare me either.

A bucket of ice water
soaked me head to toe.

So that's what they meant
by waiting for me on the ground.

Then why ice water?

Good question. I asked that too.

My seniors told me it's easy to get
a big head after the first solo flight.

After all, you're up in the sky.

Ice water is a celebration and a reminder

that we should always stay clear-headed,
and never get carried away.

Now I declare

the plan for flight-quality reform
officially approved.

Starting September 30, 2025,
the plan goes into effect.

Great!

I have some good news.
Mr. Fu's reforms got approved!

Come on, share it. Come on.

Like, comment, and post.

The reforms put an end to a 20-year
practice of managing through punishment.

Now we have a healthier and safer
environment. Who wouldn't be excited?

Mr. Fu's reforms got approved!

- That's great!
- That's great!

Let's give this young
lady a chance. Go ahead.

Thank you.

I'd like to ask Ms. Ruan a question.

What advantages do women have
when learning to fly?

Women don't have any advantages.

Not only do women not have any,
men don't, either.

When it comes to flying,
there may be some personal advantages.

For example, academically strong students
may find the theory classes a little easier.

But in flight training,
you can't rely on those advantages.

We have to set aside everything we're
proud of and stay grounded and humble.

After all, flying is about safety.
There is no room for arrogance.

Thank you.

Ms. Ruan.
I've been following you for a long time.

You have a lot of followers online.

You get mostly comments like "beautiful,"
"handsome," and "gorgeous pilot."

But as far as I know, airlines
spend a lot of money training pilots.

So they're very cautious
about hiring female pilots.

Do you think you got your offer
because of your skills, or your looks?

- Why is this guy talking like that?
- Yeah. That's so out of line.

What's going on?

That really is a mixed bag of a question.

First,

I'm very grateful
for everyone's compliments about my looks.

But honestly, I haven't
done much to earn that.

What I have worked hardest on is flying.

It really wasn't easy.

Any other questions out there?

Okay, you there.

Ms. Ruan, I have a question.

Pilots work such exhausting hours,
and the pressure is intense.

So I'd like to know if you're married.

And I'd also like to ask
how female pilots balance work and family?

I can tell you're single.

You haven't been through the wringer
of love yet.

I'm single too.

So I don't have to balance work and family.

If this were the old me,
I might have asked you back.

"Why not ask male pilots
how they balance work and family?"

But today, I actually want
to share something with you.

It's about a female captain
and how she balances work and family.

This female captain
was my flight instructor.

There are promotion
requirements for us pilots.

To become a first officer,
you need 300 flight hours.

Then, you need 3,000 flight hours

before you're eligible
for the captain's promotion exam.

After becoming captain,
you must safely log another 3,000 hours.

Then you can take the instructor exam.

So she already has
years of flying experience.

Her spouse is also a captain.

In our industry,
we call that a dual-pilot family.

They have a very cute
daughter in kindergarten.

Usually, one of them will leave
work to care for the family full-time.

Most of the time, it's
the woman who does it.

But she didn't.

She sent her child to full-time daycare.

She only brings the girl home to spend time
with her when she's off.

She told me that

when she's worn out from flying,
she'll skip picking up her child sometimes.

Because only when she's well-rested

can she show up at
her best for her flights.

So is there balance?

Maybe a little.

But more than that, it's about sacrifice.

It's actually the same for everyone
with work and school.

If you're preparing for grad school
or the civil service exam,

you have to give up
some leisure and rest time.

And she put most of her energy
into her flying career.

I remember my mentor once told me this.

She said, "Si Xian, do you know?

We should treat the passengers behind us
as our elders and siblings.

This flight might take them to family,

to friends, to dreams, and to love.

We have to get every passenger safely
to their destination.

This is our highest calling as pilots."

Go ahead. Everyone. Come on.

- You've all worked hard.
- Thank you.

You've been working hard.

Let's save the formalities. Mr. Yu.

You've all worked hard. I'd like to thank
all of you for your support and trust.

Come on.

Keep it up.

- Thank you.
- I'll head over there first.

- Okay. Go ahead.
- Okay.

- I won't be drinking tonight.
- Thanks for all your hard work.

- Sure. Okay.
- Come on.

Sure.

Okay. Excuse us for a moment.

You think you're so capable?

No.

I'm only doing this to
keep up with the times.

That's where things are headed.

Don't you think the cost is a bit high?

Dad.

Do you remember what
I said a few years ago?

Reform would inevitably bring pain
and also sacrifice.

If I have to pay that price,

and if paying that price leads to
a better future for Hengshi, I'm willing.

Ming Yu.

You used to try so hard to look the part.

But now, you really have changed.

Back then, you cut staff
and scrapped the Soar Initiative.

To the other board members and me,
all those seemed a bit immature.

They even seemed a little arrogant.

But I just like that drive of yours.

Actually, I've been wanting
to tell you this for a while.

I'm getting old.

The men who made their way in the world
with me are getting old too.

From here on out,

whether it's Hengshi Air
or the aviation industry as a whole,

it'll all depend on young people like you.

There's something I need to say,
and you can't let it go to your head.

When you joined Hengshi
after coming back home,

I had a lot of faith in you.

And now,

you really have done
everything I hoped for.

So,

I've believed in you all along.

I knew you could do it.

- Mr. Fu.
- Hello.

Congratulations on the reforms.

You've worked hard.

I've been watching this stream for a while.

I think you'd be more interested than I am.

Actually, for some reason,
I'm currently grounded.

At first, I was calm about being grounded.

I accept all of life's twists and turns.

Because before that,
I'd already been through far more upheaval.

I had more time for myself
after being grounded.

Then one day, a plane flew over my head.

That was when I realized
I had drifted so far from flying.

That was when I realized
how deeply my heart longed for flight.

I started to miss my days at flight school
practicing day and night.

I missed the wild water celebration
after my first solo.

I missed the rush of my first flight.

I missed the heat I felt every time I flew.

It was like...

you were in love with someone.

But then the two of you,
for one reason or another,

had to be apart for a while.

You miss many things you've grown used to.

Late at night, you think
back to life with him.

You remember the wind he brought
when you two met.

Now and then,

in your dreams,

he would still show up.

When you wake up, you feel a pang of loss.

So you realize you miss
those happy and memorable moments.

Even those unhappy moments
will make you miss them.

Because...

they're gone for good.

So I admit

I treasure the time I spent with him.

Where are they performing?

Where? Tell him now.

Mr. Fu, I've already sent you the address.

Nice work.

For me, flying is like
meeting the one I'm so eager to see.

I believe you'll also be willing
to fight for dreams.

You'll keep moving toward your future.

Put faith
in the right person and the right thing.

They will always be waiting
for you at the finish line.

[Moment]

How did you manage
to spit out that much flattery?

[My Moment]
[Posted]

With news this good,
shouldn't I celebrate with a meal?

That place should still be open.

[Ocean Fresh Clam Noodles]
Bye.

- Take care.
- Goodbye.

- Excuse me.
- Yes?

A clam noodle, please.

You look familiar.
I haven't seen you in years, have I?

Yeah. I graduated years ago.
And you still remember me?

Of course I do. Well, do you
still take the original flavor?

Yes. I'll take one.

- Have a seat. It'll be right out.
- Okay.

- Excuse me.
- Yes?

- One clam noodle, please. Thanks.
- Okay.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to collect a debt.

Collect what? What debt?

You'd better keep your word.

My word?

You said you'd love me forever.

You said you'd always stay with me.

Dream on!

Have you been overworked lately?
You're talking nonsense.

Did you post this?

I did. What's wrong?

Take another close look.

The last line.

You said,
"Mr. Fu, you worked hard. Love you forever.

I will stay with you forever."

I... That was a repost.
I copied and pasted.

I don't care how it happened.
I only care about the result.

That's a confession.

Then by that logic, my
mentor reposted it too.

How's that?
You want to come between a married couple?

I don't care what anyone else posts.

I only care about what you post.

Then I'll delete it right now.

Don't you dare!

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow I'll give you a surprise.

Oh my God.

Honey. I was wrong. I was wrong!

- What did you do wrong?
- Well.

I shouldn't have eaten the cake you bought
in one bite.

From now on,
I'll save all the good stuff for you.

- Anything else?
- I really don't know.

Next time you mess up, just apologize.

If kissing worked, why
would anyone go to w*r?

Stop copying those stupid guys, okay?

The only thing you need to do is kiss her.

Kiss her like you mean it. Kiss her
like crazy. Kiss her, and you're done.

Only after you kiss her will you understand
that girls love that.

Honey, I really was wrong.

Time to get out.

Careful.

What are you up to?

- Why make it so...
- Mysterious?

Over the top.

Over the top?

If you find it over
the top after seeing it,

you can say no.

No way.

Ready?

Oh...

Fu Ming Yu, what is this?

Just what it looks like.

I registered it for you.

From now on, you can
fly whenever you want to.

This is seriously over the top.

So, Captain Ruan,
do you want to take it for a test flight?

Right now?

Go on.

I can fly today? Did
you file the flight plan?

I did. Your license hasn't expired, has it?

Of course not.

Get in.

I'm not going up.

This is your solo flight. You got this.

If you don't get in,
then I'm not flying today.

Tower, good afternoon.

Bravo-12 Tango Juliet, ready.
Requesting taxi clearance.

Bravo-12 Tango Juliet, cleared to taxi.

Hold short of Runway 17 at A-A1.

Hold short of Runway 17 at A-A1.
Bravo-12 Tango Juliet.

Bravo-12 Tango Juliet, taxi onto Runway 17.

Taxi onto Runway 17. Bravo-12 Tango Juliet.

Tower, Bravo-12 Tango Juliet ready
for takeoff clearance.

Bravo-12 Tango Juliet.
Surface wind 170 at 2 meters per second.

Runway 17 cleared for takeoff.

Runway 17 cleared for takeoff.
Bravo-12 Tango Juliet.

Mr. Fu, hold on. We're taking off.

Okay.

- You're not asleep, are you?
- No.

Your eyes are closed. Open them.
It's beautiful out there.

Look ahead. That cloud is a thundercloud.
It looks amazing.

Yes, it is. Can we stop
looking at the clouds?

Focus.

To be honest,

those grounded days
were really frustrating.

I kept thinking about flight school.

Especially my first solo.

It was so amazing.

Open your eyes. It's
really beautiful outside.

Pretty nice, right?

I'm sorry.

The flight ban must have been hard on you.

It's not that bad.

The break actually made me more determined
to follow what I want.

I want to fly.

I need to love and be loved.

I need you.

Your heart rate is too fast.

May I ask if you need me to call for help?

Mr. Fu.

Am I going too fast?

No.

You changed your tune too fast.

I've kept a secret from you.

I actually took flight lessons before.

You did? You already know how to fly.

Fear comes from not trusting yourself.

You can distrust anyone,
but you have to trust yourself.

Those wings are yours.

Feel the flight. Feel the wind.

You have to believe in yourself.

Don't be scared. I've got you.

This sunset is gorgeous.

Years from now,
you'll still say it's beautiful.

We're chasing the sunset again, aren't we?

As long as you don't leave me halfway.

Why are you still holding a grudge?

So petty.

Yeah. I can't forget it.

I can't forget that helpless feeling.

I also can't forget that I left you
in such a helpless situation.

Promise me.

Next time, don't
walk away on your own like that.

Remember, hard times will always be there,
whether you're by my side or not.

But if you're not by my side...

When I'm not there, you can really shine.

Otherwise, how can
reform move forward, right?

Let me show you something exciting.

When you were doing that stunt,
you forgot you'd have to drive back, right?

But it's fine.

You can even fly a plane.
A tiny little car is nothing.

It's not that I don't trust my own skills.

I just can't afford to wreck your car.

I was the only one in the airspace.

I could fly however I wanted.

The sky's not like the road.

I'm just afraid that, once you
start driving, you'll say it's too slow.

Okay, that's enough coming from you.

- Hold on tight.
- Wait!

Ruan Si Xian!

- Hello.
- Mr. Fu, your father's already pressing us.

We need to head to Ma'ao soon.
When do you want to set off?

I'll tell you later. I have to go.

A business trip?

I'll be stationed there.

A few years ago,
you went to Ma'ao's W.T. Airport.

To be honest, since Hengshi Air
acquired it, it hasn't made a dime.

Your reforms made a huge splash.

Looks like you won.

But you know a lot of the board is unhappy.

I have to prove to them
how capable you are.

So from here on, W.T. Airport is yours.

You have one year to turn it around.

Then you're going to Ma'ao?

You don't really have to go
for a whole year, do you?

What?

You're not scheming to
leave me again, are you?

Of course not.

I thought they were forcing me out.

I didn't expect them to force you out.

So you turn out to be a burden.

Just tell me
if I was wise to leave you back then.

How can someone fall
into the same trap twice?

Me? A trap?

Just tell me if I ended
up with a fake tycoon.

How come I get no special treatment? I just
keep getting the short end of the stick.

Ruan Si Xian.

It's too late to say that now.

Why don't you quit? I'll take care of you.

So you don't want me to go to Ma'ao?

You can't bear to let me go?

I just can't stand the thought
of you enjoying the good life on your own.